IL-10/STAT3 is reduced in childhood obesity with hypertriglyceridemia and is related to triglyceride level in diet-induced obese rats.

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorder such as dyslipidemia has sharply increased in the past few decades. Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with the development of comorbidities and poor prognosis in obesity. This study aims to evaluate interleukin-10 (IL-10) in childhood obesity with hypertriglyceridemia.

Integrated analysis of long noncoding RNA and mRNA expression profile in children with obesity by microarray analysis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an important role in adipose tissue function and energy metabolism homeostasis, and abnormalities may lead to obesity. To investigate whether lncRNAs are involved in childhood obesity, we investigated the differential expression profile of lncRNAs in obese children compared with non-obese children. A total number of 1268 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 1085 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of TLR1 and TLR4 from the endangered fish Dabry's sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus).

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of teleost innate immune system. However, information about TLRs is absent in Dabry's sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus), one of the most primitive actinopterygii species. In the present study, the full lengths of adaTLR1 and adaTLR4 were cloned from Dabry's sturgeon using RT-PCR and RACE-PCR.

Jinfu'an Decoction Inhibits Invasion and Metastasis in Human Lung Cancer Cells (H1650) via p120ctn-Mediated Induction and Kaiso.

BACKGROUND Previous research showed that Jin-Fu-An decoction has a significant effect on lung cancer. However, it remains unclear whether p120ctn and its transcription factor Kaiso play a role in lung cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Proliferation inhibition was detected by CCK-8 assay.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor homolog in the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

As an essential mediator in the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway, GnRH receptor (GnRHR) coupled to GnRH, plays an important role in activating the downstream pathway after stimulating a series of cascades to regulate reproduction. To detect the existence of GnRHR and potential GnRH signaling pathway, we cloned and characterized GnRHR in the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (named EsGnRHR). The full-length EsGnRHR cDNA is 2038 bp in length, including an open reading frame (ORF) of 1566 bp, a 57 bp 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) and a 415 bp 3'-UTR.

A common polymorphic variant of UGT1A5 displays increased activity due to optimized cofactor binding.

Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are the most important phase II enzymes in human drug metabolism. Using permeabilized recombinant fission yeast cells (enzyme bags), we demonstrate that UGT1A5 can catalyze an N-glucuronidation reaction. We characterized two new polymorphic UGT1A5 variants: a common ninefold mutant (UGT1A5*8) with double-fold activity and a much rarer sixfold mutant (UGT1A5*9), which has the same activity as the wild-type.

Tumor-infiltrating B cells: their role and application in anti-tumor immunity in lung cancer.

Evidence indicates that lung cancer development is a complex process that involves interactions between tumor cells, stromal fibroblasts, and immune cells. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells play a significant role in the promotion or inhibition of tumor growth. As an integral component of the tumor microenvironment, tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes (TIBs) exist in all stages of cancer and play important roles in shaping tumor development.

Modification of wheat gluten for improvement of binding capacity with keratin in hair.

In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis and cationization with epoxypropyldodecyldimethylammonium chloride of wheat protein, an economic protein complex containing great amount of disulfide bonds, were conducted to improve properties such as solubility and disassociation behaviour for recovery of damaged hair when used in shampoo. The optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis were pH 8.2, 55°C with Alcalase for 60 min.

The role of plasma D-dimer levels for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Elevated plasma D-dimer levels have been suggested as a predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC. But rare study showed the relationship between D-dimer levels and lymph node involvement.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of plasma D-dimer levels in predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in NSCLC.

Betaine promotes lipid accumulation in adipogenic-differentiated skeletal muscle cells through ERK/PPARγ signalling pathway.

Betaine, a neutral zwitterionic compound, could regulate intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition and meat quality. However, the efficacy is controversial. Moreover, the regulatory mechanism of betaine on lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle cells remains unclear.

Photochemical transformation of lipoic acid-based ligands: probing the effects of solvent, ligand structure, oxygen and pH.

We have combined optical absorption with the Ellman's test to identify the parameters that affect the transformation of the 5-membered dithiolanes to thiols in lipoic acid (LA) and its derivatives during UV-irradiation. We found that the nature and polarity of the solvent, the structure of the ligands, acidity of the medium and oxygen can drastically affect the amount of photogenerated thiols. These findings are highly relevant to the understanding of the photochemical transformation of this biologically relevant compound, and would benefit the increasing use of LA-based ligands for the surface functionalization of various nanomaterials.

High glucose promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by upregulating proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 expression.

Serine/threonine kinase proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1 (Pim-1) plays an essential role in arterial wall cell proliferation and associated vascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension and aortic wall neointima formation. Here we tested a role of Pim-1 in high-glucose (HG)-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Pim-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression levels in arterial samples from streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia rats were increased, compared with their weak expression in normoglycemic groups.

Antibiotics induce polarization of pleural macrophages to M2-like phenotype in patients with tuberculous pleuritis.

Pleural macrophages play critical roles in pathogenesis of tuberculous pleuritis, but very little is known about their response to anti-tuberculosis antibiotics treatment. Here, we examined whether and how pleural macrophages change in phenotype, transcription and function following antibiotics treatment in patients with tuberculous pleuritis. Results show pro-inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated significantly post antibiotic treatment in the pleural effusions and pleural macrophages up-regulated markers characteristic of M2 macrophages such as CD163 and CD206.

Isolation and characterization of 30 microsatellite loci for (Taxodiaceae).

Premise Of The Study: To quantify the population-level genetic characteristics of (Taxodiaceae), an important timber conifer, we developed 30 pairs of microsatellite primers based on the nuclear genome.

Methods And Results: Using the streptavidin-biotin capture system, we developed 14 polymorphic and 16 monomorphic microsatellites. Polymorphisms were detected in 14 loci using 94 individual trees that were collected from three populations in Hubei and Zhejiang provinces and in Chongqing Municipality, China.

Rab25 GTPase: Functional roles in cancer.

Rab25, a small GTPase belongs to the Rab protein family, has a pivotal role in cancer pathophysiology. Rab25 governs cell-surface receptors recycling and cellular signaling pathways activation, allowing it to control a diverse range of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, cell motility and cell death. Aberrant expression of Rab25 was linked to cancer development.

Asiatic Acid Exhibits Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities against Lipopolysaccharide and d-Galactosamine-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are essential for the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Asiatic acid (AA), which is a pentacyclic triterpene that widely occurs in various vegetables and fruits, has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of AA against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d-galactosamine (GalN)-induced FHF and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Regiocontrolled Electrosynthesis of [60]Fullerene Bisadducts: Photovoltaic Performance and Crystal Structures of C o-Quinodimethane Bisadducts.

C o-quinodimethane bisadducts [C(QM)] are promising electron acceptors for bulk heterojuction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs). However, previous production of C(QM) often resulted in excessive regioisomers, which were difficult to purify and might consequently obscure the structure-performance study of the organofullerene acceptors. Herein, the electrosynthesis of C(QM) is reported.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Literature Review.

Introduction: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially those with relapsed or refractory AML, have poor clinical prognosis and outcomes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments have become increasingly important in oncology, aiding in identifying and informing supportive therapy needs during treatment and beyond; however, HRQoL in hematology, and AML in particular, has received relatively minor attention. The aim was to identify and summarize estimates of HRQoL in patients with AML, including patients with relapsed or refractory AML.

Expression of miR-18a and miR-34c in circulating monocytes associated with vulnerability to type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance.

Chronic stress may facilitate the development of metabolic disorders including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MiR-18a and miR-34c modulate central cell responsiveness to stress by targeting glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRFR1) mRNA, which are important regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study explored the relationship between T2DM/IR and expression of miR-18a and miR-34c in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in an occupational sample.

A diagnostic microdosing approach to investigate platinum sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer.

The platinum-based drugs cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are often used for chemotherapy, but drug resistance is common. The prediction of resistance to these drugs via genomics is a challenging problem since hundreds of genes are involved. A possible alternative is to use mass spectrometry to determine the propensity for cells to form drug-DNA adducts-the pharmacodynamic drug-target complex for this class of drugs.

Development and characterization of 23 microsatellite loci for (Ericaceae).

Premise Of The Study: To estimate the genetic variation of (Ericaceae), a monoecious evergreen shrub, 23 microsatellite markers were identified from its nuclear genome.

Methods And Results: We developed 16 polymorphic and seven monomorphic microsatellite primers using the biotin-streptavidin capture method. The 16 polymorphic loci were investigated further using 89 individuals sampled from three populations in China.

Silyl- and Disilanyl-BODIPYs: Synthesis via Catalytic Dehalosilylation and Spectroscopic Properties.

We describe herein the first synthesis of silyl- and disilanyl-BODIPYs through transition-metal-catalyzed dehalosilylation of iodo-BODIPYs using a Pd(P(tBu) ) /Et N/toluene system. Various mono- and bis-silyl-BODIPYs, mono- and bis-disilanyl-BODIPYs and bis-BODIPYs linked by silylene and SiOSi groups were synthesized by using this straightforward method. Silyl- and disilanyl-substitution significantly modifies the spectroscopic properties of the BODIPY, in which the fluorescence quantum yields of the silyl-BODIPYs are remarkably increased, whereas the emission spectra of disilanyl-BODIPYs are red-shifted due to effective σ(SiSi)-π(BODIPY) conjugation.

Isothermal Cold Crystallization, Heat Resistance, and Tensile Performance of Polylactide/Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer (PLA/TPEE) Blends: Effects of Annealing and Reactive Compatibilizer.

The combined influences of crystallinity and reactive compatibilizer-a multifunctional epoxide (ADR)-on morphology, tensile performance, and heat resistance of polylactide/thermoplastic polyester elastomer (PLA/TPEE) (80/20) blends were investigated. Annealing involved an isothermal cold crystallization of PLA matrix was performed to increase crystallinity of the samples. First, isothermal cold crystallization kinetics were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry measurement.

Microdose-Induced Drug-DNA Adducts as Biomarkers of Chemotherapy Resistance in Humans and Mice.

We report progress on predicting tumor response to platinum-based chemotherapy with a novel mass spectrometry approach. Fourteen bladder cancer patients were administered one diagnostic microdose each of [C]carboplatin (1% of the therapeutic dose). Carboplatin-DNA adducts were quantified by accelerator mass spectrometry in blood and tumor samples collected within 24 hours, and compared with subsequent chemotherapy response.

Development of a high speed counter-current chromatography system with Cu(II)-chiral ionic liquid complexes and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as dual chiral selectors for enantioseparation of naringenin.

Cu(II) complexed amino acid ionic liquid, Cu(II)-[1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium][L-Pro] (Cu(II)-[BMIm][L-Pro]), was successfully adopted as chiral ligand to improve the enantioseparation efficiency in high speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). For the enantioseparation of intractable naringenin (NRG) racemic mixtures, Cu(II)-[BMIm][L-Pro] coupled with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was successfully applied as dual chiral selectors in HSCCC. The influence of important parameters, including the concentration of the chiral selectors, the pH value, and the temperature were investigated.