Multi-imaging platform for rhizosphere studies: Phosphorus and oxygen fluxes.

Rhizosphere is a soil volume of high spatio-temporal heterogeneity and intensive plant-soil-microbial interactions, for which visualization and process quantification is of highest scientific and applied relevance, but still very challenging. A novel methodology for quick assessment of two-dimensional distribution of available phosphorus (P) in rhizosphere was suggested, tested, and development up to the application platform. Available P was firstly trapped by an in-situ diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) sampler with precipitated zirconia as the binding gel, and subsequently, the loaded gel was analyzed with an optimized colorimetric imaging densitometry (CID).

[Effects of seasonal temperature variation on nitrogen removal from a tidal flow constructed wetland system with CANON process].

We investigated the effects of seasonal temperature variation on the treatment perfor-mance and underlying mechanisms of nitrogen transformation in a tidal flow constructed wetland (TFCW) with the complete autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process. Different temperatures resulted in periodical variations in nitrogen transformation pathways and removal performance of the TFCW with CANON process, which was mainly due to the changes of dominant bacterial communities for nitrogen removal in the system. When temperature was higher than 20.

Effects of sulfated modification on the physicochemical properties and biological activities of β-glucans from Qingke (Tibetan hulless barley).

In this study, the reaction conditions of sulfur trioxide-pyridine (SO-Pyr) method for the modification of Qingke β-glucans (THB) were optimized by response surface methodology, and effects of different degrees of substitution (low, medium, and high) on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and in vitro hypolipidemic activities of THB were investigated. The optimal reaction conditions to obtain the high degree of substitution of sulfated β-glucans were as follows: ratio of SO-Pyr to THB of 16.88 g/g, reaction time of 2.

Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharides from Cassia Seed ().

In order to explore Cassia seed polysaccharides (CSPs) as natural antioxidants for application in the functional-food industry, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was optimized for the extraction of CSPs by using a response surface methodology. Furthermore, the chemical structures and antioxidant activities of CSPs extracted by MAE and hot water extraction were investigated and compared. The maximum extraction yield of CSPs extracted by MAE (8.

Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of non-starch polysaccharides from different kiwifruits.

Non-starch polysaccharides are considered the main bioactive ingredients in kiwifruits. In order to well understand the chemical structures and antioxidant activities of non-starch polysaccharides from different varieties of kiwifruits (KPSs), the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of KPSs extracted by hot water extraction from Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward, A.

Implication of lncRNAs in pathogenesis of esophageal cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), transcripts as longer than 200 nt in length with a great number of varieties in human genomics, play important roles in the regulation of genetics and epigenetics including gene transcription and post-transcription. Increasing evidence have demonstrated the upregulation of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis and metastasis of esophageal cancer (EC), a type of malignant tumors particularly in Asia. In this review, we briefly discuss the profiles and functions of lncRNAs involved in the progression of EC, which may provide a new approach to improve EC diagnosis and treatment.

Upregulation of the long noncoding RNA PCAT-1 correlates with advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Recent studies reveal that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in cancer biology. Prostate cancer-associated ncRNA transcript 1 (PCAT-1) is one of the lncRNAs involved in cell apoptosis and proliferation of prostate cancer. This study aimed to assess the potential role of PCAT-1 specifically in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Comparison of long non‑coding RNAs, microRNAs and messenger RNAs involved in initiation and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Traditionally, cancer research has focused on protein‑coding genes, which are considered the principal effectors and regulators of tumorigenesis. Non‑coding RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been widely reported to be important in the regulation of tumorigenesis and cancer development. However, to the best of our knowledge, investigation of the expression profiles of lncRNAs and a comparison of the involvement of lncRNAs, miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in esophageal tumorigenesis and development have not previously been performed.

Long noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 is upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and associated with poor prognosis.

LncRNA SPRY4-IT1 has been shown to promote the progression of melanoma. However, the role of lncRNA SPRY4-IT1 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical significance and biological functions of SPRY4-IT1 in ESCC.

Upregulation of the long non-coding RNA PlncRNA-1 promotes esophageal squamous carcinoma cell proliferation and correlates with advanced clinical stage.

Background: Recent studies revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in cancer biology. PlncRNA-1 is one of lncRNAs that is associated with cell apoptosis and proliferation of prostate cancer.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the potential role of PlncRNA-1 in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Upregulation of the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis and poor prognosis.

Recent studies of the individual functionalities of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of cancer have suggested that HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is capable of reprogramming chromatin organization and promoting cancer cell metastasis. In order to ascertain the expression pattern of the lncRNA HOTAIR and assess its biological role in the development and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), HOTAIR expression in ESCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues were collected from 78 patients and measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HOTAIR correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis was also analyzed.

Association of β-catenin, Wnt1, Smad4, Hoxa9, and Bmi-1 with the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In our previous study, Human Signal Transduction in Cancer Gene Array was used in 12 fresh tumor samples to detect the gene expression profiles in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues matched adjacent non-cancerous samples. Among genes up-regulated at least twofold, β-catenin, Wnt1, Smad4, Hoxa9, and Bmi-1 were found. So subsequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the prognosis and clinicopathologic roles of β-catenin, Wnt1, Smad4, Hoxa9, and Bmi-1 in ESCC tissue.