Evaluation of the stiffness of normal cervix and its change with different factors using transvaginal two-dimensional shear wave elastography under strict quality control.

Background: The usefulness of transvaginal two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) for cervical lesions is still uncertain. This study was to explore the value of transvaginal 2D SWE in the evaluation of the stiffness of normal cervix and its change with different factors under strict quality control (QC).

Methods: Two hundred patients with normal cervix were included in this study and were examined using quantitative 2D SWE to evaluate cervical stiffness and its change with different factors under strict QC.

Influenza a virus triggers acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by increasing proinflammatory cytokines secretion via NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Background: Influenza A virus (IAV) triggers acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of IAV induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation to increase airway inflammation response in the progression of AECOPD.

Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were isolated and cultured from normal and COPD bronchial tissues and co-cultured with IAV.

Metallodrugs are unique: opportunities and challenges of discovery and development.

Metals play vital roles in nutrients and medicines and provide chemical functionalities that are not accessible to purely organic compounds. At least 10 metals are essential for human life and about 46 other non-essential metals (including radionuclides) are also used in drug therapies and diagnostic agents. These include platinum drugs (in 50% of cancer chemotherapies), lithium (bipolar disorders), silver (antimicrobials), and bismuth (broad-spectrum antibiotics).

Ligand-centred redox activation of inert organoiridium anticancer catalysts.

Organometallic complexes with novel activation mechanisms are attractive anticancer drug candidates. Here, we show that half-sandwich iodido cyclopentadienyl iridium(iii) azopyridine complexes exhibit potent antiproliferative activity towards cancer cells, in most cases more potent than cisplatin. Despite their inertness towards aquation, these iodido complexes can undergo redox activation by attack of the abundant intracellular tripeptide glutathione (GSH) on the chelated azopyridine ligand to generate paramagnetic intermediates, and hydroxyl radicals, together with thiolate-bridged dinuclear iridium complexes, and liberate reduced hydrazopyridine ligand.

Ligand-Controlled Reactivity and Cytotoxicity of Cyclometalated Rhodium(III) Complexes.

We report the synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity of six cyclometalated rhodium(III) complexes [CpRh(C^N)Z], in which Cp = Cp*, Cp, or Cp, C^N = benzo[h]quinoline, and Z = chloride or pyridine. Three x-ray crystal structures showing the expected "piano-stool" configurations have been determined. The chlorido complexes hydrolysed faster in aqueous solution, also reacted preferentially with 9-ethyl guanine or glutathione compared to their pyridine analogues.

A signal peptide derived from Hsp60 induces protective cytotoxic T lymphocyte immunity against lymphoid malignancies independently of TAP and classical MHC-I.

Hsp60sp, a signal peptide derived from the leader sequence of heat shock protein 60 kDa (Hsp60), is a Qa-1/HLA-E-binding peptide. We previously showed that Hsp60sp-specific CD8 T cells are involved in the immunoregulation of autoimmune diseases by controlling the response of self-reactive lymphocytes. Here, we report that Hsp60sp-specific CD8 T cells killed malignant lymphocytes in vitro independently of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and classical MHC-I expression.

Metallic iron in cornflakes.

Iron is an essential element, and cornflake-style cereals are typically fortified with iron to a level up to 14 mg iron per 100 g. Even single cornflakes exhibit magnetic behaviour. We extracted iron microparticles from samples of two own-brand supermarket cornflakes using a strong permanent magnet.

Strategies for conjugating iridium(III) anticancer complexes to targeting peptides via copper-free click chemistry.

We report the synthesis and characterization of novel pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) iridium(III) complexes [(Cp*)Ir(4-methyl-4'-carboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)Cl]PF6 (Ir-I), the product (Ir-II) from amide coupling of Ir-I to dibenzocyclooctyne-amine, and its conjugate (Ir-CP) with the cyclic nona-peptide c(CRWYDENAC). The familiar three-legged 'piano-stool' configuration for complex Ir-I was confirmed by its single crystal X-ray structure. Significantly, copper-free click strategy has been developed for site-specific conjugation of the parent complex Ir-I to the tumour targeting nona-cyclic peptide.

[Bmi-1 as A Molecular Marker for Prognosis of Pediatric ALL].

Objective: To study whether the Bmi-1 gene can be a biomarker for analysis of clinical risk stratification and prognosis of ALL patients.

Methods: The expression level of Bmi-1 gene in bone marrow samples from 127 cases of newly diagnosed ALL was detected by qRT-PCR, at the same time the expression level of Bmi-1 protein in bone marrow samples from above-mentioned cases was detected by Western blot. The collected samples were divided into 3 groups: high, intermediate and low risk according to clinical risk stratfication, the relationship between Bmi-1 expression and risk grade of ALL patients was analyzed; at the same time the collected samples were divided into 2 groups: prednisone good response (PGR) and prednisone poor respouse (PPR) according to the sensitivity of prednison test, and the sensitivily to prednisone in 2 groups was compared; moreover, the collected samples were divided into 2 groups: high level and low level according to median of Bmi-1 level, and the relation of Bmi-1 level with prognosis of patients was analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

KRT1 gene silencing ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via the activation of the Notch signaling pathway in mouse models.

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (MIRI) includes major drawbacks, such as excessive formation of free radicals and also overload of calcium, which lead to cell death, tissue scarring, and remodeling. The current study aims to explore whether KRT1 silencing may ameliorate MIRI via the Notch signaling pathway in mouse models. Myocardial tissues were used for the determination of the positive rate of KRT1 protein expression, apoptosis of myocardial cells, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression, expression of related biomarkers as well as myocardial infarction area.

Spatio-temporal expression of miRNA159 family members and their GAMYB target gene during the modulation of gibberellin-induced grapevine parthenocarpy.

Grapevine, Vitis vinifera, is an important economic fruit crop that is highly sensitive to gibberellin (GA), and the exogenous application of GA can efficiently induce grapevine parthenocarpy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. In this study, morphological changes during flower development in response to GA treatments were examined in the 'Zuijinxiang' cultivar.

[Lithium chloride arrests HK-2 cell cycle in G2 phase through AKT/GSK-3β signal pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) on cell cycle of HK-2 cells and explore the possible pathways involved.

Methods: HK-2 cells were treated with LiCl at different concentrations (5, 12.5, 20, and 25 mmol/L) for 12, 24, 48, or 72 h, and the changes in cell cycle and viability were detected using flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay, respectively.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide ameliorates high glucose-induced myocardial injury & inflammation via the CIRP-MAPK signaling pathway in H9c2 cardiac cells.

Aims: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a novel signaling molecule with potent cytoprotective actions. In this study, we hypothesize that exogenous HS may protect cardiac cells against high glucose (HG)-induced myocardial injury and inflammation with the involvement of the CIRP-MAPK signaling pathway.

Main Methods: H9c2 cardiac cells cultured under HG conditions were transfected with siRNA and different inhibitor for detecting the effects of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (a HS donor) on cell biological processes.

[Application of non-invasive microelectrode ion flux estimation technique in crop stress physiology.].

Non-invasive microsensing technique has been widely used in evaluating the adaptive responses of plant cells and tissues to abiotic stresses. One of the representative techniques is the microelectrode ion flux estimation (MIFE), which allows concurrent quantification of net fluxes with high spatial and temporal resolution. More importantly, this technique permits simultaneous recording of ion concentration and mobility with less intervention to the in situ physiological status.

Antitumor Activity of Intratumoral Ethanol Injection in an Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Cell Mouse Xenograft Model.

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease and usually is diagnosed at advanced stages of disease. This study assessed the effects of intratumoral ethanol injection using an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) probe on the control of pancreatic cancer in a mouse orthotopic xenograft model.

Materials And Methods: The subcutaneous and orthotopic human pancreatic cancer cell mouse xenograft models were established.

Excessive activated T-cell proliferation after anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.

Excessive activated T-cell proliferation was observed in vivo in one patient after an anti-CD19-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell infusion. The patient, who had chemotherapy refractory and CD19 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), received an anti-CD19 CAR T-cell infusion following conditioning chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide). The lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood (PB) increased to 77 × 10/L on day 13 post infusion, and the proportion of CD8 actived T cells was 93.

Two novel heterozygous HTRA1 mutations in two pedigrees with cerebral small vessel disease families.

Heterozygous HTRA1 mutations, recently, have been reported as a cause of autosomal dominant hereditary cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We herein describe clinical and neuroimaging findings in two familial CSVD with two different heterozygous HTRA1 mutations. Detailed clinical and neuroimaging examination were conducted in probands and their available family members.

[Optimize excipients for Yinsang hypoglycemic granules by using multiple indexes].

Optimal excipients were screened by studying the effect of different excipients on the hygroscopicity of the extract, testing polysaccharide in the preparation and blood glucose value. Single factor tests were performed with hygroscopicity, formability and fluidity as the indexes, and the moisture content, granule yield and angle of repose were combined with physical characters of the materials to screen the proportioning and dosage of excipients. Then the critical relative humidity of preferred Yinsang granules were measured.

Determination of a natural DNMT1 inhibitor, peperomin E, in rat plasma by UFLC-MS/MS and method application in a pharmacokinetic study.

Peperomin E (PepE), a naturally occurring secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, has drawn much attention recently owing to its anticancer and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitory activity. Here, a simple and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of PepE in rat plasma for the first time. Samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation.

Biosynthesis and Regulation of Wheat Amylose and Amylopectin from Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Characterization of Granule-binding Proteins.

Waxy starch has an important influence on the qualities of breads. Generally, grain weight and yield in waxy wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are significantly lower than in bread wheat.

Autologous T Cells Expressing CD30 Chimeric Antigen Receptors for Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Open-Label Phase I Trial.

Relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma is a challenge for medical oncologists because of poor overall survival. We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of CD30-targeting CAR T cells in patients with progressive relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma received a conditioning chemotherapy followed by the CART-30 cell infusion.

Facile Separation of Regioisomeric Compounds by a Heteronuclear Organometallic Capsule.

Owing to the often-similar physical and chemical properties of structural isomers of organic molecules, large efforts have been made to develop efficient strategies to isolate specific isomers. However, facile separation of regioisomeric compounds remains difficult. Here we demonstrate a universal organometallic capsule in which two silver centers are rigidly separated from each other by two tetranuclear [Rh4] pyramidal frustums, which selectively encapsulate a specific isomer from mixtures.

Treatment of CD20-directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor-modified T cells in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: an early phase IIa trial report.

Patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma have a dismal prognosis. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-modified T cells (CART cells) that targeted CD20 were effective in a phase I clinical trial for patients with advanced B-cell lymphomas. We performed a phase IIa trial to further assess the safety and efficacy of administering autologous anti-CD20 CART (CART-20) cells to patients with refractory or relapsed CD20 B-cell lymphoma.

Construction of tetranuclear metallacycles based on half-sandwich Ir, Rh fragments and pyridyl-substituted ligands with different coordinate vectors.

A series of organometallic macrocycles have been constructed by two-step reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]2 (M = Ir, Rh), firstly with AgOTf to abstract chloride ions and then with simple pyridyl-substituted ligands-pyridyldipyrromethene (HL(1)), pyridin-4-yl (1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanone (HL(2)) and pyridine-4-carbohydrazide (HL(3))-resulting in the formation of the tetranuclear 32-membered metallacycles [(Cp*Ir)(L(1))]4(OTf)4 (2a) and [(Cp*Rh)(L(1))]4(OTf)4 (2b), and the 28-membered metallacycles [(Cp*Ir)(L(2))]4 (OTf)4 (3a), [(Cp*Rh)(L(2))]4(OTf)4 (3b), [(Cp*Ir)(L(3))]4(OTf)4 (4a) and [(Cp*Rh)(L(3))]4(OTf)4 (4b). Four target complexes were characterised by single crystal X-ray analyses, revealing that these metallacycles, constructed from half-sandwich metal corners and pyridyl-substituted linkers, form large ring structures. The observed variation in the metallacyclic geometries was explained on the basis of the structural flexibility of the corner fragments, subtle changes in coordination geometries, and changes in the orientation of the coordinate vectors in the given ligands, as well as different dihedral angles between the two binding fragments in the nonplanar ligands.