Two metallothionein genes in Oxya chinensis: molecular characteristics, expression patterns and roles in heavy metal stress.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine-rich, heavy metal-binding proteins involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification in living organisms. In the present study, we cloned two MT genes (OcMT1 and OcMT2) from Oxya chinensis, analyzed the expression patterns of the OcMT transcripts in different tissues and at varying developmental stages using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), evaluated the functions of these two MTs using RNAi and recombinant proteins in an E. coli expression system.

Shared molecular pathways and gene networks for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus in women across diverse ethnicities.

Background: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) share many common risk factors, potential molecular mechanisms that may also be shared for these 2 disorders remain unknown.

Methods And Results: Using an integrative pathway and network analysis, we performed genome-wide association studies in 8155 blacks, 3494 Hispanic American, and 3697 Caucasian American women who participated in the national Women's Health Initiative single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Health Association Resource and the Genomics and Randomized Trials Network. Eight top pathways and gene networks related to cardiomyopathy, calcium signaling, axon guidance, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix seemed to be commonly shared between CVD and T2D across all 3 ethnic groups.

Randomized controlled trial of early rehabilitation after intracerebral hemorrhage stroke: difference in outcomes within 6 months of stroke.

Background And Purpose: Mechanisms, acute management, and outcomes for patients who experience intracerebral hemorrhage may differ from patients with ischemic stroke. Studies of very early rehabilitation have been mainly undertaken in patients with ischemic stroke, and it is unknown if benefits apply to those with intracerebral hemorrhage. We hypothesized that early rehabilitation, within 48 hours of stroke, would improve survival and functional outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Endoplasmic reticulum resident protein 44 (ERp44) deficiency in mice and zebrafish leads to cardiac developmental and functional defects.

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein 44 (ERp44) is a member of the protein disulfide isomerase family, is induced during ER stress, and may be involved in regulating Ca(2+) homeostasis. However, the role of ERp44 in cardiac development and function is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ERp44 in cardiac development and function in mice, zebrafish, and embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived cardiomyocytes to determine the underlying role of ERp44.

Circulating betatrophin levels are increased in patients with type 2 diabetes and associated with insulin resistance.

Context: Betatrophin has recently attracted increasing interests as a potential β-cell regenerative therapy in diabetes. However, differences in betatrophin profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unclear.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine circulating betatrophin levels in subjects with different glucose tolerance status and its correlation with insulin resistance.

Air stable p-doping of WSe2 by covalent functionalization.

Covalent functionalization of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is investigated for air-stable chemical doping. Specifically, p-doping of WSe(2) via NOx chemisorption at 150 °C is explored, with the hole concentration tuned by reaction time. Synchrotron based soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depict the formation of various WSe(2-x-y)O(x)N(y) species both on the surface and interface between layers upon chemisorption reaction.

PTK7 regulates Id1 expression in CD44-high glioma cells.

Background: CD44 is a molecular marker associated with molecular subtype and treatment resistance in glioma. More effective therapies will result from approaches aimed at targeting the CD44-high gliomas.

Methods: Protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) mRNA expression was analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas glioblastoma dataset.

Development of a novel depth of interaction PET detector using highly multiplexed G-APD cross-strip encoding.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a prototype PET detector module for a combined small animal positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) system. The most important factor for small animal imaging applications is the detection sensitivity of the PET camera, which can be optimized by utilizing longer scintillation crystals. At the same time, small animal PET systems must yield a high spatial resolution.

Genome-wide linkage and regional association study of blood pressure response to the cold pressor test in Han Chinese: the genetic epidemiology network of salt sensitivity study.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) response to cold pressor test (CPT) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We performed a genome-wide linkage scan and regional association analysis to identify genetic determinants of BP response to CPT.

Methods And Results: A total of 1961 Chinese participants completed the CPT.

Mixed lineage leukemia-septin 5 fusion transcript in adult acute myeloid leukemia with t(11;22)(q23;q11.2): A case report.

The current report presents a case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a 32-year-old male. Cytogenetic analysis showed that the karyotype of the bone marrow cells was as follows: 46,XY,t(11;22)(q23;q11.2)[13]/46,X,-Y,+10,t(11;22)(q23;q11.

Ablation of epicardial ganglionated plexi increases atrial vulnerability to arrhythmias in dogs.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that systematic ablation of ganglionated plexi (GP) could increase the short-term success rate of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, but the long-term efficacy of this approach is not fully established.

Methods And Results: Twenty-four mongrel dogs were divided into 3 groups: epicardial GP ablation group 1 (n=8), epicardial GP ablation group 2 (n=8), and a sham operation group (n=8). In the 2 epicardial GP ablation groups, the 4 major GP and the ligament of Marshall were systematically ablated.

Prognostic value of grading masticator space involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma according to MR imaging findings.

Purpose: To derive a suitable method for grading masticator space invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma on the basis of magnetic resonance (MR) images and to determine its prognostic value in patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Materials And Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent were acquired, 808 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The anatomic sites of masticator space involvement were identified with MR imaging.

Bioactive tyrosine-derived cytochalasins from fungus Eutypella sp. D-1.

Three new cytochalasins Z24 , Z25 , Z26 (1-3, resp.) and one known compound, scoparasin B (4), were isolated from the fungus Eutypella sp. D-1 isolated from the soil of high latitude of the Arctic.

Hierarchically designed SiOx/SiOy bilayer nanomembranes as stable anodes for lithium ion batteries.

Hierarchically designed SiOx /SiOy rolled-up bilayer nanomembranes are used as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The functionalities of the SiO(x,y) layers can be engineered by simply controlling the oxygen content, resulting in anodes that exhibit a reversible capacity of about 1300 mA h g(-1) with an excellent stability of over 100 cycles, as well as a good rate capability.

Risk of cerebral arteriovenous malformation rupture during pregnancy and puerperium.

Objective: To determine whether the risk of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture is increased during pregnancy and puerperium.

Methods: Participants included 979 female patients with intracranial AVM admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital between 1960 and 2010. Two neurosurgery residents reviewed medical records for each case.

Five-dimensional visualization of phase transition in BiNiO under high pressure.

Colossal negative thermal expansion was recently discovered in BiNiO associated with a low density to high density phase transition under high pressure. The varying proportion of co-existing phases plays a key role in the macroscopic behavior of this material. Here, we utilize a recently developed X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy Tomography method and resolve the mixture of high/low pressure phases as a function of pressure at tens of nanometer resolution taking advantage of the charge transfer during the transition.

Samarium and yttrium codoped BaCeO₃ proton conductor with improved sinterability and higher electrical conductivity.

Acceptor-doped barium cerate is considered as one of the state-of-the-art high temperature proton conductors (HTPCs), and the proton conductivity of such HTPCs is heavily dependent on the dopant. In this work, a codoping strategy is employed to improve the electrical conductivity and sinterability of BaCeO3-based HTPC. BaCe0.

2'-OMe-phosphorodithioate-modified siRNAs show increased loading into the RISC complex and enhanced anti-tumour activity.

Improving small interfering RNA (siRNA) efficacy in target cell populations remains a challenge to its clinical implementation. Here, we report a chemical modification, consisting of phosphorodithioate (PS2) and 2'-O-Methyl (2'-OMe) MePS2 on one nucleotide that significantly enhances potency and resistance to degradation for various siRNAs. We find enhanced potency stems from an unforeseen increase in siRNA loading to the RNA-induced silencing complex, likely due to the unique interaction mediated by 2'-OMe and PS2.

Epigenetic regulation of macrophage polarization by DNA methyltransferase 3b.

Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) undergo a phenotypic switch from alternatively activated antiinflammatory M2 macrophages in lean individuals to classically activated proinflammatory M1 macrophages in obese subjects. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this process remains unclear. In this study we aim to determine whether DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) regulates macrophage polarization and inflammation.

3,6,9,12-Tetrasubstituted chrysenes: synthesis, photophysical properties, and application as blue fluorescent OLED.

A short synthesis of unsubstituted chrysene is described to provide a cheap source of this compound. This chrysene was used to prepare 3,6,9,12-tetrabromochrysene, which was subsequently transformed into various 3,6,9,12-tetrasubstituted chrysenes bearing four aryl, alkynyl, or amino groups by means of the Suzuki, Sonogashira, or Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction, respectively. These substituents result in large bathochromic shifts in the chrysene absorption and emission spectra.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) promotes inflammation in human pregnant myometrium: the evidence of CRH initiating parturition?

Context: An increasing body of evidence indicates that human labor, either term or preterm, is an inflammatory event. CRH has been implicated to be a trigger of human parturition.

Objective: To investigate whether CRH induces the cascades of inflammation in human pregnant myometrium, thereby leading to activation of uterus.

Low-cost silicone imaging casts for zebrafish embryos and larvae.

Due to their size and optical clarity, zebrafish embryos have long been appreciated for their usefulness in time-lapse confocal microscopy. Current methods of mounting zebrafish embryos and larvae for imaging consist mainly of mounting in low percentage, low melting temperature agarose in a Petri dish. Whereas imaging methods have advanced greatly over the last two decades, the methods for mounting embryos have not changed significantly.

Inhibition of bone morphogenic protein 4 restores endothelial function in db/db diabetic mice.

Objective: Bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) is involved in the development of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension. This study investigated whether the inhibition of BMP4 signaling improves endothelial function in db/db diabetic mice.

Approach And Results: Male db/db mice were treated with noggin via osmotic pump infusion (1 µg/[h·kg(-1)]) for 2 weeks.

A phase I, dose-escalation trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of emulsified isoflurane in healthy human volunteers.

Background: This first-in-human volunteer phase I clinical trial aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and anesthesia efficacy of emulsified isoflurane (EI), an intravenously injectable formulation of isoflurane.

Methods: Seventy-eight healthy volunteers were recruited in this open-label, single-bolus, dose-escalation, phase I trial and were allocated into 16 cohorts. Each volunteer received a single bolus injection of EI.