Sirtuin 6 Deacetylates Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Protein (ASC) to Inhibit Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis in Atherosclerosis.

Endothelial cell dysfunction is the main pathology of atherosclerosis (AS). Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a deacetylase, is involved in AS progression. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of SIRT6 on the pyroptosis of endothelial cells and its underlying mechanisms.

TIF1γ and SMAD4 regulation in colorectal cancer: impact on cell proliferation and liver metastasis.

We investigated the effects of transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) and SMAD4 on the proliferation and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through knockdown of TIF1γ and/or SMAD4 and knockdown of TIF1γ and/or restoration of SMAD4 expression. Furthermore, we examined TIF1γ and SMAD4 expression in human primary CRC and corresponding liver metastatic CRC specimens. TIF1γ promoted but SMAD4 inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells by competitively binding to activated SMAD2/SMAD3 complexes and then reversely regulating c-Myc, p21, p27, and cyclinA2 levels.

A high-throughput microfluidic mechanoporation platform to enable intracellular delivery of cyclic peptides in cell-based assays.

Cyclic peptides are poised to target historically difficult to drug intracellular protein-protein interactions, however, their general cell impermeability poses a challenge for characterizing function. Recent advances in microfluidics have enabled permeabilization of the cytoplasmic membrane by physical cell deformation (i.e.

Network-Based Driving Force of National Economic Development: A Social Capital Perspective.

Network science has been widely applied in theoretical and empirical studies of global value chain (GVC), and many related articles have emerged, forming many more mature and complete analytical frameworks. Among them, the GVC accounting method based on complex network theory is different from the mainstream economics in both research angle and content. In this paper, we build up global industrial value chain network (GIVCN) models based on World Input-Output Database, introduce the theoretical framework of Social Capital, and define the network-based indicators with economic meanings.

Downregulation of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and migration by regulating the miR-361-5p/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

SBF2-AS1 is an oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). However, its role and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still not completely clear. The HepG2, Hep3B, Bel-7402 and HL-7702 cell lines were used in our experiments.

High-Throughput Screening to Identify Small Molecules That Selectively Inhibit APOL1 Protein Level in Podocytes.

High-throughput phenotypic screening is a key driver for the identification of novel chemical matter in drug discovery for challenging targets, especially for those with an unclear mechanism of pathology. For toxic or gain-of-function proteins, small-molecule suppressors are a targeting/therapeutic strategy that has been successfully applied. As with other high-throughput screens, the screening strategy and proper assays are critical for successfully identifying selective suppressors of the target of interest.

Early Identification of Residual Tumors following Microwave Ablation Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in a Rabbit VX2 Liver Cancer Model.

Objective: It is difficult to evaluate the ablation effect immediately after thermal ablation of liver cancer by clinical imaging methods, due to the immediate formation of an annular inflammatory reaction band (IRB). This study is aimed at exploring the early identification indicators of the IRB and residual tumor postmicrowave ablation (MVA) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

Methods: MVA was used to inactivate part of the tumor nodules in rabbit VX2 liver cancer models, leading to the coexistence of the IRB with residual tumors.

From Screening to Targeted Degradation: Strategies for the Discovery and Optimization of Small Molecule Ligands for PCSK9.

Proprotein convertase substilisin-like/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease involved in a protein-protein interaction with the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor that has both human genetic and clinical validation. Blocking this protein-protein interaction prevents LDL receptor degradation and thereby decreases LDL cholesterol levels. Our pursuit of small-molecule direct binders for this difficult to drug PPI target utilized affinity selection/mass spectrometry, which identified one confirmed hit compound.

Establishment of Rabbit Liver VX2 Tumor Model Using Percutaneous Puncture Inoculation of Tumor Fragment Guided and Evaluated by Ultrasonography.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate a method of establishing model of rabbit liver VX2 tumor using percutaneous puncture inoculation of tumor fragment guided by ultrasonography. VX2 tumor fragments were implanted into the liver of 13 New Zealand white rabbits flushed by 1 mL normal saline through percutaneous puncture needle guided by ultrasonography. Conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) were performed 14 days after inoculation, and then the rabbits were sacrificed and pathologically examined.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for preoperative assessment of liver reserve function in patients with liver tumors.

This study aimed to investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for preoperative assessment of liver reserve function in patients with liver tumors. The indocyanine green (ICG) clearance tests and CEUS examinations of 45 noncirrhotic patients with liver tumors were performed prior to liver resection. Parameters time to peak (TtoPk), arrival time (Atm) as well as perfusion parameters A, k and A x k were generated from time-intensity curve (TIC) of CEUS.

Live Cell Membranome cDNA Screen: A Novel Homogenous Live Cell Binding Assay to Study Membrane Protein-Ligand Interaction.

Interactions between transmembrane receptors and their ligands play important roles in normal biological processes and pathological conditions. However, the binding partners for many transmembrane-like proteins remain elusive. To identify potential ligands of these orphan receptors, we developed a screening platform using a homogenous nonwash binding assay in live cells.

[Effects of light quality on carbon-nitrogen metabolism, growth, and quality of Chinese chives].

We examined the effect of white + red (WR), white + blue (WB), white + green (WG), white + purple (WP) on the carbon-nitrogen metabolism, growth and quality of Chinese chives, with ‘Pingjiu 2’ as the material and white light (W) as the control. The results showed that photosynthetic rate (P) in WR treatment was significantly higher than that in the control (CK) and that there was no difference among WB, WG, WP and CK. The activity of RuBPCase in all the four treatments was higher than that in CK.

[Effects of light quality ratio on photosynthetic characteristics and quality of purple lettuce].

To explore the effects of different light quality ratios on the growth and development of purple lettuce, we used LED intelligent light control console as light source to study the effects of adding different proportions of red and blue light (1:1, 2:1, 4:1 and 1:2) to the white light on photosynthetic characteristics and commercial quality of purple lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv 'Zhongshu Purple Lettuce'). The results showed that when the ratio of red to blue light was 4:1, the chlorophyll content, RuBP carboxylase activity, electron transport efficiency of photosynthesis, net photosynthetic rate and growth were all significantly higher than that in control and other treatments, whereas the nitrate content was the lowest.

[Response and adaptation of photosynthesis of cucumber seedlings to high temperature stress].

Cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus Jinyou 35) were used to study the effects of high temperature (HT: 42 ℃/32 ℃) and sub-high temperature (SHT: 35 ℃/25 ℃) on its photosynthesis and growth. The results showed that the growth of cucumber seedlings was dramatically inhibited by the high and sub-high temperature stresses. The photosynthetic rate (P) was gradually reduced, while intercellular CO concentration (C) was increased as heat stress lasted.

[Effect of water-nitrogen coupling on photosynthesis and ultrastructure of cucumber leaves under CO enrichment].

Using split plot and then-split plot design, effects of water-nitrogen coupling on photosynthesis and ultrastructure of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (Jinyou No.35) under CO enrichment were investigated. The main plot had two CO concentrations: ambient CO concentration (400 μmol·mol, A) and doubled CO concentration (800±20 μmol·mol, E).

Aneurysm of the Anomalous Splenic Artery Arising from Superior Mesenteric Artery Treated by Coil Embolization: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Background: Aneurysm of splenic artery (SA) which arises from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a very rare condition. The aim of this study was to present our experience with 2 such patients treated by coil embolization.

Methods: A 33-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman were incidentally identified with aneurysms of the SA which arose from the SMA.

[Effects of light quality on growth, secondary metabolites, and oxidative stress tolerance of Gynura bicolor.].

The effects of white light, red light, blue light, yellow light, red+blue light and red+blue+yellow light on the growth and quality of Gynura bicolor were investigated under the same light intensity (350±5 μmol·m·s) by using light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) which could accurately regulate light quality and light intensity. The results indicated that compared with white light, red light could significantly promote the growth of G. bicolor and induce the accumulation of dry substance and soluble sugar content, but blue light inhibited the plant growth.

[Effect of grafting on rhizosphere soil environment and its relationship with disease resistance and yield of pepper.].

We investigated the effect of grafting on the root rhizosphere soil microorganisms, physical properties, nutrient content, soil-borne disease and yield of pepper, using 'Weishi' (WS) and 'Buyeding' (BYD) as rootstocks, the cultivar pepper 'Xinfeng 2' (XF) as scion, and the own-root (XF/XF) pepper as the control. The results indicated that XF/WS and XF/BYD significantly increased the populations of fungi and actinomycetes and the percentage of actinomycetes. 60 days after transplanting, the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were much higher in root rhizosphere soil of grafted pepper.

In Vitro Assays for the Discovery of PCSK9 Autoprocessing Inhibitors.

PCSK9 plays a significant role in regulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and has become an important drug target for treating hypercholesterolemia. Although a member of the serine protease family, PCSK9 only catalyzes a single reaction, the autocleavage of its prodomain. The maturation of the proprotein is an essential prerequisite for the secretion of PCSK9 to the extracellular space where it binds the LDL receptor and targets it for degradation.

[Influence of over expression of CsRCA on photosynthesis of cucumber seedlings under high temperature stress.].

In the present work, transgenic cucumber seedlings over expressing CsRCA and wild-type cucumber seedlings '08-1'at three-leaf stage exposed to high temperature (40 ℃, PFD 600 μmol· m · s) were used to study the regulatory mechanism of photosynthesis by CsRCA. The results showed that the mRNA abundance of rbcL and rbcS as well as the activities of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylic enzyme (Rubisco) and Rubisco activase (RCA) were significantly higher in CsRCA over-expressing cucumber seedlings than in wild type (WT). Following 2-h exposure to high temperature, a notable decrease was observed in photosynthetic rate (P), photochemical perfor-mance index based on the absorption of light energy (PI), activities of Rubisco and RCA as well as the relative expression of rbcL, rbcS and CsRCA in both wild-type cucumber seedlings and transgenic cucumber seedlings.

Endovascular Treatment of Behcet Disease With Recurrent Infrainguinal Arterial Pseudoaneurysms: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm formation is one of the vascular complications of Behcet disease. At present, the optimal treatment for the disease has not been established.The authors report a case of vasculo-Behcet disease (v-BD) with recurrent pseudoaneurysms in the left infrainguinal arteries (common femoral artery, superficial femoral artery, and popliteal artery), as well as thrombosis in the popliteal vein and posterior tibial vein.

UV-assisted Fenton digestion of rice for the determination of trace cadmium by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

A new digestion method using UV-assisted Fe(0) Fenton reaction was developed for the determination of trace Cd in rice by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method integrated the advantages of simplicity, small dose of reagents, low cost and moderate reaction conditions, and was successfully utilized to analyze a Certified Reference Material (CRM) and real rice samples. A 1 mL mixture of the sample and reagents (0.