Potential Strategies for Cardiac Diseases: Lineage Reprogramming of Somatic Cells into Induced Cardiomyocytes.

Lineage reprogramming has become a potential strategy for therapy of cardiac diseases. Somatic cells can be directly converted into the induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) without passing through an induced pluripotent stem cell stage; this strategy has some advantages such as directional differentiation and preferable security. However, there are still many challenges which need to be further studied, such as identification of safer induced factors, exploration of molecular mechanisms, improvement of the mature level of iCMs and so on.

[Soil bacterial community characteristics under different microhabitat types on Maolan karst forest, Guizhou, Southwest China].

We analyzed the diversity, community composition and relative abundance of soil bacteria communities in five different types of microhabitats (included stone caverns, stone crevices, stone gullies, stone grooves, top-soils) in Maolan karst forest, Guizhou Province, China. Bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 variable regions were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technique. We examined the effects of soil physicochemical factors on bacterial community structure.

Inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway ameliorates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension via HIF-1α-dependent functional TRPC channels.

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) can be modulated by Rho/Rho kinase signaling, which can alter HPV vascular function via regulating myosin light chain phosphorylation, in a manner generally believed to be Ca-independent. We hypothesized that the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway also can regulate HPV vascular function via a Ca-dependent mechanism, signaling through the functional transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. In this study, male BALB/c mice were exposed to normoxic or 10% oxygen (hypoxic) conditions for six weeks, after which systolic pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy were assessed.

Identification of survival‑associated key genes and long non‑coding RNAs in glioblastoma multiforme by weighted gene co‑expression network analysis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumour. However, the causes of GBM are not clear, and the prognosis remains poor. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the key coding genes and long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with the survival time of GBM patients by obtaining the RNA expression profiles from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database and conducting weighted gene co‑expression network analysis.

Metformin induces human esophageal carcinoma cell pyroptosis by targeting the miR-497/PELP1 axis.

Evasion of apoptosis is a major contributing factor to the development of chemo- and radiotherapy resistance. Therefore, activation of non-apoptotic programmed cell death (PCD) could be an effective alternative against apoptosis-resistant cancers. In this study, we demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that metformin can induce pyroptosis, a non-apoptotic PCD, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a commonly known chemo-refractory cancer, especially at its advanced stages.

Evaluation of Salivary Exosomal Chimeric RNA as a Potential Biomarker in Esophageal Carcinoma.

Purpose: Transcriptionally induced chimeric RNAs are an important emerging area of research into molecular signatures for biomarker and therapeutic target development. Salivary exosomes represent a relatively unexplored, but convenient, and noninvasive area of cancer biomarker discovery. However, the potential of cancer-derived exosomal chimeric RNAs in saliva as biomarkers is unknown.

Controlled Outcoupling of Whispering-Gallery-Mode Lasers Based on Self-Assembled Organic Single-Crystalline Microrings.

The outcoupling of whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) lasers is crucial for the realization of various photonic functionalities, yet present material structures still suffered the unexpected surface damages or contaminations in the multistep micro/nanofabrications. Here, we propose a strategy to achieve controlled outcoupling of WGM lasers in self-assembled organic single-crystalline microrings. The microrings with molecular-smooth surfaces functioned as organic crystalline whispering-gallery-mode microlasers with a lasing threshold of ∼14.

Targeting JNK pathway promotes human hematopoietic stem cell expansion.

The limited number of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has restrained their widespread clinical application. Despite great efforts in recent years, the in vitro expansion of HSCs remains a challenge due to incomplete understanding of the signaling networks underlying HSC self-renewal. Here, we show that culturing human cord blood (CB) CD34 cells with JNK-IN-8, an inhibitor of the JNK signaling pathway, can enhance the self-renewal of HSCs with a 3.

Identification of Grade-associated MicroRNAs in Brainstem Gliomas Based on Microarray Data.

Gliomas arising in the brainstem are rare tumours that are difficult to surgically resect, and the microRNAs (miRNAs) and signalling pathways associated with brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are largely unknown. To identify grade-associated miRNAs in BSGs, a microarray analysis of 10 low-grade and 15 high-grade BSGs was performed in this study. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were identified, and the functional DE-miRNAs were selected.

Molecular profiling of tumors of the brainstem by sequencing of CSF-derived circulating tumor DNA.

Brainstem gliomas are molecularly heterogeneous diseases, many of which are difficult to safely surgically resect and have limited treatment options due to their eloquent location. These constraints pose challenges to biopsy, which limits the use of routine molecular profiling and identification of personalized therapies. Here, we explored the potential of sequencing of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of brainstem glioma patients as a less invasive approach for tumor molecular profiling.

Association of steroid 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 628 and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) SNP939 genotypes with sheep reproductive performance.

In a previous study we investigated the association between two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes, namely steroid 17-alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) SNP628 and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) SNP939, with two temperaments (calm and nervous) in Australian Merino sheep and concluded that the DRD2 SNP939 T/T genotype combined with the CYP17 SNP628 G/G genotype is associated with a calm temperament and could be used as a potential marker for calm sheep, whereas the DRD2 SNP939C allele combined with the CYP17 SNP628 A/A genotype is associated with a nervous temperament and could be used as a potential marker for nervous sheep. In sheep, the association between temperament and reproductive performance has been determined, but the association of these two SNP genotypes with sheep reproduction has not been investigated. Therefore, using Chinese Sinkiang Merino sheep, the present study investigated the association of the two CYP17 SNP628 and DRD2 SNP939 genotypes with sheep reproductive performance.

Differential effects of size-specific particulate matter on emergency department visits for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Guangzhou, China.

Background: Studies differentiating the cardiorespiratory morbidity effects of PM, PM, and PM (i.e. coarse PM or PMc) are still limited and inconsistent.

Characterization of the bacterial community of braised chicken, a specialty poultry product in China.

High-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA and culture-dependent methods were applied to determine the bacterial communities of braised chicken during processing and storage. Environmental microorganisms were also evaluated using a sedimentation plate method. The results showed that airborne microbial counts in the braising room were higher than those in the control room (25°C, a space to lower the temperature of the chicken products) and storage rooms (4°C).

Treatment of post-craniotomy acute severe supraorbital neuralgia using ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency: a case report.

Pulsed radiofrequency is an effective, safe, and nondestructive pain treatment technique that has been insufficiently reported in the treatment of supraorbital neuralgia. We report the successful use of pulsed radiofrequency to alleviate acute severe supraorbital neuralgia in a post-craniotomy patient. A 52-year-old female, who had acute severe supraorbital neuralgia after having received a right frontal craniotomy and with poor efficacy in response to medication and a nerve block, was subjected to ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment and experienced complete pain relief, as a result of which the patient stopped taking all analgesic drugs.

A metagenomic study of the gut microbiome in Behcet's disease.

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a recalcitrant, multisystemic inflammatory disease that can lead to irreversible blindness. Microbial agents have been considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the association of gut microbiome composition with BD as well as its possible roles in the development of this disease.

Novel triple-reassortant influenza viruses in pigs, Guangxi, China.

Considered a "mixing vessel" for influenza viruses, pigs can give rise to new influenza virus reassortants that can threaten humans. During our surveillance of pigs in Guangxi, China from 2013 to 2015, we isolated 11 H1N1 and three H3N2 influenza A viruses of swine origin (IAVs-S). Out of the 14, we detected ten novel triple-reassortant viruses, which contained surface genes (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) from Eurasian avian-like (EA) H1N1 or seasonal human-like H3N2, matrix (M) genes from H1N1/2009 pandemic or EA H1N1, nonstructural (NS) genes from classical swine, and the remaining genes from H1N1/2009 pandemic.

Neuronavigation-Guided Corticospinal Tract Mapping in Brainstem Tumor Surgery: Better Preservation of Motor Function.

Objective: To evaluate a new technique in brainstem surgery, neuronavigation (NN)-guided corticospinal tract (CST) mapping, in a retrospective study of patients undergoing brainstem tumor surgery.

Methods: We studied 40 patients with a brainstem tumor who were enrolled in this study. Patients whose worst preoperative muscle strength of the 4 limbs was greater than 3 levels from normal on the Lovett scale were divided into 2 groups: a treatment group of 21 patients who underwent NN-guided CST mapping and routine intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (IONM) and a control group of 19 patients who underwent routine NN and IONM.

First-in-human study of PET and optical dual-modality image-guided surgery in glioblastoma using Ga-IRDye800CW-BBN.

: Despite the use of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), maximum safe resection of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a major challenge. It has restricted surgeons between preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative treatment. Currently, an integrated approach combining preoperative assessment with intraoperative guidance would be a significant step in this direction.

Metasurface-assisted phase-matching-free second harmonic generation in lithium niobate waveguides.

The phase-matching condition is a key aspect in nonlinear wavelength conversion processes, which requires the momenta of the photons involved in the processes to be conserved. Conventionally, nonlinear phase matching is achieved using either birefringent or periodically poled nonlinear crystals, which requires careful dispersion engineering and is usually narrowband. In recent years, metasurfaces consisting of densely packed arrays of optical antennas have been demonstrated to provide an effective optical momentum to bend light in arbitrary ways.

Melatonin protects diabetic heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury, role of membrane receptor-dependent cGMP-PKG activation.

It has been demonstrated that the anti-oxidative and cardioprotective effects of melatonin are, at least in part, mediated by its membrane receptors. However, the direct downstream signaling remains unknown. We previously found that melatonin ameliorated myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in diabetic animals, although the underlying mechanisms are also incompletely understood.

Effects of Embryo Aggregation and PXD101 on the In Vitro Development of Mouse Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos.

To improve the cloning efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and to establish nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (NT-ESCs) reliably, it is necessary to produce high-quality blastocysts derived from mice SCNT embryos. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate an optimal method for mouse SCNT embryo production and NT-ESCs derivation by comparing the effects of two methods: the treatment of histone deacetylase inhibitor PXD101 after SCNT, embryo aggregation and their combination treatment. The results suggest that embryo aggregation at four-cell stage and 50 nM PXD101 treated for 10 hours during and after activation could improve both mouse SCNT embryos' development (PXD101: 40.

Diallyl trisulfide exerts cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic state, role of AMPK-mediated AKT/GSK-3β/HIF-1α activation.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), the major active ingredient in garlic, has been reported to confer cardioprotective effects. However, its effect on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in diabetic state and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. We hypothesize that DATS reduces MI/R injury in diabetic state via AMPK-mediated AKT/GSK-3β/HIF-1α activation.

Tracking the leaving group in the remote activation of O-2-[(propan-2-yl)sulfinyl]benzyl (OPSB) glycoside.

In our recently developed interrupted Pummerer reaction mediated glycosylation with O-2-[(propan-2-yl)sulfinyl]benzyl (OPSB) glycosides as glycosyl donors, the anomeric leaving group was recovered as a benzyl alcohol which didn't affect the glycosylation efficiency. To investigate the mechanism of the occurrence of this alcohol, an O isotopic labeling reaction was carried out to track the leaving group. It was found that the benzyl alcohol was generated during the aqueous work up process from an inactive cyclic oxo-sulfonium ion intermediate.

Self-Healing of Polymer in Acidic Water toward Strength Restoration through the Synergistic Effect of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions.

To improve reliability, durability, and reworkability of bulk polymers utilized in ubiquitous acidic water, the authors develop a novel hyperbranched polymer capable of self-healing and recycling in a low-pH aqueous environment. The hyperbranched polymer has many hydrophilic and hydrophobic terminal groups. When it is damaged in acidic water, the hydrophilic groups are protonated, forming hydrogen bonds, and closing the crack.

Diagnostic accuracy of routine blood examinations and CSF lactate level for post-neurosurgical bacterial meningitis.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of routine blood examinations and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) lactate level for Post-neurosurgical Bacterial Meningitis (PBM) at a large sample-size of post-neurosurgical patients.

Methods: The diagnostic accuracies of routine blood examinations and CSF lactate level to distinguish between PAM and PBM were evaluated with the values of the Area Under the Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC) by retrospectively analyzing the datasets of post-neurosurgical patients in the clinical information databases.

Results: The diagnostic accuracy of routine blood examinations was relatively low (AUC<0.