Effect of icotinib on advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with sensitive mutation detected in ctDNA by ddPCR.

Background: Whether or not mutation status detected by ddPCR in plasma predicts the effect of icotinib on patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma was determined.

Methods: Plasma and matched tissue specimens from patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma were collected prior to icotinib treatment. The ARMS method was used to detect mutation status in DNA extracted from tissue specimens, while the mutation status in ctDNA extracted from plasma specimens was determined by ddPCR.

Low-Dose Sirolimus Immunoregulation Therapy in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 24-Week Follow-Up of the Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Controlled Trial.

Background: We have reported previously the insufficient absolute number or functional defects of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), challenging conventional unspecific immunosuppressive therapy. Sirolimus, a mTOR inhibitor, is reported to allow growth of functional Tregs; here, we investigated the efficacy of low-dose sirolimus combined with conventional immunosuppressants (sirolimus immunoregulation therapy) for RA treatment with lower side effects and better tolerance.

Methods: In this nonblinded and parallel-group trial, we randomly assigned 62 patients to receive conventional glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants with or without sirolimus at a dosage of 0.

The Proportion of Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Accumulating evidence indicates that regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). As different markers have been used to identify Tregs, some studies on the proportions of Tregs in AS patients have generated considerable controversy. To clarify the status of Tregs in such patients, we determine the proportion changes of peripheral Tregs during development of the disease, with different cellular markers.

[How to deduce the seven basic class asci of ordered tetrads in Neurospora].

Genetic analysis is an important part of undergraduate genetics teaching and tetrad analysis is unique and integral for genetic analysis of fungi. The ordered tetrad in Neurospora is an important material for genetic analysis, which can not only be used to study recombination between genes and centromeres, but also between genes themselves, as well as study the fine cross patterns between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. However, in textbooks and related professional journals, there is a lack of specific introduction to the induction methods of the seven basic class asci used in two genes analysis.

Discovery of the novel HLA allele, HLA-A*30:72, in a Chinese platelet donor by sequence-based typing.

HLA-A*30:72 has one nucleotide change from HLA-A*30:01:01:01 where isoleucine (95) is changed to threonine.

Visualization of chikungunya virus infection and .

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, has become an important re-emerging pathogen with its rapid spread to many non-endemic areas. The lack of effective vaccines and antiviral agents is largely attributed to the elusive infection and dissemination dynamics . In this study, we designed and developed a novel, replication-competent, CHIKV reporter virus (CHIKV-iRFP) encoding a near infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP).

Identification of a novel allele, HLA-B*52:01:24, by sequence-based typing in a Chinese individual.

HLA-B*52:01:24 has one synonymous nucleotide change from HLA-B*52:01:01:01 at nucleotide 384 (codon 104 Glycine).

The Origin of GnRH Pulse Generation: An Integrative Mathematical-Experimental Approach.

Fertility critically depends on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, a neural construct comprised of hypothalamic neurons coexpressing kisspeptin, neurokoinin-B and dynorphin. Here, using mathematical modeling and optogenetics we reveal for the first time how this neural construct initiates and sustains the appropriate ultradian frequency essential for reproduction. Prompted by mathematical modeling, we show experimentally using female estrous mice that robust pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone, a proxy for GnRH, emerges abruptly as we increase the basal activity of the neuronal network using continuous low-frequency optogenetic stimulation.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and stromal cell-derived factor-1 combination therapy: A more effective treatment for cerebral ischemic stroke.

Background: Drugs that promote angiogenesis include statins, recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and stromal cell-derived factor-1. Low doses of atorvastatin could significantly increase the vascular expressions of endothelial growth factor, and the number of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), thus improving angiogenesis and local blood flow. G-CSF is an EPC-mobilization agent used in ischemia studies for targeting angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia via EPCs.

Biocatalytic Synthesis of Lipophilic Baicalin Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents.

Enzymatic acylation is commonly used to increase the lipophilicity of flavonoids. However, the absence of primary hydroxyl groups makes it challenging to acylate baicalin using traditional acylation methods. In this study, an enzymatic esterification strategy was developed to introduce fatty-acid chains into baicalin at its carboxyl group, hence successfully synthesizing a new series of baicalin ester derivatives in nonaqueous media.

Azithromycin Protects against Zika virus Infection by Upregulating virus-induced Type I and III Interferon Responses.

Azithromycin (AZM) is a widely used antibiotic, with additional antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that remain poorly understood. Although Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant threat to global health, there are currently no vaccines or effective therapeutics against it. Herein, we report that AZM effectively suppresses ZIKV infection by targeting a late stage in the viral life cycle.

HLA-A*11:01:46, a novel HLA-A*11 variant, detected in a Chinese individual.

HLA-A*11:01:46 has one synonymous nucleotide change from HLA-A*11:01:01:01 at nucleotide 807 (codon 245 Alanine).

Hesperetin derivative attenuates CCl-induced hepatic fibrosis and inflammation by Gli-1-dependent mechanisms.

Hepatic fibrosis, a common pathological feature and leading cause of various chronic liver diseases, still lacks effective therapy. Hesperetin derivative (HD) is a derivative of Traditional Chinese Medicine monomer isolated from the fruit peel of Citrusaurantium L. (Rutaceae).

Identification of a novel allele, HLA-B*51:01:41, in a platelet donor by sequence-based typing.

HLA-B*51:01:41 has one synonymous nucleotide change from HLA-B*51:01:01:01 at nucleotide 216 (codon 48 arginine).

HLA-B*13:64, a novel allele, identified in a Chinese individual.

HLA-B*13:64 has one amino acid change from HLA-B*13:02:01:01 where 94 Threonine is changed to Isoleucine.

Biological functions of Arabidopsis thaliana MBP-1-like protein encoded by ENO2 in the response to drought and salt stresses.

Arabidopsis thaliana ENO2 (AtENO2) plays an important role in plant growth and development. It encodes two proteins, a full-length AtENO2 and a truncated version, AtMBP-1, alternatively translated from the second start codon of the mRNA. The AtENO2 mutant (eno2 ) exhibited reduced leaf size, shortened siliques, a dwarf phenotype and higher sensitivity to abiotic stress.

Dieckol inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent type of lung cancers with an increased mortality rate in both developed and developing countries worldwide. Dieckol is one such polyphenolic drug extracted from brown algae which has proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer property of dieckol against NSCLC cell line A549.

Synoptic-Scale Precursors of Extreme U.K. Summer 3-Hourly Rainfall.

The synoptic-scale meteorological conditions leading up to the 30 most extreme subdaily summer rain events for two regions of the United Kingdom (northwest and southeast) were examined for the period 1979-2013. Using a recently available, quality controlled, national hourly rain gauge data set, we were able to identify extreme 3-hr rainfall accumulations that may be indicative of flash flooding. Composites of the state of the atmosphere leading up to these dates were produced to investigate synoptic-scale processes, thus potentially allowing for them to be identified in coarse resolution reanalyses and in climate models.

BMP9 inhibits the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease; its pathogenesis remains unclear. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of RA. BMP9, a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, has been reported to play a critical role in both normal physiological processes and the pathology of various diseases.

Eu-TiO₂ Nanocomposite with High Photoelectrochemical Activity for Enhanced Photocatalysis of Rhodamine B.

A novel Eu-TiO₂ nanocomposite prepared by a sol-gel method is used for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) present in dyes wastewater. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show the anatase phase and globular shape of Eu- TiO₂ nanocomposite, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and low temperature N₂ adsorption (BET) indicate Eu-TiO₂ possesses a narrow band gap (2.98 eV) and a high specific surface area (112.

Th17/Treg cell level and clinical characteristics of peripheral blood of patients with Sjogren's syndrome complicated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

This study aims at analyzing the Th17/Treg cell level and clinical characteristics of the peripheral blood of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) complicated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) so as to deepen the understanding of this disease and seek for its possible onset mechanism.A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 24 patients [8 (33%) males and 16 (67%) females] with SS complicated with primary biliary cirrhosis, 50 patients with primary SS and 93 healthy volunteers. These patients were divided into 3 groups: experimental group (SS+PBC), control group (SS) and healthy group.

[Exploration of dominant diseases and clinical application characteristics of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy based on data mining technology].

Objective: To analyze the literature regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy by data mining technology, and the dominant diseases of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy were summarized to provide reference for evaluation of specificity effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy.

Methods: The journal articles regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy from the CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP since January 1, 1975 to December 31, 2017, and the medical cases regarding wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in - and were retrieved. Based on the disease types of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy in the journal articles and medical cases, the association rules method of data mining technology was applied to calculate frequent itemsets.