Madecassoside alleviates acute kidney injury by regulating JNK-mediated oxidative stress and programmed cell death.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, which is manifested by inflammation and apoptosis. Effective treatment methods for AKI are currently lacking.

Objective: This study demonstrated the protecting effects of Madecassoside (MA) in the cisplatin- and hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro and AKI mice in vivo.

Protein acetylation and related potential therapeutic strategies in kidney disease.

Kidney disease can be caused by various internal and external factors that have led to a continual increase in global deaths. Current treatment methods can alleviate but do not markedly prevent disease development. Further research on kidney disease has revealed the crucial function of epigenetics, especially acetylation, in the pathology and physiology of the kidney.

Novel insights into STAT3 in renal diseases.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cell-signal transcription factor that has attracted considerable attention in recent years. The stimulation of cytokines and growth factors can result in the transcription of a wide range of genes that are crucial for several cellular biological processes involved in pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. STAT3 has attracted considerable interest as a result of a recent upsurge in study because of their role in directing the innate immune response and sustaining inflammatory pathways, which is a key feature in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including renal disorders.

MiR-199a-5p enhances neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells and promotes neurogenesis by targeting Cav-1 after cerebral ischemia.

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in endogenous neurogenesis, enhancing of which has been regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke treatment; however, whether miR-199a-5p mediates postischemic neurogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the proneurogenesis effects of miR-199a-5p and its possible mechanism after ischemic stroke.

Methods: Neural stem cells (NSCs) were transfected using Lipofectamine 3000 reagent, and the differentiation of NSCs was evaluated by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Catalytic divergent synthesis of imidazoles reaction condition-dependent [3 + 2] cyclization of TosMIC.

A base-catalyzed divergent synthesis of multisubstituted imidazoles through TosMIC-based [3 + 2] cyclization reaction has been developed. In the presence of ketenimines and BuONa, 1,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles were obtained. Nonetheless, in the absence of ketenimines, 1,4-disubstituted imidazole was produced through cyclodimerization of TosMIC.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 promotes acute kidney injury by alleviating poly ADP ribose polymerase 1 degradation.

The novel biomarker, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), is used clinically to predict different types of acute kidney injury (AKI) and has drawn significant attention as a urinary biomarker. However, as a secreted protein in the circulation of patients with AKI, it is unclear whether IGFBP7 acts as a key regulator in AKI progression, and if mechanisms underlying its upregulation still need to be determined. Here we found that IGFBP7 is highly expressed in the blood and urine of patients and mice with AKI, possibly via a c-Jun-dependent mechanism, and is positively correlated with kidney dysfunction.

Discovery of new genetic loci for male sexual orientation in Han population.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the genetic factors partly influence the development of same-sex sexual behavior, but most genetic studies have focused on people of primarily European ancestry, potentially missing important biological insights. Here, we performed a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) with a total sample of 1478 homosexual males and 3313 heterosexual males in Han Chinese populations and identified two genetic loci (rs17320865, Xq27.3, FMR1NB, P = 8.

A fluorescent probe derived from Berberrubine for detecting hydrogen polysulfide in food samples.

In this work, we chose the fluorophore Berberrubine to develop a selective probe for hydrogen polysulfide (HS), and applied it into the detection in both food samples and living cells. The developed probe, HER9SS, suggested practical steadiness and serviceability, especially for multi-scene detection. The detecting system was stable in relatively wide pH (7.

Smad3-Targeted Therapy Protects against Cisplatin-Induced AKI by Attenuating Programmed Cell Death and Inflammation via a NOX4-Dependent Mechanism.

Background: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling is the central mediator in renal fibrosis, yet its functional role in acute kidney injury (AKI) is not fully understood. Recent evidence showed that TGF-β/Smad3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of AKI, but its functional role and mechanism of action in cisplatin-induced AKI are unclear.

Objectives: Demonstrating that Smad3 may play certain roles in cisplatin nephropathy due to its potential effect on programmed cell death and inflammation.

Stereoselective Access to Spirooxindoles and Bisoxindoles Through Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Divergent Transformations of Isatin-derived MBH Carbonates.

An interesting β-isoquinidine catalyzed divergent reaction was developed to produce either spirocyclopentene oxindoles, spirocyclopentadiene oxindoles or bisoxindoles in a high enantioselective fashion. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated by the versatile transformations of the products. This work not only represents the first highly stereoselective intermolecular catalytic asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction between two isatin-derived MBH carbonate molecules but also constitutes a rare example of isatin-derived MBH carbonate-based enantioselective and α-regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reactions.

Pyrazoline derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors with one hit for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 inhibition.

In this work, to check the effect of the transposition of the rings in typical patterns, a series of pyrazoline derivatives 3a-3t bearing the characteristic 3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl and thiophene moieties were synthesized and evaluated as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Basically, as the concise output of our design, a majority of the synthesized compounds showed potency in inhibiting the tubulin polymerization. The top hit, 3q, exhibited potent anti-proliferation activity on cancer cell lines.

A berberrubine-derived fluorescent probe for hydrazine and its practical application in water and food samples.

In this work, we attempted to develop a fluorescent probe for hydrazine in real samples. Accordingly, we designed BER9-HZ to fulfill the set rules as solubility, anti-interference capability and functional compatibility. The selected reporting group BER9 dissolved 100% within 10 min, which indicated much better solubility than Berberine.

Gypenoside XLIX protects against acute kidney injury by suppressing IGFBP7/IGF1R-mediated programmed cell death and inflammation.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterised by excessive inflammatory cell recruitment and programmed cell death, has a high morbidity and mortality; however, effective and specific therapies for AKI are still lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the renoprotective effects of gypenoside XLIX (Gyp XLIX) in AKI.

Methods: The protective effects of Gyp XLIX were tested in two AKI mouse models established using male C57BL/6 mice (aged 6-8 weeks) by a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg) or renal ischemia-reperfusion for 40 min.

The Efficacy of Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure on Migraine: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies.

Objectives: Whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is effective on migraine is controversial. This article was aimed at assessing the efficacy of PFO closure on migraine based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to October 2020 evaluating PFO closure versus control in patients with migraine, then conducted a meta-analysis of all RCTs and observational studies, respectively.

DNA methylation of FTO promotes renal inflammation by enhancing mA of PPAR-α in alcohol-induced kidney injury.

Alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors for kidney injury. The underlying mechanism of alcohol-induced kidney injury remains largely unknown. We previously found that the kidney in a mouse model of alcoholic kidney injury had severe inflammation.

LncRNA H19 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cells invasion and metastasis through the p53/TNFAIP8 pathway.

Background: Long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer through regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods: LncRNA H19 and TNFAIP8 were identified by qRT-PCR and western blotting. CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry assay were performed to determine cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle of breast cancer respectively.

Knockdown of LncRNAZFAS1 suppresses cell proliferation and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

To evaluate the effects of LncRNAZFAS1 on cell proliferation and tumor metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we detected the expression level of LncRNAZFAS1 in NSCLC-related tissues and cells. qRT-PCR results revealed that LncRNAZFAS1 in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue, especially significantly up-regulated in stage III / IV and in metastatic NSCLC tissues. LncRNAZFAS1 expression was dramatically up-regulated in 4 NSCLC-related cells (A549, SPC-A1, SK-MES-1, and NCI-H1299), with having the highest expression level in A549 cells.

Discovery of novel oxoindolin derivatives as atypical dual inhibitors for DNA Gyrase and FabH.

The antibacterial agents and therapies today are facing serious problems such as drug resistance. Introducing dual inhibiting effect is a valid approach to solve this trouble and bring advantages including wide adaptability, favorable safety and superiority of combination. We started from potential DNA Gyrase inhibitory backbone isatin to develop oxoindolin derivatives as atypical dual Gyrase (major) and FabH (assistant) inhibitors via a two-round screening.

[Sampling time of living leaf for estimating phytolith-occluded organic carbon sequestration rate of Phyllostachys edulis.].

Monthly phytolith-occluded organic carbon (PhytOC) content in living leaves and litterfall of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) were measured for a year. The PhytOC sequestration rate in living leaves of different months were compared with that in annual litterfall to determine the optimum sampling time of living leaves for estimating PhytOC sequestration rate of Moso bamboo. The contents of phytoliths and PhytOC in living leaves of Moso bamboos were 23.

RIPK1 inhibitor Cpd-71 attenuates renal dysfunction in cisplatin-treated mice via attenuating necroptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a destructive clinical condition induced by multiple insults including ischemic reperfusion, nephrotoxic drugs and sepsis. It is characterized by a sudden decline in renal function, in addition to excessive inflammation, oxidative stress and programmed cell death of renal tubular epithelial cells. RIPK1-mediated necroptosis plays an important role in AKI.

[Wnt5a modulates vincristine resistance through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway in human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3/VCR cells].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Wnt5a on the vincristine (VCR) resistance in human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells and its possible mechanism. The drug-resistant SKOV3/VCR cells were established by stepwise exposure to VCR, and then the SKOV3/VCR cells were stably transfected with specific shRNA interference plasmid vector targeting for Wnt5a. The mRNA expression level of Wnt5a was measured by RT-PCR.

Intensified Antiplatelet Treatment Reduces Major Cardiac Events in Patients with Clopidogrel Low Response: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Clopidogrel low response (CLR) is an independent risk factor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and intensified antiplatelet treatments (IAT) guided by platelet function assays might overcome laboratory CLR. However, whether IAT improves clinical outcomes is controversial.

Methods: Relevant trials were identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese Medical Journal Network databases from their establishment to September 9, 2014.

[Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Xixi National Wetland Park, 2012-2014].

Objective: To understand the endemic dynamic and situation of schistosomiasis in the Xixi National Wetland Park.

Methods: The surveillances of Oncomelania hupensis snail situation and the schistosome infection status of the permanent residents and floating population in the Xixi National Wetland were conducted annually from 2012 to 2014 according to the Surveillance Programs of Schistosomiasis in Surveillance Sites of Zhejiang Province.

Results: From 2012 to 2014, accumulatively 12.