Tomato salt tolerance mechanisms and their potential applications for fighting salinity: A review.

One of the most significant environmental factors affecting plant growth, development and productivity is salt stress. The damage caused by salt to plants mainly includes ionic, osmotic and secondary stresses, while the plants adapt to salt stress through multiple biochemical and molecular pathways. Tomato ( L.

SLCO4A1 is a Prognosis-Associated Biomarker Involved in Neutrophil-Mediated Immunity in Thyroid Cancer.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the value of solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4A1 (SLCO4A1) in thyroid cancer mainly from three aspects: expression, prognosis, and biological function analyses.

Methods: Based on various bioinformatic approaches, genes co-expressed with vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) in thyroid cancer were used for further survival and expression analyses to identify the target gene. After evaluation of the SLCO4A1 expression levels in thyroid cancer, Cox regression analysis was utilized to predict the risk factors for survival of thyroid cancer patients.

[Decreased expression of CatSper1 in the sperm of varicocele rats and protective effect of L-carnitine].

Objective: To investigate the expression of the sperm-specific cation channel (CatSper1) in the epididymal sperm of varicocele (VC) rats and the effect of L-carnitine (LC) on the CatSper1 level.

Methods: Seventy male rats were equally randomized into groups A (normal control), B (VC model control), C (VC treated with normal saline), D (VC treated with low-dose LC), E (VC treated with medium-dose LC), F (VC treated with high-dose LC), and G (VC treated by prolonged medication of high-dose LC). The VC model was established by partial ligation of the left renal vein.

Association between ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism and the occurrence and development of intracranial arachnoid cyst.

Objective: The association between ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism and the occurrence and development of intracranial arachnoid cyst was studied in this paper.

Methods: Eighty-five patients diagnosed with intracranial arachnoid cysts by cerebral computed tomography scan were selected. Sixty-three healthy volunteers for medical examination in hospitals served as controls.

A systematic review of effects and complications after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: endoscopic versus microscopic approach.

Microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (MTS) has been considered as the gold standard for transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, but nowadays endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) has become popular due to its wide view and improved lighting. The electronic databases were systematically searched, and the meta-analyses of the eligible studies that evaluated endoscopic versus microscopic methods in patients with pituitary surgery were conducted with Review Manager 5.0.

A good choice for the patients with prior failed ventriculoperitoneal shunt treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts: endoscopic fenestration.

To investigate the effectiveness of endoscopic fenestration in the patients with prior failed ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts (SACs). Between 2012 and 2018, four pediatric patients of SACs with previous failed VP shunt treatment were surgically treated using endoscopic ventriculocystocisternostomy (VCC) in our hospital. The clinical symptoms, imaging data, and surgical outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

[Risk and protection of fertility in male cancer patients].

Gonad damage is one of the major complications of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery in male cancer patients. For those who wish for childbearing after treatment, it is of great significance how to protect the reproductive function of the cancer patients. The main strategy for fertility protection is to optimize the treatment protocol, hormone therapy, antioxidant therapy, and the preservation of sperm and testicular tissue.

Anti-cancer effect of ursolic acid activates apoptosis through ROCK/PTEN mediated mitochondrial translocation of cofilin-1 in prostate cancer.

Ursolic acid is a type of pentacyclic triterpene compound with multiple pharmacological activities including cancer resistance, protection from liver injury, antisepsis, anti-inflammation and antiviral activity. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of ursolic acid. Ursolic acid activates cell apoptosis and its pro-apoptotic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated.

Endoscopic treatment of suprasellar cysts without hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE At present, endoscopic treatment is advised as the first procedure in cases of suprasellar arachnoid cysts (SSCs) with hydrocephalus. However, the appropriate therapy for SSCs without hydrocephalus has not been fully determined yet because such cases are very rare and because it is usually difficult to perform the neuroendoscopic procedure in patients without ventriculomegaly given difficulties with ventricular cannulation and the narrow foramen of Monro. The purpose of this study was to find out the value of navigation-guided neuroendoscopic ventriculocystocisternostomy (VCC) for SSCs without lateral ventriculomegaly.

The study of energy metabolism in bladder cancer cells in co-culture conditions using a microfluidic chip.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically analyze changes in mitochondrial-related protein expression in bladder cancer cells and tumor-associated fibroblasts and to investigate the characteristics of bladder cancer cell energy metabolism.

Methods: In this study, we utilized the following techniques to achieve the objectives: (1) a co-culture system of bladder tumor cells and fibroblasts was built using a microfluidic chip as a three-dimensional culture system; (2) the concentration of lactic acid in the medium from the different groups was determined using an automatic micro-plate reader; (3) a qualitative analysis of mitochondria-related protein expression was performed by immunofluorescent staining; and (4) a quantitative analysis of mitochondrial-associated protein expression was conducted via Western blot. SPSS software was utilized to analyze the data.

[Bisphenol A alters glucose metabolism in rat Sertoli cells in vitro].

Objective: To observe the influence of different concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) on glucose metabolism and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro and investigate the mechanisms of BPA inducing male infertility.

Methods: Using two-step enzyme digestion, we isolated Sertoli cells from male Wistar rats and constructed a primary Sertoli cell system, followed by immunohistochemical FasL staining. We randomly divided the Sertoli cells into a control group to be cultured in the serum-free minimal essential medium (MEM) plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and three experimental groups to be treated with 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA, respectively, in the MEM plus DMSO.

Warburg effect or reverse Warburg effect? A review of cancer metabolism.

Cancer is a major threat to human health. A considerable amount of research has focused on elucidating the nature of cancer from its pathogenesis to treatment and prevention. Tumor cell metabolism has been considered a hallmark of cancer.

[Influence of different drying methods on the quality of Sparganii rhizoma based on multi-index evaluation].

Objective: To study the influence of different drying methods on the quality of Sparganii Rhizoma and obtain the optimal one.

Methods: Based on multi-index evaluation technology, Sparganii Rhizoma was processed using five drying methods including drying in the shade, drying in the sun, drying in the oven, infrared drying and microwave drying. The contents of the functional ingredients such as seven phenolic compounds including p-hydroxybenzaldehde, vanillic acid,p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol and formononetin, polysaccharide, total saponins and total polyphenols were determined by the validated procedures of HPLC and ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

Heterogeneity research in muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on differential protein expression analysis.

The aim of this study was to study the expression profiles of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) cells of different risk groups and to explore the crucial role of biological pathway change in heterogeneity of MIBC cells. Thirty individual samples (cancer and non-cancerous specimens) were obtained from patients with MIBC. Laser capture microdissection was employed to harvest the homogeneous MIBC cells and normal urothelial cells.

Far from resolved: stromal cell-based iTRAQ research of muscle-invasive bladder cancer regarding heterogeneity.

The aim of the present study was to globally characterize the cancer stroma expression profile of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in different metastatic risk groups and to discuss the decisive role of biological pathway change in cancer heterogeneity. Laser capture microdissection was employed to harvest purified muscle-invasive bladder cancer stromal cells derived from 30 clinical samples deriving from 3 different metastatic risk groups. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS) were used to identify the differentially expressed proteins.

Effect of TLR4 and B7-H1 on immune escape of urothelial bladder cancer and its clinical significance.

Background/aim: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and B7-H1, both normally expressed restricted to immune cells, are found to be aberrantly expressed in a majority of human tumors and may play important roles in regulation of tumor immunity. It has been shown that urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) patients can manifest tumoral immune escape which may be a potential critical factor in tumor pathogenesis and progression. However, so far, the mechanisms of UBC-related immune escape have not been clarified.

[Comparison of 3 microsurgical approaches to the treatment of varicocele: report of 120 cases].

Objective: To compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies, inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen analysis among the three groups.

Antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities of phenolic extract from the seed coat of Euryale ferox Salisb. and identification of three phenolic compounds by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

This study investigated the antioxidant potential and anti-fatigue effects of phenolics extracted from the seed coat of Euryale ferox Salisb. The in vitro antioxidant potentials, including scavenging DPPH, hydroxyl radical activities and reducing power were evaluated. Antioxidant status in vivo was analyzed by SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities and the MDA content in liver and kidneys of D-galactose-induced aging mice.

[Improving effect of Shengjingsan on spermatogenic function following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats and its mechanism].

Objective: To study the effect of Shengjingsan on spermatogenic function following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats and its action mechanism.

Methods: Forty SD male rats were equally randomized to groups A (sham operation), B (control), C (low-dose Shengjingsan), D (medium-dose Shengjingsan) and E (high-dose Shengjingsan). The model of testicular torsion was established by 720 degrees clockwise torsion of the left testis for 4 hours.

[High temperature reduces the proliferation of and occludin expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro].

Objective: To explore the action mechanisms of temperature in male infertility or subfertility by observing the effects of different temperatures on the proliferation of and occludin (OCLN) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro.

Methods: We isolated Sertoli cells from the testis of male Wistar rats, and performed oil red O staining and immunohistochemistry to identify their FasL. We cultured the Sertoli cells at 34 degrees C (control group) and at 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 degrees C (experimental groups) for 4 days.

[Study on quality evaluation of Sparganii rhizoma by biopotency determination method].

Objective: To establish a method for determining anticoagulation potency of Sparganii Rhizoma, and evaluate the effect of Sparganii Rhizoma herbs from different producing areas on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis; and study the material basis of Sparganii Rhizoma through the correlation analysis on its anticoagulation potency, ferulic acid and total flavonoid content.

Method: The anticoagulation time of Sparganii Rhizoma from different producing areas with activeated partial thromboplastin time for their active extracts. Their biopotency was calculated by using the method of "parallel lines of dose effect" (3, 3).

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of geniposide from Gardenia jasminoides.

Fructus gardeniae (Zhizi), one of commonly-used traditional Chinese medicines, is derived from the ripe fruit of the evergreen shrub, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, and is an ingredient of many traditional Chinese preparations, and has numerous pharmacological actions. Geniposide is the important bioactive element derived from F. gardeniae.

[Decreased mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of varicocele patients and their implication].

Objective: To study the relationship of varicocele (VC) with the expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of VC patients.

Methods: Based on the WHO criteria, we examined the semen samples by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and divided the samples into groups A (normal semen from volunteers, n = 20), B (normal semen from VC patients, n = 16) and C (abnormal semen from VC patients, n = 44). We optimized the semen by discontinuous Percoll grade centrifugation, and determined the mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the three groups using using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[Establishment of molecular markers linked to sex in Schisandra sphenanthera].

Objective: To establish the gender-related RAPD markers in Schisandra sphenanthera.

Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from the young leaves of male and female Schisandra sphenanthera by modified CTAB method. The gender differences in the genome were studied by RAPD which was optimized by the single factor and orthogonal experiments.

[Application of neuroendoscope in the treatment of skull base chordoma].

Objective: To further explore the application, approach, indication and prognosis of neuroendoscope treatment for skull base chordoma.

Methods: A total of 101 patients of skull base chordoma were admitted at our hospital from May 2000 to April 2010. There were 59 males and 42 females.