Mechanism of synergistic remediation of soil phenanthrene contamination in paddy fields by rice-crab coculture and bioaugmentation with Pseudomonas sp.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent and harmful pollutants with high priority concern in agricultural fields. This work constructed a rice-crab coculture and bioaugmentation (RCM) system to remediate phenanthrene (a model PAH) contamination in rice fields. The results showed that RCM had a higher remediation performance of phenanthrene in rice paddy compared with rice cultivation alone, microbial addition alone, and crab-rice coculture, reaching a remediation efficiency of 88.

Effect of Lymph Node Dissection on the Prognosis of Thymic Carcinomas and Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

We aimed to analyze the effect of lymph node dissection (LND) and accurate lymph node (LN) status on the survival and prognosis of patients with thymic carcinomas (TCs) and thymic neuroendocrine tumors (TNETs) undergoing surgical treatment. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients who underwent surgical resection for TCs and TNETs during 1998-2016. LN status were defined as no LND (LND-), pathologically negative with LND (N0), and LN metastasis positive (N+).

DHCR24 overexpression modulates microglia polarization and inflammatory response via Akt/GSK3β signaling in Aβ treated BV-2 cells.

Microglial phenotypic polarization, divided into pro-inflammatory "M1" phenotype and anti-inflammatory "M2" phenotype, played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Facilitating microglial polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype was shown to alleviate AD-associate pathologic damage, and modulator of the microglial phenotype has become a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD. Previous little evidence showed that DHCR24 (3-β-hydroxysteroid-Δ-24-reductase), also known as seladin-1 (selective Alzheimer's disease indicator-1), exerted potential anti-inflammatory property, however, the link between DHCR24 and microglial polarization has never been reported.

CdSe quantum dots labeled for research studies of THP-1 derived macrophage phagocytic behavior.

A simple biological strategy to couple intracellular irrelated biochemical reactions of CMCC 26003 () with inorganic metal ions to synthesize cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) was demonstrated. Correspondingly, as living matrices are internally generated and labeled with fluorescent QDs by the smart strategy. Several key factors in the process of biosynthesis were systematically evaluated.

Plasma profiling of amino acids distinguishes acute gout from asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Gout and hyperuricemia are highly prevalent metabolic diseases caused by high level of uric acid. Amino acids (AAs) involve in various biochemical processes including the biosynthesis of uric acid. However, the role of AAs in discriminating gout from hyperuricemia remains unknown.

Differentiating the acute phase of gout from the intercritical phase with ultrasound and quantitative shear wave elastography.

Objectives: To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US) in differentiating the acute phase of gout from the intercritical phase, particularly using shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods: 57 gout patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into acute phase and intercritical phase groups. The patients underwent US and SWE examinations for the first metatarsophalangeal joints with the same protocol.

A sensitive and accurate method to simultaneously measure uric acid and creatinine in human saliva by using LC-MS/MS.

Aim: To establish a method to simultaneously measure uric acid (UA) and creatinine (Cr) in human saliva.

Materials & Methods: By using HPLC-MS/MS, we developed and validated a fast, sensitive and accurate method to simultaneously determine UA and Cr in human saliva. The determination range for Cr and UA is of 10-5000 ng/ml with the R for both calibration curves over 0.

[Impacts of genetically modified soybean leaf residues on Folsomia candida.].

When the genetically modified soybean is planted in the field, the expression product of exogenous gene could be exposed in the soil ecosystem and bring potential risk to the soil fauna, with the form of leaves and other debris. A few of genetically modified soybeans developed by China independently were used in our study as materials. They were Phytophthora-resistant soybean harboring hrpZm gene (B4J8049), leaf-feeding insect-resistant soybean harboring Cry1C gene (A2A8001) and Leguminivora glycinivorella-resistant soybean harboring Cry1Iem gene (C802).

A hearing self-reported survey in people over 80 years of age in China by hearing handicap inventory for the elderly-complete version vs screening version.

Conclusion: HHIE-S can be a useful tool in investigating hearing loss among people over 80 years old, with the same validity as HHIE.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hearing loss on the quality-of-life in people over 80 years of age in China, and to compare the results of the Chinese mandarin version Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) and its screening version (HHIE-S).

Methods: Eighty-four people over 80 years participated in the study.

[Investigation of metabolites of Triptergium wilfordii on liver toxicity by LC-MS].

In this paper, biomarkers of liver toxicity of Triptergium wilfordii based on metabolomics was screened, and mechanism of liver toxicity was explored to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis for liver toxicity of Triptergium wilfordii. MS method was carried on the analysis to metabolic fingerprint spectrum between treatment group and control group. The potential biomarkers were compared and screened using the multivariate statistical methods.

Intracellular Biosynthesis of Fluorescent CdSe Quantum Dots in Bacillus subtilis: A Strategy to Construct Signaling Bacterial Probes for Visually Detecting Interaction Between Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

In this work, fluorescent Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) cells were developed as probes for imaging applications and to explore behaviorial interaction between B. subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Construction of photodynamic-effect immunofluorescence probes by a complex of quantum dots, immunoglobulin G and chlorin e6 and their application in HepG2 cell killing.

In this study, tri-functional immunofluorescent probes (Ce6-IgG-QDs) based on covalent combinations of quantum dots (QDs), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) were developed and their photodynamic ability to induce the death of cancer cells was demonstrated. Strategically, one type of second-generation photosensitizer, Ce6, was first coupled with anti-IgG antibody using the EDC/NHS cross-linking method to construct the photosensitive immunoconjugate Ce6-IgG. Then, a complex of Ce6-IgG-QDs immunofluorescent probes was obtained in succession by covalently coupling Ce6-IgG to water soluble CdTe QDs.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Study Relationship between Serum Uric Acid and Renal Microvascular Perfusion in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between uric acid and renal microvascular perfusion in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) method.

Materials And Methods: 79 DKD patients and 26 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Renal function and urine protein markers were tested.

Diagnostic value of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early detection of renal hyperperfusion in diabetic kidney disease.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early detection of renal hyperperfusion in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Materials And Methods: 55 DKD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and 26 normal controls (NCs) were enrolled.

[Mn2Ga4Sn4S20](8-) T3 supertetrahedral nanocluster directed by a series of transition metal complexes.

With different transition metal (TM) complexes as structure directing agents or building units, three new multinary chalcognidometalates based on T3 supertetrahedral nanocluster of [Mn2Ga4Sn4S20](8-) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. In compound Mn2Ga4Sn4S20[Mn2(en)5]2·4H2O (, en = ethylenediamine), the neighboring [Mn2Ga4Sn4S20](8-) cores were bridged by two pairs of [Mn2(en)5](4+) complex cations via Mn-S bonds to form one-dimensional (1D) neutral chains. Compound Mn2Ga4Sn4S20[Mn(dien)2]4·2H2O (, dien = diethylenetriamine) contained discrete [Mn2Ga4Sn4S20](8-) cores separated by [Mn(dien)2](2+) cations.

Prognostic value of circulating microRNA-21 in digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Circulating microRNAs show aberrant expression in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of circulating microRNA-21 (miR-21) in digestive system cancers.

Methods: All the eligible studies were searched by Medline and EMBASE.

The DREAM protein negatively regulates the NMDA receptor through interaction with the NR1 subunit.

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity has been implicated in the etiology of stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a pivotal role in excitotoxic injury; however, clinical trials testing NMDAR antagonists as neuroprotectants have been discouraging. The development of novel neuroprotectant molecules is being vigorously pursued.

Characterization of a novel wheat NAC transcription factor gene involved in defense response against stripe rust pathogen infection and abiotic stresses.

Proteins encoded by the NAC gene family constitute one of the largest plant-specific transcription factors, which have been identified to play many important roles in both abiotic and biotic stress adaptation, as well as in plant development regulation. In the current paper, a full-length cDNA sequence of a novel wheat NAC gene, designated as TaNAC4, was isolated using in silico cloning and the reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) methods. TaNAC4 sharing high homology with rice OsNAC4 gene was predicted to encode a protein of 308 amino acid residues, which contained a plant-specific NAC domain in the N-terminus.

[Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on IL-1alpha triggered tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and fibronectin secretion in vitro].

Objective: To observe the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) triggered by IL-1alpha and the fibronectin secretion of TEMT.

Methods: The normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cell line (NRK52E) was cultured for six days on plastic or collagen type I-coated plates in the presence or absence of HGF or IL-1alpha. The morphology of transdifferentiation tubular cells was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase-contrast microscopy.

[Effect of total saponins of Panax notoginseng on transdifferentiation of rats' tubular epithelial cell induced by IL-1alpha].

Objective: To study whether total saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) can prevent renal interstitial fibrosis occurrence through blocking the IL-1alpha induced tubular epithelial cell and decrease the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods: Normal rats' tubular epithelial cells NRK52E were cultured in vitro, their morphological changes were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. Flow cytometry technique and immuno-histochemical method was used to detect the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and ELISA was used to quantitatively detect the fibronectin (FN) in the supernatant

Results: IL-1alpha could induce the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial myofibroblast, showing hypertrophy of cells elongated and fusiform-shaped, with significantly enhanced expression of alpha-SMA and increased secretion of FN (P<0.