Rs2227982 and rs2227981 in PDCD1 gene are functional SNPs associated with T1D risk in East Asian.

Aims: To investigate whether PDCD1 gene polymorphisms are functional, and their associations with T1D risk and related clinical characteristics.

Methods: A total of 3060 Chinese Han individuals (1019 T1D patients and 2041 healthy controls) were genotyped for 4 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the PDCD1 region (rs2227982, rs7421861, rs10204525, and rs6710479) and another most studied synonymous SNP, rs2227981. In addition, 251 healthy individuals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT); measures of insulin release and sensitivity were estimated from insulinogenic, BIGTT, Matsuda.

Improving charge transport by the ultrathin QDs interlayer in polymer solar cells.

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) have been incorporated into PTB7:PCBM BHJ active layers to fabricate polymer solar cells (PSCs) and gather on the top surface of active layers to form an ultrathin interlayer. The PbS QDs ultrathin interlayer with an appropriate thickness increases the carrier transport capacity, exciton dissociation and reduces the carrier recombination, which leads to a higher short circuit current ( ) and fill factor (FF). Finally, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) improves from 7.

and effects of miRNA-19b/20a/92a on gastric cancer stem cells and the related mechanism.

We aimed to analyze the and effects of miRNA-19b/20a/92a on gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) and the related mechanism. GCSCs were cultured until adherence and differentiation, and subjected to miRNA microarray analysis to find and to verify miRNA deletion. Cells stably expressing lentivirus carrying miRNA-19b/20a/92a were constructed by transfection.

Kinetic simulation and prediction of pyrolysis process for non-metallic fraction of waste printed circuit boards by discrete distributed activation energy model compared with isoconversional method.

Kinetic studies on the pyrolysis process for non-metallic fraction (NMF) of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) were conducted using both the isoconversional SKAS method and the discrete distributed activation energy model (discrete DAEM). The pyrolysis process of the NMF sample could be classified into three stages, and a large mass loss was observed from 98 to 570 °C, attributed to thermal degradation of epoxy resins in the NMF sample. The kinetic parameters, including activation energies (E ), pre-exponential factors (A ), and contributed fractions (f ), were determined.

MUC1 overexpression predicts worse survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: evidence from an updated meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies on the prognostic role of MUC1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to appraise the clinicopathological and prognostic effect of MUC1 in NSCLC patients.

Materials And Methods: Searches of PubMed, EMBASE and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) were conducted and relevant studies were extracted.

Thyroid stimulating hormone exhibits the impact on LDLR/LDL-c via up-regulating hepatic PCSK9 expression.

Context: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) has received increasing attention as being closely associated with increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level and higher atherosclerotic risks. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is known for increasing circulating LDL-c level by inducing LDL receptor degradation. However, whether TSH influences hepatic PCSK9 expression and LDL-c metabolism remains unclear.

Multipeptide-coupled nanoparticles induce tolerance in 'humanised' HLA-transgenic mice and inhibit diabetogenic CD8 T cell responses in type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Induction of antigen-specific immunological tolerance may provide an attractive immunotherapy in the NOD mouse model but the conditions that lead to the successful translation to human type 1 diabetes are limited. In this study, we covalently linked 500 nm carboxylated polystyrene beads (PSB) with a mixture of immunodominant HLA-A*02:01-restricted epitopes (peptides-PSB) that may have high clinical relevance in humans as they promote immune tolerance; we then investigated the effect of the nanoparticle-peptide complexes on T cell tolerance.

Methods: PSB-coupled mixtures of HLA-A*02:01-restricted epitopes were administered to HHD II mice via intravenous injection.

Convergent and divergent genetic changes in the genome of Chinese and European pigs.

Since 10,000 BC, continuous human selection has led to intense genetic and phenotypic changes in pig (Sus scrofa) domestication. Through whole genome analysis of 257 individuals, we demonstrated artificial unidirectional and bidirectional selection as the primary force to shape the convergent and divergent changes between Chinese domestic pigs (CHD) and European domestic pigs (EUD). We identified 31 genes in unidirectional selection regions that might be related to fundamental domestication requirements in pigs.

Microsatellite primers in Plantago virginica (Plantaginaceae), an invasive species with both cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed in Plantago virginica, an invasive species in China with both cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers, to investigate its genetic structure and mating patterns. Fourteen novel microsatellite primer sets were designed, and the marker loci they amplified were characterized in 96 individuals from four populations. Eleven of these markers showed polymorphism and the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six.

Evaluation and Comparison of the Processing Methods of Airborne Gravimetry Concerning the Errors Effects on Downward Continuation Results: Case Studies in Louisiana (USA) and the Tibetan Plateau (China).

Gravity data gaps in mountainous areas are nowadays often filled in with the data from airborne gravity surveys. Because of the errors caused by the airborne gravimeter sensors, and because of rough flight conditions, such errors cannot be completely eliminated. The precision of the gravity disturbances generated by the airborne gravimetry is around 3-5 mgal.

Ulk1 over-expression in human gastric cancer is correlated with patients' T classification and cancer relapse.

Ulk1 is a key autophagy protein. Here, we tested expression and potential function of Ulk1 in human gastric cancer. Ulk1 mRNA and protein were significantly elevated in multiple fresh human gastric cancer tissues.

SESN2 correlates with advantageous prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: SESN2 plays important roles in the regulation of cell survival, cell protection, and tumor suppression. However, the relationship between SESN2 expression and the clinicopathological attributes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is barely investigated.

Methods: One-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR, Western blotting analysis in 15 fresh HCC tissues, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 100 HCC cases were performed to examine SESN2 expression.

Preparation of Janus-type catalysts and their catalytic performance at emulsion interface.

Two Janus-type catalysts were synthesized by selective modification and further functionalization with metal nanoparticles on one or both beads of snowman-like Janus particles. The catalytic performance of Janus-type catalysts both in homogeneous and interfacial reaction systems was systematically investigated using the reduction of nitro-compound as model reaction. The results showed that Janus-type catalysts have excellent catalytic activity in homogeneous reaction system and they are easy to recycle.

Prognostic value of endocan expression in cancers: evidence from meta-analysis.

Endocan is a 50 kDa dermatan sulfate proteoglycan. Numerous previous studies have indicated that endocan might be an attractive prognostic tumor biomarker. However, the results of different studies are inconsistent.

The decrease of NMDAR subunit expression and NMDAR EPSC in hippocampus by neonatal exposure to desflurane in mice.

Desflurane is one of the third generation inhaled anesthetics and can be used in obstetric and pediatric medicine. However, effects of exposure to desflurane on neonatal brain are largely unknown. In this work, 6-day-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 1MAC or 1.

ER Stress via CHOP Pathway is Involved in FK506-Induced Apoptosis in Rat Fibroblasts.

Background/aims: Hypertrophic scars (HS) formation results from reduced apoptosis and increased proliferation of fibroblasts. Therefore, apoptosis of fibroblasts is a key target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HS. Previous reports demonstrated that FK506 could attenuate scar formation in vivo and FK506 could also induce endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress).

miR-186 regulates chemo-sensitivity to paclitaxel via targeting MAPT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

miR-186 has been reported to be implicated in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in a few cancer types. However, its role in regulating chemoresistance has not been investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To examine the effects of miR-186 on chemosensitivity in NSCLC, an miR-186 mimic and inhibitor were transfected, followed by CellTiter-Glo® assay in NSCLC cell lines.

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients without Major Neuropsychiatric Manifestations.

Depressive and anxiety disorders are frequently observed in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. We conducted this survey to understand the prevalence of depression and anxiety in SLE patients without major neuropsychiatric manifestations (non-NPSLE) and to explore the relationship between emotional disorders, symptoms, autoantibodies, disease activity, and treatments in SLE.

B10 cells play a role in the immune modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses in mouse islet allograft rejection.

Recently, pancreatic islet transplantation has been shown to be a viable option for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, immune destruction becomes the major impediment to the clinical application of islet transplantation. Here, we evaluated changes affecting multiple types of immune cells and cytokines in allogeneic islet transplantation immunity after the administration of B10 cells alone and explored the regulatory mechanisms of B10 cells in T cell-mediated allograft rejection.

A New Method of Directing Endoscope Pathway in Single-Nostril Transpheoidal Approach for Safety by Using Volume Rendering With Thin-Section Computed Tomographic Image.

Objective: This study aims to locate important structures surrounding the sella node and measure the distances and angles between signalized points by using both three-dimensional reconstruction technique and volume-rendering. These distances and angles can provide more accurate reference for surgeries in pituitary adenomas.

Methods: Ninty volunteers' skulls were scanned and thin-section computed tomographic images were displayed.

MiR-4638-5p inhibits castration resistance of prostate cancer through repressing Kidins220 expression and PI3K/AKT pathway activity.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, conserved segments of non-coding RNA which play a significant role in prostate cancer development and progression. To identify miRNAs associated with castration resistance, we performed miRNA microarray analysis comparing castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with androgen dependent prostate cancer (ADPC). We identified common underexpression of miR-4638-5p in CRPC compared to ADPC samples, which were further confirmed by quantitative PCR analysis.

Screening and identification of human ZnT8-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) from type 1 diabetes phage display library.

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is a major autoantigen and a predictive marker in type 1 diabetes (T1D). To investigate ZnT8-specific antibodies, a phage display library from T1D was constructed and single-chain antibodies against ZnT8 were screened and identified. Human T1D single-chain variable fragment (scFv) phage display library consists of approximately 1×10(8) clones.

The heterogeneity of islet autoantibodies and the progression of islet failure in type 1 diabetic patients.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is heterogeneous in many facets. The patients suffered from type 1 diabetes present several levels of islet function as well as variable number and type of islet-specific autoantibodies. This study was to investigate prevalence and heterogeneity of the islet autoantibodies and clinical phenotypes of type 1 diabetes mellitus; and also discussed the process of islet failure and its risk factors in Chinese type 1 diabetic patients.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Allele UBE2E2 Is Associated With Decreased Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Release in Elderly Chinese Han Individuals.

Recently, rs163182 in KCNQ1, rs7612463 in UBE2E2, rs7119 in HMG20A, and rs6815464 in MAEA were discovered as type 2 diabetes (T2D) loci unique to Asians, and rs13342692 in SLC16A11 were newly reported as T2D loci in multiethnicities by genome-wide association (GWA) studies. The aim of the present study is to ascertain the potential associations between these variants and T2D risk in the Chinese population, and characterize diabetic-related quantitative traits underlying these variants.A total of 4268 Chinese Han individuals (1754 patients with T2D and 2514 glucose-tolerant health subjects, age ≥40 years) were genotyped for these 5 variants.

Roles of iron species and pH optimization on sewage sludge conditioning with Fenton's reagent and lime.

Conditioning sewage sludge with Fenton's reagent could effectively improve its dewaterability. However, drawbacks of conditioning with Fenton's reagent are requirement of acidic conditions to prevent iron precipitation and subsequent neutralization with alkaline additive to obtain the pH of the filtrate close to neutrality. In this study, roles of pH were thoroughly investigated in the acidification pretreatment, Fenton reaction, and the final filtrate after conditioning.