Desmoglein 2 and desmocollin 2 depletions promote malignancy through distinct mechanisms in triple-negative and luminal breast cancer.

Background: Aberrant expressions of desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) and desmocollin 2(Dsc2), the two most widely distributed desmosomal cadherins, have been found to play various roles in cancer in a context-dependent manner. Their specific roles on breast cancer (BC) and the potential mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: The expressions of Dsg2 and Dsc2 in human BC tissues and cell lines were assessed by using bioinformatics analysis, immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggers severe inflammatory liver injury in N, N-dimethylformamide-exposed mice.

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is a widely utilized chemical solvent with various industrial applications. Previous studies have indicated that the liver is the most susceptible target to DMF exposure, whereas the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in DMF-induced liver injury in mice by using two NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, Nlrp3 mice, Nfe2l2 mice, and a macrophage-depleting agent.

The potential health risks of short-chain chlorinated paraffin: A mini-review from a toxicological perspective.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are ubiquitously distributed in various environmental matrics due to their wide production and consumption globally in the past and ongoing production and use in some developing countries. SCCPs have been detected in various human samples including serum, milk, placenta, nail, and hair, and internal SCCP levels were found to be positively correlated with biomarkers of some diseases. While the environmental occurrence has been reported in a lot of studies, the toxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms of SCCPs remain largely unknown.

[Spatial Characterization of Stable Isotope Composition of Organic Carbon from Farmland Soils in Chongqing].

Soil was sampled from 182 profiles in typical farmlands of Chongqing and analyzed for the stable carbon isotope composition of organic matter (C). The results showed that the values of C for each soil profile were gradually increasing with increasing soil depth, and the mean values were (-23.63±1.

[Effects of Biodegradable Film Raw Material Particles on Soil Properties, Wheat Growth, and Nutrient Absorption and Transportation].

Biodegradable plastic film is one of the effective ways to solve the problem of white pollution in agriculture. However, its impacts on soil-plant systems are not well documented. In order to provide a basis for the safety evaluation of large-scale application of biodegradable plastic film, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the types(H, S, and X) and doses(2.

[Effects of Water Management and Silicon Application on Iron Plaque Formation and Uptake of Arsenic and Cadmium by Rice].

To explore the effects of water management and silicon application on the bioavailability of soil arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), and the accumulation of As and Cd in rice, pot experiments were carried out using As/Cd co-contaminated paddy soil from a field in Kaiyang County, Guizhou Province. The experimental treatments had the following five water application modes with and without silicon addition:flooding during the entire growth period (T1); flooding for three weeks (0-105 d) after transplanting with wet irrigation (moisture content 50%-60%) during other growth periods (T2); flooding for three weeks before heading (0-65d), three weeks after heading (84-105d), and wet irrigation during other growth periods (T3); flooding from heading to three weeks after heading (84-105d) and wet irrigation during the other growth periods (T4); and wet irrigation during the entire growth period (T5). The results showed that compared with flooding and wet irrigation, flooding combined with wet irrigation was more conducive to the formation of iron plaque (DCB-Fe) on the surfaces of roots.

[Effects of Different Organic Materials on Absorption and Translocation of Arsenic and Cadmium in Rice].

A pot experiment was carried out to study the impacts of five organic materials (rape straw, broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar) on the availability of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soil, the amount of iron plaque on the root surface, as well as the uptake and translocation of As and Cd in rice grown in an As/Cd co-contaminated yellow paddy soil. The results indicated that the application of organic materials significantly increased the contents of the soil organic matter and the yield of rice. The application of broad bean stalk, peat, pig manure compost, and biochar remarkably increased the soil pH, while the application of rape straw exerted no significant influence.

[Effects of Organic Amendments on Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen Uptake by Corn Seedlings Grown in Two Purple Soils].

An incubation experiment and a pot experiment were carried out to investigate the effects of organic materials on microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) content, dry weight, and nitrogen uptake of maize seedlings grown in an acidic purple soil and a calcareous purple soil. The organic materials used included pig manure biogas residue (PM), cattle manure biogas residue (CM), sludge compost (SC), compost from rural domestic waste both with and without 20% sludge (RWC1 and RWC2, respectively). The results showed that MBC content in the acidic and calcareous purple soils increased by 53.

[Analysis of the Characteristics of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Emissions from Agricultural Non-point Sources on Hanfeng Lake Basin].

To understand the status of agricultural non-point source pollution and to find out the primary pollution sources and the key control areas in the Hanfeng Lake Basin, the discharges of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) from farming, livestock and poultry breeding, and rural living in thirty-two counties in 2015 were estimated using the pollutant discharge coefficient method. The spatial distribution characteristics of the quality and intensity of the TN and TP emissions from these sources were investigated using the GIS spatial analysis method. Pollution evaluation and source analysis were also carried out using the equivalent pollution load method.

[Effect of Particulate Organic Matter on Cadmium Uptake and Transport in Rice].

A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects and mechanism of particulate organic matter (POM) on cadmium uptake of rice on purple paddy soil. Organic carbon content in soil and POM and Cd content in POM and rice were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of total soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), organic carbon in POM (POM-C), Cd in POM (POM-Cd), and the Cd enrichment factor in POM increased with the application of POM.

NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK801 Protects Against 1-Bromopropane-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction.

Occupational exposure to 1-bromopropane (1-BP) induces learning and memory deficits. However, no therapeutic strategies are currently available. Accumulating evidence has suggested that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and neuroinflammation are involved in the cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative diseases.

Paracrine and epigenetic control of CAF-induced metastasis: the role of HOTAIR stimulated by TGF-ß1 secretion.

Background: The communication between carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer cells facilitate tumor metastasis. In this study, we further underlying the epigenetic mechanisms of CAFs feed the cancer cells and the molecular mediators involved in these processes.

Methods: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with CAFs culture conditioned medium, respectively.

Impairment of Akt activity by CYP2E1 mediated oxidative stress is involved in chronic ethanol-induced fatty liver.

Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) plays important roles in the regulation of lipid homeostasis, and impairment of Akt activity has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previous studies suggest that cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) plays causal roles in the pathogenesis of alcoholic fatty liver (AFL). We hypothesized that Akt activity might be impaired due to CYP2E1-induced oxidative stress in chronic ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis.

[Enrichment Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Particulate Organic Matter of Purple Paddy Soil].

Twenty purple paddy soil samples were collected from the Prefectures of Hechuan and Tongliang, Chongqing, and sieved into particulate organic matter (0.053-2 mm, POM), sand fraction (0.053-2 mm) and fine soil fraction (<0.

[Effect of Montmorillonite on Fractions and Availability of Phosphorus in Soils Applied with Organic Fertilizer].

An incubation experiment was carried out to study the effect of montmorillonite on pH, the fractions and availability of phosphorus in a sandy yellow soil (SY) and a mineral flavicant soil (MF) applied with biogas residues of swine manure (BSR). The rates of montmorillonite applied were 0%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively.

[Effects of Tillage on Distribution of Heavy Metals and Organic Matter Within Purple Paddy Soil Aggregates].

A long-term experiment was utilized to study the effects of tillage methods on the contents and distribution characteristics of organic matter and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe and Mn) in aggregates with different sizes (including 1-2, 0.25-1, 0.05-0.

[Emissions Characteristics of Greenhouse Gas from Sewage Sludge Composting Process in Winter].

Sludge composting is an efficient way to realize the reclamation of waste sludge, while the Green House Gas (GHG) accompanying with it has raised great concern worldwide. However, we do lack the primary data in this area and a great uncertainty of the effect and GHG emission characteristics of sludge composting process in low-temperature environment also exists. This study is aiming to investigate the emission characteristics of GHG from composting in low-temperature environment by applying two different bulking agents to dewatered urban sludge.

[Effect of Different Organic Materials on Nitrogen Mineralization in Two Purple Soils].

An aerobic incubation experiment was conducted at a constant temperature to investigate the differences in nitrogen mineralization between an acid purple soil and a calcareous purple soil amended with five organic materials including biogas residues of pig manure(PM), cow manure(CW), sewage sludge compost(SC), rural waste compost(RWC1)and the compost of rural waste plus 20% of sewage sludge(RWC2). The results showed that the organic nitrogen forms in these materials followed the order of amino acid N> hydrolysable unidentified N> ammonium N> non-hydrolysable N> amino sugar N. Application of organic materials could significantly improve the contents of NH-N and NO-N in acid purple soil, PM and SC could significantly improve the content of NH-N, but CM reduced the content of NO-N in calcareous purple soil.

Role of Bcl-2 and its associated miRNAs in vasculogenic mimicry of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: An investigation of the role of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and its associated miRNAs in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: The Bcl-2 expression plasmid was constructed for transfection into the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Changes in the expression profiles of the miRNAs induced by Bcl-2 overexpression and their relationships with vasculogenic mimicry were analysed.

Reprogramming carcinoma associated fibroblasts by AC1MMYR2 impedes tumor metastasis and improves chemotherapy efficacy.

Carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs) produce a nutrient-rich microenvironment to fuel tumor progression and metastasis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the inflammation pathway co-operate to transform CAFs. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism mediating the activity of CAFs might identify novel therapies.

Changes in microRNAs associated with Twist-1 and Bcl-2 overexpression identify signaling pathways.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regulated by multiple signal transduction pathways. Twist-1 is one of the most important transcription factors in these pathways. In a previous study, we found that Bcl-2 enhanced the role of Twist-1 in EMT.

Garlic Oil Suppressed Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Hepatocarcinoma in Rats by Inhibiting PI3K-AKT-NF-κB Pathway.

To explore the underlying mechanisms for the protective effects of garlic oil (GO) against nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocarcinoma, 60 male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups (n=15): control group, NDEA group, and two GO plus NDEA groups. The rats in GO plus NDEA groups were pretreated with GO (20 or 40 mg/kg) for 7 days. Then, all rats except those in control group were gavaged with NDEA for 20 weeks, and the rats in GO plus NDEA groups were continuously administered with GO.

[Characterization of phosphorus forms in different organic materials].

The existing forms of phosphorus in seven organic waste materials including biogas residues of swine manure (ZZ), biogas residues of cattle manure (NZ), compost of cattle manure and corn straw (NJD), compost of sewage sludge (WD) and compost of rural daily garbage (NSLD) were characterized according to phosphorus fractionation procedures developed by DOU et al. The result showed that there was a great difference in the total phosphorus (TP) and the total phosphorus of various forms (P(t)) among different organic materials. ZZ had the highest content of TP with the value of 23.

[Temporal variation of trophic status in drawdown area of Hanfeng Lake in the storage period of Three Gorges Reservoir in China].

In order to explore the temporal variations of nutrient and biomass in drawdown area of Hanfeng Lake of the Three Gorges Reservoir region, this paper continuously observed the water quality in the storage period of 2013 October to 2014 February. And the concentrations of nutrients, water physical parameters and chlorophyll were determined. The results showed that the concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll increased, and the nutrition degree increased after the flooding.

[Canonical correspondence analysis of summer phytoplankton community and its environmental factors in Hanfeng Lake].

The phytoplankton community in Hanfeng Lake Reservoir, located in the Three Gorges Reservoir Areas of Yangtze River, was investigated from Jun to August 2013. The results showed that 72 species belonging to 7 phyla of phytoplankton were detected in the water. The dominant species were Synedra, Navicula, Melosira, Cocconeis, Scenedesmus, Pseudoanabaena and Merismopedia.