Novel association of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble P-selectin with the ABO blood group in a Chinese population.

Recent studies have reported that the gene can affect circulating expression levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) in Caucasians. However, several factors may affect the association, including the distribution and variations of the gene, ethnic diversity and the inflammatory response status. The aim of the present study was to investigate this issue in Asian subjects of various blood groups.

MDC1-AS, an antisense long noncoding RNA, regulates cell proliferation of glioma.

Background: Growing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new modulators in cancer origination and progression. A lncRNA, mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1antisense RNA (MDC1-AS), with unknown function, is the antisense transcript of tumor suppressor MDC1.

Method: In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and functional role of lncRNA MDC1-AS in glioma by using real time PCR and gain-/loss-of-function studies.

Genome wide association mapping for grain shape traits in indica rice.

Using genome-wide association mapping, 47 SNPs within 27 significant loci were identified for four grain shape traits, and 424 candidate genes were predicted from public database. Grain shape is a key determinant of grain yield and quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Ctenopharyngodon idella NF-κB subunit p65 modulates the transcription of IκBα in CIK cells.

NF-κB is an important transcription factor for regulating the multiple inflammatory and immune related gene transcription. It can bind with the nuclear factor κB site within the promoter of target genes to regulate their transcriptions. p65, the all-important subunit of NF-κB, is ubiquitously expressed in cells.

Cobalt-Carbon Core-Shell Nanoparticles Aligned on Wrinkle of N-Doped Carbon Nanosheets with Pt-Like Activity for Oxygen Reduction.

A one-step soft-template induced strategy is demonstrated for the controlled synthesis of nitrogen-enriched core-shell structured cobalt-carbon nanoparticles (NPs) sequentially aligned on wrinkles of N-doped carbon nanosheets (Co-C@NWCs). The key feature of Co-C@NWCs for ORR catalysis enhancement is that it combines high catalytic centers of Co-C core-shell NPs with the wrinkle of carbon nanosheets with high electron donation ability.

The genetic diversity and structure of indica rice in China as detected by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis.

Background: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food of more than half of the world's population. The identification of genetic diversity in local varieties of rice compared with that of improved or introduced varieties is important in breeding elite varieties for sustainable agriculture.

The neuronal correlates of mirror therapy: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study on mirror-induced visual illusions of ankle movements.

Recovery in stroke is mediated by neural plasticity. Mirror therapy is an effective method in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, but the mechanism is still obscure. To identify the neural networks associated with the effect of lower-limbs mirror therapy, we investigated a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of mirror-induced visual illusion of ankle movements.

Magnetically separable and recyclable Fe3O4-polydopamine hybrid hollow microsphere for highly efficient peroxidase mimetic catalysts.

Magnetic Fe3O4-polydopamine (PDA) hybrid hollow microspheres, in which Fe3O4 nanoparticles were firmly incorporated in the cross-linked PDA shell, have been prepared through the formation of core/shell PS/Fe3O4-PDA composites based on template-induced covalent assembly method, followed by core removal in a tetrahydrofuran solution. The morphology, composition, thermal property and magnetic property of the magnetic hybrid hollow microspheres were characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. Results revealed that the magnetic hybrid hollow microspheres had about 380 nm of inner diameter and about 30 nm of shell thickness, and 13.

CO₂-Induced Phase Engineering: Protocol for Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytic Performance of 2D MoS₂ Nanosheets.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising non-precious-metal catalyst, but its performance is limited by the density of active sites and poor electrical transport. Its metallic 1T phase possesses higher photoelectrocatalytic activity. Thus, how to efficiently increase the concentration of the 1T phase in the exfoliated two-dimensiaonal (2D) MoS2 nanosheets is an important premise.

A Two-Stage Method to Estimate the Contribution of Road Traffic to PM₂.₅ Concentrations in Beijing, China.

Background: Fine particulate matters with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) have been a critical environmental problem in China due to the rapid road vehicle growth in recent years.

Functional lateralization in cingulate cortex predicts motor recovery after basal ganglia stroke.

The basal ganglia (BG) is involved in higher order motor control such as movement planning and execution of complex motor synergies. Neuroimaging study on stroke patients specifically with BG lesions would help to clarify the consequence of BG damage on motor control. In this paper, we performed a longitudinal study in the stroke patients with lesions in BG regions across three motor recovery stages, i.

Genetic variation and association mapping for 12 agronomic traits in indica rice.

Background: Increasing rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield is a crucial challenge for modern agriculture. The ideal plant architecture is considered to be critical to enhance rice yield.

Uncovering novel loci for mesocotyl elongation and shoot length in indica rice through genome-wide association mapping.

Totally, 23 loci were detected, and 383 candidate genes were identified, and four of these candidate genes, Os01g0392100, Os04g0630000, Os01g0904700 and Os07g0615000, were regarded as promising targets. Direct-seeding cultivation is becoming popular in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-planting countries because it is labor- and time-efficient.

Abnormal pancreatic enzymes and their prognostic role after acute paraquat poisoning.

Ingestion of paraquat causes multi-organ failure. Prognosis is best estimated through measurement of blood paraquat concentrations but this facility is not available in most hospitals. We studied the prognostic significance of abnormal pancreatic enzymes for survival.

CUL4A facilitates hepatocarcinogenesis by promoting cell cycle progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

CUL4A, a member of the CULLIN family, functions as a scaffold protein for an E3 ubiquitin ligase. It was reported that the CUL4A gene showed amplification in some human primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, the exact role of CUL4A in HCC remains unknown.

High-Performance Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitor from Large Free-Standing Graphene-PEDOT/PSS Films.

Although great attention has been paid to wearable electronic devices in recent years, flexible lightweight batteries or supercapacitors with high performance are still not readily available due to the limitations of the flexible electrode inventory. In this work, highly flexible, bendable and conductive rGO-PEDOT/PSS films were prepared using a simple bar-coating method. The assembled device using rGO-PEDOT/PSS electrode could be bent and rolled up without any decrease in electrochemical performance.

Development and validation of a hydrophilic interaction chromatography method coupled with a charged aerosol detector for quantitative analysis of nonchromophoric α-hydroxyamines, organic impurities of metoprolol.

The European Pharmacopeia (EP) metoprolol impurities M and N are polar, nonchromophoric α-hydroxyamines, which are poorly retained in a conventional reversed-phase chromatographic system and are invisible for UV detection. Impurities M and N are currently analyzed by TLC methods in the EP as specified impurities and in the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) as unspecified impurities. In order to modernize the USP monographs of metoprolol drug substances and related drug products, a hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) method coupled with a charged aerosol detector (CAD) was explored for the analysis of the two impurities.

SCNT versus iPSCs: proteins and small molecules in reprogramming.

Somatic cell nuclear transplantation (SCNT) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies can be employed to change cell fate by reprogramming. The discoveries of SCNT and iPSCs were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 2012, which reaffirmed the importance of cell fate plasticity. However, the low cloning efficiency of SCNT and differences between iPSCs and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are great barriers and may be caused by incomplete or aberrant reprogramming.

Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Lateral Heterostructures of WS2 /WO3 ⋅H2 O Through Selective Oxidation of Monolayer WS2.

Two-dimensional (2D) lateral heterostructures have emerged as a hot topic in the fast evolving field of advanced functional materials , but their fabrication is challenging. The layer-structured WS2 was theoretically demonstrated to be inert to oxidation except for the monolayer, which can be selectively oxidized owing to the simultaneous interaction of oxygen with both sides. Combined with the theoretical calculations, a new method was developed for the successful construction of 2D lateral heterostructures of WS2 /WO3 ⋅H2 O in an ambient environment, based on a simple liquid-phase solution exfoliation.

Early Use of Statin in Patients Treated with Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Studies have reported that statin usage before stroke can increase the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombolytic treatment. However, whether the administration of statin at an early stage of ischemic stroke increases hemorrhage occurrence is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of statin on neurological imaging and functional outcomes after intravenous alteplase treatment, within 24 h of acute ischemic stroke attack.

Stabilizing and Improving Solar H2 Generation from Zn(0.5)Cd(0.5)S Nanorods@MoS2/RGO Hybrids via Dual Charge Transfer Pathway.

The incorporated Zn(0.5)Cd(0.5)S (ZCS) nanorods with MoS2/RGO cocatalysts by a simultaneous reduction reaction was reported.

The Age-Specific Association of Waist Circumference and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Shandong, China.

Objective. To examine the association of three most common obesity measures including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Design.

Selective adsorption and separation of organic dyes from aqueous solution on polydopamine microspheres.

Polydopamine (PDA) microspheres, synthesized by a facile oxidation polymerization route, were evaluated as a potential adsorbent for selective adsorption and separation of organic dyes. The adsorption processes towards nine water-soluble dyes (anionic dyes: methyl orange (MO), eosin-Y (EY), eosin-B (EB), acid chrome blue K (ACBK), neutral dye: neutral red (NR), and cationic dyes: rhodamine B (RhB), malachite green (MG), methylene blue (MB), safranine T (ST)) were thoroughly investigated. The adsorption selectivity of organic dyes onto PDA microspheres was successfully applied for the separation of dyes mixtures.

Altered Functional Connectivity in Patients with Subcortical Vascular Cognitive Impairment--A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that people with subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (sVCI) have structural and functional abnormalities in the frontal lobe and subcortical brain sites. In this study, we used seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis and voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) techniques to investigate the alteration of rsFC in patients with sVCI. rsFC and structural magnetic resonance images were acquired for 51 patients with subcortical cerebrovascular disease.