Platelets promote primary hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through TGF-β1-mediated cancer cell autophagy.

Previous research has revealed that platelets promote tumor metastasis by binding to circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, the role of platelets in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells at the primary tumor site, the crucial initial step of tumor metastasis, remains to be elucidated. Here, we found that platelet releasate enhanced EMT and motility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via AMPK/mTOR-induced autophagy.

Role of activating the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway in the development of septic cardiomyopathy in rats with sepsis.

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of sepsis over time, this condition remains both a serious threat and a cause of death among critical patients.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the development of septic cardiomyopathy in rats with sepsis.

Method: A total of 32 Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into a sham operation group and three groups with sepsis, which were tested at one of the following time-points: 3, 6, or 12 h.

The Na/H antiporter GbSOS1 interacts with SIP5 and regulates salt tolerance in Gossypium barbadense.

Cotton is a globally cultivated economic crop and is a major source of natural fiber and edible oil. However, cotton production is severely affected by salt stress. Although Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) is a well-studied Na/H antiporter in multiple plant species, little is known about its function and regulatory mechanism in cotton.

Platelet-Derived TGF (Transforming Growth Factor)-β1 Enhances the Aerobic Glycolysis of Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells by PKM2 (Pyruvate Kinase Muscle Isoform 2) Upregulation.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Platelet activation has been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), whereas the role of platelet in the pathogenesis of PAH remains unclear.

Methods: First, we explored the platelet function of semaxanib' a inhibitor of VEGF receptor (SU5416)/hypoxia mice and monocrotaline-injected rats PAH model.

Two dimensional spacial soliton in atomic gases with PT-symmetry potential.

We propose a realistic physical scheme to realize linear Gaussian optical potential with parity-time (PT) symmetry and two dimensional (2D) spacial solitons in a coherent atomic gas. It is shown that the PT-symmetric potential can be created through the spatial modulation of the control and relevant atomic parameters. We find that the Gaussian PT potential parameters, the imaginary part and the width and the position, play crucial roles in the occurrence of the PT phase transition.

Transcriptome analysis reveals differentially expressed ERF transcription factors associated with salt response in cotton.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting plant growth and development that has caused severe damage to yield and quality of cotton fiber. Uncovering the mechanisms of response to salt stress is important in breeding salt-tolerant cotton varieties. Transcriptome analysis identified 2356 differentially expressed genes in cotton under salt stress, of which 9.

Calcium-dependent protein kinases in cotton: insights into early plant responses to salt stress.

Background: Soil salinization is one of the major environmental constraints to plant growth and agricultural production worldwide. Signaling components involving calcium (Ca) and the downstream calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) play key roles in the perception and transduction of stress signals. However, the study of CPKs in cotton and their functions in response to salt stress remain unexplored.

[Pre-conceptive factors on the birth ponderal index].

Objective: To analyze the pre-conceptive factors on birth ponderal index (PI).

Methods: Fourteen towns were selected randomly from the 37 towns of Liuyang county, Hunan province, through cluster sampling in a prospective cohort study. Information was collected on all the women registered at the Maternity and Child Care Departments, and were planning to give birth in the coming year plus willing to receive a blood test and then followed-up until delivery.

[Changes in blood pressure and related determinants before and during normal pregnancy].

Objective: To study the longitudinal changes of blood pressure (BP) and its related determinants before and during normal pregnancy.

Methods: 14 townships were randomly selected by cluster random sampling method from 37 townships in Liuyang city, Hunan province. Subjects are all women at childbearing age in these 14 townships registered from April 2008 to December 2011.