A comprehensive study of Z-DNA density and its evolutionary implications in birds.

Background: Z-DNA, a left-handed helical form of DNA, plays a significant role in genomic stability and gene regulation. Its formation, associated with high GC content and repetitive sequences, is linked to genomic instability, potentially leading to large-scale deletions and contributing to phenotypic diversity and evolutionary adaptation.

Results: In this study, we analyzed the density of Z-DNA-prone motifs of 154 avian genomes using the non-B DNA Motif Search Tool (nBMST).

Comparison and optimization of different CRISPR/Cas9 donor-adapting systems for gene editing.

Gene knock-in in mammalian cells usually uses homology-directed repair (HDR) mechanism to integrate exogenous DNA template into the target genome site. However, HDR efficiency is often low, and the co-localization of exogenous DNA template and target genome site is one of the key limiting factors. To improve the efficiency of HDR mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 system, our team and previous studies fused different adaptor proteins with SpCas9 protein and expressed them.

Dissolved Oxygen-Sensing Chip Integrating an Open Container Connected with a Position-Raised Channel for Estimation of Cellular Mitochondrial Activity.

The measurement of oxygen consumption of adherent cells is a profoundly important issue for estimating the bioenergetic health and metabolism activity of cells. The study describes the construction of a microfluidic chip consisting of an open container connected with a position-raised channel and dissolved oxygen (DO)-sensing gold ultramicroelectrodes for quantifying the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of adherent cells. The microfluidic chip design can reduce the action of shear force on the adherent cells during medium replacement.

Evidence of the Role of R-Spondin 1 and Its Receptor Lgr4 in the Transmission of Mechanical Stimuli to Biological Signals for Bone Formation.

The bone can adjust its mass and architecture to mechanical stimuli via a series of molecular cascades, which have been not yet fully elucidated. Emerging evidence indicated that R-spondins (Rspos), a family of secreted agonists of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, had important roles in osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation. However, the role of Rspo proteins in mechanical loading-influenced bone metabolism has never been investigated.

The role of Arabidopsis Actin-Related Protein 3 in amyloplast sedimentation and polar auxin transport in root gravitropism.

Gravitropism is vital for shaping directional plant growth in response to the forces of gravity. Signals perceived in the gravity-sensing cells can be converted into biochemical signals and transmitted. Sedimentation of amyloplasts in the columella cells triggers asymmetric auxin redistribution in root tips, leading to downward root growth.

LGR4 acts as a key receptor for R-spondin 2 to promote osteogenesis through Wnt signaling pathway.

R-spondin proteins are identified as secreted agonists of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptors (LGR) are recognized as R-spondin receptors. The potential role of R-spondin 2 (Rspo2) and LGR4 in mediating osteogenesis remains poorly understood. In our in vitro experiments, we found that Rspo2 could promote osteogenesis through activating the Wnt signaling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Aloin Protects Skin Fibroblasts from Heat Stress-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage by Regulating the Oxidative Defense System.

Oxidative stress is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of skin damage induced by environmental factors, such as heat stress. Skin fibroblasts are responsible for the connective tissue regeneration and the skin recovery from injury. Aloin, a bioactive compound in Aloe vera, has been reported to have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory effects.

Improving Non-Destructive Concrete Strength Tests Using Support Vector Machines.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are important alternatives when destructive tests are not feasible to examine the concrete properties without damaging the structure. The rebound hammer test and the ultrasonic pulse velocity test are two popular NDT methods to examine the properties of concrete. The rebound of the hammer depends on the hardness of the test specimen and ultrasonic pulse travelling speed is related to density, uniformity, and homogeneity of the specimen.

Plasma metabolite profiles following trauma-hemorrhage: effect of posttreatment with resveratrol.

Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to inhibit the inflammatory reaction and ameliorate the organ damage resulting from trauma-hemorrhage (TH). However, the effects of RSV on the metabolomic profiles under these conditions remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the metabolomic profiles of plasma in TH rats and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of RSV using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Proximal femoral nail antirotation and third-generation Gamma nail: which is a better device for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures?

Introduction: Proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and third-generation Gamma nail (Gamma 3) are widely used in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. However, it remains unclear which device achieves better clinical and radiographic outcomes when treating intertrochanteric fractures.

Methods: This study comprised 239 patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with either PFNA or Gamma 3 for a minimum of 12 months.

Estradiol inhibits osteoblast apoptosis via promotion of autophagy through the ER-ERK-mTOR pathway.

Estradiol could protect osteoblast against apoptosis, and apoptosis and autophagy were extensively and intimately connected. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that autophagy was present in osteoblasts under serum deprivation and estrogen protected against osteoblast apoptosis via promotion of autophagy. MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were cultured in a serum-free and phenol red-free minimal essential medium (α-MEM).

Thoracolumbar burst fractures with a neurological deficit treated with posterior decompression and interlaminar fusion.

Introduction: To our knowledge, thoracolumbar burst fractures with a neurological deficit treated with posterior decompression and interlaminar fusion have never been reported. Our study was to assess the outcome of posterior decompression and interlaminar fusion in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures with a neurological deficit.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one patients suffering from thoracolumbar burst fractures with a neurological deficit were included this study.

Comparison of the efficacy of parecoxib versus ketorolac combined with morphine on patient-controlled analgesia for post-cesarean delivery pain management.

Background: we compared the clinical efficacy and safety between a new injectable cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, parecoxib, and an old nonselective, ketorolac combined with morphine in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for management of post-cesarean delivery pain.

Methods: in this randomized, open-label study, 66 parturients undergoing cesarean section were divided into two groups: In Group P the patients received an initial intravenous bolus of 40mg parecoxib as a loading dose post-operatively and then two bolus doses of 20mg parecoxib were subsequently given at intervals of 24h. Morphine was basically used in PCA manner during the 3-day study course; and in Group K patients received an intravenous loading bolus of 30mg ketorolac post-operatively and then 90mg ketorolac combined with morphine in PCA fashion throughout the study course.

Chemotherapy in anterior instrumentation for spinal tuberculosis: highlighting a 9-month three-drug regimen.

Background: Anterior instrumentation has been used for surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis, but there are different regimens of antituberculous chemotherapy used in combination with surgical intervention. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the efficacy of an antituberculous chemotherapy regimen by following a series of patients with spinal tuberculosis, for a minimum of 3 years, who underwent single-stage anterior radical debridement, autogenous bone grafting, and instrumentation.

Methods: The clinical and radiographic outcomes of these patients were analyzed with special reference to postoperative chemotherapy with a 9-month three-drug regimen.

Gender-specific effects of caloric restriction on the balance of vascular nitric oxide and superoxide radical.

Aims: Caloric restriction (CR) and female gender attenuate oxidative damage and improve vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR). Multiple mechanisms that ameliorate vascular O(2)(*-) could enhance the NO(*)/O(2)(*-) balance and thus improve EDR. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of short-term (2 weeks) CR and gender on molecular mechanisms involved in NO(*)/O(2)(*-) balance and EDR.

Paraquat-induced lipid peroxidation: effects of ovariectomy and estrogen receptor antagonist.

Estrogen protects females against cardiovascular diseases in both receptor-dependent, genomic or non-genomic manner. Although part of the protective effects is attributed to its enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) production and antioxidant properties, in vivo evidence is difficult to establish. We thus employed paraquat (PQ)-treated rats as a model for oxidative stress and to compare oxidative damage determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) contents as index for lipid peroxidation of various tissues.

Bilateral severe bronchial obstruction after metallic tracheal stent insertion for tracheal stenosis--a case report.

Metallic wire expandable stents are increasingly used to alleviate tracheal obstruction due to malignancies. Patients usually tolerate these stents well and benefit from good to excellent palliation of their symptoms. Nevertheless, some miserable complications have also come to our notice.

Estrogen ameliorates Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced blood pressure increment in male spontaneously hypertensive rats: the role of cGMP.

Estrogen (17beta-estradiol, or E2) reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP) increment and increases aortic cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). It is unknown, however, whether the E2-enhanced aortic cGMP is essential for the BP-lowering effect or not. Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), an L-arginine analogue and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, significantly increases SBP and decreases aortic cGMP in male SHRs.

Gender-dependent response in blood pressure changes following the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase.

Many studies employed L-NAME (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), an L-arginine antagonist and nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor, to produce hypertension experimentally in male animals. It is not known whether females respond similarly. We thus examined the effect of long-term oral administration of L-NAME on body weight (BW), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) of both female and male rats.

Inferior vena cava tear during posterior spinal fusion surgery.

Inferior vena cava tear is a rare but potentially lethal event associated with spinal surgery. Early recognition and repair are mandatory to minimize morbidity and mortality. Here we report a case of inferior vena cava tear which occurred during posterior spinal fusion surgery.