Boosting the Faradaic Efficiency of Br-Mediated Photoelectrochemical Epoxidation by Local Acidity on α-FeO.

The redox mediated photoelectrochemical (PEC) or electrochemical (EC) alkene oxidation process is a promising method to produce high value-added epoxides. However, due to the competitive reaction of water oxidation and overoxidation of the mediator, the utilization of the electricity is far below the ideal value, where the loss of epoxidation's faradaic efficiency (FE) is ≈50%. In this study, a Br/HOBr-mediated method is developed to achieve a near-quantitative selectivity and ≈100% FE of styrene oxide on α-FeO, in which low concentration of Br as mediator and locally generated acidic micro-environment work together to produce the higher active HOBr species.

Proteomics-based evaluation of the mechanism underlying vascular injury via DNA interstrand crosslinks, glutathione perturbation, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Wnt and ErbB signaling pathways induced by crotonaldehyde.

Crotonaldehyde (CRA)-one of the major environmental pollutants from tobacco smoke and industrial pollution-is associated with vascular injury (VI). We used proteomics to systematically characterize the presently unclear molecular mechanism of VI and to identify new related targets or signaling pathways after exposure to CRA. Cell survival assays were used to assess DNA damage, whereas oxidative stress was determined using colorimetric assays and by quantitative fluorescence study; additionally, cyclooxygenase-2, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, Wnt3a, β-catenin, phospho-ErbB2, and phospho-ErbB4 were assessed using ELISA.

NR4A1 counteracts JNK activation incurred by ER stress or ROS in pancreatic β-cells for protection.

Sustained hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia incur endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction in pancreatic β-cells. ER stress or ROS causes c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and the activated JNK triggers apoptosis in different cells. Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is an inducible multi-stress response factor.

An oleanolic acid derivative reduces denervation-induced muscle atrophy via activation of CNTF-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Denervation caused by sciatic nerve injury has brought great harm to the patients, especially denervation-induced muscle atrophy. The body stress produces a large number of Schwann cells when the sciatic nerve is injured, and the cells secrete some cytokines including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) that not only play a role in promoting the repair of sciatic nerve, but also maintain the normal physiological function of the muscles surrounding the damaged nerves. CNTF upregulates janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signals in myoblasts, and consequently accelerates the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts.

Integrative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation through one-class logistic regression machine learning identifies stemness features in medulloblastoma.

Most human cancers develop from stem and progenitor cell populations through the sequential accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Cancer stem cells have been identified from medulloblastoma (MB), but a comprehensive understanding of MB stemness, including the interactions between the tumor immune microenvironment and MB stemness, is lacking. Here, we employed a trained stemness index model based on an existent one-class logistic regression (OCLR) machine-learning method to score MB samples; we then obtained two stemness indices, a gene expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and a DNA methylation-based stemness index (mDNAsi), to perform an integrated analysis of MB stemness in a cohort of primary cancer samples (n = 763).

A novel oleanolic acid derivative HA-19 ameliorates muscle atrophy via promoting protein synthesis and preventing protein degradation.

Muscle atrophy refers to a decrease in the size of muscles in the body, occurs in certain muscles with inactivity in many diseases and lacks effective therapies up to date. Natural products still play an important role in drug discovery. In the present study, derivatives of a natural product, oleanolic acid, were screened with myoblast differentiation and myotube atrophy assays, respectively.

Synthesis and evaluation of tetrahydroquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives as novel anti-pancreatic cancer agents via targeting autophagy.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly neoplasm with a 5-year survival rate of less than 6% owing to its remarkable tolerance to nutrient starvation, and new drugs and treatment strategies are urgently needed. During a project aiming at discovery of anticancer agents, we performed a structure modification on polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) skeleton, and discovered that PPAP rearranged to a tetrahydroquinolin-2(1H)-one feature. Here, series of tetrahydroquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated against a highly metastatic human pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC-1), and the structure-activity relationship was also discussed.

Heat shock factor 1 in cancer-associated fibroblasts is a potential prognostic factor and drives progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is highly expressed in various malignancies and is a potential modulator of tumor progression. Emerging evidence suggests that HSF1 activation in stromal cells is closely related to poor patient prognosis. However, the role of HSF1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains elusive.

[Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Floating Algal Blooms in Lake Chaohu in 2016 and Their Environmental Drivers].

Lake Chaohu has drawn increasing attention due to the occurrence of massive algal blooms. This study applied daily monitoring results from moderate-resolution imaging spectrum-radiometer (MODIS) satellite to extract algal blooms with a floating algal index algorithm and characterize surface floating algal bloom dynamics in 2016 with an algae pixel-growing algorithm. Combining water quality and meteorological data, environmental driving forces of algal blooms in 2016 were explored.

NR4A1 retards adipocyte differentiation or maturation via enhancing GATA2 and p53 expression.

Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is an orphan nuclear receptor with diverse functions. It has been reported that NR4A1, as a transcriptional activator, is implicated in glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory role of NR4A1 in adipogenesis and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Decrease in phosphorylated ERK indicates the therapeutic efficacy of a clinical PI3Kα-selective inhibitor CYH33 in breast cancer.

PI3Ks are frequently hyper-activated in breast cancer and targeting PI3Kα has exhibited promising but variable response in preclinical and clinical settings. CYH33 is a novel PI3Kα-selective inhibitor in phase I clinical trial. We investigated the efficacy of CYH33 against breast cancer and explored potential predictive biomarkers.

The polycystic ovary syndrome-associated gene Yap1 is regulated by gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones in hyperandrogenism-induced oligo-ovulation in mouse.

Study Question: What is the physiological function of Yes-associated protein-1 (Yap1), a susceptibility gene for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs)?

Summary Answer: Physiologically, steroid sex hormones stimulate follicle growth by activating YAP1; however, the preovulatory inhibition of YAP1 activity in GCs is a prerequisite of LH actions.

What Is Known Already: PCOS is a common gynecologic and endocrine disease with multiple short and long-term consequences. Many PCOS patients suffer anovulation caused by hyperandrogenism, but its etiology remains unclear.

Dual roles of QOA-8a in antiosteoporosis: a combination of bone anabolic and anti-resorptive effects.

Osteoporotic treatments have largely depended on antiresorptive or anabolic drugs; but the former also suppresses new bone formation, and the latter only includes human parathyroid hormone. There is no drug that has a dual effect to inhibit bone resorption and to stimulate bone formation simultaneously. Here, we report a small molecule, a quinoxaline derivative of oleanolic acid (QOA-8a) that plays such dual roles in osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the treatment of osteoporosis.

STMN1 Promotes Progesterone Production Via StAR Up-regulation in Mouse Granulosa Cells.

Stathmin 1 (STMN1) is a biomarker in several types of neoplasms. It plays an important role in cell cycle progression, mitosis, signal transduction and cell migration. In ovaries, STMN1 is predominantly expressed in granulosa cells (GCs).

[Changes in lymphocyte subsets in infants with common lower respiratory tract infectious diseases].

Objective: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of lymphocyte subsets in infants with bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and bronchiolitis.

Methods: A total of 111 children with bronchitis, 418 children with bronchopneumonia, and 83 children with bronchiolitis were enrolled as disease groups, and 235 healthy children were enrolled as control group. Flow cytometry was applied to measure lymphocyte subsets.

Discriminating between lysine sumoylation and lysine acetylation using mRMR feature selection and analysis.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial steps in protein synthesis and are important factors contributing to protein diversity. PTMs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression, protein stability and metabolism. Lysine residues in protein sequences have been found to be targeted for both types of PTMs: sumoylations and acetylations; however, each PTM has a different cellular role.

[Vertical distribution of water quality and its influence on underwater light field in Lake Chaohu].

There are few reports on the vertical distribution of water quality and its influence on underwater light field. In our study, we analyzed the vertical distribution of water quality based on the in situ data in Lake Chaohu, and studied their influence on diffuse attenuation coefficients of downwelling irradiance Kd via Hydrolight simulation. It was indicated that the suspended matter and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were relatively vertical-uniform in Lake Chaohu; excluding algae scums at the surface, the vertical profiles of chlorophyll-a conformed to Gaussian distribution; the complex Kd in vertical was affected by chlorophyll-a and inorganic suspended matter.

Reconstruction of abdominal wall defects using small intestinal submucosa coated with gelatin hydrogel incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor.

Purpose: To construct a new biomaterial-small intestinal submucosa coated with gelatin hydrogel incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor, and to evaluate the new biomaterials for the reconstruction of abdominal wall defects.

Methods: Thirty six Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the animal experiments and randomly divided into three groups. The new biomaterial was constructed by combining small intestinal submucosa with gelatin hydrogel for basic fibroblast growth factor release.

Di-(n-butyl)-phthalate-induced oxidative stress and depression-like behavior in mice with or without ovalbumin immunization.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between atopic allergy and depression and the role of DBP in the development of depression.

Methods: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups: saline; ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized; saline+DBP (0.45 mg/kg•d); saline+DBP (45 mg/kg•d); DBP (0.

Prediction of aptamer-target interacting pairs with pseudo-amino acid composition.

Aptamers are oligonucleic acid or peptide molecules that bind to specific target molecules. As a novel and powerful class of ligands, aptamers are thought to have excellent potential for applications in the fields of biosensing, diagnostics and therapeutics. In this study, a new method for predicting aptamer-target interacting pairs was proposed by integrating features derived from both aptamers and their targets.

Variations of urinary bladder and the urogenital fatty fascial compartment with different filling of the bladder are notable factors relevant to hernia repair-related bladder injury.

The present study investigated bladder and urogenital fatty fascial compartment (UFFC) variations during bladder filling in an attempt to identify other possible causes of hernia repair-related bladder injury besides mesh migration. The study included 30 patients scheduled for abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan for nonhernia diseases. Sixty-four-slice CT scan was performed immediately after urination and no more than 30 minutes later.

[Application of fat clearance technique in pathologic staging for colon cancer].

Objective: To evaluate whether the use of fat clearance technique improves the accuracy of staging for colon cancer.

Methods: Between June 2007 and December 2008, surgical specimens of 91 patients with colon cancer were procured. Between June 2007 and January 2008, routine technique for lymph node harvest including visualization and tactile sensation was used in 45 patients (conventional group), while lymph nodes of 46 patients between February 2008 and December 2008 were examined using fat clearance technique(fat clearance group).

[The influence of lymph nodes detection on pathological staging in rectal cancer].

Objective: To investigate the influence of lymph nodes detection on the pathological staging in rectal cancer specimens.

Methods: From January 2007 to June 2008, 75 patients with rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision were randomly divided into two groups: conventional group (n = 39), in which lymph nodes were detected by sight and palpation; fat clearance group (n = 36), in which lymph nodes were harvested after the specimens immersed in a fat clearance solution for 24 hours. The lymph node number harvested was compared between the two groups, and metastasis of the lymph nodes and its impact on the pathologic staging was analyzed in the two groups.

[Open total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy for inguinal hernia via a ventral midline incision].

Objective: To discuss the operation skills and evaluate the effects of open total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy for inguinal hernia via a ventral midline incision.

Methods: From June 2008 to December 2009, 106 patients with inguinal hernia received open total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy via a ventral midline incision, the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Of the patients, 86 cases were male, 20 were female, the mean age was 60.

[Comparison of fat clearance and fat lucidification in examining rectal cancer specimen].

Objective: To compare fat clearance and fat lucidification in the examination of rectal cancer specimen, and to study the distribution pattern of lymph nodes in rectal cancer specimen.

Method: Between January 2007 and December 2007, sixty-four cases undergone total mesorectal excision were divided into two groups. The fat clearance technique was used to examine the specimens in one group, while fat lucidification was used in the other.