N6-methyladenosine modifications: interactions with novel RNA-binding proteins and roles in signal transduction.

RNA epigenetics has received a great deal of attention in recent years, and the reversible N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) has emerged as a widespread phenomenon. The vital roles of m6A in diverse biological processes are dependent on many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with 'reader' or 'nonreader' functions. Moreover, m6A effector proteins affect cellular processes, such as stem cell differentiation, tumor development and the immune response by controlling signal transduction.

MicroRNA-141-3p/200a-3p target and may be involved in post-transcriptional repression of RNA decapping enzyme Dcp2 during renal development.

Unlabelled: The RNA decapping enzyme Dcp2 is a crucial enzyme involved in the process of RNA turnover, which can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Dcp2 has been found to be highly expressed in embryonic, but not adult, kidneys. Here we showed that Dcp2 mRNA was expressed, but Dcp2 proteins were absent, in mouse kidneys after postnatal day 10 (P10).

Experimental diabetes impairs maternal reproductive performance in pregnant Wistar rats and their offspring.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mild hyperglycemia on metabolism during pregnancy, the maternal reproductive performance, and the characteristics of the offspring in neonatal mild diabetic-induced Wistar rats. The experimental diabetes model was generated by neonatal streptozotocin administration (100 mg of streptozotocin/Kg bw/sc) in female Wistar rats. At adulthood, the control and diabetic group were mated.

Characterization of a nose-only inhaled phosgene acute lung injury mouse model.

Context: Phosgene's primary mode of action is as a pulmonary irritant characterized by its early latent phase where life-threatening, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is typically observed 6-24 h post-exposure.

Objective: To develop an inhaled phosgene acute lung injury (ALI) model in C57BL/6 mice that can be used to screen potential medical countermeasures.

Methods: A Cannon style nose-only inhalation exposure tower was used to expose mice to phosgene (8 ppm) or air (sham).

Toxoplasma infection and milk consumption: Meta-analysis of assumptions and evidences.

Toxoplasmosis is the most widespread infection worldwide. It occurs within congenital contamination, organ transplant or immune system depression. Primary infection is mainly foodborne with the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruit-vegetables, unhygienic water or contaminated milk.

In vitro Effects of Prostaglandin Analogs on Cultured Astrocytes Obtained from the Lamina Cribrosa.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) on cell viability and apoptosis in cultured astrocytes obtained from the lamina cribrosa (LC) of the human optic nerve head (ONH).

Methods: Astrocytes were cultured from LC samples obtained from human donor ONH and treated with three kinds of acid form of PGAs: latanoprost (LAT-A), tafluprost (TAF-A), and bimatoprost (BIM-A) (0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 100 ug/mL).

The complete mitochondrial genome of a rare human pathogen, Aspergillus ustus.

Aspergillus ustus is among the most ubiquitous soil species and has been implicated in human infections. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. ustus has been determined by high-throughput sequencing technology in this work.

Amniotic fluid markers of oxidative stress in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.

Objective: To determine amniotic fluid total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), markers of oxidative stress, in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM) and their correlation to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or histological chorioamnionitis (HCA).

Methods: One-hundred thirty-eight women with singleton pregnancies complicated by pPROM were included in this study. Amniotic fluid was collected by transabdominal amniocentesis at the time of admission and amniotic fluid concentrations of TAC, FRAP and TBARS were measured.

Cervical and vaginal fluid soluble Toll-like receptor 2 in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.

Objective: To determine the cervical and vaginal fluid soluble Toll-like receptor-2 (sTLR2) levels in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and their correlation to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or histological chorioamnionitis (HCA).

Methods: Sixty-eight women with singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM were included in this study. Cervical and vaginal fluid was collected at the time of admission, and levels of sTLR2 in the cervical and vaginal fluid were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.