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The article focuses on findings of a study on relative abundance of β-thalassemia-related mutations in southern China correlates with geographical coordinates. It states relation between the graticule and the pathogenic genotype diversity, and mentions computation of the correlation coefficient between each genotype's frequency and geographic components. It notes analysis of pathogenic mutation carrier rate.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the fourth most lethal cancer in China. However, although genomic studies have identified some mutations associated with ESCC, we know little of the mutational processes responsible. To identify genome-wide mutational signatures, we performed either whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or whole-exome sequencing (WES) on 104 ESCC individuals and combined our data with those of 88 previously reported samples. An APOBEC -mediated mutational signature in 47% of 192 tumors suggests that APOBEC-catalyzed deamination provides a source of DNA damage in ESCC. Moreover, PIK3CA hotspot mutations (c.1624G>A [p.Glu542Lys] and c.1633G>A [p.Glu545Lys]) were enriched in APOBEC -signature tumors, and no smoking-associated signature was observed in ESCC. In the samples analyzed by WGS, we identified focal (<100 kb) amplifications of CBX4 and CBX8 . In our combined cohort, we identified frequent inactivating mutations in AJUBA , ZNF750 , and PTCH1 and the chromatin-remodeling genes CREBBP and BAP1 , in addition to known mutations. Functional analyses suggest roles for several genes ( CBX4 , CBX8 , AJUBA , and ZNF750 ) in ESCC. Notably, high activity of hedgehog signaling and the PI3K pathway in approximately 60% of 104 ESCC tumors indicates that therapies targeting these pathways might be particularly promising strategies for ESCC. Collectively, our data provide comprehensive insights into the mutational signatures of ESCC and identify markers for early diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete picture of the evolution of miRNA combinatorial regulation requires the synthesis of information on all miRNAs and their targets. MiR156 and miR529 are two combinatorial regulators of squamosa promoter binding protein-like (SBP-box) genes. Previous studies have clarified the evolutionary dynamics of their targets; however, there have been no reports on the evolutionary patterns of two miRNA regulators themselves to date. In this study, we investigated the evolutionary differences between these two miRNA families in extant land plants. Our work found that miR529 precursor, especially of its mature miRNA sequence, has a higher evolutionary rate. Such accelerating evolution of miR529 has significantly effects on its structural stability, and sequence conservation against existence of itself. By contrast, miR156 evolves more rapidly in loop region of the stable secondary structure, which may contribute to its functional diversity. Moreover, miR156 and miR529 genes have distinct rates of loss after identical duplication events. MiR529 genes have a higher average loss rate and asymmetric loss rate in duplicated gene pairs, indicating preferred miR529 gene losses become another predominant mode of inactivation, that are implicated in the contraction of this family. On the contrary, duplicated miR156 genes have a low loss rate, and could serve as another new source for functional diversity. Taken together, these results provide better insight into understanding the evolutionary divergence of miR156 and miR529 family in miRNA combinational regulation network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastritis can lead to ulcers and the development of gastric cancer. The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Asteraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is prescribed for the treatment of gastric disorders, hepatitis and rheumatism. Its bio-active compounds are considered to be particularly effective in this regard. However, the molecular processes of the herb's anti-inflammatory activity remain obscure. This study elucidates a mechanism upon which an ethanolic extract of this herb (Am-EE) exerts anti-inflammation effects in RAW264.7 macrophage cells (RAW cells) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and HCl Ethanol-stimulated gastritis rats. To investigate the anti-gastritis activities of Am-EE and explore the mode of action. Ethanol (95%) was used to prepare Am-EE. The quality of the extract was monitored by HPLC analysis. The in vivo effects of this extract were examined in an HCl Ethanol-stimulated gastritis rat model, while LPS-stimulated RAW cells were used for in vitro assays. Cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production were observed by MTT and Griess assays. Real-time PCR was used to examine mRNA expression. The PGE 2 ELISA kit was employed to detect prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2). Enzyme activities and protein contents were examined by immunoblotting. Luciferase reporter gene assays (LRA) were employed to observe nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB activity. The SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States) application was used for statistical examination. HPLC analysis indicates that Am-EE contains atractylenolide-1 (AT-1, 1.33%, w/w) and atractylenolide-2 (AT-2, 1.25%, w/w) (Additional Figure. A1). Gastric tissue damage (induced by HCl Ethanol) was significantly decreased in SD rats following intra-gastric application of 35 mg/kg Am-EE. Indistinguishable to the anti-inflammation effects of 35 mg/kg ranitidine (gastric medication). Am-EE treatment also reduced LPS-mediated nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) production. The mRNA and protein synthesis of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and NO synthase (iNOS) was down-regulated following treatment in RAW cells. Am-EE decreased NF-κB (p50) nuclear protein levels and inhibited NF-κB-stimulated LRA activity in RAW cells. Lastly, Am-EE decreased the up-regulated levels of phosphorylated IκBα and Akt proteins in rat stomach lysates and in LPS challenged RAW cell samples. Our study illustrates that Am-EE suppresses the Akt/IκBα/NF-κB pathway and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. These novel conclusions provide a pharmacological basis for the clinical use of the A. macrocephala rhizome in the treatment and prevention of gastritis and gastric cancer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of solid tumors including melanoma. Inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis is a tactic in treating melanoma. Dioscin restrains angiogenesis in colon tumor and has anti-melanoma effects in cell and animal models. In a previous study, we found that dioscin inhibits Src/STAT3 signaling in melanoma cells. Activation of the Src/STAT3 pathway has been shown to promote tumor angiogenesis. This study aimed to determine whether dioscin's anti-melanoma effects is related to inhibiting Src/STAT3 signaling-mediated angiogenesis. In a B16F10 allograft mouse model, we found that dioscin inhibited melanoma growth and angiogenesis. To exclude the impact of tumor growth on angiogenesis, a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was used to verify the anti-angiogenic effect of dioscin. Results showed that dioscin suppressed vessel formation in CAM. To determine if tumor secreted pro-angiogenic cytokines are involved in the anti-angiogenic effect of dioscin, conditioned media from dioscin-treated A375 melanoma cells were used to culture human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and tube formation was monitored. It was observed that the tube formation of HUVECs was inhibited. Mechanistic studies revealed that dioscin inhibited the activation of Src and STAT3, and lowered mRNA and protein levels of STAT3 transcriptionally-regulated genes, in B16F10 melanomas. ELISA assays showed that dioscin decreased the secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF from A375 cells. Over-activation of STAT3 lessened the effects of dioscin in decreasing the secretion of pro-angiogenic cytokines from melanoma cells, and in inhibiting tube formation of HUVECs cultured with conditioned media from melanoma cell cultures. In summary, we for the first time demonstrated that inhibiting Src/STAT3 signaling-mediated angiogenesis is involved in the anti-melanoma effects of dioscin. This study provides further pharmacological groundwork for developing dioscin as an anti-melanoma agent. [Display omitted] We used in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects and mechanisms of dioscin. We demonstrated that inhibiting Src/STAT3 signaling-mediated angiogenesis is associated with the anti-melanoma effects of dioscin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new bidentate Schiff base ligand (abbreviated as L) derived from the condensation of S-methyldithiocarbazate (SMDTC) with 9-fluorenone, and its complexes ML2 (M=Ni(II), Zn(II) and Pd(II)) have been synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analyses, IR, molar conductivity and UV–vis spectroscopy. The structures of complexes ZnL2 and PdL2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex ZnL2 adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry with the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolate sulfur atom. The coordination geometry about the Pd(II) is surprisingly a cis-configuration square-planar formed by the Pd(II) atom coordinating to the NS bidentate ligand. Detailed crystal structure analyses show that the cis-positioning of the two ligands was stabilized by the π–π stacking interactions between the two delocalized diazafluorene moieties. The two-photon absorption of L and ML2 solutions (in DMF) was measured at 532nm by the open-aperture Z-scan technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. (Compositae) has been prescribed in folk medicine for the management of various inflammatory conditions such as rheumatic diseases, gastritis and hepatitis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial properties of this herb remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the anti-gastritis activities of Al-EE (an ethanolic extract of the herb) and explored the mechanism of action. An ethanolic extract of the Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. (Compositae) rhizome, Al-EE, was prepared with ethanol (95%) and quality controlled using HPLC analysis. To determine the in vivo effects of this extract, we utilised a HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis rat model. In vitro assays were carried out using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell model. MTT assays were used to examine cell viability, while Griess assays were carried out to measure nitric oxide (NO) production. Messenger RNA expression was examined by real-time PCR. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) production was examined using ELISA assays. To examine protein expression and enzymatic activities, we employed western blot analysis. Nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB activity was determined by Luciferase reporter assays. The content of atractylenolide (AT)-1 and AT-2 in Al-EE was 0.45% and 5.07% (w/w), respectively (Supplementary Fig. 1). Al-EE treatment suppressed the production of NO and PGE 2 , reduced the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, while also reducing the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, Al-EE inhibited the nuclear protein levels of NF-κB (p65) and NF-κB-driven luciferase reporter gene activity in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Critically, intra-gastric injection of Al-EE (25 mg/kg) attenuated HCl/EtOH-induced gastric damage in SD rats, while the phosphorylation of Akt and IκBα was suppressed by Al-EE in vitro and in vivo. In summary, Al-EE has significant anti-gastritis effects in vivo and in vitro , which can be associated with the inhibition of the Akt/IκBα/NF-κB signalling pathway. This mechanistic finding provides a pharmacological basis for the use of the A. lancea rhizome in the clinical treatment of various inflammatory conditions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fe-35%Co samples with good soft magnetic properties were fabricated by MIM. • Relationship between microstructure and magnetic properties was studied. • A mathematic model was developed to predict magnetic properties of Fe-35%Co alloy. Annular samples are fabricated by metal injection molding using pre-alloyed Fe-35%Co powder. Samples sintered at different temperatures (1275, 1300, 1325, 1350 and 1375 °C) all exhibit a single α-FeCo solid solution phase and have low interstitial impurity contents. They are used as model materials to investigate the influences of microstructures on the magnetic properties. The results show that both sintered density and grain size of the material increase with sintering temperature, which gives the sample sintered at 1375 °C the best magnetic properties The coercivity (H c) of the sintered samples increases linearly with the grain size, while the initial permeability (μ i) is inversely proportional to the square root of the coercivity. Based on the above relationships, a mathematic model has been developed which can be used to predict the magnetic properties of the sintered Fe-35%Co alloy from its microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-narrowband absorber composed of gold nanopillar metamaterial is numerically designed and investigated in this paper. Full-wave simulations indicate that five distinctive narrow-band absorption peaks with the maximum absorption rate up to 99.3% and the lowest above 80% can be achieved in the near-infrared regime at normal incidence. Polarization dependence over a incident angular range of ± 30°is also researched. We demonstrate the spectroscopic tunability of our absorber by adjusting the structural parameters of the gold nanopillar array. Physical mechanism of the multi-narrowband absorption is construed as the vertical Fabry–Perot-like gap plasmonic resonances induced by electric and magnetic dipolar polaritons. Compared to the previous researches on multi-band absorbers, we realize no less than five near-infrared narrow absorption bands by utilizing just simple configuration with single pattern, which makes considerable application potential in the fields of absorption filtering and spectroscopic sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the developing brain, transcription factors (TFs) direct theformation of a diverse array of neurons and glia. We identifed 1445putative TFs in the mouse genome. We used in situ hybridization to mapthe expression of over 1000 of these TFs and TF-coregulator genes in thebrains of developing mice. We found that 349 of these genes showedrestricted expression patterns that were adequate to describe theanatomical organization of the brain. We provide a comprehensiveinventory of murine TFs and their expression patterns in a searchablebrain atlas database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional gender differences in autosomal chromosome disorders have been observed repeatedly. However, the corresponding diversity changes remain unconfirmed. By analyzing previously published thalassemia data from the Dai people in Dehong and Xishuangbanna (two regions in Yunnan Province, China), we found that several sequence types, including HBA CNV and HBB mutations, significantly depend on gender in Xishuangbanna but not in Dehong. With the supportive evidence from previous researches, we accept that some certain mutations depend on gender regionally. This association seems peculiar. It is among one common people on a small geographical scale, while other recorded thalassemia gender difference varies by ethnics and continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Genome sequencing has been widely used in plant research to construct reference genomes and provide evolutionary insights. However, few plant species have had their whole genome sequenced, thus restraining the utility of these data. We collected 1,093 samples of vascular plant species growing in the Ruili Botanical Garden, located in southwest China. Of these, we sequenced 761 samples and collected voucher specimens stored in the Herbarium of China National GeneBank. Results The 761 sequenced samples represented 689 vascular plant species from 137 families belonging to 49 orders. Of these, 257 samples were identified to the species level and 504 to the family level, using specimen and chloroplast sequences. In total, we generated 54 Tb of sequencing data, with an average sequencing depth of 60X per species, as estimated from genome sizes. A reference phylogeny was reconstructed with 78 chloroplast genes for molecular identification and other possible applications. Conclusions The large dataset of vascular plant genomes generated in this study, which includes both high-depth whole-genome sequencing data and associated voucher specimens, is valuable for plant genome research and other applications. This project also provides insight into the feasibility and technical requirements for "planetary-scale" projects such as the 10,000 Plant Genomes Project and the Earth BioGenome Project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Figure 1c. is with numeric error. The error can not result in any change of discussion and conclusion. The proper figures corresponding to Fig 1c are in supplement file, see figure 5 and 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]