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Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are unique optical materials emitting long-lasting luminescence after ceasing excitation. Such a unique optical feature allows luminescence detection without constant external illumination to avoid the interferences of autofluorescence and scattering light from biological fluids and tissues. Besides, near-infrared (NIR) PLNPs have advantages of deep penetration and the reactivation of the persistent luminescence (PL) by red or NIR light. These features make the application of NIR-emitting PLNPs in long-term bioimaging no longer limited by the lifetime of PL. To take full advantage of PLNPs for biological applications, the versatile strategies for bridging PLNPs and biological system become increasingly significant for the design of PLNPs-based nanoprobes. In this Account, we summarize our systematic achievements in the biological applications of PLNPs from biosensing/bioimaging to theranostics with emphasizing the engineering strategies for fabricating specific PLNPs-based nanoprobes. We take surface engineering and manipulating energy transfer as the major principles to design various PLNPs-based nanoprobes based on the nature of interactions between nanoprobes and targets. We have developed target-induced formation or interruption of fluorescence resonance energy transfer systems for autofluorescence-free biosensing and imaging of cancer biomarkers. We have decorated single or dual targeting ligands on PLNPs for tumor-targeted imaging, and integrated other modal imaging agents into PLNPs for multimodal imaging. We have also employed specific functionalization for various biomedical applications including chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, stem cells tracking and PL imaging-guided gene therapy. Besides, we have modified PLNPs with multiple functional units to achieve challenging metastatic tumor theranostics. The proposed design principle and comprehensive strategies show great potential in guiding the design of PLNPs nanoprobes and promoting further development of PLNPs in the fields of biological science and medicine. We conclude this Account by outlining the future directions to further promote the practical application of PLNPs. The novel protocols for the synthesis of small-size, monodisperse, and water-soluble PLNPs with high NIR PL intensity and superlong afterglow are the vibrant directions for the biomedical applications of PLNPs. In-depth theories and evidence on luminescence mechanism of PLNPs are highly desired for further improvement of their luminescence performance. Furthermore, other irradiations without tissue penetrating depth limit, such as X-ray, are encouraged for use in energy storage and re-excitation of PLNPs, enabling imaging in deep tissue in vivo and integrating other X-ray sensitized theranostic techniques such as computed tomography imaging and radiotherapy. Last but not least, PLNPs-based nanoprobes and the brand new hybrids of PLNPs with other nanomaterials show a bright prospect for accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of diseases besides tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the quality of thin-wall metal parts fabricated by laser direct deposition shaping method, using “element birth and death” technique, a three-dimensional multitrack and multilayer thin-wall model was developed. Different scanning methods, including long-edge parallel reciprocating scanning, short-edge parallel reciprocating scanning and inter-layer orthogonal parallel reciprocating scanning, were researched. The Von Mises equivalent stress, and its X-directional, Y-directional and Z-directional principal stresses were analyzed in detail. Under the same conditions used in the simulations, the deposition experiments were conducted, and the influence of different scanning methods on the cracking failure behavior of thin-wall metal parts was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a family of inducible transcription factors that plays a vital role in different aspects of immune responses. NF-κB is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm as inactive complexes via physical association with inhibitory proteins termed IκBs. In response to immune and stress stimuli, NF-κB members become activated via two major signaling pathways, the canonical and noncanonical pathways, and move to the nucleus to exert transcriptional functions. NF-κB is vital for normal immune responses against infections, but deregulated NF-κB activation is a major cause of inflammatory diseases. Accumulated studies suggest the involvement of NF-κB in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation caused by infection, injury, or autoimmune factors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding regarding the activation and function of NF-κB in different types of kidney diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new o-aminophenol-based fluorogenic chemosensor methyl 3,5-bis((E)-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)-4-hydroxybenzoate 1 have been synthesized by Schiff base condensation of methyl 3,5-diformyl-4-hydroxybenzoate with o-aminophenol, which exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al3+. Fluorescence titration studies of receptors 1 with different metal cations in CH3OH medium showed highly selective and sensitive towards Al3+ ions even in the presence of other commonly coexisting metal ions. The detection limit of Al3+ ions is at the parts per billion level. Interestingly, the Al(III) complex of 1 offered a large Stokes shift (>120 nm), which can miximize the selfquenching effect. In addition, possible utilization of this receptor as bio-imaging fluorescent probe to detect Al3+ in human cervical HeLa cancer cell lines was also investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed structural features of lignin from hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) down-regulated poplar has not been thoroughly illustrated. In the present study, MWL and CEL samples were successively extracted with higher yield and purity. NMR spectra demonstrated that the MWL and CEL presented similar structural features (β-O-4', β-β', β-5', and β-1'), although the subsequent CEL had a high β-O-4' linkages content and S/G ratios, which are also related to their molecular weights. There were no significant differences in S/G ratio and the distribution of the inter-unit linkages between the control and HCT down-regulated poplar (HCT poplar). However, a minor amount of H units were detected in lignin of the HCT poplar. In addition, p-hydroxybenzoate (PB) content was observably increased in the lignin from the HCT poplar. These findings are of very importance in assessing of the digestibility of HCT down-regulated poplar in the fuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

post-treatment was proposed to treat sweet sorghum stem. The structural features of the alkali-soluble hemicelluloses (ASHs) obtained from the un-pretreated and hydrothermally pretreated materials were comprehensively investigated by HPAEC, GPC, NMR, FT-IR, and TGA techniques. The ASH with the highest yield (60.6%) was obtained from the HTP residue performed at 130 °C for 1.0 h. All the results indicated that the ASHs had a more linear structure with increasing the pretreatment temperature (110-170 °C). The molecular weights of the ASHs were decreased with increasing the pretreatment temperature, suggesting that C-O bonds in the ASHs were gradually cleaved, especially at the higher temperatures (≥170 °C). Interestingly, the integrated process yielded more homogeneous ASHs than hemicelluloses obtained from the un-pretreated material. Based on the spectral analyses, the structure of the ASHs was assumed to be L-arabino-4-O-methyl-D-glucurono-D-xylan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furfural residue (FR), composed mainly of cellulose and lignin, is an industrial waste produced during furfural manufacture. In this study, dioxane, alkali, ethanol, alkali-ethanol, and alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) were used to extract lignins from FR. The structural features of these lignins obtained were characterized by sugar analysis, GPC, UV, FT-IR, and HSQC spectra. As compared to dioxane lignin (DL), other lignins showed lower molecular weights (Mw) owing to the partial cleavage of the linkages between lignin units. Results from HSQC spectra revealed that β-O-4' and β-5' were still the major linkages of the FR lignin. Moreover, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were released and coprecipitated in the lignin preparations extracted with alkali and AHP, whereas part of the esters in DL were preserved during the dioxane extraction. Antioxidant activity investigation indicated that the antioxidant property of the alkali and alkali-ethanol lignins was higher than that of the commercial antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavior probability design method based on the symbol structure, which is a scientific and practical design method of behavior management institution, is put forward. There are three kinds of optimizing problems: minimizing invalid probability, minimizing cost, maximizing efficiency. The boundary method is developed for solving the minimizing invalid probability problems, which has more rapid speed in searching for optimized solution of institution design and no need of mathematical model. So the method can be widely used with no much restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facile fabrication of multimodal imaging probes is highly desired for bioimaging application due to their integrated advantages of several imaging modalities. Here, we report a simple and one-step mild strategy to fabricate a multifunctional Gd2O3/Au hybrid nanoprobe. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the template in the biomineralization synthesis. The fabricated BSA-Gd2O3/Au nanoprobe showed excellent chemical stability, intense near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, and good magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ability. The multimodal imaging potential of the prepared multifunctional nanoprobe was demonstrated by successful NIR fluorescent and magnetic resonance blood pool imaging. Further modification of BSA-Gd2O3/Au with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide c(RGDyK) (RGD) enabled the nanoprobe for targeted tumor imaging in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explored the synthesis of carbon-based luminescent materials using cheap, natural resources. Lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using previously extracted lignin solution and CePO4, or NaH2PO4•2H2O and Ce(NO3)3•6H2O by the solvothermal method at 200 °C for 24 h, respectively. The lignin solution was previously prepared by the extraction of wood powder in a mixed solvent of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/lithium chloride (LiCl). All of the obtained lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and photoluminescence (PL). SEM micrographs showed that the CePO4 concentration had an influence on the size, microstructure, and morphology of the carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites. The experimental results indicated that the obtained lignin-based carbon/CePO4 nanocomposites had excellent PL properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milled wood lignins (MWL) were isolated from the stem (MWLS) and pith (MWLP) of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). The nonacetylated and acetylated bamboo MWLs were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, quantitative 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 2D heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR, and 31P-NMR spectroscopy. The MWL consists of p -hydroxyphenyl (1-2%), guaiacyl (21-31%), and syringyl (67-78%) units associated with p-coumarates and ferulates. A modified quantitative 13C-NMR and 2D-HSQC analysis has demonstrated that the predominant intermonomeric linkages are of the type β-O-4(45-49 per 100 C9 units, i.e., per C900) along with small amounts of other structural units such as resinols (3.6-7.4 per C900), tetrahydrofuran (2.0-2.3 per C900), phenylcoumaran (2.8-4.5 per C900), spirodienones (1.3- 2.3 per C900), and α,β-diaryl ethers (2.8-2.9 per C900). MWL P contained more p-coumarates than MWLS. The various degrees of γ-acylation (17-27%) were positively associated with S/G ratios in the lignins; however, γ-acylation was inversely correlated to the ratio between β-β and β-O-4 side chains in these lignin fractions. Moreover, a flavonoid compound (tricin) was also detected in the MWLS but not in MWLP. The two MWLs are very similar in terms of molecular weights and the contents of OHphen and OHaliph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T2DM is complex in its dynamical dependence on multiple tissues, disease states, and factors' interactions. However, most existing work devoted to characterizing its pathophysiology from one static tissue, individual factors, or single state. Here we perform a spatio-temporal analysis onT2DMby developing a new form of molecular network, i.e. 'differential expression network' (DEN), which can reflect phenotype differences at network level. Static DENs show that three tissues (white adipose, skeletal muscle, and liver) all suffer from severe inflammation and perturbed metabolism, among which metabolic functions are seriously affected in liver. Dynamical analysis on DENs reveals metabolic function changes in adipose and liver are consistent with insulin resistance (IR) deterioration. Close investigation on IR pathway identifies 'disease interactions', revealing that IR deterioration is earlier than that on SlC2A4 in adipose and muscle. Our analysis also provides evidence that rising of insulin secretion is the root cause of IR in diabetes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA is a short RNA molecule expressed in eukaryotic cells that is involved in multiple processes, including translational repression, target degradation and gene silencing. However, its specific role(s) in these processes remains largely unknown, especially in terms of germ cell development. The present study identified a microRNA, namely miR-335-5p, that is involved in mouse oocyte meiosis. MiR-335-5p was highly expressed in oocytes, but levels decreased markedly shortly after fertilisation. Microinjection of miR-335-5p or its inhibitor into oocytes resulted in a higher proportion of 2-cell-like MII oocytes and oocytes at the germinal vesicle breakdown and/or MI stage, indicating failure of asymmetric oocyte division. This may be due to regulation of actin because perturbation of miR-335-5p resulted in reduced expression of actin nucleator Daam1, a member of the Formin family. Moreover, injection of miR-335-5p or its inhibitor resulted in aberrant spindle morphology, namely an elongated spindle and multiple poles spindle. After injection of oocytes, levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) decreased, suggesting that miR-335-5p may regulate spindle formation via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Overexpression and inhibition of miR-335-5p had no effect on embryo development. Together, the results of the present study indicate that miR-335-5p is a novel regulator expressed in oocytes that is involved in cytoskeleton dynamics. The specific roles of microRNAs in terms of germ cell development are largely unknown. The present study found that spindle formation and the actin cap were affected after microinjection of miR-335-5p or its inhibitor during mouse oocyte maturation. On the basis of the results of the present study, it appears that microRNA mir-335-5p may be involved in cytoskeleton dynamics in mouse oocyte meiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arp2/3 complex is a critical actin nucleator, which promotes actin assembly and is widely involved in a diverse range of actin-related processes such as cell locomotion, phagocytosis and the establishment of cell polarity. Previous studies showed that the Arp2/3 complex regulates spindle migration and asymmetric division during mouse oocyte maturation; however, the role of the Arp2/3 complex in early mouse embryo development is still unknown. The results of the present study show that the Arp2/3 complex is critical for cytokinesis during mouse embryo development. The Arp2/3 complex was concentrated at the cortex of each cell at the 2- to 8-cell stage and the peripheral areas of the morula and blastocyst. Inhibition of the Arp2/3 complex by the specific inhibitor CK666 at the zygote stage caused a failure in cell division; mouse embryos failed to undergo compaction and lost apical-basal polarity. The actin level decreased in the CK666-treated group, and two or more nuclei were observed within a single cell, indicating a failure of cell division. Addition of CK666 at the 8-cell stage caused a failure of blastocyst formation, and CDX2 staining confirmed the loss of embryo polarity and the failure of trophectoderm and inner cell mass formation. Taken together, these data suggest that the Arp2/3 complex may regulate mouse embryo development via its effect on cell division. Although it is well known that actin is involved in multiple processes during cell division, which also includes early embryo development, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. In the present study we found that inhibition of the actin nucleator Arp2/3 complex caused a decrease in actin within cells and the failure of embryo development. Our results indicate that the Arp2/3 complex is involved in mouse embryo development through the regulation of actin assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maintain cell lineage, cells develop a mechanism which can transmit the gene activity information to the daughter cells. In mitosis, TBP (TATA-binding protein), a transcription factor which belongs to TFIID was associated with M phase chromosomes and was proved to be a bookmark for cellular memory. Although previous work showed that TBP was dispensable for mouse oocyte maturation and early embryo development, exogenous TBP protein was detected in the nuclear of oocytes and early embryos. It is still unknown whether exogenous TBP can associate with condensed chromosomes during meiosis and mouse early embryo development. In present study by the injection of GFP-tagged TBP mRNA we for the first time investigated TBP dynamics in mouse early embryos and confirmed its localization pattern in oocytes. The exogenous TBP enriched at germinal vesicle at GV stage but disappeared from the chromosomes after GVBD. Moreover, exogenous TBP was still dispersed from the chromosomes of somatic donor nuclear in oocytes by nuclear transfer (NT), further proving that oocyte has some mechanism to remove TBP. During mouse embryo development, the exogenous TBP was removed from the chromosomes of M phase zygotes, but was found to express weakly at the M phase of 2-cell. Moreover, in the blastocyst TBP was also detected at the M phase chromosomes. Overexpression of TBP caused the failure of oocyte maturation and embryo development. Our results supported the idea that TBP might be a marker for transmitting cellular memory to daughter cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for efficient utilization of biomass induces a detailed analysis of the fundamental chemical structures of biomass, especially the complex structures of lignin polymers, which have long been recognized for their negative impact on biorefinery. Traditionally, it has been attempted to reveal the complicated and heterogeneous structure of lignin by a series of chemical analyses, such as thioacidolysis (TA), nitrobenzene oxidation (NBO), and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC). Recent advances in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology undoubtedly have made solution-state NMR become the most widely used technique in structural characterization of lignin due to its versatility in illustrating structural features and structural transformations of lignin polymers. As one of the most promising diagnostic tools, NMR provides unambiguous evidence for specific structures as well as quantitative structural information. The recent advances in two-dimensional solution-state NMR techniques for structural analysis of lignin in isolated and whole cell wall states (in situ), as well as their applications are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ball-milled bamboo was pre-swelled with a cold aqueous solution of NaOH and urea, and then reacted directly with benzyl chloride to synthesize benzylated bamboo. The effects of the molar ratio of benzyl chloride to OH groups in the bamboo (1 to 4), the reaction temperature (70 to 110 °C), and the reaction time (2 to 8 h) on both the product yield and the degree of substitution (DS) were evaluated. Yields between 67.6 and 94.0% and DS between 0.31 and 0.74 of the benzylated bamboo were obtained under such conditions. The incorporation of benzyl groups was evidenced by FT-IR and CP/MAS 13C-NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the crystalline structure of the native ball-milled bamboo was markedly damaged after modification. In addition, the benzylated bamboo was subjected to thermal degradation at a high temperature with an increase in substitution. It was suggested that the benzylated bamboo with a low crystallinity as well as large non-polar groups is promising as a filler for use in the composite material industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting a specific DNA sequence and discriminating single base-mismatch is critical to clinical diagnosis, paternity testing, forensic sciences, food and drug industry, pathology, genetics, environmental monitoring, and anti-bioterrorism. To this end, capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method is developed using the displacing interaction between the target ssDNA and the competitor Hg2+for the first time. The thymine-rich capture ssDNA 1is interacted with the competitor Hg2+, forming an assembled complex in a hairpin-structure between the thymine bases arrangement at both sides of the capture ssDNA 1. In the presence of a target ssDNA with stronger affinity than that of the competitor Hg2+, the energetically favorable hybridization between capture ssDNA 1and the target ssDNA destroys the hairpin-structure and releases the competitor as free Hg2+, which was then read out and accurately quantified by CE-ICP-MS assay. Under the optimal CE separation conditions, free Hg2+ions and its capture ssDNA 1adduct were baseline separated and detected on-line by ICP-MS; the increased peak intensity of free Hg2+against the concentration of perfectly complementary target ssDNA was linear over the concentration range of 30–600 nmol L−1with a limit of detection of 8 nmol L−1(3s, n= 11) in the pre-incubated mixture containing 1 μmol L−1Hg2+and 0.2 μmol L−1capture ssDNA 1. This new assay method is simple in design since any target ssDNA binding can in principle result in free Hg2+release by 6-fold Hg2+signal amplification, avoiding oligonucleotide labeling or assistance by excess signal transducer and signal reporter to read out the target. Due to element-specific detection of ICP-MS in our assay procedure, the interference from the autofluorescence of substrata was eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetric and dynamic mechanical analyses and dielectric spectroscopy were used to investigate the glass transition of hydrated wheat gliadin powders with moisture absorption ranged from 2.30 db% to 18.21 db%. Glass transition temperature ( T) of dry wheat gliadin was estimated according to the Gordon-Taylor equation. Structural heterogeneity at high degrees of hydration was revealed in dielectric temperature and frequency spectra. The activation energies ( E) of the two relaxations were calculated from Arrhenius equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian oocyte meiotic maturation involves oocyte polarization and a unique asymmetric division, but until now, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly understood. Arp2/3 complex has been shown to regulate actin nucleation and is widely involved in a diverse range of processes such as cell locomotion, phagocytosis and the establishment of cell polarity. Whether Arp2/3 complex participates in oocyte polarization and asymmetric division is unknown. The present study investigated the expression and functions of Arp2/3 complex during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Immunofluorescent staining showed that the Arp2/3 complex was restricted to the cortex, with a thickened cap above the meiotic apparatus, and that this localization pattern was depended on actin. Disruption of Arp2/3 complex by a newly-found specific inhibitor CK666, as well as by Arpc2 and Arpc3 RNAi, resulted in a range of effects. These included the failure of asymmetric division, spindle migration, and the formation and completion of oocyte cytokinesis. The formation of the actin cap and cortical granule-free domain (CGFD) was also disrupted, which further confirmed the disruption of spindle migration. Our data suggest that the Arp2/3 complex probably regulates oocyte polarization through its effect on spindle migration, asymmetric division and cytokinesis during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of diindolylmethanes (DIMs) via the condensation of indole and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by silicotungstic acid was carried out in 68%∼98% yields at room temperature within 1∼5 min by grinding. This method provides several advantages such as operational simplicity, higher yield and environment friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T cell leukemia. HTLV-1 encodes a trans-activating protein, Tax, which is largely responsible for the oncogenic properties of the virus. Tax promotes T cell transformation by deregulating the activity of various cellular factors, including the transcription factor NF-κB. Tax activates the IκB kinase (IKK) via physical interaction with the regulatory subunit, IKKγ, although it is unknown precisely how Tax activates the IKK complex. Here we show that Tax modulates the cellular localization of the IKK complex. The IKKs relocalize from a broad distribution in the cytoplasm to concentrated perinuclear ‘hot spots’ in both HTLV-1-transformed lines and in Tax-expressing Jurkat cells. Relocalization of IKK is not observed with Tax mutants unable to activate NF-κB, suggesting that only activated forms of IKK are relocalized. However, relocalization of IKK is strictly dependent on Tax expression because it does not occur in ATL cell lines that lack Tax expression or in Jurkat cells treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin. Furthermore, IKKγ is required for redistribution because cells lacking IKKγ were unable to relocalize IKKα upon expression of Tax. We also find that Tax ubiquitination likely regulates IKK relocalization because mutation of three critical lysine residues in Tax renders it unable to relocalize IKK and activate the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways. Finally, we have observed that the perinuclear IKK in Tax-expressing cells colocalizes with the Golgi, and disruption of Golgi with either nocodazole or brefeldin A leads to a redistribution of IKK to the cytoplasm. Together, these results demonstrate that Tax induces relocalization of the IKK complex in a ubiquitin-dependent manner, and dynamic changes in the subcellular localization of the IKK complex may be critical for Tax function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-cell transformation by the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) involves deregulation of cellular transcription factors, including members of the NF-κB family. In normal T cells, NF-κB activation occurs transiently in response to immune stimuli, which is required for antigen-stimulated T-cell proliferation and survival. However, HTLV-I induces persistent activation of NF-κB, causing deregulated expression of a large array of cellular genes, which in turn contributes to the induction of T-cell transformation. The HTLV-I transforming protein Tax functions as an intracellular stimulator of IκB kinase (IKK), a cellular kinase mediating NF-κB activation by diverse stimuli. Tax physically interacts with IKK and renders this inducible kinase constitutively active. By assembling different Tax/IKK complexes, Tax targets the persistent activation of both canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways. Whereas Tax plays a primary role in HTLV-I-mediated NF-κB activation, recent studies reveal that the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway is also activated in freshly isolated adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells that often lack detectable Tax expression. The mechanism underlying this Tax-independent pathway of NF-κB activation remains poorly understood. Clarifying the precise nature and consequences of the constitutive NF-κB activation in ATL cells is important for developing rational therapeutic strategies for this T-cell malignancy.Oncogene (2005) 24, 5952–5964. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1208969 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qing-Luo-Yin (QLY), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is a combination of the extracts of Sophora flavescens Ait., Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Sinomenium acutum Rehd. et Wils. and Dioscorea hypoglauca Palib. The suppressive effect of QLY on the development of angiogenesis was investigated in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). QLY (0.3 g/kg) was orally administered daily for 27 days. Neo-angiogenesis, pannus and cartilage damage, the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 messenger RNA (mRNA) and the level of the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in the synovium were examined by histology, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemiscal assays, respectively. It was observed that the articular morphological alterations, the over-expression of MMP-3 mRNA and the reduced production of TIMP-1 in CIA rats were significantly ameliorated by QLY. QLY performed about as effectively as tripterygium glycosidorum tablets (0.1 g/kg) extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.. These results indicate that QLY exerts a suppressive effect on the angiogenesis of CIA rats, and suggest that the therapeutic effect of QLY could be due to restoring the balance of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in rheumatoid synovium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the regulation of the immune genes in insects, we have cloned and sequenced the attacin gene locus of the giant silk moth Hyalophora cecropia. The locus contains one acidic and one basic attacin gene as wall as two pseudogenes, which are remnants of basic attacin genes. A small insertion dement was found within the locus. The two functional attacin genes are transcribed in opposite directions and have two introns inserted at homologous positions. A common sequence, GGGGATTCCT, is found at nucleotide position -48 in the acidic gene and at nucleotide portion -58 in the basic gene. Interestingly, this decanucleotide is similar to the consensus of the NF-κB-binding site. Expression studies revealed that both attacins are strongly induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, lipopolysaccharide and bacteria. However, only the acidic attacin gene showed a clear response to injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects have an effective humoral immune system, residing in immune proteins that are synthesized largely in the fatbody. κB-like motifs upstream of the immune protein genes bind the Cecropia immunoresponsive factor (CIF), and confer high levels of inducible expression. We have extended our studies and sought evidence that oxygen-derived active species might modulate the expression of the immune protein genes and the activation of CIF after the administration of different inducers. Mitogens, like arachidonic acid, phorbol esters, phytohemagglutinin, bacteria, and components of microbial cells envelops stimulate expression of the attacin genes, both in vivo and in vitro. A general stimulant of oxidative stress. H2O2, stimulated expression of these genes and the weak immune response to wounding was greatly augmented by administration of H2O2. These responses were largely or entirely inhibited by dithiothreitol and by N-acetylcysteine. Nonspecific responses were excluded since immune genes failed to respond to albumin or starch, and the expression of a non-immunoresponsive gene was not affected. Eletrophoretic mobility-shift assays showed that H2O2 and bacteria, when administered in vitro, could activate CIF in fatbody cells and that dithiothreitol and N-acetylcysteine prevented this process. Our data suggest that the induction of the immune protein genes is mediated through the activation of CIF, contingent upon thiol oxidation induced by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemolin is an insect protein which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and is strongly induced upon bacterial infection. It has been isolated from two moths, Hyalophora cecropia and Manduca sexta. We have isolated and sequenced a genomic clone for hemolin in H. cecropia, in order to resolve its organization and as a basis for investigating hemolin gene regulation. According to Southern-blot analysis, hemolin is encoded by a single gene, Hemolin. It contains six exons ranging over 32–603 bp. The introns are positioned both within and between the immunoglobulin-like domains, a feature typical for cell-adhesion molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. By an RNase protection assay, we show that the Hemolin transcript is strongly induced not only by bacteria, but also by lipopolysacchafide and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Analysis of the upstream region and introns revealed potential binding sites for the Cecropia immunoresponsive factor (CIF), which recognizes the κB-like consensus GGGRA YYYYY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the application of optically controlled planar orientation of liquid crystals to make liquid crystal binary phase grating. Materials used in the procedure; Orientation of liquid crystal to incident laser polarization; Electro-optical properties of liquid crystal linear and chirped gratings; Implication for liquid crystal hologram manufacture.

During mammalian oocyte meiosis, spindle migration and asymmetric cytokinesis are unique steps for the successful polar body extrusion. The asymmetry defects of oocytes will lead to the failure of fertilization and embryo implantation. In present study, we reported that an actin nucleating factor Formin-like 2 (FMNL2) played critical roles in the regulation of spindle migration and organelle distribution in mouse and porcine oocytes. Our results showed that FMNL2 mainly localized at the oocyte cortex and periphery of spindle. Depletion of FMNL2 led to the failure of polar body extrusion and large polar bodies in oocytes. Live-cell imaging revealed that the spindle failed to migrate to the oocyte cortex, which caused polar body formation defects, and this might be due to the decreased polymerization of cytoplasmic actin by FMNL2 depletion in the oocytes of both mice and pigs. Furthermore, mass spectrometry analysis indicated that FMNL2 was associated with mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related proteins, and FMNL2 depletion disrupted the function and distribution of mitochondria and ER, showing with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and the occurrence of ER stress. Microinjecting Fmnl2-EGFP mRNA into FMNL2-depleted oocytes significantly rescued these defects. Thus, our results indicate that FMNL2 is essential for the actin assembly, which further involves into meiotic spindle migration and ER/mitochondria functions in mammalian oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FeII atom in the title compound, [Fe(C27H20N3O)2], is N, O-chelated by two deprotonated 3-methyl-4-[(1-naphthyl­amino)(phen­yl)methyl­ene]-1-phenyl-1 H-pyrazol-5(4 H)-one ligands in a severely distorted tetra­hedral geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C19H19N3O, the five-membered imidazolone ring is essentially planar, and the packing of the mol­ecules in the crystal structure is mainly due to inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, which link the mol­ecules into chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-(4-Bromobenzylidene)-3-nitroaniline, C13H9BrN2O2, is a non-planar molecule whose two aromatic rings are twisted about the C═N double bond in order to relieve strain [dihedral angle = 17.8 (2)°]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As an essential step of total hip arthroplasty (THA), an effective and secure skin closure technique after primary THA is important. Metallic staples closure and subcuticular suture are the 2 common techniques for skin closure. However, which closure technique is the optimal skin-closure method remains unclear. The purpose of this prospective randomised clinical study was to compare the clinical outcomes and costs between staples and subcuticular suture techniques. Methods: In this clinical study, 165 patients who underwent primary unilateral THA through a posterolateral approach from August 2014 to May 2015 were included. According to skin closure technique, the patients were randomised into staples group (interrupted suture with staples, 83 cases) and sutures group (running 4-0 absorbable subcuticular suture, 82 cases). The same operative and perioperative care were provided to all patients. The surgical site infections (SSIs) rate, closure time, time to dry wounds and postoperative hospital stay were recorded and compared. Besides, cosmetic results and patient's satisfaction were evaluated with Hollander wound evaluation score (HWES) and VAS score at postoperative 3 months follow-up respectively. Relative total costs were recorded as well. Results: It was shown that no infections developed in sutures group, while 2 postoperative superficial infections (2.4%) occurred in the staples group. There was a statistically significant difference in the time to dry surgical incisions and postoperative hospital stay favoring sutures (4.8 vs. 5.0 days, p = 0.028; 6.0 vs. 12.0 days, p<0.001, respectively). The cutaneous incision closure using staples consumed significantly less time than that with subcuticular suture (24.7 vs. 357.7 seconds, p<0.001). Moreover, there was no significant difference in HWES and patient's satisfaction between the 2 groups. Finally, the application of subcuticular suture saved an average of $82.2 per case. Conclusions: Closure with running subcuticular suture is cheaper and appears to have a clinical advantage when compared with metallic staples skin closure in primary THA surgery. However, additional operating time may be incurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C17H25N3OS, the mean plane of the imidazolinone system makes a dihedral angle of 83.07 (1)° with the phenyl ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions. The hexyl group is disordered over two sites with approximate occupancy factors 0.7:0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The O=C—C=N sequence of atoms in the title mol­ecule [alternative name: 2,3-diphenyl-4-(4-nitro­phen­yl)-1-oxa-4-aza­butadiene], C20H14N2O3, adopts a gauche conformation, with an O=C—C=N torsion angle of 88.9 (1)°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C23H27N3O2, the packing of the mol­ecules in the crystal structure appears to be influenced by C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjacent mol­ecules of the title compound, C19H18ClN3O, are linked by an N⋯O hydrogen bond [2.926 (2) Å] into a zigzag chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Co atom in the mol­ecule of the title compound, [Co(C24H20N3O)2], is chelated by two deprotonated 4-[(4-tolyl­amino)phenyl­methyl­ene]-5-methyl-2-phenyl­pyrazol-3-one ligands through the amido N and carbonyl O atoms in a distorted tetra­hedral geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms, a systemic meta-analysis was conducted. Relevant studies were retrieved from scientific literature databases, including the PubMed, Wiley, EBSCO, Ovid, Web of Science, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP databases. Following a multi-step screening and study selection process, the relevant data was extracted for use in the present study. Statistical analyses were performed using Meta-disc software version 1.4 and STATA statistical software version 12.0. A total of 285 articles were retrieved from the database searches. Following a careful screening process, 10 case-control studies were selected for the present meta-analysis. The 10 studies investigated the efficacy of DWI in diagnosing ovarian neoplasms, and included a combined total of 1,159 subjects, of which 559 patients had malignant lesions and 600 had benign lesions. The results showed that the pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio, pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the curve of the summary receiver operating characteristics curve of DWI for differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms were 0.93, 0.89, 7.58, 0.10, 85.33 and 0.95, respectively. A subgroup analysis based on ethnicity revealed no significant difference between Asians and Caucasians. Another subgroup analysis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) type showed that the DORs for GE Healthcare Life Sciences and Siemens AG machines were 100.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 65.28-155.53] and 30.85 (95% CI, 10.40-91.53), respectively; this indicates that the diagnostic efficiency of the GE Healthcare Life Sciences MRI is superior compared with the Siemens AG MRI. The DWI demonstrated an excellent diagnostic performance in discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms, and predicted the surgical outcome in ovarian neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genetic linkage map of lily was constructed using RILs (recombinant inbred lines) population of 180 individuals. This mapping population was developed by crossing Raizan No.1 (Formolongo) and Gelria (Longiflomm) cultivars through single-seed descent (SSD). SRAPs were generated by using restriction enzymes EcoRI in combination with either MseI. The resulting products were separated by electrophoresis on 6% denaturing polyacrylamide gel and visualized by silver staining. The segregation of each marker and linkage analysis was done using the program Mapmaker3.0. With 50 primer pairs, a total of 189 parental polymorphic bands were detected and 78 were used for mapping. The total map length was 2,135.5 cM consisted of 16 linkage groups. The number of markers in the linkage groups varied from 1 to 12. The length of linkage groups was range from 11.2 cM to 425.9 cM and mean marker interval distance range from 9.4 cM to 345.4 cM individually. The mean marker interval distance between markers was 27.4 cM. The map developed in the present study was the first sequencerelated amplified polymorphism markers map of lily constructed with recombinant inbred lines, it could be used for genetic mapping and molecular marker assisted breeding and quantitative trait locus mapping of Lilium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unveiling the fundamental chemistry of lignin under ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment will facilitate the understanding of biomass recalcitrance involved in pretreatment processes. To examine in greater detail the chemical transformations of lignin under different IL pretreatment conditions without competing reactions from plant polysaccharides, the IL pretreatment of the isolated poplar alkaline lignin (hardwood lignin) under varying IL pretreatment conditions (i.e., 110-170 °C, 1-16 hours) was performed in an appropriate manner. The structural transformations of the lignin have been investigated by elemental analysis, 2D-HSQC spectra, quantitative 13C-NMR spectra, 31P NMR, and GPC analysis. Results revealed that a decrease of aliphatic OH and an increase in phenolic hydroxyl groups occurred in lignin as the pretreatment proceeded. The increased phenolic OH was mainly as a result of cleavage of β-O-4' linkages, while the reduced aliphatic OH is probably attributed to the dehydration reaction. The cleavage of β-O-4' linkages, degradation of β-β' and β-5' linkages obviously happened at high temperatures and resulted in the decrease of molecular weights. In addition, IL pretreatment selectively degraded the G-type lignin fractions and the condensation reaction took place more easily at S units than G units. Moreover, the demethoxylation preferentially occurred in G units, especially at higher temperatures. It is believed that investigating the fundamental chemistry of lignin during IL pretreatments would be beneficial to optimize and control the pretreatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Series of epigenetic events happen during preimplantation development. Therefore assistant reproduction techniques (ART) have the potential to disrupt epigenetic regulation during embryo development. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether defects in methylation patterns in blastocyst due to superovulation originate from abnormal expression of Dnmts. Methods: Low- (6 IU) and high- (10 IU) dosage of PMSG was used to stimulate the female mice. The metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes and blastocyst stage embryos were collected. Global methylation and methylation at H3K9 in zygote, and methylation at repeated sequence Line 1 and IAP in blastocysts were assayed. In addition, expression of Dnmts was examined in oocytes and zygotes. Results: Global DNA methylation and methylation at H3K9 in zygotes derived from females after low- or high-dosage hormone treatment were unaltered compared to that in controls. Moreover, DNA methylation at IAP in blastocysts was also unaffected, regardless of hormone dosage. In contrast, methylation at Line1 decreased when high-dose hormone was administered. Unexpectedly, expression of Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Dnmt3L as well as maintenance Dnmt1o in oocytes and zygotes was not disrupted. Conclusions: The results suggest that defects in embryonic methylation patterns do not originate from the disruption of Dnmt expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian oocyte maturation is a unique asymmetric division, which is mainly because of actin-based spindle migration to the cortex. In the present study, we report that a kinesin motor KIFC1, which is associated with microtubules for the maintenance of spindle poles in mitosis, is also involved in actin dynamics in murine oocyte meiosis, co-localizing with microtubules during mouse oocyte maturation. Depletion of KIFC1 caused the failure of polar body extrusion, and we found that meiotic spindle formation and chromosome alignment were disrupted. This might be because of the effects of KIFC1 on HDAC6 and NAT10-based tubulin acetylation, which further affected microtubule stability. Mass spectroscopy analysis revealed that KIFC1 also associated with several actin nucleation factors and we found that KIFC1 was essential for the distribution of actin filaments, which further affected spindle migration. Depletion of KIFC1 leaded to aberrant expression of formin 2 and the ARP2/3 complex, and endoplasmic reticulum distribution was also disturbed. Exogenous KIFC1 mRNA supplement could rescue these defects. Taken together, as well as its roles in tubulin acetylation, our study reported a previously undescribed role of kinesin KIFC1 on the regulation of actin dynamics for spindle migration in mouse oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pivotal in innate immunity and inflammation. Here we show that genetic deficiency in Peli1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, attenuated the induction of proinflammatory cytokines by ligands of TLR3 and TLR4 and rendered mice resistant to septic shock. Peli1 was required for TLR3-induced activation of IκB kinase (IKK) and its 'downstream' target, transcription factor NF-κB, but was dispensable for IKK–NF-κB activation induced by several other TLRs and the interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor. Notably, Peli1 bound to and ubiquitinated RIP1, a signaling molecule that mediates IKK activation induced by the TLR3 and TLR4 adaptor TRIF. Our findings suggest that Peli1 is a ubiquitin ligase needed for the transmission of TRIF-dependent TLR signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing of the nfκb2 gene product p100 to generate p52 is a regulated event, which is important for the instrumental function of NF-κB. We previously demonstrated that this tightly controlled event is regulated positively by NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and its downstream kinase, IκB kinase α (IKKα). However, the precise mechanisms by which NIK and IKKα induce p100 processing remain unclear. Here, we show that, besides activating IKKα, NIK also serves as a docking molecule recruiting IKKα to p100. This novel function of NIK requires two specific amino acid residues, serine 866 and serine 870, of pl00 that are known to be essential for inducible processing of p100. We also show that, after being recruited into p100 complex, activated IKKα phosphorylates specific serines located in both N- and Cterminal regions of p100 (serines 99, 108, 115, 123, and 872). The phosphorylation of these specific serines is the prerequisite for ubiquitination and subsequent processing of p100 mediated by the β-TrCP ubiquitin ligase and 26 S proteasome, respectively. These results highlight the critical but different roles of NIK and IKKα in regulating pl00 processing and shed light on the mechanisms mediating the tight control of p100 processing. These data also provide the first evidence for explaining why overexpression of IKKα or its activation by many other stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor and mitogens fails to induce p100 processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]