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In this study, differently shaped silver nanoparticles used for the synthesis of gold nanoclusters with small capping ligands were demonstrated. Silver nanoparticles provide a reaction platform that plays dual roles in the formation of Au NCs. One is to reduce gold ions and the other is to attract capping ligands to the surface of nanoparticles. The binding of capping ligands to the AgNP surface creates a restricted space on the surface while gold ions are being reduced by the particles. Four different shapes of AgNPs were prepared and used to examine whether or not this approach is dependent on the morphology of AgNPs. Quasi-spherical AgNPs and silver nanoplates showed excellent results when they were used to synthesize Au NCs. Spherical AgNPs and triangular nanoplates exhibited limited synthesis of Au NCs. TEM images demonstrated that Au NCs were transiently assembled on the surface of silver nanoparticles in the method. The formation of Au NCs was observed on the whole surface of the QS-AgNPs if the synthesis of Au NCs was mediated by QS-AgNPs. In contrast, formation of Au NCs was only observed on the edges and corners of AgNPts if the synthesis of Au NCs was mediated by AgNPts. All of the synthesized Au NCs emitted bright red fluorescence under UV-box irradiation. The synthesized Au NCs displayed similar fluorescent properties, including quantum yields and excitation and emission wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare tumor with an incidence that varies greatly between Eastern and Western countries. Transaldolase 1 (TALDO1) is a rate‐limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. In humans, aberrant TALDO1 activity has been implicated in various autoimmune diseases and malignancies; however, the function of TALDO1 in UTUC has not been previously investigated. Here we evaluated the clinical significance of TALDO1 expression in 115 paraffin‐embedded tumor samples from patients with UTUC using immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated that there was an association between high TALDO1 expression and advanced stage (P = 0.011), tumor size (P = 0.005), tumor location (P = 0.047), distant metastases (P = 0.023), local recurrence (P = 0.002), and cancer death (P = 0.003). Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we found that chemotherapy was an independent factor for bladder recurrence‐free survival. Late stage (III/IV) and high TALDO1 expression were independent prognostic factors for progression‐free and cancer‐specific survival. In summary, increased TALDO1 expression in UTUC was significantly correlated with late stage, tumor size, tumor location, distant metastases, local recurrence, and cancer death. Therefore, high TALDO1 expression could be a predictor of poor survival in patients with UTUC. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of TALDO1 in UTUC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study uses laboratory experiments and a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model to investigate the sloshing phenomenon in a rectangular water tank with multiple bottom-mounted baffles. The kinematic motion of the water surface was solved by the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The simulation results were verified by the measured wave heights in a water tank installed on a shaking table. The numerical model was employed to systematically determine the effects of the spacing and height of the baffles on the sloshing phenomenon. The simulation results indicate that the natural frequency of the tank was altered by the multiple baffles and was related to the effective water depth above the baffles. The diminishing effect of multiple baffles on the hydrodynamic force is better than that of a single baffle. In addition, the sloshing force on the sidewalls of the tank can be characterized by the excitation amplitude, frequency, and water depth. While the sloshing height and hydrodynamic force decrease as the baffle number or baffle height increase, the effect of baffles on the sloshing lessens when the relative baffle height h b /h w ≥ 0.75. Highlights • Laboratory experiments and a Large Eddy Simulation model are used to study the sloshing in a water tank with multiple vertical baffles. • The natural frequency of the tank with multiple baffles is dependent on the effective water depth, not the total water depth. • The diminishing effect of multiple baffles on the hydrodynamic force is better than that of single baffle. • The wave height and hydrodynamic force decrease as the baffle number or baffle height increase. • The sloshing force on the sidewalls of the tank can be normalized by the excitation amplitude, frequency, and water depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae wall polysaccharide, laminarin (Lam), has an established role on induction of plant disease resistance. In this study, application of Lam increased Arabidopsis fresh weight and enhanced tolerance to salt and heat stress by stabilizing chloroplast under adverse environment. Transcriptome analysis indicated that, in addition to induced a large number of genes associated with the host defense, genes involved in the regulation of abiotic stress tolerance mostly the heat stress response constituted the largest group of the up-regulated genes. Lam induced expression of IRT1 , ZIP8 , and copper transporters involved in transport of Fe, Zn, Cu ions associated with the activity of chloroplast antioxidant system. Lam also up-regulated genes involved in the synthesis of terpenoid, a plastidial-derived secondary metabolite with antioxidant activity. Overexpression of a Lam-induced defensin like 202 ( DEFL202 ) resulted in increased chloroplast stability under salt stress and increased plant growth activity after heat stress. Expression of antioxidant enzymes including SOD and ascorbate peroxidase ( APX ), photosystem PsbA-D1 and ABA-dependent responsive to desiccation 22 ( RD22 ) was induced to higher levels in the transgenic seedlings. In sum, our results suggest that Lam is an potent inducer for induction of chloroplastic antioxidant activity. Lam affect plant abiotic stress tolerance partially through regulation of the DEFL -mediated pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Expression of a new DyP-type peroxidase, GlDyP, was induced by oxidative stress. [•] Transient induction of GlDyP was associated with abiotic stress tolerance. [•] Transgenic plants constitutively expressing GlDyP reduced ROS signal. [•] Transgenic plants exhibited hypersensitive response to heavy metal. [•] GlDyP potentially functions in reduction of oxidative damage in Ganoderma mycelium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The haemagglutinin (HA) protein plays a key role in the immunogenicity and pathogenicity of Avibacterium paragallinarum, but the domain organization and antigenicity exhibited by different domains of this protein remain unknown. This study reports the presence of a hypervariable region in the HA proteins of strains of serovars A and C of A. paragallinarum. This hypervariable region is located approximately at residues 1100–1600 of the HA protein. The sequence identity found in this hypervariable region was only 18.1%, whereas those upstream and downstream of this region were 83.8 and 97.8%, respectively. Western blot analyses using antisera against the whole-cell antigens of A. paragallinarum showed that the hypervariable region was more antigenic than other regions of the HA protein. Moreover, the antigenicity of the hypervariable region was serovar-specific. Chickens immunized with recombinant proteins that contained the hypervariable region were protected (83–100% protection rate) against challenge infection with A. paragallinarum of the homologous serovar. These results suggest that recombinant proteins containing the hypervariable region may be useful antigens for use in the development of a vaccine against A. paragallinarum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The biochemical hydrogen potential (BHP) tests were conducted to investigate the metabolism of glucose fermentation and hydrogen production performance of four Clostridial species, including C. acetobutylicum M121, C. butyricum ATCC19398, C. tyrobutyricum FYa102, and C. beijerinckii L9. Batch experiments showed that all the tested strains fermented glucose, reduced medium pH from 7.2 to a value between 4.6 and 5.0, and produced butyrate (0.37–0.67mmol/mmol-glucose) and acetate (0.34–0.42mmol/mmol-glucose) as primary soluble metabolites. Meanwhile, a significant amount of hydrogen gas was produced accompanied with glucose degradation and acid production. Among the strains examined, C. beijerinckii L9 had the highest hydrogen production yield of 2.81mmol/mmol-glucose. A kinetic model was developed to evaluate the metabolism of glucose fermentation of those Clostridium species in the batch cultures. The model, in general, was able to accurately describe the profile of glucose degradation as well as production of biomass, butyrate, acetate, ethanol, and hydrogen observed in the batch tests. In the glucose re-feeding experiments, the C. tyrobutyricum FYa102 and C. beijerinckii L9 isolates fermented additional glucose during re-feeding tests, producing a substantial amount of hydrogen. In contrast, C. butyricum ATCC19398 was unable to produce more hydrogen despite additional supply of glucose, presumably due to the metabolic shift from acetate/butyrate to lactate/ethanol production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process whereby fully differentiated epithelial cells transition to a mesenchymal phenotype, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. Apelin, a bioactive peptide, has recently been recognized to protect against renal profibrotic activity, but the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the regulation of EMT in the presence of apelin-13 in vitro. Expression of the mesenchymal marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the epithelial marker E-cadherin was examined by immunofluorescence and western blotting in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Expression of extracellular matrix, fibronectin and collagen-I was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA. F13A, an antagonist of the apelin receptor APJ, and small interfering RNA targeting protein kinase C epsilon (PKC-ε) were used to explore the relevant signaling pathways. Apelin attenuated TGF-β1-induced EMT, and inhibited the EMT-associated increase in α-SMA, loss of E-cadherin, and secretion of extracellular matrix. Moreover, apelin activated PKC-ε in tubular epithelial cells, which in turn decreased phospho-Smad2/3 levels and increased Smad-7 levels. APJ inhibition or PKC-ε deletion diminished apelin-induced modulation of Smad signaling and suppression of tubular EMT. Our findings identify a novel PKC-ε-dependent mechanism in which apelin suppresses TGF-β1-mediated activation of Smad signaling pathways and thereby inhibits tubular EMT. These results suggest that apelin may be a new agent that can suppress renal fibrosis and retard chronic kidney disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Derlin-1 protein, encoded by DERL1, is located in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and is responsible for the unfolded protein response. Derlin-1 has recently drawn lots of attention with regard to cancer pathogenesis. The purpose of this study is to examine its role and molecular mechanism in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The protein levels of Derlin-1 in human UTUC specimens are observed by immunohistochemistry. Derlin-1 overexpression is evidently associated with cancer stage, distant metastasis, recurrence, and poor prognosis in patients with UTUC. In an in vitro study, the knockdown of Derlin-1 represses, while over-expression of Derlin-1 increases migration and invasion of UTUC cells significantly. We identify the microRNA-375-3p (miR-375-3p) as one of the potential candidate microRNAs and then examine the relationship between Derlin-1 and miR-375-3p. The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirms that miR-375-3p directly targets Derlin-1. Furthermore, we reveal that miR-375-3p modulate Derlin-1 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker protein levels. However, the above effects are reversed by the restoration of Derlin-1. Our study clarifies that miR-375-3p represses invasion and migration by directly targeting Derlin-1 and regulating the expression of EMT-associated proteins in UTUC cells, suggesting Derlin-1 may act as a useful predictor of prognosis and that both Derlin-1 and miR-375-3p could be potential therapeutic targets in UTUC. Little is known regarding the molecular characterization of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Novel therapeutic targets and prognostic predictors are imminent. In the present study, we aim to examine the oncogenic function and molecular mechanism of Derlin-1 in UTUC. Derlin-1 overexpression is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with UTUC. In vitro, knockdown or over-expression of Derlin-1 markedly regulated UTUC cell invasion and migration. We further discovered miR-375-3p suppresses cell invasion and migration by inversely regulating Derlin-1 and blocking EMT in UTUC cells. Taking this together, miR-375-3p functions as a tumor suppressive microRNA by directly targeting Derlin-1 and blocking epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in UTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to synthesize thiolated Au NCs is demonstrated. The quasi-spherical Ag NPs serve as a platform, functioning as a reducing agent for Au (III) and attracting capping ligands to the surface of the Ag NPs. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and dithiothreitol (DTT) were used as capping ligands to synthesize thiolated Au NCs (glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs). The glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs showed red color luminance with similar emission wavelengths (630 nm) at an excitation wavelength of 354 nm. The quantum yields of the glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs were measured to be 7.3% and 7.0%, respectively. An electrophoretic mobility assay showed that the glutathione-Au NCs moved toward the anode, while the DTT-Au NCs were not mobile under the electric field, suggesting that the total net charge of the thiolated Au NCs is determined by the charges on the capping ligands. The detection of the KSV values, 26 M−1 and 0 M−1, respectively, revealed that glutathione-Au NCs are much more accessible to an aqueous environment than DTT-Au NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]