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Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a subtype of renal cell cancer with the highest mortality, infiltration, and metastasis rate, threatening human health. Despite oncogenic role of TROAP in various cancers, its function in ccRCC remains to be unraveled. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were obtained by analyzing the related data sets of ccRCC in TCGA. The expression levels of mRNAs and miRNAs in the cell were detected by qRT-PCR, while the protein levels were characterized by western blot. The viability, migratory and invasive abilities of ccRCC cells were determined by MTT, wound healing and cell invasion assays. The combination of miRNA target site prediction and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay verified the binding relationship between miR-532-3p and TROAP. Research on ccRCC displayed that TROAP expression was upregulated, while miR-532-3p was down-regulated. Besides, upregulation of TROAP could accelerate viability, migratory and invasive potentials of ccRCC cells. On the contrary, miR-532-3p could downregulate TROAP level, but TROAP upregulation reversed the viability, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells. MiR-532-3p could attenuate the viability, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells by targeting TROAP. This may generate novel insights into molecular therapeutic targets for ccRCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cirrhosis is the primary driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Blocking the deterioration of cirrhosis into HCC would be of benefit for long–term survival. We applied a series of bioinformatic online databases to select and analyze the hub genes concerning cirrhosis and HCC, and identified UBE2T and CYP3A4 as hub genes for cirrhosis-HCC transformation. An elevated UBE2T and a decreased CYP3A4 were expressed in HCC compared with cirrhosis, which have been confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), Western Blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The specificity (89.9%) and sensitivity (74.1%) on the combination of UBE2T and CYP3A4 for predicting HCC development in cirrhosis patients were better than that of UBE2T or CYP3A4 alone, or alpha-fetoprotein. The effectiveness of the combination of UBE2T and CYP3A4 was further verified by 15 paired HCC and paracancerous cirrhosis samples using RT–PCR, with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 80%. HCC patients with elevated UBE2T and decreased CYP3A4 expression demonstrated a poorer overall survival rate (P = 0.0016, 0.019) and disease-free survival rate (P = 0.0013, 0.041). In conclusion, UBE2T and CYP3A4 could be a new combination of biomarkers for the carcinogenesis and progression of cirrhosis into HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a multiphase retrieval algorithm and then presents a secret image sharing scheme. The proposed algorithm can divide a secret image into multiple phase-only encodings (shadows) and then overcome the shadow expansion problem. When the shadows are arranged in a certain order, the light intensity detector can directly acquire the secret image using parallel light, and the recovery process is simple and easy to operate. Furthermore, Fresnel transform parameters are used for authentication, which can avoid deceit. The differences in the initial random phase encodings make the same secret image produce different shadows, which can effectively resist statistical analysis attacks. Finally, theoretical analysis and a simulation are used to verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial vetch (Vicia unijuga A. Br.) is a valuable protein-rich forage crop to develop grassland animal husbandry in subalpine regions of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Unsatisfied seed yield (SY) is often a setback constrained by the cold and erratic precipitation environments. Techniques based on mulching (e.g. plastic-film and straw) efficiently improve SY of crops, but little is known about SY response of V. unijuga to mulching. A 3-year field experiment was conducted in a subalpine region of China to evaluate the effects of three mulching treatments – plastic-film mulching (FM), removal of plastic-film mulching at the 30% flowering stage (RM) and barley straw mulching (SM) – on SY and yield components of V. unijuga. Higher soil temperature and water contents were recorded in the FM treatment than in Control and other treatments. The greatest SY was achieved in the FM treatment, with a mean SY of 72.3 g m-2 for the 3 years. Among the yield components, inflorescences m-2 had the highest direct impact on SY, and explained 42.0% of the variation in SY. In conclusion, in subalpine regions, the FM treatment is an effective mulching method for enhancing SY of V. unijuga, and the response arises primarily through increasing initial inflorescence density. FI: florets per inflorescence; IS: inflorescences per square meter; LAI: leaf area index; OF: ovules per floret; PI: pods per inflorescence; SB: shoot biomass; SP: seeds per pod; ST: soil temperature; SWC: soil water content; SY: seed yield; PSY: potential seed yield; TSW: thousand seed weight; Control: non-mulched control; FM: plastic-film mulch for the entire season; RM: plastic-film mulch cover until 30% flowering; SM: naked barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) straw mulch for the entire season; FFS: full flowering stage; IFS: initial flowering stage; MS: maturity stage; PFS: pod-filling stage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture offers a promising source of economic and healthy protein for human consumption and improved wellbeing. This has led to the development of the aquaculture industry, led through advanced production technologies and culture systems in many parts of the world. The intensification of fish production systems by farmers to meet consumer's needs, as well as to generate increased profits, creates a source of stress and the added occurrence of disease and subsequent loss. The negative environmental effects of chemical use have caused legislation to imposed regulations and restrictions to decrease their therapeutic or prophylactic use in aquaculture. As a result, dietary approaches have been suggested as an alternative. Medicinal herbs have been investigated for use in finfish diets to improve immune response and disease resistance. This review paper discusses the suggested modes of action of the effects of medicinal herbs on fish physiology and the immune systems. In addition, a comprehensive literature review on the effects on bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases is also presented. An added objective was to address the gap between existing knowledge and future perspectives for the improvement of fish health and disease resistance through the use of natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Findings on the effect of the lunar cycle on mental illness are conflicting. We investigated the association between the lunar cycle and a number of psychiatric presentations of schizophrenia and determined which subtypes were susceptible to lunar phases. Methods: We evaluated 13,067 patients admitted to Zhumadian Psychiatric Hospital between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017 (73 lunar cycles). Patients were retrospectively assigned to lunar phase based on their admission date: new moon +/− 1 day, first quarter +/− 1 day, full moon +/− 1 day, and third quarter +/− 1 day. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), was used for diagnosis. We used a Chi-squared goodness of fit test to evaluate the distribution of admissions across the lunar phase and R*C Chi-squared tests to compare age, sex, birth season, and clinical subtype distributions by phase. We used multiple logistic regression to further identify the relationship between clinical subtype and lunar phase. Results: Psychiatric admissions for schizophrenia varied significantly across the lunar cycle (χ2 = 36.400, p<.0001), peaking in the first quarter, followed by the full moon, and lowest at the new moon. Using unspecified schizophrenia (F20.9) as reference, people with paranoid schizophrenia (F20.0) were more likely to be admitted in the full moon than in other phases (odds ratio: 1.157, 95% confidence interval: 1.040–1.286) (p <.05); other subtypes showed no admission differences during the four lunar phases (p >.05). Conclusions: Psychiatric admissions for schizophrenia show lunar periodicities. People with schizophrenia tend to be stable in the new moon, but their condition is easily aggravated during the first quarter and full moon. Patients with paranoid schizophrenia are more susceptible to deterioration at the full moon, so merit more attention and care from communities, families, and hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the current review was to summarize the current applications, the latest advances and importantly, highlight research gaps in the use of quantum dots in the eye. Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor crystals with characteristic size and tunable optical properties, which deliver bright and stable fluorescence suitable for bioimaging and labelling. Methods: A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. This review systematically searched published data to summarize the characteristics and applications of quantum dots in ophthalmology. Two hundred and eighty published articles were initially selected for this review following searches using the criteria quantum dots AND nanoparticles AND ophthalmology in the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science. Results: After duplicates were removed, a total of 22 eligible articles were included for the review. Quantum dots potentially provide a range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications in ophthalmology. Quantum dots offer visible and near-infrared emission, which is highly desirable for bioimaging, due to reduced light scattering and low tissue absorption. Their applications include in vivo bioimaging, labelling of cells and tissues, delivery of genes or drugs and as antimicrobial composites. Conclusion: Quantum dots have been used in ophthalmology for bioimaging, electrical stimulation and tracking of gene/stems cells, and ocular lymphatics. However, there is no detailed description of their desirable characteristics for use in ophthalmology, and there is limited information about their cytotoxicity to ocular cells and tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Chronic arsenic toxicity (arsenicosis) is considered a serious public health menace worldwide, as there is no specific, safe, and efficacious therapeutic management of arsenicosis. Objectives:To collate the studies on medicinal plants and natural products with arsenic toxicity ameliorative effect, active pre-clinically and/or clinically. Methods:Literature survey was carried out by using Google, Scholar Google and Pub-Med. Only the scientific journal articles found on the internet for last two decades were considered. Minerals and semi-synthetic or synthetic analogs of natural products were excluded. Results:Literature study revealed that 34 medicinal plants and 14 natural products exhibited significant protection from arsenic toxicity, mostly in preclinical trials and a few in clinical studies. Conclusion:This research could lead to development of a potentially useful agent in clinical management of arsenicosis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Naringin is a natural flavanone glycoside that is found in the Chinese herbal medicines and citrus fruits. Studies have demonstrated that naringin possesses numerous biological and pharmacological properties, but few reviews of these studies have been performed. Objective:The present review gathers the fragmented information available in the literature describing the extraction of naringin, its pharmacology and its controlled release formulations. Current research progress and the therapeutic potential of naringin are also discussed. Methods:A literature survey for relevant information regarding the biological and pharmacological properties of naringin was conducted using Pubmed, Sciencedirect, MEDLINE, Springerlink and Google Scholar electronic databases from the year 2007–2015. Results:Naringin modulates signalling pathways and interacts with signalling molecules and thus has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities, as well as effects on bone regeneration, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, genetic damage and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Information was gathered that showed the extraction of naringin can be improved using several modifications. There has been some progress in the development of controlled release formulations of naringin. Conclusion:Naringin is a promising candidate for furtherin vivostudies and clinical use. More detailed studies regarding its mechanism of action are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementary surfactin on growth performance, intestinal digestive enzymes activities and some serum biochemical parameters of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Three hundred and twenty fish were randomly divided into four treatment groups with four replicates in each group and 20 fish in each replicate. The dietary surfactin levels of four treatment groups were 0 (control group), 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The trial period was 7 weeks. Compared with the control group, final body weight, daily feed intake, weight gain rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were improved significantly by surfactin supplementation (p < 0.05). No significant differences of survival rate were found between the control group and all surfactin supplementation groups (p > 0.05). The activities of protease and lipase in intestine of surfactin supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), the amylase activities were similar among all treatment groups (p > 0.05). The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were decreased significantly by dietary surfactin supplementation (p < 0.05), the levels of blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while lysozyme activity and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were increased significantly by the surfactin supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated a promotion of growth performance and improvement of intestinal digestive enzymes activities and some serum biochemical parameters of tilapia fingerlings by dietary surfactin supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) is known to accumulate mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at a higher frequency than other regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Methods: This is a case-control study. We sequenced SNPs in the D-loop of mtDNA and investigated their association with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results: A total of 144 SNPs referring to the positions of the Revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS) for mitochondrial genome were identified in a case-control study. The minor alleles of nucleotides 73G, 146C, 150T, 194T, 195C and 310C were associated with an increased risk for CKD patients. Conclusion: Analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop can help identify the people who are at a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. These SNPs can be considered as potential predictors for CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse electrodeposition of nanocrystalline nickel has been carried out on AA 6061 substrate from a modified Watt's bath using saccharin as a grain refining additive. By varying the concentration of saccharin and other operating parameters, nanocrystalline nickel electrodeposits of varying average grain sizes (from 115 down to 17 nm) have been obtained. Nanoindentation was employed for studying the effect of average grain size on the mechanical and tribological properties of the electrodeposits, with emphasis on hardness, elastic modulus, wear resistance and coefficient of friction. The study confirms that the hardness of nanocrystalline nickel electrodeposits increases as the average grain size decreases and a value as high as 7·2 GPa is obtained for a coating having an average grain size of 17 nm. No inverse Hall-Petch relationship is observed for the entire range of grain sizes studied. The elastic modulus of the electrodeposits remained almost constant (between 150 and 160 GPa), irrespective of the average grain size and a coefficient of friction value of 0·25 has been obtained for a deposit having an average grain size of 17 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]