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A new binuclear Gd(III) complex, [Gd2(L)6(Phen)2]·4H2O, was synthesized via the reaction of gadolinium(III) nitrate hexahydrate, 4-acetylphenoxyacetic acid (HL), NaOH, and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) in a solution of water–ethanol (v:v = 1:1). The Gd(III) complex was characterized using IR, UV–vis, TG-DSC, fluorescence, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The results showed that the Gd(III) complex crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, and each Gd(III) ion was coordinated with two nitrogen atoms (N1, N2, or N1a, and N2a) from two Phen ligands and seven oxygen atoms (O1, O2, O7a, O9, O8, O8a, O10a, or O1a, O2a, O7, O8, O8a, O9a, and O10) from six L ligands, respectively, forming a nine-coordinated coordination mode. The Gd(III) complex molecules formed a one-dimensional chained and three-dimensional network structure via benzenering π-π stacking. The Hirschfeld surface analysis and the calculations of the electron density distributions of the frontier molecular orbitals of the Gd(III) complex were performed. The catalytic activities of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction and benzyl alcohol oxidation using the Gd(III) complex as a catalyst were performed. The results of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction showed that the yield and the selectivity of CO reached 41.5 μmol/g and more than 99% after four hours, respectively. The results of the benzyl alcohol oxidation showed that the yield of benzaldehyde was 45.7% at 120°C with THF as the solvent under 0.5 MPa O2 within 2 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bupleurum jeholense Nakai (Apioideae, Apiaceae), originally found in the Wuling Mountain of China, was initially described as a species but later treated as a variety of B. sibiricum Vest ex Spreng. However, researchers have recently found that it is more closely related to B. chinense DC. In this study, we conducted morphological and phylogenetic analyses as well as chromosome counting to determine the taxonomic status of B. sibiricum var. jeholense (Nakai) Chu. Our results showed that B. sibiricum var. jeholense and B. chinense share common features (i.e., bracteoles 5 and stem solid) that distinguish both from B. sibiricum var. sibiricum. The chromosome number of B. sibiricum var. jeholense was found to be the same as in B. chinense (i.e., 2n = 12), whereas the chromosome number of B. sibiricum var. sibiricum was 64. A phylogenetic tree based on complete chloroplast genome data revealed a close relationship between B. sibiricum var. jeholense and B. chinense. Finally, B. sibiricum var. jeholense and B. chinense were mainly found to differ in plant height, number of stems, and middle stem leaves. Based on this evidence, we propose a new combination: Bupleurum chinense var. jeholense (Nakai) Q.R.Liu & L.H.Wang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C12H15NO9Ni, triclinic, P 1 ‾ (no. 2), a = 7.3184(3) Å, b = 8.1941(3) Å, c = 12.1015(5) Å, α = 85.603(3)°, β = 79.719(3)°, γ = 84.790(3)°, V = 709.74(5) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0437, wRref(F2) = 0.1243, T = 290.1(3) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C12H15NO9Cd, triclinic, P 1 ‾ (no. 2), a = 7.5263(5) Å, b = 8.0953(3) Å, c = 12.4005(8) Å, α = 86.814(4)°, β = 79.845(5)°, γ = 86.140(4)°, V = 741.28(7) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0759, wRref(F2) = 0.2248, T = 295 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in brain diseases. miRNA-192-5p is a regulatory molecule in neurodegenerative diseases and its expression was found to be significantly downregulated in the whole blood samples of IS patients, but the specific role of miRNA-192-5p in IS not fully understood. Here, we investigated the role of miRNA-192-5p in a murine model of acute cerebral injury after IS. Material and methods. Male C57BL/6J mice received an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of agomir-192-5p or antagomir-192-5p 2 h before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Infarct volume was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Brain slices were subjected to Fluoro-Jade B, TUNEL, and immunofluorescence stainings. Contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. In vitro, murine microglial BV-2 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), and the contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in cell lysates. Results. miRNA-192-5p was downregulated in the ischemic penumbra of the cerebral cortex. Pretreatment with agomir-192-5p attenuated neurological deficits and reduced cerebral edema and infarct volume in MCAO mice. Agomir-192-5p-treated animals had fewer degenerating and apoptotic neurons in the ischemic penumbra. Additionally, agomir-192-5p significantly suppressed neuroinflammation as evidenced by decreased immunostaining for GFAP and Ibal and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Antagomir-192-5p pretreatment showed the opposite effect. Furthermore, dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (Dyrkla) was identified as a target gene of miRNA-192-5p, and the elevated Dyrk1a expression in the ischemic penumbra was markedly reduced by agomir-192-5p. Dyrk1a overexpression in BV-2 microglial cells impaired miRNA-192-5p-mediated inhibition of OGD-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. Opposite results were obtained using miRNA-192-5p inhibitor and Dyrk1a siRNA. Conclusions. We found that intracerebroventricular administration of miRNA-192-5p before MCAO attenuated acute cerebral injury by suppressing neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation in mice, and these protective effects might be mediated by downregulation of Dyrkla. This study would help identify novel therapeutic targets for IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C42H54O18S6Zn3, trigonal, P 3 ‾ 1 m (no. 162), a = 9.2916(13) Å, c = 18.121(4) Å, V = 1354.9(5) Å3, Z = 0.99996, Rgt(F) = 0.0490, wRref(F2) = 0.1330, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C 34 H 24 N 4 O 4 Cd, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 17.5723(7) Å, b = 11.3574(4) Å, c = 15.8345(7) Å, β = 112.345 (5) ° , V = 2922.9(2) Å 3 , Z = 4, R g t (F) = 0.0265, w R r e f ( F 2 ) = 0.0613, T = 200 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C48H32N4O8Pb2, triclinic, P 1 ‾ (no. 2), a = 9.2712(8) Å, b = 14.5959(13) Å, c = 16.6178(13) Å, α = 76.089(7)°, β = 77.068(7)°, γ = 74.717(7)°, V = 2074.5(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0563, wRref(F2) = 0.1783, T = 250 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A better understanding of the factors and their correlation with clinical first-line nurses’ sleep, fatigue and mental workload is of great significance to personnel scheduling strategies and rapid responses to anti-pandemic tasks in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Objective: This multicenter and cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the nurses’ sleep, fatigue and mental workload and contributing factors to each, and to determine the correlation among them. Methods: A total of 1,004 eligible nurses (46 males, 958 females) from three tertiary hospitals participated in this cluster sampling survey. The Questionnaire Star online tool was used to collect the sociodemographic and study target data: Sleep quality, fatigue, and mental workload. Multi-statistical methods were used for data analysis using SPSS 25.0 and Amos 21.0. Results: The average sleep quality score was 10.545 ± 3.399 (insomnia prevalence: 80.2%); the average fatigue score was 55.81 ± 10.405 (fatigue prevalence: 100%); and the weighted mental workload score was 56.772 ± 17.26. Poor sleep was associated with mental workload (r = 0.303, P < 0.05) and fatigue (r = 0.727, P < 0.01). Fatigue was associated with mental workload (r = 0.321, P < 0.05). COVID-19 has caused both fatigue and mental workload. As 49% of nurses claimed their mental workload has been severely affected by COVID-19, while it has done slight harm to 68.9% of nurses’ sleep quality. Conclusion: In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the high prevalence of sleep disorders and fatigue emphasizes the importance of paying enough attention to the mental health of nurses in first-class tertiary hospitals. Efficient nursing strategies should focus on the interaction of sleep, fatigue and mental workload in clinical nurses. In that case, further research on solutions to the phenomenon stated above proves to be of great significance and necessity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberine is an alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese medicine, which has many biological effects, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, anti-fibrosis, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. In recent years, BBR has been proved to protect kidney by alleviating various pathological changes. BBR can improve renal insufficiency and renal inflammation. In addition, BBR can inhibit renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation, glomerular mesangial cell proliferation and ECM accumulation, and alleviate renal interstitial fibrosis. BBR can play a role in protecting kidney for many kidney diseases such as renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetic kidney disease and renal atherosclerosis, and is a potential drug for delaying the progress of kidney diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of Acteoside (AC) on brain injury in epileptic rats. Methods: 30 Sprague-Dawlay rats (SPF grade, healthy males, about 200g) were randomly divided into epilepsy group, AC group and blank control group. The epileptic group and the AC group were given 28 days of intraperitoneal injection of pentaerythritazine (PTZ), and the remaining groups were given normal saline injection. The changes of electroencephalogram (EEG), learning and memory ability, pathological changes of brain tissue, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in all rats. Results: Compared with the epilepsy group, the AC group showed significantly reduced degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells in brain tissue, significantly improved learning and memory ability, and the EEG was dominated by wavelet and slow wave, replacing the typical spike and spike waves. SOD increased and MDA decreased in oxygen radical (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Epilepsy are closely related to Oxidative stress. AC can play a protective role in the brain by improving EEG, learning and memory ability, regulating changes in SOD and MDA content, and inhibiting the generation of oxygen free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel and podocin are colocalized in the glomerular slit diaphragm as an important complex to maintain podocyte function. Gain of TRPC6 function and loss of podocin function induce podocyte injury. We have previously shown that high glucose induces apoptosis of podocytes by activating TRPC6; however, whether the activated TRPC6 can alter podocin expression remains unknown. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy were used to examine both expression levels of TRPC6, podocin, and nephrin and morphological changes of podocytes in response to high glucose. High glucose increased the expression of TRPC6 but reduced the expression of podocin and nephrin, in both cultured human podocytes and type 1 diabetic rat kidneys. The decreased podocin was diminished in TRPC6 knockdown podocytes. High glucose elevated intracellular Ca2+ in control podocytes but not in TRPC6 knockdown podocytes. High glucose also elevated the expression of a tight junction protein, zonula occludens-1, and induced the redistribution of zonula occludens-1 and loss of podocyte processes. These data together suggest that high glucose reduces protein levels of podocin by activating TRPC6 and induces morphological changes of cultured podocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a three-component system containing dibenzo-24-crown-8 (1), diamino-dibenzo-24-crown-8 (2), and 1,2-bis(4,4′-dipyridyl)ethane (32+), axle 32+ can shuttle between wheels 1 and 2 by acid-base control, accompanying color changes from yellow to red. This system could not only be taken as a chromophoric supramolecular switch, but also exhibit a function as INHIBIT logic gate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C24H23N2NaO4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.5246(5) Å, b = 22.554(2) Å, c = 11.3358(9) Å, β = 91.881(7)°,V = 1922.8(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0496, wRref(F2) = 0.1184, T = 100K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C40H32Cl2N4O7Zn, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 13.5114(8) Å, b = 16.5735(7) Å, c = 17.0403(9) Å, β = 107.528(6)°, V = 3638.7(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0398, wRref(F2) = 0.0831, T = 100 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy resistance is an enduring major setback in lung cancer therapy, and is responsible for a large proportion of treatment failures. In previous years, cyclooxygenase- 2 (COX-2) has frequently been reported to promote tumor occurrence and development, suggesting a potential role in radiotherapy resistance. To investigate whether COX-2 inhibitors can be applied in radiosensitization, an MTT assay was performed to examine cell viability after X-ray radiation in the presence or absence of the specific COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes were also detected through laser confocal scanning microcopy and flow cytometry. X-ray treatment only caused mild cell death in lung cancer A549 cells. However, combination treatment using celecoxib and X-ray radiation exhibited improved inhibitory effects and significantly suppressed cell proliferation. Therefore, COX-2 inhibitors combined with radiotherapy can counteract radiation-induced high COX-2 expression, demonstrating that celecoxib can function as a radiosensitizer of lung cancer cells. It is therefore reasonable to predict COX-2 inhibitors to be potential clinical radiotherapy synergists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Ba(II) complex, [BaL2Cl2] (1) (L = pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-phenylacetic acid hydrazone), has been synthesized using BaCl2, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-phenylacetohydrazide as raw materials. The structure of 1 has been determined by elemental analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique. X-ray structural analysis showed that the Ba(II) complex (1) crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/c with cell parameters: a = 12.464(3) Å, β = 13.531(3) Å, c = 8.8035(18) Å, β = 95.06(3)°. In 1, the Ba(II) atom is eight-coordinated in a distorted doubly-capped octahedral geometry through four N atoms and two O atoms from two different pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-phenylacetic acid hydrazone ligands and two Cl-. The complex (1) forms a 3D network structure by the interaction of intermolecular N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and π⋯π stacking of neighboring pyridine rings and benzene rings. The optimum conditions for the benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction using the Ba(II) complex as catalyst was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 1D chained Ca(II) coordination polymer--namely, [CaL2(H2O)2]n (HL = 3,5-bis(4-pyridylmethoxy)benzoic acid)--was synthesized though the reaction of Ca(ClO4)2.4H2O, 3,5-bis(4-pyridylmethoxy)benzoic acid and NaOH in H2O/CH3CH2OH (v:v = 1:2) solution. Its structure was determined by elemental analysis, infrared spectrum, and single-crystal XRD. Structural analyses show that each Ca(II) ion is eight-coordinated by six oxygen atoms of four 3,5-bis(4-pyridylmethoxy)benzoate ligands and two oxygen atoms of two coordinated H2O molecules to form a square-antiprismatic CaO8 polyhedron. The Ca(II) complex displays a 1D chained structure constructed by the bridging effect of the bidentate carboxyl group of 3,5-bis(4-pyridylmethoxy)benzoate ligand. The catalytic activity of the Ca-complex was tested for the preparation of propargylamine in the A³ coupling reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of melatonin (MLT) on hypertension-induced renal injury and identify its mechanism of action. Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats were divided into a sham control group (n=8), which was subjected to sham operation and received vehicle treatment (physiological saline intraperitoneally at 0.1 ml/100 g), a vehicle group (n=8), which was subjected to occlusion of the left renal artery and vehicle treatment, and the MLT group (n=8), which was subjected to occlusion of the left renal artery and treated with MLT (10 mg/kg/day). Pathological features of the renal tissues were determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining. Urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Furthermore, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was conducted to determine the mRNA expression of HO-1, ICAM-1, eNOS and iNOS. A marked decrease in blood pressure was noticed in the MLT group at week 4 compared with that of the vehicle group (P<0.01). Furthermore, MLT treatment attenuated the infiltration of inflammatory cells and oedema/atrophy of renal tubules. MLT attenuated hypertension-induced increases in urine protein excretion, serum creatinine and MDA as well as decreases in SOD activity in renal tissues. Furthermore, MLT attenuated hypertension-induced increases in iNOS and ICAM-1 as well as decreases in eNOS and HO-1 expression at the mRNA and protein level. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that MLT had protective roles in hypertension-induced renal injury. Its mechanism of action is, at least in part, associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to compare the antitumor effects of cascade primed immune (CAPRI) cells and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in vitro, through investigating cell morphology, proliferation, cytotoxic activity to tumor cells and the ability of these cells to secrete cytokines. Peripheral blood samples (50 ml) were obtained from three healthy volunteers and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from each via Ficoll-Conray density gradient centrifugation. Each suspension of PBMCs (1x106/ml) was divided into two parts; CAPRI cells were obtained from one part through a series of induction, amplification and cytokine cultures, while CIK cells were obtained from the other part through induction with different cytokines. During the culture process, the proliferation and morphological changes were observed for the two cell types using Trypan blue staining. At day 14, the cytotoxic activity of the two cell types was examined through determining lactate dehydrogenase release in the presence of K562 leukemia cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In addition, secretory levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 were detected using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) technology. The results revealed that at day 5 and 14 of culture, there were significantly fewer CAPRI cells compared with CIK cells (P<0.001), although the survival rate of each cell type was >95%. The cytotoxic activity of CAPRI cells towards the K562 cell line was effector-target ratio-dependent (40:1 and 20:1) with values of 55.1±3.25 and 35.0±2.65%, respectively, which were significantly reduced compared with the corresponding data in CIK cells, 60.0±3.03 and 39.7±3.42% (P=0.004 and 0.005, respectively). Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of CAPRI cells towards MCF-7 cells were 71.5±3.06, 56.0±3.76 and 40.2±2.90% at effector-target ratios 40:1, 20:1 and 10:1, respectively. These data were significantly higher than the corresponding values in CIK cells, 65.4±3.86, 49.5±3.91 and 36.1±3.73% (P=0.002, 0.003 and 0.02, respectively). As determined using ELISPOT technology at different cell concentrations (1x106/ml and 5x105/ml), IFN-γ secretion levels, determined by the number of spot-forming cells, of CAPRI cells were 126.2±10.31 and 48.8±10.99, respectively, which were significantly reduced compared with those of CIK cells, 409.3±7.76 and 159.3±15.45, respectively (P<0.001). IL-2 secretion levels in CAPRI cells were 325.1±16.24 and 113.8±11.29 at 1x106/ml and 5x105/ml, respectively, which were significantly increased compared with CIK cells, 212.0±16.58 and 70.7±10.57, respectively (P<0.001). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that CAPRI cells had a reduced proliferation rate compared with CIK cells as well as a less potent cytotoxic effect on K562 cells; however, the two cell types had potent cytotoxic activity towards solid tumor MCF-7 cells. In addition, CAPRI cells secreted lower levels of IFN-γ and increased levels of IL-2 compared with CIK cells. These results indicated that antitumor activities of CAPRI and CIK cells proceeded via different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chelating resin was synthesized by freeradical copolymerization of iminodiacetic acid modified glycidyl methacrylate with a cross-linker N,NŒ-methylene biscarylamide at 70C for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of the chelating resin from their single-metal ion solutions were 3.28 mmol/g for Cd(II), 2.36 mmol/g for Cu(II), 1.71 mmol/g for Mn(II), 1.69 mmol/g for Ni(II), 1.41 mmol/g for Zn(II), 1.24 mmol/g for Co(II), 0.78 mmol/g for Cr(III) and 0.66 mmol/g for Pb(II). Their related absorption behaviors are discussed in this paper such as thermodynamic equilibrium, pH effect and the Langmuir and Freundlich model to evaluate the experimental data. According to the results, this resin could be used as a promising adsorbent for industrial wastewater disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C16H22O6N4Mn, triclinic, P1 (no. 2), a = 7.4412(6) Å, b = 8.2273(7) Å, c = 8.6693(7) Å, α = 72.516(7)°, β = 76.827(7)°, γ = 63.444(9)°, V = 450.08(7) Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0378, wRref(F2) = 0.0755, T = 150(1) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunnan Province in China borders 3 countries (Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar) in Southeast Asia. In the 1980s, a large-scale rabies epidemic occurred in this province, which subsided by the late 1990s. However, 3 human cases of rabies in 2000 indicated reemergence of the disease in 1 county. In 2012, rabies was detected in 77 counties; 663 persons died of rabies during this new epidemic. Fifty two rabies virus strains obtained during 2008-2012 were identified and analyzed phylogenetically by sequencing the nucleoprotein gene. Of the 4 clades identified, clades YN-A and YN-C were closely related to strains from neighboring provinces, and clade YN-B was closely related to strains from Southeast Asia, but formed a distinct branch. Rabies virus diversity might be attributed to dog movements among counties, provinces, and neighboring countries. These findings suggest that Yunnan Province is a focal point for spread of rabies between Southeast Asia and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C15H17N3O6, triclinic, P1 (no. 2), a = 7.2155(8) Å, b = 10.7519(8) Å, c = 10.8562(8) Å, α = 107.910(7), β = 97.087(8), γ = 100.409(7) V = 773.69(12) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0500, wRref(F2) = 0.1238, T = 150(1) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C14H16N4O3, orthorhombic, P21212 (no. 18), a = 8.0968(7) Å, b = 16.6829(17) Å, c = 5.3097(5) Å, V = 717.22(12) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0420, wRref(F2) = 0.0816, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C14H14BrN3O3, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 32.932(3) Å, b = 5.8490(7) Å, c = 7.3606(8) Å, V = 1417.8(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0260, wRref(F2) = 0.0553, T = 150 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H18N2O3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.6187(7) Å, b = 9.4445(5) Å, c = 13.7424(8) Å, β = 99.248(5)°, V = 1616.49(16) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0793, wRref(F2) = 0.2220, T = 100(10) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We previously identified TrkB as an oncogene involved in promoting metastasis in endometrial carcinoma (EC). Here, we sought to delineate the effect of changes in TrkB expression on the global profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) in EC cells and further investigated the correlation between the expression of certain miRNA and TrkB in the clinicopathologic characteristics of EC patients. Methods and results Using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), we found that expression of TrkB mRNA has no significant difference in transcript levels between normal endometrium and EC cells captured by laser capture microdissection, while immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a markedly higher expression of TrkB protein in EC tissues. The microRNA array showed that ectopic overexpression and knockdown of TrkB expression caused global changes in miRNA expression in EC cells. qRT-PCR results showed that elevated TrkB repressed miR-204-5p expression in EC cells. Furthermore, immunoblotting assays revealed that TrkB overexpression in IshikawaTrkB cells noticeably increased JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, which, however, was aborted by TrkB knockdown in HEC-1BshTrkB cells. Moreover, ChIP assays showed that phospho-STAT3 could directly bind to STAT3-binding sites near the TRPM3 promoter region upstream of miR-204-5p. Interestingly, using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assays, we identified TrkB was a novel target of miR- 204-5p. Functionally, the MTT assays, clonogenic and Transwell assays showed that miR- 204-5p significantly suppressed the clonogenic growth, migration and invasion of EC cells. Furthermore, miR-204-5p also inhibited the growth of tumor xenografts bearing human EC cells. Importantly, we found lower miR-204-5p expression was associated with advanced FIGO stages, lymph node metastasis and probably a lower chance for survival in EC patients. Conclusions This study uncovers a new regulatory loop involving TrkB/miR-204-5p that is critical to the tumorigenesis of EC and proposes that reestablishment of miR-204-5p expression could be explored as a potential new therapeutic target for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized by joint pain and a progressive loss of articular cartilage. Kaschin-Beck Disease is a form of endemic OA in China whose etiology is unclear, but epidemiological data indicate a possible link to trichothecenes mycotoxin exposure. In vitro, T-2 toxin, a trichothecenes mycotoxin, has been demonstrated to inhibit aggrecan synthesis and promote aggrecanase and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in cultured chondrocytes. To assess the effects of T-2 toxin on articular cartilage in vivo, Wistar rats were fed a diet containing T-2 toxin (100 ng/kg chow) for six and ten months. Following six months of T-2 toxin exposure, histopathological changes in femorotibial cartilage were characterized by chondrocyte degeneration/necrosis and loss, chondrocyte clones, and loss of proteoglycan staining of articular cartilage, sometimes involving the entire thickness of the cartilage in the tibial plateaus and femoral condyles. By ten months, in addition to these changes, there was evidence of cartilage fibration in some rats. In conclusion, T-2 toxin exposure in rats induced degenerative lesions in articular cartilage similar to spontaneous OA, lending support to an etiologic role of mycotoxins in Kaschin-Beck Disease. T-2 toxin–induced degenerative joint disease may be a useful model of metabolic polyarticular OA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Utilizing 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole(x-Hpytz, x = 3; x = 4) as multidentate ligands, six novel coordination polymers with Zn(ii) or Cd(ii) metal ions were prepared: [Zn(3-pytz)0.5(OH)0.5Cl]n(1, 1D ladder), {[Zn(3-Hpytz)(H2O)4] [Zn(3-Hpytz)(H2O)3·SO4]SO4·5H2O}n(2·5H2O, 1D chain), [Cd(3-Hpytz)(SO4)]n(3, 3D framework), {[Cd(3-Hyptz)SO4·3H2O]·2H2O}n(4·2H2O, 1D chain), [Zn(4-pytz)Cl]n(5, 3D framework) and [Zn2(4-pytz)(SO4)(OH)]n(6, 3D framework). All compounds were obtained from hydrothermal reactions, with the exception of compound 4which was obtained by solvent diffusion at room temperature. All compounds were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis and TGA analysis and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited substantial thermal stability and showed photofluorescent properties that resulted from ligand π–π* transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell division is closely related to telomerase activity (hTERT mRNA). Lower expression of lymphocitic hTERT mRNA may easily cause cell aging, which is not beneficial to maintaining a durable lymphocyte division. To date, there is no study to investigate IFNα therapy on hTERT mRNA expression in PBMCs of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We quantitatively detected hTERT mRNA from study subjects and made each hTERT mRNA normalized (NhTERT mRNA). Mean NhTERT mRNA level was lower in either CHB group, but it significantly increased in IFNα-treated group compared with CHB control group, and a longer duration of IFNα therapy could increase the level. Moreover, the mean NhTERT mRNA in subgroup with HBeAg loss was significantly higher than that in subgroup without. NhTERT mRNA was markedly correlated with CD3+ T lymphocyte count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The results showed that IFNα therapy could upregulate the expression of hTERT mRNA in PBMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAim:To observe the efficacy and safety of Rocaltrol (calcitriol) and/or Caltrate D (calicum carbonate plus vitamin D) in elderly Chinese women with osteopenia or osteoporosis.Methods:One hundred fifty Chinese women aged over 65 years with osteopenia or osteoporosis from three centers were randomly divided into two groups. Seventy-six participants received Caltrate D as one pill daily; the other 74 participants received 0.25 μg Caltrate D plus Rocaltrol daily. The changes in bone mineral density (BMD) served as primary end-points. Height changes, the presence of new vertebral fractures, muscle strength and balance were evaluated.Results:The following are the mean percentage changes (and SD) in BMD over 12 months: at L2-L4, 0.83±3.88 in the Caltrate D group and 2.84±4.04 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.003, by ANCOVA); at the femoral neck, 0.04±3.94 in the Caltrate D group and 2.01±5.45 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.085, by ANCOVA); and in the trochanter, 1.59±4.57 in the Caltrate D group and 3.76±6.25 in the Rocaltrol+Caltrate D group (P=0.053, by ANCOVA). The stand and maximal forward reach test (SMFRT) was significantly enhanced in both groups during the 12 months of treatment, but no significant differences were found between these two groups. No severe adverse event related to these medications occurred throughout the study.Conclusion:Treatment with Rocaltrol plus Caltrate D or Caltrate D for 12 months in elderly Chinese postmenopausal women effectively increased BMD at the lumbar spine. Rocaltrol plus Caltrate D was more effective at the lumbar spine than Caltrate D alone.Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2009) 30: 372–378; doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.12 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An infectious clone (pBR-XJ160) was constructed using the full-length cDNA of the Sindbis-like XJ-160 virus. Two nucleotide mutations, causing amino acid changes at residue 169 from Lys to Arg and at residue 173 from Thr to Ile in the nonstructural protein (nsP) 1 coding region, strongly influenced the infectivity of in vitro-synthesized RNA. We used site-directed mutagenesis to obtain clones encoding a change to Arg at residue 169 of nsP1 (pBR-169), a change to Ile at residue 173 (pBR-173), or both changes (pBR-6973). Infectivity of RNA from pBR-169 was abolished, but viral forms BR-173 and BR-6973 were obtained from pBR-173 and pBR-6973, respectively. Further, BR-173 exhibited higher propagation than BR-XJ160 in cell culture and higher neurovirulence in a suckling mouse model. BR-6973 possessed an intermediate phenotype. BR-173 and BR-6973 showed increased sensitivity to 3-deazaadenosine (3-DZA), which inhibits S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. Thus, mutagenesis at residue 169 in the nsP1 region of XJ-160 is lethal, but mutation at residue 173 from Thr to Ile enhances viral infectivity and neurovirulence and suppresses the lethal effect of the mutation at residue 169. These mutations might be associated with the RNA methyltransferase (MTase) activity of nsP1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]