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The coexistence of various organic pollutants in soil always draws extensive attention because of their difficulties and complexity for remediation. Especially, the impacts of bioremediation on soil co-contaminated with benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene (TCE) have seldom been comprehensively evaluated yet. In this study, the contributions of biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and their combination for the bioremediation of the co-contaminated soil containing benzene, toluene, and TCE were systematically investigated. The addition of nutrients ((NH4)2SO4 (as N source), K2HPO4 (as P source), vegetable oil and CH3COONa (as C sources)) enhanced the degradation efficiency of the co-contaminated soil by 10.19% to 49.62%. The optimal biostimulation condition involved using vegetable oil as the carbon source with a C: N: P ratio of 100: 10: 1. Meanwhile, the addition of the microbial cultures screened and domesticated from the co-contaminated soil, named B-T, effectively enhanced the removal rate of contaminants by 33.02% to 37.55%. The genera comprising Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Chryseobacterium in B-T exhibited the highest relative abundance, suggesting their potential for the removal of benzene, toluene, and TCE. Besides, the coupling of biostimulation and bioaugmentation enhanced the degradation efficiency by 62.38% to 68.84%, showing the most effective biodegradation effects. The coupled strategy showed synergistic effects of both, increasing the quantity and activity of microorganisms and accelerating the biodegradation of target contaminants. The findings indicated that the coupling of bioaugmentation and biostimulation treatment strategy holds promise for the bioremediation of benzene, toluene, and TCE from co-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (pre-PMF) are Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. These conditions share overlapping clinical presentations; however, their prognoses differ significantly. Current morphological diagnostic methods lack reliability in subtype differentiation, underlining the need for improved diagnostics. The aim of this study was to investigate the multi-omics alterations in bone marrow biopsies of patients with ET and pre-PMF to improve our understanding of the nuanced diagnostic characteristics of both diseases. We performed proteomic analysis with 4D direct data-independent acquisition and microbiome analysis with 2bRAD-M sequencing technology to identify differential protein and microbe levels between untreated patients with ET and pre-PMF. Laboratory and multi-omics differences were observed between ET and pre-PMF, encompassing diverse pathways, such as lipid metabolism and immune response. The pre-PMF group showed an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and decreased high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels. Protein analysis revealed significantly higher CXCR2, CXCR4, and MX1 levels in pre-PMF, while APOC3, APOA4, FABP4, C5, and CFB levels were elevated in ET, with diagnostic accuracy indicated by AUC values ranging from 0.786 to 0.881. Microbiome assessment identified increased levels of Mycobacterium, Xanthobacter, and L1I39 in pre-PMF, whereas Sphingomonas, Brevibacillus, and Pseudomonas_E were significantly decreased, with AUCs for these genera ranging from 0.833 to 0.929. Our study provides preliminary insights into the proteomic and microbiome variations in the bone marrow of patients with ET and pre-PMF, identifying specific proteins and bacterial genera that warrant further investigation as potential diagnostic indicators. These observations contribute to our evolving understanding of the multi-omics variations and possible mechanisms underlying ET and pre-PMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber-structured dual-type carbon-confined CoTe2 nanodots (CoTe2@NC@NSPCNFs) were synthesized via facile templates and an electrospinning approach. Hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber structure effectively suppresses the volume change of CoTe2 and the shuttle of potassium polytelluride (K-pTex) through robust physical restraint and strong chemisorption. CoTe2@NC@NSPCNFs hybrid achieves ultralong lifespan potassium-storage performance over 3500 cycles, and the deep mechanisms underlying the evolution, dissolution, and shuttle of K-pTex have been clearly revealed. Metal tellurides (MTes) are highly attractive as promising anodes for high-performance potassium-ion batteries. The capacity attenuation of most reported MTe anodes is attributed to their poor electrical conductivity and large volume variation. The evolution mechanisms, dissolution properties, and corresponding manipulation strategies of intermediates (K-polytellurides, K-pTex) are rarely mentioned. Herein, we propose a novel structural engineering strategy to confine ultrafine CoTe2 nanodots in hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber carbon substrates (CoTe2@NC@NSPCNFs) for smooth immobilization of K-pTex and highly reversible conversion of CoTe2 by manipulating the intense electrochemical reaction process. Various in situ/ex situ techniques and density functional theory calculations have been performed to clarify the formation, transformation, and dissolution of K-pTex (K5Te3 and K2Te), as well as verifying the robust physical barrier and the strong chemisorption of K5Te3 and K2Te on S, N co-doped dual-type carbon substrates. Additionally, the hierarchical nanogrid-in-nanofiber nanostructure increases the chemical anchoring sites for K-pTex, provides sufficient volume buffer space, and constructs highly interconnected conductive microcircuits, further propelling the battery reaction to new heights (3500 cycles at 2.0 A g−1). Furthermore, the full cells further demonstrate the potential for practical applications. This work provides new insights into manipulating K-pTex in the design of ultralong-cycling MTe anodes for advanced PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have developed multispecific antibodies to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. These antibodies were designed by combining antibodies that target conserved epitopes on the virus's spike proteins. The researchers utilized a natural antibody format found in individuals exposed to malaria to create bispecific and trispecific antibodies. These multispecific antibodies showed increased potency against SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro and in vivo, offering potential for further development in the fight against COVID-19. The study also explored the potential of these antibodies against other sarbecoviruses and highlighted the importance of antibody engineering in developing effective antibody therapies. [Extracted from the article]

Potassium ion-based dual-graphite batteries (KDGBs) emerge as promising devices for large-scale applications due to their high voltage, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, conventional KPF6/carbonate-based electrolytes suffer from severe oxidation decomposition, low concentration, and flammability, which limit the capacity and cyclability of KDGBs. Herein, a nonflammable potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide/triethyl phosphate (KFSI/TEP) electrolyte was designed for KDGBs. When the salt-to-solvent molar ratio increases to 1:1.3, graphite cathode operated at the cut-off potential of 5.2 V exhibits much enhanced capacity, excellent rate capability (26.4 mAh·g−1 at 1.0 A·g−1), and superior cyclability with 98% capacity retention after 350 cycles. Inorganic compounds-rich electrode/electrolyte interphase layers derived from the preferential decomposition of FSI− anions ensure good compatibility of the 1:1.3 KFSI/TEP electrolyte with K metal and graphite anodes. Based on this electrolyte, asassembled KDGBs show high operation voltage of 4.3 V and good cycling performance. This work provides feasibility for developing long-life and safe-operation DGBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an improved Ski Climate Index (SCI) designed to assess skiing suitability in China by applying fuzzy logic. Using daily meteorological data from 733 weather stations for the periods 1961–1990 and 1991–2020, the study identifies significant changes in SCI distribution over time. Additionally, a coupled analysis is performed, integrating the SCI results with the distribution and spatial vitality of 389 ski resorts in China. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between actual ski resources and the ongoing evolution of the skiing industry in China and three significant results:1) The snow module has a major impact on SCI distribution, while other non-snow natural elements, such as sunshine duration, wind speed, and thermal comfort, influence the overall SCI assessment less; 2) High SCI values are concentrated in Northwestern and Northeastern China, with increased ski climate resources being observed in Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia, Southwest Tibet, and Sichuan due to climate change and noticeable declines in the Southern regions of Northeast China.; 3) In terms of the distribution and vitality of ski resorts, the SCI also partially reflects the development of ski resorts. This skiing suitability model uses climate resources to offer valuable insights for key decision-making in resort development and operation, thereby supporting advancement of the ice-snow economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CircRNAs are a group of endogenous small noncoding RNAs that are involved in multiple diseases including cancers. At present, the functions of circRNAs in breast cancer need to be further explored. In this study, 3 pairs of breast cancer and paracancer tissues with axillary lymph node metastasis were collected for circRNA high-throughput sequencing. We have identified 17,966 distinct circRNA candidates. Significant differential expressions were found in 136 circRNAs in breast cancer tissues relative to the matched paracancer tissues. We aslo identified differentially expressed 156 miRNAs and 1105 mRNAs in breast cancer tissues and normal breast tissues from public databases. Then we constructed a regulatory ceRNA network. 12 mRNAs were associated with prognosis of breast cancer. We also constructed a circRNAs-mediated subnetwork which might be related to prognosis of breast cancer. This article provides a better understanding of circRNAs-mediated ceRNA regulatory network by which circRNAs compete for endogenous RNAs in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection to the brain, the hACE2 transgenic mice as described previously[7] were intranasally infected with a single low dose (1 × 10 SP 2 sp TCID SB 50 sb ) of prototyped SARS-CoV-2 and maintained for up to 30 days post infection (dpi) (Fig. These authors contributed equally: Guanqin Ma, Deng-Feng Zhang, Qing-Cui Zou, Xiaochun Xie Dear Editor, SARS-CoV-2-induced multi-lineage neural cell dysregulation has been documented[1]. Initially, we conducted co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) in HEK293T cells and found that SARS-CoV-2 Spike S2 subunit (S-S2), but not S-S1 protein, interacted individually with PEN-2 (Fig. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein S2 subunit modulates -secretase and enhances amyloid- production in COVID-19 neuropathy. [Extracted from the article]

Chronic stress impairs radial neural stem cell (rNSC) differentiation and adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), whereas promoting AHN can increase stress resilience against depression. Therefore, investigating the mechanism of neural differentiation and AHN is of great importance for developing antidepressant drugs. The nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective against depression. However, whether CBD can modulate rNSC differentiation and hippocampal neurogenesis is unknown. Here, by using the chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model, we showed that hippocampal rNSCs mostly differentiated into astrocytes under stress conditions. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed that the FoxO signaling pathway was involved in the regulation of this process. The administration of CBD rescued depressive-like symptoms in CRS mice and prevented rNSCs overactivation and differentiation into astrocyte, which was partly mediated by the modulation of the FoxO signaling pathway. These results revealed a previously unknown neural mechanism for neural differentiation and AHN in depression and provided mechanistic insights into the antidepressive effects of CBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A boundary integral equation in general form will be considered, which can be used to solve Dirichlet problems for the Helmholtz equation. The goal of this paper is to develop a fast Fourier-Galerkin method solving these boundary integral equations. To this aim, a scheme for splitting integral operators is presented, which splits the corresponding integral operator into a convolution operator and a compact operator. A truncation strategy is presented, which can compress the dense coefficient matrix to a sparse one having only O (n) nonzero entries, where n is the order of the Fourier basis functions used in the method. The proposed fast method preserves the stability and optimal convergence order. Moreover, exponential convergence can be obtained under suitable assumptions. Numerical examples are presented to confirm the theoretical results for the approximation accuracy and computational complexity of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinesis) is a rising experimental animal and has been used for studying a variety of human diseases, such as metabolic and viral infectious diseases. Methods: In this study, we established an immortalized tree shrew hepatic cell line, ITH6.1, by introducing the simian virus 40 large T antigen gene into primary tree shrew hepatocytes (PTHs). Results: The ITH6.1 cell line had a stable cell morphology and proliferation activity. This cell line could be infected by enterovirus 71 (EV71), but not hepatitis C virus (HCV), although the known HCV entry factors, including CD81, SR-BI, CLDN1 and OCLN, were all expressed in the PTHs and ITH6.1 of different passages. Comparison of the transcriptomic features of the PTHs and different passages of the ITH6.1 cells revealed the dynamic gene expression profiles during the transformation. We found that the DNA replication- and cell cycle-related genes were upregulated, whereas the metabolic pathway-related genes were downregulated in early passages of immortalized hepatocytes compared to the PTHs. Furthermore, expression of hepatocytes function-related genes were repressed in ITH6.1 compared to that of PTHs. Conclusion: We believe these cellular expression alterations might cause the resistance of the ITH6.1 cell to HCV infection. This tree shrew liver cell line may be a good resource for the field. Key points: • A tree shrew hepatic cell line (ITH6.1) was established. • ITH6.1 cells could be infected by EV71, but not HCV. • ITH6.1 had an altered expression profiling compared to the primary hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese tree shrew holds a great potential as a viable animal model in biomedical research, especially for infectious diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. A thorough understanding of the innate immunity, which represents the first line that defends the host against viral infection, of the Chinese tree shrew, is needed. However, the progress is hindered by the lack of a proper cell line for research usage. In this study, we established a cell line that is applicable to the study of tree shrew innate immune responses against viral infections. The Chinese tree shrew primary renal cells (TSPRCs) were immortalized by simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40LT) transduction, and the immortalized cells were termed TSR6 (tree shrew renal cell #6). TSR6 showed a similar morphology to TSPRCs and expressed the epithelial cell-specific marker cytokeratin 18 (KRT18). In addition, TSR6 could be transfected by transfection reagent and was suitable for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. Infection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in TSR6 induced the mRNA expression of tree shrew interferon-β (tIFNB1) and myxovirus resistance protein 1 (tMx1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Collectively, we successfully established a tree shrew renal cell line and demonstrated that this cell line was suitable for the study of the innate immune response to viral infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal resources are practical and competitive clean-energy alternatives to fossil fuels, and study on the recharge sources of geothermal water supports its sustainable exploitation. In order to provide evidence on the recharge source of water and circulation dynamics of the Tangshan Geothermal System (TGS) near Nanjing (China), a comprehensive investigation was carried out using multiple chemical and isotopic tracers (δ2H, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, 14C and 3H). The results confirm that a local (rather than regional) recharge source feeds the system from the exposed Cambrian and Ordovician carbonate rocks area on the upper part of Tangshan Mountain. The reservoir temperature up to 87 °C, obtained using empirical as well as theoretical chemical geothermometers, requires a groundwater circulation depth of around 2.5 km. The temperature of the geothermal water is lowered during upwelling as a consequence of mixing with shallow cold water up to a 63% dilution. The corrected 14C age shows that the geothermal water travels at a very slow pace (millennial scale) and has a low circulation rate, allowing sufficient time for the water to become heated in the system. This study has provided key information on the genesis of TGS and the results are instructive to the effective management of the geothermal resources. Further confirmation and even prediction associated with the sustainability of the system could be achieved through continuous monitoring and modeling of the responses of the karstic geothermal reservoir to hot-water mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypodysfibrinogenemia is the least frequently reported congenital fibrinogen disorder, characterized by both quantity and quality defects of fibrinogen. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of hypodysfibrinogenemia in a Chinese family. Functional fibrinogen was measured by Clauss method, and the antigenic fibrinogen was measured by immunoturbidimetry assay. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB and FGG) were analysed by direct DNA sequencing. To further evaluate its molecular and functional characterizations, fibrinogen was purified from the plasma of propositus, then SDS-PAGE, fibrin polymerization, clot lysis, and electron microscopy scanning were all performed. The propositus showed a slight decrease of immunologic fibrinogen (1.52 g/L) but dramatically reduced functional fibrinogen (0.3 g/L). DNA sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous CCTTTGATG deletion in the exon 8 of FGG, leading to the deletion of Ala289, Phe290, and Asp291 in fibrinogen γ-chain. The polymerization of the fibrinogen from the propositus was markedly impaired, with prolonged lag period and decreased final turbidity. The fibrinogen clottability showed a reduced fraction of participating clot formation. While the clot lysis showed normal. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the fibers of the propositus were thicker than normal, with larger pores and curlier meshworks. We conclude that γAla289_Asp291del is responsible for the hypodysfibrinogenemia in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep quality of medical students has generated conflicting results in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep quality of medical students in China by meta-analysis. Electronic databases were searched for studies concerning the sleep quality of medical students using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) published before March 6, 2017. Pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated with fixed or random effect models depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and publication bias were also performed. Eleven studies (7154 medical students and 9073 non-medical students) were included in this meta-analysis. The sleep quality of medical students was significantly higher in scores of subjective sleep quality (WMD, 0.137; 95% CI 0.049-0.224; P = 0.002), sleep duration (WMD, 0.147; 95% CI 0.069-0.225; P < 0.001), daytime dysfunction (WMD, 0.194; 95% CI 0.077-0.311; P = 0.001) and the total scores (WMD, 0.524; 95% CI 0.152-0.896; P = 0.006). On the contrary, there was no significant difference in sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance and use of sleeping medications. This meta-analysis indicates that the sleep quality of medical students is worse than non-medical students in China. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Common indicators are needed to monitor biodiversity loss and the implications for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES). A plethora of different sets of indicators may hinder the identification of major endpoints for large-scale assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES). Objectives: We aim to describe the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and provide suggestions for establishing a comprehensive indicator system. Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted in this study. We review the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and propose corresponding improvements from our perspectives of theory and practical applications. Results: The main theoretical challenges of existing indicators include inconsistent definitions and classifications of ES, misunderstanding of linkages among biodiversity, ecosystem structure, functions and services, and practical problems relate to such issues as indicator representativeness, data availability, and uncertainty. Our suggested improvements include clarifying the main terms, concepts and classification of indicators, establishing a robust conceptual framework with clear interactions among different components and indicators, selecting indicators based on ecosystem properties, streaming existing data into one platform, and strengthening validation of proxies. The steps for constructing a comprehensive indicator system for BES assessment are summarized. Conclusions: Clear definitions of key terms are indispensable to classify indicators and construct a conceptual framework. Improved understanding of the relations among indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ES across multiple scales can guide the development of the indicator system. The integrated indicator system is an important tool for BES assessment to support decision making for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family members are known to process the target membrane-bound molecules through the quick induction of their protease activities under interaction with other molecules, which have diverse roles in tissue morphogenesis and pathophysiological remodeling. Among these, ADAM17 is a membrane-bound protease that sheds the extracellular domain of various receptors or its ligands from the cell membrane and subsequently activates downstream signaling transduction pathways. Importantly, breast cancer remains a mainspring of cancer-induced death in women, and numerous regulatory pathways have been implicated in the formation of breast cancer. Substantial evidence has demonstrated that an obvious increased in ADAM17 cell surface expression has been discovered in breast cancer and was shown to be associated with mammary tumorigenesis, invasiveness, and drug resistance. Over the last decades, it has received more than its share of attention that ADAM17 plays a potential role in breast cancer, including cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and trastuzumab resistance. In our review, we discuss the mechanisms through which ADAM17 acts on breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression. Thus, this will provide further impetus for exploiting ADAM17 as a new target for breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teeth bleaching cases had increased with people's desire for oral aesthetic; however, bleached teeth would still undertake chewing actions and remineralizing process in saliva. Nanotribological and nanomechanical properties are proper displays for dental performance of bleached teeth. The purpose of the research was to reveal the effect of bleaching and remineralization on the nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of teeth in wet environment. The specimens were divided into four groups according to the bleaching products used: 12 % hydrogen peroxide (HP) (12HP group); 15 % carbamide peroxide (CP) (15CP group); 35 % CP (35CP group); and artificial saliva (control group). The nanotribological and nanomechanical property changes of tooth enamel after bleaching and remineralization were evaluated respectively by nanoscratch and nanoindentation tests in wet environment, imitating the wet oral environment. The morphology changes were evaluated by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After bleaching, 12HP group and 15CP group showed increased scratch depth with more pile ups on the scratch edges, decreased nanohardness, and corroded surface appearance. While the 35CP group showed an increase in nanoscratch depth, no change in nanohardness and surface appearance was observed. The control group showed no change in these measurements. After remineralization, the three bleaching groups showed decreased nanoscratch depth and no change of nanohardness compared with the bleached teeth. And the control group showed no changes in nanotribological and nanomechanical properties. The nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of the 12HP group and 15CP group were affected by bleaching, but the nanotribological properties recovered partly and the nanomechanical properties got no change after 1 week of remineralization. As for the 35CP group, the nanotribological properties were influenced and the nanomechanical properties were not affected. These results remind us of taking actions to protect our teeth during bleaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat), the second generation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). It has also shown its anticancer activity over a large range of other hematological and solid malignancies, but few studies have been reported in B cell lymphoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antitumor activity of SAHA on murine B cell lymphoma cell line A20 cells. We treated A20 cells with different concentrations of SAHA. The effect of SAHA on the proliferation of A20 cells was studied by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium (MTT) assay in vitro; the anti-proliferation activity in vivo was evaluated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of xenograft tumor tissues through immunocytochemical staining. Apoptosis were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double-labeled cytometry in vitro. The effect of SAHA on cell cycle of A20 cells was studied by a propidium iodide method. Autophagic cell death induced by SAHA was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Angiogenesis marker (CD31) was measured by immunocytochemical staining to investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of SAHA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of signaling pathway factors (phospho-AKT, phospho-ERK, AKT, ERK, Nur77, HIF-1α, and VEGF). Our results showed that SAHA inhibited the proliferation of A20 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, induced cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest of cell cycle, promoted autophagic cell death, and suppressed tumor progress in NCI-A20 cells nude mice xenograft model in vivo. SAHA decreased the activation of AKT (phospho-AKT: p-AKT) and ERK1/2 (phospho-ERK: p-ERK) proteins and inhibited the expression of pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF and HIF-1α), downregulated its downstream signaling factor (Nur77), which might be contributed to the antitumor mechanisms of SAHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to explore the cross talk between fatty acid synthase (FASN) and HER2 (ErbB2) in ovarian cancer. A total of 60 ovarian cancer patients and 15 normal ovarian tissues were enrolled. Tissue array was conducted by using a tissue microarray instrument. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify the expressions of HER2 and FASN. The FASN was detected to be distributed in the cell cytoplasm and was significantly correlated with cancer grade ( p = 0.000) and FIGO staging ( p = 0.000). Patients with FASN overexpression in ovarian cancer tend to have a worse overall survival rate ( p = 0.000). HER2 was also stained to be distributed in the cell cytoplasm associated with higher expression in high-grade cancer. It was also disclosed that FASN expression level is not correlated with HER2 status in ovarian cancer. These results for the first time indicated that a cross talk in FASN and HER2 expressions might be associated with prognosis in malignant ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glypican-3 (GPC-3), a membrane-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan, plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and metastasis, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, and perhaps is a valuable target for its gene therapy. However, its mechanism remains to be explored. In the present study, the biological behaviors of HCC cells were investigated by interfering GPC-3 gene transcription. After the cells were transfected with specific GPC-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), the inhibition of GPC-3 expression was 75.6 % in MHCC-97H or 73.8 % in Huh7 cells at mRNA level; the rates of proliferation and apoptosis were 53.6 and 60.5 % in MHCC-97H or 54.9 and 54.4 % in Huh7 cells, with the cell cycles arrested in the G phase; the incidences of cell migration, metastasis, and invasion inhibition were 80.1, 56.4, and 69.1 % in MHCC-97H or 80.9, 59.6, and 58.3 % in Huh7 cells, respectively. The cell biological behaviors were altered by silencing GPC-3 with down-regulation of β-catenin, insulin-like growth factor-II and vascular endothelial growth factor, and Gli1 up-regulation. The cell proliferation was significantly inhibited (up to 95.11 %) by shRNA plus anti-cancer drugs, suggesting that GPC-3 gene should be a potential target for promoting hepatoma cell apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin and Hh singling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly chemoresistant cancer with no effective systemic therapy. Despite of surgical or locoregional therapies, prognosis remains poor because of high tumor recurrence or progression, and currently, there are no well-established effective adjuvant therapies. Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is specifically overexpressed in hepatoma and perhaps is a valuable molecular target for HCC therapy. In this present study, the effect of silencing GPC-3 gene transcription on human HepG2 cell proliferation was investigated by constructing GPC-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid. After HepG2 cells were transfected with the most efficient shRNA, GPC-3 mRNA expression (90.4 %) was inhibited significantly and estimated by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and the result was accordance with downregulation at the protein level. The percentage of the cell proliferation was down to 28.9 % in the shRNA group and 19.9 % in the shRNA plus sorafenib group. The cell cycles were arrested in the G phase (65.6 %) and the apoptosis rate was increasing (66.75 %) in the shRNA1 group with significant alteration compared with that in the negative-shRNA group. Specific shRNA might intervene effectively GPC-3 activation and inhibit tumor cell proliferation, suggesting that GPC-3 gene should be a potential molecular target for HCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tree's crown interacts with atmospheric variables such as CO, temperature, and humidity. Physioecology of leaves/needles (e.g. δC, mobile carbohydrates, and nitrogen) is, therefore, strongly affected by microclimate in and surrounding a tree crown. To understand the physiological responses of leaves to changes in air temperature and moisture, we measured δC, soluble sugars, starch, and total nitrogen (N) concentrations in current year and 1-yr-old needles of Pinus koraiensis trees, and compared the growing season air temperature and relative humidity within and outside P. koraiensis crowns along an elevational gradient from 760 to 1,420 m a.s.l. on Changbai Mountain, NE China. Our results indicated that needle N and mobile carbohydrates concentrations, as well as needle δC values changed continuously with increasing elevation, corresponding to a continuous decrease in air temperature and an increase in relative humidity. Needle carbon and nitrogen status is highly significantly negatively correlated with temperature, but positively correlated with relative humidity. These results indicate that increases in air temperature in combination with decreases in relative humidity may result in lower levels of N and mobile carbohydrates in P. koraiensis trees, suggesting that future climate changes such as global warming and changes in precipitation patterns will directly influence the N and carbon physiology at P. koraiensis individual level, and indirectly affect the competitive ability, species composition, productivity and functioning at the stand and ecosystem level in NE China. Due to the relatively limited range of the transect (760-1,420 m) studied, further research is needed to explain whether the present results are applicable to scales across large elevational gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is a member of the genus Fijivirus of the family Reoviridae that causes a devastating disease in rice. Seven polypeptide fragments of the Putative uncharacterized protein (Pup) and the P10 proteins of SRBSDV were designed, synthesized, and used to immunize rabbits. Titers of polyclonal antibodies against the seven peptides were examined using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their specificities were investigated using western blotting. Indirect dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA) was also carried out at different dilutions against an antigen (rice extract). Antibody-1, which had the highest selectivity and titer, was then used to examine rice samples suspected of being infected with SRBSDV that were collected for over two years in different areas of China, using DIBA. Our results indicate that antibody-1 has the advantages of reliability, high sensitivity, and high specificity. Use of this antibody can help facilitate identification of the virus and its distribution in rice-growing areas where it causes significant problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is associated with the hepatocyte malignant transformation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progress. In this study, specific IGF-II miRNA plasmids were constructed and transfected to HepG2 cells to knockdown IGF-II expression for observing effects on the cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and anchorage-independent colony formation. IGF-II mRNA was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the level of IGF-II or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. Our data shown that downregulation of IGF-II expression resulted in the viability alteration, proliferation inhibition, and apoptosis occurrence of HepG2 cells. The level of VEGF expression in the supernatant of HepG2 cells in the IGF-II-miRNA-transfected group was significantly decreasing ( P < 0.01) than those in the untransfected group or the miRNA-neg-transfected group, with the susceptibility to anoikis and decreasing of anchorage-independent colony formation of HepG2 cells. Thus, we conclude that IGF-II is a potential molecular target for HCC gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the expression features of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and effects of HIF-1α silencing on HepG2 cells. Methods: HIF-1α expression was analyzed in the self-control HCC specimens by immunohistochemistry. After HepG2 cells with miRNA transfection, the expression of HIF-1α was determined at mRNA or protein level by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Western blotting. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) were determined by ELISA. Alterations of cell cycles and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were measured using a flow cytometer. Results: Positive HIF-1α was brown and granule-like in the cytoplasm or nucleus. Significant difference was found between HCC (80%) and its surrounding tissues (100%, χ = 22.35, P < 0.001) and HIF-1α expression related to tumor size. At 72 h after miRNA transfection, the expression of HIF-1α in HepG2 cells was down-regulated by 87% at mRNA or 65% at protein level, with VEGF and ANG-2 decreased to 54% and 36%, respectively. After RNA interference combined with anti-cancer drug, the apoptotic rate of HepG2 cells was increasing from 22.46% ± 0.61% to 36.99% ± 0.88%, with up-regulation of G1 phase (65.68% ± 0.91%) and down-regulation of S phase (19.47 ± 1.34 %). Conclusion: Abnormal expression of HIF-1α is associated with development of HCC, and HIF-1α gene silencing can effectively inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary mutation m.3460G>A occurs with a very low frequency (∼1%) in Chinese patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Up to now, there is no comprehensive study of Chinese patients harboring this mutation. We characterized six unrelated probands with m.3460G>A in this study, which were identified from 1,626 patients with LHON or suspected with LHON. The overall penetrance of LHON (25.6% [10/39]) in four pedigrees with m.3460G>A was substantially lower than those families with m.11778G>A (33.3% [619/1859]) as reported in our previous study. Intriguingly, family Le688 with a heteroplasmic m.3460G>A presented a lower penetrance (12.5%) than the other three families with a homoplasmic mutation. There is an elevated gender bias (affected male to affected female = 4:1) in the four families with m.3460G>A compared to those LHON families with m.11778G>A (2.4:1). Complete mtDNA sequencing indicated that the six matrilines belonged to haplogroups B4d1, F2, A5b, M12a, D4b2b, and D4b2, respectively. We did not identify any potential secondary mutation(s) that will affect or be associated with the penetrance of LHON in the six probands by using an evolutionary analysis and protein secondary-structure prediction. Taken together, our results suggested that the m.3460G>A mutation occurred multiple times in Chinese LHON patients. The heteroplasmic status of mutation m.3460G>A might influence the penetrance of LHON in family Le688. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]