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Peripheral nerve injury–induced mechanical allodynia is often accompanied by abnormalities in the higher cortical regions, yet the mechanisms underlying such maladaptive cortical plasticity remain unclear. Here, we show that in male mice, structural and functional changes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) caused by peripheral nerve injury require neuron-microglial signaling within the local circuit. Following peripheral nerve injury, microglia in the S1 maintain ramified morphology and normal density but up-regulate the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Using in vivo two-photon imaging and Cx3cr1CreER;Bdnfflox mice, we show that conditional knockout of BDNF from microglia prevents nerve injury–induced synaptic remodeling and pyramidal neuron hyperactivity in the S1, as well as pain hypersensitivity in mice. Importantly, S1-targeted removal of microglial BDNF largely recapitulates the beneficial effects of systemic BDNF depletion on cortical plasticity and allodynia. Together, these findings reveal a pivotal role of cerebral microglial BDNF in somatosensory cortical plasticity and pain hypersensitivity. This study reveals that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from cerebral microglia contributes to nerve injury-induced synaptic remodeling and neuronal hyperactivity, and ultimately contributes to pain sensitivity in mice; removal of microglial BDNF has beneficial effects on cortical plasticity and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Randomness and uncertainty always coexist in complex systems such as decision-making and risk evaluation systems in the real world. Intuitionistic fuzzy random variables, as a natural extension of fuzzy and random variables, may be a useful tool to characterize some high-uncertainty phenomena. This paper presents a scalar expected value operator of intuitionistic fuzzy random variables and then discusses some properties concerning the measurability of intuitionistic fuzzy random variables. In addition, a risk model based on intuitionistic fuzzy random individual claim amount in insurance companies is established, in which the claim number process is regarded as a Poisson process. The mean chance of the ultimate ruin is investigated in detail. In particular, the expressions of the mean chance of the ultimate ruin are presented in the cases of zero initial surplus and arbitrary initial surplus, respectively, if individual claim amount is an exponentially distributed intuitionistic fuzzy random variable. Finally, two illustrated examples are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Naoxintong capsule (NXT) has been approved by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), which is used for cardiocerebrovascular disease treatment. Here we found that NXT extract significantly promoted H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell autophagy involved in increased autophagy-associated gene expression leading to inhibition of mTOR signaling. Moreover, NXT extract increased PPARγ protein expression and transcription activity of H9c2 cell. Consistent with this, in PPARγ gene silenced H9c2 cells, NXT had no effect on autophagy and mTOR signaling. Furthermore, NXT/PPARγ-mediated H9c2 autophagy led to inhibition of cardiomyocyte cell hypertrophy. These findings suggest that the extract of NXT inhibited H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell hypertrophy via PPARγ-mediated cell autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naoxintong (NXT) is an empirical formula based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been approved by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and is widely used for treatment of patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases in China. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of NXT on H9c2 cells (cardiogenic cell line) in response to H2O2. MTT, Western blot, and flow cytometry (FCM) methods were used to identify the protective effect of NXT extract on H2O2-induced H9c2 cells. Here we found that NXT extract significantly increased H9c2 cell viability and reduced H2O2-induced cell apoptosis and autophagy. More importantly, NXT inhibited H2O2-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis and autophagy by increasing PPARα protein levels. In contrast, silenced PPARα terminated NXT protective effect on H2O2-induced H9c2 cells. These findings suggest that NXT/PPARα signaling suppressed H2O2-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis and autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the effects of genetic polymorphisms (CYP1B1*2 G355T, CYP1B1*3 C4326G, and CYP2E1*5 G-1293C) and environmental factors (smoking and drinking) on susceptibility to laryngeal cancer in a Han Chinese study group. Methods: This case-control study included 552 Han Chinese patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and 666 healthy control subjects of the same ethnicity, similar age, and gender. Genetic polymorphisms were examined using multi-PCR and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF MS) methodology. The association of these genetic and environmental factors with susceptibility to laryngeal cancer was evaluated using a statistical approach. Results: The frequencies of all three polymorphisms in the patient cohort were significantly different from those in the control cohort. Compared to the control cohort, carriers of variant alleles of CYP1B1*2 355T and CYP2E1*5 -1293C showed a higher risk for developing laryngeal cancer (for CYP1B1*2 355T, adjusted OR = 2.657, P <0.001; for CYP2E1*5 -1293C, adjusted OR = 1.938, P <0.001), while carriers of mutation allele CYP1B1*3 4326G showed a lower risk (adjusted OR = 0.562, P <0.001). Joint effects of these polymorphisms were observed. When compared to haplotype G355C4326G−1293, haplotypes T355C4326G−1293 (adjusted OR = 1.809, P <0.001), G355C4326C−1293 (adjusted OR = 1.644, P = 0.044), and T355C4326C−1293 (adjusted OR = 3.104, P <0.001) were associated with a significantly higher laryngeal cancer risk. The adjusted ORs for non-smokers, non-drinkers, smokers, and drinkers with the GT/TT genotype at CYP1B1*2 G355T were 2.190 (P = 0.006), 2.008 (P = 0.001), 5.875 (P <0.001), and 4.518 (P <0.001), respectively. Conclusions: CYP1B1*2 355T and CYP2E1*5 -1293C are associated with an increased laryngeal cancer risk, while CYP1B1*3 4326G is associated with a decreased risk. These polymorphisms showed joint effects on laryngeal cancer risk. Smoking and drinking showed collaborative effects with two high risk alleles (CYP1B1*2 355T and CYP1B1*3 4326G) for promoting laryngeal cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Exosomes are nanosized vesicles secreted by living cells and exist in biological fluids. Exosomes contain various bioactive molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which can reflect the pathophysiological state of donor cells. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in exosomes have attracted wide attention in cancer research. Exosomal lncRNAs play important roles in gastrointestinal cancer progression. Blood samples-derived exosomal lncRNAs also exhibit great potential to serve as important indicators of liquid biopsy, thus providing a novel diagnosis strategy for gastrointestinal cancer. In addition, exosomes-mediated several lncRNAs delivery can exert anti-tumor effects. The aim of this review article is to summarize the recent work conducted in this field and evaluate the opportunities and challenges in utilizing exosomal lncRNAs for the diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of gastrointestinal cancer in the clinical setting. Due to the lack of specific and effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets, the early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer remain unsatisfactory. As a type of nanosized vesicles derived from living cells, exosomes mediate cell-to-cell communication by transporting bioactive molecules, thus participating in the regulation of many pathophysiological processes. Recent evidence has revealed that several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are enriched in exosomes. Exosomes-mediated lncRNAs delivery is critically involved in various aspects of gastrointestinal cancer progression, such as tumor proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, stemness, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance. Exosomal lncRNAs represent promising candidates to act as the diagnosis biomarkers and anti-tumor targets. This review introduces the major characteristics of exosomes and lncRNAs and describes the biological functions of exosomal lncRNAs in gastrointestinal cancer development. The preclinical studies on using exosomal lncRNAs to monitor and treat gastrointestinal cancer are also discussed, and the opportunities and challenges for translating them into clinical practice are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a chronic kidney disease, is characterized by progressive fibrosis caused due to persistent hyperglycemia. The development of fibrosis in DKD determines the patient prognosis, but no particularly effective treatment. Here, small extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-sEV) have been used to treat DKD fibrosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze 27,424 cells of the kidney, we have found that a novel fibrosis-associated TGF-β1+Arg1+ macrophage subpopulation, which expanded and polarized in DKD and was noted to be profibrogenic. Additionally, Actin+Col4a5+ mesangial cells in DKD differentiated into myofibroblasts. Multilineage ligand-receptor and cell-communication analysis showed that fibrosis-associated macrophages activated the TGF-β1/Smad2/3/YAP signal axis, which promotes mesangial fibrosis-like change and accelerates renal fibrosis niche. Subsequently, the transcriptome sequencing and LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that MSC-sEV intervention could restore the levels of the kinase ubiquitin system in DKD and attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis via delivering CK1δ/β-TRCP to mediate YAP ubiquitination degradation in mesangial cells. Our findings demonstrate the unique cellular and molecular mechanisms of MSC-sEV in treating the DKD fibrosis niche at a single-cell level and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for renal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China experienced an overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic from middle December 2022 to middle January 2023 after lifting the zero-COVID-19 policy on December 7, 2022. However, the infection rate was less studied. We aimed to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in children shortly after discontinuation of the zero-COVID-19 policy. Methods: From February 20 to April 10, 2023, we included 393 children aged 8 months to less than 3 years who did not receive COVID-19 vaccination and 114 children aged 3 to 6 years who received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines based on the convenience sampling in this cross-sectional study. IgG and IgM antibodies against nucleocapsid (N) and subunit 1 of spike (S1) of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-N/S1) were measured with commercial kits (Shenzhen YHLO Biotech, China). Results: Of the 393 unvaccinated children (1.5 ± 0.6 years; 52.2% boys), 369 (93.9%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. Of the 114 vaccinated children (5.3 ± 0.9 years; 48.2% boys), 112 (98.2%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. None of the unvaccinated or vaccinated children was anti-N/S1 IgM positive. The median IgG antibody titers in vaccinated children (344.91 AU/mL) were significantly higher than that in unvaccinated children (42.80 AU/mL) (P < 0.0001). The positive rates and titers of anti-N/S1 IgG had no significant difference between boys and girls respectively. Conclusion: Vast majority of children were infected with SARS-CoV-2 shortly after ending zero-COVID-19 policy in China. Whether these unvaccinated infected children should receive COVID-19 vaccine merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune cells can protect against tumor progression by killing cancer cells, while aberrant expression of the immune checkpoint protein PD‐L1 (programmed death ligand 1) in cancer cells facilitates tumor immune escape and inhibits anti‐tumor immunotherapy. As a serine/threonine kinase, CK2 (casein kinase 2) regulates tumor progression by multiple pathways, while it is still unclear the effect of CK2 on tumor immune escape. Here it is found that ING4 induced PD‐L1 autophagic degradation and inhibites non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) immune escape by increasing T cell activity. However, clinical analysis suggests that high expression of CK2 correlates with low ING4 protein level in NSCLC. Further analysis shows that CK2 induce ING4‐S150 phosphorylation leading to ING4 ubiquitination and degradation by JFK ubiquitin ligase. In contrast, CK2 gene knockout increases ING4 protein stability and T cell activity, subsequently, inhibites NSCLC immune escape. Furthermore, the combined CK2 inhibitor with PD‐1 antibody effectively enhances antitumor immunotherapy. These findings provide a novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets by integrating generalized fuzzy soft sets with hesitant fuzzy sets. Then we investigate several fundamental properties of generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets. In particular, a system of all the generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets with narrow strict union and generalized strict intersection operators turns out to be a lattice. Meanwhile, a system of all the generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets with generalized strict union and narrow strict intersection operators is a lattice. Based on generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets, we provide an effective approach to decision making. Finally, three examples are presented to illuminate the feasibility of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PPARα (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor α) plays a critical role in regulation of inflammation and cancer, while the regulatory mechanism of PPARα on cancer cell autophagy is still unclear. Here we found that PPARα enhanced autophagy in HEK293T, SW480, and Hela cell lines, which was independent of PPARα transcription activity. PPARα induced antiapoptotic Bcl2 protein degradation resulting in release of the Beclin-1/VPS34 complex. Consistently, silenced PPARα reversed this event. PPARα-induced autophagy significantly inhibited tumor growth and enhanced SW480 cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. Moreover, PPARα agonist increased SW480 cancer cell chemotherapy sensitivity. These findings revealed a novel mechanism of PPARα/Bcl2/autophagy pathway suppressed tumor progression and enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity, which is a potential drug target for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug resistance is an important factor affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer. However, clinical markers for diagnosing drug resistance of tumor cells are not only a few in number, but also low in specificity, and the mechanism of action of tumor cell drug resistance remains unclear. Methods: Dipeptidase 1 (DPEP1) expression was analyzed using the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and genotype‐Tissue Expression pan‐cancer data. Survival analysis was performed using the survival package in R software to assess the prognostic value of DPEP1 expression in colon cancer. Correlation and Venn analyses were adopted to identify key genes. Immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT–PCR, Co‐immunoprecipitation, and dual‐luciferase reporter experiments were carried out to explore the underlying associations between DPEP1 and Achaete scute‐like 2 (ASCL2). MTT assays were used to evaluate the role of DPEP1 and ASCL2 in colon cancer drug resistance. Results: DPEP1 was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues. DPEP1 expression correlated negatively with disease‐specific survival but not with overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis and experiments showed that the expressions of DPEP1 and ASCL2 in colon cancer tissues were markedly positively correlated. Mechanistic research indicated that DPEP1 enhanced the stability of protein ASCL2 by inhibiting its ubiquitination‐mediated degradation. In turn, ASCL2 functioned as a transcription factor to activate the transcriptional activity of the DPEP1 gene and boost its expression. Furthermore, DPEP1 also could enhance the expression of colon cancer stem cell markers (LGR5, CD133, and CD44), which strengthened the tolerance of colon cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that the DPEP1 enhances the stemness of tumor cells by forming a positive feedback loop with ASCL2 to improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Two fruit fossil species of Ceratophyllum L. are discovered from South China, namely C. cf. muricatum Chamisso from the upper Eocene of the Maoming Basin, Guangdong, and C. demersum L. from the Miocene of the Guiping Basin, Guangxi. Our findings provide evidence for the distribution of Ceratophyllum in South China in the late Eocene, and its wide expansion in subtropical China during the Miocene. Ceratophyllum L. is a cosmopolitan genus of perennial aquatic herbs that occur in quiet freshwaters. Fossils of this genus have been widely reported from the Northern Hemisphere, most of them occurring in the temperate zone. Here, we describe two species of fossil fruits discovered from subtropical areas of China. The fossil fruit discovered from the upper Eocene Huangniuling Formation of the Maoming Basin is designated as C. cf. muricatum Chamisso, and fruits discovered from the Miocene Erzitang Formation of the Guiping Basin are assigned to the extant species C. demersum L. The discovery of these two fossil species indicates that Ceratophyllum had spread to South China by the late Eocene and their distribution expanded in subtropical China during the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Several cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), are caused by genes related to necroptosis. However, it is still unknown how necroptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be involved in LUAD. In order to predict the prognosis of LUAD patients and personalize immunotherapy, this study set out to construct a necroptosis-related lncRNA prognostic signature (NLPS). Methods. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to download the LUAD transcriptome data and the associated clinical data. lncRNAs associated with necroptosis were screened using coexpression analysis. An NLPS was built using univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database's GSE30219 was used to validate the NLPS. The prognostic value of the risk score was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and nomogram analyses. Then, we looked into the differences between the low- and high-risk groups in the tumor immune microenvironment, immunotherapy response, and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Results. The 14 lncRNAs in a novel NLPS were created. With further validation in the GSE30219 dataset, the risk score according to the NLPS was an independent prognostic indicator for LUAD patients. Patients with better overall survival (OS) in the low-risk group, who were characterized by increased immune cell infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and immunophenoscore (IPS), may have hot tumors and higher immunotherapy response rates. In addition, the risk score was also closely linked to sensitivity to various anticancer medications. Conclusions. We constructed a novel NLPS that could predict OS and sensitivity to immunotherapy in LUAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are rising in both incidence and prevalence and remain a major global health and socioeconomic burden in the twenty-first century. Despite an increasing understanding of these diseases, the lack of effective treatments remains an ongoing challenge. Mitochondria are key players in intracellular energy production, calcium homeostasis, signaling, and apoptosis. Emerging evidence shows that mitochondrial dysfunction participates in the pathogeneses of metabolic diseases. Exogenous supplementation with healthy mitochondria is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach to treating these diseases. This article reviews recent advances in the use of mitochondrial transplantation therapy (MRT) in such treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to regulate a broad range of cellular processes has recently been used to treat diseases. Growing evidence indicates that EVs play a cardioprotective role in heart disease by activating beneficial signaling pathways. Multiple functional components of EVs and intracellular molecular mechanisms are involved in the process. To overcome the shortcomings of native EVs such as their heterogeneity and limited tropism, a series of engineering approaches has been developed to improve the therapeutic efficiency of EVs. In this review, we present an overview of the research and future directions for EVs-based cardiac therapies with an emphasis on EVs-mediated delivery of therapeutic agents. The advantages and limitations of various modification strategies are discussed, and possible opportunities for improvement are proposed. An in-depth understanding of the endogenous properties of EVs and EVs engineering strategies could lead to a promising cell-free therapy for cardiac repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil wood of Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii Franch.) from the Late Pleistocene deposits of Maoming Basin of South China provides the first megafossil evidence for glacial expansion of the range of a cold-tolerant species in low latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise o f the study: The fossil record of alder (Alnus) is well known in the Cenozoic deposits throughout the northern hemisphere, based on numerous reports of the distinctive pollen, cone-like infructescences, staminate inflorescences, and leaves. However, our understanding of the systematic position of these fossils relative to the modern phytogeny of the genus has been limited because most fossils were described from only one organ. * Methods: We examined well-preserved leaves and associated fruiting and staminate catkins from the middle Eocene, Clarno Formation, Oregon, USA by stereomicroscopy. In situ and dispersed pollen were cleaned with HF and acetolized for light and scanning electron microscopy. * Key results: We reconstructed a new extinct species based on multiple organs and discuss significant phytogeographic and phylogenetic implications for Alnus. Alnus clamoensis sp. nov. is described based on serrate leaves with 1-4 small teeth between each primary tooth, associated cone-like fruiting catkins with fruits in situ, and associated slender pollen catkins beating in situ 3- to 6-pored pollen with arci between the pores. Combined investigations of each organ indicate that they probably derive from the same species and can be confidently attributed to subgenus Alnus Furlow based on leaf architecture and pollen pore number frequency. * Conclusions: The Clarno fossils are most similar to the extant North American species of subgenus Alnus rather than to those from Asia and Europe, indicating that this modern subgenus was already distinct by the middle Eocene and that the intercontinental migration likely occurred earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Altingioxylon hainanensis, is described from the Eocene Changchang Formation of the Changchang Basin on Hainan Island, South China. It is the first record of a fossil wood assigned to Altingiaceae found in China, and the most ancient evidence of wood for this family in eastern Asia. The new species is similar to A. rhodoleioides, known since the Miocene in India and Java Island, and to Altingia hisauchii from the Miocene to Pliocene of Japan. The close resemblance between these species and Liquidambar sp., known from the Middle Miocene of western North America, provides additional evidence for the migration of their ancestors from Asia to North America across the Bering land bridge during the Miocene. Distinctions in ray sizes between the eastern Asian specimens and their contemporaries from Europe to Kazakhstan is suggested as a result of the divergence between the large eastern Asian clade and the North American-west Asian clade within Altingiaceae during the Eocene-Oligocene. The presence of crystals in ray cells may be considered an ancestral condition that persists in the eastern Asian lineages up to the extant Altingia and Semiliquidambar, but which was lost in other Altingiaceae in the course of evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer is an important death‐related disease in the worldwide. However, specific colon cancer tumor markers currently used for diagnosis and treatment are few. The purpose of this study is to screen the potential colon cancer markers by bioinformatics and verify the results with experiments. Methods: Gene expression data were downloaded from two different databases: TCGA database and GEO datasets, which were then analyzed by two different methods (difference analysis and WGCNA method). Venn and PPI analysis obtained the potential core genes, which were then performed the GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis. Expressions levels of NKD1 in colon carcinoma tissues were further confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and western blot assays. Moreover, the function was measured by MTT, clone formation, and tumor transplantation experiments. Importantly, co‐immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and protein stability assays were further performed to explore the underlying mechanism of NKD1 promoting cell proliferation. Results: Nine potential core genes highly expressed in colon cancer samples were screened out by bioinformatics analysis. NKD1, one of the hub genes, highly expressed in the colon carcinoma tissues could enhance the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Mechanism research demonstrated that NKD1 was essential for the combination between Wnt signalosome (DVL) and β‐catenin, and that NKD1 knockout remarkably decreased the β‐catenin expression. Immunofluorescence assays further implied that NKD1 knockout significantly inhibited β‐catenin nuclear accumulation. Importantly, the stability of β‐catenin proteins was maintained by NKD1 in the colon cancer cells. Conclusion: We believe that NKD1 well expressed in the colorectal carcinoma tissues can enhance the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, the functions that NKD1 may have in colon cancer cells should be different from that NKD1 has played in the zebrafish. Thus, NKD1 could be a specific colorectal cancer marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is catabolic process by degradation of intracellular components in lysosome including proteins, lipids, and mitochondria in response to nutrient deficiency or stress such as hypoxia or chemotherapy. Increasing evidence suggests that autophagy could induce immune checkpoint proteins (PD-L1, MHC-I/II) degradation of cancer cells, which play an important role in regulating cancer cell immune escape. In addition to autophagic degradation of immune checkpoint proteins, autophagy induction in immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells) manipulates antigen presentation and T cell activity. These reports suggest that autophagy could negatively or positively regulate cancer cell immune escape by immune checkpoint protein and antigens degradation, cytokines release, antigens generation. These controversial phenomenon of autophagy on cancer cell immune evasion may be derived from different experimental context or models. In addition, autophagy maybe exhibit a role in regulating host excessive immune response. So rational combination with autophagy could enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. In this review, the current progress of autophagy on cancer immune escape is discussed. 5FAdWJAD1rQbVSkoftbJ9q Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which evaluated CD4 cell counts over a 3 1/2 year period following the initiation of potent antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected gay men. Description of the study population; Effectiveness of potent ART on the treatment of HIV infection; Increase in the level of CD4; Findings and discussion.

[Display omitted] • Valuable insight into impact of past climate changes on range dynamics of M. insignis. • Additional evidence of glacial expansion for montane species at low latitudes. • Offer protection strategy for low latitudes montane species respond to climate change. The Pleistocene Epoch, marked by significant climatic fluctuations and glaciations, profoundly impacted plant populations. However, our understanding of the influences of last glaciations on tropical-subtropical flora and vegetation remains limited due to insufficient data. Here, we present mummified wood of Magnolia insignis (Wall.) Bl. from the Upper Pleistocene (33–30 ka cal. BP) of Maoming, South China, providing direct evidence of a broader historical range for this species during the period prior to the LGM in the last glaciation. Combining these findings with results from MaxEnt modeling, we demonstrate an expanded range of M. insignis into lower latitudes during last glaciation with subsequent interglacial contraction. This represents the second documented case of such a scenario for a cold-tolerant high-elevation plant species at low latitudes. The results of MaxEnt modeling and a comparison of climatic data across different time periods indicate that the contraction of M. insignis from the Maoming and other low latitude regions of East Asia was driven by the increase in summer temperatures during Holocene. This study not only sheds light on the responses of cold-adapted mountainous species at low latitudes of East Asia to last glaciation, but also justifies the importance of their protection in the view of nowadays and future climate changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While previous research on cancer biology has focused on genes that code for proteins, in recent years it has been discovered that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)play key regulatory roles in cell biological functions. NcRNAs account for more than 95% of human transcripts and are an important entry point for the study of the mechanism of cancer development. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs can act as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes to regulate tumor development at the epigenetic level, transcriptional level, as well as post-transcriptional level. Because of the importance of ncRNAs in cancer, most clinical trials have focused on ncRNAs to explore whether ncRNAs can be used as new biomarkers or therapies. In this review, we focus on recent studies of ncRNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circle RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA in different types of cancer and explore the application of these ncRNAs in the development of cancer and the identification of relevant therapeutic targets and tumor biomarkers. Graphical abstract drawn by Fidraw. [Display omitted] • Many ncRNAs can work as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes to regulate carcinogenesis and development. • NcRNAs can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis because of different expression between cancer patients and healthy individuals. • Therapies targeting ncRNAs have begun to enter clinical studies and have great potential in cancer treatment and diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have demonstrated that microRNA (miRNA) serves an important role in the development of gastric cancer. However, the expression level, clinical significance and the biological function of miRNA in gastric cancer remain largely unknown. The present study investigated the exact roles of miR-671-5p in gastric cancer, confirmed its target and explored its mechanism. Initially, the low expression levels of miR-671-5p in gastric cancer cells were confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. TargetScan and MiRanda databases were utilized to forecast the target genes of miR-671-5p, and the prediction was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used for cell proliferation detection. An annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate kit was used for cell apoptosis determination. Western blot analysis was adopted to measure the protein expression levels in different groups. The results of the present study revealed that there were lower expression levels of miR-671-5p in gastric cancer cells than in normal gastric cells. Upregulator of cell proliferation (URGCP) is a direct target of miR-671-5p and it may be negatively regulated by miR-671-5p. miR-671-5p mimics induced reduction of MKN28 cell proliferation. miR-671-5p mimics caused upregulation of MKN28 cell apoptosis. In addition, western blotting results indicated that the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein was significantly decreased in the miR-671-5p mimic group compared with the negative control group (P<0.01). These results suggested that miR-671-5p had a protective role in gastric cancer through inhibiting gastric cancer cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis by targeting URGCP. Therefore, miR-671-5p may be an effective therapeutic target for gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were identified and characterized to study the genetic diversity and structure of Barringtonia racemosa (Lecythidaceae). Methods and Results: Based on the transcriptome data of B. racemosa, 30 primer pairs were initially designed and tested, of which 15 were successfully amplified and displayed clear polymorphisms across the 43 individuals from three distant populations tested in the study. The results showed that the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven and the expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity per locus varied from 0 to 0.772 and from 0 to 0.933, respectively. Conclusions: The expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers described here will be useful for studying genetic diversity and structure of B. racemosa. Furthermore, all loci were successfully cross-amplified in B. asiatica and B. acutangula and will be of great value for genetic studies across this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data has changed our view on the evolution and systematics of plant taxa. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of several molecular markers, fruit anatomy, and pollen morphology, the genera Altingia and Semiliquidambar were formally transferred to the genus Liquidambar. The new species of Liquidambar from the Eocene of South China significantly extends our knowledge of the variability of the morphological characters of this genus in the geological past. Fossil leaves in conjunction with data on the associated reproductive structures allow us to make inferences about patterns in the evolutionary history of Liquidambar. METHODS: Fossil leaves and associated reproductive structures preserved as impressions were described and compared with the corresponding organs of extant and fossil relatives. The morphological variation of numerous leaves was examined by stereomicroscopy. KEY RESULTS: Liquidambar maomingensis sp. nov. is characterized by polymorphic leaves including both palmately lobed and unlobed leaves. This study presents the first observations of such dimorphism in the fossil record of Liquidambar leaves. Two distinct leaf groups are interpreted as sun and shade leaves. CONCLUSIONS: The fossil leaves and associated infructescences from Maoming probably belong to the same plant. The occurrence of fossil leaves similar to those of extant species previously considered with in Semiliquidambar and Liquidambar with the associated infructescences close to those of Altingia provide paleobotanical evidence that justifies combining the genera Liquidambar, Altingia, and Semiliquidambar into the single genus Liquidambar as recently proposed based on molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disanthus cercidifolius subsp. longipes is an endangered species in China. Genetic diversity and structure analysis of this species was investigated using amplified fragments length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting. Nei's gene diversity ranged from 0.1290 to 0.1394. The AMOVA indicated that 75.06% of variation was distributed within populations, while the between-group component 5.04% was smaller than the between populations-within-group component 19.90%. Significant genetic differentiation was detected between populations. Genetic and geographical distances were not correlated. PCA and genetic structure analysis showed that populations from East China were together with those of the Nanling Range. These patterns of genetic diversity and levels of genetic variation may be the result of D. c. subsp. longipes restricted to several isolated habitats and “excess flowers production, but little fruit set”. It is necessary to protect all existing populations of D. c. subsp. longipes in order to preserve as much genetic variation as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new species of the genusAdocus(A. inexpectatus, sp. nov.), based on an almost complete shell from the upper Eocene Youganwo (= Youkanwo) Formation of the Maoming Basin, China. The inclusion ofA. inexpectatusin a phylogenetic analysis of Adocusia resulted in a polytomy withAdocus aksaryandA. amtgai(both from the Upper Cretaceous of Asia). This clade formed a polytomy with the North American species ofAdocus. Like other ‘true’Adocus,A. inexpectatushas overlapping of the marginals onto the costals in the middle and posterior parts of the carapace and sculpturing of the shell surface with small grooves and pits. Thus,A. inexpectatusrepresents the first ‘true’Adocusfrom the Paleogene of Asia. Other specimens from the Paleogene of Asia that have been referred toAdocus, characterized by shell sculpturing with small dots and unknown condition of the marginal/costal overlapping, are distinct from ‘true’Adocusand herein referred to as ‘Adocus’ spp. Here we also report the presence of ‘Adocus’ from the Paleocene of North America. Our study indicates that the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the Adocidae was more complicated than considered previously, including previously unrecognized dispersal events between Asia and North America. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free atwww.tandfonline.com/UJVP [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

* Premise of the study: Dipterocarps are the representative component of tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia and hold important economic and ecological significance, but their origin and migration are controversial. Information on dipterocarpaceous fossils, particularly the more convincing reproductive structures, not only can improve the phylogenetic and phytogeographic studies of this family, but also provide important information for reconstructing paleoclimate. * Methods: Morphologically preserved winged fruits and associated leaves were collected from the Late Eocene Huangniuling Formation, Maoming Basin, South China. We determined their taxonomic positions based on comparative morphology with similar extant and fossil specimens and discuss their phytogeographic and paleoclimatic implications by consulting the distribution and habitat of fossil and modern populations. * Key results: The Late Eocene winged fruits are attributed to Shorea Roxburgh ex Gaertner (Dipterocarpaceae) as Shorea maomingensis sp. nov. The associated leaves are recognized as Shorea sp. based on leaf architecture, and they are likely to be conspecific with the winged fruits. * Conclusions: The discovery of dipterocarps indicates that they had arrived in tropical and humid South China by the Late Eocene. Dipterocarps including Shorea exhibit a wide range of physiological tolerance to climate; palynological analysis suggests an increase in aridity and seasonality in the Maoming Basin from the Late Eocene. Dipterocarps became adapted to this seasonal climate from the Late Eocene to Early Miocene, expanded northward in the climatic optimum of the Middle Miocene, and declined and gradually disappeared from the southeastern part of the continent from the Late Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate dew amounts in different urban landscapes and to examine the correlations between dew amounts and meteorological factors in Guangzhou, China. Results indicated that the dew amounts at fine night were different from landscapes to landscapes. A significant difference was found in average dew amounts between forest landscape and residential landscape (forest landscape and commercial landscape, industrial landscape and residential landscape). The highest mean dew amounts in urban area were observed in forest landscape (0.034 mm night−1), followed by industrial landscape (0.022 mm night−1), commercial landscape (0.013 mm night−1) and residential landscape (0.009 mm night−1), respectively. For maximum dew amounts, a similar relationship like the mean dew mounts was found in urban measured landscapes, whose values in turn were 0.104 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.03 mm and 0.109 mm, respectively. Both the mean dew amounts night−1 and maximum dew amounts in urban landscapes were significantly less than those (0.077 mm in mean value and 0.224 mm in maximum value) in their countryside. The mean dew amounts correlated positively with mean relative humidity; meanwhile it correlated negatively with daily evaporation and urban heat island, respectively. It was therefore concluded that urban forest landscape was an important site for dew deposit, urban environment was not favorable for dew condensation, and relative humidity, daily evaporation and urban heat island might be the most important three meteorological factors responsible for the dew amounts in urban area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fossil records indicate that the genus Pinus L. split into two subgenera by the Late Cretaceous, although subgenus Strobus (D. Don) Lemmon is less well documented than subgenus Pinus L., especially in eastern Asia. In this paper, Pinus maomingensis sp. nov. is established based on a compressed seed cone from the upper Eocene of the Maoming Basin of southern China. This species is attributed to genus Pinus, subgenus Strobus, section Quinquefoliae Duhamel, subsection Strobus Loudon based on the combination of morphological characters obtained from the cone scales, specifically from the terminal umbo, rhombic apophysis, and cuticle structure. Associated fascicles of needle leaves with deciduous sheaths and bulbous bases are recognized as Pinus sp. and also represent Pinus subgenus Strobus. This new discovery from the Maoming Basin constitutes the first megafossil record of subgenus Strobus from southern China and implies that the members of this subgenus arrived in the southern region of China by the late Eocene. The extant species of subgenus Strobus are mainly distributed in northern temperate and tropical to subtropical mountainous regions. We propose that the Maoming Basin was adjacent to a mountainous region during the late Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]