Search

Background: Our research aimed to investigate whether lymphadenectomy was required in patients with intermediate-risk endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC).Methods: Between 1989 and 2015, 1009 patients with intermediate-risk EEC: grade 1 or 2 tumor, <50% myometrial invasion, and a tumor diameter ≥ 2 cm and 818 low-risk patients with grade 1 or 2 tumor, <50% myometrial invasion, and a tumor diameter < 2 cm were enrolled in this study. The rate and risk factors of node metastasis were evaluated and compared between the two risk groups. Survival data were analyzed in patients with intermediate-risk EEC with or without lymphadenectomy.Results: In all, 624 of 1009 (61.8%) patients with intermediate-risk EEC underwent pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy with a nodal metastasis rate of 1.9% (12/624), whereas 394 of 818 (48.2%) patients with low-risk EEC underwent pelvic ± para-aortic lymphadenectomy with a nodal metastasis rate of 0.3% (1/394) (p = 0.021). Notably, intermediate-risk EEC patients with a microcystic, elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern of invasion, lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI), diffuse lesions, or lesions located in the cornua were more likely to have node metastasis. The 5-year overall cancer-related survival and the recurrence-free survival rates of the 742 intermediate-risk EEC patients who were followed for more than 3 years were 99.4% and 94.7%, respectively. In intermediate-risk group, 6 patients (6/443, 1.4%) with lymphadenectomy and 9 patients (9/299, 3.0%) without lymphadenectomy recurred, with a mean recurrence time of 38.3 and 18.7 months respectively. The five-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates of intermediate-risk patients with and without lymphadenectomy were similar (100% vs 98.9%, p = 0.351; 95.2% vs 93.3%, p = 0.464).Conclusion: Patients with intermediate-risk EEC have low nodal metastasis rate and a favorable outcome whether lymphadenectomy is performed or not. Omission of lymphadenectomy may be a reasonable option in the surgical management of patients with intermediate-risk EEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study objective was to determine the way in which patients encounter pain, and to distinguish the clinical parameters impacting pain by transrectal ultrasonography (TRU) of the prostate. Patients and Methods: Medical records for men receiving prostate TRU from November 2015 to April 2016 were acquired from the database. Patients underwent a detail review of medical history as well as physical evaluation. All the relevant variables were associated to visual analog scale (VAS) by using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Independent factors for TRU associated pain were identified using multivariate regression analysis. The analysis demonstrated that sagittal length of the prostate was the continuous variable impacting pain level. Patients who received explanation for the process of the test in detail promptly before the examination and had prior TRU experience were found to be in negative association with the pain score; while, hemorrhoids (external), prior anal surgery, and stool artifact were in positive association with the pain score. Conclusion: Despite the fact that TRU of the prostate is uncomfortable for patients, after identification of pain affecting factors, healthcare providers could help reduce the patients' pain through the procedure, thereby providing better quality exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium acts as a universal second messenger in both developmental processes and responses to environmental stresses. Previous research has shown that a number of stimuli can induce [Ca2+] increases in both the cytoplasm and nucleus in plants. However, the relationship between cytosolic and nucleosolic calcium signaling remains obscure. Here, we generated transgenic plants containing a fusion protein, comprising rat parvalbumin (PV) with either a nuclear export sequence (PV-NES) or a nuclear localization sequence (NLS-PV), to selectively buffer the cytosolic or nucleosolic calcium. Firstly, we found that the osmotic stress-induced cytosolic [Ca2+] increase (OICIcyt) and the salt stress-induced cytosolic [Ca2+] increase (SICIcyt) were impaired in the PV-NES lines compared with the Arabidopsis wildtype (WT). Similarly, the osmotic stress-induced nucleosolic [Ca2+] increase (OICInuc) and salt stress-induced nucleosolic [Ca2+] increase (SICInuc) were also disrupted in the NLS-PV lines. These results indicate that PV can effectively buffer the increase of [Ca2+] in response to various stimuli in Arabidopsis. However, the OICIcyt and SICIcyt in the NLS-PV plants were similar to those in the WT, and the OICInuc and SICInuc in the PV-NES plants were also same as those in the WT, suggesting that the cytosolic and nucleosolic calcium dynamics are mutually independent. Furthermore, we found that osmotic stress- and salt stress-inhibited root growth was reduced dramatically in the PV-NES and NLS-PV lines, while the osmotic stress-induced increase of the lateral root primordia was higher in the PV-NES plants than either the WT or NLS-PV plants. In addition, several stress-responsive genes, namely CML37, DREB2A, MYB2, RD29A, and RD29B, displayed diverse expression patterns in response to osmotic and salt stress in the PV-NES and NLS-PV lines when compared with the WT. Together, these results imply that the cytosolic and nucleosolic calcium signaling coexist to play the pivotal roles in the growth and development of plants and their responses to environment stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Baicalin, an important flavonoid in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts, exerts a variety of pharmacological effects. In this study, we explored the effects of baicalin on chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and investigated the mechanism underlying these effects. Moreover, we examined whether the inflammatory response was mediated by the A2A receptor (A2AR) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)-induced phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in vivo. Methods: We established a hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) mouse model by subjecting wild-type (WT) and A2AR knockout (A2AR-/-) animals to chronic hypoxia, and we examined the effects of a 4-week treatment with baicalin or the A2AR agonist CGS21680 in these animals. Invasive hemodynamic parameters, the right ventricular hypertrophy index, pulmonary congestion, the pulmonary arterial remodeling index, blood gas parameters, A2AR expression, and the expression of SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/protein kinase B (PKB; AKT) signaling components were measured. Results: Compared with WT mice, A2AR-/- mice exhibited increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricle-to-left ventricle plus septum [RV/(LV + S)] ratio, RV weight-to-body weight (RV/BW) ratio, and lung wet weight-to-body weight (Lung/BW) ratio in the absence of an altered mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP). These changes were accompanied by increases in pulmonary artery wall area and thickness and reductions in arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) and hydrogen ion concentration (pH). In the HPH model, A2AR-/- mice displayed increased CXCR4, SDF-1, phospho-PI3K, and phospho-AKT expression compared with WT mice. Treating WT and A2AR-/- HPH mice with baicalin or CGS21680 attenuated the hypoxia-induced increases in RVSP, RV/(LV + S) and Lung/BW, as well as pulmonary arterial remodeling. Additionally, baicalin or CGS21680 alone could reverse the hypoxia-induced increases in CXCR4, SDF-1, phospho-PI3K, and phospho-AKT expression. Moreover, baicalin improved the hypoxemia induced by 4 weeks of hypoxia. Finally, we found that A2AR levels in WT lung tissue were enhanced by hypoxia and that baicalin up-regulated A2AR expression in WT hypoxic mice. Conclusions: Baicalin exerts protective effects against clinical HPH, which are partly mediated through enhanced A2AR activity and down-regulated SDF-1/CXCR4-induced PI3K/AKT signaling. Therefore, the A2AR may be a promising target for baicalin in treating HPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Limited data have been obtained in regard to pulmonary metastasis (PM) in patients with stage I endometrial cancer. The aims of the study were (1) to present the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with PM in the setting of stage I endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EEC) and (2) to define possible factors that may be used to predict PM. Methods: Six hundred thirty patients with stage I EEC, including 12 with PM, 19 with extra-PM (EPM), and 599 with no recurrence, were observed. Paired samples of primary and metastatic tumors from a patient were used for exome sequencing to identify potential gene mutations associated with PM. Results: There was no significant difference in the age, Ki-67, lymphatic vascular space invasion, and grade 3 among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). More squamous epithelial differentiation was observed in PM (7/12), as compared with patients with EPM (1/19) (P < 0.05) and no recurrence (20/599) (P < 0.05). The tumor size of the patients with PM was bigger than that of nonrecurrent patients (29.8 ± 16.6 vs 18.5 ± 16.3 mm, P < 0.05). More percentage of patients with deep myometrial invasion (IB) were found in PM (6/12) (P < 0.05) as compared with patients with EPM (3/19) (P < 0.05) and no recurrence (76/599). CDH10, ARID1A, and EMT-associated gene mutations were identified in metastatic tumor tissue but not in primary tumors from a patient with EEC and lung metastases. Conclusions: Squamous epithelial differentiation, large tumor size, and deep myometrial invasion might be risk factors for PM in patients with stage I EEC. CDH10, ARID1A, and EMT-associated gene mutation may promote the initiation of lung recurrence. However, further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanisms associated with lung metastasis in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icarisid II, one of the main active components of Herba Epimedii extracts, shows potent antitumor activity in various cancer cell lines, including osteosarcoma cells. However, the anticancer mechanism of icarisid II against osteosarcoma U2OS needs further exploration. This study aims to investigate further antitumor effects of icarisid II on human osteosarcoma cells and elucidate the underlying mechanism. We cultivated human osteosarcoma USO2 cells in vitro using different concentrations of icarisid II (0-30 µM). Cell viability was detected at 24, 48, and 72 h using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis. Cell cycle was tested by flow cytometry after treatment with icarisid II for 48 h. Annexin V-allophycocyanin and 7-aminoactinomycin D staining were conducted to detect cell apoptosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were performed to measure the levels of genes and proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis. Results showed that icarisid II significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values were 14.44, 11.02, and 7.37 µM at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Cell cycle was arrested in the G2/M phase in vitro. In addition, icarisid II upregulated the expression levels of P21 and CyclinB1 whereas downregulated the expression levels of CyclinD1, CDC2, and P-Cdc25C, which were related to cell cycle arrest in U2OS cells. The cell apoptotic rate increased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with icarisid II for 48 h. Icarisid II induced apoptosis by upregulating Bax, downregulating Bcl-2, and activating apoptosis-related proteins, including cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. These data indicate that icarisid II exhibits an antiproliferation effect on human osteosarcoma cells and induces apoptosis by activating the caspase family in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. Therefore, icarisid II may be used as a candidate agent for the clinical treatment of osteosarcoma in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Excessive energy intake and poor food choices are major health concerns associated with overweight and obesity risk. This study aims to explore disparities in energy intake and the contributions from fat and animal source foods among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents in different communities based on urbanization levels. Design: Three consecutive 24 h recalls were used to assess dietary intake. Subjects' height and weight were measured using standard equipment. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics by trained interviewers. Setting: The 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal household survey across 228 communities in nine provinces and three mega-cities in China. Subjects consisted of children aged 4-17 years (n = 1866; 968 boys and 898 girls). Results: The estimated average energy intake was 1604 kcal/day (1706 kcal/day for boys and 1493 kcal/day for girls). Proportions of energy from fat and animal source foods were 36.8% and 19.8% respectively and did not differ by gender. Total energy intake showed no significant disparity, but the proportion of energy from fat and animal source foods increased with increasing urbanization levels and increasing household income level. The largest difference in consumption percentages between children in rural areas and those in highly urban areas was for milk and dairy products (14.8% versus 74.4%) and the smallest difference was seen in percent consuming meat and meat products (83.1% versus 97.1%). Conclusions: Results of this study highlight the need for developing and implementing community-specific strategies to improve Chinese children's diet quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine usual daily micronutrient intake of Chinese children based on data from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey. We analyzed data from 4 to 17-year-old participants, who provided dietary data on three consecutive days combined with the household weighing method in 2011. Usual daily intake of each nutrient was estimated using a mixed effects model based on the China Food Composition published in 2009. The means, medians and percentages below Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) were reported for selected micronutrients, including calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin C. For sodium and potassium, the means and the distribution of intakes were compared to the Adequate Intake (AI) level. The average usual daily intakes of all micronutrients increase with age, and the intakes of boys were found to be higher than girls in the same age group. The average calcium intake increased from 272 mg/day in 4--6 years to 391 mg/day in 14--17 years, but the percentage of inadequate calcium intake remained very high (>96%). The prevalence of inadequacy of calcium was the highest among the mineral nutrients reported in this study. As the requirements of micronutrients increased with age, the percentage of subjects with inadequate intake increased in the 11-17 years age groups. Among 14-17 years group, the percentages of study participants with dietary intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin C below the EAR were 96.8%, 18.8%, 37.6%, 72.8%, 36.8%, 91.8%. 85.9% and 75.5%, respectively. Among 11-13 years group, the percentages of study participants with dietary intakes of iron, zinc and vitamin A below the EAR were 23.5%, 41.5%, and 41.6%, respectively. Thus, micronutrient deficiency is a problem in Chinese children. Nutrition education and intervention programs are needed to address these nutritional gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous work reported a promising Ir/IrOx electrode developed by cycling heat treatment and quenching process for three times. Hydration is the final process in fabrication, and even an unavoidable process in maintenance and application of Ir/IrOx electrode. The effects of hydration on Ir/IrOx electrode were examined intensively by various state-of-the-art techniques. XRD and TEM tests manifested that hydration of the IrOx film caused decrease in interplanar spacing and increase in grain size. The relief of tensile stress in IrOx film after hydration was revealed by XRD stress analysis. Raman spectra illustrated an enhancement in the integrity of the surface crystals during the hydration process. It is shown that the unhydrated electrode surface was made up of IrOx with different iridium valences, while Ir(OH)n and the corresponding hydrates appeared after hydration. SIMS, XPS and the related etching showed the different hydration degrees along the direction of oxide surface to substrate. Finally, the possible influence of hydration on the potential of H+ response electrode was discussed, suggesting that an efficient hydration may reduce the drift of electrode potential in long term application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare recommender system (HRS) has shown the great potential of targeting medical experts or patients, and plays a key role in improving an individual's health by providing insightful recommendations. The HRSs generate recommendations based on a successful and widely applied method known as collaborative filtering (CF). Despite its success, the CF suffers from data sparsity and cold-start problem, which results in the poor quality of recommendations. In particular, it is a great challenge to seeking information relevant to patients' condition, and understanding the medical terms and relationships between them in HRSs. To address these problems, we design a novel collaborative variational deep learning model (CVDL) to exploit multi-sourced information for providing appropriate healthcare recommendations in primary care service. CVDL employs additional variational autoencoder (VAE) to learn deep latent representations for item contents (the description of primary care doctors) in latent space, instead of observation space through an inference network. Meanwhile, the CVDL extracts latent user (patient) features by incorporating user profile in a VAE neural network. Therefore, the CVDL can learn better implicit relationships between items and users from item content, user profile, and rating matrix. In addition, a Stochastic Gradient Variational Bayes (SGVB) approach is proposed to calculate the maximum posterior estimates for learning model parameters. The experiments conducted on three datasets have indicated that our method significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art hybrid CF methods.

We describe the versatile and concise total synthesis of all stereoisomers of tarchonanthuslactone from (R)- or (S)-3-hydroxybutyrate via eight steps. The key steps of the synthesis include a highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled Mukaiyama aldol reaction of a p-methoxybenzyl-protected aldehyde and a Yamaguchi lactonization of a δ-hydroxy-trans-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardio-protective effect of fibrate therapy is controversial and current research is to evaluate the effect of fenofibrate therapy on rats with hypertriglycemia. Methods: Rats with hypertriglycemia were produced by 10% fructose administration (10 ml daily) for 4 weeks. After model has been successfully produced as reflected by increased triglyceride level, different doses of fenofibrate, namely low dose (50 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (100 mg/kg body weight), were orally prescribed for 2 weeks. At baseline, 4 weeks of fructose administration and 2 weeks of fenofibrate therapy, parameters of interest were evaluated and compared. Results: At baseline, no significant differences of parameter were observed between groups. After 4 weeks of fructose prescription, triglyceride level increased in company with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoprotein A1 (ApoA1) decreased. C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also elevated. Endothelial function was impaired as reflected by reduced nitric oxide (NO) production and elevated serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level. All these changes were significant as compared to the control group (P < 0.05), suggesting that short-term of triglyceride elevation could potently initiate atherosclerosis. With 2 weeks of fenofibrate therapy, in comparison to un-treated group, triglyceride level was significantly reduced in parallel with HDL-C and ApoA1 elevation. Inflammation and oxidation were also profoundly ameliorated as reflected by CRP and MDA reduction. Notably, NO production was enhanced in company with serum ADMA level decrease. Overall, these improvements manifested in a dose-dependent manner, which was supported by multivariate regression analysis showing that after adjusted to other variables, the dose of fenofibrate therapy remained significantly associated with NO production and serum ADMA level, with OR of 1.042 (high-dose versus low-dose, 95% CI 1.028-1.055, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Fenofibrate therapy not only could reduce triglyceride level but also confer pleiotropic effects in terms of endothelium-protection and amelioration of inflammation and oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports for the first time the observation of 2.8 µm emission in Dy3+ doped fluoroaluminate glasses modified by TeO2. The low phonon energy and large rare-earth ion solubility (>2 mol%) as well as the good thermal stability and transmission range up to >5 µm of fluoroaluminate-tellurite glasses, make them promising candidates for new mid-infrared solid-state laser host materials. The absorption and emission characteristics are investigated and the prepared glasses possess higher spontaneous transition probability (24 S-1) along with a larger calculated emission cross section (0.67×10-20 cm²) corresponding to the Dy3+: 6H13/2→6H15/2 transition. Intense emission around 2.8 µm is observed and the emission peak redshifts when >1 mol% rare earth ions are introduced into the glass network which can be explained by the self-absorption of Dy3+ ions. These results indicate that Dy3+-doped AlF3-based fluoroaluminate-tellurite glasses have potential applications in 2.8 µm laser materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Er3+- doped fluorozirconate (ZrF4-BaF2-YF3-AlF3) and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses are successfully prepared here. These glasses exhibit significant superiority compared with traditional fluorozirconate glass (ZrF4-BaF2-YF3-AlF3-NaF) because of their higher temperature of glass transition and better resistance to water corrosion. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters are evaluated and used to compute the radiative properties based on the VIS-NIR absorption spectra. Broad emission bands located at 1535 and 2708 nm are observed, and large calculated emission sections are obtained. The intensity of 2708 nm emission closely relates to the phonon energy of host glass. A lower phonon energy leads to a more intensive 2708 nm emission. The energy transfer processes of Er3+ ions are discussed and lifetime of Er3+: 4I13/2 is measured. It is the first time to observe that a longer lifetime of the 4I13/2 level leads to a less intensive 1535 nm emission, because the lifetime is long enough to generate excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ET) processes. These results indicate that the novel glasses possess better chemical and thermal properties as well as excellent optical properties compared with ZBLAN glass. These Er3+- doped ZBYA and oxyfluoroaluminate glasses have potential applications as laser materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlF3-based glasses (AlF3-YF3-CaF2-BaF2-SrF2-MgF2) with enhanced thermal and chemical stability were synthesized and compared with the well-known fluorozirconate glass (ZBLAN). The 2.7 mm mid-infrared emission in the AlF3-based glasses was also investigated through the absorption and emission spectra. Both the temperature of glass transition and the characteristic temperatures (▵ T,Hr, kgl) of the fluoroaluminate glasses were much larger than those of the ZBLAN glasses. The corrosion phenomenon can be observed by naked-eye, and the transmittance dropped dramatically (0% at 3 μm) when the ZBLAN glass was placed into distilled water. However, the AlF3-based glass was relatively stable. The fluoroaluminate glasses possessed large branching ratio (20%) along with the emission cross section (9.4"10-21 cm-2) of the Er3+:4I11/2→4I13/2 transition. Meanwhile, the enhanced 2.7 μm emission in highly Er3+-doped AYF glass was obtained. Therefore, these results showed that this kind of fluoride glass has a promising application for solid state lasers at 3 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlF3-based glasses (AlF3-YF3-CaF2-BaF2-SrF2-MgF2) with enhanced thermal and chemical stability were synthesized and compared with the well-known fluorozirconate glass (ZBLAN). The 2.7 mm mid-infrared emission in the AlF3-based glasses was also investigated through the absorption and emission spectra. Both the temperature of glass transition and the characteristic temperatures (▵ T,Hr, kgl) of the fluoroaluminate glasses were much larger than those of the ZBLAN glasses. The corrosion phenomenon can be observed by naked-eye, and the transmittance dropped dramatically (0% at 3 μm) when the ZBLAN glass was placed into distilled water. However, the AlF3-based glass was relatively stable. The fluoroaluminate glasses possessed large branching ratio (20%) along with the emission cross section (9.4"10-21 cm-2) of the Er3+:4I11/2→4I13/2 transition. Meanwhile, the enhanced 2.7 μm emission in highly Er3+-doped AYF glass was obtained. Therefore, these results showed that this kind of fluoride glass has a promising application for solid state lasers at 3 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iridium/iridium oxide pH sensors were fabricated by cyclic isothermal heating and water quenching with cycle number equals to one. two and three, respectively. Examining of Nernst response range, pH response rate, and long term stability of the electrodes, etc. suggested that the three-time-oxidized electrodes appeared to show the best integrated performance. Several approaches were adopted to explore the essence of above phenomena. Morphology and composition investigations indicate a two-layer structure of the surface oxide film, i.e., dense inner layer and porous outer layer, with oxygen concentration decreases gradually from surface to iridium substrate. Raman spectroscopy implies good crystal quality of the fabricated iridium oxide after hydration. XPS illustrates that effective compositions of the electrode surface are IrO2 and Ir(OH)4. EIS of the IrOx electrodes were investigated in pH buffers to analyze their pH response mechanism. Combining cross section observation and EIS results, the good performance of the three-time-oxidized electrode is attributed to the thicker porous outer layer showing more effective hydration, larger active surface area, and smaller reaction resistance in pH detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs which play a critical role in plant growth and development. To detect strawberry miRNAs and discover the expression difference between conventional and micropropagated strawberry plants, we carried out the detection and quantification of strawberry miRNAs by microarray. The main findings were that 74 miRNAs were checked in strawberry plants and four miRNA genes displayed clear expression difference between conventional and micropropagated strawberry plants, including two up-regulated genes (miR535 and miR390) and two down-regulated genes (miR169a and miR169d). The ratios of conventionally propagated strawberry plant/micropropagated strawberry plant for miR535, miR390, miR169a and miR169d were 2.6884, 2.2673, 0.2496 and 0.3814, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction applied to the two up-regulated genes (miR535 and miR390) validated the microarray result. This is the first report on differential expression of miRNAs in conventional and micropropagated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study probes the behavior of two series of organic-functionalized core−shell silsesquioxane (POSS-M)p-(x/y) derivatives with various hydrophobic−hydrophilic terminal group compositions in the bulk state and within mono- and multilayered films at the air−water interface and on solid surface. POSS-M refers to mixed silsesquioxane cores, in contrast to the geometrically specific POSS compounds. It is composed of polyhedra, incompletely condensed polyhedra, ladder-type structures, linear structures, and all the possible combinations thereof and attracts great interest because of its facile preparation, low polydispersity, high yield, and low cost. The two series of (POSS-M)p-(x/y) molecules are different in hydrophobic−hydrophilic balance of their terminal groups, with xand yrespectively referring to the molar percent of −OCONH−C18H37tails and −OH for p= 1 and the percent of −OCONH−C18H37tails and −OCO−C6H4COOH terminal groups for p= 2. In the bulk state, the presence of aromatic rings in (POSS-M)2-(x/y) series resulted in a lower symmetry crystal structure than the (POSS-M)1-(x/y) series. Moreover, the (POSS-M)p-(x/y) molecules that contain a sufficient amount of −OCONH−C18H37tails exhibit double endothermic transition, which attributed to the melting of alkyl chains followed by the melting of the unit cells of (POSS-M) cores. The surface morphologies for the various hydrophobic−hydrophilic combinations at surface pressure p= 0.5 mN/m are similar to that observed for the classical amphiphilic star polymers. However, at higher surface pressure (p≥ 5 mN/m), the POSS-M compounds with lower content of hydrophilic groups form a uniform monolayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing proteins (PNPLAs) are lipid-metabolizing enzymes with essential roles in energy metabolism, skin barrier development, and brain function. A detailed annotation of enzymatic activities and structure-function relationships remains an important prerequisite to understand PNPLA functions in (patho-)physiology, for example, in disorders such as neutral lipid storage disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neurodegenerative syndromes. In this study, we characterized the structural features controlling the subcellular localization and enzymatic activity of PNPLA7, a poorly annotated phospholipase linked to insulin signaling and energy metabolism. We show thatPNPLA7is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein that specifically promotes hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine in mammalian cells. We found that transmembrane and regulatory domains in the PNPLA7 N-terminal region cooperate to regulate ER targeting but are dispensable for substrate hydrolysis. Enzymatic activity is instead mediated by the C-terminal domain, which maintains full catalytic competence even in the absence of N-terminal regions. Upon elevated fatty acid flux, the catalytic domain targets cellular lipid droplets and promotes interactions of PNPLA7 with these organelles in response to increased cAMP levels. We conclude that PNPLA7 acts as an ER-anchored lysophosphatidylcholine hydrolase that is composed of specific functional domains mediating catalytic activity, subcellular positioning, and interactions with cellular organelles. Our study provides critical structural insights into an evolutionarily conserved class of phospholipid-metabolizing enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: HIV is a highly stigmatized and stressful condition for people with HIV (PWH). As a country heavily influenced by religion, especially Buddhism, we explore how the perceived stress from HIV stigma interacts with the mediator of mindfulness on PWH in Myanmar. From January to July 2020, a sample of 248 eligible PWH was recruited by quasi-random sampling methods from a private Facebook group in Myanmar. Data on demographics, HIV stigma, mindfulness, and perceived stress were collected. The bias-corrected percentile bootstrap method was used to test multiple mediation analyses. The path from perceived HIV stigma to perceived stress (direct effect β = 0.16) and the mediating effect of mindfulness on that stress were significant (indirect effect accounts for 45.15% of total effect). The findings indicate that interventions enhancing mindfulness-based practice should be considered to reduce HIV stigma and, therefore, lower perceived stress among PWH in Myanmar., (Copyright © 2022 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.)