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Accumulating evidence implies that N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methylation participated in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer (GC). Here we synthetically analyzing the prognostic value and expression profile of seven m6A methylation‐relevant genes through silico analysis of sequencing data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Kaplan–Meier plotter, and Gene Expression Omnibus database. We explored the methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) expression in GC cell line and tumor tissues by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The m6A methylation status of total RNA was measured by m6A RNA methylation quantification kit. Small interfering RNA was used to establish METTL3 knockdown cell lines. We also measure the proliferation and migration capability GC cell. Furthermore, we detect the epithelial cell mesenchymal transition marker and m6A methylation level after METTL3 knock down. Our result revealed that METTL3 was significantly increased in GC tissues compared with control in big crowd data sets. Survival analysis showed that METTL3 serve as a poor prognostic factor for GC patients. The expression level of METTL3 gradually increased with the progress of tumor stage and grade. GFI1 is an important transcription factor associated with METTL3. We verified the up‐trend of METTL3 in messenger RNA and protein expression and observed a significant increase in the m6A methylation status of total RNA in the GC cells and tissues. METTL3 knockdown inhibited total RNA m6A methylation level, as well as cell proliferation and migration capacity. Moreover, METTL3 knockdown decreased α‐smooth muscle actin. Taken together, our finding revealed that m6A methylation writer METTL3 serve as an oncogene in tumorigenesis of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma miR-93-5p and the risk of esophageal cancer, as well as the influence of miR-93-5p on the biological function of esophageal cancer cells, exerted through exosomes. Methods The expression of plasma miR-93-5p in esophageal cancer patients and healthy controls was analysed by real-time quantitative PCR. The influence of miR-93-5p on the risk and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma was analyzed by conditional logistic regression and survival analysis. The effect of miR-93-5p on the biological function of recipient cells was investigated by establishing an in vitro donor cell co-culture model. The target gene of miR-93-5p was validated by luciferase reporter assay and Western Blotting. Results Upregulation of plasma miR-93-5p expression significantly increases the risk of esophageal cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. miR-93-5p transferred by exosomes promotes the proliferation of recipient esophageal cancer cells and affects the expression of PTEN and its downstream proteins p21 and cyclin D1. Conclusion Our study provides a reference for the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To report the prevalence and trend of overweight and obesity among students aged 7-22 years in Jiangsu, 2010 to 2013. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out as part of students physical fitness and health survey in Jiangsu province. A total of 255,581 subjects (50.03% males and 49.97% females) enrolled in 82 school and 10 universities in Jiangsu. Weights and heights were obtained for each subject and its body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the Chinese Working Group on Obesity in China (CWGO). Results Anthropometric measurement including bodyweight, height, BMI and bust were significantly different between males in urban compared to females living rural areas ( P <0.001). The total prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.4% and 5.7%. Males had a significantly higher rate than in female's student. The prevalence of overweight and obesity by age groups was (14.5%, 10.3%) at age 7-11 years, (11.2%, 6.8%) at age 12-14 years, (11.7%, 3.1%) at age 15-17 years, and (11.4%, 2.3%) at age 18-22 years. By regions; the highest prevalence of overweight obesity reported in Taizhou (10%, 14.2%), Xuzhou (9.4%, 12.5%), and Nanjing (9.2%, 15.6%), respectively. Conclusion The finding declares that overweight and obesity are important health problems among students in Jiangsu Province. Early intervention programme are needed to address this problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-defined hairy and crosslinked fluorescent nanoparticles with diameters in the range 70-220 nm were obtained from simultaneous copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition ( CuAAC) and atom transfer radical emulsion polymerization ( ATREP) of a mixture of styrene, divinylbenzene, 4-vinylbenzylazide and 7-propinyloxycoumarin (Cr), using bromide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) ( PEG) as macroinitiator, Tween-20 as emulsifier, copper(I) bromide as catalyst and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as ligand. The generation of biocompatible PEG brushes and the introduction of fluorescent functionalities as well as crosslinking of nanoparticles were realized in one step. In order to verify that functionalization and propagation of polymer chains could be realized in a controlled manner by one-pot simultaneous ATREP and CuAAC, linear block copolymers of PEG and polystyrene ( PS) with partially clicked pendent Cr groups ( PEG- b-( PS- c-Cr)) were synthesized. All prepared PEG- b-( PS- c-Cr) copolymers had a controlled molecular weight and defined molecular structure. The hairy fluorescent nanoparticles exhibit a low cytotoxicity and could find applications in cell labeling. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To isolate and characterize indigenous algicidal bacteria and their algae-lysing compounds active against Microcystis aeruginosa, strains TH1, TH2, and FACHB 905. Methods The bacteria were identified using the Biolog automated microbial identification system and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The algae-lysing compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Algae-lysing activity was observed Using microscopy. Results The algae-lysing bacterium LTH-2 isolated from Lake Taihu was identified as Serratia marcescens. Strain LTH-2 secreted a red pigment identified as prodigiosin (C20H25N30), which showed strong lytic activity with algal strains M. aeruginosa TH1, TH2, and FACHB 905 in a concentration-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of prodigiosin with the algal strains was 4.8 (±0.4)x10-2 μg/mL, 8.9 (±1.1)x10-2 μg/mL, and 1.7 (±0.1)x10-1 μg/mL in 24 h, respectively. Conclusion The bacterium LTH-2 and its pigment had strong Microcystis-lysing activity probably related to damage of cell membranes. The bacterium LTH-2 and its red pigment are potentially useful for regulating blooms of harmful M. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Previous studies have revealed that chlorpyrifos exposure adversely affects the reproductive capacity of male rodents. The present study investigated the reproductive toxicity of chlorpyrifos exposure and possible related mechanisms using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. L4 nematode larvae were exposed to chlorpyrifos at concentrations of 0.003, 0.03, 0.3 and 3.0 mg l−1 for different durations. In addition to decreased brood size, reduced spermatid size, increased percentage of abnormal spermatids, suppressed spermatid activation and motility of sperm, damaged oocyte morphology, increased numbers of apoptotic cells and unfertilized oocytes were observed in nematodes exposed to various concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Moreover, expression patterns of the genes spe-10, spe-15, fer-1, prg-1, glp-1, mlh-1, cyb-3, ced-3, ced-4 and ced-9 (which are associated with spermatid size, spermatid activation and morphology, oocyte morphology, oocyte function, and apoptosis) were altered after chlorpyrifos exposure. Therefore, chlorpyrifos exposure may adversely affect fertility in nematodes by influencing both spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Alterations in the expression patterns of genes involved in gametogenesis may explain the corresponding changes in gametogenesis in nematodes exposed to chlorpyrifos. Hence, the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is recommended for assessment of reproductive toxicity relating to gametogenesis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: This study aims to investigate and compare the toxic effects of four types of metal oxide (ZnO, TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3) nanoparticles with similar primary size (∼20 nm) on human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1) in vitro. Methods: The HFL1 cells were exposed to the nanoparticles, and toxic effects were analyzed by using MTT assay, cellular morphology observation and Hoechst 33 258 staining. Results: The results show that the four types of metal oxide nanoparticles lead to cellular mitochondrial dysfunction, morphological modifications and apoptosis at the concentration range of 0.25-1.50 mg/mL and the toxic effects are obviously displayed in dose-dependent manner. ZnO is the most toxic nanomaterials followed by TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3 nanoparticles in a descending order. Conclusion: The results highlight the differential cytotoxicity associated with exposure to ZnO, TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3 nanoparticles, and suggest an extreme attention to safety utilization of these nanomaterials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: This study aims to investigate and compare the toxic effects of four types of metal oxide (ZnO, TiO(2), SiO(2,) and Al(2)O(3)) nanoparticles with similar primary size (∼20 nm) on human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1) in vitro., Methods: The HFL1 cells were exposed to the nanoparticles, and toxic effects were analyzed by using MTT assay, cellular morphology observation and Hoechst 33 258 staining., Results: The results show that the four types of metal oxide nanoparticles lead to cellular mitochondrial dysfunction, morphological modifications and apoptosis at the concentration range of 0.25-1.50 mg/mL and the toxic effects are obviously displayed in dose-dependent manner. ZnO is the most toxic nanomaterials followed by TiO(2), SiO(2), and Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles in a descending order., Conclusion: The results highlight the differential cytotoxicity associated with exposure to ZnO, TiO(2), SiO(2), and Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles, and suggest an extreme attention to safety utilization of these nanomaterials., (Copyright © 2011 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to (1) determine whether model organism Caenorhabditis elegans was sensitive to pesticides at the maximum concentration limits regulated by national agency standards, and (2) examine the multi-biological toxicities occurring as a result of exposure to pesticides. Five pesticides, namely, chlorpyrifos, imibacloprid, buprofezin, cyhalothrin, and glyphosate, with four different mechanisms of action were selected for the investigation. In accordance with national agency requirements, 4 exposed groups were used for each tested pesticide with the concentration scales ranging from 1.0 x 10(-3) to 1 mg/L. L4 larvae were exposed for 24 and 72 h, respectively. Endpoints of locomotion, propagation, and development were selected for the assay as parameters of toxicity. After exposure for 24 h, both the body bend frequency and head thrash frequency of nematodes exposed to chlorpyrifos, imibacloprid, and cyhalothrin decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, and there were significant differences between exposed groups at maximum concentration level (MCL) compared to control. The generation time of nematodes exposed to buprofezin 24 h significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the highest exposed group. When exposed for 72 h, the body bend frequency and head thrash frequency of nematodes exposed to cyhalothrin markedly decreased at MCL. The generation time and brood size of nematodes exposed to buprofezin were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. The behavior of nematodes was sensitive to pesticides with neurotoxic properties, while pesticides affecting insect growth modified the reproductive system. The effects of pesticides on nematodes exposed for 24 h appeared more sensitive than with exposure for 72 h. Caenorhabditis elegans may thus be used for assessing the adverse effects of pesticide residues in aquatic environment.

Objective: To explore the relationship between quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) gene nonsynonymous cSNP and the genetic susceptibility of esophageal cancer., Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) were employed to assess the polymorphism of NQO1 genes both in 106 patients with esophageal cancer and control subjects matched by age, gender and origin., Results: It was shown that no C/C genotype was found at 406 of NQO1. The allelic frequency of NQO1 609T was significantly higher in patients with esophageal cancer than in the control subjects (P < 0.005) and the individuals with 609T allelic genotype of NQO1 gene were at greater risk to develop esophageal cancer (OR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.064 - 3.397). But Individuals with mutant allele of NQO1 465 genotype did not show the rising risk of esophageal cancer., Conclusions: The NQO1 C609T polymorphisms should likely be associated with the genetic susceptibility of esophageal cancer.

Objective: To observe the effects of the grafting of a platelet-derived growth factor gene-modified artificial composite skin on rat wounds with full thickness defect., Methods: Platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed, and the fibroblasts were transfected with it by liposome mediation. Artificial composite skins 1 and 2 were constructed respectively. The skin1 was composed of keratinocyte, porcine acellular dermal matrix and PDGF-B gene-transfected fibroblasts while the skin 2 contained keratinocyte, porcine acellular dermal matrix and fibroblasts. The two kinds of composite skin were grafted onto wounds on the rat back to form composite skin group 1 (C1) and 2 (C2), respectively, with 18 rats in each group. Eight rats with wounds without treatment served as control (C) group. The survival rate of the composite skin was observed at 2 post-operative weeks (POWs). The rat wounds were examined grossly on 2, 4 and 6 POWs for the calculation of wound contraction rate. Wound tissue samples were harvested for histological examination., Results: (1) Up to 2 POWs, 14 grafts in C1 group survived completely, 3 with partial survival and 1 failure. In C2 group, 10 skin grafts survived completely, 4 with partial survival and 4 failures. (2) A scab was formed in the wound at 2 POW in C group. The surface of the grafted skin in C1 group was smooth, elastic, and showed good anti-friction properly, and it was better in quality compared with that in other two groups at 6 POW. (3) The wound contraction rate of the grafts in C group of rats was higher than that in C1 and C2 groups at 2, 4 and 6 POWs, while that in C1 was lower than that in C2 group. (4) Capillary formation was more intense in the grafted skins in C1 group at 2 POWs, and the epithelia differentiated well into 7 to 10 layers of epithelial cells with compact and orderly arrangement and evenly distributed fibrous tissue at 6 POWs., Conclusion: Repair of the wound with artificial composite skin containing PDGF-B gene could improve the quality of wound healing.

To investigate the genes related to lung cancer susceptibility in Nanjing Han population, China, a 1:1 matched case-control study was performed in which 152 hospital controls were matched to the 152 original lung cancer cases. The polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, mEH and NQO1 genes were analyzed by PCRjRFLP assay. The results showed that the heterozygote and mutation homozygote genotypes of CYP1A1 were related to the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=2.31, 95%CI=1.23-4.36). The risk of suffering from lung cancer was increased 2.06-fold in the individuals with GSTT1 (-) genotype (95%CI= 1.30-3.24). The genotype of NQO1 wt/mt and mt/mt was found also to be associated with the risk of lung cancer (OR=1.66i95%CI=1.01-2.74). It was shown that there was no difference in the genotype distribution of CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTP1 or mEH between cases and controls. Furthermore, stratified analysis suggested that the combination of genotypes of both CYP1A1 and GSTT1 enzymes had a synergistic action in risk of lung cancer (OR=3.41, 95%CI =1.77-6.55). Similarly, there was a cooperation between CYP1A1 mutation genotype and NQO1 mutation genotype (OR=2.45, 95%CI=1.13-5.31). This study suggested that CYP1A1, GSTT1 and gene NQO1 polymorphisms might be associated with the susceptibility to lung cancer in Nanjing Han population. Analysis of gene-gene interactions was helpful to identification of susceptible individuals and screening high-risk population to lung cancer.