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An experiment was performed to examine the effect of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) gene product on cardiomyocyte growth and differentiation. Eker rats were used as samples because it was believed that they contain germ-line TSC2 mutation. Results of the experiment showed that TSC1 and TSC2 were significant regulators of cardiomyocyte cell cycle and terminal differentiation. Cardiomyocytes exhibited in the samples synthesized DNA after repeated passage in vitro suggesting that tuberin regulated cardiomyocyte cell-cycle withdrawal.

Combined positional cloning and candidate gene technique help identify the Eker mutation, responsible for hereditary renal carcinoma in rat, to be an r tuberous sclerosis 2 (rTSC2) rearrangement that maps to the rat chromosome band 10q12. rTSC2 is homologous to the human tumor suppressor gene that maps to HSA 16p13.3. An aberrant transcript with a 3' end deletion results from the mutation. The expression of only the mutant allele by tumors with or without loss of heterozygosity supports the two-bit hypothesis.

Production of β-ketoacyl-CoA, which is catalyzed by 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase ( KCS), is the first step in very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis. Here we identified 58 KCS genes from Gossypium hirsutum, 31 from G. arboreum and 33 from G. raimondii by searching the assembled cotton genomes. The gene family was divided into the plant-specific FAE1-type and the more general ELO-type. KCS transcripts were widely expressed and 32 of them showed distinct subgenome-specific expressions in one or more cotton tissues/organs studied. Six GhKCS genes rescued the lethality of elo2Δelo3Δ yeast double mutant, indicating that this gene family possesses diversified functions. Most KCS genes with GA-responsive elements (GAREs) in the promoters were significantly upregulated by gibberellin A3 (GA). Exogenous GA3 not only promoted fiber length, but also increased the thickness of cell walls significantly. GAREs present also in the promoters of several cellulose synthase ( CesA) genes required for cell wall biosynthesis and they were all induced significantly by GA3. Because GA treatment resulted in longer cotton fibers with thicker cell walls and higher dry weight per unit cell length, we suggest that it may regulate fiber elongation upstream of the VLCFA-ethylene pathway and also in the downstream steps towards cell wall synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil Cd pollution causes food insecurity, which has raised concern all over the world. This paper summarized soil Cd pollution status , areas threatened by Cd pollution in China ,and Cd pollution sources. The characteristics of soil Cd pollution, Cd form classification and its activity were analyzed. Then, treatment measures, including physical -chemical techniques , bioremediation techniques , ecological remediation techniques , and combined techniques , were reviewed. Finally based on practical field investigation and monitor, multi-remediation methods were suggested to control Cd pollution from the perspective of Cd pollution sources, pollution characteristics, pollution level, and soil application purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report that the epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) pathway plays a critical role in regulating cancer stem-like cells ( CSCs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC), one of the most common malignant tumors in Southeast Asia. Effects of EGFR on maintaining CSCs are mainly mediated by AKT signaling, and β-catenin is responsible for governing CSC properties in response to EGFR/ AKT activation. Significantly, CSCs are enriched by cisplatin and decreased by gefitinib in NPC xenograft models. Upon reimplantation in secondary mice, tumor cells derived from cisplatin-treated mice grew rapidly, whereas regrowth of tumor cells from gefitinib-treated mice was severely diminished. We further demonstrate that expression of EGFR correlates with expression of β-catenin and Nanog in primary tumor specimens from NPC patients. These findings provide mechanistic and preclinical evidence supporting the use of gefitinib alone or in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent in first-line therapy for patients with NPC. In addition, our results suggest that targeting β-catenin represents a rational clinical modality for patients whose tumors harbor activated EGFR or AKT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the dietary nutrient intake of Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, identify influencing factors, and explore the correlation between dietary nutrient intake and nutritional and disease control indicators., Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. A dietary survey was conducted using a three-day dietary record method, and a self-designed diet management software was utilized to calculate the daily intake of dietary nutrients. The nutritional status and disease control indicators were assessed using subjective global assessment, handgrip strength, blood test indexes, and dialysis adequacy., Results: A total of 382 MHD patients were included in this study. Among them, 225 (58.9%) and 233 (61.0%) patients' protein and energy intake did not meet the recommendations outlined in the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease (2020 update). The average protein and energy intake for these patients were 0.99 ± 0.32 g/kg/d and 29.06 ± 7.79 kcal/kg/d, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that comorbidity-diabetes had a negative influence on normalized daily energy intake (nDEI = DEI / ideal body weight) (B = -2.880, p  = 0.001) and normalized daily protein intake (nDPI = DPI / ideal body weight) (B = -0.109, p  = 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that dietary DPI ( r  = -0.109, p  < 0.05), DEI ( r  = -0.226, p  < 0.05) and phosphorus ( r  = -0.195, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to Kt/V; dietary nDPI ( r  = 0.101, p  < 0.05) and sodium ( r  = -0.144, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum urea nitrogen; dietary DPI ( r  = 0.200, p  < 0.001), DEI ( r  = 0.241, p  < 0.001), potassium ( r  = 0.129, p  < 0.05), phosphorus ( r  = 0.199, p  < 0.001), and fiber ( r  = 0.157, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum creatinine; dietary phosphorus ( r  = 0.117, p  < 0.05) and fiber ( r  = 0.142, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to serum phosphorus; dietary nDPI ( r  = 0.125, p  < 0.05), DPI ( r  = 0.135, p  < 0.05), nDEI ( r  = 0.116, p  < 0.05), DEI ( r  = 0.125, p  < 0.05), potassium ( r  = 0.148, p  < 0.001), and phosphorus ( r  = 0.156, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to subjective global assessment scores; dietary nDPI ( r  = 0.215, p  < 0.001), DPI ( r  = 0.341, p  < 0.001), nDEI ( r  = 0.142, p  < 0.05), DEI ( r  = 0.241, p  < 0.001), potassium ( r  = 0.166, p  < 0.05), phosphorus ( r  = 0.258, p  < 0.001), and fiber ( r  = 0.252, p  < 0.001) intake were statistically correlated to handgrip strength in males; dietary fiber ( r  = 0.190, p  < 0.05) intake was statistically correlated to handgrip strength in females., Conclusions: The dietary nutrient intake of MHD patients need improvement. Inadequate dietary nutrient intake among MHD patients could have a detrimental effect on their blood test indexes and overall nutritional status. It is crucial to address and optimize the dietary intake of nutrients in this patient population to enhance their health outcomes and well-being.

Background: Endovascular treatment of acute thrombosed arteriovenous grafts performed completely under ultrasound guidance has rarely been reported. We compared the efficacy of a new endovascular thrombectomy technique (percutaneous manual thromboaspiration through the introducer sheath) with classical hybrid thrombectomy (minimally invasive surgical thrombectomy combined with high-pressure angioplasty) performed completely under ultrasound guidance, for arteriovenous graft thrombosis., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving patients receiving hemodialysis who underwent arteriovenous graft thrombectomy between January 2014 and December 2017. We divided 130 participants into an intervention (endovascular) group (N.=65) and a control (classical hybrid) group (N.=65) according to the thrombectomy technique. The procedural success rate, immediate outcomes and patency were compared between the groups., Results: There was no significant difference in the procedural success rate (92.31% vs. 89.23%, P=0.55) between the intervention and control groups, respectively. No major complications were noted, but two cases of vessel rupture occurred in the control group and three cases of vessel rupture occurred in the intervention group. The procedure time in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (74±14.21 min vs. 109.05±19.20 min, respectively; P<0.05). During the 6-month follow-up, we found no significant difference in the postintervention primary patency rate (48.33% vs. 55.17%; P=0.51) or the postintervention second patency rate (83.33% vs. 84.49%; P=0.79) between the intervention and control groups, respectively. Dialysis clearance and ≥50% stenosis were predictors of postintervention primary patency (hazard ratio, 7.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.75-34.81; P=0.01; and hazard ratio, 6.43; 95% confidence interval: 2.43-17.03; P<0.001), respectively., Conclusions: Completely ultrasound-guided percutaneous manual thromboaspiration through the introducer sheath can be used for thrombosed arteriovenous grafts. This approach has the advantage of shorter operative time compared with hybrid treatment.