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Aim Autophagy plays essential roles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happening and movement. The objective of this study was to verify the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) underlying AAA empirically and using bioinformatics analysis. Methods Two gene expression profile datasets (GSE98278 and GSE57691) were taken from the GEO database. These datasets were combined and then standardized. The underlying differential expression autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) of AAA were tested using R software. PPIs, associativity, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway functional analyses were used to identify the DEARGs. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to identify the RNA expression levels of the top five hub genes in clinical samples. Results In data from 97 AAA patients and 10 healthy controls, a total of 44 DEARGs (6 up-regulated expressed genes and 38 down-regulated expressed genes) were classified. PPI results showed that these ARGs interact. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were directed to elucidate the bio-functional of DEARGs. RT-qPCR results presented that the expressed of IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B in AAA cases and negative control were in accordance with the bioinformatic analysis results. Conclusion Hub genes such as IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B may influence the happening of AAA by controlling autophagy. These findings enhance interpretation of AAA and may be helpful in its diagnosis and treatment.

Aim Autophagy plays essential roles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happening and movement. The objective of this study was to verify the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) underlying AAA empirically and using bioinformatics analysis. Methods Two gene expression profile datasets (GSE98278 and GSE57691) were taken from the GEO database. These datasets were combined and then standardized. The underlying differential expression autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) of AAA were tested using R software. PPIs, associativity, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway functional analyses were used to identify the DEARGs. Finally, qRT-PCR was used to identify the RNA expression levels of the top five hub genes in clinical samples. Results In data from 97 AAA patients and 10 healthy controls, a total of 44 DEARGs (6 up-regulated expressed genes and 38 down-regulated expressed genes) were classified. PPI results showed that these ARGs interact. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were directed to elucidate the bio-functional of DEARGs. qRT-PCR results presented that the expressed of IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B in AAA cases and negative control were in accordance with the bioinformatic analysis results. Conclusion Hub genes such as IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B may influence the happening of AAA by controlling autophagy. These findings enhance interpretation of AAA and may be helpful in its diagnosis and treatment.

Background. Data mining of current gene expression databases has not been previously performed to determine whether sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) expression participates in the pathological process of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The present study was aimed at investigating the role and mechanism of SIRT6 in regulating phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in AAA. Methods. Three gene expression microarray datasets of AAA patients in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and one dataset of SIRT6-knockout (KO) mice were selected, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using GEO2R. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of both the AAA-related DEGs and the SIRT6-related DEGs were conducted. Results. GEO2R analysis showed that the expression of SIRT6 was downregulated for three groups and upregulated for one group in the three datasets, and none of them satisfied statistical significance. There were top 5 DEGs (KYNU, NPTX2, SCRG1, GRK5, and RGS5) in both of the human AAA group and SIRT6-KO mouse group. Top 25 ontology of the SIRT6-KO-related DEGs showed that several pathways including tryptophan catabolic process to kynurenine and negative regulation of cell growth were enriched in the tissues of thickness aortic wall biopsies of AAA patients. Conclusions. Although SIRT6 mRNA level itself did not change among AAA patients, SIRT6 may play an important role in regulating several signaling pathways with significant association with AAA, suggesting that SIRT6 mRNA upregulation is a protective factor for VSMC against AAA.

Traditional high dynamic range (HDR) image generation algorithms such as multi-exposure fusion need to capture multiple images for algorithm fusion, which is not only slow but also occupies a lot of storage space, which limits the application of multi-exposure fusion technology. In this paper, the frequency division multiplexing method is used to separate the sub-images with different exposure values from a single snapshot image successfully. The resolution of HDR images generated by this method is almost the same as that of the traditional multiple exposure methods, the storage space is greatly reduced and the imaging speed is improved.

The binding of exogenous DNA to sperm is a key process for sperm-mediated gene transfer; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to identify the DNA binding proteins (DBPs) in rabbit sperm and to gain further understanding of the molecular mechanism of sperm and exogenous DNA interaction. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used for separating free sperm proteins and complexes of DNA fragment/sperm proteins. A distinct band was found after Coomassie blue staining, and seven potential proteins were identified by mass spectrometry analysis. An analysis of the physical/chemical properties of the seven proteins revealed that the sperm inner acrosomal membrane protein IAM38 (IAM38) matched the features of the DBPs. Western blotting analysis showed that the IAM38 and CD4 were present in the sperm but not in the seminal plasma. Blocking of the IAM38 impaired the DNA-binding capacity of the sperm. Blocking the CD4 decreased the DNA-uptake capacity of the sperm but did not influence the DNA-binding capacity of the sperm. Moreover, the EGFP-positive embryos and EGFP-positive blastocysts were also decreased after IAM38 blocking or CD4 blocking in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, our results imply that foreign DNA first binds to the transmembrane IAM38 of the sperm plasma membrane and then forms the complex of DNA/IAM38/CD4 with CD4 to complete the transportation of exogenous DNA into the nucleus of sperm.

Micro-nano structured LiFe1−xMnxPO4/C (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) cathodes were prepared by spray drying, followed by calcination at 700 °C. The spherical LiFe1−xMnxPO4/C (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) particles with the size of 0.5 to 5.0 µm are composed of lots of nanoparticles of 20 to 30 nm, and have the well-developed interconnected pore structure. In contrast, when Mn doping content is 3 mol% (x = 0.03), the LiFe0.97Mn0.03PO4/C demonstrates maximum specific surface area of 31.30 m2/g, more uniform pore size and relatively better electrochemical performance. The initial discharge capacities are 161.59, 157.04 and 153.13 mAh/g at a discharge rate of 0.2, 0.5 and 1 C, respectively. Meanwhile, the discharge capacity retentions are ∼100% after 120 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance should be attributed to higher specific surface, smaller polarization voltage, and a high Li+ diffusion rate due to the micro-nano porous structure and lattice expansion produced by Mn doping.

The typical defect detection method is based on the use of conventional cameras with limited dynamic range and image processing algorithm. Their identification efficiency is low particularly for industrial application because the light intensity from some highly reflective surfaces can easily exceed the maximum intensity limit of the sensor. In this paper, we take advantage of the fast spatial light modulation characteristics of the DMD system. By generating highlight defect datasets and training the neural network (i.e., mask region-based convolutional neural network), the defects covered by strong light can be detected quickly and automatically.

In order to build pixel-to-pixel correspondence between the CCD camera and digital micromirror device (DMD) in high dynamic range (HDR) imaging system, we proposed an absolute phase mapping method based on the first partial derivatives of phase-shifted composite fringes in this paper. Compared with the conventional phase mapping method, the needed fringe patterns of our method are reduced by one time, which improves the mapping efficiency. Meanwhile, experimental results show the proposed method has an accuracy improvement over the existing methods. The root mean square error is within 0.11 pixels in both the horizontal and vertical directions, reaching the sub-pixel mapping accuracy and indicating the superiority of our method. Finally, we combined the proposed mapping method with the imaging system and achieved high dynamic range imaging by photographing the surface of highlighted object, which verified the validity and practicability of our method.

Fetal fibroblasts are often used as donor cells for SCNT, but their short lifespan greatly limits this application. To provide stable and long-lifespan cells, buffalo fetal fibroblasts (BFFs) transfected with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The hTERT-transfected BFFs (hTERT-BFFs) were evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blot, karyotype analysis, telomerase activity assay, growth curve assay, flow cytometry, and soft agar assay. The development of SCNT embryos derived from hTERT-BFFs was also assessed in vitro. The morphology of hTERT-BFFs was similar to the nontransfected BFFs, and the karyotype of hTERT-BFFs was normal at passage 30. The hTERT-BFFs at passage 4 and 30 had higher telomerase activity and extended proliferative lifespan with an increase in cell population at S phase when compared with nontransfected BFFs at passage 5 and 30. The mRNA expression of p53 in hTERT-BFFs at passage 5 and 30 remained unchanged when compared with nontransfected BFFs at passage 5, whereas the mRNA expression of p53 in the nontransfected BFFs at passage 30 was increased. Soft agar assay showed that hTERT-BFFs at passage 30 were not a malignant phenotype. Significantly, more SCNT embryos derived from hTERT-BFFs at passage 5 and 30 developed to blastocysts in comparison with BFFs at passage 30. The Caudal type homeobox 2 and Connexin 43 genes were indicated to involve in the development of cloned embryos. These results indicate that transfection of BFFs with hTERT can extend their lifespan and retain their basic and key biological characteristics in the status of primary BFFs.

Based on the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA) with different morphologies, such as nanorod-like, flower-like and sphere-like assembled HA nanorods, a new strategy has been developed for the removal of heavy metal ions such as Pb2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+. The dependence of removal efficiency on the morphology and the suspended concentration of trapping agent, the removal time and selectivity were evaluated and discussed. The experimental results proved that the removal capacity of flower-like assembled HA nanorods (NAFL-HA) was the best, and the maximum removal ratio for Pb2+ ion was 99.97%. The mechanism of Pb2+ removal was studied in detail, noting that some metal ions were completely incorporated into hydroxyapatitie to produce Pb-HA. It reveals that the metal ions capture by HA is mainly controlled by sample surface adsorption and co-precipitation, which are directly controlled by sample morphology.

The present study explored a suitable parthenogenetic activation (PA) procedure for rabbit oocytes and investigated the developmental potential of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos using rabbit foetal fibroblasts (RFFs). The electrical activation had the optimal rate of blastocyst (14.06%) when oocytes were activated by three direct current (DC) pulses (40 V/mm, 20 μs each) followed by 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) and cycloheximide (CHX) treatment; the blastocyst rate of ionomycin (ION) + 6-DMAP + CHX (12.07%) activation was higher than that of ION + 6-DMAP (8.6%) activation or ION + CHX (1.24%) activation; there was no significant difference in blastocyst rate between ION + 6-DMAP + CHX and DC + 6-DMAP + CHX groups. The blastocyst rate of ION + 6-DMAP + CHX-activated oocytes in the basic rabbit culture medium (M-199) + 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS; 14.28%) was higher than that in buffalo conditioned medium (5.75%) or G1/G2 medium (0), and the blastocyst rate was increased when M-199 + 10% FBS was supplemented with amino acids. Refreshing culture medium every day or every other day significantly increased the blastocyst rate. Treatment of donor cells with 0.5% FBS for 3-5 days increased blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos (33.33%) than no serum starvation (22.47%) or 0.5% FBS treatment for 6-9 days (23.61%); the blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos derived from nontransgenic RFFs was higher than that derived from transgenic RFFs by electroporation. The blastocyst development ability of SCNT embryos derived from RFFs by electroporation (32.22%) was higher than that of liposome (19.11%) or calcium phosphate (20.00%) transfection, and only the embryos from electroporation group have the EGFP expression (24.44%). In conclusion, this study for the first time systematically optimized the conditions for yield of rabbit embryo by SCNT.

As one of the new methods of materials preparing, interface-regulated mineralization, has been developed and used to fabricate the CaCO3 materials with mimetic construction of natural biogenic structures in the present work. Combined with the effect of glycine at different concentrations, novel gas-liquid interfaces of CO2/NH3 bubbles have been substituted for the traditional settled matrix and utilized as new reaction fields of CaCO3. CaCO3 crystals with delicate hierarchical structures and morphologies, such as scallop-shaped, ellipsoidal and spherical structure, have been obtained at the special glycine-mediated gasliquid interfaces. The effect of glycine concentration and the chemical reaction kinetics have been deeply studied. As a result, we have successfully captured in detail the crystallization behaviors of CaCO3 in different stages, which allow us to put forward a general kinetic model to reveal the formation mechanism of CaCO3 and implicate a straightforward mean to control the morphology and structure.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have their first double bond at the third carbon from the methyl end of the fatty-acid chain and had been proven to be beneficial to human health. However, mammals cannot produce n-3 PUFAs by themselves because they lack the n-3 fatty-acid desaturase (Fat-1) gene. Thus, the possibility of producing sFat-1 transgenic rabbits was explored in this study. The transgenic cassette of pPGK1–sFat-1–CMV–EGFP was constructed and transgenic rabbit embryos were produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). When 123 EGFP-positive embryos at the 2–8-cell stage were transplanted into the oviduct of four oestrous-synchronised recipients, two of them became pregnant and gave birth to seven pups. However, transfer of embryos into the uterus of oestrous-synchronised recipients and oviduct or uterus of oocyte donor rabbits did not result in pregnancy. The integration of the sFat-1 gene was confirmed in six of the seven live pups by PCR and Southern blot. The expression of the sFat-1 gene in the six transgenic pups was also detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that transgenic rabbits exhibited an ~15-fold decrease in the ratio of n-6 : n-3 PUFAs in muscle compared with wild-type rabbits and non-transgenic rabbits. These results demonstrate that sFat-1 transgenic rabbits can be produced by ICSI and display a low ratio of n-6 : n-3 PUFAs.

HSP22 (heat shock protein 22), belonging to the superfamily of small heat shock proteins, which has a molecular mass of 21.6 KD and is able to exist in the form of monomer, has multiple functions including molecular chaperones, apoptosis and anti-apoptosis, lifespan extension, antioxidation and so on. In recent years, studies show that HSP22 plays a crucial role in many neurological diseases, such as hereditary nerve endings disease, Alzheimer disease and Charco-Marie-Tooth. This review explores the progress in HSP22 and its involvement in human neurological disease.