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The benefit of transurethral laser prostatectomy over open simple prostatectomy (OSP) is controversial in aged symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients with large volume prostates, and the aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficiency of these two methods. Meta-analysis was applied using the Review Manager V5.3 software and the retrieved randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing transurethral laser prostatectomy with OSP were analyzed for the treatment of large volume prostates from 2000 to 2019 in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and EMBASE datasets. Five RCTs assessing transurethral laser prostatectomy versus OSP were considered suitable for this meta-analysis, which included a total of 448 patients, with 232 patients undergoing laser and 216 patients undergoing OSP. Compared with OSP, although transurethral laser prostatectomy required a longer operative time (weighted mean difference (WMD) 27.49 mins; 95% confidence interval (CI) 16.54–38.44; P < 0.00001) and obtained a less resected prostate weight (WMD − 11.72 g; 95% CI − 21.75 to − 1.70; P = 0.02), patients undergoing laser prostatectomy benefited from significantly less hemoglobin decline (− 0.97 g/dL; 95% CI − 1.31 to − 0.64; P < 0.00001), shorter time of catheterization (WMD − 3.67 days; 95% CI − 5.60 to − 1.75; P = 0.0002), shorter length of hospital stay (WMD − 4.75 days; 95% CI − 6.57 to − 2.93; P < 0.00001), and less blood transfusion (odds ratio 0.10; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.35; P = 0.0003). During postoperative follow-up, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR. Both transurethral laser prostatectomy and OSP are safe and effective for large prostates that require prostate resection. Taking into account of less blood loss, shorter catheterization time and hospital stay, and less blood transfusion, transurethral laser prostatectomy may be a better treatment for patients with large prostates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to explore potential molecular mechanisms of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and provide candidate target genes for ccRCC gene therapy. Material and Methods: This is a bioinformatics-based study. Microarray datasets of GSE6344, GSE781 and GSE53000 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Using meta-analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between ccRCC and normal samples, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) function analyses. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and modules were investigated. Furthermore, miRNAs-target gene regulatory network was constructed. Results: Total of 511 up-regulated and 444 down-regulated DEGs were determined in the present gene expression microarray data meta-analysis. These DEGs were enriched in functions like immune system process and pathways like Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. PPI network and eight modules were further constructed. A total of 10 outstanding DEGs including TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP), interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and PPARG co-activator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) were detected in PPI network. Furthermore, the miRNAs-target gene regulation analyses showed that miR-412 and miR-199b respectively targeted IRF7 and PPARGC1A to regulate the immune response in ccRCC. Conclusion: TYROBP, IRF7 and PPARGC1A might play important roles in ccRCC via taking part in the immune system process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the robustness of photosynthetic metabolism in the chloroplasts of C[sub3] plants under drought stress and at high CO[sub2] concentration conditions by using a method called Minimization of Metabolic Adjustment Dynamic Flux Balance Analysis (MDFBA). Photosynthetic metabolism in the chloroplasts of C3 plants applies highly cooperative regulation to minimize the fluctuation of metabolite concentration profiles in the face of transient perturbations. Our work suggests that highly cooperative regulation assures the robustness of the biological system and that there is closer cooperation under perturbation conditions than under normal conditions. This results in minimizing fluctuations in the profiles of metabolite concentrations, which is the key to maintaining a system's function. Our methods help in understanding such phenomena and the mechanisms of robustness for complex metabolic networks in dynamic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model predictive control (MPC) strategy for a three-phase three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) grid-connected inverter is discussed. Conventional two-level inverters are effective when a symmetric fault occurs. But when a three-phase unbalanced fault occurs, they will generate errors and introduce delay in the power system because of the complex design or the neglected negative-sequence component of the grid. To solve this problem, a new method to control a NPC gridconnected inverter is proposed, which combines an MPC strategy with a decoupling double synchronous reference frame phase-locked loop technique. The proposed method reduces the use of PI controllers and enhances the system's response speed. Using simulations and experiments, the proposed MPC strategy for a three-level NPC grid-connected inverter is proven to be accurate and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our recent studies suggest a role for the proteasome activator REG (11S regulatory particles. 28-kDa proteasome activator)γ in the regulation of tumor protein 53 (p53). However, the molecular details and in vivo biological significance of REG7-p53 interplay remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that REGγ-deficient mice develop premature aging phenotypes that are associated with abnormal accumulation of casein kinase (CK) 1δ and p53. Antibody array analysis led us to identify CK1δ as a direct target of REGγ. Silencing CKTh or inhibition of CKTh activity prevented decay of murine double minute (Mdm)2. Interestingly, a massive increase of p53 in REGγ-/- tissues is associated with reduced Mdm2 protein levels despite that Mdm2 transcription is enhanced. Allelic p53 haplodeficiency in REGγ-deficient mice attenuated premature aging features. Furthermore, introducing exogenous Mdm2 to REγ-/- MEFs significantly rescues the phenotype of cellular senescence, thereby establishing a REGγCK1-Mdm2-p53 regulatory pathway. Given the conflicting evidence regarding the "antiaging" and "proaging" effects of p53, our results indicate a key role for CK1δ-Mdm2-p53 regulation in the cellular aging process. These findings reveal a unique model that mimics acquired aging in mammals and indicates that modulating the activity of the REGγ-proteasome may be an approach for intervention in aging-associated disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mechanized dry seeded rice can save both labour and water resources. Rice seedling establishment is sensitive to sowing depth while mesocotyl elongation facilitates the emergence of deeply sown seeds. Results: A set of 270 rice accessions, including 170 from the mini-core collection of Chinese rice germplasm (C Collection) and 100 varieties used in a breeding program for drought resistance (D Collection), was screened for mesocotyl lengths of seedlings grown in water (MLw) in darkness and in 5 cm sand culture (MLs). Twenty six accessions (10.53 %) have MLw longer than 1.0 cm. Eleven accessions had the highest mesocotyl lengths, i.e. 1.4 - 5.05 cm of MLw and 3.0 - 6.4 cm in 10 cm sand culture, including 7 upland landraces or varieties. The genotypic data of 1,019,883 SNPs were developed by re-sequencing of those accessions. A wholegenome SNP array (Rice SNP50) was used to genotype 24 accessions as a validation panel, giving 98.41 % of consistent SNPs with the re-sequencing data in average. GWAS based on compressed mixed linear model was conducted using GAPIT. Based on a threshold of - log(P) ≥8.0, 13 loci were associated to MLw on rice chromosome 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9, respectively. Three associated loci, on chromosome 3, 6, and 10, were detected for MLs. A set of 99 associated SNPs for MLw, based on a compromised threshold (-log(P) ≥7.0), located in intergenic regions or different positions of 36 annotated genes, including one cullin and one growth regulating factor gene. Conclusions: Higher proportion and extension of elongated mesocotyls were observed in the mini-core collection of rice germplasm and upland rice landraces or varieties, possibly causing the correlation between mesocotyl elongation and drought resistance. GWAS found 13 loci for mesocotyl length measured in dark germination that confirmed the previously reported co-location of two QTLs across populations and experiments. Associated SNPs hit 36 annotated genes including function-matching candidates like cullin and GRF. The germplasm with elongated mesocotyl, especially upland landraces or varieties, and the associated SNPs could be useful in further studies and breeding of mechanized dry seeded rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep rooting is a very important trait for plants' drought avoidance, and it is usually represented by the ratio of deep rooting (RDR). Three sets of rice populations were used to determine the genetic base for RDR. A linkage mapping population with 180 recombinant inbred lines and an association mapping population containing 237 rice varieties were used to identify genes linked to RDR. Six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of RDR were identified as being located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10. Using 1 019 883 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a genome-wide association study of the RDR was performed. Forty-eight significant SNPs of the RDR were identified and formed a clear peak on the short arm of chromosome 1 in a Manhattan plot. Compared with the shallow-rooting group and the whole collection, the deep-rooting group had selective sweep regions on chromosomes 1 and 2, especially in the major QTL region on chromosome 2. Seven of the nine candidate SNPs identified by association mapping were verified in two RDR extreme groups. The findings from this study will be beneficial to rice drought-resistance research and breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proteasome activator REGγ has been reported to promote degradation of steroid receptor coactivator-3 and cyclindependent kinase inhibitors p21, p16, and p19 in a ubiquitinand ATP-independent manner. A recent comparative analysis of REGγ expression in mouse and human tissues reveals a unique pattern of REGγ in specific cell types, suggesting undisclosed functions and biological importance of this molecule. Despite the emerging progress made in REGγ-related studies, how REGγ function is regulated remains to be explored. In this study, we report for the first time that REGγ can be acetylated mostly on its lysine 195 (Lys-195) residue by CREB binding protein (CBP), which can be reversed by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in mammalian cells. Site-directed mutagenesis abrogated acetylation at Lys-195 and significantly attenuated the capability of REGγ to degrade its target substrates, p21 and hepatitis C virus core protein. Mechanistically, acetylation at Lys-195 is important for the interactions between REGγ monomers and ultimately influences REGγ heptamerization. Biological analysis of cells containing REGγ-WT or REGγ-K195R mutant indicates an impact of acetylation on REGγ-mediated regulation of cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. These findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism in the regulation of REGγ assembly and activity, suggesting a potential venue for the intervention of the ubiquitin-independent REGγ proteasome activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detoxification proteins are a class of proteins for degradation and/or elimination of endogenous and exogenous toxins or medicines, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by these materials. Most of these proteins are generated as a response to the stimulation of toxins or medicines. They are essential for the clearance of harmful substances and for maintenance of physiological balance in organisms. Thus, it is important to collect and integrate information on detoxification proteins. Results: To store, retrieve and analyze the information related to their features and functions, we developed the DetoxiProt, a comprehensive database for annotation of these proteins. This database provides detailed introductions about different classes of the detoxification proteins. Extensive annotations of these proteins, including sequences, structures, features, inducers, inhibitors, substrates, chromosomal location, functional domains as well as physiological-biochemical properties were generated. Furthermore, pre-computed BLAST results, multiple sequence alignments and evolutionary trees for detoxification proteins are also provided for evolutionary study of conserved function and pathways. The current version of DetoxiProt contains 5956 protein entries distributed in 628 organisms. An easy to use web interface was designed, so that annotations about each detoxification protein can be retrieved by browsing with a specific method or by searching with different criteria. Conclusions: DetoxiProt provides an effective and efficient way of accessing the detoxification protein sequences and other high-quality information. This database would be a valuable source for toxicologists, pharmacologists and medicinal chemists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]