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Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a common environmental pollutant, and expo sure to it is associated with proteinuria and may predict the progression of chronic kid ney disease; however, the mechanism is not clear. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NET s) are a DNA skeleton coated with various proteases, and it is associated with variou s types of autoimmune nephritis. In this study, we examine whether NETs is involved i n BPA-induced chronic kidney injury. In vivo, BPA exposure resulted in impaired renal function and altered renal morphology, including glomerular mesangial matrix expansion and increased renal interstitial fibroblast markers. Meanwhile, more dsDNA can be de tected in the serum, and the NETs-associated proteins, MPO and citH3 were deposited in the renal system. In vitro, BPA and NETs treatment caused podocyte injury, a loss of mark er proteins and disorder in the actin skeleton. After NETs inhibition via D Nase administration, BPA-induced injuries were significantly relieved. In conclusion, the increase of NETosis in circulation and the renal system during BPA exposure suggest s that NETs may be involved in BPA-induced chronic kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Febuxostat has been approved for the treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with/without gout. Objectives: This meta-analysis and systematic review assessed the efficacy and tolerability of febuxostat in hyperuricemic patients with/without gout. Methods: Major electronic databases were searched for articles of all publication years (up to February 2012), as were the Web sites of the American College of Rheumatology, the European League Against Rheumatism, and the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration, and clinicaltrials.gov for unpublished studies. Only randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Results: Ten trials were included. A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved the target serum urate level (sUA =6.0 mg/dL) at the final visit in the febuxostat group compared with the placebo (OR = 235.73; P < 0.01) and allopurinol groups (OR =3.14; P < 0.01). In subgroup analysis, the proportion of patients who achieved target sUA at the final visit was significantly greater in the febuxostat-treated group (40 mg/d) compared with the allopurinol-treated group (100-300 mg/d) (50.9% vs 45.6%; OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.49; P = 0.01). As the dosage was increased (40, 80, 120 mg/d), the proportion of patients who achieved target sUA in the febuxostattreated group increased gradually (50.9%, 71.4%, 82%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) between the febuxostat- and allopurinol-treated groups. Conclusion: Febuxostat was effective in reducing serum urate in hyperuricemic patients with/without gout, and febuxostat (40-120 mg/d) was more efficacious compared with allopurinol (100-300 mg/d). The doses of allopurinol to which febuxostat has been compared, although commonly prescribed, are low in the range of approved doses of allopurinol. The tolerability of febuxostat for the treatment of hyperuricemia with/without gout is similar to that of allopurinol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) plays an important role in obesity-induced insulin resistance (IR). The study aims to investigate the effect of metformin, a widely used agent to improve IR, on PEDF production both in vivo and in vitro. Methods. SD rats were divided into normal control group, high fat group (HF group), and metformin group (MET group). Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed to evaluate insulin sensitivity. IR models of 3T3-L1 and HepG2 cells were established and then treated with metformin and inhibitor of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). Results. In vivo, the HF group showed increased serum PEDF which is negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity, while the MET group revealed decreased serum PEDF and downregulated PEDF expression in fat and liver, concomitant with significantly improved IR. In vitro, the IR cells showed enhanced PEDF secretion and expression, whereas metformin lowered PEDF secretion and expression, accompanied with increased glucose uptake. Metformin stimulated AMPK phosphorylation in fat and liver of the obese rats, while in vitro, when combined with AMPK inhibitor, the effect of metformin on PEDF was abrogated. Conclusions. Metformin inhibits the expression and secretion of PEDF in fat and liver via promoting AMPK phosphorylation, which is closely associated with IR improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overlapping coding regions balance selective forces between multiple genes. One possible division of nucleotide sequence is that the predominant selective force on a particular nucleotide can be attributed to just one gene. While this arrangement has been observed in regions in which one gene is structured and the other is disordered, we sought to explore how overlapping genes balance constraints when both protein products are structured over the same sequence. We use a combination of sequence analysis, functional assays, and selection experiments to examine an overlapped region in HIV-1 that encodes helical regions in both Env and Rev. We find that functional segregation occurs even in this overlap, with each protein spacing its functional residues in a manner that allows a mutable non-binding face of one helix to encode important functional residues on a charged face in the other helix. Additionally, our experiments reveal novel and critical functional residues in Env and have implications for the therapeutic targeting of HIV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study on the major subtypes of obesity such as the general and the abdominal obesity which are known to be associated with chronic diabetes complications, like cardiovascular diseases and diabetic retinopathy. Topics discussed include the diabetic kidney disease (DKD), type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients assess through DXA, and the parameters of general obesity such as body mass index (BMI), total body fat percentage(TBF), and fat mass index (FMI).

Metasurfaces with complex periodic nanoarrays have attracted a large amount of attention over the past decades due to their pronounced plasmonic and photonic properties. Though various metasurface properties have been theoretically and experimentally investigated, the realization of practical metasurface applications remains a big challenge due to very limited large-area complex nanostructure fabrication. In this paper, we demonstrate a parallel direct writing achromatic Talbot lithography (DW-ATL) technique for large-area arbitrary sub-micron periodic nano-arrays fabrication. By using a laser interferometer, the sparse hole/dot arrays obtained by ATL could be stitched precisely between discrete multiple exposures. Complex sub-micron periodic nanoarrays, such as elliptical discs, rods, L-shaped and Y-shaped periodic nanoarrays, with a sub-hundred nm resolution were fabricated over an area of ∼mm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pattern of fat distribution is a major determinant for metabolic homeostasis. As a depot of energy, the storage of triglycerides in adipose tissue contributes to the normal fat distribution. Decreased capacity of fat storage in adipose tissue may result in ectopic fat deposition in nonadipose tissues such as liver, pancreas, and kidney. As a critical biomarker of metabolic complications, chronic low-grade inflammation may have the ability to affect the process of lipid accumulation and further lead to the disorder of fat distribution. In this review, we have collected the evidence linking inflammation with ectopic fat deposition to get a better understanding of the underlying mechanism, which may provide us with novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell wall mechanical properties are an important indicator for evaluating the overall mechanical properties of natural bamboo fibers. Using the nanoindentation technique, the variation of the mechanical properties of the fiber cell wall of Bambusa pervariabilis culms with different ages and different positions (both radial and longitudinal) was studied. Moreover, x-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to measure the microfibril angle (MFA), and the correlation between the MFA and the mechanical properties of the fiber cell wall. The results showed that there was a remarkable difference in the fiber cell wall mechanical properties at different ages and at different radial and longitudinal positions. However, at different ages and at different positions, the absolute value of variation of MFA was less than 1° and was very minor. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the fiber cell wall mechanics and MFA, indicating that the mechanical property of the fiber cell walls might be synergistically affected by many factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) could benefit patients with diabetes and albuminuria remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to answer this question by comparing ACE inhibitors or ARB with placebo among these patients. Methods: In this meta-analysis, electronic data sources (Medline, the Cochrane Collaboration, and EMBASE) were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ACE inhibitors or ARB with placebo in subjects with diabetes and albuminuria (defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, UACR≥30mg/g Cr) were included. Outcomes parameters were all-cause mortality, end stage renal disease (ESRD), doubling of serum creatinine levels, and cardiovascular events (CV). Results: Twenty-six RCTs (including 20 for ACE inhibitors and 6 for ARB) were included, comprising 10378 participants with diabetes and albuminuria. Compared to placebo, treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs did not reduce all-cause mortality or CV. For renal outcomes, ARBs significantly reduced the risk of ESRD by 23% (odds ratio 0.77, 95%CI 0.65-0.92), while ACE inhibitors were not associated with a decreased risk of ESRD (0.69, 0.43-1.10). Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs reduced the risk of doubling of the serum creatinine level (0.60, 0.39-0.91 for ACE inhibitors; 0.75, 0.64-0.88 for ARBs), and subgroup analyses for patients with macroalbuminuria or microalbuminuria showed similar results. Conclusion: In patients with diabetes and albuminuria, ARBs reduced risks of ESRD and doubling of the serum creatinine level. ACE inhibitors and ARBs failed to reduce all-cause mortality and CV. Based on the renoprotective effects, ARBs may be preferred for diabetic patients with albuminuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The relationship between bisphenol A (BPA) and diabetes remains controversial. This study aims to investigate whether serum BPA level could predict the 5-year incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A nested case–control study was performed among Chinese who participated in the environment, inflammation and metabolic diseases study (2008–2013). Of the 3510 subjects who were free of diabetes, 232 subjects developed diabetes during the 5-year follow-up. Cases and controls were matched for age and gender by a ratio of 1:1. Homoeostasis model assessment was used to estimate basal β-cell function (HOMA-β) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Participants were stratified into tertiles based on low, median and high baseline serum BPA levels. Regression models were used to analyze the relationship between serum BPA concentration and the incidence of T2D. Results At baseline, no significant difference in serum BPA concentration was observed between patients with T2D and controls [1.3 (0.3, 3.7) vs. 1.6 (0.4, 3.9) μmol/L, P = 0.199]; serum BPA concentration was positively associated with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.27, P < 0.001); however, neither HOMA-β nor HOMA-IR correlated with serum BPA concentration. During the follow-up, baseline BPA levels could not predict the 5-year T2D incidence, whether or not adjusted for the potential confounders such as body mass index and blood pressure. [Low BPA tertile was the reference, OR 0.66 (95% CI 0.30, 1.44) for median, OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.41, 2.13) for high.] Conclusion BPA is not associated with a 5-year T2D incidence. These data do not support previous cross-sectional study that BPA exerted a detrimental effect on glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of hyperuricemia has increased rapidly over the past decades. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disruptor. We investigated the effects of BPA on uric acid metabolism and its potential mechanisms. Experiments were performed in different animal models, cell cultures, and humans. In 3 different animal models, BPA exposure increased serum and hepatic uric acid with enhanced activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) in liver, whereas the excretion of uric acid was unchanged. Both in vivo and in vitro, BPA-induced uric acid production was decreased after treatment with allopurinol, which is a XO inhibitor. XO led to the accumulation of uric acid after xanthine was added, with the enzyme-catalyzed reaction, which was enhanced by BPA. Altered secondary structures of XO were found by circular dichroism analysis in the conditions of different BPA concentrations. Molecular docking portrayed Asp360 and Lys422 of XO to be the preferred binding sites for BPA. Mutation of both sites significantly blocked the effect of BPA on XO activity. In humans, patients with hyperuricemia exhibited higher levels of serum BPA than subjects without hyperuricemia. These findings demonstrate BPA promotes hyperuricemia by increasing hepatic uric acid synthesis via the activation of XO, probably through direct binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-exposure patterned area is about several 102 × 102 μ m2 which is mainly decided by the mask area in multi-beam X-ray interference lithography (XIL). The exposure area is difficult to stitch to a larger one because the patterned area is surrounded by 0th diffraction exposure areas. To block the 0th diffraction beams precisely and effectively, a new large area exposure technology is developed in the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility by applying an order-sorting aperture with a new in situ monitoring scheme in the XIL system. The patterned area could be stitched readily up to several square centimeters and even bigger by this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of rattan/polymer composites prepared by polymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA). The P. kerrana rattan samples were impregnated in a vacuum system and polymerized in an oven at 60℃ for 8 h, using 0.5 wt.% of azobisisobutyronitrile as a catalyst. The macro-mechanical properties of the treated and untreated samples were analyzed. The bending modulus and strength of the treated rattan increased by 206% and 215%, respectively. Additionally, the compressive modulus and strength increased by 109% and 107%, compared to untreated rattan. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that MMA penetrated the cell lumen. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that MMA diffused into the parenchyma and vessels, but it was not found in the fiber wall. Thus, it can be inferred that the improvement in the mechanical properties of treated rattan was mainly caused by the strengthened parenchyma and vessels. Modification with MMA was shown to be an effective way to enhance the macromechanical properties of P. kerrana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanical behavior and the variation of Dendrocalamus farinosus single fibres, which were isolated from fibre bundles using a chemical method. A micro-tester was applied to determine the influence of the age of the bamboo sampled, as well as the longitudinal and radial positions, on three indicators featuring tensile properties at the fibre level. The results indicated that the single fibres had a brittle failure mode, resulting in average tensile strength and tensile modulus (MOE) values of 1.06 and 26.93 GPa, respectively. The differing ages and positions across the whole culm appeared to be minor in relation to their tensile properties, which reached a near-optimal state at 2 years old and remained fairly constant. This work could provide basic-data for further research on bamboo properties and increase attention to a potential supplementary material to moso bamboo in industrial utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in situ imaging nanoindentation technique was used to investigate the effect of age, culm height, and radial position on the cell wall mechanical properties of bamboo (Dendrocalamus farinosus) along the longitudinal direction of culms. The results indicated that among our foursampled culm ages, the fiber cell wall had average values for the elastic modulus (MOE) and hardness (HL) of 18.56 GPa and 410.72 MPa, respectively. The ages of the culm had no significant effect on the observed MOE and HL among the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old D. farinosus test specimens, with similar results observed at three different culm heights and radial positions. Furthermore, longitudinal MOE and HL values along the thickness of the cell wall were uneven, with average values for the middle lamella and the edge near the cavity only 20.97% to 29.78% and 9.22% to 31.71%, respectively, of the values found in the cell wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is one of the world's fastest growing plants. They reach a final height of 15-40 m during a period of 40-120 days. The full height is reached by intercalary growth of each node. However, it is very difficult to detect the complex vascular system in a bamboo node using traditional methods. X-ray computed microtomography (µCT) is a noninvasive novel approach to the three-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of biological structures. In the present article, µCT has been applied to provide insights into the internal structure of bamboo node, where three branches are connected. The picture obtained could hardly be obtained by any other means. The bamboo nodal characteristics of three transverse and axial sections are presented. The complex 3D network of vascular bundles has been directly obtained for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type I IFNs are unusually pleiotropic cytokines that bind to a single heterodimeric receptor and have potent antiviral, antiproliferative, and immune modulatory activities. The diverse effects of the type I IFNs are of differential therapeutic importance; in cancer therapy, an enhanced antiproliferative effect may be beneficial, whereas in the therapy of viral infections (such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C). the antiproliferative effects lead to dose limiting bone marrow suppression. Studies have shown that various members of the natural IFN-α family and engineered variants, such as IFN-con1, vary in the ratios between various IFN-mediated cellular activities. We used DNA shuffling to explore and confirm the hypothesis that one could simultaneously increase the antiviral and Th1-inducing activity and decrease the antiproliferative activity. We report IFN-α hybrids wherein the ratio of antiviral:antiproliferative and Th1-inducing: antiproliferative potencies are markedly increased with respsect to IFN-con1 (75- and 80-fold, respectively). A four-residue motif that overlaps with the IFNAR1 binding site and is derived by cross breeding with a pseudogene contributes significantly to this phenotype. These IFN-αs have an activity profile that may result in an improved therapeutic index and, consequently, better clinical efficacy for the treatment of chronic viral diseases such as hepatitis B virus, human papilloma virus, HIV, or chronic hepatitis C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]