Search

The involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) carcinogenesis has gradually been proposed. Herein, we aimed to explore the function and mechanism of circPRRC2C in LSCC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used for detecting the content of genes and proteins. In vitro experiments were conducted using 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, colony formation, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. The binding between miR-136-5p and circPRRC2C or Homeobox D11 (HOXD11) was confirmed by using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The murine xenograft model was established for in vivo analysis. The commercial kit was used for exosome separation. CircPRRC2C is a stable circRNA, and was highly expressed in LSCC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, circPRRC2C deficiency impaired LSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion but induced cell apoptosis in vitro and impeded tumor growth in vivo, however, circPRRC2C overexpression showed the exact opposite effects. Mechanistically, circPRRC2C directly targeted miR-136-5p, which showed inhibitory effects on the growth and mobility of LSCC cells. Meanwhile, miR-136-5p directly targeted HOXD11, and circPRRC2C/miR-136-5p/HOXD11 formed a feedback loop in LSCC cells. Further rescue assays exhibited that circPRRC2C exerted its effects by miR-136-5p/HOXD11 axis. In addition, circPRRC2C was stably packaged into exosomes and showed potential diagnostic value for LSCC. CircPRRC2C acted as an oncogene to promote LSCC cell oncogenic phenotypes via miR-136-5p/HOXD11 axis, besides, circPRRC2C was stably packaged into exosomes, indicating the potential application of circPRRC2C-targeting agents in the treatment in LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, with (Σ, g) being a closed Riemann surface, we analyze the possible concentration behavior of a heat flow related to the Trudinger-Moser energy. We obtain a long time existence for the flow. And along some sequence of times tk → + ∞, we can deduce the convergence of the flow in H2(Σ). Furthermore, the limit function is a critical point of the Trudinger-Moser functional under certain constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are heterogenic phagocytic cells that play distinct roles in physiological and pathological processes. Targeting different types of macrophages has shown potent therapeutic effects in many diseases. Although many approaches are developed to target anti‐inflammatory macrophages, there are few researches on targeting pro‐inflammatory macrophages, which is partially attributed to their non‐s pecificity phagocytosis of extracellular substances. In this study, a novel recombinant protein is constructed that can be anchored on an exosome membrane with the purpose of targeting pro‐inflammatory macrophages via antigen recognition, which is named AnCar‐ExoLaIMTS. The data indicate that the phagocytosis efficiencies of pro‐inflammatory macrophages for different AnCar‐ExoLaIMTS show obvious differences. The AnCar‐ExoLaIMTS3 has the best targeting ability for pro‐inflammatory macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, AnCar‐ExoLaIMTS3 can specifically recognize the leucine‐rich repeat domain of the TLR4 receptor, and then enter into pro‐inflammatory macrophages via the TLR4‐mediated receptor endocytosis pathway. Moreover, AnCar‐ExoLaIMTS3 can efficiently deliver therapeutic cargo to pro‐inflammatory macrophages and inhibit the synovial inflammatory response via downregulation of HIF‐1α level, thus ameliorating the severity of arthritis in vivo. Collectively, the work established a novel gene/drug delivery system that can specifically target pro‐inflammatory macrophages, which may be beneficial for the treatments of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Biomimetic mineralization mediated by proteins and peptides is a promising strategy for enamel repair, and its specific application model needs more research. In this work, we exploited a liposomal delivery system for a novel peptide (DK5) derived from histatin-1 (DK5-Lips) as a new biomimetic mineralization strategy against initial enamel caries. Materials and methods: The DK5-Lips was prepared using calcium acetate gradient method and then the in vitro release, salivary stability, and cytotoxicity were studied. Initial enamel caries was created in bovine enamel blocks and subjected to pH-cycling model treated with DK5-Lips. Surface microhardness testing, polarized light microscopy (PLM), and transverse microradiography (TMR) were analyzed. Then the biocompatibility of DK5-Lips was evaluated in the caries model of Sprague–Dawley rats, and the anti-caries effect was assessed using Micro-CT analysis, Keyes scores, and PLM in vivo. Results: DK5-Lips provided a mean particle size of (97.63 ± 4.94)nm and encapsulation efficiency of (61.46 ± 1.44)%, exhibiting a sustained release profile, excellent stability in saliva, and no significant toxicity on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). The DK5-Lips group had higher surface microhardness recovery, shallower caries depth, and less mineral loss in bovine enamel. Animal experiments showed higher volume and density values of residual molar enamel, lower Keyes score, and shallower lesion depth of the DK5-Lips group with good biocompatibility. Conclusion: As a safe and effective application model, DK5-Lips could significantly promote the remineralization of initial enamel caries both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical relevance: The potential of liposome utilization as vehicle for oral delivery of functional peptides may provide a new way for enamel restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under constant-stress accelerated life test, the general progressive type-II censoring sample and the two parameters following the linear Arrhenius model, the point estimation and interval estimation of the two parameters log-normal distribution were discussed. The unknown parameters of the model as well as reliability and hazard rate functions are estimated by using Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods. The maximum-likelihood estimates are derived by the Newton–Raphson method and the corresponding asymptotic variance is derived by the Fisher information matrix. Since the Bayesian estimates (BEs) of the unknown parameters cannot be expressed explicitly, the approximate BEs of the unknown parameters. The approximate highest posterior density confidence intervals are calculated. The practicality of the proposed method is illustrated by simulation study and real data application analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a prediction method of deck lateral-directional motion for the control of landing trajectory of aircraft. Firstly, through the analysis of the process of aircraft returning to the ship, the modeling of the motion has been built. Secondly, in view of the delay of trajectory tracking captured in the actual process of aircraft landing on the ship, the error caused by the carrier motion signal has been analyzed. Based on the simulation results, the recommended prediction time of carrier motion has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T7 peptide is considered as an antiangiogenic polypeptide. The presents study aimed to further detect the antiangiogenic mechanisms of T7 peptide and determine whether combining T7 peptide and meloxicam (COX-2/PGE2 specific inhibitor) could offer a better therapy to combat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). T7 peptide suppressed the proliferation, migration, tube formation, and promoted the apoptosis of endothelial cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions via integrin a3b1 and avb3 pathways. Cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, or tube formation ability were detected, and the expression of integrin-associated regulatory proteins was detected. The anti-tumor activity of T7 peptide, meloxicam, and their combination were evaluated in HCC tumor models established in mice. T7 peptide suppressed the proliferation, migration, tube formation, and promoted the apoptosis of endothelial cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions via integrin a3b1 and avb3 pathways. Meloxicam enhanced the activity of T7 peptide under hypoxic condition. T7 peptide partly inhibited COX-2 expression via integrin a3b1 not avb3-dependent pathways under hypoxic condition. T7 peptide regulated apoptosis associated protein through MAPK-dependent and -independent pathways under hypoxic condition. The MAPK pathway was activated by the COX-2/PGE2 axis under hypoxic condition. The combination of T7 and meloxicam showed a stronger anti-tumor effect against HCC tumors in mice. The data highlight that meloxicam enhanced the antiangiogenic activity of T7 peptide in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the required climatic factors to guarantee the healthy growth of crops, the magnitude, variation and spatial distribution of air temperature, precipitation and solar radiation potentially can determine the planting structure and grain yield of regional agriculture. The dependence of crops on "temperature-humidity-wind" climate condition elevates its sensitiveness on climate changes, as that exhibited by thermophiles and hydrophilic maize widely planted in China. Thus, under modern climate situation with an increasing intensity of changes, it is essential to further understand the related response of crop yields in serving the food and agriculture security. The climatic characteristics in Xinmin and Chaoyang stations were firstly analyzed in this study based on the historical meteorological data over past 40 years, and then constructed different climate scenarios according to the required climate factors coupled with warming-drying trend of regional climate change, and adopted different ground data suits to calibrate WOFOST model and verify its performance. Authors used the localized WOFOST model to simulate grain yield trends of typical rain-fed spring maize in Liaoning under configured climate scenarios. The results showed that: (1) the simulation accuracy of localized WOFOST model had good performance with the normalized root mean square errors of 8.78% and 5.96%, and the agreement index of 0.82 and 0.96, respectively for simulated and measured results. (2) Spring maize yields of both Xinmin and Chaoyang showed negative correlation with temperature and positive relationship with precipitation over the discussed climate scenarios. Under different gradients (increasing temperature, decreasing precipitation and increasing radiation) of climate scenarios, the yield decrease of Xinmin (temperature +1.2°C, precipitation -25%, radiation +4%) and Chaoyang (temperature +1.4°C, precipitation -25%, radiation +3%) spring maize yields respectively reached 92.5% and 85.9% relative to that of normal condition, which can be used as a cautionary scenario for rain-fed spring maize crop failure in the study area. (3) Compared with the significance effect of precipitation on the spring maize yields of Xinmin, Chaoyang showed apparent sensitiveness to temperature, but yields of both stations haven't shown a marked variation within the given changes of solar radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several novel biomaterials have been developed for dental pulp capping by inducing tertiary dentin formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of QP5, an amelogenin-based peptide, on the mineralization of dental pulp cells (DPCs) in vitro and in vivo. The cell viability of human DPCs (hDPCs) after treatment with QP5 was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Migration of hDPCs was assessed using scratch assays, and the pro-mineralization effect was determined using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining and the expression of mineralization-related genes and proteins. The results showed that QP5 had little effect on the cell viability, and significantly enhanced the migration capability of hDPCs. QP5 promoted the formation of mineralized nodules, and upregulated the activity of ALP, the expression of mRNA and proteins of mineralization-related genes. A pulp capping model in rats was generated to investigate the biological effect of QP5. The results of micro-computed tomography and haematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that the formation of tertiary dentin in QP5-capping groups was more prominent than that in the negative control group. These results indicated the potential of QP5 as a pulp therapy agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous studies, we reported molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showing that single-file water wires confined inside Y-shaped single-walled carbon nanotubes (Y-SWNTs) held strong and robust capability to convert and multiply charge signals [Y. S. Tu, P. Xiu, R. Z.Wan, J. Hu, R. H. Zhou, and H. P. Fang, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106, 18120 (2009); Y. Tu, H. Lu, Y. Zhang, T. Huynh, and R. Zhou, J. Chem. Phys. 138, 015104 (2013)]. It is fascinating to see whether the signal multiplication can be realized by other kinds of polar molecules with larger dipole moments (which make the experimental realization easier). In this article, we use MD simulations to study the urea-mediated signal conversion and multiplication with Y-SWNTs. We observe that when a Y-SWNT with an external charge of magnitude 1.0 e (the model of a signal at the single-electron level) is solvated in 1 M urea solutions, urea can induce drying of the Y-SWNT and fill its interiors in single-file, forming Y-shaped urea wires. The external charge can effectively control the dipole orientation of the urea wire inside the main channel (i.e., the signal can be readily converted), and this signal can further be multiplied into 2 (or more) output signals by modulating dipole orientations of urea wires in bifurcated branch channels of the Y-SWNT. This remarkable signal transduction capability arises from the strong dipole-induced ordering of urea wires under extreme confinement. We also discuss the advantage of urea as compared with water in the signal multiplication, as well as the robustness and biological implications of our findings. This study provides the possibility for multiplying signals by using urea molecules (or other polar organic molecules) with Y-shaped nanochannels and might also help understand the mechanism behind signal conduction in both physical and biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradual discovery of functional domains in natural proteins, several biologically inspired peptides have been designed for use as biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration and repair. In this study, we designed a tuftelin‐derived peptide (TDP) and tested its effects on hydroxyapatite crystallization and remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions in vitro. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, we found that TDP contained 36.1% β‐sheets and β‐turns, which could be influenced by calcium ions. We verified the ability of TDP to crystallize hydroxyapatite using transmission electron microscopy and its ability to bind to the enamel surface and hydroxyapatite using confocal laser scanning microscopy and Langmuir adsorption isotherms (K = 881.56, N = 1.41 × 10−5). Artificial enamel lesions were generated on human enamel blocks and subjected to a 12‐day pH cycling model and were treated with 25 μM TDP, 1 g/L sodium fluoride (NaF), or deionized water. We analyzed the results of remineralization by surface microhardness testing, polarized light microscopy, and transverse microradiography. The TDP group showed significantly higher surface microhardness recovery (49.21 ± 1.66%), shallower lesions (34.89 ± 4.05 μm), and less mineral loss (871.33 ± 81.49 vol%·μm) after pH cycling than the deionized water group (p <.05). There were no significant differences between the TDP and NaF groups. Our experiment indicated that TDP could regulate hydroxyapatite crystallization and promote remineralization of enamel caries in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The penetration of visible solar radiation (VSR) in the upper ocean contributes to heating in the upper water column, and this process is modulated by constituents in water such as phytoplankton. Various schemes have been developed to propagate surface VSR to deeper depths, which are incorporated in ocean circulation models to study basin-scale impacts on ocean and atmosphere by phytoplankton. However, none of these studies evaluated sensitivity of the schemes of VSR transmission to upper-water dynamics, especially when the required input is derived from ocean color remote sensing. We used an idealized one-dimensional (1-D) Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to simulate profiles of upper water column temperature at six locations with different ocean color characteristics (containing different water constituents). We incorporated and tested four different schemes of VSR transmission: the default water-type scheme within the ROMS, two schemes based on concentrations of chlorophyll (Chl), and one scheme based on water's inherent optical properties (IOPs). The results showed that, although using the same ocean color information and the same circulation model, the IOPs- and Chl-based schemes resulted in very different vertical temperature and upper-water mixing compared to those using the default scheme, with differences in sea surface temperature up to 1.5-2°C. These results highlight the importance of developing and incorporating more appropriate VSR transmission schemes into large-scale ocean circulation simulations, where the inputs for the transmission are inherently estimates from ocean color--the actual measurement from satellite remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin E is known to improve testis development, yet the underlying mechanism responsible for this process remains poorly understood. To elucidate the mechanism, through which vitamin E facilitates testiscular development, we hypothesised that vitamin E improves testis development by promoting testis cell proliferation, while miRNAs also play a crucial role in the process. In order to test this hypothesis, we isolated primary testis cells from prepubertal sheep. Using the CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assay we found that 800 µM vitamin E supplementation enhanced cell proliferation. This was verified through western blot analysis of Ki67 and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Subsequently, cell cycle distribution induced by vitamin E was determined in the cells. Vitamin E markedly decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase and increased those in the S and G2/M phases in response to vitamin E supplementation. Meanwhile, vitamin E significantly increased expression of Cyclin B1 and Cyclin B3. Through the miRNAome and transcriptome technology, we identified a number of correlation pairs including miR-107-BLM (BLM RecQ like helicase), miR- 107-REL (REL proto-oncogene) and miR-493-3p-KLHL25 (kelch like family member 25), that are known to be involved in the regulation of correlation pairs participating in the cell cycle. Together these data demonstrate that 800 µM vitamin E promotes testis cell proliferation and its action may be mediated by miR-107 and miR-493-3p that target the BLM, REL and KLHL25. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental caries is one of the most common oral diseases in the world. This study was tantamount to investigate the combinatory effects of an amelogenin-derived peptide (called QP5) and fluoride on the remineralization of artificial enamel caries. The peptide QP5 was synthesized and characterized, and the binding capability of the peptide on hydroxyapatite (HA) and demineralized tooth enamel surface was analysed. Then, the mineralization function of the peptide and fluoride was studied through the spontaneous mineralization testing and remineralization on enamel caries in vitro. First, the novel peptide QP5 could bind on the hydroxyapatite and demineralized tooth enamel surfaces. Second, QP5 can transitorily stabilize the formation of amorphous calcium phosphate and direct the transformation into hydroxyapatite crystals alone and in combination with fluoride. In addition, compared to blocks treated by peptide QP5 alone or fluoride, the sample blocks showed significantly higher surface microhardness, lower mineral loss and shallower lesion depth after treatment with a combination of QP5 and fluoride at high or low concentrations. The peptide QP5 could control the crystallization of hydroxyapatite, and combinatory application of peptide QP5 and fluoride had a potential synergistic effect on the remineralization of enamel caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three‐dimensional physical‐biological model was used to study the dynamics of physical and biological processes in the central California Current System (CCS) from 1993 to 2016 and investigate its response to different climate modes. The variations of new production (NP) and nitrate fluxes in the central CCS showed robust seasonal and interannual variability. In the coastal upwelling region (0–150 km offshore), the variability of NP was associated with both coastal upwelling and alongshore nitrate advection. In the coastal transition zone (150–300 km offshore), it was related to nitrate fluxes that were determined primarily by the physics rather than nitrate concentration, with vertical mixing and offshore transport being dominant factors. In the offshore oceanic region (California Current; 300–1,000 km offshore), nitrate concentrations played a more important role in the variations of nitrate fluxes, and the NP variability was dominated by the nutrient supplies of vertical mixing and lateral transports. Although El Niño–Southern Oscillation can affect coastal upwelling, alongshore currents, and nitrate fluxes, the coastal NP responded to El Niño–Southern Oscillation mostly in the frequencies of <1 and >6 years. Pacific Decadal Oscillation and North Pacific Gyre Oscillation may affect the CCS ecosystem through large‐scale winds and stratification, modifying the circulation in the upper layer and leading to changes in nitrate concentration and NP. Plain Language Summary The central California Current System (CCS) is one of the most productive ecosystems in the global ocean, because strong coastal upwelling brings a large amount of subsurface nutrients to the sunlit layer and supports abundant phytoplankton growth. Understanding the response of this system to varying physical forcing is of great importance in predicting how marine ecosystem will evolve with global change. By using a three‐dimensional model, this study demonstrates that biological properties in the central CCS show strong interannual variability. The dominant driver leading to this variability varies in different subregions moving from the coast to offshore. Over the CCS, climate variability can cause variations in surface wind, stratification, sea level, and circulations at different time scales, which contribute to changes in nutrient supply and phytoplankton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the parameter estimation by Bayesian method when the thermal aging lifetime follows the log-normal distribution and the sample is a general progressive type-II censoring from a constant-stress accelerated life test. The Bayes estimates cannot be obtained in an inexplicit form, and an approximate one is solved by the hybrid Markov chain Monte-Carlo method. The thermal aging life data are presented to illustrate proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on various comparable salen ligands, three synthesized CuIINaI-complexes present efficient catalytic activities for the coupling and cyclization reaction of 1,2-diaminopropane with nitriles towards 2-imidazolines. The catalytic results show that salen ligands with an electron-donating substituent and small steric hindrance improve the catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ligand, rac-(R,S)-3,9-bis(pyridin-3-yl)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane ((R,S)-bptu), is synthesized, and five novel complexes, namely, {[Cu[(R,S)-bptu]Cl2]·0.5NMP}n (1), {[Zn[(R,S)-bptu]Cl2]·CH3CN}n (2), {Cd2[(R,S)-bptu]2Cl4(NMP)2}n (3), {[Cd[(R,S)-bptu]2Cl2]·2CH3CN}n (4), and {Cd3[(R,S)-bptu]2Cl6(DMF)2}n (5), (NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), are obtained via a layered diffusional reaction. (R,S)-bptu and complexes 1–5 are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, element analyses, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Complexes 1–3 show three different 1D structures: 1 is a mesomeric looped chain, 2 is a racemic helix compound, and 3 is a mesomeric zigzag chain, while 4 and 5 are two different mesomeric 2D structures, of which 4 is a 2D wave-like layer and 5 is a 2D cellular layer. Structural diversity indicates that the coordination preferences (cis- and trans-configurations) of (R,S)-bptu play a leading role in the self-assembly of complexes: cis-bptu tends to form one-dimensional structures 1–3, while trans-bptu is easier to construct higher dimensional structures 4–5. Secondly, the different transition metal atom M(ii) adopts diverse geometry in 1–5: Cu(ii) adopts square pyramidal geometry in 1, Zn(ii) employs a tetrahedron configuration in 2, and especially in 3–5, Cd(ii) displays a trigonal bipyramidal configuration, cis-cis–trans, cis and trans octahedral configuration. Finally, the different solvent system, the coordinated/free solvent, and the secondary building units (SBUs) affect the diversification of the structure. A variable temperature magnetic susceptibility investigation manifests that antiferromagnetic interactions exist between the neighbouring metal ions in 1. Furthermore, the luminescence properties of 2–5 are investigated in the solid state at room temperature, and 4 shows highly selective and sensitive sensing for Fe3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new life test plan called a first‐failure progressively unified hybrid censoring scheme is introduced. Based on this type of censoring scheme, we obtain the maximum likelihood and the Bayes estimators of the unknown parameters from the Burr‐XII distribution. The asymptotic confidence intervals, two kinds of bootstrap confidence intervals and highest posterior density credible intervals of the unknown parameters are constructed. Analysis of a real data set is present to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. The performances of the point and interval estimations are compared by using a Monte Carlo simulation study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorafenib is a type of multikinase inhibitor that exhibits antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects; in addition, sorafenib is a unique first-line drug recommended for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effectiveness of HCC treatment remains poor due to acquired drug resistance. It has been suggested that hypoxia, induced as a results of the antiangiogenic effects of sustained sorafenib treatment, may be an important factor in sorafenib resistance. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α has been reported to be associated with cell proliferation under hypoxic conditions; therefore, it was hypothesized that hypoxia may enhance tumor cell proliferation via this mechanism. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the knock-down of HIF-2α was able to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in order to effectively treat HCC. The results demonstrated that hypoxia protected HCC cells against sorafenib; however, short hairpin RNA-HIF-2α transfection in combination with sorafenib treatment exhibited a significantly synergistic effect against HCC cell proliferation. In addition, HCC cells acquired increased β-catenin/C-Myc expression, which enhanced proliferation under hypoxic conditions; however, targeted knock-down of HIF-2α or C-Myc markedly decreased cell proliferation in HCC cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the targeted knock-down of HIF-2α in combination with sorafenib may be a promising strategy for the treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cysteine protease cathepsin B (Cat B) is important in the progression of tumor cells, however, the function and molecular mechanisms of Cat B in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. Our previous study demonstrated that integrin αvβ3 regulated the biological behavior of HCC. The present study demonstrated that Cat B was also important in cell proliferation and apoptosis in HCC. Notably, Cat B was observed to activate the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway to promote HCC proliferation. Furthermore, inhibition of integrin αvβ3 significantly prevented Cat B-induced activation of PI3K/Akt and the progression of HCC. Thus, the results of the present study suggested the presence of a Cat B/integrin αvβ3/PI3K/Akt axis in the regulation of the progression of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxalic acid is believed to play an important role in the formation and growth of atmospheric organic aerosols. However, as a common organic acid, the understanding of the larger clusters formed by gas phase oxalic acid with multiple ammonia molecules is incomplete. In this work, the structural characteristics and thermodynamics of oxalic acid clusters with up to six ammonia molecules have been investigated at the PW91PW91/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory. We found that oxalic acid forms relatively stable clusters with ammonia molecules, and that ionization events play a key role. The analyses of the thermodynamics and atmospheric relevance indicate that the heterodimer (H2C2O4)(NH3) shows an obvious relative concentration in the atmosphere, and thus likely participates in new particle formation. However, with increasing number of ammonia molecules, the concentration of clusters decreases gradually. Additionally, clusters of oxalic acid with ammonia molecules are predicted to form favorably in low temperature conditions and show high Rayleigh scattering intensities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper(II) Schiff-base complex [CuL·2MeOH·HO] was prepared by reaction of the ligand [HL = N, N′- o-phenylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine)] and Cu(OAc)·HO in methanol at 328.15 K. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the title complex was crystallized in the triclinic crystal system with space group P-1, in which copper(II) ion was located in the NO ligand binding sites. According to two designed thermochemical cycles, the dissolution enthalpies of relevant substances of two reactions in the calorimetric solvents were determined by a solution-reaction isoperibol calorimeter, respectively. Combined with some other auxiliary thermodynamic data, the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the ligand and the complex were calculated to be: $$ \Delta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } $$ [HL(s), 298.15 K] = −(384.2 ± 9.10) kJ mol and $$ \Delta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } $$ [CuL·2MeOH·HO (s), 298.15 K] = −(1072.6 ± 9.2) kJ mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important trigger of the immune response against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and liver injuries. The roles of HBV reactivation versus TLR4-dependant immune response may be critical factors in preventing radiation-induced liver diseases (RILDs) after liver cancer radiotherapy. This study consists of three phases. In the primary phase, livers of mutant TLR4 (TLR4) mice were irradiated with 30 Gy in either the absence or presence of HBV infection. The latter was done by introduction of plasmid pAAV/HBV 1.2. In the advanced phase, RILDs were compared in normal TLR4 (TLR4) versus TLR4 mice. In the validation phase, 28 liver cancer patients who had undergone radiotherapy before hepatectomy were enrolled. Liver biopsies near tumors, irradiated with 35-48 Gy, were used to construct tissue microarrays. HBV reactivation, TLR4 expression, and severity of RILDs were studied in both mouse and human. More HBV reactivation, without significant RILD, was observed in irradiated versus unirradiated TLR4 mice. RILD scores of TLR4 mice were higher than TLR4 mice. In humans, serious RILDs tended to develop in patients with high TLR4 expression, but not in patients with low TLR4 or high HBV surface antigen expression. High TLR4 expression was seen in only 2 of 12 HBV-reactive patients, but in HBV-nonreactive patients, it was seen in 6 of 9 ( P < 0.03). In summary, RILDs correlated with high TLR4 expression, but not with HBV reactivation, which is inhibited in liver with high TLR4 expression after liver cancer radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1) is a Z-linked gene that putatively determines the phenotype of gonads in birds. The sex differential expression of Dmrt1 was examined using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) in the urogenital systems during embryogenesis. The results revealed that Dmrt1 showed dimorphic expression in chicken gonads, which increased from day 6.5 to day 10.5. The expression of Dmrt1 in male (ZZ) gonads was not twice as much as in female (ZW) gonads, suggesting the existence of other regulatory mechanisms in addition to Z chromosome dosage effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we consider the Bayesian estimation of unknown parameters and reliability function of the generalized exponential distribution based on progressive type-I interval censoring. The Bayesian estimates of parameters and reliability function cannot be obtained as explicit forms by applying squared error loss and Linex loss functions, respectively; thus, we present the Lindley's approximation to discuss these estimations. Then, the Bayesian estimates are compared with the maximum likelihood estimates by using the Monte Carlo simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]