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Background Recently, the role of several microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in pulmonary diseases has been described. The molecular mechanisms by which miR-214 is possibly implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have not yet been addressed. Hence, this study aimed to investigate a putative role of miR-214 in alveolarization among preterm neonates with BPD. Methods Microarray-based gene expression profiling data from BPD was employed to identify differentially expressed genes. A BPD neonatal rat model was induced by hyperoxia. Pulmonary epithelial cells were isolated from rats and exposed to hyperoxia to establish cell injury models. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed in BPD neonatal rats and hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells. MiR-214 and PlGF expression in BPD neonatal rats, and eNOS, Bcl-2, c-myc, Survivin, α-SMA and E-cadherin expression in hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells were measured using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. The interaction between PlGF and miR-214 was identified using dual luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays. IL-1β, TNF-a, IL-6, ICAM-1 and Flt-1 expression in the rat models was measured using ELISA. Results The lung tissues of neonatal rats with BPD showed decreased miR-214 expression with elevated PlGF expression. PlGF was found to be a target of miR-214, whereby miR-214 downregulated PlGF to inactivate the STAT3 pathway. miR-214 overexpression or PlGF silencing decreased the apoptosis of hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells in vitro and restored alveolarization in BPD neonatal rats. Conclusion Overall, the results demonstrated that miR-214 could facilitate alveolarization in preterm neonates with BPD by suppressing the PlGF-dependent STAT3 pathway.

As a component of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) “writers,” KIAA1429 was reported to promote breast cancer proliferation and growth in m6A-independent manners. However, the related mechanism of KIAA1429 in breast cancer metastasis has not been reported. In the present study, we found KIAA1429 could significantly promote the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Then we demonstrated that knockdown of KIAA1429 could impede breast cancer metastasis in nude mice in vivo. The level of SNAIL expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress was positively related with KIAA1429. Furthermore, we confirmed that the suppression of cell migration, invasion, and EMT progress by knockdown of KIAA1429 could be reversed by the upregulation of SNAIL. However, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1A (SMC1A), not KIAA1429, bound with the SNAIL promoter region directly and promoted the transcription of SNAIL. Then we confirmed that KIAA1429 could bind to the motif in the 3′ UTR of SMC1A mRNA directly and enhance SMC1A mRNA stability. In conclusion, our study revealed a novel mechanism of the KIAA1429/SMC1A/SNAIL axis in the regulation of metastasis of breast cancer. Moreover, it first provided detailed investigation of how KIAA1429 regulated the targeted gene expression at posttranscriptional levels as an RNA binding protein unrelated to its m6A modification., Graphical abstract, We provided a novel mechanism of the KIAA1429/SMC1A/SNAIL axis in the regulation of breast cancer invasion and metastasis, which may be a promising therapeutic target for human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Recently, the role of several microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in pulmonary diseases has been described. The molecular mechanisms by which miR-214 is possibly implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have not yet been addressed. Hence, this study aimed to investigate a putative role of miR-214 in alveolarization among preterm neonates with BPD. METHODS Microarray-based gene expression profiling data from BPD was employed to identify differentially expressed genes. A BPD neonatal rat model was induced by hyperoxia. Pulmonary epithelial cells were isolated from rats and exposed to hyperoxia to establish cell injury models. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed in BPD neonatal rats and hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells. MiR-214 and PlGF expression in BPD neonatal rats, and eNOS, Bcl-2, c-myc, Survivin, α-SMA and E-cadherin expression in hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells were measured using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. The interaction between PlGF and miR-214 was identified using dual luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays. IL-1β, TNF-a, IL-6, ICAM-1 and Flt-1 expression in the rat models was measured using ELISA. RESULTS The lung tissues of neonatal rats with BPD showed decreased miR-214 expression with elevated PlGF expression. PlGF was found to be a target of miR-214, whereby miR-214 downregulated PlGF to inactivate the STAT3 pathway. miR-214 overexpression or PlGF silencing decreased the apoptosis of hyperoxic pulmonary epithelial cells in vitro and restored alveolarization in BPD neonatal rats. CONCLUSION Overall, the results demonstrated that miR-214 could facilitate alveolarization in preterm neonates with BPD by suppressing the PlGF-dependent STAT3 pathway.

The lotus leaf surface is modified by covering nanofibers to check its wetting property. The well-known lotus effect of the modified surface is greatly weakened, and a hydrophilic property is found. The geometric potential theory is used to ex-plain the phenomenon, it shows that the two adjacent nanofibers can produce a high geometric potential to push water molecules to move along the fibers, as a result, a hydrophilic surface is predicted after surface modification. An experiment is designed to elucidate the main factors affecting the wetting property of the modified surface of lotus leaf.

As a pentacyclic triterpene in Centella asiatica, asiatic acid (AA) is a powerful antioxidant with many bioactivities. In the present research, we investigated whether AA has the potential to rescue the decrease in porcine oocyte quality that occurs during in vitro aging (IVA). Mature porcine oocytes were collected and then continuously cultured for an additional 24 h or 48 h with or without AA in maturation medium as an IVA model. The results revealed that AA supplementation reduced the percentage of abnormal aged porcine oocytes during IVA. Furthermore, AA supplementation effectively maintained aged porcine oocyte developmental competence, both parthenogenetic activation and in vitro fertilization. The number of sperm that bound to the zona pellucida on aged porcine oocytes was higher in the AA-supplemented group than in the non-supplemented group. Moreover, AA supplementation not only blocked IVA-induced oxidative stress but also maintained intracellular GSH levels and reduced the percentage of early apoptosis aged porcine oocytes. Mitochondrial functions were disordered during the IVA process. The intracellular ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential in aged porcine oocytes were dramatically increased by AA supplementation. Therefore, AA has beneficial effects on porcine oocyte quality and developmental potential maintenance during IVA.

PurposeBy reporting clinical characteristics and retinal image quality before and after refractive lens replacement surgery in early-onset high myopia (eoHM) patients presenting with partial cataract, we emphasized the need for an objective way to grade the severity of partial cataracts.MethodsThis retrospective, consecutive case series included six Chinese patients (nine eyes). Analysis of previous medical records, visual acuity, optometry, retinal image quality, and axial length (AXL) before surgery and after surgery was performed.ResultsFive females and one male (nine eyes) with a mean (± SD) age of 11.6 ± 7.9 years (range: 4–25 years) were included in this study. The preoperative spherical power ranged from −7.5 to −42 D. The mean follow-up time was 36 months (range: 24–48 months). Phacoemulsification was followed by in-the-bag implantation of intraocular lens. For patients who were under 6 years old, posterior capsulotomy + anterior vitrectomy were performed simultaneously. All surgeries were uneventful and no postoperative complications occurred during the entire follow-up period. All patients’ uncorrected visual acuity improved by ≥2 lines postoperatively(Snellen acuity). LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity was improved at 24-month (P = 0.042) and endpoint (P = 0.046) follow-ups. Modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff) and objective scatter index (OSI) was significantly improved at 12-month (P = 0.025, P = 0.038), 24-month (P = 0.005, P = 0.007) and endpoint (P = 0.005, P = 0.008) follow-ups. Postoperative AXL remained stable during 2–4 year follow-ups (P > 0.05).ConclusionRefractive lens replacement surgery is safe and effective for improving functional vision in eoHM patients presenting with partial cataract. Retinal image quality could provide a useful and objective way to facilitate partial cataract severity evaluation and surgery decision making.

Background The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease of newborns, has been paradoxically rising despite medical advances. Histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) has been reported to be a crucial regulator in alveologenesis. Hence, this study aims to investigate the mechanism of Hdac3 in the abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD. Methods A hyperoxia-induced BPD model of was developed in newborn mice, and primary lung fibroblasts were isolated from adult mice. Hdac3 was knocked out in vivo and knocked down in vitro, while microRNA (miR)-17 was downregulated in vivo and in vitro to clarify their roles in abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization. Mechanistic investigations were performed on the interplay of Hdac3, miR-17-92 cluster, enhancer of zeste homolog 1 (EZH1), p65 and placental growth factor (Pgf). Results Hdac3 was involved in abnormal alveolarization and angiogenesis in BPD mice. Further, the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster in BPD mice was downregulated by Hdac3. miR-17 was found to target EZH1, and Hdac3 rescued the inhibited EZH1 expression by miR-17 in lung fibroblasts. Additionally, EZH1 augmented Pgf expression by recruiting p65 thus enhancing the progression of BPD. Hdac3 augmented the recruitment of p65 in the Pgf promoter region through the miR-17/EZH1 axis, thus enhancing the transcription and expression of Pgf, which elicited abnormal angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD mice. Conclusions Altogether, the present study revealed that Hdac3 activated the EZH1-p65-Pgf axis through inhibiting miR-17 in the miR-17-92 cluster, leading to accelerated abnormal pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolarization of BPD mice.

Background::In recent years, visual quality has been extensively investigated in various conditions. In this community-based population study, we analyzed the effects of aging, refraction, and Lens Opacification Classification System III (LOCSIII) score on retinal imaging quality in healthy Chinese adults.Methods::This cross-sectional study was conducted on sub-group subjects from The Handan Eye Study between October 2012 and January 2013. Healthy subjects over 30-years-old with logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 0 were included. Retinal image quality was measured by optical quality analysis system (OQAS) and recorded as modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTF cutoff), OQAS value (OV) 100%, OV20%, OV9%, Strehl ratio (SR), and objective scatter index (OSI). The correlation between age, spherical equivalent refraction (SE), LOCSIII score, and optical quality parameters were investigated by multivariate analysis. Results::Among 1108 verified subjects, 690 subjects (1380 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Their age ranged from 30 to 76 years, SE ranged from -4.75 to 2.75 D. They were divided into five age groups (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years) for further analysis. After multivariate analysis by mixed-effect linear model, SR ( t = -3.03, P = 0.002), OV20% ( t = -2.39, P = 0.017), and OV9% ( t = -3.16, P = 0.001) significantly decreased with the increasing age, whereas logMAR BCVA ( t = 4.42, P < 0.001) and OSI ( t = 4.46, P < 0.001) significantly increased with age. As SE increased, SR ( t = 2.74, P = 0.01), OV20% ( t = 2.31, P = 0.02), and OV9% ( t = 2.79, P = 0.005) significantly elevated, and OSI ( t = -3.38, P < 0.001) significantly decreased. With the increase in cortical opacity score, all optical quality parameters except for SR significantly decreased, including MTF cutoff ( t = -2.78, P = 0.01), OV100% ( t = -2.78, P = 0.005), OV20% ( t = -2.60, P = 0.009), and OV9% ( t = -2.05, P = 0.04). As posterior sub capsular opacity score increased, MTF cutoff ( t = -2.40, P = 0.02) and OV100% ( t = -2.40, P = 0.01) significantly decreased, while OSI ( t = 7.56, P < 0.001) significantly increased. Conclusions::In healthy Chinese adult population, optical quality-related parameters significantly decrease with the increasing age, and OSI significantly increases with age. In normal BCVA subjects, optical quality is significantly impacted by cortical and posterior sub capsular opacity rather than by nuclear opacity.

Cigarette smoke will cause irreversible damage to human health and living environment. It is especially important to accurately detect and effectively prevent cigarette smoke. This paper fabricates a fiber membrane filmed with carbon nanopowders as a smoke sensor. The experiment reveals that the fabricated membrane is sensitive to the smoke, two laws are proposed to model the current change of the sensor. Fractal calculus is used to exactly predict the current property at the initial stage, and a fractal modification of the current law is proposed. The present technology provides an economic way to mass-production of smoke sensors.

Carbon materials are promising candidates for sensors to detect heavy metal ions. This paper reported an effective method of fabricating nanofiber membrane sensor for detection of heavy metal ions by electrospinning with the carbon nanoparticles and PANi (polyaniline) as additives. The results revealed that the PANi/C/PAN nanofiber membrane was the most economical approach to adsorbing and detecting metal ions with highly sensitive property. This paper sheds a light on an economic fabrication of nanofiber membrane sensor with well-defined characteristics in electrical sensors and adsorption applications.

In the original publication of this article [1], the molecular weight of RBMS3 was incorrectly noted as 38 KDa within Fig 1A, Fig 2A and Fig 2B. The figures have been updated to list the correct molecular weight of RBMS3 as 41 KDa.

Optic neuron injury caused by glaucoma and other factors commonly considered as irreversible. However, some evidences demonstrate considerable neuroplasticity in the nervous system. In this review, we try to illuminate the mechanism of neuroplasticity, and reactivate the “silent” cell and neural transmission visual experience, alternating current stimulation, eye yoga, and anti-stress program, and so on. Predict visual change after intervention using self-organizing maps.

Background Metastasis remains the biggest obstacle for breast cancer treatment. Therefore, identification of specific biomarker of metastasis is very necessary. The RNA binding protein 3 (RBMS3) acts as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. Whereas, its role and underlying molecular mechanism in breast cancer is far from elucidated. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR and western blots were carried out to determine the expression of RBMS3 in breast cancer cells and tissues. Transwell and in vivo metastasis assay were conducted to investigate the effects of RBMS3 on migration, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Transcriptome sequencing was applied to screen out the differential gene expression affected by RBMS3. RNA immunoprecipitation assay combined with luciferase reporter assay were performed to explore the direct correlation between RBMS3 and Twist1 mRNA. Results RBMS3 was downregulated in breast cancer and ectopic expression of RBMS3 contributed to inhibition of cell migration, invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, RBMS3 negatively regulated Twsit1 expression via directly binding to 3′-UTR of Twist1 mRNA, and thereby decreased Twist1-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). Additionally, Twist1-induced cell migration, invasion and lung metastasis could be reversed by the upregulation of RBMS3. Conclusions In summary, our study revealed a novel mechanism of the RBMS3/Twsit1/MMP2 axis in the regulation of invasion and metastasis of breast cancer, which may become a potential molecular marker for breast cancer treatment.

Rocks have good chemical and thermal properties, which are widely distributed in mountainous areas and contain a great number of chemical elements. Weathered rock powders were used as an additive in an electrospun solution to fabricate rock powder-based nanofibers, and the morphology and thermal property of nanofibers were studied. The results revealed that the rock powder was the most economical approach to fabrication of nanofibers with excellent thermal property and high hydrophilicity. This paper sheds a light on rock powder-based nano-fibers with well-defined characteristics for advanced applications for high temperature filtration and absorption, fire prevention and others.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hemorrhage is a potentially fatal event especially for preterm infants, which can lead to serious complications and even death. Many risk factors have been associated with the development of massive pulmonary hemorrhage. However, there is still no effective strategy to prevent massive pulmonary hemorrhage. The purpose of this study is to explore prediction model and survival strategies for massive pulmonary hemorrhage in premature infants. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all premature infants with birth weight

Many nature materials have hierarchical structure, and its last cascade is always on a molecule scale, e. g., double-stranded DNA, making the hierarchy effective with minimal building blocks. Now artificial hierarchy can begin with a nanoscale level to embody the material with remarkable and fascinating properties which can be never achieved using non-hierarchical structure. A strong desire to fabricate some biomimicking hierarchies from a molecule level has been stimulating scientists. Herein we show that molecular structure can be easily controlled by a long and narrow tube, and self-assembly of macromolecules can be achieved to improve its crystallinity with plenty of excellent properties. We anticipate this paper to be a starting point for more sophisticated fabrication of fibers with self-assembly of macromolecules.

Natural plants offer a treasure trove of resources for anticancer drug development. Clematis are widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, studies on the active substances in Clematis are scarce. In the present study, four monomer compounds were successfully extracted from this species and their inhibitory effects on the growth of breast cancer cells were investigated using bioactivity tests. Among them, Clematis hederagenin saponin (CHS) belongs to the class of triterpenoid saponins. CHS showed cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The compound also induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells in a time-dependent manner. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells showed that the compound significantly reduced mitochondrial Apaf-1 and cytochrome c proteins in breast cancer cells. In addition, it upregulated the activities of caspase-3 and -9. In conclusion, CHS induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells through regulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The results suggest that the hederagenin saponin extracted from Clematis ganpiniana offers great potential as a novel anti-breast cancer drug.

Background: The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway plays a vital role in driving cancer cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), which is downregulated in response to TGF-β, is able to control endothelial cell–cell tension, cell migration, and barrier formation. However, the molecular mechanism of how TGF-β regulates ZO-1 expression remains unclear. Methods: Breast cancer cells were treated with TGF-β to induce an EMT progress. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to investigate direct relationship between Snail and RNA binding motif protein 38 (RBM38). The RNA immunoprecipitation combined with RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to testify direct relationship between RBM38 and ZO-1. The ZO-1 siRNA was transfected to breast cancer cells that overexpress RBM38 and the control, followed by transwell and Matrigel invasion assays to examine cell migratory and invasive ability. Results: Transforming growth factor-β induced a remarkable downregulation of RBM38 in breast cancer that was directly regulated by transcription repressor Snail targeting the E-box elements in promoter region of RBM38 gene. Additionally, RBM38 positively regulated ZO-1 transcript via directly binding to AU/U-rich elements in its mRNA 3′-UTR. Moreover, by magnifying RBM38 expression, cell migration and invasion mediated by knockdown of ZO-1 in breast cancer were reversed. Conclusions: All the results clarified a linear regulation relationship among Snail, RBM38, and ZO-1, implicating RBM38 as a pivotal mediator in TGF-β-induced EMT in breast cancer.

Terminologies of ovary development, by somewhat subjective describing and naming main changes of oocytes, have been criticized for confusing and inconsistency of terms and classifications, and the incurred consequences impede communication among researchers. In the present work, we developed regression between ovary development and three ribosome RNA (rRNA) indexes, namely 5S rRNA percent, 18S rRNA percent, and 5S–18S rRNA ratio, using close relationship between volume percent of primary growth stage oocytes or gonadosomatic index and rRNA content, demonstrating species-specific quantification of ovary development can be established in species with either synchronous and asynchronous oogenesis. This approach may be extended to any species with primary growth oocytes, e.g. anurans and reptiles, to predict maturity stages in females. We further confirmed that 5S rRNA percent and 5S/18S rRNA ratio can serve as markers to distinguish sexes unambiguously. A micro-invasive sampling method may be invented for non-lethal prediction of ovary development and sex because only a small amount of ovary sample (

// Peipei Lou 1, * , Chunlian Li 1, * , Liang Shi 1, * , Tian-Song Xia 1 , Wenbin Zhou 1 , Jing Wu 1 , Xujie Zhou 1 , Xiaoxia Li 1 , Ying Wang 1 , Ji-Fu Wei 2 , Qiang Ding 1 1 Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, 210000, China 2 Research Division of Clinical Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, 210000, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Ji-Fu Wei, email: weijifu@hotmail.com Qiang Ding, email: dingqiang@njmu.edu.cn Keywords: progesterone receptor, RNPC1, mRNA stability, breast cancer, proliferation Received: January 04, 2016 Accepted: July 26, 2016 Published: September 14, 2016 ABSTRACT Progesterone receptor (PR) could activate transcriptional process involved in normal mammary gland proliferation and breast cancer development. Moreover, PR expression is an important marker of luminal breast cancer, which is associated with good prognosis and indicates better responding to endocrine therapies. The regulation of PR expression was studied mainly on its post-translational levels. In this study, we found PR was positively regulated by RNA-binding region-containing protein 1 (RNPC1), a RNA-binding protein, in PR positive breast cancer. Overexpression of RNPC1 increased, whereas knockdown of RNPC1 decreased, the level of PR protein and transcripts. Additionally, we demonstrated that RNPC1 could bind to PR mRNA via AU-rich elements (AREs) within PR 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) and then enhance PR mRNA stability. Moreover, we proved that progesterone-dependent PR functions which could induce breast cancer proliferation were enhanced by RNPC1, both in vitro and in vivo . Conclusively, we revealed a novel mechanism by which PR could be regulated by RNPC1 via stabilizing its mRNA.

New supramolecular structures were designed in this work using large-sized polyoxometalates (POMs) and crown-ether-based supramolecular cations selected as building blocks. Two novel supramolecular inorganic–organic hybrids [(3-F-4-MeAnis)([18]crown-6)]2[SMo12O40]•CH3CN (1) and [(4-IAnis)([18]crown-6)]3[PMo12O40]•4CH3CN (2) (3-F-4-MeAnis = 3-fluoro-4-methylanilinium and 4-IAnis = 4-iodoanilinium) were synthesized. Crystals 1 and 2 have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis (EA). Based on X-ray diffraction analysis, Crystals 1 and 2 were constructed through noncovalent bonding interactions and belong to different space groups due to the difference of the building blocks used. Supramolecular cations formed due to strong N–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions between the six oxygen atoms of [18]crown-6 molecules and nitrogen atoms of anilinium derivatives. Crystal 1 has two different supramolecular cations with an anti-paralleled arrangement that forms a dimer through weak hydrogen bonding interactions between adjacent [18]crown-6 molecules. Crystal 2 has three independent supramolecular cations that fill large spaces between the [PMo12O40] polyoxoanions forming a rhombus-shape packing arrangement in the ac plane. Crystals 1 and 2 are unstable at room temperature.

SETD2 (SET domain containing protein 2) acts as a histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36)-specific methyltransferase and may play important roles in active gene transcription in human cells. However, its expression and role in porcine oocytes and preimplantation embryos are not well understood. Here, we used immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy to examine SETD2 expression in porcine fetal fibroblasts, oocytes, and preimplantation embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogenetic activation (PA), and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In porcine fetal fibroblasts, SETD2 expression was detected in interphase cells, but not in M (mitotic)-phase cells. The SETD2 signal was observed in non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN)-stage oocytes, but not in surrounded nucleolus (SN)-, metaphase I (MI)-, or metaphase II (MII)-stage oocytes. The SETD2 signal was detectable in sperm, and undetectable immediately after fertilization, detectable at the 2-cell stage, and peaked at the 4-cell stage of IVF embryos in which porcine embryonic genome is activated. Similar to the pattern found in IVF embryos, the SETD2 signal was absent from PA embryos at the 1-cell stage, but it was detected at the 2-cell stage and thereafter maintained to the blastocyst stage. Interestingly, unlike the IVF and PA embryos, the SETD2 signal was detected throughout the development of SCNT embryos, including at the 1-cell stage. These data suggest that SETD2 may be functional for embryonic gene transcription in porcine preimplantation embryos. It is further speculated that the aberrant expression of SETD2 at the 1-cell stage of porcine SCNT embryos may be a factor in the low efficiency of cloning in pig.

This study evaluates patients with congenital aniridia and cataract who underwent phacoemulsification, capsular tension ring placement, and foldable intraocular lens implantation. In this prospective case series, 10 patients (17 eyes) underwent cataract surgery via a 3.2 mm clear corneal incision. A continuous circular capsulorhexis with

Objective To evaluate visual outcomes and complications after phacoemulsification in eyes with cataract and previous radial keratotomy (RK) cuts using different sizes of clear corneal incisions. Methods The study was a retrospective study. Thirty eyes with cataract and previous RK underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Among them 7 eyes had 8 RK cuts, 13 eyes had 12 RK cuts, and 10 eyes had 16 RK cuts. Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were performed through a 2.0–3.2 mm clear corneal incision by a single surgeon. In the 8 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 4 eyes, and 3.0 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 3 eyes. In the 12 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 6 eyes, and 2.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 7 eyes. In the 16 RK cuts group, 3.2 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 5 eyes, and 2.0 mm clear corneal incisions were used in 5 eyes. Patients were followed up 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years postoperatively and were examined for the dehiscence of RK cuts during or after the surgery, post-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal astigmatism, corneal endothelial cell density and complications. Results Successful phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed in all eyes. No wound dehiscence was noted in any eyes with 8 or 12 RK cuts. Wound dehiscence was noted in 2 eyes with 16 RK cuts. The dehiscence of RK cuts was closed successfully by injecting an air bubble with or without viscoelastic agent into the anterior chamber at the end of surgery. During the follow-up, the cuts were well apposed in all eyes, and no new dehiscence of RK cuts was noted. At the last follow-up, mean BCVA (0.2 ± 0.18 logMAR) was better than preoperative BCVA(0.45±0.19 logMAR) (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the long-term preoperative and postoperative mean corneal astigmatism (P = 0.3). However, there was a significant reduction in postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (1866.5±773.9 / mm2 vs 2421.7±655.7 / mm2) (P < 0.001). Conclusions Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with clear corneal incisions in eyes with previous RK were associated with good surgical outcomes. Wound dehiscence was not specificaly related to the size of clear corneal incision during phacoemulsification in these eyes.

In recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 11 risk loci were identified in patients with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) in different populations. The LRRK2 gene was found to be a mutation hot spot in European and Asian populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of G2019S and R1441C mutations in the LRRK2 gene in individuals from the Xinjiang region of China, and to explore the associations between LRRK2 gene single nucleotide mutations and susceptibility to PD in the Uyghur and Han populations of Xinjiang. A case-control study was conducted with a group of 312 patients with PD, including 130 Uyghur and 182 Han individuals. The control group comprised 359 subjects, including 179 Uyghur and 180 Han individuals. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect the G2019S and R1441C mutations in the LRRK2 gene in the Uyghur and Han populations. No known mutations or new hybrids were found. Thus, there was no evidence that Uyghur and Han patients with PD possess the G2019S or R1441C mutations of the LRRK2 gene. This does not exclude the possibility of the presence other LRRK2 gene mutations that are associated with PD in the Uyghur and Han populations. In the future, the association of the LRRK2 gene with PD development in different regions and populations requires further study, in addition to the regulatory effects of the G2019S and R1441C mutations on gene expression.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS: The PubMed, CISCOM, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and CBM databases were searched from inception through November 1st, 2013 without language restrictions. Odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (SMD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Fourteen case-control studies met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. A total of 1,209 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 1,218 healthy controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Two common polymorphisms (299 A>G and 399 C>T) in the TLR-4 gene, TLR-4 mRNA and protein expression were assessed. Our meta-analysis results revealed that the TLR-4 399 C>T polymorphism might increase the risk of CRC (allele model: OR = 1.77, 95%CI = 1.32 ∼ 2.36, PG polymorphism and CRC risk (all P>0.05). A subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that TLR-4 genetic polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of CRC among Asians (allele model: OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.19 ∼ 1.88, P = 0.001; dominant model: OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.16 ∼ 1.92, P = 0.002; respectively), but not among Caucasians and Africans (all P>0.05). Furthermore, our results showed that TLR-4 mRNA and protein levels in CRC patients were higher than those in healthy controls (TLR-4 mRNA: SMD = 2.51, 95%CI = 0.98 ∼ 4.05, P = 0.001; TLR-4 protein: OR = 4.75, 95%CI = 1.16 ∼ 19.36, P = 0.030; respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings provide empirical evidence that TLR-4 may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Thus, TLR-4 is a promising potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of CRC.

Histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) methylation is known to be associated with transcriptionally active genes, and is considered a genomic marker of active loci. To investigate the changes in H3K36 methylation in pig, we determined the mono-, di-, and tri-methylations of H3K36 (H3K36me1, H3K36me2 and H3K36me3, respectively) in porcine fetal fibroblasts, oocytes and preimplantation embryos by immunocytochemistry using specific antibodies and confocal microscopy. These analyses revealed that only H3K36me3 in porcine fetal fibroblasts consistently colocalized with transcription sites identified as actively synthesizing RNA based on fluorouridine (FU) incorporation. Treatment of cells with flavopiridol, which blocks transcription elongation, completely abrogated both H3K36me3 signals and RNA synthesis. All three types of H3K36 methylation were present and did not significantly differ during oocyte maturation. In parthenogenetic embryos, H3K36me1 and -me2 were detected in 1-cell through blastocyst-stage embryos. In contrast, H3K36me3 was not detected in most 1-cell stage embryos. H3K36me3 signals became detectable in 2-cell stage embryos, peaked at the 4-cell stage, decreased at the 8-cell stage, and then became undetectable at blastocyst stages in both parthenogenetic and in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryos. Unlike the case in IVF embryos, H3K36me3 could not be demethylated completely during the 1-cell stage in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. These results collectively indicate that H3K36me3, but not H3K36me1 or -me2, is associated with transcription elongation in porcine fetal fibroblasts. H3K36me3 is developmentally regulated and may be a histone mark of embryonic gene activation in pig. Aberrant H3K36 tri-methylation occurred during the nuclear reprogramming of SCNT embryos.

The title compound, C18H20O4, was synthesized by a Wittig–Horner reaction of diethyl 3,4-dimethoxybenzylphosphate and 3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde. In the crystal, the dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 2.47 (12)°. All the methoxy groups are almost coplanar with the aromatic ring to which they are attached [C—C—O—C torsion angles = −2.8 (3), −5.2 (4), −176.3 (2) and −178.0 (2)°].