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Promoter is an important functional elements of DNA sequences, which is in charge of gene transcription initiation. Recognizing promoter have important help for understanding the relative life phenomena. Based on the concept that promoter is mainly determined by its sequence and structure, a novel statistical physics model for predicting promoter in Escherichia coli K-12 is proposed. The total energies of DNA local structure of sequence segments in the three benchmark promoter sequence datasets, the sole prediction parameter, are calculated by using principles from statistical physics and information theory. The better results are obtained. And a web-server PhysMPrePro for predicting promoter is established at http://202.207.14.87:8032/bioinformation/PhysMPrePro/index.asp , so that other scientists can easily get their desired results by our web-server. • Based on molecular structure, an energy model for recognizing the promoters is proposed. • The total energy of an DNA local structure is calculated by combining statistical physics with information theory. • The sole prediction parameter, energy, is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H9N2 IAV infection contributed to P. aeruginosa coinfection, causing severe hemorrhagic pneumonia in mink. In this study, the in vitro alveolar macrophage models were developed to investigate the innate immune responses to P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation following H9N2 IAV infection, using MH-S cells. The cytokine levels, apoptosis levels and the viral nucleic acid levels were detected and analyzed. As a result, the levels of IFN-α, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in MH-S cells with P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation following H9N2 IAV infection were significantly higher than those in MH-S cells with single H9N2 IAV infection and single LPS stimulation (P < 0.05), exacerbating inflammatory responses. LPS stimulation aggravated the apoptosis of MH-S cells with H9N2 IAV infection. Interestingly, LPS stimulation influences H9N2 IAV replication and indirectly reduced H9N2 IAV replications in in vitro AMs. It implied that LPS should play an important role in the pathogenesis of H9N2 IAV and P. aeruginosa coinfection. • P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation following H9N2 IAV infection exacerbated inflammatory responses. • LPS stimulation aggravated the apoptosis of alveolar macrophages with H9N2 IAV infection. • LPS stimulation indirectly reduced H9N2 IAV replications in alveolar macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of drug resistance and limitation of antifungal agents complicate the management of fungal infection. Candida albicans , as the most common fungal infection pathogen, causes candidiasis via developing its virulence factors. In this study, we found trans -cinnamaldehyde (TC), known as a "Generally Regarded As Safe" (GRAS) molecule, had moderate antifungal activities against various Candida species and could retard the virulence of C. albicans in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting the adhesion, morphological transition and biofilms formation. The mechanisms investigation revealed that the inhibition of hyphae and biofilms development was caused by the increasing farnesol secretion induced by Dpp3 expression. Since drug resistance restricted the treatment of clinical fungal infection, we explored the capacity of TC to develop drug-resistance under a long time TC treatment. Results showed that TC had little chance to form resistance by a serial passage experiment. Our work illustrates the underlying mechanism of TC inhibition of morphological transition and provides a optional application in treating the relevant fungal infections by targeting fungal virulence factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sperm was collected from cultured male fish and cryopreserved in 0.25 ml straws for the study of sperm cryopreservation. Different parameters were evaluated, including extender, dilution ratio, cryoprotectant type and concentration, equilibrium time, cooling height (in a two-step cooling protocol), and thawing temperature. The optimum result was obtained when the sperm was diluted at a 1:7 ratio in D-16 with 5% DMSO as a cryoprotectant, equilibrated for 20 min, held at 3 cm above liquid nitrogen for 10 min, and then stored in liquid nitrogen. After thawing in a water bath at 40 °C, the percentage of motile cells and fertilization rates of frozen-thawed sperm were 35.33 ± 2.52% and 39.00 ± 4.58%, respectively, while the corresponding rates for fresh sperm were 87.67 ± 3.06% and 88.67 ± 4.62%. We also used a programmed cooling protocol in which temperature was decreased from 4 °C to −80 °C by a rate of 30 °C/min, and then straws (0.25 ml) were placed above the surface of liquid nitrogen for 2 min before being stored in liquid nitrogen. This protocol provided a post-thaw activation rate of 36.67 ± 4.77%. Further parametric optimization is required to improve the quality of frozen-thawed sperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients display alterations in gut microbiota composition. However, mechanism between gut microbial dysbiosis and pathogenesis of PD remains unexplored, and no recognized therapies are available to halt or slow progression of PD. Here we identified that gut microbiota from PD mice induced motor impairment and striatal neurotransmitter decrease on normal mice. Sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed that phylum Firmicutes and order Clostridiales decreased, while phylum Proteobacteria , order Turicibacterales and Enterobacteriales increased in fecal samples of PD mice, along with increased fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Remarkably, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) reduced gut microbial dysbiosis, decreased fecal SCFAs, alleviated physical impairment, and increased striatal DA and 5-HT content of PD mice. Further, FMT reduced the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the substantia nigra, and reduced expression of TLR4/TNF-α signaling pathway components in gut and brain. Our study demonstrates that gut microbial dysbiosis is involved in PD pathogenesis, and FMT can protect PD mice by suppressing neuroinflammation and reducing TLR4/TNF-α signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binding characteristics of phenanthrene with dissolved organic matter (DOM) were studied by the excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis in four types of land use which derived from forest (F), meadow (M), cropland (C), and greenhouse (G). The results showed that the humification degree and binding characteristics of phenanthrene with DOM were distinct differences in the four soils. The binding capacities of humic-like components with phenanthrene were stronger than those of protein-like components. The log K derived from the Stern-Volmer equation significantly correlated with the humification degree of DOM ( p < 0.05) in different types of land use. Besides, correlation analysis demonstrated that the potential binding index (Fk) obtained from the modified Stern-Volmer model was a more accurate parameter to describe the combination degree of DOM with phenanthrene than log K , which presented a decrease order of C > F > M > G. Therefore, the environmental impact of phenanthrene in different types of land use could be assessed deeply based on the Fk and DOM concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70s) are molecular chaperones that aid in protection against environmental stress. In this study, we cloned and characterized five members of the HSP70 family (designated as HSPa1a, HSC70-1, HSC70-2, HSPa4 and HSPa14) from Lateolabrax maculatus using rapid amplification cDNA ends (RACE). Multiple sequence alignment and structural analysis revealed that all members of the HSP70 family had a conserved domain architecture, with some distinguishing features unique to each HSP70. Quantitative real-time (qPCR) analysis revealed that all members of the HSP70 family were ubiquitously and differentially expressed in all major types of tissues, including testicular tissue. This indicated that HSP70s have vital and conserved biological functions, and may also function in the development of germinal cells. The expression of mRNA of the five HSP70 family members mRNA expression was significantly increased in the head kidney, intestine and gill after Vibrio harveyi challenge, suggesting that HSP70s play an important role in the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich, low molecular weight, and heavy metal-binding protein molecules. MT participates in metallic homeostasis and detoxification in living animals due to its abundant cysteine. In order to investigate the functions of MT during spermiogenesis in the mudskipper ( Boleophthalmus pectinirostris ), we identified the MT complete which contains: an 83 bp 5′ untranslated region, a 110 bp 3′ untranslated region, and a 183 bp open reading frame. The protein alignment between MT sequences of other species shows a high similarity and a strong identity in cysteine residues vital for the metal-binding affinity of MT. The localizations of MT were mainly in the cytoplasm of germinal cells, indicating a role in spermatogenesis and testis protection. After the cadmium (Cd) exposure, the testis presents abnormal morphology and MT mRNA expression, both of which indicate a sensitive response of testis MT to Cd. Therefore, we suggest that MTs play an important role in spermatogenesis and testes protection against Cd toxicity in B. pectinirostris . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edwardsiella ictaluri , a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen, is the causative agent of enteric septicemia in channel catfish, and catfish aquaculture in China suffers heavy economic losses due to E. ictaluri infection. Vaccination is an effective control measure for this disease. In this study, an attenuated E. ictaluri strain was acquired through deletion mutation of the T3SS protein eseJ ei , and the Δ eseJ ei strain fails to replicate in the epithelioma papillosum of carp cells. The type 1 fimbria plays a pivotal role in the adhesion of E. ictaluri , and it was found in this study that deletion of −245 to −50 nt upstream of fimA increases its adhesion to around five times that of the WT strain. A hyper-adhesive and highly attenuated double mutant (Δ eseJ ei Δ fimA -245 - -50 strain) was constructed, and it was used as a vaccine candidate in yellow catfish via bath immersion at a dosage of 1 × 105 CFU/mL. It was found that this vaccine candidate can stimulate protection when challenged with E. ictaluri HSN-1 at 5 × 107 CFU/mL (∼20 × LD 50). The survival rate was 83.61% for the vaccinated group and 33.33% for the sham-vaccinated group. The RPS (relative percent of survival) of the vaccination trial reached 75.41%. In conclusion, the Δ eseJ ei Δ fimA -245 - -50 strain developed in this study can be used as a vaccine candidate. It excels in terms of ease of delivery (via bath immersion) and is highly efficient in stimulating protection against E. ictaluri infection. • Deletion of T3SS effector eseJ ei abolishes replication of E. ictaluri HSN-1 in the Epithelioma papillosum of carp (Cyprinus carpio) cells. • Deletion of −245 to −50 nt upstream of fimA increases its adhesion to around five times that of the wild-type strain. • Double deletion mutant strain Δ eseJ ei Δ fimA -245 - -50 is highly attenuated and hyper-adhesive. • The relative percent of survival reached 75.41% when yellow catfish were vaccinated with Δ eseJ ei Δ fimA -245 - -50 strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise control of lineage-specific gene expression in the neural stem/progenitor cells is crucial for generation of the diversity of neuronal and glial cell types in the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanism underlying such gene regulation, however, is not fully elucidated. Here, we report that a 377 bp evolutionarily conserved DNA fragment (CR5), located approximately 32 kbp upstream of Olig2 transcription start site, acts as a cis -regulator for gene expression in the development of the neonatal forebrain. CR5 is active in a time-specific and brain region-restricted manner. CR5 activity is not detected in the embryonic stage, but it is exclusively in a subset of Sox5+ cells in the neonatal ventral forebrain. Furthermore, we show that Sox5 binding motif in CR5 is important for this cell-specific gene regulatory activity; mutation of Sox5 binding motif in CR5 alters reporter gene expression with different cellular composition. Together, our study provides new insights into the regulation of cell-specific gene expression during CNS development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The inflammatory response after hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) contributes to liver dysfunction and failure after transplantation. Butyrate is a four-carbon fatty acid, normally produced by bacterial fermentation of fiber in mammalian intestines, with anti-inflammatory activities. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of butyrate preconditioning, if any, against hepatic I/R injury in rats and the underlying mechanisms involved. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a partial (70%) hepatic ischemia for 60 min after pretreatment with either vehicle or butyrate, followed by 3, 6, and 24 h of reperfusion. Hepatic injury was evaluated by biochemical and histopathologic examinations. Neutrophil infiltration was measured by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) and Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results: Butyrate treatment markedly improved hepatic function and histology, as indicated by reduced transaminase levels and ameliorated tissue pathologic changes. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase activity was attenuated by butyrate. Butyrate also reduced I/R-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in Kupffer cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that butyrate alleviates I/R-induced liver injury, possibly by suppressing inflammatory factors production and preventing NF-κB activation in Kupffer cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the effects of intravenously administered bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. In unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats, the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) cell, macrophage population and some inflammation related cytokines were tested. In the BMSCs -treated rats, renal exhibited lower renal Masson scores, decreased macrophage infiltration and interferon gamma (IFNγ) expression, and increased forkhead transcription factor (Foxp3) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression. No significant differences in the CD4+CD25+ Treg population and renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) expression were observed between BMSCs-treated group and control group (p >0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs infusion leads to an anti-inflammation response in the early stage of UUO which may related to paracine mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We reported previously that NSC606985, a camptothecin analogue, induces apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells through proteolytic activation of protein kinase C delta (ΔPKC-δ). By subcellular proteome analysis, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) was identified as being significantly down-regulated in NSC606985-treated leukemic NB4 cells. HnRNP K, a docking protein for DNA, RNA, and transcriptional or translational molecules, is implicated in a host of processes involving the regulation of gene expression. However, the molecular mechanisms of hnRNP K reduction and its roles during apoptosis are still not understood. In the present study, we found that, following the appearance of the ΔPKC-δ, hnRNP K protein was significantly down-regulated in NSC606985, doxorubicin, arsenic trioxide and ultraviolet–induced apoptosis. We further provided evidence that ΔPKC-δ mediated the down-regulation of hnRNP K protein during apoptosis: PKC-δ inhibitor could rescue the reduction of hnRNP K; hnRNP K failed to be decreased in PKC-δ-deficient apoptotic KG1a cells; conditional induction of ΔPKC-δ in U937T cells directly down-regulated hnRNP K protein. Moreover, the proteasome inhibitor also inhibited the down-regulation of hnRNP K protein by apoptosis inducer and the conditional expression of ΔPKC-δ. More intriguingly, the suppression of hnRNP K with siRNA transfection significantly induced apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that proteolytically activated PKC-δ down-regulates hnRNP K protein in a proteasome-dependent manner, which plays an important role in apoptosis induction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Apoptosis proteins are very important for understanding the mechanism of programmed cell death. The apoptosis protein localization can provide valuable information about its molecular function. The prediction of localization of an apoptosis protein is a challenging task. In our previous work we proposed an increment of diversity (ID) method using protein sequence information for this prediction task. In this work, based on the concept of Chou''s pseudo-amino acid composition [Chou, K.C., 2001. Prediction of protein cellular attributes using pseudo-amino acid composition. Proteins: Struct. Funct. Genet. (Erratum: Chou, K.C., 2001, vol. 44, 60) 43, 246–255, Chou, K.C., 2005. Using amphiphilic pseudo-amino acid composition to predict enzyme subfamily classes. Bioinformatics 21, 10–19], a different pseudo-amino acid composition by using the hydropathy distribution information is introduced. A novel ID_SVM algorithm combined ID with support vector machine (SVM) is proposed. This method is applied to three data sets (317 apoptosis proteins, 225 apoptosis proteins and 98 apoptosis proteins). The higher predictive success rates than the previous algorithms are obtained by the jackknife tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our three-dimensional (3-D) images showed that paxillin co-localized on actin filaments as fibrous structures, as well as clusters, in endothelial cells (ECs). In living ECs under flow condition, we monitored concurrently the intracellular dynamics of DsRed2-paxillin and GFP-actin by time-lapse video recording and dual-color fluorescence imaging. The results showed that the dynamic motion of paxillin as fibrous structures was associated with actin filaments, but not with microtubules. Our findings suggest that the actin network plays an important role not only in the assembly/disassembly of paxillin at focal adhesions, but also as a track for the intracellular transport of paxillin, which is involved in signaling pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Apoptosis proteins have a central role in the development and the homeostasis of an organism. These proteins are very important for understanding the mechanism of programmed cell death. The function of an apoptosis protein is closely related to its subcellular location. Based on the concept that the subcellular location of an apoptosis protein is mainly determined by its amino acid sequence, a new algorithm for prediction of the subcellular location of an apoptosis protein is proposed. By using of a distinctive set of information parameters derived from the primary sequence of 317 apoptosis proteins, the increment of diversity (ID), the sole prediction parameter, is calculated. The higher predictive success rates than the previous other algorithms is obtained by the jackknife tests using the expanded dataset. Our prediction results show that the local compositions of twin amino acids and hydropathy distribution are very useful to predict subcellular location of protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the roles of microfilaments and microtubules in the localization and tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, a focal adhesion-associated signaling molecule, in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation is inhibited by cytochalasin D (CD), but slightly increased by colchicine and paclitaxol (taxol). CD also caused an overall disassembly of paxillin-containing focal adhesions (paxillin-FAs) and translocation of paxillin to the cytoplasm and perinuclear region with a diffuse distribution. Meanwhile, colchicine and taxol caused a disassembly of paxillin-FAs from cell periphery and lamellipodia, and their assembly in cell center. These results indicate that actin filaments are important in paxillin assembly in the FAs of the whole ECs and that microtubules are critical in paxillin assembly in cell periphery and lamellipodia; thus the microfilaments and microtubules play differential roles in the dynamics of paxillin assembly/disassembly. Our findings also suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation is an important element in paxillin dynamics at FAs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Two new Mn(II) coordination polymers, namely, [Mn(NDC)(L)(H 2 O)] n (NCST-3) and {[Mn 2 (HBTC) 2 (L) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ]·2H 2 O} n (NCST-4) (L = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)butane, 1,4-H 2 NDC = 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and H 3 BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) (NCST = North China University of Science and Technology) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffractions, elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and TGA. NCST-3 exhibits 2D 3,5L2 network, whereas NCST-4 possesses an unusual (3,4,5)-connected framework defined by the point symbol of (53)(55.6)(56.62.82). Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of two complexes were evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB), methyl violet (MV) and methyl orange (MO) under the UV irradiation. Finally, two compounds as probes displayed favorable ion-sensing performance for Cr3+/Ag+ through fluorescence quenching. Graphical abstract Two ternary Mn(II) coordination polymers NCST-3 and NCST-4 were synthesized by hydrothermal method. They exhibit 2D 3,5L2 network, and unusual (3,4,5)-connected framework, respectively. Further, NCST-3 , as catalyst, presents higher photocatalytic activities than NCST-4 for the degradation of four organic dyes (MB, RhB, MV, and MO) under UV irradiation. Finally, NCST-3 and NCST-4 as fluorescence probes display high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of Cr3+/Ag+. Image 1 Highlights • Two new coordination polymers NCST-3 and NCST-4 were synthesized and characterized. • NCST-3 can sense Cr3+ with high sensitivity and selectivity in EtOH. • NCST-4 exhibited highly sensitive and selective sensing for Ag+ in DMAC. • The two sensors could detect Cr3+/Ag+ with large K sv and low response time. • The fluorescence quenching mechanisms were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer lysin (NK-lysin), produced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, is a cationic antimicrobial peptide that has a broad antimicrobial spectrum, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Nevertheless, the implication of NK-lysin in the protection against bacterial infection is not aware in common carp. In this study, six different NK-lysin genes ( nkl1 , nkl2 , nkl3 , nkl4 , nkl5 and nkl6 ) were identified in the common carp genome. Each of the mature peptides of common carp NK-lysin has six well-conserved cysteine residues, and shares a Saposin B domain, characteristic of saposin-like protein (SALIP) family. The gene nkl1 contains 5 extrons and 4 introns, and nkl2 , nkl3 , nkl4 or nkl5 contains 4 extrons and 3 introns, however, the nkl6 has 3 extrons and 2 introns. By quantitative real-time PCR, nkl2 transcripts were predominantly expressed in spleen of healthy common carp, while elevated mainly in gill and spleen upon Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The recombinant NK-lysin-2 purified from Pichia pastoris shows antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), and Escherichia coli M15, Aeromonas hydrophila , as well as Edwardsiella tarda (Gram-negative), the latter two are important pathogens of aquaculture. Our results indicate that NK-lysin in common carp might play an important role in fish immune response by enhancing antibacterial defense against bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanoparticles-assembled BiFeO3 microrods were successfully prepared via a polymer-directed solvothermal route. The phase and morphology of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experiments indicated that the linking effect originated from the interactions between polymer molecules could direct the self-assembly of building blocks into one-dimensional nanoparticles-assembled BiFeO3 microrods. Some factors influencing the morphologies of the products were systematically investigated and a possible mechanism of the formation of the microrods was suggested. Moreover, the magnetic properties of the products were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple hydrothermal reaction between Ba(NO3)2 and K2SiF6 results in the formation of 1D rod-like BaSiF6. The BaSiF6 rods can act as efficient precursors for production of tubular SiO2 by hydrothermal reaction in alkaline solutions. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the phase and morphology of the final product. The experiments indicated the amount of NaOH, reaction temperature, and reaction time played important roles in the transformation process. A possible growth mechanism of tubular silica was proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: AML1-ETO fusion protein, a product of leukemia-related chromosomal translocation t(8;21), was reported to upregulate expression of connexin-43 (Cx43), a member of gap junction-constituted connexin family. However, its mechanism(s) remains unclear. By bioinformatic analysis, here we showed that there are two putative AML1-binding consensus sequences followed by two activated protein (AP)1 sites in the 5′-flanking region upstream to Cx43 gene. AML1-ETO could directly bind to these two AML1-binding sites in electrophoretic mobility shift assay, but luciferase reporter assay revealed that the AML1 binding sites were not indispensable for Cx43 induction by AML1-ETO protein. Conversely, AP1 sites exerted an important role in this event. In agreement, AML1-ETO overexpression in leukemic U937 cells activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), while its specific inhibitor SP600125 effectively abrogated AML1-ETO-induced Cx43 expression, indicating that JNK signaling pathway contributes to AML1-ETO induced Cx43 expression. These results would shed new insights for understanding mechanisms of AML1-ETO-associated leukemogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Local mean decomposition (LMD) is a self-adaptive analysis method which can decompose a signal into a set of product function (PF) components, and the construction of envelope function plays an important role in the accuracy of its PF components. According to the local nonstationary characteristics of vibration signals, a compound interpolation envelope (CIE) LMD was proposed through a novel envelope construction method. By defining an nonstationary coefficient to evaluate the local nonstationary characteristics of vibration signals, an compound envelope construction method which use Monotonic Piecewise Cubic Hermite Interpolation (MPCHI) for nonstationary part and Cubic spline interpolation (CSI) for smooth part was proposed, and an CIE LMD algorithm was give based on the novel envelope construction method. A numerical example simulation was conducted to verify the performance of CIE LMD, results indicated that CIE LMD outperforms three other methods. The CIE LMD was employed to diagnose the oversized bearing clearance fault in reciprocating compressor, and the envelope frequency spectrum of PF component gives a more significant peak of fault frequency than that of original signal, which further indicates that this proposed method is competent for the diagnosis of reciprocating compressor oversized bearing clearance fault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) is related to metabolic diseases, and sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis of cholesteryl ester. In the present study, wild-type (WT) mice and SOAT1-knockout (KO) mice with a C57BL6 background fed a HFD were used to explore the role of SOAT1 in the hypothalamus. The results show that the WT mice exhibited a significant increase in body weight as well as hepatic histologic changes; they also had a lower glucose and insulin tolerance than the WT mice fed a normal diet. However, the metabolic syndrome was attenuated in the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice. With regard to brain function, the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice showed improved cognitive function; they also manifested reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6, which would otherwise be raised by a HFD. In addition, the HFD led to the overexpression of GFAP and phosphorylated NF-κB in the hypothalamus, changes that were reversed in the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice. Moreover, SOAT1-KO mice improved HFD-caused defective hypothalamic insulin resistance, as evidenced by the upregulation of p-insulin receptor (INSR), p-AKT and p-glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, while the downregulation of p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)–α and p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)–α. In addition, similar results were observed in high fructose (HFR)–stimulated astrocytes (ASTs) isolated from WT or KO mice. These results suggest that SOAT1 plays an important role in hypothalamic insulin sensitivity, linked to cognitive impairment, in HFD-fed mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human spinal cord injury (SCI) usually causes irreversible disability beneath the injured site due to poor neural regeneration. On the contrary, zebrafish show significant regenerative ability after SCI, thus is usually worked as an animal model for studying neuroregeneration. Most of the previous SCI studies focused on the local site of SCI, the supraspinal-derived signals were rarely mentioned. Here we showed that intradiencephalon injection of histamine (HA) inhibited the locomotor recovery in adult zebrafish post-SCI. Immunofluorescence results showed that intradiencephalon HA administration increased the activated microglia 3 days post injury (dpi), promoted the proliferation of radial glial cells at 7 dpi and affected the morphology of radial glial cells at 11 dpi. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results showed that intradiencephalon HA administration also reduced the expression of neurotrophic factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-1) at the lesion site, however, had no effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Hence, our data suggested that exogenous intradiencephalon HA retarded locomotor recovery in spinal cord injured zebrafish via modulating the repair microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of experimental sleep deprivation (SD) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in rats by examining pain-related factors and to determine the possible involvement of estrogen and NF (nuclear factor) κB signaling in the TMJ synovial membrane. Methods The influence of SD, conducted in rats using the modified multiple platform method, was estimated by observing behavioral manifestations and examining changes in serum hormone levels. The morphologic changes of synovial tissue were observed with light microscopy and the serum levels of estrogen were measured by radioimmunoassay. Activation of NF-κB in the synovial membrane was examined using an immunofluorescence technique, and the expression levels of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, cyclooxygenase 2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The SD group showed evidence of elevated anxiety and stress, and increased plasma levels of estradiol compared with the control group. The activity of NF-κB was significantly enhanced and translocation of NF-κB p65 was evident in the synovial membrane after SD. The expression of pain-related factors IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the synovial membrane significantly increased after SD. Conclusions These results indicate that SD increases serum levels of estrogen and induces alterations in pain-related factors in the TMJ. The NF-κB pathway has been associated with the regulation of these inflammatory cytokines and plays an important role in temporomandibular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Peroxiredoxins (Prx), a family of small non-seleno peroxidases, are important regulators for cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contribute to many signaling pathways and pathogenesis of diseases. Targeting redox homeostasis is being developed as a promising therapeutic strategy for many diseases such as cancers. This mini-review attempts to focus on our recent discoveries on adenanthin as the first natural molecule to specifically target the resolving cysteines of Prx I and Prx II and thus inhibit their peroxidase activities, and its role in differentiation induction in vitro and in vivo of acute myeloid leukemic cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ikaros is an important transcription factor involved in the development and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In this work, we found that chemotherapeutic drugs or ultraviolet radiation (UV) treatment could reduce the expression of full-length Ikaros (IK1) protein in less than 3h in leukemic NB4, Kasumi-1 and Jurkat cells, prior to the activation of caspase-3. Etoposide treatment could not alter the mRNA level of IK1 but it could shorten the half-life of IK1. Co-treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 or epoxomicin but not calpain inhibitor calpeptin inhibited etoposide-induced Ikaros downregulation. Overexpression of IK1 could accelerate etoposide-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells, as evidenced by the increase of Annexin V positive cells and the more early activation of caspase 3. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that upon chemotherapy drugs or UV treatment, IK1 could be degraded via the proteasome system in the early phase of apoptosis induction. These data might shed new insight on the role of IK1 in apoptosis and the post-translational regulation of IK1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined the structure of lipid-raft membranes in respiratory syncytial virus infected cells. Cholesterol depletion studies using methyl-β-cyclodextrin suggested that membrane cholesterol was required for virus filament formation, but not inclusion bodies. In addition, virus filament formation coincided with elevated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase expression, suggesting an increase in requirement for endogenous cholesterol synthesis during virus assembly. Lipid raft membranes were examined by mass spectrometry, which suggested that virus infection induced subtle changes in the lipid composition of these membrane structures. This analysis revealed increased levels of raft-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphorylated PI during RSV infection, which correlated with the appearance of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) within virus inclusion bodies, and inhibiting the synthesis of PIP3 impaired the formation of progeny virus. Collectively, our analysis suggests that RSV infection induces specific changes in the composition of raft-associated lipids, and that these changes play an important role in virus maturation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Food-derived Pickering emulsifiers, particularly proteins, are environmentally friendly and receive considerable attention for the edibility. In this study, Pleurotus tuoliensis protein was extracted at pH 7 (P. tuoliensis albumin, PTA) and pH 9.5 (P. tuoliensis protein isolate, PTPI). PTA and PTPI contained sufficient essential amino acids for humans, but low solubility. Therefore, the pH-cycle method was applied to improve the dispersity. Compared with PTA-NP (PTA nanoparticle), PTPI-NP (PTPI nanoparticle) had smaller particle size, higher surface hydrophobicity and wettability. The advantage in particle size and surface hydrophobicity not only made PTPI-NP show faster adsorption behavior at the oil-water interface at 0.1 mg/mL, but also kept the droplet size of PTPI-NP stabilized emulsions more similar at various oil contents (0.1–0.5). After 30 d storage, the creaming and oiling off behavior of PTA-NP and PTPI-NP stabilized emulsions were unchanged. These results showed that P. tuoliensis protein, especially PTPI, could be used as natural emulsifiers in food industry. • PTPI particles had higher surface hydrophobicity and wettability, but smaller size. • PTPI particles stabilized the droplet size of emulsions at low oil content. • PTA and PTPI particles reduced droplet size in a concentration dependent way. • PTA and PTPI particles improved store stability of emulsions at low oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the role of AKT signaling pathway in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) early after partial hepatectomy in rats and the regulatory mechanisms involved. Methods: The animal model of 70% hepatectomy was made. Hepatic SECs were isolated and cultured according to Braet et al.’s method with some modifications. The cultured hepatic SECs were divided into two groups: 70% partial hepatectomy groups and LY294002 group (LY). We observed the expressions of AKT and NF-κB in cultured hepatic SECs by Western blot, measured the levels of NO, NOs, IL-6, and HGF in the supernatants of hepatic SEC cultures and [3H]thymidine incorporation, and analyzed cell cycle of cultured hepatic SECs by flow cytometer. The relationship of the Akt pathway with secretions and proliferation of hepatic SECs after partial hepatectomy was probed. Results: The levels of Akt protein expression increased significantly after partial hepatectomy in OG group and with a peak at 24h post operation. Meanwhile, there was a markedly increase in phosphorylated Akt protein during 2–72h after operation. But the expression and activity of Akt protein did not change significantly after partial hepatectomy in the LY group. So, partial hepatectomy can marked induce Akt expression and result in rapid and marked phosphorylation of Akt from 2 to 72h thereafter. The changes of NF-κB expression in cultured hepatic SECs were similar to those of Akt expression after operation. The concentrations of HGF and IL-6 in the supernatants of cultured hepatic SECs were relatively low in the LY group, and were markedly increased after partial hepatectomy, with a peak at 24h in the OG group. There were significant differences between the OG and LY groups at 6 and 24h (P <0.05). Both NO and NOS secretion was increased in the OG group compared to the LY group within 24h after partial hepatectomy. But the secretion of NO and NOS was increased more markedly in the LY group than that in the OG beyond 24h. These findings suggest that the secretion of the cytokines by hepatic SECs is mediated by Akt signaling. Akt signaling pathway in relationship with proliferation of hepatic SECs and suppression of apoptosis. In OG group, the hepatic SECs in S and G2/M obviously increased. The proliferative index of hepatic SECs in OG group had significant differences with that in LY group at 6, 24, and 72h, P <0.05. Meanwhile, the cells of apoptosis in OG group were very low, and the cells in LY group gradually increased. Conclusions: These results suggest that AKT signaling pathway plays a crucial role in mediating proliferating and secreted signals in hepatic SECs. AKT has been suggested to play a pivotal role in early liver regeneration involved in the induction of secreted cytokines and proliferation of hepatic SECs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]