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Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play critical roles in several types of environmental stresses. However, the detailed regulatory mechanisms in response to salt stress are still largely unknown. In this study, we examined the salt-induced transcriptional responses of ThHSFA1-ThWRKY4 in Tamarix hispida and their functions and regulatory mechanisms in salt tolerance. ThHSFA1 protein acts as an upstream regulator that can directly activate ThWRKY4 expression by binding to the heat shock element (HSE) of the ThWRKY4 promoter using yeast one-hybrid (Y1H), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and dual-luciferase reporter assays. ThHSFA1 and ThWRKY4 expression was significantly induced by salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment in the roots and leaves of T. hispida. ThHSFA1 is a nuclear-localized protein with transactivation activity at the C-terminus. Compared to nontransgenic plants, transgenic plants overexpressing ThHSFA1 displayed enhanced salt tolerance and exhibited reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activity levels under salt stress. Therefore, we further concluded that ThHSFA1 mediated the regulation of ThWRKY4 in response to salt stress in T. hispida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study in detail the modulation instabilities (MIs) in nonlinear two-core optical fibers (TCFs) in the presence of fourth-order dispersion (FOD) by considering the symmetric and antisymmetric CW states. The analytical instability gain spectra with the FOD are shown explicitly. For the symmetric CW state, in the normal (anomalous) dispersion regime, the positive (negative) FOD reduces the original MI band, and the negative (positive) FOD can generate a completely new dominate MI band in the very high frequency range even with quite small amplitude of FOD for typical TCF parameters. For the antisymmetric CW state, in the normal dispersion regime, there is no MI without FOD. With the negative FOD, MI is generated at any given total powers. In the anomalous dispersion regime, being similar with the behaviors for symmetric CW state, the positive (negative) FOD effect is to reduce the original MI band, and the negative (positive) FOD can generate a completely new dominate MI band in the very high frequency range. We also verify our MI analysis by solving the coupled-mode equations numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C16H18N4O8, monoclinic, C2/m (no. 12), a = 14.517(4) Å, b = 18.006(7) Å, c = 6.916(3) Å, β = 116.97(3)°, V = 1611.2(11) ų, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0497, wRref(F²) = 0.1387, T = 296(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymer translocation through a nanopore from a donor space (or named cis side) to a receiver space (trans side) in the chaperone-induced crowded environment has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its significance in biological systems and technological applications. In this work, we mainly focus on the effects of chaperone concentration and chaperone-polymer interaction on the polymer translocation. By assuming the polymer translocation to be a quasi-equilibrium process, the free energy F of the polymer can be estimated by Rosenbluth-Rosenbluth method and then the translocation time τ can be calculated by Fokker-Plank equation based on the obtained free energy landscape. Our calculation results show that the translocation time can be controlled by independently tuning the chaperone concentration and chaperone-polymer interaction at the cis side or the trans side. There exists a critical chaperone-polymer attraction ε*=−0.2 at which the volume exclusion and interaction effects of the chaperone can balance each other. Additionally, we also find that at large chaperone-polymer attraction, the translocation time is mainly governed by the diffusion coefficient of the polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To analyze the clinical characteristics and chemo-resistance related factors of patients with resistant and non-resistant endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (ovarian clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma) by reviewing the data of epithelial ovarian cancer patients who received initial treatment in our hospital over a 12-year period. Results: Among the 304 patients, 17.1% were seen with platinum-based drug resistance. The ROC curve of continuous variables was drawn according to resistance situation, then they were grouped by age (< 48 or ≥ 48 years), tumor size (< 7 cm or ≥ 7 cm) and Ca125 (< 90 and ≥ 90 U/ml). In univariate analysis, age ≥ 48 years, initial symptom of abdominal distension or weight loss, abnormal preoperative serum Ca125, Ca125 < 90 U/ml, advanced FIGO stage, absence of endometriosis, bilateral tumors, lack of lymphadenectomy, positive lymph nodes, unsatisfactory initial cytoreduction surgery and history of breast cancer were all related to drug resistance in ovarian cancer. In multivariate analysis, advanced stage, lack of lymphadenectomy, positive lymph nodes and history of breast cancer were independent risk factors related to platinum-based drug resistance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients of endometriosis-related ovarian cancer, platinum-based drug resistance were associated with advanced FIGO stage, lack of lymphadenectomy, positive lymph nodes and history of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze in detail the effects of the intermode nonlinearity (IEMN) and intramode nonlinearity (IRMN) on modulation instability (MI) in randomly birefringent two-mode optical fibers (RB-TMFs). In the anomalous dispersion regime, the MI gain enhances significantly as the IEMN and IRMN coefficients increases. In the normal dispersion regime, MI can be generated without the differential mode group delay (DMGD) effect, as long as the IEMN coefficient between two distinct modes is above a critical value, or the IRMN coefficient inside a mode is below a critical value. This critical IEMN (IRMN) coefficient depends strongly on the given IRMN (IEMN) coefficient and DMGD for a given nonlinear RB-TMF structure, and is independent on the input total power, the power ratio distribution and the group velocity dispersion (GVD) ratio between the two modes. On the other hand, in contrast to the MI band arising from the pure effect of DMGD in the normal dispersion regime, where MI vanishes after a critical total power, the generated MI band under the combined effects of IEMN and IRMN without DMGD exists for any total power and enhances with the total power. The MI analysis is verified numerically by launching perturbed continuous waves (CWs) with wave propagation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing attention has been attached to the risk assessment and fragility analysis of envelopes of high-rise buildings subjected to the impact of wind-borne debris in hurricanes or typhoons. A probabilistic model of wind-borne debris is proposed in the present paper for risk assessment and fragility analysis of high-building curtain walls based on the numerical solution of three-dimensional flight trajectories of debris and the computational fluid dynamics simulation of local wind environment in a residential area. The influence of sources of randomness in the generation of debris, such as generated location, size, and initial attack angle, as well as local wind environment, on the location of debris impacting on the building curtain wall and the impact damage effect, are considered in the proposed model. The evolution of the probability characteristics of debris is driven by its physical flying behavior in the local wind environment, and the failure probability of each piece of glass of building curtain walls impacted by debris can be determined. Furthermore, a numerical algorithm is given for the fragility analysis under different incoming wind speeds, which can be used to determine the vulnerability and the fragility curve. Finally, two numerical examples for application to residential areas are provided. Results show that the proposed model can provide evaluation and prediction for wind disaster risk and fragility of high-rise buildings in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the effect and mechanism of Radix Isatidis polysaccharide (RIP) on obesity. Methods High fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats and the MDI-induced 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells were established to evaluate the ameliorated obesity effect and mechanism from RIP. Key findings Experiments in vivo show that oral administration of RIP has significant preventive effects on HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in rats. With treatment of RIP (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg BW), the body weight, fat accumulation, adipocyte cell size, serum lipid levels and antioxidant enzyme activity were progressively improved. On the other hand, the treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with RIP (25, 50 and 100 mg/L) led to a decrease in lipid accumulation and glucose consumption. In addition, during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, RIP remarkably down-regulated mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, after RIP treatment, the protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, FAS, HMG-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA synthetase-1 (AceCS1) were significantly decreased and the expression of p-AMPK was increased. Conclusion These results highlight the potential of RIP for obesity interventions and suggest that RIP inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid synthesis by activating adenosine 5ʹ-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway and down-regulating the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ, C/EBPα, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an equivparticle model, we investigate the in-medium quark condensate in neutron stars. Carrying out a Taylor expansion of the nuclear binding energy to the order of ρ 3 , we obtain a series of EOSs for neutron star matter, which are confronted with the latest nuclear and astrophysical constraints. The in-medium quark condensate is then extracted from the constrained properties of neutron star matter, which decreases non-linearly with density. However, the chiral symmetry is only partially restored with non-vanishing quark condensates, which may vanish at a density that is out of reach for neutron stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NAC transcription factors play a significant role in regulating plant responses to biological processes and environmental stresses. Our previous study revealed 21 ThNAC proteins, and ThNAC13 is a nuclear protein that responds to saline stress in Tamarix hispida. To determine whether ThNAC13 regulates downstream genes, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) were used to identify the binding sites of ThNAC13 at the whole-genome level. In RNAi-silenced ThNAC13 transgenic Tamarix , a total of 4 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 114 peaks strongly associated with four different motifs were identified compared with those in empty vector transgenic Tamarix under salt stress. The c48149.graph_c0 gene contains the key domain of the phloem protein 2 (PP2) protein and is a candidate gene downstream of ThNAC13. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter (LUC) assays were used to identify ThNAC13 as an upstream regulator of ThPP2. Transgenic Tamarix plants in which ThPP2 was transiently expressed or silenced via RNAi were used for functional gain and loss experiments. The ThPP2- overexpressing plants exhibited decreased hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2), superoxide (O 2 •−), and electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity. In contrast, transient RNAi-mediated silencing of ThPP2 in Tamarix had the opposite effect. ThNAC13 binds to the promoter region of the ThPP2 gene and reduces the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, positively regulating salt stress tolerance in Tamarix. • 4 down-regulated DEGs and 4 different motifs were identified in RNAi-silenced ThNAC13 compare with empty vector transgenic Tamarix under salt stress. • The phloem protein 2 (PP2) protein as a downstream gene by ThNAC13 TFs. • Overexpression of ThPP2 Tamarix decreased the contents of H 2 O 2 , O 2 •−, EL and MDA; induced the activities of SOD, POD and CAT. • In contrast, transiently RNAi-silenced ThPP2 Tamarix showed the opposite result. • ThNAC13 binds to ThPP2 gene through reduces the ROS accumulation and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity to improve salt stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistin protein is thought to link insulin resistance in murine models of obesity and type-2 diabetes, but the role of resistin in human studies of inflammatory metabolic disorders have generated conflicting data. Here, we describe the structure of the resistin gene using adipose tissue from non-human primates (NHPs), which have been used extensively to model a host of human diseases. Full-length cDNA from rhesus macaque resistin obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) is comprised of 526 nucleotides covering an open-reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 108-amino-acid protein that is 92% homologous with the human counterpart but only 60% homologous with the murine counterpart. Using a modified polymerase chain reaction technique, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms and a 78-bp deletion within resistin cDNA of nine rhesus macaques. Comparisons of the full-length cDNA sequence and an amplified 569-bp genomic DNA sequence revealed an error in published predictions arising from genomic studies about the gene's exon 3 region. Our data show, for the first time, the full-length macaque resistin cDNA sequence (GenBank: JF740676.1). These findings will illuminate future studies into the role of resistin in NHP models of inflammatory metabolic diseases. Am. J. Primatol. 76:65-71, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Epidemiological and clinical data have clearly demonstrated that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) predisposes risk to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH is the liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which constellates obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Although the percentage of patients diagnosed annually with NASH-associated HCC is still relatively low, this number signifies a large population due to the rapidly increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes globally. Fundamental studies on lipid storage, regulation of adipose factors, inflammatory cytokine recruitments and oxidative stress have provided insights into NASH as well as metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence also indicates the significant role of genetic factors in contributing to the pathogenesis of NASH and induced hepatic malignancy. In this review, we attempt to collate current research on NASH biology that lead to our understandings on how metabolic disorders may intersect with cancer development. We also discuss study models that have supported discoveries of molecular and cellular defects, and offered a perspective on therapeutic developments. These studies have collectively increased our knowledge on the complex signaling pathways involved in NASH and cancer, and provided the foundation for improved clinical management of patients with metabolic diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with selective vulnerability of striatal neurons and involves extensive transcriptional dysregulation early in the disease process. Previous work in cell and mouse models has shown that histone modifications are altered in HD. Specifically, monoubiquitylated histone H2A (uH2A) is present at the promoters of downregulated genes which led to the hypothesis that uH2A plays a role in transcriptional silencing in HD. Objective: To broaden our view of uH2A function in transcription in HD, we examined genome-wide binding sites of uH2A in 12-week old striatal tissue from R6/2 transgenic HD mouse model. Methods: We used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by genomic promoter microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip) and then interrogated how these binding sites correlate with transcribed genes. Results: Our analysis reveals that, while uH2A levels are globally increased at the genome in the transgenic (TG) striatum, uH2A localization at a gene did not strongly correlate with the absence of its transcript. Furthermore, analysis of differential ubiquitylation in wild-type (WT) and TG striata did not reveal the expected enrichment of uH2A at genes with decreased expression in the TG striatum. Conclusions: This first description of genome-wide localization of uH2A in an HD model reveals that monoubiquitylation of histone H2A may not function at the level of the individual gene but may rather influence transcription through global chromatin structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Huntington's disease (HD; MIM ID #143100), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, transcriptional dysregulation is a key pathogenic feature. Histone modifications are altered in multiple cellular and animal models of HD suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed changes in transcriptional levels. In particular, previous work has suggested an important link between decreased histone acetylation, particularly acetylated histone H3 (AcH3; H3K9K14ac), and downregulated gene expression. However, the question remains whether changes in histone modifications correlate with transcriptional abnormalities across the entire transcriptome. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation paired with microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip), we interrogated AcH3-gene interactions genome-wide in striata of 12-week old wild-type (WT) and transgenic (TG) R6/2 mice, an HD mouse model, and correlated these interactions with gene expression levels. At the level of the individual gene, we found decreases in the number of sites occupied by AcH3 in the TG striatum. In addition, the total number of genes bound by AcH3 was decreased. Surprisingly, the loss of AcH3 binding sites occurred within the coding regions of the genes rather than at the promoter region. We also found that the presence of AcH3 at any location within a gene strongly correlated with the presence of its transcript in both WT and TG striatum. In the TG striatum, treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors increased global AcH3 levels with concomitant increases in transcript levels; however, AcH3 binding at select gene loci increased only slightly. This study demonstrates that histone H3 acetylation at lysine residues 9 and 14 and active gene expression are intimately tied in the rodent brain, and that this fundamental relationship remains unchanged in an HD mouse model despite genome-wide decreases in histone H3 acetylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural transition of a single polymer chain with chain length of 100, 200 and 300 beads was investigated by parallel tempering MD simulation. Our simulation results can capture the structural change from random coil to orientationally ordered structure with decreasing temperature. The clear transition was observed on the curves of radius of gyration and global orientational order parameter P as the function of temperature, which demonstrated structural formation of a single polymer chain. The linear relationships between three components of square radius of gyration R, R, R and global orientational order P can be obtained under the structurally transformational process. The slope of the linear relationship between x (or y-axis) component R (or R) and P is negative, while that of R as the function of P is positive. The absolute value of slope is proportional to the chain length. Once the single polymer chain takes the random coil or ordered configuration, the linear relationship is invalid. The conformational change was also analyzed on microscopic scale. The polymer chain can be treated as the construction of rigid stems connecting by flexible loops. The deviation from exponentially decreased behavior of stem length distribution becomes prominent, indicating a stiffening of the chain arises leading to more and more segments ending up in the trans state with decreasing temperature. The stem length N is about 21 bonds indicating the polymer chain is ordered with the specific fold length. So, the simulation results, which show the prototype of a liquid-crystalline polymer chain, are helpful to understand the crystallization process of crystalline polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For human telomerase RNA(hTR) pseudoknot PK WT and its mutants PK △U177 , PK 179AG/110CU, PK DC , the cotranscriptional folding kinetics are quite different from refolding, which causes different levels of telomerase activity. For PK DC , the absence of pseudoknot causes the reduction in telomerase activity. And it is also found that the population of intermediates during cotranscriptional folding largely depend on the cotranscription rate. [Display omitted] • For human telomerase RNA(hTR) pseudoknot PK WT , three intermediates have been found in cotranscriptional folding. • For PK △U177 , the population of the pseudoknot are smaller, which causes the telomerase activity more weaker. For PK DC , the native structure is a stable long helix. • The population of intermediates during cotranscriptional folding largely depend on the cotranscription rate. We investigate and compare the refolding and cotranscriptional folding process of RNA pseudoknot including PK5 pseudoknot, human telomerase RNA (hTR) pseudoknot and its mutants by using helix-based transition rate model and master equation. It is found that in the refolding process, the final states for PK WT and two mutants PK 179AG/110CU and PK △U177 are all pseudoknots. However, the final state of mutant PK DC is a stable long helix. Furthermore, the cotranscriptional folding intermediates are quite different from refolding ones. The intermediate found in refolding process for PK WT is also shown during cotranscription. For PK 179AG/110CU, the two intermediates in refolding are not found in cotranscriptional folding. For PK △U177 , only one of the intermediates found in refolding is not observed in cotranscription. For PK DC , the unfolding sequence in the refolding process directly transits to native helix. Two intermediates are found during cotranscription. The populations of intermediates and native structure also depend on the cotranscriptional folding rate. All these findings can offer useful insights into cotranscription folding of hTR pseudoknot with different rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary of main observation and conclusion: A new class of indole‐based allylic donors have been designed and developed for palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative allylations. In addition, the first application of these indole‐based allylic donors in palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative [3+2] cycloaddition and allylic amination has been achieved by reacting with isocyanates and sulfonyl amines, respectively. This approach represents the first design of indole‐based allylic donors, which is helpful for settling the challenge of designing and developing new class of heterocycle‐based allylic donors for Pd‐catalyzed decarboxylative allylation reactions. Moreover, the application of this new class of allylic donors in cycloadditions and substitutions will add new contents to the research field of decarboxylative allylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the sintering mechanism and property of ZnO–V 2 O 5 –MnCO 3 –Nb 2 O 5 (ZnVMnNbO) varistor ceramic and their evolution by Ce–La dopant. The XRD, SEM, EBSD and TEM results show MnZn 2 Nb 2 O 8 has a similar effect as ZnV 2 O 4 and Zn 3 (VO 4) 2 on contributing to the formation of Vanadium (V)-rich liquid phase and promoting the sintering of ZnVMnNbO ceramic. Oppositely, ZnMn 2 O 4 particle phase can only postpone sintering by pinning the growth of ZnO grains. Adding Ce–La dopant leads to forming Ce(La)VO 4 intergranular particle phase that further hinders the sintering of the ceramic. This conclusion agrees with the result of the following kinetics study that shows the grain-growth exponent and apparent activation energy of ZnVMnNbO ceramic increasing from 2.39 and 186 KJ mol-1 to 2.95 and 263 KJ mol-1 with the addition of Ce–La dopant. Meanwhile, the electrical properties of the Ce–La doped ZnVMnNbO varistor ceramics are generally better than its Rare Earth (RE)-free counterparts. Sintering at 875 °C for 3 h can increase the nonlinear coefficient of Ce–La doped ZnVMnNbO varistor ceramic to its highest value of 48.4, therefore, is proposed as the optimum fabricating procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tubemoside as a common traditional Chinese medicine is playing an important role in the field of prevention and treatment of lung cancer without any side effects. However, the reason and its mechanism remain unclear. In our study, the molecular dynamic simulation was used to investigate the mechanism at the molecular level. We found that the hydrogen bond network of proteins (three states of EGFR) was affected by Tubemoside. The movement and opening/closing state of protein was changed when combine with Tubemoside. The results of principal component analysis were used to prove the transform of proteins and the change of its movement. Electrostatic interactions of proteins also were studied. The numbers of active interaction sites will decrease while Tubemoside emerged in the protein, which will cause the activity change of EGFR for forming asymmetric dimers required for activation. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The molecular dynamic simulation was used to investigate the mechanism. • The opening/closing state of proteins was changed according to the hydrogen bond. • The PCA were used to prove the transform of proteins and the change of its movement. • The active interaction sites will decrease while Tubemoside emerged in the protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Employing chiral Co(III)-complex-templated Brønsted acids as catalysts. • The asymmetric intermolecular iodoacetalization of enol ethers was achieved. • This method provided an easy access to optically active 3-iodoacetal derivatives. • High yield and up to 83:17 er. Abstract The chiral Co(III)-complex-templated Brønsted acids were used as efficient bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts for the asymmetric intermolecular iodoacetalization of enol ethers, such as 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 2,3-dihydrofuran, ethyl vinyl ether with alcohols and NIS, furnishing the 3-iodoacetals in high yield with up to 83:17 er. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the preventive effect of alprostadil on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 300 patients with creatinine clearance (crCl) ≤60 mL/min undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to alprostadil or a control group. The primary end point was the incidence of CIN defined as an increase in serum creatinine (Scr) levels by ≥0.5 mg/dL or≥ 25% after administration of the contrast media within 72 hours. The secondary end points were (1) changes in Scr and crCl within 72 hours and (2) the incidence of major adverse events during hospitalization. The incidence of CIN was 2.7% (4/150) in the alprostadil group, and 8.7% (13/150) in the control group (χ2 = 5.05, P = .043).There was no difference regarding the incidence of major adverse events during hospitalization between the alprostadil group and control groups (2.7% vs 4.0%, P = .750). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alprostadil was an independent protective factor for CIN (odds ratio = 0.136, 95% confidence interval: 0.020-0.944, P = .044). Prophylactic administration of alprostadil may prevent CIN in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the anti-angiogenic effect of 3β, 12β, 20(S)-trihydroxy dammarane-3- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl(1–2)-β- d -glucopyranoside(HRG), a new chemical compound obtained by structure modification on Ginseng saponins Rg3, associated with the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and its upstream signal-regulated molecule of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(b-FGF) in vitro, which plays an critical role in angiogenesis during the process of carcinoma. In our study, to investigate the anti-angiogenesis effect of HRG in HUVECs, we utilized cell proliferation assay, tube formation assay, wound-healing assay, Semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot assay. Our results demonstrated that HRG plays a major role in the regulation of proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs by suppressing the expression of VEGF and b-FGF in both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In addition, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which were related to the ECM degradation, were down-regulated after administration of HRG as well. Overall, our results revealed that HRG strongly inhibited the process of angiogenesis and shows better effectiveness than Rg3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have extended the complex scaled Green's function method to the relativistic framework describing deformed nuclei with the theoretical formalism presented in detail. We have checked the applicability and validity of the present formalism for exploration of the resonances in deformed nuclei. Furthermore, we have studied the dependences of resonances on nuclear deformations and the shape of potential, which are helpful to recognize the evolution of resonant levels from stable nuclei to exotic nuclei with axially quadruple deformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated carrots can be divided into eastern and western types. Much evidence supports the idea that eastern carrots originated in Central Asia, while varying opinions exist on the origin of western carrots, especially orange varieties, and the origin of Chinese orange carrots remains unclear. In this study, we used 119 carrot accessions to investigate the relationship between Chinese carrots and western orange varieties (Western orange) using morphology and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results demonstrate that Chinese carrots are eastern-type and maintain the primitive traits of strong and pubescent leaves, and early flowering. Despite being morphologically similar, the STRUCTURE and phylogenetic analysis based on SSR markers indicated that Western orange were clearly separated from Chinese carrots. These findings, in conjunction with historical documents suggesting that the first Chinese carrots seem to be yellow, suggest that Chinese orange were derived from Chinese red according to the mixed distribution of red and orange accessions. These results suggest that Chinese orange carrots may have undergone a specific, independent process different from that of Western orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]