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Radio frequency (RF) has the advantages of high efficiency and penetrability, but the effects of RF on meat thawing have not been thoroughly examined compared with air tha'wing. The effects of RF thawing and air thawing on efficiency, physicochemical properties, microstructure, and the total viable counts (TVC) of mutton were investigated using a 6 kW, 27.12 MHz RF system. Thawing from - 18-4 °C, RF thawing (0.5 h) took less time than air thawing (8.1 h). RF-thawed samples maintained better color and texture than air-thawed samples. The thawing loss, the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content, and the TVC in RF-thawed samples were less than in air-thawed samples. Furthermore, RF thawing reduced myofibrillar protein content compared with air thawing. Micrographs also showed that the microstructure was slightly damaged with RF thawing, whereas the organizational structure was damaged much more severely with air thawing. Based on this study, RF heating has great potential application value in the thawing of meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is essential for the activation of immune system against cancer. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation (ERAD) inhibitors (EerI and NMS-873) in enhancing radiation-induced ICD in esophageal cancer (EC). EC cells were administered with ERAD inhibitors, radiation therapy (RT), and the combination treatment. ICD hallmarks including calreticulin (CALR), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) were detected. The efficacy of ERAD inhibitors combined with RT in stimulating ICD was analyzed. Additionally, the role of ICD hallmarks in immune cell infiltration and patient survival was investigated. Inhibiting ERAD pathways was able to stimulate ICD component emission from dying EC cells in a dosedependent pattern. Radiation-induced ICD was significantly increased after high doses RT (≥10 Gy). ERAD inhibitor combined with moderate dose RT (≥6 Gy) was capable of stimulating increased ICD in EC cells. Dual therapy could elicit the antitumor immune response by enhancing dendritic cells maturation and phagocytosis. Further investigation revealed a significant correlation between CALR and tumorinfiltrating immune cells. Low expression of ATP and HMGB1 and high expression of CALR were associated with favorable survival in patients with EC. The immunogenicityof EC can be enhanced by ERAD inhibitors combined with moderate doses of RT. ICD hallmark genes, especially CALR, are correlated to immune cell infiltration and clinical outcomes in EC. The present results demonstrated an important method to improve the immunogenicity of EC cells for enhanced antitumor immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) combined therapy has been hindered to clinical translation, due to the lack of available biomaterials, difficult designs of functions, and complex chemical synthetic or preparation procedures. To actualize a high-efficiency combination therapy for cancer via a feasible approach, three readily available materials are simply associated together in one-pot, namely the single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNH), zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), and surfactant TPGS. The established nanodispersion is recorded as PCT. The association of SWCNH/ZnPc/TPGS was confirmed by energy dispersive spectrum, Raman spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis. Under lighting, PCT induced a temperature rising up to about 60 °C due to the presence of SWCNH, production a 7-folds of singlet oxygen level elevation because of ZnPc, which destroyed almost all 4T1 tumor cells in vitro . The photothermal effect of PCT depended on both laser intensity and nanodispersion concentration in a linear and nonlinear manner, respectively. After a single peritumoral injection in mice and laser treatment, PCT exhibited the highest tumor temperature rise (to 65 °C) among all test groups, completely destroyed primary tumor without obvious toxicity, and inhibited distant site tumor. Generally, this study demonstrated the high potential of PCT nanodispersion in tumor combined therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield and robustness of carbon-based embedded memory can be significantly degraded by the presence of metallic carbon nanotubes (m-CNs) that create short circuits in the channel arrays of CN-MOSFETs. The malfunction caused by these short circuits can be avoided by removing the m-CNs using specialized etching techniques. During the removal of metallic nanotubes, however, residual m-CNs may be left in the channel arrays of some of the transistors. Furthermore, all of the nanotubes may be etched in some of the channel arrays, thereby causing permanent open circuits and malfunction. A statistical design methodology that considers all of these possibilities related to the formation and removal of metallic nanotubes is needed for achieving functional memory circuits with high yield despite fabrication imperfections in carbon-based electronics. An m-CN-removal-tolerant high-yield six-transistor (6T) static random access memory (SRAM) cell is proposed in this paper considering the nonidealities of CN-MOSFET fabrication. A general statistical functional yield model of memory arrays with 6T SRAM cells is developed by comprehensively considering the spatial correlations among different transistors. The yield of the m-CN-removal-tolerant memory array is increased by 131 times, and read access speed is enhanced by 16.42% as compared with the standard design that does not provide any tolerance to the removal of m-CNs in a 16-nm CN transistor technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new variable strength keeper technique is proposed in this paper for achieving robust, high-speed, and low-leakage dynamic logic gates with carbon nanotube transistors. The strength of keeper is dynamically adjusted depending on the logical state of dynamic node during input evaluation phase in a domino logic circuit. While providing similar noise immunity, the evaluation delay and power-delay product of proposed domino circuits are reduced by up to 13.33% and 13.84%, respectively, as compared to standard domino circuits in a 16 nm carbon nanotube transistor technology. Furthermore, the proposed domino circuits provide up to 77.98% savings in average leakage power consumption as compared to standard domino logic circuits in idle mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Present study aimed to better understand the potential apoptotic pathways that involved in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. Methods: Human prostate cancer DU145 cells were treated with different concentrations of fish oil, omega-3 PUFA (DHA, and Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), or omega-6 PUFA (Arachidonic acid, AA). Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and Hoechst staining. Pathway-focused gene expression profiling of DU145 cells was analyzed with the RT2 Profile PCR Array System. The results were verified by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: AA exposure showed no obvious effect on viability of DU145 cells. However, exposure with fish oil, EPA, or DHA for 24 h significantly affected cell viability. The growth inhibition of DHA was more pronounced than that of EPA and showed a time-dependent increase. DHA exposure caused typical apoptotic characteristics. Ten genes were more expressed, while 5 genes were less expressed following DHA exposure. RT-qPCR confirmed the time dependent effect of DHA on the expression of these differentially expressed genes. KEGG pathway analysis showed that DHA may induce the apoptosis of cancer cells preferentially through mediating P53, MAPK, TNF, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the beneficial action of DHA on human prostate carcinoma cell line DU145. The pro-apoptotic effect of DHA on DU145 cells may involve mediation various pathways, especially P53, MAPK, TNF, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Molecular mechanisms of DHA on apoptosis of cancer cells still need to be further clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysregulation of a numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) has been implicated in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Among those miRNAs, miR-21 and miR-221 are co-overexpressed and commonly target the phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) that is located in the PTEN-Akt signaling pathway. The present study investigated whether co-inhibition of miR-21 and miR-221 induced synergistic apoptosis of human LSCC cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated deoxynucleotide triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to observe the potential effect of miR-21 and miR-221 on cell viability and apoptosis in cells co-transfected with anti-miRNA oligonucleotide (AMO)-21 and AMO-221. The protein expression levels of PTEN, Akt and p53 were determined by western blotting. The cellular abundance of 6 pro-apoptotic miRNAs transcribed by p53 mediation, consisting of miR-15a, miR-16-1, miR-26a, miR-34a, miR-143 and miR-203, was measured with using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). MTT results indicate that in vitro co-transfection of AMO-21 and AMO-221 leads to a decline in cell viability, compared with the transfection of AMO alone. This result was verified by the detection of apoptosis using TUNEL assays. Co-transfection of AMO-21 and AMO-221 resulted in a marked reduction in Akt phosphorylation and enhanced expression of PTEN and p53 were observed; consequently, leading to an amplification of the transcription of 6 pro-apoptotic miRNAs. The present findings confirmed that co-inhibition of miR-21 and miR-221 synergistically triggers cell apoptosis in vitro. The altered PTEN-Akt signaling and p53-mediated amplification of the transcription of pro-apoptotic miRNAs may be involved in the observed synergistic effect. The present study provides novel insights into the mechanism underlying apoptosis-associated miRNA-miRNA mutual regulation in LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroides brachyacantha Rioja, 1941, an important fouling serpulid species originally described from Mazatlán (Southern Gulf of California, Mexico) and Acapulco (southern Mexican Pacific), has been reported from the Mexican Pacific and numerous tropical and subtropical localities. However, a recent description of H. amri Sun, Wong, ten Hove, Hutchings, Williamson & Kupriyanova, 2015 from Australia, which was historically misidentified as H. brachyacantha, suggested that the widespread ‘H. brachyacantha’ is indeed a species complex. To test the status of H. amri, we conducted phylogenetic analyses based on a combined dataset of 18S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer-2, and cytochrome b sequences of H. brachyacantha from the type locality in Mexico with those of H. amri from Australia. Our molecular data supported the morphology-based hypothesis of H. amri and H. brachyacantha sensu stricto as two distinct species. Furthermore, H. amri comprises two non-sister well-supported clades. Hydroides amri thus comprises what we consider two cryptic species with long-term isolation. Here we describe the genetic lineage in South Australia as Hydroides nikae, sp. nov. Given the absence of a holotype of H. brachyacantha, we designate a neotype collected from the type locality (Mazatlán, Mexico). This study calls for a worldwide revision of the H. brachyacantha-complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to assess the clinical outcome of consolidation chemotherapy for resectable esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) after trimodality therapy.Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2012, a total of 192 consecutive locally advanced ESCC patients who underwent trimodality therapy successfully was included. Grouping was based on the degree of myelosuppression occurred during preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Of the 192 patients, 120 patients underwent trimodality therapy only (TT group), while 72 patients received consolidation chemotherapy additionally after trimodality therapy (TC group). Preoperative chemoradiotherapy included two cycles of chemotherapy concurrently with radiotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of cisplatin 20 mg/m2/day and fluorouracil 400 mg/m2/day administered intravenously infusion on days 1-5 of a 21 days cycle. Concurrent radiotherapy was delivered in a total of 40 Gy in 20 fractions. All patients underwent surgery successfully. For 72 patients in TC group, additional 1-4 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy were administered, and chemotherapy regimen was as before.Results: The 5-year survival rate was 43.5% in TT group, as compared with 48.8% in TC group. (P = 0.238). The 5.year progression.free survival. (PFS) rates were 34.0% in TT group and 38.8% in TC group. (P = 0.049). Risk reduction in PFS was remarkable for males and those who did not achieve pathologic complete response. (pCR). The incidence rate of disease progression did not differ significantly. (P = 0.200).Conclusions: The addition of consolidation chemotherapy demonstrates no survival benefit for patients with locally advanced ESCC, but PFS is significantly improved, especially for males and those who did not achieve pCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Chaetopterus qiani sp. nov., is described based on 18 specimens collected from a fish farm in Hong Kong. This species is small (body length: 11. 5-35.5 mm), with nine, five and 10-16 chaetigers in regions A, B and C, respectively. It belongs to a small group of epibenthic Chaetopterus species with long notopodia in region C. This species can be distinguished from other epibenthic Chaetopterus by a combination of the following features: up to 16 lightbrownish cutting chaetae in A4, wide neuropodia in A9, large wing-shaped notopodia in B1, 10-16 chaetigers in region C, long club-shaped notopodia and a short conical dorsal cirrus in the dorsal lingule of neuropodia in region C. A key to Chaetopterus from the Pacific region is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To determine interfractional changes of lung tumor centroid position and tumor regression during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials. 34 patients were treated by SBRT in 4-5 fractions to a median dose of 50Gy. The CT scans acquired for verification were registered with simulation CT scans. The gross target volume (GTV) was contoured on all verification CT scans and compared to the initial GTV in treatment plan system. Results. The mean (±standard deviation, SD) three-dimension vector shift was 5.2 ± 3.1 mm. The mean (±SD) interfractional variations of tumor centroid position were -0.7 ± 4.5mm in anterior-posterior (AP) direction, 0.2 ± 3.1mm in superior-inferior (SI) direction, and 0.4 ± 2.4mm in right-left (RL) direction. Large interfractional variations (⩾5 mm) were observed in 5 fractions (3.3%) in RL direction, 16 fractions (10.5%) in SI direction, and 36 fractions (23.5%) in AP direction. Tumor volume did not decrease significantly during lung SBRT. Conclusions. Small but insignificant tumor volume regression was observed during lung SBRT. While the mean interfractional variations of tumor centroid position were minimal in three directions, variations more than 5mm account for approximately a third of all, indicating additional margin for PTV, especially in AP direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New therapies are needed for alcohol abuse, a major public health problem in the U.S. and worldwide. There are only three FDA-approved drugs for treatment of alcohol abuse (naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfuram). On average these drugs yield only moderate success in reducing long-term alcohol consumption. Electroacupuncture has been shown to alleviate various drugs of abuse, including alcohol. Although previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture reduced alcohol consumption, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. ΔFosB and FosB are members of the Fos family of transcription factors implicated in neural plasticity in drug addiction; a connection between electroacupuncture's treatment of alcohol abuse and the Fos family has not been established. In this study, we trained rats to drink large quantities of ethanol in a modified intermittent access two-bottle choice drinking procedure. When rats achieved a stable baseline of ethanol consumption, electroacupuncture (100 Hz or 2 Hz, 30 min each day) was administered at Zusanli (ST36) for 6 consecutive days. The level of FosB/ΔFosB in reward-related brain regions was assessed by immunohistochemistry. We found that the intake of and preference for ethanol in rats under 100 Hz, but not 2 Hz electroacupuncture regiment were sharply reduced. The reduction was maintained for at least 72 hours after the termination of electroacupuncture treatment. Conversely, 100 Hz electroacupuncture did not alter the intake of and preference for the natural rewarding agent sucrose. Additionally, FosB/ΔFosB levels in the prefrontal cortex, striatal region and the posterior region of ventral tegmental area were increased following excessive ethanol consumption, but were reduced after six-day 100 Hz electroacupuncture. Thus, this study demonstrates that six-day 100 Hz electroacupuncture treatment effectively reduces ethanol consumption and preference in rats that chronically drink excessive amount of ethanol. This effect of electroacupuncture may be mediated by down-regulation of FosB/ΔFosB in reward-related brain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single chain variable fragments (scFvs) against diethylstilbestrol (DES) were selected from the splenocytes of nonimmunized mice by ribosome display technology. A naive library was constructed and engineered to allow in vitro transcription and translation using an E. coli lysate system. Alternating selection in solution and immobilization in microtiter wells was used to pan mRNA-ribosome-antibody (ARM) complexes. After seven rounds of ribosome display, the expression vector pTIG-TRX containing the selected specific scFv DNAs were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for expression. Twenty-six positive clones were screened and five clones had high antibody affinity and specificity to DES as evidenced by indirect competitive ELISA. Sequence analysis showed that these five DES-specific scFvs had different amino acid sequences, but the CDRs were highly similar. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis was used to determine binding kinetics of one clone (30-1). The measured KD was 3.79 μM. These results indicate that ribosome display technology can be used to efficiently isolate hapten-specific antibody (Ab) fragments from a naive library; this study provides a methodological framework for the development of novel immunoassays for multiple environmental pollutants with low molecular weight detection using recombinant antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of MMP-2 silencing on the invasion and growth of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Hep-2 cells were transfected with MMP-2-RNAi-Lentivirus, and MMP-2 expression and invasive properties of the cells were evaluated. The experimental tumors in the nude mice were intratumorally injected with the same recombinant lentivirus. The inhibition of tumor growth was observed. The expression of MMP-2 protein in MMP-2 siRNA transfected Hep-2 cells was effectively suppressed. Both the viability and invasive ability of Hep-2 cells were significantly inhibited. The average weight and volume of tumor in MMP-2-RNAi-Lentivirus treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.01). The PCNA index was obviously lower in MMP-2 RNAi treated tumors ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, MMP-2 silencing by recombinant lentivirus mediated RNA interference can inhibit invasion and growth of LSCC, and MMP-2 might be a potential target for gene therapy in LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) holds significant promise for use in clinical and biological industries. However, the reliance on antibiotics to maintain plasmid-borne genes has overshadowed its benefits. In this study, we addressed this issue by engineering the endogenous cryptic plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2. The non-essential elements were removed to create more stable derivatives pMUT1NR△ and pMUT2HBC△. Synthetic promoters by integrating binding motifs on sigma factors were further constructed and applied for expression of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron heparinase III and the biosynthesis of ectoine. Compared to traditional antibiotic-dependent expression systems, our newly constructed antibiotic-free expression systems offer considerable advantages for clinical and synthetic biology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of cellulase addition were assessed relative to the co-ensiling performance of air-dried corn stover (DCS) and cabbage waste (CW). The DCS and CW mixtures were co-ensiled with 0 to 0.3% of cellulase addition, and changes in composition, intermediates, and biological activity were characterized. The results showed that the addition of cellulase enhanced the decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose by 2.51 to 6.93% and 3.41%, based on different dosages and compared with the control. Thus, the content of water-soluble carbohydrates increased. The acid content also increased from 5.8% for the control to the range 5.16 to 8.51% for the samples containing cellulase. Moreover, there was a shift from homolactic to heterolactic fermentation with prolonged ensiling time, coupled with the dominant lactic acid bacteria shifting from Paralactobacillus and Lactobacillus to more of Lactobacillus. Thus, the addition of cellulase improved the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. An assessment of fermentation quality, therefore, suggested that cellulase addition can improve the silage quality of DCS/CW during co-ensiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many chemosynthesis-based communities prospering in deep-sea environments rely on the metabolic activity of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. This is the case for vestimentiferan siboglinid tubeworms, whose demand for nutrition is satisfied predominantly by their en-dosymbiotic bacteria harbored in a specialized organ called the trophosome. Such chemo-symbiosis leads to a significantly lower nitrogen isotope composition of the trophosome than in other types of soft tissue. However, the specific process of nitrogen utilization by sibo-glinids remains unclear. As a key element in the relevant enzymes (nitrogenase and nitrate reductase), molybdenum (Mo) is indispensable in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. The Mo isotope composition (δ98Mo) of siboglinids is thus a potential proxy for decoding the processes involved in nitrogen metabolism. In this study, we found δ98Mo values along the chitinous tube of the vestimentiferan siboglinid Paraescarpia echinospica from the Haima seeps of the South China Sea as negative as -4.59%c (-1.13%c ± 1.75%o, 1SD, n = 19)-the lowest δ98Mo value ever reported for any kind of natural material. It is suggested that this extremely negative Mo isotope composition is caused by preferential utilization of isotopically light Mo by the tubeworm's endosymbionts or epibionts during nitrate reduction. Such Mo isotope signature could provide a means for identifying siboglinid tubeworms, a group of annelids that has previously escaped unambiguous identification due to the lack of mineralized skeleton, in the rock record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In consideration of the rod, the tube, and the liquid column, a 3D dynamic model was established, which could be expressed as a set of partial differential equations. A measured torque curve and a calculated torque curve of Nan1-2-22 oil-well in Daqing oilfield were contrasted with each other which improved the rationality of this model. At last, we researched the influence of the stroke and the frequency of stroke on the displacement of rod, suspension velocity, suspension acceleration, polish rod load, and net torque of gearbox. This 3D dynamic model has a higher calculated accuracy and veracity and could be used to design and optimize the structure of rod pumping and the working process of pumping wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a service to taxonomists and ecologists using names in the well-known and species-rich ship-fouling serpulid genus Hydroides we present an update of all 107 non-synonymised scientific names, with additional information on Hydroides nomenclature, original names, etymologies, and type localities derived from original literature, and in accord with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) database. An update is needed because the gender of genus Hydroides has from 1 January 2000 reverted to the original feminine, due to a change in the wording of International Code of Zoological Nomenclature which was overlooked at that time, and is contrary to the usage in practice of Hydroides as masculine which had started about 1992, although Code-required from the 1960s. We match 31 further original names of current WoRMS subjective junior synonyms to each non-synonymised name, and also report on the world distribution of the genus as illustrated by type localities of the valid names. We include notes on seven species inquirenda. The correct rendering is given of six names that have been altered for gender agreement for the first time herein. Hydroides gottfriedi nom. n. replaces junior homonym H. rostrata Pillai, 1971. Currently there are 41 non-synonymised species-group names in Hydroides which should be gender invariant, and 23 names which would only change if moved to a neuter genus; the remaining 43 names are fully gender variable. Place-names (23), and personal names (16) make up more than a third (36%) of the species names, with most of the remainder (68) being descriptive of species character states, usually of operculum morphology (54). All species, except H. norvegica (63°N), have type localities in shallow-water coastal locations in temperate to tropical waters below latitude 44°, with the highest number of new species (54) from the adjoining Western Pacific and Indian Ocean areas. The other concentration of new species (31) are those first found on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America and in the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of MMP-14, 15 and 16 (MT1, MT2 and MT3-MMP) in supraglottic carcinoma and to explore their clinical significance. Expression of MMP-14, 15 and 16 was examined using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry methods in samples from 85 cases of supraglottic carcinoma. Results showed that both mRNA and protein expression of MMP-14, 15 and 16 were increased in supraglottic carcinoma tissues compared to expression in control adjacent non-neoplastic tissues ( P < 0.05). Expression of MMP-14, but not MMP-15 and MMP-16, was significantly increased in the T3 and neck nodal metastasis groups compared with the T1–2 group and the group without nodal metastasis at both mRNA and protein levels ( P < 0.05). Expression of MMP-14 mRNA and protein was also higher in tumors of patients with stage III–IV disease compared to patients with clinical stage I–II tumors ( P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the groups with high MMP-14 protein expression had a poorer prognosis than patients in the groups with weak or negative expression of MMP-14 protein ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, MMP-14 may play an important role in the progression of supraglottic carcinoma and may be a novel prognostic factor for patients with supraglottic carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeobox D gene cluster antisense growth-associated long noncoding RNA (HAGLR) functions as a crucial regulator in the progression and development of human cancers. We analyzed effects of HAGLR, microRNA (miR)-143-5p and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP)3 on esophageal cancer (EC) and the related mechanisms. Microarray analysis was used to screen out EC-related genes and the regulation network among HAGLR, miR-143-5p, and LAMP3. The regulatory mechanisms of HAGLR and miR-143-5p in EC were analyzed following the treatment of miR-143-5p mimic, miR-143-5p inhibitor, HAGLR vector, or small interfering RNA against HAGLR in EC cells. The expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, Twist1, Snail1, and E-cadherin as well as the abilities of cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were measured. The effects of the HAGLR/miR-143-5p/LAMP3 axis were determined in vivo by assessing tumor formation in nude mice. The expression of HAGLR and LAMP3 was increased, whereas that of miR-143-5p was diminished in EC tissues and cells. HAGLR could competitively bind to miR-143-5p, and miR-143-5p targeted LAMP3. Down-regulated HAGLR or up-regulated miR-143-5p increased E-cadherin expression and significantly diminished expression of LAMP3, N-cadherin, vimentin, Twist1, and Snail1. Moreover, down-regulated HAGLR inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumor growth. Moreover, down-regulation of HAGLR inhibited LAMP3 expression by sponging miR-143-5p, thereby suppressing the progression of EC. Taken together, our results suggest HAGLR acts as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-143-5p to increase the expression of LAMP3, thus promoting EMT, proliferation, invasion, and migration in EC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vici syndrome is a severe and progressive multisystem disease caused by mutations in the EPG5 gene. In patient tissues and animal models, loss of EPG5 function is associated with defective autophagy caused by accumulation of non-degradative autolysosomes, but very little is known about the mechanism underlying this cellular phenotype. Here we demonstrated that loss of function of the RBG-1/RBG-2 complex ameliorates the autophagy defect in epg-5 mutants. The suppression effect is independent of the complex's activity as a RAB-3 GAP and a RAB-18 GEF. Loss of rbg-1 activity promotes lysosomal biogenesis and function, and also suppresses the accumulation of non-functional autolysosomes in epg-5 mutants. The mobility of late endosome/lysosome-associated RAB-7 is reduced in epg-5 mutants, and this defect is rescued by simultaneous loss of function of rbg-1. Expression of the GDP-bound form of RAB-7 also promotes lysosomal biogenesis and suppresses the autophagy defect in epg-5 mutants. Our study reveals that the RBG-1/RBG-2 complex acts by modulating the dynamics of membrane-associated RAB-7 to regulate lysosomal biogenesis, and provides insights into the pathogenesis of Vici syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) broadly expressed in cells of various species. However, the molecular mechanisms that link circRNAs with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) are not well understood. In the present study, we attempted to provide novel basis for targeted therapy for LSCC from the aspect of circRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA interaction. Methods: We investigated the expression of circRNAs in three paired LSCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues by microarray analysis. Differentially expressed circRNAs were identified between LSCC tissues and non-cancerous matched tissues, including 527 up-regulated circRNAs and 414 down-regulated circRNAs. We focused on hsa circ 0059354, which is located on chromosome 20 and derived from RASSF2, and thus we named it circRASSF2. Results: circRASSF2 was found to be significantly up-regulated in LSCC tissues and LSCC cell lines compared with paired adjacent non-tumorous tissues and normal cells. Moreover, knockdown of circRASSF2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro, which was blocked by miR-302b-3p inhibitor. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that there is a circRASSF2/miR-302b-3p/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) axis in LSCC progression. Dual-luciferase reporter system validated the direct interaction of circRASSF2, miR-302b-3p, and IGF-1R. Western blot verified that inhibition of circRASSF2 decreased IGF-1R expression. Furthermore, silencing circRASSF2 suppressed LSCC growth in vivo. Importantly, we demonstrated that circRASSF2 was up-regulated in serum exosomes from LSCC patients. Altogether, silencing circRASSF2 suppresses progression of LSCC by interacting with miR-302b-3p and decreasing inhibiting IGF-1R expression. Conclusion: In conclusion, these data suggest that circRASSF2 is a central component linking circRNAs to progression of LSCC via an miR-302b-3p/IGF-1R axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a microelectromechanical systems S-springs vibration ring gyroscope (MSVRG), which is driven by electrostatic force and detected by capacitance. First, a ring resonator structure with eight S-shaped symmetrical supporting springs is developed, and the capacitor electrodes are designed according to the vibration characteristics of the ring resonator. Then, a precise equivalent stiffness model of MSVRG is established based on the vibration mechanics and the Cassette theorem, which can be employed for any other ring gyroscope with differently shaped springs. Moreover, the mode resonant frequency error of between experiments, finite-element analysis (FEA) and theory calculation, is 10.54% and 3.76%, respectively. After that, the process of MSVRG structure is introduced and the structure is manufactured, and the theory calculation and FEA value with processed parameters have 1.19% and 4.59% difference with resonant frequency tested value, respectively. Finally, the static performance of the fabricated MSVRG is tested, and the bias instability is about 0.0119 deg/s and angle random walk is about 0.0359 deg/s1/2 at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were tested with 36 adolescent short-track skaters. This paper discussed the overall situation of self-concept of adolescent athletes in short track speed skating team and the relationship between them. The results showed that the self-concept score of athletes was obviously lower than that of the Chinese norm(p<0.01). The six factors of adolescent athletes' self-concept were positively correlated with extroversion-introversion(r=0.114~0.560, p<0.05), but they are negatively correlated with neuroticism and psychoticism(r=0.142~0.637, p<0.05). The interpretation of physical appearance and attributes, anxiety, behavior on the extroversion-introversion, neuroticism and psychoticism were 28.4%, 22.2% and 39.5% respectively. The interpretation of extroversion-introversion factors and neuroticism to self-concept were 26.9% and 42.5% respectively. The conclusion showed that self-concept and personality were mutually influenced and restrained in the process of development. What's more, physical appearance and attributes, anxiety and behaviors were the dominant factors that influenced the extroversion-introversion, neuroticism and psychoticism scores respectively. extroversion-introversion and the psychoticism were the most important personality features that affected the development level of self-concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysosomes degrade macromolecules and recycle metabolites as well as being involved in diverse processes that regulate cellular homeostasis. The lysosome is limited by a single phospholipid bilayer that forms a barrier to separate the potent luminal hydrolases from other cellular constituents, thus protecting the latter from unwanted degradation. The mechanisms that maintain lysosomal membrane integrity remain unknown. Here, we identified SCAV-3, the Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of human LIMP-2, as a key regulator of lysosome integrity, motility, and dynamics. Loss of scav-3 caused rupture of lysosome membranes and significantly shortened lifespan. Both of these phenotypes were suppressed by reinforced expression of LMP-1 or LMP-2, the C. elegans LAMPs, indicating that longevity requires maintenance of lysosome integrity. Remarkably, reduction in insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling suppressed lysosomal damage and extended the lifespan in scav-3(lf) animals in a DAF-16-dependent manner. Our data reveal that SCAV-3 is essential for preserving lysosomal membrane stability and that modulation of lysosome integrity by the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway affects longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) plays key role in the progression of some human cancers. However, the role of NEAT1 in human laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) is still unknown. We therefore investigated the expression and function of NEAT1 in LSCC. Methods: NEAT1 level in LSCC and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues were detected by qRT-PCR. NEAT1 was knockdown in LSCC cells and cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were examined. The growth of xenografts with NEAT1 knockdown LSCC cells was analyzed. Results: NEAT1 level was significantly higher in LSCC than in corresponding adjacent non-neoplastic tissues, and patients with neck nodal metastasis or advanced clinical stage had higher NEAT1 expression. Moreover, siRNA mediated NEAT1 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in LSCC cells. The growth of LSCC xenografts was significantly suppressed by the injection of NEAT1 siRNA lentivirus. Furthermore, NEAT1 regulated CDK6 expression in LSCC cells which was mediated by miR-107. Conclusion: NEAT1 plays an oncogenic role in the tumorigenesis of LSCC and may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CGA-N46 is a novel antifungal peptide derived from the N-terminus of human Chromogranin A, corresponding to the 31st to 76th amino acids. Further research on its activities and characteristics may be helpful for the application of CGA-N46 in medical or other situations. In the present study, the antifungal spectrum and physicochemical characteristics of CGA-N46 were investigated using an antifungal assay, its antiproliferative effects on cancer and normal cells were assessed using MTT assay and its combinatorial effect with other antibiotics was analyzed using checkerboard analysis. The results showed that CGA-N46 exhibited antifungal activity against the tested Candidas (C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and C. albicans) at a concentration of <0.8 mM, but had no effect on the growth of filamentous fungi or other types of fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium moniliforme, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes), even at a concentration of 3.2 mM. CGA-N46 had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells and a reversible effect on the growth of normal primary chicken embryo fibroblast cells, but no hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes at the minimum inhibitory concentration of CGA-N46 against yeasts. The antifungal activity of CGA-N46 was stable at a temperature <40°C or within a broad pH range (pH 5.0-7.0). Its antifungal activity was enhanced when the peptide was used in combination with fluconazole and terbinafine. The present results indicate that CGA-N46 is a safe, physicochemically stable, antifungal peptide with anticancer cell activity that exhibits an additive effect with conventional antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various microRNAs (miRNAs) negatively modulate genes that are involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and apoptosis. In many types of cancer, the expression profiles of these miRNAs are altered. Recently, miR-101 was identified as a tumour suppressor and was found to be expressed at low levels in various types of tumours, including prostate, breast, endometrium, and bladder cancers. However, the function(s) of miR-101 in laryngeal carcinoma remain unknown. Methods: The expression levels of miR-101 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues and cells were detected by qPCR. Cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis assay were applied to assess the function(s) of miR-101 in vitro. Nude mice subcutaneous tumour model was used to perform in vivo study. Moreover, we identified Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) as the target of miR-101 by a luciferase assay. The possible downstream effectors of CDK8 were investigated in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Changes of CDK8, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 protein levels were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The prognostic effect of miR-101 was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Expression of miR-101 was down-regulated in the LSCC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, downregulation of miR-101 correlated with T3–4 tumour grade, lymph node metastasis, and an advanced clinical stage in the LSCC patients examined (P < 0.05). The low level of miR-101 expression was associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05). CDK8 was identified as the target gene of miR-101 by luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, we showed that up-regulation of miR-101 expression suppressed humen LSCC Hep-2 cells proliferation and migration, and induced cell-cycle arrest. Increased expression of miR-101 induced cells apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Correspondingly, exogenous expression of miR-101 significantly reduced the growth of tumour in a LSCC xenograft model. Furthermore, the miR-101 level was inversely correlated with levels of CDK8, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 in western blotting assay and immunohistochemical staining assay. Conclusions: These results indicate that miR-101 is a potent tumour repressor that directly represses CDK8 expression. Thus, detection and targeting of miR-101 may represent a novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for LSCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathodic protection, a conventional technique of protecting metal from corrosion, was used to enable the formation of polypyrrole (PPy) film on biodegradable metal magnesium (Mg). The formation procedure was as follows: first, Mg corrosion was suppressed by applying a negative potential to the Mg cathode; second, oxidant nitrosyl ion (NO+) was generated on Mg surface through a redox reaction that obtained electron from Mg; third, pyrrole was oxidized to polypyrrole on Mg by NO+. It was interesting to observe that the formed PPy exhibited porous nanostructured morphology. Subsequent corrosion tests showed that the PPy coating could slow down the Mg corrosion in physiological saline, but could not stop corrosion completely, which was especially useful for a coating material of biodegradable metal implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a facile thermal decomposition approach to creating tungsten oxide nanorods (WO2.9 NRs) with a length of 13.1 ± 3.6 nm and a diameter of 4.4 ± 1.5 nm for tumor theranostic applications. The formed WO2.9 NRs were modified with methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) carboxyl acid via ligand exchange to have good water dispersability and biocompatibility. With the high photothermal conversion efficiency irradiated by a 980 nm laser and the better X-ray attenuation property than clinically used computed tomography (CT) contrast agent Iohexol, the formed PEGylatedWO2.9 NRs are able to inhibit the growth of the model cancer cells in vitro and the corresponding tumor modelin vivo, and enable effective CT imaging of the tumor model in vivo. Our "killing two birds with one stone" strategy could be extended for fabricating other nanoplatforms for efficient tumor theranostic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vici syndrome is a severe and progressive multisystem disease caused by mutations in the EPG5 gene. In patient tissues and animal models, loss of EPG5 function is associated with defective autophagy caused by accumulation of non-degradative autolysosomes, but very little is known about the mechanism underlying this cellular phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that loss of function of the RBG-1-RBG-2 complex ameliorates the autophagy defect in C. elegans epg-5 mutants. The suppression effect is independent of the complex's activity as a RAB-3 GAP and a RAB-18 GEF. Loss of rbg-1 activity promotes lysosomal biogenesis and function, and also suppresses the accumulation of non-functional autolysosomes in epg-5 mutants. The mobility of late endosome- and lysosome-associated RAB-7 is reduced in epg-5 mutants, and this defect is rescued by simultaneous loss of function of rbg-1. Expression of the GDP-bound form of RAB-7 also promotes lysosomal biogenesis and suppresses the autophagy defect in epg-5 mutants. Our study reveals that the RBG-1-RBG-2 complex acts by modulating the dynamics of membrane-associated RAB-7 to regulate lysosomal biogenesis, and provides insights into the pathogenesis of Vici syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For releasing both drug and heat to selected sites, a combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in one system is a more effective way to destroy cancer cells than monotherapy. Graphene oxide (GO) with high drug-loading efficiency and near-infrared (NIR) absorbance has great potential in drug delivery and photothermal therapy, but it is difficult to load drugs with high solubility. Herein, we develop a versatile drug delivery nanoplatform based on GO for integrated chemotherapy and photothermal therapy by a facile method of simultaneous reduction and surface functionalization of GO with poly(dopamine) (PDA). Due to the excellent adhesion of PDA, both low and high solubility drugs can be encapsulated in the PDA-functionalized GO nanocomposite (rGO-PDA). The fabricated nanocomposite exhibits good biocompatibility, excellent photothermal performance, high drug loading capacity, an outstanding sustained release property, and efficient endocytosis. Moreover, NIR laser irradiation facilitates the release of loaded drugs from rGO-PDA. These features make the rGO-PDA nanocomposite achieve excellent in vivo synergistic antitumor therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]