Chromosomal-scale genome assembly of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, is a significant marine bivalve species that has ecological and economic importance. This species is robustly resilient and highly invasive. Despite the scientific and commercial interest in studying its biology and aquaculture, there remains a need for a high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genome. In this study, we have assembled a high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome for M. galloprovincialis. The total length of our reference genome is 1.41 Gb, with a scaffold N50 sequence length of 96.9 Mb. BUSCO analysis revealed a 97.5% completeness based on complete BUSCOs. Compared to the four other available M. galloprovincialis assemblies, the assembly described here is dramatically improved in both contiguity and completeness. This new reference genome will greatly contribute to a deeper understanding of the resilience and invasiveness of M. galloprovincialis.

3D-printed bioink loading with stem cells and cellular vesicles for periodontitis-derived bone defect repair.

The suitable microenvironment of bone regeneration is critically important for periodontitis-derived bone defect repair. Three major challenges in achieving a robust osteogenic reaction are the exist of oral inflammation, pathogenic bacteria invasion and unaffluent seed cells. Herein, a customizable and multifunctional 3D-printing module was designed with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) modified epsilon-poly-L-lysine (EPLGMA) loading periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and myeloid-derived suppressive cells membrane vesicles (MDSCs-MV) bioink (EPLGMA/PDLSCs/MDSCs-MVs, abbreviated as EPM) for periodontitis-derived bone defect repair. The EPM showed excellent mechanical properties and physicochemical characteristics, providing a suitable microenvironment for bone regeneration.In vitro, EPMs presented effectively kill the periodontopathic bacteria depend on the natural antibacterial properties of the EPL. Meanwhile, MDSCs-MV was confirmed to inhibit T cells through CD73/CD39/adenosine signal pathway, exerting an anti-inflammatory role. Additionally, seed cells of PDLSCs provide an adequate supply for osteoblasts. Moreover, MDSCs-MV could significantly enhance the mineralizing capacity of PDLSCs-derived osteoblast. In the periodontal bone defect rat model, the results of micro-CT and histological staining demonstrated that the EPM scaffold similarly had an excellent anti-inflammatory and bone regeneration efficacyin vivo. This biomimetic and multifunctional 3D-printing bioink opens new avenues for periodontitis-derived bone defect repair and future clinical application.

FAM3 family genes are associated with prognostic value of human cancer: a pan-cancer analysis.

Family with sequence similarity three member (FAM3) plays a crucial role in the malignant development of various cancers of human. However, there remains doubtful what specific role of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancer. Our study aimed to investigate the role of FAM3 family genes in prognosis, immune subtype, tumor immune microenvironment, stemness score, and anticancer drug sensitivity of pan-cancer. We obtained data from UCSC Xena GDC and CellMiner databases, and used them to study the correlation of the expression, survival, immune subtype, tumor microenvironment, stemness score, and anticancer drug sensitivity between FAM3 family genes with pan-cancer. Furthermore, we investigated the tumor cellular functions and clinical prognostic value FAMC3 in pancreatic cancer (PAAD) using cellular experiments and tissue microarray. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell invasion, wound-healing and apoptosis assays were performed to study the effect of FAM3C on SW1990 cells' proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to study the relationship between FAM3C expression and clinical characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients. The results revealed that FAM3 family genes are significantly differential expression in tumor and adjacent normal tissues in 7 cancers (CHOL, HNSC, KICH, LUAD, LUSC, READ, and STAD). The expression of FAM3 family genes were negatively related with the RNAss, and robust correlated with immune type, tumor immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity. The expression of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancers were significantly different in immune type C1 (wound healing), C2 (IFN-gamma dominant), C3 (inflammatory), C4 (lymphocyte depleted), C5 (immunologically quiet), and C6 (TGF-beta dominant). Meanwhile, overexpression FAM3C promoted SW1990 cells proliferation, migration, invasion and suppressed SW1990 cells apoptosis. While knockdown of FAM3C triggered opposite results. High FAM3C expression was associated with duodenal invasion, differentiation and liver metastasis. In summary, this study provided a new perspective on the potential therapeutic role of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancer. In particular, FAM3C may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of PAAD.

Clinicopathological Characteristics, Prognosis, and Correlated Tumor Cell Function of Tropomodulin-3 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a frequent malignant tumor with a high mortality rate. Searching for novel biomarkers that can influence its prognosis may help patients. It has been shown that tropomodulin-3 (TMOD3) may influence tumor progression, but its role in pancreatic cancer is not clear. We aimed to explore the expression and prognostic value of TMOD3 in PAAD. METHODS: We used bioinformatics analysis to analyze the relationship between TMOD3 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis and verified it with clinical data from tissue microarray. We also conducted in vitro cell experiments to explore the effects of TMOD3 on the function of PAAD cells. RESULTS: TMOD3 expression was found to be significantly higher in PAAD tissues than in matched paracancerous tissues (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, high TMOD3 expression was associated with significantly poorer overall survival (P < 0.05). Analysis of relevant clinicopathological characteristics data obtained from TCGA showed that high TMOD3 expression correlated with age, TNM stage, N stage, and M stage (P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation data obtained from tissue microarrays showed that high TMOD3 expression was associated with lymph node invasion, nerve invasion, macrovascular invasion, and TNM stage (P < 0.05). In addition, siRNA knockdown of TMOD3 significantly reduced the migration and invasion of PAAD cells. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that TMOD3 may be associated with the progression of PAAD cells, and that it is an independent risk factor for poor pathological features and prognosis of PAAD. It may be helpful as a prognostic indicator of clinical outcomes in PAAD patients.

Nitration of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines.

We have successfully modified a series of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via direct nitration under mild reaction conditions. Easily accessible nitrates including CAN, Cu(NO3)2·H2O, and Fe(NO3)3·9H2O all can serve as effective nitrating reagents for functionalizing pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. Various nitro-bearing pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have been efficiently prepared in acceptable to good yields.

A preoperative prediction model based on Lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio predicts postoperative anastomotic leakage in patients with colorectal carcinoma: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lymphocyte-C-reactive Protein Ratio (LCR) has been demonstrated as a promising new marker for predicting surgical and oncological outcomes in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, anastomotic leakage (AL) is also likely related to this inflammatory marker. Herein, we aimed to identify preoperative predictors of AL and build and develop a novel model able to identify patients at risk of developing AL. METHODS: We collected 858 patients with CRC undergoing elective radical operation between 2007 and 2018 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed. We performed univariable and multivariable analyses and built a multivariable model that predicts AL based on preoperative factors. Propensity adjustment was used to correct the bias introduced by non-random matching of the LCR. The model's performance was evaluated by using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUROCs), decision curve analysis (DCA), Brier scores, D statistics, and R2 values. RESULTS: Age, nutrition risk screening 2002 (NRS2002) score, tumor location and LCR, together with hemoglobin < 90 g/l, were independent predictors of AL. The models built on these variables showed good performance (internal validation: c-statistic = 0.851 (95%CI 0.803-0.965), Brier score = 0.049; temporal validation: c-statistic = 0.777 (95%CI 0.823-0.979), Brier score = 0.096). A regression equation to predict the AL was also established by multiple linear regression analysis: [Age(≥ 60 year) × 1.281] + [NRS2002(≥ 3) × 1.341] + [Tumor location(pt.) × 1.348]-[LCR(≤ 6000) × 1.593]-[Hemoglobin(< 90 g/L) × 1.589]-6.12. CONCLUSION: Preoperative LCR is an independent predictive factor for AL. A novel model combining LCR values, age, tumor location, and NRS2002 provided an excellent preoperative prediction of AL in patients with CRC. The nomogram can help clinical decision-making and support future research.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles perturb the blood-testis barrier via disruption of actin-based cell adhesive function.

As one of the most commonly used nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are widely used as coating reagents in cosmetics, medicine and other industries. The increasing risk of exposure to TiO2-NPs raises concerns about their safety. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which TiO2-NPs cross the blood-testis barrier (BTB). TM-4 cells were selected as an in vitro Sertoli cell model of BTB. Cell viability, cell morphological changes, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and the expression levels of actin regulatory and tight junction (TJ) proteins were assessed in TM-4 cells treated with 3-nm and 24-nm TiO2-NPs. Cells treated with 3-nm TiO2-NPs exhibited increased cytotoxicity and decreased Annexin II expression, whereas cells treated with 24-nm TiO2-NPs exhibited increased Arp 3 and c-Src expression. Both TiO2-NPs induced significant oxidative stress, decreased the expression of TJ proteins (occludin, ZO-1 and claudin 5), damaged the TJ structure, and exhibited enlarged gaps between TM-4 cells. Our results indicated that both TiO2-NPs crossed the BTB by disrupting actin-based adhesive junctions of TM-4 cells; however, apoptosis was not observed. Our results provide new insights into how TiO2-NPs cross the BTB.

Formylation and Bromination of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline Derivatives with Bromoisobutyrate and Dimethyl Sulfoxide.

We have developed an efficient formylation of pyrroloisoquinolines using bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide as carbonyl reagent. Various formylated pyrroloisoquinolines could be prepared in good yields (up to 94%). This formylation process can be easily scaled up to gram scale with good yield. In most cases of pyrroloisoquinolines without methoxy groups, the combination of bromoisobutyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide could act as a bromination reagent, delivering brominated pyrroloisoquinolines in acceptable to good yields (up to 82%).

Multidifferentiation potential of dental-derived stem cells.

Tooth-related diseases and tooth loss are widespread and are a major public health issue. The loss of teeth can affect chewing, speech, appearance and even psychology. Therefore, the science of tooth regeneration has emerged, and attention has focused on tooth regeneration based on the principles of tooth development and stem cells combined with tissue engineering technology. As undifferentiated stem cells in normal tooth tissues, dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs), which are a desirable source of autologous stem cells, play a significant role in tooth regeneration. Researchers hope to reconstruct the complete tooth tissues with normal functions and vascularization by utilizing the odontogenic differentiation potential of DMSCs. Moreover, DMSCs also have the ability to differentiate towards cells of other tissue types due to their multipotency. This review focuses on the multipotential capacity of DMSCs to differentiate into various tissues, such as bone, cartilage, tendon, vessels, neural tissues, muscle-like tissues, hepatic-like tissues, eye tissues and glands and the influence of various regulatory factors, such as non-coding RNAs, signaling pathways, inflammation, aging and exosomes, on the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation of DMSCs in tooth regeneration. The application of DMSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering will be improved if the differentiation characteristics of DMSCs can be fully utilized, and the factors that regulate their differentiation can be well controlled.

Ammonia induce lung tissue injury in broilers by activating NLRP3 inflammasome via Escherichia/Shigella.

Respiratory tract diseases are closely related to atmosphere pollution. Ammonia is one of the harmful pollutants in the atmosphere environment, which has a great threat to human and animal respiratory tract health, but the mechanism of causing diseases is not clear. In this study, broiler lung tissue was used as a model to study the effect of high ammonia on respiratory tract diseases through the relationship between respiratory microflora, NLRP3 inflammasome, and inflammatory factors. For this, we validated the occurrence of lung tissue inflammation under ammonia exposure and detected the lung tissue microbial constituent by 16S rDNA sequencing. Moreover, the relative expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA and the content of IL-1ß and IL-6 were measured. After 7-D ammonia exposure, the proportion of the phylum Proteobacteria and the genus Escherichia/Shigella in lung tissue was significantly increased, the expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA were significantly increased, and the content of IL-1ß in lung tissue and serum was higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, high ammonia induced lung tissue inflammation via increasing the proportion of Escherichia/Shigella, activating NLRP3 inflammasome, and promoting IL-1ß release. These findings provided a reference for the prevention and control of respiratory tract diseases in humans and animals caused by ammonia pollution.

Property changes of caseinate in response to its dityrosine formation induced by horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase and d-glucose.

BACKGROUND: A ternary system containing horseradish peroxidase (HRP), glucose oxidase and d-glucose using one- or two-step treatment was evidently able to cross-link proteins via dityrosine formation and thus was assessed for its possible impact on several properties of a protein ingredient caseinate. RESULTS: HRP, glucose oxidase and d-glucose were used at 200 U, 6 U and 0.05 mmol g-1 protein to treat caseinate by one- and two-step methods, producing two cross-linked caseinates named CLCN-I and CLCN-II, respectively. In response to the conducted cross-linking, both CLCN-I and CLCN-II gained slightly reduced dispersibility at pH 5-10, enlarged hydrodynamic radius (particle size distribution, 266.37 and 258.33 versus 226.67 nm) and negative zeta-potential (-26.60 and -22.27 versus -14.30 mV) in dispersions, increased water-binding (3.70 and 3.09 versus 2.68 kg kg-1 protein), decreased oil-binding (1.75 and 2.74 versus 2.87 kg kg-1 protein) and emulsifying activity (76.2 and 82.3 versus 94.3 m2 g-1 protein), increased emulsion stability (84.3% and 82.5% versus 78.6%), and enhanced thermal stability with lower mass loss (58.5% and 59.6% versus 64.3%) or higher decomposition temperatures (331.2 °C and 328.7 °C versus 327.6 °C) upon heating at 105-450 °C. In addition, CLCN-I and CLCN-II had decreased gelling temperatures and shortened gelling times when forming acid-induced gels, and the gels were endowed with increased values in four textural indices and finer microstructure. Moreover, CLCN-I with a higher cross-linking extent showed greater property changes than CLCN-II. CONCLUSION: This ternary system could be used in caseinate cross-linking to improve properties such as aggregation, emulsification, gelation and thermal stability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of ammonia exposure on growth performance and cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum of broilers.

This study investigated the effects of ammonia (NH3) exposure (0, 15, 25, and 35 ppm) on growth performance and cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum of broilers. A total of 288 22-day-old male broiler chickens were assigned to 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 12 chickens for a 21-D trial period. Growth performance and cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations in the serum, trachea, and ileum were measured in response to 3, 7, 14, or 21 D of exposure to NH3. Correlations between cytokines in the serum, trachea, and ileum and growth performance, and between tracheal and ileal cytokines, were also analyzed. Results showed that exposure to 15 ppm NH3 did not influence the growth performance, but exposure to both 25 ppm and 35 ppm NH3 decreased the growth performance compared to that of the control group. Exposure to 15 ppm NH3 for 3 D increased IL-6 concentrations and induced an inflammatory response in the trachea and ileum, whereas exposure to 15 ppm NH3 for 7 D increased IL-10 concentrations and induced an anti-inflammatory response in the ileum. Exposure to 25 ppm NH3 induced an inflammatory response in the serum, trachea, and ileum after 3 D and induced an anti-inflammatory response in the ileum after 7 D. Exposure to 35 ppm NH3 for 3 D induced both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in the trachea and ileum. Furthermore, increases in cytokines in the serum, trachea, or ileum were accompanied by a decrease in BW, ADFI, ADG, and an increase of feed/gain (F/G) from 7 D to 21 D. In addition, tracheal cytokine, especially IL-1ß, was positively correlated with ileal cytokine IL-1ß. These results indicated that the low growth performance associated with NH3 exposure may be due in part to an increase in cytokines, and the inflammatory response in the trachea and ileum may be related to cross-talk by cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, and, in particular, IL-1ß.

Effects of stocking density on growth performance, growth regulatory factors, and endocrine hormones in broilers under appropriate environments.

Stocking density is an important environment factor that affects the development of poultry farming, which has caused widespread concern. This study was carried out to determine the effects of stocking density on growth performance, growth regulatory factors, and endocrine hormones in broilers under appropriate environments. A total of 144 Arbor Acres male broilers (BW 1000 ± 70 g) were randomly divided into low stocking density (LSD; 6.25 birds/m2), medium stocking density (MSD; 12.50 birds/m2), and high stocking density (HSD; 18.75 birds/m2) groups, with 6 replicates in each group, and raised in 3 environmental chambers (same size) from 29-day-old to 42-day-old, respectively. The trial period lasted for 14 D with 21 ± 1°C and 60 ± 7% relative humidity, wind speed < 0.5 m/s, ammonia level<5 ppm. The results indicated that average daily food intake and average daily gain in HSD group showed significantly lower than other 2 groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the HSD group significantly reduced breast muscle yield, tibial length, tibial width, and tibial weight of broilers (P < 0.05). The HSD group increased the mRNA expression level of myostatin, and reduced the mRNA expression levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and myogenic determination factor 1 (P < 0.05). The HSD group significantly reduced the expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein in tibial growth plate (P < 0.05). The HSD group increased the serum corticosterone levels of broilers (P < 0.05), and decreased the serum IGF-1 and thyroxine (T4) levels of broiler chickens (P < 0.05) than other stocking density groups. Moreover, the serum alkaline phosphatase levels were decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing stocking density, whereas there were no significant effects on the serum 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations in 3 groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, under appropriate environments HSD reduced the growth performance of broilers and this negative effect was likely associated with decreased growth of muscle and bone.

[Prospective study of ketogenic diet in treatment of children with global developmental delay].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ketogenic diet (KD) on neurobehavioral development, emotional and social behaviors, and life ability in children with global developmental delay (GDD). METHODS: A prospective case-control study was performed for hospitalized children with GDD, who were randomly divided into KD treatment group (n=40) and conventional treatment group (n=37). The children in both groups were given comprehensive rehabilitation training, and those in the KD treatment group were given modified Atkins diet in addition to the comprehensive rehabilitation training. The children in both groups were assessed with the Gesell Developmental Scale, Chinese version of Urban Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (CITSEA)/Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Infants-Junior High School Students' Social Life Abilities Scale (S-M scale) before treatment and after 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment. The two groups were compared in terms of the improvements in neurobehavioral development, emotional and social behaviors, and social life ability. RESULTS: After 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment, the KD treatment group had significantly greater improvements in the scores of the adaptive, fine motor, and language quotients of the Gesell Developmental Scale compared with the conventional treatment group (P<0.05); the KD treatment group had significantly greater improvements in CITSEA/CBCL scores than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). The KD treatment group had a greater improvement in the score of the S-M scale after 9 months of treatment (P<0.05). During the KD treatment, 6 children experienced diarrhea and 1 experienced mild urinary stones. CONCLUSIONS: KD can improve the neurobehavioral development and behavioral and emotional behaviors in children with GDD, and it has few adverse effects.

KIFC1 and myosin Va: two motors for acrosomal biogenesis and nuclear shaping during spermiogenesis of Portunus trituberculatus.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the spermiogenesis of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus, full lengths of motor proteins KIFC1 and myosin Va were cloned by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends from P. trituberculatus testes cDNA, and their respective probes and specific antibodies were used to track their localization during sperm maturation. Antisense probes were designed from the gene sequences and used to detect the mRNA levels of each gene. According to the results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the transcription of kifc1 and myosin Va began at the mid-stage of spermatids, with the kifc1 mRNA being most active at the location where the acrosome cap was formed and the myosin Va was more concentrated in the acrosome complex. Immunofluorescence results showed that KIFC1 and myosin Va were highly expressed in each stage of spermigenesis. In the early spermatids, they were randomly dispersed in the cytoplasm together with cytoskeletons. At the mid-stage, the motors were gathered above one side of the nucleus where the acrosome would later form. In the late spermatids and mature sperm, the KIFC1 was closely distributed in the perinuclear region, indicating its role in nucleus deformation. Myosin Va was distributed in the acrosome complex until sperm maturity. This suggests myosin Va's potential role in material transportation during acrosome formation and maturation. The above results provide a preliminary illustration of the essential roles of KIFC1 and myosin Va in the spermiogenesis of the swimming crab P. trituberculatus.

[Gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds prepared by 3D bioprinting promotes cell adhesion and proliferation of human dental pulp cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds prepared by 3D bioprinting in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and compare the cell adhesion and proliferation of the cells seeded in the biomaterial using two different methods. METHODS: HDPCs isolated by tissue block culture and enzyme digestion were cultured and passaged. Gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds were printed using a bioplotter, and the cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts of the scaffold material was tested in the third passage of HDPCs using cell counting kit-8. Scanning electron microscopy and trypan blue were used to assess the adhesion and proliferation of the cells seeded in the scaffold material at a low or high concentration. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of the scaffolds at different concentrations showed no obvious cytotoxicity and promoted the proliferation of HDPCs. The scaffolds had a good biocompatibility and HDPCs seeded in the scaffold showed good cell growth. Cell seeding at a high concentration in the scaffold better promoted the adhesion of HDPCs and resulted in a greater cell number on the scaffold surface compared with low-concentration cell seeding after a 5-day culture (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Gelatin

KIFC1 is essential for acrosome formation and nuclear shaping during spermiogenesis in the lobster Procambarus clarkii.

In order to study the function of kinesin-14 motor protein KIFC1 during spermatogenesis of Procambarus clarkii, the full length of kifc1 was cloned from testes cDNA using Rapid-Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE). The deduced KIFC1 protein sequence showed the highest similarity between Procambarus clarkii and Eriocheir senensis (similarity rate as 64%). According to the results of in situ hybridization (ISH), the kifc1 mRNA was gathered in the acrosome location above nucleus in the mid- and late-stage spermatids. Immunofluorescence results were partly consistent with the ISH in middle spermatids, while in the late spermatids the KIFC1 was distributed around the nucleus which had large deformation and formed four to six nuclear arms. In the mature sperm, KIFC1 and microtubules were distributed around the sperm, playing a role in maintaining the sperm morphology and normal function. Overexpression of P. clarkii kifc1 in GC1 cells for 24 hours resulted in disorganization of microtubules which changed the cell morphology from circular and spherical into fusiform. In addition, the overexpression also resulted in triple centrosomes during mitosis which eventually led to cell apoptosis. RNAi experiments showed that decreased KIFC1 protein levels resulted in total inhibition of spermatogenesis, with only mature sperm found in the RNAi-testis, implying an indispensable role of KIFC1 during P. clarkii spermiogenesis.

Kinesins in spermatogenesis.

Kinesins are essential for the proper function of many types of polar cells, including epithelial cells, neurons, and sperm. Spermatogenesis is closely associated with many different kinesins. These kinesins participate in several fundamental processes, including mitotic and meiotic division, essential organelle transport, and the biogenesis of peculiar structures for the formation of mature sperm. Kinesin-13, kinesin-8, and the chromokinesin families cooperate to ensure normal sister chromatid congression and segregation. The kinesin-8 family motor KIF18A, kinesin-12 motors PAKRP/kinesin12A and PAKRP1L/kinesin12B, and other kinesin-like motors are essential in the process of homologous chromosome pairing and in the separation to create haploid gametes. During spermiogenesis, the responsibility of a handful of kinesin members lies in the maturation of spermatids into mature, motile, and intact spermatozoa. Such roles are completed upon the release of viable and functional sperm into the lumen of seminiferous tubules. In this process, KIFC1, KIF5C, KRP3A, and KRP3B may be involved in acrosome biogenesis; KIFC1, KIFC5, CHO2, KIF17b, and KIF3A probably contribute to nuclear shaping; KIF17b, KIF3A, and KLC3 are implicated in the tail formation process; and KIF20 and KRP3 likely participate in sperm translocation. KIF17b also exhibited postmeiosis transcriptional activities that are critical for the dramatic alterations observed in nuclear and cytoplasmic structures. This review summarizes the roles of kinesins during mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis, and proposes several important issues for further investigation.

Engineered nanoparticles induce cell apoptosis: potential for cancer therapy.

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have been widely applied in industry, commodities, biology and medicine recently. The potential for many related threats to human health has been highlighted. ENPs with their sizes no larger than 100 nm are able to enter the human body and accumulate in organs such as brain, liver, lung, testes, etc, and cause toxic effects. Many references have studied ENP effects on the cells of different organs with related cell apoptosis noted. Understanding such pathways towards ENP induced apoptosis may aid in the design of effective cancer targeting ENP drugs. Such ENPs can either have a direct effect towards cancer cell apoptosis or can be used as drug delivery agents. Characteristics of ENPs, such as sizes, shape, forms, charges and surface modifications are all seen to play a role in determining their toxicity in target cells. Specific modifications of such characteristics can be applied to reduce ENP bioactivity and thus alleviate unwanted cytotoxicity, without affecting the intended function. This provides an opportunity to design ENPs with minimum toxicity to non-targeted cells.

Circulating High-Molecular-Weight (HMW) Adiponectin Level Is Related with Breast Cancer Risk Better than Total Adiponectin: A Case-Control Study.

The level of total adiponectin, a mixture of different adiponectin forms, has been reported associated with breast cancer risk with inconsistent results. Whether the different forms play different roles in breast cancer risk prediction is unclear. To examine this, we measured total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in a case-control study (1167 sets). Higher circulating HMW adiponectin was negatively associated with breast cancer risk after adjusting for menopausal status and family history of breast cancer (P=0.024). We analyzed the relationship between adiponectin and breast cancer risk in 6 subgroups. Higher circulating HMW adiponectin was also negatively associated with breast cancer risk (P=0.020, 0.014, 0.035) in the subgroups of postmenopausal women, negative family history of breast cancer, BMI>=24.0. Total adiponectin was positively associated with breast cancer (P=0.028) in the subgroup of BMI<=24.0. Higher HMW/total adiponectin ratio was negatively associated with breast cancer (P=0.019) in the subgroup of postmenopausal women. Interestingly, in the subgroup of women with family history of breast cancer, higher circulating total and HMW adiponectin were positively associated with breast cancer risk (P=0.034, 0.0116). This study showed different forms of circulating adiponectin levels might play different roles in breast cancer risk. A higher circulating HMW adiponectin is associated with a decreased breast cancer risk, especially in postmenopausal, without family history of breast cancer or BMI>=24.0 subgroups, whereas higher circulating HMW adiponectin levels is a risk factor in women with a family history of breast cancer. Further investigation of different forms of adiponectin on breast cancer risk is needed.