Research Progress in the Preparation of Transition Metal Sulfide Materials and Their Supercapacitor Performance.

Transition metal sulfides are widely used in supercapacitor electrode materials and exhibit excellent performance because of their rich variety, low price, and high theoretical specific capacity. At present, the main methods to prepare transition metal sulfides include the hydrothermal method and the electrochemical method. In order to further improve their electrochemical performance, two aspects can be addressed. Firstly, by controllable synthesis of nanomaterials, porous structures and large surface areas can be achieved, thereby improving ion transport efficiency. Secondly, by combining transition metal sulfides with other energy storage materials, such as carbon materials and metal oxides, the synergy between different materials can be fully utilized. However, future research still needs to address some challenges. In order to guide further in-depth research, it is necessary to combine the current research-derived knowledge and propose a direction for future development of transition metal sulfide electrode materials.

[Supplemental role of thrombospondin-1 in the diagnosis of prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To employ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the serum level of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and analyze its diagnostic value for prostate cancer. METHODS: The serum levels of TSP-1 were measured by human TSP-1 ELISA kit in 50 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer (n = 22) and non-organ-confined prostate cancer (n = 28). And the subjects of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 16) were selected. RESULTS: The average serum concentration of TSP-1 was (200 ± 49) µg/L in prostate cancer group, (281 ± 53) µg/L in BPH group and (323 ± 56) µg/L in healthy control group. There were significant inter-group differences in the serum levels of TSP-1 (both P < 0.05). The average serum concentration of TSP-1 was (216 ± 34) µg/L in organ-confined prostate cancer (including stages I and II) and (188 ± 49) µg/L in non-organ-confined prostate cancer (including stages III and IV) respectively (P = 0.030). The level of TSP-1 was also correlated with Gleason score (r = -0.32, P = 0.023). However, the relationship between TSP-1 levels and lymph node metastasis remained elusive (P = 0.189). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of TSP-1 and prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer were 72%, 90% and 64%, 70% respectively (both P < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of TSP-1 and PSA were 0.886 and 0.719 respectively (P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: As a relatively ideal predictor of prostate cancer, the serum concentration of TSP-1 can not only distinguish prostate cancer from BPH, but also correlate with tumor stage and Gleason grade.

Biochar application enhanced rice biomass production and lodging resistance via promoting co-deposition of silica with hemicellulose and lignin.

Biochar, an environmentally friendly soil amendment, is created via a series of thermochemical processes from carbon-rich organic matter. The biochar addition enhances soil characteristics dramatically and increases crop growth and yields. However, the mechanism by which biochar improves plant lodging resistance, which is heavily influenced by cell walls, remains unknown. Three rice cultivars were grown in an experimental field provided with four concentrations of biochar (10, 20, 30, 40 t ha-1). The biochar application enhanced biomass production and lodging resistance in all three cultivars by up to 29 % and 22 %, respectively, with the largest improvement at a biochar application rate of 30 t ha-1. Biochar application significantly enhanced stem cell wall-related characteristics, with an increase in stem breaking force, wall thickness, and plumpness of 52 %, 32 %, and 21 %, respectively, which are suggested to be major contributors to enhanced lodging resistance and biomass yield. Notably, cell wall composition and silica content analysis indicated a significant increase in hemicellulose, lignin, and silica content in biochar-treated samples up to 36 %, 13 %, and 58 %, respectively, when compared to plants not treated with biochar. Integrative analysis suggested that silica, hemicellulose, and lignin were co-deposited in cell walls, which influenced biomass production and lodging resistance. Furthermore, the transcriptome profile revealed that biochar application increased the expression of genes involved in biomass production, cell wall formation, and silica deposition. This study suggests that biochar application might improve both biomass production and lodging resistance by promoting the co-deposition of silicon with hemicellulose and lignin in cell walls.

The change of drug utilization in China's public healthcare institutions under the "4 + 7" centralized drug procurement policy: Evidence from a natural experiment in China.

Background: Improving drug accessibility and rational drug use are major challenges for China's healthcare reform. In 2018, the Chinese government introduced a novel nationwide policy of centralized drug procurement for off-patent drugs, focusing on improving drug utilization patterns of public medical institutions. Objective: To estimate the impacts of the Chinese centralized drug procurement policy (the so-called "4 + 7" policy) on drug utilization in public medical institutions. Methods: A retrospective natural experimental design and difference-in-difference method were applied using cross-region data extracted from the national procurement database. Eleven "4 + 7" pilot cities (intervention group) and eleven non-pilot provinces (control group) were matched. In addition, "4 + 7" policy-related drugs (n = 116) were selected as study samples, including 25 drugs in the 4 + 7" procurement List ("4 + 7" List drugs) and their alternative drugs (n = 91) that have not yet been covered by centralized procurement policy. Then, the "4 + 7" List drugs were divided into bid-winning and non-winning drugs according to the bidding results, and they were sorted into generic and original drugs. Defined daily dose (DDD) was used to standardize the quantity of drugs used. Results: In the 1-year procurement period, the overall completion rate of agreed procurement volume reached 191.4% in pilot cities. Owing to policy impact, the consumption increased by 405.31% in bid-winning drugs (ß = 1.62, p < 0.001) and decreased by 62.28% (ß = -0.98, p < 0.001) in non-winning drugs. The overall use proportion of bid-winning drugs increased from 17.03% to 73.61% with statistical significance (ß = 1.48, p < 0.001), and increments were also detected in all healthcare settings, regions, and anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) categories (all p-values < 0.05). Generics and originators were detected with 67.53% increment (ß = 0.52, p < 0.001) and 26.88% drop (ß = -0.31, p = 0.006) in consume volume. The use proportion of generics increased from 59.23% to 78.44% with significance (ß = 0.24, p < 0.001), as well as in tertiary hospitals (ß = 0.31), secondary hospitals (ß = 0.23), and primary healthcare centers (ß = 0.11) (all p-values < 0.001). The use proportion of relatively quality-guaranteed drugs (i.e. bid-winning and original drugs) increased from 56.69% to 93.61% with significance (ß = 0.61, p < 0.001), and similar increments were also detected in all healthcare settings, regions, and ATC categories (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusion: Healthcare providers demonstrated good compliance with the "4 + 7" policy in completing contracted procurement volume. Centralized drug procurement policy promoted drug consumption gradually concentrated on bid-winning drugs, generic drugs, and more importantly, quality-guaranteed drugs.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus badius NBPM-293, a Plant Growth-Promoting Strain Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil.

Bacillus species have a long history of widespread use in biocontrol and crop growth-promoting fields. Here, we present the genome sequence of the rhizobacterium B. badius NBPM-293. The genome sequence will provide valuable information for a better understanding of the mechanism of plant growth promotion.

ALKBH5 Inhibited Cell Proliferation and Sensitized Bladder Cancer Cells to Cisplatin by m6A-CK2α-Mediated Glycolysis.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most commonly occurring internal RNA modification to be found in eukaryotic mRNA and serves an important role in various physiological events. AlkB homolog 5 RNA demethylase (ALKBH5), an m6A demethylase, belongs to the AlkB family of dioxygenases and has been shown to specifically demethylate m6A in RNA, which is associated with a variety of tumors. However, its function in bladder cancer remains largely unclear. In the present study, we found that the expression of ALKBH5 was downregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. Low expression of ALKBH5 was correlated with the worse prognosis of bladder cancer patients. Furthermore, functional assays revealed that knockdown of ALKBH5 promoted bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and decreased cisplatin chemosensitivity in the 5637 and T24 bladder cancer cell lines in vivo and in vitro, whereas ALKBH5 overexpression led to the opposite results. Finally, ALKBH5 inhibited the progression and sensitized bladder cancer cells to cisplatin through a casein kinase 2 (CK2)α-mediated glycolysis pathway in an m6A-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings might provide fresh insights into bladder cancer therapy.

Experimental study on the repair of ureteral functional regeneration with highly bioactive extracellular matrix stent.

BACKGROUND: The research of extracellular matrix stent (ECM) has made some progress in the repair of urethra and bladder defects. OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of highly bioactive ECM scaffold on the regeneration and repair of defects in long-segment ureteral replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An animal model of long-segment ureteral defect was established and four-layer tubular highly bioactive ECM materials were prepared. After the ureteral defect was repaired through surgery, the rabbits in the negative control group were administered a non-bioactive stent, and rabbits in the observation group were treated with an ECM stent. RESULTS: Comparison of macro-indicators: The negative control group had a higher infection rate, a lower survival rate and more complications than the observation group (p < 0.05). The frequency of ureteral peristalsis in the negative control group was lower than in the observation group. In addition, the rate of urinary dysfunction was higher, and the ratio of ureteral diameter was lower in the negative control group than in the observation group (all p < 0.05). Comparison of histopathology: Three months after the operation, the vascular, smooth muscle and mucous membrane of the ureter in the observation group regenerated to close to normal ureteral tissue. There was no significant difference between the ureter regeneration in the repair area and the normal ureter tissue in the observation group 3 months after the operation. The number of regenerated muscle fibers in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the negative control group. Compared with the negative control group, the fibrous capsule was thicker, the percentages of CD31, CD3, CD68, CD80+, and CD163+ were higher, the scope of new smooth muscle fiber was expanded, fusion with the host muscle fibers was higher, and the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure was stronger in the observation group (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A highly bioactive ECM stent can better regenerate the local anatomical structure and physiological function.

ALKBH5 promotes the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma by regulating AURKB expression in an m6A-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: The modification and regulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) at mRNA level can affect the development and progression in various tumors. ALKBH5, as an m6A demethylase, plays different roles in tumors by regulating the m6A modification of mRNA. However, its role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. METHODS: First, levels of ALKBH5 in RCC tissues and cell lines were verified by qRT-PCR and western blot. We analyzed the relationship between ALKBH5 and the clinicopathological characteristics of RCC patients and the influence of ALKBH5 on the prognosis of patients. Then we generated ALBKH5-overexpression, ALBKH5-knockdown stable RCC cell lines and their control cell lines. Through cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, cell invasion and tumor migration assay, cell cycle assay and xenograft studies, we studied the ALKBH5 roles in RCC cell lines. AURKB was predicted to be its potential target based on TCGA database analysis and verified by western blot. The role of AURKB in RCC was verified by TCGA database and Kaplan-Meier analysis with TMA immunohistochemical analysis. Finally, the specific molecular mechanism of ALKBH5 targeting AURKB was explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), m6A dot-blot assay, m6A RNA Immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay, and mRNA stability assay. RESULTS: We found that ALKBH5 was highly expressed in both RCC tumor tissues and cell lines. Clinicopathological analysis showed that high ALKBH5 expression was associated with larger tumor volume (P=0.017) and higher TNM staging (P=0.006), and worse prognosis (log rank: P=0.0199). The cellular functional assays showed that stably overexpression ALKBH5 could promote the cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration and cell invasion of renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro and promote tumor growth in vivo. In contrast, ALKBH5 knocked down inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro. Based on TCGA database analysis, AURKB was predicted highly expressed in RCC and a potential target of ALKBH5. Both database prediction and TMA immunohistochemical analysis supported that AURKB could affect the prognosis of RCC patients (P values of 5.5e-08 and 0.0004, respectively) and was regulated by ALKBH5 expression level. Subsequent mechanism experiments showed that ALKBH5 regulated the expression of AURKB by regulating the stability of AURKB mRNA in the m6A-dependent manner, and finally promoted cell proliferation. Furthermore, we found that hypoxia-induced HIF could up-regulate both expressions of AURKB and ALKBH5. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ALKBH5 may play a carcinogenic role in renal cell carcinoma by stabilizing AURKB mRNA in a m6A-dependent manner. These data suggest that ALKBH5 may play a key role in RCC and targeting the ALKBH5 signaling pathway may be a promising strategy for the treatment of RCC.

Diagnostic significance of overexpression of Golgi membrane protein 1 in prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic significance of Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) expression in prostate cancer. METHODS: The localization of GOLM1 in prostate cancer cells was detected by immunofluorescence. The GOLM1 expression in prostate cancer cells at the mRNA and protein level was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. A prostate cancer tissue microarray was used to analyze GOLM1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The immunofluorescence results demonstrated that GOLM1 was located at the cis-Golgi in the DU145 cells. GOLM1 transcripts and protein were overexpressed in a wide variety of prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, 22RV1, PC-3, and LNCaP). Tissue microarray immunohistochemistry demonstrated that GOLM1 protein staining was occasionally found in the normal prostate gland and benign prostatic hyperplasia, whereas that in prostate cancer was predominantly observed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. GOLM1 protein was strongly expressed in prostate cancer tissues, and there was a significant difference compared with the normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia cases (P < .05). There were no significant differences between GOLM1 overexpression and pathologic variables of prostate cancer, including histologic grade and pathologic stage (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that GOLM1 protein is significantly expressed in prostate cancer in comparison with the normal prostate gland and benign prostatic hyperplasia. These findings may suggest that GOLM1 is useful in the diagnosis or therapy of prostate cancer. However, GOLM1 overexpression is not associated with disease stage and grade.

Chlorophyllin e4 is a novel photosensitizer against human bladder cancer cells.

The aim of the study was to investigate the photodynamic effect of the novel photosensitizer chlorophyllin e4 against human bladder cancer cells. T24 and 5637 bladder cancer cell lines were incubated with chlorophyllin e4 and irradiated with a 650-nm laser light. The controls included cells treated with chlorophyllin e4 but without light as well as cells exposed to laser light without chlorophyllin e4. Photocytotoxicity was monitored with MTT assay and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to assess the subcellular localization of chlorophyllin e4. Chlorophyllin e4 exhibited significant photocytotoxicity in both T24 and 5637 cells, which resulted in a maximum of 82.43 and 85.06% cell death, respectively. Treatment with chlorophyllin e4 or laser light alone did not induce cytotoxicity. In addition, chlorophyllin e4-mediated PDT induced a significantly higher percentage of apoptosis in T24 and 5637 cells compared to the control groups (p<0.01). Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that chlorophyllin e4 co-localized with mitochondria in both cell lines. In conclusion, the remarkable photocytotoxicity, natural abundance and inexpensive composition of chlorophyllin e4 suggest that this compound may be a novel, effective photosensitizer for the treatment of human superficial bladder cancer.

Sweet pepper ferredoxin-like protein ( pflp) gene as a novel selection marker for orchid transformation.

A novel method for selection of transgenic plants utilizing the sweet pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) ferredoxin-like protein ( pflp) gene as selection marker and Erwinia carotovora as the selection agent has been developed. An expression vector containing a pflp cDNA driven by a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter was successfully transformed into protocorm-like bodies of Oncidium orchid by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and particle bombardment, respectively. Erwinia carotovora was used as a selection agent to screen transformants, thereby obtaining transgenic plants without the use of an antibiotic selection agent. A total of 32 independent transgenic orchid lines were obtained, out of which 9 transgenic lines (beta-glucuronidase positive) were randomly selected and confirmed by Southern and northern blot analyses. The transgenic orchid plants showed enhanced resistance to E. carotovora, even when the entire plant was challenged with the pathogen. Our results suggest the novel use of the pflp gene as a resistance selection marker in plant genetic engineering strategies. In the future, the use of the pflp gene as a selection marker may facilitate the use of smaller gene constructs due to removal of bulky antibiotic selection and reporter genes. These constructs can then be used to incorporate additional genes of choice.

The sweet pepper ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) conferred resistance against soft rot disease in Oncidium orchid.

Genetic engineering to date has not been used to introduce disease resistance genes into the orchid gene pool. The ferredoxin-like protein gene originally isolated from sweet pepper is thought to function as a natural defense against infection due to its antimicrobial properties. Hence it was reasoned that introduction of this gene might produce Oncidium plants resistant to Erwinia carotovora, the causal agent for the soft rot disease. An expression vector containing sweet pepper ferredoxin-like protein (pflp) cDNA, hph and gusA coding sequence was successfully transformed into protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of Oncidium orchid, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105. A total of 17 independent transgenic orchid lines was obtained, out of which six transgenic lines (beta-glucuronidase (GUS) positive) were randomly selected and confirmed by Southern, northern and western blot analyses. A bioassay was conducted on the transgenic lines. Transgenic plants showed enhanced resistance to E. carotovora, even when the entire plant was challenged with the pathogen. Our results suggest that pflp may be an extremely useful gene for genetic engineering strategies in orchids to confer resistance against soft rot disease.