Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to volatiles of nymphal Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating citrus disease caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, is efficiently vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) plays a crucial role as an ectoparasitoid, preying on D. citri nymphs. By collecting and identifying headspace volatiles from fifth instar nymphs of D. citri using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), we obtained a collection of 9 volatile compounds. These compounds were subsequently chosen to investigate the electrophysiological and behavioral responses of female T. radiata. At a concentration of 10 µg/µl, 9 compounds were compared with cis-3-hexen-1-ol (control), resulting in trans-2-nonenal inducing the highest relative electroantennogram (EAG) value, followed by hexanal, heptanal, n-heptadecane, tetradecanal, n-tetradecane, n-pentadecane, 1-tetradecanol, and 1-dodecanol. The top 5 EAG responses of female T. radiata to these compounds were further investigated through EAG dose-response experiments. The results showed positive dose-responses as concentrations increased from 0.01 to 10 µg/µl. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, female T. radiata exhibited a preference for specific compounds. They were significantly attracted to tetradecanal at a concentration of 10 µg/µl and trans-2-nonenal at 0.01 µg/µl, while no significant attraction was observed toward hexanal, heptanal, or n-heptadecane. Our report is the first to demonstrate that volatiles produced by D. citri nymphs attract T. radiata, which suggests that this parasitoid may utilize nymph volatiles to locate its host.

Fox transcription factor AccGRF1 in response to glyphosate stress in Apis cerana cerana.

Glyphosate is an herbicide commonly used in agriculture, and its widespread use has adversely affected the survival of nontarget organisms. Among these organisms, bees in particular are important pollinators, and declining bee populations have severely affected crop yields around the world. However, the molecular mechanism by which glyphosate harms bees remains unclear. In our experiment, we screened and cloned a glyphosate-induced gene in Apis cerana cerana (A. c. cerana) and named glyphosate response factor 1 (AccGRF1). Sequence analysis showed that AccGRF1 contains a winged-helix DNA binding domain, which suggests that it belongs to the Forkhead box (Fox) protein family. qRT-PCR and heterologous expression in Escherichia coli and yeast showed that AccGRF1 can respond to glyphosate and oxidative stress. After AccGRF1 knockdown by means of RNA interference (RNAi), the resistance of A. c. cerana to glyphosate stress improved. The results suggested that AccGRF1 is involved in A. c. cerana glyphosate stress tolerance. This study reveals the functions of Fox transcription factors in response to glyphosate stress and provides molecular insights into the regulation of glyphosate responses in honeybees.

Different phenotypes of moyamoya disease in a Chinese familial case involving heterozygous c.14429G>a variant in RNF213.

PURPOSE: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is an uncommon chronic and occlusive cerebrovascular disorder involving the development of abnormal collateral vessels. This report aimed to describe a Chinese familial case with a rare variant in the RNF213 gene. METHODS: The present report presents a rare familial case of MMD involving a heterozygous c.14429G>A variant in RNF213 and exhibiting different phenotypes. RESULTS: A 3-year-old Chinese boy and his 10-year-old sister diagnosed severe bilateral MMD, while their mother was diagnosed asymptomatic bilateral MMD, based on the imaging results of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The boy mainly showed numbness at left hand accompanied by dysphasia and dyskinesia, while his sister had complex symptoms including dysphasia, dyskinesia at both hands and fatigue of limbs. Muscle force was ranked as left (upper limb/lower limb: 4/3) and right (upper limb/lower limb: 3/4). Genetic testing indicated a heterozygous c.14429G>A variant in RNF213 in 3 patients. The 3 patients shared the same amino acid substitution of p.Arg4810Lys caused by c.14429G>A. The father of two children also underwent genetic testing for RNF213 and MRI examination but found normal in all indices. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic testing for RNF213 is suggested for MMD screening towards family members, and c.14576G>A variant is identified as an important pathogenic mutation with family heritability.

Study on Fluorescence Recognition of Fe3+, Cr2O72- and p-Nitrophenol by a Cadmium Complex and Related Mechanism.

The effective detection of environmental pollutants is very important to the sustainable development of human health and the environment. A luminescent Cd(II) coordination complex, {[Cd(dbtdb)(1,2,4-H3btc)]·0.5H2O}n (1) (dbtdb = 1-(2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-4-((2-(thiazol-4-yl)-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-3(3aH)-yl)methyl)benzyl)-2,7a-dihydro-2-(thiazol-4-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole, 1,2,4-H3btc = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid), was obtained by hydrothermal reactions. Complex 1 has a chain structure decorated with uncoordinated Lewis basic O and S donors and provides good sensing of Fe3+, Cr2O72-, and p-nitrophenol with fluorescence quenching through an energy transfer process. The calculated binding constants were 3.3 × 103 mol-1 for Fe3+, 2.36 × 104 mol-1 for Cr2O72-, and 9.3 × 103 mol-1 for p-nitrophenol, respectively. These results show that 1 is a rare multiresponsive sensory material for efficient detection of Fe3+, Cr2O72-, and p-nitrophenol.

Studies on competitive adsorption characteristics of bisphenol A and 17α-ethinylestradiol on thermoplastic polyurethane by site energy distribution theory.

Compound pollution of microplastics and estrogens is a growing ecotoxicological problem in aquatic environments. The adsorption isothermal properties of bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) on polyamide (TPU) in monosolute and bisolute systems were studied. Under the same adsorption concentration (1-4 mg L-1), EE2 had a greater adsorption capacity than BPA in the monsolute system. Compared to the energy distribution features of the adsorption sites of EE2 and BPA, the BPA adsorption sites were located in the higher energy area and were more evenly distributed than those of EE2, while the quantity of BPA adsorption sites was less than that of EE2. In the bisolute system, the average site energy, site energy inhomogeneity, and adsorption site numbers of BPA increased by 1.674, -17.166, and 16.793%, respectively. In comparison, the average site energy, site energy inhomogeneity, and adsorption sites numbers of EE2 increased by 2.267, 4.416, and 8.585%, respectively. The results showed that BPA and EE2 had a cooperative effect on the competitive adsorption of TPU. XPS analysis showed that BPA and EE2 had electron transfer on TPU, although the chemisorption effects and hydrogen bonds between BPA and TPU were more significant. Comparing the changes in the relative functional group content of TPU in monosolute and bisolute systems, BPA and EE2 were synergistically absorbed on TPU. This study can provide a theoretical reference for the study of competitive adsorption between coexisting organic pollutants.

Hb Laibin [ß96(FG3)Leu→Arg; HBB: c.290T>G]: A Novel Hemoglobin Variant Described in a Chinese Family.

We report a novel ß chain hemoglobin (Hb) variant found in a Chinese family. A high level of Hb F was observed on capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed a high level of Hb A2. DNA sequencing revealed a single base substitution (T>G) at codon 96 of exon 2 of the ß-globin gene. This alters the normally encoded leucine to arginine [ß96(FG3)Leu→Arg; HBB: c.290T>G] that we propose to name Hb Laibin for the region of origin of the proband. The pedigree study showed that it was inherited from his mother.

Latent profile analysis of personal values among Chinese college students: associations with mental health disorders and life satisfaction.

Interindividual differences in personal values are prevalent both within and across societies. Interindividual differences in personal value and the relationships with mental health disorders and life satisfaction remain to be holistically considered, especially in China. The present study aims to characterize personal value profiles based on Schwartz's theory model and to examine differences in several mental health-related disorders and life satisfaction potentially across these profiles. Using convenience sampling, a sample of 8,540 Chinese college students (Mage = 18.89, SDage = 2.02, 57.7% male) from three universities completed a questionnaire assessing personal values, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, substance disorders, crime/violence, and life satisfaction. The latent profile analysis identified five personal value profiles, which were labelled as traditional social orientation, open personal orientation, open social orientation, moderate traditional social orientation, and average. Chinese college students in the three social orientation profiles reported low mental health disorders and high life satisfaction. In contrast, students in the personal orientation profile reported high mental health disorders and low life satisfaction. The results indicate the heterogeneity of Chinese college students' personal values and the positive relationship of social-oriented values with mental health and life satisfaction in collectivist cultures.

Vagal-α7nAChR signaling is required for lung anti-inflammatory responses and arginase 1 expression during an influenza infection.

Vagal circuit-α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR, coded by Chrna7) signaling can modulate lung proinflammatory responses. Arginase 1 (ARG1) plays a crucial role in the resolution of lung inflammation. However, whether vagal-α7nAChR signaling can regulate lung inflammation and ARG1 expression during an influenza infection is elusive. Here, we found that lung and spleen IL-4+ cells and lung ARG1 expression were reduced; however, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein and leukocytes and lung inflammatory cytokines were increased in PR8 (A/Puerto Rico/8/1934, H1N1)-infected vagotomized mice when compared to the control. In PR8-infected α7nAChR-deficient mice, lung Arg1, Il10, and Socs3 expression and BAL Ly6C+CD206+ cells were reduced. PR8-infected Chrna7+/+ recipient mice reconstituted with Chrna7-/- bone marrow had a lower survival as compared to PR8-infected Chrna7+/+ recipient mice reconstituted with Chrna7+/+ bone marrow. Mechanistically, the activation of α7nAChR by its agonist GTS-21 could enhance IL-4-induced Arg1 expression, reduced Nos2, and TNF-α expression in PR8-infected bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Stimulation with IL-4 increased phosphorylation of STAT6 and activation of α7nAChR increased STAT6 binding with the ARG1 promoter and relieved IL-4-induced H3K27me3 methylation by increasing JMJD3 expression in PR8-infected BMDM. Inhibition of JMJD3 increased H3K27me3 methylation and abolished α7nAChR activation and IL-4 induced ARG1 expression. Activation of α7nAChR also reduced phosphorylation of AKT1 and contained FOXO1 in the nucleus. Knockdown of Foxo1a reduced α7nAChR activation and IL-4 induced Arg1 expression in PR8-infected BMDM. Therefore, vagal-α7nAChR signaling is a novel therapeutic target for treating lung inflammatory responses during an influenza infection.

A Review on Phytochemicals of the Genus Maytenus and Their Bioactive Studies.

The genus Maytenus is a member of the Celastraceae family, of which several species have long been used in traditional medicine. Between 1976 and 2021, nearly 270 new compounds have been isolated and elucidated from the genus Maytenus. Among these, maytansine and its homologues are extremely rare in nature. Owing to its unique skeleton and remarkable bioactivities, maytansine has attracted many synthetic endeavors in order to construct its core structure. In this paper, the current status of the past 45 years of research on Maytenus, with respect to its chemical and biological activities are discussed. The chemical research includes its structural classification into triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and alkaloids, along with several chemical synthesis methods of maytansine or maytansine fragments. The biological activity research includes activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as HIV inhibition, which can provide a theoretical basis for the better development and utilization of the Maytenus.

The protective effects of long non-coding RNA-ANCR on arterial calcification.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial calcification is a major factor for cardiovascular events and is characterized by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) transformed into osteoblast-like cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) were recognized as important regulators of diverse biological processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs could regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs. LncRNA-ANCR (Anti-differentiation ncRNA) is an essential mediator governing the differentiation of human osteoblast. However, it is unclear whether ANCR could regulate the osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs. In this study, we determined the effect of ANCR on VSMCs differentiation and arterial calcification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both cellular and mouse model of arterial calcification were, respectively, established to investigate the role of ANCR in the mechanism of arterial calcification. ANCR overexpressing lentivirus were used to investigate the effects of ANCR on the expression of bone proteins and autophagy-related molecules. RESULTS: ANCR could inhibit ß-glycerophosphate (ß-GP)-induced VSMCs osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization due to decreased expressions of Runt-related transcription factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein-2, and formation of mineralized nodule, and attenuate high calcitriol-induced mice model of arterial calcification. Furthermore, ANCR could significantly increase LC3 and autophagy protein 5 expression in ß-GP-stimulated VSMCs, and the effect could be inhibited by 3-methyladenine, a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy. CONCLUSION: ANCR may inhibit the osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs and attenuate mice arterial calcification through activating autophagy.

[Causes of and risk factors for failure in catheter removal after transurethral resection of the prostate].

OBJECTIVE: To find the causes of the failure in the first catheter removal (CR) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and the related risk factors. METHODS: We collected the clinical data on 285 BPH patients treated by TURP from June 2015 to May 2018. We divided the cases into a successful CR (SCR) and a failed CR (FCR) group and investigated the risk factors for the first CR after TURP by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CR was successfully performed in 246 and failed in 39 of the 285 cases. In the FCR group, post-CR urinary retention occurred in 15 cases immediately after, severe urinary tract irritation in 13, massive gross hematuria in 7 and urinary incontinence in 4 within 1 month. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for CR failure included IPSS (OR = 5.106, P = 0.013), preoperative urinary tract infection (OR = 3.835, P = 0.041), prostate volume (OR = 4.160, P = 0.011) and catheter compression time (OR = 4.051, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The common causes of the failure in catheter removal after TURP included early postoperative urinary retention, urinary infection, secondary hematuria and urinary incontinence.

Suppression of neuroinflammation by astrocytic dopamine D2 receptors via αB-crystallin.

Chronic neuroinflammation is a common feature of the ageing brain and some neurodegenerative disorders. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of innate immunity in the central nervous system remain elusive. Here we show that the astrocytic dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) modulates innate immunity through αB-crystallin (CRYAB), which is known to suppress neuroinflammation. We demonstrate that knockout mice lacking Drd2 showed remarkable inflammatory response in multiple central nervous system regions and increased the vulnerability of nigral dopaminergic neurons to neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity. Astrocytes null for Drd2 became hyper-responsive to immune stimuli with a marked reduction in the level of CRYAB. Preferential ablation of Drd2 in astrocytes robustly activated astrocytes in the substantia nigra. Gain- or loss-of-function studies showed that CRYAB is critical for DRD2-mediated modulation of innate immune response in astrocytes. Furthermore, treatment of wild-type mice with the selective DRD2 agonist quinpirole increased resistance of the nigral dopaminergic neurons to MPTP through partial suppression of inflammation. Our study indicates that astrocytic DRD2 activation normally suppresses neuroinflammation in the central nervous system through a CRYAB-dependent mechanism, and provides a new strategy for targeting the astrocyte-mediated innate immune response in the central nervous system during ageing and disease.

[Association of Serum Vitamin D with Hand-grip Strength and Balance Ability: a Cross-sectional Study on Community-dwelling Women in Sichuan, China].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D and the hand-grip strength and balance ability of women in Sichuan, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on a representative sample of 1 095 women aged 29-95 yr. in Sichuan Province was undertaken. Their hand-grip strength and balance ability were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer and the short physical performance battery (SPPB), respectively. The participants were divided into four groups according to the level of serum 25(OH)D: sufficient (>75 nmol/L), insufficient (51-75 nmol/L), deficiency (25-50 nmol/L), and serious deficiency (<25 nmol/L). General liner models were established to compare the differences of the four groups in balance ability. Logistic regression models were established to examine the associations of serum 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D withhand-grip strength and physical performance. RESULTS: About 70.9% of the participants had vitamin D deficiency. Those with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency were more likely to reside in a higher latitudinal area (P<0.001), spend less time in outdoor activities (P=0.013), and take less vitamin D supplements (P<0.001). Older women (≥65 years) had lower serum 25(OH)D (P=0.001) and were more likely to have ≤50 nmol/L 25(OH)D than their younger counterparts (74.6% vs. 68.9%, P=0.046). However, no significant age differences were found in serum 1, 25(OH)2 D. Serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2 D were not found to be associated with hand-grip strength and balance ability after adjusting for confounding factors. Hand-grip strength and balance ability decreased with age (OR=1.066, P<0.001; OR=1.111, P<0.001). Higher body mas was associated with higher hand-grip strength (OR=0.958, P<0.001). Higher serum albumin (OR=0.896, P=0.001) and longer walking time (OR=0.799, P=0.001) were associated with higher balance ability. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1, 25(OH)2D are not associated with hand-grip strength and balance ability.

[Qualitative and quantitative analyses of primary saponins in Paris forrestii].

In order to study whether Paris forrestii could be developed as a substitute of Paridis Rhizome, chemical compositions of P. forrestii and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were investigated by UPLC-Q-TOF MS. In addition, the contents of eight primary steroidal saponins in 77 batches of P. forrestii samples from different habitats were simultaneously determined by HPLC-UV. The results showed that P. forrestii and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis have similar chemical compositions, and all 22 major common peaks were identified as steroid derivatives. Meanwhile, there were some differences in the contents of saponins in P. forrestii samples from different habitats. The contents of 4 steroidal saponins in Chinese Pharmacopoeia ranged from 0.068% to 3.30%, and the highest content of the 8 kinds of steroidal saponins was 6.18%, while the lowest was just 0.71%. Moreover, 78% of P. forrestii samples were in conformity with the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, indicating that P. forrestii samples had relatively stable quality and could be further studied as a substitute for Paridis Rhizome.

[Comparative pharmacodynamics study on Paris forrestii and pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma].

Paris is a raw material of a variety of Chinese medicines, which has become deficient in resource due to market demand substantial growth and wild Paris resources reducing increasingly and the artificial cultivation slow growth. This study compared pharmacological activity in analgesia and anti-inflammatory and hemostasis effects of P. forrestii with pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma to expand its range of Paris medicinal resources and protect wild resources of Paris and meet market demand. The experimental study showed that P. forrestii and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P. polyphylla var. chinensis had analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. They can significantly reduce the number of writhing and inhibit rat foot swelling induced by carrageenan and mice capillary permeability induced by acetic acid and short the bleeding time and clotting time. Their function is equivalent.

[Pharmacodynamics study on Paris vietnamensis].

Paris is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and its resource is in shortage, a variety of related plants are acquired as Paris. This study compared pharmacological activity in anti-inflammatory and hemostatic and blood rheology of P. vietnamensis with pharmacopoeial Paridis Rhizoma to expand its range of Paris medicinal resources and protect wild resources of Paris and meet market demand. The experimental study showed that P. vietnamensis and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P. polyphylla var. chinensis had anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect and improved blood rheolog. They can significantly inhibit rat foot swelling induced by carrageenan and short the bleeding time and clotting time and reduce the blood viscosity in rats with acute blood stasis model, P. vietnamensis and P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis can inhibit mice capillary permeability induced by acetic acid.

[Determination of eight steroidal saponins in 15 kinds of genus Paris].

The study was established an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of 8 steroidal saponins (polyphyllins Ⅶ, H, Ⅵ, Ⅱ, Ⅰ, and Ⅴ, dioscin, and gracillin) in Paridis Rhizoma, and made an evaluation by determining steroidal saponins in 15 kinds of genus Paris. The analysis was performed on a Waters Acquity H-ClassTM UPLC ultrafine liquid chromatography system coupled with a PDA detector. The chromatographic separation was achieved through a CAPCELL PAK ADME (4.6 mm× 250 mm, 5 µm) column and the optimal mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water. The column was maintained at 21 ℃, and the flow rate was 0.8 mL•min ⁻¹. The UV detection wavelength was 203 nm. The results showed that ① the detected components can be well separated and all with good correlation coefficients. The standard calibration curves were linearly good (R2>0.999 9). The linearity was obtained over 0.041 70-3.812 00 µg. The average recoveries ranged from 95.91% to 103.8%. ② there are significant differences in the content of steroidal saponins from different species. The steroidal saponins are low content or almost none in P. mairei, P. polyphylla var. stenophylla, and P. delavayi have low content or almost did not contain, so these species are not suitable for medicinal use. The contents of steroidal saponins in P. polyphylla var. chinensis are varied from different places. There were high content of steroidal saponins in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, P. forrestii, P. daliensis, and P. axialis, even up to 5.0%, which indicated that they had the potential pharmic value of development.

[Correlation between premature ejaculation diagnostic tool and International Index of Erectile Function-15 in different types of premature ejaculation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) and International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) in different types of premature ejaculation (PE). METHODS: We performed a cross-section survey among 352 PE patients received in the andrology clinic from December 2014 to December 2015 and 104 healthy men from the health examination center using basic demographic information (as on age, height, weight, education status, occupation, income, etc.), PEDT results, and IIEF-15 scores of the subjects. RESULTS: The PE patients had remarkably higher PEDT and lower IIEF-15 scores than the healthy men (P<0.01). The PEDT score of the PE patients was negatively correlated with their total IIEF-15 score as well as with the scores in the domains of erectile function, sexual intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction after adjusted for age (P<0.01). The patients with acquired PE (APE) showed a lower IIEF-15 score than those with lifelong PE (LPE) (P<0.01). The PEDT score of the APE patients was correlated negatively with the total IIEF-15 score (r=－0.391, P<0.01) and the scores in the domains of erectile function (r=－0.362, P<0.01) and overall satisfaction (r=－0.621, P<0.01), but not correlated with intercourse satisfaction, sexual orgasm, or sexual desire. The PEDT score of the LPE group was correlated negatively with intercourse satisfaction (r=－0.286, P<0.05) but not correlated with either the total IIEF-15 score or the scores in the domains of erectile function, overall satisfaction, sexual orgasm, or sexual desire. CONCLUSIONS: PE patients have a higher PEDT score and a lower IIEF-15 score than normal males. The PEDT score of APE patients is significantly correlated with the total IIEF-15 score, while that of LPE patients is correlated not with the total IIEF-15 score but with intercourse satisfaction.

Targeting STAT3/miR-21 axis inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition via regulating CDK5 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal activation of STAT3 and miR-21 plays a vital role in progression and invasion of solid tumors. The cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is reported to contribute to cancer metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of STAT3/miR-21 axis and CDK5 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. METHODS: We measured the expression of miR-21, CDK5 and EMT markers in 60 HNSCC tumor samples. We used Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization assay to examine the role of STAT3/miR-21 axis and CDK5 activation in the invasiveness of HNSCC. The clinical survival relevance was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate/multivariate COX regression model. Multiple approaches including scratch, transwell chamber assay and other molecular biology techniques were used to validate the anti-invasion effect of targeting miR-21 in Tca8113 and Hep-2 cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, whether miR-21 depletion inhibits HNSCC invasion in vivo was confirmed in Tca8113 xenograft tumor model. RESULTS: The expression of miR-21 and CDK5 were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in HNSCC. Hep-2 and Tca8113 cell lines showed co-overexpression of miR-21 and CDK5. WP1066 or asON-miR-21 treatment depleted miR-21 and CDK5 expression and significantly inhibited migration or invasion in Hep-2 and Tca8113 cells. The expression levels of CDK5/p35, N-cadherin, vimentin, ß-catenin were inhibited while E-cadherin level was increased by miR-21 depletion in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, ectopic CDK5 overexpression significantly induced tumor cell motility and EMT. Moreover, ectopic CDK5 overexpression in Hep-2 and Tca8113 cells rescued the observed phenotype after miR-21 silencing or WP1066 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: miR-21 cooperates with CDK5 to promote EMT and invasion in HNSCC. This finding suggests that CDK5 may be an important cofactor for targeting when designing metastasis-blocking therapy by targeting STAT3/miR-21 axis with STAT3 inhibitor or miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide. This is the first demonstration of the novel role of STAT3/miR-21 axis and CDK5/CDK5R1 (p35) in metastasis of HNSCC.

[Study on RBC Oxygen-Carrying Function with the Incubation Time].

The cycle of Hemoglobin oxygenation and deoxidation plays an important role in driving structure and regulating function of red blood cell in vivo, has attracted wide attention. But it has not yet been reported about any studies on the oxygen-carrying function of individual living RBC in vitro with the incubation time. This study involved that using confocal Raman scanning microscopic technique, collecting the Raman spectra of living erythrocyte cultured in vitro at different time, analysing the peaks (1636, 1562 cm⁻¹) with characterization of hemoglobin oxygen carrying capacity and the amide III band (1240-1300 cm⁻¹) with sensitivity to conformation for understanding those changes both of hemoglobin oxygen carrying capacity and protein conformation over time. Meanwhile, its corresponding surface micromorphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the during 24 h hemoglobin with stable structure and normal allosteric collaborative function occurred alternately with the oxygen uptake of increase and decrease and conformation K state and T state, while double concave disk red blood cells observed under SEM also alternately between stretch and shrink. The conclusion not only provides a multi-level characteristic parameter from a single living cell for the study of RBC oxygen-carrying function in vitro, but also the potential research ideas for the screening of the active component, the evaluation of drug efficacy and toxicity for RBC in vitro.