Bmo-miR-6498-5p suppresses Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection by down-regulating BmPLPP2 to modulate pyridoxal phosphate content in B. mori.

The RNA interference pathway mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs) is one of the methods to defend against viruses in insects. Recent studies showed that miRNAs participate in viral infection by binding to target genes to regulate their expression. Here, we found that the Bombyx mori miRNA, miR-6498-5p was down-regulated, whereas its predicted target gene pyridoxal phosphate phosphatase PHOSPHO2 (BmPLPP2) was up-regulated upon Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that miR-6498-5p targets BmPLPP2 and suppresses its expression. Furthermore, we found miR-6498-5p inhibits BmNPV genomic DNA (gDNA) replication, whereas BmPLPP2 promotes BmNPV gDNA replication. As a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) phosphatase (PLPP), the overexpression of BmPLPP2 results in a reduction of PLP content, whereas the knockdown of BmPLPP2 leads to an increase in PLP content. In addition, exogenous PLP suppresses the replication of BmNPV gDNA; in contrast, the PLP inhibitor 4-deoxypyridoxine facilitates BmNPV gDNA replication. Taken together, we concluded that miR-6498-5p has a potential anti-BmNPV role by down-regulating BmPLPP2 to modulate PLP content, but BmNPV induces miR-6498-5p down-regulation to promote its proliferation. Our findings provide valuable insights into the role of host miRNA in B. mori-BmNPV interaction. Furthermore, the identification of the antiviral molecule PLP offers a novel perspective on strategies for preventing and managing viral infection in sericulture.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy: a safe and efficient improvement.

PURPOSE: Reducing operative injuries is important in living donor nephrectomy. The robot-assisted transperitoneal approach has some advantages than traditional laparoscopic techniques. However, longer operation time and risks of abdominal complications indicate the need for improved techniques. The aim of this study is to present the robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy and evaluate its safety and feasibility. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. From June 2016 to December 2020, 218 living donors underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy. Perioperative data such as operation time, warm ischemia time, length of stay and complications were collected and analyzed. To evaluate the feasibility of this surgical technique, the cumulative summation method was used to construct a learning curve. RESULTS: There were 60 male and 158 female donors aged 36-72 years, with an average age of 53.1 ± 6.8 years. Three patients (1.4%) were converted to open surgery. The mean operation time was 115.4 ± 41.9 min, the warm ischemia time was 206.6 ± 146.7 s, and the length of stay was 4.1 ± 1.4 days. Complications were reported in 22 patients (10.1%), three of whom (1.4%) had Clavien‒Dindo IIIa complications. No ileus occurred. No donors were readmitted. Four patients had delayed graft function. The cumulative summation curve showed that the number needed to reach proficiency was 33. The operation time and warm ischemia time after technical proficiency were 100.4 ± 21.6 min and 142.5 ± 50.7 s, respectively. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy is a safe and efficient technique that offers advantages of shorter operation time and no abdominal organ interference.

Capillary filling dynamics of polymer melts in a bicontinuous nanoporous scaffold.

Polymer infiltrated nanoporous gold is prepared by infiltrating polymer melts into a bicontinuous, nanoporous gold (NPG) scaffold. Polystyrene (PS) films with molecular weights (Mw) from 424 to 1133 kDa are infiltrated into a NPG scaffold (∼120 nm), with a pore radius (Rp) and pore volume fraction of 37.5 nm and 50%, respectively. The confinement ratios (Γ=RgRp) range from 0.47 to 0.77, suggesting that the polymers inside the pores are moderately confined. The time for PS to achieve 80% infiltration (τ80%) is determined using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry at 150 °C. The kinetics of infiltration scales weaker with Mw, τ80%∝Mw1.30±0.20, than expected from bulk viscosity Mw3.4. Furthermore, the effective viscosity of the PS melt inside NPG, inferred from the Lucas-Washburn model, is reduced by more than one order of magnitude compared to the bulk. Molecular dynamics simulation results are in good agreement with experiments predicting scaling as Mw1.4. The reduced dependence of Mw and the enhanced kinetics of infiltration are attributed to a reduction in chain entanglement density during infiltration and a reduction in polymer-wall friction with increasing polymer molecular weight. Compared to the traditional approach involving adding discrete particles into the polymer matrix, these studies show that nanocomposites with higher loading can be readily prepared, and that kinetics of infiltration are faster due to polymer confinement inside pores. These films have potential as actuators when filled with stimuli-responsive polymers as well as polymer electrolyte and fuel cell membranes.

The predictive value of Berden's classification versus renal risk score for renal survival of Chinese patients with myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the prognostic values of two histopathological classification, Berden's classification versus renal risk score (RRS) by Brix et al. for predicting renal survival in Chinese patients with myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (MPO-AAGN). METHODS: The medical records of 225 patients with MPO-AAGN diagnosed in our centre between February 2004 and December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The predictive model of Berden's classification or RRS was established by Cox regression, respectively. The above two models were compared on aspects of discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis for predicting the 0.5-, 1-, 3-, and 5-year renal survival. RESULTS: After a median follow up of 38.99 months, 32.44% of patients developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, there were significant differences in renal survival among groups according to Berden's classification or RRS (both log-rank p<0.001). According to time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the model based on RRS showed better discrimination ability than the model based on Berden's classification for predicting 0.5-, 1-, and 3-year renal survival. For calibration analysis, the model based on RRS showed worse calibration than the model based on Berden's classification for predicting 1- and 3-year renal survival. According to the decision curve analysis, the clinical decisions based on RRS could achieve more clinical benefits than those based on Berden's classification in predicting 0.5-, 1-, and 3-year renal survival. CONCLUSIONS: The model based on RRS has better predictive value for renal survival than Berden's classification in aspect of discrimination and clinical decision from 0.5- to 3-year renal survival.

Therapeutic study of hyperbaric oxygen on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning and myocardial injury.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes myocardial injury, which is attenuated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). During CO poisoning, the body increases anti-inflammatory proteins, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), in response to oxidative stress. Considering the myocardial injury resulting from CO poisoning and the lack of sufficient information about the effect of HBOT on HO-1, the present study evaluated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning and myocardial injury. In this regard, in a before-after Quasi-Experimental study, 20 patients with carbon monoxide poisoning and myocardial injury were studied. All patients underwent 40 daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions for 90 minutes at a pressure of 2.4 ATA. Also, 20 healthy individuals, as a control group, were participated. To evaluate and compare the mRNA level of the HO-1 gene, the Real-time PCR technique was used. Paired t-test was used to compare the two indices of 6min walking distance and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) before and after the intervention. The results showed that the difference during 12 weeks was 8.65 ± 4.91 for PAP, and this reduction in pressure was statistically significant (P = 0.0092). The distance traveled increased by 28 ± 10.88 m in 6 minutes at the end of the study (P = 0.0084). Regarding the expression level of HO-1, the results showed that the expression level in the intervention group before the test had a significant increase compared to the control group (p = 0.0004). However, after hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the expression of this gene decreased significantly, and there was no statistically significant difference with the control group (p = 0.062). Overall, the results showed that HBOT significantly decreased HO-1 gene expression in CO poisoning and myocardial injury patients. It indicates the importance of HBOT in the treatment and compensation of cardiac tissue damage caused by CO poisoning.

Systemic sclerosis complicated with renal thrombotic microangiopathy: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) may overlap with other connective tissue diseases, which is named overlap syndrome. Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a rare but severe complication of SSc. SSc related thrombotic microangiopathy (SSc-TMA) is an infrequent pathology type of SRC, while SSc-TMA accompanied by overlap syndrome is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: This study reported a case of acute kidney injury (AKI) accompanied with overlap syndrome of SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and polymyositis (PM). The renal pathology supported the diagnosis of SSc-TMA but not SLE or PM-related renal injury, characterized by renal arteriolar thrombosis, endothelial cells edema, little cast in tubules and mild immune complex deposition. The primary TMA related factors (ADAMTS13 and complement H factor) were normal. Thus, this case was diagnosed as secondary TMA associated with SSc. The patient was treated with renin angiotensin system inhibitors, sildenafil, supportive plasma exchange/dialysis, and rituximab combined with glucocorticoids. After 2 months of peritoneal dialysis treatment, her renal function recovered and dialysis was stopped. CONCLUSION: This study presented a case of SSc-TMA with overlap syndrome. Rituximab can be used as a treatment option in patients with high SRC risk or already manifesting SRC.

Identification and genetic analysis of EMS-mutagenized wheat mutants conferring lesion-mimic premature aging.

BACKGROUND: Lesion-mimic and premature aging (lmpa) mutant lmpa1 was identified from the ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutant library in the bread wheat variety Keda 527 (KD527) background. To reveal the genetic basis of lmpa1 mutant, phenotypic observations and analyses of chlorophyll content and photosynthesis were carried out in lmpa1, KD527 and their F1 and F2 derivatives. Further, bulked segregation analysis (BSA) in combination with a 660 K SNP array were conducted on the F2 segregation population of lmpa1/Chinese spring (CS) to locate the lmpa1 gene. RESULTS: Most agronomic traits of lmpa1 were similar to those of KD527 before lesion-like spots appeared. Genetic analysis indicated that the F1 plants from the crossing of lmpa1 and KD527 exhibited the lmpa phenotype and the F2 progenies showed a segregation of normal (wild type, WT) and lmpa, with the ratios of lmpa: WT = 124:36(χ2 = 1.008 < =3.841), indicating that lmpa is a dominant mutation. The combination of BSA and the SNP array analysis of CS, lmpa1 and lmpa1/CS F2 WT pool (50 plants) and lmpa pool (50 plants) showed that polymorphic SNPs were enriched on chromosome 5A, within a region of 30-40 Mb, indicating that the wheat premature aging gene Lmpa1 was probably located on the short arm of chromosome 5A. CONCLUSIONS: EMS-mutagenized mutant lmpa1 deriving from elite wheat line KD527 conferred lmpa. Lmpa phenotype of lmpa1 mutant is controlled by a single dominant allele designated as Lmpa1, which affected wheat growth and development and reduced the thousand grain weight (tgw) of single plant in wheat. The gene Lmpa1 was tentatively located within the region of 30-40 Mb near to the short arm of chromosome 5A.

ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation.

ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation is nowadays a routine procedure to expand living donor pool. The past decades have seen the evolution of desensitization protocol and immunosuppression regimen. Despite increased bleeding events, infectious complications, and rejection episodes reported in some studies, favorable graft and patient survival rate are now achieved, regardless of various protocols among transplant centers. Several issues such as the usage of rituximab and standardization of blood group antibody titration remain to be settled. The deposition of C4d is no longer the histopathologic hallmark of antibody-mediated rejection, which have inspired innovative strategies of peripheral molecular screening and the improvement of histological diagnosis of AMR (antibody-mediated rejection). The better understanding of the underlying mechanism might facilitate the distinction and therapeutic schemes of AMR.

Cardamonin induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis via activation of the JNK-FOXO3a pathway in breast cancer cells.

Cardamonin (CD), a naturally occurring chalcone isolated from large black cardamom, was previously reported to suppress the proliferation of breast cancer cells. However, its precise molecular anti-tumor mechanisms have not been well elucidated. In this study, we found that CD markedly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells through the induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a pivotal role in the inhibition of CD-induced cell proliferation. Treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, blocked CD-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in this study. Quenching of ROS by overexpression of catalase also blocked CD-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We showed that CD enhanced the expression and nuclear translocation of Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) via upstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inducing the expression of FOXO3a and its target genes, including p21, p27, and Bim. This process led to the reduction of cyclin D1 and enhancement of activated caspase-3 expression. The addition of NAC markedly reversed these effects, knockdown of FOXO3a using small interfering RNA also decreased CD-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis. In vivo, CD efficiently suppressed the growth of MDA-MB 231 breast cancer xenograft tumors. Taken together, our data provide a molecular mechanistic rationale for CD-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Nrf2 deficiency promotes the progression from acute tubular damage to chronic renal fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Background: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a central mediator of cellular responses to oxidative stress. We hypothesized that Nrf2 modulates progression from acute tubular damage to renal fibrosis. We asked whether Nrf2 deletion increases renal injury in mice following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Methods: We explored the time course of renal injury and Nrf2 expression in Nrf2+/+ mice following UUO. We compared Nrf2+/+ and Nrf2-/- mice following UUO in tubular damage, transdifferentiation [vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)], fibrosis [fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)], antioxidative and inflammatory responses. We studied Nrf2 in renal biopsies of patients with acute, subacute and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). Results: In Nrf2+/+ mice, renal Nrf2 expression and Nrf2-regulated glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (Gclc) and heme oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) were elevated, and renal injury occurred between 2 and 14 days after UUO. On Day 2 following UUO, in Nrf2-/- mice compared with Nrf2+/+ mice, tubular damage, apoptotic cell numbers, cleaved caspase3 and cleaved-poly ADP-ribose polymerase were increased. On Day 5, protein levels of vimentin and PCNA and the co-expressed cells of both proteins were increased. On Day 14, fibronectin and α-SMA protein levels were increased. Nrf2 deletion decreased expression of antioxidative genes (Gclc and Ho-1) and increased expression of inflammatory response genes (Tgfß, Tnf, IL-6, IL-1ß and F4/80). Finally, Nrf2 expression was upregulated in renal biopsies of patients with TIN. Conclusions: Following UUO, Nrf2 deficiency increased tubular damage, transdifferentiation, fibrosis and inflammatory response while decreasing antioxidative responses. The renal protective role of Nrf2 in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in UUO may be mediated by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Predicting IDH mutation status of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas based on contrast-enhanced CT features.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the difference in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) with different isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status. METHODS: Clinicopathological and contrast-enhanced CT features of 78 patients with 78 ICCs were retrospectively analysed and compared based on IDH mutation status. RESULTS: There were 11 ICCs with IDH mutation (11/78, 14.1%) and 67 ICCs without IDH mutation (67/78, 85.9%). IDH-mutated ICCs showed intratumoral artery more often than IDH-wild ICCs (p = 0.023). Most ICCs with IDH mutation showed rim and internal enhancement (10/11, 90.9%), while ICCs without IDH mutation often appeared diffuse (26/67, 38.8%) or with no enhancement (4/67, 6.0%) in the arterial phase (p = 0.009). IDH-mutated ICCs showed significantly higher CT values, enhancement degrees and enhancement ratios in arterial and portal venous phases than IDH-wild ICCs (all p < 0.05). The CT value of tumours in the portal venous phase performed best in distinguishing ICCs with and without IDH mutation, with an area under the curve of 0.798 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: ICCs with and without IDH mutation differed significantly in arterial enhancement mode, and the tumour enhancement degree on multiphase contrast-enhanced CT was helpful in predicting IDH mutation status. KEY POINTS: • IDH mutation occurred frequently in ICCs. • ICCs with and without IDH mutation differed significantly in arterial enhancement mode. • ICCs with IDH mutation enhanced more than those without IDH mutation. • Enhancement ratio and tumour CT value can predict IDH mutation status.

Study on the Correlation Between Urinary Transferrin and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can cause renal injury, and urinary transferrin (UTRF) is extremely sensitive to renal injury. We aimed to investigate the correlation between UTRF and NAFLD and to observe the distribution of NAFLD at different levels of UTRF. METHODS: A total of 711 subjects fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD and 1,396 healthy control participants were enrolled in this study. UTRF levels and other clinical and laboratory parameters were measured. RESULTS: The UTRF level was higher in NAFLD than in non-NAFLD patients. Unit and multiple regression analysis showed that UTRF was an independent risk factor for NAFLD, with OR values of 1.474 (1.328 - 1.635, p < 0.001) and 1.435 (1.267 - 1.625, p < 0.001), respectively. The prevalence of UTRF (groups 1, 2, 3, 4) was 25.61%, 26.56%, 38.14%, and 44.59%, respectively (p < 0.001), and the prevalence of NAFLD in the high UTRF group was significantly higher than in the low UTRF group. CONCLUSIONS: UTRF is an independent risk factor for NAFLD.

PVT1-derived miR-1207-5p promotes breast cancer cell growth by targeting STAT6.

Accumulating evidence indicates that ectopic expression of non-coding RNAs are responsible for breast cancer progression. Increased non-coding RNA PVT1, the host gene of microRNA-1207-5p (miR-1207-5p), has been associated with breast cancer proliferation. However, how PVT1 functions in breast cancer is still not clear. In this study, we show a PVT1-derived microRNA, miR-1207-5p, that promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by directly regulating STAT6. We first confirm the positive correlated expression pattern between PVT1 and miR-1207-5p by observing consistent induced expression by estrogen, and overexpression in breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer patient specimens. Moreover, silence of PVT1 also decreased miR-1207-5p expression. Furthermore, increased miR-1207-5p expression promoted, while decreased miR-1207-5p expression suppressed, cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell cycle progression in breast cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, a novel target of miR-1207-5p, STAT6, was identified by a luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of miR-1207-5p decreased the levels of STAT6, which activated CDKN1A and CDKN1B to regulate the cell cycle. We also confirmed the reverse correlation of miR-1207-5p and STAT6 expression levels in breast cancer samples. Therefore, our findings reveal that PVT1-derived miR-1207-5p promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by targeting STAT6, which in turn controls CDKN1A and CDKN1B expression. These findings suggest miR-1207-5p might be a potential target for breast cancer therapy.

Localization Framework for Real-Time UAV Autonomous Landing: An On-Ground Deployed Visual Approach.

[-5]One of the greatest challenges for fixed-wing unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) is safe landing. Hereafter, an on-ground deployed visual approach is developed in this paper. This approach is definitely suitable for landing within the global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-denied environments. As for applications, the deployed guidance system makes full use of the ground computing resource and feedbacks the aircraft's real-time localization to its on-board autopilot. Under such circumstances, a separate long baseline stereo architecture is proposed to possess an extendable baseline and wide-angle field of view (FOV) against the traditional fixed baseline schemes. Furthermore, accuracy evaluation of the new type of architecture is conducted by theoretical modeling and computational analysis. Dataset-driven experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed approach.

CO2/pH-Controllable Viscoelastic Nanostructured Fluid Based on Stearic Acid Soap and Bola-Type Quaternary Ammonium Salt.

Fatty acid soaps such as sodium stearate (NaOSA) represent a class of cheap, environmentally friendly surfactants; however, their poor solubility seriously challenges their application in various fields. Herein, we describe a CO2/pH-controllable viscoelastic nanostructured fluid, which was developed by simple mixing of the commodity soap NaOSA with a bola-type quaternary ammonium salt (Bola2be) in a 2:1 molar ratio without the need for complex organic synthesis. The introduction of Bola2be increased NaOSA solubility and promoted micelle growth by forming a noncovalent pseudo-Gemini structure, 2NaOSA-Bola2be. Long aggregates are formed with increases in concentration, and these become entangled into a three-dimensional network at 10 times that of the critical micelle concentration (0.057 mM), showing strong thickening ability. Micellar branching occurs above 22.38 mM, as deduced by rheology and verified by cryo-transmission electron microscopy. The worm-based fluid formed from the noncovalent pseudo-Gemini surfactant is highly thermosensitive, and features a higher flow activation energy of 399.76 kJ·mol(-1) compared with common worm systems. Because of the pH-sensitivity of NaOSA, the viscoelastic fluid can respond to common pH stimuli or green CO2 gas, and shows a transition between a gel-like wormlike micellar network and a water-like dispersion with precipitate. However, the CO2-responsive behavior is irreversible.

Redox-Controllable Interfacial Properties of Zwitterionic Surfactant Featuring Selenium Atoms.

Control of interfacial properties (foaming and emulsification) plays an important role in industry. Here we developed a novel redox-responsive surfactant, 3-(11-benzylselanyl-undecyl)-dimethylammonium acetate (BSeUCB), using selenium atoms as an environmentally sensitive group. In a reduced state, BSeUCB aqueous solution showed good foaming and emulsification abilities as well as conventional betaine surfactants. After oxidization, BSeUCB transformed into a bola-type structure because of the presence of a new hydrophilic group (selenoxide), and thus the critical micellar concentration, equilibrium surface/interfacial tension, and molecular area at the interface correspondingly increase from 0.32 mM, 46.43 mN·m(-1), 5.30 mN·m(-1), and 0.61 nm(2) to 4.98 mM, 59.15 mN·m(-1), 18.29 mN·m(-1), and 1.22 nm(2), respectively, resulting in a greater amount of energy input required to produce foam or emulsion, and a less dense adsorption layer, i.e., poor foaming and emulsification ability. Such a conversion was reversibly controlled by simply adding a trace amount (<0.06 wt % of the dispersion) of oxidant (H2O2) and reductant (Na2SO3). The products of the redox reaction did not interfere in the switchability except at the first cycle. The oxidization was generally time-consuming, whereas the reduction was very fast.

Regulation mechanism of PDK1 on macrophage metabolism and function.

PDK1 is a member of the atypical glandular cell kinases family that regulates the activities of most atypical glandular cell kinases during different development stages and treatment of cancers. PDK1 is also a critical glucose metabolism enzyme regulating glucolysis or glucose oxidase in cells, and more research is needed to further understand the underlying mechanism. The research of PDK1 presented by recent studies focuses much on cancer treatment and has helped researchers gain much insight in this regard. Given the close relationship between inflammation and cancer, it is of great significance to discover the function of PDK1 and its regulating mechanism on special immune cells-macrophages. This review summarizes the recent findings regarding PDK1 in terms of regulating the function and metabolism of macrophage. The mechanism of PDK1 in regulating inflammatory secretion, migration, phagocytosis, and the energy metabolism of macrophage and a possible path to develop PDK1 related pharmaceutical products are discussed as well.

Switching wormlike micelles of selenium-containing surfactant using redox reaction.

A novel redox-switchable wormlike micellar system was developed based on a mixture of selenium-containing zwitterionic surfactant and commercially available anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, which reversibly and quickly responds to H2O2 and vitamin C, and shows circulatory gel/sol transition, reflecting changes in aggregate morphology from entangled worms to vesicles.

Expression of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Carotid Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate NLRP3 inflammasome expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and its relationship to plaque vulnerability. METHODS: Carotid atherosclerotic plaques collected from 30 patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were subjected to immunohistochemical, mRNA, and protein expression studies. Ten mesenteric arteries from intestinal cancer patients served as controls for the immunohistochemical studies. Twenty individuals who had no carotid stenosis or coronary artery stenosis served as controls for analyzing atherosclerotic risk factors and for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) studies. Serum samples were collected from all patients to determine interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-18 levels. RESULTS: The NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway components NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 were strongly expressed in carotid atherosclerotic plaques, but not in healthy mesenteric arteries. Immunohistochemical, mRNA, and protein expression studies revealed higher expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in unstable compared to stable plaques. The NLRP3 inflammasome was localized in the cytoplasm of macrophages and foam cells and was associated with cholesterol crystal clefts inside and outside of cells. ELISA showed that the serum levels of the cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 were higher in the CEA group compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated for the first time the close relationship between the expression of NLRP3 signaling pathway and human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 were associated with plaque vulnerability and atherogenesis. The serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 may be useful predictors of atherosclerosis.

An insight into the genes involved in secoiridoid biosynthesis in Gentiana macrophylla by RNA-seq.

The dried root of Gentiana macrophylla is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating jaundice, hepatitis, and stomachic and choleretic ailments. However, natural sources are now in short supply. A lack of information about its genetic background has been a great hindrance to producing its active constituents via genetic engineering. We performed RNA-seq to obtain 42,918 unigenes (average length = 667 bp) in its transcriptome. Of these, 32,141 (74.89 %) were annotated and 2,339 unigenes were assigned to secondary-metabolite pathways. In all, 114 putative unigenes involved in secoiridoid biosynthesis were identified in our transcriptome library. A Blast X search against the Arabidopsis gene regulatory information server showed that 4,413 unigenes are homologous to transcription factor genes from Arabidopsis. Organ-specific genes and candidate gene expression profiles were also investigated with digital gene expression technology. Quantitative PCR was used to verify the expression patterns of several novel transcripts involved in secoiridoid biosynthesis. Our results not only enrich the gene resource but will also benefit research into the molecular genetics and functional genomics of this species.