miR-485-3p targets SIRT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells mediating the occurrence of aortic dissection.

Studies have demonstrated a close correlation between MicroRNA and the occurrence of aortic dissection (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been fully elucidated and further exploration is still required. In this study, we found that miR-485-3p was significantly upregulated in human aortic dissection tissues. Meanwhile, we constructed in vitro AD models in HAVSMCs, HAECs and HAFs and found that the expression of miR-485-3p was increased only in HAVSMCs. Overexpression or knockdown of miR-485-3p in HAVSMCs could regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL1ß, IL6, TNF-α, and NLRP3, as well as the expression of apoptosis-related proteins BAX/BCL2 and Cleaved caspase3/Caspase3. In the in vivo AD model, we have observed that miR-485-3p regulates vascular inflammation and apoptosis, thereby participating in the modulation of AD development in mice. Based on target gene prediction, we have validated that SIRT1 is a downstream target gene of miR-485-3p. Furthermore, by administering SIRT1 agonists and inhibitors to mice, we observed that the activation of SIRT1 alleviates vascular inflammation and apoptosis, subsequently reducing the incidence of AD. Additionally, functional reversal experiments revealed that overexpression of SIRT1 in HAVSMCs could reverse the cell inflammation and apoptosis mediated by miR-485-3p. Therefore, our research suggests that miR-485-3p can aggravate inflammation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells by suppressing the expression of SIRT1, thereby promoting the progression of aortic dissection.

Outcomes of post-implantation syndrome after endovascular repair for Stanford type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between post-implantation syndrome (PIS) and long-term prognosis in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: This retrospective study included 547 consecutive patients diagnosed with TBAD who underwent TEVAR at our institution between January 2014 and December 2019. Patients were categorized into two groups: the PIS group (patients with post-TEVAR PIS) and the non-PIS group (patients without post-TEVAR PIS). In-hospital and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of PIS was 28.9% (158/547 patients). No baseline differences were observed between the PIS (n = 158) and the non-PIS (n = 389) groups. The proportion of emergency surgery in the PIS group was higher than that in the non-PIS group (44.9% vs 26.0%; P < .001), the operation time was longer (median, 65.0; interquartile range [IQR], 56.0-75.0 minutes vs 56.0; IQR, 45.0-66.0 minutes; P < .001), the volume of contrast medium used (median, 65.0; IQR, 56.0-75.0 mL vs 56.0; IQR, 45.0-66.0 mL; P < .001), and the average number of trunk stents (1.85 ± 0.4 vs 1.34 ± 0.5 pieces; P < .001) and branch stents (0.7 ± 0.7 vs 0.2 ± 0.5 pieces; P < .001) used were more in the PIS group than in the non-PIS group. The incidence of supra-aortic branch procedures was higher in the PIS group than in the non-PIS group. There was no significant difference in device-related complications (DRCs) or 30-day mortality between the two groups (2.5% vs 4.4%; P = .442 and 1.3% vs 1.3%; P = .688, respectively). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that emergency surgery, number of trunk stents >1, operation time >58.5 minutes, and contrast medium volume >75 mL were risk factors for PIS, and the odds ratios of emergency operation, number of trunk stents >1 piece, operation time >58.5 minutes, and contrast medium volume >75 mL were 2.526 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.530-4.173), 4.651 (95% CI, 2.838-7.624), 3.577 (95% CI, 2.201-5.815), and 7.356 (95% CI, 4.111-13.160), respectively. Follow-up was completed in 98.5% (532/540) of the patients, with a median follow-up of 67 months (IQR, 50-86 months). There was no significant difference in survival between the PIS and non-PIS groups (12.4% vs 10.3%; P = .476) during follow-up. The incidences of DRCs (7.8% vs 11.6%; P = .200) and aortic false lumen thrombosis (75.8% vs 79.2%; P = .399) were comparable between the PIS and non-PIS groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that PIS had no effect on long-term follow-up mortality, DRCs, entry flow, or aortic false lumen thrombosis rate. CONCLUSIONS: PIS is relatively common after TEVAR and emergency surgery; number of trunk stents >1, operation time >58.5 minutes, and contrast medium volume >75 mL are of high predictive value for the assessment of PIS after TEVAR. However, PIS had little effect on early and late postoperative mortality or DRCs.

A Predictive Model for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation After Triple-Branched Stent Graft for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to develop a model for predicting the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) following surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data from 381 patients with AAAD who underwent emergency surgery. Clinical features variables for predicting postoperative PMV were selected through univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A risk prediction model was established using a nomogram. The model's accuracy and reliability were evaluated using the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve and the calibration curve. Internal validation of the model was performed using bootstrap resampling. The clinical applicability of the model was assessed using decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve. RESULTS: Among the 381 patients, 199 patients (52.2%) experienced postoperative PMV. The predictive model exhibited good discriminative ability (area under the curve = 0.827, 95% confidence interval: 0.786-0.868, P < 0.05). The calibration curve confirmed that the predicted outcomes of the model closely approximated the ideal curve, indicating agreement between the predicted and actual results (with an average absolute error of 0.01 based on 1000 bootstrap resampling). The decision curve analysis curve demonstrated that the model has significant clinical value. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram model established in this study can be used to predict the risk of postoperative PMV in patients with AAAD. It serves as a practical tool to assist clinicians in adjusting treatment strategies promptly and implementing targeted therapeutic measures.

Analog-sensitive Cdk1 as a tool to study mitotic exit: protein phosphatase 1 is required downstream from Cdk1 inactivation in budding yeast.

We show that specific inactivation of the protein kinase Cdk1/cyclin B (Cdc28/Clb2) triggers exit from mitosis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells carrying the allele cdc28-as1, which makes Cdk1 (Cdc28) uniquely sensitive to the ATP analog 1NM-PP1, were arrested with spindle poisons and then treated with 1NM-PP1 to inhibit Cdk1. This caused the cells to leave mitosis and enter G1-phase as shown by initiation of rebudding (without cytokinesis), induction of mating projections ("shmoos") by α-factor, stabilization of Sic1, and degradation of Clb2. It is known that Cdk1 must be inactivated for cells to exit mitosis, but our results show that inactivation of Cdk1 is not only necessary but also sufficient to initiate the transition from mitosis to G1-phase. This result suggests a system in which to test requirements for particular gene products downstream from Cdk1 inactivation, for example, by combining cdc28-as1 with conditional mutations in the genes of interest. Using this approach, we demonstrate that protein phosphatase 1 (PPase1; Glc7 in S. cerevisiae) is required for mitotic exit and reestablishment of interphase following Cdk1 inactivation. This system could be used to test the need for other protein phosphatases downstream from Cdk1 inactivation, such as PPase 2A and Cdc14, and it could be combined with phosphoproteomics to gain information about the substrates that the various phosphatases act upon during mitotic exit.

Quality of life in young patients with acute type a aortic dissection in China: comparison with Marfan syndrome and non-Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of Chinese studies evaluating the quality of life (QoL) in young acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients with Marfan syndrome. METHODS: Young adult AAAD patients (younger than 45 years old) underwent surgical treatment at our institution from January 2017 to December 2020 were consecutive enrolled. The hospital survivors completed 1 year of follow up. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of Marfan syndrome (MFS). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) with a caliper 0.2 was conducted to balance potential bias in baseline. The follow-up data were analyzed primarily for change in quality of life and anxiety status. RESULTS: After PSM, 32 comparable pairs were matched. The baseline data were comparable and postoperative complications were similar between groups. In terms of SF-36 scale, the role physical, bodily pain, role emotional and mental health subscales were no significantly improved in MFS patients over time. At 1 year after discharged, the subscale of mental health and bodily pain were significantly lower in the MFS group than in the non-MFS group. In terms of HADS assessments, the level of anxiety in MFS patients was significantly higher than in non-MFS patients at 1 year after discharged. CONCLUSIONS: The QoL in young AAAD patients with MFS is lower than those without MFS after surgery. This may be associated with the uncontrollable persistent chronic pain and the uncertainty and concerns for the disease's progression.

Modulating the Bader Charge Transfer in Single p-Block Atoms Doped Pd Metallene for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis.

Metallene is considered as an emerging family of electrocatalysts due to its atomically layered structure and unique surface stress. Here we propose a strategy to modulate the Bader charge transfer (BCT) between Pd surface and oxygenated intermediates via p-d electronic interaction by introducing single-atomp-block metal (M = In, Sn, Pb, Bi) into Pd metallene nanosheets towards efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy suggests that doping p-block metals could facilitate electron transfer to Pd sites and thus downshift the d-band center of Pd and weaken the adsorption energy of O intermediates. Among them, the developed Bi-Pd metallene shows extraordinarily high ORR mass activity of 11.34 A mgPd-1 and 0.86 A mgPd-1 at 0.9 V and 0.95 V in alkaline solution, respectively, representing the best Pd-based ORR electrocatalysts ever reported. In the cathode of a Zinc-air battery, Bi-Pd metallene could achieve an open-circuit voltage of 1.546 V and keep stable for 760 h at 10 mA cm-2. Theoretical calculations suggest that the BCT between Pd surface and *OO intermediates greatly affects the bond length between them (dPd-*OO) and Bi doping could appropriately reduce the amount of BCT and stretch the dPd-*OO, thus enhancing the ORR activity.

Comparison of valvuloplasty and replacement for surgical treatment of tricuspid infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the increase in both intravenous drug injections and intracardiac and vascular interventional treatments among drug users, the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) involving the tricuspid valve, which sits between the two right heart chambers, has gradually increased. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of different surgical procedures for tricuspid infective endocarditis (TIE). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed fifty-six patients who underwent tricuspid valve surgery at our hospital from January 2006 to August 2019. All patients were diagnosed with TIE and indicated a need for surgery. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected to summarize and analyze the clinical outcomes of different surgical approaches, including tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) and tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) for TIE. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time were shorter in the TVP group than in the TVR group. Additionally, the incidence of red blood cell transfusion and postoperative complications was lower in the TVP group than in the TVR group. The postoperative 30-day mortality rates were similar between both the groups. Fifty-two patients were followed up for an average of 5.50 ± 3.79 years. The postoperative 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 100%, 100%, and 95.5% in the TVP group and 96.7%, 96.7%, and 96.7% in the TVR group, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year reoperation rates were 0% and 0% in the TVP group and 6.7% and 20% in the TVR group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both TVR and TVP for TIE significantly improved the functional status of the heart with satisfactory efficacy. TVP was found to be superior to TVR in reducing the need for postoperative blood transfusions, reducing the risk of postoperative complications, and reducing the need for long-term reoperations.

Unravelling the consecutive glycosylation and methylation of flavonols in peach in response to UV-B irradiation.

Flavonol glycosides are bioactive compounds important for plant defence and human nutrition. Glycosylation and methylation play an important role in enriching the diversity of flavonols in response to the environment. Peach flowers and fruit are rich in flavonol diglycosides such as isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (I3Rut), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside and quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, and flavonol monoglycosides such as I 3-O-glucoside and Q 3-O-galactoside. UV-B irradiation of fruit significantly induced accumulation of all these flavonol glycosides. Candidate biosynthetic genes induced by UV-B were identified by genome homology searches and the in vitro catalytic activities of purified recombinant proteins determined. PpUGT78T3 and PpUGT78A2 were identified as flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase and 3-O-galactosyltransferase, respectively. PpUGT91AK6 was identified as flavonol 1,6-rhamnosyl trasferase catalysing the formation of flavonol rutinosides and PpFOMT1 was identified as a flavonol O-methyltransferase that methylated Q at the 3'-OH-OH to form isorhamnetin derivatives. Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed the specificity of PpUGT78T3 as a flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase, PpUGT78A2 as a 3-O-galactosyltransferase, PpUGT91AK6 as a 1,6-rhamnosyltrasferase and PpFOMT1 as an O-methyltransferase. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of glycosylation and methylation of flavonols, especially the formation of flavonol diglycosides such as I3Rut, and will also be useful for future potential metabolic engineering of complex flavonols.

Hepatic dysfunction and adverse outcomes after total arch repair of acute type a aortic dissection: application of the MELD-XI score.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the incidence and outcomes of patients with postoperative hepatic dysfunction (PHD) after total arch repair of acute type A aortic dissection, and further explore the risk factors for severe adverse outcomes. METHODS: The clinical data of 227 patients with AAAD treated by modified triple-branched stent graft implantation from January 2020 to January 2021 were collected retrospectively. Including preoperative, surgical and postoperative data. Logistics regression was used to determine the independent risk factors of severe adverse outcomes in postoperative HD patients. RESULTS: In the early stage after operation, a total of 153 patients were complicated with PHD, accounting for 67.4%. The incidence of severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD was 43.1%. We found that preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion [odds ratio (OR): 11.645, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.144, 143.617, P = 0.045], preoperative imaging data suggest the celiac trunk involvement [OR: 6.136, 95% CI 1.019, 36.930, P = 0.048], CPB time > 180 min [OR: 4.855, 95% CI 1.218, 15.761, P = 0.034], decreased early postoperative serum albumin [OR: 0.935, 95% CI 0.856, 0.985, P = 0.026] were independent risk factors for severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD. CONCLUSIONS: PHD was associated with increased early mortality and morbidity. Preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion, preoperative celiac trunk involvement, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time > 180 min and decreased early postoperative serum albumin were identified as independent risk factors for severe adverse outcomes in patients with PHD.

Low acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccination and reduced quality of life among heart transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) and status of COVID-19 vaccination in heart transplant recipients (HTRs). METHODS: Patients who underwent allogeneic heart transplants between June 2006 and December 2019, who survived were selected from a follow-up registration form at our center. Data were collected using questionnaires in 2021, the QoL survey was conducted using the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and compared to the same time frame in 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: post-epidemic (A) and pre-epidemic (B) groups. We also recorded whether the participants had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (Beijing Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine). All the data obtained were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 88 patients who participated in the study. Only 12 (13.6%) were vaccinated. In terms of SF-36 scale assessments, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Group A scored lower in vitality [52.5(49.0, 58.0) vs. 75.0(69.0, 79.0), p < .001], social functioning [54.0(50.5, 58.0) vs. 74.0(67.5, 78.0), p < .001], role emotional [58.5(55.0, 62.0) vs. 67.0(63.0, 71.0), p < .001], and mental health [58.5(55.0, 62.0) vs. 76.0(72.0, 79.0), p < .001]. In Group A the mental component summary (MCS) significantly decreased [222.0(214.5, 230.0) vs. 289.0(277.5, 299.5), p < .001]. The PCS and MCS of HTRs who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 were significantly higher than those who had not [PCS: 283.5(280.0, 287.0) vs. 276.0(271.0, 279.0), p < .001; MCS: 245.0(141.5, 254.0) vs. 220.0(213.5, 226.5), p < .001]. CONCLUSION: Low acceptance levels of COVID-19 vaccination were observed in the HTRs. The QoL of the HTRs decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Constructing Co-N-C Catalyst via a Double Crosslinking Hydrogel Strategy for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Catalysis in Fuel Cells.

Exploiting platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free electrocatalysts with remarkable activity and stability toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of significant importance to the large-scale commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Here, a high-performance and anti-Fenton reaction cobalt-nitrogen-carbon (Co-N-C) catalyst is reported via employing double crosslinking (DC) hydrogel strategy, which consists of the chemical crosslinking between acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) copolymerization and metal coordinated crosslinking between Co2+ and P(AA-AM) copolymer. The resultant DC hydrogel can benefit the Co2+ dispersion via chelated Co-N/O bonds and relieve metal agglomeration during the subsequent pyrolysis, resulting in the atomically dispersed Co-Nx/C active sites. By optimizing the ratio of AA/AM, the optimal P(AA-AM)(5-1)-Co-N catalyst exhibits a high content of nitrogen doping (12.36 at%) and specific surface area (1397 m2 g-1 ), significantly larger than that of the PAA-Co-N catalyst (10.59 at%/746 m2 g-1 ) derived from single crosslinking (SC) hydrogel. The electrochemical measurements reveal that P(AA-AM)(5-1)-Co-N possesses enhanced ORR activity (half-wave potential (E1/2 ) ≈0.820 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) and stability (≈4 mV shift in E1/2 after 5000 potential cycles in 0.5 m H2 SO4 at 60 ºC) relative to PAA-Co-N, which is higher than most Co-N-C catalysts reported so far.

Early Efficacy of In Situ Fenestration with a Triple Chimney Technique for High-Risk Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to study the early efficacy of in situ fenestration with triple chimney technique for high-risk type A aortic dissection patients. METHODS: This study included 24 patients who were treated by in situ fenestration with TCT for high-risk TAAD between January 2018 and December 2019. Multiple comorbidities or preoperative critical conditions rendered patients ineligible for open surgery, but all patients that were evaluated and considered had to undergo operation. By analyzing the regular follow-up data, the early postoperative efficacy of the patients was evaluated. RESULTS: The average age of the 24 patients was 65.4 ± 9.3 years. The success rate of the operation was 100%, as all the patients were discharged successfully. There were no serious neurological complications or persistent endoleakage. The mean follow-up time was 21.4 ± 6.9 months. The patency rate of all branching stents was 100%, with no stent displacement, stenosis, or blockage observed. While none presented with type I endoleakage, one patient (4.2%) presented asymptomatic type II endoleakage around the left subclavian artery stent. Currently, 23 of the 24 patients remain alive. CONCLUSION: Initial results are encouraging with TCT for high-risk TAAD. However, due to its high selectivity and potential complexity related to surgical risks, the mid- and long-term efficacy of this technique remains unknown. For patients who are eligible for open heart surgery, we still recommend it be performed.

Functional analysis after rapid degradation of condensins and 3D-EM reveals chromatin volume is uncoupled from chromosome architecture in mitosis.

The requirement for condensin in chromosome formation in somatic cells remains unclear, as imperfectly condensed chromosomes do form in cells depleted of condensin by conventional methodologies. In order to dissect the roles of condensin at different stages of vertebrate mitosis, we have established a versatile cellular system that combines auxin-mediated rapid degradation with chemical genetics to obtain near-synchronous mitotic entry of chicken DT40 cells in the presence and absence of condensin. We analyzed the outcome by live- and fixed-cell microscopy methods, including serial block face scanning electron microscopy with digital reconstruction. Following rapid depletion of condensin, chromosomal defects were much more obvious than those seen after a slow depletion of condensin. The total mitotic chromatin volume was similar to that in control cells, but a single mass of mitotic chromosomes was clustered at one side of a bent mitotic spindle. Cultures arrest at prometaphase, eventually exiting mitosis without segregating chromosomes. Experiments where the auxin concentration was titrated showed that different condensin levels are required for anaphase chromosome segregation and formation of a normal chromosome architecture.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Mechanistic Investigation of Surfactant-Free Emulsion Polymerization Using Magnetite Nanoparticles Modified by Citric Acid as Stabilizers.

Fe3O4-armored latexes were successfully synthesized by using modified Fe3O4 (IO) nanoparticles as stabilizers without a surfactant. The particle size, conversion, and particle number density of latex particles during the formation process were studied in detail. The surface charge density and the particle size evolutions of latexes were studied by dynamic light scattering. The use of scanning electron microscopy confirmed that IO nanoparticles were adsorbed on the polymer particle surface. Furthermore, the efficiency of iron oxide incorporation (IE) was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of pH, solid content, and zeta potential of IO nanoparticles on the results of polymerization was also discussed in detail. Attempts were made to explain the change of latex particle surface charge density by using Guy-Chapman-Stern's electric double layer theory. In addition, the effect of ionic strength of ammonium sulfate on particle number density of latex particles was described using P. John Feeney's equation. Finally, the mechanistic insights were discussed by studying polymerization kinetics.

Association between musculoskeletal ultrasonography and bone remodelling markers and its role in disease monitoring of gout and hyperuricaemia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between bone destruction markers and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MU) findings in patients with gout and hyperuricaemia and clarify the role of MU in treatment responsiveness. METHODS: One-hundred and fifty patients with gout and 100 patients with hyperuricaemia were divided into five groups according to MU manifestations. Circulating Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) levels were measured. Thirty patients from the gout group and 10 from the hyperuricaemia group, were treated for 1 year with urate-lowering therapy (ULT). RESULTS: Patients with gout and tophus and/or bone erosion had the highest DKK-1 and RANKL levels. Patients with gout and MU-evidenced aggregates and/or double-contour signs had higher DKK-1 and RANKL levels than the normal MU group (p<0.001). Patients with hyperuricaemia and abnormal MU findings had significantly higher DKK-1 and RANKL levels than those with normal MU findings. DKK-1 and RANKL levels positively correlated with disease duration in patients with gout (r=0.430, p<0.001; r=0.359, p<0.001, respectively) and hyperuricaemia (r=0.446, p<0.001; r=0.379, p<0.001, respectively). After ULT, MU abnormalities disappeared in 12 and 8 patients with gout and hyperuricaemia, respectively. The largest tophus diameter decreased in patients with gout (t=6.092, p<0.001). DKK-1 and RANKL concentrations significantly decreased in all patients. Lower serum urate levels corresponded with higher ratios of normal MU features in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gout and hyperuricaemia, MU manifestations were associated with DKK-1 and RANKL levels and were ameliorated after ULT. Thus, MU could be a useful tool in assessing bone remodelling and monitoring disease responsiveness.

Characterization and Purification of Bergamottin from Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck cv. Yongjiazaoxiangyou and Its Antiproliferative Activity and Effect on Glucose Consumption in HepG2 cells.

Bergamottin is a natural furanocoumarin compound with weak polarity. Characterization and quantification of bergamottin were carried out in different fruit tissues of various citrus cultivars. Among the four citrus tissues tested, i.e., flavedo, albedo, segment membrane (SM), and juice sacs (JS) in eight citrus cultivars, the highest bergamottin content was found in the flavedo of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck cv. Yongjiazaoxiangyou (YJZXY, 666.54 µg·g-1 DW). A combination of silica gel column chromatography and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was established to efficiently purify bergamottin from the flavedo of YJZXY. Bergamottin showed significant antiproliferative activity on three cancer cell lines, i.e., human liver cancer HepG2, promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, and gastric cancer BGC-823 cells, which showed a marked inhibition effect on these cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, bergamottin significantly increased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells also in a dose-dependent manner, which is the first report of its potential in anti-diabetes applications.

A qPCR method to characterize the sex type of the cell strains from rats.

A simple and fast method was established to identify the sex types of the rat-derived cell strains. The single copy X-chromosome-linked gene AR and the single copy Y-chromosome-linked gene Sry were both detected with qPCR for the rat genomic DNA sample and the AR/Sry ratio was calculated. According to the law of the AR/Sry ratio, a new method to identify the sex types of the rat-derived cell strains was developed. The new assay was proved effective. The new assay showed advantages over the traditional sex type identification PCR methods, which detected only the Sry gene. Moreover, the new method was used to identify the sex types of two rat-derived cell strains unknown for the sex types and the results were confirmed with the in situ hybridization. Finally, the problem of the cross contamination between the female and the male samples was addressed and discussed extensively.

The Kin1 kinase and the calcineurin phosphatase cooperate to link actin ring assembly and septum synthesis in fission yeast.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Kin1 protein kinase of fission yeast, which regulates cell surface cohesiveness during interphase cell growth, is also present at the cell division site during mitosis; however, its function in cell division has remained elusive. RESULTS: In FK506-mediated calcineurin deficient cells, mitosis is extended and ring formation is transiently compromised but septation remains normal. Here, we show that Kin1 inhibition in these cells leads to polyseptation and defects in membrane closure. Actomyosin ring disassembly is prevented and ultimately the daughter cells fail to separate. We show that the Pmk1 MAP kinase pathway and the type V myosin Myo4 act downstream of the cytokinetic function of Kin1. Kin1 inhibition also promotes polyseptation in myo3Δ, a type II myosin heavy-chain mutant defective in ring assembly. In contrast, Kin1 inactivation rescues septation in a myosin light-chain cdc4-8 thermosensitive mutant. A structure/function analysis of the Kin1 protein sequence identified a novel motif outside the kinase domain that is important for its polarised localisation and its catalytic activity. This motif is remarkably conserved in all fungal Kin1 homologues but is absent in related kinases of metazoans. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that calcineurin and Kin1 activities must be tightly coordinated to link actomyosin ring assembly with septum synthesis and membrane closure and to ensure separation of the daughter cells.

Chest pain in a patient with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) commonly present with dyspnea, fatigue, and edema. In our case, the main presentation was exertional angina, which was atypical in patients with ATTR-CM and should be paid more attention to. Abstract: A 54-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of exertional chest pain, and she had a history of hypertension. The results of the electrocardiogram and echocardiography revealed the clues of cardiac amyloidosis, and the patient was finally diagnosed with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, then she received tafamidis, and the symptoms improved significantly.

Synthetic biology for Taxol biosynthesis and sustainable production.

Incomplete understanding of the biosynthetic pathway of the anticancer compound Taxol hinders its production by metabolic engineering. Recent reports by Jiang et al. and other groups now describe the missing steps in Taxol biosynthesis, notably including oxetane ring formation. These findings will promote the sustainable production of Taxol through synthetic biology.