Effect of SNHG11/miR-7-5p/PLCB1 Axis on Acute Pancreatitis through Inhibiting p38MAPK Pathway.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. A growing number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in AP progression. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene 11(SNHG11) and its underlying molecular mechanisms behind AP progression. The in vivo and in vitro AP cell models were established by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate and caerulein stimulation into AR42J cells and HPDE6-C7 cells, respectively. A bioinformatics website predicted the relationship between SNHG11, miR-7-5p, and Phospholipase C Beta 1(PLCB1) and validated it with a dual-luciferase reporter assay and an RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. AR42J cells and HPDE6-C7 cells were transfected with an overexpression of plasmids or shRNA to investigate the effects of the SNHG11/miR-7-5p/PLCB1 axis on cell proliferation and apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and acute pancreatitis. Low expression of SNHG11 and PLCB1 and high expression of miR-7-5p were observed in AP pancreatic tissue and AP cell models. SNHG11 overexpression inhibited apoptosis and inflammatory responses induced by caerulein. Simultaneously, we discovered that SNHG11 regulates PLCB1 expression by sponging miR-7-5p. PLCB1 overexpression abrogated inflammatory damage exacerbated by miR-7-5p enrichment. In addition, the SNHG11/miR-7-5p/PLCB1 axis could be involved in caerulein-induced inflammatory injury by participating in the p38MAPK signaling pathway. The overexpressed SNHG11/miR-7-5p/PLCB1 axis can inhibit AP progression by participating in the p38MAPK signaling pathway, thereby providing a potential therapeutic target and therapeutic direction for AP therapy.

CacyBP/SIP promotes tumor progression by regulating apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in pediatric and adolescent patients. The calcyclin-binding protein/Siah-1-interacting protein (CacyBP/SIP) performs an essential function in cell proliferation and apoptosis. The present study investigated the effect of CacyBP/SIP in OS cell proliferation and apoptosis. CacyBP/SIP mRNA expression levels were evaluated in four OS cell lines by quantitative PCR. CacyBP/SIP expression was downregulated in Saos-2 cells using a lentivirus transfection system and the transfection efficiency was analyzed. The effects of CacyBP/SIP downregulation on Saos-2 cell proliferation and colony-formation ability were evaluated by MTT and colony-formation assays. The effect of CacyBP/SIP knockdown on Saos-2 cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry cell sorting. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was analyzed for validation. Human OS cell lines Saos-2, MG-63, HOS and U20S expressed CacyBP/SIP mRNA. CacyBP/SIP knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony-formation ability. G1/S phase arrest was induced by CacyBP/SIP downregulation, which also resulted in the downregulation of CDK and cyclins and the upregulation of p21. In addition, CacyBP/SIP downregulation induced Saos-2 cell apoptosis mediated by Bax and Bcl-2. High expression of CacyBP/SIP was significantly associated with poor prognosis in TCGA sarcoma database. Thus, CacyBP/SIP performs important functions in the proliferation and apoptosis of human OS cells.

Investigating the Relationship between the Third Places and the Level of Happiness for Seniors in Taiwan.

Taiwan has actively promoted the concept of "successful aging" in recent years. The Executive Yuan drafted the White Paper for Aged Society, which set the primary goal to enable seniors to deal with daily life more independently. Although 'third places' enable seniors to live independently, the third places that Taiwanese seniors like are not well understood. Consequently, by investigating third places, this study will investigate the environment of achieving successful aging and happiness among seniors. This study uses the questionnaire survey, and the data of this study were collected from October to November 2018 in Taichung City Central District. A questionnaire survey was conducted in several administrative agencies and participants were selected by random sampling among the over-55-year-old citizens who were already retired. An estimate of 90% confidence limits with 5% marginal error gave us a sample size of 257. This study finally received 200 efficient samples. The women's top five choices of third places are the traditional market, supermarket, restaurant, daily necessities shop, and coffee shop. The men's top five choices of third places are the traditional market, supermarket, daily necessities shop, restaurant, and a friend's house. For seniors familiar with the concept of third places, the more often they go to third places, the higher happiness they achieve. This result investigates the importance of having awareness of third places for seniors. Therefore, we should encourage them to go to third places and engage in social activities frequently to achieve successful aging.

[Effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Shenshu"(BL23)-"Taixi"(KI3)on levels of serum uric acid and renal URAT1 and OAT1 protein expression in hyperuricemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Shenshu"(BL23)-"Taixi"(KI3)on the levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and expression of renal urate-anion transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) proteins in hyperuricemia (HUA) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improving HUA. METHODS: A total of 25 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control (n＝6), HUA model (n＝7), BL23-KI3 (n＝6) and Ganshu (BL18)-Taichong (LR3, BL18-LR3 in short, n＝6). The HUA model was established by gavage of Oteracil Potassium (2 g/kg), once daily for 10 days, then once every other day. For rats of the BL23-KI3 group, BL23 and KI3 were stimulated with filiform needles which were rotated for 10 s at a frequency about 100 r/min, and for rats of the BL18-LR3 group, BL18 and LR3 were stimulated with the same methods to those of the BL23-KI3 group. The treatment of both acupuncture groups was conducted once daily, 6 times a week (except Sundays) for 3 weeks. The contents of SUA and serum creatinine (SCr) were assayed by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological changes of the right kidney tissue were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin eosin (H.E.) staining, the immunoactivity of URAT1 and OAT1 of the right kidney tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of URAT1 and OAT1 proteins of the left kidney tissue detected by Western blot (WB). RESULTS: After modeling, the content of SUA and the expression of renal URAT1 protein (shown by both immunoactivity and WB) were significantly increased (P<0.01), but that of renal OAT1 protein was obviously decreased in the model group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There was no notably change in the level of SCr in the model group relevant to the control group (P>0.05). Following acupuncture intervention, the SUA content and URAT1 expression in both BL18-LR3 and BL23-KI3 groups were considerably down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of OAT1 protein in the BL23-KI3 group (not the BL18-LR3 group) were obviously up-regulated relevant to the model group (P<0.01). The effects of BL23-KI3 were significant superior to those of BL18-LR3 in down-regulating the expression of URAT1 and up-regulating OAT1 protein (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of "BL23" and "KI3" can effectively down-regulate SUA level in HUA rats, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of URAT1 and up-regulating the expression of OAT1 in the kidney tissue.

A first-principles study of strain tuned optical properties in monolayer tellurium.

First-principles calculations are employed to study the optical properties of monolayer Te tuned by biaxial strain. Our results demonstrate that monolayer Te has strong absorption in the visible and ultraviolet regions, and that a structural transition occurs between the α-phase and the ß-phase under certain strain. In addition, there is significant optical anisotropy in α- and ß-Te, while γ-Te shows isotropic characteristics due to their different structural properties. Furthermore, strain has a significant impact on the optical properties. With increasing strain, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function exhibit redshift. In addition, the absorption spectrum is more likely to be excited under compressive strain rather than tensile strain in α- and ß-Te, while only slight differences are induced in γ-Te. These findings can not only enhance the understanding of two-dimensional tellurium, but also provide an effective way to tune the optical properties for potential application in optoelectronic devices.

Temporal regulation of σB by partner-switching mechanism at a distinct growth stage in Bacillus cereus.

The alternative transcription factor σB in Bacillus cereus governs the transcription of a number of genes that confer protection against general stress. This transcription factor is regulated by protein-protein interactions among RsbV, RsbW, σB, RsbY, RsbM and RsbK, all encoded in the sigB cluster. Among these regulatory proteins, RsbV, RsbW and σB comprise a partner-switching mechanism. Under normal conditions, σB remains inactive by associating with anti-sigma factor RsbW, which prevents σB from binding to the core RNA polymerase. During environmental stress, RsbK activates RsbY to hydrolyze phosphorylated RsbV, and the dephosphorylated RsbV then sequesters RsbW to liberate σB from RsbW. Although the σB partner-switching module is thought to be the core mechanism for σB regulation, the actual protein-protein interactions among these three proteins in the cell remain to be investigated. In the current study, we show that RsbW and RsbV form a long-lived complex under transient stress treatment, resulting in high persistent expression of RsbV, RsbW and σB from mid-log phase to stationary phase. Full sequestration of RsbW by excess RsbV and increased RsbW:RsbV complex stability afforded by cellular ADP contribute to the prolonged activation of σB. Interestingly, the high expression levels of RsbV, RsbW and σB were dramatically decreased beginning from the transition stage to the stationary phase. Thus, protein interactions among σB partner-switching components are required for the continued induction of σB during environmental stress in the log phase and significant down-regulation of σB is observed in the stationary phase. Our data show that σB is temporally regulated in B. cereus.

The expression of fibronectin is significantly suppressed in macrophages to exert a protective effect against Staphylococcus aureus infection.

BACKGROUND: Fibronectin (Fn) plays a major role in the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus to host cells by bridging staphylococcal fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) and cell-surface integrins. A previous study demonstrated that the phagocytosis of S. aureus by macrophages is enhanced in the presence of exogenous Fn. We recently found that FnBPs overexpression also enhances phagocytic activity. The effect of S. aureus infection on the expression of macrophage Fn was investigated. RESULT: The level of Fn secreted by monocytes (THP-1), macrophages, human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in response to S. aureus infection was determined by Western blotting and it was significantly suppressed only in macrophages. The activation of signaling pathways associated with Fn regulation in macrophages and HepG2 cells was also investigated by Western blotting. Erk was activated in both macrophages and HepG2 cells, whereas Src-JNK-c-Jun signaling was only activated in macrophages. A significant decrease in macrophage viability was observed in response to S. aureus infection in the presence of exogenous Fn. CONCLUSION: The Src-JNK-c-Jun signaling pathway was activated in macrophages in response to S. aureus infection and resulted in the suppression of Fn expression. This suppression may play a protective role in macrophages against S. aureus infection. This study provides the first demonstration that Fn is suppressed in macrophages by S. aureus infection.

[Selection of Microalgae for Biofuel Using Municipal Wastewater as a Resource].

Cultivating microalgae using municipal wastewater can achieve not only treatment of the wastewater but also recovery of algae for use as a biofuel energy source. Wastewater provides necessary nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and water for microalgal growth. Because of the complexity of components of municipal wastewater, variety of adaptability, and tolerance to wastewater of different microalgal species, it is necessary to select a suitable microalgal species with high performance in lipid production and identify proper pretreatment of the wastewater to achieve high lipid production using municipal wastewater for algal biofuel production. Based on microalgal growth, lipid production, and clean-up performance of wastewater, we selected Scenedesmus obliquus wild strain and Chlorella pyrenoidosa mutant by ion beam implantation from a test group for the biofuel production. Laboratory test results showed that S. obliquus wild strain and C. pyrenoidosa mutant had respective lipid productions of 0.43 g·L-1 and 0.33 g·L-1, with more C16-C18 fatty acids, which were suitable for biodiesel production. The pollutant removals from the wastewater by S. obliquus wild strain and C. pyrenoidosa mutant were COD, 86.4% vs. 81.8%; NH4+-N, 100.0% vs. 100.0%; TN, 94.3% vs. 94.9%; and TP, 93.4% vs. 94.2% respectively. The two different microalgal strains required different pretreatments. After removal of large particles, the raw wastewater could be directly used for the cultivation of S. obliquus wild strain. To grow C. pyrenoidosa mutant with municipal wastewater, pretreatment procedures including precipitation followed by filtration should be employed.

[Effects of Bacteria on the Growth of and Lipid Accumulation in Chlorella pyrenoidosa Cultivated in Municipal Wastewater].

Cultivating microalgae using municipal wastewater can treat wastewater and recover algal biofuel as an energy source. Wastewater provides necessary nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and water for microalgal growth. Due to the complexity of the components of municipal wastewater and the complex symbiotic and antagonistic relationship between microalgae and bacteria, it is necessary to select the suitable dominant bacterial species that can promote the microalgae to achieve high lipid production and algal biofuel production using municipal wastewater. Based on the microalgal growth and lipid production, we selected Photosynthetic bacteria and W4 bacteria from 13 different types of bacteria and analyzed the microbial community structure of the municipal wastewater at the end of the microalgal culture cycle. Laboratory test results showed that the amount of lipid production by Photosynthetic bacteria and W4 was 0.114 g·L-1 and 0.113 g·L-1, which is 22.58% and 21.50% higher than the production by the control group, respectively. According to the gas chromatography (GC) analysis of the lipids, Photosynthetic bacteria and W4 bacteria exerted a relatively low influence on the composition of fatty acids of Chlorella pyrenoidosa but increased the content of monounsaturated fatty acids that improve the grade of biodiesel. The results of the analysis of microbial community structure of the municipal wastewater showed that Photosynthetic and W4 bacteria reduced the richness and diversity of bacterial communities and have the potential to become the dominant bacterial community.

[Methylation in Promoter Region of SLC6A2 Gene in Heart Failure Patients and Its Correlation with Qi Deficiency/Blood Stasis Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the methylation status in promoter region of norepinephrine transporter gene (NET, SLC6A2) in heart failure ( HF) patients and its correlation with qi deficiency/blood stasis syndrome (QDS/BSS). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with heart failure (NYHA classification III to IV) were recruited in the study (as the heart failure group) and their scores of QDS/BSS were evaluated. Besides, a healthy elderly group (30 cases) and a healthy youth group (30 cases) were also set up. They were recruited from Physical Examination Center of Fujian Provincial Hospital. Pyrosequencing was applied to detect the methylation in promoter region of SLC6A2 gene, and the total methylation index (MTI) of CpG island was calculated. The correlation between the methylation status in promoter region of SLC6A2 and scores of QDS/BSS was assessed using Pearson and Partial analyses. Risk factors were screened and adjusted using Logistic regression. RESULTS: By one-factor analysis of variance, the total MTI in the HF group (219.72% ± 54.03%) was obviously higher than that in the healthy elderly group (194.47% ± 34.92%) and the healthy youth group (161.60% ± 41.11%) (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the total MTI was higher in the healthy elderly group than in the healthy youth group (P < 0.01). By covariance analysis , after controlling age and BMI, the total MTI was higher in the HF group than in the healthy elderly group (P = 0.041), while it was higher in the healthy elderly group than in the healthy youth group (P = 0.016). Age was found to play an essential role in affecting MTI of SLC6A2 gene promoter region among the 3 groups (F = 16.447, P = 0.01). The total MTI was quite lower in the healthy youth group. Results of Partial correlation analysis showed MTI was positively correlated with scores of qi deficiency and blood stasis respectively (r = 0.494 and 0.419 respectively, both P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed after adjusting confounding factors, the relative risk (OR value) of total MTI of SLC6A2 gene in promoter region was 1.038 (95% CI, 1.006 to 1.071, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormally elevated methylation of the promoter region of SLC6A2 gene is one of risk factors for HF. In addition, the degree of methylation of the promoter region of SLC6A2 gene was positively correlated with the severity of QDS/BSS.

Vancomycin activates σ(B) in vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus resulting in the enhancement of cytotoxicity.

The alternative transcription factor σ(B) is responsible for transcription in Staphylococcus aureus during the stress response. Many virulence-associated genes are directly or indirectly regulated by σ(B). We hypothesized that treatment with antibiotics may act as an environmental stressor that induces σ(B) activity in antibiotic-resistant strains. Several antibiotics with distinct modes of action, including ampicillin (12 µg/ml), vancomycin (16 or 32 µg/ml), chloramphenicol (15 µg/ml), ciprofloxacin (0.25 µg/ml), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT, 0.8 µg/ml), were investigated for their ability to activate this transcription factor. We were especially interested in the stress response in vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strains treated with vancomycin. The transcription levels of selected genes associated with virulence were also measured. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR was employed to evaluate gene transcription levels. Contact hemolytic and cytotoxicity assays were used to evaluate cell damage following antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics that target the cell wall (vancomycin and ampicillin) and SXT induced σ(B) activity in VRSA strains. Expression of σ(B)-regulated virulence genes, including hla and fnbA, was associated with the vancomycin-induced σ(B) activity in VRSA strains and the increase in cytotoxicity upon vancomycin treatment. These effects were not observed in the sigB-deficient strain but were observed in the complemented strain. We demonstrate that sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) levels of antibiotics act as environmental stressors and activate the stress response sigma factor, σ(B). The improper use of antibiotics may alter the expression of virulence factors through the activation of σ(B) in drug-resistant strains of S. aureus and lead to worse clinical outcomes.

Relationship between photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and the photochemical reflectance index of mango tree: merging data from different illuminations, seasons and leaf colors.

In order to elucidate the effects of chlorophyll concentration and seasonal temperature on the relationship between photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) of leaves under different light intensity, mango (Mangifera indica), a low-temperature-sensitive species, was used for the study. From early winter to summer, we selected several days to measure chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf spectral reflectance of mango leaves with dark green to yellow green colors, under natural sunlight from predawn to sunset and under six levels (0, 200, 400, 800, 1200 and 2000 mumol m(-2) s(-1)) of artificial illumination. When leaves were exposed to light, both PRI and PSII efficiency decreased with the increase in illumination, yet the PSII efficiency-PRI relationship varied with temperature and leaf color. Both predawn PRI and the X-intercept of the PSII efficiency-PRI regression equations were higher in dark green leaves and on the day with higher minimum air temperature, and lower on opposite conditions. These were due to the influence of chlorophyll on the reflection of wavebands for detecting PRI, and leaves retained a higher degree of epoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle pigments in cold predawn. Therefore, when data obtained at different seasons and with different leaf colors were pooled for analysis, PRI was not closely related to PSII efficiency. Yet, either in the darkness of predawn or under a given level of illumination, PSII efficiency always showed a significant positive correlation with PRI, with data from different leaf colors and seasons merged for statistics analysis. Because both the intercept and slope of the PSII efficiency-PRI equation showed a negative regression with photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), an empirical regression model, i.e., PSII efficiency = c + d . PPF + e . (PPF)(2) + f . PRI + g . PPF . PRI, could be fitted for multiple regression analysis. Based on the close correlation between the estimated and measured PSII efficiency (r(2) = 0.844-0.907, P < 0.001), using dynamic data obtained from leaves with yellow green to dark green colors, measurement was taken at predawn (F(v)/F(m)) and under any given strength of sunlight and artificial illumination (DeltaF/F(m)') through different seasons. We, thus, concluded that this empirical regression model could simulate both the seasonal and diurnal variations of PSII efficiency.

Fock-Darwin states of dirac electrons in graphene-based artificial atoms.

We investigate the Fock-Darwin states of the massless chiral fermions confined in a graphitic parabolic quantum dot. In light of Klein tunneling, we analyze the condition for confinement of the Dirac fermions in a cylindrically symmetric potential. New features of the energy levels of the Dirac electrons as compared to the conventional electronic systems are discussed. We also evaluate the dipole-allowed transitions in the energy levels of the dots. We propose that in the high magnetic field limit, the band parameters can be accurately determined from the dipole-allowed transitions.

Effect of banning vancomycin analogue avoparcin on vancomycin-resistant enterococci in chicken farms in Taiwan.

Avoparcin, a vancomycin analogue, was banned as a feed additive in Taiwan in 2000. A nationwide surveillance was conducted to study the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) on chicken farms between 2000 and 2003. Among the 1021 E. faecalis and 967 E. faecium isolates studied, resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, high-level aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol either increased or remained high except vancomycin. The proportion of VRE decreased, between 2000 and 2003, from 13.7% (22/161) to 3.7% (11/299) for E. faecalis, and 3.4% (4/119) to 0% (0/300) for E. faecium. Only 8.8% (7/80) of the chicken farms surveyed harboured VRE in 2003 compared with 25% (15/60) in 2000. All VRE were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin. All VRE possess the vanA gene but nearly all (79 of 83 isolates) were susceptible to teicoplanin, indicating VanB phenotype. Some clones were detected from different farms in various regions over the years. We conclude that the frequency of VRE in chicken farms decreased in association with a ban on avoparcin; and the continued presence of VRE may be due to the ability of some strains to persist in the farms, transfer of vancomycin resistance determinants or co-selection by the continued use of other antibiotics.

[Comparison of two surgical approach for cardiac cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the preferable surgical approach for cardiac cancer. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with cardiac cancer underwent operation in two surgical approaches (epigastrium and left chest). Analysis was conducted on lymph nodes resected, stump positive rate, radical resectability rate, perioperative mortality, surgical complication rate, postoperative hospital days, survival rate between the two groups. RESULTS: In the epigastrium group and the left chest group the average number of resected lymph nodes was 15.7 and 10.6, respectively, the upper stump positive rate was 5.0% and 1.2%, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The lower stump positive rate, perioperative mortality, radical resectability rate, surgical complication rate, postoperative hospital days, survival rate of the two groups were 1.2%, 0.0%, 81.2%, 10.0%, 10 d, 53.7% and 1.2%, 1.2%, 83.7%, 11.2%, 12 d, 56.2%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no difference on the radical respectability rate and 5-year survival rate between the two groups. Thus the surgical approaches for cardiac cancer should based on the location and extent of lesions and the state of patients.

[Aprotinin reduces myocardial injury in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of aprotinin on the myocardial injury during the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergoing OPCAB randomly were of 12 patients divided into two groups: aprotinin group and Control group (n = 12). In the aprotinin group a loading dose (2 x 10(6) KIU) was administered within the first 30 minutes after the induction followed by continuous infusion of 0.5 x 10(6) KIU/h throughout the operation. The plasma myocardial injury markers CK-MB and cTnI were measured at the four points: (1) After induction; (2) 1 hour after coronary anastomosis; (3) 6 hours and (4) 24 hours after the operation. The blood loss was recorded by autotransfusion in the operation, and the drainage immediately, 6 hours, and 24 hours after the operation. RESULT: Myocardial injury markers CK-MB and cTnI increased significantly after the anastomosis in each group; cTnI was lower in the aprotinin group than in the control group at the third and forth points (P < 0.05). The post-operative drainage after 6 hours and 24 hours were lower in the aprotinin group than in control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is the myocardial injury during OPCAB. Aprotinin can reduce the myocardial injury during OPCAB.