Role of small nucleolar RNAs in alternative splicing of the doublesex gene in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

More and more evidence shows that small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play diverse roles in development, stress response and other cellular processes, but functional study of intermediate-size ncRNAs is still rare. Here, the expression profile of 16 intermediate-size ncRNAs in ovary and testis of silkworm Bombyx mori were analyzed. Twelve ncRNAs, including 5 small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and 7 unclassified ncRNAs, accumulated more in the testis than in the ovary of silkworm, especially Bm-163, Bm-51 and Bm-68. Four ncRNAs (including three orphan snoRNAs and one unclassified ncRNA) had higher expression level in the ovary than in the testis, especially Bm-86. Overexpression of the testis-enriched snoRNA Bm-68 in the female led to the accumulation of male-specific isoform of doublesex (BmdsxM) and increased the expression ratio of BmdsxM: BmdsxF. While overexpression of ovary-enriched snoRNA Bm-86 in the male decreased the expression ratio of BmdsxM: BmdsxF, indicating the roles of the two snoRNAs played in the alternative splicing of Bmdsx of silkworm, which will provide new clues for the functional study of snoRNAs in insects.

Structure and properties of metal-organic frameworks modulated by sulfate ions.

Anions play a significant role in the construction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Anions can affect coordination between metal ions and organic ligands, and the formation of crystal structures, thereby affecting the structure and properties of MOFs. Two novel 3D porous MOFs ({[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)1.6(H2O)2.4]·2.8OH·6.2H2O}n (MOF-1) and {[Cd3(TIPE)2(SO4)3(H2O)2]·10H2O}n (MOF-2)) were successfully synthesized, by introducing SO42- to design and adjust their structure and properties, in which the sulfate ions not only participated in coordination but also played a bridging role. Both MOF-1 and MOF-2 exhibited high stability and strong fluorescence properties, and their fluorescence properties also changed compared to those of previously reported 2D nonporous MOF-3 ({[Cd2(TIPE)2Cl3(ACN)]·CdCl3·3H2O}n) with an identical ligand. They could also be used in combination with MOF-3 to distinguish between Fe3+ and Cr2O72- ions, due to a change in their fluorescence properties. In this work, the structure was reshaped by introducing sulfate ions, and the role and function of the sulfate ions in the structure were studied, providing a feasible idea for the design and precise regulation of MOFs.

Functional Materials for Water Restoration: A "Fish Cage" for Efficient Capture of Pb(II) Ions.

In this work, a "fish cage" material for trapping Pb(II) ions has been successfully obtained, which is a novel clathrate functionalized metal-oganic framework (Cage-MOF) by introducing free adsorption sites (SO42-). The three-dimensional (3D) cage structure of Cage-MOF gives it a larger contact area and can capture "swimming fish" (Pb(II)) like a "fishing cage" in a water solution. This is the first high-efficiency adsorption material obtained by introducing free coordination groups. Cage-MOF not only has excellent water stability but also improves the selectivity and affinity for Pb(II) ions in water because of the presence of sulfate adsorption sites, and its adsorption capacity is as high as 806 mg/g. This work shows a novel and effective idea for the synthesis of water restoration materials.

[The Changes of Peripheral Blood Fâ «a-AT, TSP-1, LA Ratio in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the Clinical Value of Combined Diagnosis of Thrombotic Events].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of Ⅻ antithrombin (FⅫa-AT), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and lupus anticoagulant (LA) ratio in the peripheral blood factor of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the clinical value of combined diagnosis of thrombotic events. METHODS: A total of 133 SLE patients treated in Xingtai People's Hospital were selected and divided into simple SLE group (105 cases) and SLE complicated with thrombosis group (28 cases) according to whether thrombotic events occurred, and 102 cases of healthy people in the same period were selected as control. The clinical data of the 3 groups, the level of peripheral blood FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, and LA ratio were compared, the relationship between each peripheral blood index and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score were analyzed. The influencing factors of thrombotic events in SLE patients were analyzed, and the value of each peripheral blood index in the diagnosis of SLE complicated with thrombotic events were evaluated. RESULTS: The proportion of the patients with age ≥60 year, hypertension, and smoking history in SLE complicated with thrombosis group was higher than those in simple SLE group and control group (P＜0.05). The SLEDAI score, peripheral blood FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, LA ratio levels of the patients in SLE complicated with thrombosis group were significantly higher than those in simple SLE group and control group, and the simple SLE group was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.05). FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, LA ratio in peripheral blood of SLE patients were positively correlated with SLEDAI score (r=0.663, 0.578 and 0.625). Age, blood pressure, smoking history, peripheral blood FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, LA ratio were the important influencing factors of thrombotic events in SLE patients (P＜0.05). The AUC diagnosed by the FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, and LA ratio in peripheral blood was 0.881, the 95% CI was 0.813-0.931, the sensitivity was 82.14%, and the specificity was 91.43%, which was superior to each index alone (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood FⅫa-AT, TSP-1, LA ratio level changes in SLE patients are significantly related to disease activity, and the combined diagnosis of thrombotic events is more reliable.

USF2 reduces BMP3 expression via transcriptional activation of miR-34a, thus promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is the most susceptible disease for people over 60. The main cause of osteoporosis is the decreased osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here we showed that upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2)/microRNA-34a (miR-34a)/bone morphogenetic protein 3 (BMP3) axis regulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: USF2 and miR-34a expression were examined using qPCR. Protein levels of BMP3 and osteogenic markers expression were evaluated using both western blot and qPCR. Activity of ALP was determined by ALP assay kit. Mineralization capacity of hBMSCs was assessed using ARS. Besides, CHIP assay was employed to verify whether USF2 could bind to miR-34a promoter. Finally, RIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were employed to verify whether miR-34a directly bound to BMP3. RESULTS: Our results suggested that miR-34a was upregulated during osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and miR-34a overexpression could enhance osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. USF2 could positively regulate miR-34a expression by interacting with its promoter. USF2 overexpression enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, while miR-34a inhibition reversed the effect. Besides, BMP3 was the target of miR-34a. MiR-34a overexpression enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which was abolished by BMP3 overexpression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, USF2 enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via downregulating BMP3 by interacting with miR-34a promoter.

Artesunate promotes osteoblast differentiation through miR-34a/DKK1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is characterised by impairment of microarchitecture and bone mass. Therapeutic strategy promoting osteoblast differentiation is considered as a promising direction for the treatment of osteoporosis. Artesunate (ART) is related to osteoporosis, but the relationship between ART and osteogenic differentiation is still unknown. METHODS: Cells proliferation were measured by MTT, ALP activity assay and Alizarin Red S staining were used to assess osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were applied for measuring expression of protein and mRNA, respectively. The relationship between miR-34a and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) was detected by dual luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The expression of osteoblasts differentiation related proteins (Runx2, OCN, and OPN) were significantly increased by ART. And ART accelerates the osteoblasts differentiation of hBMSCs through promoting Wnt signaling pathway by DKK1 inhibition. Significant higher expression of miR-34a and lower expression of DKK1 could be induced by ART. We firstly proved that miR-34a could bind DKK1 specifically. CONCLUSION: ART could promote osteoblast differentiation through miR-34a/DKK1/Wnt pathway. Therefore, our findings may provide a new thought for the treatment of osteoporosis by ART through osteoblast differentiation promotion.

Corrosion Monitoring Effect of Rhodamine-Ethylenediamine on Copper Relics under a Protective Coating.

Fluorescence spectroscopy is a common technique used to monitor early metallic corrosion. The fluorescence response characteristics of rhodamine-ethylenediamine toward Cu2+ have been studied using fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy. Fluorescence microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to study the monitoring effect of rhodamine-ethylenediamine on the corrosion of copper relics protected by an epoxy coating. The results showed a strong fluorescent response and selectivity toward Cu2+ that existed using rhodamine-ethylenediamine. Early metallic corrosion of copper relics can be effectively monitored upon adding 0.8 wt % rhodamine-ethylenediamine to an epoxy coating. When the soaking time was increased, the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescent area on the coating became stronger. In addition, the area of the luminous coating reached ∼0.06 mm2 and the area of corrosion under the protective coating was ∼0.008 mm2, which was about 1/10 of the fluorescence area observed on the coating.

Efficacy of neuroendoscopic surgery versus craniotomy for supratentorial hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage (HCH) is a potentially life-threatening neurological condition with an extremely high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, neuroendoscopy has been used to treat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the choice of neuroendoscopic surgery versus craniotomy for patients with intracerebral hemorrhages is controversial. AIM: We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of neuroendoscopic surgery compared with craniotomy in patients with supratentorial hypertensive ICH. METHODS: A systematic electronic search was conducted of online electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library updated on December 2017. The meta-analysis only included randomized controlled studies. RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis of death showed that neuroendoscopic surgery decreased the rate of death when compared with craniotomy (RR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.26-1.29; p = .18). The pooled result of complications indicated that neuroendoscopic surgery has a tendency toward lower complications (RR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.28-0.49; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that neuroendoscopic surgery has lower complications, but no superior advantages in morbidity rates. Since the advantage of neuroendoscopic surgery has been performed in some area, the continuation of multi-center comparative investigation with craniotomy may be necessary. Moreover, some efforts need to be taken in selecting appropriate patients with different treatments.

[Effects of simulated elevation of atmospheric CO2 concentration on the physiological features of spring phytoplankton in Taihu Lake].

To disclose the impact of different CO2 concentrations (270 x 10(-6), 380 x 10(-6), 750 x 10(-6)) on physiological features of spring phytoplankton, an in situ simulated experiment was carried out in Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake from 29 April to 26 May in 2012. The results showed that atmospheric CO2 elevation would significantly alter the pH value and carbonate chemical environments of Taihu Lake, resulting in weakening the advantages of carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton in Taihu Lake tended to use more dissolved CO2 (CO2, aq) due to the deliberate CO2 sequestration under the high CO2 level treatment. When atmospheric CO2 concentration doubles at the end of century, the maximum growth rate constant of phytoplankton (U(max)), NPP, chlorophyll a (Chl-a)-specific NPP would increase by 63.1%, 69.6% and 33.8%, respectively. Atmospheric CO2 elevation promoted the maximum photosynthetic efficiency of chlorophyta and bacillariophyta in Taihu Lake and its promotion effect on bacillariophyta was more notable than that on chlorophyta. However, it did not change the photosynthetic efficiency of cyanobacteria which was very low in spring. Meanwhile, the stoichiometry value of phytoplankton changed significantly due to the CO2 elevation, as phytoplankton cells assimilated more C and N, but less P under the treatment of high CO2 level. Our results indicated the enhanced CO2 level could dramatically change the physiological features of phytoplankton. This information would help us to understand and predict the response of phytoplankton in Taihu Lake to the future climate change.

Cellular and molecular immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease of the rectal and colonic mucosa and seems to result from a complex series of interactions between susceptibility genes, the environment and the immune system. Various components of the mucosal immune system are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of UC. Evidence from animal models also suggests that an altered immune response to the commensal microflora of the host plays a central role in the development of UC. So in this review, we elucidate the cells and molecules which are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of the disease from four aspects: antigens in the intestine, dendritic cells, toll like receptors and NF-kappaB in the UC.