High fried food consumption impacts anxiety and depression due to lipid metabolism disturbance and neuroinflammation.

Western dietary patterns have been unfavorably linked with mental health. However, the long-term effects of habitual fried food consumption on anxiety and depression and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our population-based study with 140,728 people revealed that frequent fried food consumption, especially fried potato consumption, is strongly associated with 12% and 7% higher risk of anxiety and depression, respectively. The associations were more pronounced among male and younger consumers. Consistently, long-term exposure to acrylamide, a representative food processing contaminant in fried products, exacerbates scototaxis and thigmotaxis, and further impairs exploration ability and sociality of adult zebrafish, showing anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Moreover, treatment with acrylamide significantly down-regulates the gene expression of tjp2a related to the permeability of blood-brain barrier. Multiomics analysis showed that chronic exposure to acrylamide induces cerebral lipid metabolism disturbance and neuroinflammation. PPAR signaling pathway mediates acrylamide-induced lipid metabolism disorder in the brain of zebrafish. Especially, chronic exposure to acrylamide dysregulates sphingolipid and phospholipid metabolism, which plays important roles in the development of anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition, acrylamide promotes lipid peroxidation and oxidation stress, which participate in cerebral neuroinflammation. Acrylamide dramatically increases the markers of lipid peroxidation, including (±)5-HETE, 11(S)-HETE, 5-oxoETE, and up-regulates the expression of proinflammatory lipid mediators such as (±)12-HETE and 14(S)-HDHA, indicating elevated cerebral inflammatory status after chronic exposure to acrylamide. Together, these results both epidemiologically and mechanistically provide strong evidence to unravel the mechanism of acrylamide-triggered anxiety and depression, and highlight the significance of reducing fried food consumption for mental health.

Research Progress on Long Non-Coding RNA and Radiotherapy.

d_abstr_R Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a group of non-protein-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides, are involved in multiple biological and pathological processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune escape. Many studies have shown that lncRNAs participate in the complex network of cancer and play vital roles as oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes in a variety of cancers. Moreover, recent research has shown that abnormal expression of lncRNAs in malignant tumor cells before and after radiotherapy may participate in the progression of cancers and affect the radiation sensitivity of malignant tumor cells mediated by specific signaling pathways or cell cycle regulation. In this review, we summarize the published studies on lncRNAs in radiotherapy regarding the biological function and mechanism of human cancers, including esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancers, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer.

[Sleep disorders associated with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sleep quality and explore the manifestations of sleep disorders for 62 essential tremor (ET) patients, 60 normal controls and 62 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS: A total of 62 ET patients, 60 normal controls and 62 PD patients from June 2009 to December 2013 were recruited. All of them were outpatients at Second Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University and Hospital of Changshu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Sleep was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS: The global PSQI score was 4.7 ± 2.5 in controls, 6.0 ± 4.0 in ET cases and 7.4 ± 3. 7 in PD cases. PD cases had the highest PSQI score, followed by ET (intermediate) and lowest scores in controls (F = 9.022, P = 0.000). A poor quality of sleep was observed in normal controls (23/62, 38.3%) compared to ET cases (34/62, 54.8%) and PD cases (40/62, 64.5%) (χ² = 8.555, P = 0.014 when comparing all three groups and χ² = 1.206, P = 0.272 when ET vs PD). The ESS score increased from normal controls (4.4 ± 2.5) to ET cases (6.3 ± 4.8) and PD cases (8.2 ± 4.2). An ESS score ≥ 10 (an indicator of greater than normal levels of daytime sleepiness) was observed in 6 (10.0%) normal controls, compared to ET cases (16, 25.8%) and PD cases (20, 32.3%) (χ² = 9.047, P = 0.011 when comparing all three groups and χ² = 0.626, P = 0.429 when ET vs PD). For normal controls, ET and PD patients, the factor scores of subjective sleep were 0.6 ± 0.7, 0.8 ± 0.8 and 1.1 ± 0.7; the factor scores of quality sleep latency 0.6 ± 0.7, 0.9 ± 0.9 and 1.1 ± 1.0; the factor scores of sleep duration 0.6 ± 0.8, 0.7 ± 1.0 and 1.0 ± 0.9; the factor scores of sleep efficiency 0.6 ± 0.8, 0.9 ± 0.9 and 1.0 ± 1.0; the factor scores of sleep disturbances 1.2 ± 0.6, 1.2 ± 0.5 and 1.7 ± 0.7; the factor scores of daytime dysfunction 1.2 ± 1.0, 1.3 ± 1.0 and 2.0 ± 1.1 respectively. There were inter-group statistical differences in subjective sleep (F = 7.709, P = 0.001), quality sleep latency (F = 4.414, P = 0.013), sleep duration (F = 4.464, P = 0.013), sleep efficiency (F = 3.201, P = 0.043), sleep disturbances (F = 12.594, P = 0.000) and daytime dysfunction (F = 9.022, P = 0.000) . However, no inter-group statistical differences existed in use of sleeping medication (F = 1.200, P = 0.304). There were statistical differences in subjective sleep (P < 0.05), sleep efficiency (P < 0.05) and daytime dysfunction (P < 0.05) between ET and PD patients. CONCLUSION: Some sleep scores in ET are intermediate between those of PD cases and normal controls. And it suggests that a mild form of sleep dysregulation may be present in ET.

[Cognitive dysfuctions associated with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTVE: To explore the incidence of cognitive dysfunction and associated factors in 62 essential tremor (ET) cases, 60 normal controls and 61 Parkinson's disease (PD) cases. METHODS: A total of 62 ET and 61 PD patients from September 2009 to September 2013 were recruited from our outpatient clinic. ET patients received the Tremor Rating Scale for Tremor-motor examination (items 1-15 of rating scale) while 61 PD patients were examined with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-motor examination and a modified Hoehn and Yahr scale for staging disorder severity. All participants completed Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Beijing version for measuring cognitive functions. And depression was evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). The serum levels of uric acid were tested. RESULTS: A MoCA score <26 (at least mildly cognitive) was observed in 14 (23.3%) normal controls, compared to 24 (38.7%) ET cases and 27 (44.3%) PD cases (P = 0.045 when comparing all 3 groups, and P = 0.532 when comparing ET and PD). The factor scores of visual space/execution were 4.1 ± 1.0, 3.8 ± 1.1 and 3.2 ± 1.6 in normal controls, ET and PD patients, the factor scores of naming 2.9 ± 0.4, 2.8 ± 0.6 and 2.3 ± 0.8 in control, ET and PD patients, the factor scores of delay memory 3.9 ± 0.9, 2.7 ± 1.3 and 2.5 ± 1.7 in control, ET and PD patients. Statistical differences existed in visual space/execution, naming and delay memory (P < 0.05) among 3 groups. Yet there were no statistical differences in attention, language, abstract and directional among 3 groups. Statistical differences existed in visual space/execution and naming between ET and PD patients (P < 0.05). PD cases had the lowest visual space/execution score, followed by ET (intermediate) and highest scores in controls (P < 0.05). In ET patients, cognitive scores were correlated with serum levels of uric acid, education, tremor Rating Scale for Tremor-motor subscale score and depression levels (r = 0.589, P = 0.000; r = 0.449, P = 0.010; r = 0.452, P = 0.009; r = 0.466, P = 0.025). In PD patients, cognitive scores correlated with serum levels of uric acid, education, score of UPDRS-III and depression levels (r = 0.694, P = 0.000; r = 0.614, P = 0.000; r = 0.604, P = 0.000; r = 0.376, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The incidence of cognition is higher in ET and PD. There were no significant inter-group differences for cognition frequency. The most frequently endorsed symptoms were poor visual spatial ability, execution disturbance and delayed recall disorders. Some connition scores in ET were intermediate between those of PD cases and normal controls. Thus a mild form of connition dysregulation may be present in ET. The degree of cognition symptoms is correlated with serum levels of uric acid, education and serious motor.

3D network with channel excitation and knowledge distillation for action recognition.

Modern action recognition techniques frequently employ two networks: the spatial stream, which accepts input from RGB frames, and the temporal stream, which accepts input from optical flow. Recent researches use 3D convolutional neural networks that employ spatiotemporal filters on both streams. Although mixing flow with RGB enhances performance, correct optical flow computation is expensive and adds delay to action recognition. In this study, we present a method for training a 3D CNN using RGB frames that replicates the motion stream and, as a result, does not require flow calculation during testing. To begin, in contrast to the SE block, we suggest a channel excitation module (CE module). Experiments have shown that the CE module can improve the feature extraction capabilities of a 3D network and that the effect is superior to the SE block. Second, for action recognition training, we adopt a linear mix of loss based on knowledge distillation and standard cross-entropy loss to effectively leverage appearance and motion information. The Intensified Motion RGB Stream is the stream trained with this combined loss (IMRS). IMRS surpasses RGB or Flow as a single stream; for example, HMDB51 achieves 73.5% accuracy, while RGB and Flow streams score 65.6% and 69.1% accuracy, respectively. Extensive experiments confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method. The comparison with other models proves that our model has good competitiveness in behavior recognition.

Astragaloside IV promotes angiogenesis by targeting SIRT7/VEGFA signaling pathway to improve brain injury after cerebral infarction in rats.

Cerebral infarction (CI) has become one of the leading causes of death and acquired disability worldwide. Astragaloside IV (AST IV), one of the basic components of Astragalus membranaceus, has a protective effect on CI. However, the underlying mechanism has not been conclusively elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of AST IV improving brain injury after CI. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were used to simulate cerebral infarction injury in SD rats and HUVECs cells. Neurologic score, Evans blue, TTC and HE staining were used to observe brain injury in rats. Cell viability and migration were measured in vitro. Angiogenesis was detected by immunofluorescence and tube formation assay, and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to find the expression of related proteins. Molecular docking, virtual mutation, site-directed mutagenesis, MST, and lentivirus silencing were used for target validation. The results showed that AST IV alleviated neurological impairment and promoted angiogenesis after CI. Moreover, AST IV greatly increased the transcription levels of SIRT6 and SIRT7, but had no effect on SIRT1-SIRT5, and promoted cell viability, migration, angiogenesis and S phase ratio in OGD/R-induced HUVECs. Furthermore, AST IV up-regulated the protein expressions of CDK4, cyclin D1, VEGFA and VEGF2R. Interestingly, AST IV not only bound to SIRT7, but also increased the expression of SIRT7. Silencing SIRT7 by lentivirus neutralizes the positive effects of AST IV. Taken together, the present study revealed that AST IV may improve brain tissue damage after CI by targeting SIRT7/VEGFA signaling pathway to promote angiogenesis.

Association of Fish Oil Supplementation with Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Individuals with Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Prospective Study in the UK Biobank.

This study aimed to explore the association between habitual intake of fish oil supplementation and the risk of developing CHD in patients with prediabetes and diabetes. Habitual use of fish oil was assessed by repeated questionnaires. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Over a median follow-up of 11.6 years, 4304 and 3294 CHD cases were documented among 47,663 individuals with prediabetes and 22,146 patients with diabetes in the UK Biobank, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, the HRs (95% CI) of CHD were 0.91 (0.85-0.98) and 0.87 (0.80-0.95) for individuals utilizing fish oil supplementation compared with non-users among the participants with prediabetes and diabetes, respectively. Furthermore, we identified an inverse relationship between fish oil use and CHD incidence, which was significantly mediated by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in individuals with prediabetes and by very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in patients with diabetes at baseline. The inverse associations were consistent in the analyses stratified by potential confounders. In conclusion, the consumption of fish oil supplements was linked to decreased serum CRP and VLDL-C levels and subsequent CHD risk among adults with prediabetes and diabetes. Our findings highlight the important role of the habitual intake of fish oil supplements in preventing CHD in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism.

PD-1 and LAG-3-positive T cells are associated with clinical outcomes of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of PD-1 and LAG-3-positive T cells in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients and its clinical significance. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled a total of 71 RRMM patients, as well as 70 MM patients (non-refractory) and 70 healthy individuals during January 2018 to March 2021. The frequency of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1 and LAG-3 was analyzed using flow cytometry. Serum cytokines of IL-6, IL-17, CRP, TNF-α and TGF-ß were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Significant higher 1-year mortality rate was found in RRMM patients compared with the MM patients. In both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, the frequencies of PD-1+, LAG-3+ and PD-1+/LAG-3+ T cells were markedly higher in the RRMM patients and the deceased patients, compared with the MM patients and the survival patients, respectively. All cytokines were remarkably higher in RRMM and MM patients than in the healthy control, while only serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were markedly higher in RRMM patients compared with the MM patients. Positive correlation was observed among the IL-6, IL-17 and the frequencies of circulating T cells in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in RRMM and MM patients. The frequency of CD8+PD-1+LAG-3+ T cells showed the best sensitivity 82.61% and specificity 76.06% for diagnosis of RRMM using ROC curve. Meanwhile, the frequency of CD4+PD-1+ cells showed the best sensitivity 84.00% and specificity 97.35% for prediction of patients' mortality by ROC curve. The frequencies of CD4+PD-1+, CD8+PD-1+/LAG-3+, as well as IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α were found as risk factors for incidence of RRMM in all MM patients. CONCLUSION: The frequency of PD-1 and LAG-3-positive T cells is associated with the clinical severity and inflammation in RRMM patients, which may also serve as potential biomarkers for its diagnosis.

The Upper Triassic deposits of the west Bangong-Nujiang suture zone and their paleogeographic implications.

The Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) of Tibet (Xizang) has been interpreted to represent a relic of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean. However, the existence of this ocean during Triassic time remains a point of contention. A sedimentary succession spanning the Upper Permian through Triassic described from the central BNSZ suggests that the Lhasa and South Qiangtang terranes were contiguous thus negating the existence of a terrane-separating ocean during Triassic time. However, the apparent lack of Triassic deposits in the west BNSZ has called into question the existence of Triassic deposits in the central region of the BNSZ. Our biostratigraphic work in the Wuga Formation of the Gaize area has yielded abundant Norian conodonts thus confirming the existence of Upper Triassic deposits in the west BNSZ. The clastic deposits of the Wuga Formation are herein interpreted to be of Rhaetian age. Moreover, intercalated limestone and chert are termed the Dongnale Formation of Norian age. The Norian to Rhaetian succession can be correlated with strata of the central BNSZ as well as with deposits of the Lhasa Terrane and the South Qiangtang Terrane. Similar stratigraphies among these regions through the Late Triassic suggests a shared depositional setting and that the BNSZ was not an ocean in Norian and Rhaetian time.

Utilization of a Wheat50K SNP Microarray-Derived High-Density Genetic Map for QTL Mapping of Plant Height and Grain Traits in Wheat.

Plant height is significantly correlated with grain traits, which is a component of wheat yield. The purpose of this study is to investigate the main quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control plant height and grain-related traits in multiple environments. In this study, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map using the Wheat50K SNP Array to map QTLs for these traits in 198 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The two ends of the chromosome were identified as recombination-rich areas in all chromosomes except chromosome 1B. Both the genetic map and the physical map showed a significant correlation, with a correlation coefficient between 0.63 and 0.99. However, there was almost no recombination between 1RS and 1BS. In terms of plant height, 1RS contributed to the reduction of plant height by 3.43 cm. In terms of grain length, 1RS contributed to the elongation of grain by 0.11 mm. A total of 43 QTLs were identified, including eight QTLs for plant height (PH), 11 QTLs for thousand grain weight (TGW), 15 QTLs for grain length (GL), and nine QTLs for grain width (GW), which explained 1.36-33.08% of the phenotypic variation. Seven were environment-stable QTLs, including two loci (Qph.nwafu-4B and Qph.nwafu-4D) that determined plant height. The explanation rates of phenotypic variation were 7.39-12.26% and 20.11-27.08%, respectively. One QTL, Qtgw.nwafu-4B, which influenced TGW, showed an explanation rate of 3.43-6.85% for phenotypic variation. Two co-segregating KASP markers were developed, and the physical locations corresponding to KASP_AX-109316968 and KASP_AX-109519968 were 25.888344 MB and 25.847691 MB, respectively. Qph.nwafu-4B, controlling plant height, and Qtgw.nwafu-4B, controlling TGW, had an obvious linkage relationship, with a distance of 7-8 cM. Breeding is based on molecular markers that control plant height and thousand-grain weight by selecting strains with low plant height and large grain weight. Another QTL, Qgw.nwafu-4D, which determined grain width, had an explanation rate of 3.43-6.85%. Three loci that affected grain length were Qgl.nwafu-5A, Qgl.nwafu-5D.2, and Qgl.nwafu-6B, illustrating the explanation rates of phenotypic variation as 6.72-9.59%, 5.62-7.75%, and 6.68-10.73%, respectively. Two QTL clusters were identified on chromosomes 4B and 4D.

Long intergenic non-coding RNA LINC00662 contributes to malignant growth of colorectal cancer cells by upregulating c-myc via sponging microRNA-145.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have appeared as vital regulatory factors in different pathological processes, particularly in tumorigenesis. Increasing number of evidence has demonstrated that long intergenic non-coding RNA 00662 (LINC00662) is overexpressed in several types of cancers and promotes cancer initiation and development. However, whether LINC00662 participates in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. This study was aimed to explore the expression, biological function and regulatory mechanism of LINC00662 in CRC. Here, we found that LINC00662 expression was obviously upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Down-regulation of LINC00662 dramatically inhibited the growth of CRC cells and increased CRC cell apoptosis.MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) was speculated as a target miRNA of LINC00662 by bioinformatics analysis. Luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull-down assays verified that LINC00662 directly interacted with miR-145. Expression of miR-145 was downregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-145suppressed cell growth and promoted apoptosis in CRC cells. Suppression of miR-145markedly reversed the suppressive function of LINC00662 knockdown on CRC cell growth. In addition, c-myc was confirmed as a target gene of miR-145 in CRC cells.  Recover of c-myc expression partially reversed suppression effect mediated by LINC00662 downexpression or miR-145overexpressionon CRC cell growth. Taken together, our results indicate that LINC00662lead to the malignant behavior of CRC cells by upregulating c-myc via sponging miR-145, underlining the essential role of the LINC00662/miR-145/c-myc axis in regulating the growth of CRC cells.

The Effect of PEI-Mediated E1A on the Radiosensitivity of Hepatic Carcinoma Cells.

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated adenovirus 5 early region 1A (E1A) on radiosensitivity of human hepatic carcinoma cell in vitro and to disclosure the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human hepatic carcinoma SMMC-7721 cell line was transfected with E1A gene using PEI vector. Untransfected cells (SMMC-7721 group), cells transfected with blank-vector (SMMC-7721-vect group), and cells transfected with E1A gene (SMMC-7721-E1A group) were treated with 6 MV X-ray irradiation at doses of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and Gy, respectively. Radiosensitivity was determined by MTT assay and quantified by calculating the cell survival rate. Cell-cycle distribution and apotosis rate were monitored by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The survival rate of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly lower than that of SMMC-7721 cell. Apoptosis rate of SMMC-7721-E1A group was significantly higher than that of SMMC-7721group (P<0.01).The ratio of S stage in cell cycle of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly lower than that in SMMC-7721 cell. The ratio of G2/M stage in cell cycle of SMMC-7721-E1A was significantly higher than that in SMMC-7721 cell (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: PEI could transfect E1A gene into hepatic carcinoma cells PEI-mediated E1A could effectively enhance radiosensitivity of hepatic carcinoma cells which may be related to its effects on apoptosis promoting leading to S phase suppression and G2/M phase arrest.
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Polyethylenimine (PEI)-Mediated E1A Increases the Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the ability of polyethylenimine (PEI) as an E1A plasmid vector to transfect hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells and to analyze the sensitization effect of E1A on various anti-tumor drugs. MATERIAL AND METHODS PEI-mediated recombinant plasmid psv-E1A with high expression of the E1A gene was introduced into hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells, and the effective transfection of E1A gene was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The CCK8 method was used to detect the proliferation inhibition of docetaxel, epirubicin, gemcitabine, and 5-fluorouracil on SMMC-7721 cells before and after the transfection of the E1A gene. RESULTS RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that PEI could transfect plasmid psv-E1A with stable expression. After the transfection of E1A gene, the sensitivity of SMMC-7721 cells to docetaxel, epirubicin, gemcitabine, and 5-fluorouracil was increased (P<0.05), and the sensitivity to docetaxel was significantly improved (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS PEI can transfect plasmid psv-E1A. The E1A gene can increase the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. The mechanism may be related to the increased ability of the E1A gene to inhibit proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and altering the cell cycle of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

EGFR inhibitor C225 Increases the Radio-Sensitivity of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of C225 on the radio-sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells line and to disclosure underlying mechanism. Methods: CCK8 assay was used to measure the proliferation inhibition of C225 on MDA-MB-231 cells. The combined effects of C225 plus radiation on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells were also evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The clonogenic assay was performed to evaluate the cell surviving fractions and to determine the radio-sensitizing effect of C225 on MDA-MB-231 cells. The apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of p-EGFR, p-Akt, p-P38, and caspase-3. Results: C225 had an inhibiting effect on the proliferation of cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cloning formation capacity was decreased in C225 plus radiation group. C225 increased radio-sensitivity of cells and led to cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase markedly. Cells treated with C225 and radiation predominantly exhibited G0/G1 phase arrest and significant decreased in the fraction of cells in the S phase. Moreover, C225 and radiation significantly increased the apoptosis rate of cells. Decreased cell proliferation was further supported by the down-regulation of p-EGFR and its downstream singling pathway proteins such as p-Akt and p-P38. The up-regulation of the Caspase-3 expression in C225 plus radiation group revealed that C225 could increase radiation-inducing cell apoptosis. Conclusion: C225 could increase the radio-sensitivity of cells, which may be due to the anti-proliferative synergistic effect between C225 and radiation as well as the down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Magnetically-mediated regeneration and reuse of core-shell Fe0@FeIII granules for in-situ hydrogen sulfide control in the river sediments.

A novel iron-cycling process based on core-shell iron granules, which contained zero-valent iron (Fe0) in the core and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) on the shell (Fe0@FeIII granules), was proposed to in-situ control hydrogen sulfide in the sediments of the polluted urban rivers. The Fe0@FeIII granules added in the top sediment layer removed 97% of sulfide generated by sulfate-reducing bacteria in the sediments, and the sulfide removal capacity of virgin granules was 163 mg S/g Fe (114 mg S/g granule). The Fe0@FeIII granules removed the formed sulfide through the abiotic sulfide oxidation and precipitation, and they also stimulated the microbial iron reduction, which competitively consumed wastewater-derived organics and partially inhibited the sulfate reduction in the sediments. The used Fe0@FeIII granules were easily regenerated through magnetic separation from sediments and air exposure for 12 h, which enhanced the sulfide removal capacities of the regenerated granules by 12%-22%, compared to the virgin granules. During the air exposure, ferrous products (i.e., iron sulfide and surface-associated FeII) on the granule shell were completely oxidized to poorly ordered FeIII hydroxides (γ-FeOOH and amorphous FeOOH) having larger specific surface areas and higher reactivity to sulfide than γ-Fe2O3 on the virgin granules. Meanwhile, the Fe0 in the core was also partially oxidized through the indirect electron transfer, which was facilitated by the electrically conductive iron oxide minerals (Fe3O4 and Fe2O3) and the microbial electron carriers (e.g., Geobacter). The oxidation of Fe0 core contributed additional FeIII hydroxides to the sulfide control. The Fe0@FeIII granules were reused for four times in a 293-day trial, and their overall sulfide removal capacity was at least 920 mg S/g Fe. The proposed iron-cycling process can be a chemical-saving, energy-saving and cost-effective approach for the hydrogen sulfide control in the sediments of polluted urban rivers, as well as lakes, aquaculture ponds and marine.

Rapid sea-level change in the Late Guadalupian (Permian) on the Tethyan side of South China: litho- and biostratigraphy of the Chaotian section in Sichuan.

The Capitanian (Late Guadalupian) Maokou Formation at Chaotian in northern Sichuan, South China, is composed mainly of shallow marine shelf carbonates deposited on the Tethyan side of South China. By detailed field mapping and scientific drilling, we newly found out unique fossil assemblages and a sharp lithologic change in the upper part of the Maokou Formation. The main part of the Maokou Formation (over 130 m thick) is composed of algal packstone with Wordian-Capitanian large-tested fusulines, rugose corals and other sessile benthos, whereas the Uppermost Member (13 m thick) is composed of black limy mudstone/chert with Capitanian offshore biota (ammonoids, radiolarians, and conodonts). The topmost Capitanian conodont zones are missing; however, the Maokou Formation is disconformably overlain by 260+/-4 Ma volcanic ash (Wangpo bed) and the Early Lopingian Wujiaping Formation with plant-bearing coaly mudstone and shallow marine carbonates (packstone). The newly identified facies change indicates that northern Sichuan has experienced rapid sea-level changes in the late Guadalupian, i.e., first a transgression in the mid-Capitanian and then a regression across the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary. As the end-Guadalupian is characterized by a global regression, such a volatile sea-level fluctuation, in particular the sea-level rise, is unique to the Tethyan side of South China. The newly recognized relatively deep-water late Guadalupian sequence adds new paleo-environmental information and further provides a paleotectonic interpretation of the low-latitude eastern Tethyan margin immediately before the end-Guadalupian mass extinction.

Freshwater Fossil Pearls from the Nihewan Basin, Early Early Pleistocene.

Fossil blister pearls attached to the shells of an Anodonta mollusk from China, early Early Pleistocene, are reported here for the first time. The pearls were investigated in detail using a variety of methods. Micro-CT scanning of the fossil pearls was carried out to discover the inner structure and the pearl nucleus. Using CTAn software, changes in the gray levels of the biggest pearl, which reflect the changing density of the material, were investigated. The results provide us with some clues on how these pearls were formed. Sand grains, shell debris or material with a similar density could have stimulated the development of these pearls. X-ray diffraction analysis of one fossil pearl and the shell to which it was attached reveals that only aragonite exists in both samples. The internal structures of our fossil shells and pearls were investigated using a Scanning Electron Microscope. These investigations throw some light on pearl development in the past.

Clinical and molecular cytogenetic studies in ten patients with hematological malignancies characterized by t(20;21)(q11;q11) resulted from del(20q).

This study reports 10 patients with hematological malignances with t(20;21)(q11;q11) resulting from del(20q) (for example, der(20)del(20)(q11q13)t(20;21)(q11;q11) and der(21)t(20;21)(q11;q11)) and described their clinical features and the possible prognostic significance of this abnormality. The t(20;21)(q11;q11) was a rare but recurrent abnormality secondary to del(20q) besides i(20q-). The frequency of der(20)del(20)(q11q13)t(20;21)(q11;q11) among our patients with del(20q) was 2.4%. It was considered that the 20q deletion preceded translocation with chromosome 21. This abnormality is often cryptic, occurs predominantly in older men and is observed most often in myelodysplastic syndromes. Patients with this abnormality have an unfavorable prognosis, similar to patients with i(20q-). The molecular consequences of der(20)del(20)(q11q13)t(20;21)(q11;q11) may be different from patients with i(20q-). To the best of our knowledge this is the largest dataset published to date.

Vegetative characters, growth habit and microsporangiate strobilus of lycopsid Minostrobus chaohuensis.

Late Devonian Minostrobus chaohuensis is one of the earliest monosporangiate-strobilate isoetaleans. Based on new material of this plant, the vegetative axis and microsporangiate strobilus are studied in detail, and the whole plant knowledge is summarized. The vegetative axis is isotomously branched. The stem is up to 55 mm in diameter with helically arranged leaf cushions. Stems and thick branches bear long fusiform leaf cushions and interareas with vertical linear ornamentations. A ligule pit, oblanceolate leaf scar, and vascular bundle scar appear on the leaf cushion. Distal axes have persistent lanceolate leaves and rhombic leaf bases. The microsporangiate strobilus is cylindrical in shape, possesses sporophyll with alate pedicel and long triangular lamina, uniseriate sporangial wall, subarchesporial pad inside the sporangium, and microspore with cingulum. Based on comparisons with other isoetaleans, the usage of the terms "leaf cushion" and "leaf base" is discussed, and Minostrobus chaohuensis is considered as a tree-like lycopsid. It suggests that arborescent isoetaleans with monosporangiate strobili had appeared and diversified in the Late Devonian. The multi-dichotomous branching system of Minostrobus provides new data on the evolution of growth architecture in rhizomorphic lycopsids.

Radio-sensitization by Piper longumine of human breast adenoma MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The current study investigated the effects of Piper longumine on radio-sensitization of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro and those in logarithmic growth phase were selected for experiments divided into four groups: control, X-ray exposed, Piper longumine, and Piper longumine combined with X-rays. Conogenic assays were performed to determine the radio-sensitizing effects. Cell survival curves were fitted by single-hit multi-target model and then the survival fraction (SF), average lethal dose (D0), quasi-threshold dose (Dq) and sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) were calculated. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM).Western blot assays were employed for expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bc1-2 and Bax) after treatment with Piper longumine and/or X-ray radiation. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by FCM with a DCFH-DA probe. RESULTS: The cloning formation capacity was decreased in the group of piperlongumine plus radiation, which displayed the values of SF2, D0, Dq significantly lower than those of radiation alone group and the sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) of D0 was1.22 and 1.29, respectively. The cell apoptosis rate was increased by the combination treatment of Piper longumine and radiation. Piper longumine increased the radiation-induced intracellular levels of ROS. Compared with the control group and individual group, the combination group demonstrated significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2 with increased Bax. CONCLUSIONS: Piper longumine at a non-cytotoxic concentration can enhance the radio-sensitivity of MDA- MB-231cells, which may be related to its regulation of apoptosis-related protein expression and the increase of intracellular ROS level, thus increasing radiation-induced apoptosis.