Primary cilia: Structure, dynamics, and roles in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment.

Despite the initiation of tumor arises from tumorigenic transformation signaling in cancer cells, cancer cell survival, invasion, and metastasis also require a dynamic and reciprocal association with extracellular signaling from tumor microenvironment (TME). Primary cilia are the antenna-like structure that mediate signaling sensation and transduction in different tissues and cells. Recent studies have started to uncover that the heterogeneous ciliation in cancer cells and cells from the TME in tumor growth impels asymmetric paracellular signaling in the TME, indicating the essential functions of primary cilia in homeostasis maintenance of both cancer cells and the TME. In this review, we discussed recent advances in the structure and assembly of primary cilia, and the role of primary cilia in tumor and TME formation, as well as the therapeutic potentials that target ciliary dynamics and signaling from the cells in different tumors and the TME.

Binding and activity of bisphenol analogues to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ß/δ.

Several studies have indicated metabolic function disruption effects of bisphenol analogues through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and gamma pathways. In the present study, we found for the first time that PPARß/δ might be a novel cellular target of bisphenol analogues. By using the fluorescence competitive binding assay, we found seven bisphenol analogues could bind to PPARß/δ directly, among which tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA, 18.38-fold) and tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA, 12.06-fold) exhibited stronger binding affinity than bisphenol A (BPA). In PPARß/δ-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay, the seven bisphenol analogues showed transcriptional activity toward PPARß/δ. Bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol B (BPB) even showed higher transcriptional activity than BPA, while TBBPA and TCBPA showed comparable activity with BPA. Moreover, in human liver HL-7702 cells, the bisphenol analogues promoted the expression of two PPARß/δ target genes PDK4 and ANGPTL4. Molecular docking simulation indicated the binding potency of bisphenol analogues to PPARß/δ might depend on halogenation and hydrophobicity and the transcriptional activity might depend on their binding affinity and hydrogen bond interactions. Overall, the PPARß/δ pathway may provide a new mechanism for the metabolic function disruption of bisphenol analogues, and TBBPA and TCBPA might exert higher metabolic disruption effects than BPA via PPARß/δ pathway.

Quantum and quasiclassical state-to-state dynamics of the NH + H reaction: competition between abstraction and exchange channels.

Quantum and quasiclassical state-to-state dynamics for the NH + H' reaction at high collision energies up to 1.6 eV was studied on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface. Both of the endothermic abstraction (NH + H' → N + HH') and thermoneutral exchange (NH + H' → H + NH') channels were investigated from the same set of wave packets using an efficient coordinate transformation method. It is found that the abstraction represents a minor reaction channel in the energy range studied, primarily due to endothermicity. The cross section for the abstraction reaction increases monotonically with the collision energy, while that for the exchange reaction is relatively energy insensitive. As a result, the thermal rate constant for the abstraction reaction follows the Arrhenius law, where that for the exchange reaction is nearly temperature independent. Finally, it is shown that the quantum mechanical results can be reasonably reproduced by the Gaussian-binning quasiclassical trajectory method and to a lesser extent by a quantum statistical model.

[Comparison of clinical efficacy of two different pin arrangements for external fixation of femoral neck fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy of external fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fracture with two different pin layout. METHODS: From April 2000 to April 2018, 140 cases of femoral neck fracture were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pin external fixation, among them 121 cases were followed up for more than 1 year, including 31 cases in traditional group, 12 males and 19 females, aged 45 to 74(65.4±8.4) years;90 cases in modified group, 39 males and 51 females, aged 12 to 75 (64.5±7.8) years. In traditional group, the first needle was put on the femoral talus, the second and third needles were put under the tension line, and the three needles were not on the same line in the lateral phase; in modified group, the first needle was drilled into the lateralcortex of the femur, obliquely penetrating the distal and proximal end of the femoral talus fracture, and the other two needles were drilled into the medial cortex of the femoral neck and the femoral talus, respectively. The operation time, hospital stay, postoperative ambulation time, femoral neck shortening rate, fracture healing time, fracture healing rate and femoral head necrosis rate of the two groups were observed and compared. Harris hip function score was used one year after operation. RESULTS: These 121 patients were followed-up, the follow up time of traditional group was 13 to 45(30.5±11.4) months;the follow-up time of modified group was 14 to 120(34.5±12.5) months. There was no significant difference in operation time, hospital stay and femoral head necrosis rate between two groups (P>0.05). There were significant differences between two groups in the time of going to the ground, shortening rate of femoral neck, fracture healing time, fracture healing rate and Harris functional score of the hip 1 year after operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the traditional group, the modified group has the advantages of lower femoral neck shortening rate, shorter fracture healing time, higher fracture healing rate and higher Harris hip function score.

[Epidemiological investigation of welder's pneumoconiosis in two container manufacturing industries in Guangdong province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of welder's pneumoconiosis in container manufacturing industries in Guangdong province and present some preventive and curative strategy. METHODS: Occupational epidemiology study methods were used to study the incidence of welder's pneumoconiosis in two container manufacturing enterprises (enterprise A and enterprise B). RESULTS: Before 2004, the rate of up-to-standard of weld fume concentration in the workplaces was relatively low (< or = 40%), and the maximum value of time weighted average (TWA) was 26.7 mg/m(3). After 2004, with the system of dust control, the rate of up-to-standard was 85% in the enterprise A. Of the 813 weld workers examined, 19 were diagnosed as welder's pneumoconiosis (stage I was 15, while I (+) was 4 ) and the incidence was 2.34% (19/813). The age of electric welders suffering from welder's pneumoconiosis and the duration of dust exposure were (33.45 + 4.64) and (8.04 + 1.97) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "p". The value of MVV, FEF25%, FEF50% and FEF75% in lung function tests were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The main features of welder's pneumoconiosis in container manufacturing industries are the short duration of dust exposure, and small round opacities "p" in the chest radiographs. Therefore, it should be the key point of the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases in this industry to control the harmful weld fume.

Long-Term Prognosis of Suspected Myocarditis and Cardiomyopathy Associated with Viral Infection of the Myocardial Tissue: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies.

AIM: Myocarditis and cardiomyopathy impose a substantial economic burden on society. Many studies have examined the effects of various predictors on the prognosis of these diseases, such as the left ventricular systolic function, the New York Heart Association glomerular filtration rate, the QT interval, and the presence of viruses. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis of cohort studies to investigate the significance of the presence of viruses in the myocardial tissue on the prognosis of these diseases. METHODS: The Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant literature that had been published between January 1, 1964 and August 14, 2018. The inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years of age, suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy, accepted myocardial biopsy, and the detection of virus in the myocardial tissue. RESULTS: In total, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies included 1006 patients with suspected myocarditis or idiopathic heart disease for whom the primary endpoint was all-cause death, heart transplant, or re-hospitalization due to fatal arrhythmia and heart failure. There was no significant difference in the prognosis of virus-positive and virus-negative patients with myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-2.12, P = 0.11]. However, virus-negative patients had a better prognosis following nonspecific treatment (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06-1.86, P = 0.02) and right ventricular biopsy (HR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.07-4.04, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a virus did not worsen the long-term prognosis of patients with suspected myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy. However, virus-positive patients who did not undergo specific treatment or who underwent right ventricular biopsy did have a worse prognosis. Thus, the early diagnosis of the presence of viral infection in the myocardium will improve the prognosis of patients.

One-pot synthesis of Ag-Fe3O4 nanocomposite: a magnetically recyclable and efficient catalyst for epoxidation of styrene.

With the assistance of PVP, a novel magnetically recyclable Ag-based catalyst has been synthesized in one pot, and it is found that this catalyst is highly efficient in selectively catalyzing styrene conversion to styrene oxide.

Effects of initial correlations on the dynamics of dissipative systems.

The time correlation functions for a Gaussian wave-packet preparation of the dissipative harmonic oscillator evolving from three initial conditions for the heat bath are calculated and compared with each other for Ohmic heat baths. The three initial distributions for the bath are the factorized, partially factorized, and unfactorized distributions. Explicit analytical formulas are derived and then used to study the effect of the three initial distributions on the subsequent dynamics. We find that the transient behavior does not depend sensitively on the initial condition as long as the initial Gaussian wave function of the system is centered at the equilibrium point. Differences become noticeable as the center of the wave packet is significantly shifted from the equilibrium point. These observations justify to some extent the prevalent use of factorized initial conditions for studying real time quantum dynamics in dissipative systems. The total energy in the system is also calculated for the three initial states and its relation to features in the decay is pointed out.

Fatsioside A­induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells requires activation of AMP­activated protein kinase.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant types of human primary tumor and has a poor prognosis, therefore, the development of novel therapeutic modalities is necessary. Fatsioside A is a novel baccharane­type triterpenoid glycoside, which is extracted from the fruits of Fatsia japonica. Previous data has revealed that fatsioside A can exert growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis in human glioma cells. However, no detailed investigations have been performed to determine its action on human hepatocellular cells, and the exact mechanisms underlying the induction of apoptosis remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effect of fatsioside A in the HepG2 human HCC cell line, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms by focusing on the AMP­activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling cascade. The results of the present study demonstrated that fatsioside A induced apoptotic death of the human HepG2 HCC cells, which was associated with a marked activation of AMPK and increased expression of the downstream acetyl­CoA carboxylase carboxylase. Inhibition of AMPK by RNA interference or by its inhibitor, compound C, suppressed fatsioside A­induced caspase­3 cleavage and apoptosis in the HepG2 cells, while AICAR, the AMPK activator, elicited marked cytotoxic effects. Together, these results suggested that fatsioside A­induced apoptotic death requires AMPK activation in HepG2 cells.

[Association of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels with heart rate variability in diabetic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with diabetes. METHODS: HRV and NT-proBNP levels were assessed in 58 patients with diabetes.The time domain and frequency domain indices and the level of NT-proBNP were compared between patients with normal and abnormal HRV, and the correlation of HRV index and NT-proBNP was analyzed. RESULTS: The NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in patients with abnormal HRV than in those with normal HRV (320.2±88.3 vs 80.4±25.2 pg/ml, P<0.01).The level of NT-proBNP was negatively correlated with SDNN (r=-0.55, P<0.05), triangle index (r=-0.52, P<0.05), LF (r=-0.62, P<0.01), and VLF (r=-0.56, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP level is correlated with HRV, and an increased NT-proBNP indicates cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients.

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of squalamine.

[reaction: see text] A short and highly stereoselective synthesis of the novel steroid squalamine (1) was accomplished in nine steps from easily available methyl chenodeoxylcholanate 2. Our synthesis featured improved dehydrogenation of 4 followed by conjugate reduction to construct the trans AB-ring system and efficient asymmetric isopropylation of aldehyde 6 to introduce the C-24R-hydroxyl group.

[Epidemiological study of gem worker's silicosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the hazards of gem dusts and the epidemiological features of the occurrence of gem worker's silicosis (GWS). METHODS: Epidemiological investigation in a gem factory in Guangdong province was carried out. RESULTS: The average dusts concentration in workshop was 2.3 mg/m(3), average free silica content was 94.64%. There were 47 patients diagnosed as silicosis. The prevalence of GWS was 4.58% (47/ 1,027). The age of patients suffering from silicosis and the duration of dust exposure were (27.04 +/- 3.25) years and (4.67 +/- 1.17) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "q". The incidences of GWS complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis, spontaneous pneumothorax and pulmonary emphysema were 10.64%, 10.64%, 44.68% respectively. CONCLUSION: The hazards of gem dust to workers might be serious. Higher incidence, younger age suffered from silicosis, shorter duration of dust exposure, more complications, and poorer prognosis in gem workers appeared to be the main epidemiological features of GWS in Guangdong.

[Studies on the microwave leakage of the interphone].

OBJECTIVE: To assay and study the microwave leakage of 4 types of interphones. METHODS: The radiation intensities of four types of 199 interphones were determined by the microwave leakage measure instrument of model ML-91 made in China. RESULTS: The average intensities of microwave leakage at a distance of 5 cm from aerial part and other parts of interphones during launching [(1 316.0 +/- 144.3), (971.0 +/- 131.6) microW/cm(2) respectively] were significantly higher than during waiting [(14.4 +/- 5.3), (13.2 +/- 4.9) microW/cm(2) respectively] (P < 0.01). The average intensities of microwave leakage at a distance of 50 cm from different parts were (357.3 +/- 27.8) microW/cm(2). The daily average intensity of microwave leakage to which the head, chest and abdomen exposed was (945.5 +/- 447.1) microW.h/cm(2) in total, that exceeded the hygienic standard of microwave in China (400 microW.h/cm(2)), during the normal communication by interphones. CONCLUSION: The microwave leakage was higher during launching than during waiting, and was the highest at the aerial part of the interphones. The microwave radiation of most interphones was higher than the current national standard. It may lead to potential effects on the owner of interphone, so protection against it should be made.

Cross-strait parasitological research priorities arrived at by historical tracking and advanced dialogue.

To further enhance dialogue and promote cross-strait cooperation in the prevention and control of parasitic diseases, this paper reviewed the progress and current challenges in the cross-strait control and research of parasitic infections, based on three cross-strait meetings on parasitological research in the last decade. The major outcome of the 3rd Meeting of Cross-Strait Parasitological Research held in April 2013 was identifying the research priorities for parasitological research.

Protective effect of ß-casomorphin-7 on cardiomyopathy of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats via inhibition of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.

ß-Casomorphin-7 (ß-CM-7) is regarded as the most representative milk-derived bioactive peptide. The present work studies the efficacy of ß-CM-7 against myocardial injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, focusing on the following assays: (1) the level of blood glucose and advanced glycosylation end product (AGE), the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum; (2) the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the activity of Na(+)K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)Mg(2+)-ATPase and enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in myocardial tissue; (3) the protein expression of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) in myocardial tissue. It showed that with the influence of ß-CM-7, the levels of blood glucose of ß-CM-7 treatment group decreased markedly compared with model group (P<0.01) accompanied with their alleviated symptoms of diabetes. In the antioxidant and oxidant levels, ß-CM-7 treatment group signified a remarkable increase in the activity of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT of the anti-oxidation system and meanwhile demonstrated a considerable reduction in H2O2 content (all P<0.05) in comparison with model group. We also found both the content of AGE and the activity of LDH of ß-CM-7 treated group considerably reduced while the content of GLUT-4 and the activity of Na(+)K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)Mg(2+)-ATPase of ß-CM-7 treated group increased obviously (P<0.05). Meanwhile the cardiac indexes were significantly lessened. Thus our assay validates that the remedy employing ß-CM-7 may treat diabetic cardiomyopathy with high efficacy predominantly associated with the mechanism that ß-CM-7 ameliorates myocardial energy metabolism and abates free-radical-mediated oxidative stress in blood and myocardium.

Oxymatrine attenuates hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats fed with high fructose diet through inhibition of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1) and activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (Pparα).

The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic effect of oxymatrine, a monomer isolated from the medicinal plant Sophora flavescens Ait, on the hepatic lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) rats and to explore the potential mechanism. Rats were fed with high fructose diet for 8 weeks to establish the NAFLD model, then were given oxymatrine treatment (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg, respectively) for another 8 weeks. Body weight gain, liver index, serum and liver lipids, and histopathological evaluation were measured. Enzymatic activity and gene expression of the key enzymes involved in the lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation were assayed. The results showed that oxymatrine treatment reduced body weight gain, liver weight, liver index, dyslipidemia, and liver triglyceride level in a dose dependant manner. Importantly, the histopathological examination of liver confirmed that oxymatrine could decrease the liver lipid accumulation. The treatment also decreased the fatty acid synthase (FAS) enzymatic activity and increased the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) enzymatic activity. Besides, oxymatrine treatment decreased the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1(Srebf1), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), and acetyl CoA carboxylase (Acc), and increased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (Pparα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt1a), and acyl CoA oxidase (Acox1) in high fructose diet induced NAFLD rats. These results suggested that the therapeutic effect of oxymatrine on the hepatic steatosis in high fructose diet induced fatty liver rats is partly due to down-regulating Srebf1 and up-regulating Pparα mediated metabolic pathways simultaneously.

Functional characterization of an arrestin gene on insecticide resistance of Culex pipiens pallens.

BACKGROUND: Continuous and excessive application of insecticides has resulted in the rapid development of insecticide resistance in several mosquito species, including Culex pipiens pallens. Previous studies in our laboratory found that arrestin gene expression was higher in the deltamethrin-resistant (DR) strain than in the deltamethrin-susceptible (DS) strain of Cx. pipiens pallens. Similarly, other studies reported that arrestin was highly expressed in permethrin-resistant Cx. quinquefasciatus and in dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)-resistant Drosophila melanogaster. METHODS: Full-length cDNAs of an arrestin gene were cloned from Cx. pipiens pallens via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE). The mRNA levels of the arrestin gene in the whole life cycle of DR and DS strains of Cx. pipiens pallens were investigated via quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, the relationship between arrestin and deltamethrin (DM) resistance were identified using genetic overexpression strategies and arrestin RNAi in mosquito cells. Cell viability was analyzed with cholecystokinin octapeptide after DM treatment. Moreover, the mRNA levels of cytochrome P450 6A1 (CYP6A1) and opsin in the transfected cells and controls were analyzed. RESULTS: Complete arrestin gene sequence was cloned and expressed throughout the life cycle of Cx. pipiens pallens. Moreover, arrestin was significantly upregulated in the DR strain, compared with that in the DS strain at the egg, pupae, and adult stages. Arrestin overexpression comparably increased the mosquito cell viability, whereas arrestin knockdown by siRNA decreased mosquito cell viability with deltamethrin (DM) treatment. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of CYP6A1 and opsin were upregulated in mosquito cells transfected with arrestin and downregulated in mosquito cells with arrestin knockdown. CONCLUSION: This study presented the first evidence that arrestin might be associated with insecticide resistance in Cx. pipiens pallens.

Magnetically recyclable Ag-ferrite catalysts: general synthesis and support effects in the epoxidation of styrene.

A series of new magnetically recyclable catalysts (MRCs), Ag-M(1-x)Fe(2+x)O(4) (M = Co, Ni, Mn, Zn) nanocomposites, have been synthesized via a generalized one-pot route, and these materials prove to be efficient MRCs in the catalytic epoxidation of styrene. Characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and magnetic measurement reveal that the nanocomposites are assembled from well crystallized Ag and corresponding ferrite primary particles with the assistance of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The nanocomposite samples are comparable in Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface areas and are superparamagnetic at room temperature. The as-prepared MRCs exhibit high activities in the epoxidation of styrene in toluene with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant and very high yields of styrene oxide can be achieved within 5 h of reaction. All the MRCs can be easily recovered by using a magnet and no decrease in the yield of styrene oxide has been observed after several consecutive rounds of reaction. It has been demonstrated that the ferrite supports affect the structure of Ag and the efficiency in oxygen supply and thus the catalytic performance.

Fully Coriolis-coupled quantum studies of the H + O2 (upsilon i = 0-2, j i = 0,1) --> OH + O reaction on an accurate potential energy surface: integral cross sections and rate constants.

We present accurate quantum calculations of the integral cross section and rate constant for the H + O2 --> OH + O combustion reaction on a recently developed ab initio potential energy surface using parallelized time-dependent and Chebyshev wavepacket methods. Partial wave contributions up to J = 70 were computed with full Coriolis coupling, which enabled us to obtain the initial state-specified integral cross sections up to 2.0 eV of the collision energy and thermal rate constants up to 3000 K. The integral cross sections show a large reaction threshold due to the quantum endothermicity of the reaction, and they monotonically increase with the collision energy. As a result, the temperature dependence of the rate constant is of the Arrhenius type. In addition, it was found that reactivity is enhanced by reactant vibrational excitation. The calculated thermal rate constant shows a significant improvement over that obtained on the DMBE IV potential, but it still underestimates the experimental consensus.