Identification and expression analysis of irak1 gene in common carp Cyprinus carpio L.: indications for a role of antibacterial and antiviral immunity.

In this study, the full-length complementary (c)DNA of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 gene (irak1) was cloned from common carp Cyprinus carpio. The complete open reading frame of irak1 contained 2109 bp encoding a protein of 702 amino acid residues that comprised a death domain, a ProST region, a serine-threonine-specific protein kinase catalytic domain and a C-terminal domain. The amino-acid sequence of C. carpio Irak1 protein shared sequence homology with grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus (84.5%). The phylogenetic tree of IRAKs separated the polypeptides into four clades, comprising IRAK1s, IRAK2s, IRAK3s and IRAK4s. Cyprinus carpio Irak1 fell into the cluster with previously reported IRAK1s including teleost Irak1s. The irak1 gene was highly expressed in gills, followed by brain, skin, hindgut, buccal epithelium, spleen, foregut, head kidney and liver, and was expressed at lowest levels in gonad and muscle. The irak1 messenger (m)RNA expression was up-regulated in liver, spleen, head kidney, foregut, hindgut, gills and skin after stimulation with Vibrio anguillarum and poly(I:C), and significantly high up-regulated expression was observed in liver and spleen. These results implied that irak1 might participate in antibacterial and antiviral innate immunity. These findings gave the indications that irak1 may participate in antibacterial and antiviral immunity.

The value of decreased plasma gelsolin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in diagnosis and disease activity evaluation.

Plasma gelsolin, the extracellular gelsolin isoform, circulates in the blood of healthy individuals at a concentration of 200 ± 50 mg/l and plays important roles in the extracellular actin-scavenging system during tissue damage. Decreased plasma gelsolin levels have been observed in many inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the variation and potential clinical application of plasma gelsolin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed. Plasma samples and clinical data were collected from informed and consenting participants: 47 SLE patients, 60 RA patients and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. Semiquantitative western blotting was used for measuring plasma gelsolin levels. The plasma gelsolin levels in patients with SLE and RA were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls (145.3 ± 40.4 versus 182.7 ± 38.3 mg/l and 100.8 ± 36 versus 182.7 ± 38.3 mg/l, p < 0.001), and plasma gelsolin levels were especially lower in RA than in SLE patients (100.8 ± 36 versus 145.3 ± 40.4 mg/L, p < 0.001). An analysis of the clinical data showed a significant negative correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (r = 0.659, p < 0.001) but no correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and RA disease activity score 28 (DAS28) (r = 0.076, p = 0.569). Different clinical characteristics were also observed in SLE and RA patients with normal and decreased plasma gelsolin levels.This study found significantly lower plasma gelsolin levels in patients with SLE and RA compared with healthy controls and documented a significant negative correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and SLEDAI, which suggested the potential clinical application of plasma gelsolin in SLE diagnosis and disease activity evaluation. The different clinical characteristics in SLE and RA patients with normal and decreased plasma gelsolin levels indicate differences in the basis of the diseases.

Functionalization of a self-assembled monolayer driven by low-energy electron exposure.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 10-undecene-1-thiol on Au were functionalized with nitrogen-containing groups using an approach in which multilayer ammonia (NH(3)) films were deposited at low temperature onto the SAMs and subsequently exposed to 15 eV electrons. The result of this process was investigated after removal of the remaining NH(3) by annealing to room temperature using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). HREELS shows that the CC double bonds disappear during electron exposure, while XPS gives evidence that about 25% of the terminal double bonds of the SAM were functionalized. Also, XPS shows that a sufficiently thick NH(3) layer protects the underlying SAM from electron-induced damage. The process suggested here thus represents a particularly gentle approach to the functionalization of ultrathin molecular layers. Thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS) and electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) experiments on condensed layers of NH(3) reveal production of N(2) but show that significant amounts of the initial NH(3) as well as N(2) produced during electron exposure desorb. Hydrogen released upon formation of N(2) is held responsible for the reduction of double bonds and protection of the SAMs from damage.

Screening and identification of peritoneal metastasis-related genes of gastric adenocarcinoma using a cDNA microarray.

With the aim of identifying peritoneal metastasis-related genes in gastric cancer, we performed a broad analysis of differential gene expression between the parental cell line GC9811 and its highly metastatic peritoneal counterpart, cell line GC9811-P. Two fluorescent cDNA probes, labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, were prepared from GC9811 and GC9811-P mRNA samples by the reverse transcription method. The two color probes were then mixed and hybridized to a cDNA chip constructed with double-dots from 11,901 human genes; this was scanned at two wavelengths. The experiment was repeated twice. In GC9811-P cells, 218 genes were upregulated and 30 genes were downregulated compared with the parental cell lines. Some selected genes were confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot; we found that S100A4 and CTNNB1 were upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in GC9811-P cells. Identification of these differentially expressed genes could contribute to disclose the molecular mechanisms involved and provide new targets for therapeutic intervention to avoid peritoneal dissemination of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Manipulating the carrier concentration and phase transition via Nb content in SrTiO3.

SrTiO3 is a model of the perovskite-like compounds for structural transition which inducing the intriguing physical properties around the critical phase transition temperature TAFD (antiferrodistortive, abbrev. as AFD). Here we report that the electrical transport behavior is a new way to quantify Nb concentration for Nb-doped SrTiO3. The lattice parameter (c), phase transition temperature (TAFD), and the carrier concentration (n) of SrTiO3 may be manipulated by niobium doping. TAFD increases with increasing the niobium content in a rate of about 30 K per (wt%, i.e. niobium element's weight verses total weight) niobium and n in a rate of about 2.5 [Formula: see text] 1020/cm3 per (wt%) niobium.

Coupled electronic and magnetic relaxation in Fe1+yTe: direct evidence for the interaction between itinerant carriers and local moments.

Iron chalcogenides are of particular interests among iron-based superconductors due to their distinct properties such as high-Tcon FeSe monolayer and competing magnetic correlations in Fe1+yTe. Here we report unusual transport properties observed near the critical composition of Fe1+yTe (y∼ 0.09) where competing magnetic correlations exist. The resistivity exhibits surprising temperature-dependent relaxation behavior belowTN, resulting in the increase of resistivity with time for 35 K

Geometrical characteristics of eggs from 3 poultry species.

We studied the correlations between egg geometrical parameters (i.e., egg shape index, sphericity, geometric mean diameter, surface area, and volume) and eggshell qualities, or the organic matrix in eggshell. Eggs were collected from 5 poultry breeds belonging to 3 species (commercial Hy-line Brown Chicken, Shaoxing Duck, Jinding Duck, Taihu Goose, and Zhedong White Goose). The geometrical parameters showed high variation among 3 species of poultry, and even between breeds in the same species. The five geometrical parameters were grouped into 2 sets, one contained shape index and sphericity, the other comprised geometric mean diameter, surface area, and volume. The parameters in the same set can be perfectly fitted to one another. Egg weight, shell membrane weight, and calcified shell weight were significantly correlated with geometric mean diameter, surface area, and volume. In accordance with false discovery rate-adjusted P value, both shell membrane relative weight and calcified shell thickness showed no significant correlations with any of the geometrical parameters. However, the correlations between geometrical parameters and other shell variables (calcified shell weight, shell relative weight, calcified shell thickness uniformity, and eggshell breaking strength) depend on breed. Both constitutive proportions and percentage contents of 3 eggshell matrix components (acid-insoluble, water-insoluble, and both acid and water facultative-soluble matrix) had no effects on egg shape and size. The correlations between the amounts of various shell matrix, egg shape and size depend on breed or species. This study provides a methodology and the correlation between geometrical parameters and eggshell qualities, and between geometrical parameters and organic matrix components in calcified shells.

[Construction and implementation of oral multidisciplinary team system].

Concerning the complexities of many difficult oral diseases, how to make comprehensive diagnosis and carry out optimal treatment with high quality for an oral disease has always been the focus of clinical work. Oral multidisciplinary team (OMDT) provides new therapeutic approach for the complicated oral diseases. It is an effective supplement to the traditional specialty-oriented dental treatment mode and becomes the developmental trend of stomatology. Many difficult cases were reported to achieve good results by using multidisciplinary approach in recent years, but the complete concept system and the operation mode of OMDT have not been formed yet. On the basis of previous studies and years of clinical exploration, the author puts forward the concept of OMDT in both narrow sense and broad sense. The OMDT system was elaborately constructed and implemented from the aspects of objectives, essential requirements, organizational structure, operation mode, management framework, system guarantee, quality control and effect evaluation. To build a standardized and mature OMDT system will promote the overall level of stomatology in China.

[Evidence and decision of the choice of delivery way in washed microbiota transplantation].

Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) is a new concept and technique of fecal microbiota transplantation. The delivery routes of WMT include oral capsule, nasogastric tube, nasojejunal tube, gastroscopy, colonic transendoscopic enteral tubing, and anal enema. The research results among different indications or different designs based on the same indication are quite different, partially because of the influence of WMT delivery route. In the process of clinical research design and clinical practice, there are four aspects that affect the decision-making of WMT delivery route: safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and patients' willingness. This article focuses on how to integrate the four aspects mentioned above in the decision-making process of choosing proper delivery of WMT for the final goal of mutual satisfaction between doctors and patients.

MiR-34a-5p inhibition attenuates LPS-induced endothelial cell injury by targeting FOXM1.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the role of miR-34a-5p in the regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) were exposed to LPS to stimulate endothelial injury in vitro. miRNA microarray analysis was carried out to identify miR-34a-5p expression in HUVECs. MTT and flow cytometry analyses were used to determine cell viability and apoptosis rate, respectively. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, and Western blot were used to examine the factors involved in inflammation and their relative gene expression. Additionally, Matrigel-based tube formation assay was carried out to assess the vasculogenic activity of HUVECs. Luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the possible relationship between miR-34a-5p and FOXM1. RESULTS: MiR-34a-5p expression was significantly enhanced in HUVECs after 24 h of LPS treatment. LPS treatment led to a dramatic inhibition of cell viability, enhanced apoptosis, increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the vasculogenic activity of HUVECs. MiR-34a-5p inhibitor attenuated LPS-induced damage. MiR-34a-5p directly inhibited the expression of FOXM1, and its overexpression alleviated the protective effect of FOXM1 on cell viability, apoptosis, inflammation factor production, and vasculogenic activity. The activity of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway was inhibited by miR-34a-5p, possibly via FOXM1. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-34a-5p inhibition attenuates LPS-induced EC injury by targeting FOXM1 via activation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

Modulating the electronic and optical properties for SrTiO3/LaAlO3 bilayers treated as the 2D materials by biaxial strains.

The emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene have opened the door to industrial applications. Here, we consider the oxide perovskite monolayer of SrTiO3 (STO), LaAlO3 (LAO) and their heterostructures as the 2D transitional metal system. Results show that a band-gap transition from indirect to direct occurs when the separated monolayer STO (indirect band gap of 3.210 eV), and LAO (indirect band gap of 4.024 eV), form the heterostructures (direct band gap of 2.976 eV). The obtained bandgap for the stable bilayers may effectively be modulated by biaxial strains from -12% to 8%. With 12% compressive biaxial strain, the band gap reduces to be 0.23 eV. The optical properties for the stable bilayers are also tuned by the biaxial strain. When the strain increases from compressive strain to tensile strain, the strongest peak of the imaginary part of dielectric function red shifts to lower energy. In comparing with the monolayer STO and LAO, the elastic property enhances obviously for the stable heterostructure, suggesting the heterostructure can be more stable freestanding or may be applied in device fabrications.

[Surgical key points of precision functional sphincter-preserving surgery].

The principle of sphincter-preserving surgery is to preserve the anal sphincter function under the premise of radical resection. Due to low position of rectal tumor, conventional laparoscopic surgery has difficulties in operating in the deep and narrow pelvis, which may lead to inaccurate tissue dissociation, imprecise positioning of tumor edge, excessive stretch of the anal sphincter complex, and excessive removal of distal rectal mucosa. Moreover, pain from abdominal auxiliary incision has an unavoidable side effect for postoperative recovery. With the help of the Liu's transanal microsurgery system, precision functional sphincter-preserving surgery (PPS) can be successfully performed. PPS tries to preserve left colonic artery and pelvic autonomic nerve in the transabdominal operation. In the part of transanal surgery, measurement, localization and resection of the lower edge of the tumor are conducted under a clear and open visual field with the transparent screw anal dilator. After the rectum is cut off, the specimen is taken out through the anus to avoid abdominal incision. Inserting the intestinal supporter to support the bowel stump, full thickness of bowel stump is then sutured with anal canal by vertical mattress suture. Special transanal tube is placed afterwards without routine prophylactic stoma. PPS can achieve precise tumor resection and sphincter preservation simultaneously.

Serum soluble CD44v6 levels in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of serum sCD44v6 in patients with oral cancer and evaluate the value of serum sCD44v6 in adjuvant diagnosis, staging and monitoring treatment response in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 112 hospitalized patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy and 28 healthy individuals were examined for serum sCD44v6 levels. Venous blood was collected from these patients and the healthy individuals. One week after treatment, venous blood was collected once again in 60 patients with oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). RESULTS: The sCD44v6 concentration was not significantly different between patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy and control group (P > 0.05). The levels of serum sCD44v6 in patients with OSCC and salivary carcinoma showed no difference with those in control group (P > 0.05). The sCD44v6 level in patients with stage III and IV disease was higher than that of patients with stage I and II and that of the control group, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Serum sCD44v6 levels in patients with OSCC after treatment became lower than that prevailed during pretreatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The possible roles of CD44v6 in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial malignancy deserve further elucidation and evaluation. Serum sCD44v6 may be a valuable marker in monitoring treatment response in patients with OSCC.

Comparative study of gene expression during tooth eruption and orthodontic tooth movement in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand tooth eruption by comparing the gene expression during tooth eruption and orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthodontic force was applied on maxillary molars for 2, 4, 7 and 14 days to study tooth movement. Mice at PN 0, 7, 10, 15 and 21 were fixed to observe tooth eruption. Comparative study of two procedures was assessed by haematoxylin and eosin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and in situ hybridization for matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)2, 13, bone sialoprotein (Bsp) and osteocalcin (Ocn). RESULTS: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and expression of Mmp2, 13 were obviously detectable in the compression region during OTM. They were also identified in the occlusal and apical region of alveolar bone during tooth eruption. Strong expression of Bsp and Ocn was detectable at the tension side during OTM. These genes were also expressed in the inner lateral region of alveolar bone adjacent to the tooth, but absent in the inner surface of the occlusal and root apical regions during tooth eruption. CONCLUSION: The process of alveolar bone metabolism during developmental eruption and OTM shares the same mechanism. Internal force, as the orthodontic force for OTM, may be initiating factor for tooth eruption.

Novel SLC26A6 gene polymorphism rs184187143 is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis of gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the most serious acute complications of the gestational diabetes and is marked by the triad of the uncontrolled hyperglycemia, acidosis, and ketosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening emergency for mother and fetus, whose genetic factors resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the correlation between SLC26A6 gene polymorphism rs184187143 and the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis of gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients with GDM and 98 patients with diabetic ketoacidosis of GDM were enrolled. The direct sequencing of the products by Polymerase Chain Reactions of the extracted genomic DNA from the involved patients was performed to analyze the SLC26A6 gene polymorphism rs184187143, and the further genotype frequencies were compared to the statistical analysis of the clinical and biochemical data. RESULTS: A significantly increased prevalence of the G allele (p = 0.032, OR = 2.326, 95% CI = 1.539-3.516), C/G genotype (p = 0.021, OR = 3.582, 95% CI = 1.216-10.558), and a previously uncharacterized rs184187143, was discovered in the diabetic ketoacidosis of the GDM group. The genotype of SLC26A6 rs184187143 was shown to be markedly associated with increased prevalence of the diabetic ketoacidosis of GDM. CONCLUSIONS: Our study firstly established that the G allele and C/G genotype of rs184187143 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in SLC26A6 gene was closely linked with the increased risk for the development of the diabetic ketoacidosis of GDM.

Evidence of s-wave superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric La7Ir3.

Superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric compounds has attracted sustained interest in the last decades. Here we present a detailed study on the transport, thermodynamic properties and the band structure of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor La 7 Ir 3 (T c ~ 2.3 K) that was recently proposed to break the time-reversal symmetry. It is found that La7Ir3 displays a moderately large electronic heat capacity (Sommerfeld coefficient γ n ~ 53.1 mJ/mol K2) and a significantly enhanced Kadowaki-Woods ratio (KWR ~32 µΩ cm mol2 K2 J-2) that is greater than the typical value (~10 µΩ cm mol2 K2 J-2) for strongly correlated electron systems. The upper critical field Hc2 was seen to be nicely described by the single-band Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg model down to very low temperatures. The hydrostatic pressure effects on the superconductivity were also investigated. The heat capacity below T c reveals a dominant s-wave gap with the magnitude close to the BCS value. The first-principles calculations yield the electron-phonon coupling constant λ = 0.81 and the logarithmically averaged frequency ω ln = 78.5 K, resulting in a theoretical T c = 2.5 K, close to the experimental value. Our calculations suggest that the enhanced electronic heat capacity is more likely due to electron-phonon coupling, rather than the electron-electron correlation effects. Collectively, these results place severe constraints on any theory of exotic superconductivity in this system.

Long non-coding RNA ROR is a novel prognosis factor associated with non-small-cell lung cancer progression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the expression levels of long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and to further explore the prognostic value of this lncRNA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our investigation, we determined the expression of linc-ROR in human NSCLC tissues and matched normal lung tissues by quantitative Real-time-PCR analysis. Also, correlations between linc-ROR expression and the clinicopathological features were evaluated. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival rates were analyzed using the log-rank test. Cox regression analyses were performed to explore the effect of linc-ROR as an independent predictor of survival. RESULTS: We found that linc-ROR had high expression in NSCLC specimens than that in matched adjacent normal lung tissues (p < 0.01). In addition, higher linc-ROR expression levels were positively correlated with advanced TNM stage (p = 0.007), positive distant metastasis (p = 0.001) and LN metastasis (p = 0.011). Furthermore, significantly shorter 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were observed in patients with higher expression of linc-ROR (both p < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox model, it was found that linc-ROR expression was an independent prognostic factor for both 5-years OS (p = 0.001) and 5-year DFS (p = 0.001) in NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that linc-ROR plays an oncogenic role in NSCLC development and may function as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for NSCLC.

Large low-field magnetoresistance in nanocrystalline magnetite prepared by sol-gel method.

Nanocrystalline magnetite Fe3O4 samples with a grain size of about 40 nm have been synthesized by an optimized sol-gel method. The single phase of spinel magnetite was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the magnetoresistance of the samples at low field (LFMR) is relatively large, and with the decrease of temperature its value at a field of 0.5 T changes dramatically from -2.5% at 300 K to -17.0% at 55 K. With the further decrease of temperature a sharp drop occurs for the magnitude of the magnetoresistance (MR), regarded as a spin (cluster) glass transition in the surface region of the grains that can be confirmed by the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization and ac susceptibility measurement. The mechanism of the magnetic and transport properties was discussed.

Surgical treatment of incarcerated calculi via laparoscopic bile duct exploration using laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps.

The present study aimed to investigate the practicability and clinical value of applying laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps to laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for the surgical treatment of incarcerated calculi. A total of 63 patients were diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. The present study performed a retrospective analysis of clinical samples from 16 of these patients who had incarcerated calculi at the terminus of the common bile duct, and who had been treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and LCBDE. During the procedure, laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps were used to gently remove the calculi from the common bile duct. Of the surgical procedures that used laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps, one case was unsuccessful and 15 cases were successful. The results of the present study suggested that it may be clinically advisable to use laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps to remove incarcerated calculi from the common bile duct during a laparoscopy, since it is easy, economical and effective.