Polarization-selective narrow band dual-toroidal-dipole resonances in a symmetry-broken dielectric tetramer metamaterial.

Here we propose a metasurface consisting of symmetry-broken dielectric tetramer arrays, which can generate polarization-selective dual-band toroidal dipole resonances (TDR) with ultra-narrow linewidth in the near-infrared region. We found, by breaking the C4v symmetry of the tetramer arrays, two narrow-band TDRs can be created with the linewidth reaching ∼ 1.5 nm. Multipolar decomposition of scattering power and electromagnetic field distribution calculations confirm the nature of TDRs. A 100% modulation depth in light absorption and selective field confinement has been demonstrated theoretically by simply changing the polarization orientation of the exciting light. Intriguingly, it is also found that absorption responses of TDRs on polarization angle follow the equation of Malus' law in this metasurface. Furthermore, the dual-band toroidal resonances are proposed to sense the birefringence of an anisotropic medium. Such polarization-tunable dual toroidal dipole resonances with ultra-narrow bandwidth offered by this structure may find potential applications in optical switching, storage, polarization detection, and light emitting devices.

Non-Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor GaSe Nanobelts for Sensitive Deep Ultraviolet Light Photodetector Application.

In this paper, the authors report the fabrication of a sensitive deep ultraviolet (DUV) photodetector by using an individual GaSe nanobelt with a thickness of 52.1 nm, which presents the highest photoresponse at 265 nm illumination with a responsivity and photoconductive gain of about 663 A W-1 and 3103 at a 3 V bias, respectively, comparable to or even better than other reported devices based on conventional wide bandgap semiconductors. According to the simulation, this photoelectric property is associated with the wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient of the GaSe crystal, for which incident light with shorter wavelengths will be absorbed near the surface, while light with longer wavelengths will have a larger penetration depth, leading to a blueshift of the absorption edge with decreasing thickness. Further finite element method (FEM) simulation reveals that the relatively thin GaSe nanobelt exhibits an enhanced transversal standing wave pattern compared to its thicker counterpart at a wavelength of 265 nm, leading to an enhanced light-matter interaction and thereby more efficient photocurrent generation. The device can also function as an effective image sensor with acceptable spatial resolution. This work will shed light on the facile fabrication of a high-performance DUV photodetector from non-ultrawide bandgap semiconductors.

Ultra-narrow-band circular dichroism by surface lattice resonances in an asymmetric dimer-on-mirror metasurface.

Narrow-linewidth circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is a promising candidate to push the limits of molecular handedness detection toward a monolayer or even to a single molecule level. Here, we designed a hybrid metasurface consisting of a periodic array of symmetry-breaking dielectric dimers on a gold substrate, which can generate strong CD of 0.44 with an extremely-narrow linewidth of 0.40 nm in the near-infrared. We found that two surface lattice resonance modes can be excited in the designed metasurface, which can be superimposed in the crossing spectral region, enabling a remarkable differential absorption with a high Q-factor for circular polarizations. The multipole decomposition of the resonance modes shows that the magnetic dipole component contributes most to the CD. Our simulation results also show that the CD response of the chiral structure can be engineered by modulating the structural parameters to reach the optimal CD performance. Ultra-narrow-linewidth CD response offered by the proposed metasurface with dissymmetry provides new possibilities towards design of the high-sensitive polarization detecting, chiral sensing and efficient chiral light emitting devices.

A novel femoral artery compression device (butterfly compress) versus manual compression for hemostasis after femoral artery puncture: a randomized comparison.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the hemostatic efficacy of a novel femoral artery compression device in patients undergoing an interventional procedure through femoral artery puncture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in this trial were randomly assigned 1:1 to the novel femoral artery compression device (NFACD) or the manual compression (MC) group. The primary endpoints were time to hemostasis (TTH), time to ambulation (TTA), any other complications, such as the occurrence of hematoma, bleeding, pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula at the puncture site, and time to hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 617 patients were included in this study (NFACD, n = 308 versus MC, n = 309) from May 2017 to September 2019, and the baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. We found that the TTH and TTA were significantly shorter in the NFACD group than in the MC group (4.4 ± 11.6 min vs. 20.1 ± 22.5 min; p < 0.001; 8.9 ± 14.2 h vs. 16.3 ± 27.5 h; p = 0.002). There were few other complications in either group. In addition, there was no significant difference in time to hospital discharge between the NFACD group and the MC group. CONCLUSION: The novel femoral artery compression device is effective in achieving hemostasis in patients undergoing femoral artery puncture and is associated with a marked shortening of the TTH and TTA.

SNHG5 protects chondrocytes in interleukin-1ß-stimulated osteoarthritis via regulating miR-181a-5p/TGFBR3 axis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been considered as important modulators in the development of osteoarthritis. The present study investigates whether there is a link between lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) and osteoarthritis pathogenesis, and the underlying molecular mechanism. To establish an in vitro model of osteoarthritis, interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) was used to treat chondrocytes (C20/A4 cells) for mimicking the inflammatory condition in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. SNHG5 and miR-181a-5p expression levels were then detected in cartilage tissues of osteoarthritis patients and C20/A4 cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays were applied for detecting the viability of chondrocytes, and the apoptosis of chondrocytes was examined through caspase-3 activity assay and flow cytometry analysis. Western blot and qPCR were employed for determining the expression levels of TGFBR3, ADAMTS5, and MMP-13. The regulatory relationships among SNHG5, miR-181a-5p, and TGFBR3 were verified by RNA immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The expression levels of SNHG5 and TGFBR3 were markedly decreased, and miR-181a-5p expression was enhanced in osteoarthritis tissues and chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß. SNHG5 knockdown inhibited the viability of chondrocytes, induced apoptosis, and promoted the expression levels of ADAMTS5 and MMP-13. Conversely, SNHG5 overexpression could counteract the effects of IL-1ß, increase the viability of chondrocytes and suppress apoptosis. Mechanically, SNHG5 positively regulated TGFBR3 expression via sponging miR-181a-5p. Moreover, miR-181a-5p overexpression and TGFBR3 knockdown counteracted the effects of SNHG5 on chondrocytes. SNHG5 can probably protect chondrocytes from the inflammatory response and reduce the degradation of the extracellular matrix via modulating the miR-181a-5p/TGFBR3 axis.

Identification of a lncRNA prognostic signature-related to stem cell index and its significance in colorectal cancer.

Background: The relationship between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the mRNA stemness index (mRNAsi) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. Materials & methods: The mRNAsi, mRNAsi-related lncRNAs and their clinical significance were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-COREAD dataset. Results: mRNAsi was negatively related to pathological features but positively related to overall survival and recurrence-free survival in CRC. A five mRNAsi-related lncRNAs prognostic signature was further developed and showed independent prognostic factors related to overall survival in CRC patients, due to the five mRNAsi-related lncRNAs involved in several pathways of the cancer stem cells and malignant cancer cell phenotypes. Conclusion: The present study highlights the potential roles of mRNAsi-related lncRNAs as alternative prognostic markers.

Lay abstract Previous evidence has indicated that the mRNA stem index (mRNAsi) is representative of the stemness of cancer stem cells (CSCs), whereas long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be crucial regulators in CSC phenotype. Nevertheless, the relationship between lncRNAs and mRNAsi in CRC is still unclear. Our results show that the mRNAsi was negatively related to pathological features and positively related to prognosis in CRC. Five mRNAsi-related lncRNAs were further identified and developed as a prognostic signature that could independently predict survival in CRC patients due to the five mRNAsi-related lncRNAs being involved in several pathways of CSCs and malignant cancer cell phenotypes, indicating the potential roles of mRNAsi-related lncRNAs as alternative prognostic markers.

Rhodium-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Amidation of Azine with Sulfonamides.

Direct C-H amidation of azine with sulfonamide was developed for the first time. The reactions proceeded smoothly under benign conditions and gave the corresponding products with high selectivity. This approach shows high regioselectivity, wide substrate scope, and functional group tolerance. Additionally, this transformation can also be scaled up to the gram level. This strategy allows for the direct preparation of ortho-sulfonamide-substituted ketone products, thus providing a good complement to previous C-H amidation.

HIF-1α facilitates osteocyte-mediated osteoclastogenesis by activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway in vitro.

Osteocytes, entrapped within the mineralized bone matrix, has been found to have numerous functions such as acting as an orchestrator of bone remodeling through regulation of both osteoclast and osteoblast activity and also functioning as an endocrine cell. Due to a specialized morphology and surrounding structure, osteocytes are more tolerant to hypoxia during osteoporosis, fracture, osteoarthritis, and orthodontic-orthognathic combination therapy. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is one of the master regulators of hypoxia reactions, playing an important role in bone modeling, remodeling, and homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the pivotal functional role of HIF-1α in osteocytes initiating of bone remodeling under hypoxia. In the present study, the osteoclasts formation induced by RAW264.7 was significantly promoted in conditioned media (CM) from osteocytic MLO-Y4 exposed to hypoxia in vitro. Therefore, hypoxic MLO-Y4 cells simulated by 100 µmol/L CoCl2 or 2% O2 stably expressed HIF-1α proteins and upregulated the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) at both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level. Furthermore, with the Knockdown of HIF-1α, the expression of RANKL mRNA and protein decreased after transient transfection. In addition, the phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) was also correlated with HIF-1α and RANKL levels under hypoxia. Then AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor, inhibited p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and RANKL expression. It was possible that AG490 disturbed the contact of HIF-1α and RANKL by JAK2/STAT3 pathway, influencing osteoclastogenesis. Our findings suggested that HIF-1α promoted the expression of RANKL by activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway in MLO-Y4 cells, and enhanced osteocyte-mediated osteoclastic differentiation in vitro.

One New Phenolic Compound from Castanea mollissima Shells and its Suppression of HepatomaCell Proliferation and Inflammation by Inhibiting NF-κB Pathway.

Shells of Castanea mollissima (CMS), an agricultural remain and often considered waste from chestnut processing industry, have been proven a resource for traditional Chinese medicine. One new phenol, named castanolB(1), andsix known phenolic compounds (2⁻7) were isolated froma water-soluble extract of CMS. Their chemical structures were determined using preparative HPLC and various spectral analyses, and then were compared to literatures, which indicated the first identification of the seven compounds from C. mollissima. The physicochemical property of compound (2) was also reported for the first time. After antiproliferative screening of compounds (1⁻7) on LPS-induced SMMC-7721 and HepG2 hepatoma cells, castanolB (1) showed the best suppression. CastanolB(1) also significantly induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, castanolB (1) decreasedsecretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Mechanistically, TLR4⁻NF-κB pathway was inhibited bycastanolB (1) with downregulation of TLR4, IKKß, and NF-κB p65. This study presents a new phenol and shows its profiles of anticancer and anti-inflammation via inhibiting the TLR4⁻NF-κB pathway.

A functional role of LEFTY during progesterone therapy for endometrial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The left-right determination factor (LEFTY) is a novel member of the TGF-ß/Smad2 pathway and belongs to the premenstrual/menstrual repertoire in human endometrium, but little is known about its functional role in endometrial carcinomas (Em Cas). Herein, we focused on LEFTY expression and its association with progesterone therapy in Em Cas. METHODS: Regulation and function of LEFTY, as well as its associated molecules including Smad2, ovarian hormone receptors, GSK-3ß, and cell cycle-related factors, were assessed using clinical samples and cell lines of Em Cas. RESULTS: In clinical samples, LEFTY expression was positively correlated with estrogen receptor-α, but not progesterone receptor (PR), status, and was inversely related to phosphorylated (p) Smad2, cyclin A2, and Ki-67 levels. During progesterone therapy, expression of LEFTY, pSmad2, and pGSK-3ß showed stepwise increases, with significant correlations to morphological changes toward secretory features and decreased Ki-67 values. In Ishikawa cells, an Em Ca cell line that expresses PR, progesterone treatment reduced proliferation and induced increased expression of LEFTY and pGSK-3ß, although LEFTY promoter regions were inhibited by transfection of PR. Moreover, inhibition of GSK-3ß resulted in increased LEFTY expression through a decrease in its ubiquitinated form, suggesting posttranslational regulation of LEFTY protein via GSK-3ß suppression in response to progesterone. In addition, overexpression or knockdown of LEFTY led to suppression or enhancement of Smad2-dependent cyclin A2 expression, respectively. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of LEFTY may serve as a useful clinical marker for the therapeutic effects of progesterone for Em Cas, leading to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation through alteration in Smad2-dependent transcription of cyclin A2.

[Modified Snodgrass technique for hypospadias].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of modified Snodgrass surgical technique in the treatment of hypospadias. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 212 cases of hypospadias treated by urethroplasty from January 2008 to October 2016, 94 with the modified Snodgrass technique, namely with a silk line in addition to the urethral suture to make easier postoperative removal of the suture (group A), and the other 118 with the conventional Snodgrass technique (group B). The urethral suture was removed at 10 days after surgery for the patients in group A. We compared the success rate of surgery and incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A showed a significantly higher success rate of surgery (81.36% vs 91.49%, P <0.05) but lower incidence rates of postoperative incisional infection (12.71% vs 4.26%, P <0.05) and urinary fistula (16.10% vs 6.38%, P <0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of urethral stenosis between the two groups (2.54% vs 2.13%, P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Snodgrass technique can improve the success rate of surgery and reduce the incidence rates of incisional infection and urinary fistula, which deserves wide clinical application.

Resolvin D1 protects against inflammation in experimental acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that may lead to multisystemic organ failure with considerable mortality. Recently, resolvin D1 (RvD1) as an endogenous anti-inflammatory lipid mediator has been confirmed to protect against many inflammatory diseases. This study was designed to investigate the effects of RvD1 in acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury. Acute pancreatitis varying from mild to severe was induced by cerulein or cerulein combined with LPS, respectively. Mice were pretreated with RvD1 at a dose of 300 ng/mouse 30 min before the first injection of cerulein. Severity of AP was assessed by biochemical markers and histology. Serum cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in pancreas and lung were determined for assessing the extent of inflammatory response. NF-κB activation was determined by Western blotting. The injection of cerulein or cerulein combined with LPS resulted in local injury in the pancreas and corresponding systemic inflammatory changes with pronounced severity in the cerulein and LPS group. Pretreated RvD1 significantly reduced the degree of amylase, lipase, TNF-α, and IL-6 serum levels; the MPO activities in the pancreas and the lungs; the pancreatic NF-κB activation; and the severity of pancreatic injury and associated lung injury, especially in the severe acute pancreatitis model. These results suggest that RvD1 is capable of improving injury of pancreas and lung and exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of NF-κB activation in experimental acute pancreatitis, with more notable protective effect in severe acute pancreatitis. These findings indicate that RvD1 may constitute a novel therapeutic strategy in the management of severe acute pancreatitis.

Effects of Tocilizumab on Experimental Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Associated Acute Lung Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the therapeutic effects of tocilizumab, an antibody against interleukin-6 receptor, on experimental severe acute pancreatitis and associated acute lung injury. The optimal dose of tocilizumab and the activation of interleukin-6 inflammatory signaling were also investigated. DESIGN: Randomized experiment. SETTING: Research laboratory at a university hospital. SUBJECT: Experimental severe acute pancreatitis in rats. INTERVENTIONS: Severe acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate (50 mg/kg) into the biliopancreatic duct. In dose-study, rats were administered with different doses of tocilizumab (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg) through the tail vein after severe acute pancreatitis induction. In safety-study, rats without severe acute pancreatitis induction were treated with high doses of tocilizumab (8, 16, 32, and 64 mg/kg). Serum and tissue samples of rats in time-study were collected for biomolecular and histologic evaluations at different time points (2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hr). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 1) Under the administration of tocilizumab, histopathological scores of pancreas and lung were decreased, and severity parameters related to severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury, including serum amylase, C-reactive protein, lung surfactant protein level, and myeloperoxidase activity, were all significant alleviated in rat models. 2) Dose-study demonstrated that 2 mg/kg tocilizumab was the optimal treatment dose. 3) Basing on multi-organ pathologic evaluation, physiological and biochemical data, no adverse effect and toxicity of tocilizumab were observed in safety-study. 4) Pancreatic nuclear factor-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were deactivated, and the serum chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 was down-regulated after tocilizumab administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated tocilizumab, as a marketed drug commonly used for immune-mediated diseases, was safe and effective for the treatment of experimental severe acute pancreatitis and associated acute lung injury. Our findings provide experimental evidences for potential clinical application of tocilizumab in severe acute pancreatitis and associated complications.

Free vascularized medial femoral condyle corticocancellous flap for treatment of challenging upper extremity nonunions.

BACKGROUND: Nonunions in the upper extremity are challenging for the reconstructive surgeon. The evolution of microsurgical techniques has allowed for the reliable use of free vascularized bone flaps. METHODS: In a retrospective study, patients with challenging upper limb nonunions who underwent free vascularized corticocancellous flaps from the medial femoral condyle (MFC) were included. Patient demographics, surgical technique, and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with nonunions of the upper extremity underwent free MFC corticocancellous flap reconstruction. The length of preoperative bone defects ranged from 0.8 to 3 cm, and the mean number of procedure prior to free MFC reconstruction was 1.5. Thirteen patients healed completely in an average of 15 weeks (range, 8-22 weeks). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Only one patient required additional surgery. Functional outcome measures such as Mayo, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Constant-Murley scores all demonstrated improvement. CONCLUSION: The free vascularized MFC corticocancellous flap can be successfully used for challenging upper extremity nonunions and small bone defects.

Exploration on surgical-related factors influencing HCC patients prognosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic value of surgical operation-related factors in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was carried out analyzing the data of 114 patients with PLC undergoing hepatic resection from January 2002 to December 2009. Survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank tests were employed to compare the survival rates observed in those patients with surgical operation-related factors (e.g. operation method, time, portal blockage, complications, resection margin, amount of intraoperative blood loss and amount of blood transfusion), and bivariate correlation analysis was used to examine the associations of these surgical operation-related factors. RESULTS: Intraoperative blood loss, amount of blood transfusion and operation time were significant predictors for patients with PLC after hepatic resection (p<0.05). The operation method, resection margin, portal blockage and complications (e.g. intra-abdominal infections, intra-abdominal hemorrhage, gastro-intestinal hemorrhage, biliary leakage, etc.) were not significant prognostic factors (p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between intraoperative blood loss, amount of blood transfusion, portal blockage time and operation time, in addition, a negative correlation was found between resection margin and the operation method. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic surgery can improve the patients prognosis if the operation time is shortened, and the amount of intraoperative blood transfusion and blood loss lessened.

[Effect of zoledronic acid on mandibular socket healing process of mice at an early stage].

PURPOSE: To investigate how bisphosphonates affect early process of socket healing in mice model. METHODS: Eighteen 8-9 weeks C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control and experimental group. Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw（BRONJ）model was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of zoledronate（ZOL） and extraction of lower left first molar in mice. Three, five, seven day after surgery, the mice were sacrificed and paraffin-embedded slides were made. H-E staining was used to evaluate the gross condition. The distribution and amounts of osteoclasts were measured by TRAP staining. Finally, immunochemical staining was used to detect RUNX2 and CTSK level. All experiments were duplicated thrice, ImageJ was used for transformation of pictures and SPSS 20.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, early process of socket healing in the experimental group was generally delayed. RUNX2,CTSK,TRAP expression level was decreased. On the whole, early bone remodeling process in ZOL injection group was suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: Zoledronic acid inhibited the migration of fibroblasts into socket, and reduced the expression of Runx2, hindering new bone formation. It also can reduce the expression of TRAP 3，5，7 days after tooth extraction and CTSK expression three days after operation, thus inhibiting the bone resorption function of osteoclasts.

Compassionate Use of Yuanjiang Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Prescription, for Symptomatic Bradyarrhythmia.

Background: No effective medication is available for symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, particularly in low socioeconomic status (SES) population. Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of Yuanjiang decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, for symptomatic bradyarrhythmia on a compassionate-use basis. Methods: This compassionate-use study was conducted in Beijing, China between January 2019 and January 2020. Eligible participants were recruited and treated with Yuanjiang decoction (composed of 6 Chinese herbal medicines), 200 ml twice daily for 16 weeks. Analyses were done with the intention-to-treat (ITT) approach. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants who achieved a favorable treatment outcome at 16 weeks. Results: As of January 2020, 184 patients were included. After 16-weeks treatment, 12 participants were lost to contact while 21 participants were terminated from this study, with a drop-out rate of 17.93%. The most common treatment-related adverse events were xerostomia (6.52%), constipation (6.45%) and sleepiness (3.26%). The proportion of participants with favorable treatment outcome was 65.22% at 4 weeks, 59.78% at 8 weeks (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.71-1.73), 61.41% at 12 weeks (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.92-1.45) and 60.87% at 16 weeks (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98-1.35). In the multifactor regression analysis, the favorable treatment outcome at 16 weeks was significantly associated with completing at least 8 weeks treatment (OR: 2.053, 95% CI: 1.064-3.560), while unfavorable treatment outcome was significantly associated with an atrioventricular block (OR: 0.255, 95% CI: 0.083-0.784), current smoking (OR: 0.343, 95% CI: 0.027-0.487), and syncope in the month before treatment (OR: 0.321, 95%CI: 0.114-0.904). Conclusion: This compassionate-use study showed encouraging outcomes of treatment with Yuanjiang decoction, without serious adverse events. This study identified several key factors that may affect outcomes. These findings helped inform the design and assess the feasibility of a large-scale randomized clinical trial.

[Expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha during mouse mandibular first molar eruption and its significance].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) during the eruption of mouse lower first molar, and to explore the correlation between its expression and the activity of osteoclasts. METHODS: Mouse mandibles were dissected from mice at day 1.5 to 14.5 after birth. They were then serially sectioned and stained respectively using hemotoxylin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and immunohistochemical staining. SPSS 25.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: During the eruption of mouse lower first molar, the thickness of the crown alveolar bone gradually decreased, so did the number of osteoclasts and the expression of HIF-1α. CONCLUSIONS: During the eruption of mouse lower first molar, the less expression of HIF-1α, the fewer osteoclasts there were. HIF-1α may be involved in the eruption of mouse lower first molar by regulating the activity of osteoclasts.

Knockdown of interleukin-2 by shRNA-mediated RNA interference prolongs liver allograft survival.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plays a central role in T-cell activation, expansion, and homeostasis. The failure of IL-2 biosynthesis may play a critical role in tolerance induction. We tested the effect of IL-2 blockade by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on regulating acute rejection in rat liver transplantation. To this end, we successfully designed and selected an effective interference plasmid, pIL-2B. The IL-2 mRNA expression level in the pIL-2B group was one-fifth of that in the no transfection group. Lewis to BN orthotopic liver transplant model was used to explore the effect of knockdown IL-2 by shRNA in vivo. Recipients treated with pIL-2-shRNA survived longer (median survival time of 16 d range 7-21 d) than those with empty vector (11; range 5-13) or saline (9; range 5-13) (P<0.05), and was inferior to those with CsA (24; range 13-36, P<0.05). The IL-2-shRNA attenuated acute rejection with decreased apoptosis of hepatocytes and reduced cytokine production of IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the graft. Our results suggest that IL-2 targeting using RNA interference approach may be of potential interest in organ transplantation.