EA15, MIR22, LINC00472 as diagnostic markers for diabetic kidney disease.

This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and to explore new potential therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for DKD. First we analyzed the differentially expressed changes between patients with DKD and the control group using the chip data in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then the gene chip was subjected to be annotated again, so as to screen long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and study expression differences of these lncRNAs in DKD and controlled samples. At last, the function of the differential lncRNAs was analyzed. A total of 252 lncRNAs were identified, and 14 were differentially expressed. In addition, there were 1,629 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) genes, and proliferation and apoptosis adapter protein 15 (PEA15), MIR22, and long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 472 ( LINC00472) were significantly differentially expressed in DKD samples. Through functional analysis of the encoding genes coexpressed by the three lncRNAs, we found these genes were mainly enriched in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease pathways, whereas in Gene Ontology (GO) function classification, they were also mainly enriched in the immune response, type I interferon signaling pathways, interferon-γ mediated signaling pathways, and so forth. To summary, we identified EA15, MIR22, and LINC00472 may serve as the potential diagnostic markers of DKD.

Specific expression network analysis of diabetic nephropathy kidney tissue revealed key methylated sites.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and serious complication in diabetes patients. However, the evidences of gene regulation mechanism and epigenetic modification with DN remain unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to search regulating genes for early diagnosis on DN. We identified tissue specific genes through mining the gene expression omnibus (GEO) public database, enriched function by gene ontology (GO), and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis, and further compared tissue-specific network. Meanwhile, combining with differentially methylated sites, we explored the association epigenetic modification with the pathogenesis of DN. Glomeruli (Glom) may be the main tissue of signal recognition and tubulointerstitium (Tub) is mainly associated with energy metabolism in the occurrence of DN. By comparing tissue-specific networks between Glom and Tub, we screened 319 genes, which played an important role in multiple tissue on kidney. Among them, ANXA2, UBE2L6, MME, IQGAP, SLC7A7, and PLG played a key role in regulating the incidence of DN. Besides, we also identified 1 up-regulated gene (PIK3C2B) and 39 down-regulated genes (POLR2G, DDB1, and ZNF230, etc.) in the methylated data of Glom specific genes. In the Tub specific expressed genes, we identified two hypo-methylated genes (PPARA and GLS). Tub mainly caused abnormal energy metabolism, and Glom caused the changes in cell connections and histone modification. By analyzing differentially methylated sites and tissue-specific expressed genes, we found the change of methylated status about the core regulating genes may be a potential factor in the pathogenesis of DN.

Distinct effects of phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbes on invader Ageratina adenophora during its early life stages.

Microbes strongly affect invasive plant growth. However, how phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil microbes distinctively affect seedling mortality and growth of invaders across ontogeny under varying soil nutrient levels remains unclear. In this study, we used the invader Ageratina adenophora to evaluate these effects. We found that higher proportions of potential pathogens were detected in core microbial taxa in leaf litter than rhizosphere soil and thus leaf inoculation had more adverse effects on seed germination and seedling survival than soil inoculation. Microbial inoculation at different growth stages altered the microbial community and functions of seedlings, and earlier inoculation had a more adverse effect on seedling survival and growth. The soil nutrient level did not affect microbe-mediated seedling growth and the relative abundance of the microbial community and functions involved in seedling growth. The effects of some microbial genera on seedling survival are distinct from those on growth. Moreover, the A. adenophora seedling-killing effects of fungal strains isolated from dead seedlings by non-sterile leaf inoculation exhibited significant phylogenetic signals, by which strains of Allophoma and Alternaria generally caused high seedling mortality. Our study stresses the essential role of A. adenophora litter microbes in population establishment by regulating seedling density and growth.

[Therapeutic efficacy of salbutamol and dexamethasone added into whole lung lavage fluid in patients with pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of salbutamol and dexamethasone added into large-volume whole lung lavage (WLL) fluid in patients with pneumoconiosis. METHODS: A total of 176 patients with pneumoconiosis were randomly divided into control group (n=86) and treatment group (n=90). The control group received WLL with 0.9% sodium chloride solution, while for the treatment group, salbutamol and dexamethasone were added into the WLL fluid for both lungs at the 1st and 4th WLLs.Before and after WLL, the pulmonary wheezing, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (Pa02), peak airway pressure(Pa peak), amount of intrapulmonary residual fluid, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEVw) (72 h later),diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO ), and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured for comparison between the two groups. RESULTS: After WLL, the treatment group had a significantly lower detection rate of pulmonary wheezing than the control group ( 13.3% vs 29.1 %, x2=5.028, ?=0.025), and the control group had a significantly higher incidence rate of pulmonary wheezing than the treatment group (21.8% vs 3.7%, 0R=5.423,95%CI 2.036-9.568 ). Compared with the control group, the treatment group had significantly higher Pa02 and significantly lower Pa peak and amount of intrapulmonary residual fluid (t =2.163 -4.132, P<0.05) and significantly higher FEV1, DLCO, and FVC (t=1.986-2.345, P<0.05) after WLL. CONCLUSION: Salbutamol and dexamethasone added into large-volume WLL fluid may effectively alleviate bronchial spasm, reduce hypoxemia, and decrease Pa peak in patients with pneumoconiosis, thus promoting lung function recovery after WLL.

Assembly and Function of Seed Endophytes in Response to Environmental Stress.

Seeds are colonized by diverse microorganisms that can improve the growth and stress resistance of host plants. Although understanding the mechanisms of plant endophyte-host plant interactions is increasing, much of this knowledge does not come from seed endophytes, particularly under environmental stress that the plant host grows to face, including biotic (e.g., pathogens, herbivores and insects) and abiotic factors (e.g., drought, heavy metals and salt). In this article, we first provided a framework for the assembly and function of seed endophytes and discussed the sources and assembly process of seed endophytes. Following that, we reviewed the impact of environmental factors on the assembly of seed endophytes. Lastly, we explored recent advances in the growth promotion and stress resistance enhancement of plants, functioning by seed endophytes under various biotic and abiotic stressors.

Osteocyte-derived exosomes induced by mechanical strain promote human periodontal ligament stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation via the miR-181b-5p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: The oral cavity is a complex environment in which periodontal tissue is constantly stimulated by external microorganisms and mechanical forces. Proper mechanical force helps maintain periodontal tissue homeostasis, and improper inflammatory response can break the balance. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play crucial roles in responding to these challenges and maintaining the homeostasis of periodontal tissue. However, the mechanisms underlying PDL cell property changes induced by inflammatory and mechanical force microenvironments are still unclear. Recent studies have shown that exosomes function as a means of cell-cell and cell-matrix communication in biological processes. METHODS: Human periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) were tested by the CCK8 assay, EdU, alizarin red, and ALP staining to evaluate the functions of exosomes induced by a mechanical strain. MicroRNA sequencing was used to find the discrepancy miRNA in exosomes. In addition, real-time PCR, FISH, luciferase reporter assay, and western blotting assay were used to investigate the mechanism of miR-181b-5p regulating proliferation and osteogenic differentiation through the PTEN/AKT pathway. RESULTS: In this study, the exosomes secreted by MLO-Y4 cells exposed to mechanical strain (Exosome-MS) contributed to HPDLSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. High-throughput miRNA sequencing showed that miR181b-5p was upregulated in Exosome-MS compared to the exosomes derived from MLO-Y4 cells lacking mechanical strain. The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-181b-5p may target phosphatase tension homolog deletion (PTEN). In addition, PTEN was negatively regulated by overexpressing miR-181b-5p. Real-time PCR and western blotting assay verified that miR-181b-5p enhanced the protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) activity and improved downstream factor transcription. Furthermore, miR-181b-5p effectively ameliorated the inhibition of HPDLSC proliferation and promoted HPDLSC induced by inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that exosomes induced by mechanical strain promote HPDLSC proliferation via the miR-181b-5p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway and promote HPDLSC osteogenic differentiation by BMP2/Runx2, suggesting a potential mechanism for maintaining periodontal homeostasis.

[Effect of estrogen-deficiency on expression of osteoprotegerin in alveolar bone: experiment with rats with periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of estrogen-deficiency upon the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in alveolar bone so as to clarify the role of estrogen in alveolar bone metabolism. METHODS: Fifty-three SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: OVX group (n=18) undergoing bilateral ovariectomy, OVX + E2 group (n=18), undergoing bilateral ovariectomy and subcutaneous injection of estradiol once 3 days since day 2 after the operation, and sham operation group (n=17) undergoing sham operation. Four weeks after the operation periodontal ligature was conducted and high-sugar diet was fed to establish periodontitis models. Four weeks later the rats were killed. The morphological changes and expression of OPG in alveolar bone were observed by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All the rats showed sparseness of bone trabeculae in alveolar bone and osteoclasts and lacuna at the surface of alveolar bone, especially the rate of the group OVX. The A values (absorption of the OPG expression) in the alveolar bone of the OVX groups was 27 854 +/- 5246, significantly lower than those of the sham operation group and OVX + E2 group (38 799 +/- 6228 and 37 146 +/- 6394 respectively, both P < 0.05) without significant difference between the sham operation group and OVX + E2 group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Estrogen deficiency decreases the expression of OPG in alveolar bone, and enhances the absorption of alveolar bone.

Papillary reconstruction and guided tissue regeneration for combined periodontal-endodontic lesions caused by palatogingival groove and additional root: a case report.

We described a combined periodontal-endodontic lesion, which was caused by a palatogingival groove and an additional root. An interdisciplinary approach involving endodontic therapy, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) filling, root resection, guided tissue regeneration, and papillary reconstruction was used for the case. The tooth presents morphologically and functionally normal except tooth discoloration caused by MTA.

A new electrochemical sensor of nitro aromatic compound based on three-dimensional porous Pt-Pd nanoparticles supported by graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotube composite.

In this study, an electrochemical sensor of nitro aromatic compound based on three-dimensional porous Pt-Pd nanoparticles (Pt-Pd NPs) supported by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets-multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNTs) nanocomposite (marked as Pt-Pd NPs/CNTs-rGO) was investigated for the first time. This hybrid nanocomposite has been prepared via a facile and versatile hydrothermal synthetic strategy while its structure and property are evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The result shows that 3D porous Pt-Pd NPs/CNTs-rGO nanocomposite has a large specific surface area of 326.6m(2)g(-1) and exhibited ultrahigh rate capability and good cycling properties at high rates. Electrochemical studies have been performed for the nitro aromatic compounds detection by using different pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The proposed nanocomposite exhibited much enhanced elctrocatalytic activity and high sensitivity toward the detection of nitro aromatic compounds which compared with Pt-Pd NPs dispersed on functionalized rGO, Pt-Pd NPs dispersed on functionalized CNTs, rGO-CNTs and bare glass carbon electrode (GCE). On the basis of the above synergetic electrochemical sensing and synthesis procedure, the hybrid material can be recommended as a robust material for sensor-related applications. Moreover, the proposed sensor exhibits high reproducibility, long-time storage stability and satisfactory anti-interference ability.

[Human ß-defensin-3 regulates the proliferation and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human gingival fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of human ß-defensin-3 (HBD-3) on proliferation and the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) in human gingival fibroblasts(HGF). METHODS: The HGF were cultured with tissue-explant method and the fourth-generation HGF were plated in 96-well plate. All groups except the control group were treated with different concentrations of HBD-3 for 7 days. Then the HGF proliferation was evaluated with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) colorimetry and the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 at the 12th hours of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The result of MTT dynamic monitoring showed that the amount of HGF increased with time in all groups in concentration dependent manner.ELISA showed that the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1 in 1.0 mg/L HBD-3 group were (350.56 ± 63.96) ng/L and (13.22 ± 0.59) µg/L, significantly higher than those in the control group and 10.0 mg/L HBD-3 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HBD-3 promoted the proliferation of HGF. The low concentration of HBD-3 may play a role in immunoregulation through increasing the secretions of PGE2 and MMP-1.