Epigenetic regulation of LINC01270 in breast cancer progression by mediating LAMA2 promoter methylation and MAPK signaling pathway.

Application of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) for modulation of breast cancer (BC) has attracted much attention. Here, we probed into the role and underlying mechanism of long intergenic non-coding RNA 01270 (LINC01270) in BC. With the help of bioinformatics tools, we identified laminin subunit alpha 2 (LAMA2) as a BC-related differentially expressed gene to discern the effect of LAMA2 in BC cells. LAMA2 was initially poorly expressed while LINC01270 was highly expressed in BC. BC cells were subsequently treated with sh-LINC01270 or/and sh-LAMA2 for exploration of their regulatory mechanism in BC, which unfolded that LINC01270 inhibition up-regulated LAMA2 and inactivated the MAPK signaling pathway to suppress malignant characteristics of BC cells. Functional assays demonstrated that LINC01270 bound to DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b promoted the methylation of CpG islands in LAMA2 promoter and inhibited the LAMA2 expression. Moreover, our data suggested that LAMA2 suppressed MAPK signaling pathway to inhibit BC cell malignant characteristics. The in vitro results were re-produced with the help of the in vivo experimentations. In conclusion, LINC01270 silencing inhibited the methylation of LAMA2 promoter to suppress the activation of MAPK signaling pathway, which subsequently restrained the BC progression. 1, Overexpression of LAMA2 inhibits malignant features of BC cells. 2, LINC01270 promotes LAMA2 promoter methylation by recruiting DNMTs to the LAMA2 promoter region. 3, 5-aza-dc reverses the promotion of LAMA2 promoter methylation by LINC01270. 4, LAMA2 inhibits malignant features of BC cells by suppressing the activation of MAPK signaling pathway.

DNMT3A transcriptionally downregulated by KLF5 alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory response and promotes osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease typically characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissues and complicated etiology. DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) has been implicated in possessing pro-inflammatory properties. This study sought to explore the role of DNMT3A in periodontitis and its relevant mechanism. METHODOLOGY: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). DNMT3A and KLF5 expressions were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related proteins were detected using ELISA and western blot. NF-κB p65 expression was detected using immunofluorescence (IF) assay, while osteogenic differentiation was assessed using ALP assay and ARS staining. Western blot was used to measure the protein contents associated with osteogenic differentiation. DNMT3A activity was detected using luciferase report assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to verify the interaction between KLF5 and DNMT3A. RESULTS: DNMT3A expression increased in LPS-induced hPDLSCs. Silencing DNMT3A suppressed the LPS-induced inflammation in hPDLSCs, while promoting osteogenic differentiation. It was also found that transcriptional factor KLF5 could bind to DNMT3A promoters and regulate DNMT3A expression. Rescue experiments showed that KLF5 interference partially counteracted the inhibitory impacts of DNMT3A deficiency on inflammation and the promotive effects on osteogenic differentiation in LPS-induced hPDLSCs. CONCLUSION: DNMT3A, when transcriptionally downregulated by KLF5, could alleviate LPS-challenged inflammatory responses and facilitate osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs.

Optimal Design of Language Teaching Strategy System Based on Smart Video Mode.

The accuracy of video and goal enables students to learn and strengthen their ability constantly. Strengthening our country's study initiative degree can promote student study more effectively. As a new teaching method, students can not only obtain the basic knowledge, learning priorities, and difficulties needed for learning through video, but also understand the content of the text, the content of the article, and even cultivate students' interest in many related languages, such as writing, text, sound, image, color, and video, which can be displayed, clarified, and displayed intuitively, creating a free and relaxed learning environment, an interesting background teaching process, encouraging students to experience emotion, including physical experience, and being open and open. Establishing a complete and comprehensive ideological channel to further improve students' acceptance of information is helpful for students' analysis and training, understanding, and evaluation. Therefore, this paper first identifies video and excavates the intrinsic value of video application. This can provide technical and methodological support for the design of video teaching system.

Chromosome-scale genome assembly of Castanopsis tibetana provides a powerful comparative framework to study the evolution and adaptation of Fagaceae trees.

Fagaceae species are increasingly used as models to elucidate the process and mechanism of adaptation and speciation by integrating ecology, evolution and genomics. The genus Castanopsis belongs to the family Fagaceae and is mainly distributed across subtropical and tropical Asia. In the present study, we reported the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of Castanopsis tibetana, a common species of evergreen broadleaved forests in subtropical China. The combination of Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technologies enabled a high-quality genome assembly. The final assembled genome size of C. tibetana was 878.6 Mb (97.6% of the estimated genome size), consisting of 477 contigs with an N50 length of 3.3 Mb. The benchmarking universal single-copy orthologue (BUSCO) assessment indicated a completeness of 93.0%. Hi-C scaffolding generated 12 pseudochromosomes, representing 98.7% of the assembled genome. Subsequently, 40,937 protein-coding genes were predicted and 90.04% of them were functionally annotated. More than 476.9 Mb of repetitive sequences (54.3% of the genome) were identified, and the percentage of the genome covered by TE elements was 39.98%. Comparative genomics analysis revealed that C. tibetana was most closely related to Castanea mollissima and diverged at 18.48 Ma, and that C. tibetana has undergone considerable gene family expansion and contraction. Evidence of positive selection was detected in 53 genes, which showed different arrangement pattern compared to Quercus robur. The chromosome-scale genome assembly of C. tibetana will expand Fagaceae genome resources across the family and provide a powerful comparative framework to study the adaptation and evolution of Fagaceae trees.

Analysis of Bleeding Site to Identify Associated Risk Factors of Intractable Epistaxis.

INTRODUCTION: Intractable epistaxis refers to deep occult bleeding and uncontrolled persistent bleeding. Effective treatment can only be implemented if the bleeding site is quickly identified and the underlying disease controlled. OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the bleeding site and the pathogenic factors of intractable epistaxis was analyzed to further strengthen the prevention and treatment of intractable epistaxis by outpatient doctors, family doctors and otolaryngologists. Through accurate search and minimally invasive hemostasis, it helped optimize the treatment plan for intractable epistaxis. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 90 patients with intractable epistaxis who were admitted to hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between intractable epistaxis site with underlying disease, gender and age. RESULTS: The distribution of intractable epistaxis was associated with hypertension (χ 2=13.76, P=0.017). The incidence of hypertension was the highest in the olfactory sulcus of the middle turbinate region at about 60%. In addition, age was also identified as a factor that affects the distribution of intractable epistaxis (χ 2=21.95, P=0.02). The incidence of intractable epistaxis on the vault of inferiornasal meatus region was highest (63%) in young patients. On the other hand, the olfactory sulcus of the middle turbinate region accounted for the highest incidence in the middle-aged and elderly group (66.7%). There was no obvious relation between the bleeding site of intractable epistaxis with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The bleeding site of intractable epistaxis is related to hypertension and age. This may improve the identification of the site of intractable epistaxis for timely implementation of treatment and can further strengthen the prevention and treatment of intractable epistaxis in outpatients or family doctors.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Ottelia alismoides (Hydrocharitaceae), a vulnerable submerged macrophyte in China.

Ottelia alismoides (Linn.) Pers. (Hydrocharitaceae) is an endangered submerged macrophyte in China. In his study, we assembled complete chloroplast (cp) genome of O. alismoides based on the Illumina reads. The cp genome of O. alismoides was 157,885 bp in length, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 87,707 bp and small single copy (SSC) region of 20,234 bp, separated by two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 24,972 bp each. The cp genome encoded 115 genes including 70 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content of cp genome of O. alismoides is 36.6%. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. alismoides is closely related to O. acuminate var. songmingensis.

Conservation implications of population genetic structure in a threatened orchid Cypripedium tibeticum.

Cypripedium tibeticum is a threatened orchid which efficient conservation requires knowledge of its extent and structure of genetic variation. Using two chloroplast DNA fragments (rps16 and trnL-F), we analyzed 157 individuals from 9 populations representing the species range in China. Seven haplotypes were identified. C. tibeticum had high total genetic diversity (H T = 0.80) with major contribution to this diversity made by among-population component (G ST  = 0.64, Φ ST  = 0.86). However, despite high population differentiation there was no clear phylogeographic structure. The populations CY and DC made the greatest contribution to the total gene diversity as well as allelic richness. The possible mechanisms and implications of these findings for conservation of the species are discussed.

Urea-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of a hollow hierarchical LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material with tunable morphology characteristics.

A hollow hierarchical LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material has been synthesized via a urea-assisted hydrothermal method followed by a high-temperature calcination process. The effect of reactant concentration on the structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the carbonate precursor and corresponding LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 product has been intensively investigated. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, CV, EIS, GITT and constant-current charge/discharge tests. The results show that all samples belong to a cubic spinel structure with mainly Fd3m space group, and the Mn3+ content and impurity content initially decrease and then increase slightly with the reactant concentration increasing. SEM observation shows that the particle morphology and size of carbonate precursor can be tailored by changing reactant concentration. The LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 sample obtained from the carbonate precursor hydrothermally synthesized at a reactant concentration of 0.3 mol L-1 exhibits the optimal overall electrochemical properties, with capacity retention rate of 96.8% after 100 cycles at 1C rate and 10C discharge capacity of 124.9 mA h g-1, accounting for 99.9% of that at 0.2C rate. The excellent electrochemical performance can be mainly attributed to morphological characteristics, that is, smaller particle size with homogeneous distribution, in spite of lower Mn3+ content.

A porous hierarchical micro/nano LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries synthesized by a urea-assisted hydrothermal method.

A spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode material was synthesized by a urea-assisted hydrothermal method followed by high-temperature calcination with a lithium source. The effects of the molar ratio of urea to transition metal ions (U/TM ratio) on the structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the carbonate precursor and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 product were systematically investigated. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, a constant-current charge/discharge test, CV and EIS. XRD and FT-IR results show that the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 samples synthesized at U/TM ratios of 1.0 : 1 to 4.0 : 1 have mainly a disordered structure with the Fd3m space group, and the sample synthesized at a U/TM ratio of 2.0 : 1 has the lowest cation disordering degree (Mn3+ content). SEM observations show that the U/TM ratio has a significant influence on the phase composition, particle morphology and size of the carbonate precursor, thus leading to different electrochemical properties of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 material. Among them, the carbonate precursor synthesized at the U/TM ratio of 2.0 : 1 shows the smallest particle size with the most homogeneous distribution, thus leading to an optimal electrochemical performance of the derived LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 material in spite of its lowest Mn3+ content, whose discharge capacity at 10C rate can reach 120.2 mA h g-1, accounting for 98.6% of that at 0.2C rate, and capacity retention rate after 100 cycles at 1C rate can reach 95.3%.

Treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis via acupuncture at the sphenopalatine acupoint: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is a common respiratory disease. Acupuncture is used to treat it in traditional Chinese medicine, and generally, the L120, ST2 and ST36 acupoints are selected in clinical practice. We report a new method of acupuncture at the sphenopalatine acupoint (SPA) for treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR). The effect of this treatment was investigated using two different needling depths. The efficacy of this treatment was associated with accurate stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). METHODS/DESIGN: A total of 61 patients diagnosed with PAR were randomly allocated to either the acupuncture or the sham acupuncture group. The difference between the groups was the needle depth when acupuncture was administered, which was 50 mm and 20 mm. Alteration in total nasal symptom score (TNSS) was the primary outcome. Quality of life, medication dosages and adverse events were secondary outcomes, measured using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). Confidence assessment was performed to evaluate data from the treatment and follow-up periods. RESULTS: Results were: (1) average TNSS in the treatment group was significantly lower than in the control group at week 4 (median and 25th and 75th percentiles were 5.00 (4.00, 7.00) and 8.00 (7.00, 10.00), respectively (P < 0.001)). However, scores in the two groups were not significantly different at week 12; (2) quality of life (RQLQ) was significantly improved at week 2 in the treatment group compared to the control group (scores of 35.47 ± 8.20 and 45.48 ± 8.84; P < 0.001); (3) during the follow-up period, the medication dosage in the treatment group was much lower than in the control group (3.64 ± 1.45 and 6.14 ± 2.34; P < 0.05); and (4) no adverse events were observed in either group during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study revealed a profound effect of acupuncture at the SPA on prevention of PAR development. The TNSS in the treatment group (needle depth 50 mm), was significantly lower than in the control group (needle depth of only 20 mm). Our result demonstrates that performing acupuncture directly at the SPA to stimulate the SPG is an effective method to treat PAR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Acupuncture Clinical Trial Registry, AMCTR-OOR-16000014 and Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-IOR-16009211 . Registered on 1 September 1 2016.

[A cohort investigation of the allergen and pathogenesis in the patients with allergic rhinitis from three hospital of Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of the patients with allergic rhinitis diagnosed by Skin Prick Test (SPT), especially about the epidemiologic data of the involved allergens. METHOD: The data was collected from 958 patients referred to the listed three allergy center and subsequently diagnosed as allergic rhinitis by SPT. RESULT: The intermittent mild type was more prevalent in male patients (40.5%); comparably the intermittent moderate type in female patients (70.0%); in the infant patients the moderate-severe type dominated (73.7%). The positive results of SPT comprised mainly of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der. p, 98.3%), Dermatophagoides farinae(Der. f, 96.8%), and Blomia tropicalis (Blot, 73.8%). Only 1.7% of the patients was allergic to single allergen, in contrary ,the majority of patients were allergic to multiple allergens. The positive rate to Der. p and Der. f was reversely increasing with age of the patients; and contrarily the number of positive allergens was increasing along with the age of the patients. The allergy to outdoor allergen was less common, and the positive rate in skin prick test was lower than the previously reported rate in North China ,such as timothy (3.9%), birch (2.7%), ragweed (2.0%), and mugwort (1.2%). CONCLUSION: Dust Mite is the predominant allergen for patients with allergic rhinitis in Guangdong province; and the positive rate to outdoor allergen is lower than that in North China.