MicroRNA-223-3p downregulates the inflammatory response in preeclampsia placenta via targeting NLRP3.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of miR-223-3p in the inflammatory response of PE placenta. METHODS: PE and normal placental tissues were collected to measure the expression of NLRP3 and miR-223-3p. The targeting relationship between NLRP3 and miR-223-3P was verified by bioinformatics analysis and classical double-luciferase reporter gene assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce HTR8/SVneo cells as PE placental cell inflammation model. Then we transfected miR-223-3p overexpression/miR-223-3p negative control plasmid into the LPS-induced HTR8/SVneo cells. Next, the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1ß and IL-18 were evaluated to elucidate the regulatory effect of miR-223-3p on the inflammatory response mediated by NLRP3 in PE placenta. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, NLRP3 was significantly up-regulated in PE placenta, while miR-223-3p was down-regulated. In addition, NLRP3 was a direct target of miR-223-3p. Further research revealed that the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1ß and IL-18 could be obviously promoted in HTR8/SVneo cells treated with LPS (500 ng/ml) for 24 h, nevertheless it could be significantly suppressesed under the overexpression of miR-223-3p. CONCLUSION: MiR-223-3p suppressed NLRP3 inflamariomes activation, downstream inflammatory factors secretion and pyroptosis in LPS-induced HTR8/SVneo cells indicating that miR-223-3p could serve as an anti-inflammatory factor in preeclampsia.

Clinical characteristics analysis of pediatric spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality in China: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of Chinese children with spinal cord injury (SCI) without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) and explore their contributing factors and mechanisms of occurrence. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with SCIWORA from January 2005 to May 2020. Epidemiological, etiological, mechanistic, therapeutic, and outcome aspects were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients with SCIWORA were included in this study, comprising 16 males and 31 females. The age range was 4 to 12 years, with an average age of 7.49 ± 2.04 years, and 70% of the patients were below eight. Sports-related injuries constituted 66%, with 70% attributed to dance backbend practice. Thoracic segment injuries accounted for 77%. In the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, the combined proportion of A and B grades accounted for 88%. Conservative treatment was chosen by 98% of the patients, with muscle atrophy, spinal scoliosis, hip joint abnormalities, and urinary system infections being the most common complications. CONCLUSION: SCIWORA in Chinese children is more prevalent in those under eight years old, with a higher incidence in females than males. Thoracic spinal cord injuries are predominant, dance backbend as a primary contributing factor, and the social environment of "neijuan" is a critical potential inducing factor. Furthermore, the initial severity of the injury plays a decisive role in determining the prognosis of SCIWORA.

IL1RAP Knockdown in LPS-Stimulated Normal Human Astrocytes Suppresses LPS-Induced Reactive Astrogliosis and Promotes Neuronal Cell Proliferation.

The reactivation of astrocytes plays a critical role in spinal cord injury (SCI) repairment. In this study, IL1RAP expression has been found to be upregulated in SCI mice spinal cord, SCI astrocytes, and LPS-stimulated NHAs. Genes correlated with IL1RAP were significantly enriched in cell proliferation relative pathways. In LPS-stimulated NHAs, IL1RAP overexpression promoted NHA cell proliferation, decreased PTEN protein levels, and increased the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. IL1RAP overexpression promoted LPS-induced NHA activation and NF-κB signaling activation. Conditioned medium from IL1RAP-overexpressing NHAs inhibited SH-SY5Y cells viability but promoted cell apoptosis. Conclusively, IL1RAP knockdown in LPS-stimulated NHAs could partially suppress LPS-induced reactive astrogliosis, therefore promoting neuronal cell proliferation.

Concise Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Isopavine Alkaloids.

Herein, we report a concise asymmetric total synthesis of isopavine alkaloids, which feature a special azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane tetracyclic skeleton. The key steps include iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids, Curtius rearrangement, and Eschweiler-Clarke methylation, which enable an enantioselective approach to isopavine alkaloids in 6-7 linear steps. Furthermore, for the first time, isopavine alkaloids, especially (-)-reframidine (3), are found to display effective antiproliferative effects on various cancer cell lines.

Discovery of two ent-atisane diterpenoid lactones with AChE inhibitory activity from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana.

Euphorlactone A (1), a rare rearranged ent-atisane norditerpenoid with an undescribed 3-nor-2,4-olide-ent-atisane scaffold, and euphorlactone B (2), a new ent-atisane diterpenoid with an unprecedented seven-membered lactone ring C, were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana. Their planar structures with absolute configurations were extensively elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced ECD curves, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Euphorlactone A (ELA) showed a remarkable AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.13 ± 0.06 µM and Ki = 0.058 µM), which was five times stronger than that of the positive control (rivastigmine, IC50 = 12.46 ± 0.82 µM), and further in vitro enzyme inhibition kinetic analysis and molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the AChE inhibitory mechanism.

Apelin/APJ system: an emerging therapeutic target for neurological diseases.

Apelin, an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ, is extensively expressed in various systems, especially the nervous system. This article reviews the role of apelin/APJ system in neurological diseases. In detail, apelin/APJ system can relieve acute brain injury including subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Also, apelin/APJ system has therapeutic effects on chronic neurodegenerative disease models, involving the regulation of neurotrophic factors, neuroendocrine, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and autophagy. In addition, through different routes of administration, apelin/APJ system has a biphasic effect on depression, epilepsy, and pain. However, apelin/APJ system exacerbates the proliferation and invasion of glioblastoma. Thus, apelin/APJ system is expected to be a therapeutic target for the treatment of nervous system diseases.

Preliminary study on a novel biological scaffold loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microcapsules for promoting fallopian tube recanalization in rabbits. / è½½Apelin-13ç¼“é‡Šå¾®å›Šçš„æ–°åž‹ç”Ÿç‰©æ”¯æž¶ä¿ƒå ”è¾“åµç®¡å†é€šçš„åˆæ­¥ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: Tubal factor infertility severely impairs the natural fertility of women, and there is for genuine tubal recanalization, including restoration of both the anatomy and function of the diseased fallopian tubes. Currently, there is no effective treatment available. This study aims to explore methods for promoting the repair and recanalization of fallopian tubes from these 2 aspects. METHODS: Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable scaffolds were prepared. The basic characteristics and in vivo degradation (mass loss rate) of the biodegradable scaffolds were tested, along with the in vitro drug release (cumulative release rate), the in vivo drug release (Apelin-13 plasma concentration), and in vitro degradation (degradation rate) of the microspheres. The Apelin-13 microspheres (microsphere group)/PLGA 3D scaffolds loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres (scaffold-microcapsule group) were injected/placed into the fallopian tubes of New Zealand rabbit of chronic salpingitis models. The patency, microscopic structure, and positive expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor of the fallopian tubes in the control group, the model group, the microcapsule group, and the scaffold-microcapsule group was observed and compared. RESULTS: At the 4th week post-operation, the mass loss rate of the PLGA 3D scaffolds, the degradation rate of the microspheres, and the Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres-generated cumulative release rate in vitro over 30 days were 98.66%, 70.58%, and 98.68% respectively. The plasma concentration of Apelin-13 reached its peak within 5 days and remained stable for 25 days. Compared with the model and microsphere groups, the scaffold-microsphere group showed a milder inflammatory reaction within the tubal lumen, a higher rate of fallopian tube patency, and higher expression levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors (all P<0.05). The indicators of the scaffold-microsphere group were close to those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The PLGA 3D scaffolds loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres can comprehensively repair the anatomical structure and physiological function of the fallopian tubes and hold promise for truly effective tubal recanalization.

Roles of apelin/APJ system in cancer: Biomarker, predictor, and emerging therapeutic target.

Cancer is a disease that seriously endangers human health and is mainly characterized by a high metastasis rate, a high recurrence rate, and a high mortality rate. The treatment of cancer has always been an important research direction of scientific research. A number of studies have shown that the apelin/APJ system is involved in the development and poor prognosis of a variety of cancers, such as lung cancer, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, glioblastoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and so on. Accumulating evidence has also shown that the apelin/APJ system acts as a biomarker and predictor of postoperative effects in multiple cancers, which can also affect the tumor microenvironment and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Considering that the apelin/APJ system may be a potential target for cancer treatment, it is of great significance for the study of new cancer treatment targets. To better understand the role of the apelin/APJ system on the occurrence and development of cancer, this article reviews the role of the apelin/APJ system in the occurrence and development of various cancers, angiogenesis, tumor stem cells, tumor microenvironment, drug resistance, poor prognosis, and the research progress of related anticancer drugs.

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the performance of homojunction amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistors.

In this study, the homojunction thin-film transistors (TFTs) with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) as active channel layers and source/drain electrodes were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering. The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the phase, microstructure, optical and electrical properties of IGZO thin films was investigated. The results showed that amorphous IGZO thin films always exhibit a high transmittance above 90% and wide band gaps of around 3.9 eV. The resistivity increases as the IGZO thin films are deposited at a higher oxygen partial pressure due to the depletion of oxygen vacancies. In addition, the electrical behaviors in homojunction IGZO TFTs were analyzed. When the active channel layers were deposited with an oxygen partial pressure of 1.96%, the homojunction IGZO TFTs exhibited optimal transfer and output characteristics with a field-effect mobility of 13.68 cm2V-1s-1. Its sub-threshold swing, threshold voltage and on/off ratio are 0.6 V/decade, 0.61 V and 107, respectively.

A microfluidic chip using Au@SiO2 array-based highly SERS-active substrates for ultrasensitive detection of dual cervical cancer-related biomarkers.

In this work, a microfluidic chip using Au@SiO2 array-based highly active SERS substrates was developed for quantitative detection of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) associated with cervical cancer. The chip consisted of six functional units with pump-free design, enabling parallel detection of multiple samples in an automatic manner without external pumps and improving the portability. Ag nanocubes (AgNCs) were labeled with Raman reporters and coupled with antibodies (labeling) to prepare SERS tags, while the Au nanoparticle-modified SiO2 microsphere (Au@SiO2) array was conjugated with antibodies (coating) to generate the highly SERS-active capturing substrate. In the presence of target biomarkers, they were captured by SERS tags and capturing substrate, resulting in the formation of "sandwich" structures which were trapped in the detection chamber. As the immune reaction proceeded, a large number of "hot spots" were generated by the proximity of the Au@SiO2 array substrate and AgNCs, greatly amplifying SERS signals. With this chip, the limits of detection of the SCCA and CEA levels in human serum were estimated to be as low as 0.45 pg mL-1 and 0.36 pg mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, the good selectivity and reproducibility of this chip were confirmed. Finally, clinical serum samples were analyzed by this chip, and the outcomes were consistent with those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thus, the proposed microfluidic chip can be potentially applied for the clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer.

A pump-free and high-throughput microfluidic chip for highly sensitive SERS assay of gastric cancer-related circulating tumor DNA via a cascade signal amplification strategy.

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as an ideal biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). In this work, a pump-free, high-throughput microfluidic chip coupled with catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) and hybridization chain reaction (HCR) as the signal cascade amplification strategy (CHA-HCR) was developed for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assays of PIK3CA E542K and TP53 (two GC-related ctDNAs). The chip consisted of six parallel functional units, enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples. The pump-free design and hydrophilic treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) realized the automatic flow of reaction solutions in microchannels, eliminating the dependence on external heavy-duty pumps and significantly improving portability. In the reaction region of the chip, products generated by target-triggered CHA initiated the HCR, forming long nicked double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on the Au nanobowl (AuNB) array surface, to which numerous SERS probes (Raman reporters and hairpin DNA-modified Cu2O octahedra) were attached. This CHA-HCR strategy generated numerous active "hot spots" around the Cu2O octahedra and AuNB surface, significantly enhancing the SERS signal intensity. Using this chip, an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) for PIK3CA E542K (1.26 aM) and TP53 (2.04 aM) was achieved, and the whole process was completed within 13 min. Finally, a tumour-bearing mouse model was established, and ctDNA levels in mouse serum at different stages were determined. To verify the experimental accuracy, the gold-standard qRT-PCR assay was utilized, and the results showed a high degree of consistency. Thus, this rapid, sensitive and cost-effective SERS microfluidic chip has potential as an ideal detection platform for ctDNA monitoring.

Knockdown of SNHG1 alleviates autophagy and apoptosis by regulating miR-362-3p/Jak2/stat3 pathway in LPS-injured PC12 cells.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG1) and microRNA-362-3p (miR-362-3p) were confirmed to be related to neurological disorders. However, it is unclear whether SNHG1 was involved in the development of SCI via regulating miR-362-3p. PC12 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to imitate the in vitro cell model of SCI. Cell ciability and apoptosis rate were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry assay. The levels of SNHG1, miR-362-3p, and Janus kinase-2 (Jak2) were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to verify the interaction between miR-362-3p and SNHG1 or Jak2. Besides, the levels of apoptosis- and autophagy- related proteins were detected by western blot assay. In present research, LPS suppressed cell viability, and induced apoptosis and autophagy in PC12 cells. SNHG1 knockdown could affect cell viability, and suppress cell apoptosis and autophagy in LPS-treated PC12 cells. Moreover, miR-362-3p was a target of SNHG1, miR-362-3p targeted Jak2 and negatively regulated Jak2/stat3 pathway. Our data also demonstrated that SNHG1 depletion inactivated Jak2/stat3 pathway to affect cell viability and confine apoptosis, autophagy in LPS-treated PC12 cells. Taken together, SNHG1 regulated cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy in LPS-treated PC12 cells by activating Jak2/stat3 pathway via sponging miR-362-3p.

LncGBP9/miR-34a axis drives macrophages toward a phenotype conducive for spinal cord injury repair via STAT1/STAT6 and SOCS3.

BACKGROUND: Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) could cause mainly two types of pathological sequelae, the primary mechanical injury, and the secondary injury. The macrophage in SCI are skewed toward the M1 phenotype that might cause the failure to post-SCI repair. METHODS: SCI model was established in Balb/c mice, and the changes in macrophage phenotypes after SCI were monitored. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to select factors that might regulate macrophage polarization after SCI. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated, identified, and induced for M1 or M2 polarization; the effects of lncRNA guanylate binding protein-9 (lncGBP9) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) on macrophages polarization were examined in vitro and in vivo. The predicted miR-34a binding to lncGBP9 and SOCS3 was validated; the dynamic effects of lncGBP9 and miR-34a on SOCS3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)/STAT6 signaling, and macrophage polarization were examined. Finally, we investigated whether STAT6 could bind the miR-34a promoter to activate its transcription. RESULTS: In SCI Balb/c mice, macrophage skewing toward M1 phenotypes was observed after SCI. In M1 macrophages, lncGBP9 silencing significantly decreased p-STAT1 and SOCS3 expression and protein levels, as well as the production of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12; in M2 macrophages, lncGBP9 overexpression increased SOCS3 mRNA expression and protein levels while suppressed p-STAT6 levels and the production of IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1), indicating that lncGBP9 overexpression promotes the M1 polarization of macrophages. In lncGBP9-silenced SCI mice, the M2 polarization was promoted on day 28 after the operation, further indicating that lncGBP9 silencing revised the predominance of M1 phenotype at the late stage of secondary injury after SCI, therefore improving the repair after SCI. IncGBP9 competed with SOCS3 for miR-34a binding to counteract miR-34a-mediated suppression on SOCS3 and then modulated STAT1/STAT6 signaling and the polarization of macrophages. STAT6 bound the promoter of miR-34a to activate its transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In macrophages, lncGBP9 sponges miR-34a to rescue SOCS3 expression, therefore modulating macrophage polarization through STAT1/STAT6 signaling. STAT6 bound the promoter of miR-34a to activate its transcription, thus forming two different regulatory loops to modulate the phenotype of macrophages after SCI.

The distribution and density of monocarboxylate transporter 2 in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of wild-type mice.

Monocarboxylates cannot cross the blood-brain barrier freely to participate in brain energy metabolism. Specific monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are needed to cross cellular membranes. Monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) is a major monocarboxylate transporter encoded by the SLC16A7 gene. Recent studies reported that neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), were related to energy metabolic impairment. MCT2 also plays an important role in energy metabolism in the CNS. To provide experimental evidence for future research on the role of MCT2 in the pathological process of CNS degenerative diseases, the distribution and density of MCT2 in different subregions of wild-type mouse brain was examined using immunohistochemistry, western blot and immunogold post-embedding electron microscopic techniques. The amount of MCT2 was higher in cerebellum than in cortex and hippocampus on western blots, and there was no statistical difference between cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry assay revealed the highest density of MCT2 in the CA3 of the hippocampus. The granular cell layer of the cerebellum contained more MCT2 than the molecular layer. The MCT2 density on the end feet of astrocytes of molecular layer was lower than in hippocampus, but the postsynaptic densities (PSDs) of asymmetric synapses in the molecular layer exhibited a high density using immunogold post-embedding electron microscopic techniques.

The associations of CYP19A1 rs700518 polymorphism with bone mineral density and risk of osteoporosis: a meta-analysis.

Osteoporosis is now a worldwide public health problem that seriously endangers human health, but its causes have not yet been fully clarified. Recently, increasing evidence suggested that polymorphisms in CYP19A1 gene were associated with osteoporosis risk and bone mineral density (BMD), but results remained conflicting. We herein performed a meta-analysis based on evidence currently available from the literature to make a more precise estimation of these relationships. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wan Fang databases were searched for eligible studies. Odds ratio (OR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to assess the strength of these relationships. A total of 8 studies involving 2632 subjects were included in our meta-analysis. We observed that the AG genotype of CYP19A1 rs700518 was significantly associated with lower BMD values of lumbar spine and femoral neck (AG vs. GG: p = .001 and.01, respectively). However, this polymorphism had no obvious impacts on osteoporosis risk according to current available data. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis showed that CYP19A1 rs700518 polymorphism may be a potential candidate biomarker for osteoporosis screening, early diagnosis, and treatment, which will help improve individualized therapy of osteoporosis patients in clinics.

A new Zoropsis species from China, with notes on Zoropsis pekingensis Schenkel, 1953 (Araneae, Zoropsidae).

 The family Zoropsidae is currently represented by 15 genera and 87 species (World Spider Catalog 2015). Zoropsids are medium to large size spiders, with a narrow, bipartite cribellum and calamistrum; eight eyes in two rows, anterior eye row nearly straight, posterior row strongly recurved; median furrow longitudinal; toothed chelicerae; tibiae and metatarsi I, II equipped with several pairs of ventral spines; metatarsi and tarsi bearing scopulae; two tarsal claws (Bosselaers 2002). They are often collected from houses, under stones or in leaf litter in forest.

[Comparison of the clinical efficacy between simple vertebral canal decompression and decompression plus laminoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of the simple expansion of the spinal canal decompression, decompression plus hydroxyapatite/polyamide artificial lamina reconstruction, and decompression plus titanium mesh reconstruction in the treatment of spinal canal stenosi. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (with or without disc herniation, spondylolisthesis less than I degree), who received therapy of surgery from January, 2011 to January, 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into 3 groups: a laminectomy surgery alone group (group A, n=15), a decompression plus hydroxyapatite/polyamide artificial lamina reconstruction group (group B, n=14), and a laminectomy decompression plus reconstruction with titanium mesh group (group C, n=10). Intraoperative situation, the postoperative excellent rate and JOA score were analyzed. RESULTS: The duration and blood loss in surgery in group A was much less than that in the group B and C (P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance between the group B and C. The postoperative excellent rate in three groups were similar in 3 months (P>0.05). Twelve months after the surgery, the group B and C showed advantage over the group A (P<0.05). JOA scores in 3 and 12 months after the surgery were all greater than that before the surgery (P<0.05). There was no difference in excellent rates in 3 groups in 3 months after the operation (P>0.05); the group B and C showed advantage over the group A in 12 months after the operation (P<0.05). No serious complications were related to the surgery in the 3 groups. Imaging changes were not significant difference. CONCLUSION: The decompression plus hydroxyapatite/polyamide artificial lamina reconstruction and the decompression plus titanium mesh reconstruction show advantages in long-term effect over the simple vertebral canal decompression.

Apelin-13 alleviates intrauterine adhesion by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of endometrial epithelial cells and promoting angiogenesis.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a common complication of surgical manipulation of the uterine cavity such as abortion. The pathology of IUA is characterized by fibrosis, but the pathogenesis is not fully understood. The function of Apelin-13 in IUA and related mechanisms were investigated in this study. The IUA rat model was established. The pathological changes and fibrosis degree of rat uterine tissues were detected by HE and Masson staining after intraperitoneal injection of Apelin-13. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial epithelial cells and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) of vein endothelial cells were induced by TGF-ß1. Tube-forming assay using HUVEC was implemented to detect the effect of Apelin-13 upon angiogenesis. IHC staining, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot were conducted to detect the expression levels of EMT markers, angiogenesis, and key proteins of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling. Apelin-13 significantly alleviated IUA and fibrosis, and increased endometrial thickness and gland number in IUA rats. In addition, Apelin-13 significantly reversed EMT and EnMT induced by IUA modeling and TGF-ß1, promoted the tube-forming ability of HUVEC, and up-regulated the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins. Mechanistically, Apelin-13 significantly suppressed smad2/3 phosphorylation and inhibited the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling via its receptor APJ. Apelin-13 might alleviate IUA via repressing the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway and is expected to be a potent therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of IUA.

PPP2R2A inhibition contributes to preeclampsia by regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis modulation potential of mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanisms underlying preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis remain unclear. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are involved in the pathology of PE. The aim of our study was to identify the effects of protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B α (PPP2R2A) on MSCs and ascertain its latent role in the progression of PE. METHODS: Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to determine the expression of PPP2R2A in decidual tissue and decidual (d)MSCs from healthy pregnant women and patients with PE as well as the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 in dMSCs. The levels of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, and AKT were determined using western blotting. Cell growth, apoptosis, and migration were analyzed using MTT, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation ability was assayed using a HUVEC capillary-like tube formation assay. RESULTS: PPP2R2A was downregulated in decidual tissues and dMSCs of patients with PE when compared with that in healthy pregnant women. Moreover, upregulation of PPP2R2A enhanced cell proliferation, reduced apoptotic dMSC, inhibited Bax expression, and increased Bcl-2 levels. Conditioned medium from PPP2R2A-overexpressing dMSCs promoted HTR-8/SVneo cell migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC. Furthermore, the PPP2R2A plasmid suppressed PI3K/AKT pathway activation in dMSCs. However, these effects were partially reversed by LY2940002 treatment. CONCLUSION: PPP2R2A inhibition contributes to PE by regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis of MSCs, providing a new therapeutic target for PE diagnosis and treatment.

Fabrication of sodium alginate-melamine@ZIF-67 composite hydrogel and its adsorption application for Pb(II) in wastewater.

A low-cost and environmental-friendly sodium alginate-melamine@zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (SA-ME@ZIF-67) adsorbent was fabricated by chemical grafting and in situ growth for the removal of lead ions in wastewater. Firstly, melamine (ME) was grafted onto sodium alginate (SA) by amide reaction, and then SA-ME was dropped into a solution of calcium chloride to form hydrogel bead, and ZIF-67 was grown on the SA-ME hydrogel bead by the in situ growth method. The SA-ME@ZIF-67 adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The SA-ME@ZIF-67 adsorbent was used to effectively adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The initial concentrations of lead ions, adsorbent dose, initial pH of lead ion solution, temperature, and adsorption time for the material were optimized. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics fitted to Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9281, 0.9420, and 0.9623 at the temperatures of 288.15 K, 298.15 K, and 308.15 K, respectively) and pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9901) respectively. According to the Langmuir model at 308.15 K, the maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for Pb(II) was 634.99 mg/g. The recycling application of the adsorbent was possible as it was easily collected and reused after five adsorption-regeneration cycles. In addition, the Pb(II) in real wastewater samples has been efficiently removed using the fabricated hydrogel. The results showed that the SA-ME@ZIF-67 adsorbent had high adsorption capacity, removal efficiency, and easy recyclability for Pb(II).