circ_NRIP1 is oncogenic in malignant development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) via miR-595/SEMA4D axis and PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: The hsa_circ_0004771 derived from NRIP1 (called circ_NRIP1) is a recently identified oncogenic circRNA. Here, we intended to investigate the role and mechanism of circ_NRIP1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a prevalent and aggressive type of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Expression of circ_NRIP1, miRNA-595-5p (miR-595) and semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) was detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Cell growth was assessed by colony formation assay, MTS assay, flow cytometry, and xenograft experiment; migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell assay and western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay identified the relationship among circ_NRIP1, miR-595 and SEMA4D. Western blotting measured phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway-related proteins. RESULTS: Expression of circ_NRIP1 was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ_NRIP1 could enhance apoptosis rate and E-cadherin expression, but suppress colony formation, cell viability, migration, invasion, and snail expression in KYSE30 and KYSE450 cells, as well as retarded tumor growth in mice. The suppressive role of circ_NRIP1 knockdown in cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro was abated by blocking miR-595; meanwhile, miR-595 overexpression elicited similar anti-tumor role in KYSE30 and KYSE450 cells, which was abrogated by restoring SEMA4D. Notably, circ_NRIP1 was a sponge for miR-595, and SEMA4D was a target of miR-595. Besides, PI3K/AKT signal was inhibited by circ_NRIP1 knockdown and/or miR-595 overexpression via indirectly or directly regulating SEMA4D. CONCLUSION: circ_NRIP1 functioned as an oncogene in ESCC, and modulated ESCC cell growth, migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo via targeting miR-595/SEMA4D axis and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Jones matrix physical parameters for media in inhomogeneous fields.

Inhomogeneous media are affected by a physical or an electromagnetic field, where the off-diagonal elements of the Jones matrix are complex numbers with both real and imaginary parts. Inhomogeneities of the electromagnetic field result in the eigenvalue coordinate system changing along the light path. In this study, we used the unitary transformation to propose a Jones matrix of the inhomogeneous-field-induced medium with three physical or electromagnetic parameters: the medium's phase delay, induction angle, and inhomogeneous angle. This Jones matrix and the integral formulas of its three parameters are applicable to not only remarkable optical effects but also for the light propagation process of inhomogeneous-field-induced media.

Distributed parameter model for characterizing magnetic crosstalk in a fiber optic current sensor.

The effects of magnetic crosstalk on a fiber optic current sensor are studied using the distributed parameter model. A new method to enhance the immunity to magnetic crosstalk is proposed. The experimental results show that magnetic crosstalk changes periodically with the azimuth angle and decreases as the distance between the conductors increases. When the sensing coil is placed at the optimal azimuth angle, the ratio error from magnetic crosstalk decreases from -0.32% to -0.02%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Study of ZHENG differentiation in hepatitis B-caused cirrhosis: a transcriptional profiling analysis.

BACKGROUND: In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical practice, ZHENG (also known as TCM syndrome) helps to understand the human homeostasis and guide individualized treatment. However, the scientific basis of ZHENG remains unclear due to limitations of current reductionist approaches. METHODS: We collected the leukocyte samples of three hepatitis B-caused cirrhosis (HBC) patients with dampness-heat accumulation syndrome (DHAS) and three HBC patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (LDSDS) for microarray analysis. We generated Gene-Regulatory-Networks (GeneRelNet) from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of microarray date. Core genes were validated using anther independent cohort of 40 HBC patients (20 DHAS, 20 LDSDS) with RT-PCR. RESULTS: There were 2457 mapped genes were differentially expressed between DHAS and LDSDS (Fold change ≥ 2.0, P < 0.05). There were markedly different genes co-expression patterns in DHAS and LDSDS. Furthermore, three differential co-expression genes including purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP); aquaporin 7 (AQP7) and proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase 2 (PSMD2) were screened by GeneRelNets, and their mRNA expressions were further validated by real time RT-PCR. The results were consistent with microarray. The PNP (P = 0.007), AQP7 (P = 0.038) and PSMD2 (P = 0.009) mRNA expression is significant difference between DHAS and LDSDS using the non-parametric test. Furthermore, we constructed an mRNA panel of PNP, AQP7 and PSMD2 (PAP panel) by logistic regression model, and evaluated the PAP panel to distinguish DHAS from LDSDS by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis, which showed a higher accuracy (AUC = 0.835). Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the DHAS is most likely related to system process while the functions overrepresented by LDSDS most related to the response to stimulus. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that there are particular transcriptional profiles, genes co-expressions patterns and functional properties of DHAS and LDSDS, and PNP, AQP7, and PSMD2 may be involved in ZHENG differentiation of DHAS and LDSDS in HBC.

Nanostructured TiO2 Arrays for Energy Storage.

Because of their extensive specific surface area, excellent charge transfer rate, superior chemical stability, low cost, and Earth abundance, nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) arrays have been thoroughly explored during the past few decades. The synthesis methods for TiO2 nanoarrays, which mainly include hydrothermal/solvothermal processes, vapor-based approaches, templated growth, and top-down fabrication techniques, are summarized, and the mechanisms are also discussed. In order to improve their electrochemical performance, several attempts have been conducted to produce TiO2 nanoarrays with morphologies and sizes that show tremendous promise for energy storage. This paper provides an overview of current developments in the research of TiO2 nanostructured arrays. Initially, the morphological engineering of TiO2 materials is discussed, with an emphasis on the various synthetic techniques and associated chemical and physical characteristics. We then give a brief overview of the most recent uses of TiO2 nanoarrays in the manufacture of batteries and supercapacitors. This paper also highlights the emerging tendencies and difficulties of TiO2 nanoarrays in different applications.

Combining ZHENG Theory and High-Throughput Expression Data to Predict New Effects of Chinese Herbal Formulae.

ZHENG is the key theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and it is very important to find the molecular pharmacology of traditional Chinese herbal formulae. One ZHENG is related to many diseases and the herbal formulae are aiming to ZHENG. Therefore, many herbal formulae whose effects on a certain disease have been confirmed might also treat other diseases with the same ZHENG. In this study, the microarrays collected from patients with QiXuXueYu ZHENG (Qi-deficiency and Blood-stasis syndrome) before treatment and after being treated with Fuzheng Huayu Capsule were analyzed by a high-throughput gene microarrays-based drug similarity comparison method, which could find the small molecules which had similar effects with Fuzheng Huayu Capsule. Besides getting the results of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis drugs which embody the known effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule, many other small molecules were screened out and could reflect other types of effects of this formula in treating QiXuXueYu ZHENG, including anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, hyposenstive effect. Then we integrated this information to display the effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule and its potential multiple-target molecular pharmacology. Moreover, through using clinical blood-tested data to verify our prediction, Fuzheng Huayu Capsule was proved to have effects on diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Molecular Mechanisms of Same TCM Syndrome for Different Diseases and Different TCM Syndrome for Same Disease in Chronic Hepatitis B and Liver Cirrhosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment is based on the traditional diagnose method to distinguish the TCM syndrome, not the disease. So there is a phenomenon in the relationship between TCM syndrome and disease, called Same TCM Syndrome for Different Diseases and Different TCM Syndrome for Same Disease. In this study, we demonstrated the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon using the microarray samples of liver-gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome (LGDHS) and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (LDSDS) in the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC). The results showed that the difference between CHB and LC was gene expression level and the difference between LGDHS and LDSDS was gene coexpression in the G-protein-coupled receptor protein-signaling pathway. Therein genes GPER, PTHR1, GPR173, and SSTR1 were coexpressed in LDSDS, but not in LGDHS. Either CHB or LC was divided into the alternative LGDHS and LDSDS by the gene correlation, which reveals the molecular feature of Different TCM Syndrome for Same Disease. The alternatives LGDHS and LDSDS were divided into either CHB or LC by the gene expression level, which reveals the molecular feature of Same TCM Syndrome for Different Diseases.

Interleukin-10 genotype correlated to deficiency syndrome in hepatitis B cirrhosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome is an important basis for TCM diagnosis and treatment. As Child-Pugh classification as well as compensation and decompensation phase in liver cirrhosis, it is also an underlying clinical classification. In this paper, we investigated the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and TCM syndromes in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBC). Samples were obtained from 343 HBC patients in China. Three SNPs of IL-10 (-592A/C, -819C/T, and -1082A/G) were detected with polymerase chain-reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR). The result showed the SNP-819C/T was significantly correlated with Deficiency syndrome (P = 0.031), but none of the 3 loci showed correlation either with Child-Pugh classification and phase in HBC patients. The logistic regression analysis showed that the Excess syndrome was associated with dizzy and spider nevus, and the Deficiency syndrome was associated with dry eyes, aversion to cold, IL-10-819C/T loci, and IL-10-1082A/G loci. The odds ratio (OR) value at IL-10-819C/T was 4.022. The research results suggested that IL-10-819C/T locus (TC plus CC genotype) is probably a risk factor in the occurrence of Deficiency syndrome in HBC patients.

Morpholine-Based Gemini Surfactant: Synthesis and Its Application for Reverse Froth Flotation of Carnallite Ore in Potassium Fertilizer Production.

Potassium fertilizer plays a critical role in increasing the food production. Carnallite is concentrated by reverse froth flotation and used as a raw material to produce potassium fertilizer (KCl) in agriculture. However, all the surfactants used in the carnallite reverse flotation process are conventional monomeric surfactants contain a single similar hydrophobic group in the molecule, which results in a low production efficiency. In this work, a new morpholine-based Gemini surfactant, 1,4-bis (morpholinododecylammonio) butane dibromide (BMBD), was prepared and originally recommended as a collector for reverse froth flotation separation of halite (NaCl) from carnallite ore. The flotation results indicated BMBD had higher flotation recovery and stronger affinity of halite against carnallite compared with conventional monomeric surfactant N-(n-Dodecyl) morpholine (DDM). Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested that BMBD molecules were adsorbed on halite surface rather than the carnallite surface. Additionally, BMBD molecules can strongly reduce the surface tension of NaCl saturated solution. Considering the BMBD's unique properties, such as double reactive centers to mineral surfaces, double hydrophobic groups, and stronger surface tension reducing ability, made it be a superior collector for reverse flotation desalination from carnallite ores than DDM.

Transcriptional profiling and co-expression network analysis identifies potential biomarkers to differentiate chronic hepatitis B and the caused cirrhosis.

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most common non-neoplastic causes of mortality worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis in China. To find biomarkers for the diagnosis of CHB caused cirrhosis (HBC), we examined the transcriptional profiling of CHB and HBC. The leukocyte samples of CHB (n = 5) and HBC (n = 5) were analyzed by microarray. The results showed that 2128 mapped genes were differentially expressed between CHB and HBC (fold change ≥ 2.0, p < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that these 2128 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched for immune response and cell formation functions mostly. Moreover, co-expression networks using the k-core algorithm were established to determine the core genes, which may play important roles in the progression of CHB to HBC. There were markedly different gene co-expression patterns in CHB and HBC. We validated the five core genes, CASP1, TGFBI, IFI30, HLA-DMA and PAG1 in CHB (n = 60) and HBC (n = 60) by quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of the five genes were consistent with microarray, and there were statistically significant co-expression patterns of TGFß1, PAG1 and HLA-DMA mRNA (Pearson correlation coefficient >0.6). Furthermore, we constructed an mRNA panel of TGFBI, IFI30, HLA-DMA and PAG1 (TIPH HBCtest) by means of a logistic regression model, and evaluated the TIPH HBCtest for HBC diagnosis by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis, which showed a higher accuracy (AUC = 0.903). This study suggested that there are particular transcriptional profiles, gene co-expression patterns and core genes in CHB and HBC. The TIPH HBC test may be useful in the diagnosis of HBC from CHB.

Curative Effects of ZHENG-Based Fuzheng-Huayu Tablet on Hepatitis B Caused Cirrhosis Related to CYP1A2 Genetic Polymorphism.

Aim. To investigate the correlation of Fuzheng-Huayu tablet (FZHY) efficacy on chronic hepatitis B caused cirrhosis (HBC) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP1A2. Methods. After 111 cases of HBC with 69 excess, 21 deficiency-excess, and 21 deficiency ZHENGs (ZHENG, also called traditional Chinese medicine syndrome) were treated by FZHY for 6 months, clinical symptoms, Child-Pugh score, and ZHENG score were observed. Three of the SNPs in CYP1A2 gene were detected and analyzed using SNaPshot assay. Results. In ZHENG efficacy between effective and invalid groups, there was significant difference (P < 0.001). The ZHENG deficiency was significantly correlated with FZHY efficacy (P < 0.05). AA genotype of CYP1A2-G2964A was significantly different with GG genotype (P < 0.05) between CYP1A2 Genotypes and FZHY efficacy on ZHENG. More importantly, GA plus AA genotype of CYP1A2-G2964A was significantly different with deficiency ZHENG (P < 0.05) between CYP1A2 genotypes and FZHY efficacy on ZHENG. Conclusion. FZHY improved ZHENG score of HBC, and these efficacies may relate to CYP1A2-G2964A sites. It was suggested that CYP1A2-G2964A locus is probably a risk factor for ZHENG-based FZHY efficacy in HBC.

[Surveillance of endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Wuyi Village of Dongting Lake region, Hunan Province from 2002 to 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemic trends of schistosomiasis in Wuyi Village of Muping Lake, so as to provide the references for making control strategy of schistosomiasis in embankment subtype in Dongting Lake region. METHODS: The data relating to the morbidity of schistosomiasis among human and domestic animals, the status of Oncomelania snails, the parameters of demographic and social economic development, and intervention measures were collected in Wuyi Village from 2002-2010. Based on this information, the changing trends of schistosomiasis were dynamically analyzed. RESULTS: The infection rate of schistosomiasis among human reduced from 11.44% in 2002 to 1.12% in 2010. The infection rate among male residents was higher than that of female ones. The fishermen had the highest infection rate among all the occupational groups. The positive rate of stool examination in cattle was stable at 10%. The density of snails outside embankment greatly decreased from 10.49 snails/0.1 m2 in Autumn of 2003 to 0.68 snails/0.1 m2 in Autumn of 2010. The mean density of infected snails outside embankment reached the peak of 0.026 snails/0.1 m2 in Spring of 2003, yet the figure reduced to zero from 2006 to now. CONCLUSION: The endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Wuyi Village has been greatly reduced, yet cattle and fishermen are still the targets of schistosomiasis control in the future.

Serum levels of microRNAs can specifically predict liver injury of chronic hepatitis B.

AIM: To investigate whether circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as molecular markers to predict liver injury resulted from chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: The profiles of serum miRNA expression were first generated with serum samples collected from 10 patients with CHB and 10 healthy donors (Ctrls) by microarray analysis. The levels of several miRNAs were further quantitated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with serum samples from another 24 CHB patients and 24 Ctrls. Serum samples of 20 patients with nonalcohlic steatohepatitis (NASH) were also included for comparison. The comparison in the levels of miRNAs between groups (CHB, NASH and Ctrl) was analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-test. The correlation between miRNAs and clinical pathoparameters was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis or canonical correlation analysis. The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were also generated to determine the specificity and sensitivity of each individual miRNA in distinguishing patients with CHB from Ctrls. RESULTS: miRNA profile analysis showed that 34 miRNAs were differentially expressed between CHB and Ctrl subjects, in which 12 were up-regulated and 22 down-regulated in CHB subject (fold change > 2.0 and P < 0.01). The median levels of miR-122, -572, -575 and -638 were significantly higher (P < 1.00 × 10(-5)) while miR-744 significantly lower (P < 1.00 × 10(-6)) in CHB compared with the Ctrl. The levels of miR-122, -572 and -638 were also higher (P < 1.00 × 10(-3)) while the level of miR-744 lower in CHB (P < 0.05) than in NASH, although the difference between them was not as significant as that between CHB and Ctrl. ROC curve analysis revealed that the levels of miR-122, -572, -575, -638 and -744 in serum were sensitive and specific enough to distinguish CHB, NASH and Ctrl. Multivariate analysis further showed that the levels of these miRNAs were correlated with the liver function parameters. Most significantly, it was the scatter plot of principal component with the levels of these miRNAs, but not the parameters of liver function, which clearly distinguished CHB, NASH and Ctrl subjects. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of miR-122, -572, -575, -638 and -744 are deregulated in patients with CHB or NASH. The levels of these miRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for liver injury caused by CHB and NASH.