Sea Urchin-Like NiCo-LDH Hollow Spheres Anchored on 3D Graphene Aerogel for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

To enhance the inherent poor conductivity and low cycling stability of dimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs) materials, designing a synergistic effect between EDLC capacitors and pseudocapacitors is an efficient strategy. In this paper, we utilized a solvothermal technique employing Co-glycerate as a precursor to prepare sea urchin-like NiCo-LDH hollow spheres anchored on a 3D graphene aerogel. The unique morphology of these hollow microspheres significantly expand the specific surface area and exposes more active sites, while reducing the volume changes of materials during long-term charging and discharging processes. The 3D graphene aerogel serves as a conductive skeleton, improving the material's electrical conductivity and buffering high current. The sea urchin-like NiCo-LDH hollow spheres anchored on 3D graphene aerogel (H-NiCo-LDH@GA) has a specific surface area of 51 m2 g-1 and the ID/IG value is 1.02. The H-NiCo-LDH@GA demonstrate a significant specific capacitance of 236.8 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, with a remarkable capacity retention rate of 63.1 % even at 20 A g-1. Even after 8000 cycles at 10 A g-1, the capacity retention still remains at 96.3 %, presenting excellent cycling stability.

Ubiquitin ligase TRIM22 inhibits ovarian cancer malignancy via TCF4 degradation.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common malignancies in women. Tripartite motif-containing protein 22 (TRIM22) plays an important role in the initiation and progression of malignant tumors. Similarly, the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is an essential factor involved in the initiation and progression of many tumors. However, it is still unclear whether TRIM22 can affect TCF4 in OC. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mechanism related to TRIM22 and TCF4 in OC. TRIM22 protein and mRNA levels were analyzed in samples from both clinical and cell lines. The effects of TRIM22 knockdown and overexpression on cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and related biomarkers were evaluated. In addition, the role of ubiquitination-mediated degradation of TCF4 was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The association between TRIM22 and TCF4 was evaluated by Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, proliferation, colony formation, invasion, migration, and related biomarkers. The results showed that the expression of TRIM22 was minimal in OC tissues. Furthermore, upregulation of TRIM22 significantly inhibited OC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. In addition, TRIM22 was observed to regulate the degradation of TCF4 through the ubiquitination pathway. TCF4 can reverse the effects of TRIM22 on proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in OC cells. TRIM22-mediated ubiquitination of TCF4 at K48 is facilitated by the RING domain. Implications: In conclusion, ubiquitination of TCF4 protein in OC is regulated by TRIM22, which has the potential to limit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of planar-chiral dianthranilides via (Dynamic) kinetic resolution.

Chirality constitutes an inherent attribute of nature. The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of molecules with central, axial, and helical chirality is a topic of intense interest and is becoming a mature field of research. However, due to the difficulty in synthesis and the lack of a prototype, less attention has been given to planar chirality arising from the destruction of symmetry on a single planar ring. Herein, we report the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of planar-chiral dianthranilides, a unique class of tub-shaped eight-membered cyclic dilactams. This protocol is enabled by cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed (dynamic) kinetic resolution. Under mild conditions, various C2- or C1-symmetric planar-chiral dianthranilides have been readily prepared in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity. These dianthranilides can serve as an addition to the family of planar-chiral molecules. Its synthetic value has been demonstrated by kinetic resolution of racemic amines via acyl transfer, enantiodivergent synthesis of the natural product eupolyphagin, and preliminary antitumor activity studies.

Tripartite motif family - its role in tumor progression and therapy resistance: a review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we summarized published articles on the role of tripartite motif (TRIM) family members in the initiation and development of human malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS: The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UP-S) plays a critical role in cellular activities, and UP-S dysregulation contributes to tumorigenesis. One of the key regulators of the UP-S is the tripartite motif TRIM protein family, most of which are active E3 ubiquitin ligases. TRIM proteins are critical for the biological functions of cancer cells, including migration, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Therefore, it is important to understand how TRIM proteins function at the molecular level in cancer cells. SUMMARY: We provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview about the role TRIMs play in cancer progression and therapy resistance. We propose TRIM family members as potential new markers and targets to overcome therapy failure.

Scope and inclination of voluntary service for urban community-living older adults provided by volunteers with nursing background: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: With the growing challenge of an aging population, addressing the needs of elderly individuals who face living difficulties and lack family support becomes increasingly difficult. Volunteer services are crucial in this context, yet their effectiveness is hindered by unclear service scopes and uncertain volunteer inclinations. AIM: To explore the role and specific preference of volunteers with nursing backgrounds in support of older adults living in the urban community. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted between September and October 2022. Twenty-three participants (hospital nurses [10], community nurses [4], nursing teachers [4] and nursing students [5]) were selected. Data analysis followed conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Nine major themes were identified based on interview data. Four themes described the service scope of nursing volunteers: (1) environment domain, (2) physiological domain, (3) psychosocial domain and (4) health-related behaviours domain. Another five themes highlighted the service inclination of these volunteers: (1) service frequency, (2) service duration per person/time, (3) service coverage, (4) service place and (5) service object. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies the service focus and scope of necessary support for volunteers, exploring the potential service capabilities of scarce volunteers to the greatest extent. Meanwhile, the results of this study also provide a foundation for stakeholders to fully exploit the synergy. The important findings of this study will help the government and relevant authorities better understand the service attributes of nursing volunteers, allowing them to develop detailed training plans and provide nursing volunteers with targeted support and assistance to meet the health expectations of urban community-living older adults in need. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Developing research questions, participation and conduct and provision and interpretation of evidence.

Catalytic atroposelective synthesis of heterobiaryls with vicinal C-C and N-N diaxes via dynamic kinetic resolution.

Reported herein is a highly efficient dynamic kinetic resolution protocol for the atroposelective synthesis of heterobiaryls with vicinal C-C and N-N diaxes. Atropisomers bearing vicinal diaxes mainly exist in o-triaryls, while that of biaryls is highly challenging in terms of the concerted rotation and deplanarization effects. The combination of C-C biaryl with N-N nonbiaryl delivers a novel class of vicinal-diaxis heterobiaryls. For their atroposelective synthesis, the dynamic kinetic resolution enabled by either quinine-catalyzed allylation or isothiourea-catalyzed acylation has been developed, allowing the preparation of a wide range of vicinal-axis heterobiaryls in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Atropisomerization experiments revealed that the C-C bond rotation led to diastereomers, and the N-N bond rotation offered enantiomers. Besides, this protocol could be extended to kinetic resolution by employing substrates with a more hindered axis.

Factors associated with the perceived need for assistance from voluntary services in home-based older adults in Chinese urban areas: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: With China's rapidly aging population, meeting the diverse care needs of senior citizens is becoming more challenging. Although voluntary social services have numerous advantages and are popular among older adults, there is little information on the need for assistance from volunteer-based social services, particularly those with a medical background, and influencing factors among urban home-based older adults. This study aimed to assess the need for assistance from voluntary services and related factors among urban home-based older adults in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on communities in four cities in China. The 27-item Home-Based Older Adults Assistance Need Scale was used to measure the assistance needs of 498 participants aged 60 and above. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to identify salient variables associated with the need for assistance from voluntary services. RESULTS: The mean score of the need for assistance from voluntary services was 88.60 ± 24.37. The mean scores of the items examining four dimensions, namely, health maintenance, visiting communication, social intercourse, and daily life, were 3.64 ± 1.08, 3.49 ± 1.04, 3.33 ± 1.08, and 2.78 ± 1.08, respectively. The level of depression, willingness to assist older adults, attaching importance to health preservation, ability to self-comfort, desire to accept assistance from others, and the presence of more children or none at all were all positively correlated with the perceived need for assistance from voluntary services. In contrast, social care obtained from visiting medical institutions was negatively correlated. These seven factors explained 28.5% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: Urban home-based older adults in China were found to have significant requirements for assistance from volunteer services, and several complex factors were associated with more significant assistance needs. These findings may encourage the extremely limited numbers of social volunteers, particularly those with a medical background, to identify priorities in providing assistance services to the large numbers of urban home-based older adults and thus improve service delivery.

Nurse managers' perceptions and experiences of caring behavior for clinical nurses: a multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Humanistic care management is a necessary measure to improve the motivation and initiative of clinical nurses and is the foundation to improve the quality of nursing. Understanding the current status and identifying the influencing factors that promote or hinder humanistic care behaviors is essential. This study investigated the current status and experiences of nurse managers' caring behaviors toward clinical nurses. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study with an explanatory sequential design. A survey on the nurse managers' caring behaviors in 101 hospitals from 23 provinces and four municipalities in China was investigated (n = 2022). Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain information about the participants' experiences associated with the performance of caring behaviors (n = 27). RESULTS: Survey data demonstrated that the nurse managers' overall caring behaviors were moderately good. The total scoring rate was 88.55%, and the overall score was 161.19 ± 20.68. Qualitative data revealed that the capacity of nurse managers and clinical nurses, opportunity, and motivation to implement humanistic care are key influencing factors of caring behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that intrinsic motivation, organizational support, and the humanistic care capabilities of clinical nurses and nurse managers are vital to implementing care behaviors. Thus, successful humanistic care management requires a concerted effort at the individual and organizational levels.

Patient satisfaction with humanistic nursing in Chinese secondary and tertiary public hospitals: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Humanistic care pertains to the abilities, attitudes, and behaviors central to patient-centered care, contributing to patients' sense of safety and wellbeing. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction of patients with humanistic nursing care in Chinese secondary and tertiary public hospitals. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted across 30 provinces and 83 hospitals in China. Patient satisfaction with humanistic care was assessed using the Methodist Health Care System Nurse Caring Instrument (NCI), which encompasses 20 items across 12 dimensions. Each item was rated on a 7-point Likert scale, yielding a total score of 140. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with patients' satisfaction. Results: Moderate satisfaction (mean score 91.26 ± 13.14) with humanistic nursing care was observed among the 17,593 participants. Factors significantly associated with patient satisfaction included age, hospital type, presence of children, educational attainment, place of residence, family monthly income, and medical insurance type. Conclusion: The study findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions, evidence-based practice guidelines, and patient-centered care in improving patients' satisfaction with humanistic nursing care. Continuous emphasis on nursing education and professional development is crucial for enhancing humanistic care and patient satisfaction.

Experiences of older people, healthcare providers and caregivers on implementing person-centered care for community-dwelling older people: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Person-centered care (PCC) is a critical approach to improving the quality of care for community-dwelling older people. Old-age care services could be provided according to older peoples' choices, needs, and preferences. The purpose of this study was to synthesize research evidence on the experiences of older people, healthcare providers, and caregivers with PCC and to identify the enablers and barriers to implementing PCC for community-dwelling older people. METHODS: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research design was adopted. Data searches were performed using CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PubMed (OvidSP), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Database, and PsycINFO (Ovid) in published articles and were reviewed from the earliest date to February 2023. The Qualitative Method Appraisal Tool was used to conduct a quality appraisal on selected articles. Data were extracted based on the capacity, opportunity, and motivation-behavior model (COM-B model), and the findings were synthesized using the meta-aggregative approach. RESULTS: Twelve included articles were analyzed to identify 122 findings that were organized into 11 categories and combined into three synthesized findings-capacities of older people, healthcare providers, and caregivers; opportunities in the implementation of PCC; motivation in implementing PCC. Capacities consisted of a lack of person-centered knowledge and skills, negative attitudes toward shared decision-making, and a lack of formal training to enhance capabilities among HCPs. Opportunities included a lack of coordination in resource allocation, strengthening multidisciplinary teamwork, establishing a desirable environment, and time constraints. Motivation in implementing PCC included encouraging self-reflection and regulation, respecting the autonomy of older people, lack of clear reward and empowerment mechanisms, and being resilient and optimistic. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research provide a reference for implementing successful PCC in the community. The researchers identified barriers and facilitators of implementing PCC, facilitating through stakeholder's person-centered knowledge and skills being valued and respecting the autonomy of older people. Establishing a positive environment and strengthening multidisciplinary team members also promotes the implementation of PCC. However, additional studies are required to explore the influencing factors and address the barriers.

A caring leadership model in nursing: A grounded theory approach.

AIM: This study aimed to develop a theoretical model of caring leadership in nursing. BACKGROUND: Nurse leader's role plays an integral part in complex health care institutions. As a common feature of leaders, leaders' caring leadership can positively influence the stakeholders in health care institutions. Still, little is known about caring leadership in nursing, especially in the Chinese cultural background. METHODS: Grounded theory was used to develop the theoretical model of caring leadership. Both semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaire surveys were used to collect data for constructing the theory model. Ten nurse leaders and 11 nurse staff were recruited for an interview, and 168 nurse leaders and 286 nurses were recruited for an open-ended questionnaire survey. RESULTS: A theoretical model of caring leadership was developed using five core attributions: benevolent to others, appreciate the uniqueness, facilitate self-actualization, maintain mutual benefit and motivate with charisma. Caring leadership in nurse leaders works through the caring and leading process, resulting in nurses' well-being, patients' healing and organisational excellence. CONCLUSION: A caring leadership model was developed through grounded theory, revealing Chinese nurses' perspectives on caring leadership in Chinese cultural background. According to the model, the concept of caring leadership has been further explained, and it makes contributions to the measurement and leaders' practice in health care institutions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: This caring leadership model developed in our study provides a new perspective and understanding of caring and leadership for nurse leaders. Nurse leaders need to strengthen their responsibilities and personal qualities while caring for nurse staff to improve leadership efficacy based on the theoretical model. And caring leadership can help nurse leaders to balance the interests of stakeholders, leading to positive consequences for nurse staff, patients and health care organisations.

Nurse-to-nurse horizontal violence in Chinese hospitals and the protective role of head nurse's caring and nurses' group behaviour on it: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This study aimed to analyse the prevalence of nurse-to-nurse horizontal violence in Chinese hospitals and examine the effects of head nurse's caring and nurse's group behaviour on horizontal violence. BACKGROUND: Horizontal violence is a serious global problem affecting the nursing profession, but little is known of the issue in Chinese hospitals. Increasing evidence has showed that leadership and group factors are important in facilitating horizontal violence. Whether the head nurse's caring and group behaviour perceived by nurses has protective effects against horizontal violence remains unclear. METHODS: A cross-sectional online-based questionnaire study was performed in seven general hospitals in Hubei Province, China. Data related to the demographic information, horizontal violence, head nurse's caring and group behaviour were collected. Descriptive analyses, chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In total, 1942 valid questionnaires were collected, with a 92.70% effective response rate (1942/2095). Of those, 59.1% (1148/1942) of respondents had experienced horizontal violence at least once in the previous 6 months. Covert negative behaviours were more frequently reported. Compared with the low level, moderate and high levels of the head nurse's caring showed a lower risk of horizontal violence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.400, p < .001; OR = 0.128, p < .001); moderate and high levels of group behaviour also showed a reduced risk (OR = 0.601, p < .001; OR = 0.221, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Horizontal violence is common among Chinese nurses. The head nurse's caring and maintaining a good climate of nurses' group behaviours could serve as protective factors for preventing horizontal violence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: This study helps nursing managers identify which specific negative behaviours occur frequently and require special attention. It suggests that nursing managers attach importance to improving their caring ability towards nurses and to creating an amicable climate of group behaviour to buffer against horizontal violence.

Meta-analysis investigating the relationship between clinical features, outcomes, and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, outcomes and the severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 cases and compared severe (ICU) and nonsevere (non-ICU) groups. RESULTS: We included 12 cohort studies including 2,445 patients with COVID-19. Compared with nonsevere (non-ICU) patients, severe (ICU) disease was associated with a smoking history (P = .003) and comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 5.08, P < .001), diabetes (OR = 3.17, P < .001), hypertension (OR = 2.40, P < .001), coronary heart disease (OR = 2.66, P < .001), cerebrovascular diseases (OR = 2.68, P = .008), and malignancy (OR=2.21, P = .040). We found significant differences between the 2 groups for fever, dyspnea, decreased lymphocyte and platelet counts, and increased leukocyte count, C-creative protein, procalcitonin, lactose dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase, and creatinine levels (P < .05). Significant differences were also observed for multiple treatments (P < .05). Patients in the severe (ICU) group were more likely to have complications and had a much higher mortality rate and lower discharge rate than those with nonsevere (non-ICU) disease (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Investigation of clinical characteristics and outcomes of severe cases of COVID-19 will contribute to early prediction, accurate diagnosis, and treatment to improve the prognosis of patients with severe illness.

Suppression of MGAT3 expression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells by miR-188-5p.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of miR-188-5p overexpression on the invasion and migration of cultured lung cancer cells, and on related cellular mechanisms that underlie epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: Human lung cancer cell line 95D was transfected with miR-188-5p mimic. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to quantify the expression levels of genes including E-cadherin, Snail, α-SMA, and MGAT3. Changes in cell motility, invasion and proliferation were studied using scratch migration assay, transwell invasion assay, and colony formation assay, respectively. The expression levels of EMT-related proteins and MGAT3 protein were also determined via immunofluorescent staining. The ability of miR-188-5p to regulate its target gene, MGAT3, was assessed using dual luciferase activity assay. RESULTS: Lung cancer cell line 95D showed the lowest miR-188-5p expression level thus was used in this study. Transfection with miR-188-5p mimic significantly suppressed migration, invasion and clonal formation potency of 95D cells. Dual luciferase activity assay implicated that miR-188-5p exerts its negative regulatory effect on MGAT3 expression through recognizing the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the MGAT3 gene. Over-expression of miR-188-5p in 95D cells also remarkably increased E-cadherin protein expression and decreased the expression levels of Snail and α-SMA, which suppressed the EMT process. CONCLUSION: MiR-188-5p reduces the expression of MGAT3 and inhibits the metastatic properties of a highly invasive lung cancer cell line, probably via targeted regulation of EMT process. Further research to explore the potential therapeutic value of miR-188-5p, both as a biomarker and as a drug candidate for the management of metastatic lung cancer may be warranted.

Bioactive monoterpene indole alkaloids from Nauclea officinalis.

Two new monoterpene indole alkaloids, naucleaoffines A (1) and B (2), together with six known alkaloids (3-8), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Nauclea officinalis. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparisons with the data reported in literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities and anti-HIV-1 activities. Compounds 1-8 exhibited significant inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro with IC50 values comparable to that of hydrocortisone. In addition, compounds 1-8 showed significant anti-HIV-1 activities with EC50 ranged from 0.06 to 2.08 µM. These findings suggest that the discoveries of these indole alkaloids with significant anti-inflammatory activities and anti-HIV-1 activities isolated from N. officinalis could be of great importance to the development of new anti-inflammatory and anti-HIV agents.

Frailty assessment in older adults with chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.

The number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been rising with continued exposure to environmental risk factors and aging of populations around the world. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome with a decline in physiological reserve and often coexists with chronic diseases such as COPD. Frailty is an independent risk factor for the development and progression of COPD, and COPD can lead to frailty; treating one might improve the other. Thus, there is an increasing interest in the assessment of frailty in patients with COPD. Furthermore, early identification and assessment of frailty in patients with COPD may affect the choice of intervention and improve its effectiveness. Based on the current literature, the intent of this review was to summarize and discuss frailty assessment tools used for COPD patients and the relevant clinical practices for predicting outcomes. We ascertain that using suitable frailty assessment tools could facilitate physicians to screen and stratify physically frail patients with COPD. Screening appropriately targeted population can achieve better intervention outcomes and pulmonary rehabilitation among frail COPD patients.

Outpatient Experience of Human Caring Scale (OEHC-Scale): Improvement by Delphi Method.

Based on the outpatient interview and literature review, the initial framework of the outpatient experience of human caring scale was formed with 9 dimensions of outpatient process. The research aim was to improve the scale by Delphi method. Sixteen experts in medical management, human caring or medical education were invited to evaluate the importance of the dimensions and items of the scale and provided some expertise via filling out the Delphi consultation questionnaires twice in the consulting round. In the first round, the recovery rate showing the experts' positivity was 80%; the coefficient of reliability (Cr) ascertaining the authority of the evaluation was 0.92; the mean and full mark ratios responding the concentration of the evaluation were 2.88-4.94 and 6.25%-93.75% respectively; the coefficients of variation (CV) and the Kendall's W determining the concordance of the evaluation were 5.06%-52.15% and 0.21-0.24 respectively. In the second round, the recovery rate was 93.75%; the Cr was 0.93; the mean was 3.93-4.93; the full mark ratios were 26.67%-93.33%; the Kendall's W was 0.14-0.31, the CV was 5.25%-23.61%. Via the two-round Delphi study, the scale that included 10 dimensions and 61 items has been improved. Ten dimensions are pre-hospital medical service, guidance, registration, waiting, diagnosis & treatment, paying, inspection & assay, medicine receiving, therapy/injection/transfusion and global evaluation. It was concluded that Chinese scholars have paid high attention to human caring and outpatient experience. The experts have given high agreements about the dimensions which were established with Chinese outpatient process. The dimensions are different from the similar researches about outpatient experience study. In the future, it is necessary to survey the outpatients to test the construct validity, internal consistency reliability and others of the scale to improve the scale.

[Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Psychotria serpens].

The chemical consituents from the stems and leaves of Psychotria serpens were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and PR-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analyses, as well as comparisons with the data reported in literature. 18 compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of P. serpens, which were identified as chrysin(1), acacetin(2), genkwanin(3), chrysoeriol(4), rhamnocitrin(5), isorhamnetin(6), tricin(7), jaceosidin(8), dillenetin(9), kumatakenin(10), ayanin(11), isosakuranetin(12), eriodictyol(13), homoeriodictyol(14), taxifolin(15), pomonic acid(16), fupenzic acid(17) and euscaphic acid(18). All compounds were isolated from the genus Psychotria for the first time.

Using low-risk factors to generate non-integrated human induced pluripotent stem cells from urine-derived cells.

BACKGROUND: Because the lack of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) induction system with optimal safety and efficiency limits the application of these cells, development of such a system is important. METHODS: To create such an induction system, we screened a variety of reprogrammed plasmid combinations and multiple compounds and then verified the system's feasibility using urine cells from different individuals. We also compared large-scale iPSC chromosomal variations and expression of genes associated with genomic stability between this system and the traditional episomal system using karyotype and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses. RESULTS: We developed a high-efficiency episomal system, the 6F/BM1-4C system, lacking tumorigenic factors for human urine-derived cell (hUC) reprogramming. This system includes six low-risk factors (6F), Oct4, Glis1, Klf4, Sox2, L-Myc, and the miR-302 cluster. Transfected hUCs were treated with four compounds (4C), inhibitor of lysine-demethylase1, methyl ethyl ketone, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, and histone deacetylase, within a short time period. Comparative analysis revealed significantly decreased chromosomal variation in iPSCs and significantly increased Sirt1 expression compared with iPSCs induced using the traditional episomal system. CONCLUSION: The 6F/BM1-4C system effectively induces reprogramming of urine cells in samples obtained from different individuals. iPSCs induced using the 6F/BM1-4C system are more stable at the cytogenetic level and have potential value for clinical application.

[Roles of miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the two arms of miR-590, miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p, on hepatoma cell proliferation and their roles in tumor development. METHODS: We analyzed and verified the expression pattern of miR-590 in liver cancer specimens and cell lines by miRNA microarrays and QPCR. MiR-590 mimic or inhibitor was transfected into normal liver cells or liver cancer cells via liposome, and the changes in cell proliferation and survival were determined by MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay. The target genes of miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p were predicated with Targetscan and validated by luciferase reporter system and Western blotting. RESULTS: The expressions of miR-590-5p and miR-590-3ps were up-regulated in 3 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and their synchronization was significantly up-regulated in 8 out of 10 HCC tissues as compared with the adjacent tissues. QPCR further showed that miR-590-5p/3p was up-regulated in 3 HCC cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7) in comparison with the normal liver cell line L-O2. L-O2 cells over-expressing miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p exhibited significantly increased proliferation (P<0.05), while down-regulation of miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p caused significantly suppressed proliferation in HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 cells. Targetscan predicted PDCD4 and PTEN as the potential target genes of miR-590-5p and miR-590-3p, which was verified by luciferase reporter system and Western blotting. miR-590-3p was found to activate PI3K-AKT signaling pathway by down-regulating PTEN to promote AKT1-S473 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: MiR-590 is an important tumorigenic factor for HCC, and its two arms can both promote tumorigenesis by regulating the expression of their target tumor suppressor gene, PDCD4 and PTEN, to promote HCC cell proliferation and survival and activate the core tumor signal pathway PI3K-AKT.