Selective expression of light-harvesting complexes alters phospholipid composition in the intracytoplasmic membrane and core complex of purple phototrophic bacteria.

Phospholipid-protein interactions play important roles in regulating the function and morphology of photosynthetic membranes in purple phototrophic bacteria. Here, we characterize the phospholipid composition of intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM) from Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides that has been genetically altered to selectively express light-harvesting (LH) complexes. In the mutant strain (DP2) that lacks a peripheral light-harvesting (LH2) complex, the phospholipid composition was significantly different from that of the wild-type strain; strain DP2 showed a marked decrease in phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and large increases in cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) indicating preferential interactions between the complexes and specific phospholipids. Substitution of the core light-harvesting (LH1) complex of Rba. sphaeroides strain DP2 with that from the purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum further altered the phospholipid composition, with substantial increases in PG and PE and decreases in CL and PC, indicating that the phospholipids incorporated into the ICM depend on the nature of the LH1 complex expressed. Purified LH1-reaction center core complexes (LH1-RC) from the selectively expressing strains also contained different phospholipid compositions than did core complexes from their corresponding wild-type strains, suggesting different patterns of phospholipid association between the selectively expressed LH1-RC complexes and those purified from native strains. Effects of carotenoids on the phospholipid composition were also investigated using carotenoid-suppressed cells and carotenoid-deficient species. The findings are discussed in relation to ICM morphology and specific LH complex-phospholipid interactions.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced murine lung injury results in long-term pulmonary changes and downregulation of angiogenic pathways.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is the most severe form of acute lung injury (ALI) and is associated with significant mortality. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury is a valuable murine model of ALI but there is a paucity of data on lung regeneration and the role of angiogenic signaling involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomized to receive intratracheal instillation of either LPS or isovolumetric phosphate buffered saline as a vehicle control. Mice were observed at a single follow-up time-point that was either short-term (24 h or 4 days) or long-term (7 days or 4 weeks). On pulmonary function testing, LPS-treated mice had increased compliance at 4 weeks post-instillation, which correlated with decreased vascularization and with time-dependent, progressive decrease in alveolarization. Treadmill exercise tolerance testing demonstrated impaired performance at 24 h, 4 days and 4 weeks following LPS exposure. On lung protein analysis, LPS instillation decreased VEGF expression at up to 4 weeks, and decreased activation of its key receptor, VEGFR2 at 7 days and 4 weeks post-instillation. Together, these data provide insight on long-term pulmonary functional outcomes 4 weeks after ALI and identify angiogenic proteins as possible therapeutic targets following lung injury.

An in-line digestive cartridge increases enteral fat and vitamin absorption in a porcine model of short bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs after intestinal loss resulting in parenteral nutrition dependence and micronutrient deficiencies, which may lead to life-limiting complications. ALC-078 is a cartridge containing immobilized lipase that connects in-line with enteral feeding sets and digests fats in enteral nutrition (EN). In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of ALC-078 to improve fat and nutrient absorption in a porcine SBS model. METHODS: Fifteen male Yorkshire piglets were assessed. Animals were randomized to no intestinal resection (n = 5), 75% resection (n = 5), or 75% resection + ALC-078 (n = 5). After recovery, animals were treated for 14 days. Piglets received 60% of nutrition from continuous EN and 40% from chow. The degree of fat malabsorption was determined by the coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) following a 72-h stool collection. Body weight, fat-soluble vitamins, and nutritional markers were assessed. RESULTS: Adverse events were similar across the three groups (P = 1.00). ALC-078-treated animals had similar weight gain compared to resected piglets. Resected animals had a lower CFA compared to unresected controls (79.3% vs. 95.2%, P = 0.01) while there was no significant difference in the ALC-078 animals (87.1% vs. 95.2%, P = 0.19). Between Study Days 1 and 15, ALC-078 animals had increased concentrations of vitamin D (12.2 vs. 8.7 ng/mL, P = 0.0006), and vitamin E (4.3 vs. 2.5 mg/L, P = 0.03). These markers did not significantly change in untreated resected animals. CONCLUSION: ALC-078 increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and may improve fat malabsorption. Future studies should determine whether ALC-078 can reduce PN dependence and if these findings translate to human patients with SBS.

[Clinical analysis of pulmonary nocardiosis associated with bronchiectasis].

Objective: To better understand the clinical characteristics of pulmonary nocardiosis associated with bronchiectasis. Methods: Patients diagnosed as bronchiectasis complicated with pulmonary nocardiosis in 9 tertiary general hospitals in China were enrolled from March 2016 to March 2020, with the record of general data, imaging performance and pathogen. The literature was reviewed. Results: Totally 17 patients were included. There were 12 females and 5 males. The ages ranged from 45 to 79 years, with an average of (63±9) years. There were 15 nonsmokers and 2 smokers, all of whom with chronic course. The clinical manifestations were mostly cough, expectoration, hemoptysis, fever, and dyspnea. The imaging manifestation was bronchiectasis in both lungs, with the most common involvement in the left lower lung, right middle lobe and left lingual lobe. Sputum cultures were positive in 10 cases, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cultures were positive in 6 cases, and next generation gene sequencings were positive in 4 cases, including 2 cases of Nocardia gelsenkii, 2 cases of Nocardia abscess, 2 cases of Nocardia stellate, 1 case of Nocardia mexicana, 1 case of Nocardia otitis caviae, and 9 cases of undetermined Nocardia. There were 3 cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 2 cases of Aspergillus. The symptoms and imaging of all patients were improved after anti Nocardia therapy. Conclusions: Bronchiectasis combined with nocardiosis is more common in middle-aged and elderly women without smoking, which is similar to the clinical manifestations of Lady Windermere syndrome. Bronchiectasis often involves the left lower lobe, right middle lobe and left lingual lobe. Nocardia infection might further precipitate the initiation and progression of bronchiectasis.

[Investigation and analysis of a mass ammonia gas poisoning accident].

Objective: To investigation and analysis of ammonia gas leakage in a meat factory. Methods: In April 2013, Enterprise managers and workers were investigated, and clinical data of 24 patients were analyzed. Results: The company caused a leak in the ammonia pipeline maintenance operation, Among the patients, 20 had stimulus response and 4 had mild poisoning. Conclusion: To prevent group occupational ammonia poisoning, it is necessary to strengthen the awareness of occupational disease prevention of enterprise owners and the awareness of self-protection of workers.

Circular dichroism and resonance Raman spectroscopies of bacteriochlorophyll b-containing LH1-RC complexes.

The core light-harvesting complexes (LH1) in bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) b-containing purple phototrophic bacteria are characterized by a near-infrared absorption maximum around 1010 nm. The determinative cause for this ultra-redshift remains unclear. Here, we present results of circular dichroism (CD) and resonance Raman measurements on the purified LH1 complexes in a reaction center-associated form from a mesophilic and a thermophilic Blastochloris species. Both the LH1 complexes displayed purely positive CD signals for their Qy transitions, in contrast to those of BChl a-containing LH1 complexes. This may reflect differences in the conjugation system of the bacteriochlorin between BChl b and BChl a and/or the differences in the pigment organization between the BChl b- and BChl a-containing LH1 complexes. Resonance Raman spectroscopy revealed remarkably large redshifts of the Raman bands for the BChl b C3-acetyl group, indicating unusually strong hydrogen bonds formed with LH1 polypeptides, results that were verified by a published structure. A linear correlation was found between the redshift of the Raman band for the BChl C3-acetyl group and the change in LH1-Qy transition for all native BChl a- and BChl b-containing LH1 complexes examined. The strong hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions between BChl b and nearby aromatic residues in the LH1 polypeptides, along with the CD results, provide crucial insights into the spectral and structural origins for the ultra-redshift of the long-wavelength absorption maximum of BChl b-containing phototrophs.

Morphological classification of dense objects in atom probe tomography data.

The technique of atom probe tomography is often used to image solute clusters and solute atom segregation to dislocation lines in structural alloys. Quantitative analysis, however, remains a common challenge. To address this gap, we combined a cluster finding algorithm, a skeleton finder algorithm, and morphological classification of dense objects to distinguish solute clusters from solute-decorated dislocation lines, both being characterized by high solute atom densities. The proposed workflow is packaged into a graphical user interface available through GitHub. We illustrate its application on a synthetic dataset containing known objects and apply it to an experimental dataset obtained from a proton-irradiated Alloy 625 that contains high densities of Si-decorated dislocations and Si-rich clusters.

[Progress in study on intervention of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis with the exosomes released from mesenchymal stem cells].

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease which seriously endangers the health of workers exposed to dust. Silica is regarded as the most serious cause of pneumoconiosis because it can cause diffuse pulmonary fibrosis in workers' lung tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells with multiple differentiation potential. As member of extracellular vesicles family, exosomes can be secreted from MSCs to regulate and intervene tumorigenesis, cardiovascular disease, immune system disorder and tissue damage disease. This article reviews the experimental results in the field of intervention of MSCs and its exosomes in silicosis research in recent years, which plays an important role in indicating direction in the future research on the mechanism and function of MSCs exosomes in the therapy of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00641 promotes cell growth and migration through modulating miR-378a/ZBTB20 axis in acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: Many researchers have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) acted as modulators in tumor biology. LncRNA LINC00641 (LINC00641), a newly discovered tumor-related lncRNA, has been reported to act as a modulator in several tumors. Hence, our study aimed to examine the expression and function of LINC00641 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression pattern of LINC00641 in AML specimens and cell lines was explored using a gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) tool and RT-PCR assays. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, transwell migration, and invasion assays were used for the functional study of cell viability, cell migration, and invasion. The influence of LINC00641 on cell cycle and apoptosis was determined using Flow cytometry detection. The regulating associations between LINC00641, miR-378a, and ZBTB20 were investigated in AML cells using the Luciferase reporter assays and RT-PCR assays RESULTS: We found that LINC00641 was highly expressed in AML specimens and cell lines. Functionally, the silence of LINC00641 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle arrest in AML cells while inducing their apoptosis. The results using bioinformatics assays predicted the complementary binding sites within LINC00641 and miR-378a, which was demonstrated by the use of the Luciferase reporter assays. In addition, we also demonstrated that ZBTB20 was a direct target of miR-378a. Moreover, the inhibition of miR-378a could rescue the ZBTB20 protein level decrease induced by LINC00641 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS: We firstly identified LINC00641 as a novel AML-related lncRNA whose knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis by modulating miR-378a/ZBTB20 axis in AML.

Phospholipid distributions in purple phototrophic bacteria and LH1-RC core complexes.

In contrast to plants, algae and cyanobacteria that contain glycolipids as the major lipid components in their photosynthetic membranes, phospholipids are the dominant lipids in the membranes of anoxygenic purple phototrophic bacteria. Although the phospholipid compositions in whole cells or membranes are known for a limited number of the purple bacteria, little is known about the phospholipids associated with individual photosynthetic complexes. In this study, we investigated the phospholipid distributions in both membranes and the light-harvesting 1-reaction center (LH1-RC) complexes purified from several purple sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria. 31P NMR was used for determining the phospholipid compositions and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used for measuring the total phosphorous contents. Combining these two techniques, we could determine the numbers of specific phospholipids in the purified LH1-RC complexes. A total of approximate 20-30 phospholipids per LH1-RC were detected as the tightly bound lipids in all species. The results revealed that while cardiolipin (CL) exists as a minor component in the membranes, it became the most abundant phospholipid in the purified core complexes and the sum of CL and phosphatidylglycerol accounted for more than two thirds of the total phospholipids for most species. Preferential association of these anionic phospholipids with the LH1-RC is discussed in the context of the recent high-resolution structure of this complex from Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum. The detergent lauryldimethylamine N-oxide was demonstrated to selectively remove phosphatidylethanolamine from the membrane of Tch. tepidum.

[Investigation on an incident of groups mushroom poisoning].

Objective: To investigate an incident of mushroom poisoning and related clinical data. Methods: A descriptive analysis was performed to investigate an incident of poisonous mushroom poisoning in Jinan, Shandong Province, China in July 2016. The clinical data of four patients were analyzed and summarized, and the causes of this incident and prevention and control measures were summarized. Results: This incident of acute poisonous mushroom poisoning was caused by Lepiota brunneoincarnata. The patients mainly had digestive system symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain, and later developed liver damage. After comprehensive rescue treatment, one patient died and three survived. The main clinical manifestation of the patient who died was multiple organ failure, especially liver failure. Conclusion: This incident of poisoning was caused by Lepiota brunneoincarnata the residents ate by mistake.

[Clinical analysis of lower limb thrombosis caused by paraquat poisoning].

Objective: To investigate the causes of peripheral vascular thrombosis in patients with paraquat poisoning. Methods: The patients with paraquat poisoning who were admitted to our department in recent two years were observed to screen out the patients with large vessel thrombosis. The data on toxic exposure history, clinical features, and treatment were collected to analyze the causes of thrombosis in the patients with paraquat poisoning. Results: Three patients had typical lower limb thrombosis. There was one case of right common femoral vein thrombosis, one case of bilateral calf muscle vein thrombosis, and one case of right calf superficial vein thrombosis and right calf muscle vein thrombosis. Conclusions: After paraquat poisoning, the blood is in a hypercoagulable state and prolonged bed rest may increase the risk of thrombosis.

[The experimental study of diquat on the half-Lethal dose and pothological injuny of related organs in wistor rats].

Objective: To explore the acute toxicity of Diquat in mice and to calculate the median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Diquat to rats and observe the pathological changes of tissues and organs in rats with different concentrations of Diquat. Methods: Diquat solution of 50 mg/kg was prepared freshly with 1 000 mg of Diquat and dilute the solution with water to a total of 20 ml. A total of 99 healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into part one, part two and control groups. In the first part, 36 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 100 mg/kg group, 200 mg/kg group, 300 mg/kg group and 400 mg/kg group, which were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Diquat solution by gavage, respectively. The death and symptoms of poisoning after intragastric administration were recorded, and the maximum tolerated dose and absolute lethal dose were measured. In the second part, 54 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: 200 mg/kg group, 220 mg/kg group, 240 mg/kg group, 260 mg/kg、280 mg/kg group and 300 mg/kg group, whichwere treated with 200 mg/kg, 220 mg/kg, 240 mg/kg, 260 mg/kg, 280 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of Diquat solution by gavage, respectively. The survival of rats in different concentration of Diquat was observed and the LD(50) was calculated by Excel processing the formula of Koch's method. The control group were given equal volume water under the same experimental conditions. And moreover, the lungs, kidneys, hearts, livers, and brain tissues were collected and fixed by formaldehyde, embedded by paraffin, and sectioned for histopathological light microscopy. Results: The maximum tolerated dose was 240 mg/kg and the absolute lethal dose was 300 mg/kg. The LD(50) of Diquat for Rats was 280.58 mg/kg. The high-dose group had significantly more organ damage than the low-dose group after diquat poisoning. Conclusion: The determination of the half-lethal dose of diquat, at the same time observed multiple organs damaged in rats after the diquat quickly poisoned. Kidneys, lungs and heart might be the main organ which was heavily damaged. With the extension of observation time, the organ damage of rats exposed to small doses gradually stabilized.

[Research Progress on the Detection Method of DNA Methylation and Its Application in Forensic Science].

As an important part of epigenetic marker, DNA methylation involves in the gene regulation and attracts a wide spread attention in biological auxology, geratology and oncology fields. In forensic science, because of the relative stable, heritable, abundant, and age-related characteristics, DNA methylation is considered to be a useful complement to the classic genetic markers for age-prediction, tissue-identification, and monozygotic twins' discrimination. Various methods for DNA methylation detection have been validated based on methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease, bisulfite modification and methylation-CpG binding protein. In recent years, it is reported that the third generation sequencing method can be used to detect DNA methylation. This paper aims to make a review on the detection method of DNA methylation and its applications in forensic science.

Is intralesional resection suitable for central grade 1 chondrosarcoma: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The surgical choice for grade 1 chondrosarcoma has been debated for decades. Intralesional resection can minimize the damage caused by surgery and offer better functional outcome. However, controversy remains about whether it will result in higher rates of local recurrence and metastasis, fewer complications, and better functional outcome compared with resection with wide margin. This systematic review and updated meta-analysis therefore compared intralesional resection and resection with wide margin in terms of local recurrence, metastasis, complications, and functional outcome. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched in December 2016 to identify studies comparing intralesional resection and resection with wide margin for central grade 1 chondrosarcoma. Data of interest were extracted and analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 394 patients were included, with 214 patients who had intralesional resection and 180 patients who had resection with wide margin for grade 1 chondrosarcoma. Intralesional resection was associated with lower complication rates (P < 0.0001) and better Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS). There were no significant differences in terms of overall local recurrence (P = 0.27), local recurrence based on adjuvant therapies (P = 0.22), local recurrence in studies that included lesions of the hand, foot, pelvis, and axial skeleton (P = 0.55), and metastasis (P = 0.74) between groups. CONCLUSION: Intralesional resection provides lower complications and better functional outcome with no significant increase in the risk of recurrence and metastasis. We think it is a suitable treatment for central grade 1 chondrosarcoma.

LncRNA625 modulates prostate cancer cells proliferation and apoptosis through regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by targeting miR-432.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading contributor to male malignancy-associated death in developed countries. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of lncRNA625/miR-432 on the prostate cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cell proliferation was detected using the MTT and colony formation, and cells apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed with the flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to detect the correlation between miR-432 and TRIM29 and PYGO2. Besides, reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels in prostate tissues and PC3 cells. RESULTS: lncRNA625 and miR-432 levels were consistently reduced in the PCa tissues compared with the healthy control and lncRNA625 levels significantly affect the miR-432 expression in PC3 cells, indicating that miR-432 is a direct target of lncRNA625. Besides, lncRNA625 overexpression could inhibit the cancer cells growth, arresting cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase, and significantly induce apoptosis of PC3 cells, but reversed by the miR-432 inhibitor. Most importantly, we further found that miR-432 could deactivate Wnt/ß-catenin pathway via suppressing TRIM29 and PYGO2 directly. CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA625 could functionally inhibit PC3 cells proliferation and promote cells apoptosis through regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by targeting miR-432.

[An investigation to an accident of occupational trichloroethylene explosion].

Objective: To investigation to an accident of occupational trichloroethylene explosion and analyze the clinical datas. Methods: An investigation was carried out on the explosion of trichloroethylene in a place in shandong province in June 2016, and the clinical data of 4 patients with trichloroethylene poisoning were analyzed. Results: The incident is caused by irregularities in workers, 4 patients were characterized by different levels of the respiratory system, nervous system, liver, and skin lesions. Among them, respiratory system damage was more prominent, mainly manifested as chemical bronchitis and pneumonia, after positive rescue and treatment all recovered and discharged. Conclusions: Trichloroethylene leak can cause severe ex-plosion accidents, can cause workers of the respiratory system, nervous system, liver and skin lesions, mainly glucocorticoids comprehensive therapy has good curative effect.

Valproic acid protects against MPP+-mediated neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells through autophagy.

Autophagy is a common physiological activity in cells. Studies show that dysregulation of autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). As a commonly used anti-epileptic drug, valproic acid (VPA) has shown neuroprotective effects in PD. The aim of this study was to explore whether the autophagy induced by VPA involved in the neuroprotective effects in PD cell model. We found that VPA treatment counteracted MPP+-caused autophagic flux impairment. Forthermore, VPA could alleviates apoptosis, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss caused by MPP+. And we also observed that VPA up-regulated the active caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibited cytochrome c (Cyt c) release from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. However, 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) or bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), blockers for autophagy, partially weakened the neuroprotective effect of VPA. Our findings suggest that the neuroprotective effect of VPA on neuroblastoma cells may partially result from inducing autophagy and related to the inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

QTL Mapping for Gray Leaf Spot Resistance in a Tropical Maize Population.

A tropical gray leaf spot (GLS)-resistant line, YML 32, was crossed to a temperate GLS-susceptible line, Ye 478, to produce an F2:3 population for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to GLS. The population was evaluated for GLS disease resistance and flowering time at two locations in Yunnan province. Seven QTL using GLS disease scores and six QTL using flowering time were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 in the YML 32 × Ye 478 maize population. All QTL, except one identified on chromosome 2 using flowering time, were overlapped with the QTL for GLS disease scores. The results indicated that QTL for flowering time in this population strongly corresponded to QTL for GLS resistance. Among the QTL, qRgls.yaas-8-1/qFt.yaas-8 with the largest genetic effect accounted for 17.9 to 18.1 and 11.0 to 21.42% of variations for GLS disease scores and flowering time, respectively, and these should be very useful for improving resistance to GLS, especially in subtropical maize breeding programs. The QTL effects for resistance to GLS were predominantly additive in nature, with a dominance effect having been found for two QTL on the basis of joint segregation genetic analysis and QTL analysis.

STAT3 cooperates with the non-canonical NF-κB signaling to regulate pro-labor genes in the human placenta.

INTRODUCTION: Our recent studies have shown that constitutively activated non-canonical RelB/NF-κB2 (p52) in the human placenta positively regulates the pro-labor genes CRH and COX-2. STAT3 regulates NF-κB2 (p100) processing to active p52, and in turn, nuclear activation of RelB/p52, by directly binding to p100/p52 in a variety of cancer cells. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that STAT3 is involved in regulation of pro-labor genes by associating with RelB/p52 heterodimers in the human placenta. METHODS: We used a variety of techniques including immunohistochemical staining, gene silencing, ectopic expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation, Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence assays in primary culture of cytotrophoblast and placental tissues. RESULTS: We found that knockdown of STAT3 led to down-regulation of both CRH and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we further showed that interaction of RelB with the CRH or COX-2 gene promoters decreased when STAT3 was depleted. Immunofluorescence demonstrated co-localization of STAT3 with RelB or p100/p52 in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of term cytotrophoblasts. DISCUSSION: Collectively, these results suggest that STAT3 constitutes part of the RelB/p52-containing activator complex that positively regulates pro-labor genes in the human placenta.