CircBNC2 affects epithelial ovarian cancer progression through the miR-223-3p/ LARP4 axis.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most serious cancer. Circular RNA BNC2 (circBNC2) expression was decreased in EOC tissues. However, the molecular mechanism of circBNC2 remains unknown. The expression of circBNC2, microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p), and La-related proteins 4 ( LARP4 ) were detected by quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR). A series of in-vitro experiments were designed to explore the function of circBNC2 in EOC cells and the regulatory mechanism between circBNC2 and miR-223-3p and LARP4 in EOC cells. Western blot examined the protein levels of Snail1, Slug, and LARP4 . The relationship between miR-223-3p and circBNC2 or LARP4 was verified by Dual-luciferase reporter assays. The xenotransplantation model was established to study the role of circBNC2 in vivo . The expression of circBNC2 and LARP4 was decreased in EOC tissues, while the expression of miR-223-3p was increased. CircBNC2 can sponge miR-223-3p, and LARP4 is the target of miR-223-3p. In-vitro complement experiments showed that overexpression of circBNC2 significantly decreased the malignant behavior of EOC, while co-transfection of miR-223-3p mimics partially upregulated this change. In addition, LARP4 knockdown increased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EOC cells inhibited by miR-223-3p inhibitor. Mechanically, circBNC2 regulates LARP4 expression in EOC cells by spongy miR-223-3p. In addition, in-vivo studies have shown that overexpression of circBNC2 inhibits tumor growth. Overexpression of circBNC2 decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion of EOC cells by regulating the miR-223-3p/ LARP4 axis, suggesting that circBNC2/miR-223-3p/ LARP4 axis may be a potential regulatory mechanism for the treatment of EOC.

Correlation analysis of stress and family function and coping modes in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a common complication in obstetrics and an important cause of maternal death. We explored the correlations among stress, family function and coping mode in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome. METHODS: A total of 58 pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome were included in the study. The perceived stress scale (PSS), family assessment device (FAD), and medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ) were used to assess stress level, family function, and coping mode, respectively. RESULTS: The PSS score was 28 (interquartile range: 20-43). The total FAD score was 128.1±27.1. The subscale scores were problem-solving, affective responsiveness, communication, roles, behavior control, affective involvement, and general function, in order of decreasing score. Significant correlations were noted between PSS score and total FAD score, affective responsiveness, problem-solving, communication, roles, affective involvement, and behavior control (all P<0.05). PSS score was significantly correlated with "Escape" (P=0.016) and "Yield" (P<0.001) in the MCMQ. Single-factor analysis showed that education level, average household income, and FAD total score were significantly different in those with a low or high PSS score. Logistic regression indicated the FAD total score as an independent factor for the PSS score. CONCLUSIONS: Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome with a high PSS score tended to adopt the "Escape" and "Yield" coping modes. Family function integrity is essential for reducing PSS scores.

Identification of novel pathogenic F13A1 mutation and novel NBEAL2 gene missense mutation in a pedigree with hereditary congenital factor XIII deficiency.

The genetic defects of a 12-year-old patient with factor XIII deficiency (FXIIID) and eight pedigree members suspected with FXIIID were studied. Clinical diagnosis, pedigree investigation, phenotypic study and genetic analysis were performed. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the proband had a novel deletion mutation of F13A1 gene (NM_000129: exon 12: c.1652delC: p.Thr551LysfsTer26) which he inherited from both the parents who were heterozygous for the same 1652delC deletion. This frameshift (p.Thr551LysfsTer26) led in homozygous form to severe FXIIID. Additionally, a homozygous missense mutation of NBEAL2 gene (NM_015175: exon 13: c.1367C > T: p.Ala456Val) was identified in the proband. Again, the mutation was inherited from both the parents who were heterozygous for the same c.1367C > T novel mutation. Other members of the pedigree were also revealed to be heterozygous for the same proband's F13A1 and NBEAL2 genes mutations. We first report a pedigree with pathogenic F13A1 gene mutation and a novel mutant NBEAL2 gene.

Coke-resistant defect-confined Ni-based nanosheet-like catalysts derived from halloysites for CO2 reforming of methane.

In this study, halloysites, one of the most abundant clays, with hollow nanotube features were reconstructed by selectively etching silica from the outermost layer of the halloysites associated with unzipping the nanotubes to nanosheets via ball milling, and then, nickel nanoparticles were confined by the resulting defects in the nanosheets to boost charge transfer by a wet impregnation method. The obtained materials were developed as coke-resistant defect-confined Ni-based nanosheet-like catalysts for CO2 reforming of methane (CRM) for the first time. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited good coke and sintering resistance performance in CRM, and especially, there was almost no loss of activity even after a 20 h stability test due to the strong interaction between the Ni nanoparticles and the support. The present investigations may provide a new pathway for the design and application of highly coke-resistant CRM catalysts.

Hexagonal boron nitride supported mesoSiO2-confined Ni catalysts for dry reforming of methane.

Based on the superior chemical and thermal stability of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), we design and synthesize h-BN supported mesoSiO2-confined Ni catalysts with a stable architecture. The as-prepared catalyst exhibits excellent coke- and sintering-resistance performance in the dry reforming of methane, and especially, there is almost no loss of activity even after a 100 h stability test due to the synergistic effects of the h-BN interface and Ni nanoparticles.

[Effects of silicon on photosynthetic characteristics of Indocalamus barbatus under simulated acid rain stress].

With Indocalamus barbatus as test material, the effects of silicon on the relative content of chlorophyll, diurnal variations of photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence were examined under simulated acid rain (pH 3.0) stress. The results showed that under acid rain stress, 20 and 500 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3 could prohibit the decrease of the relative content of chlorophyll to some extent; 100 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3 could get best effect, with the relative chlorophyll content being 22.7% higher than the control; while 500 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3 didn't have any effect. Under the stress, the midday depression of photosynthesis became more serious. The average daily net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal limitation value (Ls), and stomata conductance (Gs) were all decreased significantly, while the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) increased. After treated with 20-100 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3, the Pn, Ls, and Gs increased to some extent while Ci decreased, and 100 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3 was most effective, with the average daily Pn increased by 39.2%. The maximum fluorescence of dark adaptation (Fm), maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), potential activity (Fv/Fo), effective photochemical efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), maximum fluorescence of light adaptation (Fm') of PSII, photochemical quenching (qp), non-photochemical quenching (qN), and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (PhiPSII) were all decreased obviously under simulated acid rain stress, but the minimum fluorescence of dark adaptation (Fo) and the minimum fluorescence of light adaptation (Fo') increased. 100 mg x L(-1) of Na2SiO3 could restrain the changes of fluorescence parameters obviously, with the Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, Fv'/Fm' and PhiPSII increased by 35.2%, 146.2%, 55.0% and 24.3%, respectively, compared with the control. It was suggested that applying appropriate concentration of exogenous silicon to I. barbatus could efficiently relieve the decrease of its photosynthetic activity and the damage of its photosynthetic system caused by acid rain, and thus, improve its photosynthetic ability under the stress.