Osteoblastic NF-κB pathway is involved in 1α, 25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclast-like cells formation in vitro.

1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α, 25(OH)2D3) acts on the osteoblasts to enhance the expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and induce the formation of osteoclasts. However, the mechanism in osteoblasts by which 1α, 25(OH)2D3 promotes osteoclastogenesis has not yet been completely understood. This study aimed to select the first generation of murine osteoblasts to explore the underlying mechanism of 1α, 25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastic formation from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs).

Transcriptome-wide characterization of candidate genes for improving the water use efficiency of energy crops grown on semiarid land.

Understanding the genetic basis of water use efficiency (WUE) and its roles in plant adaptation to a drought environment is essential for the production of second-generation energy crops in water-deficit marginal land. In this study, RNA-Seq and WUE measurements were performed for 78 individuals of Miscanthus lutarioriparius grown in two common gardens, one located in warm and wet Central China near the native habitats of the species and the other located in the semiarid Loess Plateau, the domestication site of the energy crop. The field measurements showed that WUE of M.

Pharmacological Targeting of Protease-Activated Receptor 2 Affords Protection from Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most devastating diffuse fibrosing lung disease that remains refractory to therapy. Despite increasing evidence that protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) contributes to fibrosis, its importance in pulmonary fibrosis is under debate. We addressed whether PAR-2 deficiency persistently reduces bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis or merely delays disease progression and whether pharmacological PAR-2 inhibition limits experimental pulmonary fibrosis.

Fungus induces the release of IL-8 in human corneal epithelial cells, via Dectin-1-mediated protein kinase C pathways.

Aim: To identify whether Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) hyphae antigens induced the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in anti-fungal innate immunity of cultured human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and determine the involvement of intracellular signalling pathways.

Methods: HCECs were treated with A.

Recent Evolution in Rattus norvegicus Is Shaped by Declining Effective Population Size.

The brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, is both a notorious pest and a frequently used model in biomedical research. By analyzing genome sequences of 12 wild-caught brown rats from their presumed ancestral range in NE China, along with the sequence of a black rat, Rattus rattus, we investigate the selective and demographic forces shaping variation in the genome. We estimate that the recent effective population size (Ne) of this species = [Formula: see text], based on silent site diversity.

[Screening of the anti-tumor active fraction from Ipomoea batatas Lam. (cv.simon) leaves].

Objective: Three fractions (SM, SM-A, SM-B) were prepared from different polarity parts of Ipomoea batatas Lam. (cv.simon) leaves and the anti-tumor potency as well as the dose-response relations were evaluated.

PKU-3: An HCl-Inclusive Aluminoborate for Strecker Reaction Solved by Combining RED and PXRD.

A novel microporous aluminoborate, denoted as PKU-3, was prepared by the boric acid flux method. The structure of PKU-3 was determined by combining the rotation electron diffraction and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data with well resolved ordered Cl(-) ions in the channel. Composition and crystal structure analysis showed that there are both proton and chlorine ions in the channels.

[Association between the expression of Aggrecan and the distribution of Aggrecan gene variable number of tandem repeats with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To study the expression of Aggrecan and the relationship between the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of Aggrecan and lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods: The disease group comprised of 74 patients already diagnosed with symptomatic LDH. The control group consisted of 15 patients restricted to spinal trauma and 113 healthy blood donors without symptoms of LDH who were not diagnosed with LDH.

New medium used in the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to retinal cells is comparable to fetal human eye tissue.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to differentiate along the retinal lineage. However, most induction systems are dependent on multiple small molecular compounds such as Dkk-1, Lefty-A, and retinoic acid. In the present study, we efficiently differentiated hPSCs into retinal cells using a retinal differentiation medium (RDM) without the use of small molecular compounds.

Resveratrol prevents osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by regulating microRNA-338-3p.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by loss of bone mass and degeneration of the microstructure of bone. Resveratrol (3,5,4-tri-hydroxystilbene; RESV) may delay the onset of a variety of age-related diseases. In the present study, an ovariectomized female rat model was used to detect the changes in microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) following RESV treatment.

Clinical application of antenatal genetic diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type IV.

Background: Clinical analysis and genetic testing of a family with osteogenesis imperfecta type IV were conducted, aiming to discuss antenatal genetic diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type IV.

Material/methods: Preliminary genotyping was performed based on clinical characteristics of the family members and then high-throughput sequencing was applied to rapidly and accurately detect the changes in candidate genes.

Results: Genetic testing of the III5 fetus and other family members revealed missense mutation in c.

Neuronal Kmt2a/Mll1 histone methyltransferase is essential for prefrontal synaptic plasticity and working memory.

Neuronal histone H3-lysine 4 methylation landscapes are defined by sharp peaks at gene promoters and other cis-regulatory sequences, but molecular and cellular phenotypes after neuron-specific deletion of H3K4 methyl-regulators remain largely unexplored. We report that neuronal ablation of the H3K4-specific methyltransferase, Kmt2a/Mixed-lineage leukemia 1 (Mll1), in mouse postnatal forebrain and adult prefrontal cortex (PFC) is associated with increased anxiety and robust cognitive deficits without locomotor dysfunction. In contrast, only mild behavioral phenotypes were observed after ablation of the Mll1 ortholog Kmt2b/Mll2 in PFC.

Nickel-catalyzed direct thioetherification of β-C(sp(3))-H bonds of aliphatic amides.

The nickel-catalyzed β-thioetherification of unactivated C(sp(3))-H bond of propionamides is established with the assistance of 8-aminoquinoline auxiliary, leading to the β-thio carboxylic acid derivatives. A broad range of functional groups is compatible with this thioetherfication reaction. The process represents the first successful example of metal-catalyzed C-S bond formation from unactivated C(sp(3))-H bonds.

Direct ortho-thiolation of arenes and alkenes by nickel catalysis.

The direct thiolation of arenes and alkenes with diaryl disulfides was developed by nickel catalysis. The reaction displayed exceptional compatibility with a wide range of functional groups to regioselectively give the diaryl sulfides and alkenyl sulfides in high yields.

Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 is required for PAR-1 signalling in pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most devastating diffuse fibrosing lung disease of unknown aetiology. Compelling evidence suggests that both protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-2 participate in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis is diminished in both PAR-1 and PAR-2 deficient mice.

New insights into the solvent-assisted excited-state double proton transfer of 2-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine with alcoholic partners: a TDDFT investigation.

Excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) in the hydrogen-bonded 2-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine with propyl alcoholic partner (PPP) was theoretically investigated by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. Great changes have taken place for the calculated geometric structures, the electron density features and vibrational spectrum of PPP system in S0 and S1 state. Our results have demonstrated that ESDPT reaction happens within the system upon photoexcitation.

Amyloid β oligomer-induced ERK1/2-dependent serine 636/639 phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 impairs insulin signaling and glycogen storage in human astrocytes.

Aims: This study is to investigate the effect of amyloid β1-42 oligomers on insulin signaling in astrocytes.

Methods: Synthetic Aβ1-42 oligomers were prepared and the oligomeric form of Aβ1-42 was verified by an electron microscope. Normal human astrocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium.

A meta-analysis of endoscopic discectomy versus open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disk herniation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically compare the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic discectomy (ED) with open discectomy (OD) for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods: A highly sensitive search strategy was used to identify all published randomized controlled trials up to August 2014. A criteria list taken from Koes et al.

Anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste and pig manure with different mixing ratios.

Anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste (KW) and pig manure (PM) with seven different PM to KW total solids (TS) ratios of 1:0, 5:1, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:5 and 0:1 was conducted at mesophilic temperature (35 ± 1 °C) to investigate the feasibility and process performance. The co-digestion of PM and KW was found to be an available way to enhance methane production compared with solo-digestion of PM or KW. The ratio of PM to KW of 1:1 got the highest biodegradability (BDA) of 85.

TDDFT study of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and intermolecular double proton transfer in the excited state of 4'-dimethylaminoflavonol in ethanol solvent.

Time-dependent density functional theory method at the def-TZVP/B3LYP level was employed to investigate the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonding dynamics in the first excited (S1) state of 4'-dimethylaminoflavonol (DMAF) monomer and in ethanol solution. In the DMAF monomer, we demonstrated that the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) takes place in the S1 state. This excited state ICT process was followed by intramolecular proton transfer.

Role of TREM-1 in response to Aspergillus fumigatus infection in corneal epithelial cells.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is a cell surface receptor that is highly expressed in inflammatory lesions caused by infectious agents such as bacteria and fungi and amplifies immune responses. The aim of the current study was to investigate TREM-1 expression in corneal epithelial cells infected by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) and evaluate its role.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects of atorvastatin in acute ischemic stroke.

Atorvastatin decreases inflammation and thrombogenesis in patients with carotid artery plaque. Atorvastatin is administered to lower lipid levels, but its anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects remain unclear. Eighty-nine patients from northeastern China with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis were randomly divided into the study and control groups.

The interaction between aggrecan gene VNTR polymorphism and obesity in predicting incident symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

An association between aggrecan gene variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism (VNTR) and symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has been reported in Chinese Han of Northern China, and obesity had previously been suspected of causing severe LDH. However, the interaction between aggrecan VNTR and obesity in symptomatic LDH has not been well studied. To examine the interaction between aggrecan VNTR and obesity in the susceptibility of symptomatic LDH, 259 participants participated in this study and donated a blood sample.