Different Expression Pattern of G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor GPER1 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal carcinoma is a male-dominant malignancy worldwide, and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) shows more significant sex bias than esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in morbidity and mortality. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is involved in several sex-related cancers; however, its expression level in esophageal carcinoma has been poorly investigated and its role is not precisely defined, depending on histological types. In the present study, the mRNA levels of GPER1 in esophageal carcinoma were collected from GEPIA and Oncomine databases for meta-analyses.

HCV knowledge and attitudes among HIV-negative MSM and MSM living with HIV in China: results from a cross-sectional online survey.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially for those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Learning about knowledge of and attitudes towards HCV is essential to inform health promotion interventions development. This is one of very limited studies to examine the level of knowledge and attitudes towards HCV and their determinants among HIV-negative MSM and MSM living with HIV in China.

Spatiotemporal pattern and multi-scenario simulation of ecological risk in mountainous cities: a case study in Chongqing, China.

Scientific descriptions and simulations of the ecological risks in mountainous areas can promote the sustainable use of land resources in these areas and improve the reliability of decision-making for ecological risk management. Taking Chongqing, China, as an example, we constructed a landscape ecological risk (LER) evaluation model based on land use data from 1995 to 2020 and analysed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the LER pattern. Moreover, we coupled the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model and multi-objective programming (MOP) method and input multiple scenarios (inertial development, ID; economic priority development, ED; ecological priority development, PD; and sustainable development, SD) to simulate the ecological risk pattern in 2030.

Intraday exposure to ambient ozone and emergency department visits among children: a case-crossover study in southern China.

Most existing studies have investigated short-term associations between ozone exposure and acute disease events among children at a daily timescale, which might neglect risk effects happening within several hours after ozone exposure. In this research, we aimed to depict intraday associations between pediatric emergency department visits (PEDVs) and exposure to ozone in order to better detect ultra-short-term effects of ozone exposure on children. We obtained hourly data of all-cause PEDVs, air pollutants, and meteorological factors in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China, 2015-2018.

Nuclear export inhibition jumbles epithelial-mesenchymal states and gives rise to migratory disorder in healthy epithelia.

Dynamic nucleocytoplasmic transport of E-M factors regulates cellular E-M states; yet, it remains unknown how simultaneously trapping these factors affects epithelia at the macroscale. To explore this question, we performed nuclear export inhibition (NEI) via leptomycin B and Selinexor treatment, which biases nuclear localization of CRM1-associated E-M factors. We examined changes in collective cellular phenotypes across a range of substrate stiffnesses.

Circulating sex hormones and risk of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sex hormones are associated with many cardiovascular risk factors, but their effects on atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association of circulating sex hormones with AF risk by pooling available data from observational studies.

Methods: A systematic literature search for pertinent articles with case-control and cohort designs was conducted five databases up to 7 July 2021.

Dual Role of Indoles Derived From Intestinal Microbiota on Human Health.

Endogenous indole and its derivatives (indoles), considered as promising N-substituted heterocyclic compounds, are tryptophan metabolites derived from intestinal microbiota and exhibit a range of biological activities. Recent studies indicate that indoles contribute to maintaining the biological barrier of the human intestine, which exert the anti-inflammatory activities mainly through activating AhR and PXR receptors to affect the immune system's function, significantly improving intestinal health (inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhagic colitis, colorectal cancer) and further promote human health (diabetes mellitus, central system inflammation, and vascular regulation). However, the revealed toxic influences cannot be ignored.

Effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on behavior and dopamine signaling in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer, also known as a developmental toxicant, but its neurobehavioral toxicity remains elusive. This study evaluated the neurobehavioral toxicity and its possible mechanism in larval zebrafish. Embryos at gastrula period (~6 h post fertilization, hpf) were exposure to DEHP (0, 1, 2.

Associations of Depression, Anxiety, and Life Events With the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Evaluated by Berlin Questionnaire.

Background: Psychological problems are prevalent in the general population, and their impacts on sleep health deserve more attention. This study was to examine the associations of OSA risk with depression, anxiety, and life events in a Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 10,287 subjects were selected from the Guangzhou Heart Study.

Effects of Home-Based Baduanjin Exercise on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Acute Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major pathological basis associated with heart failure and increased mortality. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has been verified to significantly improve prognosis and quality of life. As a traditional Chinese Qigong, Baduanjin exercise has effectively alleviated adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients.

Reproducibility and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire for a diet-related study in a rural Chinese population.

Background: This study aimed to assess the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for diet-related studies in a rural population.

Methods: One hundred fifty-four healthy residents were interviewed with a 76-item FFQ at baseline (FFQ1) and 1 month later (FFQ2) to assess reproducibility, and required to complete two three-day dietary recalls (DRs) between two FFQs to determine the validity by comparing DRs with FFQ1.

Results: Crude Spearman correlation coefficients between FFQ1 and FFQ2 ranged from 0.

Association of healthy lifestyle with risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study.

Background: No studies investigated the whole effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on OSA risk. This study aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of lifestyle factors on OSA risk among Chinese adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 9733 participants aged 35 to 74 years from the baseline survey of Guangzhou Heart Study.

Association Between Eating Habits and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: The effect of dietary factors on OSA remains unclear. This study was to investigate the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with individual and overall effects of eating habits among adult Chinese.

Methods: A total of 9733 participants were selected from the baseline survey of the Guangzhou Heart Study.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction Attenuates Atherosclerosis and Increases Plaque Stability in High-Fat Diet-Induced ApoE Mice by Inhibiting M1 Macrophage Polarization and Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization.

Macrophage polarization plays a vital impact in triggering atherosclerosis (AS) progression and regression. Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD), a famous traditional Chinese decoction, displays notable anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects in different animal models. However, its effects and mechanisms on AS have not been clearly defined.

Application of droplet digital PCR to detect the pathogens of infectious diseases.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique used to multiply certain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments. It is a common and indispensable technique that has been applied in many areas, especially in clinical laboratories. The third generation of polymerase chain reaction, droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), is a biotechnological refinement of conventional polymerase chain reaction methods that can be used to directly quantify and clonally amplify DNA.

Azadirachtin acting as a hazardous compound to induce multiple detrimental effects in Drosophila melanogaster.

Azadirachtin, a tetranortriterpenoid botanical insecticide, has varied sub-lethal effects against many insect pests, including antifeedant, repellent, and growth regulatory. Despite extensive studies of the mechanisms that underline these physiological effects, little attention has been given to multiple toxic effects of azadirachtin under a coherent concentration, and there is no definitive overarching consensus on its toxicity. Here, we investigated multiple sub-lethal effects induced by 4 mg L of azadirachtin, which did not elicit antifeedant behavior in Drosophila melanogaster, on metrics of longevity, development, compound eyes and reproduction.

NF‑κB is a key modulator in the signaling pathway of Borrelia burgdorferi BmpA‑induced inflammatory chemokines in murine microglia BV2 cells.

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is a tick‑borne zoonosis. Lyme neuroborreliosis is a principal manifestation of Lyme disease and its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that Borrelia burgdorferi lipoproteins caused similar inflammatory effects as exhibited in Lyme neuroborreliosis.

Genome editing in Drosophila melanogaster: from basic genome engineering to the multipurpose CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Nowadays, genome editing tools are indispensable for studying gene function in order to increase our knowledge of biochemical processes and disease mechanisms. The extensive availability of mutagenesis and transgenesis tools make Drosophila melanogaster an excellent model organism for geneticists. Early mutagenesis tools relied on chemical or physical methods, ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and X-rays respectively, to randomly alter DNA at a nucleotide or chromosomal level.

Histone H1 defect in escort cells triggers germline tumor in Drosophila ovary.

Drosophila ovary is recognized as one of the best model systems to study stem cell biology in vivo. We had previously identified an autonomous role of the histone H1 in germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance. Here, we found that histone H1 depletion in escort cells (ECs) resulted in an increase of spectrosome-containing cells (SCCs), an ovary tumor-like phenotype.

Vegetation greenness modelling in response to interannual precipitation and temperature changes between 2001 and 2012 in Liao River Basin in Jilin Province, China.

Background: Liao River basin in Jilin Province is the place of origin of the Dongliao River. This study gives a comprehensive analysis of the vegetation coverage in the region and provides a potential theoretical basis for ecological restoration.

Methods: The seasonal variation of vegetation greenness and dynamics based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in major land cover types in the region was studied.

MicroRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma.

Emerging evidence has suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be promising novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the results of current studies are still conflicting. Hence, we undertake the current meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the diagnostic potential of miRNAs in RCC.

A new strategy for identification of highly conserved microRNAs in non-model insect, Spodoptera litura.

The indigenous small non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are important regulators of gene expression and many of them are evolutionarily conserved. Whether stem-loop RT-PCR, as a sensitive method, could be utilized to clone conserved miRNAs from non-model insects lacks information. Here, three miRNAs, sli-miR-14, sli-miR-2a and sli-bantam, were cloned from Spodoptera litura by stem-loop RT-PCR.

[Multivariate analysis of heavy metal element concentrations in atmospheric deposition in Harbin City, northeast China].

In order to understand the characteristics of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Harbin City, 46 deposition samples were collected which were taken using bulk deposition samplers during the period of 2008-2009 (about 365 days). The samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentration by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic spectrometry (ICP-AES). The deposition flux was calculated.