Th17/Treg Cell Imbalance May Contribute to Spontaneous Preterm Labor.

Spontaneous preterm labor (SPTL) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and severe complications. T cells play a crucial role in mediating inflammation and immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. T helper 17 cells (Th17, pro-inflammatory) and regulatory T cells (Treg, anti-inflammatory) are two subsets of CD4 T cells with opposite functions, and their balance is important for maintaining immune homeostasis.

MiR-204-5p promoted maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) through SP1-mediated DNMT1 pathway in trophoblast cells in recurrent miscarriage.

Background: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) affects 1-2% of couples. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is aberrantly expressed in RM patients.

Objectives: To investigate a novel regulatory mechanism, we examined the miR-204-5p/Specificity protein 1 (SP1)/DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)/MEG3 axis in the trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo.

Dietary cinnamon promotes longevity and extends healthspan via mTORC1 and autophagy signaling.

Cinnamon, renowned for its aromatic flavor, represents one of the most widely used spices worldwide. Cinnamon is also considered beneficial to human health with therapeutic potential for treating various diseases, ranging from diabetes and cancer to neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying cinnamon's health benefits remain elusive.

An AP2/ERF transcription factor GhERF109 negatively regulates plant growth and development in cotton.

Cotton is an important source of natural fibers. The AP2/ethylene response factor (ERF) family is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) groups, playing key roles in plant growth and development. However, the role of ERF TFs in cotton's growth and development remains unclear.

Stealing complex network attack detection method considering security situation awareness.

Tracking and detection have brought great challenges to network security. Therefore, this paper proposes a monitoring method of stealthy complex network attacks considering security situation awareness. By constructing a tracking model of invisible complex network attacks, public monitoring nodes are selected for monitoring.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain promotes IL-6 and IL-8 release via ATP/P2Y and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in human bronchial epithelia.

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its receptor binding domain (RBD) has been demonstrated to be capable of activating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in endothelial cells and immune cells such as monocytes. However, the effects of spike protein or its RBD on airway epithelial cells and mechanisms underlying these effects have not been adequately characterized. Here, we show that the RBD of spike protein alone can induce bronchial epithelial inflammation in a manner of ATP/P2Y dependence.

Regional differences of individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources in China.

Background: The existing health resources and services are difficult to meet the needs of rapid economic development and the aging population in China. This paper evaluates the regional differences of individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources in China to explore ways to change the current situation.

Methods: The models of single-input single-output efficiency (SISOE), single-input multi-output efficiency (SIMOE), multi-input single-output efficiency (MISOE), and multi-input multi-output efficiency (MIMOE) were developed to calculate the individual and allocation efficiencies of health resources of China in this study.

Fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum and Raphani Semen with a probiotic mixture attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression through microbiota-dependent or -independent regulation of intestinal mucosal barrier and immune responses.

Background: Probiotic fermentation is a promising strategy for improving the nutritional and functional properties of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Ganoderma lucidum and Raphani Semen are famous TCMs that have been shown to help alleviate immune system disorders. However, few studies have experimentally investigated the effects of probiotic-fermented G.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma ovis in Melophagus ovinus from southern Xinjiang, China.

Melophagus ovinus is a hematophagous insect that is distributed worldwide and plays a crucial role in transmitting disease-causing pathogens. From June 2021 to March 2022, a total of 370 M. ovinus were collected from 11 sampling points in southern Xinjiang, China.

Crosstalk between the gut microbiota and innate lymphoid cells in intestinal mucosal immunity.

The human gastrointestinal mucosa is colonized by thousands of microorganisms, which participate in a variety of physiological functions. Intestinal dysbiosis is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which include NK cells, ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s and LTi cells, are a type of innate immune cells.

An overview on the nutritional and bioactive components of green seaweeds.

Green seaweed, as the most abundant species of macroseaweeds, is an important marine biological resource. It is a rich source of several amino acids, fatty acids, and dietary fibers, as well as polysaccharides, polyphenols, pigments, and other active substances, which have crucial roles in various biological processes such as antioxidant activity, immunoregulation, and anti-inflammatory response. In recent years, attention to marine resources has accelerated the exploration and utilization of green seaweeds for greater economic value.

Distribution and Molecular Epidemiology of in and Small Ruminants in Border Regions of South Xinjiang, China.

are obligate intracellular bacteria that can endanger human and animal health, and they can be transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as and ticks. In this study, 433 specimens, including 370 and 63 sheep blood samples, were collected from nine districts of South Xinjiang to investigate the distribution and molecular epidemiology of in and small ruminant. DNA of was detected in 109 (25.

lncRNA XIST is associated with preeclampsia and mediates trophoblast cell invasion via miR-340-5p/KCNJ16 signaling pathway.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a syndrome commonly occurring among the pregnant. Shallow trophoblast invasion is considered to be closely related to PE. Therefore, in trophoblast cells, we explored the potential mechanisms of lncRNA XIST in the modulation of trophoblast invasion and proliferation.

Alterations of gut fungal microbiota in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, in addition, gut microbiota plays an important role in the etiology of RA. However, our understanding of alterations to the gut fungal microbiota in Chinese population with RA is still limited.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 62 patients with RA, and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs).

The nematode C. elegans senses airborne sound.

Unlike olfaction, taste, touch, vision, and proprioception, which are widespread across animal phyla, hearing is found only in vertebrates and some arthropods. The vast majority of invertebrate species are thus considered insensitive to sound. Here, we challenge this conventional view by showing that the earless nematode C.

Inhibition of microRNA-149 protects against recurrent miscarriage through upregulating RUNX2 and activation of the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway.

Aim: Recently, microRNA-149 (miR-149) has been indicated to act as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor in various malignant tumors, while its inner mechanisms in recurrent miscarriage (RM) are still in infancy. Therein, this study intends to decode the mechanism of miR-149 in RM.

Methods: miR-149 and RUNX2 expression in the chorionic tissues of normal pregnant women and RM patients were first examined, and the correlation between miR-149 and RUNX2 was analyzed.

Long noncoding RNA MACC1-AS1 promotes the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by antagonizing miR-145.

Objectives: This work aimed to investigate the roles of long noncoding (lnc)RNA MACC1-AS1 (MACC1 antisense RNA 1) in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, spheroid formation, aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform 1 (ALDH1) activity analysis, luciferase reporter assay, and RNA pull-down analysis were used to examine MACC1-AS1–mediated effects on HCC cell stemness.

Results: MACC1-AS1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells.

A Positive Tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8)/β-Catenin Regulatory Loop Enhances the Stemness of Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND The expression of TSPAN8 (tetraspanin 8) is upregulated in colorectal cancer; however, its roles in colorectal cancer progression are never been revealed. This work aimed to investigate TSPAN8 effects and the molecular basis in regulating colorectal cancer stemness. MATERIAL AND METHODS Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of TSPAN8 expression in clinical samples and the expression of stemness genes in colorectal cancer cells.

Energy Harvesting Under Dim-Light Condition With Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells.

We demonstrate highly efficient energy harvesting devices for dim-light application under 200 lux irradiation using dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The high-efficiency DSCs are composed of cobalt-based redox mediators in 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN) solvent with MK-2 sensitizer. With the introduction of under layer treatment and fine-tuning of compositions in cobalt-based electrolyte, the power conversion efficiency of cobalt-based DSCs achieves 16.

A novel ABA functional analogue B2 enhances drought tolerance in wheat.

Drought stress negatively affects wheat growth and yield. Application of drought agent is an effective way to improve crop drought tolerance, therefore increasing crop yield. Based on the structure of abscisic acid (ABA), Pyrabactin and coronatine (COR), we designed the target compound B2.

Activating transcription factor 2 expression mediates cell proliferation and is associated with poor prognosis in human non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) is a member of the cAMP response element binding protein family that heterodimerizes and activates other transcription factors involved in stress and DNA damage responses, growth, differentiation and apoptosis. ATF2 has been investigated as a potential carcinogenic biomarker in certain types of cancer, such as melanoma. However, its function and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well studied.

Analyzing the differentially expressed genes and pathway cross-talk in aggressive breast cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive breast cancer cells.

Methods: The gene expression profiles of GSE40057, including four aggressive breast cell lines and six less aggressive cell lines, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The gene differential expression analysis was carried out with limma software with the method of Bayes for multiple tests.

Enhancing catalytic performance of β-glucosidase via immobilization on metal ions chelated magnetic nanoparticles.

A novel magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNPs) coupled with agarose (AMNPs) was synthesized using co-precipitation via alkaline condition and span-80 surfactants in organic solvent. Iminodiacetate was first attached to the MNPs through epichlorohydrin agent and then chelated with metal ions. The morphology and chemical properties of these prepared supports were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray power diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).