The common developmental road: tensions among centripetal and centrifugal dynamics

Western thought since the Enlightenment has been predominantly linear in scope, while Eastern philosophy has focused mostly on the cyclical. Recent advances in complex systems, however, have highlighted the importance of cycles in nature, thereby opening an avenue for new common endeavors. This analysis centers on the role of autocatalytic loops and addresses the evolutionary relationship between competition and cooperation. It posits an evolutionary chain running from individual competition, to individual cooperation, to collective competition, to deep cooperation. We identify the centripetality that is consequent to autocatalysis and define three types of centrifugalities. Development is defined in the context of the tension between these opposing directions. Finally, we propose an evolutionary process consisting of four stages: (i) autognosis, (ii) autocatalytic loop formation, (iii) self-control and (iv) self-realization (sensu Taoism). The developmental narrative promises to become a useful tool for facilitating communication between Eastern and Western cultures.

Rapid in-focus corrections on quantitative amplitude and phase imaging using transport of intensity equation method

Transport of intensity equation (TIE) method can acquire sample phase distributions with high speed and accuracy, offering another perspective for cellular observations and measurements. However, caused by incorrect focal plane determination, blurs and halos are induced, decreasing resolution and accuracy in both retrieved amplitude and phase information. In order to obtain high-accurate sample details, we propose TIE based in-focus correction technique for quantitative amplitude and phase imaging, which can locate focal plane and then retrieve both in-focus intensity and phase distributions combining with numerical wavefront extraction and propagation as well as physical image recorder translation. Certified by both numerical simulations and practical measurements, it is believed the proposed method not only captures high-accurate in-focus sample information, but also provides a potential way for fast autofocusing in microscopic system.

Horizontal transfer and functional evaluation of high pathogenicity islands in Avian Escherichia coli

High pathogenicity islands (HPIs) inEscherichia coliencode genes that are primarily involved in iron uptake and regulation, and confer virulence and pathogenicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer ofHPIs in avianE. coliand identify the function ofHPIin the acceptor strain. TheHPItransfer strain was obtained under conditions of low temperature and low iron abundance, and the donor and acceptor strains were confirmed.E. coli HPIs are transferred by horizontal gene transfer events, which are likely mediated primarily by homologous recombination inHPI-adjacent sequences. Assays for biological activity and pathogenicity changes in the acceptor strain indicated thatHPIs might not be involved in pathogenesis in avianE. coli, and thus the main function ofHPIs in this strain of bacteria may be to regulate iron nutrition.

Global Trends in Adolescent Fertility, 1990-2012, in Relation to National Wealth, Income Inequalities, and Educational Expenditures

PURPOSE

National wealth, income inequalities, and expenditures on education can profoundly influence the health of a nation's women, children, and adolescents. We explored the association of trends in national socioeconomic status (SES) indicators with trends in adolescent birth rates (ABRs), by nation and region.

METHODS

An ecologic research design was employed using national-level data from the World Bank on birth rates per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years, national wealth (per capita gross domestic product or GDP), income inequality (Gini index), and expenditures on education as a percentage of GDP (EduExp). Data were available for 142 countries and seven regions for 1990-2012. Multiple linear regression for repeated measures with generalized estimating equations was used to examine independent associations.

RESULTS

ABRs in 2012 varied >200-fold-with the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and lowest rates in the Western Europe/Central Asia region. The median national ABR fell 40% from 72.4/1,000 in 1990 to 43.6/1,000 in 2012. The largest regional declines in ABR occurred in South Asia (70%), Europe/Central Asia (63%), and the Middle East/North Africa (53%)-regions with lower income inequality. In multivariable analyses considering change over time, ABRs were negatively associated with GDP and EduExp and positively associated with greater income inequality.

CONCLUSIONS

ABRs have declined globally since 1990. Declines closely followed rising socioeconomic status and were greater where income inequalities were lower in 1990. Reducing poverty and income inequalities and increasing investments in education should be essential components of national policies to prevent adolescent childbearing.

Direct regeneration of cathode materials from spent lithium iron phosphate batteries using a solid phase sintering method

A direct regeneration of cathode materials from spent LiFePO₄ batteries using a solid phase sintering method has been proposed in this article.

Silibinin ameliorates Aβ25-35-induced memory deficits in rats by modulating autophagy and attenuating neuroinflammation as well as oxidative stress

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammatory response, oxidative stress and autophagy are involved in amyloid β (Aβ)-induced memory deficits. Silibinin (silybin), a flavonoid derived from the herb milk thistle, is well known for its hepatoprotective activities. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of silibinin on Aβ_25-35-injected rats. Results demonstrated that silibinin significantly attenuated Aβ_25-35-induced memory deficits in Morris water maze and novel object-recognition tests. Silibinin exerted anxiolytic effect in Aβ_25-35-injected rats as determined in elevated plus maze test. Silibinin attenuated the inflammatory responses, increased glutathione (GSH) levels and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and upregulated autophagy levels in the Aβ_25-35-injected rats. In conclusion, silibinin is a potential candidate for AD treatment because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and autophagy regulating activities.

Knockdown of tripartite motif 59 (TRIM59) inhibits tumor growth in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family contain a highly conserved N-terminal really interesting new gene (RING) domain that is involved in regulating transcriptional factors and tumor suppressors. In this study, the effects of TRIM59 expression on tumor growth were investigated in prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of TRIM59 in prostate cancer tissues (n = 15) and prostate cancer cell lines was determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. A specific shRNA targeting TRIM59 was employed to knockdown TRIM59 expression in the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. The effects of TRIM59 knockdown on cell proliferation were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays. The effects on cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry, and a xenograft mouse model of prostate cancer was generated to determine the in vivo effects of TRIM59 knockdown. The effects on cell cycle regulators were determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

TRIM59 was highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues. Knockdown of TRIM59 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, and cell cycle analysis showed that TRIM59-depleted cells accumulated in S-phase. TRIM59 knockdown was shown to inhibit tumorigenesis in mice. In addition, the cell cycle regulators CDC25A, CDC2, and cyclin B1 were decreased by TRIM59 shRNA-mediated knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that TRIM59 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation, possibly through its effects on cell cycle progression.

MicroRNA-203 inhibits tumour growth and metastasis through PDPN

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating hypopharyngeal cancer development. miR-203 has been previously shown to possess antitumour capabilities in many cancers, but not in hypopharyngeal cancer.

DESIGN

Using human normal and hypopharyngeal cancer specimens, we explored the expression levels of miR-203 in the two groups and further correlated them with different stages of cancer and lymph node metastasis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Applying human pharynx FaDu cancer cells and lentiviral transduction technique, we investigated the effects of miR-203 on cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. Moreover, we studied the novel relationship between miR-203 and podoplanin (PDPN) in hypopharyngeal cancer.

RESULTS

The downregulated levels of miR-203 in human hypopharyngeal cancer tissues were associated with advanced cancer stages and lymph node metastasis. High levels of miR-203 inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion of hypopharyngeal cancer cells. Further studies suggested miR-203 directly targeted and inhibited PDPN expression. PDPN silencing suppresses hypopharyngeal cancer cell abilities. In addition, PDPN overexpression was able to reverse miR-203 inhibitory effects on cell viability, migration and invasion.

CONCLUSION

PDPN acts as an oncogene to promote hypopharyngeal cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. miR-203 directly targets PDPN to suppress its expression, thus exerting inhibitory effects on cancer metastasis.

Fluorogenic protein labeling using a genetically encoded unstrained alkene

A new fluorogenic bioorthogonal reaction between styrene (an unstrained alkene) and a tetrazine was developed.

We developed a new fluorogenic bioorthogonal reaction that is based on the inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction between styrene (an unstrained alkene) and a simple tetrazine. The reaction forms a new fluorophore with no literature precedent. We have identified an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair for the efficient and site-specific incorporation of a styrene-containing amino acid into proteins in response to amber nonsense codon. Fluorogenic labeling of purified proteins and intact proteins in live cells were demonstrated. The fluorogenicity of the styrene–tetrazine reaction can be potentially applied to the study of protein folding and function under physiological conditions with low background fluorescence interference.

Porcine MAP3K5 analysis: molecular cloning, characterization, tissue expression pattern, and copy number variations associated with residual feed intake

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5 (MAP3K5) is essential for apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, and is a candidate marker for residual feed intake (RFI) in pig. We cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine MAP3K5 by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. The 5451-bp gene contains a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) (718 bp), a coding region (3738 bp), and a 3'-UTR (995 bp), and encodes a peptide of 1245 amino acids, which shares 97, 99, 97, 93, 91, and 84% sequence identity with cattle, sheep, human, mouse, chicken, and zebrafish MAP3K5, respectively. The deduced MAP3K5 protein sequence contains two conserved domains: a DUF4071 domain and a protein kinase domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that porcine MAP3K5 forms a separate branch to vicugna and camel MAP3K5. Tissue expression analysis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that MAP3K5 was expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, muscle, fat, pancrea, ileum, and stomach tissues. Copy number variation was detected for porcine MAP3K5 and validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, a significant increase in average copy number was detected in the low RFI group when compared to the high RFI group in a Duroc pig population. These results provide useful information regarding the influence of MAP3K5 on RFI in pigs.

Pharmacology of a traditional Chinese herb, Shuangren-Anshen capsule, in a hemorrhage mouse model by using an orthogonal array design

Shuangren-Anshen capsule (SAC) is a traditional Chinese herb that was improved in our laboratory. An orthogonal experiment [L9(3)(4)] was used to optimize the extraction conditions. In vivo, a hemorrhage mouse model was established and the hemoglobin contents of normal control, model control, and treated mice were measured. Additionally, the sedative and hypnotic effects of SACs were assessed based on pharmacological parameters such as changes in locomotive activity, forelimb raising, sleep latency, sleep duration, and number of mice that fell asleep. Brain tissue was sectioned and stained to detect changes in cell morphology by microscopy. The optimum extraction was achieved with 3 cycles of decoction for 120 min each with a 10-fold volume of water added. In the model control group, hemoglobin content significantly decreased and pharmacological parameters increased (P < 0.01) relative to that in the normal control group. Compared to the model control group, the group treated with 0.9 g/kg SAC showed significant (P < 0.05) increase or decrease in hemoglobin content and all pharmacological parameters except sleep duration. The groups treated with 1.8 or 3.6 g/kg SAC and the positive control group also showed significant alterations in hemoglobin content and pharmacological parameters (P < 0.05). In addition, SAC exhibited a protective effect on the morphological structures of the damaged nerve cells in the mouse model. Thus, an optimal extraction process was successfully identified. The pharmacological data also suggests that the drug can improve sleep quality. SAC treatment was shown to cause changes in hemoglobin content and cell morphology in a mouse model.