Concentrations and distribution of novel brominated flame retardants in the atmosphere and soil of Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, Arctic

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were investigated in Arctic air and soil samples collected from Ny-Ålesund and London Island, Svalbard, during Chinese scientific research expeditions to the Arctic during 2014-2015. The concentrations of Σ₉NBFRs in the Arctic air and soil were 4.9-8.7 pg/m³ (average 6.8 pg/m³) and 101-201 pg/g dw (average 150 pg/g dw), respectively. The atmospheric concentration of hexabromobenzene (HBB) was significantly correlated with that of pentabromotoluene (PBT) and pentabromobenzene (PBBz), suggesting similar source and environmental fate in the Arctic air. No significant spatial difference was observed among the different sampling sites, both for air and soil samples, indicating that the effects of the scientific research stations on the occurrence of NBFRs in the Arctic were minor. The fugacities from soil to air of pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), 2,3-dibromopropyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE), and decabromodiphenylethane 1,2-bis (pentabromophenyl) ethane (DBDPE) were lower than the equilibrium value, indicating a nonequilibrium state of these compounds between air and soil, the dominant impact of deposition and the net transport from air to soil. The correlation analysis between the measured and predicted soil-atmosphere coefficients based on the absorption model showed that the impact of the soil organic matter on the distribution of NBFRs in the Arctic region was minor. To the best of our knowledge, this work is one of the limited reports on atmospheric NBFRs in the Arctic and the first study to investigate the occurrence and fate of NBFRs in the Arctic soil.

Impact of macrophage infiltration in patients with st-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by plaque erosion: an in vivo optical coherence tomography study

Background

Chronic inflammatory infiltration is a common process for atherosclerosis development. However, autopsy studies reveal that incidence rate of inflammatory infiltrates are less abundant in plaque erosion compared with plaque rupture.

Purpose

Studies performed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) have allowed to establish the severity of plaque inflammation by assessing macrophage infiltration (MØI). In this study, we aimed at assessing the impaction of MØI in plaque erosion among patients with STEMI by using OCT.

Methods

A total of 1561 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) who underwent OCT imaging were enrolled in this study. According to the exclusion criteria, 312 patients with STEMI exhibiting plaque erosion were classified as MØI or no MØI.

Results

163 (52.2%) patients had MØI at the site of plaque erosion, whereas 149 (47.8%) patients had no evidence of MØI and patients of MØI group were significantly older (P=0.015). The result of angiography showed the prevalence of multi-vessel disease appeared more frequency (P=0.021) and diameter stenosis% were higher (P=0.031) in MØI group. OCT results showed the minimum fibrous-cap thickness was thinner (P<0.001) and the maximum lipid arc was larger (P=0.005) in MØI group. Some patients underwent imaging follow-up at 1 year. There was no significant difference in the culprit plaque morphology progress among two groups (Figure 1A-1D).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that plaque inflammation can increase culprit lesion severity and plaque vulnerability in patients with STEMI caused by plaque erosion.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

lncRNA SNHG11 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Oncogenic Autophagy

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are under active investigation in the development of cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Oncogenic autophagy is required for cancer cell survival. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of lncRNA small nucleolar host gene 11 (SNHG11) in GC. We show that SNHG11 is upregulated in GC, and that its upregulation correlated with dismal patient outcomes. Functionally, SNHG11 aggravated oncogenic autophagy to facilitate cell proliferation, stemness, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC. Mechanistically, SNHG11 post-transcriptionally upregulated catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) and autophagy related 12 (ATG12) through miR-483-3p/miR-1276, while the processing of precursor (pre-)miR-483/pre-miR-1276 was hindered by SNHG11. SNHG11 induced GSK-3β ubiquitination through interacting with Cullin 4A (CUL4A) to further activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Intriguingly, SNHG11 regulated autophagy in a manner dependent on ATG12 rather than the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, whereas SNHG11 contributed to the malignant behaviors of GC cells via both pathways. Finally, SNHG11 upregulation in GC cells was shown to be transcriptionally induced by TCF7L2. In conclusion, we reveal that SNHG11 is an onco-lncRNA in GC and might be a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for GC.

Clinical Effects of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Treating Breast Cancer

Objective: To explore clinical effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in treating breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed among 26 breast cancer patients receiving NAC. Chemotherapeutic effects were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST), Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) grading, and Miller and Payne (MP) grading. Results: After chemotherapy, the percentage of tumor cells was significantly reduced, but chemotherapeutic period possessed no dramatic influence on curative effects. Among 20 patients with complete data, 2 achieved clinically complete response (CR), 10 showed partial response (PR), 4 had stable disease (SD), and 4 exhibited progress disease (PD). The total effective rate (CR + PR) of NAC was 60% (12/20). Besides, evaluation results from RECIST were generally in line with those from JBCS grading and MP grading. Conclusion: NAC is effective among the majority of patients with breast cancer. In addition, tumor size determined through clinical palpation is generally in accordance with responses to chemotherapy, and consistent performance is observed for three systems in grading responses to chemotherapy.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its determinants among pregnant women in Beijing

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its determinants among pregnant women in the Tongzhou district of Beijing, China.Methods: This study was performed on data collected in the routine work of the prenatal health care system from 27,119 pregnant women in the Tongzhou district of Beijing during 2013-2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with GDM.Results: The overall prevalence of GDM was 24.24%, and it showed an increasing trend over the 6 years. A univariate analysis showed that the prevalence of GDM increased with age (p < .001). In multivariate analysis, it was found that women with a non-local household registration, as well as those without a local household registration but whose husbands had one, had a lower risk for GDM than both spouses who had local registration. Women who were overweight/obese had a higher risk for GDM than women with a normal pre-pregnancy body mass index. Multipara women had a lower likelihood of developing GDM.Conclusions: We found a slightly higher prevalence of GDM in the Tongzhou district of Beijing than has been found in other studies, and the prevalence rose over the 6 years of the study. Advanced age, pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, and local household registration were important risk factors for GDM. Multiparity may be a protective factor against developing GDM. Intensive health education on related determinants should be strengthened for the prevention and control of GDM, especially in high-risk women.

Time and laser ranging: a window of opportunity for geodesy, navigation and metrology

Recent progress in the domain of time and frequency (T/F) standards requires important improvements of existing time distribution links. Among these, the accuracy of time transfer is actually an important part of the concerns in order to establish and maintain time & space references from ground and/or space facilities. Several time transfers by laser link projects have been carried out over the past 10 years with numerous scientific and metrological objectives. Satellite Laser ranging (SLR) has proven to be a fundamental tool, offering a straightforward, conceptually simple, highly accurate and unambiguous observable. Depending on the mission, LR is used to transmit time over two-way or one-way distances from 500 to several millions of km. The following missions and their objectives employed this technique: European Laser Timing (ELT) at 450 km, Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) at 1,336 km, Laser Time Transfer (LTT) at 36,000 km, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) at 350,000 km, and MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) at tens of million km. This article describes the synergy between SLR and T/F technologies developed on the ground and in space and as well as the state of the art of their exploitation. The performance and sources of limitation of such space missions are analyzed. It shows that current and future challenges lie in the improvement of the time accuracy and stability of the time for ground geodetic observatories. The role of the next generation of SLR systems is emphasized both in space and at ground level, from the point of view of GGOS and valuable exploitation of the synergy between time synchronization, ranging and data transfer.

DLX6-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, migration and EMT of gastric cancer through FUS-regulated MAP4K1

Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most prevalent carcinoma resulting in cancer-related deaths in the world, with differences among geographic areas. Although the incidence and mortality rates of GC in Asia are decreasing, the search for diverse and effective therapies of GC is still needed to be fully inquired. The present research explored the expression pattern, functional role and underlying mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC. Firstly, we measured DLX6-AS1 expression in GC and then found the elevated level of DLX6-AS1. To further inspect the function role of DLX6-AS1 involved in GC, we performed lost-of-function assays. The silencing of DLX6-AS1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and EMT process of GC cells. Subsequently, we uncovered that MAP4K1 was also up-regulated in GC and could be positively regulated by DLX6-AS1. Moreover, MAP4K1 down-regulation similarly inhibited GC progression. In addition, DLX6-AS1 stabilized MAP4K1 via modulating FUS. In summary, DLX6-AS1 modulated GC progression through FUS-regulated MAP4K1. Our paper exposed the role and regulatory mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in GC, which suggested a novel and valid therapy for GC patients.

P5004Peripheral neuropathy and increased risk of heart failure: a population-based longitudinal cohort study

Background

One of the main pathophysiological processes thought to be implicated in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy is a microvascular disease (MiVD) that is prevalent in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the role of MiVD in the development of heart failure (HF) is not known. T2D screening programmes identify three types of MiVD – retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Both retinopathy and nephropathy have been independently associated with the development of incident HF in observational cohort studies. There is less data on peripheral neuropathy and HF outcomes. This study aimed to determine the independent association of diabetic neuropathy with incident HF events in a large longitudinal population cohort of T2D patients with a detailed clinical follow-up that includes available echocardiographic data.

Design

This was a population-based longitudinal cohort study from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland study (GoDARTS) from 1996 to 2016. A total of 9,598 patients with T2D were included with data available on hospital admissions, prescribing and other clinical variables including age, gender, smoking history, duration of T2D, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride, total LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. Neuropathy cases were identified using a well-validated record linkage method utilising neuropathic drug prescription records to identify cases of neuropathic pain and to monofilament testing that is used to diagnose neuropathy.

Results

There were 805 HF events. After adjustment for clinical variables, the presence of painful neuropathy related to a 57% increased risk of incident HF (HR 1.57, 95% CI = 1.32–1.89, p<0.001). A similar risk was also observed with diabetic neuropathy identified by monofilament testing with a 52% (HR 1.52, CI = 1.013–1.225, P<0.05) increased risk of incident HF.

Conclusions and relevance

Peripheral neuropathy, a feature of MiVD, may be pathophysiologically associated with the development of HF in patients with T2D and may be a therapeutic target.

Rab GTPase 21 mediates caerulin-induced TRAF3-MKK3-p38 activation and acute pancreatitis response

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease. Caerulin induces significant pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages, causing serve damage to pancreatic acinar cells. The potential role of Rab GTPase 21 (Rab21) in this process was tested in this study. In murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), caerulin induced Rab21-TRAF3-MKK3 complex association. Rab21 silencing (by targeted shRNAs) or knockout (by CRISPR/Cas9 method) largely inhibited caerulin-induced MKK3-TRAF3 association, downstream MKK3-p38 activation and production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17). Conversely, ectopic Rab21 overexpression in BMDMs potentiated caerulin-induced MKK3-TRAF3 association and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The cytotoxicity of caerulin-activated BMDMs to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells was alleviated by Rab21 knockdown or knockout, but exacerbated with Rab21 overexpression. In vivo, administration of Rab21 shRNA lentivirus significantly attenuated pancreatic and systemic inflammations in caerulin-injected AP mice. Collectively, our results suggest that Rab21 mediates caerulin-induced MKK3-p38 activation and pro-inflammatory responses.

Seasonal variation and human exposure assessment of legacy and novel brominated flame retardants in PM2.5 in different microenvironments in Beijing, China

Indoor exposure to legacy and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) may cause potential risks to human health. Studies on seasonal variations of indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs are scant. This study comprehensively investigated the seasonal variations of PM_2.5-bound polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and NBFRs in various indoor environments (i.e. activity room, dormitory, home and office) and outdoor PM_2.5 in Beijing, China over one year. The levels of PBDE (226 ± 108 pg m^-3) were higher than that of NBFRs (27.0 ± 16.0 pg m^-3) in all indoor environments. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were the most abundant BFRs. Office showed the highest mean concentrations of Σ₁₅PBDEs (251 ± 125 pg m^-3) and Σ₉NBFRs (33.0 ± 18.0 pg m^-3), which may be related to the higher number density of indoor materials. The concentrations of Σ₉NBFRs and Σ₁₅PBDE in indoor PM_2.5 were found to be significantly higher than those in the corresponding outdoor PM_2.5 (p < 0.05). Two to twenty-fold seasonal variations were observed for levels of PM_2.5-bound BFRs during one year, and indoor concentrations increased slightly during the central-heating period (November 2016-March 2017). Seasonal variations of BFRs could be affected by temperature, relative humidity and concentrations of particle matters. The PM_2.5-bound BFRs concentrations in PM_2.5 were negatively correlated with temperature and relative humidity, while positively correlated with PM_2.5 concentrations (p < 0.05). Atmospheric haze pollution could possibly contribute to higher levels of indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs. Human daily intake of BFRs via PM_2.5 inhalation showed seasonal differences, and the highest exposure risk occurred in winter. Toddlers were assessed to be more vulnerable to indoor PM_2.5-bound BFRs in all seasons. This study provided the first-hand measurements of seasonal concentrations and human exposure to PM_2.5-bound BFRs in different indoor scenarios in Beijing.

Measurement of the Spin Tune Using the Coherent Spin Motion of Polarized Protons in a Storage Ring

This Letter reports the first spin tune measurement at high energies (24 and 255 GeV) with a driven coherent spin motion. To maintain polarization in a polarized proton collider, it is important to know the spin tune of the polarized proton beam, which is defined as the number of full spin precessions per revolution. A nine-magnet spin flipper has demonstrated high spin-flip efficiency in the presence of two Siberian snakes [H. Huang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 264804 (2018).10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.264804]. The spin flipper drives a spin resonance with a given frequency (or tune) and strength. When the drive tune is close to the spin tune, the proton spin direction is not vertical anymore, but precesses around the vertical direction. By measuring the precession frequency of the horizontal component, the spin tune can be precisely measured. A driven coherent spin motion and fast turn-by-turn polarization measurement are keys to the measurement. The vertical spin direction is restored after turning the spin flipper off and the polarization value is not affected by the measurement. The fact that this manipulation preserves the polarization makes it possible to measure the spin tune during the operation of a high energy accelerator.

Temporal variations of PM2.5-bound organophosphate flame retardants in different microenvironments in Beijing, China, and implications for human exposure

In the present study, the temporal distribution of PM_2.5-bound organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) was comprehensively investigated in various indoor environments as well as outdoor air in Beijing, China over a one-year period. The mean concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs were 22.7 ng m^-3 and 1.40 ng m^-3 in paired indoor and outdoor PM_2.5, respectively. The concentrations of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) in indoor PM_2.5 were significantly correlated with those in outdoor PM_2.5. For different indoor microenvironments, mean concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs were in the order of office (29.0 ± 11.7 ng m^-3) > home (24.0 ± 9.4 ng m^-3) > dormitory (19.4 ± 4.9 ng m^-3) > activity room (14.4 ± 3.1 ng m^-3). TCIPP was the most abundant compound in the indoor PM_2.5, followed by TCEP. Significantly higher concentrations of OPFRs were observed in indoor environments with more furnishing, electronics or other materials (p < 0.05). Moreover, lower levels of OPFRs in indoor air were observed at well-ventilated (with higher air exchange rate) indoor sampling sites. Concentrations of Σ₉OPFRs in the activity room, dormitory, homes and outdoor sites generally increased in summer and heating seasons (November 2016 to February 2017). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between temperatures and mass concentrations of OPFRs with higher vapor pressures, i.e. TNBP, TCEP and TCIPP in all indoor and outdoor samples. Seasonal differences in human exposure were observed and the highest daily exposure dose occurred in summer. Toddlers may suffer the highest exposure risk of PM_2.5-bound OPFRs via inhalation among all age groups. This is one of the very few studies that have revealed the seasonal variation and human exposure of PM_2.5-bound OPFRs in different microenvironments, which shed light on emission sources and fate of OPFRs and potential human exposure pathway.

Astragalosides modulates contractile function of toad gastrocnemius muscle

Huangqi (Radix Astragali) is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal medicine, it is an effective treatment for consumptive disease, such as the common cold, diarrhea, fatigue and cardiac diseases. Astragalosides (AST) is the main component of Huangqi. The purpose of this study is to investigate the modulation effect of AST on the skeletal muscle contractile function. Our results showed that the toad gastrocnemius muscle contractile response was significantly increased after the use of AST (25 mg/L, bath for the isolated muscle), which produced a left-ward shift of the contractile force-stimulation intensity curve. Moreover, AST also prevented the repetitive stimulation-induced decrease in muscle contractile force and recovery amplitude of muscle contraction. These results demonstrate that AST can affect contractile performance of toad gastrocnemius muscle and contribute to skeletal muscle anti-fatigue.

Altitudinal dependence of PCBs and PBDEs in soil along the two sides of Mt. Sygera, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Surface soil samples were collected from Mt. Sygera in the southeast of Tibetan Plateau to investigate the altitudinal distribution of PCBs and PBDEs along the two sides of the mountain. The average concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs were 177 pg g-1 dw and 15 pg g-1 dw, respectively. The relationships between the log-transformed TOC-normalized concentrations and the altitudes showed different trends on the two sides. On the windward side, there was a positive correlation for the heavier PCBs; while on the leeward side, the concentrations increased and then decreased for PCBs and PBDEs at the altitude of 4100-4200 m, corresponding to the change in vegetation. The observed discrepancy on the two sides of the mountain demonstrated different key factors associated with precipitation and the forest canopy. Additionally, values of windward-leeward Enrichment Factors (W/L EFs) for the heavier PCB congeners (PCB-138, 153, and -180) were an order of magnitude higher in sites above 4200 m, which also suggested that vegetation played an important role in the altitudinal accumulation of POPs in soil. This is one of the very few studies that have revealed the differences in altitudinal accumulation of POPs along the two sides of a mountain.

Dihydromyricetin inhibits caerulin-induced TRAF3-p38 signaling activation and acute pancreatitis response

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common inflammatory disease in gastrointestinal tract. Our previous study has shown that caerulin induces TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3)-p38 signaling activation and pro-inflammatory response in macrophages, causing damage to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, which has displayed anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant functions. Our results here show that DHM potently inhibited caerulin-induced expression and productions of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17) in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). DHM significantly inhibited caerulin-induced TRAF3 protein stabilization, TRAF3-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) association and following MKK3-p38 activation in BMDMs. Significantly, DHM was ineffective against caerulin in TRAF3-silenced BMDMs. Importantly, DHM supplement attenuated the cytotoxicity of caerulin-activated BMDMs to co-cultured pancreatic acinar cells, resulting in significantly decreased acinar cell death and apoptosis. In vivo, DHM co-administration largely attenuated pancreatic and systemic inflammation in caerulin-injected AP mice. Together, DHM inhibits caerulin-induced TRAF3-p38 signaling activation and AP response. DHM could be further studied as a potential anti-AP agent.

An entirely enclosed scanning tunnelling microscope capable of being fully immersed in liquid helium

We present an ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV)-sealed high-stability scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) that can be entirely immersed in liquid helium and readily used in a commercial Dewar or superconducting magnet. The STM head features a horizontal microscanner that can become standalone and ultrastable when the coarse approach inertial motor retracts. Low voltage is enough to operate the STM even at low temperature owing to the powerful motor. It is housed in a tubular chamber of 49 mm outer diameter, which can be pumped via a detachable valve (DV), UHV-sealed and remain sealed after the DV is removed. The entire so-sealed chamber can then be inserted into liquid helium, where in situ sample cleavage is done via vacuum bellow. This allows sample cleavage and STM measurements to take place in better UHV with higher cooling power. Quality atomic resolution images of graphite and charge density wave on 1T-TiSe₂ taken in ambient and 14 K conditions, respectively, are presented.

High Spin-Flip Efficiency at 255 GeV for Polarized Protons in a Ring With Two Full Siberian Snakes

In polarized proton collision experiments, it is highly advantageous to flip the spin of each bunch of protons during the stores to reduce the systematic errors. Experiments done at energies less than 2 GeV have demonstrated a spin-flip efficiency over 99%. At high energy colliders with Siberian snakes, a single magnet spin flipper does not work because of the large spin tune spread and the generation of multiple, overlapping resonances. A more sophisticated spin flipper, constructed of nine-dipole magnets, was used to flip the spin in the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A special optics choice was also used to make the spin tune spread very small. A 97% spin-flip efficiency was measured at both 24 and 255 GeV. These results show that efficient spin flipping can be achieved at high energies using a nine-magnet spin flipper.

Long non-coding RNA CASC15 regulates gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition by targeting CDKN1A and ZEB1

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) is responsible for a diverse range of cellular functions, such as transcriptional and translational regulation and variance in gene expression. The lncRNA CASC15 (cancer susceptibility candidate 15) is a long intergenic non‐coding RNA (lincRNA) locus in chromosome 6p22.3. Previous research shows that lncRNA CASC15 is implicated in the biological behaviors of several cancers such as neuroblastoma and melanoma. Here, we aimed to explore in detail how CASC15 contributes to the growth of gastric cancer (GC). As predicted, the expression of CASC15 was enriched in GC tissues and cell lines as compared with healthy tissues and cells using qRT‐PCR. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to demonstrate that high expression of CASC15 is linked to a poor prognosis for patients suffering from GC. Additionally, functional experiments proved that the down‐ or up‐regulation of CASC15 inhibited or facilitated cell proliferation via the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and also suppressed or accelerated cell migration and invasion by affecting the progression of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo experiments showed that the knockdown of CASC15 lessened the tumor volume and weight and influenced the EMT process. This was confirmed by western blot assays and immunohistochemistry, indicating impaired metastatic ability in nude mice. CASC15 involvement in the tumorigenesis of GC occurs when CASC15 interacts with EZH2 and WDR5 to modulate CDKN1A in nucleus. Additionally, the knockdown of CASC15 triggered the silencing of ZEB1 in cytoplasm, which was shown to be associated with the competitive binding of CASC15 to miR‐33a‐5p.

Ebselen suppresses inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Ebselen is a seleno-organic compound that has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study determined that ebselen inhibits airway inflammation induced by inhalational lipopolysaccharide (LPS), however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of ebselen on the glutathione peroxidase (GPX)‑reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and interleukin‑8 (IL‑8) expression induced by Helicobacter pylori LPS in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Cells were treated with 200 ng/ml H. pylori‑LPS in the presence or absence of ebselen for various durations and concentrations (µmol/l). The expression of toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4), GPX2, GPX4, p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphorylated‑p38 MAPK, ROS production and IL‑8 expression were detected with western blotting or ELISA. The present study revealed that TLR4 expression was upregulated; however, GPX2 and GPX4 expression was reduced following treatment with H. pylori LPS, which led to increased ROS production, subsequently altering the IL‑8 expression level in GC cells. Additionally, it was determined that ebselen prevented the reduction in GPX2/4 levels induced by H. pylori LPS, however, TLR4 expression was not affected. Ebselen may also block the expression of IL‑8 by inhibiting phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. These data suggest ebselen may inhibit ROS production triggered by H. pylori LPS treatment via GPX2/4 instead of TLR4 signaling and reduce phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, resulting in altered production of IL‑8. Ebselen may, therefore, be a potential therapeutic agent to mediate H. pylori LPS-induced cell damage.

A genome-wide association study suggests that MAPK14 is associated with diabetic foot ulcers

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a devastating complication of diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

To identify genetic contributors to the development of DFUs in the presence of peripheral neuropathy in a Scottish cohort with diabetes using a genome-wide association study.

METHODS

A genome-wide association approach was applied. A case was defined as a person with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who had ever had a foot ulcer (current or previous) in at least one foot, as well as a positive monofilament test result (i.e. evidence of peripheral neuropathy) recorded in their longitudinal e-health records. A control was defined as an individual with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who has never been recorded as having a foot ulcer in either foot but who had a positive monofilament test result recorded in either foot in their longitudinal e-health records.

RESULTS

There were 699 DFU cases and 2695 controls in the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland (GoDARTS) dataset. The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs80028505 (Chr6p21·31) in MAPK14 reached genome-wide significance with a lowest P-value of 2·45 × 10-8 . The narrow-sense heritability of this phenotype is 0·06.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that MAPK14 is associated with DFUs.

Note: A highly symmetrical piezoelectric motor with self-matching friction and large output force

We present a new stacked TunaDrive motor with two intact piezoelectric stacks being spring-clamped by a pair of parallel highly polished zirconia ceramic rods. Compared with the earlier version we presented with five stacks, it has a simpler and more compact structure and is much easier to build. Although the usage of piezoelectric material is cut by ∼35%, the motor can still provide a large output force of ∼1.92 N, which is nearly the same as that of the earlier version. The simple and symmetrical structure, high rigidity, and large output force make the new motor an ideal tool for coarse approach with nanometer precision.