Placental miR-106a∼363 cluster is dysregulated in preeclamptic placenta

Preeclampsia (PE) is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. MicroRNAs are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. In current study, we performed a microarray assay to explore miRNA expression profile in the placenta, and found 11 upregulated and 7 downregulated miRNAs in preeclampsia. miR-363, plus other 5 member of miR-106a∼363 cluster was further examined and validated. These findings would facilitate further investigation of aberrant expression of miRNAs in the pathology of preeclampsia.

The effect of Paecilomyces catenlannulatus on removal of U(VI) by illite

The effect of Paecilomyces catenlannulatus (P. catenlannulatus) on removal of U(VI) onto illite as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, and solution concentration was conducted by batch techniques. The adsorption kinetics indicated that the removal of U(VI) on illite and illite coated P. catenlannulatus can be fitted by pseudo-second order kinetic model very well. The removal of U(VI) on illite and illite coated P. catenlannulatus increased with increasing pH from 1.0 to 7.0, whereas the decrease of U(VI) adsorption on illite and illite coated P. catenlannulatus was observed at pH > 7.5. The adsorption behavior of U(VI) on illite and illite coated P. catenlannulatus can be simulated by the double diffuse model under various pH conditions. The ionic strength-dependent experiments showed that the removal of U(VI) on illite was outer-sphere surface complexation, whereas the inner-sphere surface complexation predominated the U(VI) adsorption onto illite coated P. catenlannulatus at pH 5.0-7.0. The maximum adsorption capacity of U(VI) on illite and illite coated P. catenlannulatus calculated from Langmuir model at pH 5.0 and T = 298 K was 46.729 and 54.347 mg/g, respectively, revealing enhanced adsorption of U(VI) on illite coated P. catenlannulatus. This paper highlights the effect of microorganism on the removal of radionuclides from aqueous solutions in environmental pollution management.

A novel protein elicitor (SsCut) from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum induces multiple defense responses in plants

In this study, we report the cloning of the SsCut gene encoding cutinase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. We isolated a 609-bp cDNA encoding a polypeptide of 202 amino acids with a molecular weight of 20.4 kDa. Heterologous expression of SsCut in Escherichia coli (His-SsCut) caused the formation of lesions in tobacco that closely resembled hypersensitive response lesions. Mutational analysis identified the C-terminal-half peptide and the same amino acids indispensable for both enzyme and elicitor activity. His-SsCut was caused cell death in Arabidopsis, soybean (Glycine max), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), and wheat (Triticum aestivum), indicating that both dicot and monocot species are responsive to the elicitor. Furthermore, the elicitation of tobacco was effective in the induction of the activities of hydrogen peroxide, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxides, and polyphenol oxidase. His-SsCut-treated plants exhibited enhanced resistance as indicated by a significant reduction in the number and size of S. sclerotiorum, Phytophthora sojae, and P. nicotianae lesions on leaves relative to controls. Real-time PCR results indicated that the expression of defense-related genes and genes involved in signal transduction were induced by His-SsCut. Our results demonstrate that SsCut is an elicitor that triggers defense responses in plants and will help to clarify its relationship to downstream signaling pathways that induce defense responses.

Effect of asymmetrical eddy currents on magnetic diagnosis signals for equilibrium reconstruction in the Sino-UNIted Spherical Tokamak

The vacuum vessel of Sino-UNIted Spherical Tokamak was split into two insulated hemispheres, both of which were insulated from the central cylinder. The eddy currents flowing in the vacuum vessel would become asymmetrical due to discontinuity. A 3D finite elements model was applied in order to study the eddy currents. The modeling results indicated that when the Poloidal Field (PF) was applied, the induced eddy currents would flow in the toroidal direction in the center of the hemispheres and would be forced to turn to the poloidal and radial directions due to the insulated slit. Since the eddy currents converged on the top and bottom of the vessel, the current densities there tended to be much higher than those in the equatorial plane were. Moreover, the eddy currents on the top and bottom of vacuum vessel had the same direction when the current flowed in the PF coils. These features resulted in the leading phases of signals on the top and bottom flux loops when compared with the PF waveforms.

Etiological factors, prognostic assessment, and outcomes of patients with acute kidney injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

This clinical study assessed the etiological factors implicated in acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI has a complicated etiology with many serious complications. Understanding the interactions among these factors will help physicians treat patients with AKI. This retrospective study analyzed the etiological factors and assessed the incidence and outcome of 123 patients with AKI and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The general conditions, original disease, number of organ dysfunctions, type of organ dysfunction, complications, score, time, dose of renal replacement therapy, and outcomes were recorded. The etiologies of the manifested diseases were complicated. The number of injured organs was directly associated with prognosis. Cardiovascular dysfunction and cataphora were independently associated with a risk of mortality (P < 0.05; odds ratios: 12.44 and 2.16, respectively). Meanwhile, cardiovascular dysfunction and choloplania were independently associated with a risk of irreparable renal function (P < 0.05; odds ratios: 23.64 and 11.59, respectively). In summary, the etiologies of the manifested diseases are complex. In addition, cardiovascular dysfunction is significantly associated with prognosis including survival and the recovery rate of renal function.

A novel regulator of lung inflammation and immunity: pulmonary parasympathetic inflammatory reflex

In this review, we first analyzed the current status of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and then put forward a novel regulatory machinery-pulmonary parasympathetic inflammatory reflex, which is composed by lung vagal sensors at afferent arm, α7 nAChR (α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors)-expressing cells at efferent arm and the brain information integrating center. This modulatory circuit might loop the lungs, immune and nervous systems and play a very important role in regulating lung infection, inflammation and immunity through the neural innervations and signals when the lungs encounter pathogenic challenges.

Are field-based exergames useful in preventing childhood obesity? A systematic review

Exergames have started to find their way into field-based settings, such as schools, communities and homes, as a possible solution to curbing physical inactivity and childhood obesity. However, a clear view of the effects of field-based exergaming on children's obesity-related outcomes is lacking. Hence, a systematic review on this topic is warranted. This review synthesizes the impact of field-based exergames on children's physical and psychosocial outcomes. A total of 34 articles conducted in field-based settings were identified from 104 peer-reviewed publications that investigated the effects of exergames. Upon screening, these articles met the inclusion criteria and a high inter-rater agreement for inclusion was reached between the authors. The effects of field-based exergames on children's habitual physical activity (PA) and obesity-related outcomes (e.g. weight loss, body composition) remain unclear due to design problems, measurement issues and other methodology concerns. In addition, exergame is appealing to children, although strategies are warranted to sustain their interests. In summary, exergames are desirable as a promising addition to promote PA and health. Professionals may integrate exergames at field settings to promote a physically active lifestyle among children with the goal of curbing childhood obesity.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel CBL-interacting protein kinase NtCIPK2 in the halophyte Nitraria tangutorum

CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) mediate many plant responses to abiotic stress. However, their functions are poorly understood in halophytes. In this study, we isolated a CIPK gene, NtCIPK2, from the halophyte Nitraria tangutorum. By sequence alignment and the construction of a phylogenetic tree, we found that NtCIPK2 is similar to CIPK2 proteins from other plants, and contains conserved domains and motifs. The promoter of NtCIPK2 harbors many cis-acting elements that might be recognized and bound by transcription factors that are related to hormones and stress responses. NtCIPK2 was ubiquitously and robustly expressed in all tested organs, and was induced by salinity, drought, heat, and cold stress. The overexpression of NtCIPK2 in Escherichia coli caused better growth against high salinity, alkalinity, and osmotic conditions, dehydration, and extreme temperatures (i.e., heat and cold) compared to the control. Thus, NtCIPK2 is a candidate gene that might improve the stress tolerance of crops and herbs through genetic manipulation.

The effect of pre-treatment with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on the quality of recovery after ambulatory breast surgery: a prospective, randomised controlled trial

Electroacupuncture has been demonstrated to be effective at alleviating pain and postoperative side-effects. Our aim was to investigate whether transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation, a low-skill alternative to needle-based electroacupuncture, could improve the quality of recovery after ambulatory surgery. Seventy-two women scheduled for cosmetic breast surgery were randomly allocated to transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation or sham groups. Patients in the transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation group received 30 min of electrical stimulation at three acupoints located on the hand and forearm before the induction of general anaesthesia. We found significant mean (SD) differences between the transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation and sham groups in the mean (SD) length of recovery room stay (35.6 (12.9) min vs 48.3 (16.3) min, p = 0.01), time to removal of the laryngeal mask airway (10.2 (2.5) min vs 17.8 (4.4) min, p = 0.01), and time to reorientation of the patient (14.6 (3.2) min vs 26.5 (5.0) min, p = 0.01). Further, postoperative pain scores and the incidence of side-effects were all lower in the transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation group. In conclusion, transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation can significantly improve the quality of recovery and decrease the incidence of anaesthesia-related side-effects for patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

β-Glucan attenuates inflammatory responses in oxidized LDL-induced THP-1 cells via the p38 MAPK pathway

AIM

To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of β-(1,3/1,6)-d-glucan on atherosclerosis as well as on the molecular mechanisms of its transition.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells were differentiated into the macrophage phenotype by incubation with oxLDL in the absence or presence of β-glucan. β-glucan attenuated CD86 and CD80 expression and simultaneously reduced secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Western blot analysis showed that oxLDL treatment induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells. However, β-glucan inhibited p38 MAPK activation. In experiments with monocytes derived from healthy donors, β-glucan inhibited IL-8, IL-12 and TNF-α production. The anti-inflammatory effects of β-glucan were also observed in atherosclerotic plaque cells.

CONCLUSIONS

β-glucan inhibited oxLDL-induced pro-inflammatory effects in macrophages via regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation. This novel finding may provide insight for new therapeutic strategies.