SDX on the X chromosome is required for male sex determination

Dear Editor, Sex determination is one of the most fundamental develop-ment processes,as gender is the first and most important identity of human.In most mammals...     

A meta-analysis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in preeclampsia

Inflammation may play a major role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). In this meta-analysis, we determined whether maternal polymorphisms and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were associated with PE. All studies investigating the associations between PE and maternal polymorphisms of TNF-α-308G/A, IL-6-174G/C, and IL-10-1082A/G or serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were reviewed. We found that neither maternal TNF-α-308G/A (p=0.86, odds ratio [OR]=0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-1.25), IL-6 174G/C (p=0.14, OR=1.23, 95% CI, 0.93-1.61), nor IL-10-1082A/G (p=0.72, OR=1.07, 95% CI, 0.75-1.52) were associated with PE. On the other hand, maternal TNF-α (p<0.00001, weighted mean difference [WMD]=19.63 pg/ml, 95% CI, 18.54-20.72 pg/ml), IL-6 (p<0.00001, WMD=6.58 pg/ml, 95% CI, 5.49-7.67 pg/ml), and IL-10 (p=0.0005, WMD=19.30 pg/ml, 95% CI, 8.42-30.17 pg/ml) concentrations were significantly higher in PE patients versus controls. Our findings strengthen the clinical evidence that PE is accompanied by exaggerated inflammatory responses, but do not support TNF-α-308G/A, IL-6-174G/C, and IL-10-1082A/G as candidate susceptibility loci in PE.     

High‐Temperature Shock Enabled Nanomanufacturing for Energy‐Related Applications

Functional nanomaterials are playing a crucial role in the emerging field of energy‐related devices. Recently, as a novel synthesis method, high‐temperature shock (HTS), which is rapid, low cost, eco‐friendly, universal, scalable, and controllable, has provided a promising option for the rational design and synthesis of various high‐quality nanomaterials. In this report, the HTS technique, including the equipment setup and operating principle, is systematically introduced, and recent progress in the synthesis of nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion applications using this HTS method is summarized. The growth mechanisms of nanoparticles and carbonaceous nanomaterials are thoroughly discussed, followed by the summary of the characteristic advantages of the HTS strategy. A series of nanomaterials prepared by the HTS method, including carbon‐based films, metal nanoparticles and compound nanoparticles, show high performance in the diverse applications of storage energy batteries, highly active catalysts, and smart energy devices. Finally, the future perspectives and directions of HTS in nanomanufacturing for broader applications are presented.     

Autophagy regulates apoptosis by targeting NOXA for degradation

Apoptosis and autophagy mutually regulate various cellular physiological and pathological processes. The crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis is multifaceted and complicated. Elucidating the molecular mechanism of their crosstalk will advance the therapeutic applications of autophagy for treating cancer and other diseases. NOXA, a BH3-only member of the BCL-2 family, was reported to induce apoptosis and promote autophagy. Here, we report that autophagy regulates apoptosis by targeting NOXA for degradation. Inhibiting autophagy increases NOXA protein levels by extending the protein half-life. NOXA accumulation effectively suppresses tumor cell growth by inducing apoptosis, which is further enhanced when p53 is present. Mechanistically, NOXA is hijacked by p62 as autophagic cargo, and its three lysine residues at the C-terminus are necessary for NOXA degradation in lysosomes. Taken together, our study demonstrates that NOXA serves as a bridge in the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis and implies that autophagy inhibitors could be an effective therapy for cancer, especially wild-type p53-containing cancer.     

新疆察布查尔锡伯族体质特征调查

本文调查了新疆察布查尔锡伯族居民220人(男130人、女90人),年龄从20岁到78岁。观察22项,测量65项。调查结果表明,锡伯族居民具有典型的黄种人东亚人种的特征。如头圆宽且高,胡须少,眼裂狭窄、上眼睑褶皱多达睫毛处。耳大、鼻梁较直、鼻高中等,指距长、骨盆宽等。这些特征用等差级数法比较,与达斡尔族、华北地区汉族、蒙古族较接近,与苗族、黎族较远。     

A Single Intrathecal or Intraperitoneal Injection of CB2 Receptor Agonist Attenuates Bone Cancer Pain and Induces a Time-Dependent Modification of GRK2

The objective of this study was to explore the potential role of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in the progression of cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2) agonist-induced analgesic effects of bone cancer pain. Female Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing 160–180 g, were utilized to establish a model of bone cancer pain induced by intra-tibia inoculation of Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells. JWH-015, a selective CB2 agonist, was injected intrathecally or intraperitoneally on postoperative day 10. Bone cancer-induced pain behaviors—mechanical allodynia and ambulatory pain—were assessed on postoperative days ?1 (baseline), 4, 7, and 10 and at post-treatment hours 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72. The expressions of spinal CB2 and GRK2 protein were detected by Western Blotting on postoperative days ?1 (baseline), 4, 7, and 10 and at post-treatment hours 6, 24, and 72. The procedure produced prolonged mechanical allodynia, ambulatory pain, and different changes in spinal CB2 and GRK2 expression levels. Intrathecal or intraperitoneal administration of JWH-015 alleviated the induced mechanical allodynia and ambulatory pain, and inhibited the downregulation of spinal GRK2 expression. These effects were in a time-dependent manner and reversed by pretreatment of CB2 selective antagonist AM630. The results affirmed CB2 receptor agonists might serve as new treatment targets for bone cancer pain. Moreover, spinal GRK2 was an important regulator of CB2 receptor agonist-analgesia pathway.     

The Origin and Identity of the Calyculus in Loranthaceae: Inferred From the Floral Organogenesis of Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav.

The flowers of the hemiparasitic family Loranthaceae are always subtended by a rimmed structure known as the calyculus. The origin and identity of the calyculus have been disputed for more than a century. Various hypotheses have been proposed, for example, an outgrowth of the axis, a reduced calyx, and a bracteolar (prophyllar) origin, but controversies remain. To obtain a plausible explanation of the origin of the calyculus, we investigated the flowers of Loranthus tanakae using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to observe the entire developmental process of the floral parts. Our results show that bracts are not present in L. tanakae. The calyculus, which lacks serving vascular bundles, initiates as a semicircular primordium and then develops into a circular structure by an adnation at both sides. The flower primordium usually cleaves into six petals from its centre along a whorled pattern in two series with three petals each, before or after the calyculus closed. Isomerous stamen primordia probably follow the same initiation pattern as petals do. Several carpels of different sizes initiate simultaneously as a united primordium. We support the hypotheses that the calyculus is of bract or bracteole origin due to its independent initiation from the inflorescence rachis, its similar morphology and positioning as the bract or bracteole, and that having no developmental relationship with the petals. We suggest keeping the usage of the term “calyculus”. Loranthus flowers should be considered monochlamydeous with three whorls of floral parts, namely petal, androecium, and gynoecium.