Isoflurane promotes proliferation of squamous cervical cancer cells through mTOR-histone deacetylase 6 pathway

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - This study investigated the effect of isoflurane on the proliferation of squamous cervical cancer cells, with focus on histone deacetylase 6 that is closely...     

Potassium and phosphorus transport and signaling in plants

Nitrogen(N), potassium(K), and phosphorus(P) are essential macronutrients for plant growth and development, and their availability affects crop yield. Compared with N, the relatively low availability of K and P in soils limits crop production and thus threatens food security and agricultural sustainability. Improvement of plant nutrient utilization efficiency provides a potential route to overcome the effects of K and P deficiencies. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying how plants sense, absorb, transport, and use K and P is an important prerequisite to improve crop nutrient utilization efficiency. In this review, we summarize current understanding of K and P transport and signaling in plants, mainly taking Arabidopsis thaliana and rice(Oryza sativa) as examples. We also discuss the mechanisms coordinating transport of N and K, as well as P and N.     

Middle Jurassic radiolarians from Jinlang,Zedong, southern Xizang (Tibet), China

Moderately to well-preserved radiolarians have been extracted from nine greyish green and purplish-red bedded cherts in the mud-matrix mélange of the eastern Yarlung-Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) at Jinlang Section, Zedong, southern Xizang (Tibet). Forty-two species belonging to 27 genera, including Middle Jurassic characteristic species such as Laxtorum (?) jurassicum Isozaki and Matsuda, Laxtorum (?) hichisoense Isozaki and Matsuda, Stichocapsa japonica Yao, Stichocapsa robusta Matsuoka, Parahsuum (?) magnum Takemura, Sella chrafatensis (El Kadiri), and Unuma typicus Ichikawa and Yao are recognized and three assemblages, Laxtorum (?) jurassicum Assemblage (Aalenian), Quarticella ovalis Assemblage (late Bajocian), and Stichocapsa robusta Assemblage (middle Bathonian) are established in ascending order. These assemblages can be well correlated to the Middle Jurassic Unitary Association (UA) Zones (Baumgartner et al., 1995) in west Tethys and coeval biozones in Japan and provide reliable age information for the Middle Jurassic stratigraphic correlation of the pelagic sediments along the YZSZ.     

Impact of left atrial appendage location on risk of thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Most strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are thought to arise from thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Assessing the...     

G-CSF Prevents Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Rat

Background

The protective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) have been demonstrated in a variety of renal disease models. However, the influence of G-CSF on diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains to be examined. In this study, we investigated the effect of G-CSF on DN and its possible mechanisms in a rat model.

Methods

Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats with early DN were administered G-CSF or saline intraperitoneally. Urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR), creatinine clearance, mesangial matrix expansion, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness, and podocyte foot process width (FPW) were measured. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and type IV collagen genes expression in kidney tissue were also evaluated. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying G-CSF effects, we also assessed the expression of G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) in glomeruli as well as mobilization of bone marrow (BM) cells to glomeruli using sex-mismatched BM transplantation.

Results

After four weeks of treatment, UACR was lower in the G-CSF treatment group than in the saline group (p<0.05), as were mesangial matrix expansion, GBM thickness, and FPW (p<0.05). In addition, the expression of TGF-β1 and type IV collagen and IL-1β levels was lower in the G-CSF treatment group (p<0.05). G-CSFR was not present in glomerular cells, and G-CSF treatment increased the number of BM-derived cells in glomeruli (p<0.05).

Conclusions

G-CSF can prevent the progression of DN in OLETF rats and its effects may be due to mobilization of BM cells rather than being a direct effect.     

A theoretical study on 1,5-diazido-3-nitrazapentane (DANP) and 1,7-diazido-2,4,6-trinitrazaheptane (DATNH): molecular and crystal structures, thermodynamic and detonation properties, and pyrolysis mechanism

1,5-Diazido-3-nitrazapentane (DANP) and 1,7-diazido-2,4,6-trinitrazaheptane (DATNH) are two energetic plasticizers. To better understand them, a detailed theoretical investigation was carried out using density functional theory and molecular mechanics methods. The crystal structures, spectra, thermodynamic properties, heats of formation, detonation velocity, detonation pressure, specific impulse and thermal stability were estimated. Possible initiation steps of pyrolysis were discussed by considering the bond breaking of N–NO₂, C–N₃, and N–N₂ (via hydrogen transfer) for both compounds and the cyclization of the adjacent nitro and azido groups for DATNH. Results show that the rupture of N–NO₂ and N–N₂ (via hydrogen transfer) may happen simultaneously as the initial step of pyrolysis. Both crystals have P-1 symmetry as was observed experimentally. DANP has higher stability than DATNH, while DATNH has better detonation performance than DANP. In addition, DANP has a lower while DATNH has a higher specific impulse than RDX, which shows their prospects as propellant components.