A simple process for the isolation of epithelial cells from bacteria-contaminated samples using anchoring molecules

A simple and efficient tool to isolate epithelial cells from bacteria-contaminated samples has been developed using two different microparticles functionalized with chemical molecules. The epithelial cells could be captured simply by biocompatible anchors for membranes (BAM), consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) functionalized with oleyl-chain-conjugated NHS (N-hydroxysuccinimide) on glass microparticles, whereas bacteria were adsorbed on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (ATPS)-functionalized magnetic microparticles. In the case of samples highly contaminated with bacteria, epithelial cells were not isolated successfully by both of the single BAM- and antibody-functionalized microparticles. Therefore, serial isolation steps of these two different chemical functionalized microparticles were introduced. The concentration of bacteria was decreased dramatically by using APTS-functionalized magnetic particles prior to the isolation of epithelial cells by BAM microparticles. With these serial processes, successful isolation of epithelial cells was achieved from bacteria-contaminated epithelial samples. The applicability of this method was verified with bacteria-contaminated intestinal samples biopsied from a BALB/C mouse for primary cell cultivation.     

Effects of rosuvastatin on electronegative LDL as characterized by capillary isotachophoresis: the ROSARY Study

Electronegative LDL, a charge-modified LDL (cm-LDL) subfraction that is more negatively charged than normal LDL, has been shown to be inflammatory. We previously showed that pravastatin and simvastatin reduced the electronegative LDL subfraction, fast-migrating LDL (fLDL), as analyzed by capillary isotachophoresis (cITP). The present study examined the effects of rosuvastatin on the more electronegative LDL subfraction, very-fast-migrating LDL (vfLDL), and small, dense charge-modified LDL (sd-cm-LDL) subfractions. Patients with hypercholesterolemia or those who were being treated with statins (n = 81) were treated with or switched to 2.5 mg/d rosuvastatin for 3 months. Rosuvastatin treatment effectively reduced cITP cm-LDL subfractions of LDL (vfLDL and fLDL) or sdLDL (sd-vfLDL and sd-fLDL), which were closely related to each other but were different from the normal subfraction of LDL [slow-migrating LDL (sLDL)] or sdLDL (sd-sLDL) in their relation to the levels of remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C), apolipoprotein (apo) C-II, and apoE. The percent changes in cm-LDL or sd-cm-LDL caused by rosuvastatin were correlated with those in the particle concentrations of LDL or sdLDL measured as LDL-apoB or sdLDL-apoB and the levels of HDL-C, RLP-C, apoC-II, and apoE. In conclusion, rosuvastatin effectively reduced both the vfLDL subfraction and sd-cm-LDL subfractions as analyzed by cITP.     

Structural determinants of multimerization and dissociation in 2-Cys peroxiredoxin chaperone function

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Small diameter blood vessels with controllable micropore structure induced by centrifugal force for improved endothelialization

The micropore structure is prerequisite for fast and durable endothelialization of artificial small diameter blood vessels (ASDBVs). Although some methods, such as salt leaching, coagulation, and electrospinning, have been developed to construct micropores for ASDBVs, the uncontrollability of the structure and the complicated procedures of the process are still the issues to be concerned about. In this study, a compact device based on the principle of centrifugal force is established and used to prepare polyurethane (PU) ASDBVs with micropore structures by blasting different porogens. It is found that the glass beads could construct micropores with regular round shape, uniform distribution, and controllable size (60–350 µm), which significantly improves the endothelialization of PU‐based ASDBVs, especially when the pore size is about 60 µm. This method is easy‐accessible and wide‐applicable, which provides a new pathway for the research and development of ASDBVs.     

microRNA‐124 inhibits stem‐like properties and enhances radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via direct repression of expression of JAMA

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a source of tumour recurrence in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, the function of microRNA‐124 (miR‐124) in NPC CSCs has not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the role of miR‐124 in NPC CSCs. qRT‐PCR was performed to measure miR‐124 expression in NPC tissues and cell lines and the effects of miR‐124 on stem‐like properties and radiosensitivity of NPC cells measured. Luciferase reporter assays and rescue experiments were used to investigate the interaction of miR‐124 with the 3′UTR of junctional adhesion molecule A (JAMA). Finally, we examined the effects of miR‐124 in an animal model and clinical samples. Down‐regulation of miR‐124 was detected in cancer tissues and was inversely associated with tumour stage and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of miR‐124 inhibited stemness properties and enhanced radiosensitivity of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo via targeting JAMA. Up‐regulation of miR‐124 was correlated with superior overall survival of patients with NPC. Our study demonstrates that miR‐124 can inhibit stem‐like properties and enhance radiosensitivity by directly targeting JAMA in NPC. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying therapy failure in NPC.     

Lipid‐Embedded Molecular Dynamics Simulation Model for Exploring the Reverse Prostaglandin D2 Agonism of CT‐133 towards CRTH2 in the Treatment of Type‐2 Inflammation Dependent Diseases

Chemoattractant receptor‐homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) has been involved in several inflammation dependent diseases by mediating the chemotaxis of pro‐inflammatory cells in response to allergy and other responses through PGD2 ligation. This CRTH2‐PGD2 signaling pathway has become a target for treating allergic and type 2 inflammation dependent diseases, with many inhibitors developed to target the PGD2 binding pocket. One of such inhibitors is the ramatroban analog, CT‐133, which exhibited therapeutic potency cigarette smoke‐induced acute lung injury in patients. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanism and structural dynamics that accounts for its therapeutic prowess remain unclear. Employing computational tools, this study revealed that although the carboxylate moiety in CT‐133 and the native agonist PGD2 aided in their stability within the CRTH2 binding pocket, the tetrahydrocarbazole group of CT‐133 engaged in strong interactions with binding pocket residues which could have formed as the basis of the antagonistic advantage of CT‐133. Tetrahydrocarbazole group interactions also enhanced the relative stability CT‐133 within the binding pocket which consequently favored CT‐133 binding affinity. CT‐133 binding also induced an inactive or ‘desensitized’ state in the helix 8 of CRTH2 which could conversely favor the recruitment of arrestin. These revelations would aid in the speedy development of small molecule inhibitors of CRTH2 in the treatment of type 2 inflammation dependent diseases.     

FGFRL1 affects chemoresistance of small‐cell lung cancer by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway via ENO1

Fibroblast growth factor receptor‐like 1 (FGFRL1), a member of the FGFR family, has been demonstrated to play important roles in various cancers. However, the role of FGFRL1 in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the role of FGFRL1 in chemoresistance of SCLC and elucidate the possible molecular mechanism. We found that FGFRL1 levels are significantly up‐regulated in multidrug‐resistant SCLC cells (H69AR and H446DDP) compared with the sensitive parental cells (H69 and H446). In addition, clinical samples showed that FGFRL1 was overexpressed in SCLC tissues, and high FGFRL1 expression was associated with the clinical stage, chemotherapy response and survival time of SCLC patients. Knockdown of FGFRL1 in chemoresistant SCLC cells increased chemosensitivity by increasing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, whereas overexpression of FGFRL1 in chemosensitive SCLC cells produced the opposite results. Mechanistic investigations showed that FGFRL1 interacts with ENO1, and FGFRL1 was found to regulate the expression of ENO1 and its downstream signalling pathway (the PI3K/Akt pathway) in SCLC cells. In brief, our study demonstrated that FGFRL1 modulates chemoresistance of SCLC by regulating the ENO1‐PI3K/Akt pathway. FGFRL1 may be a predictor and a potential therapeutic target for chemoresistance in SCLC.     

Precise Control of Phase Separation Enables 12% Efficiency in All Small Molecule Solar Cells

Compared to conjugated polymers, small‐molecule organic semiconductors present negligible batch‐to‐batch variations, but presently provide comparatively low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in small‐molecular organic solar cells (SM‐OSCs), mainly due to suboptimal nanomorphology. Achieving precise control of the nanomorphology remains challenging. Here, two new small‐molecular donors H13 and H14 , created by fluorine and chlorine substitution of the original donor molecule H11 , are presented that exhibit a similar or higher degree of crystallinity/aggregation and improved open‐circuit voltage with IDIC‐4F as acceptor. Due to kinetic and thermodynamic reasons, H13 ‐based blend films possess relatively unfavorable molecular packing and morphology. In contrast, annealed H14 ‐based blends exhibit favorable characteristics, i.e., the highest degree of aggregation with the smallest paracrystalline π–π distortions and a nanomorphology with relatively pure domains, all of which enable generating and collecting charges more efficiently. As a result, blends with H13 give a similar PCE (10.3%) as those made with H11 (10.4%), while annealed H14 ‐based SM‐OSCs have a significantly higher PCE (12.1%). Presently this represents the highest efficiency for SM‐OSCs using IDIC‐4F as acceptor. The results demonstrate that precise control of phase separation can be achieved by fine‐tuning the molecular structure and film formation conditions, improving PCE and providing guidance for morphology design.     

小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的效果分析及对血清CCCK-18、CTRP-3水平的影响

目的:探讨小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的效果及对血清gaspase切割的细胞角蛋白18(CCCK-18)、补体C1q肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白3(CTRP-3)水平的影响。方法:选取2016年5月至2018年5月我院收治的160例基底节区高血压脑出血患者,按照随机数表法将其分为观察组(n=82)和对照组(n=78)。对照组采用传统大骨瓣开颅术治疗,观察组采用小骨窗显微手术治疗。观察和比较两组的临床疗效,血肿清除率、术中出血量、术后意识恢复时间、住院时间,治疗前后NIHSS、ADL评分、血清CCCK-18、CTRP-3水平的变化及并发症的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组总有效率显著高于对照组[95.12%vs. 79.48%](P0.05);血肿清除率、术中出血量、术后意识恢复时间、住院时间均显著优于对照组[(93.62±3.58)%vs.(85.40±2.19)%,(92.47±12.56)mL vs.(189.25±26.47) mL,(2.01±0.58) d vs.(8.69±2.03) d,(13.39±2.08) d vs.(19.45±3.76) d](P0.05);NIHSS评分显著低于对照组[(9.76±1.42)分vs.(20.57±3.26)分](P0.05);ADL评分显著高于对照组[(86.42±8.64)分vs.(75.39±7.02)分](P0.05);血清CCCK-18水平显著低于对照组[(201.76±32.59) U/L vs.(237.57±39.20) U/L,(29.59±5.19) ng/mL vs.(42.97±7.94)ng/mL](P0.05);CTRP-3水平显著高于对照组[(289.59±35.19)ng/mL vs.(232.97±27.94)ng/mL](P0.05);并发症总发生率显著低于对照组[3.65%(3/82) vs. 14.10%(11/78)](P0.05)。结论:小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的疗效显著,可更有效清除血肿,缓解血肿压迫,改善神经功能,减少继发性损伤,安全性高,可能与其降低血清CCCK-18水平及升高CTRP-3水平有关。     

蚊虫组学研究进展

近年来,随着高通量测序技术和生物信息学分析技术的成熟和不断革新,蚊虫基因组学、转录组学、小RNA组学也获得了快速发展。迄今为止,已有包括白纹伊蚊、埃及伊蚊、冈比按蚊在内约22种媒介蚊虫的基因组被解析报道。不同蚊种的基因组大小差异很大,且与基因组中的重复序列的多少呈正相关;蚊基因组的解析和比较基因组的分析有助于探索蚊基因组的结构和功能;转录组的研究为蚊虫嗅觉、性别决定、胚胎发育等相关基因的研究提供了有效手段;小RNA组的研究揭示了miRNA和piRNA在蚊媒抗病毒免疫通路中具有重要作用。综上所述,蚊虫组学研究为防治媒介蚊虫和蚊媒传染病病提供了理论基础和数据支撑。