Extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key mediator in driving allergic airway inflammation and contributes to asthma. Yet, mechanism of HMGB1 secretion in asthma is poorly defined. Pulmonary metabolic dysfunction is recently recognized as a driver of respiratory pathology. However, the altered metabolic signatures and the roles of metabolic to allergic airway inflammation remain unclear.
Mutations in RAPSN are an important cause of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). In this study, we generated an induced pluripotent stem cell line (iPSC) derived from a 14-day-old male CMS patient carrying compound heterozygote mutations (c.532-2A > G and c.264C > A/p.Asn88Lys) in RAPSN gene. The established iPSC line harboring the original mutations, possessing a normal karyotype, is able to differentiate into all three germ layers in vitro and expresses pluripotency markers.
X-linked Lowe syndrome is a multisystem disorder showing major abnormalities in the eyes, kidneys and central nervous system. OCRL gene, which encodes an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, is associated with Lowe syndrome when mutated. Here we report the establishment of SDUBMSi009-A, an induced pluripotent stem cell line derived from patient carrying splicing variant (c. 940-11G>A) of OCRL gene by non-integrative reprogramming technology. The iPSC line showed strong pluripotent characteristics, including expressing pluripotent markers and potential to differentiate into the three germ layers. In the meanwhile, the iPSC line kept a normal male karyotype.
Strain sensing fabrics are able to sense the deformation of the outside world, bringing more accurate and real-time monitoring and feedback to users. However, due to the lack of clear sensing mechanism for high sensitivity and high linearity carbon matrix composites, the preparation of high performance strain sensing fabric weaving is still a major challenge. Here, an elastic polyurethane(PU)-based conductive fabric(GCPU) with high sensitivity, high linearity and good hydrophobicity is prepared by a novel synergistic conductive network strategy. The GCPU fabric consists of graphene sheets(GS)/carbon nanotubes(CNTs) elastic conductive layer and a PU elastic substrate. GS and CNTs can be constructed into a synergistic conductive network, and the fabric is endowed with high conductivity(1.193 S m-1). Simulated equivalent circuits show that GS in the conductive network will break violently under applied strain, making the GCPU fabric extremely sensitive(gauge factor 102). CNTs are spatially distributed in GS lamellae, avoiding the phenomenon that the constructed synergistic conductive network is violently fractured under the applied strain, which leads to the decrease of linearity(0.996). SEBS was used as a dispersant and binder to uniformly disperse and closely bond GS and CNTs into PU fabrics. In addition, the hydrophobicity of SEBS makes the GCPU fabric resistant to water environment(The contact Angle is 123°). Due to the good mechanical stability of GCPU fabric, GCPU fabric has a wide strain range(0-50%) and high cycle stability(over 1000 cycles). In practice, GCPU fabric can accurately simulate and detect the size and deformation motion of human body. Therefore, the successful construction of elastic fabrics with synergistic conductive networks provides a feasible path for the design and manufacture of wearable intelligent fabrics.
It has been reported that mutations in CDH1 gene are associated with genetic susceptibility to colon, stomach, breast and prostate cancers. Here, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a patient with double primary gastric and colon carcinoma carrying germline mutation (c. 1679C > G) in CDH1 gene was generated. The iPSC line had normal karyotype, expressed pluripotent markers and had ability to generate three germ layers.
Relevant research data shows that there is a certain degree of energy metabolism imbalance in highland residents. Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) has been found as a new factor in the regulation of sugar and lipid metabolism. Here, we investigate the differential expression of PP4 at a simulated altitude of 4,500 m in the heart, lung, and brain tissues of rats. A hypoxic plateau rat model was established using an animal decompression chamber. A blood routine test was performed by an animal blood cell analyzer on rats cultured for different hypoxia periods at 4,500 m above sea level. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot were used to detect the changes of protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit (PP4C) gene and protein in heart, lung, and brain tissues. The PP4C gene with the highest expression level found in rats slowly entering the high altitude area (20 m-2200 m-7 d-4500 m-3 d) was about twice as high as the low elevation group (20 m above sea level). The simulated high-altitude hypoxia induced an increase of PP4C expression level in all tissues, and the expression in the lung tissue was twice as expressed as heart and brain tissue at high altitude (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the PP4 phosphatase complex is ubiquitously expressed in rat tissues and likely involved in adaptation to or disease associated with high-altitude hypoxia.
Chemical fertilizer has been excessively used for high yield of citrus around the world, especially in China; meanwhile, it deteriorates the citrus orchard soil environment. To resolve the conflict, the use of organic fertilizer provides a promising solution. However, the data about organic fertilizer used in citrus orchard is rarely available. Here, four treatments including CK (no fertilizer), CF (chemical fertilizer), OF + CF (chemical fertilizer reduction combined with organic fertilizer; application of N, P2O5, K2O fertilizer and organic fertilizer is 0.564, 0.236, 0.336 and 10 kg/plant), and BF + CF (chemical fertilizer reduction combined with bioorganic fertilizer; application of N, P2O5, K2O fertilizer and bioorganic fertilizer is 0.508, 0.320, 0.310 and 10 kg/plant) were performed in a ‘Ponkan’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco) orchard to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizer on citrus yield, growth, soil properties etc. when nutrients of fertilizer of each treatment were equal except CK. The data obtained in 2019 and 2020 showed that both OF + CF and BF + CF were beneficial to improve soil fertility (soil physicochemical and microbe properties) and citrus growth physiology (growth, nutrient and photosynthesis), alleviate NO3−-N leaching, and promote yields. Comprehensive evaluation indicated that BF + CF was more effective than OF + CF. Together, organic fertilizer has the potential to substitute partial chemical fertilizer with improvement in soil properties, growth physiology, and yield of citrus.
Abstract Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) is a serine hydrolase with classical function to degrade acetylcholine and terminate neurotransmission. While “nonclassical” functions of AchE were involved in cell growth, death, invasion, etc. The expression and activity of AchE is changed in tumors, suggesting AChE inhibitors (AchEIs) may serve as potential antitumor drugs. In this study, the antitumor activity of a series of 2‐phenylthiazole derivatives originally designed and synthesized as AchEIs were investigated. One compound named A6, was screened out with superior antitumor efficacy, especially against breast cancer MCF‐7 cells. A6 significantly disrupted the amino acid metabolism and inhibited migration of MCF‐7. In addition, A6 induced apoptosis of MCF‐7 cells. To clarify how A6 affected on MCF‐7 cells, RNA‐seq analysis was conducted to evaluate the whole genome effect of A6 on gene expression. A total of 153 genes were increased, and the expression of 81 genes was decreased. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed A6 treatment mainly disrupted sterol/cholesterol pathway, Ras signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, etc. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis and cell viability test showed A6 plays anticancer role by regulating Best1 and HIST1H2BJ. These results indicate that AchEI A6 could be a potential antitumor agent for breast cancer patients and could help the development of novel therapies.