Abstract Background It has been reported that solute carrier family 26 members 4 antisense RNA 1 (SLC26A4-AS1) is highly related to cardiac hypertrophy. Objective This research aims to investigate the role and specific mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 in cardiac hypertrophy, providing a novel marker for cardiac hypertrophy treatment. Methods Angiotensin II (AngII) was infused into neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (NMVCs) to induce cardiac hypertrophy. Gene expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Protein levels were evaluated via western blot. Functional assays analyzed the role of SLC26A4-AS1. The mechanism of SLC26A4-AS1 was assessed by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, and luciferase reporter assays. The P value <0.05 was identified as statistical significance. Student’s t-test evaluated the two-group comparison. The difference between different groups was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results SLC26A4-AS1 is upregulated in AngII-treated NMVCs and promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy. SLC26A4-AS1 regulates its nearby gene solute carrier family 26 members 4 (SLC26A4) via functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate the microRNA (miR)-301a-3p and miR-301b-3p in NMVCs. SLC26A4-AS1 promotes AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via upregulating SLC26A4 or sponging miR-301a-3p/miR-301b-3p. Conclusion SLC26A4-AS1 aggravates AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy via sponging miR-301a-3p or miR-301b-3p to enhance SLC26A4 expression.

Resumo Fundamento Foi relatado que o RNA 1 antisenso 1 (SLC26A4-AS1) do membro 4 da família de transportadores de soluto 26 está altamente relacionado à hipertrofia cardíaca. Objetivo Esta pesquisa visa investigar o papel e o mecanismo específicos de SLC26A4-AS1 na hipertrofia cardíaca, fornecendo um novo marcador para o tratamento da hipertrofia cardíaca. Métodos Angiotensina II (AngII) foi infundida em cardiomiócitos ventriculares (NMVCs) de camundongos neonatos para induzir hipertrofia cardíaca. A expressão gênica foi detectada por PCR quantitativo em tempo real (RT-qPCR). Os níveis de proteína foram avaliados por western blot. Ensaios funcionais analisaram o papel de SLC26A4-AS1. O mecanismo de SLC26A4-AS1 foi avaliado por imunoprecipitação de proteína de ligação a RNA (RIP), pull-down de RNA e ensaios de luciferase repórter. O valor de p < 0,05 foi identificado como significância estatística. O teste t de Student avaliou a comparação dos dois grupos. A diferença entre os diferentes grupos foi analisada por análise de variância (ANOVA) de uma via. Resultados SLC26A4-AS1 é regulado para cima em NMVCs tratados com AngII e promove hipertrofia cardíaca induzida por AngII. SLC26A4-AS1 regula o membro 4 da família de transportadores de soluto 26 (SLC26A4) por meio do funcionamento como um RNA endógeno competitivo (ceRNA) para modular o microRNA (miR)-301a-3p e o miR-301b-3p em NMVCs. SLC26A4-AS1 promove hipertrofia cardíaca induzida por AngII via regulação para cima de SLC26A4 ou absorção de miR-301a-3p/miR-301b-3p. Conclusão SLC26A4-AS1 agrava a hipertrofia cardíaca induzida por AngII via absorção de miR-301a-3p ou miR-301b-3p para aumentar a expressão de SLC26A4.

Abstract Background: The internal NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDA) gene family was a member of the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (ND) gene family, mainly involved in the non-phosphorylated respiratory pathways in mitochondria and played crucial roles in response to abiotic stress. Methods: The whole genome identification, structure analysis and expression pattern of NDA gene family were conducted to analyze the NDA gene family. Results: There were 51, 52, 26, and 24 NDA genes identified in G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum and G. raimondii, respectively. According to the structural characteristics of genes and traits of phylogenetic tree, we divided the NDA gene family into 8 clades. Gene structure analysis showed that the NDA gene family was relatively conservative. The four Gossypium species had good collinearity, and segmental duplication played an important role in the evolution of the NDA gene family. Analysis of cis-elements showed that most GhNDA genes contained cis-elements related to light response and plant hormones (ABA, MeJA and GA). The analysis of the expression patterns of GhNDA genes under different alkaline stress showed that GhNDA genes were actively involved in the response to alkaline stress, possibly through different molecular mechanisms. By analyzing the existing RNA-Seq data after alkaline stress, it was found that an NDA family gene GhNDA32 was expressed, and then theGhNDA32 was silenced by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). By observing the phenotype, we found that the wilting degree of silenced plants was much higher than that of the control plant after alkaline treatment, suggesting that GhNDA32 gene was involved in the response to alkaline stress. Conclusions: In this study, GhNDAs participated in response to alkaline stress, especially NaHCO3 stress. It was of great significance for the future research on the molecular mechanism of NDA gene family in responding to abiotic stresses.

ABSTRACT This study was performed to compare changes in posture, nursing behavior, and production performance of two breeds of sows. The posture, postural changes, nursing behavior, and production performance of hybrid Damin (Large White × Min pig, n = 32) and Landrace × Large White (n = 32) sows were observed by video recording for 72 h after farrowing and from 07:00 to 09:00 h and 13:00 to 15:00 h within any successive two-day period of each week from the two to five weeks postpartum. The production performances were compared between the two breeds. Except standing at days 1 to 3 postpartum and sitting at day 2 postpartum, there were significant differences in postures between the two breeds of sows. The frequency of ventral-to-lateral recumbency at day 1 and weeks 4 and 5 postpartum and sitting-to-lying at days 1 and 3 and weeks 4 and 5 postpartum was significantly lower for the Damin than for Landrace × Large White sows. The frequency of standing-to-lying in the first 72 h postpartum was significantly higher for the Damin than for Landrace × Large White sows. At days 2 and 3 postpartum, piglet loss was significantly lower for the Damin than for Landrace × Large White sows. The duration of parturition and farrowing interval were significantly longer for the Landrace × Large White than for Damin sows. The number of live piglets was higher for the Damin than for Landrace × Large White sows. The birth weight of litters and weaning weight of piglets were lower for Damin than for Landrace × Large White piglets. These data suggest that the Damin sows showed stronger maternal instincts through their behaviors and postural changes compared with the Landrace × Large White sows.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Leptin (LEP) is a peptide hormone that acts via leptin receptor (LEPR) binding. Genetic evidence from different human populations has implicated LEP/LEPR in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), and suggests that certain LEP/LEPR gene polymorphisms may increase the risk of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LEP genes (rs2167270 and rs7799039) and two in LEPR genes (rs6588147, rs1137100) for association with CAD. METHODS: We enrolled 271 North Chinese Han CAD patients, and 113 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and the four SNPs were assessed using a MassArray system. RESULTS: The G allele frequency at rs2167270 was significantly higher among CAD cases than among controls. The AG genotype at rs7799039 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CAD unlike the AA genotype used as the reference. The A allele was significantly associated with the CAD patient group. Interestingly, statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequency at LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 existed among females but not among males. CONCLUSIONS: The current study detected a significant association between genetic variations at LEP rs7799039 and rs2167270 and the risk of CAD in a north Chinese population, and revealed that LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 gene polymorphisms might act as predisposing factors for CAD.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Lung metastases are associated with poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim here was to explore the prevalence of and risk and prognostic factors for lung metastases in high-grade osteosarcoma patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database in the United States. METHODS: Data on 1,408 high-grade osteosarcoma patients registered in the SEER database between 2010 and 2015 were extracted. From these, all patients with high-grade osteosarcoma and initial lung metastasis were selected for analysis on risk and prognostic factors for lung metastases. Overall survival was estimated. RESULTS: There were 238 patients (16.90%) with lung metastases at diagnosis. Axial location, tumor size > 10 cm (odds ratio, OR 3.19; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.58-6.45), higher N stage (OR 4.84; 95% CI: 1.94-12.13) and presence of bone metastases (OR 8.73; 95% CI: 4.37-17.48) or brain metastases (OR 25.63; 95% CI: 1.55-422.86) were significantly associated with lung metastases. Younger age and surgical treatment (hazard ratio, HR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.30-0.71) favored survival. Median survival was prolonged through primary tumor surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The factors revealed here may guide lung metastasis screening and prophylactic treatment for osteosarcoma patients. A primary tumor in an axial location, greater primary tumor size, higher lymph node stage and presence of bone or brain metastases were significantly correlated with lung metastases. The elderly group (≥ 60 years) showed significant correlation with poor overall survival. For improved survival among high-grade osteosarcoma patients with lung metastases, aggressive surgery on the primary tumor site should be encouraged.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O objetivo deste estudo é explorar a relação entre a ansiedade no pré-operatório e a dor crônica no pós-operatório. MÉTODOS Um total de 40 ratos foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, estresse prolongado (SPS), histerectomia e SPS + histerectomia. Os limiares de retirada da pata em resposta a estímulo mecânico (PWMT) foram examinados. Ensaios qRT-PCR e imunoenzimáticos (western blotting) foram realizados para detectar a expressão de GFAP em astrócitos isolados da região do córtex cingulado anterior (CCA). Além disso, a potenciação de longa duração (LTP) no CCA também foi examinada. RESULTADOS Os ratos no grupo de estresse prolongado e no grupo de histerectomia não apresentaram nenhum efeito significativo na formação de dor crônica. Porém, o estresse prolongado foi capaz de induzir dor crônica significativamente após a cirurgia. Três dias após o modelo, o grupo de SPS + histerectomia ainda apresentava astrócitos ativos e LTP significativamente maior. CONCLUSÃO A ansiedade pode provocar dor crônica através da ativação de astrócitos na região do CCA.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The study aims to explore the relationship between preoperative anxiety and chronic postoperative pain. METHODS A total of forty rats were divided into four groups, control, single-prolonged stress alone, Hysterectomy alone, and SPS+ Hysterectomy. The paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds (PWMT) were examined. qRT-PCR and western blotting assay were performed to detect the GFAP expression in astrocytes isolated from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) region. In addition, the long-term potentiation (LTP) in ACC was examined. RESULTS Rats in the SPS group or the Hysterectomy alone group had no significant effect on chronic pain formation, but SPS can significantly induce chronic pain after surgery. Astrocytes were still active, and the LTP was significantly increased three days after modeling in the SPS+Hysterectomy group. CONCLUSIONS anxiety can induce chronic pain by activating astrocytes in the ACC region.

Abstract Parthenogenetically activated oocytes cannot develop to term in mammals owing to abnormal epigenetic modifications. Methylation of the N6 position of adenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional epigenetic modification of RNA. To investigate the role of m6A methylation in parthenogenetic (PA) embryonic development, we analyzed METTL3, METTL14, FTO, ALKBH5, YTHDF2, IGF2BP1, and IGF2BP2 expression by quantitative real-time PCR. These genes were found dynamically expressed during the 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, and blastocyst stages of the embryo. Compared to normally fertilized embryos, the expression of these genes was perturbed in PA embryos, especially at the 8-cell stage. Furthermore, immunofluorescence was used to detect m6A expression. The results demonstrated that m6A expression decreased in the 2-cell stage, whereas it increased in the 8-cell stage of PA embryos. Taken together, these results suggest that the expression of RNA methylation-related genes was perturbed, leading to abnormal m6A modification during early development in PA embryos.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease associated with metabolic syndrome and can lead to life-threatening complications like hepatic carcinoma and cirrhosis. Exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist antidiabetic drug, has the capacity to overcome insulin resistance and attenuate hepatic steatosis but the specific underlying mechanism is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of exenatide therapy on NAFLD. We used in vivo and in vitro techniques to investigate the protective effects of exenatide on fatty liver via fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) in a high-fat (HF) diet-induced NAFLD animal model and related cell culture model. Exenatide significantly decreased body weight, serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, serum free fatty acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels in HF-induced obese rabbits. Histological analysis showed that exenatide significantly reversed HF-induced lipid accumulation and inflammatory changes accompanied by decreased FTO mRNA and protein expression, which were abrogated by PI3K inhibitor LY294002. This study indicated that pharmacological interventions with GLP-1 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for NAFLD.

We presented a theoretical study on the detailed reaction mechanism and kinetics of the HNCS molecule with the OH-. The barrierless minimum energy path and the most favorable entrance channel have been determined by study the thermodynamic and kinetic characters of the channel with low energy barrier. The B3LYP/6-311++G** method was employed for all the geometrical optimizations and a multi-level extrapolation method based on the G3 energies was employed for further energy refinements. In addition, the analysis of the combining interaction between hydroxide ion and HNCS was performed by natural bond orbitals (NBO) analysis. The calculation results indicated that the reaction of OH- with HNCS had four channels, and the channel of H-atom in HNCS direct extraction to OH- (OH-+HNCS→IM1→TS3→IM4→P2(SCN- +H2O)) in singlet state was the main channel with the low potential energy and high equilibrium constant and reaction rate constant. SCN- and H2O were main products.

OBJETIVO: validar de forma prospectiva um nomograma de bilirrubina transcutânea (BTc) para identificar hiperbilirrubinemia grave em neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis na China.MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo multicêntrico que incluiu 9174 neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis em oito unidades da China. Foram realizadas dosagens de BTc utilizando um bilirrubinômetro. Os valores de BTc foram traçados em um nomograma de BTc para identificara capacidade de predição de hiperbilirrubinemia significativa.RESULTADOS: 972 recém-nascidos (10,6%) desenvolveram hiperbilirrubinemia significativa. O percentil 40 de nosso nomograma pode identificar todos os recém-nascidos com risco de hiper-bilirrubinemia significativa, porém com baixo valor preditivo positivo (VPP) (18,9%). De 453 recém-nascidos acima do percentil 95, 275 recém-nascidos desenvolveram posteriormente hiperbilirrubinemia significativa, com VPP elevado (60,7%), porém com baixa sensibilidade (28,3%). O percentil de 75 foi altamente específico (81,9%) e moderadamente sensível (79,8%). A área sob a curva (ASC) de nosso nomograma de BTc foi de 0,875.CONCLUSÕES: este estudo validou o nomograma de BTc, que pode ser utilizado para prever hiperbilirrubinemia significativa em neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis na China. Contudo, combinar o nomograma de BTc e fatores de risco clínicos pode melhorar a precisãode predição da hiperbilirrubinemia grave, o que não foi avaliado neste estudo. São necessários estudos adicionais para confirmar essa combinação.

OBJECTIVE:to prospectively validate a previously constructed transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomogram for identifying severe hyperbilirubinemia in healthy Chinese term and late-preterm infants.METHODS:this was a multicenter study that included 9,174 healthy term and late-preterm infants in eight hospitals of China. TcB measurements were performed using a JM-103 bilirubinometer. TcB values were plotted on a previously developed TcB nomogram, to identify the predictive ability for subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia.RESULTS:in the present study, 972 neonates (10.6%) developed significant hyperbilirubinemia. The 40th percentile of the nomogram could identify all neonates who were at risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia, but with a low positive predictive value (PPV) (18.9%). Of the 453 neonates above the 95th percentile, 275 subsequently developed significant hyperbilirubinemia, with a high PPV (60.7%), but with low sensitivity (28.3%). The 75th percentile was highly specific (81.9%) and moderately sensitive (79.8%). The area under the curve (AUC) for the TcB nomogram was 0.875.CONCLUSIONS:this study validated the previously developed TcB nomogram, which could be used to predict subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia in healthy Chinese term and late-preterm infants. However, combining TcB nomogram and clinical risk factors could improve the predictive accuracy for severe hyperbilirubinemia, which was not assessed in the study. Further studies are necessary to confirm this combination.

OBJETIVO: validar de forma prospectiva um nomograma de bilirrubina transcutânea (BTc) para identificar hiperbilirrubinemia grave em neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis na China.MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo multicêntrico que incluiu 9174 neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis em oito unidades da China. Foram realizadas dosagens de BTc utilizando um bilirrubinômetro. Os valores de BTc foram traçados em um nomograma de BTc para identificara capacidade de predição de hiperbilirrubinemia significativa.RESULTADOS: 972 recém-nascidos (10,6%) desenvolveram hiperbilirrubinemia significativa. O percentil 40 de nosso nomograma pode identificar todos os recém-nascidos com risco de hiper-bilirrubinemia significativa, porém com baixo valor preditivo positivo (VPP) (18,9%). De 453 recém-nascidos acima do percentil 95, 275 recém-nascidos desenvolveram posteriormente hiperbilirrubinemia significativa, com VPP elevado (60,7%), porém com baixa sensibilidade (28,3%). O percentil de 75 foi altamente específico (81,9%) e moderadamente sensível (79,8%). A área sob a curva (ASC) de nosso nomograma de BTc foi de 0,875.CONCLUSÕES: este estudo validou o nomograma de BTc, que pode ser utilizado para prever hiperbilirrubinemia significativa em neonatos a termo e pré-termo tardios saudáveis na China. Contudo, combinar o nomograma de BTc e fatores de risco clínicos pode melhorar a precisãode predição da hiperbilirrubinemia grave, o que não foi avaliado neste estudo. São necessários estudos adicionais para confirmar essa combinação.

OBJECTIVE:to prospectively validate a previously constructed transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) nomogram for identifying severe hyperbilirubinemia in healthy Chinese term and late-preterm infants.METHODS:this was a multicenter study that included 9,174 healthy term and late-preterm infants in eight hospitals of China. TcB measurements were performed using a JM-103 bilirubinometer. TcB values were plotted on a previously developed TcB nomogram, to identify the predictive ability for subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia.RESULTS:in the present study, 972 neonates (10.6%) developed significant hyperbilirubinemia. The 40th percentile of the nomogram could identify all neonates who were at risk of significant hyperbilirubinemia, but with a low positive predictive value (PPV) (18.9%). Of the 453 neonates above the 95th percentile, 275 subsequently developed significant hyperbilirubinemia, with a high PPV (60.7%), but with low sensitivity (28.3%). The 75th percentile was highly specific (81.9%) and moderately sensitive (79.8%). The area under the curve (AUC) for the TcB nomogram was 0.875.CONCLUSIONS:this study validated the previously developed TcB nomogram, which could be used to predict subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia in healthy Chinese term and late-preterm infants. However, combining TcB nomogram and clinical risk factors could improve the predictive accuracy for severe hyperbilirubinemia, which was not assessed in the study. Further studies are necessary to confirm this combination.

With the development of Web 2.0, more and more people contribute their knowledge to the Internet. Many general and domain-specific online encyclopedia resources become available, and they are valuable for many Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, such as summarization and question-answering. We propose a novel encyclopedia-specific method to retrieve passages which are semantically related to a short query (usually comprises of only one word/phrase) from a given article in the encyclopedia. The method captures the expression word features and categorical word features in the surrounding snippets of the aspect words by setting up massive hybrid language models. These local models outperform the global models such as LSA and ESA in our task.

Presume-se que a radiação ultravioleta-B (UV-B) e nitrogênio aumentem simultaneamente com as mudanças climáticas globais futuras. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se o crescimento e respostas fotossintéticas de plântulas de Picea asperata ao aumento da radiação ultravioleta-B e ao suprimento de nitrogênio. Utilizaram-se dois tratamentos de UV-B (UV-B ambiente, 11.02 kJ m-2 d-1; e UV-B suplementar, 14.33 kJ m-2 d-1) e duas doses de N (0 e 20 g N m-2), a fim de se determinar se o suprimento de N poderia atenuar os impactos negativos do aumento da radiação UV-B sobre o crescimento e a fotossíntese. O aumento da radiação UV-B inibiu o crescimento e fez reduzir a taxa de fotossíntese líquida, a condutância estomática, a taxa transpiratória, a taxa de fotossíntese saturada à luz, a irradiância de compensação, a taxa de respiração escura, o rendimento quântico aparente, a concentração de pigmentos fotossintéticos e o rendimento quântico potencial das plântulas de P. asperata, enquanto a fluorescência mínima e a concentração intercelular de CO2 aumentaram com o aumento da radiação UV-B. Por outro lado, o suprimento de N afetou positivamente o desempenho fotossintético e o crescimento, porém apenas sob níveis ambientes de radiação UV-B. Com efeito, N não esteve associado à proteção da maquinaria fotossintética das plântulas de P. asperata expostas à radiação UV-B suplementar.

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and nitrogen are expected to increase simultaneously with future changes in global climate. In this study, growth and photosynthetic responses of Picea asperata seedlings to enhanced UV-B and to nitrogen supply were studied. The experimental design included two levels of UV-B treatments (ambient UV-B, 11.02 kJ m-2 d-1; enhanced UV-B, 14.33 kJ m-2 d-1) and two nitrogen levels (0; 20 g N m-2) to determine whether nitrogen can alleviate the negative impacts of enhanced UV-B on seedling growth and photosynthesis. Enhanced UV-B significantly inhibited plant growth and impaired net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, the light-saturated assimilation rate, assimilation capacity, light compensation point, dark respiration rate, apparent quantum yield, photosynthetic pigments and maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis of P. asperata seedlings, whereas minimal fluorescence and intercellular CO2 concentration increased by enhanced UV-B. On the other hand, nitrogen supply improved the photosynthetic performance and plant growth, but only under ambient UV-B. In fact, nitrogen supply could not alleviate the photosynthetic impairments in P. asperata seedlings exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation.