Dependence of impact regime boundaries on the initial temperatures of projectiles and targets

Towards higher impact velocities,ballistic events are increasingly determined by the material temperatures.Related effects might range from moderate thermal softening to full phase transition.In particular,it is of great interest to quantify the conditions for incipient or full melting of metals during impact interactions,which result in a transition from still strength-affected to hydrodynamic material behavior.In this work,we investigate to which extent the respective melting thresholds are also dependent on the initial,and generally elevated,temperatures of projectiles and targets before impact.This is studied through the application of a model developed recently by the authors to characterize the transition regime between high-velocity and hypervelocity impact,for which the melting thresholds of materials were used as the defining quantities.The obtained results are expected to be of general interest for ballistic application cases where projectiles or targets are preheated.Such conditions might result,for example,from aerodynamic forces acting onto a projectile during atmospheric flight,explosive shapedcharge-jet formation or armor exposure to environmental conditions.The performed analyses also broaden the scientific understanding of the relevance of temperature in penetration events,generally known since the 1960s,but often not considered thoroughly in impact studies.

Gedunin attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetic hepatopathy in rats

Objective:To examine the hepatoprotective effects of gedunin in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods:Rats were divided into 4 groups:control,STZ,gedunin,and STZ+gedunin.Biochemical parameters for liver function and liver histology were studied.The molecular interaction of gedunin with the liver glucose transporters GLUT2 and SGLT1 was examined using AutoDock Vina.Results:Gedunin attenuated STZ-induced increase in the levels of aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in the serum and liver tissue,reduced lipid peroxidation,and enhanced antioxidant activity.Histopathological studies showed considerable restoration of liver architecture in gedunin-treated diabetic rats.In silico studies revealed stable binding of gedunin with GLUT2 and SGLT1.Conclusions:Gedunin exerts hepatoprotective effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats by reducing liver enzymatic activities and oxidative stress.Further studies are warranted to verify the mechanism of its hepatoprotective action.

B7 homolog 3 in pancreatic cancer

Despite advances in cancer treatment,pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a disease with high mortality rates and poor survival outcomes.The B7 homolog 3(B7-H3)checkpoint molecule is overexpressed among many malignant tumors,including PC,with low or absent expression in healthy tissues.By modulating various immunological and nonimmunological molecular mechanisms,B7-H3 may influence the progression of PC.However,the impact of B7-H3 on the survival of patients with PC remains a subject of debate.Still,most available scientific data recognize this molecule as a suppressive factor to antitumor immunity in PC.Furthermore,it has been demonstrated that B7-H3 stimulates the migration,invasion,and metastasis of PC cells,and enhances resistance to chemotherapy.In preclinical models of PC,B7-H3-targeting monoclonal antibodies have exerted profound antitumor effects by increasing natural killer cell-mediated antibodydependent cellular cytotoxicity and delivering radioisotopes and cytotoxic drugs to the tumor site.Finally,PC treatment with B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor T cells is being tested in clinical studies.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of all PC-related studies in the context of B7-H3 and points to deficiencies in the current data that should be overcome by future research.

Histological Assessment of Bone Regeneration in the Maxilla with Homologous Bone Graft:A Feasible Option for Maxillary Bone Reconstruction

Bone biomaterials have been increasingly used to reconstruct maxillary atrophic ridges.Thus,the aim of this study was to evaluate bone reconstruction in the maxilla using a homologous cortico-cancellous FFB(lyophilized)graft and verify its reliability.Eight individuals were included from 2014 to 2018.The first surgery was performed to install homologous bone blocks in the maxilla.The period of the second intervention varied between 5 months and 15 days to 11 months(≈7.93 months).The biopsies were taken from the central region of the matured graft during the surgery for implant placement.All patients presented clinical and radiographic conditions for the installation of dental implants.There was a 100%of survival rate.The histological assessment showed that the homologous block bone graft was an osteoconductive biomaterial,with connective tissue present,and newly formed bone juxtaposed on its surface.There were bone trabeculae with osteocytes and active osteoblasts with connective tissue in the mineralization process;the remodeling process can be found through the reverse lines.A limited focus of necrosis with fibrosis was detected,with small resorption and areas of inflammatory infiltrate,but without clinical significance.The homologous block bone graft can be considered a feasible option to substitute the autogenous bone graft(gold standard),with predictable clinical and favorable histological results.The patients had a shorter surgical period,low morbidity,and an unlimited amount of biomaterial available at an accessible cost.

Inhibiting SHP2 reduces glycolysis, promotes microglial M1 polarization, and alleviates secondary inflammation following spinal cord injury in a mouse model

Reducing the secondary inflammatory response, which is partly mediated by microglia, is a key focus in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Src homology 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2(SHP2), encoded by PTPN11, is widely expressed in the human body and plays a role in inflammation through various mechanisms. Therefore, SHP2 is considered a potential target for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. However, its role in secondary inflammation after spinal cord injury remains unclear. In this study, SHP2 was found to be abundantly expressed in microglia at the site of spinal cord injury. Inhibition of SHP2 expression using siRNA and SHP2 inhibitors attenuated the microglial inflammatory response in an in vitro lipopolysaccharide-induced model of inflammation. Notably, after treatment with SHP2 inhibitors, mice with spinal cord injury exhibited significantly improved hind limb locomotor function and reduced residual urine volume in the bladder. Subsequent in vitro experiments showed that, in microglia stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, inhibiting SHP2 expression promoted M2 polarization and inhibited M1 polarization. Finally, a co-culture experiment was conducted to assess the effect of microglia treated with SHP2 inhibitors on neuronal cells. The results demonstrated that inflammatory factors produced by microglia promoted neuronal apoptosis, while inhibiting SHP2 expression mitigated these effects. Collectively, our findings suggest that SHP2 enhances secondary inflammation and neuronal damage subsequent to spinal cord injury by modulating microglial phenotype. Therefore, inhibiting SHP2 alleviates the inflammatory response in mice with spinal cord injury and promotes functional recovery postinjury.

Clinical and molecular significance of homologous recombination deficiency positive non-small cell lung cancer in Chinese population:An integrated genomic and transcriptional analysis

Objective:The clinical significance of homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)in breast cancer,ovarian cancer,and prostate cancer has been established,but the value of HRD in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)has not been fully investigated.This study aimed to systematically analyze the HRD status of untreated NSCLC and its relationship with patient prognosis to further guide clinical care.Methods:A total of 355 treatment-naïve NSCLC patients were retrospectively enrolled.HRD status was assessed using the AmoyDx Genomic Scar Score(GSS),with a score of≥50 considered HRD-positive.Genomic,transcriptomic,tumor microenvironmental characteristics and prognosis between HRD-positive and HRDnegative patients were analyzed.Results:Of the patients,25.1%(89/355)were HRD-positive.Compared to HRD-negative patients,HRDpositive patients had more somatic pathogenic homologous recombination repair(HRR)mutations,higher tumor mutation burden(TMB)(P<0.001),and fewer driver gene mutations(P<0.001).Furthermore,HRD-positive NSCLC had more amplifications in PI3K pathway and cell cycle genes,MET and MYC in epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK)mutant NSCLC,and more PIK3CA and AURKA in EGFR/ALK wild-type NSCLC.HRD-positive NSCLC displayed higher tumor proliferation and immunosuppression activity.HRD-negative NSCLC showed activated signatures of major histocompatibility complex(MHC)-II,interferon(IFN)-γand effector memory CD8+T cells.HRD-positive patients had a worse prognosis and shorter progressionfree survival(PFS)to targeted therapy(first-and third-generation EGFR-TKIs)(P=0.042).Additionally,HRDpositive,EGFR/ALK wild-type patients showed a numerically lower response to platinum-free immunotherapy regimens.Conclusions:Unique genomic and transcriptional characteristics were found in HRD-positive NSCLC.Poor prognosis and poor response to EGFR-TKIs and immunotherapy were observed in HRD-positive NSCLC.This study highlights potential actionable alterations in HRD-positive NSCLC,suggesting possible combinational therapeutic strategies for these patients.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:PERK as a potential target for intervention

Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cerebral ischemia,but the relationship between ER stress and autophagy remains unclear.In this study,we established experimental models using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in PC12 cells and primary neurons to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.We found that prolongation of oxygen-glucose deprivation activated the ER stress pathway protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha(e IF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),increased neuronal apoptosis,and induced autophagy.Furthermore,inhibition of ER stress using inhibitors or by si RNA knockdown of the PERK gene significantly attenuated excessive autophagy and neuronal apoptosis,indicating an interaction between autophagy and ER stress and suggesting PERK as an essential target for regulating autophagy.Blocking autophagy with chloroquine exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis,indicating that normal levels of autophagy play a protective role in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Findings from this study indicate that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury can trigger neuronal ER stress and promote autophagy,and suggest that PERK is a possible target for inhibiting excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Exosomes derived from microglia overexpressing miR-124-3p alleviate neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress damage after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury

We previously reported that miR-124-3p is markedly upregulated in microglia-derived exosomes following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.However,its impact on neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury remains unclear.In this study,we first used an HT22 scratch injury model to mimic traumatic brain injury,then co-cultured the HT22 cells with BV2 microglia expressing high levels of miR-124-3p.We found that exosomes containing high levels of miR-124-3p attenuated apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress.Furthermore,luciferase reporter assay analysis confirmed that miR-124-3p bound specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein IRE1α,while an IRE1αfunctional salvage experiment confirmed that miR-124-3p targeted IRE1αand reduced its expression,thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in injured neurons.Finally,we delivered microglia-derived exosomes containing miR-124-3p intranasally to a mouse model of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury and found that endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis levels in hippocampal neurons were significantly reduced.These findings suggest that,after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury,miR-124-3 can be transferred from microglia-derived exosomes to injured neurons,where it exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.Therefore,microglia-derived exosomes containing miR-124-3p may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.

Mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 increases malignant phenotype of human gastric epithelial cells and promotes proliferation,invasion,and migration of gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND The precise role of mitochondrial carrier homolog 2(MTCH2)in promoting malignancy in gastric mucosal cells and its involvement in gastric cancer cell metastasis have not been fully elucidated.AIM To determine the role of MTCH2 in gastric cancer.METHODS We collected 65 samples of poorly differentiated gastric cancer tissue and adjacent tissues,constructed MTCH2-overexpressing and MTCH2-knockdown cell models,and evaluated the proliferation,migration,and invasion of human gastric epithelial cells(GES-1)and human gastric cancer cells(AGS)cells.The mito-chondrial membrane potential(MMP),mitochondrial permeability transformation pore(mPTP)and ATP fluorescence probe were used to detect mitochondrial function.Mitochondrial function and ATP synthase protein levels were detected via Western blotting.RESULTS The expression of MTCH2 and ATP2A2 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly greater than that in adjacent tissues.Overexpression of MTCH2 promoted colony formation,invasion,migration,MMP expression and ATP production in GES-1 and AGS cells while upregulating ATP2A2 expression and inhibiting cell apoptosis;knockdown of MTCH2 had the opposite effect,promoting overactivation of the mPTP and promoting apoptosis.CONCLUSION MTCH2 can increase the malignant phenotype of GES-1 cells and promote the proliferation,invasion,and migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating mitochondrial function,providing a basis for targeted therapy for gastric cancer cells.

Low testing rates and high BRCA prevalence: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor use in Middle East BRCA/homologous recombination deficiency-positive cancer patients

BACKGROUND Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors(PARPis)are approved as first-line therapies for breast cancer gene(BRCA)-positive,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.They are also effective for new and recurrent ovarian cancers that are BRCA-or homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)-positive.However,data on these mutations and PARPi use in the Middle East are limited.AIM To assess BRCA/HRD prevalence and PARPi use in patients in the Middle East with breast/ovarian cancer.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective study of 57 of 472 breast cancer patients tested for BRCA mutations,and 25 of 65 ovarian cancer patients tested for HRD.These adult patients participated in at least four visits to the oncology service at our center between August 2021 and May 2023.Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared using counts and percentages.Response to treatment was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria.RESULTS Among the 472 breast cancer patients,12.1%underwent BRCA testing,and 38.5%of 65 ovarian cancer patients received HRD testing.Pathogenic mutations were found in 25.6%of the tested patients:26.3%breast cancers had germline BRCA(gBRCA)mutations and 24.0%ovarian cancers showed HRD.Notably,40.0%of gBRCA-positive breast cancers and 66.0%of HRD-positive ovarian cancers were Middle Eastern and Asian patients,respectively.PARPi treatment was used in 5(33.3%)gBRCA-positive breast cancer patients as first-line therapy(n=1;7-months progression-free),for maintenance(n=2;>15-months progression-free),or at later stages due to compliance issues(n=2).Four patients(66.6%)with HRD-positive ovarian cancer received PARPi and all remained progression-free.CONCLUSION Lower testing rates but higher BRCA mutations in breast cancer were found.Ethnicity reflected United Arab Emirates demographics,with breast cancer in Middle Eastern and ovarian cancer in Asian patients.

Hepatoprotective effects of Xiaoyao San formula on hepatic steatosis and inflammation via regulating the sex hormones metabolism

BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury,steatosis and inflammation.METHODS A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes.Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohisto chemistry(IHC)assays.Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining.The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis.The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH.RESULTS MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress.The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation,inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis.Mechanistically,we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism,especially the metabolism of male hormones.CONCLUSION MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones.Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.

《Cell》:某些遗传性眼病中的视力丧失可能是由于肠道细菌进入眼睛引起

近日,一篇发表在《Cell》上的研究显示,该研究在小鼠中发现,某些遗传性眼病中的视力丧失可能是由肠道细菌引起的,而且可能可以通过抗菌剂治疗。CBR1(Crumbs homolog 1)基因在视网膜(位于眼球后部的一个较薄的细胞层)中表达,对于建立血液-视网膜屏障以调节哪些物质进出眼球至关重要。

Association between homologous recombination deficiency and outcomes with platinum and platinum-free chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Objective:The choice of chemotherapeutic regimen for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)remains controversial.Homologous recombination deficiency(HRD)has attracted increasing attention in informing chemotherapy treatment.This study was aimed at investigating the feasibility of HRD as a clinically actionable biomarker for platinum-containing and platinum-free therapy.Methods:Chinese patients with TNBC who received chemotherapy between May 1,2008 and March 31,2020 were retrospectively analyzed with a customized 3D-HRD panel.HRD positivity was defined by an HRD score≥30 or deleterious BRCA1/2 mutation.A total of 386 chemotherapy-treated patients with TNBC were screened from a surgical cohort(NCT01150513)and a metastatic cohort,and 189 patients with available clinical and tumor sequencing data were included.Results:In the entire cohort,49.2%(93/189)of patients were identified as HRD positive(40 with deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations and 53 with BRCA1/2 intact with an HRD score of≥30).In the first-line metastatic setting,platinum therapy was associated with longer median progression-free survival(mPFS)than platinum-free therapy[9.1 vs.3.0 months;hazard ratio(HR),0.43;95%confidence interval 0.22–0.84;P=0.01].Among HRD-positive patients,the mPFS was significantly longer in those treated with platinum rather than platinum-free therapy(13.6 vs.2.0 months;HR,0.11;P=0.001).Among patients administered a platinum-free regimen,HRD-negative patients showed a PFS significantly superior to that of HRD-positive patients(P=0.02;treatment-biomarker P-interaction=0.001).Similar results were observed in the BRCA1/2-intact subset.In the adjuvant setting,HRD-positive patients tended to benefit more from platinum chemotherapy than from platinum-free chemotherapy(P=0.05,P-interaction=0.02).Conclusions:HRD characterization may guide decision-making regarding the use of platinum treatment in patients with TNBC in both adjuvant and metastatic settings.

Valproate reduces retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in rats after optic nerve crush

The retinal ganglion cells of the optic nerve have a limited capacity for self-repair after injury.Valproate is a histone deacetylase inhibitor and multitarget drug,which has been demonstrated to protect retinal neurons.In this study,we established rat models of optic nerve-crush injury and injected valproate into the vitreous cavity immediately after modeling.We evaluated changes in the ultrastructure morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum of retinal ganglion cells over time via transmission electron microscope.Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay revealed that valproate upregulated the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker glucose-regulated protein 78 and downregulated the expression of transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein,phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α,and caspase-12 in the endoplasmic reticulum of retinal ganglion cells.These findings suggest that valproate reduces apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in the rat after optic nerve-crush injury by attenuating phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α-C/EBP homologous protein signaling and caspase-12 activation during endoplasmic reticulum stress.These findings represent a newly discovered mechanism that regulates how valproate protects neurons.

Oncogenic BRAF^(V600E) induces microglial proliferation through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and neuronal death through c-Jun N-terminal kinase

Activating V600E in v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B(BRAF)is a common driver mutation in cancers of multiple tissue origins,including melanoma and glioma.BRAF^(V600E) has also been implicated in neurodegeneration.The present study aims to characterize BRAF^(V600E) during cell death and proliferation of three major cell types of the central nervous system:neurons,astrocytes,and microglia.Multiple primary cultures(primary cortical mixed culture)and cell lines of glial cells(BV2)and neurons(SH-SY5Y)were employed.BRAF^(V600E) and BRAF^(WT) expression was mediated by lentivirus or retrovirus.Blockage of downstream effectors(extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and JNK1/2)were achieved by siRNA.In astrocytes and microglia,BRAF^(V600E) induces cell proliferation,and the proliferative effect in microglia is mediated by activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase,but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase.Conditioned medium from BRAF^(V600E)-expressing microglia induced neuronal death.In neuronal cells,BRAF^(V600E) directly induces neuronal death,through c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase.We further show that BRAF-related genes are enriched in pathways in patients with Parkinson’s disease.Our study identifies distinct consequences mediated by distinct downstream effectors in dividing glial cells and in neurons following the same BRAF mutational activation and a causal link between BRAF-activated microglia and neuronal cell death that does not require physical proximity.It provides insight into a possibly important role of BRAF in neurodegeneration as a result of either dysregulated BRAF in neurons or its impact on glial cells.

EZH2 Contributes to Anoikis Resistance and Promotes Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis by Regulating m6A

Objective:Histone modification has a significant effect on gene expression.Enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)contributes to the epigenetic silencing of target chromatin through its roles as a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase enzyme.The development of anoikis resistance in tumor cells is considered to be a critical step in the metastatic process of primary malignant tumors.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of anoikis resistance in ovarian adenocarcinoma peritoneal metastasis.Methods:In addition to examining EZH2 protein expression in ovarian cancer omental metastatic tissues,we established a model of ovarian cancer cell anoikis and a xenograft tumor model in nude mice.Anoikis resistance and ovarian cancer progression were tested after EZH2 and N6-methyladenosine(m6A)levels were modified.Results:EZH2 expression was significantly higher in ovarian cancer omental metastatic tissues than in normal ovarian tissues.Reducing the level of EZH2 decreased the level of m6A and ovarian cancer cell anoikis resistance in vitro and inhibited ovarian cancer progression in vivo.M6a regulation altered the effect of EZH2 on anoikis resistance.Conclusion:Our results indicate that EZH2 contributes to anoikis resistance and promotes ovarian adenocarcinoma abdominal metastasis by m6A modification.Our findings imply the potential of the clinical application of m6A and EZH2 for patients with ovarian cancer.

miR-124 is upregulated in diabetic mice and inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of high-glucose-inducedβ-cells by targeting EZH2

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease,and a variety of miRNA are involved in the occurrence and development of diabetes.In clinical studies,miR-124 is highly expressed in the serum of patients with diabetes and in pancreatic isletβ-cells.However,few reports exist concerning the role and mechanism of action of miR-124 in diabetes.AIM To investigate the expression of miR-124 in diabetic mice and the potential mechanism of action in isletβ-cells.METHODS The expression levels of miR-124 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)in pancreatic tissues of diabetic mice were detected.The targeted relationship between miR-124 and EZH2 was predicted by Targetscan software and verified by a double luciferase reporter assay.Mouse isletβ-cells Min6 were grown in a high glucose(HG)medium to mimic a diabetes model.The insulin secretion,proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis of HG-induced Min6 cells were detected after interference of miR-124a and/or EZH2.RESULTS The expression of miR-124 was upregulated and EZH2 was downregulated in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic mice compared with control mice,and the expression of miR-124 was negatively correlated with that of EZH2.miR-124 was highly expressed in HG-induced Min6 cells.Inhibition of miR-124 promoted insulin secretion and cell proliferation,induced the transition from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle,and inhibited cell apoptosis in HG-induced Min6 cells.EZH2 was one of the targets of miR-124.Co-transfection of miR-124 inhibitor and siRNA-EZH2 could reverse the effects of the miR-124 inhibitor in HG-induced Min6 cells.CONCLUSION miR-124 is highly expressed in diabetic mice and HG-induced Min6 cells and regulates insulin secretion,proliferation and apoptosis of isletβ-cells by targeting EZH2.

Possible mechanisms associated with immune escape and apoptosis on anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of Mu Ji Fang granules

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common digestive system cancers with high mortality rates worldwide.The main ingredients in Mu Ji Fang Granules(MJF)are alkaloids,flavonoids,and polysaccharides.MJF has been used in the clinical treatment of hepatitis,cirrhosis and HCC for more than 30 years.Few previous studies have focused on the mechanism of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.AIM To explore the mechanism of action of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.METHODS The absorbable ingredients of MJF were identified using Molecule Network related to High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electron Spray Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry,and hub potential anti-HCC targets were screened using network pharmacology and pathway enrichment analysis.Forty male mice were randomly divided into the Blank,Model,and MJF groups(1.8,5.4,and 10.8 g/kg/d)following 7 d of oral administration.Average body weight gain,spleen and thymus indices were calculated,tumor tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin,and Interferon gamma(IFN-γ),Tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),Interleukin-2,aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),Fas,and FasL were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.Relevant mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by Real Time Quantitative PCR(RTqPCR)and protein expression of Transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)and Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog(SMAD)4 was assessed by Western blotting.The HepG2 cell line was treated with 10 mg/mL,20 mg/mL,30 mg/mL,40 mg/mL of MJF,and another 3 groups were treated with TGF-β1 inhibitor(LY364947)and different doses of MJF.Relevant mRNA expression of TNF-α,IFN-γ,Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by RT-qPCR and protein expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2,SMAD4,and SMAD7 was assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS It was shown that MJF improved body weight gain and tumor inhibition rate in H22 tumorbearing mice,protected immune organs and liver function,reduced the HCC indicator AFP,affected immunity and apoptosis,and up-regulated the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,by increasing the relative expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2 and SMAD4 and decreasing SMAD7,reducing immune factors TNF-αand IFN-γ,decreasing apoptosis cytokines Fas,FasL and Bcl2/Bax,and inhibiting the effect of LY364947 in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION MJF inhibits HCC by activating the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,and affecting immune and apoptotic cytokines,which may be due to MJF adjusting immune escape and apoptosis.

Axonal growth inhibitors and their receptors in spinal cord injury:from biology to clinical translation

Axonal growth inhibitors are released during traumatic injuries to the adult mammalian central nervous system, including after spinal cord injury. These molecules accumulate at the injury site and form a highly inhibitory environment for axonal regeneration. Among these inhibitory molecules, myelinassociated inhibitors, including neurite outgrowth inhibitor A, oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A are of particular importance. Due to their inhibitory nature, they represent exciting molecular targets to study axonal inhibition and regeneration after central injuries. These molecules are mainly produced by neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes within the scar and in its immediate vicinity. They exert their effects by binding to specific receptors, localized in the membranes of neurons. Receptors for these inhibitory cues include Nogo receptor 1, leucine-rich repeat, and Ig domain containing 1 and p75 neurotrophin receptor/tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 19(that form a receptor complex that binds all myelin-associated inhibitors), and also paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and repulsive guidance molecule A bind to Nogo receptor 1, Nogo receptor 3, receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase σ and leucocyte common antigen related phosphatase, and neogenin, respectively. Once activated, these receptors initiate downstream signaling pathways, the most common amongst them being the Rho A/ROCK signaling pathway. These signaling cascades result in actin depolymerization, neurite outgrowth inhibition, and failure to regenerate after spinal cord injury. Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments to overcome spinal cord injuries other than physical rehabilitation and management of the array of symptoms brought on by spinal cord injuries. However, several novel therapies aiming to modulate these inhibitory proteins and/or their receptors are under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Investigation has also been demonstrating that combinatorial therapies of growth inhibitors with other therapies, such as growth factors or stem-cell therapies, produce stronger results and their potential application in the clinics opens new venues in spinal cord injury treatment.

Analyzing architectural diversity in maize plants using the skeletonimage-based method

Shoot architecture in maize is critical since it determines resource use,impacts wind and rain damage tolerance,and affects yield stability.Quantifying the diversity among inbred lines in heterosis breeding is essential,especially when describing germplasm resources.However,traditional geometric description methods oversimplify shoot architecture and ignore the plant’s overall architecture,making it difficult to reflect and illustrate diversity.This study presents a new method to describe maize shoot architecture and quantifies its diversity by combining computer vision algorithms and persistent homology.Our results reveal that persistent homology can capture key characteristics of shoot architecture in maize and other details often overlooked by traditional geometric analysis.Based on this method,the morphological diversity of shoot architecture can be mined(quantified),and the main shoot architecture types can be obtained.Consequently,this method can easily describe the diversity of shoot architecture in many maize materials.