Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 sponges miR-30c to promote the calcification of human vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating Runx2

Recent evidence suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification (VC). In this study, we tried to explore the expression and role of a lncRNA, i.e., metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), and a miRNA, i.e., miR-30c, in VC. In vitro VC model was induced in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after 10 days culture in calcifying medium containing 2 mM Na2HPO4. Alizarin red S staining, calcium assay and western blot analysis of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed to evaluate VC. Knockdown of MALAT1 and up-regulation of MALAT1, miR-30c and Runx2 was performed to determine the impact of these molecules on VSMCs calcification. Dual-luciferase report assay was performed to confirm the relationship between MALAT1 and miR-30c or miR-30c and Runx2. In addition, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot were used to determine gene and protein expression. MALAT1 was increased, while miR-30c was decreased in calcified VSMCs. Knockdown of MALAT1 suppressed VSMCs calcification; on the contrary, up-regulation of MALAT1 promoted VSMCs calcification. The effect of MALAT1 over-expression on VSMCs calcification was reversed by upregulation of miR-30c, which was reversed again by upregulation of Runx2. Dual-luciferase report assay confirmed that there is a direct interaction between MALAT1 and miR-30c, and Runx2 is a direct target of miR-30c. MALAT1 over-expression promoted VSMCs calcification, which was at least partially through regulating the miR-30c/Runx2 axis.</p

Datasheet1_Prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants by superior mesenteric artery ultrasound of postnatal day 1: A nested prospective study.docx

BackgroundNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal complication that occurs mainly in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI). The study's aim was to investigate the possibility of early prediction of NEC on postnatal day 1 based on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) doppler ultrasonograpy.MethodsA prospective, observational, nested case control study (ChiCTR1900026197) was conducted to enroll VLBWIs (birth weight Results370 VLBWIs were enrolled (30 NEC cases). Among the ultrasound parameters, S/D was significantly higher in the NEC group (OR: 2.081, 95% CI: 1.411–3.069, P = 0.000). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) following the Logistic regression was 0.704 (95% CI: 0.566–0.842, P = 0.001). The sensitivity of S/D for predicting NEC was 52.2% and the specificity was 92.7%. The critical value of S/D was 6.944 and Youden index was 0.449. Preplanned subgroup analysis confirmed that NEC infants of different stages were characterized by different SMA bloodstream. Small for gestational age (SGA) might be a confounding factor affecting intestinal bloodflow. And infants with delayed initiation or slow advancement of feeding exhibited characteristic intestinal perfusion.ConclusionsIn VLBWI, early SMA ultrasound shows the potential to predict NEC. It is reasonable to speculate that SMA bloodstream is related to intestinal structural and functional integrity.</p

Table1_Prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants by superior mesenteric artery ultrasound of postnatal day 1: A nested prospective study.docx

BackgroundNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal complication that occurs mainly in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI). The study's aim was to investigate the possibility of early prediction of NEC on postnatal day 1 based on superior mesenteric artery (SMA) doppler ultrasonograpy.MethodsA prospective, observational, nested case control study (ChiCTR1900026197) was conducted to enroll VLBWIs (birth weight Results370 VLBWIs were enrolled (30 NEC cases). Among the ultrasound parameters, S/D was significantly higher in the NEC group (OR: 2.081, 95% CI: 1.411–3.069, P = 0.000). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) following the Logistic regression was 0.704 (95% CI: 0.566–0.842, P = 0.001). The sensitivity of S/D for predicting NEC was 52.2% and the specificity was 92.7%. The critical value of S/D was 6.944 and Youden index was 0.449. Preplanned subgroup analysis confirmed that NEC infants of different stages were characterized by different SMA bloodstream. Small for gestational age (SGA) might be a confounding factor affecting intestinal bloodflow. And infants with delayed initiation or slow advancement of feeding exhibited characteristic intestinal perfusion.ConclusionsIn VLBWI, early SMA ultrasound shows the potential to predict NEC. It is reasonable to speculate that SMA bloodstream is related to intestinal structural and functional integrity.</p

Hydrological Modelling for Siberian Crane <i>Grus Leucogeranus</i> Stopover Sites in Northeast China

<div><p>Habitat loss is one of the key factors underlying the decline of many waterbird species, including Siberian Crane (<i>Grus leucogeranus</i>), a threatened species worldwide. Wetlands are the primary stopover for many waterbirds and restoration of these wetlands involves both hydrological restoration and water resource management. To protect the stopover sites of Siberian Cranes, we collected Siberian Crane stopover numbers, meteorological and hydrological data, and remote sensing data from 2008 to 2011 in Momoge National Nature Reserve, one of the largest wetlands in northeastern China. A model was developed to estimate the suitability of <i>Siberian Crane stopover</i> sites. According to our results, the most suitable daily water level for Siberian Cranes between 2008 and 2012 occurred in the spring of 2008 and in the <i>Scirpus planiculmis</i> growing season and autumn of 2010. We suggest a season-dependent water management strategy in order to provide suitable conditions at Siberian Crane stopover sites.</p></div

Suitable Siberian Crane stopover areas in spring and autumn from 2008 to 2010.

<p>Suitable Siberian Crane stopover areas in spring and autumn from 2008 to 2010.</p

Simulation of suitable daily water level for the study area.

<p>Simulation of suitable daily water level for the study area.</p

Plot of simulative wetland area against the measured daily water level.

<p>Plot of simulative wetland area against the measured daily water level.</p

Location of the study area and bird observation points, distribution of Qianhang station and sample lines.

<p>Location of the study area and bird observation points, distribution of Qianhang station and sample lines.</p

Total water supplementation of the study area from 2008 to 2012 and simulated water supplementation.

<p>Total water supplementation of the study area from 2008 to 2012 and simulated water supplementation.</p

Red Phosphorus–Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite as a Superior Anode for Sodium Ion Batteries

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as a top alternative to lithium ion batteries due to the earth abundance and low cost of sodium compared with lithium. Among all proposed anode materials for SIBs, red phosphorus (P) is a very promising candidate because it has the highest theoretical capacity (∼2600 mAh/g). In this study, a red P–single-walled carbon nanotube (denoted as red P–SWCNT) composite, in which red P is uniformly distributed between tangled SWCNTs bundles, is fabricated by a modified vaporization-condensation method. Benefiting from the nondestructive preparation process, the highly conductive and mechanically strong SWCNT network is preserved, which enhances the conductivity of the composite and stabilizes the solid electrolyte interphase. As a result, the red P–SWCNT composite presents a high overall sodium storage capacity (∼700 mAh/g_composite at 50 mA/g_composite), fast rate capability (∼300 mAh/g_composite at 2000 mA/g_composite), and stable long-term cycling performance with 80% capacity retention after 2000 sodiation–desodiation cycles. The red P–SWCNT composite fabricated by the vaporization–condensation method significantly extends the cycling stability of P/carbon composite from current ∼100 cycles to ∼2000 cycles