Sequencing data.

<p>Coverage indicates the average genome coverage. Dnmt3a ratio indicates the coverage ratios of the targeted region of Dnmt3a (exons 17–19) and the complete Dnmt3a locus. Differences in the Dnmt3a ratio illustrate the different rates of Cre-mediated recombination. Bisulfite conversion rates were determined by analyzing the conversion of non-CpG dinucleotides (see <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1003146#s4" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a> for details).</p

Interleukin 17A Promotes Gastric Cancer Invasiveness via NF-κB Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 Expression

<div><p>Interleukin 17A (IL-17A), as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is involved in pathology of inflammatory diseases and tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of IL-17A on the invasiveness of gastric cancer (GC). In the study, we found that IL-17A could promote the migration and invasion of GC cells. Furthermore, after treated with IL-17A, the expressions and activities of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were upregulated, while the expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were downregulated. Moreover, the nuclear/overall fractions of p65 and p50 were dramatically elevated by IL-17A. Pretreatment with helenalin, a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor, was proved to abolish the promoting effect of IL-17A on the invasion ability of GC cells and upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9. In conclusion, our findings illustrated that IL-17A could promote the invasion of GC cells by activating NF-κB pathway, and subsequently upregulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results may lead to the identification of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of GC.</p></div

One-Step Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Biobased Polyamide 56 Nanofibers with High Antibacterial Activity

Embedded silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) within nanofibers represent a highly promising alternative to common antimicrobial materials, due to the combined effective biocidal properties of Ag NPs with the biocompatibility and environmental friendliness of biobased polymers. In this study, we presented a novel one-step route to fabricate biobased polyamide 56 (PA56) nanofibers embedded with uniform Ag NPs. The process involved mixing reactive silver ammonia with PA56 solutions and then using formic acid as a reducing agent. Continuous electrospinning resulted in solvent evaporation, yielding Ag NPs highly dispersed within PA56 nanonet fibrous structures (PA56/Ag). Characterization assays confirmed the successful impregnation of Ag NPs in PA56 nanofibers, with an average size of about 32.4 nm. PA56/Ag nanofibers also displayed suitable morphology, mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility in vitro. Moreover, their antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Collectively, the proposed PA56/Ag nanofibers possess desirable characteristics suitable for antimicrobial applications

IL-17A promotes gastric cancer cell migration and invasion.

<p>(A) IL-17A treated GC cells (AGS, BGC-823 and SGC-7901) showed higher motility in a wound-healing assay, compared with cells without IL-17A treatment. (B) The percent migration rate is expressed as a percentage of the beginning area. (C) Effect of IL-17A on cell invasion was detected by transwell assay. Representative pictures of cells migrated through Matrigel-coated transwell were shown. (D) Total invasive cell number in each chamber was summarized as a percentage of control. Values represent the means ± SD of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. *<i>p</i><0.05 and **<i>p</i><0.01 compared with the control group.</p

Effects of the NF-κB inhibitor and IL-17A on cell invasion and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in AGS cells.

<p>(A) 1×10⁶ AGS cells were pretreated with helenalin (5 µM) for 30 min and then incubated in the presence or absence of IL-17A (50 ng/ml) for 24 h. Cellular invasiveness was measured using the transwell invasion assay. (B) The percent invasion rate was expressed as a percentage of control. (C, D) AGS cells were treated and then subjected to western blotting to analyze the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Values represent the means ± SD of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. *<i>p</i><0.05 and **<i>p</i><0.01 compared with the control group.</p

DNA methylation analysis of genetic subregions.

<p>(A) Histograms showing the distribution of promoter methylation in several tissue samples, as indicated. Average methylation levels were determined for all promoters (≥3 CpGs, coverage ≥3 reads) and then distributed into bins with increasing methylation ratios. (B) Histograms showing the distribution of CpG island-associated promoters. Average methylation levels were determined (>5 CpGs, coverage ≥3 reads) and then distributed into bins with increasing methylation ratios. (C) Average DNA methylation ratios of promoters, gene bodies and intergenic regions.</p

Rapid Customization of 3D Integrated Microfluidic Chips via Modular Structure-Based Design

In recent years, 3D integrated microfluidic systems have become increasingly more popular because of their ability to incorporate multifunctional components, including porous membranes and biological scaffolds. Because of limitations in resolution, fabrication efficiency and materials, it is hard to develop complex integrated microfluidic systems with low cost and high efficiency. In this paper, we present a novel method that utilizes modular structure-based design, which could greatly reduce the time and cost for customization of complete integrated chips, compared to traditional techniques. By printing sacrificial patterns on the substrate using the 3D printing approach and subsequently covering them with PDMS prepolymer, PDMS slices with modular structures were obtained, each with specific functions. By combining different PDMS slices with specific modular structures and other functional components, such as membranes and scaffolds, the conceptual design was efficiently converted into complete integrated microfluidic chips. As proof-of-concept, customized 3D microfluidic chips were generated and successfully used for cell culture and biological analysis. Furthermore, the flexible combination with biofabrication of hydrogel beads was also presented, revealing the potential use of this technique in the fabrication of organ-on-a-chip

IL-17A activates NF-κB pathway in AGS cells.

<p>(A) Western blotting analysis was used to detect overall p50, p65, p52, c-Rel and RelB expression in AGS cells treated with IL-17A (50 ng/ml) at indicated time points. (B) Quantification of the protein levels of overall p50, p65, p52, c-Rel and RelB. (C) Western blotting analysis was used to detect nuclear p50, p65, p52, c-Rel and RelB expression in AGS cells treated with IL-17A (50 ng/mL) at indicated time points. (D) Quantification of the protein levels of nuclear p50, p65, p52, c-Rel and RelB. (E) The relative ratio of nuclear to overall fraction of p50, p65, p52, c-Rel and RelB. Values represent the means ± SD of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. **<i>p</i><0.01, compared with the control group.</p

Methylation levels of CpGs and repetitive elements.

<p>(A) Methylation levels of individual CpGs in several tissue samples. Average methylation levels were determined for all covered CpG dinucleotides and then distributed into bins with increasing methylation ratios. Red bars bars indicate unmethylated CpG dinucleotides, orange bars partially methylated CpG dinucleotides and yellow bars completely methylated CpG dinucleotides. Percentages indicate the fractions of unmethylated (red), partially methylated (orange) and completely methylated (black) CpGs, respectively. (B) Color-coded histograms showing the distribution of repetitive element methylation in several tissue samples, as indicated. Average methylation levels were determined for all covered repeat elements and then distributed into bins with increasing methylation ratios.</p

Embedding Nanocluster in MOF via Crystalline Ion-Triggered Growth Strategy for Improved Emission and Selective Sensing

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing metal nanoclusters (NCs) display great potentials, but the fabrication faces challenges because of the serious agglomeration of NCs during the MOF growth. We report a crystalline ion-triggered growth strategy for embedding AuNCs in ZIF-8. As control, when the encapsulation was triggered with other metal ions (e.g., Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Na⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺), the AuNCs failed to be encapsulated. The quantum yields and lifetime of AuNCs were greatly enhanced after embedding in ZIF-8. The AuNCs@ZIF-8 were then successfully applied for the selective sensing of H₂S both in liquid and gas phases. This crystalline ion-triggered growth strategy was easily extended to other systems, such as AgNCs@ZIF-8 and AuNCs@ZIF-67, indicating the general adaptability of this design protocol