Perfluorocarbon restrains inflammation and cell apoptosis in rats with lung ischemia reperfusion injury via down regulation of TLR4/NF κB signaling pathway

Purpose: To exaluate the effect of perfluorocarbon on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and to unravel the potential underlying mechanism.Methods: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to sham group, model group, and perfluorocarbon group (12 rats per group). The levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL1β) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, while Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB.Results: The levels of inflammatory factors in the model and perfluorocarbon groups were significantly higher than those in operation group (p < 0.05), while their levels in perfluorocarbon group were significantly lower than in model group (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in lung tissues rose significantly in both model and perfluorocarbon groups when compared with those in sham group (p < 0.05), but declined significantly in the perfluorocarbon group in comparison with those in model group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the perfluorocarbon group exhibited a significantly lower cell apoptosis than model group (p < 0.05). The relative protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κBdeclined significantly in perfluorocarbon group than in model group.Conclusions: Perfluorocarbon down-regulates the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibits inflammation a

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

DICER1 and microRNA regulation in post-traumatic stress disorder with comorbid depression

DICER1 is an enzyme that generates mature microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in brain and other tissues and is involved in synaptic maturation and plasticity. Here, through genome-wide differential gene expression survey of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with comorbid depression (PTSD&Dep), we find that blood DICER1 expression is significantly reduced in cases versus controls, and replicate this in two independent cohorts. Our follow-up studies find that lower blood DICER1 expression is significantly associated with increased amygdala activation to fearful stimuli, a neural correlate for PTSD. Additionally, a genetic variant in the 3′ un-translated region of DICER1, rs10144436, is significantly associated with DICER1 expression and with PTSD&Dep, and the latter is replicated in an independent cohort. Furthermore, genome-wide differential expression survey of miRNAs in blood in PTSD&Dep reveals miRNAs to be significantly downregulated in cases versus controls. Together, our novel data suggest DICER1 plays a role in molecular mechanisms of PTSD&Dep through the DICER1 and the miRNA regulation pathway

DICER1 and microRNA regulation in post-traumatic stress disorder with comorbid depression

DICER1 is an enzyme that generates mature microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in brain and other tissues and is involved in synaptic maturation and plasticity. Here, through genome-wide differential gene expression survey of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with comorbid depression (PTSD&Dep), we find that blood DICER1 expression is significantly reduced in cases versus controls, and replicate this in two independent cohorts. Our follow-up studies find that lower blood DICER1 expression is significantly associated with increased amygdala activation to fearful stimuli, a neural correlate for PTSD. Additionally, a genetic variant in the 3′ un-translated region of DICER1, rs10144436, is significantly associated with DICER1 expression and with PTSD&Dep, and the latter is replicated in an independent cohort. Furthermore, genome-wide differential expression survey of miRNAs in blood in PTSD&Dep reveals miRNAs to be significantly downregulated in cases versus controls. Together, our novel data suggest DICER1 plays a role in molecular mechanisms of PTSD&Dep through the DICER1 and the miRNA regulation pathway

Ten-eleven translocation protein 1 modulates medulloblastoma progression

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor that originates in the cerebellum and brainstem. Frequent somatic mutations and deregulated expression of epigenetic regulators in MB highlight the substantial role of epigenetic alterations. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a highly abundant cytosine modification in the developing cerebellum and is regulated by ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes. Results: We investigate the alterations of 5hmC and TET enzymes in MB and their significance to cerebellar cancer formation. We show total abundance of 5hmC is reduced in MB, but identify significant enrichment of MB-specific 5hmC marks at regulatory regions of genes implicated in stem-like properties and Nanog-binding motifs. While TET1 and TET2 levels are high in MBs, only knockout of Tet1 in the smoothened (SmoA1) mouse model attenuates uncontrolled proliferation, leading to a favorable prognosis. The pharmacological Tet1 inhibition reduces cell viability and platelet-derived growth factor signaling pathway-associated genes. Conclusions: These results together suggest a potential key role of 5hmC and indicate an oncogenic nature for TET1 in MB tumorigenesis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for MBs

Acacetin exerts antitumor effects on gastric cancer by targeting EGFR

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Combination treatments may prolong the survival of patients with GC. Acacetin, which is a flavonoid, exerts potent inhibitory effects on several types of cancer cells; however, the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood.Methods: Network pharmacology and RNA sequencing were used to predict the targets of acacetin, which were then verified by drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular docking. The biological functions of acacetin in MKN45 and MGC803 cells were investigated using TUNEL assays, crystal staining and colony formation assays. The pathways affected by acacetin were verified through reverse experiments. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of acacetin was assessed in a subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model.Results: In this study, we identified EGFR from more than a dozen predicted targets as a protein that directly binds to acacetin. Moreover, acacetin affected the level of phosphorylated EGFR. In vitro, acacetin promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. Importantly, EGFR agonists reversed the inhibitory effects of acacetin on the STAT3 and ERK pathways. In vivo, acacetin decreased the protein levels of pEGFR in tumors, resulting in increased GC xenograft tumor regression without obvious toxicity.Conclusion: Our findings highlight EGFR as one of the direct targets of acacetin in GC cells. Acacetin inhibited the phosphatase activity of EGFR in vitro and in vivo, which played a role in the antitumor effects of acacetin. These studies provide new evidence for the use of acacetin as a potential reagent for the treatment of GC

V2O5 Textile Cathodes with High Capacity and Stability for Flexible Lithium-Ion Batteries

Textile-based energy-storage devices are highly appealing for flexible and wearable electronics. Here, a 3D textile cathode with high loading, which couples hollow multishelled structures (HoMSs) with conductive metallic fabric, is reported for high-performance flexible lithium-ion batteries. V2O5 HoMSs prepared by sequential templating approach are used as active materials and conductive metallic fabrics are applied as current collectors and flexible substrates. Taking advantage of the desirable structure of V2O5 HoMSs that effectively buffers the volume expansion and alleviates the stress/strain during repeated Li-insertion/extraction processes, as well as the robust flexible metallic-fabric current collector, the as-prepared fabric devices show excellent electrochemical performance and ultrahigh stability. The capacity retains a high value of 222.4 mA h g(-1) at a high mass loading of 2.5 mg cm(-2) even after 500 charge/discharge cycles, and no obvious performance degradation is observed after hundreds of cycles of bending and folding. These results indicate that V2O5 HoMSs/metallic-fabric cathode electrode is promising for highly flexible lithium-ion batteries

Optimising keratoplasty for Peters' anomaly in infants using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose To present in vivo anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of infants with Peters' anomaly obtained during presurgical examination under general anaesthesia, and to evaluate the impact of OCT features on surgical decision making. Methods This is a single-centre, consecutive, observational case series including 44 eyes of 27 infants with Peters' anomaly (5-18 months) undergoing keratoplasty. Medical records of patients were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features and OCT findings, along with their impact on surgical decision-making were analysed. Results Of 27 patients, 10 had unilateral and 17 had bilateral disease. Two patients with mild disease (three eyes) had a posterior corneal defect with leukoma (2/27, 7.4%). Twenty patients (32 eyes) with iridocorneal adhesions were classified as having moderate Peters' anomaly (20/27, 74.1%) and five patients (nine eyes) with lenticulocorneal adhesions were classified as having severe Peters' anomaly (5/27, 18.5%). The range of angle closure, anterior chamber depth and maximum iridocorneal adhesion length (all p<0.001) were significantly different among groups, indicating that they might serve as novel OCT parameters for assessing the severity of Peters' anomaly. The surgical approach in seven patients (21.2%) was altered in response to intraoperative OCT findings, which provided information regarding the anatomical structure of the anterior chamber not provided by the surgical microscope. The use of OCT prevented unnecessary cataract surgeries in five patients. Conclusions Our study showed that information gained from OCT under anaesthesia allows surgeons to classify type and severity of Peters' anomaly and supports surgical decision making