Hsa_circ_0072765 knockdown inhibits proliferation, activation and migration in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by the miR-197-3p/TRPV3 axis

Background. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the progression of diverse human diseases. However, the effects of circRNAs on liver fibrosis are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functions of hsa_circ_0072765 in liver fibrosis. Methods. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)treated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used as the cell model of liver fibrosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot was performed to determine the expression of hsa_circ_0072765, microRNA-197-3p (miR-197-3p) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 3 (TRPV3). 5’-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry analysis and woundhealing assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation, cell cycle and migration. HSC activation was assessed by determining the expression of alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha 1 (Col1A1). Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were manipulated to analyze the relationship of hsa_circ_0072765, miR-197-3p and TRPV3. The exosome morphology was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results. Hsa_circ_0072765 level was increased in TGF-β-induced HSCs. Hsa_circ_0072765 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle, activation and migration in TGF-β-induced HSCs. Hsa_circ_0072765 sponged miR-197-3p and negatively regulated miR-1973p expression. MiR-197-3p inhibition reversed the effects of hsa_circ_0072765 knockdown on TGF-βinduced HSC proliferation, cell cycle, activation and migration. In addition, TRPV3 was the target gene of miR-197-3p and miR-197-3p overexpression inhibited TGF-β-treated HSC proliferation, cell cycle, activation and migration by targeting TRPV3. Besides, we found that exosomal hsa_circ_0072765 was increased in TGFβ-treated HSCs. Conclusion. Hsa_circ_0072765 promoted the progression of TGF-β-treated HSCs by decoying miR197-3p and upregulating TRPV

Experimental Study of Closed System in the Chlorine Dioxide-Iodide-Sulfuric Acid Reaction by UV-Vis Spectrophotometric Method

The mole ratio r(r = [I−]0/[ClO2]0) has great influence on ClO2-I−-H2SO4 closed reaction system. By changing the initiate concentration of potassium iodide, the curve of absorbance along with the reaction time was obtained at 350 nm and 297 nm for triiodide ion, and 460 nm for iodine. The changing point of the absorbance curve's shape locates at r = 6.00. For the reaction of ClO2-I− in the absence of H2SO4, the curve of absorbance along with the reaction time can be obtained at 350 nm for triiodide ion, 460 nm for iodine. The mole ratio r is equal to 1.00 is the changing point of the curve's shape no matter at which wavelength to determine the reaction. For the reaction of ClO2-I−-H+ in different pH buffer solution, the curve of absorbance along with the reaction time was recorded at 460 nm for iodine. When r is greater than 1.00, the transition point of the curve's shape locates at pH 2.0, which is also the point of producing chlorite or chloride for chlorine dioxide at different pH. When r is less than 1.00, the transition point locates at pH 7.0

Study on simulation mechanics and fatigue performance of steel bridge deck rigid flexible composite pavement

Aiming at the fatigue cracking of steel bridge deck pavement and the shortage of river sand resources, a sea sand RPC pavement scheme was proposed. Taking Quanhe steel box girder bridge as the research background, the simulation model was established by using ANSYS finite element software, and the mechanical simulation analysis of the steel bridge deck sea sand RPC-asphalt pavement composite structure was carried out to determine the most unfavorable load position. A three-point fatigue test was carried out to study the fatigue performance of the structure specimen, and a comparative analysis was made with the river sand RPCasphalt surface composite pavement structure. The results show that the maximum tensile stress and strain of RPC-asphalt pavement appear in the upper middle span of U-shaped stiffener of steel box girder, which are 0.5241MPa and 98.2με, respectively, and the surface of the pavement in this area is prone to crack. The RPC-asphalt surface composite pavement structure has not been damaged after 2 million times of fatigue tests, and has not been damaged after 1 million times of fatigue loading after secondary loading, which indicates that it has better fatigue performance

Liquid biopsy-based single-cell metabolic phenotyping of lung cancer patients for informative diagnostics.

Accurate prediction of chemo- or targeted therapy responses for patients with similar driver oncogenes through a simple and least-invasive assay represents an unmet need in the clinical diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. Using a single-cell on-chip metabolic cytometry and fluorescent metabolic probes, we show metabolic phenotyping on the rare disseminated tumor cells in pleural effusions across a panel of 32 lung adenocarcinoma patients. Our results reveal extensive metabolic heterogeneity of tumor cells that differentially engage in glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidation. The cell number ratio of the two metabolic phenotypes is found to be predictive for patient therapy response, physiological performance, and survival. Transcriptome analysis reveals that the glycolytic phenotype is associated with mesenchymal-like cell state with elevated expression of the resistant-leading receptor tyrosine kinase AXL and immune checkpoint ligands. Drug targeting AXL induces a significant cell killing in the glycolytic cells without affecting the cells with active mitochondrial oxidation

MicroRNA-196a-5p targeting LRP1B modulates phenotype of thyroid carcinoma cells

Introduction: Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common endocrine malignancy, comprising nearly one-third of all head and neck malignancies worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the malignant progression of multiple cancers; however, their contribution to thyroid diseases has not been fully explored. Material and methods: This study aimed to illustrate the regulatory mechanism of microRNA-196a-5p in TC progression and to investigate whether microRNA-196a-5p affects progression of TC cells by targeting low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 1B (LRP1B). MicroRNA-196a-5p and LRP1B expression status in TC cells and normal human thyroid cells was detected by quantative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, scratch healing assay, and Transwell assay were also performed. Results: The results showed that microRNA-196a-5p expression was up-regulated and LRP1B expression was down regulated in TC cells. In addition, the upregulation of microRNA-196a-5p facilitated progression of TC cells. Silencing microRNA-196a-5p led to the opposite results. Dual-luciferase reporter assay offered evidence for microRNA-196a-5p targeting LRP1B in TC. MicroRNA-196a-5p could target LRP1B to facilitate proliferation, invasion, and migration of TC cells. Conclusion: Overall, this study revealed that microRNA-196a-5p may be a cancer-promoting microRNA that plays an important role in TC progression

Single-pixel computational ghost imaging with helicity-dependent metasurface hologram

A helicity-dependent computational ghost image generated by a metasurface hologram offers a promising optical encryption scheme.</jats:p

Effects of Long-Lasting High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: A Pilot Study

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) recently was shown to benefit rehabilitation of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). However, high-Definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) has not been applied in DOC. In this study, we tried to use HD-tDCS protocol (2 mA, 20 min, the precuneus, and sustaining 14 days) to rehabilitate 11 patients with DOC. Electroencephalography (EEG) and Coma Recovery Scale–Revised (CRS-R) scores were recorded at before (T0), after a single session (T1), after 7 days’ (T2), and 14 days’ HD-tDCS (T3) to assess the modulation effects. EEG coherence was measured to evaluate functional connectivity during the experiment. It showed that 9 patients’ scores increased compared with the baseline. The central-parietal coherence significantly decreased in the delta band in patients with DOC. EEG coherence might be useful for assessing the effect of HD-tDCS in patients with DOC. Long-lasting HD-tDCS over the precuneus is promising for the treatment of patients with DOC

Advanced Glycation End Products-Induced Activation of Keratinocytes: A Mechanism Underlying Cutaneous Immune Response in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, in which epidermal keratinocytes play a vital role in its pathogenesis by acting both as the responder and as the accelerator to the cutaneous psoriatic immune response. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a class of proinflammatory metabolites that are commonly accumulating in cardiometabolic disorders. Recent studies have also observed the increased level of AGEs in the serum and skin of psoriasis patients, but the role of AGEs in psoriatic inflammation has not been well investigated. In the present study, we initially detected abnormal accumulation of AGEs in epidermal keratinocytes of psoriatic lesions collected from psoriasis patients. Furthermore, AGEs promoted the proliferation of keratinocytes via upregulated Keratin 17 (K17)-mediated p27KIP1 inhibition followed by accelerated cell cycle progression. More importantly, AGEs facilitated the production of interleukin-36 alpha (IL-36α) in keratinocytes, which could enhance T helper 17 (Th17) immune response. In addition, the induction of both K17 and IL-36α by AGEs in keratinocytes was dependent on the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3) signaling pathways. At last, the effects of AGEs on keratinocytes were mediated by the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Taken together, these findings support that AGEs potentiate the innate immune function of keratinocytes, which contributes to the formation of psoriatic inflammation. Our study implicates AGEs as a potential pathogenic link between psoriasis and cardiometabolic comorbidities

Influence of Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal of Integrated Bioreactor

An integrated biological membrane sewage treatment device has been designed based on the mechanism of microorganism nitrogen and phosphorus removal and the influence of temperature and dissolved oxygen on nitrogen and phosphorus removal of integrated bioreactor with adoption of this sewage treatment device. The research results shows that the optimal temperature range of microorganism nitrogen and phosphorus removal is 20-30 °C, and the effluent COD removal rate within this range maintains at over 90%; NH4^+-N removal rate is between 95% and 97%. TN removal rate is approximately 81%. In practical production, the internal temperature environment of the sewage reactor should be maintained at above 15 °C, to decrease the inhibition of low-temperature environment on growth and reaction speed of nitrobacteria. In various concentrations of DO in the reactor, there is little change in the effluent COD concentration and effluent COD concentration is influenced by temperature. With the increasing of DO concentration, both effluent TN and TP concentrations present changing features of initially decreasing then increasing. The analysis of the influence of comprehensive dissolved oxygen on microorganism nitrogen and phosphorus removal reveals that when the concentration of DO maintains within the range of 1.0-1.5 mg/L, the sewage purification system can attain a higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal effect