Non-coding RNAs shuttled via exosomes reshape the hypoxic tumor microenvironment

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by almost all the cells. Molecular cargos of exosomes can partially reflect the characteristics of originating cells. Exosome-mediated cell-to-cell interactions in the microenvironment are critical in cancer progression. Hypoxia, a key pro-cancerous feature of the tumor microenvironment, alters the releasing and contents of exosomes. A growing body of evidence shows that hypoxia induces more aggressive phenotypes in cancer. Of note, non-coding RNAs shuttled in hypoxic tumor-derived exosomes have been demonstrated as fundamental molecules in regulating cancer biology and remodeling tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, these hypoxic tumor-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs can be detected in the body fluids, serving as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The current review discusses changes in cancer behaviors regulated by exosomes-secreted non-coding RNAs under hypoxic conditions.This work was supported by the grant from Samsung Research Funding Center of Samsung Electronics (project number: SPFC-MA1501-51). WW is a recipient of China Scholarship Council scholarship (CSC number: 201908260030)

Air-stable van der Waals PtTe2 conductors with high current-carrying capacity and strong spin- orbit interaction

High-performance van der Waals (vdW) integrated electronics and spintronics require reliable current-carrying capacity. However, it is challenging to achieve high current density and air-stable performance using vdW metals owing to the fast electrical breakdown triggered by defects or oxidation. Here, we report that spin-orbit interacted synthetic PtTe2 layers exhibit significant electrical reliability and robustness in ambient air. The 4-nm-thick PtTe2 synthesized at a low temperature (similar to 400 degrees C) shows intrinsic metallic transport behavior and a weak antilocalization effect attributed to the strong spin-orbit scattering. Remarkably, PtTe2 sustains a high current density approaching approximate to 31.5 MA cm(-2), which is the highest value among electrical interconnect candidates under oxygen exposure. Electrical failure is caused by the Joule heating of PtTe2 rather than defect-induced electromigration, which was achievable by the native TeOx passivation. The high-quality growth of PtTe2 and the investigation of its transport behaviors lay out essential foundations for the development of emerging vdW spin-orbitronics

Opportunities and challenges in sustainable treatment and resource reuse of sewage sludge: A review

Sludge or waste activated sludge (WAS) generated from wastewater treatment plants may be considered a nuisance. It is a key source for secondary environmental contamination on account of the presence of diverse pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, heavy metals, etc.). Innovative and cost-effective sludge treatment pathways are a prerequisite for the safe and environment-friendly disposal of WAS. This article delivers an assessment of the leading disposal (volume reduction) and energy recovery routes such as anaerobic digestion, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification and enhanced digestion using microbial fuel cell along with their comparative evaluation, to measure their suitability for different sludge compositions and resources availability. Furthermore, the authors shed light on the bio-refinery and resource recovery approaches to extract value added products and nutrients from WAS, and control options for metal elements and micro-pollutants in sewage sludge. Recovery of enzymes, bio-plastics, bio-pesticides, proteins and phosphorus are discussed as a means to visualize sludge as a potential opportunity instead of a nuisance

Why Does Franchisor Social Responsibility Really Matter?

This study examines the impact of franchisor social responsibility (FSR) and franchisor image on franchisees. Based on prior research, the study hypothesizes that FSR and franchisor image influence qualities of the relationship with the franchisees (e.g., franchisee trust, franchisee satisfaction). The model was tested on the data collected from food service franchisees in South Korea. The study finds that FSR and franchisor image are critical for building franchisees\u27 trust in the franchisor, which affects franchisees\u27 satisfaction and their long-term orientation. We offer several implications related to the findings. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Relationship between volume status and possibility of pulmonary hypertension in dialysis naive CKD5 patients.

BACKGROUND:Chronic fluid overload is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can with time lead to poor prognosis regarding to the cardiovascular events. Serum NT-proBNP and OH/ECW might reflect fluid status of the patients, and the maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) could reflect systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP). We investigated the relationship between markers of volume status and marker of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in non-dialysis CKD5 (CKD5-ND) patients. METHODS:Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), echocardiography, and measurement of serum NT-proBNP were performed in 137 consecutive patients on the same day. TRVmax greater than or equal to 2.9 m/s, corresponding to SPAP of approximately 36 mmHg, was used as a definition of the possibility of PH in the absence of left heart disease and chronic respiratory disease (PH group). RESULTS:Patients with possibility of PH (TRVmax ≥ 2.9 m/s) was found in 27 (19.70%) patients. Among the values obtained from BIS, those reflecting the fluid balance (OH, OH/ECW, and E/I ratio) were significantly higher in the PH group. The OH/ECW in patients with PH were significantly higher than those patients without (26.76 ± 15.07 vs. 13.09 ± 15.05, P < 0.001). NT-proBNP was also significantly higher in PH group compared to the non-PH group (median = 10,112 pg/ml, IQR = 30,847 pg/ml vs. median = 1,973 pg/ml, IQR = 7,093 pg/ml, P < 0.001). OH/ECW was positively associated with TRVmax (r = 0.235, P = 0.006). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that increased OH/ECW and serum NT-proBNP were significantly associated with an increased risk of PH. CONCLUSIONS:A significant number of patients showed increased TRVmax, which was closely related to volume status in CKD5-ND patients. Echocardiography and BIS could be important players in a high possibility of PH detection and treatment in asymptomatic CKD patients. Therefore, these measures could be helpful to improve the cardiac outcomes after initiating renal replacement therapy. Further research may be needed to validate the consistency of this association across other stages of CKD

KONTRIBUSI BIMBINGAN ORANG TUA DAN GURU TERHADAP PERILAKU SOSIAL EMOSIONAL ANAK USIA DINI :Studi Deskriptif Analitik terhadap Perilaku Sosial-Emosional Anak Taman Kanak-Kanak Kelompok B di Kecamatan Sindang Kabupaten Indramayu Tahun ajaran 2008/2009

Penelitian ini bertitik tolak dari permasalahan umum yaitu bagaimana kontribusi bimbingan orang tua dan guru terhadap perilaku sosial-emosional anak usia dini di lembaga pendidikan Taman Kanak-Kanak di-Kecamatan Sindang Kabupaten Indramayu. Adapun batasan masalah dimuat dengan beberapa pertanyaan yaitu bagaimana aktivitas bimbingan orang tua, guru, dan perilaku sosial emosional anak serta kontribusi masing-masing dari variabel-variabel orang tua dan guru terhadap perilaku anak. Metode dalam penelitian ini yaitu menggunakan metode deskriptif analitik dengan teknik survey, metode deskriptif adalah metode yang memusatkan perhatiannya terhadap fenomena yang terjadi pada saat ini dan dalam penelitian ini menggambarkan fenomena yang diselidiki. Adapun pendekatan penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif korelasional, yaitu pendekatan yang memungkinkan dilakukan pencatatan data hasil penelitian secara nyata dalam bentuk angka sehingga memudahkan proses analisis data dan penafsirannya. Analisis yang dipakai adalah analisis korelasional, regresi dan kontribusi. Menurut Casey (2000) Perkembangan anak usia dini (early child development, ECD) adalah periode perkembangan yang paling cepat pada kehidupan manusia. Pada masa ini, pertumbuhan anak berlangsung dengan cepat. Selain itu kompetisi kognitif, emosi, dan sosial mulai dibentuk dan diperluas. Orang tua adalah guru yang pertama dan utama sekaligus sumber kasih sayang yang paling tulus bagi anak. di sekolah figure guru sebagai kunci. Gurulah panutan utama bagi anak didik, semua sikap dan perilaku guru akan dilihat, didengar dan ditiru oleh anak didik. Anak membutuhkan bimbingan orang dewasa untuk mengetahui apa yang perlu dipelajarinya dan membutuhkan dorongan untuk menguatkan apa yang telah berhasil di pelajarinya. Lingkungan yang kondusip dan dukungan orang tua akan sangat banyak membantu memperlancar rangkaian proses pembelajaran. Dari hasil temuan bahwa bimbingan orang tua, guru dan perilaku sosial emosional anak termasuk dalam kategori baik. Adapun kontribusi yang diberikan, untuk bimbingan orang tua dalam membentuk perilaku sosial emosional anak sebesar 43, guru 31%, dan kalau bersama-sama sebesar 55%. Berdasarkan temuan di atas direkomendasikan baik untuk orang tua atau guru disarankan untuk mempertahankan bimbingan yang telah dilakukan dan untuk mencapai hasil yang lebih baik lagi secara masing-masing harus terus meningkatkan bimbinganya dan juga mengadakan kerja sama antara orang tua dan guru dalam membentuk perilaku sosial emosional anak, sehingga dalam menghadapi persoalan anak dapat diatasi dengan mudah

The peripheral and central mechanisms underlying itch

Itch is one of the most distressing sensations that substantially impair quality of life. It is a cardinal symptom of many skin diseases and is also caused by a variety of systemic disorders. Unfortunately, currently available itch medications are ineffective in many chronic itch conditions, and they often cause undesirable side effects. To develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is essential to identify primary afferent neurons that selectively respond to itch mediators as well as the central nervous system components that process the sensation of itch and initiate behavioral responses. This review summarizes recent progress in the study of itch, focusing on itch-selective receptors, signaling molecules, neuronal pathways from the primary sensory neurons to the brain, and potential decoding mechanisms based on which itch is distinguished from pain. © 2016 by the The Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.1

Evaluation of Three Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction Systems for Identification of Respiratory Viruses in Clinical Specimens by Multiplex Real-Time PCR

A total of 84 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from 84 patients. Viral nucleic acid was extracted by three automated extraction systems: QIAcube (Qiagen, Germany), EZ1 Advanced XL (Qiagen), and MICROLAB Nimbus IVD (Hamilton, USA). Fourteen RNA viruses and two DNA viruses were detected using the Anyplex II RV16 Detection kit (Seegene, Republic of Korea). The EZ1 Advanced XL system demonstrated the best analytical sensitivity for all the three viral strains. The nucleic acids extracted by EZ1 Advanced XL showed higher positive rates for virus detection than the others. Meanwhile, the MICROLAB Nimbus IVD system was comprised of fully automated steps from nucleic extraction to PCR setup function that could reduce human errors. For the nucleic acids recovered from nasopharyngeal swab specimens, the QIAcube system showed the fewest false negative results and the best concordance rate, and it may be more suitable for detecting various viruses including RNA and DNA virus strains. Each system showed different sensitivity and specificity for detection of certain viral pathogens and demonstrated different characteristics such as turnaround time and sample capacity. Therefore, these factors should be considered when new nucleic acid extraction systems are introduced to the laboratory