MiR-143-5p inhibits proliferation, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells by downregulation of HMGA2

Purpose: To investigate the regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of miR-143-5p in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Methods: Expression of miR-143-5p in CRC cell lines SW620 and HCT116 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Stable miR-143-5p overexpression was mediated by lentivirus. The effects of miR-143-5p on proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SW620 and HCT116 cells were assessed by colony formation assay, CCK-8, Transwell assay, wound healing assay, and western blot. Target prediction was performed for miR-143-5p, and a dual luciferase assay was used to verify the targeting relationship. Results: Compared to CRC cells transfected with negative controls, cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and EMT were inhibited in miR-143-5p-overexpressing cells. Expression of HMGA2 (high- mobility Group AT-Hook 2), a target gene of miR-143-5p, was repressed by miR-143-5p. Rescue experiments confirmed that upregulation of HMGA2 due to mIR-143-5p overexpression reversed inhibition of CRC cell proliferation, invasion and EMT. Conclusion: MiR-143-5p inhibits the malignant progression of CRC by regulating HMGA2 expression and is expected to provide new therapeutic approaches for clinical treatment of CRC

Stepwise evolution of Paleozoic tracheophytes from South China: contrasting leaf disparity and taxic diversity

During the late Paleozoic, vascular land plants (tracheophytes) diversified into a remarkable variety of morpho- logical types, ranging from tiny, aphyllous, herbaceous forms to giant leafy trees. Leaf shape is a key determinant of both function and structural diversity of plants, but relatively little is known about the tempo and mode of leaf morphological diversification and its correlation with tracheophyte diversity and abiotic changes during this re- markable macroevolutionary event, the greening of the continents. We use the extensive record of Paleozoic tra- cheophytes from South China to explore models of morphological evolution in early land plants. Our findings suggest that tracheophyte leaf disparity and diversity were decoupled, and that they were under different selec- tive regimes. Two key phases in the evolution of South Chinese tracheophyte leaves can be recognized. In the first phase, from Devonian to Mississippian, taxic diversity increased substantially, as did leaf disparity, at the same time as they acquired novel features in their vascular systems, reproductive organs, and overall architecture. The second phase, through the Carboniferous–Permian transition, saw recovery of wetland communities in South China, associated with a further expansion of morphologies of simple leaves and an offset shift in morphospace occupation by compound leaves. Comparison with Euramerica suggests that the floras from South China were unique in several ways. The Late Devonian radiation of sphenophyllaleans contributed signif- icantly to the expansion of leaf morphospace, such that the evolution of large laminate leaves in this group oc- curred much earlier than those in Euramerica. The Pennsylvanian decrease in taxic richness had little effect on the disparity of compound leaves. Finally, the distribution in morphospace of the Permian pecopterids, gigantopterids, and equisetaleans occurred at the periphery of Carboniferous leaf morphospace

Colorimetric detection of Cr3+ using tripolyphosphate modified gold nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

A sensitive and selective colorimetric assay method for the detection of Cr3+ has been developed using tripolyphosphate functionalized gold nanoparticles (P3O10 5 –AuNPs). Infrared (IR) spectra and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that tripolyphosphates capped on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Gold nanoparticles were prepared by reducing HAuCl4 with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the presence of sodium tripolyphosphate (Na5P3O10). Upon exposure to Cr3+, the color of the gold nanoparticle solution changed from red to violet, which was in response to the surface plasmon absorption of dispersed and aggregated nanoparticles. The P3O10 5 –AuNPs were bound by Cr3+ and showed excellent selectivity compared to other ions (Hg2+, Fe3+, Cr6+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Ba2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ca2+,Mg2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Na+, Cl , SO4 2 , PO4 3 , CO3 2 , NO3 , and all of the above interfering ions with the exception of Cr3+) and had a detection limit of 10 7M by the naked eye in this way. Most importantly, the P3O10 5 –AuNPs can be stored at room temperature over half a year. In addition, the P3O10 5 –AuNPs were also used to detect Cr3+ in real environmental water samples, with low interference

Frameshift mutation in SQSTM1 causes proximal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles: A case report

p62/Sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1) is a stress-inducible scaffold protein involved in multiple cellular processes, including apoptosis, inflammation, cell survival, and selective autophagy. SQSTM1 mutations are associated with a spectrum of multisystem proteinopathy, including Paget disease of the bone, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, and distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (MRV). Herein, we report a new phenotype of SQSTM1-associated proteinopathy, a novel frameshift mutation in SQSTM1 causing proximal MRV. A 44-year-old Chinese patient presented with progressive limb–girdle weakness. She had asymmetric proximal limb weakness and myopathic features on electromyography. The magnetic resonance images showed fatty infiltration into muscles, predominantly in the thighs and medial gastrocnemius, sparing the tibialis anterior. Muscle histopathology revealed abnormal protein deposition, p62/SQSTM1-positive inclusions, and rimmed vacuoles. Next-generation sequencing showed a novel pathogenic SQSTM1 frameshift mutation, c.542_549delACAGCCGC (p. H181Lfs*66). We expanded the pathogenic genotype of SQSTM1 to include a new, related phenotype: proximal MRV. We suggest that SQSTM1 variations should be screened in cases of proximal MRV

Synthesis of uniform and stable silver nanoparticles by a gold seed-mediated growth approach in a buffer system

A seeding growth approach to the preparation of silver nanoparticles with a controllable size was developed. It contained a two-step reaction: the first step was gold seed clusters quickly generated by a chemical reaction using sodium borohydride as a reducing reagent; the second one was controllable silver nanoparticles were grown at the mild condition by using the mixed reducing reagents (hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium hydroxide) to form a buffer system. The gold core was beneficial for the crystalline of silver cations to form the nanoparticles and the buffer system which was composed of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium hydroxide, and was helpful for controlling the size and shape of the as-prepared silver nanoparticles. These as-prepared nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and transmission electron microscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results indicated that the obtained silver nanoparticles are highly crystallised with an average diameter around 10 nm. The content of gold seeds and the mild reaction rate controlled by the buffer system were considered to be key factors in the control of silver nanoparticles’ morphology and size. A possible mechanism of the silver nanoparticles formed was also proposed

A study on an early Neolithic site in North China

These are few sites about 10 000 BP in the early Neolithic period in North China; among these, the Donghulin site is the only one which included the remains of peoples' use of fire (hearth pits), stone implements, pottery objects, and human tombs. The excavation of the Donghulin site in 2001 provides very important information for research on people and culture in the early Neolithic period in North China. The finding of Donghulin Man has filled the gap in our knowledge of human development since the period of the "Upper Cave Man" (30 000a BP) in North China. It is also important for research on people-land relationships

A study on an early Neolithic site in North China

These are few sites about 10 000 BP in the early Neolithic period in North China; among these, the Donghulin site is the only one which included the remains of peoples' use of fire (hearth pits), stone implements, pottery objects, and human tombs. The excavation of the Donghulin site in 2001 provides very important information for research on people and culture in the early Neolithic period in North China. The finding of Donghulin Man has filled the gap in our knowledge of human development since the period of the "Upper Cave Man" (30 000a BP) in North China. It is also important for research on people-land relationships.Na severu Kitajske je nekaj zgodnjeneolitskih najdišč iz časa okoli 10 000 BP. Med njimi je najdišče Donghulin edino, kjer so našli ostanke človekove uporabe ognja (jame za ognjišča), kamnito orodje, keramiko in človeške grobove. Izkopavanja najdišča Donghulin leta 2001 so dala pomembne podatke o ljudeh in kulturi v zgodnjem neolitiku na severu Kitajske. Najdba človeka Donghulin je zapolnila našo vrzel v poznavanju razvoja človeka od časa “Upper Cave Man” (30000a BP) na severnem Kitajskem. Najdišče je pomembno tudi za raziskovanje povezave med človekom in pokrajino

Real-World, Multicenter Case Series of Patients Treated with Isavuconazole for Invasive Fungal Disease in China

Background: The incidence of invasive fungal disease (IFD) has increased significantly, and IFD is a major cause of mortality among those with hematological malignancies. As a novel second-generation triazole antifungal drug offering both efficacy and safety, isavuconazole (ISA) is recommended by various guidelines internationally for the first-line treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and invasive mucormycosis (IM) infecting adults. Given that it was only approved in China at the end of 2021, there is currently a lack of statistical data regarding its usage in the Chinese population. The primary objective of this report is to describe early experiences with ISA for the treatment of IFD. Methods: This was a real-world, multicenter, observational case series study conducted in China. It included patients from three centers who received ISA treatment from January 2022 to April 2023. A retrospective assessment on patient characteristics, variables related to ISA administration, the treatment response of IFD to ISA, and potential adverse events attributed to ISA was conducted. Results: A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 12 (30%) were diagnosed with aspergillosis, 2 (5%) were diagnosed with candidiasis, 12 (30%) were diagnosed with mucormycosis, and 14 cases did not present mycological evidence. The predominant site of infection was the lungs (36), followed by the blood stream (8), sinuses (4), and respiratory tract (2). The overall response rate was 75% (30 patients), with male patients having a higher clinical response than female patients (24/24 versus 6/16, p = 0.000) and autologous stem cell transplant patients having a higher clinical response than allogeneic stem cell transplant patients (6/6 versus 4/10, p = 0.027). During the observation period, four patients experienced adverse effects associated with ISA, but none of them discontinued the treatment. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ISA, a novel first-line treatment for IA and IM, is associated with a high clinical response rate, low incidence, and a low grade of adverse effects. Given the short time that ISA has been available in China, further research is needed to identify its efficacy and safety in the real world