A Study on Urban Tourism Competitiveness of Henan Province

According to the principle of science, system, pertinency and hierarchy, combining the availability of the evaluation data, this paper establishes the urban competitiveness evaluation system, analyzes the tourism competitiveness of 18 regions in Henan province with the method of factor analysis and puts forward the related suggestions for improving the competitiveness

Adrenomedullin expression in epithelial ovarian cancers and promotes HO8910 cell migration associated with upregulating integrin α5β1 and phosphorylating FAK and paxillin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide which presents in various kinds of tumors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we characterized the expression and function of AM in epithelial ovarian cancer using immunohistochemistry staining. Exogenous AM and small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for AM receptor CRLR were treated to EOC cell line HO8910. Wound healing assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the migration ability and expression of integrin α5 of HO8910 cells after above treatments. Western blot was used to examine the phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that patients with high AM expression showed a higher incidence of metastasis, larger residual size of tumors after cytoreduction and shorter disease-free and overall survival time. Exogenous AM induced ovarian cancer cell migration in time- and dose- dependent manners. AM upregulated the expression of integrin α5 and phosphorylation of FAK, paxillin as well.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggested that AM contributed to the progression of EOC and had additional roles in EOC cell migration by activating the integrin α5β1 signaling pathway. Therefore, we presumed that AM could be a potential molecular therapeutic target for ovarian carcinoma.</p

Genetic Variants of PICALM rs541458 Modulate Brain Spontaneous Activity in Older Adults With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) rs541458 C allele has been identified and validated to be associated with a reduction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms through which the variant exert its disease-relevant association remain to be elucidated. This study is to determine whether PICALM rs541458 polymorphism modulates functional magnetic resonance imaging measured brain spontaneous activity in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).Methods: Thirty five aMCI patients and twenty six healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Each individual was genotyped for rs541458 and scanned with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Each group was divided into two subgroups (C carriers and TT genotype). Brain activity was measured with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF).Results: The aMCI patients showed decreased ALFF in left inferior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus and insula, while increased ALFF in right cuneus, calcarine, and bilateral posterior cingulate and precuneus. A significant interaction between diagnosis (aMCI vs. HC) and PICALM rs541458 genotype (C carriers vs. TT) on ALFF was observed mainly in the right frontal lobe, with aMCI C carriers and TT genotype in HC showing significantly lower ALFF than HC C carriers. While only negative correlation between ALFF and verbal fluency test was found in HC C carriers (r = −0.543, p = 0.030).Conclusions: This study provided preliminary evidences that PICALM rs541458 variations may modulate the spontaneous brain activity in aMCI patients

Protective effect of human serum amyloid P on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Human serum amyloid P (hSAP), a member of the pentraxin family, inhibits the activation of fibrocytes in culture and inhibits experimental renal, lung, skin and cardiac fibrosis. As hepatic inflammation is one of the causes of liver fibrosis, in the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of hSAP against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. Our data indicated that hSAP attenuated hepatic histopathological abnormalities and significantly decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory factor expression. Moreover, CCl4-induced apoptosis in the mouse liver was inhibited by hSAP, as measured by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and cleaved caspase-3 expression. hSAP significantly restored the expression of B cell lymphoma/leukemia (Bcl)-2 and suppressed the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in vivo. The number of hepatocytes in early apoptosis stained with Annexin V was significantly reduced by 28-30% in the hSAP treatment group compared with the CCl4 group, and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased, whereas the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly inhibited in the hSAP pre-treatment group compared with the CCl4 group. hSAP administration also inhibited the migration and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in CCl4-injured liver and suppressed the activation of isolated primary HSCs induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that hSAP exerts a protective effect againts CCl4-induced hepatic injury by suppressing the inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis, potentially by inhibiting HSC activation

Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of traits related to head shape in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

AbstractTraits related to head shape, including Hvd (head vertical diameter), Htd (head transverse diameter), and Hsi (head shape index, the ratio of Hvd/Htd), are very important agronomic traits associated with both yield and quality in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.). However, reports of inheritance analysis and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of these traits remain rare. In this study, a double haploid (DH) population with 130 lines constructed from a cross between 24-5 (inbred line, oblate head)×01-88 (inbred line, round head) was used to analyze inheritance and to detect QTLs related to Htd and Hsi using major gene plus polygene mixed inheritance analysis and inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). The results indicated that Htd was controlled by two independent major genes and polygenes with recessive-epistatic effects. Hsi was controlled by two linkage major genes and polygenes with cumulative effects. A genetic linkage map with 48 insertions or deletions (InDel) and 149 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed based on the DH population, with a total length of 866.2cM and an average interval length of 4.40cM. Fourteen QTLs for Htd and Hsi were identified on six chromosomes based on two years of phenotypic data with ICIM. Ten of the QTLs explained greater than 10.0% of the phenotypic variance, and five QTLs could be repeatedly detected in two years. For Htd, two major QTLs, Htd 3.1 and Htd 8.1, explained 19.16–24.56% and 11.25–21.55% of the phenotypic variation in the two years, respectively. For Hsi, two major QTLs, Hsi 7.1 and Hsi 7.2, explained 22.30–24.93% and 14.85–16.79% of phenotypic variation in the two years, respectively. The results from QTL mapping and genetic analysis in both years were partially consistent and complemented each other. Our results provide a foundation for further research on genetic regulation, gene cloning and molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) for head shape in cabbage

Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analysis of effects of multiple sevoflurane exposures on the cerebral cortex of neonatal and adult mice

IntroductionSevoflurane is the most commonly used general anesthetic in pediatric surgery, but it has the potential to be neurotoxic. Previous research found that long-term or multiple sevoflurane exposures could cause cognitive deficits in newborn mice but not adult mice, whereas short-term or single inhalations had little effect on cognitive function at both ages. The mechanisms behind these effects, however, are unclear.MethodsIn the current study, 6- and 60-day-old C57bl mice in the sevoflurane groups were given 3% sevoflurane plus 60% oxygen for three consecutive days, each lasting 2 hours, while those in the control group only got 60% oxygen. The cortex tissues were harvested on the 8th or 62nd day. The tandem mass tags (TMT)pro-based quantitative proteomics combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, Golgi staining, and western blotting analysis were applied to analyze the influences of multiple sevoflurane anesthesia on the cerebral cortex in mice with various ages. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed from postnatal day (P)30 to P36 or P84 to P90 after control or multiple sevoflurane treatment. Sevoflurane anesthesia affected spatial learning and memory and diminished dendritic spines primarily in newborn mice, whereas mature animals exhibited no significant alterations.ResultsA total of 6247 proteins were measured using the combined quantitative proteomics methods of TMTpro-labeled and LC-MS/MS, 443 of which were associated to the age-dependent neurotoxic mechanism of repeated sevoflurane anesthesia. Furthermore, western blotting research revealed that sevoflurane-induced brain damage in newborn mice may be mediated by increasing the levels of protein expression of CHGB, PTEN, MAP2c, or decreasing the level of SOD2 protein expression.ConclusionOur findings would help to further the mechanistic study of age-dependent anesthetic neurotoxicity and contribute to seek for effective protection in the developing brain under general anesthesia

Polyhydride CeH9 with an atomic-like hydrogen clathrate structure.

Compression of hydrogen-rich hydrides has been proposed as an alternative way to attain the atomic metallic hydrogen state or high-temperature superconductors. However, it remains a challenge to get access to these states by synthesizing novel polyhydrides with unusually high hydrogen-to-metal ratios. Here we synthesize a series of cerium (Ce) polyhydrides by a direct reaction of Ce and H2 at high pressures. We discover that cerium polyhydride CeH9, formed above 100 GPa, presents a three-dimensional hydrogen network composed of clathrate H29 cages. The electron localization function together with band structure calculations elucidate the weak electron localization between H-H atoms and confirm its metallic character. By means of Ce atom doping, metallic hydrogen structure can be realized via the existence of CeH9. Particularly, Ce atoms play a positive role to stabilize the sublattice of hydrogen cages similar to the recently discovered near-room-temperature lanthanum hydride superconductors

Immune Responses in Pigs Induced by Recombinant DNA Vaccine Co-Expressing Swine IL-18 and Membrane Protein of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

In this study, two DNA vaccines, which express the membrane (M) protein of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) (pEGFP-M) and co-express both M and swine IL-18 (pEGFP-IL18-M), were constructed and their abilities to induce humoral and cellular responses in piglets were comparatively evaluated. Experimental results showed that both recombinant DNA vaccines could not elicit neutralizing antibodies in the immunized piglets. However, both DNA vaccines elicited Th1-biased cellular immune responses. Notably, pigs immunized with the plasmid pEGFP-IL18-M developed significantly higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 production response and stronger specific T-lymphocyte proliferation response than the pigs inoculated with the plasmids pEGFP-M and pEGFP-IL18 (P < 0.05). These results illustrated that co-expression of M and IL-18 proteins could significantly improve the potency of DNA vaccination on the activation of vaccine-induced virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses in pigs, which may be used as a strategy to develop a new generation of vaccines against highly pathogenic PRRSV

Downgrading MELD Improves the Outcomes after Liver Transplantation in Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure

Background: High score of model for end-stage liver diseases (MELD) before liver transplantation (LT) indicates poor prognosis. Artificial liver support system (ALSS) has been proved to effectively improve liver and kidney functions, and thus reduce the MELD score. We aim to evaluate whether downgrading MELD score could improve patient survival after LT. Methodology/Principal Findings: One hundred and twenty-six LT candidates with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure and MELD score $30 were included in this prospective study. Of the 126 patients, 42 received emergency LT within 72 h (ELT group) and the other 84 were given ALSS as salvage treatment. Of the 84 patients, 33 were found to have reduced MELD score (,30) on the day of LT (DGM group), 51 underwent LT with persistent high MELD score (N-DGM group). The median waiting time for a donor was 10 for DGM group and 9.5 days for N-DGM group. In N-DGM group there is a significantly higher overall mortality (43.1$30 was effective i

ZEB2 Mediates Multiple Pathways Regulating Cell Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, and Apoptosis in Glioma

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of Zinc finger E-box Binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) in glioma and to explore the molecular mechanisms of ZEB2 that regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Expression of ZEB2 in 90 clinicopathologically characterized glioma patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, siRNA targeting ZEB2 was transfected into U251 and U87 glioma cell lines in vitro and proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were examined separately by MTT assay, Transwell chamber assay, flow cytometry, and western blot. RESULTS: The expression level of ZEB2 protein was significantly increased in glioma tissues compared to normal brain tissues (P<0.001). In addition, high levels of ZEB2 protein were positively correlated with pathology grade classification (P = 0.024) of glioma patients. Knockdown of ZEB2 by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as induced cell apoptosis in glioma cells. Furthermore, ZEB2 downregulation was accompanied by decreased expression of CDK4/6, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, E2F1, and c-myc, while p15 and p21 were upregulated. Lowered expression of ZEB2 enhanced E-cadherin levels but also inhibited β-Catenin, Vimentin, N-cadherin, and Snail expression. Several apoptosis-related regulators such as Caspase-3, Caspase-6, Caspase-9, and Cleaved-PARP were activated while PARP was inhibited after ZEB2 siRNA treatment. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of ZEB2 is an unfavorable factor that may facilitate glioma progression. Knockdown ZEB2 expression by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis in glioma cells