Inhibiting adenoid cystic carcinoma cells growth and metastasis by blocking the expression of ADAM 10 using RNA interference

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adenoid cystic carcinoma is one of the most common types of salivary gland cancers. The poor long-term prognosis for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma is mainly due to local recurrence and distant metastasis. Disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM 10) is a transmembrane protein associated with metastasis in a number of diverse of cancers. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between ADAM 10 and the invasive and metastatic potentials as well as the proliferation capability of adenoid cystic carcinoma cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were applied to detect ADAM 10 expression levels in metastatic cancer tissues, corresponding primary adenoid cystic carcinoma tissues, adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines with high metastatic potential, and adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines with low metastatic potential. RNA interference was used to knockdown ADAM 10 expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines with high metastatic potential. Furthermore, the invasive and metastatic potentials as well as the proliferation capability of the treated cells were observed <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was observed that ADAM 10 was expressed at a significantly higher level in metastatic cancer tissues and in adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines with high metastatic potential than in corresponding primary adenoid cystic carcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines with low metastatic potential. Additionally, silencing of ADAM 10 resulted in inhibition of cell growth and invasion <it>in vitro </it>as well as inhibition of cancer metastasis in an experimental murine model of lung metastases <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These studies suggested that ADAM 10 plays an important role in regulating proliferation and metastasis of adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. ADAM 10 is potentially an important therapeutic target for the prevention of tumor metastases in adenoid cystic carcinoma.</p

A high-resolution map of reactive nitrogen inputs to China

To feed an increasingly affluent population, reactive nitrogen (Nr) inputs to China’s lands and waters have substantially increased over the past century. Today, China’s Nr emissions account for over one third of global total emissions, leading to serious environmental pollution and health damages. Quantifying the spatial variability of Nr inputs is crucial for the identification of intervention points to mitigate Nr pollution, which, however, is not well known. Here, we present a database describing Nr inputs to China for the year 2017 with a 1 km × 1 km resolution, considering land use and Nr sources, compiled by using the CHANS model. Results show that the North China Plain, the Sichuan Basin and the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Plain are hotspots of Nr inputs, where per hectare Nr input is an order of magnitude higher than that in other regions. Cropland and surface water bodies receive much higher Nr inputs than other land use types. This unique database will provide basic data for research on environmental health and global change modelling

Evaluate how steaming and sulfur fumigation change the microstructure, physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of Gastrodia elata Bl. starch

The sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) generated by sulfur burning can improve the appearance quality of food and enhance the storage time. However, excessive sulfur dioxide will pollute the environment and cause deterioration of food quality, and even the high residual levels can increase the risk of cancer. As Gastrodia elata Blume is prone to corruption during processing, sulfur fumigation is often used for preservation. In this study, spectral analysis and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) were used to investigate the effects of traditional sulfur fumigation processing on the morphology quality, edible quality and structural characteristics of G. elata. The results showed that compared with direct drying, the pH decreased by 0.399 of the sulfur fumigated after steamed treatment G. elata, and the morphology quality, pasting ability and gel edible quality of the starch were significantly improved. In addition, it was suggested that sulfur fumigation after steaming could promote the release of molecular chains from starch granules and thus enhance the cross-linking between molecules, which explained the reason for the improve of starch edible quality. This study can provide technical and theoretical support for improving the quality of starch rich foods, replacing sulfur fumigation and reducing potential environmental hazards

Modulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells on microglia in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke accounts for 70–80% of all stroke cases. Immunity plays an important role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Microglia are the first line of defense in the central nervous system. Microglial functions are largely dependent on their pro-inflammatory (M1-like) or anti-inflammatory (M2-like) phenotype. Modulating neuroinflammation via targeting microglia polarization toward anti-inflammatory phenotype might be a novel treatment for ischemic stroke. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been demonstrated to modulate microglia activation and phenotype polarization. In this review, we summarize the physiological characteristics and functions of microglia in the healthy brain, the activation and polarization of microglia in stroke brain, the effects of MSC/MSC-EVs on the activation of MSC in vitro and in vivo, and possible underlying mechanisms, providing evidence for a possible novel therapeutics for the treatment of ischemic stroke

Association study of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) variable tandem repeat sequence (VNTR) with obsessive-compulsive disorder in Chinese Han Population

Abstract: Objective: Multiple evidence suggests an involvement of the dopamine neurotransmitter system in Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, we explore the association of 3&apos;UTR region of 40 bp variable tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in Dopamine Transporter Gene (DAT1) in Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 305 OCD patients and 435 healthy individuals were recruited for the study. OCD was diagnosed with the Forth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria. After polymerase chain reaction of VNTR was used to evaluate the 40 bp VNTR polymorphism in DAT1, a case-control association analysis was performed by the χ 2 test. Results: The results showed that no association was found between OCD patients and controls for the genotype distribution (X 2 =0.743, P=0.690, df=2) as well as allelic (X 2 =0.172, P=0.678, OR=0.928, 95% Cl=0.885-1.224) distribution. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the 40 bp VNTR polymorphism in DAT1 may not be associated with susceptibility to OCD in the Chinese Han population studied. However, this result needed to be replicated from different populations

Robust H-infinity filtering for 2-D systems with intermittent measurements

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust H∞ filtering for uncertain two-dimensional (2-D) systems with intermittent measurements. The parameter uncertainty is assumed to be of polytopic type, and the measurements transmission is assumed to be imperfect, which is modeled by a stochastic variable satisfying the Bernoulli random binary distribution. Our attention is focused on the design of an H∞ filter such that the filtering error system is stochastically stable and preserves a guaranteed H∞ performance. This problem is solved in the parameter-dependent framework, which is much less conservative than the quadratic approach. By introducing some slack matrix variables, the coupling between the positive definite matrices and the system matrices is eliminated, which greatly facilitates the filter design procedure. The corresponding results are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which can be easily tested by using standard numerical software. An example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approac

Ammonia mitigation campaign with smallholder farmers improves air quality while ensuring high cereal production

Reducing cropland ammonia (NH3) emissions while improving air quality and food supply is a challenge, particularly in China with millions of smallholder farmers. We tested the effectiveness of a tailored nitrogen (N) management strategy applied to wheat-maize cropping systems in “Demonstration Squares” across Quzhou county in North China Plain. The N management techniques included optimal N rates, deep fertilizer placement and application of urease inhibitors, implemented through cooperation between government, researchers, businesses and smallholders. Compared with conventional local smallholder practice, our NH3 mitigation campaign reduced NH3 volatilization from wheat and maize by 49% and 39%, and increased N use efficiency by 28% and 40% and farmers’ profitability by 25% and 19%, respectively, with no detriment to crop yields. County-wide atmospheric NH3 and PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 40% and 8%, respectively. County-wide net benefits were estimated at $7.0 million. Our “Demonstration Square” approach demonstrates that cropland NH3 mitigation and improved air quality and farm profitability can be achieved simultaneously by coordinated actions at county level