8q24.21 is a frequently amplified genomic region in colorectal cancer (CRC). This region is often referred to as a ‘gene desert’ due to lack of any important protein-coding genes, highlighting the ...potential role of noncoding RNAs, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) located around the proto-oncogeneMYC. In this study, we have firstly evaluated the clinical significance of altered expression of lncRNAs mapped to this genomic locus in CRC.
A total of 300 tissues, including 280 CRC and 20 adjacent normal mucosa specimens were evaluated for the expression of 12 lncRNAs using qRT-PCR assays. We analyzed the associations between lncRNA expression and various clinicopathological features, as well as with recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in two independent cohorts.
The expression of CCAT1, CCAT1-L, CCAT2, PVT1, and CASC19 were elevated in cancer tissues (P=0.039, <0.001, 0.018, <0.001, 0.002, respectively). Among these, high expression of CCAT1 and CCAT2 was significantly associated with poor RFS (P=0.049 and 0.022, respectively) and OS (P=0.028 and 0.015, respectively). These results were validated in an independent patient cohort, in which combined expression of CCAT1 and CCAT2 expression was significantly associated with a poor RFS (HR:2.60, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.04–6.06,P=0.042) and a poor OS (HR:8.38, 95%CI: 2.68–37.0,P<0.001). We established a RFS prediction model which revealed that combined expression of CCAT1, CCAT2, and carcinoembryonic antigen was a significant determinant for efficiently predicting RFS in stage II (P=0.034) and stage III (P=0.001) CRC patients.
Several lncRNAs located in 8q24.21 locus are highly over-expressed in CRC. High expression of CCAT1 and CCAT2 significantly associates with poor RFS and OS. The expression of these two lncRNAs independently, or in combination, serves as important prognostic biomarkers in CRC.
Robotic systems are used in various fields, including environmental exploration and conservation. It may be difficult to retrieve these robots or more cost-effective to discard them after achieving ...their purpose. Discarding such robots could pose a threat to the environment, especially if they are composed of plastics and metals. Therefore, various motion-producing biodegradable materials and actuators are being researched and developed. However, once biodegradable robots have achieved its purpose, it becomes passive and awaits microbial degradation. In this study, a biodegradable laminated foam-based soft actuator with self-germination ability was developed and its feasibility to return to nature by controlling the rate of degradation was ascertained. Our results indicate that after the actuator achieved its goal, it self-destructed and self-germinated, which confirms its active biodegrading capability through actuation and germination to enter the natural cycle.
The electric field effect in ferromagnetic semiconductors enables switching of the magnetization, which is a key technology for spintronic applications. We demonstrated electric field—induced ...ferromagnetism at room temperature in a magnetic oxide semiconductor, (Ti,Co)O 2 , by means of electric double-layer gating with high-density electron accumulation (>10 14 per square centimeter). By applying a gate voltage of a few volts, a low-carrier paramagnetic state was transformed into a high-carrier ferromagnetic state, thereby revealing the considerable role of electron carriers in high-temperature ferromagnetism and demonstrating a route to room-temperature semiconductor spintronics.
The development and application of second generation high temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) tapes have attracted much attention in China recently. Progress in upscaling high performance 2G-HTS ...tape production at Shanghai Superconductor Technology (SST) is reported in this paper. With ion beam assisted deposition, biaxially textured buffer layers with a configuration of CeO2/LaMnO3/MgO/Y2O3/Al2O3/C-276 have successfully been fabricated. In-plane and out-of-plane texture degrees of CeO2 films achieve 2°-4° and 2°, respectively. A multi-plume multi-turn pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system combined with the so-called 'radiation assisted conductive heater' has been proposed and further developed for REBCO layer deposition. Our effort was focused on minimizing the temperature variations in the deposition region by modifying the heating shield that assists the conductive heater of the drum-like cylinder. A tape travelling speed of 100-180 m h−1 can be achieved with a steady temperature profile when passing through the deposition zone, which is very beneficial for the growth of the REBCO layer. Taking advantage of the liquid phase growth mode, several compositions of superconducting films with a thickness in the range of 1-2.5 m have been grown with high growth rates of over 40 nm s−1. Furthermore, the microstructures and superconducting performance were investigated in detail. Based on these studies, superconducting tapes with piece lengths of up to 500 meters have been developed. High Ic values at 77 K, self-field (over 520 A cm−1 width) or at low temperature, high magnetic field conditions (over 560 A/4 mm width at 4.2 K, 10 T, perpendicular field) have been achieved. Lamination and jointing techniques have also been developed by SST for power and magnet applications.
The incidence of liver cancer has increased in recent years. Worldwide, liver cancer is common: more than 600000 related deaths are estimated each year. In the USA, about 27170 deaths due to liver ...cancer are estimated for 2016. Liver cancer is highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For all stages combined, the 5-year survival rate is 15-17%, leaving much to be desired for liver cancer prevention and therapy. Heterogeneity, which can originate from genomic instability, is one reason for poor outcome. About 80-90% of liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and recent cancer genome sequencing studies have revealed frequently mutated genes in HCC. In this review, we discuss the cause of the tumor heterogeneity based on the functions of genes that are frequently mutated in HCC. We overview the functions of the genes that are most frequently mutated (e.g. TP53, CTNNB1, AXIN1, ARID1A and WWP1) that portray major pathways leading to HCC and identify the roles of these genes in preventing genomic instability. Notably, the pathway analysis suggested that oxidative stress management may be critical to prevent accumulation of DNA damage and further mutations. We propose that both chromosome instability (CIN) and microsatellite instability (MIN) are integral to the hepatic carcinogenesis process leading to heterogeneity in HCC and that the pathways leading to heterogeneity may be targeted for prognosis, prevention and treatment.
The Role of Pannexin 3 in Bone Biology Ishikawa, M.; Yamada, Y.
Journal of Dental Research,
04/2017, Letnik:
96, Številka:
4
Book Review, Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Cell–cell and cell–matrix communications play important roles in both cell proliferation and differentiation. Gap junction proteins mediate signaling communication by exchanging small molecules and ...dramatically stimulating intracellular signaling pathways to determine cell fate. Vertebrates have 2 gap junction families: pannexins (Panxs) and connexins (Cxs). Unlike Cxs, the functions of Panxs are not fully understood. In skeletal formation, Panx3 and Cx43 are the most abundantly expressed gap junction proteins from each family. Panx3 is induced in the transient stage from the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoprogenitor cells. Panx3 regulates both chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation via the activation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathways through multiple channel activities: hemichannels, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ channels, and gap junctions. Moreover, Panx3 also inhibits osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and promotes cell cycle exit through the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the activation of p21. Panx3-knockout (KO) mice have more severe skeletal abnormalities than those of Cx43-KO mice. A phenotypic analysis of Panx3-KO mice indicates that Panx3 regulates the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes by promoting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13. Based on the generation of Panx3-/-; Cx43-/- mice, Panx3 is upstream of Cx43 in osteogenesis. Panx3 promotes Cx43 expression by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and osterix expression. Further, although Panx3 can function in 3 ways, Cx43 cannot function through the ER Ca2+ channel, only via the hemichannels and gap junction routes. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the roles of Panx3 in skeletal formation and address the potential for new therapies in the treatment of diseases and pathologies associated with Panx3, such as osteoarthritis (OA).
The gasochromic processes of switchable mirrors based on a Mg–Y alloy were studied by measuring the change in volume concentration (vol%) of H2 in the air gaps of a mirrored cell using a residual gas ...analyzer. The change in the optical transmittance of the mirrors and the relative humidity in the gaps during the processes were measured simultaneously. An important factor for developing a practical switching system, which helps realize a fully hydrogenated state without water condensation, is to control the vol% of H2 in the air gap to be 1.0%.
Volume concentration of H2 in the air gap (a); transmittance of the switchable mirrors at wavelength of 670 nm and the first derivative (b); and relative humidity in the air gap (c) as a function of elapsed time during optical switching. Display omitted
•The gasochromic processes of switchable mirrors were studied using an RGA.•The hydrogenation of the mirror begins at an H2 concentration of about ≥1 vol%.•The transparent state was maintained until the vol% of H2 was ∼0.6•The fully hydrogenated state without dew condensation kept at 1.0 vol% of H2.
Whether the caste fate of social insects is determined before or after emergence is a key question for understanding the evolution of eusociality. Paper wasps are a suitable model for answering this ...question because there are no critical morphological differences between queens and workers in paper wasps, and these animals appear to represent an early stage of eusociality. We explored the above question by determining the effects of photoperiod during the adult stage on caste-fate determination in the paper wasp
Polistes jokahamae.
We collected colonies at different stages in the field and exposed emerging adults individually to long or short days. Under these isolated conditions, gyne-destined (diapausing) females were expected to exhibit large lipid stores without mature eggs, while the reverse was expected to be true for worker-destined (nondiapausing) females. The proportion of wasps with mature eggs was higher under long days in the second and subsequent broods, but not in the first brood. Lipid stores were larger among large females and under short days, and smaller for the first brood. These findings together suggest that the first brood emerges with a strong preimaginal bias toward workers (nondiapausing form), whereas the other broods emerge with no bias or an easily reversible bias. However, it is difficult to conclude whether the bias came from body size or the season of emergence. We discuss the possibility that the ancestor of paper wasps had workers with and without preimaginal bias toward becoming workers at emergence.
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