Ischemic diseases, which are caused by a reduction of blood supply that results in reduced oxygen transfer and nutrient uptake, are becoming the leading cause of disabilities and deaths. Therapeutic ...angiogenesis is key for the treatment of these diseases. Stem cells have been used in animal models and clinical trials to treat various ischemic diseases. Recently, the efficacy of stem cell therapy has increasingly been attributed to exocrine functions, particularly extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles are thought to act as intercellular communication vehicles to transport informational molecules including proteins, mRNA, microRNAs, DNA fragments, and lipids. Studies have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles promote angiogenesis in cellular experiments and animal models. Herein, recent reports on the use of extracellular vesicles for therapeutic angiogenesis during ischemic diseases are presented and discussed. We believe that extracellular vesicles-based therapeutics will be an ideal treatment method for patients with ischemic diseases.
Carbon‐encapsulated Li3VO4 is synthesized by a facile environmentally benign solid‐state method with organic metallic precursor VO(C5H7O2)2 being chosen as both V and carbon sources yielding a ...core–shell nanostructure with lithium introduced in the subsequent annealing process. The Li3VO4 encapsulated with carbon presents exceeding rate capability (a reversible capability of 450, 340, 169, and 106 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, 10 C, 50 C, and 80 C, respectively) and long cyclic performance (80% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 10 C) as an anode in lithium‐ion batteries. The superior performance is derived from the structural features of the carbon‐encapsulated Li3VO4 composite with oxygen vacancies in Li3VO4, which increase surface energy and could possibly serve as a nucleation center, thus facilitating phase transitions. The in situ generated carbon shell not only facilitates electron transport, but also suppresses Li3VO4 particle growth during the calcination process. The encouraging results demonstrate the significant potential of carbon encapsulated Li3VO4 for high power batteries. In addition, the simple generic synthesis method is applicable to the fabrication of a variety of electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors with unique core–shell structure with mesoporous carbon shell.
A carbon‐encapsulated Li3VO4 composite fabricated by a novel one‐step solid‐state reaction without external carbon sources presents exceeding rate capability (a reversible capability of 340, 169, and 106 mAh g−1 at 10 C, 50 C, and 80 C, respectively) and long cyclic performance (80% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 10 C) as an anode in lithium‐ion batteries.
Camellia is an economically, ecologically and phylogenetically valuable genus in the family Theaceae. The frequent interspecific hybridization and polyploidization makes this genus phylogenetically ...and taxonomically under controversial and require detailed investigation. Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences have been used for cpDNA marker development and genetic diversity evaluation. Our research newly sequenced the chloroplast genome of Camellia japonica using Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform, and retrieved five other chloroplast genomes of Camellia previously published for comparative analyses, thereby shedding lights on a deeper understanding of the applicability of chloroplast information. The chloroplast genome sizes ranged in length from 156,607 to 157,166 bp, and their gene structure resembled those of other higher plants. There were four categories of SSRs detected in six Camellia cpDNA sequences, with the lengths ranging from 10 to 17bp. The Camellia species exhibited different evolutionary routes that lhbA and orf188, followed by orf42 and psbZ, were readily lost during evolution. Obvious codon preferences were also shown in almost all protein-coding cpDNA and amino acid sequences. Selection pressure analysis revealed the influence of different environmental pressures on different Camellia chloroplast genomes during long-term evolution. All Camellia species, except C. crapnelliana, presented the identical rate of amplification in the IR region. The datasets obtained from the chloroplast genomes are highly supportive in inferring the phylogenetic relationships of the Camellia taxa, indicating that chloroplast genome can be used for classifying interspecific relationships in this genus.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a critical role in plant defenses against insects and necrotrophic fungi. Wounding or lepidopteran insect feeding rapidly induces a burst of JA in plants, which usually ...reaches peak values within 1 to 2 h. The induced JA is converted to JA‐Ile and perceived by the COI1‐JAZ co‐receptor, leading to activation of the transcription factors MYC2 and its homologs, which further induce JA‐responsive genes. Although much is known about JA biosynthesis and catabolism enzymes and JA signaling, how JA biosynthesis and catabolism are regulated remain unclear. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana MYC2 functions additively with MYC3 and MYC4 to regulate wounding‐induced JA accumulation by directly binding to the promoters of genes function in JA biosynthesis and catabolism to promote their transcription. MYC2 also controls the transcription of JAV1 and JAM1, which are key factors controlling JA biosynthesis and catabolism, respectively. In addition, we also found that MYC2 could bind to the MYC2 promoter and self‐inhibit its own expression. This work illustrates the central role of MYC2/3/4 in controlling wounding‐induced JA accumulation by regulating the transcription of genes involved in JA biosynthesis and catabolism.
In response to wounding or insect feeding, plants rapidly produce a burst of the hormone jasmonic acid (JA) to activate defenses. We show that MYC2 and its homologs MYC3 and MYC4, which are important transcription factors in JA signaling, control the transcript levels of various JA biosynthesis and catabolism genes.
Circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are valuable biomarker candidates; however, information on the characterization and mutual agreement of commercial kits for circulating exosomal miRNA ...profiling is scarce. Here, we analyzed the advantages and weaknesses of four commonly used commercial kits for exosomal miRNA profiling and their application to the sample of serum and/or plasma, respectively. NanoSight and Western blotting were conducted to evaluate the efficiency and purity of the isolated exosomes. In our conditions, the size distribution of the isolated particles was appropriate (40–150 nm), and ExoQuick™ Exosome Precipitation Solution (EXQ) generated a relatively high yield of exosomes. Nevertheless, albumin impurity was ubiquitous for all the four kits, and Total Exosome Isolation for serum or plasma (TEI) yielded a relatively pure isolation. We further performed Illumina sequencing combined with RT-qPCR to determine the ability of these kits for miRNA profiling. There was significant correlation of the exosomal miRNA profile and specific miRNAs between kits, but with differences depending on methods. exoRNeasy Serum/Plasma Midi Kit (EXR) and EXQ performed better in the specific exosomal miRNAs recovery. Intraassay CVs for specific miRNA measurement were 0.88–3.82, 1.19–3.77, 0–2.70, and 1.23–9.11% for EXR, TEI, EXQ, and RIBO™ Exosome Isolation Reagent (REI), respectively. In each kit, serum yielded a higher abundance of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs than plasma, yet with more albumin impurity. In conclusion, our data provide some valuable guidance for the methodology of disease biomarker identification of circulation exosomal miRNAs.
Graphical abstract
Circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are valuable biomarker candidates; however, information on the characterization and mutual agreement of commercial kits for circulating exosomal miRNA profiling is scarce. In this study, we compared four commonly used commercially available kits for exosomal miRNAsextraction and analyzed the advantages and weaknesses of each kit and their application to the sample ofserum and/or plasma
Amajor challenge in transforming development to inclusive, sustainable pathways is the pervasive and persistent trade-off between provisioning services (e.g., agricultural production) on the one hand ...and regulating services (e.g., water purification, flood control) and biodiversity conservation on the other. We report on an application of China’s new Ecological Development Strategy, now being formally tested and refined for subsequent scaling nationwide, which aims to mitigate and even eliminate these trade-offs. Our focus is the Ecosystem Function Conservation Area of Hainan Island, a rural, tropical region where expansion of rubber plantations has driven extensive loss of natural forest and its vital benefits to people. We explored both the biophysical and the socioeconomic options for achieving simultaneous improvements in product provision, regulating services, biodiversity, and livelihoods. We quantified historic trade-offs between rubber production and vital regulating services, finding that, over the past 20 y (1998–2017), there was a 72.2% increase in rubber plantation area, leading to decreases in soil retention (17.8%), water purification reduced retention of nitrogen (56.3%) and phosphorus (27.4%), flood mitigation (21.9%), carbon sequestration (1.7%), and habitat for biodiversity (6.9%). Using scenario analyses, we identified a two-pronged strategy that would significantly reduce these trade-offs, enhancing regulating services and biodiversity, while simultaneously diversifying and increasing product provision and improving livelihoods. This general approach to analyzing product provision, regulating services, biodiversity, and livelihoods has applicability in rural landscapes across China, South and Southeast Asia, and beyond.
To investigate the effect of hybrid blood purification treatment on levels of serum molecular toxins, micro-inflammatory mediators and quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis patients.
The ...analytical study was conducted at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, China, from January 2019 to January 2021, and adult maintenance haemodialysis patients of either gender who were having dialysis at least 3 times per week for at least 4 h each time. The patients were randomised into two equal groups. Group A received pure haemodialysis, while Group B was given hybrid blood purification treatment. Serum parathyroid hormone, Beta 2 microglobulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were determined. Kidney disease target areas and short-form 36 scores were compared between the groups. All parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.
Of the 216 patients, 108(50%) were in each of the two groups. Overall, there were 120(55.6%) male and 96(44.4%) female subjects; mean age was 58.50±6.73 years; and mean dialysis duration was 31.92±5.05 months. At baseline, none of the study parameters were significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Post-intervention, all parameters were lower in Group B compared to Group A (p<0.05).
Compared to haemodialysis alone, hybrid blood purification treatment. I was found to be more effective in removing molecular toxins from haemodialysis patients' blood, reducing serum micro-inflammatory status, and improving their quality of life.
There are thousands of lipid species existing in cells, which belong to eight different categories. Lipids are the essential building blocks of cells. Recent studies have started to unveil the ...important functions of lipids in regulating cell metabolism. However, we are still at a very early stage in fully understanding the physiological and pathological functions of lipids. The application of lipidomics for studying lipid metabolism can provide a direct readout of the cellular status and broadens our understanding of the mechanisms that underpin metabolic disease states. This review provides an introduction to lipid metabolism and its role in modulating homeostasis and immunity. We also describe representative applications of lipidomics for studying lipid metabolism in inflammation-related diseases.
We compared the increases in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on the 1999 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and its risk factors in Tianjin, China, over a 12-year ...period. We also examined the changes in the prevalence using the criteria of International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG).
In 2010-2012, 18589 women who registered within 12 weeks of gestation underwent a glucose challenge test (GCT) at 24-28 gestational weeks. Amongst them, 2953 women with 1-hour plasma glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/L underwent a 75-gram 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 781 women had a positive GCT but absented from the standard OGTT. An adjusted prevalence of GDM was calculated for the whole cohort of women by including an estimate of the proportion of women with positive GCTs who did not have OGTTs but would have been expected to have GDM. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using the IADPSG criteria. The prevalence of GDM risk factors was compared to the 1999 survey.
The adjusted prevalence of GDM by the 1999 WHO criteria was 8.1%, a 3.5-fold increase as in 1999. Using the IADPSG criteria increased the adjusted prevalence further to 9.3%. Advanced age, higher pre-pregnancy body mass index, Han-nationality, higher systolic blood pressure (BP), a family history of diabetes, weight gain during pregnancy and habitual smoking were risk factors for GDM. Compared to the 1999 survey, the prevalence of overweight plus obesity had increased by 1.8 folds, age ≥ 30 years by 2.3 folds, systolic BP by 2.3 mmHg over the 12-year period.
Increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and older age at pregnancy were accompanied by increasing prevalence of GDM, further increased by change in diagnostic criteria.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Li3VO4 has been demonstrated to be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries with a low, safe voltage and large capacity. However, its poor electronic conductivity hinders its practical ...application particularly at a high rate. This work reports that Li3VO4 coated with carbon was synthesized by a one-pot, two-step method with F127 ((PEO)100–(PPO)65–(PEO)100) as both template and carbon source, yielding a microcuboid structure. The resulting Li3VO4/C cuboid shows a stable capacity of 415 mAh g–1 at 0.5 C and excellent capacity stability at high rates (e.g., 92% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 10 C = 4 A g–1). The lithiation/delithiation process of Li3VO4/C was studied by ex situ X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed that Li3VO4/C underwent a reversible intercalation reaction during discharge/charge processes. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed largely to the unique microhollow structure. The voids inside hollow structure can not only provide more space to accommodate volume change during discharge/charge processes but also allow the lithium ions insertion and extraction from both outside and inside the hollow structure with a much larger surface area or more reaction sites and shorten the lithium ions diffusion distance, which leads to smaller overpotential and faster reaction kinetics. Carbon derived from F127 through pyrolysis coats Li3VO4 conformably and thus offers good electrical conduction. The results in this work provide convincing evidence that the significant potential of hollow–cuboid Li3VO4/C for high-power batteries.