An overview of Sun–Sky Radiometer Observation Network (SONET) measurements in China is presented. Based on observations at 16 distributed SONET sites in China, atmospheric aerosol parameters are ...acquired via standardization processes of operational measurement, maintenance, calibration, inversion, and quality control implemented since 2010. A climatology study is performed focusing on total columnar atmospheric aerosol characteristics, including optical (aerosol optical depth, ÅngstrÖm exponent, fine-mode fraction, single-scattering albedo), physical (volume particle size distribution), chemical composition (black carbon; brown carbon; fine-mode scattering component, coarse-mode component; and aerosol water), and radiative properties (aerosol radiative forcing and efficiency). Data analyses show that aerosol optical depth is low in the west but high in the east of China. Aerosol composition also shows significant spatial and temporal variations, leading to noticeable diversities in optical and physical property patterns. In west and north China, aerosols are generally affected by dust particles, while monsoon climate and human activities impose remarkable influences on aerosols in east and south China. Aerosols in China exhibit strong light-scattering capability and result in significant radiative cooling effects.
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Background Abelmoschus manihot , a single medicament of traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat kidney disease. This is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to assess ...its efficacy and safety in patients with primary glomerular disease. Study Design Prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Setting & Participants From May 2010 to October 2011, a total of 417 patients with biopsy-proven primary glomerular disease from 26 hospitals participated in the study. Interventions A manihot in the form of a huangkui capsule, 2.5 g, 3 times per day; losartan potassium, 50 mg/d; or combined treatment, a huangkui capsule at 2.5 g 3 times per day, was combined with losartan potassium, 50 mg/d. The duration of intervention was 24 weeks. Outcomes & Measurements The primary outcome was change in 24-hour proteinuria from baseline after treatment. Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline after treatment was a secondary outcome. The 24-hour proteinuria was measured every 4 weeks and eGFR was measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Results Mean baseline urine protein excretion was 1,045, 1,084, and 1,073 mg/d in the A manihot , losartan, and combined groups, respectively, and mean eGFR was 108, 106, and 106 mL/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. After 24 weeks of treatment, mean changes in proteinuria were protein excretion of −508, −376, and −545 mg/d, respectively ( P = 0.003 for A manihot vs losartan and P < 0.001 for the combined treatment vs losartan). Mean eGFR did not change significantly. The incidence of adverse reactions was not different among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05), and there were no severe adverse events in any group. Limitations Results cannot be generalized to those with nephrotic syndrome or reduced eGFR. Conclusions A manihot is a promising therapy for patients with primary kidney disease (chronic kidney disease stages 1-2) with moderate proteinuria.
Endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages engage in tight and specific interactions that play critical roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Extracellular ...vesicles (EVs) are circular membrane fragments released from the endosomal compartment as exosomes or shed from the surfaces of the membranes of most cell types. Increasing evidence indicates that EVs play a pivotal role in cell‐to‐cell communication. However, the contribution of EVs, as determine by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL)‐exposed and/or Kruppel‐like factor 2 (KLF2)‐transduced ECs in the interaction between vascular ECs and monocytes/macrophages, which is a key event in atherosclerotic plaque development, has remained elusive. This study demonstrates the characteristic impact of EVs from ox‐LDL‐treated and/or KLF2‐transduced ECs on the monocyte/macrophage phenotype in vitro and in vivo.Q‐PCR showed that both the atherosclerosis inducer ox‐LDL and atheroprotective factor KLF2 regulated inflammation‐associated microRNA‐155 (miR‐155) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, coculture, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that miR‐155 was enriched in ox‐LDL‐induced ECs‐EVs and subsequently transferred to human monocytic THP1 cells, in which these vesicles enhance monocyte activation by shifting the monocytes/macrophages balance from anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages towards proinflammatory M1 macrophages; EVs from KLF2‐expressing ECs suppressed monocyte activation by enhancing immunomodulatory responses and diminishing proinflammatory responses, which indicate the potent anti‐inflammatory activities of these cells. Furthermore, oil red staining showed that atherosclerotic lesions were reduced in mice that received EVs from KLF2‐transduced ECs with decreased proinflammatory M1 macrophages and increased anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages, and this effect is at least partly due to the decreased expression of inflammation‐associated miR‐155, confirming our in vitro findings. In summary, this study provides novel insights into the pathophysiological effects of altered EV secretion and/or microRNA content and their influence on modulating monocyte activation depending on the environment surrounding EVs‐releasing ECs.
A 56‐day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary glutamate (Glu) supplementation on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal antioxidant capacity of ...grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). A total of 540 grass carp with average initial weight of 370 ± 3.8 g were fed three diets supplemented with 0, 8 and 16 g kg⁻¹ Glu. The per cent weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein and lipid productive value were significantly improved by dietary Glu supplementation. Feed intake, condition factor, visceral somatic index and perivisceral fat ratio were not significantly different between dietary groups. Hepatosomatic index, intestinal somatic index, intestine length index, intestine protein content, trypsin activity in hepatopancreas and intestine, lipase activity in proximal and mid‐intestine (MI) and hepatopancreas, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase activities in intestine, creatine kinase activities in the mid‐ and distal intestine, intestinal folds height in the proximal and MI were significantly increased with increased Glu. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents in the intestine decreased with increased Glu. Superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability, glutathione reducase, catalase and total superoxide dismutase activities, and glutathione content in the intestine were increased with increased Glu. These results suggested that dietary Glu supplementation increased intestinal antioxidant capacity, digestive and absorptive ability and improved fish growth.
Because of its ultrasensitivity, fluorescence offers a noninvasive means to investigate biomolecular mechanisms, pathways, and regulations in living cells, tissues, and animals. However, real-world ...applications of fluorescence technologies encounter many practical challenges. For example, the intrinsic heterogeneity of biological samples always generates optical interferences. High background such as autofluorescence can often obscure the desired signals. Finally, the wave properties of light limit the spatial resolution of optical microscopy. The key to solving these problems involves using chemical structures that can modulate the fluorescence output. Photoswitchable fluorescent molecules that alternate their emissions between two colors or between bright-and-dark states in response to external light stimulation form the core of these technologies. For example, molecular fluorescence modulation can switch fluorophores on and off. This feature supports super-resolution, which enhances resolution by an order of magnitude greater than the longstanding diffraction-limit barrier. The reversible modulation of such probes at a particular frequency significantly amplifies the frequency-bearing target signal while suppressing interferences and autofluorescence. In this Account, we outline the fundamental connection between constant excitation and oscillating fluorescence. To create molecules that will convert a constant excitation into oscillating emission, we have synthesized photoswitchable probes and demonstrated them as proofs of concept in super-resolution imaging and frequency-domain imaging. First, we introduce the design of molecules that can convert constant excitation into oscillating emission, the key step in fluorescence modulation. Then we discuss various technologies that use fluorescence modulation: super-resolution imaging, dual-color imaging, phase-sensitive lock-in detection, and frequency-domain imaging. Finally, we present two biological applications to demonstrate the power of photoswitching-enabled fluorescence imaging. Because synthetic photoswitchable probes can be much smaller, more versatile, and more efficient at high-performance modulation experiments, they provide a complement to photoswitchable fluorescent proteins. Although new challenges remain, we foresee a bright future for photoswitching-enabled imaging and detection.
A good screening test: not just high sensitivity Lei, T.‐Y.; Li, Y.‐Y.; Li, D.‐Z.
Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology,
June 2023, 2023-06-00, 20230601, Letnik:
61, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
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A regulator of the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), α4, has been implicated in a variety of functions that regulate many cellular processes. To explore the role of α4 in human cell transformation and ...tumorigenesis, we show that α4 is highly expressed in human cells transformed by chemical carcinogens including benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B(1), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, nickel sulfate and in several hepatic and lung cancer cell lines. In addition, overexpression of α4 was detected in 87.5% (74/80) of primary hepatocellular carcinomas, 84.0% (21/25) of primary lung cancers and 81.8% (9/11) of primary breast cancers, indicating that α4 is ubiquitously highly expressed in human cancer. Functional studies revealed that elevated α4 expression results in an increase in cell proliferation, promotion of cell survival and decreased PP2A-attributable activity. Importantly, ectopic expression of α4 permits non-transformed human embryonic kidney cells (HEKTER) and L02R cells to form tumors in immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, we show that the highly expressed α4 in transformed cells or human tumors is not regulated by DNA hypomethylation. A microRNA, miR-34b, that suppresses the expression of α4 through specific binding to the 3'-untranslated region of α4 is downregulated in transformed or human lung tumors. Taken together, these observations identify that α4 possesses an oncogenic function. Reduction of PP2A activity due to an enhanced α4-PP2A interaction contributes directly to chemical carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis.
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