AIM: To understand which and how different miRNAs are implicated in the process of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. METHODS: We used microarrays to examine the differential expression of miRNAs during in vitro ...AIM: To understand which and how different miRNAs are implicated in the process of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. METHODS: We used microarrays to examine the differential expression of miRNAs during in vitro activation of primary HSCs (pHSCs). The transcriptome changes upon stable transfection of rno-miR-146a into an HSC cell line were studied using cDNA microarrays. Selected differentially regulated miRNAs were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction during in vivo HSC activation. The effect of miRNA mimics and inhibitor on the in vitro activation of pHSCs was also evaluated.RESULTS: We found that 16 miRNAs were upregulated and 26 were downregulated significantly in 10-d in vitro activated pHSCs in comparison to quiescent pHSCs. Overexpression of rno-miR-146a was characterized by marked upregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, which is implicated in the regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α activity. Differences in the regulation of selected miRNAs were observed comparing in vitro and in vivo HSC activation. Treatment with miR-26a and 29a mimics, and miR-214 inhibitor during in vitro activation of pHSCs induced significant downregulation of collagen type Ⅰ transcription. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the different regulation of miRNAs in in vitro and in vivo activated pHSCs. We also showed that miR-26a, 29a and 214 are involved in the regulation of collagen type I mRNA.展开更多
GISAID is a global data science initiative and the primary source of genomic and associated metadata of all influenza viruses,Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV)and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-Co...GISAID is a global data science initiative and the primary source of genomic and associated metadata of all influenza viruses,Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV)and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the pandemic coronavirus causing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).GISAID’s publicly accessible data sharing platform enables collaboration of over 42,000 participating researchers from 198 nations and data generators from over 3,500 institutions across the globe.Since the first wholegenome sequences were made available by China CDC through GISAID on January 10.展开更多
Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerators have at-tracted academic and commercial interest in recent years due to their more compact configuration and higher effi-ciency than those of G-M type pulse tube refrigerators. I...Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerators have at-tracted academic and commercial interest in recent years due to their more compact configuration and higher effi-ciency than those of G-M type pulse tube refrigerators. In order to achieve a no-load cooling temperature below 20 K, a thermally coupled two-stage Stirling-type pulse tube refrig-erator has been built. The thermally coupled arrangement was expected to minimize the interference between the two stages and to simplify the adjustment and optimization of the phase shifters. A no-load cooling temperature of 14.97 K has been realized with the two-stage cooler driven by one linear compressor of 200 W electric input. When the two stages are driven by two compressors respectively, with total electric input of 400 W, the prototype has attained a no-load cooling temperature of 12.96 K, which is the lowest temperature ever reported with two-stage Stirling-type pulse tube refrigera-tors.展开更多
Elevated iron stores as indicated by hyperferritinemiawith normal or mildly elevated transferrin saturation a n d m o s t l y m i l d h e p a t i c i r o n d e p o s i t i o n a r e a characteristic finding in subject...Elevated iron stores as indicated by hyperferritinemiawith normal or mildly elevated transferrin saturation a n d m o s t l y m i l d h e p a t i c i r o n d e p o s i t i o n a r e a characteristic finding in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Excess iron is observed in approximately one third of NAFLD patients and is commonly referred to as the "dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome". Clinical evidence suggests that elevated body iron stores aggravate the clinical course of NAFLD with regard to liver-related and extrahepatic disease complications which relates to the fact that excess iron catalyses the formation of toxic hydroxylradicals subsequently resulting in cellular damage. Iron removal improves insulin sensitivity, delays the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, improves pathologic liver function tests and likewise ameliorates NAFLD histology. Several mechanisms contribute to pathologic iron accumulation in NAFLD. These include impaired iron export from hepatocytes and mesenchymal Kupffer cells as a consequence of imbalances in the concentrations of iron regulatory factors, such as hepcidin, cytokines, copper or other dietary factors. This review summarizes the knowledge about iron homeostasis in NAFLD and the rationale for its therapeutic implications.展开更多
The complexity of the brain has attracted scientists from all over the world.Much effort has been paid to explore the mechanisms from genetics to molecules,from cells to circuits,and from Caenorhabditis elegans to hum...The complexity of the brain has attracted scientists from all over the world.Much effort has been paid to explore the mechanisms from genetics to molecules,from cells to circuits,and from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans.Brain research contributes to the development of new technologies,especially artificial intelligence(AI).According to the International Data Corporation,the global revenue of the AI market is expected to exceed$500 billion by 2023 and$900 billion by 2026,highlighting the great importance of brain research for social progress.展开更多
Classical Correlations were founded in 1900 by Karl Pearson and have since been applied as a statistical tool in virtually all sciences. Quantum correlations go back to Albert Einstein et al. in 1935 and Erwin Schr...Classical Correlations were founded in 1900 by Karl Pearson and have since been applied as a statistical tool in virtually all sciences. Quantum correlations go back to Albert Einstein et al. in 1935 and Erwin Schrödinger’s responses shortly after. In this paper, we contrast classical with quantum correlations. We find that classical correlations are weaker than quantum correlations in the CHSH framework. With respect to correlation matrices, the trace of classical correlation matrices is dissimilar to quantum density matrices. However, the off-diagonal terms have equivalent interpretations. We contrast classical dynamic (i.e., time evolving) stochastic correlation with dynamic quantum density matrices and find that the off-diagonal elements, while different in nature, have similar interpretations. So far, due to the laws of quantum physics, no classical correlations are applied to the quantum spectrum. However, conversely, quantum correlations are applied in classical environments such as quantum computing, cryptography, metrology, teleportation, medical imaging, laser technology, the quantum Internet and more.展开更多
中国香港位于热带北缘,其植被在历史上曾遭到大规模破坏,近几十年来逐渐恢复。香港植物标本采集有很长的历史,迄今为止已记录的维管植物超过2 170种,然而新种和新分布仍在不断增加。在最近的野外工作中,作者发现10种在香港新记录到的维...中国香港位于热带北缘,其植被在历史上曾遭到大规模破坏,近几十年来逐渐恢复。香港植物标本采集有很长的历史,迄今为止已记录的维管植物超过2 170种,然而新种和新分布仍在不断增加。在最近的野外工作中,作者发现10种在香港新记录到的维管植物,分别是唇边书带蕨[Haplopteris elongata (Swartz) E. H.Crane]、雷公连[Amydrium sinense (Engl.) H. Li]、百足藤[Pothos repens (Lour.) Druce]、四川轮环藤(Cycleasutchuenensis Gagnep.)、山黑豆(Dumasia truncata Siebold&Zucc.)、倒心叶珊瑚[Aucuba obcordata (Rehder) Fu ex W. K. Hu et Soong]、竹叶榕(Ficus stenophylla Hemsl.)、长叶冠毛榕[F. gasparriniana var. esquirolii (H. Lév.&Vaniot) Corner]、硬叶冬青(Ilex ficifolia C. J. Tseng ex S. K. Chen et Y. X. Feng)、假福王草[Paraprenanthes sororia(Miq.) C. Shih.]。雷公连属(Amydrium Schott)、山黑豆属(Dumasia DC.)和假福王草属(Paraprenanthes C. C.Chang ex C. Shih)为香港的新记录属。以上的发现不仅丰富了香港的植物区系,而且表明保护残存植被非常重要,且极小种群的保护也值得特别关注。展开更多
Atrial fibrillation （AF） in the elderly occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular aging and an age related increase of comorbidity. Several predisposing factors for AF have been identified for the overall AF populat...Atrial fibrillation （AF） in the elderly occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular aging and an age related increase of comorbidity. Several predisposing factors for AF have been identified for the overall AF population. Most of them, cardiovascular disease in particular, play a role in younger and older patients. The longer time period during which these risk factors can cause structural changes that ultimately lead to AF may, at least in part, explain the association between age and AF. In addition, less well defined age-related changes in cellular electrophysi- ologic properties and structure predispose to AF in the elderly.展开更多
Oral cancer (OC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer. Despite the high incidence and unfavourable patient outcomes, currently, there are no biomarkers for the early detection of OC. This study aims to disc...Oral cancer (OC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer. Despite the high incidence and unfavourable patient outcomes, currently, there are no biomarkers for the early detection of OC. This study aims to discover, develop, and validate a novel saliva-based microRNA signature for early diagnosis and prediction of OC risk in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD).The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) miRNA sequencing data and small RNA sequencing data of saliva samples were used to discover differentially expressed miRNAs. Identified miRNAs were validated in saliva samples of OC (n=50), OPMD (n=52), and controls(n=60) using quantitative real-time PCR. Eight differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-215-5p,miR-431-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-3614-5p, and miR-4707-3p) were identified in the discovery phase and were validated. The efficiency of our eight-miRNA signature to discriminate OC and controls was:area under curve (AUC):0.954, sensitivity:86%, specificity:90%,positive predictive value (PPV):87.8%and negative predictive value (NPV):88.5%whereas between OC and OPMD was:AUC:0.911,sensitivity:90%, specificity:82.7%, PPV:74.2%and NPV:89.6%. We have developed a risk probability score to predict the presence or risk of OC in OPMD patients. We established a salivary miRNA signature that can aid in diagnosing and predicting OC,revolutionising the management of patients with OPMD. Together, our results shed new light on the management of OC by salivary miRNAs to the clinical utility of using miRNAs derived from saliva samples.展开更多
基金Supported by Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore)
文摘AIM: To understand which and how different miRNAs are implicated in the process of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. METHODS: We used microarrays to examine the differential expression of miRNAs during in vitro activation of primary HSCs (pHSCs). The transcriptome changes upon stable transfection of rno-miR-146a into an HSC cell line were studied using cDNA microarrays. Selected differentially regulated miRNAs were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction during in vivo HSC activation. The effect of miRNA mimics and inhibitor on the in vitro activation of pHSCs was also evaluated.RESULTS: We found that 16 miRNAs were upregulated and 26 were downregulated significantly in 10-d in vitro activated pHSCs in comparison to quiescent pHSCs. Overexpression of rno-miR-146a was characterized by marked upregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, which is implicated in the regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α activity. Differences in the regulation of selected miRNAs were observed comparing in vitro and in vivo HSC activation. Treatment with miR-26a and 29a mimics, and miR-214 inhibitor during in vitro activation of pHSCs induced significant downregulation of collagen type Ⅰ transcription. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the different regulation of miRNAs in in vitro and in vivo activated pHSCs. We also showed that miR-26a, 29a and 214 are involved in the regulation of collagen type I mRNA.
文摘GISAID is a global data science initiative and the primary source of genomic and associated metadata of all influenza viruses,Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV)and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),the pandemic coronavirus causing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).GISAID’s publicly accessible data sharing platform enables collaboration of over 42,000 participating researchers from 198 nations and data generators from over 3,500 institutions across the globe.Since the first wholegenome sequences were made available by China CDC through GISAID on January 10.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.50376055)DAAD of Germany.
文摘Stirling-type pulse tube refrigerators have at-tracted academic and commercial interest in recent years due to their more compact configuration and higher effi-ciency than those of G-M type pulse tube refrigerators. In order to achieve a no-load cooling temperature below 20 K, a thermally coupled two-stage Stirling-type pulse tube refrig-erator has been built. The thermally coupled arrangement was expected to minimize the interference between the two stages and to simplify the adjustment and optimization of the phase shifters. A no-load cooling temperature of 14.97 K has been realized with the two-stage cooler driven by one linear compressor of 200 W electric input. When the two stages are driven by two compressors respectively, with total electric input of 400 W, the prototype has attained a no-load cooling temperature of 12.96 K, which is the lowest temperature ever reported with two-stage Stirling-type pulse tube refrigera-tors.
基金Supported by PMU-Forschungsforderungsfonds,No.E-13/17/086-AIGthe Austrian Research Funds,FWF to Weiss G,Project TRP-188SPAR Austria to Christian Datz is gratefully acknowledged
文摘Elevated iron stores as indicated by hyperferritinemiawith normal or mildly elevated transferrin saturation a n d m o s t l y m i l d h e p a t i c i r o n d e p o s i t i o n a r e a characteristic finding in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Excess iron is observed in approximately one third of NAFLD patients and is commonly referred to as the "dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome". Clinical evidence suggests that elevated body iron stores aggravate the clinical course of NAFLD with regard to liver-related and extrahepatic disease complications which relates to the fact that excess iron catalyses the formation of toxic hydroxylradicals subsequently resulting in cellular damage. Iron removal improves insulin sensitivity, delays the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, improves pathologic liver function tests and likewise ameliorates NAFLD histology. Several mechanisms contribute to pathologic iron accumulation in NAFLD. These include impaired iron export from hepatocytes and mesenchymal Kupffer cells as a consequence of imbalances in the concentrations of iron regulatory factors, such as hepcidin, cytokines, copper or other dietary factors. This review summarizes the knowledge about iron homeostasis in NAFLD and the rationale for its therapeutic implications.
基金supported by the National Programs for Brain Science and Brain-like Intelligence Technology of China(2021ZD0200800).
文摘The complexity of the brain has attracted scientists from all over the world.Much effort has been paid to explore the mechanisms from genetics to molecules,from cells to circuits,and from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans.Brain research contributes to the development of new technologies,especially artificial intelligence(AI).According to the International Data Corporation,the global revenue of the AI market is expected to exceed$500 billion by 2023 and$900 billion by 2026,highlighting the great importance of brain research for social progress.
文摘Classical Correlations were founded in 1900 by Karl Pearson and have since been applied as a statistical tool in virtually all sciences. Quantum correlations go back to Albert Einstein et al. in 1935 and Erwin Schrödinger’s responses shortly after. In this paper, we contrast classical with quantum correlations. We find that classical correlations are weaker than quantum correlations in the CHSH framework. With respect to correlation matrices, the trace of classical correlation matrices is dissimilar to quantum density matrices. However, the off-diagonal terms have equivalent interpretations. We contrast classical dynamic (i.e., time evolving) stochastic correlation with dynamic quantum density matrices and find that the off-diagonal elements, while different in nature, have similar interpretations. So far, due to the laws of quantum physics, no classical correlations are applied to the quantum spectrum. However, conversely, quantum correlations are applied in classical environments such as quantum computing, cryptography, metrology, teleportation, medical imaging, laser technology, the quantum Internet and more.
文摘中国香港位于热带北缘,其植被在历史上曾遭到大规模破坏,近几十年来逐渐恢复。香港植物标本采集有很长的历史,迄今为止已记录的维管植物超过2 170种,然而新种和新分布仍在不断增加。在最近的野外工作中,作者发现10种在香港新记录到的维管植物,分别是唇边书带蕨[Haplopteris elongata (Swartz) E. H.Crane]、雷公连[Amydrium sinense (Engl.) H. Li]、百足藤[Pothos repens (Lour.) Druce]、四川轮环藤(Cycleasutchuenensis Gagnep.)、山黑豆(Dumasia truncata Siebold&Zucc.)、倒心叶珊瑚[Aucuba obcordata (Rehder) Fu ex W. K. Hu et Soong]、竹叶榕(Ficus stenophylla Hemsl.)、长叶冠毛榕[F. gasparriniana var. esquirolii (H. Lév.&Vaniot) Corner]、硬叶冬青(Ilex ficifolia C. J. Tseng ex S. K. Chen et Y. X. Feng)、假福王草[Paraprenanthes sororia(Miq.) C. Shih.]。雷公连属(Amydrium Schott)、山黑豆属(Dumasia DC.)和假福王草属(Paraprenanthes C. C.Chang ex C. Shih)为香港的新记录属。以上的发现不仅丰富了香港的植物区系,而且表明保护残存植被非常重要,且极小种群的保护也值得特别关注。
文摘Atrial fibrillation （AF） in the elderly occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular aging and an age related increase of comorbidity. Several predisposing factors for AF have been identified for the overall AF population. Most of them, cardiovascular disease in particular, play a role in younger and older patients. The longer time period during which these risk factors can cause structural changes that ultimately lead to AF may, at least in part, explain the association between age and AF. In addition, less well defined age-related changes in cellular electrophysi- ologic properties and structure predispose to AF in the elderly.
基金supported by a joint GUIPRS/AHEAD Scholarship and GU Postgraduate Research Scholarshipcurrently receiving funds from Cancer Australia (APP1145657)+2 种基金the National Health and Medical Research Council (APP 2002576 and APP 2012560)the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams FoundationNIH R21 and the RBWH Foundation。
文摘Oral cancer (OC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer. Despite the high incidence and unfavourable patient outcomes, currently, there are no biomarkers for the early detection of OC. This study aims to discover, develop, and validate a novel saliva-based microRNA signature for early diagnosis and prediction of OC risk in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD).The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) miRNA sequencing data and small RNA sequencing data of saliva samples were used to discover differentially expressed miRNAs. Identified miRNAs were validated in saliva samples of OC (n=50), OPMD (n=52), and controls(n=60) using quantitative real-time PCR. Eight differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-215-5p,miR-431-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-3614-5p, and miR-4707-3p) were identified in the discovery phase and were validated. The efficiency of our eight-miRNA signature to discriminate OC and controls was:area under curve (AUC):0.954, sensitivity:86%, specificity:90%,positive predictive value (PPV):87.8%and negative predictive value (NPV):88.5%whereas between OC and OPMD was:AUC:0.911,sensitivity:90%, specificity:82.7%, PPV:74.2%and NPV:89.6%. We have developed a risk probability score to predict the presence or risk of OC in OPMD patients. We established a salivary miRNA signature that can aid in diagnosing and predicting OC,revolutionising the management of patients with OPMD. Together, our results shed new light on the management of OC by salivary miRNAs to the clinical utility of using miRNAs derived from saliva samples.
