Studies have shown that the use of statins could significantly improve lipid profiles; however, it remains controversial whether the use of statins could improve renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of statins on renal function in patients with CKD. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for eligible RCTs from inception to October 2020. Pooled...

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes. Tamsulosin is a selective α1-AR antagonist. α1-AR is expressed widely in kidney tissues and has displayed its various physiological functions. However, whether Tamsulosin has affects DN is unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first time it has been examined whether Tamsulosin possesses a beneficial effect in high glucose-challenged glomerular endothelial cells (GECs). Firstly, we found that Tamsulosin reduced high glucose-induced expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and...

The dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) are linked to progression and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of circRNA protein tyrosine kinase 2 (circPTK2) in CRC progression and chemoresistance is uncertain. The circPTK2, microRNA (miR)-136-5p, m6A ‘reader’ protein YTH domain family protein 1 (YTHDF1), β-catenin and cyclin D1 abundances were examined via quantitative reverse transcription PCR or Western blotting. The progression was investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, transwell and xenograft analysis....

Kiruna-type or IOA deposits are characterized by magnetite-apatite-actinolite associations and may contain considerable amounts of rare earth elements (REEs) that can be exploited as by-products. REEs in the Kiruna-type deposit, heterogeneously distributed, are mainly hosted in phosphates (e.g. apatite). Published data of apatite, together with other evidence, can be used to decipher the source, enrichment mechanism, and post-ore modification of REEs in the Kiruna-type deposits. Sr isotopes and melt inclusions compositions of apatite, together with...

Background and Objectives: Prevalent Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) negatively affected individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using network analyses, this study explored the construct of PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in China to identify similarities and differences in PTSD symptom network connectivity between the general Chinese population and individuals reporting PTSD. Methods: We conducted an online survey recruiting 2858 Chinese adults. PTSD symptoms were measured using the PCL-5 and PTSD was determined according to the...

MicroRNAs are crucial regulators in the phenotype switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Nonetheless, the role of miR-146b-3p in VSMCs remains unclear. In the present study, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) at different concentrations was employed to stimulate VSMCs for different times, to establish the model of VSMC dysfunction. The relative expression of miR-146b-3p was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by BrdU assay. Flow cytometry analysis...

Our previous studies indicated that Yiguanjian decoction (YGJ) has an anti-hepatic-fibrosis effect and could regulate macrophage status. To elucidate the mechanism of YGJ in regulating macrophages. Liver cirrhosis was induced by CCl4 for 12 weeks combined with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for the last 4 weeks in male Wistar rats. YGJ (3.56 mg/kg) orally administered in the last 4 weeks, and SORA (1 mg/kg) as control. In vitro, RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) to induce...

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious diabetes complication. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are novel anti-diabetes drugs that confer clinical renal protection. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were treated with normal glucose, high glucose, and anti-diabetes agents, including SGLT2i (dapagliflozin), metformin, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i, vildagliptin) and microarray analysis was performed. Firstly, a total of 2,710 differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) were identified. Secondly,...

To evaluate the potential risk factors influencing cure rate of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Seventy five patients (25 males and 50 females; mean age, 56.80 ± 12.34; age range, 26–85) with PHPT undergoing MWA under ultrasound guidance were enrolled between May 2017 and December 2020. The cure rate and complications were evaluated after treatment. The potential factors influencing cure rate of ultrasound-guided MWA for PHPT were analyzed by univariate and multivariate...

The number of mobile apps has rapidly increased in recent years, but the distribution of app downloads is uneven. As the first and only visual image of apps before downloading, app icons are vital tools through which app publishers promote their apps. Thus, identifying the elements of app icons that can increase consumers’ download intention is crucial. This research examines how the distribution of the lightness of yellow colour in app icon backgrounds influences consumers’...

The number of mobile apps has rapidly increased in recent years, but the distribution of app downloads is uneven. As the first and only visual image of apps before downloading, app icons are vital tools through which app publishers promote their apps. Thus, identifying the elements of app icons that can increase consumers’ download intention is crucial. This research examines how the distribution of the lightness of yellow colour in app icon backgrounds influences consumers’...

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with increasing spread. Currently SFTS transmission has expanded beyond Asian countries, however, with definitive global extents and risk patterns remained obscure. Here we established an exhaustive database that included globally reported locations of human SFTS cases and the competent vector, Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis), as well as the explanatory environmental variables, based on which, the potential geographic range of H. longicornis and risk areas...

Structural basis of HCoV-19 fusion core and an effective inhibition peptide against virus entry

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells, located in the epithelium of most peripheral tissues, constitute the first-line defense against pathogen infections. Our previous study reported that gastric subserous layer (GSL) vaccination induced a “pool” of protective tissue-resident memory CD4+T (CD4+TRM) cells in the gastric epithelium. However, the mechanistic details how CD4+TRM cells form in the gastric epithelium are unknown. Here, our results suggested that the vaccine containing CCF in combination with Silk fibroin hydrogel (SF) broadened...

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells, located in the epithelium of most peripheral tissues, constitute the first-line defense against pathogen infections. Our previous study reported that gastric subserous layer (GSL) vaccination induced a “pool” of protective tissue-resident memory CD4+T (CD4+TRM) cells in the gastric epithelium. However, the mechanistic details how CD4+TRM cells form in the gastric epithelium are unknown. Here, our results suggested that the vaccine containing CCF in combination with Silk fibroin hydrogel (SF) broadened...

Macroautophagy/autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process, plays an important role in the regulation of immune inflammation and nervous system homeostasis. However, the exact role and mechanism of autophagy in pain is still unclear. Here, we showed that impaired autophagy flux mainly occurred in astrocytes during the maintenance of neuropathic pain. No matter the stage of neuropathic pain induction or maintenance, activation of autophagy relieved the level of pain, whereas inhibition of autophagy aggravated pain. Moreover, the...

Presbycusis is the cumulative effect of aging on hearing. Recent studies have shown that common mitochondrial gene deletions are closely related to deafness caused by degenerative changes in the auditory system, and some of these nuclear factors are proposed to participate in the regulation of mitochondrial function. However, the detailed mechanisms involved in age-related degeneration of the auditory systems have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that FOXG1 plays an important...

Additional file 4. Table S4: The subgroup analyses for patients aged younger than 50 years: univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Additional file 4. Table S4: The subgroup analyses for patients aged younger than 50 years: univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

ABSTRACT Introduction Soccer games are of long duration and more confrontational; in the second half of the game, many players have a decline in their physical level, leading to loss of matches. Objective To explore the effect of weight training on lower limb fitness in soccer players. Methods 60 athletes were included as subjects and randomly divided into control group, weight training group, and traditional physical fitness training group. All athletes trained for 45 minutes...

Additional file1: Fig. S1. OUM1 knockdown impairs UM cell metastasis and proliferation. Fig. S2. GO and pathway function analysis. Fig. S3. Bioinformatics analysis of OUM1 targets. Fig. S4. PTPRZ1 might be a target of OUM1. Fig. S5. Synergistic effect of SOV and OUM1 interference on apoptosis. Fig. S6. In vivo toxicity evaluation. Table S1. Downregulated and Upregulated gene. Table S2. Primers and siRNA used in this study. Table S3. Primers used in RNA-ChIP assay. Details...

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Leymus chinensis biomassproduction under different Stoichiometric ratios in greenhouse experiment.

Abstract Background Fairy rings occur in diverse global biomes; however, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding drivers of fairy rings in grassland ecosystems. Grassland fairy rings are characterized belowground by an expanding mycelial front and aboveground by vigorous vegetation rings that develop concentrically with each growing season. We evaluated fairy ring dynamics in a field study conducted in semiarid grasslands to elucidate above- and belowground interactions driving distinct vegetation patterns. We followed this initial...

Additional file 1: Table S1. Clinical features of thyroid cancer patients.

Additional file 3. The original results of western blot.