Two partial reptile skulls and six dentigerous fragments from the lower Permian Richards Spur locality of Oklahoma represent a new genus and species of small captorhinid reptile. Labidosauriscus richardi gen. et sp. nov. is distinguished from other captorhinids in the reduction of the height of the ridges forming the characteristic net-like, ridge-and-pit cranial sculpturing of captorhinids, and the superimposition of a system of finer pits and furrows over the primary ridge-and-pit cranial ornamentation. Labidosauriscus richardi...

Inflammation or dysbacteriosis-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) adversely influence the embryonic development of respiratory system. However, the precise pathological mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that LPS exposure caused lung maldevelopment in chick embryos, including higher embryo mortality, increased thickness of alveolar gas exchange zone, and accumulation of PAS+ immature pulmonary cells, accompanied with reduced expression of alveolar epithelial cell markers and lamellar body count. Upon LPS exposure, pulmonary cell proliferation was...

We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Cell Cycle, have retracted the following article: Xuehao Li, Xin Zhang, Chunlu Yang, Sui Cui, Qiming Shen and Shun Xu. The lncRNA RHPN1-AS1 downregulation promotes gefitinib resistance by targeting miR-299-3p/TNFSF12 pathway in NSCLC. Cell Cycle. 2018;17(14):1772-1783. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1496745 Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to address the concerns...

In this study, a new network pharmacology approach based on the components absorbed into the blood was utilized to investigate the pharmacodynamic material basis and the pharmacologic mechanism of the Fufang-Xialian-Capsule (FXL) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Initially, we confirmed the components absorbed into the blood by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Then, the network approach, which was based on the results of components absorbed into the blood, was utilized...

Inflammation or dysbacteriosis-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) adversely influence the embryonic development of respiratory system. However, the precise pathological mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that LPS exposure caused lung maldevelopment in chick embryos, including higher embryo mortality, increased thickness of alveolar gas exchange zone, and accumulation of PAS+ immature pulmonary cells, accompanied with reduced expression of alveolar epithelial cell markers and lamellar body count. Upon LPS exposure, pulmonary cell proliferation was...

Herein, the DNA strands containing 5'-(CGA)n and consecutive guanines are used to construct supramolecular DNA nanostructures that are size-controlled by pH values. Additionally, the introduction of thymine linkers within DNA nanostructures is necessary to maintain the stability of long sized nanostructures. This work also demonstrates a method for accurately building DNA nanostructures.

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) gefitinib has exhibited notable clinical efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, its therapeutic efficacy is ultimately limited by the development of gefitinib resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the long non-coding RNA, RHPN1-AS1 on gefitinib resistance in NSCLC and explore the underlying mechanisms. In this study, RHPN1-AS1 was observed to be downregulated in gefitinib resistant patients and NSCLC...

Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is an important opportunistic pathogen. Pyolysin (PLO) importantly contributes to the pathogenicity of T. pyogenes. However, the relationship between the structure and function and the virulence of PLO is not well documented. In the current study, recombinant PLO (rPLO) and three rPLO mutants were prepared. rPLO D238R, a mutant with the 238th aspartic acid replaced with an arginine, showed impairment in oligomerization activity on cholesterol-containing liposome and pore-forming activity on sheep...

Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is an important opportunistic pathogen. Pyolysin (PLO) importantly contributes to the pathogenicity of T. pyogenes. However, the relationship between the structure and function and the virulence of PLO is not well documented. In the current study, recombinant PLO (rPLO) and three rPLO mutants were prepared. rPLO D238R, a mutant with the 238th aspartic acid replaced with an arginine, showed impairment in oligomerization activity on cholesterol-containing liposome and pore-forming activity on sheep...

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were reported to be involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. However, its biological role and underlying mechanism in CRC remained to be elucidated. In this study, the expressions of the macrophage marker CD68 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in CRC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of miR-34a, TGF-β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in CRC tumor tissues and peripheral blood macrophages were measured...

We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Cell Cycle, have retracted the following article: Danhua Zhang, Xinguang Qiu, Jianhua Li, Shouhua Zheng, Liwen Li, and Hongchao Zhao. TGF-β secreted by tumor-associated macrophages promotes proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer via miR-34a-VEGF axis. Cell Cycle. 2018;17(24):2766-2778, doi:10.1080/15384101.2018.1556064. Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to fully address...

Ciliates represent a morphologically and genetically distinct group of single-celled eukaryotes that segregate germline and somatic functions into two types of nuclei and exhibit complex cytogenetic events during the sexual process of conjugation, which is under the control of the so-called “mating type systems”. Studying conjugation in ciliates may provide insight into our understanding of the origins and evolution of sex and fertilization. In the present work, we studied in detail the sexual process of...

Ciliates represent a morphologically and genetically distinct group of single-celled eukaryotes that segregate germline and somatic functions into two types of nuclei and exhibit complex cytogenetic events during the sexual process of conjugation, which is under the control of the so-called “mating type systems”. Studying conjugation in ciliates may provide insight into our understanding of the origins and evolution of sex and fertilization. In the present work, we studied in detail the sexual process of...

Inflammation or dysbacteriosis-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) adversely influence the embryonic development of respiratory system. However, the precise pathological mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that LPS exposure caused lung maldevelopment in chick embryos, including higher embryo mortality, increased thickness of alveolar gas exchange zone, and accumulation of PAS+ immature pulmonary cells, accompanied with reduced expression of alveolar epithelial cell markers and lamellar body count. Upon LPS exposure, pulmonary cell proliferation was...

In this work, 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers were successfully fabricated by electrospinning technique using tween-80 as a solubilizer. Firstly, smooth and continuous nanofibers were collected by using suitable solvent and appropriate spinning conditions. Secondly, nanofiber mats were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and mechanical test. Finally, nanofibrous membranes were evaluated using water contact angle, in vitro drug release, biodegradation test, in vitro and vivo...

The collision between India and Eurasia in the mid‐Palaeogene facilitated terrestrial floristic exchange. However, due to the complexity of this geological event and scarcity of fossil record, the plant migration patterns between the two plates are still highly debated. In this study, we focus on the Oligocene floristic exchange between India and Pan‐Indochina mainly based on a carpological study of Annonaceae, an emblematic family unique in its pantropical distribution and frugivore‐based dispersal strategy. A new...