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Elliptic cylindrical silicon nanowire hybrid surface area plasmon polariton waveguide.
Conclusions Our investigation highlighted how optimization and standardization of experimental procedures for α-syn SAAs is of utmost relevance for the ultimate goal of applying these assays in clinical routine. Although these aspects have been evaluated with specific SAA protocols, most of the experimental variables considered influenced very general aggregation mechanisms of α-syn, thus making most of the results obtained from our analyses extendable to other protocols.Background The real impact of genetic factors on personality is still unknown, even if in literature about 50% of variance in personality traits are considered genetically determined. The determination of the genetic variance in personality traits could promote psychological well-being and the prevention of psychopathologies, because there are many experimental evidences showing that mental illness is associated to personality. Numerous studies have showed that Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) are genes whose variants are associated with personality traits. This aim of this study is the investigation of the association between personality traits and 5-HTTLPR/rs255315-HTT promoter variant, COMT Val158Met and BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphisms. Methods The sample was composed by 132 healthy female students. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal swab, while personality was assessed with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Linear discriminant analysis was used to analyze how personality characteristics can differentiate individuals in relation to their genetic polymorphisms. Results Data showed that the temperament trait Reward Dependence discriminated individuals with different BDNF variants; Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance discriminated individuals with different 5HTTLPR variants; Persistence discriminated individuals with different COMT variants. Conclusions Since these traits are connected to psychological diseases as depression, social anxiety, anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorders of personality, the study of their genetic component can be used as intermediary issue to better define the connection between genes and predisposition toward maladaptive behavior and mental illness.Background Aldosterone is an important hormone in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and playing a pivotal role in the development of hypertension, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases. Material and method In this study, the role of the aldosterone in vascular calcification was underwent in rat model compared with other drugs. Vascular calcification, calcium concentration, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aldosterone, Urotensin II, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and Osteopontin (OPN) were detected or confirmed by the von Kossa staining, colorimetric assays, immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay, separately. Result Results revealed that the aldosterone was significantly increased compared calcification + aldosterone group with calcification group, whereas it was notably decreased in calcification + Spironolactone group in the aortic wall. Compared with control group and aldosterone group, calcium content in vascular tissues was increased in calcification group and calcification + aldosterone group. As the immunoreactivity of the MR, OPN, Urotensin II, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and deposition of collagen in calcification group and aldosterone group, they all were increased slightly, but were significantly increased in calcification + aldosterone group. Conclusion It is implied that aldosterone may be involved in the development of vascular calcification, however, the mechanism needs to be further studied.Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with progressive neuronal damage and dysfunction. Oxidative stress helps to regulate neurodegenerative and neuronal dysfunction. Natural compounds could attenuate oxidative stress in a variety of neurological disorders. B. juncea is a rich source of antioxidants. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of B. juncea leaves for the treatment of PD by applying behavioral, in vivo and in silico studies. For in vivo studies rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). Group-I served as normal control (vehicle control). Group-II was disease control (haloperidol 1 mg/kg). Group-III was kept as a standard group (L-Dopa 100 mg/kg + carbidopa 25 mg/kg). Groups (IV-VI) were the treatment groups, receiving extract at 200-, 400- and 600 mg/kg doses respectively, for 21 days orally. Results In vivo study results showed that the extract was found to improve muscles strength, motor coordination, and balance in PD. These behavioral outcomes were consistent with the recovery of endogenous antioxidant defence in biochemical analysis which was further corroborated with histopathological ameliorations. Dopamine levels increased and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) levels decreased dose-dependently in the brain during the study. Herein, we performed molecular docking analysis of the proposed extracted phytochemicals has explained that four putative phytochemicals (sinapic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) have presented very good results in terms of protein-ligand binding interactions as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion & toxicity (ADMET) profile estimations. Conclusion The undertaken study concluded the anti-Parkinson activity of B. juncea and further suggests developments on its isolated compounds in PD therapeutics.Purpose The purpose of our present study was to, for the first time, identify key genes associated with postpartum depression (PPD) and discovery the potential molecular mechanisms of this condition. Methods First, microarray expression profiles GSE45603 dataset were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify the top three modules from differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, cross-validated differential gene expression analysis of the top three modules and DEGs was used to identify the hub genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to identify the potential functions of the hub genes. We conducted a Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve to verify the diagnostic efficiencies of the hub genes. Lastly, GSE44132 dataset was used to search the association between the methylation profiles of the hub genes and susceptibility to PPD. Results were identified in the GSE44132. Conclusion Using WGCNA analysis of GEO data, our present study, for the first time, may contribute to elucidate the pathophysiology of PPD and provide potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for postpartum depression.Aim This study aimed to determine the effect of mechanical ventilation (MV) on the differentiation and proliferation of diaphragm satellite cells. Methods Diaphragm satellite cells were isolated from C57 mice receiving 6 h of MV with optimized magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) approach. The cells were stained with BrdU or antibody for differentiation marker MYH3. The expression of MyoD and myogenin was detected by real-time PCR. Results Diaphragm satellite cells were successfully isolated from mice by using MACS with a set of optimized parameters. About 1.5 × 105 cells could be harvested from a diaphragm. Upon MV, the proliferation rate of diaphragm satellite cells was decreased from 88.74% to 81.92%, while the differentiation rate was increased from 17.94% to 27.58%, compared to controls. selleck kinase inhibitor Moreover, the expression of MyoD and myogenin were significantly upregulated upon MV. Conclusions We established a practical method to purify diaphragm satellite cells, and demonstrated that MV regulated the differentiation and proliferation of diaphragm satellite cells.Introduction Tadpole tail develops from the tailbud, an apparently homogenous mass of cells at the posterior of the embryo. While much progress has been made in understanding the origin and the induction of the tailbud, the subsequent outgrowth and differentiation have received much less attention, particularly with regard to global gene expression changes. Methods By using RNA-seq with SMRT and further analyses, we report the transcriptome profiles at four key stages of tail development, from a small tailbud to the onset of feeding (S18, S19, S21 and S28) in Microhyla fissipes, an anuran with a number of advantages for developmental and genetic studies. Results We obtained 48,826 transcripts and discovered 8807 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs, q less then 0.05) among these four developmental stages. We functionally classified these DETs by using GO and KEGG analyses and revealed 110 significantly enriched GO categories and 6 highly enriched KEGG pathways (Protein digestion and absorption; ECM-reation. Conclusion The present staudy provides a golbal overview of gene expression patterns and new insights into the mechanism involved in anuran tail development and regeneration.Background Plants have evolved the dual capacity for maximizing light assimilation through stem growth (phototropism) and maximizing water and nutrient absorption through root growth (gravitropism). Previous studies have revealed the physiological and molecular mechanisms of these two processes, but the genetic basis for how gravitropism and phototropism interact and coordinate with one another to determine plant growth remains poorly understood. Methods We designed a seed germination experiment using a full-sib F1 family of Populus euphratica to simultaneously monitor the gravitropic growth of the radicle and the phototropic growth of the plumule throughout seedling ontogeny. We implemented three functional mapping models to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that regulate gravitropic and phototropic growth. Univariate functional mapping dissected each growth trait separately, bivariate functional mapping mapped two growth traits simultaneously, and composite functional mapping mapped the sum of gravitropic and phototropic growth as a main axis. Results Bivariate model detected 8 QTLs for gravitropism and phototropism (QWRF, GLUR, F-box, PCFS4, UBQ, TAF12, BHLH95, TMN8), composite model detected 7 QTLs for growth of main axis (ATL8, NEFH, PCFS4, UBQ, SOT16, MOR1, PCMP-H), of which, PCFS4 and UBQ were pleiotropically detected with the both model. Many of these QTLs are situated within the genomic regions of candidate genes. Conclusions The results from our models provide new insight into the mechanisms of genetic control of gravitropism and phototropism in a desert tree, and will stimulate our understanding of the relationships between gravity and light signal transduction pathways and tree adaptation to arid soil.Background The multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has become one of the most important pathogens of nosocomial infection due to widespread use of broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs and immunosuppressor therapy. As polymyxins resistance emerges, developing novel effective antibacterial agents capable of overcoming multidrug resistance is urgently needed. Methods In this study, biodegradable triblock copolymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG), guanidinium-functionalized polycarbonate and polylactide, PEG-PGC20-PLLA20 (L2) and PEG-PGC20-PDLA20 (D2), were utilized as antibacterial agents. Results The copolymers self-assemble into micellar nanoparticles (L/D2), and exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against 20 clinically isolated multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains. L/D2 had more rapid killing kinetics than conventional antibiotics imipenem and ceftazidime, and exhibited potent anti-biofilm activity. Repeated use of L/D2 did not induce drug resistance. From scanning electron microscopy and nucleic acid release analyses, L/D2 showed membrane-lytic mechanism.
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