17ß-estradiol Inhibits Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Endometrial Cancer Cells by Promoting FOXM1 Expression.

The steroid hormone 17ß-estradiol (E2) has a significant impact on the development and progression of tumors. E2 stimulates tumor cell growth and metabolism, leading to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the rise in ROS levels is not sufficient to cause severe harm to cancer cells. and the mechanisms that regulate ROS are not well understood. Since FOXM1 plays a crucial role in the production of ROS, we aimed to investigate the impact of E2 on oxidative stress and the involvement of FOXM1 in the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell line. Our research revealed that E2 controls the levels of ROS inside cells and safeguards them from apoptosis by promoting the expression of FOXM1. We observed a decrease in the expression of FOXM1 alongside an increase in oxidative damage. Moreover, cells demonstrated elevated levels of FOXM1 and ERα upon E2 treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that E2 prevents apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in endometrial cancer cells by encouraging the expression of FOXM1, potentially affecting ERα.

Efficiency Enhancing Technique for Rod Fiber Picosecond Amplifiers with Optimal Mode Field Matching.

A high power and high quality picosecond laser is crucial in MEMS fabrication regarding micromachines. Optimal seed beam coupling is an important precondition to enhance laser efficiency. However, empirical coupling limits its development. In this paper, the physical parameters related to coupling are determined. The relationships among them are established under optical mode matching constraints to satisfy optimal seed beam coupling. According to a theoretical analysis, the focal length cut-off and the optimal coupling position of the coupling lens are acquired. A maximum transmittance of 87.2% is acquired with a 6 W input seed power in the validation experiment. In further power amplification experiments, a diffraction-limited beam quality is achieved, with M2X = 1.111, M2Y = 1.017, an optical efficiency of 60.5% and a slope efficiency of 66%, benefiting from the previous theoretical guidance.

Dysregulation of Serum miR-138-5p and Its Clinical Significance in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) occurs with the involvement of differential expression of microRNAs. The study detected the expression pattern of miR-138-5p in the serum of ACI cases and evaluated its clinical significance, in an attempt to provide some guidance for the treatment and daily nursing of patients with ACI clinically. METHODS: Levels of miR-138-5p in the serum of ACI patients and healthy controls (HCs) were detected via qRT-PCR. Ninety days after treatment, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the prognosis of ACI patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the curve was calculated. The logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the relationship between various indicators and the clinical outcome. RESULTS: miR-138-5p showed a diminished trend in ACI cases compared with the control group. A significantly negative correlation was detected for serum miR-138-5p with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score in all ACI cases (r = -0.704, p < 0.001). The ROC curve demonstrated the diagnostic potential of serum miR-138-5p to distinguish ACI from HCs. Lessened expression of miR-138-5p was detected in ACI patients with poor prognosis, which can predict the poor prognosis of ACI patients after treatment. Logistic regression analysis determined the independent influence relationship between miR-138-5p and poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Diminished miR-138-5p is identified to be a risk factor for the occurrence of ACI, and it is associated with the worse outcome of the patients.

Effects of Parental Involvement in a Preschool-Based Eye Health Intervention Regarding Children's Screen Use in China.

In this digital era, young children spend a considerable amount of time looking at telephone, tablet, computer and television screens. However, preventative eye health behavior education could help avoid and relieve asthenopia. The effects of parental influence on their children's eye health behavior through the preschool eye health education intervention program were examined. The Health Belief Model was used to develop parental involvement strategy and eye health curriculum. The study was conducted in a large public preschool with five branches in Beijing, China. A total of 248 parent-child pairs participated in the baseline and follow-up surveys, of which 129 were in the intervention group and 119 were in the comparison group. The generalized estimating equation analysis results indicated that parental involvement in preschool-based eye health intervention on screen uses had positive influence on parents' eye health knowledge, cues to action, and parenting efficacy. The intervention program also had positive effects on the increasing level of children's eye health knowledge, beliefs, cues to action, self-efficacy, and behaviors. The results supported the implementation of a preschool-based eye health intervention program with parental involvement, which could potentially enhance children's and parents' eye health beliefs and practices.

Pantoea endophytica sp. nov., novel endophytic bacteria isolated from maize planting in different geographic regions of northern China.

Four endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from root, stem and leaf of maize planted in different regions of northern China. The four strains possessed almost identical 16S rRNA gene sequences. However, REP-PCR fingerprint patterns discriminated that they were not from one clonal origin. Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values among them were higher than 95%, suggesting they all belong to one species. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, the four strains were clustered together with Pantoea rodasii LMG 26273T and Pantoea rwandensis LMG 26275T, but on a separate branch. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) indicated that the four strains form a novel Pantoea species. Authenticity of the novel species was confirmed by ANI comparisons between strain 596T and its closest relatives, since obtained values were considerably below the proposed thresholds for the species delineation. The genome size of 596T was 5.1Mbp, comprising 4896 predicted genes with DNA G+C content of 57.8mol%. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamin, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipid and unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids of strain 596T were C16:0, summed feature 2 (C12:0 aldehyde), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c). Based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, the four isolates are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pantoea, for which the name Pantoea endophytica sp. nov., is proposed, with 596T (=DSM 100,785T=CGMCC 1.15280T) as type strain.

Caulobacter zeae sp. nov. and Caulobacter radicis sp. nov., novel endophytic bacteria isolated from maize root (Zea mays L.).

Four bacterial strains designated 410T, 441, 695T and 736 were isolated from maize root in Beijing, P. R. China. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, the four strains formed two clusters in the genus Caulobacter. Since strain 441 was a clonal variety of strain 410T, only three strains were selected for further taxonomic studies. The whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strains 410T and 695T was 94.65%, and both strains shared less than 92.10% ANI values with their close phylogenetic neighbors Caulobacter vibrioides DSM 9893T, Caulobacter segnis ATCC 21756T and Caulobacter flavus CGMCC 1.15093T. Strains 410T and 695T contained Q-10 as the sole ubiquinone and their major fatty acids were C16:0, 11-methyl C18:1ω 0, 11-methyl C18: 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω 1ω7c and/or C16: 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω 1ω7c and/or C18: 1ω6c). Their major polar lipids consisted of glycolipids and phosphatidylglycerol, and phenotypic tests differentiated them from their closest phylogenetic neighbors. Based on the results obtained, it is proposed that the three strains represent two novel species, for which the names Caulobacter zeae sp. nov. (type strain 410T=CGMCC 1.15991=DSM 104304) and Caulobacter radicis sp. nov. (type strain 695T=CGMCC 1.16556=DSM 106792) are proposed.

Oxytocin treatment prevents marrow adiposity observed in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits using proton MR spectroscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Oxytocin might be used therapeutically as an ally to rescue osteopathy resulting from diabetes. However, the in vivo effects of oxytocin on marrow adipogenesis in diabetes remain unknown. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to investigate the protective ef-fects of oxytocin on diabetes-induced marrow adiposity in rabbits using proton MR spectroscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five female New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into controls, diabetes, and diabetes treated with oxytocin (ip, 0.78 mg/kg) for six months. Marrow fat fraction (FF) was determined by proton MR spectroscopy at baseline, and at three and six months. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum biomarkers, glycolipid metabolism, and histological analysis of marrow adipocytes were determined. RESULTS: Oxytocin treatment had positive metabolic effects in diabetic rabbits, which was based on the changes in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles. The diabetic rabbits demonstrated dramatic marrow adiposity in a time-dependent manner; at three and six months the FF percentage changes from baseline were 10.1% and 25.8%, respectively (all P < 0.001). Moreover, oxytocin treatment significantly reversed FF values and quantitative parameters of marrow adipocyte in diabetic rabbits to levels of naive control rabbits. Oxytocin improved bone formation marker in diabetic rabbits compared to the saline group. Also, treatment of diabetic rabbits with oxytocin significantly mitigated bone deterioration when compared with the saline-treated diabetic group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin appears to alleviate harmful effects of hyperglycaemia on marrow adiposity. Proton MR spectroscopy may be a valuable tool, providing complementary information on efficacy assessments.

Rhizobium wenxiniae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped strain designated 166T was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize planted in the Fangshan District of Beijing, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 166T belongs to the genus Rhizobium and is closely related to Rhizobium cellulosilyticum ALA10B2T and Rhizobium yantingense H66T with sequence similarities of 98.8 and 98.3 %, respectively. According to atpD and recA sequence analysis, the highest sequence similarity between strain 166T and R. cellulosilyticum ALA10B2T is 93.8 and 84.7 %, respectively. However, the new isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to R. cellulosilyticum DSM 18291T (20.8±2.3 %) and Rhizobium yantingense CCTCC AB 2014007T (47.2±1.4 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 166T was 59.8 mol%. The main polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids of strain 166T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The results of the physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 166T from the type strains of closely related species, R. cellulosilyticum DSM 18291T and R. yantingense CCTCC AB 2014007T. Strain 166T represents a novel species within the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 166T (=CGMCC 1.15279T=DSM 100734T).

Pedobacter zeae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-motile by gliding and rod-shaped strain, designated 22T, was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize planted in the Fangshan District of Beijing, PR China. The highest levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found with respect to Pedobacter suwonensis 15-52T (97.5 %), Pedobacter terrae DS-57T (97.1 %) and Pedobacter alluvionis NWER-II11T (97.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that strain 22T is a member of the genus Pedobacter. The isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to P. suwonensis DSM 18130T (21.3±2.0 %), P. alluvionis DSM 19624T (38.1±1.8 %) and P. terrae DSM 17933T (17.1±1.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 41.2±0.5 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major component in the polyamine pattern was sym-homospermidine. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The results of the physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 22T from the related species with high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, P. suwonensis DSM 18130T, P. alluvionis DSM 19624T and P. terrae DSM 17933T. Strain 22T represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter zeae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22T (=CGMCC 1.15287T=DSM 100774T).

Lentibacillus populi sp. nov., a moderately halophilic, endophytic bacterium isolated from a poplar tree, and emended description of the genus Lentibacillus.

A Gram-staining-positive, moderately halophilic, aerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated WD4L-1T was isolated from surface-sterilized stem tissue of a poplar tree planted in the Wudalianchi National Geopark of Heilongjiang province, PR China. This novel isolate grew in the presence of 0-15 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.0-9.0 and 15-50 °C; optimum growth was observed with 7-8 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain WD4L-1T belonged to the genus Lentibacillus, and was most closely related to Lentibacillus garicola SL-MJ1T with a sequence similarity of 96.1 %. The DNA G+C content of strain WD4L-1T was determined to be 36.9 mol%. The respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids of strain WD4L-1T were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The results of the physiological and biochemical tests and the minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain WD4L-1T from the closely related Lentibacillus garicola JCM 30131T. Thus, strain WD4L-1T represents a novel species of the genus Lentibacillus, for which the name Lentibacillus populi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WD4L-1T (=CGMCC 1.15454T=DSM 101738T). An emended description of the genus Lentibacillus is also provided.