PSMA7 promotes the malignant proliferation of esophageal cancer.

Background: It is important to explore novel molecules that play a key role in esophageal cancer (ESCA) progression. Methods: Two ESCA tissue expression profile microarrays (GSE92396 and GSE17351) data from GEO were downloaded, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using GEO2R. The DEGs common to both microarrays were analyzed for protein-protein interactions, KEGG and GO. The altered expression of proteasome 20S subunit α 7 (PSMA7) in ESCA tissues was analyzed using information from publicly available databases (GEO, TCGA, TNMplot). PSMA7 was overexpressed or knocked down in Eca109 and KYSE150 cells using transfection, and the effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were examined using CCK-8, Transwell, and flow cytometry experiments. Results: 284 common DEGs were identified, and 10 core proteins, HSP90AA1, AURKA, CDC6, PCNA, MCM5, KAT2B, GRB2, MYBL2, PSMA7, and CKAP5, involved in ESCA progression were identified. PSMA7 mRNA level was significantly increased in ESCA tissues. PSMA7 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca109 and KYSE150 cells, and significantly promoted apoptosis. In contrast, PSMA7 knockdown inhibited their proliferation and motility, and significantly suppressed apoptosis. Conclusion: This study analyzed multiple proteins that may play a key role in ESCA progression, and identified the pro-cancer role of PSMA7.

High-Quality Boron Nitride Nanosheets and Their Bioinspired Thermally Conductive Papers.

Hexagonal boron nitride has displayed increased potential in heat dissipation applications due to its desirable high thermal conductivity and remarkable thermal stability. However, the large-yield and high-quality preparation of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) has been still an enormous challenge. In present work, we developed a universal exfoliation strategy to synthesize few-layer and defect-free BNNSs, which involved the intercalation of hexafluorosilicates/sodium hydroxide into BN crystals followed by exfoliation through a mild stirring process. The yield and concentration of as-obtained BNNS reached up to 78.5% and 12.78 mg/mL, respectively. More importantly, this method has been proven to exfoliate other layered materials like graphene (G), MoS2, and WS2. These as-obtained BNNSs can be directly used for constructing freestanding papers with high thermal conductivities. Typically, the thermal conductivities of the BNNS-G hybrid paper were up to 63.5 W/mK along the in-plane direction and 7.4 W/mK along the through-plane direction. According to the thermal interface materials performance measures, BNNS-G hybrid paper shows great promising applications for heat transfer in integrated circuit packaging.

Pretreatment with baicalin attenuates hypoxia and glucose deprivation-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effects of baicalin against hypoxia and glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD/RO)-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were divided into a control group, a OGD/RO group, which was subject to OGD/RO induction; and 3 baicalin groups subject to baicalin (1, 5, 25 µmol/L) for 2 h before induction of OGD/RO (low-, medium-, and high-dose baicalin groups). Cell viability was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometric analysis was used to detect cell apoptosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression of caspase-3 gene. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and N-methyl-daspartic acid receptor-1 (NMDAR1). RESULTS: Baicalin could significantly attenuate OGD/RO mediated apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y cells; the apoptosis rates in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups were 12.1%, 7.9%, and 5.4%, respectively. Western blot and real-time PCR analysis revealed that significant decrease in caspase-3 expression in the baicalin group compared with the OGD/RO group (P<0.01). Additionally, down-regulation of NF-κB and NMDAR1 was observed in the baicalin group compared with those obtained from the OGD/RO group. Compared with the low-dose baicalin group, remarkable decrease was noted in the medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Baicalin pre-treatment attenuates brain ischemia reperfusion injury by suppressing cellular apoptosis.

Baicalin protects against thrombin induced cell injury in SH-SY5Y cells.

Baicalin, an extract from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, was shown to be neuroprotective. However, the precise mechanisms are incompletely known. In this study, we determined the effect of baicalin on thrombin induced cell injury in SH-SY5Y cells, and explored the possible mechanisms. SH-SY5Y cells was treated with thrombin alone or pre-treated with baicalin (5, 10, 20 µM) for 2 h followed by thrombin treatment. Cells without thrombin and baicalin treatment were used as controls. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein expression of PAR-1, Caspase-3 and NF-κB. Baicalin reduced cell death following thrombin treatment in a dose-dependent manner, with concomitant inhibition of NF-κB activation and suppression of PAR-1 expression. In addition, baicalin reduced Caspase-3 expression. The above findings indicated that baicalin prevents against cell injury after thrombin stimulation possibly through inhibition of PAR-1 expression and NF-κB activation.

Baicalin attenuates brain edema in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Baicalin is a flavonoid compound purified from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, which possesses multiple biological activities. Previous studies have shown that baicalin is protective in ischemic cerebral diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of baicalin on brain injury in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to explore the possible mechanisms. Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced in male Wistar rats by injection of 0.5 U collagenaseVII to the caudate nucleus. Sham operation rats were injected with equal volume of saline. After the induction of ICH, the rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered with different dose of baicalin (0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg in saline) through peritoneal injection. The brain tissues around the hemorrhage areas were collected on days 1, 3, and 5 after treatment. Brain edema was analyzed by desiccation method; the metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein and mRNA expression were determined by western blotting and real time RT-PCR, respectively. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood-brain barrier permeability was determined by Evans blue leakage method. The results showed that baicalin reduced brain edema following ICH in a dose-dependent manner, with concomitant inhibition of NF-κB activation and suppression of MMP-9 expression. In addition, baicalin also reduced IL-1ß and IL-6 production, as well as blood-brain barrier permeability. The above results indicated that baicalin prevents against perihematomal edema development after intracerebral hemorrhage possibly through an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Baicalin attenuates focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury by inhibition of protease-activated receptor-1 and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuro-protective effects of baicalin in Wistar rats with focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. METHODS: Ninety adult male Wistar rats weighing 320-350 g were randomly divided into the following groups (n=5): (a) sham control group; (b) vehicle group, subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and received vehicle intraperitoneally; (c-e) baicalin groups, which were subjected to the middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with baicalin 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. The neurological scores were determined at postoperative 1, 3 and 7 d after the treatment. The expression of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), PAR-1 mRNA and Caspase-3 were determined using Western blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: Significant decrease was noted in the neurological score in the baicalin group compared with that of the vehicle group (P<0.01). Additionally, down-regulation of PAR-1 mRNA, PAR-1 and Caspase-3 was observed in the baicalin groups compared with those obtained from the vehicle group (P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose baicalin group (25 mg/kg), remarkable decrease was noted in neurological score, and the expression of PAR-1 mRNA, PAR-1 as well as Caspase-3 in the high-dose group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Baicalin showed neuro-protective effects in focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury through inhibiting the expression of PAR-1 and apoptosis.

"Effects of baicalin on protease-activated receptor-1 expression and brain injury in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage".

"Baicalin, a major flavonoid compound isolated from the dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to be neuroprotective after ischemic brain injury. However, little is known about its effects on brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we evaluated the effects of baicalin on ICH-induced brain injury in an ICH rat model. Male Wistar rats were injected intracerebrally with 0.5 U collagenaseVII to induce ICH, while control rats were injected with an equal volume of saline. After ICH induction, the rats were randomly divided into four groups and treated with baicalin at different doses (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) through peritoneal injection. The control rats were injected with an equal volume of vehicle. Brain tissues around the hemorrhage areas were collected on day 1, 3, 5 and 10 after treatment. Brain water content was analyzed by desiccation method; mRNA and protein levels of brain protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; cell apoptosis was evaluated by terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. The results showed that baicalin effectively attenuated brain edema and inhibited cell apoptosis following ICH in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with concomitant suppression of PAR-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. These findings indicate that baicalin has protective effects on ICH-induced brain injury. The effects of baicalin may involve a mechanism of inhibition of PAR-1 expression."

[LAI-based regional winter wheat yield estimation by remote sensing].

By using retrieved LAI from remotely-sensed imagery, this paper studied the regional winter wheat yield estimation in Huanghuaihai Plain of North China. In order to improve the quality of remotely sensed data for winter wheat yield estimation, a Savitzky-Golay filter was used to smooth the MODIS-NDVI time series data to reduce the cloud contamination and remove the abnormal data. Then, a Gaussian model was used to simulate the daily crop LAI which was corrected by interpolating the measured LAI to get the average LAI values for each phenological stage. Using these LAI data, the relationships between LAI and crop yield at the main phenological stages of winter wheat was established. After optimizing the yield estimation model, the optimal time period and the best model parameters for winter wheat yield estimation in the study area were selected out. Finally, the established model was applied to estimate winter wheat yield based on the retrieved LAI from MODIS-NDVI, and the model accuracy was tested. Through the comparison of the predicted yield with the measured yield in the field, the mean relative error was 1.21%, and the RMSE was 257.33 kg x hm(-2). The model and the method proposed in this study were promising, and could help to get the accurate estimated yield of winter wheat in about 20-30 days ahead of the harvest.

[Effect of baicalin on protease-activated receptor-1 expression and cell apoptosis in brain of rat with intracerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of baicalin on nerve tissue in rat with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into five groups: the sham-operated group, the ICH model group, and the three baicalin treated groups treated respectively with small, medium and large doses of baicalin. ICH rat model was established by injecting collagenase VII into caudate nucleus. Baicalin was given by peritoneal injection to the baicalin treated groups, and saline was given to the other two groups once a day started from 2 h after modeling. Animals were sacrificed in batches on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day of treatment to take their brains for detecting protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and cell apoptosis in brain tissue surrounding hematoma by Western blot and TUNEL method, respectively. And the water content of brain was estimated by dry-wet weight method. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the PAR-1 expression and TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced in the baicalin treated groups; and brain edema was also significantly reduced (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The up-regulated PAR-1 expression after ICH in rats might play an important role in inducing cell apoptosis and brain edema. Baicalin shows significant protective effect on ICH rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting PAR-1 expression and decreasing apoptosis cells, so as to reduce brain edema.

[Prediction of winter wheat yield based on crop biomass estimation at regional scale].

Based on the 2004 in situ data of crop yield, remote sensing inversed photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (f(PAR)), climate, and soil moisture in 83 typical winter wheat sampling field of 45 counties in Shijiazhuang, Hengshui, and Xingtai of Hebei Province, a simplified model for calculating the light use efficiency (epsilon) of winter wheat in Huanghuaihai Plain was established. According to the crop accumulated biomass from March to May and corrected by harvest index, the quantitative relationship between crop biomass and crop yield for winter wheat was set up, and applied in the 235 counties in Huanghuaihai Plain region of Hebei Province and Shandong Province and validated by the official crop statistical data at county level in 2004. The results showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) of predicted winter wheat yield in study area was 238.5 kg x hm(-2), and the relative error was 4.28%, suggesting that it was feasible to predict winter wheat yield by crop biomass estimation based on remote sensing data.

[Hyperspectral remote sensing diagnosis models of rice plant nitrogen nutritional status].

The correlations of rice plant nitrogen content with raw hyperspectral reflectance, first derivative hyperspectral reflectance, and hyperspectral characteristic parameters were analyzed, and the hyperspectral remote sensing diagnosis models of rice plant nitrogen nutritional status with these remote sensing parameters as independent variables were constructed and validated. The results indicated that the nitrogen content in rice plant organs had a variation trend of stem < sheath < spike < leaf. The spectral reflectance at visible light bands was leaf < spike < sheath < stem, but that at near-infrared bands was in adverse. The linear and exponential models with the raw hyperspectral reflectance at 796.7 nm and the first derivative hyperspectral reflectance at 738.4 nm as independent variables could better diagnose rice plant nitrogen nutritional status, with the decisive coefficients (R2) being 0.7996 and 0.8606, respectively; while the model with vegetation index (SDr - SDb) / (SDr + SDb) as independent variable, i. e., y = 365.871 + 639.323 ((SDr - SDb) / (SDr + SDb)), was most fit rice plant nitrogen content, with R2 = 0.8755, RMSE = 0.2372 and relative error = 11.36%, being able to quantitatively diagnose the nitrogen nutritional status of rice.

[Protective effect of Noningkang Granule on brain in intracerebral hemorrhagic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Naoningkang Granule (NG), a Chinese medicinal preparation formulated for clearing heat and detoxication, on brain tissue in intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the sham operated group, the model group and the high-, medium- and low-dose NG groups. Collagenase VII was injected into caudate nucleus to induce rat model of ICH, corresponding dosage of NG was started to give to the 3 NG groups by gastrogavage 2 h after modeling, and saline of equal volume was given to the other 2 groups instead. The brain tissue of rats was taken in batches at the 3rd and 7th day for pathomorphological observation using HE stain, and detection of thrombin receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and nerve cell apoptosis in the peripheral tissue of hemorrhagic brain with immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay, as well as for measurement of water content in brain tissue by wet-to-dry weight method. RESULTS: PAR-1 expression elevated in the model rats. As compared with the model group, the pathomorphological changes significantly improved, PAR-1 expression decreased, apoptotic cells re-duced and brain edema alleviated in the 3 NG groups. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of PAR-1 in the brain tissue might mediate the nerve cell apoptosis and brain edema in ICH rats. The mechanism of NG in protecting hemor-rhagic brain tissue might be related with its actions in inhibiting the post-cerebral high PAR-1 expression to re-duce cell apoptosis and relieve brain edema.