| 1. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(författare)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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Ingår i: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 2. |
- Bettegowda, Chetan, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of circulating tumor DNA in early- and late-stage human malignancies
- 2014
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Ingår i: Science Translational Medicine. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1946-6234 .- 1946-6242. ; 6:224, s. 224ra24-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The development of noninvasive methods to detect and monitor tumors continues to be a major challenge in oncology. We used digital polymerase chain reaction-based technologies to evaluate the ability of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to detect tumors in 640 patients with various cancer types. We found that ctDNA was detectable in >75% of patients with advanced pancreatic, ovarian, colorectal, bladder, gastroesophageal, breast, melanoma, hepatocellular, and head and neck cancers, but in less than 50% of primary brain, renal, prostate, or thyroid cancers. In patients with localized tumors, ctDNA was detected in 73, 57, 48, and 50% of patients with colorectal cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast adenocarcinoma, respectively. ctDNA was often present in patients without detectable circulating tumor cells, suggesting that these two biomarkers are distinct entities. In a separate panel of 206 patients with metastatic colorectal cancers, we showed that the sensitivity of ctDNA for detection of clinically relevant KRAS gene mutations was 87.2% and its specificity was 99.2%. Finally, we assessed whether ctDNA could provide clues into the mechanisms underlying resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor blockade in 24 patients who objectively responded to therapy but subsequently relapsed. Twenty-three (96%) of these patients developed one or more mutations in genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Together, these data suggest that ctDNA is a broadly applicable, sensitive, and specific biomarker that can be used for a variety of clinical and research purposes in patients with multiple different types of cancer.
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| 3. |
- Tang, Ting-Ting, et al.
(författare)
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Impaired thymic export and apoptosis contribute to regulatory T-cell defects in patients with chronic heart failure.
- 2011
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203 .- 1932-6203. ; 6:9, s. e24272-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Animal studies suggest that regulatory T (T(reg)) cells play a beneficial role in ventricular remodeling and our previous data have demonstrated defects of T(reg) cells in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the mechanisms behind T(reg-)cell defects remained unknown. We here sought to elucidate the mechanism of T(reg-)cell defects in CHF patients.
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| 4. |
- Bi, D., et al.
(författare)
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The association between sex-related interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms and the risk for cerebral palsy
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The relationship between genetic factors and the development of cerebral palsy (CP) has recently attracted much attention. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with susceptibility to perinatal brain injury and development of CP. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in neonatal brain injury, but conflicting results have been reported regarding the association between IL-6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CP. The purpose of this study was to analyze IL-6 gene polymorphisms and protein expression and to explore the role of IL-6 in the Chinese CP population. Methods: A total of 753 healthy controls and 713 CP patients were studied to detect the presence of five SNPs (rs1800796, rs2069837, rs2066992, rs2069840, and rs10242595) in the IL-6 locus. Of these, 77 healthy controls and 87 CP patients were selected for measurement of plasma IL-6 by Luminex assay. The SHEsis program was used to analyze the genotyping data. For all comparisons; multiple testing on each individual SNP was corrected by the SNPSpD program. Results: There were no differences in allele or genotype frequencies between the overall CP patients and controls among the five genetic polymorphisms. However, subgroup analysis found significant sex-related differences in allele and genotype frequencies. Differences were found between spastic CP and controls in males for rs2069837; between CP with periventricular leukomalacia and controls in males for rs1800796 and rs2066992; and between term CP and controls in males for rs2069837. Plasma IL-6 levels were higher in CP patients than in the controls, and this difference was more robust in full-term male spastic CP patients. Furthermore, the genotype has an effect on IL-6 synthesis. Conclusions: The influence of IL-6 gene polymorphisms on IL-6 synthesis and the susceptibility to CP is related to sex and gestational age.
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| 5. |
- Chen, M. J., et al.
(författare)
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Association of Interleukin 6 gene polymorphisms with genetic susceptibilities to spastic tetraplegia in males: A case-control study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Cytokine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1043-4666. ; 61:3, s. 826-830
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive motor impairment and permanent disorders causing limitation of activity and abnormal posture. It may be caused by infection (such as chorioamnionitis), asphyxia or multiple genetic factors. The Interleukin 6 gene (IL6) was suggested to be involved in the susceptibilities to CP risk as a kind of proinflammatory cytokine. Objective To explore the genetic association between the polymorphisms of the IL6 gene and CP in the Chinese population. Methods A total of 542 CP patients and 483 healthy control children were recruited in this study to detect five single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1800796, rs2069837, rs2066992, rs2069840, and rs10242595) in the IL6 locus. Genotyping of SNPs was performed by the MassArray platform-based genotyping approach. The SHEsis program was applied to analyze the genotyping data. Results Of the five selected SNPs, no significant allelic and genotypic association was found between CP patients and controls. However, subgroup analysis found significant differences in allele frequencies between spastic tetraplegia in males compared with controls at rs1800796 (OR = 1.39, P = 0.033, P = 0.099 after SNPSpD correction) and rs2069837 (OR = 1.58, P = 0.012, P = 0.035 after SNPSpD correction). The frequencies of the C allele of rs1800796 and the A allele of rs2069837 were greater in males with spastic tetraplegia than in the controls. The two SNPs haplotype rs1800796 (G) – rs2069837 (G) were also associated with a decreased risk of spastic tetraplegia in males (OR = 0.619, P = 0.009, P = 0.027 after Bonferroni correction). Conclusion Genetic variation of the IL6 gene may influence susceptibility to spastic tetraplegia in males and its role in cerebral palsy deserves further evaluation in a large-scale and well-designed study.
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| 6. |
- Wang, Dandan, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrafast carrier dynamics of near-band-edge emission in single-crystal ZnO nanorods
- 2011
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Ingår i: Materials research bulletin. - : Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam.. - 0025-5408 .- 1873-4227. ; 46:6, s. 937-940
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on rational synthesis and optical characteristics of highly crystallined ZnO nanorods which were grown by a facile chemical vapor transport method. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra of as-fabricated ZnO nanorods are dominated by near-band-edge emission with a characteristic fine structure due to high crystallinity. Furthermore, the recombination emission involving carrier dynamics of near-band-edge emission in ZnO nanorods was systematically investigated by temperature-dependent time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Recombination peaks pertaining to the exciton emissions are monitored and resolved in both temporal and spatial regimes.
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| 7. |
- Wang, H. L., et al.
(författare)
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Genetic association study of adaptor protein complex 4 with cerebral palsy in a Han Chinese population
- 2013
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Ingår i: Molecular Biology Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0301-4851 .- 1573-4978. ; 40:11, s. 6459-6467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adaptor protein complex 4 (AP-4) plays a key role in vesicle formation, trafficking, and sorting processes that are critical for brain development and function. AP-4 consists of four subunits encoded by the AP4E1, AP4B1, AP4M1, and AP4S1 genes. A number of studies have pointed to the involvement of AP-4-mediated vesicular trafficking pathways in the etiology of cerebral palsy (CP), the most notable of which are the causative mutations that have recently been identified in each of the AP-4 genes in different CP families. We postulated, therefore, that variations in AP-4 genes might influence an indivual's susceptibility to CP. In the present study, 16 SNPs were genotyped among 517 CP patients and 502 healthy controls from the Han Chinese population. We systematically analyzed the association of the AP4E1, AP4B1, AP4M1, and AP4S1 genes with CP on the basis of clinical characteristics. No significant associations were found between these variants and the overall risk of CP. Subgroup analysis showed that rs1217401 of AP4B1 was significantly associated with CP as a sequela of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (CP + HIE) (allele: p = 0.042151; genotype: p = 4.46 x 10(-6)). Our results indicate that the 16 variants studied in the genes of the four subunits of AP-4 have no detectable effects on the overall susceptibility to CP, but AP4B1 appears to be a susceptibility gene for CP + HIE in the Han Chinese population.
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| 8. |
- Wang, K. Q., et al.
(författare)
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Formic acid electrooxidation catalyzed by Pd/SmOx-C hybrid catalyst in fuel cells
- 2014
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Ingår i: Electrochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-4686. ; 150, s. 329-336
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pd nanoparticles supported on Samarium oxide modified carbon (SmOx/C) hybrid support for the electrooxidation of formic acid is studied. The morphology, composition and electrocatalytic properties are investigated by physical characterization and electrochemical measurements. The results demonstrate that Pd/SmOx-C catalyst has excellent catalytic activity and stability for formic acid oxidation. The current density is about 1.32 times that of the Pd/C catalyst. The electronic effect and oxygen-containing species provided by SmOx accelerate the rate of formic acid electrooxidation. When integrated into the anode of a direct formic acid fuel cell, the maximum power density of 167 mW cm (2) is obtained, which is about 1.4 times that of a commercial Pd/C catalyst.
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| 9. |
- Xing, Fangqian, et al.
(författare)
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Needle morphological evidence of the homoploid hybrid origin of Pinus densata based on analysis of artificial hybrids and the putative parents, Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis
- 2014
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 4:10, s. 1890-1902
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genetic analyses indicate that Pinus densata is a natural homoploid hybrid originating from Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis. Needle morphological and anatomical features show relative species stability and can be used to identify coniferous species. Comparative analyses of these needle characteristics and phenotypic differences between the artificial hybrids, P.densata, and parental species can be used to determine the genetic and phenotypic evolutionary consequences of natural hybridization. Twelve artificial hybrid families, the two parental species, and P.densata were seeded in a high-altitude habitat in Linzhi, Tibet. The needles of artificial hybrids and the three pine species were collected, and 24 needle morphological and anatomical traits were analyzed. Based on these results, variations in 10 needle traits among artificial hybrid families and 22 traits among species and artificial hybrids were predicted and found to be under moderate genetic control. Nineteen needle traits in artificial hybrids were similar to those in P.densata and between the two parental species, P.tabuliformis and P.yunnanensis. The ratio of plants with three needle clusters in artificial hybrids was 22.92%, which was very similar to P.densata. The eight needle traits (needle length, the mean number of stomata in sections 2mm in length of the convex and flat sides of the needle, mean stomatal density, mesophyll/vascular bundle area ratio, mesophyll/resin canal area ratio, mesophyll/(resin canals and vascular bundles) area ratio, vascular bundle/resin canal area ratio) relative to physiological adaptability were similar to the artificial hybrids and P.densata. The similar needle features between the artificial hybrids and P.densata could be used to verify the homoploid hybrid origin of P.densata and helps to better understand of the hybridization roles in adaptation and speciation in plants.
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| 10. |
- Yang, Jia-Xiang, et al.
(författare)
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Facile synthesis, optical properties and theoretical calculation of two novel two-photon absorption chromophores
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Luminescence. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2313 .- 1872-7883. ; 130:4, s. 654-659
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two heterocycle-based derivatives that can be used as two-photon absorption chromophore, 9-butyl-3-(2,6-diphenylpyridin-4-yl)-9H-carbazole (BDPYC) and 9-butyl-3-(4-(2, 6-diphenylpyridin-4-yl)styryl)-9H-carbazole (BDPSC) have been successfully synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and MS. The molecules possess D-pi-A structures, but have different pi bridge. The 9-butylcarbazole is used as a donor (D), and the pyridine ring is used as an acceptor (A). One- and two-photon absorption and excited fluorescence properties in various solvents were experimentally investigated. Two-photon initiated optical data recording experiments have been carried Out under 740 nm laser radiation, and the possible mechanism of optical data storage is discussed based on theoretical calculations.
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