MicroRNA-145 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal cancer A-498 cells by ADAM28

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of microRNA-145 (miR-145) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal cancer A-498 cells. METHODS: The A-498 cells were transfected with miR-145 mimics (M145) and mimic negative control(MNC), which served as M145 group and MNC group, respectively. Mock control (MC) group was set up using untreated A-498 cells. The expression level of miR-145 in each group was detected by RT-qPCR. Transwell assay was used to detect the invasion ability of the cells. The protein expression of vimentin, E-cadherin and ADAM28 was determined by Western blot. Bioinformatic method was used to predict the target genes of miR-145. Antagonistic effect of ADAM28 over-expression on the inhibition of EMT by miR-145 was detected by Western blot. The relationship between miR-145 and ADAM28 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-145 in M145 group was significantly up-regulated than that in MC group (P<0.05). The number of invasive cells in M145 group was 12.78±3.37, which was significantly lower than that in MC group (P<0.05). ADAM28 may be the target gene of miR-145. Compared with MC group, the protein expression of vimentin and ADAM28 in M145 group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased (P<0.05).After ADAM28 over-expression, the protein expression of vimentin in the A-498 cells of M145 group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of dual-lucife-irasei reporter assay showed that ADAM28 was a downstream target gene of miR-145. CONCLUSION: miR-145 may inhibit the expression of EMT-related proteins through the downstream target gene ADAM28 and inhibit the EMT process of renal cancer A-498 cells.     

Memory and resilience: A two-pronged approach to natural spaces in Colombia’s transition to a peaceful society

The analysis of spontaneous environmental initiatives undertaken by individuals and communities in cases of conflicts has led to a growing research field in social science, according to which the community-based stewardship of nature seems to conduce to the resilience of co-evolved social-ecological systems. In Colombia, where no such research exists so far, the conflict which officially ended in November 2016 has led to massive internal migration due to forced displacement, as well as to widespread degradation of the environment. Based on evidence provided by case studies of top-down and bottom-up living memorials and urban agriculture initiatives, the article explores the potential of urban greening in the process of memorialisation and in generating new social cohesion, as well as better living conditions in urban areas. It analyses cases both where the conflict has taken place and in the cities where refugees have settled, in order to explore avenues for public policies in post conflict Colombia. The author concludes that greening initiatives offer manifold, so far overlooked, opportunities to restoring social and ecological resilience in urban areas and thus contribute to a lasting peace in Colombia.     

基于玻璃化转变的稻谷变温热风干燥工艺研究

为保证稻谷干燥后品质、提高干燥效率,基于不同含水率稻谷的玻璃化转变温度,提出变温热风干燥工艺。采用三因素五水平中心组合试验方法,以稻谷温度、初始含水率和热风风速为影响因素,以稻谷爆腰指数、整精米率和干燥时间为评价指标,研究稻谷玻璃化转变温度、恒温和变温干燥特性,模拟解析稻谷干燥过程中传热传质规律,以5、10、15℃的变温幅度进行变温干燥试验。结果表明,稻谷玻璃化转变温度与其含水率呈负相关,恒温干燥最佳工艺参数为稻谷温度47℃、初始含水率22.0%、热风风速0.50 m/s,干燥后稻谷爆腰指数70、整精米率57.67%、干燥时间195 min;与恒温干燥相比,以5℃和10℃为变温幅度的变温干燥工艺,干燥后稻谷爆腰指数分别降低了20和10,整精米率提高12.6、7.7个百分点,干燥时间缩短30 min和60 min。研究表明,基于玻璃化转变的稻谷变温热风干燥工艺明显改善了稻谷干燥后品质,提高了干燥效率。     

线粒体与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种由基因控制的细胞自杀性死亡过程,是机体维持自身稳定的一种基本生理机制。机体通过细胞凋亡清除损伤、衰老与突变的细胞,维持生理平衡。通过对细胞凋亡的研究发现,线粒体在调节细胞凋亡中发挥着关键作用。尤其是被称为细胞凋亡主开关的线粒体通透性改变孔(MitochondrionPermeabilitytransitionPore,MPTP),它是细胞色素C、Smac、AIF等凋亡诱导因子的主要来源。本文以MPTP的开放、细胞色素C、AIF在细胞凋亡中的作用以及Bcl-2家族对细胞凋亡的调控做一综述,以便广大读者能系统地了解线粒体在细胞凋亡中的作用。     

双子叶子叶出土植物根-茎转变区的特征和分类

利用偏光显微镜镜检等手段,研究了14科22个属、种的双子叶植物的根-茎转变区,提出较全面的有关概念并发现数种异于一般的转变方式,根据该区的存在部位和长短以及结构特点,提出几套新的分类法:1.根型、根-下胚轴和下胚轴型;2.剧变型及缓变型;3.正常型和异常型。     

和谐社会下失地农民社会保障体系的构建——以合肥经济技术开发区为例

在分析我国失地农民社会保障问题现状及当前存在的主要问题的基础上,以合肥经济技术开发区为例,构建了失地农民社会保障体系。     

Modelling land cover transitions: A solution to the problem of spatial dependence in data

Raster-based spatial land cover transition models (LCTMs) are widely used in landscape ecology. However, many LCTMs do not account for spatial dependence of the input data, which may artificially fragment the output spatial configuration. We demonstrate the consequences of ignoring spatial dependence, thus assigning probabilities randomly in space, using a simple LCTM. We ran the model from four different initial conditions with distinct spatial configurations and results indicated that, after 20 simulation steps, all of them converged towards the spatial configuration of the random data set. From an ecological perspective this is a serious problem because ecological data often exhibit distinct spatial configuration related to ecological processes. As a solution, we propose an approach (region approach) that accounts for spatial dependence of LCTM input data. Underlying spatial dependence was used to apply spatial bias to probability assignment within the model. As a case study we applied a region approach to a Vegetation Transition Model (VTM); a semi-Markovian model that simulates forest succession. The VTM was applied to approximately 500,000 ha of boreal forest in Ontario, at 1 ha pixel resolution. When the stochastic transition algorithms were applied without accounting for spatial dependence, spatial configuration of the output data became progressively more fragmented. When the VTM was applied using the region approach to account for spatial dependence output fragmentation was reduced. Accounting for spatial dependence in transition models will create more reliable output for analyzing spatial patterns and relating those patterns to ecological processes.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inhibitory effect of AuNPs-Endostar on melanoma lung metastasis in mice

AIM: To observe the influence of gold nanoparticles combined with Endostar (AuNPs-Endostar) on the melanoma lung metastasis of mice and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice (n=24) were selected for constructing the model of spontaneous lung metastasis of melanoma B16-F10 cells. Subsequently, the mice were randomly divided into Endostar group, AuNPs group, AuNPs-Endostar group and model group. After the formation of melanoma, the mice in each group were injected with different drugs through tail vein for 0.1 mL daily. After 9 d, the mice were narcotized for cutting the tumors in situ. After the operation, they were raised for 2 weeks before killed for obtaining the lung tissues to observe the situation of the metastasis. HE staining was utilized for observing the necrosis status of the tumors in situ, while immunostaining was applied for testing the expression of CD31, carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX), vimentin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the tumors. RESULTS: Compared with model group, the pulmonary metastasis in the groups with medical treatment was obviously reduced. In AuNPs-Endostar group, the metastasis inhibition rate was the highest, and the tumor necrosis was also decreased obviously, with the significant reduction of CD31, CA-IX and vimentin expression in the tumors and significant increase in ZO-1 expression. CONCLUSION: Compared with using Endostar or AuNPs alone, the combination of AuNPs with Endostar significantly improves the curative effect of inhibiting the pulmonary metastasis of melanoma in the mice. The mechanism may be related to reducing the tumor angiogenesis, norma-lizing the blood vessels and improving tumor hypoxia, thus inhibiting the tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition, increasing the tight junctions between tumor cells and decreasing the invasiveness.     

金安桥水电站初次蓄水对导流洞稳定性影响的计算分析

金安桥水电站下闸蓄水后，陡升的库水位将对导流洞结构稳定造成不利影响。为保障堵头封堵前的导流洞结构稳定性，运用三维弹塑性损伤有限元，在模拟进水口边坡及导流洞开挖支护的基础上，计算汛前下闸水位时的岩体渗流场，对导流洞围岩和衬砌在岩体渗流作用下的结构稳定性进行复核分析。分析结果表明，导流洞的围岩稳定性在蓄水后仍有保障，衬砌结构受力较小，现有环向配筋满足结构内力要求，但在进水口变截面和导流洞变截面部位沿水流方向的拉应力较大，使得衬砌出现开裂。进一步分析表明，上述区域的开裂范围有限，对整体衬砌结构影响较小。