OBJECTIVE The neuropeptide-Y (NP-Y) gene is a strong candidate gene in the pathophysiology of obesity-linked behavior, and several single-nucleotide polymorphisms of NP-Y have already been linked to body weight and appetite. However, the results from current studies remain inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to test whether a certain functional genetic variant (SNP rs16147) in the NP...

BACKGROUND To investigate the potential of T2 mapping for characterizing the process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in a rabbit model. METHODS Thirty-five rabbits underwent an annular stab to the L4/5 discs (L5/6 discs served as internal normal controls). Degenerative changes were graded according to the modified Thompson classification and quantified in T2 respectively at pre-oper...

Lower back pain is a common concern, and 40% of all cases involve the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD). However, the excessive apoptosis of disc cells plays an important role in IVD degeneration, particularly in the nucleus pulposus (NP). Thus, anti-apoptotic gene therapy to attenuate or reverse the degenerative process within the NP is being developed. Survivin is a unique inhibit...

OBJECTIVES Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive system, and remains a clinical challenge. This study aimed to assess the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles carrying the hMDA-7 gene (BSA-NP-hMDA-7) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. METHODS BSA-NP-hMDA-7 was generated by nanotechnology and gene recombination technology. A total of 5 BXP...

4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) is a toxic product of the hydrolysis of organophosphorus pesticides such as parathion in soil. Rhodococcus sp. strain PN1 degrades 4-NP via 4-nitrocatechol (4-NC) for use as the sole carbon, nitrogen, and energy source. A 5-kb EcoRI DNA fragment previously cloned from PN1 contained a gene cluster (nphRA1A2) involved in 4-NP oxidation. From sequence analysis, this gene clust...

BACKGROUND Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorders are often accompanied by painful inflammatory and immunopathological processes. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells play a pivotal role in maintenance of IVD by organizing the expression of anabolic, catabolic, anti-catabolic and inflammatory cytokines. Human NP cells have been targeted by gene therapeutic approaches using lentiviral or adenoviral systems ...

Carbon-based engineered nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO NPs), are widely available for application, but their potentially adverse health effects on humans still require investigation. In this study, the environmental levels of GO NPs addressed to examine whether leads an in-vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Nematodes with prolonged exposure (L1 larvae young...