Present practices for reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells involve simultaneous introduction of reprogramming factors. Here we report that a sequential introduction protocol (Oct4-Klf4 first, then c-Myc and finally Sox2) outperforms the simultaneous one. Surprisingly, the sequential protocol activates an early epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as indicated by the upregulation of Slug and N-cadherin followed by a delayed mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). An early EMT induced by 1.5-day TGF-β treatment enhances reprogramming with the simultaneous protocol, whereas 12-day treatment blocks reprogramming. Consistent results were obtained when the TGF-β antagonist Repsox was applied in the sequential protocol. These results reveal a time-sensitive role of individual factors for optimal reprogramming and a sequential EMT-MET mechanism at the start of reprogramming. Our studies provide a rationale for further optimizing reprogramming, and introduce the concept of a sequential EMT-MET mechanism for cell fate decision that should be investigated further in other systems, both in vitro and in vivo.

By understanding variables associated with breast cancer patients' body image, health professionals can coordinate interventions to improve these women's body image. Among women with breast cancer, those who have received mastectomy and those who are younger are particularly vulnerable to body image concerns. Nursing assessment of body image indicators and implementation of strategies to increase self-confidence and self-acceptance are needed for high-risk women.

Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells rewrites the code of cell fate at the chromatin level. Yet, little is known about this process physically. Here, we describe a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching method to assess the dynamics of heterochromatin/euchromatin and show significant heterochromatin loosening at the initial stage of reprogramming. We identify growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein a (Gadd45a) as a chromatin relaxer in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which also enhances somatic cell reprogramming efficiency. We show that residue glycine 39 (G39) in Gadd45a is essential for interacting with core histones, opening chromatin and enhancing reprogramming. We further demonstrate that Gadd45a destabilizes histone-DNA interactions and facilitates the binding of Yamanaka factors to their targets for activation. Our study provides a method to screen factors that impact on chromatin structure in live cells, and identifies Gadd45a as a chromatin relaxer.

Arch Bronconeumol. 2020;xxx(xx):xxx-xxx w w w . a r c h b r o n c o n e u m o l . o r g Original Article a b s t r a c t Background: Exacerbations are crucial events during bronchiectasis progression.Objectives: To explore the associations between bacterial, viral, and bacterial plus viral isolations and bronchiectasis exacerbations. Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 108 patients who were followed up every 3-6 months and at onset of exacerbations between March 2017 and November 2018. Spontaneous sputum was split for detection of bacteria (routine culture) and viruses (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Symptoms and lung function were assessed during exacerbations. Results: The median exacerbation rate was 2.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-2.5) per patient-year. At any visit, viral isolations (V+) occurred more frequently during onset of exacerbations [odds ratio (OR): 3.28, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.76-6.12], as did isolation of new bacteria (NB+) (OR: 2.52, 95%CI: 1.35-4.71) and bacterial plus viral isolations (OR: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.11-4.55). Whilst coryza appeared more common in exacerbations with V+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with NB+, lower airway symptoms were more severe in exacerbations with NB+ (P < .05). Sputum interleukin-1␤ levels were higher in exacerbations with NB+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with V+ (both P < .05). Significantly more coryza symptoms correlated with bacterial plus viral isolations at exacerbations (P = .019). Compared with V+ alone, bacterial with and without viral isolations tended to yield more severe lower airway symptoms, but not sputum cytokine levels at exacerbations. Conclusions: Viral isolations, isolation of new bacteria and bacterial plus viral isolation are associated with bronchiectasis exacerbations. Symptoms at exacerbations might inform clinicians the possible culprit pathogens. Pages 9 2 C.-L. Chen et al. / Arch Bronconeumol. 2020;xxx(xx):xxx-xxxResultados: La mediana de la tasa de exacerbación fue de 2,0 (rango intercuartil: 1,0-2,5) por paciente/año. En cualquier visita, los aislamientos de virus (V+) tuvieron lugar con mayor frecuencia durante el inicio de las exacerbaciones (odds ratio [OR]: 3,28; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%]: 1,76-6,12), al igual que el aislamiento de nuevas bacterias (NB+) (OR: 2,52; IC 95%: 1,35-4,71) y los aislamientos de bacterias y virus juntos (OR: 2,24; IC 95%: 1,11-4,55). Mientras que la coriza parecía más común en las exacerbaciones con V+ que en las exacerbaciones sin aislamientos de patógenos y en aquellas con NB+, los síntomas de las vías respiratorias inferiores fueron más graves en las exacerbaciones con NB+ (p < 0,05). Los niveles de interleucina-1␤ en el esputo fueron más altos en las exacerbaciones con NB+ que en las exacerbaciones sin aislamiento de patógenos, y aquellas con V+ (ambos p < 0,05). De manera significativa, más síntomas de coriza se correlacionaron con aislamientos de bacterias y virus juntos durante las exacerbaciones...

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BackgroundIt is unknown whether aggressive medication strategies should be used for early COPD with or without lung hyperinflation. We aimed to explore the characteristics and bronchodilator responsiveness of early COPD patients (stages I and II) with/without lung hyperinflation.MethodsFour hundred and six patients with COPD who performed both lung volume and bronchodilation tests were retrospectively analyzed. Residual volume to total lung capacity >120% of predicted values indicated lung hyperinflation. The characteristics and bronchodilator responsiveness were compared between the patients with and without lung hyperinflation across all stages of COPD.ResultsThe percentages of patients with lung hyperinflation were 72.7% in the entire cohort, 19.4% in stage I, 68.5% in stage II, 95.3% in stage III, and 100.0% in stage IV. The patients with lung hyperinflation exhibited poorer lung function but better bronchodilator responsiveness of both forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity than those without lung hyperinflation during early COPD (t=2.21–5.70, P=0.000–0.029), especially in stage I, while age, body mass index, smoking status, smoking history, and disease duration were similar between the two subgroups in the same stages. From stages I to IV of subgroups with lung hyperinflation, stage I patients had the best bronchodilator responsiveness. Use of bronchodilator responsiveness of forced vital capacity to detect the presence of lung hyperinflation in COPD patients showed relatively high sensitivities (69.5%–75.3%) and specificities (70.3%–75.7%).ConclusionWe demonstrated the novel finding that early COPD patients with lung hyperinflation are associated with poorer lung function but better bronchodilator responsiveness and established a simple method for detecting lung hyperinflation.

Calcium supplementation has beneficial effect on blood lipids. Such supplements may be useful as a nonpharmaceutical strategy in cholesterol control.

A metagenomic library containing ca. 3.06 x 10(8) bp insert DNA was constructed from a rice straw degrading enrichment culture. A xylanase gene, umxyn10A, was cloned by screening the library for xylanase activity. The encoded enzyme Umxyn10A showed 58% identity and 73% similarity with a xylanase from Thermobifida fusca YX. Sequence analyses showed that Umxyn10A contained a glycosyl hydrolase family 10 catalytic domain. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme was purified and characterized biochemically. Recombinant Umxyn10A was highly active toward xylan. However, the purified enzyme could slightly hydrolyze beta-1,3/4-glucan and beta-1,3/6-glucan. Umxyn10A displayed maximal activity toward oat spelt xylan at a high temperature (75 degrees C) and weak acidity (pH 6.5). The K( m ) and V (max) of Umxyn10A toward oat spelt xylan were 3.2 mg ml(-1) and 0.22 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) and were 2.7 mg ml(-1) and 1.0 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) against birchwood xylan, respectively. Metal ions did not appear to be required for the catalytic activity of this enzyme. The enzyme Umxyn10A could efficiently hydrolyze birchwood xylan to release xylobiose as the major product and a negligible amount of xylose. The xylanase identified in this work may have potential application in producing xylobiose from xylan.