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To make full use of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), carbon fiber (CF) and nano-metakaolin (NMK) were mixed into RAC to improve its mechanical properties and microstructure. The effects of NMK content, CF content, recycled aggregate (RA) replacement rate, and CF length on the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and tension-compression ratio of RAC were studied by the orthogonal test method; then, the test results were analyzed. The results show that the NMK content and RA replacement rate have significant effects on the compressive strength of RAC, while the CF content has significant effects on the splitting tensile strength and the tension-compression ratio. Through the synergistic effect of NMK and CF, the pore structure characteristics of RAC are improved, and the bond strength of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of CF-mortar is increased, which further enhances the strengthening effect of CF; thus, the mechanical properties of RAC are continuously enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the square holes are widely used in many structures and machines, the purpose of this work is to obtain analytical solutions for the three-dimensional (3D) elastic stress field of transversely isotropic functionally graded (FG) infinite plates containing a single square hole with small round corners subjected to far-field loads or on the edges of the holes. Based on the generalized England-Spencer plate theory, material parameters can vary continuously and arbitrarily along the thickness direction of the plate, the solutions are obtained by using the conformal mapping technology combined with the Cauchy integral method. Concentration factors of internal forces Kij around the square hole are explicitly expressed. The obtained explicit expressions of solutions can be validated against the classical two-dimensional (2D) solutions when the material degenerates into an isotropic and homogeneous material. The detailed numerical examples are given to further investigate the influence of several parameters such as the material gradient factor and load conditions on the stress field around the hole. The present 3D analytical solutions can not only provide an in-depth understanding of the 3D stress field of FG plates with holes, but also be utilized as a benchmark to verify the numerical solutions of the same problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xuwen Zha,1,&ast; Bo Yang,2,&ast; Guangyun Xia,1 Shan Wang1 1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People’s Hospital of Hefei, Binhu Hospital of Hefei, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Burn & Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Hefei, Binhu Hospital of Hefei, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230000, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guangyun Xia; Shan Wang, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People’s Hospital of Hefei, Binhu Hospital of Hefei, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230000, People’s Republic of China, Email 983398243@qq.com; wangshanws857@163.comObjective: The aim of present study was to explore whether the combination of serum uric acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines could improve the accuracy of diagnosis of gout.Methods: A total of 94 patients with gout were selected as the patient group, and 52 healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Serum levels of uric acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) were measured in both groups. Correlation between serum uric acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis. The area under curve (AUC) of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α combined with uric acid for the diagnosis of gout were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method.Results: Compared with the control group, the levels of serum uric acid, CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased in the patients. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between serum uric acid and CRP (r = 0.179, P = 0.033), IL-6 (r = 0.194, P = 0.039), and TNF-α (r = 0.496, P < 0.001) levels. Furthermore, the AUCs of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α combined with uric acid level for the diagnosis of gout were 0.932, 0.884, and 0.972, respectively. Additionally, the AUC for the combination of uric acid, CRP, and TNF-α was 0.982 in discriminating patients with gout from healthy volunteers.Conclusion: The combination of serum uric acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines could improve the accuracy of diagnosis of gout.Keywords: gout, uric acid, pro-inflammatory cytokine, diagnosis

Miao Yi,1 Jiaqi Zou,2 Jinxin Zhao,1 Yu Tang,3 Yaling Yuan,1 Bingxue Yang,1 Jinzhu Huang,1 Peiwen Xia,1 Yun Xia1 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yun XiaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-23-89012742Fax +86-23-89012513Email xiayun12cn@aliyun.comPurpose: To investigate the potential mechanism and molecular characteristics of linezolid-non-sensitive Enterococcus faecium from a tertiary hospital in southwest China and characterize the relevant plasmids.Patients and Methods: Linezolid-non-sensitive Enterococcus faecium (LNSEFM) isolates collected from January 2014 to December 2018 were screened for resistant genes 23s rRNA, rplC, rplD, rplV, optrA, cfr, poxtA, by PCR. Molecular epidemiological analysis was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The optrA-and-poxtA co-harboring strain EFM_7150 was subjected to the whole genome sequencing (WGS) by Illumina HiSeq and Oxford Nanopore MinION.Results: A total of 15 LNSEFM with linezolid MICs ranging from 4 to 16 mg/L were identified. About 66.7% (10/15) of isolates were linezolid-resistant. About 46.7% (7/15) of strains were positive for optrA. Two types of optrA variants (P and EYDNDM) were identified. About 13.3% (2/15) of isolates had poxtA. 1 harbored a L22 protein alteration (Ser77Thr). One isolate coharbored optrA (EYDNDM variant) and poxtA. There was no mutation in the gene that encoded the ribosomal protein L3/L4 or the domain V of 23S rRNA. No cfr gene was detected. Based on WGS data, optrA was associated with Tn558 inserted to radC gene and poxtA was flanked by IS1216E.Conclusion: OptrA is primary mechanism in linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecium. This is the first report ofoptrA variants P and EYDNDM identified in Enterococcus faecium and optrA-and-poxtA co-harboring Enterococcus faecium clinically in southwest China. Besides, Tn558 and IS1216Es may play an important role in the dissemination of optrA and poxtA, respectively. The findings revealed the potential threat to nosocomial infection by optrA and coexistence of optrA and poxtA in Enterococcus faecium. Thus, clinical surveillance of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus is urgently needed.Keywords: optrA, poxtA, linezolid-non-sensitive Enterococcus faecium, WGS

Jin-Min Wang,1,&ast; Kan-Di Yang,2,&ast; Song-Ying Wu,3 Xiang-Gu Zou,3 Yuan-Sheng Liao,1 Bin Yang,4 Bu-Ni Xie,1 Yan Huang,4 Shi-Ju Li,1 Hui-Jun Ma5 1Department of Internal Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Internal Neurology, Anxi County Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362400, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Clinical Research, Fujian Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Internal Neurology, Fuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of General, Qiaokou Han Jia Dun Street Community Health Service Center, Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jin-Min WangDepartment of Internal Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 282 of Wusi Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13960769905Fax +86-591-87825344Email drwang_wjm1298@163.comObjective: This study aims to investigate the correlation of platelet parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) with depression.Methods: The clinical data of 61 patients with depression and 30 healthy control subjects were collected to compare the platelet parameters, CRP levels, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups for correlation analysis.Results: The results revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of patients with depression was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy control subjects, and that this difference was more significant in women than in men. Patients with severe depression showed an increased mean platelet volume (MPV) (P < 0.05). In the patients with depression, MPV was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for work and interest, gastrointestinal symptoms, hopelessness, the anxiety/somatization factor, and the hopelessness factor. Platelet count (PLT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for hypochondriasis, and plateletcrit (PCT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for middle insomnia and hypochondriasis. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms as well as hopelessness. Higher CRP levels (P < 0.05) were found in the patients with depression than in the healthy control subjects. Furthermore, in the patients with depression, CRP levels were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for guilt and the cognitive impairment factor.Conclusion: Classical platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW) and CRP were shown to be associated with specific depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment factors, including sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypochondriasis, losing interest in work, and despair. These results suggest that both platelet parameters and CRP could be suitable biomarkers for predicting the occurrence and prognosis of depression, thus providing a new target for its treatment.Keywords: depression, platelet parameters, C-reactive protein, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

Xiaohua Wang,1,2 Si Wen,2 Li Ye,2 Dan Liu,2 Mao-Qiang Man,2 Bin Yang1,2 1Department of Dermatology, Jinan University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China; 2The Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, 510091, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Bin YangThe Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510091, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail yangbin1@smu.edu.cnIntroduction: Although it is well known that epidermal function changes with aging, the transcriptomic basis and possible signaling pathways for aging-associated functional changes remain largely unknown.Methods: Here, we employed RNA sequencing techniques to assess epidermal gene expression profiles in the epidermis of mice aged 1, 2, 6, 12 and 20 months.Results: A total of 132 genes displayed reductions in expression levels with aging, while expression levels of 406 genes increased with aging. Epidermal gene expression was prominently upregulated in 2-month-old vs 1-month-old mice, while more genes were downregulated in 12-month-old mice. Upregulation of genes associated with immune/inflammatory responses was observed in the epidermis of aged mice in comparison to that of young mice, whereas downregulated signaling pathways in the epidermis of aged mice were primarily involved in metabolism, such as fatty acid elongation, glutathione metabolism and biosynthesis of antibiotics. Some signaling pathways, such as chemokine signaling, cytokine/cytokine receptor interaction signaling and IL-17 signaling pathways, were remarkably upregulated in 12-month-old mice. Steroid synthesis, metabolic pathway, thermogenesis and proteasome pathways were steadily downregulated, starting at 2 months old.Conclusion: These results indicate that the epidermis of aged mice displays an upregulation of genes associated with inflammatory signaling pathways, and downregulation of genes related to metabolic signaling pathways.Keywords: aging, epidermis, gene expression

Yan Chen,1– 5,&ast; Yue Ma,1– 5,&ast; Xueting Yang,1– 5 Jinlong Chen,1– 5 Bo Yang,1– 5 Weidong Tian1– 5 1Engineering Research Center of Oral Translational Medicine, Ministry of Education, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 4National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Weidong Tian; Bo YangDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, 3rd Section, Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 28 8550 3499, Email dr.yangbo@scu.edu.cn; drtwd@sina.comPurpose: Exosomes derived from stem cells, as an alternative to stem cells themselves, have been employed for dental pulp regeneration. However, it is not known whether exosomes can recruit host cells to the regeneration process. In this study, we built a “cell homing” model to determine whether exosomes derived from dental pulp tissue (DPT-exos) can regenerate dental pulp by recruiting the stem cells from the apical dental papilla (SCAPs).Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the dental pulp tissue (DPT-exos) and dental pulp stem cells (DPC-exos) of swine. The effects of the exosomes on SCAPs were compared using CKK-8, Transwell, angiogenesis, and odontogenic induction assays. DPT-exos and DPC-exos were investigated in an in vivo “cell homing” model using swine teeth to compare their roles in pulp regeneration. To build the model, we placed SCAP-containing collagen gel at the root tip and filled the cavity of the treated dental matrix (TDM) with DPT-exos and DPC-exos-laden scaffolds, which would be expected to recruit SCAPs to the pulp cavity. The complex was then implanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient nude mice. After eight weeks, tissue samples were taken and analyzed histologically to determine whether the DPT-exos contributed to pulp regeneration through “cell homing”.Results: Exosomes were successfully extracted from dental pulp tissue and confirmed to be exosomes. In vitro tests confirmed that DPT-exos performed better than DPC-exos in promoting the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of SCAPs. Furthermore, DPT-exos recruited SCAPs to regenerate dental pulp-like connective tissue in vivo containing collagen, odontoblasts, and enriched predentin-like tissue. Blood vessel growth was demonstrated by immunofluorescence.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the ability of DPT-exos to induce SCAPs to regenerate connective tissue similar to natural dental pulp. This technique has the potential for treating pulp deficiency caused by various pulp diseases.Keywords: exosomes, pulp regeneration, cell homing

We present the first results from a reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken during the first half of 2012, with additional data on one active galactic nucleus (AGN) (NGC 3227) from a 2014 campaign. Our main goals are (1) to determine the black hole masses from continuum-Hβ reverberation signatures, and (2) to look for velocity-dependent time delays that might be indicators of the gross kinematics of the broad-line region. We successfully measure Hβ time delays and black hole masses for five AGNs, four of which have previous reverberation mass measurements. The values measured here are in agreement with earlier estimates, though there is some intrinsic scatter beyond the formal measurement errors. We observe velocity-dependent Hβ lags in each case, and find that the patterns have changed in the intervening five years for three AGNs that were also observed in 2007.

Ternary structure is an important design strategy to obtain high-efficiency non-fullerene organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, the role of the third component to the standard binary system is still unclear. Here, a wide-bandgap small-molecule acceptor, denoted IDT-T, is synthesized and used together with a wide-bandgap donor polymer, PBDB-T, and a low-bandgap acceptor, ITIC, for fullerene-free ternary solar cells. The ternary cell features an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 12.2%, together with improved photocurrent density, open-circuit voltage (VOC), and fill factor. Studies of the thin films indicate that IDT-T functions as an energy-level mediator, a fluorescence resonance energy-transfer donor, an electron acceptor, and a crystallization modulator in the blend, which contribute synergistically in the ternary blend to deliver a higher VOC, more efficient exciton generation, suppressed bimolecular charge recombination and enhanced charge transport, and an overall high photovoltaic performance. Very recently, non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) based on low-bandgap small molecules have emerged as a new class of acceptors that rival the dominance of fullerene-based acceptors. Such discovery also stimulates promising device architectures such as ternary solar cells, with a handful that have achieved high power conversion efficiencies above 12%. The primary effort, however, has been focusing on low-bandgap NFAs that exploit complementary absorption and energy-level cascade. Herein we report a rare example of a wide-bandgap NFA that leads to high-performance ternary solar cells without relying on full absorption complementarity of all three components. Detailed studies revealed the multiple roles of this acceptor in blend films, which contribute synergistically to improved device characteristics. This work may inspire new design principles of potent wide-bandgap NFAs, which will open the door to high-efficiency organic photovoltaic devices through new opportunities such as multi-component solar cells. The marriage of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) and ternary solar cell architecture has brought about great advances in organic photovoltaics. The primary effort, however, has been focusing on low-bandgap NFAs that exploit complementary absorption and energy-level cascade. Here we report a wide-bandgap NFA IDT-T that functions as an energy-level mediator, a fluorescence resonance energy-transfer donor, an electron acceptor, and a crystallization modulator, which contribute synergistically in a ternary blend to yield high organic photovoltaic device performance.

The population of large asteroids is thought to be primordial and they arethe most direct witnesses of the early history of our Solar System. Thosesatellites allow study of the mass, and hence density and internal structure.We study here the properties of the triple asteroid (107) Camilla fromlightcurves, stellar occultations, optical spectroscopy, and high-contrast andhigh-angular-resolution images and spectro-images. Using 80 positions over 15years, we determine the orbit of its larger satellite to be circular,equatorial, and prograde, with RMS residuals of 7.8 mas. From 11 positions inthree epochs only, in 2015 and 2016, we determine a preliminary orbit for thesecond satellite. We find the orbit to be somewhat eccentric and slightlyinclined to the primary's equatorial plane, reminiscent of the inner satellitesof other asteroid triple systems. Comparison of the near-infrared spectrum ofthe larger satellite reveals no significant difference with Camilla. Hence,these properties argue for a formation of the satellites by excavation fromimpact and re-accumulation of ejecta. We determine the spin and 3-D shape ofCamilla. The model fits well each data set. We determine Camilla to be largerthan reported from modeling of mid-infrared photometry, with aspherical-volume-equivalent diameter of 254 $\pm$ 36 km (3 $\sigma$uncertainty), in agreement with recent results from shape modeling(Hanus2017+). Combining the mass of (1.12 $\pm$ 0.01) $\times$ 10$^{19}$ kgdetermined from the dynamics of the satellites and the volume from the 3-Dshape model, we determine a density of 1,280 $\pm$ 130 SI. From this density,and considering Camilla's spectral similarities with (24) Themis and (65)Cybele (for which water ice coating on surface grains was reported), we infer asilicate-to-ice mass ratio of 1-6, with a 10-30% macroporosity.

Cubic metal-covalent-supramolecular organic framework (MCSOF-1) hybrid has been created from the reaction of two molecular components and subsequent co-assembly with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) in water. In the presence of CB[8], [Ru(bpy)3]2+ -based acylhydrazine 1·2Cl reacted with aldehyde 2·Cl to quantitatively yield six-armed precursor 3·8Cl through the generation of MCSOF-1. MCSOF-1 combines the structural features of metal-, covalent- and supramolecular organic frameworks. Its periodicity in water and in the solid state was confirmed by synchrotron X-ray scattering and diffraction experiments. MCSOF-1 could enrich discrete anionic polyoxometalates (POMs), maintain periodicity in acidic medium, and remarkably facilitate visible light-induced electron transfer from its [Ru(bpy)3]2+ units to enriched POMs, leading to enhanced catalysis of the POMs for the reduction of proton to H2 in both aqueous (homogeneous) and organic (heterogeneous) media.

Complex-oxide materials exhibit physical properties that involve the interplay of charge and spin degrees of freedom. However, an ambipolar oxide that is able to exhibit both electron-doped and hole-doped ferromagnetism in the same material has proved elusive. Here we report ambipolar ferromagnetism in LaMnO3, with electron-hole asymmetry of the ferromagnetic order. Starting from an undoped atomically thin LaMnO3 film, we electrostatically dope the material with electrons or holes according to the polarity of a voltage applied across an ionic liquid gate. Magnetotransport characterization reveals that an increase of either electron-doping or hole-doping induced ferromagnetic order in this antiferromagnetic compound, and leads to an insulator-to-metal transition with colossal magnetoresistance showing electron-hole asymmetry. These findings are supported by density functional theory calculations, showing that strengthening of the inter-plane ferromagnetic exchange interaction is the origin of the ambipolar ferromagnetism. The result raises the prospect of exploiting ambipolar magnetic functionality in strongly correlated electron systems.

Recent efforts in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been devoted to obtaining low-bandgap non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) for high photocurrent generation. However, the low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level in narrow bandgap NFAs typically results in a small energy difference (ΔEDA) between the LUMO of the acceptor and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the donor, leading to low open-circuit voltage (VOC). The trade-off between ΔEDA and photocurrent generation significantly limits the simultaneous enhancement of both VOC and short-circuit current density (JSC). Here, we report a new medium-bandgap NFA, IDTT-T, containing a weakly electron-withdrawing N-ethyl thiabarbituric acid terminal group on each end of the indacenodithienothiophene (IDTT) core. When paired with a benchmark low-bandgap PTB7-th polymer donor, simultaneous enhancement of both ΔEDA and absorption spectral coverage was realized. The OPV devices yield a VOC of 1.01 V, corresponding to a low energy loss of 0.57 eV in around 10% efficiency single-junction NFA OPVs. The design demonstrates a working principle to concurrently increase ΔEDA and photocurrent generation for high VOC and PCE in bulk fullerene-free heterojunction OPVs.

We present optical continuum lags for two Seyfert 1 galaxies, MCG+08-11-011 and NGC 2617, using monitoring data from a reverberation mapping campaign carried out in 2014. Our light curves span the ugriz filters over four months, with median cadences of 1.0 and 0.6 days for MCG+08-11-011 and NGC 2617, respectively, combined with roughly daily X-ray and near-UV data from Swift for NGC 2617. We find lags consistent with geometrically thin accretion-disk models that predict a lag-wavelength relation of τ ∝ λ 4/3. However, the observed lags are larger than predictions based on standard thin-disk theory by factors of 3.3 for MCG+08-11-011 and 2.3 for NGC 2617. These differences can be explained if the mass accretion rates are larger than inferred from the optical luminosity by a factor of 4.3 in MCG+08-11-011 and a factor of 1.3 in NGC 2617, although uncertainty in the SMBH masses determines the significance of this result. While the X-ray variability in NGC 2617 precedes the UV/optical variability, the long (2.6 day) lag is problematic for coronal reprocessing models.

High boiling-point solvent additives, such as 1,8-diiodooctane, have been widely used to tune nanoscale phase morphology for increased efficiency in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. However, liquid-state solvent additives remain in the active films for extended times and later migrate or evaporate from the films, leading to unstable device performance. Here, a solid-state photoactive molecular mediator, namely N(BAI)3, is reported that could be employed to replace the commonly used solvent additives to tune the morphology of bulk heterojunction films for improved device performance. The N(BAI)3 mediator not only resides in the active films locally to fine tune the phase morphology, but also contributes to the additional absorption of the active films, leading to ∼11% enhancement of power conversion efficiency of P3HT:PC60BM devices. Comparative studies are carried out to probe the nanoscale morphologies using grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and complementary neutron reflectometry. The use of 1 wt% N(BAI)3 is found to effectively tune the packing of P3HT, presumably through balanced π-interactions endowed by its large conjugated π surface, and to promote the formation of a PC60BM-rich top interfacial layer. These findings open up a new way to effectively tailor the phase morphology by photoactive molecular mediators in organic photovoltaics.

Baolong Yang, Hongbing Ma, Yan Bian Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi ‘an Jiaotong University, Xi ‘an, Shanxi Province, 710004, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hongbing Ma; Yan BianDepartment of Radiotherapy Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi ‘an Jiaotong University, Xiwu Road No. 157, Xi ‘an, Shanxi Province, 710004, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13991845066Email mahongbing0530@163.com; mcgddaxxnaand0xkx@163.comObjective: Esophageal cancer (EC) represents a life-threatening tumor with an ever-increasing incidence rate. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNAs (LINCs) have also become a topic of interest in EC. In a similar light, the current study aimed to investigate the role of LINC00261 in EC radioresistance.Methods: Firstly, radioresistant EC cell lines TE-1-R and TE-5-R were established using TE-1 and TE-5 cells. Subsequently, LINC00261, microRNA (miR)-552-3p, and DIRAS1 expression patterns in EC tissues and adjacent normal tissues and EC cells were evaluated. In addition, survival fraction (SF), colony formation, apoptosis, and γ-H2AX levels were analyzed, followed by the detection of the binding relation between LINC00261 and miR-552-3p and between miR-552-3p and DIRAS1. Lastly, xenograft transplantation was carried out to confirm the effects of LINC00261 on EC radioresistance in vivo.Results: LINC00261 and DIRAS1 were poorly-expressed in EC tissues and cells, but miR-552-3p was over-expressed. In EC cells with X-ray radiation, over-expression of LINC00261 reduced SF and cell viability, strengthened γ-H2AX levels, and promoted apoptosis, while all these trends were counteracted by miR-522-3p over-expression or DIRAS1 silencing. Mechanistic investigation further validated the binding relation between LINC00261 and miR-552-3p, and between miR-552-3p and DIRAS1. Moreover, LINC00261 over-expression suppressed tumor growth and reduced EC radioresistance in vivo.Conclusion: Altogether, our findings indicated that LINC00261 exerts a suppressive effect on EC radioresistance via the competing endogenous RNA network to sponge miR-552-3p and up-regulate DIRAS1 transcription.Keywords: esophageal cancer, radioresistance, long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 00261, microRNA-552-3p, DIRAS1, TE-1-R

Mingjiang Li,1 Bo Yang,1 Xiaoping Li,1 Haixia Ren,2 Liang Zhang,1 Lei Li,1 Wei Li,1 Xuhui Wang,1 Honggang Zhou,3 Weidong Zhang1 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 3College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Mingjiang Li; Weidong ZhangDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 24 Fukang Road, Tianjin, 300192, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-22-23627068Email mingjiangli@nankai.edu.cn; weidongzhang_tfch@163.comIntroduction: The regulatory mechanisms of super enhancers (SEs) and ceRNA networks in LUAD progression are not well understood. We aimed to discover the prognostic-related ceRNA network regulated by SEs in metastatic LUAD.Methods: RNA-seq data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed (DE) RNAs were identified by edgeR. CeRNA network was predicted and visualized using starBase and Cytoscape. H3K27ac ChIP-seq data were derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and used for SE identification. Kaplan–Meier curve and multivariate Cox model were applied for prognostic analysis. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were performed for functional analysis. SEs of AC074117.1 were verified by ChIP-qPCR in A549 and H1299 cells. MTT assay was performed to analyze cell proliferation. Luciferase activity assay was carried out to validate the target targeting relationships of ceRNA network.Results: A total of 2355 DEmRNA, 483 DElncRNA and 155 DEmiRNA were identified between metastatic LUAD and adjacent normal tissues. CeRNA network consisting of 7 DElncRNAs, 18 DEmiRNAs and 15 DEmRNAs was constructed. Among the seven DElncRNAs in ceRNA network, only AC074117.1 was regulated by SEs. SE-regulated prognostic ceRNA sub-network consisting of FKBP3, E2F2, AC074117.1 and hsa-let-7c-5p was screened and verified. The overlapping co-expressed mRNAs of FKBP3, E2F2, AC074117.1 and hsa-let-7c-5p were mainly related to cell division and Fanconi anemia pathway. Genes in the ceRNA sub-network were correlated with DNA mismatch repair markers. Functional experiments proved that AC074117.1 was highly expressed in LUAD cells. AC074117.1 silencing notably inhibited proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells. Luciferase activity assay confirmed the direct relationship in AC074117.1-hsa-let-7c-5p-FKBP3/E2F2 network.Conclusion: A novel prognostic ceRNA sub-network regulated by SEs was identified in metastatic LUAD. This study provided potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for further study of metastatic LUAD.Keywords: lung adenocarcinoma, super enhancer, prognosis, competitive endogenous RNA, differentially expressed genes