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The combination of graphene and perovskite has received extensive research attention because its photoelectric properties are excellent for the dynamic manipulation of light–matter interactions.

Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to embryonic stem cell-like cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in which the natural developmental differentiation process is reversed. It is unclear whether the multi-lineage cells can be isolated and identified during reprogramming. In the current study, we detected the expression of lineage markers, isolated neural lineages, and identified the related microRNAs during iPSC formation. Our results demonstrated that a neuroectoderm appeared earlier than mesoderm and definitive endoderm before forming colonies when mouse embryonic fibroblasts were subjected to iPSC formation using transcription factors (TFs). On day 3, the cells expressed Sox1 and Nestin and had ultrastructure consistent with the transition to identity neural germ layer lineage. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed a peak (40%) in neural progenitor marker-positive cells. When subsequently cultured in a neural precursor cell medium, these cells proliferated slowly, became round and aggregated, generating into neurons and glia. Genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) analysis identified 45 differentially regulated miRNAs. Molecular network analysis demonstrated that these miRNAs validated 6,047 experimental mRNA targets. The GO functional annotation analysis of mRNA targets revealed that most genes were related to neurogenesis, such as growth cone, neuronal cell body, neuron projection, and cell junction synapse. The network of protein-protein interactions was observed, which demonstrated that key nodes of neural lineage reprogramming-associated targets were Sall1, Foxa2, Nf2, Ctnnb1, Shh, and Bmpr1a. Therefore, these data suggested that TFs can drive the reprogramming of somatic cells towards a pluripotent state via neuroectoderm. Moreover, the neural lineage reprogramming system can address how miRNAs influence their target sites.

Maternal insults during pregnancy induces an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring, but the neuropathological changes in this process remains not to be established. To shed light on this, the transcriptome datasets of maternal blood samples with children later diagnosed with ASD and typical development, and tissue samples of multiple brain regions from ASD patients and human neurodevelopment were conducted to identify the non-chasm differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to generate the spatio-temporal dynamic change. Combined enrichment and interaction network analysis revealed that non-chasm DEGs with similar expression trajectories in the same brain regions, were involved in neural, immune and metabolic GO functions and KEGG pathways, respectively, suggesting that did not performed exactly the same functions. Interestingly, our results found that non-chasm DEGs in frontal cortex and temporal cortex were associated with COVID-19, suggesting that as an environmental risk factor COVID-19 affects an increased risk of ASD.

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication that occurs during hepatic resection and liver transplantation. However, the mechanisms underlying hepatic IRI have not been fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to explore the role of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) in hepatic IRI and the underlying mechanisms. In this work, we found that FGF18 was upregulated in the livers of human and mice subjected to IRI. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) secreted FGF18 and protected against IRI-induced hepatocytes apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Liver-specific FGF18 overexpression effectively alleviated I/R-induced liver injury, while aggravated in mice with HSCs-specific FGF18 deletion. Mechanistically, FGF18 treatment reduced the mRNA and protein levels of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 16 (USP16), leading to increased ubiquitination levels of Kelch Like ECH Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1) and the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In addition, USP16 interacted and deubiquitinated KEAP1 via K48-linked ubiquitination. More importantly, FGF18-induced Nrf2 directly bound to the promoter of USP16 and thus formed a negative feedback loop with USP16. Collectively, our results show that FGF18 alleviates hepatic IRI mainly by elevating the ubiquitination level of KEAP1 via downregulation of USP16 and thereby activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, suggesting that FGF18 may represent a promising therapeutic approach for hepatic IRI.

The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3(MAPbBr3) has been well developed in the X-ray to visible light band due to its superior optoelectronic properties, but this material is rarely studied in the infrared band. In this paper, a UV-NIR broadband optical detector based on MAPbBr3 single crystal is studied, and the response range can reach the near-infrared region. In the visible light band, the optical response of the device is mainly caused by the photoelectric effect; in the near-infrared band, the optical response of the device is mainly caused by the thermal effect. The carrier response of MAPbBr3 material under different wavelengths of light was investigated using a non-contact measurement method (optical pump terahertz (THz) probe spectroscopy). This paper also builds a set of photoelectric sensor array components, and successfully realizes the conversion of optical image signals to electrical image signals in the visible light band and infrared band. The experimental results show that MAPbBr3 crystals provide a new possibility for UV-NIR broadband photodetectors.

Metal halide perovskites are studied for photodetection applications because of their outstanding optical and electrical properties. A self-powered ultraviolet-to-near infrared broadband photodetector based on a Ag-doped CsPbI

Accumulated studies have suggested that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are critical for skin development. However, it remains elusive how BMP signaling via ALK2 (aka ACVR1), one of the important BMP type I receptors, regulates keratinocyte differentiation. To address this question, we utilized a genetic system that enhances BMP signaling via ALK2 in an epidermis-specific manner in mice (hereafter ca-Alk2:K14-Cre). Ca-Alk2:K14-Cre mice displayed a sticky and hairless skin phenotype with a thinner epidermis incapable of differentiating. Although cellular proliferation and survival were comparable between wild-type and ca-Alk2:K14-Cre mice, skin differentiation was severely hampered in ca-Alk2:K14-Cre mice. To uncover the mechanism of altered keratinocyte differentiation, we performed a transcriptome analysis. As a result, we found that the expression levels of cell cycle inhibitor p21 were increased in ca-Alk2:K14-Cre mice. Our findings suggest that aberrant BMP signaling via ALK2 positively regulates p21 expression that attenuates keratinocyte differentiation, and further highlights the critical role of BMP signaling in skin development.

A graphene-based terahertz negative-conductivity metasurface based on two types of unit cell structures is investigated under the control of an external bias voltage. Electrical characterization is conducted and verification is performed using a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and an optical-pump terahertz (THz)-probe system in terms of simulation and transient response analysis. Owing to the metal-like properties of graphene, a strong interaction between the metasurface and monolayer graphene yields a short-circuit effect, which considerably weakens the intensity of the resonance mode under passive conditions. Under active conditions, graphene, as an active load, actively induces a negative-conductivity effect, which enhances the THz transmission and recovers the resonance intensity gradually because of the weakening of the short-circuit effect. The resulting resonance frequency shows a blue shift. This study provides a reference value for combining graphene exhibiting the terahertz bias-driven negative-conductivity effect with metasurfaces and its corresponding applications in the future.

A stable terahertz (THz) photo-writable electrical-erasable memory from a CsPbI3:Ag (Ag-nanoparticle-added CsPbI3)/SnO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid sample was investigated. A significant THz modulation depth ...

Objectives Although integrins have been shown to be associated with proliferation and differentiation in some stem cells, the regulatory effect of integrin α6 (ITGα6) on the human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) hasn't been reported. Here, we detected the roles of ITGα6 in hDPSCs. Material and methods Attached to Cytodex-3 microcarriers, hDPSCs grown under microgravity simulation (SMG) or conventional culture conditions were measured the proliferation and different gene expression. Further, ITGα6 was silenced in hDPSCs, and its effect on proliferation, differentiation and cytoskeletal organization was analyzed. Results SMG conditions increased the number of Ki67-positive hDPSCs and progression into S phase of cell cycle. WB analysis showed the expression of ITGα6 was upregulated in hDPSCs under SMG conditions. Knockdown ITGα6 decreased the expression of stemness markers, CD105 and STRO-1 in hDPSCs, but promoted the osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation by increased ALP expression and alizarin red nodules. Moreover, RNA-seq demonstrated that RHO/ROCK signaling pathway upregulated in silencing ITGα6-hDPSCs. Treatment with Y-27632 inhibited the effect of ITGα6 depletion on hDPSCs stemness, rearranged the cytoskeleton, promoted the pluripotency, proliferation ability and inhibited the differentiation. Conclusion ITGα6 promotes hDPSCs stemness via inhibiting RHO/ROCK and restoring cytoskeleton.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology refers to the reprogramming of terminally differentiated somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells by introducing specific transcription factors that are known to regulate pluripotency, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. In this study, we reprogrammed the primary fibroblasts isolated from the Daxxflox/flox mice, which carry the Oct4-green fluorescent protein reporter, and employed wild-type littermates as a control to induce iPSCs, then knocked out Daxx by infecting with Cre virus at the cellular level. The pluripotency and self-renewal capacity of iPSCs were determined. In addition, Daxx deletion altered the pluripotency marker (Nanog, Oct4) expression and displayed neural differentiation defects. Particularly, by performing transcriptome analysis, we observed that numerous ribosome biogenesis-related genes were altered, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expression of rDNA-related genes, 47S and 18S, was elevated after Daxx deletion. Finally, we illustrated that the expression of the neurodevelopment-related gene was upregulated both in iPSCs and differentiated neurospheres. Taken together, we demonstrated that Daxx knockout promotes the expression of rDNA, pluripotency, and neurodevelopment genes, which may improve the differentiation abilities of mouse iPSCs (miPSCs).

Stable terahertz photo-writable electrical-erasable memory from CsPbI3:Ag (Ag-nanoparticles added CsPbI 3 )/SnO 2 /PEDOT:PSS hybrid sample was investigated. Significant THz modulation depth of CsPbI 3 :Ag/PEDOT:PSS was obtained with low optical excitation intensity. After the insertion of a SnO2 film between the CsPbI3 and PEDOT:PSS, a 34% terahertz modulation depth was reached under optical excitation, and the recovery time of modulated THz transmission was considerably prolonged on removal of laser excitation. On applying a bias voltages to the CsPbI 3 :Ag/SnO 2 /PEDOT:PSS structure, THz transmission were quickly returned. THz transmissions were apply to be coded pixel units and were programmed to store image signal. Based on this, a stable photo-memory functionality was accomplished with the CsPbI 3 :Ag/SnO 2 /PEDOT:PSS composite sample using a method for in situ electrically-erasing information stored in both the spectrum and image.

The mechanism of enhanced reflection of terahertz wave via photoexcitation of a poly[2-methoxy-5-(2[Formula: see text]-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV)/poly(3-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid structure on silicon is reported. The reflectivity and incident angles measured for different samples conform to Brewster’s law. When the sample was excited by a continuous wave 450 nm laser at two randomly selected angles, the reflectivity of sample increased. According to the Fresnel equations, this phenomenon is related to the conductivity and refractive index of the sample. In calculated time-domain spectra excited by the laser at various power densities, the enhanced terahertz reflectivity is attributed to conductivity changes rather than the refractive index.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in female, and has a high mortality rate. The mechanisms of tumorigenesis and reprogramming of somatic cells have a certain degree of similarity. Here, we focus on the relationship between gene expression, signaling pathways and functions in BC compared to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We first identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common to BC and iPSCs in datasets from GEO and TCGA. We found 22 DEGs that were significantly associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis by performing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and one-way ANOVA. The results of protein mass spectrometry of tumor stem cells (Mcfips) demonstrated that the proteins encoded by 8 of these DEGs were also differentially expressed. The functional enrichment analysis showed that most of the 30 DEGs were related to collagen and chromatin functions. Our results might offer targets for future studies into the mechanisms underlying tumor occurrence and progression, and our studies could provide valuable data for both basic research and clinical applications of BC.

Background The normal cardiac rhythm is generated in the sinoatrial node (SAN). Changes in ionic currents of the SAN may cause sinus arrhythmia. CXXC finger protein 1 (Cfp1) is an epigenetic regulator that is involved in transcriptional regulation of multiple genes. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore whether Cfp1 controls SAN function through regulation of ion channel–related genes. Methods Electrophysiological study, patch clamp recording, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, optical mapping, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to evaluate the function of SAN and underlying mechanism on Cfp1 heterozygous knockout (Cfp1+/–) mice. Results Heart rate was slower slightly and SAN recovery time was longer in Cfp1+/– mice than controls. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording showed that the firing rate of action potentials was reduced in Cfp1+/– mice. The density of If current was reduced by 66% in SAN cells of Cfp1+/– mice but the densities of ICa, ICa-L, and ICa-T were not changed. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 4 (HCN4) mRNA level in SAN tissue of Cfp1+/– mice was reduced. The HCN4 protein was significantly decreased in SAN cells and tissues after heterozygous deletion of Cfp1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay on cultured HL-1 cells demonstrated that Cfp1 was enriched in the promoter regions of HCN4. Knockdown of Cfp1 reduced H3K4 trimethylation, H3K9 acetylation, and H3K27 acetylation of HCN4 promoter region. Conclusion Deficiency of Cfp1 leads to small changes in heart rate by moderate epigenetic modification alterations and significant protein downregulation of HCN4 ion channels in mice.

A polarization device with active controlled terahertz amplitude and frequency shift based on In2O3 was designed. The THz transmission intensity decreases under optical excitation of the In2O3/PEDOT:PSS/metal wire grid/quartz structure. The modulation depth of the sample for THz transmission is greater when the metal wire is perpendicular to the direction of the THz electric field polarization than when it is parallel. The photoexcited sample reduces the THz transmission and allows the frequency to be tuned. When driven by bias, the THz transmission signal and frequency can be substantially reset. The decrease and increase of the THz transmission result from the increase in the conductivity of the In2O3 layer and the decrease in the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS:DMSO film, respectively. The THz frequency shift results from a change in the refractive index of the sample, which causes a photo-induced redshift or a bias-driven blueshift of the THz frequency.

Optically tunable terahertz (THz)-band interference fringes shift in a polymer/silicon structure was investigated. We report an interference phenomenon formed by partial-through measurements and shift of periodic peaks in a terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system. When the terahertz beam passes through the sample edge, equally-spaced interference fringes are obtained in the frequency domain, and the interference fringes can be varied using an external continuous wave laser. This work offers the ability to observe THz-band interference fringes in the frequency domain; these interference fringes change with variations in the applied excitation light intensity.

We report an active broadband terahertz (THz) modulator based on an Fe3O4 nanoparticle/silicon (Si) structure, where the interface effects were measured in a homemade THz time-domain spectroscopy system. An approximately 100-nm Fe3O4 nanoparticle thin film on the high-resistance Si substrate was easily attained by spin-coating ferrofluids. In our experiment, a modulation depth as high as 92% was achieved at an external laser irradiance of 3.6 W/cm2. This result can be explained by the accumulation of carriers at the interface of the hybrid structure, which induces intense absorption of the THz transmission. In addition, the limit modulated frequency of the device is ∼12 kHz. The superior performance of this device for THz wave modulation in comparison to other nanomaterial-based THz modulators and the ease of fabrication both illustrate that this is a promising method in the modulation of THz transmission. Furthermore, this modulator could also potentially provide an essential component in a wide variety of technologies, such as THz communications, THz imaging, etc.

Morphology engineering was investigated for hybrid perovskites CH3NH3PbI3:Ag/Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) that were fabricated in both air and nitrogen environments for active terahertz (THz) memory modulation. Under low optical excitation or an applied bias, THz amplitude modulation or rapid restore in both CH3NH3PbI3:Ag/PEDOT:PSS hybrid structures were demonstrated. The recovery time of the modulated THz wave in the sample fabricated in air was considerably longer than that of the sample fabricated in nitrogen because of defect states induced by a high degree of roughness. THz transmissions were used as coded pixel units and were programmed to store a 4×4 image or a multi-order signal. Hence, active THz memory modulation was demonstrated. It also has potential applications as a visible to near-infrared broad-spectrum light detector.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology refers to the reprogramming of terminally differentiated somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells by introducing specific transcription factors that are known to regulate pluripotency, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. In this study, we reprogrammed the primary fibroblasts isolated from the

A terahertz read-only in situ electrically-erasable rewritable photo-memory device based on a perovskite:Ag (perovskite with Ag nanoparticles added)/SnO2/PEDOT:PSS hetero-junction structure is reported. Under low optical excitation, considerable terahertz amplitude modulation in a perovskite:Ag/PEDOT:PSS hybrid structure was achieved. When a SnO2 nanoparticle film was inserted between the perovskite and PEDOT:PSS layer, the attenuation of the terahertz signal was weaker than that of the perovskite:Ag/PEDOT:PSS hybrid structure; however, the SnO2 nanoparticle film considerably prolonged the recovery time of the modulated terahertz wave in air after photo-excitation was stopped. In addition, when bias voltages were applied to the perovskite:Ag/PEDOT:PSS and perovskite:Ag/SnO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid structures, respectively, the terahertz signals recovered rapidly for both structures. Consequently, the photo-memory functionality was achieved based on a perovskite:Ag/SnO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid structure with an in situ method for erasing stored information.

Supplemental Material, Title_and_description_for_all_supplemental_material for Enhanced UV Resistance Role of Death Domain–Associated Protein in Human MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells by Regulation of G2 DNA Damage Checkpoint by Zhiyan Shan, Li Liu, Jingling Shen, Haiyue Hao, Honghong Zhang, Lei Lei, Feng Liu and Zhipeng Wang in Cell Transplantation

A spatial shift of the terahertz wave reflected from a polymer/silicon hybrid structures was efficiently modulated by an external continuous wave laser. The intensity and mode of the terahertz reflected wave field change with period depending on the incidence angle of the terahertz wave. This dependence arises from the Fabry–Perot effect and matches the theoretical result. Compared with pure Si, larger spatial shifts can be obtained for the reflected terahertz wave from the MEH-PPV/Si sample in the single mode and multi-mode settings with 510 μ m and 1190 μ m attained, respectively, using the external laser. The results demonstrate what differentiates traditional intensity modulator is an active functioning terahertz spatial-shift modulator by photo-excitation of polymer/silicon hybrid structures.

The physical properties of human jawbone, spongy bone, collagen and the human bone substitute Cerabone® have been investigated in vitro using terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS). The refractive indices n(f) and linear absorption coefficients $\alpha $(f) of collagen, bone tissue and transplantation material have been determined within the range of the spectrum between 0.2 THz and 2.5 THz. The obtained results allow us to determine the proximity of the physical properties of the Cerabone® bone transplantation material with the natural bone matrix.

We propose a photo-excited tunable multi-frequency metamaterial (MM) switch that can be used in the terahertz region. This metamaterial switch is composed of a polyimide substrate and a hybrid metal–semiconductor square split-ring resonator (SRR) with two gaps, with various semiconductors placed in critical regions of the metallic resonator. By changing the incident pump power, we were able to tune the conductivity of the diverse semiconductors filling the gaps of the SRR, and by using an external exciting beam, we were able to modulate the resonant absorption properties of the composite metamaterial structure. We demonstrated the tunable multi-frequency metamaterial switch by irradiating the composite metamaterial structure with a pump laser. In addition, we proposed a tunable metamaterial switch based on a circular metallic split-ring resonator.

Logarithmic peak second derivative (LPSD) method is the most popular method for depth prediction in pulsed thermography. It is widely accepted that this method is independent of defect size. The theoretical model for LPSD method is based on the one-dimensional solution of heat conduction without considering the effect of defect size. When a decay term considering defect aspect ratio is introduced into the solution to correct the three-dimensional thermal diffusion effect, we found that LPSD method is affected by defect size by analytical model. Furthermore, we constructed the relation between the characteristic time of LPSD method and defect aspect ratio, which was verified with the experimental results of stainless steel and glass fiber reinforced plate (GFRP) samples. We also proposed an improved LPSD method for depth prediction when the effect of defect size was considered, and the rectification results of stainless steel and GFRP samples were presented and discussed.

Bias-driven terahertz (THz) negative conductivity and transmission enhancement based on structures composed of monolayer graphene, MXene (Ti3C2Tx) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate):dimethyl sulfoxide (PEDOT:PSS:DMSO) caused by photo-excited or bias-driven are investigated. The THz signals that pass through the monolayer graphene/quartz, MXene/quartz, thinner and thicker PEDOT:PSS:DMSO/quartz structures are enhanced effectively under photo excitation or application of an external bias voltage in a THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system. This enhancement of THz transmission indicates that negative conductivity occurs, which is consistent with the results based on the monolayer graphene, thinner PEDOT:PSS:DMSO samples detected using an optical pump-THz probe (OPTP) system. The conductivity reduction mechanism is explained using an established Drude model. After photo excitation, this results in the generation of photo-induced carriers and an increase in the average scattering rate of the carriers. And as a consequence of the energy injection into the carrier system of the sample after applying a bias, the carrier temperature increases rapidly; this results in the generation of carriers and an increase in the average scattering rate of the carriers. However, the increase in the average scattering rate of the carriers is much higher than the increase in the average carrier density, which leads to the negative conductivity and the increased THz transmission.

A high-efficiency active terahertz wave modulator based on a molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 )/germanium (Ge) structure was investigated. Spectrally broadband modulation of the THz transmission was obtained using optical control over the frequency range from 0.2 to 2.6 THz. The MoS 2 monolayer structure on germanium demonstrated enhancement of the terahertz modulation depth when compared with those of bare Ge and the graphene/Ge structures. The results show that the MoS 2 -based modulator demonstrated even higher modulation efficiency than the graphene-based device. The modulation enhancement mechanism that originated from increased conductivity was analyzed. The optical modulation properties of the MoS 2 /Ge device show tremendous promise for applications in terahertz modulation and switching.

Ultrafast carrier response of perovskite/MoO3/graphene heterostructure was investigated by optical-pump terahertz (THz) probe spectroscopy. The high work function of MoO3 changes the tunable graphene Fermi level via hole doping. Compared with monolayer graphene, it generates a more negative photoconductivity and enables ultra-fast THz functional manipulation. The subsequent THz signal decrease is related to hot-carrier cooling and the carrier concentration contributed by the CH3NH3PbI3 layer. The charge transfer and recombination reduce the positive conductance of the hybrid structure relative to that of neat CH3NH3PbI3.

Retinol-binding protein RBP4 is the specific carrier for retinol in the blood. We previously produced a Rbp4-deficient (Rbp4-/-) mouse that showed electroretinogram (ERG) abnormalities, accompanied by histological and electron-microscopic changes such as fewer synapses in the inner plexiform layer in the central retina. To address whether human RBP4 gene expression can rescue the phenotypes observed in Rbp4-/- mice, we produced a humanized (Rbp4hRBP4orf/ hRBP4orf) mouse with a human RBP4 open reading frame in the mouse Rbp4 locus using a Cre-mutant lox recombination system. In Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice, the tissue-specific expression pattern of hRBP4orf was roughly the same as that of mouse Rbp4. ERG and morphological abnormalities observed in Rbp4-/- mice were rescued in Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice as early as 7 weeks of age. The temporal expression pattern of hRBP4orf in the liver of Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice was similar to that of mouse Rbp4 in Rbp4+/+mice. In contrast, hRBP4orf expression levels in eyes were significantly lower at 6 and 12 weeks of age compared with mouse Rbp4 but were restored to the control levels at 24 weeks. The serum hRBP4 levels in Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice were approximately 30% of those in Rbp4+/+ at all ages examined. In accordance with this finding, the plasma retinol levels remained low in Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice. Retinol accumulation in the liver occurred in control and Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice but was higher in Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice at 30 weeks of age. Mouse transthyretin expression was not altered in Rbp4-/- or Rbp4hRBP4orf/hRBP4orf mice. Taken together, 30% of the serum RBP4 level was sufficient to correct the abnormal phenotypes observed in Rbp4-/- mice.

A photo-excited terahertz switch based on a composite metamaterial structure was designed by integration of photoconductive silicon into the gaps of split-ring resonators. The conductivity of the silicon that was used to fill the gaps in the split-ring resonators was tuned dynamically as a function of the incident pump power using laser excitation, leading to a change in the composite metamaterial structure's properties. We studied the transmission characteristics of the composite metamaterial structure for various silicon conductivities, and the results indicated that this type of composite metamaterial structure could be used as a resonance frequency tunable terahertz metamaterial switch. We also designed other structures by filling different gaps with silicon, and proved that these structures could be used as terahertz metamaterial switches can change the working mode from a single frequency to multiple frequencies.

A high-efficiency active bidirectional electrically-controlled terahertz device based on DMSO-doped PEDOT:PSS with low-power photoexcitation is investigated. Under low-power optical excitation of 30 mW (0.5 W/cm2) and under bias voltages ranging from −0.6 V to 0.5 V, spectrally broadband modulation of THz transmission over a range from −54% to 60% is obtained over the frequency range from 0.2 to 2.6 THz in a MEH-PPV/PEDOT:PSS:DMSO/Si/PEDOT:PSS:DMSO hybrid structure. By considering the combined carrier density characteristics of the proposed device, it is found that the large-scale amplitude modulation can be ascribed to the electrically-controlled carrier density in the silicon layer with the assistance of the p-n junction that consists of the DMSO-doped PEDOT:PSS and silicon. Bidirectional modulation has a larger modulation range and is easier to use in communications applications when compared with unidirectional modulation. These results show great potential for application to the design of active broadband terahertz devices.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. When the disease becomes metastatic, limited treatment strategies exist, and metastatic disease prognoses are difficult to predict. Recently, evidence has emerged, which indicates that small RNAs are detectable in patient fluids, and exosomal small RNA ectopic expression is correlated with the development, progression, and metastasis of human PCa; however, the role of small RNAs in PCa is only partially understood. In this review, we discuss the research status regarding circulating exosomal small RNAs and applications using these small RNAs in PCa particularly looking at metastatic disease. Exosomal small RNAs could be used as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis, micrometastasis detection, and prognosis of PCa.

Controlling the transmission properties of the terahertz waves in organic/inorganic hybrid holds vast promise for the novel material structure. Organic polymers were used in many products and had excellent performance. With optical and electrical excitations, we experimentally demonstrated an active bidirectional amplitude modulation for terahertz consisting of a MEH-PPV/Pedot:Pss/Si/Pedot:Pss multiple structure. In the external CW optical excitation, transmitted terahertz waves were enhanced when biased with a low positive voltage while attenuated under negative voltage. We obtained a bidirectional transmission modulation from −54% to 60%. We believed the width of depletion layer between Pedot:Pss and silicon was changed by voltage. It was modulation mechanism. The result exhibits great potential for applications in designing active broadband terahertz devices.