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In modern lifestyles, high-fat diets and prolonged inactivity lead to more people developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Based on the modern pathogenesis of T2D, food, and its components have become one of the top concerns for patients. Recent studies have found that dysbiosis and gut-related inflammation are more common in T2D patients. Probiotics and prebiotics play complementary roles in the gut as dietary supplements. Together, they may help improve dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation in people with T2D, increase the production of blood glucose-lowering hormones such as incretin, and help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood glucose. Therefore, changing the dietary structure and increasing the intake of probiotics and prebiotics is expected to become a new strategy for the adjuvant treatment of T2D.

BACKGROUND: G-quadruplexes are molecular switches regulating gene transcription. c-MYC and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) play important roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolic regulation in colon cancer. Whether berberine can regulate metabolism by interacting with c-MYC and HIF1α G-quadruplexes in colon cancer needs to be explored. METHODS: The binding mode of berberine with c-MYC and HIF1α G-quadruplexes were explored by ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy was performed to evaluate the effects of berberine on the stability of c-MYC and HIF1α G-quadruplexes. After different concentrations of berberine acting on HCT116 cells for 24 h, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry; quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression of c-MYC and HIF1α; transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the metabolic pathways. For the effects of berberine on colon cancer mouse model with dose of 50 mg·kg(−1) for 14 days, tumor growth were monitored, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining were performed to analyze histopathology and protein expression of c-MYC and HIF1α, central carbon metabolism was detected in tumor tissues. RESULTS: The binding ability of berberine with c-MYC G-quadruplex was different to that of berberine with HIF1α G-quadruplex. Both binding modes involved π-π stacking. The stoichiometric ratios were 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 for berberine with c-MYC G-quadruplex and only 1:1 for berberine with HIF1α G-quadruplex. Temperature had a greater effect on the binding of berberine to c-MYC G-quadruplex. Berberine could improve the thermal stability of both c-MYC and HIF1α G-quadruplexes. Berberine inhibited the gene transcription and protein expression of c-MYC and HIF1α in colon cancer HCT116 cells. In vivo, berberine delayed tumor progression and inhibited the protein expression of c-MYC and HIF1α. Twelve differential metabolites such as decreased adenosine triphosphate were obtained, indicating that berberine could regulate the metabolic pathways of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, among others. CONCLUSIONS: Berberine may inhibit colon cancer by regulating the TCA cycle and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis based on the interaction with c-MYC and HIF1α G-quadruplexes.

The concept of fitness is central to evolutionary biology, yet it is difficult to define and to measure. In plant biology, fitness is often measured as seed count. However, under an array of circumstances, seed count may be a biased proxy of fitness, for example when individuals vary in allocation to sexual versus asexual reproduction. A more subtle example, but also likely to be important in natural populations, is when interindividual variation in conditions during development results in variation in offspring quality among seed parents. In monocarpic (semelparous) plants, this is expected to result from variation in effective season length experienced among individuals that reach reproductive maturity at different times. Here, we manipulate growing season length to ask whether seed count is an accurate representation of parental fitness in the monocarpic herb Lobelia inflata. Simple seed count suggests a paradoxical fitness advantage under constrained‐season length. However, we find that the apparent fitness advantage of a constrained‐season length is overridden by low relative per‐seed fitness. Furthermore, the fitness deficit in the constrained environment is associated primarily with an accelerating decrease in viability and seedling survival in seeds derived from fruits produced progressively later in the season. In this study, the overall fitness value of a seed under a constrained season is 0.774 of that observed under a long season., The number of offspring produced is often used as an individual fitness proxy. This may be problematic, for example, if the quality of environment experienced differs among individuals. We find that Lobelia inflata produces more seeds under an experimentally constrained than long season, but these seeds have low germination success and low seedling survival. Overall, the true fitness value of a single seed under a constrained season is only 77% of that under a long season.

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Background: Metabolic reprogramming has emerged as an important feature of cancer, and the metabolism-related indexes are closely related to prognosis. Therefore, we develop and verify a large sample clinical prediction model to predict the prognosis in patients with solid tumors.Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on a primary cohort of 5006 patients with solid tumor from INSCOC database. A total of 1720 cancer patients treated at the Fujian Cancer Hospital was used to form the validation cohort. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to test the independent significance of different factors and then establish the model. The prediction model was simplified into a nomogram to predict the 1-, 3-and 5-year OS rates. To determine the discriminatory and predictive accuracy capacity of the model, the C-index and calibration curve were evaluated.Results: Multivariate analysis indicated that age, smoking history, tumor stage, tumor metastasis, PGSGA score, FBG, NLR, ALB, TG, and HDL-C were independent factors. Moreover, the nomogram combining the score and clinical parameters can predict patient survival accurately.Conclusions: Clinical indicators based on metabolism reprogramming coould well fit and predict the prognosis of cancer patients, and could provide assistance for the individual treatment of tumor patients in the clinic.

BACKGROUND: Xenobiotic metabolism plays an important role in the progression of colon cancer; however, little is known about its related biomarkers. This study sought to construct a prognostic model related to xenobiotic metabolism in colon cancer, and further reveal the characteristics of tumor immune microenvironment based on the prognostic model. METHODS: Transcriptome data of 41 normal colon tissues and 473 colon tumor tissues and the clinical features of 452 colon cancer patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Data on xenobiotic metabolism genes (XMGs) were obtained from the hallmark xenobiotic metabolism set of the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) and articles. Additionally, data on differential XMGs in colon cancer were acquired for a functional enrichment analysis by R software. An XMG prognostic model was constructed by a Cox regression analysis, and evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, risk curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and an independent prognostic analysis in a training cohort and validation cohort. Moreover, tumor immune infiltration and negative regulatory immune genes of cancer-immunity cycle (CIC), including immune checkpoints and immune cytokines, were further analyzed between low- and high-risk groups in both the training and validation cohorts. Differences with P value

Quality evaluation is a bottleneck restricting the modernization and internationalization of Chinese materia medica (CMM). Due to characteristics of multi-component, multi-efficacy, multi-target, the existing quality evaluation system still cannot fully meet quality control needs of CMM. Hence, the author put forward “Bio-characteristic profiling related to clinic, BPRC” academic concept, meanwhile, fully take the advantage of analysis method with clinical monitoring superiority or profiling characteristics, build up “BPRC” new technology platform, in order to realize “real-time, dynamic and full-range monitoring” new technologies of CMM quality evaluation system and promote the further development of CMM industry.

Essential hypertension (EH) is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the etiology of EH is complex and unknown. So far, there is no good protein biomarker for screening EH. The purpose of this study was to discover potential biomarkers for EH by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and establish a decision-tree classification model.A total of 108 patients with clinically confirmed EH and 105 HC were enrolled in the present study from September 2020 to April 2021 and were randomly divided into the training group and the blind-test group. The serum protein expression profiles were performed using MALDI-TOF MS combined with magnetic beads with weak cation exchange (MB-WCX). The training group, which comprised 54 EH patients and 53 HC, was used to screen the statistically differential protein peaks by SPSS 19.0 and construct a decision-tree classification model by C5.0 algorithms of SPSS Modeler 18.0. All protein peak intensities of samples in the blind-test group, which comprised 54 EH patients and 52 HC, were used to verify the diagnostic capabilities of the model by classification model.EH patients had higher age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures than HC group. The intensities of 60 protein peaks differed significantly between the EH patients and HC. An optimal decision-tree classification model of EH was successfully established with mass-to-charge ratios of 1,326.7, 1,785.3, 4,228.0, and 8,963.8 as differential protein peaks by the software analysis. The decision-tree classification model was able to distinguish between EH patients and HC and had a sensitivity of 94.44%, a specificity of 94.33%, an accuracy of 94.39%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.96. The blind-test results indicated a sensitivity of 87.04%, a specificity of 88.46%, an accuracy of 87.74%, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.928.MALDI-TOF MS combined with MB-WCX can be used to screen for serum differential protein expression profiles in EH patients. The decision-tree classification model based on mass-to-charge ratios of 1,326.7, 1,785.3, 4,228.0, and 8,963.8 could provide a new and reliable method for screening and identifying EH with high sensitivity and specificity.

Background Compared with colon cancer, the increase of morbidity is more significant for rectal cancer. The current study set out to identify novel and critical biomarkers or features that may be used as promising targets for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of rectal cancer. Methods Microarray datasets of rectal cancer with a minimum sample size of 30 and RNA-sequencing datasets of rectal adenocarcinoma (READ) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The method of robust rank aggregation was utilized to integrate differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was structured using the STRING platform, and hub genes were identified using the Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba and an UpSet diagram. R software was employed to perform functional enrichment analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on the GEO data and Kaplan-Meier curves based on the TCGA data were drawn to assess the diagnostic and prognostic values of the hub genes. Immune cell infiltration analysis was conducted with CIBERSORT, and the diagnostic value and correlations between prognostic genes and infiltrated immune cells were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), ROC curves, and correlation scatter plots. Results A total of 137 robust DEGs were obtained by integrating datasets in GEO. Twenty-four hub genes, including CHGA, TTR, SAA1, SPP1, MMP1, TGFBI, COL1A1, and PCK1, were identified as a diagnostic gene biomarker group for rectal cancer, and SAA1, SPP1, and SI were identified as potential novel prognostic biomarkers. Functionally, the hub genes were mainly involved in the rectal cancer related interleukin (IL)-17 and proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation pathways. Twelve sensitive infiltrated immune cells were identified, and were correlated with prognostic genes. Conclusions The integrated gene biomarker group combined with immune cell infiltration can effectively indicate rectal cancer.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) have been a devastating actuality in clinic. However, the pre-onset risk factors, that correlated with pregnancy failure, including antiphospholipid antibodies (APLs) and angiogenic factors, remain unclear. A retrospective study was performed in this research, and data from 145 pregnant women were collected during their pregnancy. Patients were finally divided into non-APO group (n = 89) and APO group (n = 56) according to their pregnancy outcomes. The associations among their characteristics, laboratory tests, therapies, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with APOs showed significant prevalence of lupus anticoagulant (LAC) positive (P

Background Serum samples of patients with hemorrhagic cerebral infarction (HCI), cerebral infarction (CI), and healthy controls (HCs) were used to screen statistically different protein peaks as potential biomarkers and to establish a decision tree classification model. Methods The serum samples from clinically confirmed patients with HCI and CI from November 2018 to October 2019 were collected, along with those of HCs who visited our hospital during the same period. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) with CM10 ProteinChip was used to analyze the differences in serum protein expression profiles of 30 patients with HCI, 32 patients with CI, and 31 HCs in the training group, and a decision tree classification model was established. At the same time, the blind test group (18 patients with HCI, 21 patients with CI, and 17 HCs) was tested by a blind method. Results Model 1 was successfully established by software analysis with a mass-to-charge ratio of 3,495.2, 8,941.0, and 15,890.4 as a differential protein peak. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of model 1 in distinguishing HCI from HCs were 86.8%, 87.1%, and 86.9%, respectively. After verification of model 1 by the blind test group, the results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 88.9%, 94.1%, and 91.4%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of model 2 with a mass-to-charge ratio of 2,941.3 as a differential protein peak were 86.7%, 75.0%, and 80.6%, respectively. After verification of model 2 by the blind test group, the results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.3%, 90.4%, and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusions Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) and CM10 ProteinChip can be used to screen serum protein markers in patients with HCI. Mass-to-charge ratio of 3,495.2, 8,941.0, 15,890.4, and 2,941.3 may be potential protein biomarkers of HCI and used to distinguish HCI patients from HCs and CI.

To elucidate the effects of CaO on nitrogen transformation during sludge pyrolysis, transformation behavior from char N into NOx precursors during pyrolysis of soybean protein (SP) with CaO at 600–700°C was investigated. Results showed that CaO inhibited the transformation of pyridine N and quaternary N into HCN and promoted HCN conversion into NH3 at 600–700°C. CaO inhibited the conversion of protein N and tar N into NH3 at 600°C but promoted it at 700°C. NOx precursor yield was the lowest when SP was pyrolyzed with CaO/N of 5.5 at 600°C (reduced by 11.66% compared with raw SP pyrolysis).

Aiming at bearing capacity problem of tunnel anchorages at Yaan side for Luding super large suspension bridge over the Dadu river, to study systematically the deformation, creep characteristics and bearing capacity of the tunnel anchorage and its surrounding rockmass by a comprehensive research method based on rock mechanic tests are proposed. The approach included in the research consists of in-situ geological investigation and rock mechanical tests, the 1:10 anchorage physical model test with the same rockmass at site of the actual schemed tunnel anchorage, and the numerical simulations related to bearing capacity evaluations of the actual tunnel anchorage. Several conclusions have been drawn. Geological representation of model tunnel anchorage is verified by comparing the surrounding rock geological condition and mechanical characteristics of model tunnel anchorage and actual tunnel anchorage is basically similar. Recommended test values of mechanical parameters of rockmass are proposed based on rock mechanical tests. In-situ scale model test results show that: (1) the maximum deformation of anchoring concrete-plug is 0.42, 2.50, 6.41 mm respectively under 1 P (design load), 3.5 P and 7 P, while the maximum deformation of surrounding rock is 0.25, 1.86, 6.59 mm respectively under 1 P , 3.5 P and 7 P. (2) Anchoring concrete-plug, surrounding rock and their dislocation experience deceleration creep and then tend to be stable, which belongs to attenuation type creep. (3) A characteristic point of anchoring concrete-plug model system is 5.25 P, which comforts code requirement. In addition, the technological line and achievement is an example for bridge construction in some other similar engineering.

With the number of endangered species increasing and budgets for protection remaining inadequate, there is an urgent need to judiciously prioritize management. Some potential approaches include prioritizing based on threat, uniqueness (i.e., full species prioritized before subspecies) or endemicity. Here, we use Canada as a case study to test whether management under the national Species at Risk Act prioritizes endemic and globally at risk species, versus subspecies and populations of globally secure species. Canada is an ideal case study because it is a large country with many species that are at the northern edge of their ranges, but others that are globally at risk endemics. We show that Canada does a poor job of prioritizing globally at risk and endemic full species. Only a small proportion of species listed have legally required ‘Action Plans’ for management, and this proportion is not significantly greater for globally at risk species. In addition, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish are more likely to be managed as subspecies or populations compared to other taxa, possibly due to greater differentiation among populations, bias in research toward charismatic or economically-valued taxa, or to allow continuation of economic activities that threaten portions of species’ habitats. Given the limited resources being allocated to conserving species at risk of extinction, we suggest that full, endemic threatened species for which host nations bear sole responsibility must be the highest priority, and that globally threatened species should also be given high priority.

Recent studies have revealed that artesunate (ART) has clear anti-tumor activity, suggesting that it could be a good candidate chemotherapeutic agent. In this study, we researched the inhibitory effect of ART on MCF7 cells and explored the possible mechanisms. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of ART on the proliferation of MCF7 cells. Crystal violet staining was used to observe morphological and quantitative changes. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle of the drug-acting MCF7 cells. In addition, western blotting was used to detect the drug influence on expression of the ATM, phospho-ATM(S1981), H2AX, γH2AX(S139), CHK2 and phospho-CHK2(T68), cdc25C, and phospho-cdc25C(S216). In the experimental groups, the proliferation of MCF7 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner and the original cell morphology was lost. The number of G2/M phase cells in the experimental groups increased significantly, and the expression of DNA damage response-associated proteins was significantly increased, such as phospho-ATM(S1981), γH2AX(S139), phospho-CHK2(T68), and phospho-cdc25C(S216). ART can inhibit cell proliferation and promote G2/M arrest in MCF7 cells through ATM activation and the ensuing “ATM-Chk2-Cdc25C” pathway, thus implicating ART as a novel candidate for breast cancer chemotherapy.

The conversion of nitrogen-containing species in sludge is influenced by mineral matter. Raw sludge and demineralized sludge were pyrolyzed in a fixed-bed reactor in the temperature range of 500–800 °C to investigate the roles of the temperature and mineral matter on the nitrogen conversion in sewage sludge. To gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nitrogen transformation mechanisms, we characterized the nitrogen-containing functional groups in raw sludge and chars via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the NOx precursors (HCN and NH3) were identified using a spectrophotometric method. According to the results, mineral matter has been proven to be able to affect the yields of char N, gas N, and other N (nitrogen in tar, N2, NO, and others). The interaction between mineral matter and N-containing species in sewage sludge is strongly limited by the temperature. Mineral matter inhibits char N conversion at 500–600 °C and promotes char N conversion within the range of 600–800 °C. Meanwhile, m...

B2O3–SnO2/graphene (B2O3–SnO2/G) composite is fabricated via a chemical heat solvent method and utilized as anode material for lithium ion batteries. The added B2O3 dramatically improves the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries compared to the SnO2/G composite. The B2O3–SnO2/G composites as anode show an outstanding discharge capacity of 1404.9 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 200 cycles and an excellent rate capacity, which apparently outperforms the previously reported SnO2-based anode material. These improved electrochemical performance characteristics are due to the B2O3 played a buffering role, which are easily beneficial for accommodating the volume change during the lithium ions insertion/extraction processes. Furthermore, boron atoms can accept electrons for its electron-deficient nature and boron ions could release electrons, which lead to electrons' increased density and conductivity are increased. The results indicate that the B2O3–SnO2/G composite is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries.

Rechargeable Li–O2 batteries are attracting more and more interest due to their high energy density. Meanwhile, the replacement of high-cost and scarce precious-metal catalysts has attracted more and more attention. Currently, many academic researchers have paid attention to find highly efficient metal-free catalysts as air cathode material. Herein, the boron-doped carbon microspheres (B-CMs) were prepared through a novel and facile static calcination method and showed high electrocatalytic activity as a cathode material. The battery with a B-CM cathode delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 13,757.2 mAh g−1 and outstanding coulombic efficiency of 90.1 % at 100 mA g−1. In addition, stable cyclability (151 cycles with stable discharge voltage of ~2.60 V with a cutoff capacity of 1000 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1) has been exhibited. These performances are due to three main points: boron carbide compound changed the surface area of the CMs and formed the mesopore architectures as well as the large surface area of 683.738 m2 g−1; the reduce of boron atom can slow down the oxidation of the CMs during the cyclings; and finally, the electron-deficient boron atom introduction greatly facilitated Li+ diffusion and electrolyte immersion and enhanced the oxygen reduction and evolution reaction kinetics.

Considering spinel Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) both have own unique natural performance advantages separately, so we utilize a facile hydrothermal route to fabricate a composite which is synthesized by the spinel LTO grown on the rGO sheets. Electrochemical tests reflect that the small ratio of rGO (about 6.2 wt %) plays a key role in the improvement of the original morphology, structure and high rate performance. Compared with the previously published LTO/rGO composite, the newly synthesized LTO/rGO composite delivers a higher reversible special capacity of 196.4 mAh g −1 at 1C and even exhibits good cycle stability with 98.1% retention after 100 cycles. What’s more, after cycling 500 times at 20C, the discharge capacity of composite retains 154.5 mAh g −1 (96.5% retention), whereas the bare LTO is only 69 mAh g −1 (79.7% retention). In addition, the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /rGO composite possesses fine high rate performance with the specific discharge capacities of 175.3 mAh g −1 (at 10C), 167 mAh g −1 (at 15C) and 160.1 mAh g −1 (at 20C). Such electrochemical performance is attributed to its unique structure of conductive rGO sheets with clung Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 particles.

Our previous study demonstrated that short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) significantly inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion. On the basis of these results, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of shRNA-CXCR4 silencing on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in human SW626 ovarian cancer cells. Following silencing the CXCR4 gene with shRNA, the mRNA expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) was determined using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, whereas the protein expression of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and phosphorylated (p)-c-Jun were determined using immunocytochemistry and western blotting. SW626 cells transfected with shRNA-CXCR4 exhibited significantly increased ASK1 mRNA expression (P

Few-layer graphene was synthesized at 95 °C by the Ullmann reaction using acetylene as the raw material. Hexabromobenzene (HBB) and cuprous bromide were used as the catalyst in this reaction. A contrast experiment performed without HBB also confirmed this point. The resulting material was characterized by Raman spectroscopy and exhibited characteristic peaks of graphene. Moreover, the structure of the as-prepared material was confirmed as few-layer graphene by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The synthesized graphene used as the anode of lithium-ion battery exhibited the initial and reversible capacities of 650 and 570 mAh g−1, respectively, which in accordance with the theoretical capacity of graphene.

The influences of different temperatures and sewage treatment processes on the pyrolysis of sludge obtained from three municipal wastewater plants in Shenyang, China, were studied in a fixed-bed reactor. To clarify nitrogen transformation mechanisms, the functional forms of sewage sludge nitrogen (SS-N) were evaluated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; the NOx precursor was identified with a spectrophotometric method. The results show that nitrogen present in sludge in forms of protein N (P-N), pyridine N (N-6), pyrrole N (N-5), quaternary N, and nitrogen oxides (N-X); P-N and N-6 account for approximately 80% of the total nitrogen in raw sludge samples (SS-Raw). NH3 is the main product of P-N conversion during sludge pyrolysis; the majority of N-6 tends to be converted into HCN at 400–600 °C. The N-6 removal rate is closely linked to the type and origin of municipal sludge that originates from different sewage treatment processes as well as the various stages of the microbial growth curve. The ana...

Carbon microspheres (CMs) were synthesized by a reflux-calcination method and showed a large BET surface area of 626.919 m2 g−1, a typical micropore structure and good electrochemical properties. The CMs which were employed as an air cathode without the addition of any metal particles, not only provided reaction sites but also acted as a cathode carbon support in the non-aqueous system of Li–O2 batteries. An initial discharge capacity of 12 081.0 mA h g−1 could be obtained at 200 mA g−1. Little capacity loss was shown after 20 full discharge–charge cycles under a current density of 300 mA g−1. 60 cycles of continuous discharge and charge were achieved with no capacity loss with a cut-off capacity of 1000 mA h g−1, at 200 mA g−1. The reversible formation is clearly revealed by the CV curves.

Previous studies have demonstrated that connexin40 (Cx40) remolding is involved in atrial fibrillation (AF). GJA5 encoding Cx40 is a potential target mRNA of microRNA-208a-3p (miR-208a-3p), as indicated by preliminary bioinformatics analyses. However, the exact effect of miR-208a-3p on Cx40 in human chronic AF has remained elusive. The present study demonstrated the role of miR-208a-3p in human chronic AF and further investigated the effect of miR-208a-3p on Cx40 expression. A total of 19 patients with AF and 18 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. The AC16 cell line was treated with miR-208a-3p inhibitor or mimics. The miR-208a-3p in right atrial appendage (RAA) tissues of patients was measured by in situ hybridization and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the expression of Cx40 in the RAA of patients and in AC16 cells treated with miR-208a-3p inhibitor or mimics were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. A luciferase assay was performed to confirm whether Cx40 was directly targeted by miR-208a-3p. The miR-208a-3p levels in patients with AF were significantly increased compared with those in patients with SR. Conversely, the Cx40 protein levels were significantly decreased and lateralization of Cx40 was observed in patients with AF. miR-208a-3p inhibitor led to a significant upregulation of the protein expression of Cx40 in AC16 cells, while miR-208a-3p mimics led to a significant downregulation. However, the luciferase assay demonstrated that GJA5 was not a direct target gene of miR-208a-3p. The findings still suggested that miR-208a-3p may be involved in human chronic AF by mediating atrial Cx40 remolding, and may represent a potential therapeutic target for AF.

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide can activate chemically inert carbon dioxide by the use of renewable energy. In the present work, the main products of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 in aqueous TiO2 suspensions were found to be methane, methanol, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and H2. Anatase TiO2 catalysts with various morphologies, such as nanoparticle, nanotube, and nanosheet, were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. The TiO2 nanosheets were more active than the nanotubes or nanoparticles in the reduction of CO2 in aqueous solution. This is because the photogenerated carriers prefer to flow to the specific facets. The TiO2 sheet with high-energy exposed {001} facets facilitates the oxidative dissolution of H2O with photogenerated holes, leaving more photogenerated electrons available for the reduction of CO2 on {101} facets. Moreover, surface fluorination promotes the formation of Ti3+ species, which is helpful in the reduction of CO2 to CO2– and in extending the lifetime of photogene...

A novel visible-light-active BiOCl/BiVO4 photocatalyst with a p–n heterojunction structure was prepared using a hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction was investigated by monitoring the change in methyl orange (MO) concentration under visible-light irradiation. The results reveal that the composite exhibited markedly improved efficiency for MO photodegradation in comparison with pure BiVO4, BiOCl, and Degussa P25. This is ascribed to the B-type heterojunction structure with a strong oxidative ability and efficient charge separation and transfer across the BiOCl/BiVO4 p–n junction. The highest activity was obtained in the BiOCl/BiVO4 heterojunction using a composite of 13 mol % BiOCl and 87 mol % BiVO4. The removal of MO was mainly initiated by valence-band holes, but dissolved oxygen also played a crucial role in consuming the conduction-band electrons. This was verified by the effects of scavengers and N2 purging.

A kinetic model for the electrochemical dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will be an important contribution to the design and optimization of a continuous reactor. Initially, the electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination of 2-chlorobiphenyl (2-ClBP) to biphenyl at a palladium-modified nickel foam (Pd/Ni) cathode in a batch reactor was used as a model reaction for a quantitative study of the influences of the operating parameters, including temperature, the initial concentrations of PCBs, current density and the amount of Pd loading, on the apparent reaction rate. The dechlorination was found to follow pseudo first-order kinetics with respect to the 2-ClBP concentration. It was also found that a simple global power law rate equation, with Arrhenius dependency, can be used to describe the correlation between the pseudo first-order reaction rate constants and the reaction conditions. Subsequently, a mathematical model for predicting the performance of reductive dechlorination of 2-ClBP on Pd/Ni electrodes in a continuous stirred tank reactor was constructed, based on the batch-reaction kinetics. The suitability of the model was validated by performing experiments in and out of the range of reaction conditions applied in the batch reactor. The results show that the calculated values are a good fit to the experimental data.

Objective: To explore the role of platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) signaling in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Thirty-nine AF patients and 33 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) were enrolled. Twenty canines were randomized into 5 groups: control, sham and AF lasting 1, 2 or 4 weeks. The AF canine models were made by rapid atrial pacing. Rat atrial fibroblasts were treated with PDGF-BB or PDGF-BB + PDGFR inhibitor AG1295, respectively. Gene expression in the right atrial appendage of patients, the left atrium of canines and rat atrial fibroblasts was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The degree of atrial fibrosis was evaluated by Masson trichrome staining. Results: The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B, PDGFR-β and collagen type I (COL1) in AF patients significantly increased compared to patients with SR. The degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of PDGF-B and COL1 in canines increased progressively with the increased duration of AF. The expression of PDGFR-β increased progressively 2 weeks after AF. PDGF-BB promoted the proliferation and COL1 secretion of rat atrial fibroblasts. AG1295 attenuated these effects. Conclusions: Our study suggests that PDGF-B/PDGFR-β signaling, which promotes the proliferation and COL1 secretion of atrial fibroblasts, is an important contributor to atrial fibrosis in AF and may represent a novel target for the intervention of AF.