Novel Isomer of Volleyballene Sc20C60.

The Stone-Wales defect is a well-known and significant defective structure in carbon materials, impacting their mechanical, chemical, and electronic properties. Recently, a novel metal-carbon nanomaterial named Volleyballene was discovered, characterized by a C-C bond bridging two carbon pentagons. Using first-principles calculations, a stable Stone-Wales-defective counterpart of Volleyballene, exhibiting Th symmetry, has been proposed by rotating the C-C bond by 90°. Although its binding energy per atom is slightly higher than that of Volleyballene (ΔEb = 0.009 eV/atom), implying marginally lower structural stability, it can maintain its bond structure until the effective temperature reaches about 1500 K, indicating greater thermodynamic stability. Additionally, its highest vibration frequency is 1346.2 cm-1, indicating a strong chemical bond strength. A theoretical analysis of the Sc20C60 + Sc20C60 binary systems highlights that the stable building block may be applied in potential nanoassemblies.

Bartonella Prevalence and Genome Sequences in Rodents in Some Regions of Xinjiang, China.

In this study, we investigated Bartonella infection and its genetic diversity in rodents in Beitun, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Small mammals were captured using snap traps at four sampling sites in 2018. Spleen and liver tissues were collected and cultured to isolate Bartonella strains. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the strains identified as Bartonella by gltA gene PCR, and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of the genomes was calculated by using FastANI v1.33. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the samples positive for Bartonella spp. by the gltA PCR assay based on 1,290-bp gltA genes, 2,903-bp rpoB genes, and core-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Among 66 rodents, 11 were positive for Bartonella, with an infection rate of 16.67%. The rodent infection rates in different tissues (χ2 = 2.133; P = 0.242), species (χ2 = 9.631; P = 0.141), and habitats (χ2 = 4.309; P = 0.312) did not show statistical differences. Bartonella spp. isolated from the rodents were phylogenetically divided into six clades (two different Bartonella species were detected in two rodents). By comparing phylogenetic trees based on gltA genes, rpoB genes, and SNPs, we found that the topological structures of several evolutionary trees are different. However, the Bartonella strains isolated in this study were clustered into six clusters in different phylogenetic trees. Broad distributions and high genetic diversity of Bartonella strains were observed among rodents in Beitun, Xinjiang. IMPORTANCE Rodent-borne Bartonella species have been associated with zoonotic diseases. Bartonella species such as Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella grahamii, and Bartonella tribocorum can cause disease in humans. Humans can be infected by blood-sucking arthropods through the scratches and bites of an infected reservoir host or via contact with infectious rodents. Xinjiang is one of the provinces with the most abundant species of Bartonella in China, but there are few reports about the prevalence of Bartonella in the Beitun area. This research aims to investigate the occurrence and prevalence of Bartonella infection in rodents at these sampling sites and provide a basis for the prevention and control of rodent Bartonella species in Beitun and the surrounding areas of Xinjiang.

[Gene expression profiles on three kinds of genotype hepatitis C virus core protein in Huh-7 cell line with microarray analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze three kinds of genotype hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein expressed in human hepatoma (Huh-7) cell line and to recognize HCV core proteins biological function and its pathogenic mechanism. METHODS: The Huh-7 cell expressed three kinds of core proteins were established respectively. Affymetrix human gene chip was used for identifying the gene expression dependently on Affymetrix's protocol. All genes changed by 3 or 1.5 folds between the transfected cells and a control cells were further analyzed, and annotated by using NetAffx analysis through Affymetrix website and were categorized based on their biological processes. RESULTS: The HCV-1b core protein caused 16 genes up/down-regulated expression, of which the immune response genes of PF4V1 and SPP1 were up-regulated 3.4 or 4.4 folds respectively. The HCV-2a core protein had caused the immune response gene CXCL5 and apoptosis gene BTF a down-regulated expression of 3.4 and 3.1 folds respectively, but caused the apoptosis genes of HRK and LZTS1 an up-regulated expression of 3.2 and 3.4 folds respectively. As compared with HCV 1b or 2a core protein, HCV-4b core protein caused 111 genes expression changing and it had more obvious effects on gene expression. If we applied 1.5 fold change for a comparison gene expression, a few of the same gene expression profiles might be caused by these two core proteins. CONCLUSION: The three kinds of HCV core protein should have its own expression character and be mainly shown in immune responses, signal transduction, apoptosis, etc. It should be helpful for our recognizing the HCV core protein biological function and its pathogenic mechanism.

[Effect of realgar on the gene expression profile of multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of realgar on the gene expression profiles of multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 by apply cDNA microarray. METHODS: The gene expression of RPMI 8226 cells before and after 48 hours of realgar treatment was determined with a cDNA microarray representing 4096 human genes. RESULTS: At the mRNA level, 164 genes were differentially altered; 53 genes were up-regulated; and 111 genes were down-regulated. CONCLUSION: The realgar treatment to RPMI 8226 cell line may induce a number of gene changes. Many genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. BTG1, ALK1, and TXNIP genes may play an important role in the apoptosis and differentiation of RPMI 8226 cells.

[Changes of gene expression profile of multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 treated by arsenic trioxide].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes of gene expression profiles of multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 before and after 24-hour intervention of arsenic trioxide. METHODS: The responses of the RPMI 8226 cells to arsenic trioxide were determined with cDNA microarray which included 4,096 different human genes. RESULTS: Of these 4,096 genes, the expressions of 273 genes were altered significantly at mRNA level. The expressions of 121 genes were up-regulated while the expressions of 152 genes were down-regulated. CONCLUSION: The effect of arsenic trioxide on RPMI 8226 cells is related to changing the expression levels of a number of genes. ZFYVE16, ALK1 and TXNIP genes may play important roles in apoptosis and differentiation of RPMI 8226 cells.