Photoelectrochemical Performance Improving Mechanism: Hybridization Appearing at the Energy Band of BiVO4 Photoanode by Doped Quantum Layers Modification.

Surface passivation of the photoelectrode by wide bandgap semiconductor quantum layer is an important strategy to improve work stability and surface state inhibition. However, an inevitable energy barrier is generated during the quantum tunneling process of the photocarriers. To overcome this shortage, a tandem photo-generated hole transfer route is fabricated on BiVO4 photoanode by doped dual-quantum layers modification, Ni-ZnO (5 nm) and Rh-SrTiO3 (≈10 nm). Modulated photoelectrochemical (PEC), Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP), and DFT calculation method results indicate that a tandem hole ohmic contact route is formed in the photoanode to reduce the quantum tunneling energy barrier, meanwhile, the photon absorption capacity of BiVO4 is improved after doped quantum layers modification. Both a phenomenal attribute to the energy band hybridization between Ni, Rh 3d orbits in quantum layers with BiVO4 photoanode. Then, the modified BiVO4 photoanode achieves the recoded photocurrent density of 6.47 and 5.18 mA cm-2 (Na2 SO3 electrolyte, VRHE  = 1.23 V) under simulated sun light (100 mW cm-2 AM 1.5 G) by xenon lamp illumination without and with UV composition cutting down to ≈5%, respectively. Generally, this work will highlight a potential application in the fields of PEC water splitting and photovoltaic conversion for various semiconductor nanomaterials.

The phosphorylation of Tudor-SN mediated by JNK is involved in the regulation of milk protein synthesis induced by prolactin in BMECs.

Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (Tudor-SN) is a multifunctional protein involved in a variety of cellular processes and plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Recently, Tudor-SN was found to be upregulated in mammary epithelial cells during lactation in response to prolactin, which further to regulate milk protein synthesis. However, the detailed regulatory mechanism of Tudor-SN to milk protein still remains to be elucidated. In our study, we observed that the levels of Tudor-SN and phosphor-Tudor-SN (Thr103) were both enhanced upon prolactin stimulation. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that prolactin treatment facilitated the nuclear transport of Tudor-SN. Further study revealed that the phosphorylation of Tudor-SN was depended on activated JNK. Coimmunoprecipitation assays disclosed that Tudor-SN might be phosphorylated directly by JNK. Using gene mutation assays, we further discovered that mutation of Thr to Ala at site of 103 prevented the nuclear transport of Tudor-SN. Thus, these results suggested the essential mechanism of the activated Tudor-SN in milk protein regulation in response to prolactin, which may provide some new sights into improve milk protein production.

Cyclase-associated protein 1 is a key negative regulator of milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Adenylyl cyclase-associated protein (CAP) is a highly conserved protein. Previous reports have suggested that CAP1 may be a negative regulator of cellular proliferation, migration, and adhesion and the development of cell carcinomas. The molecular mechanism of CAP1 regulation of downstream pathways, as well as how CAP1 is regulated by environmental stimuli and upstream signalling, is not well understood. In this present study, we assessed the role of CAP1 in milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. Using gene overexpression and silencing methods, CAP1 was found to negatively regulate milk synthesis and proliferation of cells via the PI3K-mTOR/SREBP-1c/Cyclin D1 signalling pathway. Hormones, such as prolactin and oestrogen, and amino acids, such as methionine and leucine, stimulate MMP9 expression and trigger CAP1 degradation, and thus, abrogate its inhibition of synthesis of milk protein, fat, and lactose by and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. The results of our study help deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying milk synthesis and aid in characterizing the molecular mechanisms of CAP1. Previous reports have suggested that CAP1 is a negative regulator of cellular proliferation and anabolism, but the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this present study, we identified CAP1 as a negative regulator of milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. Our results will deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying milk synthesis and aid in exploring the molecular mechanisms of CAP1.

Pharmacokinetics of gelatin sponge microparticles in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model of hepatic arterial chemoembolization.

The objective of this study is to investigate pharmacokinetics of gelatin sponge microparticles (GSMs) combined with epirubicin in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model of hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Eighteen successful models of VX2 in New Zealand white rabbits was established, which were divided into three groups randomly: HAI group (n = 6), the epirubicin solution (epirubicin 10 mg mixed with saline 10 ml into the hepatic artery); GSMs-TACE group (n = 6), GSMs (20 mg) mixed with epirubicin solution (1 mg/ml); c-TACE group (n = 6), epirubicin (10 mg) mixed with lipiodol (10 ml). Each rabbit was administrated epirubicin at dose adjusted for a 1 mg/kg. Samples were collected from femoral vein at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 90, and 120 min after therapy after 120 min; rabbit was killed, and tumor and peritumoral normal liver tissue was cised. Epirubicin concentrations in plasma and tumor were measured. The epirubicin concentration in plasma was significantly lower in GSMs-TACE group than in HAI group. C max in there groups after administration was 28.77 ± 7.15 µg/ml in c-TACE group, 83.84 ± 32.28 µg/ml in GSMs-TACE group, and 238.46 ± 23.44 µg/ml in HAI group at 5 min, respectively. The epirubicin concentration in tumor tissue was 53.06 ± 16.9 µg/g in c-TACE group, 44.49 ± 16.80 µg/g in the GSMs-TACE group, and 18.32 ± 8.30 µg/g in HAI group, respectively. Epirubicin concentration of GSMs-TACE group was significantly higher than that of HAI group (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) at 0-120 min in c-TACE, GSMs-TACE, and HAI groups were 1,815 ± 889.88, 3,416 ± 799.90, and 11,899 ± 2,717.17 µg min/ml, respectively. The AUC was lower in GSMs-TACE group than in HAI group (P < 0.05). Compared with HAI, GSMs-TACE has higher epirubicin concentrations in tumor and lower concentrations in plasma. The results show that GSMs-TACE has a feature of slow drug release-it may be one of the mechanisms of GSMs-TACE for HCC.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 regulated ARC expression mediated hypoxia induced inactivation of the intrinsic death pathway in p53 deficient human colon cancer cells.

Apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC), an anti-apoptotic protein, plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis by blocking both the extrinsic and intrinsic death pathways. However, its regulatory mechanism remains largely undefined. Here, we reported that hypoxia up-regulated the expression of ARC in p53 deficient human colon cancer cells. Moreover, ARC is a direct target of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), a key transcriptional factor for the cellular response to hypoxia. Silencing the expression of HIF-1α in SW480 colon cancer cells by RNA interference abolished hypoxia induced ARC expression. Using luciferase reporter and ChIP assay, we showed that HIF-1α directly bound to hypoxia-responsive element located at -419 to -414 of ARC gene, which is essential for HIF-1-induced expression. As a result of the increased ARC expression, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was reduced by hypoxia. These discoveries would shed novel insights on the mechanisms for ARC expression regulation and hypoxia induced inactivation of the intrinsic death pathway.

Crystal-reconstructed BiVO4 semiconductor photoelectrochemical sensor for ultra-sensitive tumor biomarker detection.

In this study, we developed a crystal-reconstructed-BiVO4 aptamer photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor by a high-energy laser treatment technique. This biosensor achieves a limit of detection (LOD) (0.82 ag mL-1), linear detection range (1 ag mL-1 to 2 ng mL-1), and resolution ratio (∼18 molecules per mL) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tumor biomarker detection. Furthermore, reconstructed surface microstructure and oxygen vacancy doping energy formation after crystal reconstruction induce the stereo-hindrance effect and photogenerated hole energy is reduced during PSA target detection. In this case, a photocurrent inhibition phenomenon for PSA detection is noticed. Based on this photocurrent inversion phenomenon, some dysoxidizable nucleonic acid tumor (miRNA-21) and virus biomarkers (RdRp-COVID) can be detected with a LOD level of ∼10-16 M by linking the corresponding base paring probe on the surface of the crystal-reconstructed photoanode. In addition to high sensitivity, this PEC biosensor presents high detection specificity, stability, and accuracy in clinical verification. Thus, this crystal-reconstructed PEC biosensor shows application potential in the fields of multi-tumor or viral biomarker detection.

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a specific type of mucinous secretory adenocarcinoma, which contains abundant mucus in the cytoplasm and pushes the nucleus to one side of the cell membrane, forming a round or oval, and the nuclear deviations give the cells a signet ring-like appearance. SRCC often originates in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach. However, primary SRCC of the extrahepatic bile duct is extremely rare. Therefore, little is known about its epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis. CASE SUMMARY: An 82-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain, jaundice, and skin pruritus for 2 mo. She had no specific family history. Physical examination presented normal vital signs, icteric sclera, visible jaundice, and mild tenderness in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Tumor-related cell markers were within normal values. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a thickened wall of the common bile duct, strengthened with intrahepatic bile duct dilation and multiple round-like lesions in the liver. In addition, the lymph nodes in the hepatic hilum area, the pancreatic head area, and around the abdominal aorta were enlarged. Thus, a preoperative diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was established. To alleviate jaundice and prolong the overall survival, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatic drainage (PTCD) was performed. During the operation, segmental stenosis of the extrahepatic bile duct and a vine-like expansion of the intrahepatic bile duct was observed. Furthermore, a biliary biopsy was performed under fluoroscopy to determine the nature and origin of the lesion. The pathological diagnosis of the biopsy was SRCC. Finally, a diagnosis of primary SRCC of extrahepatic bile duct with distant lymph node metastasis and multiple liver metastases was made based on the radiographic, PTCD, and pathological characteristics. The tumor was diagnosed as T3N1M1 stage IV. Despite our aggressive approach, the patient died of liver failure after 1 mo. CONCLUSION: This is the only case report on primary SRCC of the extrahepatic bile duct with distant organ metastasis to date.

Enhanced UV Emission from ZnO on Silver Nanoparticle Arrays by the Surface Plasmon Resonance Effect.

Periodical silver nanoparticle (NP) arrays were fabricated by magnetron sputtering method with anodic aluminum oxide templates to enhance the UV light emission from ZnO by the surface plasmon resonance effect. Theoretical simulations indicated that the surface plasmon resonance wavelength depended on the diameter and space of Ag NP arrays. By introducing Ag NP arrays with the diameter of 40 nm and space of 100 nm, the photoluminescence intensity of the near band-edge emission from ZnO was twofold enhanced. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurement and energy band analysis indicated that the UV light emission enhancement was attributed to the coupling between the surface plasmons in Ag NP arrays and the excitons in ZnO with the improved spontaneous emission rate and enhanced local electromagnetic fields.

Physical-Based Simulation of the GaN-Based Grooved-Anode Planar Gunn Diode.

In this paper, a novel gallium nitride (GaN)-based heterostructure Gunn diode is proposed for the first time to enhance the output characteristics of Gunn oscillation waveforms. A well-designed grooved anode contact is adopted to separate the long-channel diode into two short-channel diodes in parallel. If the grooved anode contact is positioned in the middle of the device, the output power nearly doubles in the grooved-anode diode compared with the single-channel ones, as does the output frequency. Based on the numerical results, the best output characteristics are obtained at the 2.0-µm symmetrical grooved-anode diode, which produces nearly 5.48 mW of power at the fundamental frequency of 172.81 GHz, with 3.13% efficiency of power conversion. If the grooved anode contact is not positioned in the middle of the diode, the harmonic frequency would be enhanced. The GaN heterostructure grooved-anode Gunn diode has been demonstrated to be an excellent solid-state source of terahertz oscillator.

Fabrication of ultra-sensitive photoelectrochemical aptamer biosensor: Based on semiconductor/DNA interfacial multifunctional reconciliation via 2D-C3N4.

In this work, we fabricate a novel bismuth vanadate/two dimensional-carbon nitride/deoxyribonucleic acid (BiVO4/2D-C3N4/DNA) aptamer photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor, and this sensor provides a record detection sensitivity area (5 × 10-7 µg/L - 10 µg/L) for Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Meanwhile, except for MC-LR detection, this sensor presents highly sensitivity for tumor marker, heavy metal ion, antibiotic also by changing the DNA aptamer. Photo charge dynamic and theory calculation results reveal that 2D-C3N4 is a key material for multifunctional interface reconciliation of this PEC aptamer sensor. Firstly, it can serve as photogenerated hole oriented-transfer medium from the BiVO4 photoanode to the detective target; In addition, 2D-C3N4 with large area of π electron cloud can fix the DNA aptamer parallelly by π-π bonding with the nucleic acid in the DNA aptamer to shorten the hole transfer distance from the semiconductor to target. So that, a record MC-LR detection sensitivity has been achieved by the 2D-C3N4 modified BiVO4/DNA aptamer sensor.

Identification of hepatocellular carcinoma prognostic markers based on 10-immune gene signature.

BACKGROUND: Due to the heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatocelluarin-associated differentially expressed genes were analyzed by bioinformatics methods to screen the molecular markers for HCC prognosis and potential molecular targets for immunotherapy. METHODS: RNA-seq data and clinical follow-up data of HCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Multivariate Cox analysis and Lasso regression were used to identify robust immunity-related genes. Finally, a risk prognosis model of immune gene pairs was established and verified by clinical features, test set and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) external validation set. RESULTS: A total of 536 immune-related gene (IRGs) were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with HCC. Ten robust IRGs were finally obtained and a prognostic risk prediction model was constructed by feature selection of Lasso. The risk score of each sample is calculated based on the risk model and is divided into high risk group (Risk-H) and low risk group (Risk-L). Risk models enable risk stratification of samples in training sets, test sets, external validation sets, staging and subtypes. The area under the curve (AUC) in the training set and the test set were all >0.67, and there were significant overall suvival (OS) differences between the Risk-H and Risk-L samples. Compared with the published four models, the traditional clinical features of Grade, Stage and Gender, the model performed better on the risk prediction of HCC prognosis. CONCLUSION: The present study constructed 10-gene signature as a novel prognostic marker for predicting survival in patients with HCC.

Redox state of cytochrome c regulates cellular ROS and caspase cascade in permeablized cell model.

In a permeablized cell system, oxidized cyt c is able to induce caspase cascade whereas reduced cyt c cannot. In in vitro experiments, oxidized cyt c can promote H(2)O(2) generation. It is suggested that the redox state of cyt c might regulate the initiation of apoptosis via regulation of cellular ROS level.

Metformin suppresses intrahepatic coagulation activation in mice with lipopolysaccharide/D­galactosamine­induced fulminant hepatitis.

Metformin is a widely­used antidiabetic drug with hypoglycemic activity and previously described anti­inflammatory properties. Previous studies have demonstrated that metformin attenuates endotoxic hepatitis, however the mechanisms remain unclear. Inflammation and coagulation are closely associated pathological processes, therefore the potential effects of metformin on key steps in activation of the coagulation system were further investigated in endotoxic hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide/D­galactosamine (LPS/D­Gal). The current study demonstrated that treatment with metformin significantly suppressed the upregulation of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor­1 in LPS/D­Gal­exposed mice. In addition, a reduction in the expression of interleukin 6 and inhibition of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor­κB were observed. These data indicate that the LPS/D­Gal­induced elevation of the stable protein level of hypoxia inducible factor 1α, the mRNA level of erythropoietin, vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase­3, and the hepatic level of lactic acid were also suppressed by metformin. The current study indicates that the suppressive effects of metformin on inflammation­induced coagulation may be an additional mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects of metformin in mice with LPS/D­Gal­induced fulminant hepatitis.

Synthesis of titanium nitride for self-aligned gate AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors.

In this study, titanium nitride (TiN) is synthesized using reactive sputtering for a self-aligned gate process. The Schottky barrier height of the TiN on n-GaN is around 0.5 to 0.6 eV and remains virtually constant with varying nitrogen ratios. As compared with the conventional Ni electrode, the TiN electrode presents a lower turn-on voltage, while its reverse leakage current is comparable with that of Ni. The results of annealing evaluation at different temperatures and duration times show that the TiN/W/Au gate stack can withstand the ohmic annealing process at 800°C for 1 or 3 min. Finally, the self-aligned TiN-gated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors are obtained with good pinch-off characteristics.

ELISA test to detect CDKN2A (p16(INK4a)) expression in exfoliative cells: a new screening tool for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to use an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A; also known as p16(INK4a)) in exfoliative cervical cells. CDKN2A is upregulated and considered as a surrogate marker for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer. METHODS: Liquid-based ThinPrep((R)) cytologic test (TCT) and ELISA were performed on 1356 specimens collected prior to biopsy. A cotton swab was used to gather exfoliative cells. A sandwich ELISA was performed to measure the amount of solublized CDKN2A protein. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the TCT for screening of cervical dysplasia and cancer were 82.93% and 88.11%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for measuring CDKN2A with ELISA to detect significant cervical disease were 87.80% and 92.43%, respectively. CDKN2A expression was correlated with the severity of cervical damage (r = 0.774; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of detecting CDKN2A expression with ELISA in exfoliative cervical cells was superior to TCT (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). These results suggest that detecting CDKN2A with ELISA has the potential to become a new screening method for cervical cancer.

[Multiple central clinical test of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with laser needle-knife for treatment of lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with laser needle-knife on lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of lumbar disc herniation were divided into an Jiaji EA group, a laser needle-knife group and a combination group (Jiaji EA plus laser needle-knife) according to random number table. Changes of symptoms at different stages before and after treatment were investigated with SF-MPQ cumulative scores. RESULTS: All the 115 cases completed all of the study, SF-MPQ score in the combination group was significantly lower than those in the Jiaji EA group and the laser needle-knife group (P<0. 01, P<0.05), with a significant difference at the end of treatment of 2 weeks (P<0.01) between the laser needle-knife group and the Jiaji EA group, and with no significant difference at treatment of 1 week and 3 weeks (P>0.05). The recurrence rate at a half year later in the combination group was significantly lower than those in laser needle-knife group and the Jiaji EA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with laser needle-knife can significantly increase clinical therapeutic effect, alleviate pain of the patient and reduce recurrence.