Emerging quasi-one-dimensional material NbS4 with high carrier mobility and good visible-light adsorption performance for nanoscale applications.

Due to their unique structure, abundant properties and potential applications, low-dimensional materials with covalently bonded building blocks through van der Waals (vdW) interactions have sparked widespread interest. Recently, the bulk phase NbS4 consisting of one-dimensional (1D) chains has been synthesized successfully, adding a new member to the group V metallic polychalcogenide family. In the present study, based on density functional theory calculations, we obtained a better understanding of the stability, mechanical properties, electronic structures, transport properties and optical performances of the bulk phase NbS4. Furthermore, the possibility of exfoliating 1D single-chain nanowires from the bulk phase was uncovered. Both bulk phase and 1D nanowires show dynamic, thermal, and mechanical stabilities. The bulk phase possesses an indirect band gap of 1.39 eV with high anisotropic carrier mobilities of 471.814 cm2 s-1 v-1 for electrons (along the b axis direction) and 546.92 cm2 s-1 v-1 for holes (along the a axis direction). The single-chain nanowire exhibits remarkable flexibility and can resist 24% tensile strain along the chain direction. The decreased dimension from the bulk phase to the individual 1D chain not only makes the band gap increase to 1.81 eV but also results in an indirect-to-direct band gap transition, indicating a strong quantum confinement effect. The 1D single-chain nanowire also shows high carrier mobilities of 111.91 cm2 s-1 v-1 for electrons and 316.63 cm2 s-1 v-1 for holes along the chain direction. In addition, both bulk phase and 1D nanowire display excellent visible light absorption performance along the chain direction and the absorption coefficients reach the order of 106 and 105 cm-1. These promising properties render quasi 1D NbS4 as candidate materials for nanoscale applications in high-performance optoelectronic and nanoelectronic devices. The predicted unconventional properties of NbS4 not only provide a meaningful complement to the fascinating quasi 1D material family, but also will attract extensive interest from a wide audience to explore unanticipated properties and design new nanoscale devices based on NbS4.

In Situ Construction of Ferrocene-Containing Membrane-Bound Nanofibers for the Redox Control of Cancer Cell Death and Cancer Therapy.

Precise manipulation of cancer cell death by harnessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a promising strategy to defeat malignant tumors. However, it is quite difficult to produce active ROS with spatial precision and regulate their biological outcomes. We succeed here in selectively generating short-lived and lipid-reactive hydroxyl radicals (•OH) adjacent to cancer cell membranes, successively eliciting lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. DiFc-K-pY, a phosphorylated self-assembling precursor that consists of two branched Fc moieties and interacts specifically with epidermal growth factor receptor, can in situ produce membrane-bound nanofibers and enrich ferrocene moieties on cancer cell membranes in response to alkaline phosphatase. Within the acidic tumor microenvironment, DiFc-K-pY nanofibers efficiently convert tumoral H2O2 to active •OH around the target cell membranes via Fenton-like reactions, leading to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis with good cellular selectivity. Our strategy successfully prevents tumor progression with acceptable biocompatibility through intratumoral administration.

Layer-dependent electronic structures and optical properties of two-dimensional PdSSe.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered palladium dichalcogenides PdX2 (X = S and Se) have attracted increasing interest due to their tunable electronic structure and abundant physicochemical properties. Recently, as the sister material of PdX2, PdSSe has received increasing attention and shows great promise for technological applications and fundamental research. In the present study, we focus on the layer-dependent geometry, electronic structure, and optical properties of PdSSe using first-principles calculations. The lattice shrinkage effect present in the 2D structure is suppressed with increasing number of layers. Attributed to the strong interlayer coupling interactions, the band gap decreases from 2.30 to 0.83 eV with increased thickness. Particularly, the dispersion of the band edges on the high symmetry path changes considerably from the monolayer to bilayer PdSSe, resulting in shifts of the conduction band minimum and valence band maximum. The multilayer PdSSe shows band convergence feature with multi-valley for the conduction band, which are maintained with reduced effective mass. Furthermore, the increasing number of layers drives a wider absorption range in the visible light region, and the light absorption capability increases from ∼10% to ∼30%. Meanwhile, the band edge positions of the multilayer PdSSe are more appropriate for photocatalytic water splitting. Our theoretical study reveals the enhanced valley convergence, conductivity and optical absorption performance of the few-layer PdSSe, which suggests its promising application in thermoelectric conversion, solar harvesting and photocatalysis.

Proteomics analysis of coronary blood microparticles in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although researchers have made substantial efforts to elucidate its pathogenesis, the molecular mechanisms underlying AMI remain unknown. The aim of this study was to use proteomics to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and the possible biological functions and metabolic pathways related to coronary blood microparticles (MPs) in patients with AMI and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD); this study will allow for the identification of individuals at risk of acute thrombosis. METHODS: The study was performed on 5 AMI patients and 5 SCAD patients. DEPs were identified, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyzes were performed to determine the relative abundance and biological function of the significant DEPs that were identified in the present study. RESULTS: The current analysis identified 198 DEPs in the coronary blood of AMI patients and SCAD patients, including 85 proteins that were significantly upregulated and 113 proteins that were significantly downregulated. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that GDP binding and GTP binding were enriched in molecular function. Similarly, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the identified proteins were involved in pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and the AMPK signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The proteome of coronary MPs differs between patients with AMI and patients with SCAD. In summary, the GO terms and KEGG pathways enriched by the DEPs may reflect the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of acute thrombosis in patients with AMI.

Reductions in extracellular vesicle-associated microRNA-126 levels in coronary blood after acute myocardial infarction: A retrospective study.

Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a kind of cardiovascular disease with high mortality and incidence. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microRNA-126 (miR-126) are known to play important role in the development and prognosis of several cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the changes in Extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated miR-126 levels in the coronary blood of patients with AMI to explore the relationship between miR-126 levels and AMI. Materials and methods: We analyzed EV-associated miR-126 in the coronary blood of patients with AMI and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: We tested the coronary blood of 20 patients with AMI and 20 with SCAD. The mean age of the patients was 58.8 ± 10.3 years and 32 (80%) were men. We observed that the EV-associated miR-126 levels were lower in patients with AMI [median = 0.13; interquartile range (IQR): 0.08-0.22] than in patients with SCAD (median = 0.37; IQR: 0.26-0.48) (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of miR-126 were negatively associated with the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score (r = -0.66, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Reduction of EV-associated miR-126 levels in the coronary blood of patients with AMI may be involved in acute coronary thrombosis events.

Nitrogen deposition experiment mimicked with NH4NO3 overestimates the effect on soil microbial community composition and functional potential in the Eurasian steppe.

BACKGROUND: The nitrogenous compound deposited from the atmosphere to the soil is complex, but most field experiments mimic nitrogen deposition with the acid NH4NO3 alone. Thus, whether the acid and non-acid nitrogenous compounds have similar effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions remains understudied. We mimicked nitrogen deposition with acidic NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4, and non-acidic urea, slow-released urea and NH4HCO3 in a temperate steppe, and quantified soil microbial taxonomic and functional gene composition with amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics, respectively. RESULTS: While NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4 significantly altered the soil microbial taxonomic and functional composition as well as their carbon decomposition potential, the other three compounds had smaller effects. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that previous nitrogen deposition experiments mimicked with NH4NO3 or (NH4)2SO4 alone may have overestimated the effect on biodiversity and ecosystem functions in the Eurasian steppe and similar ecosystems affected by mainly nonacidic nitrogen deposition.

Crystalline H-aggregate nanoparticles for detecting dopamine release from M17 human neuroblastoma cells.

Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter, which is essential for transmitting signals in neuronal communications. The deficiency of DA release from neurons is implicated in neurological disorders. There has been great interest in developing new optical probes for monitoring the release behavior of DA from neurons. H-aggregates of organic dyes represent an ordered supramolecular structure with delocalized excitons. In this paper, we use the self-assembly of 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC2(5)) in ammonia solution to develop crystalline H-aggregate nanoparticles, in which DiSC2(5) molecules show long-range π-π stacking. The crystalline H-aggregate nanoparticles are stable in cell culture medium and can serve as an efficient photo-induced electron transfer (PET) probe for the detection of DA with the concentration as low as 0.1 nM in cell culture medium. Furthermore, the crystalline H-aggregate nanoparticle-based PET probe is used to detect the release behavior of DA from the M17 human neuroblastoma cells. We find that the DA release from the cells is enhanced by nicotine stimulations. Our results highlight the potential of crystalline H-aggregate nanoparticle-based PET probes for diagnosing nervous system diseases and verifying therapies.

[A comparative study of vancomycin loaded bone cement in the treatment of Wagner â ¡-â £ diabetic foot].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of vancomycin bone cement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) ruptured Wagner gradeⅡ-Ⅳ. METHODS: From March 2019 to April 2021, 32 patients with Wagner gradeⅡ-Ⅳ diabetic foot were divided into vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) group and bone cement group according to different treatment methods. There were 16 cases in VSD group, 8 males and 8 females;the age ranged from 66 to 81 (70.50±7.20) years, and the course of disease ranged from 8 to 40 (27.56±8.55) months;Wagner gradeⅡin 2 cases, grade Ⅲin 7 cases and grade Ⅳin 7 cases;debridement and VSD were used. There were 16 cases in the bone cement group, 9 males and 7 females;the age ranged from 63 to 79 (69.56±7.29) years, and the course of disease ranged from 11 to 39(22.75±11.43) months;Wagner gradeⅡ in 2 cases, grade Ⅲin 5 cases and grade Ⅳ in 9 cases;vancomycin loaded bone cement was used for treatment. The types of bacteria, negative time of bacterial culture, skin healing time, hospital stay, operation times and complications were observed and compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 3 to 6 (4.00±1.07) months. The bacterial negative time, skin healing time and hospital stay in bone cement group were significantly lower than those in VSD group (P<0.05). The median number of operations in both groups was 2, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). According to the analysis of pathogens in two groups, there were 13 cases of G+ patients, 14 cases of G- patients and 5 cases of mixed bacteria. The number of G+, G- and mixed bacteria in bone cement group was 6, 7 and 3 cases respectively, and the number of G+, G- and mixed bacteria in VSD group was 7, 7 and 2 cases respectively. The wounds of 32 patientsin two groups healed completely without complications. CONCLUSION: Vancomycin loaded bone cement is effective in the treatment of Wagner grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ diabetic foot ulceration wounds. It can reduce the length of hospital stay, shorten the healing time of skin and kill pathogens as soon as possible. It is one of the effective methods to treat Wagner gradeⅡ-Ⅳdiabetic foot ulceration.

Regulation Network of Colorectal-Cancer-Specific Enhancers in the Progression of Colorectal Cancer.

Enhancers regulate multiple genes via higher-order chromatin structures, and they further affect cancer progression. Epigenetic changes in cancer cells activate several cancer-specific enhancers that are silenced in normal cells. These cancer-specific enhancers are potential therapeutic targets of cancer. However, the functions and regulation networks of colorectal-cancer-specific enhancers are still unknown. In this study, we profile colorectal-cancer-specific enhancers and reveal their regulation network through the analysis of HiChIP data that were derived from a colorectal cancer cell line and Hi-C and RNA-seq data that were derived from tissue samples by in silico analysis and in vitro experiments. Enhancer-promoter loops in colorectal cancer cells containing colorectal-cancer-specific enhancers are involved in more than 50% of the topological associated domains (TADs) changed in colorectal cancer cells compared to normal colon cells. In addition, colorectal-cancer-specific enhancers interact with 152 genes that are significantly and highly expressed in colorectal cancer cells. These colorectal-cancer-specific enhancer target genes include ITGB4, RECQL4, MSLN, and GDF15. We propose that the regulation network of colorectal-cancer-specific enhancers plays an important role in the progression of colorectal cancer.

Ultrafast homomorphic encryption models enable secure outsourcing of genotype imputation.

Genotype imputation is a fundamental step in genomic data analysis, where missing variant genotypes are predicted using the existing genotypes of nearby "tag" variants. Although researchers can outsource genotype imputation, privacy concerns may prohibit genetic data sharing with an untrusted imputation service. Here, we developed secure genotype imputation using efficient homomorphic encryption (HE) techniques. In HE-based methods, the genotype data are secure while it is in transit, at rest, and in analysis. It can only be decrypted by the owner. We compared secure imputation with three state-of-the-art non-secure methods and found that HE-based methods provide genetic data security with comparable accuracy for common variants. HE-based methods have time and memory requirements that are comparable or lower than those for the non-secure methods. Our results provide evidence that HE-based methods can practically perform resource-intensive computations for high-throughput genetic data analysis. The source code is freely available for download at https://github.com/K-miran/secure-imputation.

Sustained bimatoprost release using gold nanoparticles laden contact lenses.

Contact lenses are ideally suited for sustained ocular drug delivery to bypass the issues associated with eye drop therapy. However, drugs such as bimatoprost loaded by the conventional soaking method show poor drug uptake, high burst release, and altered critical lens properties. In this study, the effect of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on bimatoprost loading/uptake from the soaking solution and its release kinetics from the lens was investigated. In one method, GNP solutions of varying strength were loaded into the bimatoprost soaking solution (mM-SS batches), and in another method, the GNPs were included in the contact lens matrix during casting (mM-GN-L batches). The GNPs were spherical with average size of 21.1 nm and -20.1 mV zeta potential. The swelling, oxygen permeability, and optical transmittance of the lens were improved compared to those of the lens drug-loaded by the conventional soaking method (SM-L). The mM-GN-L batches showed significant improvement in drug uptake from the soaking solution compared to the SM-L and mM-SS batches. The in vitro studies showed relatively low burst and sustained bimatoprost release up to 72 h compared to 24 h with the SM-L batch. The ability to sustain drug release improved proportionally with an increase in the amount of GNPs in the lens. The presence of GNPs lowered protein adherence. The GNP-laden lenses were deemed safe in ocular irritation and histopathology reports (rabbit model). Further, they showed higher drug retention in the rabbit tear fluid compared to the SM-L lens. In conclusion, the presence of GNPs in contact lenses increased drug uptake from the soaking solution, and improved the in vitro and in vivo release kinetics without affecting the critical properties of the contact lenses for therapeutic application.

Delivery of Ferulic Acid with PEGylated DiphenylalanineBased Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Arthritis in Early Stage.

Ferulic acid (FA), an active component extracted from Chinese medicine, shows excellent anti-inflammatory properties and favorable safety in various animal models. However, the application of FA as an anti-inflammatory drug is hindered by its instability and short half-life in vivo . In this paper, we synthesize PEGylated diphenylalanine nanoparticles by using glutaraldehyde (GTA) as a cross-linker of diphenylalanine NH2 -Phe-Phe-COOH and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether amine (PEG5k -NH2). The PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles are used to deliver FA for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We find that the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles are biocompatible and inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from cells effectively. After being intravenously administrated in vivo , the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles show prolonged circulation time and accumulate in arthritic joints. More importantly, we show that the pre-arthritis treatment with the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles can significantly block the progression of RA.

A Color Restoration Algorithm for Diffractive Optical Images of Membrane Camera.

In order to verify the technology of the membrane diffractive imaging system for Chinese next generation geo-stationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a series of ground experiments have been carried out using a membrane optical camera with 80 mm aperture (Φ80) lens. The inherent chromatic aberration due to diffractive imaging appears in the obtained data. To address the issue, an effective color restoration algorithm framework by matching, tailoring, and non-linearly stretching the image histograms is proposed in this letter. Experimental results show the proposed approach has good performances in color restoration of the diffractive optical images than previous methods. The effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm are also quantitatively assessed using various color deviation indexes. The results indicate that the chromatic aberration of diffractive images can be effectively removed by about 85%. Also, the proposed method presents reasonable computational efficiency.

Davydov Split Aggregates of Cyanine Dyes on Self-Assembled Nanotubes.

The Davydov splitting of dye aggregates represents unique molecular excitons. In this paper, we report the formation of Davydov split aggregates of 3,3'-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide (DiSC2 (3)) and 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC2 (5)) templated by the helical nanotubes of lithocholic acid (LCA). The templated Davydiv split aggregates show a strong J-band and a weak H-band in the adsorption spectra. As the LCA helical nanotubes transform into a straight shape, the relative intensities of the J-band and the H-band of the templated Davydov split aggregates become roughly equal. The twisted angle change of the transition moment of DiSC2 (3) and DiSC2 (5) molecules in the templated Davydov split aggregates in response to the helical-to-straight shape transformation of LCA nanotubes is estimated. The templated Dvaydov split aggregates with well-defined shapes and molecular excitons are of interest for artificial light-harvesting and optoelectronic devices.

Associations between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and chronic spontaneous urticaria in Chinese Han population.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies found that vitamin D receptor (VDR) TaqI, BsmI, FokI and ApaI gene polymorphisms are associated with several inflammatory diseases. However, the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is not clear. AIM: The purpose of our study was to explore the relationship between the polymorphism of VDR and the incidence of chronic spontaneous urticaria in the Chinese Han population. Meanwhile, the vitamin D levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were also detected and the effects of VDR gene polymorphism on vitamin D levels were detected. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The genotypes of four VDR polymorphisms (TaqI, BsmI, ApaI, and FokI) were studied using allele-specific PCR analysis in 90 CSU patients and 90 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the mutant allele (C) of FokI were more common in patients with CSU (57.2% vs. 45%, p = 0.020, odds ratio (OR) = 0.612, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.403-0.928). We found that serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in CSU patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.023). However, the effect of VDR gene polymorphism on vitamin D levels was not found in patients of CSU. CONCLUSIONS: We first reported the effect of VDR gene FokI (rs2228570) polymorphism on the incidence of chronic spontaneous urticaria in the Chinese Han population.

Inhibition of ALAS1 activity exerts anti-tumour effects on colorectal cancer in vitro.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumour worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Commonly, 5'-aminolevulinic acid synthase1 (ALAS1) is the rate-limiting enzyme for haem biosynthesis. Recent studies have shown that ALAS1 is involved in a number of cellular functions and has significant effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, current concepts of disease pathogenesis fail to fully explain the role of ALAS1 expression and biological functions in CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 paired tumour tissues and adjacent colorectal tissues were used to detect ALAS1 levels and further analyse the correlation between ALAS1 expression levels and clinical features. Using HCT116 cell lines, we studied the impact of ALAS1 on biological function by knocking down or inhibiting ALAS1. RESULTS: We found an increase in the levels of ALAS1 in cancer tissues compared to adjacent colorectal tissues. The increase in ALAS1 expression was closely related to the invasion depth, N staging and tumour size of CRC patients. The proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells could be inhibited by suppressing ALAS1. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormal expression of ALAS1 is closely related to the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells, suggesting that ALAS1 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.

[Clinical effect of minimally invasive technique on the treatment of osteoporotic humeral shaft fractures in elderly patients with locking plates].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of minimally invasive technique combined with locking plates for the treatment of osteoporotic humeral shaft fractures in elderly patients. METHODS: From July 2012 to December 2016, 26 patients were treated by minimally invasive technique combined with the locking plate for osteoporotic humeral shaft fractures, including 10 males and 16 females, ranging in age from 61 to 81 years old, with an average of 70.3 years old. The T-score of mean bone density was -2.74. All 26 patients had closed fractures, including 6 cases of type A, 7 cases of type B and 13 cases of type C. All patients were followed up for 12 months after surgery, and the Constant shoulder joint score and Mayo elbow score were calculated before surgery and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: All 26 patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 16 months, with an average of 13.2 months. All fractures healed within 16 weeks, with an average healing time of 14.3 weeks. The average Constant shoulder joint score before surgery and 12 months after surgery was 54.61±2.09, 88.50±2.47. The average score of Mayo elbow joint before surgery and 12 months after surgery was 58.19±2.74, 90.30±2.16. CONCLUSIONS: The shoulder and elbow joint function of elderly patients with osteoporotic humeral fractrues treated with minimally invasive technology combined with locking plate recovered well postoperatively. It is an effective method for the treatment of osteoporotic humeral shaft fractures in elderly patients.

[Modified Metaizeau's technique for the treatment of radial neck fractures of Judet III or IV in children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of modified Metaizeau's technique for radial neck fractures of Judet II or IV in children, summarizing the value of clinical application. METHODS: From May 2014 to March 2017, 32 children of Judet III or IV radial neck fractures were treated with percutaneous Kirschner wire poking reduction and closed reduction with elastic intramedullary nailing fixation, including 21 boys and 11 girls, aged from 5.7 to 10.6 years old with a mean of 7.2 years old. The modified An-Morrey functional rating index were used to evaluate elbow range of motion, myodynamia, stability, and pain preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively in all the patients. RESULTS: All patients were available for an average follow-up from 12 to 15 months. No complications such as incision infection, wire or nail tail irritation and avascular necrosis of radial head and epiphyses was occurred. The fracture achieved solid healing at 8 to 10 weeks after operation. The modified An and Morrey functional score improved from 58.69±5.80 before operation to 99.13±1.79 at 1 year after operation, there was obvious difference of scores between preoperative and postoperative at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Metaizeau's technique is a reliable and good treatment for Judet III or IV radial neck fractures in children, which has advantages of few complication, minimal invasion, quick fracture union and good recovery of elbow joint.