Environmental Concentrations of Herbicide Prometryn Render Stress-Tolerant Corals Susceptible to Ocean Warming.

Global warming has caused the degradation of coral reefs around the world. While stress-tolerant corals have demonstrated the ability to acclimatize to ocean warming, it remains unclear whether they can sustain their thermal resilience when superimposed with other coastal environmental stressors. We report the combined impacts of a photosystem II (PSII) herbicide, prometryn, and ocean warming on the stress-tolerant coral Galaxea fascicularis through physiological and omics analyses. The results demonstrate that the heat-stress-induced inhibition of photosynthetic efficiency in G. fascicularis is exacerbated in the presence of prometryn. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses indicate that the prometryn exposure may overwhelm the photosystem repair mechanism in stress-tolerant corals, thereby compromising their capacity for thermal acclimation. Moreover, prometryn might amplify the adverse effects of heat stress on key energy and nutrient metabolism pathways and induce a stronger response to oxidative stress in stress-tolerant corals. The findings indicate that the presence of prometryn at environmentally relevant concentrations would render corals more susceptible to heat stress and exacerbate the breakdown of coral Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis. The present study provides valuable insights into the necessity of prioritizing PSII herbicide pollution reduction in coral reef protection efforts while mitigating the effects of climate change.

Niche overlap between native Cirrhinus molitorella and potential invasive competitors.

Biological invasion is one of the important reasons for the decline of freshwater biodiversity in China and even in the world. The Pearl river basin is one of the most threatened areas in China by biological invasion. Over the past four decades, mrigal carp Cirrhinus mrigala and rohu Labeo rohita have invaded the Pearl river. They potentially pose a huge threat to a well-known economic species, native mud carp Cirrhinus molitorella. However, little is known about the likely habitat distributions of these two invasive species, which limits our management of them. In this study, we detected the stable isotope ratios of nitrogen and carbon for fish and quantified their niche overlap with nicheROVER in R. The result showed that the individuals of two invasive species had a higher probability to be found in niche region of native C. molitorella (i.e., 65 % for C. mrigala and 74 % for L. rohita). Moreover, to increase understanding of their habitat distributions and potential range of spread, the existing habitats data of these three fish species obtained from previous literatures and the high-resolution bioclimatic parameters from WorldClim were analyzed via Maxent model. The results stressed that niche overlap was high among species, which could have an impact on local biodiversity in future. Furthermore, the visualization of habitat distributions could help show the dynamic habitat changes of invasive and native species over time, while also provide new insights into the subsequent prevention and control for invasive species in other river regions around the world.

Are Physical Sunscreens Safe for Marine Life? A Study on a Coral-Zooxanthellae Symbiotic System.

Limited toxic and ecological studies were focused on physical sunscreen that is considered to have "safer performance", in which nanosize zinc oxide (nZnO) and nanosize titanium dioxide (nTiO2) generally are added as ultraviolet filters. Herein, the common button coral Zoanthus sp. was newly used to assess the toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of physical sunscreen. Results showed that physical sunscreen induced severe growth inhibition effects and largely compelled the symbiotic zooxanthellae, indicating that their symbiotic systems were threatened and, also, that neural and photosynthesis functions were influenced. Zn2+ toxicity and bioaccumulation were identified as the main toxic mechanisms, and nTiO2 particles released from physical sunscreen also displayed limited bioattachment and toxicity. Oxidative stress, determined by increased reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde content, was indicated as another important toxic mechanism. Furthermore, when Zoanthus sp. was restored, the inhibited individual coral could be largely recovered after a short (3 d) exposure time; however, a longer exposure time damaged the coral irretrievably, which revealed the latent environmental risks of physical sunscreen. This study investigated the toxic effect of physical sunscreen on Zoanthus sp. in a relatively comprehensive manner, thus providing new insights into the toxic response of sunscreen on marine organisms.

Silicon Limitation Impairs the Tolerance of Marine Diatoms to Pristine Microplastics.

Marine diatoms are currently facing increasing threats from microplastic (MP) pollution that is intertwined with the disturbed nutrient stoichiometry in seawater. The effects of nutrient imbalances such as silicon (Si) limitation on the interactions between diatoms and MPs remain poorly understood. In contrast to previous studies which mainly focused on MP toxicity, this study emphasizes how Si availability affects nano-scale interactions between pristine polystyrene MPs and diatom surfaces. Results showed that Si-starved cells were less tolerant to MP toxicity than the Si-enriched counterparts. Si limitation significantly changed the configuration and chemical composition of the perforated frustules, forming less negatively charged, more adhesive, and mechanically weaker cells. All of these changes facilitated the adsorption and hetero-aggregation between the diatom cells and MPs and compromised the diatoms' resistance to MP attack. Our study provides novel insights into the effects of pristine MPs in the marine environment under the context of dynamic nutrient conditions.

Mn-Doped AgZnInS/ZnS Nanocrystals (NCs): Effects of Zn Etching on the NC Optical Properties.

Mn-doped I(II)-III-VI NCs (e.g., Mn-doped AgZnInS/ZnS NCs) possessing low-energy excitation, high brightness and long fluorescence lifetimes have been desired for time-gated fluorescence biosensing/imaging. In this type of NCs, their optical properties are significantly affected by the microscopic interactions between Mn and Mn and between Mn and host NC, the compositions of NCs, and the defects in NCs. On the other hand, it is known that Zn etching to core I(II)-III-VI NCs in NC synthesis can significantly enhance the NC brightness because Zn can exchange surface atoms (e.g., Ag and In) in NCs to minimize NC surface-defects. But for Mn-doped I(II)-III-VI NCs, Zn etching could etch out not only surface-atoms of host NCs (e.g., Ag and In) but also Mn in NCs. As a result, it could significantly affect the NC compositions and the microscopic interactions between Mn and Mn as well as between Mn and host NC, and thus the optical properties of NCs (like lifetime and absorption/emission spectra). Therefore, it is needed to investigate how Zn etching would affect the optical properties of such Mn-doped NCs. In this study, a series of Mn-doped AgZnInS NCs with different Mn doping levels were prepared through nucleation doping, and then Zn etching was applied to etch these core NCs. To identify the effects of Zn etching on NC optical properties, ZnS coating (a different ZnS shelling approach by injecting Zn precursor and S precursor alternately in synthesis) was performed on the same Mn:AgZnInS NCs, and the optical properties of NCs with these two different ZnS shelling approaches were compared. Experimental results showed that under appropriate Mn doping levels in synthesis, Zn etching instead of ZnS coating can produce low-energy excitable NCs with higher QYs and longer lifetimes, which would further facilitate the use of such NCs in time-gated fluorescence measurement. To understand the reasons for the different optical properties under different ZnS shelling approaches, the material characteristics of the prepared NCs were further measured/analyzed and the possible fluorescence mechanisms were discussed.

[Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of a neonate with Smith-Magenis syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology for a neonate with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). METHODS: Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) was applied to the neonate and his parents, and the genotype-phenotype correlation was analyzed. RESULTS: On the second day after birth, the neonate had presented with pathological jaundice and immunodeficiency. Cranial MRI revealed ventricular enlargement and enlargement of cisterna magna. At 3 months, the infant has presented with square face, prominent forehead, deep-set eyes, hypertelorism, palpebral fissure upward and button noses. Genetic testing showed that he had carried a 2.9 Mb deletion in 17p11.2 region, seq[GRCh37] del(17)(p11.2)(chr17:16 836 379-19 880 992). The same deletion was not found in either parent. CONCLUSION: SMS is mostly diagnosed in child and adulthood, but rarely in neonates. For neonates with SMS, the neurological and behavioral abnormalities have not been shown, but pathological jaundice, CNS abnormalities and immune deficiency may be the characteristics, which require attention of neonatal physicians.

Adsorption of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to microplastics in seawater: a comparison between pristine and aged particles.

Microplastics (MPs) are a widely distributed pollutant and have been attracting global attention. The increasing abundance of MPs in marine environments has raised concern about their adverse effects on marine organisms and influence on the fate of contaminants in seawater. In this study, we investigated the effects of natural aging on the adsorption of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the most widely used phthalic acid esters (PAEs), in two types of MPs (polyethylene and polystyrene). Biofilm was observed on the surface of MPs after 3-month exposure in seawater. Atomic force microscopy revealed there were significant physical changes in the MPs after aging. Aging in coastal seawater for 3 months significantly reduced the MPs' surface roughness and adhesion, and increased the Young's modulus at the same time. Adsorption isotherms of DEHP indicated that aged MPs had stronger binding capacity of the organic contaminant than pristine MPs. Our data shed some light on the biogeochemical role of MPs in marine environments.

miR-381-3p inhibits high glucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by targeting HMGB1.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia increases the risk of many cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the dysregulation of proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) also participates in the pathogenesis of CVD. miR-381-3p is known to suppress the proliferation and migration of multiple human cell types. Nevertheless, the function of miR-381-3p in VSMCs remains largely indistinct. METHODS: A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to investigate miR-381-3p expression in high-glucose-induced VSMCs. Inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6, as well as oxidative stress markers SOD and MDA, were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reactive oxygen species generation was examined using a 2,7'-dichlorofluorescein kit. The proliferation, migration and apoptosis of VSMCs were monitored by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazl2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetazolium bromide (MTT), transwell and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The TargetScan database (http://www.targetscan.org) was employed to seek the potential target gene of miR-381-3p. Interaction between miR-381-3p and HMGB1 was determined by a qRT-PCR, western blotting and a luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: miR-381-3p expression was significantly reduced in a VSMCs dysfunction model induced by high-glucose in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Transfection of miR-381-3p mimics suppressed the inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and migration of VSMCs, whereas apoptosis of VSMCs was promoted, and the transfection of miR-381-3p inhibitors had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, HMGB1, an important factor in inflammation response, was confirmed as a target gene of miR-381-3p. CONCLUSIONS: miR-381-3p targets HMGB1 to suppress the inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and migration of high-glucose-induced VSMCs by targeting HMGB1.

Toxicity of 17 Disinfection By-products to Different Trophic Levels of Aquatic Organisms: Ecological Risks and Mechanisms.

Intensified disinfection of wastewater during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the release of toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs). However, studies relating to the ecological impacts of DBPs on the aquatic environment remain insufficient. In this study, we comparatively investigated the toxicities and ecological risks of 17 typical, halogenated DBPs to three trophic levels of organisms in the freshwater ecosystem, including phytoplankton (Scenedesmus sp.), zooplankton (Daphnia magna), and fish (Danio rerio). Toxicity of DBPs was found to be species-specific: Scenedesmus sp. was the most sensitive to haloacetic acids, while D. magna was the most sensitive to haloacetonitriles and trihalomethanes. Specific to each DBP, toxicities were also related to their classes and substituted halogen atoms. Damage to photosystems and oxidative stress served as the potential mechanisms for DBPs toxicity to microalgae. The different sensitivities to DBPs indicate that a battery of bioassays with organisms at different trophic levels is necessary to determine the ecotoxicity of DBPs. Furthermore, the ecological risks of DBPs were assessed by calculating the risk quotients (RQs) based on toxicity data from multiple bioassays. The cumulative RQs of DBPs to all the organisms were greater than 1.0, indicating high ecological risks of DBPs in wastewater effluents.

Copper Adsorption to Microplastics and Natural Particles in Seawater: A Comparison of Kinetics, Isotherms, and Bioavailability.

The growing use of plastics has led to microplastics (MPs) being ubiquitously distributed in marine environments. Although previous studies have emphasized MPs as important metal-transport vectors, few have considered the differences between these anthropogenic particles and their coexisting natural counterparts in sequestering metals in seawater. Here, we compared Cu adsorption to pristine and naturally aged MPs (polystyrene and polyethylene) with that to algae particles and sediments and assessed the bioavailability of the adsorbed Cu by a gut juice extraction assay. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms consistently showed that natural particles bound far more Cu to their surfaces than MPs. The rougher surfaces, greater specific surface areas, and lower ζ-potentials of natural particles contributed to their stronger Cu adsorption capacity than pristine or aged MPs. Natural particles also contained more diverse functional groups for binding Cu, with oxygen-containing groups playing a dominant role. Adsorbed Cu on natural particles was less extractable by sipunculan gut juice than that on MPs, indicating their higher Cu affinity. Overall, our study suggests that natural particles outcompete MPs in carrying metals in the water column and transferring them to marine organisms in today's environmental context. This work provides new insights for assessing the risks of MPs in marine environments.

Bovine surfactant in the treatment of pneumonia-induced-neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (NARDS) in neonates beyond 34 weeks of gestation: a multicentre, randomized, assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (NARDS) reflects pulmonary surfactant dysfunction, and the usage of bovine surfactant (Calsurf) supplement may therefore be beneficial. To determine whether bovine surfactant given in NARDS can improve oxygenation and survival rate, we conducted a multicenter, randomized trial between January 2018 and June 2019, and we compared Calsurf treatment to controls in neonates with pneumonia accompanied by NARDS. Neonates who met the Montreux criteria definition of NARDS were included, and those with congenital heart and lung malformations were excluded. Primary outcomes were oxygenation index (OI) after Calsurf administration, and secondary outcomes were mortality, and duration of ventilator and oxygen between the two groups, and also other morbidities. Cumulatively, 328 neonates were recruited and analyzed, 162 in the control group, and 166 in the Calsurf group. The results shows that OI in the Calsurf group were significantly lower than that in the control group at 4 h (7.2 ± 2.7 and 11.4 ± 9.1, P = 0.001); similarly, OI in the Calsurf group were significantly lower than in the control group at 12 h ( 7.5 ± 3.1 and 11.2 ± 9.2, P = 0.001). Mortality and duration of ventilator support or oxygen use between the two groups were not significantly different.Conclusion: Calsurf acutely improved OI immediately after administration in pneumonia-induced NARDS; although, we observed no significant decrease in mortality, duration of ventilator or oxygen, or major morbidity. What is known: • The definition proposed as the Monteux criteria for neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (NARDS). • Surfactant acutely improved oxygenation and significantly decreased mortality in children and adolescents with acute lung injury. What is new: • This is the first large randomized controlled trail to study on surfactant treatment of neonates with acute respiratory distress syndromes. • Surfactant acutely improved oxygenation immediately after administration in pneumonia-induced NARDS at a gestational age beyond 34 weeks.

TiO2 Nanoparticles in the Marine Environment: Enhancing Bioconcentration, While Limiting Biotransformation of Arsenic in the Mussel Perna viridis.

The increasing use of nanoscale TiO2 particles (nTiO2) and their subsequent leakage into aquatic environments poses a threat to the ecosystem. One major concern is that nTiO2 may alter the environmental behaviors of arsenic (As) and disrupt the equilibrium of As accumulation and speciation in organisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of nTiO2 on the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of As(V) in the mussel Perna viridis. Exposure to nTiO2 significantly increased As accumulation in mussels. Our As speciation analysis demonstrated that nTiO2 treatment increased the proportion of inorganic As and reduced that of organic As, displaying inhibitory effects on the methylation and detoxification of inorganic As in mussels. Analysis of enzyme systems related to As metabolism in mussels demonstrated that nTiO2 might limit the methylation of inorganic As by suppressing the GST activity and GSH content. The strong adsorption capacity and weak desorption rate of As by nTiO2, which could result in the disruption of As distribution and decrease of the amount of As involved in biotransformation, might serve as another mechanism to the limition on As methylation in mussels. Moreover, exposure to nTiO2 disturbed the osmotic adjustment system in mussels by reducing arsenobetaine and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, resulting in enhanced toxicity of As after coexposure. The findings indicate, for the first time, that nTiO2 can block the transformation and detoxification of As in mussels, which would increase the risk of As to marine animals and even humans via the food chain, and may disrupt the biogeochemical cycle of As in natural environments.

Alleviative Effects of C60 on the Trophic Transfer of Cadmium along the Food Chain in Aquatic Environment.

C60 could enhance the accumulation of pollutants in organisms, but their effects on higher trophic levels remain unknown. In the present study, the transfer of C60 from Daphnia magna to zebrafish (Danio rerio) and its effects on Cd transfer were investigated. The results showed that C60 could be transferred from D. magna to zebrafish through dietary exposure and accumulate mainly in the intestines, but biomagnification was not observed. The presence of C60 promoted accumulation of Cd in D. magna. However, it decreased Cd burden in the higher trophic level (zebrafish), displaying an alleviative effect on the trophic transfer of Cd along the food chain. To explore the underlying mechanisms, the release of Cd from D. magna in digestive fluids and changes in zebrafish digestive physiology were further investigated. The results showed that C60 did not inhibit Cd release from D. magna, but stimulated the digestive tracts of zebrafish to excrete Cd earlier and in a greater amount, which consequently lowered assimilation efficiency of Cd in zebrafish. Overall, the present study showed the trophic transfer of C60 in the aquatic food chain and revealed the effects of C60 on trophic transfer of Cd along the food chain in aquatic environment.

Prognostic Significance and Diagnostic Value of Overexpressed lncRNA PVT1 in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC tissue compared to adjacent normal tissues, and reveal the association between lncRNA PVT1 expression level and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with CRC. METHODS: We detected the lncRNA PVT1 relative expression of cancerous tissues in 130 patients with CRC by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. At the same time, we collected the clinicopathological and prognostic information. RESULTS: IncRNA PVT1 was overexpressed in CRC tissues compared to paired-adjacent normal tissues and the high expression rate was 72.31%. High expression of lncRNA PVT1 predicts a later tumor stage (p = 0.001), poorer tissue differentiation (p = 0.019), and higher plasma CEA level (p = 0.043). Additionally, the lncRNA PVT1 expression was closely related to lymph node metastasis (N1/N2 vs. N0) and distant metastasis (M1 vs. M0) in CRC patients (p = 0.002; p = 0.003), but not to tumor T classification (p = 0.314). The result of prognostic analysis indicated that the 1-year and 3-year DFS of the lncRNA PVT1 low and high expression patients were 93.8% and 81.1%, 69.3% and 44.7%, respectively. The median DFS was 44 months in low expression group and 26 months in high expression group, with statistical significance (p = 0.021). COX multivariate analysis showed that TNM staging (III/IV vs. I/II: HR = 6.342, 95% CI: 2.994 - 13.433, p < 0.001) and the lncRNA PVT1 expression (high expression vs. low expression: HR = 3.744, 95% CI: 1.493 - 9.392, p = 0.005) was closely related to DFS in CRC patients. As with tumor TNM staging, lncRNA PVT1 expression was also an independent prognostic predictor of DFS. The proportion of lncRNA PVT1 high expression (fold change ≥ 1.725) was higher than that of elevated CEA ( > 5 ng/mL) in different CRC stages, especially, there was a significant difference in stage I patients (X2 = 41.717, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The lncRNA PVT1 was over-expressed in CRC tissues, which indicated a poor prognosis. The lncRNA PVT1 expression is far higher than the plasma CEA level in the early stage patients, which has the potential diagnostic value for early stage CRC.

Retraction Note: Nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 maintained by Hotair suppression of miR-568 upregulates S100 calcium binding protein A4 to promote breast cancer metastasis.

The authors are retracting this article [1] after an investigation by the Ethics Committee of the Fourth Military Medical University (Xi'an, Shaanxi, China) of the following concerns that had been raised with respect to two of the figures.

Effects of Carbon Quantum Dots on Aquatic Environments: Comparison of Toxicity to Organisms at Different Trophic Levels.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have high hydrophilicity, high cell permeability, and are frequently used in water-based and biorelated applications, yet studies concerning the ecological risks of CQDs in aquatic environments are largely insufficient. In the present study, the toxicity of CQDs to zebrafish ( Danio rerio), zooplankton ( Daphnia magna), and phytoplankton ( Scenedesmus obliquus) were assessed for the first time. The results indicated that CQDs (up to 200 mg/L) could be depurated by D. rerio with negligible toxicity. In comparison, CQDs induced mortality and immobility in D. magna with a 48-h EC50 value and LC50 value of 97.5 and 160.3 mg/L, respectively. In S. obliquus, CQDs inhibited photosynthesis and nutrition absorption in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the growth of algae was also inhibited with a 96-h EC50 value of 74.8 mg/L, suggesting that S. obliquus, the lowest trophic level in this study, was most sensitive to CQDs exposure. Further investigations revealed that CQDs induced an increase in oxidative stress in algae cells and a decrease in pH value of an algae medium, indicating that oxidative stress and water acidification may be the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of CQDs to S. obliquus.

Tolerance and bioaccumulation of Cd and Cu in Sesuvium portulacastrum.

In order to investigate the tolerance and bioaccumulation of Cd and Cu in the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum, seedlings were hydroponically cultured for 30 days using the modified 1/2 Hoagland nutrient solution with different concentrations of Cd (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20mgL-1) and Cu (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10mgL-1). Afterwards, the seedling height, leaf area, biomass, and mineral element contents (Fe, Mg, Cu, and Zn) in the roots, stems and leaves were measured, and the tolerance index, bioconcentration factor (BCF), transportation index, and removal rate were calculated. The effects of salinity (0‰-30‰) on the growth and bioaccumulation ability of S. portulacastrum under combined Cu/Cd (5mgL-1) exposure were also determined. The results showed that, with an increasing Cd concentration, the biomass and seedling height of S. portulacastrum initially increased and then decreased. The highest leaf biomass and seedlings height was observed in the 10mgL-1 and 5mgL-1 Cd treatment group, respectively. Salinity did not affect the biomass of S. portulacastrum but decreased Cd concentration in roots and aboveground tissues and Cu concentration in roots of S. portulacastrum. Cu treatment significantly facilitated the absorption of Mg, Cu, and Zn in roots. With an increasing Cu concentration, the Mg and Fe contents increased in the leaves of S. portulacastrum. In comparison to the above-ground portions, the root showed a higher bioaccumulation ability of Cd and Cu, with the BCF of 341.5 and 211.9, respectively. The BCF and translocation factor (TF) values indicated that S. portulacastrum was not a hyperaccumulator for Cd and Cu, but could be used as a phytostablization plant in heavy metal contaminated coastal environments.

Mn Doped AZIS/ZnS Nanocrystals (NCs): Effects of Ag and Mn Levels on NC Optical Properties.

In this work, Mn-doped AZIS/ZnS NCs were prepared using a nucleation doping approach with the tuning of Mn and Ag levels in their synthesis. The optical properties of Mn:AZIS/ZnS NCs are found to be significantly affected by Ag and Mn levels. Specifically, more Ag and Mn atoms in Mn:AZIS/ZnS NCs cause their fluorescence red-shift, and as the Ag or Mn level reaches a high threshold, the fluorescence lifetime of Mn:AZIS/ZnS NC has a significant drop. The reasons for the effects of Mn and Ag levels on NC optical properties were explored and discussed. Through this study, it is also found that with certain Ag and Mn levels in synthesis, some Mn:AZIS/ZnS NCs present optimal optical properties including high brightness (QY > 40%), long fluorescence lifetime (> 1.2 ms), low energy for excitation (excitable at 405 nm), and no reabsorption. The feasibility of the optimized NCs for time-gated fluorescence measurement using a portable/compact instrument was further demonstrated, which indicates the application potential of the NCs in time-gated biosensing including point-of-care testing. Notably, this study also discloses that Mn:AZIS/ZnS NCs with different lifetimes can be achieved by tuning Mn and Ag levels in synthesis, which may further broaden the applications of Mn:AZIS/ZnS NCs in multiplexing detection/measurement.

Mn Doped AIZS/ZnS Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Optical Properties.

In this work, Mn doped AIZS/ZnS (Mn:AIZS/ZnS) nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized in an approach using heat-up and drop-wise addition of precursors. On the basis of the characterization of these doped NCs on their optical properties and materials, it is found that: (1) as more Mn atoms are doped into NCs, the doped NCs present photoluminescence (PL) red-shift and quantum yield quenching; (2) the doped NCs possess a short PL lifetime in tens of microseconds and a long PL lifetime in hundreds of microseconds, and the short lived PL is more dominant than the long lived one; and (3) the doped NCs present a reversible PL thermal quenching in a range from room temperature to 170°C. Possible PL mechanisms of these NCs were discussed by analyzing their time-resolved PL spectra and thermal stability.

Effects of mir-21 on Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats: Role of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN)/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Signal Pathway.

BACKGROUND This study investigated how miR-21 expression is reflected in acute myocardial infarction and explored the role of miR-21 and the PTEN/VEGF signaling pathway in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used an in vivo LAD rat model to simulate acute myocardial infarction. MiR-21 mimics and miR-21 inhibitors were injected and transfected into model rats in order to alter miR-21 expression. Cardiac functions were evaluated using echocardiographic measurement, ELISA, and Masson staining. In addition, lenti-PTEN and VEGF siRNA were transfected into CMEC cells using standard procedures for assessing the effect of PTEN and VEGE on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. MiR-21, PTEN, and VEGF expressions were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The relationship between miR-21 and PTEN was determined by the luciferase activity assay. RESULTS We demonstrated that miR-21 bonded with the 3'-UTR of PTEN and suppressed PTEN expressions. Established models significantly induced cardiac infarct volume and endothelial injury marker expressions as well as miR-21 and PTEN expressions (P<0.05). MiR-21 mimics exhibited significantly protective effects since they down-regulated both infarction size and injury marker expressions by increasing VEGF expression and inhibiting PTEN expression (P<0.05). In addition, results from in vitro research show that lenti-PTEN and VEGF siRNA can notably antagonize the effect of miR-21 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MiR-21 exerts protective effects on endothelial injury through the PTEN/VEGF pathway after acute myocardial infarction.