OPTN gene therapy increases autophagy and protects mitochondria in SOD1-G93A-expressing transgenic mice and cells.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) death. Mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, which results in abnormal protein aggregation, is one of the causes of familial ALS. Autophagic dysfunction occurs in SOD1-G93A mutant mice as the disease progresses, but the etiology of this disease is still unclear. Optineurin (OPTN) is an adaptor that is involved in autophagy and participates in aggrephagy and mitophagy. Previous studies have established that OPTN mutations contribute to diseases such as glaucoma and ALS. However, the function of OPTN in autophagy and mitophagy has not been intensively investigated in models of ALS. In this study, we assessed the beneficial effect of OPTN on autophagy and mitochondrial function by intrathecally injecting adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-OPTN into SOD1-G93A transgenic mice and by administering lentivirus (LV)-OPTN to cells expressing the SOD1-G93A mutant protein. The expression of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) was increased and autophagy was elevated after OPTN gene therapy, as shown by a lower level of p62 and a higher level of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II. Moreover, using electron microscopy, we observed a hyperpolarized mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reversal of mitochondrial morphological abnormalities. Furthermore, the protein level of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) was increased, suggesting that mitophagy was increased. Our findings from both animal and cell line studies strongly suggest that OPTN gene therapy is a powerful strategy to increase autophagy and protect mitochondria to prevent the progression of ALS and could be effective in the treatment of ALS.

High expression of NF-κB inducing kinase in the bulge region of hair follicle induces tumor.

The bulge region, a reservoir of multipotent stem cells, is possibly responsible for tumorigenesis. NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a kinase involved in the activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway and exhibits positive staining in tumor cells. However, whether high expression of NIK can result in tumorigenesis has not been reported in published papers. By establishing Nik-coe (Nik-stopF/F crossed with Chat-cre) and Nik-soe (Nik-stopF/F crossed with Sox9-cre) mice, we found that overexpression of Nik in the bulge region of hair follicles induced hair follicle loss and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, RNA sequencing, proteomic and phosphopeptide analyses revealed that multiple cancer pathways are involved in tumor formation. Taken together, these findings indicate that constitutive activation of Nik in the bulge region induces tumorigenesis.

Comparison of Metabolic Response to Colonic Fermentation in Lean Youth vs Youth With Obesity.

Importance: Pediatric obesity is a growing health care burden. Understanding how the metabolic phenotype of youth with obesity may modify the effect of intestinal fermentation on human metabolism is key to designing early intervention. Objective: To assess whether adiposity and insulin resistance in youth may be associated with colonic fermentation of dietary fibers and its production of acetate, gut-derived hormone secretion, and adipose tissue lipolysis. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study of youths aged 15 to 22 years with body mass index in the 25th to 75th percentile or higher than the 85th percentile for age and sex throughout the New Haven County community in Connecticut. Recruitment, studies, and data collection occurred from June 2018 to September 2021. Youths were assigned to a lean, obese insulin sensitive (OIS), or obese insulin resistant (OIR) group. Data were analyzed from April 2022 to September 2022. Exposure: Participants consumed 20 g of lactulose during a continuous 10-hour sodium d3-acetate intravenous infusion to measure the rate of appearance of acetate in plasma. Main Outcomes and Measures: Plasma was obtained hourly to measure acetate turnover, peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), ghrelin, active glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and free fatty acids (FFA). Results: A total of 44 youths participated in the study (median [IQR] age, 17.5 [16.0-19.3] years; 25 [56.8%] were female; 23 [52.3%] were White). Consequent to lactulose ingestion, there was a reduction of plasma FFA, an improvement of adipose tissue insulin sensitivity index, an increase in colonic acetate synthesis, and an anorexigenic response characterized by an increased plasma concentration of PYY and active GLP-1 and a reduction of ghrelin in the subgroups. Compared with the lean and OIS groups, the OIR group showed a less marked median (IQR) rate of acetate appearance (OIR: 2.00 [-0.86 to 2.69] µmol × kg-1 × min-1; lean: 5.69 [3.04 to 9.77] µmol × kg-1 × min-1; lean vs OIR P = .004; OIS: 2.63 [1.22 to 4.52] µmol × kg-1 × min-1; OIS vs OIR P = .09), a blunted median (IQR) improvement of adipose insulin sensitivity index (OIR: 0.043 [ 0.006 to 0.155]; lean: 0.277 [0.220 to 0.446]; lean vs OIR P = .002; OIS: 0.340 [0.048 to 0.491]; OIS vs OIR P = .08), and a reduced median (IQR) PYY response (OIR: 25.4 [14.8 to 36.4] pg/mL; lean: 51.3 [31.6 to 83.3] pg/mL; lean vs OIR P = .002; OIS: 54.3 [39.3 to 77.2] pg/mL; OIS vs OIR P = .011). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, lean, OIS, and OIR youth demonstrated different associations between colonic fermentation of indigestible dietary carbohydrates and the metabolic response, with OIR youth showing minimal metabolic modifications as compared with the other 2 groups. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03454828.

A comprehensive overview of PPM1B: From biological functions to diseases.

Reversible phosphorylation of proteins is an important mechanism that regulates cellular processes, which are precisely regulated by protein kinases and phosphatases. PPM1B is a metal ion-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase, which regulates multiple biological functions by targeting substrate dephosphorylation, such as cell cycle, energy metabolism, inflammatory responses. In this review, we summarized the occurrent understandings of PPM1B focused on its regulation of signaling pathways, related diseases, and small-molecular inhibitors, which may provide new insights for the identification of PPM1B inhibitors and the treatment of PPM1B-related diseases.

Quasi-periodic scattering of topological edge states induced by the vacancies in chloridized gallium bismuthide nanoribbons.

The chloridized gallium bismuthide was predicted to be a two-dimensional topological insulator with large topological band gap. It may be beneficial for achieving the quantum spin Hall effect and its related applications at high temperatures. To better understand the quantum transport in topological nanoribbons, we investigated the effect of vacancy on the quantum transport of topological edge states in the armchair chloridized gallium bismuthide nanoribbons by combining density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function. The results suggest the vacancies at center are more likely to cause the scattering of topological edge states. The average scattering is insensitive to the enlargement of vacancy along the transport direction. More interestingly, the obvious scattering of topological edge states can only be found at some special energies, and these special energies are distributed quasi-periodically. The quasi-periodic scattering may be used as a kind of fingerprint of vacancies. Our studies may be helpful for the application of topological nanoribbons.

Rising NAFLD and metabolic severity during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic among children with obesity in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease among youth with obesity, precedes more severe metabolic and liver diseases. However, the impact of the Sars-CoV-2 global pandemic on the prevalence and severity of NAFLD and the associated metabolic phenotype among youth with obesity is unknown. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the Yale Pediatric Obesity Clinic during the Sars-CoV-2 global pandemic (August 2020 to May 2022) and were compared with a frequency-matched control group of youth with obesity studied before the Sars-CoV-2 global pandemic (January 2017 to November 2019). Glucose metabolism differences were assessed during an extended 180-minute oral glucose tolerance test. Magnetic resonance imaging-derived proton density fat fraction (PDFF) was used to determine intrahepatic fat content in those with NAFLD (PDFF ≥ 5.5). RESULTS: NAFLD prevalence increased in participants prior to (36.2%) versus during the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic (60.9%), with higher PDFF values observed in participants with NAFLD (PDFF ≥ 5.5%) during versus before the pandemic. An increase in visceral adipose tissue and a hyperresponsiveness in insulin secretion during the oral glucose tolerance test were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic health differences were likely exacerbated by environmental and behavioral changes associated with the pandemic, which are critically important for clinicians to consider when engaging in patient care to help minimize the future risk for metabolic perturbations.

IRF5 knockdown reverses TDP-related phenotypes partially by increasing TBK1 expression.

Interferon-regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) participates in the regulation of apoptosis, affects the phenotype of inflammatory macrophages and plays an essential role in the inflammatory response. However, the role of IRF5 in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains largely unknown. Here, we show that IRF5 mainly accumulated in the nucleus in cells expressing the truncated 25 kD C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 (TDP-25, named TDP-25 cells hereafter). IRF5 knockdown using a lentivirus carrying an shRNA in TDP-25 cells exerted a protective effect and reduced the level of the apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-9 and the cell cycle arrest protein p21, while increasing the expression of the antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its target molecule glutamate-cysteine ligase modulatory subunit (GCLM). Furthermore, IRF5-knockdown cells showed improved mitochondrial swelling and cristae dilation. In addition, we found that IRF5 mediated neuronal injury partly through the negative regulation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). These data indicate that the loss of IRF5 in TDP-25 cells exerts a protective effect mainly by inhibiting apoptosis, regulating cell cycle arrest and alleviating oxidative stress.

Strength of Coarse-Grained Soil Stabilized by Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Solution and Silica Fume under Wet-Dry Cycles.

To investigate an environmentally benign stabilizer for coarse-grained soil in southeast Tibet, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica fume were used to improve the geotechnical properties of coarse-grained soil. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and wet-dry cycle tests were conducted on prepared samples to evaluate the effect of the additive content and curing age on the strength and durability of coarse-grained soil. The results reveal that the UCS of the samples increased with the additive content of PVA solution and the curing age. The optimal value for the additive content of PVA solution and the curing age is 12% and 7 days, respectively. With the optimal PVA solution content, the PVA solution combined with silica fume stabilizer exhibited better reinforcement compared with pristine PVA. The UCS of the samples stabilized by PVA solution and silica fume increased depending on the curing age, and plateaued after 14 days. Samples with 12% PVA solution and 6% silica fume achieved a satisfactory UCS of 1543.17 kPa after curing for 28 days. As the number of wet-dry cycles increased, the UCS of the samples stabilized by the PVA solution and silica fume exhibited an upward trend during the first three wet-dry cycles, owing to the filling of pores by the gel produced by the silica fume, but began to decline as the number of wet-dry cycles increased. All samples retained a high UCS value after 10 wet-dry cycles compared with the samples that were not subjected to wet-dry cycles.

Diagnostic value of spiral CT energy spectrum imaging in lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of preoperative CT energy spectrum imaging in detecting lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer. METHODS: From September 2019 to November 2021, a retrospective study was performed for the eighty-two patients with colorectal cancer through preoperative colonoscopy or surgical pathology confirmed in our hospital. Based on the lymph node metastasis status, these cases were divided into the metastasis and non-metastasis groups. GE Revolution CT scanner was used to scan the patients with energy spectrum imaging, it measured and recorded the single-energy CT values from 40 to 140 keV and various energy spectrum parameters of lymph nodes around the lesions in the arterial and venous phases, and statistically analyze the above indices. RESULTS: In the arterial and venous phases: the single-energy CT values of 40-140 keV in the non-metastatic group were higher than those in the metastatic group (all P < 0.05); the parameter values of IC (iodine concentration), NIC (normalized iodine concentration), λ (the slope of the energy spectrum curve), and Eff-Z (effective-Z) in the non-metastatic group were higher than those in the metastatic group (all P < 0.05). Further evaluation of ROC curve showed that the higher AUC (area under curve) of the single-energy CT value of 50 keV in the arterial phase was 0.889, among the energy spectrum parameters of IC, NIC, λ, and Eff-Z, the NIC had the better diagnostic efficiency and the AUC of the NIC was 0.873, the highest AUC of the combination of NIC and λ was 0.885 when the energy spectrum parameters were combined. The higher AUC of the single-energy CT value of 60 keV in the venous phase was 0.853, among the energy spectrum parameters of IC, NIC, λ, and Eff-Z, the λ had the better diagnostic efficiency and the AUC of the λ was 0.822, the higher AUC of the combination of NIC, λ, and Eff-Z was 0.840 when the energy spectra were combined. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of energy spectrum CT imaging can effectively evaluate whether lymph nodes have metastases, and provide favorable imaging diagnosis basis for the range and the number of lymph nodes to be cleaned during clinical operation and can evaluate the prognosis of patients. It is worthy of clinical recommendation.

Experimental Study on PVA-MgO Composite Improvement of Sandy Soil.

Materials with violent hydration reaction such as cement are used to solidify sandy soil slopes, which will cause destructive damage to the ecology of the slopes. In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and activated magnesium oxide (MgO) are used to improve sandy soil, and the effects of the dosage and curing age of modifiers on the mechanical properties of solidified sandy soil are studied. The dry-wet durability of the composite improved sandy soil is analyzed using a dry-wet cycle test, and the improvement mechanism of PVA and activated magnesium oxide is revealed using an electron microscope. The results show that the curing effect of polyvinyl alcohol and activated magnesium oxide on sand particles is better than that of polyvinyl alcohol alone. The compressive strength of improved soil samples increases with the increase of curing time, and magnesium oxide as an improved material needs appropriate reaction conditions to give full play to its role. The compressive strength of composite improved samples increases first and then decreases during the dry-wet cycle. Through the observation of microstructure, it can be seen that the cementing material wraps and connects the sand particles, and the cementing material of the sample after the dry-wet cycle develops more completely; if the magnesium oxide content is high, cracks may appear inside the sample.

Insights from shotgun metagenomics into bacterial species and metabolic pathways associated with NAFLD in obese youth.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease and is often the precursor for more serious liver conditions such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Although the gut microbiome has been implicated in the development of NAFLD, the strong association of obesity with NAFLD and its effect on microbiome structure has made interpreting study outcomes difficult. In the present study, we examined the taxonomic and functional differences between the microbiomes of youth with obesity and with and without NAFLD. Shotgun metagenome sequencing was performed to profile the microbiomes of 36 subjects, half of whom were diagnosed with NAFLD using abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. Beta diversity analysis showed community-wide differences between the groups (p = 0.002). Specific taxonomic differences included increased relative abundances of the species Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans (p = 0.042), Romboutsia ilealis (p = 0.046), and Actinomyces sp. ICM47 (p = 0.0009), and a decrease of Bacteroides thetaiotamicron (p = 0.0002), in the NAFLD group as compared with the non-NAFLD group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes (p < 0.0001) was decreased in the NAFLD group. Functionally, branched-chain amino acid (p = 0.01343) and aromatic amino acid (p = 0.01343) synthesis pathways had increased relative abundances in the NAFLD group along with numerous energy use pathways, including pyruvate fermentation to acetate (p = 0.01318). Conclusion: Community-wide differences were noted based on NAFLD status, and individual bacterial species along with specific metabolic pathways were identified as potential drivers of these differences. The results of the present study support the idea that the NAFLD phenotype displays a differentiated microbial and functional signature from the obesity phenotype.

A low n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio diet improves hyperinsulinaemia by restoring insulin clearance in obese youth.

AIM: To examine the determinants and metabolic impact of the reduction in fasting and postload insulin levels after a low n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio diet in obese youth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Insulin secretion and clearance were assessed by measuring and modelling plasma insulin and C-peptide in 17 obese youth who underwent a nine-point, 180-minute oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after a 12-week, eucaloric low n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio diet. Hepatic fat content was assessed by repeated abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Insulin clearance at fasting and during the OGTT was significantly increased after the diet, while body weight, glucose levels, absolute and glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and model-derived variables of ß-cell function were not affected. Dietary-induced changes in insulin clearance positively correlated with changes in whole-body insulin sensitivity and ß-cell glucose sensitivity, but not with changes in hepatic fat. Subjects with greater increases in insulin clearance showed a worse metabolic profile at enrolment, characterized by impaired insulin clearance, ß-cell glucose sensitivity, and glucose tolerance, and benefitted the most from the diet, achieving greater improvements in glucose-stimulated hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, and ß-cell function. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that a 12-week low n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio diet improves hyperinsulinaemia by increasing fasting and postload insulin clearance in obese youth, independently of weight loss, glucose concentrations, and insulin secretion.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in youth with overweight or obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has been associated with food intake and weight regulation in response to metabolic stress. In animal models, it has been noted that it may play a role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the leading cause of chronic liver disease in children. DESIGN: In the current study, we explored the association of circulating plasma concentrations of GDF15 with NAFLD in youth with overweight/obesity, and whether changes in plasma concentrations in GDF15 parallel the changes in intrahepatic fat content (HFF%) over time. METHODS: Plasma GDF15 concentrations were measured by ELISA in 175 youth with overweight/obesity who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess intrahepatic, visceral, and subcutaneous fat. Baseline fasting GDF15 concentrations were measured in twenty-two overweight/obese youth who progressed (n = 11) or regressed (n = 11) in HFF% by more than 30% of original over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Youth with NAFLD had significantly higher plasma concentrations of GDF15 than those without NAFLD, independent of age, sex, ethnicity, BMI z-score (BMIz), and visceral fat (P = 0.002). During the OGTT, there was a decline in plasma GDF15 concentrations from 0 to 60 min, but GDF15 concentrations returned to basal levels by the end of the study. There was a statistically significant association between change in HFF% and change in GDF15 (P = 0.008; r2 = 0.288) over ~2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that plasma GDF15 concentrations change with change in intrahepatic fat content in youth with overweight/obesity and may serve as a biomarker for NAFLD in children.

Starchy Vegetables and Metabolic Syndrome in Costa Rica.

Only a few studies primarily examined the associations between starchy vegetables (other than potatoes) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to evaluate the association between starchy vegetables consumption and MetS in a population-based sample of Costa Rican adults. We hypothesized that a higher overall intake of starchy vegetables would not be associated with higher MetS prevalence. In this cross-sectional study, log-binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) of MetS across quintiles of total, unhealthy, healthy starchy vegetables, and individual starchy vegetables (potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, etc.), among 1881 Costa Rican adults. Least square means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from linear regression models were estimated for each MetS component by categories of starchy vegetable variables. Higher intakes of starchy vegetables were associated with a higher prevalence of MetS in crude models, but no significant trends were observed after adjusting for confounders. A significant inverse association was observed between total starchy and healthy starchy vegetables consumption and fasting blood glucose. In this population, starchy vegetables might be part of a healthy dietary pattern.

Dual Dirac points and odd-even oscillated energy gap in zigzag chlorinated stanene nanoribbon.

Stanene has been predicted to be a two-dimensional topological insulator, providing an ideal platform for the realization of quantum spin Hall effect even at room temperature. Based on first-principles calculations, we studied the topological edge states in zigzag chlorinated stanene nanoribbon. From our calculations, dual Dirac points can be found near Fermi level. One Dirac point is localized at the edges and emerges in a narrow nanoribbon, while another is widespread and can only be found in a wide nanoribbon due to the coupling of two opposite edges. At the localized Dirac point, there is an interesting odd-even oscillated energy gap with the change of the width of nanoribbon. The energy gaps at both Dirac points and the coupling of two opposite edges can be modified by edge adsorption. Asymmetric adsorption of two edges was also discussed. Our calculations may be helpful for the potential applications of tin-based topological nanoribbons in nanodevices.

Deletion of FGF9 in GABAergic neurons causes epilepsy.

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) has long been assumed to modulate multiple biological processes, yet very little is known about the impact of FGF9 on neurodevelopment. Herein, we found that loss of Fgf9 in olig1 progenitor cells induced epilepsy in mice, with pathological changes in the cortex. Then depleting Fgf9 in different neural populations revealed that epilepsy was associated with GABAergic neurons. Fgf9 CKO in GABAergic neuron (CKOVGAT) mice exhibited not only the most severe seizures, but also the most severe growth retardation and highest mortality. Fgf9 deletion in CKOVGAT mice caused neuronal apoptosis and decreased GABA expression, leading to a GABA/Glu imbalance and epilepsy. The adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP and ERK signaling pathways were activated in this process. Recombinant FGF9 proteoliposomes could significantly decrease the number of seizures. Furthermore, the decrease of FGF9 was commonly observed in serum of epileptic patients, especially those with focal seizures. Thus, FGF9 plays essential roles in GABAergic neuron survival and epilepsy pathology, which could serve as a new target for the treatment of epilepsy.

Myeloid TBK1 Deficiency Induces Motor Deficits and Axon Degeneration Through Inflammatory Cell Infiltration.

BACKGROUND: TANK-binding kinase1 (TBK1) haploinsufficiency has been shown to cause both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD); however, the mechanism is unclear. METHODS: Myeloid Tbk1 knockout mice (Tbk1-LKO mice) were established and motor function and pathological analyses were also performed. The level of p-TBK1 was analyzed in the ALS animal model and in patient samples using flow cytometry. The expression of inflammatory proteins and mRNAs was analyzed via western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The latency to fall in seven-month-old Tbk1-LKO mice was significantly reduced in evaluations conducted on two consecutive days. Overall, 25.6% of Tbk1-LKO mice presented paralysis symptoms and signs, along with a loosened myelin sheath and axon degeneration at 14-16 months of age. Furthermore, the Tbk1 deficiency in myeloid cells induced inflammatory cell infiltration and dysbacteriosis in the digestive tract. Additionally, p-TBK1 levels were reduced by 29.5% and 14.8% in monocytes of patients with definite ALS and probable ALS and decreased by 27.6% and 45.5% in monocytes and microglia of ALS animals, respectively. The use of PEI-mannose-TBK1 or PEI-mannose-SaCas9-sgRNA to delete mutant SOD1 in macrophages significantly delayed disease onset and prolonged survival in the mouse model of ALS. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, inflammatory monocyte and macrophage infiltration and impaired innate immune defenses contribute to ALS and FTD.

Knockdown of IKKß Inhibits Tumor Development in a Leptomeningeal Metastasis Mouse Model and Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study will explore the role of IKKß in the leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of lung cancer cells. METHODS: In vitro studies were conducted in mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells with IKKß knockdown. Cell proliferation was explored using CCK-8 and tumor colony-forming assays. The expression of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. Tumor cell apoptosis was identified through Western blot detection of Bax and Bcl-2. The migration of tumor cells was identified by a wound healing assay. In vivo studies used an LM mouse model developed by injecting LLC cells with or without IKKß knockdown into the cisterna magna. Mouse brain and spinal samples were sectioned for hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: In vitro: IKKß knockdown inhibits tumor cell proliferation, initiates apoptosis, and attenuates cell migration. In vivo: IKKß knockdown inhibits tumor growth in the LM mouse model. In addition, the in vitro results showed that IKKß knockdown attenuated the expression of ERK phosphorylation in LLC cells. CONCLUSION: Blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway by IKKß knockdown in LLC cells inhibited tumor growth in the LM mouse model. IKKß supports leptomeningeal tumor progression by promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting cancer cell apoptosis, and these actions may be correlated to ERK signaling.

Stable edge structures and electronic states in zigzag 1T'-dichalcogenide nanoribbons.

Based on first-principles calculations, we studied the various possible edge structures in zigzag 1T'-MoS2 and 1T'-WTe2 nanoribbons. By the binding energy analysis, there are stable chalcogen S- and Te-terminated edge structures for 1T'-MoS2 and 1T'-WTe2 nanoribbons, respectively. Unlike 1T'-MoS2 nanoribbons, where little edge reconstruction can be found, 1T'-WTe2 nanoribbons suffer larger edge reconstruction. Moreover, the new edges of 1T'-WTe2 can be magnetized due to the spontaneous strain effect in narrow nanoribbons. Interestingly, there are quantum-well-like states near Fermi level in both 1T'-MoS2 and 1T'-WTe2 nanoribbons. Our calculations may promote the experimental research for the edge structures and the application of 1T'-dichalcogenide nanoribbons in nanodevices.

Half-metallic two-dimensional polyaniline with 3d-transition-metal decoration.

Possible half-metallic behavior was explored in 3d-transition-metal (Fe, Co, and Ni) decorated two-dimensional polyaniline (C3N) on the basis of density-functional theory. 3d-transition-metal atoms would prefer to adsorb on top of the carbon hexagonal ring. The calculated electronic structures suggest the Fe and Co decorated polyanilines ([Formula: see text]Fe and [Formula: see text]Co) are magnetic half-metals, while the Ni-decorated polyaniline ([Formula: see text]Ni) is a nonmagnetic semiconductor with an enlarged band gap. In [Formula: see text]Fe, the half-metallic energy window can be as large as 0.7 eV. Interestingly, there are two half-metallic energy windows with opposite spins near Fermi level in [Formula: see text]Co. The energy windows and band gaps can be modulated by the distance between 3d-transition-metal atoms and C3N. Due to the large half-metallic energy window and the appropriate band gap, 3d-transition-metal decorated C3N may be used in nanoscale spintronic devices.