Single atom catalysts (SACs) with the maximized metal atom efficiency have sparked great attention. However, it is challenging to obtain SACs with high metal loading, high catalytic activity, and ...good stability. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy to develop a highly active and stable Ag single atom in carbon nitride (Ag‐N2C2/CN) catalyst with a unique coordination. The Ag atomic dispersion and Ag‐N2C2 configuration have been identified by aberration‐correction high‐angle‐annular‐dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC‐HAADF‐STEM) and extended X‐ray absorption. Experiments and DFT calculations further verify that Ag‐N2C2 can reduce the H2 evolution barrier, expand the light absorption range, and improve the charge transfer of CN. As a result, the Ag‐N2C2/CN catalyst exhibits much better H2 evolution activity than the N‐coordinated Ag single atom in CN (Ag‐N4/CN), and is even superior to the Pt nanoparticle‐loaded CN (PtNP/CN). This work provides a new idea for the design and synthesis of SACs with novel configurations and excellent catalytic activity and durability.
A new Ag single atom in carbon nitride (Ag‐N2C2/CN) photocatalyst with Ag‐N2C2 configuration is developed. It affords fast charge transfer, high Ag loading, and good stability. Noteworthily, the Ag‐N2C2/CN exhibits much better hydrogen evolution activity than Ag‐N4/CN, and even superior to the platinum‐loaded CN.
Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs played an important role in regulating carcinogenesis. However, the role of miR-29a in breast cancer is still unclear. Herein, we showed that miR-29a was ...significantly up-regulated in breast cancer as compared with non-tumor tissues. Moreover, the up-regulation of miR-29a was significantly correlated with tumor metastasis and shorter overall survival in breast cancer patients. Knockdown of miR-29a in breast cancer cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, data from bioinformatic analysis validated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that ten eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was a direct target of miR-29a, and over-expression of TET1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration which could be induced by the up-regulation of miR-29a. TET1 silencing promoted cell growth and migration in breast cancer. MiR-29a over-expression had the same effect. MiR-29a targets TET1, down regulates its expression and thus promotes EMT in breast cancer. Altogether, we demonstrate that miR-29a acts as a tumor activator by targeting TET1 and induces cell proliferation and EMT in breast cancer.
•MiR-29a is up-regulated in ER− breast cancer and correlated with poor survival.•MiR-29a over-expression promotes breast cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo.•MiR-29a regulates cell cycle and promotes migration in breast cancer.•TET1 is a direct target of miR-29a.•MiR-29a targeted TET1 contributes to cell proliferation and EMT.
A neutrosophic network is an extension of an intuitionistic fuzzy network that provides more precision compatibility and flexibility than an intuitionistic fuzzy graph in structuring and modelling ...many real-life problems. The authors have explored the use of a neutrosophic network for modelling the passive optical network, mobile ad hoc network (MANET), and wireless sensor graph. They have presented the idea of strong arc, weak arc strong domination numbers, and strong perfect domination of neutrosophic network. They have described the method to find the values of strong and strong perfect domination of neutrosophic network. Finally, they use the idea of a strong arc strong domination number in MANET and wireless sensor graphs.
To explore the value, and influencing factors, of D-dimer on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. A total of 1,114 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to three designated COVID-19 ...hospitals in Wuhan, China from January 18, 2020, to March 24, 2020, were included in this study. We examined the relationship between peripheral blood levels of D-dimer, and clinical classification and prognosis, as well as its related influencing factors. D-dimer levels were found to be related to the clinical classification and the prognosis of clinical outcome. D-dimer levels were more likely to be abnormal in severely and critically ill patients compared with mild and ordinary cases, while D-dimer levels of patients who had died were significantly higher than those of surviving patients according to the results of the first and last lab tests. The results from ROC analyses for mortality risk showed that the AUCs of D-dimer were 0.909, YI was 0.765 at the last lab test, and a D-dimer value of 2.025 mg/L was regarded to be the optimal probability cutoff for a prognosis of death. In addition, we found that patients with advanced age, male gender, dyspnea symptoms, and some underlying diseases have a higher D-dimer value (p < 0.05). In short, D-dimer is related to the clinical classification and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The D-dimer value of 2.025 mg/L was the optimal probability cutoff for judging an outcome of death. Advanced age, male gender, dyspnea symptoms, and some underlying diseases are influencing factors for D-dimer levels, which impacts the prognosis of patients.
Recently, increasing studies have reported that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) gastric carcinoma highly expressed transcript 1 (GHET1) is highly expressed in variety of cancers and relevant to poor ...prognosis of cancer patients. Nevertheless, the results were inconsistent and the systematic analysis of lncRNA GHET1 in cancers has not been inspected. Thus, we aim to evaluate the relationship between lncRNA GHET1 expression and clinical outcomes in human cancers. We searched keywords in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrial.gov. Stata SE12.0 software was used in the quantitative meta‐analysis. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (95% Cl) were calculated to evaluate the clinical significance of lncRNA GHET1. Twelve studies totalling 761 patients with cancers were included for analysis. The pooled results of this study indicated that high lncRNA GHET1 expression level was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS, HR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.75‐3.02) in human cancers. The statistical significance was also detected in subgroup analysis stratified by analysis method, cancer type, sample size and follow‐up time respectively. In addition, the elevated lncRNA GHET1 expression was also significantly related to more advanced clinical stage, earlier lymph node metastasis, earlier distant metastasis and bigger tumour size. LncRNA GHET1 may serve as a promising biomarker for prognosis in Asians with cancers.
Nano-sized cellulose crystals were fabricated from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using combined sulfuric acid hydrolysis and high-pressure homogenization techniques. The crystals were then ...utilized to prepare polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites by the solution casting method. The cellulose nanocrystals had diameters from about 8 to 10
nm and lengths in the range of 60–120
nm. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD) results on the freeze-dried crystals revealed a slight increase in the degree of crystallinity after acid treatment. The composite sheets retained good transparency due to the size effect and dispersion of the cellulose nanocrystals. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated retained thermal stability of the composites. The storage modulus of the nanocomposite sheets from dynamic mechanical analysis showed significantly enhanced property in comparison with that of the pure PMMA sheets. The glass transition of the nanocomposites was shifted to lower temperatures with respect to the pure PMMA material.
It has been reported that Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) could induce tumor development and progression in many cancer types. Herein, through analysis of different independent cohorts, we found TOP2A ...was up-regulated in pancreatic cancer as compared with non-tumor tissues. Moreover, the up-regulation of TOP2A was significantly correlated with tumor metastasis and shorter survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Knockdown of TOP2A in pancreatic cancer cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed TOP2A activatesβ-catenin pathway in pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, we demonstrated TOP2A acts as a co-activator ofβ-catenin and activates EMT process. Further investigation showed TOP2A was a direct target of mir-139, which was validated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The effects of mir-139 on pancreatic cancer were also mechanistically, functionally and clinically investigated. Taken together, our research identified a novel miR-139\TOP2A\β-catenin axis driving the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer.
•TOP2A is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer and is correlated with poor survival.•TOP2A promotes cell proliferation and migration.•TOP2A activates β-catenin pathway in pancreatic cancer.•TOP2A acts as a co-activator ofβ-catenin and activates EMT.•TOP2A is directly regulated by mir-139.
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant cancer that is associated with high mortality rates. The relationship between laminin γ 2 chain gene (LAMC2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has ...been previously documented in gastric cancer and oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study investigates the role of LAMC2 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in CCA and explores the underlying mechanism(s). Differentially expressed genes related to CCA were initially screened using a microarray analysis, and the interaction between LAMC2 and the EGFR signaling pathway was identified. To determine the regulatory effects of LAMC2 on CCA progression, LAMC2 was silenced or overexpressed and the EGFR signaling pathway was activated or blocked. Subsequently, the regulation effects of LAMC2 were evaluated on the expression of EMT markers, invasion and migration of CCA cells, as well as microvessel density in nude mice. Microarray analysis demonstrated that highly expressed LAMC2 is linked to CCA development, which involves the EGFR signaling pathway. When LAMC2 expression was increased, the EGFR signaling pathway and EMT were activated in CCA tissues. Silencing of LAMC2 as well as EGFR signaling pathway inhibition led to suppression of EMT, cell invasion, and migration abilities in vitro, as well as angiogenesis in vivo. This study demonstrates that LAMC2 silencing suppresses the activity of the EGFR signaling pathway, thus functioning as a tumor suppressor in CCA.
Quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an important adjunct to conventional breast MRI and shows promise as a noninvasive biomarker of breast cancer in multiple clinical scenarios, from the ...discrimination of benign and malignant lesions, prediction, and evaluation of treatment response to a prognostic assessment of breast cancer. Various quantitative parameters are derived from different DWI models based on special prior knowledge and assumptions, have different meanings, and are easy to confuse. In this review, we describe the quantitative parameters derived from conventional and advanced DWI models commonly used in breast cancer and summarize the promising clinical applications of these quantitative parameters. Although promising, it is still challenging for these quantitative parameters to become clinically useful noninvasive biomarkers in breast cancer, as multiple factors may result in variations in quantitative parameter measurements. Finally, we briefly describe some considerations regarding the factors that cause variations.
•Quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an important adjunct to conventional breast MRI.•Quantitative parameters derived from DWI models have showed promise as a noninvasive biomarker of breast cancer.•Understanding factors affecting parameter measurements and taking considerations can promote them into clinical biomarkers.
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