The current work investigates a novel three-dimensional boron nitride called bulk B
N
and its corresponding two-dimensional monolayer B
N
based on the first-principles of density functional theory. ...The phonon spectra prove that bulk B
N
and monolayer B
N
are dynamically stable. The molecular dynamics simulations verify that bulk B
N
and monolayer B
N
have excellent thermal stability of withstanding temperature up to 1000 K. The calculated elastic constants state that bulk B
N
and monolayer B
N
are mechanically stable, and bulk B
N
has strong anisotropy. The theoretically obtained electronic structures reveal that bulk B
N
is an indirect band-gap semiconductor with a band gap of 5.4 eV, while monolayer B
N
has a direct band gap of 6.1 eV. The valence band maximum is mainly contributed from B-2p and N-2p orbits, and the conduction band minimum mainly derives from B-2p orbits. The electron transitions from occupied N-2p states to empty B-2p states play important roles in the dielectric functions of bulk B
N
and monolayer B
N
. The newly proposed monolayer B
N
is a potential candidate for designing optoelectronic devices such as transparent electrodes due to its high transmissivity.
Ferroptosis is caused by the accumulation of cellular reactive oxygen species that exceed the antioxidant load that glutathione (GSH) and phospholipid hydroperoxidases with GSH-based substrates can ...carry When the antioxidant capacity of cells is reduced, lipid reactive oxygen species accumulate, which can cause oxidative death. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulatory necrosis pathway, has emerged as a new modality of cell death that is strongly associated with cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main methods of cancer treatment. However, resistance to these mainstream anticancer drugs and strong toxic side effects have forced the development of alternative treatments with high efficiency and low toxicity. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), especially herbs or herbal extracts, can inhibit tumor cell growth and metastasis by inducing ferroptosis, suggesting that they could be promising agents for cancer treatment. This article reviews the current research progress on the antitumor effects of TCMs through the induction of ferroptosis. The aim of these studies was to elucidate the potential mechanisms of targeting ferroptosis in cancer, and the findings could lead to new directions and reference values for developing better cancer treatment strategies.
Segmenting small infrared targets presents a significant challenge for traditional image processing architectures due to the inherent lack of texture, minimal shape information, and their sparse ...pixel representation within images. The conventional UNet architecture, while proficient in general segmentation tasks, inadequately addresses the nuances of small infrared target segmentation due to its reliance on downsampling operations, such as pooling, which often results in the loss of critical target information. This paper introduces the Channel Spatial Attention Nested UNet (CSAN-UNet), an innovative architecture designed specifically to enhance the detection and segmentation of small infrared targets. Central to CSAN-UNet’s design is the Cascaded Channel and Spatial Convolutional Attention Module (CSCAM), a novel component that adaptively enhances multi-level features and mitigates the loss of target information attributable to downsampling processes. Additionally, the Channel-priority and Spatial Attention Cascade Module (CPSAM) represents another pivotal advancement within CSAN-UNet, prioritizing channel-level adjustments alongside spatial attention mechanisms to efficiently extract deep semantic information pertinent to small infrared targets. Empirical validation conducted on two public datasets confirms that CSAN-UNet surpasses existing state-of-the-art algorithms in segmentation performance, while simultaneously reducing computational overhead.
The lack of meaningful and effective early-stage markers remains the major challenge in the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and a huge barrier to timely treatment. Zinc finger protein 64 ...(ZFP64), a member of the zinc finger protein family, is considered to be a promising predictor in multiple tumors, but its potential effect in GBC still remains unclear. Here, we identified that ZFP64 was a vital regulatory protein in GBC. We found that ZFP64 expressed higher in GBC gallbladder carcinoma tissues than in normal tissues and was positively correlated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, ZFP64 was responsible for the migration, invasion, proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, through Co-IP assay, we confirmed that ZFP64 recruits HDAC1 localized to the promoter region of NUMB for deacetylation and therefore inhibits NUMB expression. The downregulation of NUMB enhanced the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway, which is indispensable for the GBC-promotion effect of ZFP64 on GBC. In conclusion, ZFP64 regulated GBC progression and metastasis through upregulating the Notch1 signaling pathway, and thus ZFP64 is expected to become a new focus for a GBC prognostic marker and targeted therapy.
The Zα domain has a compact α/β architecture containing a three-helix bundle flanked on one side by a twisted antiparallel β sheet. This domain displays a specific affinity for double-stranded ...nucleic acids that adopt a left-handed helical conformation. Currently, only three Zα-domain proteins have been identified in eukaryotes, specifically ADAR1, ZBP1, and PKZ. ADAR1 is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine residues to inosine, resulting in changes in RNA structure, function, and expression. In addition to its editing function, ADAR1 has been shown to play a role in antiviral defense, gene regulation, and cellular differentiation. Dysregulation of ADAR1 expression and activity has been associated with various disease states, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurological disorders. As a sensing molecule, ZBP1 exhibits the ability to recognize nucleic acids with a left-handed conformation. ZBP1 harbors a RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM), composed of a highly charged surface region and a leucine-rich hydrophobic core, enabling the formation of homotypic interactions between proteins with similar structure. Upon activation, ZBP1 initiates a downstream signaling cascade leading to programmed cell death, a process mediated by RIPK3 via the RHIM motif. PKZ was identified in fish, and contains two Zα domains at the N-terminus. PKZ is essential for normal growth and development and may contribute to the regulation of immune system function in fish. Interestingly, some pathogenic microorganisms also encode Zα domain proteins, such as, Vaccinia virus and Cyprinid Herpesvirus. Zα domain proteins derived from pathogenic microorganisms have been demonstrated to be pivotal contributors in impeding the host immune response and promoting virus replication and spread. This review focuses on the mammalian Zα domain proteins: ADAR1 and ZBP1, and thoroughly elucidates their functions in the immune response.
Abnormal angiogenesis is crucial for gallbladder cancer (GBC) tumor growth and invasion, highlighting the importance of elucidating the mechanisms underlying this process. LncRNA (long non-coding ...RNA) is widely involved in the malignancy of GBC. However, conclusive evidence confirming the correlation between lncRNAs and angiogenesis in GBC is lacking.
LncRNA sequencing was performed to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs. RT-qPCR, western blot, FISH, and immunofluorescence were used to measure TRPM2-AS and NOTCH1 signaling pathway expression in vitro. Mouse xenograft and lung metastasis models were used to evaluate the biological function of TRPM2-AS during angiogenesis in vivo. EDU, transwell, and tube formation assays were used to detect the angiogenic ability of HUVECs. RIP, RAP, RNA pull-down, dual-luciferase reporter system, and mass spectrometry were used to confirm the interaction between TRPM2-AS, IGF2BP2, NUMB, and PABPC1.
TRPM2-AS was upregulated in GBC tissues and was closely related to angiogenesis and poor prognosis in patients with GBC. The high expression level and stability of TRPM2-AS benefited from m
A modification, which is recognized by IGF2BP2. In terms of exerting pro-angiogenic effects, TRPM2-AS loaded with exosomes transported from GBC cells to HUVECs enhanced PABPC1-mediated NUMB expression inhibition, ultimately promoting the activation of the NOTCH1 signaling pathway. PABPC1 inhibited NUMB mRNA expression through interacting with AGO2 and promoted miR-31-5p and miR-146a-5p-mediated the degradation of NUMB mRNA. The NOTCH signaling pathway inhibitor DAPT inhibited GBC tumor angiogenesis, and TRPM2-AS knockdown enhanced this effect.
TRPM2-AS is a novel and promising biomarker for GBC angiogenesis that promotes angiogenesis by facilitating the activation of the NOTCH1 signaling pathway. Targeting TRPM2-AS opens further opportunities for future GBC treatments.
Under the background of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality", the carbon emissions produced by the public’s daily consumption cannot be ignored. However, the data show that there is a disunity of ...knowing and doing in low-carbon consumption. How to get out of the dilemma, and how to guide the public to the low-carbon consumption mode has become an urgent issue to be solved. This study uses the research method of in-depth interview and the grounded theory to build a research model suitable for the analysis of low-carbon consumption behavior, and explains the disunity of knowing and doing. The results show that low-carbon knowledge, personal benefits, moral image and social norms have significant effects on low-carbon consumption behavior, and the mechanisms and paths of their effects are different. On this basis, this study explores and integrates the "knowledge-cognition-behavior" model to analyse low-carbon consumption behaviors, which can provide targeted policy ideas and implementation paths for relevant institutions.
•Octagonal-C (-Si) and dodecagonal-C (-Si) are four novel two-dimensional carbon or silicon monolayer materials with sp2-like hybrid chemical bonds.•Octagonal-C (-Si) and dodecagonal-C (-Si) have ...good mechanical and dynamic stability.•Dodecagonal-C has very small band gap of 0.09 eV, and it can be a candidate for commercial optical filters and infrared detectors.
Two-dimensional materials play increasingly important roles in the fields of electronic and photoelectric applications. Four two-dimensional carbon and silicon monolayers with sp2-like hybrid chemical bonds have been predicted by the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory in the current work. One type of two-dimensional monolayer materials is composed of four- and eight-membered rings called octagonal-C and octagonal-Si, and another type of two-dimensional structures consists of regular triangles and twelve-membered rings named dodecagonal-C and dodecagonal-Si. The theoretical phonon dispersions show that all predicted structures are dynamically stable. The molecular dynamics simulation confirms that octagonal-C (-Si) and dodecagonal-C have good thermal stability to maintain their crystal structures lower than 1000 K, while dodecagonal-Si has slightly worse thermal stability. The analysis of electron density differences manifests that the covalent C-C and Si-Si bonds are dominant in these two-dimensional monolayer structures. All these four structures are mechanically stable, and the mechanical properties of octagonal-C are superior to the other three. The electronic band structures indicate that octagonal-C (-Si) and dodecagonal-Si are metallic. Interestingly, dodecagonal-C has a very small band gap of 0.09 eV, and it maybe have potential applications in infrared optical devices such as commercial optical filters and infrared detectors.
The electronic, optical, and lattice dynamical properties of tetracalcium trialuminate (Ca₄Al₆O
) with a special sodalite cage structure were calculated based on the density functional theory. ...Theoretical results show that Ca₄Al₆O
is ductile and weakly anisotropic. The calculated Young's modulus and Poisson ratio are 34.18 GPa and 0.32, respectively. Ca₄Al₆O
is an indirect-gap semiconductor with a band gap of 5.41 eV. The top of the valence band derives from O 2
states, and the bottom of conduction band consists of Ca 3
states. Transitions from O 2
, 2
states to empty Ca 4
, 3
and Al 3
, 3
states constitute the major peaks of the imaginary part of the dielectric function. Ca₄Al₆O
is a good UV absorber for photoelectric devices due to the high absorption coefficient and low reflectivity. The lattice vibration analysis reveals that O atoms contribute to the high-frequency portions of the phonon spectra, while Ca and Al atoms make important contributions to the middle- and low-frequency portions. At the center of the first Brillouin zone, lattice vibrations include the Raman active modes (E, A₁), infrared active mode (T₂), and silentmodes (T₁, A₂). Typical atomic displacement patterns were also investigated to understand the vibration modes more intuitively.
•Crystal structures and physical properties of Cs2Au2X6 were figured out.•AuX2− and AuX4− clusters dominate dielectric properties of Cs2Au2X6.•Cs2Au2X6 with direct band gaps have wide visible light ...absorption.•Cs2Au2X6 possess potential applications as solar cells.
In this work, we investigate the X-dependent crystal, electronic, elastic and optical properties of mixed-valence double perovskites Cs2Au2X6 (X=F, Cl, Br, I) based on first principles. The effects of all atomic sites, especially the AuX2− and AuX4− clusters with different valences of Au atoms, in the crystal structures of Cs2Au2X6 on their electronic and optical properties have been clarified. Meanwhile, Cs2Au2X6 double perovskites with direct band gaps have strong absorptions, low loss functions and low reflections, and they promise to be used as photoelectric absorption layers of solar cells.
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