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Great quantity of intergenic noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in the mammalian genome and involved in various biological processes, especially in the development and metastasis of cancer. In this study, we identified one lncRNA, lncRNA NONHSAT028712 (Lnc712), was highly expressed in breast cancer cell lines and tissues based on microarray screening. Knockdown of Lnc712 largely inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, Lnc712 bound specifically to heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90). Interaction between Lnc712 and HSP90 is required for HSP90 binding to cell division cycle 37 (Cdc37). The Lnc712/HSP90/Cdc37 complex regulated cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activation and then triggered breast cancer cell proliferation. In summary, our results identified a new lncRNA regulate breast cancer proliferation though interaction with HSP90.

Piezocatalysis has been considered as a promising technology in water pollution treatment. In this work, a series of piezoelectric Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method using different titanium sources as titanium precursors. The piezocatalytic performances of the NBT nanoparticles were investigated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) with the concentration of 10 mg/L under ultrasonic vibration. It is found that the NBT nanoparticles prepared by using anatase titanium oxide as titanium precursor show optimum piezocatalytic activity and the rate constant of 0.022 min−1 is achieved for RhB. The initial RhB concentration, ultrasonic power, particles size and specific surface area of NBT materials play an important role in optimizing the piezocatalytic performance. Moreover, the NBT nanoparticles show a satisfactory stability and reusability for the piezocatalytic degradation. The piezocatalytic mechanism of NBT nanoparticles was elucidated by the identification of free radicals and intermediates in the degradation process. The work provides a guidance to design and develop new high-performance piezocatalysts.

Background Cardiac fibrosis is a crucial factor of heart failure. It has been reported that several microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) were involved in cardiac fibrosis, however, the role and possible regulatory mechanism of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) in cardiac fibrosis have not been investigated. Here, we explored the regulation mechanism of miR-135a on cardiac fibrosis. Methods and Results In vitro, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) from neonatal rats were treated by isoproterenol (ISO) at the final concentration of 10 μM for 24 h and miR-135a expression was decreased obviously. A miR-135a mimic inhibited CFs proliferation and differentiation by down-regulating transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) expression and current, whose effects were reversed by either the addition of miR-135a mimic or silencing TRPM7. In vivo, adult SD rat cardiac fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous administration of ISO (5 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. The expression of Collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and TRPM7 were up-regulated while miR-135a was down-regulated. In summary, our results illustrated that TRPM7 channel played an essential role in regulating fibrosis and that miR-135a protected against ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis via TRPM7 channel. Conclusion MiR-135a inhibits cardiac fibrosis via miR-135a- TRPM7-collagen production pathway.

Here, a high effective visible-ultraviolet up-conversion luminescence agent (Er3+:YAlO3) was synthesized and the Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5 composite was prepared by sol-gel method. The MoSe2-reduced graphene oxide (MoSe2-RGO) hybrid as co-catalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method. Afterwards, a new Z-scheme photocatalyst, Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO, was successfully assembled by hydrothermal methods for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The Er3+:YAlO3, MoSe2-RGO, Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5, CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO, Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5/MoSe2-RGO and Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO were all characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The UV–vis absorption spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Er3+:YAlO3 were also measured. The photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO was examined under visible-light irradiation. In addition, the reused times of Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO for photocatalytic hydrogen production were investigated. The results showed that the Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO photocatalyst in aqueous methanol solution displayed the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity under visible-light irradiation and after five-times photocatalytic hydrogen experiment the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:YAlO3/Ta2O5-CaIn2S4/MoSe2-RGO is basicly stable in the process of splitting methanol aqueous solutions.

Developing highly efficient and stable multi-functional metal–organic framework electrochemical materials is of prime importance for renewable energy technologies and electrocatalytic applications. Herein, a novel series of bimetallic metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid materials were successfully designedly fabricated through an in-situ growth and MOF-on-MOF strategies, namely as NiFeMOF/NF, NiCoMOF/NF, FeMOF/NiMOF/NF, and CoMOF/NiMOF/NF. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of bimetallic centers, conductive substrate and unique fabrication, they exhibit remarking electrochemical performance. Among them, FeMOF/NiMOF/NF composite with ultrathin nanosheets displays the best electrochecatalytic performance with ultralow overpotentials of 293 mV at 50 mA cm−2 and 359 mV at 100 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and remarking electrochemical stability with high current density of 100 mA cm−2 after testing for 24 h, that 88% of initial current density can be remained. Based on these fabricated bimetallic MOF hybrid materials as precursors, the corresponding MOF-derived nano sulfides were obtained with massive exposure of active sites. As an excellent supercapacitor electrode, NiCoS/NF-1 converted from CoMOF/NiMOF/NF shows admirable specific capacitance of 2815.4 F g−1 at 1 mA cm−2 and a remarkable rate capability of 82%.

Several conduction band co-catalysts (CBCOs), MoO2, MoS2 and MoSe2, were prepared to improve the visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/PdS–ZnS from water splitting, in which the PdS is a valence band co-catalyst (VBCO) used to facilitate the photo-generated hole transfer and the Er3+:Y3Al5O12 is an up-conversion luminescence agent from visible light to ultraviolet light used to provide the ultraviolet light satisfying the energy demands of wide band-gap ZnS photocatalyst. XRD, SEM, TEM and EDX analyses were employed to confirm the morphology, microstructure and composition of the prepared photocatalysts. UV–vis absorption and PL spectra were also determined to explore luminescence effect of the Er3+:Y3Al5O12. The visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of the prepared photocatalysts was evaluated by using Na2S and Na2SO3 as sacrificial reagents in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The influential factors such as contents of CBCOs (MoO2, MoS2 and MoSe2) and visible-light irradiation time on visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/PdS–ZnS–MoX2 (X = O, S and Se) were investigated in detail. Particularly, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/PdS–ZnS–MoSe2 with 0.30 wt% MoSe2 shows the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity.

In this paper, two efficient up-conversion luminescence agents, Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4 (from infrared light to ultravoilet light) and Er3+:Y3Al5O12 (from visible light to ultravoilet light), were synthesized by hydrothermal and sol–gel methods, respectively. And then, a novel photocatalyst, Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3 nanocomposite particles, were successfully prepared by hydrothermal and calcination methods for infrared–visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. For comparison and confirmation, Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4, Er3+:Y3Al5O12, MoS2–NaTaO3, Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4/MoS2–NaTaO3, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3, and Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3 were all characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photocatalytic activity of Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3 nanocomposite particles was examined through photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from methanol splitting under infrared–visible light irradiation. The influence factors such as mass ratio of Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and NaTaO3, calcination temperature, solution acidity (pH) and used time on the infrared–visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3 nanocomposite particles were studied. Particularly, the prepared Tm3+,Yb3+:NaYF4–Er3+:Y3Al5O12/MoS2–NaTaO3 nanocomposite particles with the mass ratio of 0.3:1.0 heat-treated at 500 °C for 120 min in pH=6.0 solution with 10.0 wt % methanol displayed a high infrared–visible light photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production from water solution.

The use of co-catalysts can observably enhance photocatalytic hydrogen production activity. In this work, a novel visible-light driven photocatalyst, (MoSe2-RGO)/(Er3+:Y3Al5O12/ZnS)/RuO2 nanocomposite, is prepared for the first time by loading Er3+:Y3Al5O12, MoSe2-RGO and RuO2 on the surface of ZnS nanoparticles. Er3+:Y3Al5O12 as an effective visible-to-ultraviolet up-conversion luminescence agent can provide the ultraviolet-light to activate wide band-gap ZnS. MoSe2-RGO and RuO2, acting as conduction band co-catalyst and valence band co-catalyst, respectively, can effectively separate the photo-generated carriers and supply more reactive sites. The activities of the photocatalysts were assessed via photocatalytic hydrogen production in Na2S and Na2SO3 aqueous solution under 300 W xenon lamp irradiation. In addition, the visible-light irradiation time and used times of the prepared samples as influence factors on the photocatalytic hydrogen production were also investigated. It was easily found that the prepared (MoSe2-RGO)/(Er3+:Y3Al5O12/ZnS)/RuO2 nanocomposite shows fairly high activity in photocatalytic hydrogen production, compared with single ZnS photocatalyst. It was mainly attributed to the excellent up-conversion luminescence property of Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and the efficient separation of photo-generated electrons and holes caused by MoSe2-RGO and RuO2. This research may pave an effective way for photocatalytic hydrogen production utilizing solar light.

A novel visible-light photocatalyst, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–TiO2 membrane, was prepared via sol–gel–hydrothermal method on glass substrates as a support. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to reveal the crystallinity, surface morphology and chemical composition of the prepared Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–TiO2 membrane. The catalytic activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–TiO2 membrane was examined through the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from some pollutants, including phenol, glycerol and Na2S/Na2SO3, which were used as electron donors, under visible-light irradiation. Furthermore, some influence factors, such as mass ratio, pre-treatment temperature and used times, on the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–TiO2 membrane were studied. The experimental results showed that the Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–TiO2 membrane is a good and broad-spectrum photocatalyst in visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with simultaneous pollutant solution treatment.

A photocatalyst capable of responding to visible light, Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /Pt–TiO 2 membrane, was synthesized via sol–gel dip-coating method by using glass substrates as a supporter. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed to reveal the crystallinity, surface morphology and chemical composition of Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /Pt–TiO 2 membranes. The photocatalysis capability of Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /Pt–TiO 2 membrane was measured through the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with simultaneous photocatalytic reforming of biomass under simulated visible light irradiation. In addition, mass ratio, heat-treated temperature and initial solution pH as principal influence factors on the photocatalysis capability of Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /Pt–TiO 2 membranes were studied. The reused times was also investigated. It was found that the hydrogen generation and glucose degradation could be carried out simultaneously in the same system and the Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /Pt–TiO 2 membrane exhibited a much better visible light photocatalytic activity than pure Pt–TiO 2 membrane. Furthermore, the membranes are recyclable. Therefore, these novel composite membrane photocatalysts will have wide applications for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with simultaneous wastewater treatment on practical application.

A highly effective and stable up-conversion luminescence agent, Er3+:Y3Al5O12, was synthesized by sol–gel and calcination methods. Then, as a novel visible-light photocatalyst, Er3+:Y3Al5O12, Pt and PdS (as dual co-catalysts) decorated ZnS nano-sized composites, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–PdS/ZnS, were fabricated by deposition–precipitation and ultrasonic dispersion methods. All prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). UV-vis absorption and PL spectra of Er3+:Y3Al5O12 were also determined. The visible-light photocatalytic H2 production activity of the prepared Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–PdS/ZnS was evaluated by using Na2S and Na2SO3 as sacrificial reagents in an aqueous solution under 300 W irradiation from a xenon lamp. In addition, some influential factors such as Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and ZnS mass ratio, catalyst amount, irradiation time and irradiation intensity on visible-light photocatalytic H2 production of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–PdS/ZnS were investigated in detail. It was found that Er3+:Y3Al5O12 can effectively improve the visible-light photocatalytic activity of ZnS. Particularly, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt–PdS/ZnS with 0.13 wt% PdS and 0.3 wt% Pt and a 0.30 : 1.00 mass ratio shows the highest photocatalytic H2 production activity in the sulfide/sulfite (0.2 mol L−1 Na2S and 0.3 mol L−1 Na2SO3) aqueous solution as sacrificial reagents.

The currently available antihypertensive agents have undesirable adverse effects due to systemically altering target activity including receptors, channels, and enzymes. These effects, such as loss of potassium ions induced by diuretics, bronchospasm by beta-blockers, constipation by Ca(2+) channel blockers, and dry cough by ACEI, lead to non-compliance with therapies (Moser, 1990). Here, based on new hypertension mechanisms, we explored a new antihypertensive approach. We report that transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) interacts with Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel 3 (KCa2.3) in endothelial cells (ECs) from small resistance arteries of normotensive humans, while ECs from hypertensive patients show a reduced interaction between TRPV4 and KCa2.3. Murine hypertension models, induced by high-salt diet, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine intake, or angiotensin II delivery, showed decreased TRPV4-KCa2.3 interaction in ECs. Perturbation of the TRPV4-KCa2.3 interaction in mouse ECs by overexpressing full-length KCa2.3 or defective KCa2.3 had hypotensive or hypertensive effects, respectively. Next, we developed a small-molecule drug, JNc-440, which showed affinity for both TRPV4 and KCa2.3. JNc-440 significantly strengthened the TRPV4-KCa2.3 interaction in ECs, enhanced vasodilation, and exerted antihypertensive effects in mice. Importantly, JNc-440 specifically targeted the impaired TRPV4-KCa2.3 interaction in ECs but did not systemically activate TRPV4 and KCa2.3. Together, our data highlight the importance of impaired endothelial TRPV4-KCa2.3 coupling in the progression of hypertension and suggest a novel approach for antihypertensive drug development. ispartof: EMBO Molecular Medicine vol:9 issue:11 pages:1491-1503 ispartof: location:England status: published

The expression of estrogen receptor α (ER) in breast cancers may be indicative of a favorable prognosis and most of these cancers respond to anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors. However, ER-positive (ER+) breast cancers receiving anti-hormone and/or chemotherapy sometimes lose their ER expression, which leads to the evolution of the disease to higher aggressiveness and drug resistance. In the present study, an ER-modified signature (EMS) was developed from the expression profile of a chemoresistant MCF-7 breast cancer cell line that lost ER expression during long-term treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent. The EMS could discriminate the ER-negative (ER-) breast cancer cells from the ER+ ones, which included seven pathways essential for the ER- cell development. Furthermore, the EMS indicated a more malignant subgroup of the ER- cells by discriminating the chemoresistant ER- cells from the chemosensitive ones. In addition, the classified chemoresistant ER- patients demonstrated worse prognosis. In conclusion, we developed a new method to discriminate subgroups of ER- breast cancer cells.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in cancer progression. In the present study, we analyzed the lncRNA profiles in adriamycin-resistant and -sensitive breast cancer cells and found a group of dysregulated lncRNAs in the adriamycin-resistant cells. Expression of the dysregulated lncRNAs was correlated with dysregulated mRNAs, and these were enriched in GO and KEGG pathways associated with cancer progression and chemoresistance development. Among these lncRNA-mRNA interactions, some lncRNAs may cis‑regulate neighboring protein-coding genes and be involved in chemoresistance. We then validated that the lncRNA NONHSAT028712 regulated nearby CDK2 and interfered with the cell cycle and chemoresistance. Furthermore, we identified another group of lncRNAs that trans-regulated genes by interacting with different transcription factors. For example, NONHSAT057282 and NONHSAG023333 modulated chemoresistance and most likely interacted with the transcription factors ELF1 and E2F1, respectively. In conclusion, in the present study, we report for the first time the lncRNA expression patterns in adriamycin-resistant breast cancer cells, and provide a group of novel lncRNA targets that mediate chemoresistance development in both cis- and trans-action modes.

To define the role of the NOTCH signaling pathway in the development of chemoresistance and the associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), we investigated the effect of Notch3 on adriamycin (ADM)-resistant human breast cancer cells (MCF-7/ADM cells). We found that Notch3 was downregulated and involved in the chemoresistance of MCF-7/ADM cells, while forced expression of Notch3 reversed the chemoresistance. Furthermore, fos-related antigen 1 (Fra1) was negatively regulated by Notch3 and was highly expressed in MCF-7/ADM cells. Increased Fra1 activated the EMT process. Finally, Notch3 expression was confirmed in clinically chemoresistant samples of breast cancers from patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Low expression of Notch3 was an unfavorable predictor of distant relapse-free survival in ER positive breast cancers. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the Notch3-Fra1 signaling pathway mediates chemoresistance via the EMT.