Search

Two different silk fibroin samples were obtained by the Na2CO3 and urea degumming methods of silk fibers in the same fiber dissolution system, respectively. The molecular weight and viscosity of the fibroin samples were analyzed by the methods of SDS-PAGE, rheological, and etc. Then, different silk fibroin membranes (SFMs) and blank microspheres were prepared, and the effects of degumming methods on the silk fibroin were studied via analyzing the differences of SFMs and blank microspheres of the two samples. The experimental results showed that the viscosity of fibroin solution was positively correlated with its molecular weight. The fibroin prepared by the Na2CO3 degumming was lower than the one prepared by the urea degumming in the viscosity of the fibroin solution under the same mass concentration. Degumming with Na2CO3 exhibited the obvious effects on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of SFM, tensile strength decreased almost 10% and breaking elongation reduced more than 50%. Blank microspheres prepared from silk fibroin degummed with the different methods showed different particle sizes and its distribution. The microspheres prepared from silk fibroin degummed with the Na2CO3 had the smaller particle sizes and more concentrated distribution compared with those with the urea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key molecules in initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we aimed to explore the role of lncRNA NAP1L6 in the development and progression of PCa. Materials and methods: We identified that lncRNA NAP1L6 was over-expressed both in PCa tissues and cell lines by gene expression array profiling. The expression level of NAP1L6 in 75 PCa tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by RT-PCR. Next, the correlations between NAP1L6 expression and clinical features of patients with PCa were analyzed by paired t-test or chi-squared test, and its association with patient prognosis was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The effects of NAP1L6 on PC-3 and 22RV1 cells were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), migration, invasion, and colony formation assays. Further analysis of the results of the microarray was performed to find downstream gene of NAP1L6. Cell function experiments were performed in order to explore the relationship between NAP1L6 and Inhibin-β A (INHBA) and the specific mechanism by which INHBA affects the development of PCa. Results: Using microarray analysis, we identified 412 lncRNAs and 1245 mRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in three PCa samples when compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (ANTT) (fold-change ≥2.0 or ≤0.5, P [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute rejection (AR) is a common complication of kidney transplantation. Nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATs) are transcription factors involved in the activation of T lymphocytes, but their association with AR is unclear. Methods: This retrospective, case-control study included 200 renal transplant recipients who were divided into the AR group ( n = 69) and stable group ( n = 131). Their blood samples were collected, and DNA was extracted from the whole blood. High-throughput next-generation sequencing was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NFATC2 and NFATC4 genes. The correlation of these SNPs with AR was determined by logistic analysis. Results: Seventy-one SNPs of the NFATC2 and NFATC4 genes were identified by the sequencing and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analyses. After adjusting for age, gender and immunosuppressive protocols, 27 SNPs were correlated with AR, of which the SNP rs2426295 of the NFATC2 gene showed a significant correlation with AR in the HET model (AA vs. AC: OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19-0.98, P = 0.045), but no significant NFATC4 SNPs were identified. Conclusions: Our study shows that the rs2426295 variant of the NFATC2 gene is significantly associated with the occurrence of AR following kidney transplantation. And patients with AA genotypes in rs2426295 are inclined to suffer from AR pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Chloroquine was formerly used as an anti-malarial agent drug but has now been proven to be useful for various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effect of chloroquine in bladder cancer, with an emphasis on autophagy inhibition and apoptosis induction. Methods: Bladder cancer cell lines were irradiated with or without chloroquine. Cell proliferation was determined by a Cell Counting Kit 8 assay. The radiosensitization effect of chloroquine was evaluated by clonogenic survival and progression of xenograft tumors. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and western blot. Radiation-induced DNA double strand break was measured by the staining of γ-H2AX. In addition, autophagy was detected by western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and electron microscopy. Results: The treatment with chloroquine alone inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Low cytotoxic concentrations of chloroquine enhanced the radiation sensitivity of bladder cancer cells with a sensitization enhancement ratio of 1.53 and 1.40. Chloroquine also obviously weakened the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage. A combination of radiation and chloroquine enhanced the apoptosis rate of EJ and T24 cells and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 while up-regulating the expression of caspase-3. Additionally, the relevant markers of autophagy were obviously increased in the combined group, meaning that chloroquine inhibited autophagy induced by irradiation. Furthermore, subcutaneous xenograft tumors displayed that the combination of radiation and chloroquine could impede tumorigenesis in vivo. Conclusion: In summary, these results provided support that by inhibiting autophagy and activating apoptosis, chloroquine might be a potentially promising radiosensitizer in the radiation therapy of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scavenging energy stored at the water/solid interface into electrical power by the natural water evaporation process provides a promising method to supply sustainable electricity for self-powered electronics. The main barriers constraining its applications are the limited materials availability and ambiguous underlying mechanisms, detrimental to the improvement of output power. Herein, we report a highly flexible and efficient evaporation-induced electricity generator (EIEG) that dexterously exploits the directional water capillary flow inside the silicon nanowires (SiNWs) mesh nanopores. Benefiting from the large surface/volume ratio and high surface potential of nanostructured SiNWs mesh film, an EIEG continuously delivers a high open-circuit voltage of ~1.5 V and a maximum power density of over 160 μW·cm−3, which surpasses the analogous flexible EIEGs. Moreover, the correlation between the output power and capillary flow direction, diffusion length, and velocity as well as the species and ionic strength of various liquids have been systematically explored to identify the mechanism underlying the power generation. This study not only provides an in-depth understanding of water/solid interactions but also spikes a green technique to fabricate flexible generators that tap energy from the copious water reservoir. A highly flexible and efficient evaporation-induced electricity generator (EIEG) that dexterously exploits the directional water capillary flow inside the silicon nanowires (SiNWs) nanopores has been developed. This study not only provides an in-depth understanding of water/solid interactions but also spikes a green technique to fabricate flexible generators that tap energy from the copious water reservoir. [Display omitted] • A highly flexible and efficient evaporation-induced electricity generator (EIEG) that dexterously exploits the directional water capillary flow inside the silicon nanowires (SiNWs) nanopores is developed. • An EIEG continuously delivers a high and continuous open-circuit voltage of ~1.5 V and a maximum power density of over 160 μW·cm−3. • The EIEG exhibits outstanding flexibility, rendering it portable and suitable for self-powered electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviors of shock-accelerated heavy gas bubbles are numerically investigated, focusing on clarifying the forming mechanisms of the bubble jets in different types. The present study categorizes heavy bubble jets into two types, regular jets, and irregular jets. The present shock-accelerated multi-component flows are simulated by solving inviscid compressible Euler equations. An upwind characteristic space-time conservation element solution element scheme is adopted, and a five-equation model is used to treat the gas interface. Bubbles of R22, SF6, and Kr in ambient N2 and air are examined, and the incident shock Mach numbers are 1.1 and 1.23. The numerical results demonstrate that the bubble jet formation and its shape are very sensitive to the test gas species and incident shock strength. It is found that the tiny upstream jet formed in the single-shocked SF6/air scenario results from a very small Mach stem impingement onto the bubble upstream interface, the type II shock-shock interaction features the flow mechanism. While the large upstream jet formed in the re-shock SF6/air scenario is a combined result of the re-shock convergence and later vortex stretching. For the complex Kr/air scenario, the upstream jet results from the vorticity-induced inward jet stretching, and the downstream hollow jet results from the slip line guided tip extension. The measurements of bubble volumes, gas mixings, and material line lengths suggest that, although the jet formation greatly changes the bubble morphology, it makes a minor contribution to the bubble overall integral properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specific impulse of solid rocket motors is much lower than that of liquid rocket motors due to limitations in solid propellant formulations. Inspired by the nuclear thermal rockets, the concept of helium injected solid–gas hybrid rocket motors (SGHRMs) is innovatively proposed and its thrust performance is numerically investigated in the present study. The injected helium is regarded as a working medium with strong expansion capacity, and the high-temperature combustion gas of the solid propellant is used as a heat source to heat the helium. Then, the mixed gas including the combustion gas and helium flows through the nozzle producing high boost thrust. Results show that the maximum specific impulse gain is up to 4.92%, and by adjusting the helium injection ratio from 0 to 2:1, the thrust regulation range of 100%–303% is achieved. When the helium is injected from the motor head, mixed gas with various helium fraction exhibits stratified flow characteristics. Hence, the mechanism of specific impulse gain can be elucidated by one-dimensional internal ballistics analysis. That is, mixed gas with a low helium mass fraction can significantly stimulate velocity gain with a slight reduction in total temperature, thereby increasing the specific impulse. However, mixed gas with a high helium mass fraction significantly reduces the total temperature, leading to a decreased expansion ability and a corresponding drop in the specific impulse. Finally, competition between mixed gases with various helium fractions determines the specific impulse gain level of SGHRMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]