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Infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can promote tumorigenesis and development. C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) was reported to be derived from TAMs and tumor cells and facilitate the progression of several cancers. Nevertheless, whether CCL3 can be derived from TAMs and tumor cells of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is unclarified.Peripheral blood monocytes-derived macrophages were polarized by the conditioned medium from COAD cells to establish TAM-like macrophages (TAM1/2). RT-qPCR and western blotting were used for detection of expression levels of CCL3 and its receptors C-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) and CCR5 in TAM1/2 and COAD cells. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized for evaluating CCL3, CD163 and CCR5 expression. The Akt signaling pathway-associated protein levels were measured by western blotting. Transwell assays were used for assessing cell migration and invasiveness.CCL3 displayed a high level in TAMs and cancer cells of COAD. CCL3 activated the Akt signaling pathway by binding to CCR5. CCL3-CCR5 axis facilitated COAD cell migration and invasiveness by activating the Akt signaling. CCL3 derived from both TAMs and cancer cells contributed to the malignant behaviors of COAD cells. High expression of CCL3/CCR5 was closely associated with poor prognoses of COAD patients.CCL3-CCR5 interaction promotes cell migration and invasiveness, and functions as a prognostic biomarker for COAD.

Amplifying and reversibly photoswitching luminescence dissymmetry factor of the CPL signal in a luminescent cholesteric superstructure is proposed. This CLC-based CPL active material has great potential in information displaying and encrypting field.

Biomimetic jagged micropatterns templated from photoswitchable liquid crystal polymer network topographies have been demonstrated for triboelectric energy harvesting and wearable sensing applications.

The rapid advancements in information technology require new information storage and display materials. However, the development of on-demand information storage systems with multiple modes remains a significant challenge. As a pioneering approach, this study designed an integrated visual and haptic information storage and display using a reconfigurable fluorescent liquid crystal elastomer (FLCE) with dynamic covalent bonds. The FLCEs were fabricated in two steps of amine-acrylate aza-Michael addition and photopolymerization, and they simultaneously exhibited phototunable fluorescence caused by the reversible

RNA-binding motif protein 38 (RBM38) belongs to the RNA recognition motif family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBM38 was previously identified to suppress tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). RBM38 was also reported to bind to the 3'UTR of phosphatase and tensin homolog gene on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a tumor suppressor involved in many cellular processes, to stabilize PTEN transcripts. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of RBM38 in CRC. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting detected the expression of RBM38, PTEN, and miR-92a-3p. Colony formation, EdU, sphere formation, Transwell invasion, and in vivo assays examined the influence of RBM38 on CRC progression. Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay determined the binding site of RBM38 on PTEN 3'UTR. The binding of miR-92a-3p or RBM38 on PTEN 3'UTR was assessed by luciferase reporter and RIP assays. We discovered that RBM38 was downregulated in CRC cells and tissues. RBM38 repressed CRC progression in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, RBM38 upregulated and stabilized PTEN expression. Interestingly, the overexpression of PTEN reversely attenuated the promotion of RBM38 depletion on CRC progression. Additionally, RBM38 competed with miR-92a-3p in binding to PTEN 3'UTR. In conclusion, RBM38 inhibits CRC progression by competitively binding to PTEN 3'UTR with miR-92a-3p.

Self-oscillating soft actuators that enable spontaneous and continuous motion under an external stimulus with no human intervention have attracted extensive attention due to the great value of the realization of more sustainable and low-power-consumption actuators. However, the achievement of such actuators that collect chemical energy from the fluctuations in ambient humidity is still a great challenge. Here, an actuator film based on spiropyran@agarose (

Upconversion-luminescence-induced reflective color switching and fluorescence tuning of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) cells were investigated. The CLC system was constructed by co-doping a chiral fluorescence photoswitch, switch 5, and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) into nematic LC media. Under irradiation with 980 nm NIR light, the UCNPs emit both 450 nm blue light and 365 nm UV light to induce the simultaneous Z-to-E and E-to-Z photoisomerization of switch 5. This continuous rotation-inversion movement further leads to an irreversible photoisomerization and photodissociation of dicyanodistyrylthiophene moieties in switch 5. As a result, the reflective color of the CLC cell changed from blue to red and the fluorescence intensity decreased as well when exposed to 980 nm NIR light. Finally, optically written reflective-photoluminescent dual mode CLC cells were further demonstrated.

Developing circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)-active materials with a large luminescence dissymmetry factor (

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent worldwide disease in which the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) plays an important role. To investigate the molecular mechanism of PRDX2 in CRC, we performed bioinformatics analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) DataSets (accession no. GSE81429). Our results suggest that PRDX2 is associated with cell-cycle progression and autophagy activated by the P38 MAPK/FOXO signaling pathway. Using a short-hairpin RNA vector, we verified that PRDX2 is essential for CRC cell proliferation and S-phase progression. Immunostaining, electron microscopy and western blotting assays verified the effect of PRDX2 knockdown on autophagy flux and p38 activation. The P38 activator dehydrocorydaline chloride partially rescued the effects of sh-PRDX2 on the expression of proteins related to cell-cycle progression and autophagy. We verified the correlation between PRDX2 expression and the expression of an array of cell-cycle and autophagy-related genes using data from an independent set of 222 CRC patient samples. A mouse xenoplast model was consistent with in vitro results. Our results suggest that PRDX2 promotes CRC cell-cycle progression via activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) exhibiting materials responsive to external stimuli are attracting rapidly increasing interest for developing advanced smart photonic materials. Herein, tuning CPL emission in both intensity and wavelength is achieved by controlling fluorescence and chirality. The CPL composite film was constructed by the co-assembly of an achiral fluorescent polymer containing dansyl groups (PD) and partially desulfurated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). A left-handed cholesteric crystal structure was formed in the PD/CNC film. The film responded to multiple stimuli including acid/base, water content and polar solvent. CPL emission of the composite film can be tuned by controlling the fluorescence of PD and by adjusting the chirality of CNCs via external stimuli. Emitting-quenching of fluorescence emission is due to dansyl groups sensitive to acid/base, which contribute to the reversible control of CPL intensity. Varying adsorption content of water or contacting polar solvent caused the film to show a structural color change in the full wavelength range of visible light, which in turn led to a corresponding wavelength variation in CPL emission. The prepared CPL composite film demonstrates controllable and repeatable responsivity, and accordingly has great potential in developing new information and display technologies.

A near-infrared light-driven self-organized emissive helical superstructure was constructed by doping a new chiral fluorescent photoswitch and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) into a nematic LC. The reversible switching of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) can be achieved by modulating the power intensity of the 980 nm NIR excitation light.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has gained considerable attention in various systems and has rapidly developed into an emerging research field. To meet the needs of actual applications in diverse fields, a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) and tunable optical performance of CPL would be the most urgent pursuit for researchers. Accordingly, many emerging CPL materials and various strategies have been developed to address these critical issues. Emissive cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs), that is, luminescent self‐organized helical superstructures, are considered to be ideal candidates for constructing CPL‐active materials, as they not only exhibit high glum values, but also enable flexible optical control of CPL. This review mainly summarizes the characteristics of CPL based on CLCs as the bulk phase doped with different emitters, including aggregated induced emission molecules, conventional organic small molecules, polymer emitters, metal–organic complex emitters, and luminescent nanoparticles. In addition, the recent significant progress in stimulus‐responsive CPL based on emissive CLCs in terms of several types of stimuli, including light, electricity, temperature, mechanical force, and multiple stimuli is presented. Finally, a short perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with CPL‐active materials based on the CLC field is provided. This review is anticipated to offer new insights and guidelines for developing CLC‐based CPL‐active materials for broader applications.

RNA-binding motif protein 38 (RBM38) belongs to the RNA recognition motif family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBM38 was previously identified to suppress tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). RBM38 was also reported to bind to the 3'UTR of phosphatase and tensin homolog gene on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a tumor suppressor involved in many cellular processes, to stabilize PTEN transcripts. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of RBM38 in CRC. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting detected the expression of RBM38, PTEN, and miR-92a-3p. Colony formation, EdU, sphere formation, Transwell invasion, and in vivo assays examined the influence of RBM38 on CRC progression. Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay determined the binding site of RBM38 on PTEN 3'UTR. The binding of miR-92a-3p or RBM38 on PTEN 3'UTR was assessed by luciferase reporter and RIP assays. We discovered that RBM38 was downregulated in CRC cells and tissues. RBM38 repressed CRC progression in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, RBM38 upregulated and stabilized PTEN expression. Interestingly, the overexpression of PTEN reversely attenuated the promotion of RBM38 depletion on CRC progression. Additionally, RBM38 competed with miR-92a-3p in binding to PTEN 3'UTR. In conclusion, RBM38 inhibits CRC progression by competitively binding to PTEN 3'UTR with miR-92a-3p.

Tunable photoluminescence is highly favored for its unique in light emitting displays, bioimaging, and optoelectronic device fields. Here, a photoinduced dual-mode luminescent pattern in the dicyan...

316 L stainless steel, high density dislocations (~1.14 × 1015 m−2) obtained by selective laser melting process that play an important role in high yield strength. Dislocation slip and twinning during entire plastic deformation process, which maintained strain hardening rate at an ideal level and obtained outstanding ductility and resulting high yield ratio.

A photo-invertible helical cholesteric superstructure was constructed by doping a novel chiral fluorescence photoswitch and a static dopant with opposite handedness into a nematic host. The handedness of circularly polarized luminescence can be reversibly inverted accompanied by a positive-negative change of luminescence dissymmetry factor values upon alternate light irradiations.

e16046 Background: Recently, paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) was identified as a new EMT inducer that induces EMT in solid tumor. Interestingly, the functions of PRRX1 are significantly different, high expression of PRRX1 predicts less metastasis of breast cancer and a better prognosis. However, we observed the opposite relationship in gastric cancer, which was also reported in colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. While the function of PRRX1 in oesophageal cancer and whether PRRX1 induces EMT in oesophageal cancer metastasis have not been determined. Methods: One hundred primary oesophageal cancer tissue specimens were collected, immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of PRRX1. Cell proliferation, the migration and invasion were detected with different PRRX1 expression in oesophageal cancer cells. And the relationship between PRRX1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway was also explained. Results: Regulation of PRRX1 expression might exert obvious effects on cell proliferation, especially the migration and invasion of oesophageal cancer cells. Moreover, silencing PRRX1 expression using a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) produced the opposite effects. In addition, when PRRX1 was overexpressed, inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway with XAV939 negated the effect of PRRX1 on EMT, whereas when PRRX1 was downregulated, activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway with LiCl impaired the effect on EMT. Conclusions: PRRX1 is expressed at high levels in oesophageal cancer specimens and is closely related to tumour metastasis in patients with oesophageal cancer. Additionally, PRRX1 induces EMT in oesophageal cancer metastasis through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling.

Two novel chiral fluorescent photoswitches bearing unsymmetric α-cyanothienylethene as emissive/photosensitive scaffold and bridged binaphthyl moieties as chiral entities are synthesised. The effects of the position of cyano group in switch 8 and 9 on the photoluminescence and photoresponsive properties of them in organic solvent and cholesteric liquid crystals (Ch-LCs) are explored. Both of these two photoswitches undergo partial reversible Z/E photoisomerisation accompanied by changes in fluorescence intensity under the light irradiations in both organic solvent and LC media. However, fluorescence quantum yields of switch 8 are much higher than those of switch 9. Meanwhile, the initial helical twisting power (HTP) value of switch 8 in LC media is much higher than that of switch 9, which is ascribed to their distinct geometries arising from different positions of cyano group on the C=C bond in them. Moreover, the switch 8-doping Ch-LC system exhibits more fast response and better reversible switching behaviours compared to Ch-LC system containing switch 9. Finally, simultaneous photoswitching of the reflection colour and fluorescence intensity in the Ch-LC sample is demonstrated. This work provides an idea for designing chiral fluorescent photoswitches with advanced photoluminescence and photoswitching characteristics.

A polarized upconverting luminescence in a novel upconverison nanorods (UCNRs)/liquid crystal network polymer (LCN) composite film is proposed. The UCNRs were fabricated by hydrothermal method, whi...

In this study, we developed a new kind of dual-mode multicolored photonic crystals (PCs), which could be used as a new type of dye, and achieved multicolored patterns. This kind of PCs can exhibit not only distinct structural colors due to Bragg's law of diffraction but also non-structural colors due to fluorescence. We used ultraviolet (UV)-responsive colloidal spheres synthesized by polymerization of semi-continuous emulsions to assemble the PCs. In this synthesis, the fluorescent precursors with carbamate groups were locally restricted to the shell of prepared spheres. UV irradiation can induce photo-decomposition of the carbamate groups in the fluorescent precursors, generating amino groups in the process. This process allowed the assembled PCs to exhibit fluorescence through treatment with fluorescamine. We prepared two-dimensional (2D) multicolored photonic patterns of different sizes, with both reflection and fluorescence modes. These patterns were prepared either by vertical deposition under selective UV irradiation, or by spray coating. In addition, we fabricated three-dimensional (3D) multicolored photonic patterns using 3D templates, as well as through spray coating. The results expand the concept of responsive PCs, and offer potential applications for multicolored photonic crystal patterns (PC patterns) in the field of optical storage, color displays, and anti-counterfeiting.

Transducing light into electricity in photoactive materials and composites is especially attractive for light sensing and light energy harvesting. Here, we present a near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered pyroelectric-based generator by integrating a photoresponsive composite actuator composed of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) and graphene-doped poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film, which can effectively convert photothermal and mechanical energy into electricity. Notably, a NIR light photothermal-triggered pyroelectric effect leads to outstanding electric output performance resulting from the large temperature fluctuation induced by the contact and separation between the LCE-based composite actuator and PVDF film upon turning on or off the NIR illumination. In addition, the photothermal pyroelectric property arising from the thermal fluctuations makes the hybrid generator highly suitable as a self-powered NIR light and temperature sensor. This light-driven LCE-based hybrid generator opens a new opportunity for developing novel power generators and active sensors.

// Jin-Lai Wei 1 , Min Fang 2 , Zhong-Xue Fu 1 , Shou–Ru Zhang 1 , Jin-Bao Guo 3 , Rong Wang 1 , Zhen-Bing Lv 1 and Yong-Fu Xiong 1 1 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China 2 Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China 3 Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China Correspondence to: Zhong-Xue Fu, email: fzx033@163.com Keywords: colorectal cancer, sestrin 2, AMPK, mTORC1, proliferation Received: February 09, 2017 Accepted: April 17, 2017 Published: May 03, 2017 ABSTRACT Sestrin 2 is a conserved antioxidant protein that reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). We previously showed that sestrin 2 is abnormally decreased in colorectal cancer (CRC). To elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the potential contribution of sestrin 2 to CRC, we used a lentiviral expression vector system to determine the effects of sestrin 2 overexpression on human CRC cells. We found that sestrin 2 overexpression decreased ROS production, inhibited cell growth, and stimulated apoptosis in two CRC cell lines. In parallel, expression of the proliferation marker PCNA was decreased, proapoptotic caspase 3, 7, and 9 levels were increased, and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin was reduced. Sestrin 2 overexpression also activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, and suppressed mTORC1 signaling. Treating CRC cells with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, reversed or attenuated changes in proliferation, apoptosis, and signaling proteins of the AMPK/mTORC1 axis. In a xenograft mouse model, CRC growth was attenuated by sestrin 2 overexpression. These results suggest that sestrin 2 suppresses CRC cell growth through activation of the AMPK/mTORC1 pathway and induction of apoptosis, and could be a novel pharmacological target for the treatment of CRC.

Reported here is the first example of a 1,2-dithienyldicyanoethene-based visible-light-driven chiral fluorescent molecular switch that exhibits reversible trans to cis photoisomerization. The trans form in solution almost completely transforms into the cis form, accompanied by a 10-fold decrease in its fluorescence intensity within 60 seconds when exposed to green light (520 nm). The reverse isomerization proceeds upon irradiation with blue light (405 nm). When doped into commercially available achiral liquid crystal hosts, this molecular switch efficiently induces luminescent helical superstructures, that is, a cholesteric phase. The intensity of the circularly polarized fluorescence as well as the selective reflection wavelength of the induced cholesteric phases can be reversibly tuned using visible light of two different wavelengths. Optically rewritable photonic devices using cholesteric films containing this molecular switch are described.

Strongly adhesive and highly stable transparent electrodes based on graphene and silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been developed by embedding biocompatible polylactic acid (PLA) between them. In the process of fabrication of such electrode, instead of removing the supporting PLA layer, this biocompatible polymer layer is sandwiched between graphene and AgNWs, thus simplifying the technology process. In comparison with the traditional graphene/AgNWs hybrid electrode, this novel hybrid electrode exhibits similar optical and electrical properties (around 84.0% at 550 nm, sheet resistance is 13.6 Ω/sq). Remarkably, the surface topography and mechanical flexibility of hybrid film is greatly enhanced due to the introduction of PLA layer. In addition to these, the PLA layer could also provide extra protection to AgNWs locating at the bottom as well as enhanced adhesion force to the substrate, thereby yielding outstanding chemical and electrical stability of the hybrid film. To demonstrate the potential application of the hybrid electrode, a pressure-addressing/electric-erasing liquid crystal device has been constructed, which shows a comfortable optical-electric performance. The strategy demonstrated here could contribute to strong adhesive and highly stable transparent electrodes in flexible optoelectronic devices.

In this study, unpolymerizable and polymerizable polyoxometalate (POM)-based nanoparticles have been developed for the stabilization of liquid crystal blue phase (LC-BPs). The result demonstrates that BPs could be stabilized with the help of doped unpolymerizable POM nanoparticles, leading to widening of the temperature range of BP. Meanwhile, photo polymerization of polymerizable POM-based nanoparticle allows for the formation of POM-based polymer networks into the disclination lines in polymer stabilized BPs, yielding the stabilization of BPs. Remarkably, the participation of the polymer network formation of POM-based nanoparticle could be visualized by energy-dispersive X-ray elemental maps due to the existence of tungsten. Finally, electro-optical switching of polymer stabilized BPs based on the Kerr effect has been investigated in detail. POM-based polymer networks within disclination lines yield a decrease in free energy of BP system, thus enabling a reduction in the switching voltage of the...

Fused depositing modeling (FDM) is a fast, efficient process among 3D printing techniques. In this paper, we report the fabrication of the 3D printed flexible circuits based on graphene. Modified two-step in-situ reduced method is used to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (r-GO), whose conductivity can reach to 600 S/cm. Polylactic acid (PLA) and r-GO are mixed by melt blending. The SEM images show that the r-GO can be homogenous dispersed in the PLA. The 3D print-used composites filaments with the diameter of 1.75 mm are fabricated through melt extrusion. The conductivity of the composite filaments from 3D printer can reach to 4.76 S/cm (6 wt% r-GO). The orientation of r-GO occurs during the extrusion process, which contributing to increase the conductivity of the filaments. The composite also exhibit superior mechanical property. The printed 2D and 3D flexible circuits have strong interface bonding force between the layers. The filaments from 3D printer can replace the copper wire because of the high conductivity. This arbitrary 3D graphene-based structure printing technic may open a new prospect in electronic and energy storage fields.

Inspired by the chameleon and cephalopod, scientists have developed materials and devices to mimic the ability to change skin color with an environmental stimulus. However, a complicated integration of stretch ability, color changing and stimulus sensing is commonly required. Herein, by integrating a single-layer silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) array with a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), we develop a facile bilayer-structural device that exhibits the ability to change color with thermally-driven actuation behavior. This indicates that an Ag NPs array inlayed into the surface of a LCE layer could spontaneously induce a homeotropic orientation of LC molecules, thereby allowing for different deformations associated with the blue-shift of structural color at vertical and hybrid alignment states in bilayer-structural films. The observed blue-shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak which derives from a close packed Ag NPs array may be connected to the elongation of the gap distances of Ag NPs induced by flat expansion and bent deformation of the LCE. Moreover, finite-element simulations are undertaken to understand the intrinsic mechanism of the above behavior. The developed color-changing actuators could be promising candidates for smart environmental-responsive devices such as thermal-camouflage skin and color-changing actuators.