Multi-Fields Modulation of Physical Properties of Oxide Thin Films

Oxide thin films exhibit versatile physical properties such as magnetism, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, metal-insulator transition (MIT), multiferroicity, colossal magnetoresistivity, switchable resistivity, etc. More importantly, the exhibited multifunctionality could be tuned by various external fields, which has enabled demonstration of novel electronic devices. In this article, recent studies of the multi-fields modulation of physical properties in oxide thin films have been reviewed. Some of the key issues and prospects about this field are also addressed.Comment: review article, 56 pages, 18 figure

Role of neuromedin B and its receptor in the innate immune responses against influenza A virus infection in vitro and in vivo

International audienceAbstractThe peptide neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor (NMBR) represent a system (NMB/NMBR) of neuromodulation. Here, it was demonstrated that the expression of NMBR in cells or murine lung tissues was clearly upregulated in response to H1N1/PR8 influenza A virus infection. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo activities of NMB/NMBR during PR8 infection were investigated. It was observed that A549 cells lacking endogenous NMBR were more susceptible to virus infection than control cells, as evidenced by the increased virus production in the cells. Interestingly, a significant decrease in IFN-α and increased IL-6 expression were observed in these cells. The role of this system in innate immunity against PR8 infection was probed by treating mice with NMB. The NMB-treated mice were less susceptible to virus challenge, as evidenced by increased survival, increased body weight, and decreased viral NP expression compared with the control animals. Additionally, the results showed that exogenous NMB not only enhanced IFN-α expression but also appeared to inhibit the expression of NP and IL-6 in PR8-infected cells and animals. As expected, opposing effects were observed in the NMBR antagonist-treated cells and mice, which further confirmed the effects of NMB. Together, these data suggest that NMB/NMBR may be an important component of the host defence against influenza A virus infection. Thus, these proteins may serve as promising candidates for the development of novel antiviral drugs

NRAV, a Long Noncoding RNA, Modulates Antiviral Responses through Suppression of Interferon-Stimulated Gene Transcription

SummaryLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate various biological processes, but their role in host antiviral responses is largely unknown. Here we identify a lncRNA as a key regulator of antiviral innate immunity. Following from the observation that a lncRNA that we call negative regulator of antiviral response (NRAV) was dramatically downregulated during infection with several viruses, we ectopically expressed NRAV in human cells or transgenic mice and found that it significantly promotes influenza A virus (IAV) replication and virulence. Conversely, silencing NRAV suppressed IAV replication and virus production, suggesting that reduction of NRAV is part of the host antiviral innate immune response to virus infection. NRAV negatively regulates the initial transcription of multiple critical interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including IFITM3 and MxA, by affecting histone modification of these genes. Our results provide evidence for a lncRNA in modulating the antiviral interferon response

Modulation of Mitochondrial Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Insight Into Prion Diseases

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common and prominent feature of prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that constantly fuse with one another and subsequently break apart. Defective or superfluous mitochondria are usually eliminated by a form of autophagy, referred to as mitophagy, to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Mitochondrial dynamics are tightly regulated by processes including fusion and fission. Dysfunction of mitochondrial dynamics can lead to the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria and contribute to cellular damage. Neurons are among the cell types that consume the most energy, have a highly complex morphology, and are particularly dependent on mitochondrial functions and dynamics. In this review article, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the mitochondrial dynamics and the regulation of mitophagy and discuss the dysfunction of these processes in the progression of prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders. We have also provided an overview of mitochondrial dynamics as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

Role of nerve signal transduction and neuroimmune crosstalk in mediating the analgesic effects of acupuncture for neuropathic pain

Neurogenic pain rises because of nervous system damage or dysfunction and is the most difficult to treat among other pathological pains. Acupuncture has been reported as a great treatment option for neurogenic pain owing to its unlimited advantages. However, previous studies on the analgesic effects of acupuncture for NP were scattered and did not form a whole. In this study, we first comprehensively review the relevant basic articles on acupuncture for NP published in the last 5 years and summarize the analgesic mechanisms of acupuncture in terms of nerve signaling, neuro-immune crosstalk, and metabolic and oxidative stress regulation. Acupuncture inhibits the upstream excitatory system and suppresses neuronal transmission efficiency by downregulating glutamate, NMDA receptors, P2XR, SP, CGRP, and other neurotransmitters and receptors in the spinal cord, as well as plasma channels such as TRPV1, HCN. It can also activate the downstream pain inhibitory pathway by upregulating opioid peptide (β-endorphin), MOR receptors, GABA and GABA receptors, bi-directional regulating 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its receptors (upregulate 5-HT 1A and downregulate 5-HT7R) and stimulating hypothalamic appetite-modifying neurons. Moreover, neuroinflammation in pain can be inhibited by acupuncture through inhibiting JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/mTOR pathways, down regulating chemokine receptor CX3CR1 on microglia and up regulating adenosine receptor A1Rs on astrocytes, inhibiting the activation of glia and reducing TNF-α and other inflammatory substances. Acupuncture also inhibits neuronal glucose metabolism by downregulating mPFC's GLUT-3 and promotes metabolic alterations of the brain, thus exerting an analgesic effect. In conclusion, the regulation of nerve signal transduction and neuroimmune crosstalk at the peripheral and central levels mediates the analgesic effects of acupuncture for neuropathic pain in an integrated manner. These findings provide a reliable basis for better clinical application of acupuncture in the management of neuropathic pain

Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs in Asiatic Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)

To date, no miRNAs have been identified in the important diploid cotton species although there are several reports on miRNAs in upland cotton. In this study, we identified 73 miRNAs, belonging to 49 families, from Asiatic cotton using a well-developed comparative genome-based homologue search. Several of the predicted miRNAs were validated using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The length of miRNAs varied from 18 to 22 nt with an average of 20 nt. The length of miRNA precursors also varied from 46 to 684 nt with an average of 138 ±120 nt. For a majority of Asiatic cotton miRNAs, there is only one member per family; however, multiple members were identified for miRNA 156, 414, 837, 838, 1044, 1533, 2902, 2868, 5021 and 5142 families. Nucleotides A and U were dominant, accounted for 62.95%, in the Asiatic cotton pre-miRNAs. The Asiatic cotton pre-miRNAs had high negative minimal folding free energy (MFE) and adjusted MFE (AMFE) and high MFE index (MFEI). Many miRNAs identified in Asiatic cotton suggest that miRNAs also play a similar regulatory mechanism in diploid cotton

The Effect of Transition Metal Additions on the Microstructure and Properties of Nanocomposite Pr–Fe–B Permanent Magnets

Permanent magnets with the general composition Pr9 (Fe0.95Co0.05)85.5M0.5B5, where M denotes a transition metal, have been produced by melt spinning. The effect on the microstructure and magnetic properties of eight different alloying elements has been examined. The grain size and distribution have been correlated to the maximum energy product obtained. The grain size of the Pr9 (Fe0.95Co0.05) 85.5B5 control alloy was determined to be 17.5 nm, and it was found that the grain size was not significantly reduced compared to the control alloy by any of the additions. However, some additions resulted in significant increases in grain size, notably Cu, Ti, and Cr, which had grain sizes between 26 and 36 nm, and an increase in the grain size distribution. The increase in grain size resulted in a loss in hysteretic squareness, leading to reduced energy products in these alloys. In other alloys, fine grain size did not always correlate to improved maximum energy products. For example, the Mo-added alloy had the finest grain size but a decreased maximum energy product, likely due to solute segregation to grain boundaries that inhibited intergranular exchange interactions. In general, Group VB additions had a more positive effect on the microstructure and magnetic properties than did other alloying additions. This paper will summarize the overall effects of the additions on the microstructures and magnetic properties, enabling further alloy design efforts in nanocomposite alloy systems

Zero Shear Viscosity of Hybrid Modified Asphalts and Its Gray Correlation with Other Properties

The viscosity of modified asphalt binders is the most important property to ensure the durability of open-graded friction course (OGFC). Zero shear viscosity (ZSV) is considered to be the optimum result to reflect the rutting characterization of high viscosity modified asphalt binders, compared with conventional vacuum capillary viscosity. However, there are few reports on using ZSV to evaluate the material characteristics of hybrid modified asphalt binders and to establish the relationship between ZSV and other properties. In this paper, a high viscosity hybrid modified asphalt binder was prepared with Sty-rene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and Crumb rubber modifier (CRM). ZSV, three major indicators, 60 °C dynamic viscosity, 135 °C Brookfield viscosity, and a dynamic rheological test were used to determine the properties of the hybrid modified asphalt binders. The relationship between ZSV and other properties was studied by the gray correlation analysis method. Results indicated that: (1) The viscosity of hybrid modified asphalt binders increases with the decreasing frequency. When the frequency tends to 0, the viscosity of asphalt at this time is zero shear viscosity; (2) The values of the ZSV of hybrid modified asphalt binders have a large increase as the dose of both CRM and SBS modifiers were increased; and (3) The ZSV at 60 °C correlated well with the performance properties of rutting factor (G*/sin(θ)), indicating that the ZSV of hybrid modified asphalt binders could be a good indicator of performance

Study on the Frost Resistance of Concrete Modified with Steel Balls Containing Phase Change Material (PCM)

In order to investigate the effect of phase change materials on the frost resistance of concrete in cold regions, hollow steel balls were used in this paper for the macroscopic encapsulation of the phase change material to replace some of the coarse aggregates in the preparation of phase change concrete. On the premise of ensuring reasonable mechanical properties, concrete mixed with different contents and different surface treatments of grouting steel balls were tested for the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength to determine the optimum content of phase change steel balls and investigate the frost resistance of phase change concrete. At the same time, industrial CT was used to explore the internal pore evolution pattern of concrete during the freeze–thaw period. The test results show that the optimum content of steel balls is 75%; during the freeze–thaw process, the mass loss, relative dynamic elastic modulus loss, and strength loss of phase change concrete are all lower than those of ordinary concrete, and the increase in porosity of phase change concrete is also significantly lower than that of ordinary concrete; the addition of phase change materials can optimise the distribution of the internal pore in concrete, improve its internal pore structure, and enhance its frost resistance