714 research outputs found
Janus Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
A novel crystal configuration of sandwiched S-Mo-Se structure (Janus SMoSe)
at the monolayer limit has been synthesized and carefully characterized in this
work. By controlled sulfurization of monolayer MoSe2 the top layer of selenium
atoms are substituted by sulfur atoms while the bottom selenium layer remains
intact. The peculiar structure of this new material is systematically
investigated by Raman, photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
and confirmed by transmission-electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary
ion mass spectrometry. Density-functional theory calculations are performed to
better understand the Raman vibration modes and electronic structures of the
Janus SMoSe monolayer, which are found to correlate well with corresponding
experimental results. Finally, high basal plane hydrogen evolution reaction
(HER) activity is discovered for the Janus monolayer and DFT calculation
implies that the activity originates from the synergistic effect of the
intrinsic defects and structural strain inherent in the Janus structure.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figure
Metal-to-insulator transition in oxide semimetals by anion doping
Oxide semimetals exhibiting both nontrivial topological characteristics stand
as exemplary parent compounds and multiple degrees of freedom, offering great
promise for the realization of novel electronic states. In this study, we
present compelling evidence of profound structural and transport phase shifts
in a recently uncovered oxide semimetal, SrNbO3, achieved through effective
in-situ anion doping. Notably, a remarkable increase in resistivity of more
than three orders of magnitude at room temperature is observed upon
nitrogen-doping. The extent of electronic modulation in SrNbO3 is strongly
correlated with the misfit strain, underscoring its phase instability to both
chemical doping and crystallographic symmetry variations. Using
first-principles calculations, we discern that elevating the level of nitrogen
doping induces an upward shift in the conductive bands of SrNbO3-dNd.
Consequently, a transition from a metallic state to an insulating state becomes
apparent as the nitrogen concentration reaches a threshold of 1/3. This
investigation sheds light on the potential of anion engineering in oxide
semimetals, offering pathways for manipulating their physical properties. These
insights hold promise for future applications that harness these materials for
tailored functionalities.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure
Multidimensional Single Cell Based STAT Phosphorylation Profiling Identifies a Novel Biosignature for Evaluation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity
INTRODUCTION: Dysregulated cytokine action on immune cells plays an important role in the initiation and progress of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disease. Comprehensively quantifying basal STATs phosphorylation and their signaling response to cytokines should help us to better understand the etiology of SLE. METHODS: Phospho-specific flow cytometry was used to measure the basal STAT signaling activation in three immune cell types of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells from 20 lupus patients, 9 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 13 healthy donors (HDs). A panel of 27 cytokines, including inflammatory cytokines, was measured with Bio-Plex™ Human Cytokine Assays. Serum Prolactin levels were measured with an immunoradiometric assay. STAT signaling responses to inflammatory cytokines (interferon α [IFNα], IFNγ, interleukin 2 [IL2], IL6, and IL10) were also monitored. RESULTS: We observed the basal activation of STAT3 in SLE T cells and monocytes, and the basal activation of STAT5 in SLE T cells and B cells. The SLE samples clustered into two main groups, which were associated with the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000, their erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and their hydroxychloroquine use. The phosphorylation of STAT5 in B cells was associated with cytokines IL2, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and IFNγ, whereas serum prolactin affected STAT5 activation in T cells. The responses of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 to IFNα were greatly reduced in SLE T cells, B cells, and monocytes, except for the STAT1 response to IFNα in monocytes. The response of STAT3 to IL6 was reduced in SLE T cells. CONCLUSIONS: The basal activation of STATs signaling and reduced response to cytokines may be helpful us to identify the activity and severity of SLE
Insufficient maintenance DNA methylation is associated with abnormal embryonic development
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a frustrating clinical problem, whose mechanisms are not completely understood. DNA methylation, which includes maintenance methylation and <it>de novo </it>methylation directed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), is important for embryo development. Abnormal function of these DNMTs may have serious consequences for embryonic development.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate the possible involvement of DNA methylation in human EPL, the expression of DNMT proteins and global methylation of DNA were assessed in villous or decidua from EPL patients. The association of maintenance methylation with embryo implantation and development was also examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that DNMT1 and DNMT3A were both expressed in normal human villous and decidua. DNMT1 expression and DNA global methylation levels were significantly down-regulated in villous of EPL. DNMT3A expression was not significantly changed in the EPL group compared to controls in either villous or decidua. We also found that disturbance of maintenance methylation with a DNMT1 inhibitor may result in a decreased global DNA methylation level and impaired embryonic development in the mouse model, and inhibit <it>in vitro </it>embryo attachment to endometrial cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that defects in DNA maintenance methylation in the embryo, not in the mother, are associated with abnormal embryonic implantation and development. The findings of the current study provide new insights into the etiology of EPL.</p
Phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate: Low abundance, high significance
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102155/1/bies201300012.pd
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