Synthesis of WS2 nanometer monolayer by the chemical vapor deposition method

Monolayer WS2 offers great promise for use in optical devices due to its direct bandgap and high photoluminescence intensity. In this way, large-area and high-quality materials are essential for the implementation of technological applications. In this research, we Synthesize the WS2 monolayer under controlled temperature conditions and characterize the films using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that with the introduction of argon gas as a carrier, the quality of the layer improves, and the growth level of WS2 increases, and as a result, the films show an average coating thickness of 43 nm. By controlling the growth temperature and timely entry of argon-carrying gas, the WO3 precursor is more effectively reduced and the oxidative etching of the synthesized monolayers is protected. The addition of hydrogen more effectively reduces the WO3 precursor and protects against oxidative etching of the synthesized monolayers. The obtained results indicate the complete synthesis of a two-dimensional structure (2D) of a single layer with sheets consisting of a crystal size of about 26 nm with a thickness of about 43 nm

Controllable formation of graphene and graphene oxide sheets using photo-catalytic reduction and oxygen plasma treatment

Au/SiO2/Si interdigital electrodes with thickness of 1 μm were created on silicon substrate. Graphene oxide (GO) sheets hanging from these electrodes were obtained by spin coating of chemically synthesized GO dispersed in water. We used UV-light-induced photo-catalytic activity of titanium oxide nanoparticles to reduce the GO layer. Effects of the photo-induced chemical reduction on the conductivity of the GO were investigated. Also, low power DC plasma was used for oxidation of the sheets. Oxygen bombardment leads to sheets with low electrical conductivity. Measurements show that graphene and GO sheets with the controlled electrical conductivity were obtained by these processes. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy were used to study the morphology of the TiO2/GO and graphene structures. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering analysis were used to verify the structural characteristics of the prepared sheets. Analysis showed a gradual increase in the number of C-O bonds on the surface of the graphene layer as a result of increasing the time of plasma bombardment. Based on the Raman spectroscopy, the photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a decrease in the number of C-O bonds

Expression Analysis of MALAT1, GAS5, SRA, and NEAT1 lncRNAs in Breast Cancer Tissues from Young Women and Women over 45 Years of Age

Breast cancer, as the most common cancer in women worldwide, represents about 30% of all cancers affecting women. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of several biological processes, and their dysregulation in cancer has well been documented. To investigate possible age-dependent variations in expression profiles of lncRNAs, we evaluated the expression levels of four lncRNAs, i.e., MALAT1, GAS5, SRA, and NEAT1, in breast cancer (BC) samples obtained from younger (45 years) women. Tumor samples (n = 23) and 15 normal tissues were collected from BC patients. All tumor and normal samples were morphologically confirmed by a pathologist. RNA was extracted from the tissues and cDNAs were then synthesized. The lncRNA expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The changes in the expression levels were determined using the ΔΔCt method. Compared to normal tissues, BC tissues from both age groups (women under 45 years of age and women above 45 years of age) showed upregulation of MALAT1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0002), SRA (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0002), and NEAT1 (p = 0.010 and p = 0.0002) and downregulation of GAS5 (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0005). Additionally, our analysis showed significant and direct correlation between the age and the expression levels of three of the four lncRNAs studied in this work. All four lncRNAs were overexpressed in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cell lines (p = 0.1000). Our data show that MALAT1, GAS5, SRA, and NEAT1 lncRNAs are dysregulated in BC samples. However, except for MALAT1, the expression levels of all of these lncRNAs were significantly lower in cancers developed in younger cases, where poorer prognosis is suggested. Of note, GAS5 reduced expression has been documented to correlate with tumor progression. Keywords: breast cancer, lncRNAs, MALAT1, GAS5, SRA, NEAT1, age, Ira

Evaluation of ethanol and EDTA concentrations in the expression of biofilm-producing smf-1, rpfF genes in XDR clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Abstract Background Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is able to cause infections in immunocompromised patients, and the treatment of this opportunistic pathogen is complicated due to its virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and the ability of the bacteria to produce biofilm. The main goals of this study were to assess the susceptibility of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates to ethanol and EDTA, and evaluating the synergistic effect of these disinfectants, and also survey the effect of exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of ethanol and EDTA on the expression of biofilm-producing smf-1, rpfF genes. Results The results showed that EDTA significantly increased the effectiveness of the ethanol and have a synergistic effect. All of the 10 XDR isolates included in the current study harbored smf-1 and rpfF genes and produced biofilm. After exposure to MIC, sub-MIC, synergism, and sub-synergism of ethanol and EDTA, the expression of smf-1 and rpfF genes was repressed significantly. Conclusion In the current study, it was indicated that the expression of biofilm-producing genes was repressed when bacteria are exposed to different concentrations of ethanol and EDTA. Future studies should include more complex microbial communities residing in the hospitals, and more disinfectants use in hospitals. Expression of other virulence genes in different conditions is suggested