Integrated analysis of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on competing endogenous RNA in atrial fibrillation

ObjectiveLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in the transcriptional regulation of atrial fibrillation (AF) by acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). In the present study, the expression levels of lncRNAs of sinus rhythm (SR) patients and AF patients were investigated with transcriptomics technology, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on the ceRNA theory in AF was elaborated.MethodsLeft atrial appendage (LAA) tissues were obtained from patients with valvular heart disease during cardiac surgery, and they were divided into SR and AF groups. The expression characterizations of differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs in the two groups were revealed by high-throughput sequencing methods. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA-mediated ceRNA network was constructed.ResultsA total of differentially expressed 82 lncRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 495 mRNAs in human atrial appendage tissues were targeted. Compared to SR patients, the following changes were found in AF patients: 32 upregulated and 50 downregulated lncRNAs; 7 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNAs; and 408 upregulated and 87 downregulated mRNAs. A lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed, which included 44 lncRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 347 mRNAs. qRT-PCR was performed to verify these findings. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that inflammatory response, chemokine signaling pathway, and other biological processes play important roles in the pathogenesis of AF. Network analysis based on the ceRNA theory identified that lncRNA XR_001750763.2 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) compete for binding to miR-302b-3p. In AF patients, lncRNA XR_001750763.2 and TLR2 were upregulated, and miR-302b-3p was downregulated.ConclusionWe identified a lncRNA XR_001750763.2/miR-302b-3p/TLR2 network based on the ceRNA theory in AF. The present study shed light on the physiological functions of lncRNAs and provided information for exploring potential treatments for AF

Hierarchical Structure and Catalytic Activity of Flower-Like CeO2 Spheres Prepared Via a Hydrothermal Method

Hierarchical CeO2 particles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method based on the reaction between CeCl3·7H2O and PVP at 270 °C. The flower-like CeO2 with an average diameter of about 1 μm is composed of compact nanosheets with thicknesses of about 15 nm and have a surface area of 36.8 m2/g, a large pore volume of 0.109 cm3/g, and a narrow pore size distribution (14.9 nm in diameter). The possible formation mechanism of the hierarchical CeO2 nanoparticles has been illustrated. The 3D hierarchical structured CeO2 exhibited a higher catalytic activity toward CO oxidation compared with commercial CeO2

Effects of Hollow CeO2 Nanospheres on Flame Retardance and Smoke Suppression of Room-Temperature-Vulcanized Silicone Rubber

The effects of hollow CeO2 nanospheres on the flame-retardance and smoke-suppression properties of room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber were studied. It was observed that the flame retardance of RTV silicone rubber composites was improved by hollow CeO2 nanospheres. Surprisingly, the nanospheres also enhanced the smoke-suppression characteristics of the composites. The limited oxygen index of RTV/Mg(OH)(2) was raised from 23.7 to 25.9 by the addition of hollow CeO2 nanospheres, while the smoke density was reduced markedly, from 35.1 to 17.6. The thermal stability and char yield of the RTV silicone rubber composites were characterized by thermogravimetric techniques. Furthermore, the degradation product of the composites was analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. A mechanism to explain the observed results is proposed

Hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2 nano-octahedrons

CeO2 nano-octahedrons were synthesized with a facile hydrothermal synthesis process where Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and urea were used as a cerium resource and mineralizer respectively and no surfactant or template was applied. The effects of synthesis parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, as well as the dosages of Ce (NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and urea were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis were conducted to characterize the crystalline and morphology of the obtained CeO2 powders. The optimal reaction condition to prepare the CeO2 of the desired fluorite structure was established. The possible mechanism of synthesis of CeO2 with a nano-octahedron morphology was illustrated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Particuology

Hierarchical sea-urchin-shaped manganese oxide microspheres were synthesized via a facile method based on the reaction between KMnO4 and MnSO4 in HNO3 solution at 50 degrees C. The average diameter of the microspheres is similar to 850 nm. The microspheres consist of a core of diameter of similar to 800 nm and nanorods of width similar to 50 nm. The nanorods exist at the edge of the core. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the sea-urchin-shaped microspheres is 259.4 m(2)/g. A possible formation mechanism of the hierarchical sea-urchin-shaped microspheres is proposed. The temperature for 90% conversion of benzene (T-90%) on the hierarchical urchin-shaped MnO2 microspheres is about 218 degrees C. (C) 2013 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Hierarchical sea-urchin-shaped manganese oxide microspheres were synthesized via a facile method based on the reaction between KMnO4 and MnSO4 in HNO3 solution at 50 degrees C. The average diameter of the microspheres is similar to 850 nm. The microspheres consist of a core of diameter of similar to 800 nm and nanorods of width similar to 50 nm. The nanorods exist at the edge of the core. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the sea-urchin-shaped microspheres is 259.4 m(2)/g. A possible formation mechanism of the hierarchical sea-urchin-shaped microspheres is proposed. The temperature for 90% conversion of benzene (T-90%) on the hierarchical urchin-shaped MnO2 microspheres is about 218 degrees C. (C) 2013 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Self-template hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2 hollow nanospheres

CeO2 hollow nanospheres were synthesized by a low-cost and environmentally benign one-pot hydrothermal route. Templates, surfactants, or other auxiliaries were not used in the route. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements were used to characterize the products. The average diameter of hollow spheres, with shells of approximately 30 nm, was about 300 nm. The formation of these hollow spheres involved a transformation from Ce(OH)CO3 solid spheres to CeO2 hollow nanospheres. The CeO2 hollow nanospheres exhibited a higher catalytic activity on CO oxidation than CeO2 nano-octahedrons

Preparation of Ce–Mn Composite Oxides with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Removal of Benzene through Oxalate Method

The catalytic activities of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides synthesized through oxalate method were researched. The results exhibited that the catalytic properties of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides were higher than pure CeO2 or MnOx. When the Ceat/Mnat ratio was 3:7, the catalytic activity reached the best. In addition, the activities of CeO2-MnOx synthesized through different routes over benzene oxidation were also comparative researched. The result indicated that the catalytic property of sample prepared by oxalate method was better than others, which maybe closely related with their meso-structures. Meanwhile, the effects of synergistic interaction and oxygen species in the samples on the catalytic ability can’t be ignored

Catalytic removal of benzene over CeO2-MnOx composite oxides prepared by hydrothermal method

A series of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides were synthesized through hydrothermal method and the complete catalytic oxidation of benzene were examined. The effects of the Ce-at/Mn-at atomic ratio on the features of catalyst structure and catalytic behavior were researched. The results exhibited that the catalytic properties of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides were higher than pure CeO2 or MnOx. When the Ceat/Mnat ratio was 3:7, the catalytic activity reached the best. By means of testing, the data revealed that the synergistic effects existed in the composite oxides, which resulted in the enhancement of catalytic abilities. In the main phase, MnOx provided available oxygen species and CeO2 enhanced oxygen mobility. In addition, the nature of oxygen vacancy of catalysts was also studied through positron annihilation spectrum. The results showed that the concentration of oxygen vacancy for CeO2-MnOx composite oxides changed comparing with pure CeO2 or MnOx, which also caused the activity differences over benzene. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved