Coherent transport of armchair graphene constrictions

The coherent transport properties of armchair graphene nanoconstrictions(GNC) are studied using tight-binding approach and Green's function method. We find a non-bonding state at zero Fermi energy which results in a zero conductance valley, when a single vacancy locates at $y=3n\pm 1$ of a perfect metallic armchair graphene nanoribbon(aGNR). However, the non-bonding state doesn't exist when a vacancy locates at y=3n, and the conductance behavior of lowest conducting channel will not be affected by the vacancy. For the square-shaped armchair GNC consisting of three metallic aGNR segments, resonant tunneling behavior is observed in the single channel energy region. We find that the presence of localized edge state locating at the zigzag boundary can affect the resonant tunneling severely. A simplified one dimensional model is put forward at last, which explains the resonant tunneling behavior of armchair GNC very well.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figure

Association between abnormal plasma metabolism and brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent patients

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to characterize the plasma metabolic profiles of brain atrophy and alcohol dependence (s) and to identify the underlying pathogenesis of brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence.MethodsWe acquired the plasma samples of alcohol-dependent patients and performed non-targeted metabolomic profiling analysis to identify alterations of key metabolites in the plasma of BA-ADPs. Machine learning algorithms and bioinformatic analysis were also used to identify predictive biomarkers and investigate their possible roles in brain atrophy related to alcohol dependence.ResultsA total of 26 plasma metabolites were significantly altered in the BA-ADPs group when compared with a group featuring alcohol-dependent patients without brain atrophy (NBA-ADPs). Nine of these differential metabolites were further identified as potential biomarkers for BA-ADPs. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that these potential biomarkers exhibited good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing BA-ADPs from NBA-ADPs. Moreover, metabolic pathway analysis suggested that glycerophospholipid metabolism may be highly involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced brain atrophy.ConclusionThis plasma metabolomic study provides a valuable resource for enhancing our understanding of alcohol-induced brain atrophy and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention

The FOXK1-CCDC43 Axis Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background/Aims: The CCDC43 gene is conserved in human, rhesus monkey, mouse and zebrafish. Bioinformatics studies have demonstrated the abnormal expression of CCDC43 gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role and molecular mechanism of CCDC43 in CRC remain unknown. Methods: The functional role of CCDC43 and FOXK1 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was determined using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blot, EdU incorporation, luciferase, chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and cell invasion assays. Results: The CCDC43 gene was overexpressed in human CRC. High expression of CCDC43 protein was associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in patients with CRC. Moreover, the induction of EMT by CCDC43 occurred through TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, a positive correlation between the expression patterns of CCDC43 and FOXK1 was observed in CRC cells. Promoter assays demonstrated that FOXK1 directly bound and activated the human CCDC43 gene promoter. In addition, CCDC43 was necessary for FOXK1- mediated EMT and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Taken together, this work identified that CCDC43 promoted EMT and was a direct transcriptional target of FOXK1 in CRC cells. Conclusion: FOXK1-CCDC43 axis might be helpful to develop the drugs for the treatment of CRC

Xinmailong Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in H9c2 Cells via HO-1

The clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by its cardiotoxicity, which is closely associated with oxidative stress. Xinmailong (XML) is a bioactive peptide extracted from American cockroaches, which has been mainly applied to treat chronic heart failure in China. Our previous study showed that XML attenuates DOX-induced oxidative stress. However, the mechanism of XML in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity remains unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme that is ubiquitously expressed in all cell types, has been found to take antioxidant effects in many cardiovascular diseases, and its expression is protectively upregulated under DOX treatment. Lysosome and autophagy are closely involved in oxidative stress as well. It is still unknown whether XML could attenuate doxorubicin-induced lysosomal dysfunction and oxidative stress in H9c2 cells via HO-1. Thus, this study was aimed at investigating the involvement of HO-1-mediated lysosomal function and autophagy flux in DOX-induced oxidative stress and cardiotoxicity in H9c2 cells. Our results showed that XML treatment markedly increased cell proliferation and SOD activity, improved lysosomal function, and ameliorated autophagy flux block in DOX-treated H9c2 cells. Furthermore, XML significantly increased HO-1 expression following DOX treatment. Importantly, HO-1-specific inhibitor (Znpp) or HO-1 siRNA could significantly attenuate the protective effects of XML against DOX-induced cell injury, oxidative stress, lysosomal dysfunction, and autophagy flux block. These results suggest that XML protects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity through HO-1-mediated recovery of lysosomal function and autophagy flux and decreases oxidative stress, providing a novel mechanism responsible for the protection of XML against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy

Association of parent-child relationship quality and problematic mobile phone use with non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents

Abstract Background Non-suicidal self-injury behavior (NSSI) is a common mental health threat among adolescents. Poor parent-child relationship (PCR) and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) are risk factors for NSSI. We aimed to explore the impact of PCR quality, PMPU, and their interaction effects on NSSI among adolescents in China, as well as the sex difference. Method A survey was conducted among school students in 4 provinces in China between 2017 and 2018. The study included 14,500 valid participants. The students’ general demographic characteristics was collected, and further data on PCR quality, PMPU, and NSSI were obtained through self-rated questionnaire. Chi-square test, binomial logistic regression models, and the Andersson Excel were used for data analysis. Results The 12-month prevalence of NSSI was 27.3%. Lower PCR quality and PMPU were significantly associated with NSSI, respectively. The low PCR + yes PMPU group had the greatest association with NSSI, followed by the high PCR + yes PMPU group, low PCR + no PMPU group. Moreover, in low father-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males; in high mother-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males. Additive interaction analysis indicated that mother-child relationship quality and PMPU were associated with increased risks of NSSI, in the subgroup of males. Conclusions The findings underline the importance of simultaneously studying the quality of PCR and PMPU for a comprehensive understanding of NSSI behavior, and especially highlights the significance of maternal relationship quality

Assessment of Interaction Behaviors of Cement-Emulsified Asphalt Based on Micro-Morphological and Macro-Rheological Approaches

Cement emulsified asphalt composite binder (CEACB) plays a determining role in the construction of cold recycled asphalt pavements. Understanding the interaction behaviors of cement-emulsified asphalt is very essential to promote the serviceability of CEACB. The objective of this study was to explore the interaction behaviors and mechanism of cement-emulsified asphalt associated with microstructural characteristics and to assess the interaction ability of cement-emulsified asphalt by performing macro-rheological measurements. Firstly, the physico-chemical interaction of cement-emulsified asphalt was qualitatively discussed by analyzing the difference of characteristic peaks based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Secondly, the micro-morphological evolution behaviors of CEACB attributing to the cement-emulsified asphalt interaction were investigated by using a fluorescence microscope (FM) and laser particle size analyzer (LPSA). Thirdly, the microstructural characteristics of CEACB were studied by observing the spatial network structure through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the macro-rheological index based on dynamic rheological shear (DSR) test was proposed to evaluate the interaction ability of cement-emulsified asphalt. The results show that the cement-emulsified asphalt interaction is merely a physical blending process due to the occurrence of no new characteristic peaks in the FTIR spectrum except for cement hydration products. The cement-emulsified asphalt interaction in early-age CEACB could be reflected by the aggregation process among asphalt droplets and the adsorption action of cement particles to asphalt droplets. A reasonable ratio of cement to emulsified asphalt could promote the formation of the denser spatial network structure of CEACB along with cement hydration products growing and interweaving with asphalt films. The K-B-G* index based on macro-rheological properties of CEACB with full consideration of cement hydration process is very suitable for evaluating the interaction ability of cement-emulsified asphalt under the condition of different cement proportions and curing time. The research would provide the support for understanding the natural properties of CEACB and promote the improvement of the mechanical performance of cold recycled asphalt pavements

Role of polygenic risk scores in the association between chronotype and health risk behaviors

Abstract Background This study explores the association between chronotypes and adolescent health risk behaviors (HRBs) by testing how genetic background moderates these associations and clarifies the influence of chronotypes and polygenic risk score (PRS) on adolescent HRBs. Methods Using VOS-viewer software to select the corresponding data, this study used knowledge domain mapping to identify and develop the research direction with respect to adolescent risk factor type. Next, DNA samples from 264 students were collected for low-depth whole-genome sequencing. The sequencing detected HRB risk loci, 49 single nucleotide polymorphisms based to significant SNP. Subsequently, PRSs were assessed and divided into low, moderate, and high genetic risk according to the tertiles and chronotypes and interaction models were constructed to evaluate the association of interaction effect and clustering of adolescent HRBs. The chronotypes and the association between CLOCK-PRS and HRBs were examined to explore the association between chronotypes and mental health and circadian CLOCK-PRS and HRBs. Results Four prominent areas were displayed by clustering information fields in network and density visualization modes in VOS-viewer. The total score of evening chronotypes correlated with high-level clustering of HRBs in adolescents, co-occurrence, and mental health, and the difference was statistically significant. After controlling covariates, the results remained consistent. Three-way interactions between chronotype, age, and mental health were observed, and the differences were statistically significant. CLOCK-PRS was constructed to identify genetic susceptibility to the clustering of HRBs. The interaction of evening chronotypes and high genetic risk CLOCK-PRS was positively correlated with high-level clustering of HRBs and HRB co-occurrence in adolescents, and the difference was statistically significant. The interaction between the sub-dimensions of evening chronotypes and the high genetic CLOCK-PRS risk correlated with the outcome of the clustering of HRBs and HRB co-occurrence. Conclusions The interaction of PRS and chronotype and the HRBs in adolescents appear to have an association, and the three-way interaction between the CLOCK-PRS, chronotype, and mental health plays important roles for HRBs in adolescents

Metabolomics and Cytokine Analysis for Identification of Schizophrenia with Auditory Hallucination

Purpose: To investigate the metabolic profile and biomarkers of schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations (AHs). Methods: A total of 18 schizophrenic patients with the symptom of pure AHs (pAHs), 28 without AH (nAHs) and 43 age-matched healthy persons (Con) were enrolled in this study. Participants in pAHs and nAHs groups had relapsed into exacerbations of psychosis after self-discontinuing antipsychotics for at least one month; blood samples were drawn prior to restarting anti-psychotic treatment. Participants with history of recreational substance use were excluded. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS) were used to assess the clinical mental state of all samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to estimate the level of cytokines, and metabolomics analysis to identify potential biomarkers and pathways in the three groups. Graphpad 8.0 software was used to calculate the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between metabolites and cytokines were determined using correlation analysis. Results: Questionnaire scores showed significant differences in the positive symptom scale and PANSS total between nAHs and pAHs groups. Four cytokines (BDNF, IL-2, NGF-β and TNF-α) differed significantly among the three groups. Six molecules in the nAHs group (phenylalanine, hippurate, serine, glutamate, valine and cystine) and four in the pAHs group (phenylalanine, serine, glutamate and cystine) were identified as potential biomarkers. In addition, phenylalanine was shown as a potential independent diagnostic biomarker for pAHs. Correlation analysis revealed that cystine and serine were significantly negatively correlated with IL-2 in the pAHs group. Conclusions: This study revealed the metabolic profile of patients with schizophrenia with AHs and provided new information to support the diagnosis. The identification of unique biomarkers would contribute to objective and reliable diagnoses of patients with schizophrenia with AH

Snail/FOXK1/Cyr61 Signaling Axis Regulates the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

Background/Aims: Metastasis is the primary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related death. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis in CRC remain unclear. Methods: We evaluated mRNA and protein expression levels by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry assays. We also assessed the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells in vitro by wound healing assays, invasion and migration assays, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. Tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice in vivo. Results: A positive correlation was observed between the expression patterns of Forkhead box k1 (FOXK1) and Snail in CRC. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that Snail directly bound to and activated the human FOXK1 gene promoter. Moreover, the Snail-FOXK1 axis promote epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated CRC cell invasion and metastasis. FOXK1 and Snail expression levels were correlated with tumor progression and served as significant predictors of overall survival in patients with CRC. Furthermore, overexpression of FOXK1 induced the EMT by upregulating the expression of cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61). Luciferase assays showed that Cyr61 was a direct transcriptional target of FOXK1. Down regulation of Cyr61 decreased FOXK1-enhanced “CRC cell” migration, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, FOXK1 expression was positively correlated with Cyr61 expression and was associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: The Snail/FOXK1/Cyr61 signaling axis regulates the EMT and metastasis of CRC