Establishment and comparison of two methods to produce a rat model of mammary gland hyperplasia with hyperprolactinemia

This study aimed to establish and compare models of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) with hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) using two different methods. The models provide information on the relationship between mammary gland hyperplasia and associated hormones. Model A was constructed using intramuscular injections of estradiol benzoate injection (EBI), followed by progesterone (P), and then metoclopramide dihydrochloride (MDI). Model B was designed by administering MDI, follow by EBI, and then P intramuscularly. Model B showed higher MGH progression compared with model A. Notably, increase in estradiol (E2) was negatively correlated with prolactin (PRL) secretion. However, PRL levels in model B were significantly higher compared with the levels in model A. Estrogen (ER), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA and protein expression levels in model B rats were positively correlated with changes in the corresponding hormone levels. However, E2, P, and PRL levels in model A showed no direct relationship with levels of the mRNAs of related hormones and protein expression levels. Our results suggest that model B is an appropriate model of MGH with HPRL that can be used to perform further studies about the interactions of the E2, P, and PRL hormones in this disorder

A reactive force field molecular dynamics study on the inception mechanism of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) conversion to titanium clusters

We performed ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the inception mechanism of TTIP precursor droplet conversion to Ti-containing clusters in 1000 K–2500 K with or without gaseous O2 molecules. A new Ti/C/H/O ReaxFF force field has been developed. Key intermediate titanium species and the initial decomposition pathways of TTIP are identified. The effects of temperature, O2 concentration and high-temperature residence time on the conversion of TTIP to incipient titanium clusters are investigated. Results suggest that high pyrolysis temperature does not necessarily promote the formation of incipient Ti-containing clusters, due to less stable Tisingle bondO bonds at high temperatures. Ti2Ox Cy Hz species appear earlier than TiO2 during TTIP pyrolysis, while TiO2 forms earlier than Ti2OxCyHz species and has much higher concentration with ambient O2. Decreasing high-temperature residence time boosts the formation of Ti-containing clusters by facilitating the condensation of TiO2 vapors. The growth pattern of the incipient titanium clusters is elucidated as formation of Tisingle bondO bond with Ti2OxCyHz species or titanium clusters followed by continuous breakage of Tisingle bondO or Csingle bondO bonds to release hydrocarbon moieties

Long non-coding RNA and circular RNA and coding RNA profiling of plasma exosomes of osteosarcoma by RNA seq

Abstract Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone tumor with high malignancy and the mechanism of hematogenous metastasis in OS is still not clear. The plasma exosomes derived from osteosarcoma play a key role in the process of tumor metastasis. Here, we established RNA-seq dataset for lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs in plasma exosomes from 10 OS patients and 5 healthy donors. A total of 329.52 Gb of clean data was obtained. Besides, 1754 lincRNAs, 7096 known and 1935 new circRNA was identified. Finally, gene expression profiles and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed among these 15 samples. There were 331 DEGs of mRNA, 132 of lincRNA and 489 of circRNA was obtained, respectively. This data set provides a significant resource for relevant researchers to excavate potential dysregulated lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs of plasma exosomes in OS versus normal conditions

MoS₂ Quantum Dot Growth Induced by S Vacancies in a ZnIn₂S₄ Monolayer: Atomic-Level Heterostructure for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

It is highly demanded to steer the charge flow in photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen reactions (PHRs). In this study, we developed a smart strategy to position MoS₂ quantum dots (QDs) at the S vacancies on a Zn facet in monolayered ZnIn₂S₄ (Vs-M-ZnIn₂S₄) to craft a two-dimensional (2D) atomic-level heterostructure (MoS₂QDs@Vs-M-ZnIn₂S₄). The electronic structure calculations indicated that the positive charge density of the Zn atom around the sulfur vacancy (Vs) was more intensive than other Zn atoms. The Vs confined in monolayered ZnIn₂S₄ established an important link between the electronic manipulation and activities of ZnIn₂S₄. The Vs acted as electron traps, prevented vertical transmission of electrons, and enriched electrons onto the Zn facet. The Vs-induced atomic-level heterostructure sewed up vacancy structures of Vs-M-ZnIn₂S₄, resulting in a highly efficient interface with low edge contact resistance. Photogenerated electrons could quickly migrate to MoS₂QDs through the intimate Zn–S bond interfaces. As a result, MoS₂QDs@Vs-M-ZnIn₂S₄ showed a high PHR activity of 6.884 mmol g^–1 h^–1, which was 11 times higher than 0.623 mmol g^–1 h^–1 for bulk ZnIn₂S₄, and the apparent quantum efficiency reached as high as 63.87% (420 nm). This work provides a prototype material for looking into the role of vacancies between electronic structures and activities in 2D photocatalytic materials and gives insights into PHR systems at the atomic level

Artificial Nucleobase-Directed Programmable Synthesis and Assembly of Amphiphilic Nucleic Acids as an All-in-One Platform for Cation-Free siRNA Delivery

Efficient transport of nucleic acid therapeutics into targeted cells is the key step of genetic modulation in disease treatment. Nowadays, delivery systems strongly rely on cationic materials, but how to balance the trade-off between effectiveness and toxicity of these exogenous materials remains incredibly challenging. Here, we take inspiration from nucleic acid chemistry and introduce a new concept of amphiphilic nucleic acids (ANAs), as an all-in-one platform for cation-free nucleic acid delivery, by programmatically conjugating two different artifical nucleobases with sequence-independent activities. Specifically, the hydrophilic artificial nucleobases in ANAs act as both delivery vectors and therapeutic cargos for integrated benefits, while the hydrophobic nucleobases enable molecular self-assembly for improved stability and endosomal membrane oxidation for enhanced endosomal escape. By virtue of these merits, this platform is successfully used for short interference RNA (siRNA) delivery, which demonstrates a high siRNA loading capacity, rapid cellular uptake, and efficient endosomal escape, eliciting remarkable gene silencing and synergistic inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation and migration. This work is a case study in exploiting the basis of nucleic acid chemistry to afford new paradigms for advanced cancer theranostics