Association of Two Polymorphisms in CCL2 With Parkinson's Disease: A Case-Control Study

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder that is known to be related to neuro-inflammation. Chemokines participate in this process usually through upregulation of expression levels, which are closely related to the polymorphisms in their genes. Recent studies have further revealed the association between these polymorphisms and the risk of PD in multiple populations, but not the Chinese Han population.Methods:The promoter region of CCL2 was sequenced in 411 PD patients and 422 gender-age matched control from a Chinese Han population using PCR-RFLP method. Their genotype frequencies were analyzed statistically. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted in neuroblastoma cells to assess the promoter transcriptional activity of the rs1024611 variants (T>C) and the GRCh38.p12chr17:34252593 G>C alleles in CCL2.Results:We found that the frequency of the CCL2 genotype of rs1024611 was significantly different between the PD and control groups (p = 0.021), while the C allele was associated with a significantly increased risk in the PD group (p = 0.004). Moreover, C allele of this newly identified alteration in CCL2 (GRCh38.p12chr17:34252593 G>C) was also found to be associated with an increased risk of PD (P genotype = 0.006, P allele = 0.006). Dual-luciferase reporter assay results indicated that rs1024611 C allele and GRCh38.p12chr17:.34252593 C allele increased the transcriptional activity of the CCL2 promoter.Conclusions: We, for the first time, report a risk polymorphism (rs1024611) and a new locus (GRCh38.p12chr17:.34252593 G>C) on CCL2, both of which are suggested as risk factors for PD in a Chinese Han population

Electroluminescence as a Tool to Study the Polarization Characteristics and Generation Mechanism in Silicon PV Panels

Electroluminescence is a defect detection method commonly used in photovoltaic industry. However, the current research mainly focuses on qualitative analysis rather quantitative evaluation, since there exists some shortcomings, such as fuzzy edges, unclear texture, etc., in the obtained electroluminescence images. Electroluminescence polarization imagery is a new method for defect detection in photovoltaic modules, which can effectively make up for the aforementioned deficiencies. In this paper, the polarization characteristics and formation mechanism of silicon solar panels was investigated based on the principle of electroluminescence. Firstly, the polarization imaging mechanism of electroluminescence of photovoltaic modules was studied. Then, an electroluminescence polarization experimental platform was built, and the polarized electroluminescence images of photovoltaic panels were obtained and preprocessed with Gaussian filter. Finally, the influence of view angle, bias voltage and other factors on the polarization characteristics was discussed. The results show that the electroluminescence of photovoltaic modules has polarization characteristics, and the degree and angle of polarization are related to the view angle and bias voltage; the degree of polarization of photovoltaic panel electroluminescence increases with the angle of view, and first increases then rapidly decreases with bias voltage

Comparative advantages of chemical compositions of specific edible vegetable oils

As important supplementary to major edible oils, comparative chemical advantages of minor edible oils decide their development and usage. In this study, chemical composition of 13 kinds of specific edible vegetable oils were investigated. The comparative advantages of chemical compositions of these edible oils were obtained as follows: (1) camellia, tiger nut and almond oil were rich in oleic acid, the contents of which accounted for 79.43%, 69.16% and 66.26%, respectively; (2) safflower oil contained the highest content of linoleic acid (76.69%), followed by grape seed (66.85%) and walnut oil (57.30%); (3) perilla seed, siritch, peony seed and herbaceous peony seed oil were rich in α-linolenic acid (59.61%, 43.74%, 40.83% and 30.84%, respectively); (4) the total phytosterol contents of these oils ranged from 91.46 mg/100 ​g (camellia oil) to 506.46 mg/100 ​g (siritch oil); and (5) The best source of tocopherols was sacha inchi oil (122.74 mg/100 ​g), followed by perilla seed oil (55.89 mg/100 ​g), peony seed oil (53.73 mg/100 ​g) and herbaceous peony seed oil (47.17 mg/100 ​g). The comparative advantages of these specific edible oils indicated that they possess the high potential nutritional values and health care functions

Enhanced electrochemical performance of ZnMoO4/reduced graphene oxide composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

ZnMoO4/reduced graphene oxide composites (ZnMoO4/rGO) were successfully prepared by a simple one pot hydrothermal method, in which the synthesis of ZnMoO4 irregular plate-like crystals and the reduction of graphene oxide to rGO were simultaneously achieved. The XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA and XPS measurements were performed to illustrate the structure properties of as-prepared ZnMoO4 and ZnMoO4/rGO. It has been demonstrated that the ZnMoO4/rGO composites exhibits excellent electrochemical performance of high capacity and good stability as the anode materials of lithium ion batteries. The initial discharge capacity is 2391.2 mAhg(-1) at a current density of 100 mAr(-1). During the cycle performance test, the discharge capacity increased from the second cycle capacity of 1030 mAhg(-1) to 1454.4 inAhg(-1) after 26 cycles at 100 mAg(-1). And after 100 cycles, the retention of capacity is 61.36%. The advanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the introduction of rGO sheets, which could greatly increase the conductivity of active materials and provide the electrons transfer paths for the ZnMoO4/rGO electrode. Besides, the rGO sheet wrapped ZnMoO4 crystals would buffer the volume changes during charge-discharge cycles. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p

Chemically Responsive Polymer Inverse-Opal Photonic Crystal Films Created by a Self-Assembly Method

The synthesis of poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate inverse-opal hydrogel (IOHG_PHEMA) was realized by capillary-force-induced in situ polymerization in a polystyrene colloidal crystal template. The created IOHG_PHEMA films show brilliant blue-violet color when they are immersed in deionized water and reach swelling equilibrium. The stop band of the IOHG_PHEMA films can be tuned within the entire visible wavelength range by immersing them into different chemical solutions, such as aldehydes, ketones, amides, dimethyl sulfoxide, and alcohols. The extent of the reflective peak shift not only depends on the number of hydrogen band donors but also on the chain length and structure of the chemicals and their concentration. Since the IOHG_PHEMA films have different reflectance spectra and structural colors in response to different compounds of the same series, this provides a potential way to visually detect homologues and other compounds with similar structure and properties. This simple, yet effective, method also has the potential to be used generically to determine approximate concentration of the solution by direct visual observation of the color change

DataSheet3_Combined metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the mechanisms of Dracorhodin Perchlorate in treating diabetic foot ulcer rats.xlsx

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes, that can result in disability or death. Dracorhodin Perchlorate (DP) is effective for treating DFU, but the potential mechanisms need to be investigated. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the acceleration of wound healing in DFU by the topical application of DP through the combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology.Methods: A DFU rat model was established, and the rate of ulcer wound healing was assessed. Different metabolites were found in the skin tissues of each group, and MetaboAnalyst was performed to analyse metabolic pathways. The candidate targets of DP in the treatment of DFU were screened using network pharmacology. Cytoscape was applied to construct an integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Moreover, the obtained hub targets were validated using molecular docking. After the topical application of DP, blood glucose, the rate of wound healing and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed.Results: The levels of IL-1, hs-CRP and TNF-α of the Adm group were significantly downregulated. A total of 114 metabolites were identified. These could be important to the therapeutic effects of DP in the treatment of DFU. Based on the network pharmacology, seven hub genes were found, which were partially consistent with the metabolomics results. We focused on four hub targets by further integrated analysis, namely, PAH, GSTM1, DHFR and CAT, and the crucial metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that DP was well combined with the hub targets.Conclusion: Our research based on metabolomics and network pharmacology demonstrated that DP improves wound healing in DFU through multiple targets and pathways, and it can potentially be used for DFU treatment.</p

DataSheet5_Combined metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the mechanisms of Dracorhodin Perchlorate in treating diabetic foot ulcer rats.xlsx

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes, that can result in disability or death. Dracorhodin Perchlorate (DP) is effective for treating DFU, but the potential mechanisms need to be investigated. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the acceleration of wound healing in DFU by the topical application of DP through the combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology.Methods: A DFU rat model was established, and the rate of ulcer wound healing was assessed. Different metabolites were found in the skin tissues of each group, and MetaboAnalyst was performed to analyse metabolic pathways. The candidate targets of DP in the treatment of DFU were screened using network pharmacology. Cytoscape was applied to construct an integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Moreover, the obtained hub targets were validated using molecular docking. After the topical application of DP, blood glucose, the rate of wound healing and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed.Results: The levels of IL-1, hs-CRP and TNF-α of the Adm group were significantly downregulated. A total of 114 metabolites were identified. These could be important to the therapeutic effects of DP in the treatment of DFU. Based on the network pharmacology, seven hub genes were found, which were partially consistent with the metabolomics results. We focused on four hub targets by further integrated analysis, namely, PAH, GSTM1, DHFR and CAT, and the crucial metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that DP was well combined with the hub targets.Conclusion: Our research based on metabolomics and network pharmacology demonstrated that DP improves wound healing in DFU through multiple targets and pathways, and it can potentially be used for DFU treatment.</p

DataSheet4_Combined metabolomics and network pharmacology to elucidate the mechanisms of Dracorhodin Perchlorate in treating diabetic foot ulcer rats.xlsx

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes, that can result in disability or death. Dracorhodin Perchlorate (DP) is effective for treating DFU, but the potential mechanisms need to be investigated. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the acceleration of wound healing in DFU by the topical application of DP through the combination of metabolomics and network pharmacology.Methods: A DFU rat model was established, and the rate of ulcer wound healing was assessed. Different metabolites were found in the skin tissues of each group, and MetaboAnalyst was performed to analyse metabolic pathways. The candidate targets of DP in the treatment of DFU were screened using network pharmacology. Cytoscape was applied to construct an integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Moreover, the obtained hub targets were validated using molecular docking. After the topical application of DP, blood glucose, the rate of wound healing and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed.Results: The levels of IL-1, hs-CRP and TNF-α of the Adm group were significantly downregulated. A total of 114 metabolites were identified. These could be important to the therapeutic effects of DP in the treatment of DFU. Based on the network pharmacology, seven hub genes were found, which were partially consistent with the metabolomics results. We focused on four hub targets by further integrated analysis, namely, PAH, GSTM1, DHFR and CAT, and the crucial metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking results demonstrated that DP was well combined with the hub targets.Conclusion: Our research based on metabolomics and network pharmacology demonstrated that DP improves wound healing in DFU through multiple targets and pathways, and it can potentially be used for DFU treatment.</p