Inhibition of hepatocelluar carcinoma MAT2A and MAT2beta gene expressions by single and dual small interfering RNA

RNA interference (RNAi) has been successfully applied in suppression of hepatic cancer genes. In hepatocelluar carcinoma cell, one methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) isozyme, MATII was found to have two catalytic subunits which were encoded by MAT2A and MAT2β respectively. During tumorigeness of hepatocelluar carcinoma, expressions of the two genes were discovered to be increased combining with a switch of MAT (form MATI to MATII), To figure out the role played by MATII in hepatic cancer, In this study, for the first time we established a dual small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression system, which could simultaneously express two different siRNA molecules specifically targeting two genes. To test the effectiveness of this system, we applied this approach to express simultaneously two different siRNA duplexes that specifically target MAT2A and MAT2β genes of hepatocelluar carcinoma respectively in HepG2 cell. Results indicated that dual siRNA could simultaneously inhibit the expression of MAT2A and MAT2β gene by 89.5% and 97.8% respectively, In addition, dual siRNA molecules were able to significantly suppress growth of hepatocelluar carcinoma cell in vitro as well as induce apoptosis which was involved in arrest cell cycle at the G1/S checkpoint and the expressions of p21, p27 and Bax

Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of 25 patients with melamine-induced kidney stones complicated by acute obstructive renal failure in Beijing Children’s Hospital

A total of 25 Chinese patients aged 6 to 36 months hospitalised at Beijing Children’s Hospital due to melamine-induced kidney stones complicated by acute obstructive renal failure in 2008 were included in a study in order to diagnose and treat these special cases more effectively. Feeding history, clinical presentation, ultrasound findings, treatments and effects were summarised. Twelve to seventeen months follow-up was reported also. Ultrasound examination showed that calculi were located at the kidney and ureters. Stones were composed of both uric acid and melamine in a molar ratio of 1.2:1 to 2.1:1. Treatments providing liquid plus alkalisation of urine proved to be effective in helping the patients pass the stones. Surgical intervention was needed in severe cases. Renal function returned to normal in all 25 patients after various durations of therapy. Sixty-eight percent of the patients expelled all of the calculi within 3 months, 90% in 6 months and 95% in 9 months, without sequelae till now. Melamine-contaminated milk formula can cause kidney stones in infants, which should be diagnosed by feeding history, clinical symptoms and ultrasound examination. Composition of the stones was not only of melamine but also uric acid. Providing liquid orally or intravenously plus alkalisation of urine proved to promote the removal of the stones. Follow-up of 12 to 17 months after discharge showed no sequelae

Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation and risk of CVD mortality among hypertensive population: A prospective cohort study in Northeast China

BackgroundDetermining risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality and evaluating their influence are important for effectively reducing corresponding mortality. However, few research findings have estimated the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and CVD-related mortality among hypertension individuals.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of AF in a hypertension population and determine the relationship between AF and CVD-related mortality.MethodsUsing a multistage, stratified, and cluster random sampling method, the prospective cohort study with a median follow-up of 3.51 years enrolled 10,678 hypertensive participants at baseline. The prevalence, awareness, and anticoagulation data of AF in this focal population were carefully assessed. Stepwise logistic regression and Cox regression analysis were respectively performed to evaluate the determinants of AF and the association between AF and CVD-related mortality.ResultsThe overall prevalence of AF was 1.3% (95% CI, 1.1%−1.6%) in the hypertensive population, and it was higher in men than in women (1.8% vs. 1.0%, respectively; p=0.001). The awareness of AF was 53.1%, and the rate of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy was only 4.2%, although all AF participants should have required according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The determinants of AF included elder, male, and history of coronary heart disease in the hypertensive population. Besides, compared with individuals without AF, the risk of CVD-related mortality significantly increased in the hypertensive population with AF (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.10–5.40).ConclusionOur results indicated a huge burden of AF and underuse of OAC therapy for them in a community-based hypertensive population. Considering that most of the risk factors of AF were unmodifiable in hypertensive individuals, as well as its high risk of mortality, long-term interventions including AF education, timely screening, and widespread use of OACs should be emphasized in the focal populations

In situ dynamic tracking of heterogeneous nanocatalytic processes by shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

原位监测纳米催化反应过程对深入认识反应机理、设计高效催化剂具有重要意义。作为一种具有超高灵敏度的表面分析技术，表面增强拉曼光谱（SERS）是可提供反应过程中催化剂表面吸附物种的丰富信息。然而，仅有Au、Ag、Cu等少数金属在形成特定纳米结构时才能提供较强的拉曼增强，且它们会对催化剂的性质及反应过程产生严重干扰。这就极大地限制了SERS在实际多相催化体系中的应用。鉴于此，该论文发展了一种利用壳层隔绝纳米粒子增强拉曼光谱原位监测纳米催化过程的方法。通过将纳米催化剂组装于壳层隔绝纳米粒子表面，形成SHIENRS卫星结构，利用内核Au纳米粒子增强催化剂表面的拉曼信号，SiO2壳层隔绝Au对催化剂及反应的影响，从而直接获得了纳米催化剂表面物种的真实信息。利用这种SHINERS卫星策略，他们实现了CO氧化反应的原位监测，直接观测到了反应条件下催化剂表面吸附物种。并结合DFT计算，对反应机理进行了阐述。该研究表明SHINERS卫星策略可作为原位跟踪催化反应过程的有效方法，为纳米催化的原位研究提供了一种新的思路。 同时，我校也将在今年12月5-9日举办表面增强拉曼光谱国际会议(International Conference on SERS)，讨论SERS领域的最新进展。会议期间，SERS领域的先驱与权威Richard P. Van Duyne、Martin Moskovits、Andreas Otto以及相关学科的顶级学者Peter G. Bruce、Stefan A. Maier等将作大会报告（会议官方网站http://sers2017.xmu.edu.cn/）。【Abstract】Surface molecular information acquired in situ from a catalytic process can greatly promote the rational design of highly efficient catalysts by revealing structure-activity relationships and reaction mechanisms. Raman spectroscopy can provide this rich structural information, but normal Raman is not sensitive enough to detect trace active species adsorbed on the surface of catalysts. Here we develop a general method for in situ monitoring of heterogeneous catalytic processes through shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) satellite nanocomposites (Au-core silica-shell nanocatalyst-satellite structures), which are stable and have extremely high surface Raman sensitivity. By combining operando SHINERS with density functional theory calculations, we identify the working mechanisms for CO oxidation over PtFe and Pd nanocatalysts, which are typical low- and high-temperature catalysts, respectively. Active species, such as surface oxides, superoxide/peroxide species and Pd–C/Pt–C bonds are directly observed during the reactions. We demonstrate that in situ SHINERS can provide a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts of catalysis.This work was supported by the NSFC (21522508, 21427813, 21373167, 21521004, 21573178 and 21673187), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2016A030308012), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (20720150039 and 20720160046), ‘111’Project (B16029), and the Thousand Youth Talents Plan of China。 研究工作得到国家自然科学基金优秀青年基金、谱学分析创新研究群体和青年千人计划等资助

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

Rapid increase of scrub typhus incidence in Guangzhou, southern China, 2006-2014

Background: In the last decade, scrub typhus (ST) has been emerging or re-emerging in some areas of Asia, including Guangzhou, one of the most affected endemic areas of ST in China. Methods: Based on the data on all cases reported in Guangzhou from 2006 to 2014, we characterized the epidemiological features, and identified environmental determinants for the spatial distribution of ST using a panel negative binomial model. Results: A total of 4821 scrub typhus cases were reported in Guangzhou during 2006-2014. The annual incidence increased noticeably and the increase was relatively high and rapid in rural townships and among elderly females. The majority of cases (86.8%) occurred during May-October, and farmers constituted the majority of the cases, accounting for 33.9% in urban and 61.6% in rural areas. The number of housekeeper patients had a rapid increment in both rural and urban areas during the study period. Atmospheric pressure and relative humidity with lags of 1 or 2 months, distributions of broadleaved forest and rural township were identified as determinants for the spatiotemporal distribution of scrub typhus. Conclusion: Our results indicate that surveillance and public education need to be focused on the elderly farmers in rural areas covered with broadleaf forest in southern China

Rational Design and Fabrication of ZnO Nanotubes from Nanowire Templates in a Microwave Plasma System

通讯作者地址: Xie, SY (通讯作者), Xiamen Univ, Dept Chem, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 地址: 1. Xiamen Univ, Dept Chem, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R ChinaA nanowire-nanocable-nanotube scheme was designed for fabricating tubular ZnO in a microwave plasma system. Depending on optimal reaction conditions, diameters (from submicrometer to nanometer) and wall thicknesses of the tubular ZnOs can be controlled in the process. Data from morphology analyses, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectra and Raman spectroscopy of the as-prepared ZnO nanotubes support the validity of the proposed three-step route for the fabrication of tubular ZnO

Simple Combustion Production and Characterization of Octahydro[60]fullerene with a Non-IPR C-60 Cage

1. Xiamen Univ, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surface, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 2. Xiamen Univ, Dept Chem, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 3. Xiamen Univ, Sch Life Sci, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R ChinaFor the first time an easier, operable combustion method is employed for the synthesis of non-IPR fullerene, and an octahydro[60)fullerene with a non-IPA C-60 cage (C-60 isomer C-#1809(60)) produced by combustion is isolated and characterized by MS, UV vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopies in combination with DFT calculations. This finding shows that, in addition to chlorine, hydrogen can be an ample cataloreactant for the production of non-IPR fullerene derivatives under such conditions as arc-burning and diffusion combustion.NSFC 20525103 20673088 20973137 20721001 20423002 21031004 973 projects 2007CB815301 2007CB81530

Combustion Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of the Small Hydrofullerene C50H10

通讯作者地址: Xie, SY (通讯作者),Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 地址: 1. Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, State Key Lab Phys Chem Solid Surfaces, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 2. Xiamen Univ, Coll Chem & Chem Engn, Dept Chem, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 3. Xiamen Univ, Sch Life Sci, Xiamen 361005, Peoples R China 电子邮件地址: [email protected]; [email protected] hydrofullerene C50H10 is synthesized by low-pressure benzeneoxygen diffusion combustion. The structure of C50H10 is identified through NMR, mass spectrometry, and IR and Raman spectroscopy as a D5h symmetric closed-cage molecule with five pairs of fused pentagons stabilized by ten hydrogen atoms. UV/Vis and fluorescence spectrometric analyses disclose its optical properties as comparable with those of its chloride cousin (C50Cl10). Cyclic and square-wave voltammograms reveal that the first reduction potential of C50H10 is more negative than that of C50Cl10 as well as C60, with implications for the utilization of C50H10 as a promising electron acceptor for photovoltaic applications.973 projects 2011CB935901 NSFC 21031004 21021061 2077310