21 research outputs found
DataSheet_1_Identification of biomarkers associated with immune scores in diabetic retinopathy.zip
BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) causes irreversible visual impairment in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Immunity played a crucial role in DR. Nevertheless, the triggering mechanism of DR was not yet thorough enough. Herein, we aim to identify the immune-associated genes as biomarkers associated with immune scores that can distinguish early DR from DM without DR.MethodsIn this study, total RNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 15 non-proliferative DR patients and 15 DM patients without DR were collected and the transcriptome sequencing data were extracted. Firstly, the target genes were obtained by intersecting the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were screened by âlimmaâ, and the module genes (related to immune scores), which were screened by âWGCNAâ. In order to screen for the crucial genes, three machine learning algorithms were implemented, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to obtain the diagnostic genes. Moreover, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to understand the function of diagnostic genes, and analysis of the proportions of immune cells and their association with diagnostic genes was performed to analyze the pathogenesis of DR. Furthermore, the regulatory network of TFâmRNAâmiRNA was built to reveal the possible regulation of diagnostic genes. Finally, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify the mRNA level of diagnostic genes.ResultsA total of three immune-associated diagnostic genes, namely, FAM209B, POM121L1P, and PTGES, were obtained, and their expression was increased in PBMC samples of DR, and qRT-PCR results confirmed these results. Moreover, the functions of these genes were associated with immune response. The expression of POM121L1P and PTGES was significantly negatively associated with naive B cells, and the expression of FAM209B was significantly negatively associated with immature dendritic cells. Moreover, ESR1 could regulate both FAM209B and PTGES.ConclusionThis study identified three immune-associated diagnostic genes, FAM209B, POM121L1P, and PTGES, as biomarkers associated with immune scores in DR for the first time. This finding might proffer a novel perspective of the triggering mechanism of DR, and help to understand the role of immune-associated genes in the molecular mechanism of DR more deeply.</p
Polyoxometalate-Based Amphiphilic Catalysts for Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol with Hydrogen Peroxide under Organic Solvent-Free Conditions
A series of polyoxometalate (POM)-based
amphiphilic catalysts were
prepared via functionalization of the V-containing Keggin POM H<sub>4</sub>PMo<sub>11</sub>VO<sub>40</sub> by cationic surfactants with
different carbon-chain lengths. These prepared catalysts were systematically
characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), <sup>1</sup>H
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric (TG), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
N<sub>2</sub> adsorption, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques as
well as by the elemental analysis. Their catalytic activities were
evaluated in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde
by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> under organic solvent-free conditions.
Among the catalysts investigated, the amphiphilic (ODA)<sub>4</sub>PMo<sub>11</sub>VO<sub>40</sub> (ODA: octadecylmethylammonium) shows
the highest catalytic efficiency for the selective oxidation. The
high activity and selectivity of the prepared (ODA)<sub>4</sub>PMo<sub>11</sub>VO<sub>40</sub> are probably related to its amphiphilic property.
A maximum conversion of benzyl alcohol is 60.6% with a selectivity
of 99% for benzaldehyde under the optimized reaction conditions over
(ODA)<sub>4</sub>PMo<sub>11</sub>VO<sub>40</sub>, which offers excellent
reusability, confirmed by the recycling of the used catalyst
Discovery of the Membrane Binding Domain in Trifunctional Proline Utilization A
<i>Escherichia coli</i> proline utilization A (<i>Ec</i>PutA) is the archetype of trifunctional PutA flavoproteins,
which function both as regulators of the proline utilization operon
and bifunctional enzymes that catalyze the four-electron oxidation
of proline to glutamate. <i>Ec</i>PutA shifts from a self-regulating
transcriptional repressor to a bifunctional enzyme in a process known
as functional switching. The flavin redox state dictates the function
of <i>Ec</i>PutA. Upon proline oxidation, the flavin becomes
reduced, triggering a conformational change that causes <i>Ec</i>PutA to dissociate from the <i>put</i> regulon and bind
to the cellular membrane. Major structure/function domains of <i>Ec</i>PutA have been characterized, including the DNA-binding
domain, proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate-Îł-semialdehyde
dehydrogenase catalytic domains, and an aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily
fold domain. Still lacking is an understanding of the membrane-binding
domain, which is essential for <i>Ec</i>PutA catalytic turnover
and functional switching. Here, we provide evidence for a conserved
C-terminal motif (CCM) in <i>Ec</i>PutA having a critical
role in membrane binding. Deletion of the CCM or replacement of hydrophobic
residues with negatively charged residues within the CCM impairs <i>Ec</i>PutA functional and physical membrane association. Furthermore,
cell-based transcription assays and limited proteolysis indicate that
the CCM is essential for functional switching. Using fluorescence
resonance energy transfer involving dansyl-labeled liposomes, residues
in the α-domain are also implicated in membrane binding. Taken
together, these experiments suggest that the CCM and α-domain
converge to form a membrane-binding interface near the PRODH domain.
The discovery of the membrane-binding region will assist efforts to
define flavin redox signaling pathways responsible for <i>Ec</i>PutA functional switching
Intermediate Phase Intermolecular Exchange Triggered Defect Elimination in CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> toward Room-Temperature Fabrication of Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
The solvent-engineered
one-step spin-coating method has been widely used to produce full-coverage
CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> films for perovskite solar
cells by forming an intermediate phase. However, the resultant CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> films usually contain numerous
structural and compositional defects mainly resulting from the fast
crystallization of the intermediate phase as well as the escape of
CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>I species induced by the inevitably thermal
annealing recipe. Herein, a facile room-temperature intermolecular
exchange route is proposed to enable conversion of the intermediate
phase into uniform and ultra-flat CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> films. It can effectively inhibit the formation of structural
and compositional defects in the resultant films, and even repair
their inherent defects. As a result, the efficiency of perovskite
solar cells can be boosted to 19.45% with a stabilized value of 18.55%,
which is much higher than that from the ones fabricated by thermal
annealing. This study suggests a facile and low-cost route to room-temperature
fabrication of highly efficient perovskite solar cells including flexible
ones
Table_1_Characterization of suspended sand concentrations in the Yangtze River Estuary and adjacent waters.xls
IntroductionThe study on the distribution characteristics of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in estuaries is an important subject in the study of estuaries and coasts, which has important theoretical significance and practical value.MethodsIn order to fully understand the characteristics of SSC in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters, this paper uses fixed vertical observation data and navigation type large area observation data as data sources to analyze the distribution characteristics of SSC in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters under different tidal current states and its vertical profile characteristics. It discusses the impact of tidal current velocity on SSC and the changes of SSC in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters from 2018 to 2020. And the applicability of the Rouse and Soulsby formulas in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters was verified.ResultsIt was found that the Rouse and Soulsby models have high applicability in the study area, and the prediction accuracy based on the Liâs Soulsby model is higher. This study provides effective support for carrying out marine forecasting, analysis and evaluation, and provides theoretical basis for carrying out analysis of the current situation of estuarine mudflat resources and prediction of the evolution trend. It plays an important role in scientific and comprehensive research and management of mudflat resources in Shanghai.DiscussionHowever, this study only explored the characteristic patterns of SSC in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters based on field observations, but SSC is a more complex water environment parameter that is influenced by a variety of factors. The effects of salinity, temperature and wind speed should be considered in subsequent studies.</p
Highly Flexible Self-Powered Organolead Trihalide Perovskite Photodetectors with Gold Nanowire Networks as Transparent Electrodes
Organolead
trihalide perovskites (OTPs) such as CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>PbI<sub>3</sub> (MAPbI<sub>3</sub>) have attracted much attention as the
absorbing layer in solar cells and photodetectors (PDs). Flexible
OTP devices have also been developed. Transparent electrodes (TEs)
with higher conductivity, stability, and flexibility are necessary
to improve the performance and flexibility of flexible OTP devices.
In this work, patterned Au nanowire (AuNW) networks with high conductivity
and stability are prepared and used as TEs in self-powered flexible
MAPbI<sub>3</sub> PDs. These flexible PDs show peak external quantum
efficiency and responsivity of 60% and 321 mA/W, which are comparable
to those of MAPbI<sub>3</sub> PDs based on ITO TEs. The linear dynamic
range and response time of the AuNW-based flexible PDs reach âŒ84
dB and âŒ4 ÎŒs, respectively. Moreover, they show higher
flexibility than ITO-based devices, around 90%, and 60% of the initial
photocurrent can be retained for the AuNW-based flexible PDs when
bent to radii of 2.5 and 1.5 mm. This work suggests a high-performance,
highly flexible, and stable TE for OTP flexible devices
Pure-Phase, Large-Grained Wide-Band-Gap Perovskite Films for High-Efficiency, Four-Terminal Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
High-quality, stable perovskite films with a wide band
gap between
1.65 and 1.80 eV are highly suitable for efficient and cost-competitive
silicon-based tandem solar cells. Herein, we demonstrate that the
combined strategies of the Pb(SCN)2 additive and air annealing
can enable the Cs0.22FA0.78Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 films with a wide band gap of 1.65
eV and favored properties including pure composition, high crystallinity,
micro-sized grains, and reduced defects. With these desired films,
the average efficiencies of semitransparent perovskite solar cells
(PSCs) are boosted from (18.13 ± 0.31) to (20.35 ± 0.28)%.
Further, the semitransparent PSC is used to assemble the four-terminal
perovskite/TOPCon tandem solar cell. Benefiting from its excellent
performance and preferred optical properties, the obtained tandem
solar cell yields a milestone efficiency of 30.32%
(a) The signal of TEMPO; (b) <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> existence verified by L-His
<p>.</p
Nucleation and Crystal Growth of OrganicâInorganic Lead Halide Perovskites under Different Relative Humidity
Organicâinorganic lead halide
perovskite compounds are very promising materials for high-efficiency
perovskite solar cells. But how to fabricate high-quality perovksite
films under controlled humidity conditions is still an important issue
due to their sensitivity to moisture. In this study, we investigated
the influence of ambient humidity on crystallization and surface morphology
of one-step spin-coated perovskite films, as well as the performance
of solar cells based on these perovskite films. On the basis of experimental
analyses and thin film growth theory, we conclude that the influence
of ambient humidity on nucleation at spin-coating stage is quite different
from that on crystal growth at annealing stage. At the spin-coating
stage, high nucleation density induced by high supersaturation prefers
to appear under anhydrous circumstances, resulting in layer growth
and high coverage of perovskite films. But at the annealing stage,
the modest supersaturation benefits formation of perovskite films
with good crystallinity. The films spin-coated under low relative
humidity (RH) followed by annealing under high RH show an increase
of crystallinity and improved performance of devices. Therefore, a
mechanism of fast nucleation followed by modest crystal growth (high
supersaturation at spin-coating stage and modest supersaturation at
annealing stage) is suggested in the formation of high-quality perovskite
films
Utilizing the Gate-Opening Mechanism in ZIFâ7 for Adsorption Discrimination between N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub>
N<sub>2</sub>O is
a greenhouse gas with tremendous global warming
potential, and more importantly it also causes ozone depletion; thus,
the separation of N<sub>2</sub>O from industrial processes has gained
significant attention. We have demonstrated that N<sub>2</sub>O can
be selectively separated from CO<sub>2</sub> using the zeolite imidazolate
framework ZIF-7. The adsorption/desorption isotherms of both N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> in ZIF-7 indicate the gate-opening mechanism
of this material, and surprisingly, the threshold pressure for the
gate opening with N<sub>2</sub>O is lower than that with CO<sub>2</sub>. Theoretical calculations indicate that both gasâhost and
gasâgas interaction energies for N<sub>2</sub>O are more favorable
than those for CO<sub>2</sub>, giving rise to the difference in the
threshold pressure between N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> in ZIF-7.
Breakthrough experiments for N<sub>2</sub>O/CO<sub>2</sub> mixtures
confirm that ZIF-7 is capable of separating N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> mixtures under the optimized conditions, in reasonable agreement
with simulation results, making it a promising material for industrial
applications