Co₃O₄‑Modified TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays via Atomic Layer Deposition for Improved Visible-Light Photoelectrochemical Performance

Composite Co₃O₄/TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTs) were fabricated via atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Co₃O₄ thin film onto well-aligned anodized TiO₂ NTs. The microscopic morphology, composition, and interfacial plane of the composite structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was shown that the ultrathin Co₃O₄ film uniformly coat onto the inner wall of the high aspect ratio (>100:1) TiO₂ NTs with film thickness precisely controlled by the number of ALD deposition cycles. The composite structure with ∼4 nm Co₃O₄ coating revealed optimal photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance in the visible-light range (λ > 420 nm). The photocurrent density reaches as high as 90.4 μA/cm², which is ∼14 times that of the pristine TiO₂ NTs and 3 times that of the impregnation method. The enhanced PEC performance could be attributed to the finely controlled Co₃O₄ coating layer that enhances the visible-light absorption, maintains large specific surface area to the electrolyte interface, and facilitates the charge transfer

Calpain-2 is required for FFA treatment-induced β-TC3 cell apoptosis.

<p>The cells were treated with calpain-2 siRNA, incubated for 24 h, and then stimulated with FFA or BSA for 16 h. (A) Cell death was quantified by annexin V/PI double staining. (B) Caspase-12 activity was detected after cells were treated with calpain-2 siRNA. (C) Caspase-3 activity was detected after cells were treated with calpain-2 siRNA. snc-RNA-treated cells were used as a negative control. Bars represent each sample performed in triplicate, and the error bars represent the standard deviations. *<i>P</i><0.05, by one-way ANOVA.</p

FFA treatments induce ERS in β-TC3 cells and increase cell apoptosis.

<p>(A) Cells were treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 0, 8, 16, or 24 h. Western blot was used to examine Grp78 and CHOP protein levels. (B) RT-PCR was used to test Grp78 and CHOP mRNA levels. (C) Cells were treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 16 h. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of ATF6, p-PERK, PERK, p-IRE1 and IRE1. (D) Cells were treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 16 h. Cell death was quantified by annexin V/PI double staining. (E) Caspase-12 activity was detected after cells were treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 16 h. (F) Caspase-3 activity was detected after cells were treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 16 h. BSA-treated cells were used as a negative control. Bars represent each sample performed in triplicate, and the error bars represent the standard deviations. *<i>P</i><0.05, by the Student’s <i>t</i>-test.</p

FFA treatments increase calpain-2 activity, thus inducing ERS in β-TC3 cells.

<p>(A) The activity of calpain-2 was tested in β-TC3 cells treated with 0.5 mM FFA or BSA for 16 h. (B) β-TC3 cells were treated with calpain-2 siRNA for 24 h. Western blot was performed to examine calpain-2 protein levels. (C) RT-PCR was used to analyze calpain-2 mRNA levels. (D) Calpain Activity Assay Kit was used to analyze calpain-2 activity. Silencer negative control siRNA (snc-RNA)-treated cells were used as a negative control. (E) β-TC3 cells were treated with calpain-2 siRNA for 24 h and then stimulated with FFA for 16 h, and western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of Grp78 and CHOP. (F) RT-PCR was used to test Grp78 and CHOP mRNA levels. BSA-treated β-TC3 cells were used as a negative control. Bars represent each sample performed in triplicate, and the error bars represent the standard deviations. *<i>P</i><0.05, by the Student’s <i>t</i>-test.</p

FFA treatments increase Ca²⁺ influx to induce ERS in β-TC3 cells.

<p>(A) β-TC3 cells were incubated with FFA or BSA for 16 h, western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of Grp78 and CHOP following the treatment with Ca²⁺ channel blocker NiCl₂. (B) β-TC3 cells were incubated with FFA or BSA for 16 h, and then stimulated with 4 µM thapsigargin for 20 min to activate store-operated Ca²⁺ entry. Fluorescence densities of Ca²⁺ change were monitored in Fluo-8/AM-loaded β-TC3 cells after FFA or BSA treatments. (C) The protein expression levels of STIM1 and Orai1 were tested by western blot following treatments with FFA or BSA for 16 h in β-TC3 cells. (D) β-TC3 cells were incubated with FFA or BSA for 16 h, and then stimulated with 4 µM thapsigargin for 20 min. Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated with anti-STIM1 antibody followed by western blot using anti-Orai1 antibody and with anti-Orai1 antibody followed by western blot using anti-STIM1 antibody. Immunoprecipitated with anti-IgG antibody was used as the negative control. Bars represent each sample performed in triplicate, and the error bars represent the standard deviations. *<i>P</i><0.05, by the Student’s <i>t</i>-test.</p

Table_4_Research of cervical microbiota alterations with human papillomavirus infection status and women age in Sanmenxia area of China.XLSX

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. More and more studies discovered that cervical microbiota (CM) composition correlated with HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer. However, more studies need to be implemented to clarify the complex interaction between microbiota and the mechanism of disease development, especially in a specific area of China.Materials and methodsIn this study, 16S rDNA sequencing was applied on 276 Thin-prep Cytologic Test (TCT) samples of patients from the Sanmenxia area. Systematical analysis of the microbiota structure, diversity, group, and functional differences between different HPV infection groups and age groups, and co-occurrence relationships of the microbiota was carried out.ResultsThe major microbiota compositions of all patients include Lactobacillus iners, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Atopobium vaginae at species level, and Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Bosea, Streptococcus, and Sneathia in genus level. Microbiota diversity was found significantly different between HPV-positive (Chao1 index: 98.8869, p ConclusionThe HPV infection status and age of women were related to CM’s diversity and function pathways. The complex CM co-occurrent relationships and their mechanism in disease development need to be further investigated.</p

Presentation_1_Research of cervical microbiota alterations with human papillomavirus infection status and women age in Sanmenxia area of China.PPTX

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. More and more studies discovered that cervical microbiota (CM) composition correlated with HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer. However, more studies need to be implemented to clarify the complex interaction between microbiota and the mechanism of disease development, especially in a specific area of China.Materials and methodsIn this study, 16S rDNA sequencing was applied on 276 Thin-prep Cytologic Test (TCT) samples of patients from the Sanmenxia area. Systematical analysis of the microbiota structure, diversity, group, and functional differences between different HPV infection groups and age groups, and co-occurrence relationships of the microbiota was carried out.ResultsThe major microbiota compositions of all patients include Lactobacillus iners, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Atopobium vaginae at species level, and Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Bosea, Streptococcus, and Sneathia in genus level. Microbiota diversity was found significantly different between HPV-positive (Chao1 index: 98.8869, p ConclusionThe HPV infection status and age of women were related to CM’s diversity and function pathways. The complex CM co-occurrent relationships and their mechanism in disease development need to be further investigated.</p

Table_3_Research of cervical microbiota alterations with human papillomavirus infection status and women age in Sanmenxia area of China.XLSX

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. More and more studies discovered that cervical microbiota (CM) composition correlated with HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer. However, more studies need to be implemented to clarify the complex interaction between microbiota and the mechanism of disease development, especially in a specific area of China.Materials and methodsIn this study, 16S rDNA sequencing was applied on 276 Thin-prep Cytologic Test (TCT) samples of patients from the Sanmenxia area. Systematical analysis of the microbiota structure, diversity, group, and functional differences between different HPV infection groups and age groups, and co-occurrence relationships of the microbiota was carried out.ResultsThe major microbiota compositions of all patients include Lactobacillus iners, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Atopobium vaginae at species level, and Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Bosea, Streptococcus, and Sneathia in genus level. Microbiota diversity was found significantly different between HPV-positive (Chao1 index: 98.8869, p ConclusionThe HPV infection status and age of women were related to CM’s diversity and function pathways. The complex CM co-occurrent relationships and their mechanism in disease development need to be further investigated.</p

Table_5_Research of cervical microbiota alterations with human papillomavirus infection status and women age in Sanmenxia area of China.XLSX

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. More and more studies discovered that cervical microbiota (CM) composition correlated with HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer. However, more studies need to be implemented to clarify the complex interaction between microbiota and the mechanism of disease development, especially in a specific area of China.Materials and methodsIn this study, 16S rDNA sequencing was applied on 276 Thin-prep Cytologic Test (TCT) samples of patients from the Sanmenxia area. Systematical analysis of the microbiota structure, diversity, group, and functional differences between different HPV infection groups and age groups, and co-occurrence relationships of the microbiota was carried out.ResultsThe major microbiota compositions of all patients include Lactobacillus iners, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Atopobium vaginae at species level, and Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Bosea, Streptococcus, and Sneathia in genus level. Microbiota diversity was found significantly different between HPV-positive (Chao1 index: 98.8869, p ConclusionThe HPV infection status and age of women were related to CM’s diversity and function pathways. The complex CM co-occurrent relationships and their mechanism in disease development need to be further investigated.</p

Probing Soft Corona Structures of DNA-Capped Nanoparticles by Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Soft corona structures of DNA-capped nanoparticles are crucial for their applications in diagnostics, gene delivery, and superlattice growth. While conventional X-ray techniques can only provide information on their inorganic cores, here we report substantial new insights of DNA corona structures within DNA-capped nanoparticles in this first study employing small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Using two 15-mer DNA strands with palindromic sequence and poly­(dT) sequence under high number density packing on gold nanoparticle surfaces, the influence of ionic strength and temperature on DNA corona structures and resultant hybridization has been investigated. Poly­(dT) sequences were found to maintain globular corona structures across a range of ionic strengths and temperatures, but the corona thickness decreased with increasing salt concentration and increased with increasing temperature. In contrast, palindromic sequenced DNA had globular corona structures in the absence of salt but quickly evolved into dimeric and multimeric structures under high ionic strength or under low annealing temperatures. The structural insights revealed by SANS can guide the design of tailor-made DNA corona structures for customizable designer materials and devices