Destructive quantum interference in meta-oligo(phenyleneethynylene) molecular wires with gold-graphene heterojunctions.

Quantum interference (QI) is well recognised as a significant contributing factor to the magnitude of molecular conductance values in both single-molecule and large area junctions. Numerous structure-property relationship studies have shown that para-connected oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) based molecular wires exemplify the impact of constructive quantum interference (CQI), whilst destructive quantum interference (DQI) effects are responsible for the orders of magnitude lower conductance of analogous meta-contacted OPE derivatives, despite the somewhat shorter effective tunnelling distance. Since molecular conductance is related to the value of the transmission function, evaluated at the electrode Fermi energy, T(EF), which in turn is influenced by the presence and relative energy of (anti)resonances, it follows that the relative single-molecule conductance of para- and meta-contacted OPE-type molecules is tuned both by the anchor group and the nature of the electrode materials used in the construction of molecular junctions (gold|molecule|gold vs. gold|molecule|graphene). It is shown here that whilst amine-contacted junctions show little influence of the electrode material on molecular conductance due to the similar electrode-molecule coupling through this anchor group to both types of electrodes, the weaker coupling between thiomethyl and ethynyl anchors and the graphene substrate electrode results in a relative enhancement of the DQI effect. This work highlights an additional parameter space to explore QI effects and establishes a new working model based on the electrode materials and anchor groups in modulating QI effects beyond the chemical structure of the molecular backbone.

Prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians.

This study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and psychological distress among female scientists and technicians in China. Accordingly, we included scientists and technicians from representative research institutions, medical institutions, colleges, universities, and businesses in China, and the data were collected from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 via online questionnaires. The parameters evaluated in this study included age, sex, marital status, educational background, monthly income, sleep hours, sleep problems, smoking, alcohol consumption, work-related stress, work burnout, cardiovascular symptoms, CVD, family history, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. A total of 14 530 scientists and technicians were included, comprising 7144 men and 7386 women. We found 34.9% men and 16.6% women with CVD, 35.1% men and 21.4% women with depressive symptoms, 28.7% men and 13.8% women with anxiety symptoms, and 22.0% men and 9.5% women with CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms. This study focused on the details of women. Younger women (age≤35 years) had the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms (24.9%), anxiety symptoms (16.2%), and comorbidity (11.2%). It was established that, despite traditional risk factors, unmanageable work burnout, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher risk of CVD in women; insomnia, overwhelming work stress, unmanageable work burnout, and CVD were linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms and anxiety; insomnia, overwhelming work stress, and unmanageable work burnout were related to CVD combined with depressive or anxiety symptoms. A bidirectional relationship was noted between CVD and depression or anxiety in female scientists and technicians, and insomnia and overwhelming work stress were positively associated with comorbidity. It is suggested that effective measures should be taken to protect female scientists and technicians from CVD and psychological distress.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Reduces Cardiac and Brain Inflammation in Rats Fed a HFD and Exposed to Chronic Mental Stress through NF-κB Inhibition.

Background: Cardiac and brain inflammation can lead to a host of deleterious health effects. Our formal experimental research showed that Ginkgo Biloba Extract (GBE) contributed to the reduction of inflammation in mice with myocardial infarction along with depression. This study is aimed at expanding on these findings via analysis of the cardiac and brain inflammation, which was prevented by GBE in rats suffering with a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups treated with normal diet, UCMS, HFD, HFD+UCMS, or HFD+UCMS+GBE respectively. Rats treated with HFD were fed a high-fat diet for 10 or 13 weeks. Rats treated with UCMS were exposed to 8 types of chronic physical and psychological stressors for 10 or 13 weeks. The HFD+UCMS+GBE group was given GBE via intragastric gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Sucrose preference was established for the assessment of depressive behaviors. The heart function was evaluated by echocardiography. The rats were terminated at the end of the 10th or 13th week. The blood was used for detecting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and total cholesterol (TCHO) by the kit instructions; Helper T Lymphocytes (TH cells, CD3+CD4+) by flow cytometry; and Interleukin- (IL-) 1ß, IL-37, IL-38, NT-proBNP, hs-cTNI, and Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cardiac tissues were used for detecting IL-1ß, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitor molecule protein (IκB), and IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) by ELISA and P65, P-P65, IκB, and phosphorylated inhibitor molecule protein α (P-IκBα) for western blotting. Cortex tissues were used for detecting 8-iso-prostaglandinF2α (8-iso-PGF2α) by ELISA. Oil Red staining was carried out to evaluate the lipid deposits in the rats' aortic arteries. Sirius Red staining was performed to display collagen fibers in the arteries. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining was applied to reveal pathological changes to arteries and cardiac tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to assess the distribution of inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß in arteries and cardiac tissues. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was performed to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)1 (CA1) neurons. Results: In the rats with HFD+UCMS+GBE, over 13 weeks, GBE exerted a protective role of both the heart and brain, by attenuating cardiac inflammation and brain oxidative stress. Levels of Helper T lymphocytes and serum anti-inflammatory cytokines involving IL-37 and IL-38 were all elevated, and the depressive behaviors of HFD+UCMS rats were attenuated by GBE. This protective role was accomplished via inhibition of the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway, through downregulation of the expressions of P-P65 and P-IκB-α in the heart, hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus. Conclusions: This study suggests that GBE poses a protective role from the various pathologies associated with high-fat diets, unpredictable chronic mild stress, and depression, possibly via improving peripheral immunity and reducing cardiac and brain inflammation.

Electrochemical gating for single-molecule electronics with hybrid Au|graphene contacts.

The single-molecular conductance of a redox active viologen molecular bridge between Au|graphene electrodes has been studied in an electrochemical gating configuration in an ionic liquid medium. A clear "off-on-off" conductance switching behaviour has been achieved through gating of the redox state when the electrochemical potential is swept. The Au|viologen|graphene junctions show single-molecule conductance maxima centred close to the equilibrium redox potentials for both reduction steps. The peak conductance of Au|viologen|graphene junctions during the first reduction is significantly higher than that of previously measured Au|viologen|Au junctions. This shows that even though the central viologen moiety is not directly linked to the enclosing electrodes, substituting one gold contact for a graphene one nevertheless has a significant impact on junction conductance values. The experimental data was compared against two theoretical models, namely a phase coherent tunnelling and an incoherent "hopping" model. The former is a simple gating monoelectronic model within density functional theory (DFT) which discloses the charge state evolution of the molecule with electrode potential. The latter model is the collective Kuznetsov Ulstrup model for 2-step sequential charge transport through the redox centre in the adiabatic limit. The comparison of both models to the experimental data is discussed for the first time. This work opens perspectives for graphene-based molecular transistors with more effective gating and fundamental understanding of electrochemical electron transfer at the single molecular level.

Alterations in gut microbiota and elevated serum bilirubin in primary biliary cholangitis patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of primary bile cholangitis (PBC) is linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study investigated the association between the gut microbiome and elevated total bilirubin (TB) level in PBC patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UCDA). METHODS: A total of 47 PBC patients with 12 months of UCDA treatment were enrolled. Patients were divided into the TB (+) (TB>1× upper limit of the normal range [ULN]; n = 20) and TB(-) (TB≤1× ULN; n = 27) groups. Stool and serum specimens were collected, and microbiota composition and functional characteristics in the 2 groups were evaluated by 16S RNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: Bacterial diversity was lower in the TB(+) group than in the TB(-) group, although there was no significant difference in bacterial community profile. The phylum Saccharibacteria showed differential abundance in the 2 groups. Meanwhile, the TB(-) group had lower abundance of the Gemmiger, Blautia, Anaerostipes and Coprococcus genera than the TB(+) group, whereas Holdemania was absent. The abundance of Gemmiger formicillis and Coprococcus eutactus was positively correlated with that of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, while Blautia, Anaerostipes and Coprococcus were negatively correlated with total bile acid level. CONCLUSION: TB level in PBC patients treated for 12 months with UCDA is associated with a distinct gut microbiome profile.

The association between cardiovascular drugs and depression/anxiety in patients with cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the association between cardiovascular drugs and depression/anxiety in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42020197839) and conducted in accordance with the MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases were systematically searched to identify all available studies on this topic. Random-effects multivariate meta-regression was performed to investigate the sources of study heterogeneity. Review Manager version 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used for data analyses. This meta-analysis included 54 studies with a total number of 212,640 patients. Overall, in patients with CVD, aspirin (odds ratio [OR]:0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.86-0.96, P = 0.02) was associated with a lower risk of depression, while calcium channel blockers (CCB) (OR:1.21, 95%CI:1.05-1.38, P = 0.008), diuretics (OR:1.34, 95%CI:1.14-1.58, P = 0.0005), and nitrate esters (OR:1.32, 95%CI:1.08-1.61, P = 0.006) were associated with a higher risk of depression, additionally, statin (OR:0.79, 95%CI:0.71-0.88, P < 0.0001) was associated with a lower risk of anxiety, but diuretics (OR:1.39, 95%CI:1.26-1.52, P < 0.00001) was associated with a higher risk of anxiety. Subgroup analysis presented that, in patients with hypertension, ß-blockers were associated with a higher risk of depression (OR:1.45, 95%CI:1.26-1.67, P < 0.00001); in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), statin (OR:0.77, 95%CI:0.59-0.99, P = 0.04), and aspirin (OR:0.85, 95%CI:0.75-0.97, P = 0.02) were associated with a lower risk of depression, while CCB (OR:1.32, 95%CI:1.15-1.51, P < 0.0001) and diuretics (OR:1.36, 95%CI:1.12-1.64, P = 0.002) were associated with a higher risk of depression, additionally, diuretics was associated with a higher risk of anxiety (OR:1.41, 95%CI:1.28-1.55, P < 0.00001); in patients with heart failure, nitrate esters (OR:1.93, 95%CI:1.19-3.13, P = 0.007), and diuretics (OR:1.58, 95%CI: 1.02-2.43, P = 0.04) were associated with a higher risk of depression. The use of cardiovascular drugs should be considered when evaluating depression or anxiety in patients with CVD to improve the care and treatment of these patients.

Association between common cardiovascular drugs and depression.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are associated with an increased risk of depression, but it remains unclear whether treatment with cardiovascular agents decreases or increases this risk. The effects of drugs on individual usage are also often unknown. This review aimed to examine the correlation between depression and common cardiovascular drugs, develop more potent interventions for depression in cardiovascular patients, and further research on the bio-behavioural mechanisms linking cardiovascular drugs to depression. DATA SOURCES: The data in this review were obtained from articles included in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical trials, observational studies, review literature, and guidelines about depression and cardiovascular drugs were selected for the article. RESULTS: We systematically investigated whether the seven most used cardiovascular drugs were associated with altered risk of incident depression in this literature review. Statins have been proven to have antidepressant effects. Some studies believe angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) can exert an antidepressant influence by acting on the renin-angiotensin system, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm this. Beta-blockers have previously been associated with depression, but the current study found no significant association between beta blockers and the risk of depression. Aspirin may have antidepressant effects by suppressing the immune response, but its role as an antidepressant remains controversial. calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can regulate nerve signal transduction by adjusting calcium channels, but whether this effect is beneficial or harmful to depression remains unclear. Finally, some cases have reported that nitrates and diuretics are associated with depression, but the current clinical evidence is insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Statins have been proven to have antidepressant effect, and the antidepressant effects of ACEIs/ARB and aspirin are still controversial. CCBs are associated with depression, but it is unclear whether it is beneficial or harmful. No association has been found with ß-blockers, diuretics, and nitrates.

HBx facilitates ferroptosis in acute liver failure via EZH2 mediated SLC7A11 suppression.

BACKGROUND: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a syndrome of severe hepatocyte injury with high rate of mortality. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of ALF worldwide, however, the underlying mechanism by which HBV infection leads to ALF has not been fully disclosed. METHODS: D-GalN-induced hepatocyte injury model and LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF mice model were used to investigate the effects of HBV X protein (HBx) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Cell viability and the levels of Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and iron were measured using commercial kits. The expression of ferroptosis-related molecules were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Epigenetic modification and protein interaction were detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), respectively. Mouse liver function was assessed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The histological changes in liver tissues were monitored by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and SLC7A11 immunoreactivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. RESULTS: D-GalN triggered ferroptosis in primary hepatocytes. HBx potentiated D-GalN-induced hepatotoxicity and ferroptosis in vitro, and it suppressed SLC7A11 expression through H3K27me3 modification by EZH2. In addition, EZH2 inhibition or SLC7A11 overexpression attenuated the effects of HBx on D-GalN-induced ferroptosis in primary hepatocytes. The ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) protected against ALF and ferroptosis in vivo. By contrast, HBx exacerbates LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF and ferroptosis in HBx transgenic (HBx-Tg) mice. CONCLUSION: HBx facilitates ferroptosis in ALF via EZH2/H3K27me3-mediated SLC7A11 suppression.

Platelet maximum aggregation rate serves as a marker in diagnosis and prognosis in patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple organ failure complicated by coagulation dysfunction is an important cause of death in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of platelet maximum aggregation rate (MAR) in patients with sepsis and explored the relationship between MAR and prognosis to support treatment decision-making. METHODS: Blood samples from patients with sepsis (diagnosed according to the 2016 international diagnostic criteria for sepsis 3.0) treated between Sep 2017 and Apr 2018 were assessed. Patients were excluded if they had any other condition or treatment that may have affected platelet function in the previous 2 weeks. A control group of healthy subjects attending the physical examination center in the same period was also included. The MAR was measured using a whole blood platelet function analyzer (PL-12) using a range of different inducers of platelet aggregation, and normal saline. MAR was assessed in the healthy and septic groups, and survivors and non-survivors were compared in the sepsis group 28 days after treatment. RESULTS: The MAR in the sepsis group was significantly lower than that seen in the healthy group (P<0.05 for all inducers). The MAR of patients with sepsis was negatively correlated with their Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. In the sepsis group, the MAR of non-survivors was significantly lower than that of the survivors (P<0.05 for all inducers). CONCLUSIONS: The platelet MAR was significantly decreased in patients with sepsis and in non-survivors. These data may support treatment decision-making in patients with sepsis.

A meta-analysis on the prevalence, associated factors and diagnostic methods of mental stress induced myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of mental stress induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) causes double risk of adverse cardiac events in patients with MSIMI. However, multiple types of mental stress, diagnostic techniques, and diagnostic measurements may increase the complexity and heterogeneity in the assessment of MSIMI. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the prevalence, associated factors, and diagnostic methods of MSIMI. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBACE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang through 1 Feb 2020 in English and Chinese. Review Manager (RevMan) Version 5.3 and Stata 12.0 were used for data analyses. RESULTS: Twenty articles were enrolled. The pooled estimates for the prevalence of MSIMI in CAD patients was 32%. Potential associated factors of MSIMI involved history of post myocardial infarction (MI), or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (RR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.66, P = 0.05; RR: 1.59, 95% CI 1.00-2.52, P = 0.05). Evidence supported that diagnostic methods could influence the prevalence of MSIMI. Significant differences of MSIMI prevalence were found in different types of mental stress (Public Speaking: 22%; Mental arithmetic: 26%; Anger recall: 34%; Two types: 37%; Three or more than three types: 43%, P = 0.02), diagnostic techniques (SPECT: 26%; RNV: 38%; ECG: 16%; Echocardiography: 41%; Two types: 43%, P < 0.0001), and diagnostic measurements (LVEF decrease: 19%; WMA: 51%; ST depression: 16%; MPD: 26%; Two or more than two measurements: 45%, P < 0.00001). Moreover, univariate meta-regression demonstrated that MSIMI was linked with mental stress (exp(b): 1.0508, SE: 0.0201, P: 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis implicated that patients with diabetes, post MI or CABG might be more vulnerable to MSIMI. However, the prevalence of MSIMI could be influenced by diagnostic methods, especially the adopted types of mental stress, diagnostic techniques and measurements. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate a standard diagnostic method for MSIMI, which should be adequate, assessable, and affordable worldwide. Registration PROSPERO. Online Protocol: CRD42020162822.

Carbon-contacted single molecule electrical junctions.

A fully metal-free molecular junction (MJ) has been built by using an electrochemically etched carbon fibre STM tip as the top electrode and graphene as the bottom electrode. The corresponding conductance values for 1,n-alkanediamine and 1,n-alkanedithiol (n = 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) have been measured using the STM-I(s) technique. The tunnelling decay constant of the alkanediamine and alkanedithiol junctions with these carbon contacts is much lower than the corresponding metal contacted junctions of 0.24 and 0.38 per -CH2 unit, but the junction conductance with these carbon contacts is also lower. The carbon fibre tip can be considered a good candidate as an electrode. Compared with a gold tip, the carbon fibre tip leads to correspondingly lower molecular junction conductance.

Fast and straightforward analysis approach of charge transport data in single molecule junctions.

In this study, we introduce an efficient data sorting algorithm, including filters for noisy signals, conductance mapping for analyzing the most dominant conductance group and sub-population groups. The capacity of our data analysis process has also been corroborated on real experimental data sets of Au-1,6-hexanedithiol-Au and Au-1,8-octanedithiol-Au molecular junctions. The fully automated and unsupervised program requires less than one minute on a standard PC to sort the data and generate histograms. The resulting one-dimensional and two-dimensional log histograms give conductance values in good agreement with previous studies. Our algorithm is a straightforward, fast and user-friendly tool for single molecule charge transport data analysis. We also analyze the data in a form of a conductance map which can offer evidence for diversity in molecular conductance. The code for automatic data analysis is openly available, well-documented and ready to use, thereby offering a useful new tool for single molecule electronics.

Symmetry Effects on Attenuation Factors in Graphene-Based Molecular Junctions.

The unique structural and electronic characteristics of graphene make it an attractive contact for fundamental single-molecule electrical studies. With this in mind, we have probed here the electrical conductance of a molecular junction based on α,ω-diaminoalkane chains sandwiched between a gold and a graphene electrode. Using an STM based I(s) method combined with density functional theory-based transport calculations, we demonstrate that the resulting attenuation factor turns out to be much lower when compared to the standard molecular junction between two gold electrodes. This effect is attributed to asymmetric coupling of the molecule through strong chemisorption at the gold electrode and weaker van der Waals contact at graphene. Moreover, this asymmetric coupling induces higher conductance than that in the same hybrid metal-graphene molecular junction using standard thiol anchoring groups.

[Application of transcription mediated amplification and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in detection of human immunodeficiency virus RNA].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the sensitivity of transcription mediated amplification (TMA), and to compare its performance with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) in detecting human immunodeficiency virus RNA (HIV RNA).
 Methods: TMA system was established with TaqMan probes, specific primers, moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) reverse transcriptase, T7 RNA polymerase, and reaction substrates. The sensitivity of TMA was evaluated by amplifying a group of 10-fold diluted HIV RNA standards which were transcribed in vitro. A total of 60 plasma of HIV infected patients were measured by TMA and Cobas Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor test to observe the positive rate. The correlation and concordance of the above two technologies were investigated by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis.
 Results: TMA system was established successfully and HIV RNA transcribed standards at concentration of equal or more than 10 copies/mL could be detected by TMA technology. Among 60 samples of plasma from HIV infected patients, 46 were positively detected and 12 were negatively amplified by both TMA and Cobas reagents; 2 samples were positively tested by Cobas reagent but negatively tested by TMA system. The concordance rate of the two methods was 97.1% and the difference of positive detection rate between the two methods was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Linear regression was used for 46 samples which were positively detected by both TMA and Cobas reagents and showed an excellent correlation between the two reagents (r=0.997, P<0.001). Bland-Altma analysis revealed that the mean different value of HIV RNA levels for denary logarithm was 0.02. Forty-four samples were included in 95% of credibility interval of concordance.
 Conclusion: TMA system has the potential of high sensitivity. TMA and real-time RT-PCR keep an excellent correlation and consistency in detecting HIV RNA.

The long non-coding RNA MALAT1 promotes the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by sponging miR-204 and releasing SIRT1.

Increasing evidence supports the significance of long non-coding RNA in cancer development. Several recent studies suggest the oncogenic activity of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanisms by which MALAT1 modulates hepatocellular carcinoma biological behaviors. We found that microRNA-204 was significantly downregulated in sh-MALAT1 HepG2 cell and 15 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Through bioinformatic screening, luciferase reporter assay, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assay, we identified microRNA-204 as a potential interacting partner for MALAT1. Functionally, wound-healing and transwell assays revealed that microRNA-204 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Notably, sirtuin 1 was recognized as a direct downstream target of microRNA-204 in HepG2 cells. Moreover, si-SIRT1 significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration process. These data elucidated, by sponging and competitive binding to microRNA-204, MALAT1 releases the suppression on sirtuin 1, which in turn promotes hepatocellular carcinoma migration and invasion. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which MALAT1 stimulates hepatocellular carcinoma progression and justifies targeting metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 as a potential therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

HBx-related long non-coding RNA MALAT1 promotes cell metastasis via up-regulating LTBP3 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Though it is widely known that hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the underlying mechanisms are not entirely clear. In recent years, metastasis associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), which is an oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been proved to be associated with many kinds of tumors, including liver cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that MALAT1 was involved in the HBx-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. Firstly, we found that expression of MALAT1 was strongly up-regulated in HCC tissues and was directly proportional to the expression of HBx. Moreover, in HBx transfected LO2 and HepG2 cells, MALAT1 was also up-regulated compared with non-transfected cells. Then, we observed up-regulated MALAT1 in HepG2 cells could promote cell invasion and migration, whereas knockdown of MALAT1 in HBx-expressing hepatic cells (HepG2-HBx) resulted in a markedly inhibition of cell invasion and migration both in vitro and in vivo. To further obtain a deeper understanding of the effect of MALAT1, we took latent transforming growth factor ß-binding protein 3 (LTBP3) into account by using several assays such as RNA interference, luciferase, transwell and wound healing. Results showed that MALAT1 could promote tumor growth and metastasis by activating LTBP3, which could also be up-regulated by HBx. Meanwhile, the similar results were detected in nude mice. These findings could demonstrate an important mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis through the signaling of HBx-MALAT1/LTBP3 axis, and may give a potential target for treatment of HCC.

Graphene as a Promising Electrode for Low-Current Attenuation in Nonsymmetric Molecular Junctions.

We have measured the single-molecule conductance of 1,n-alkanedithiol molecular bridges (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) on a graphene substrate using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)-formed electrical junctions. The conductance values of this homologous series ranged from 2.3 nS (n = 12) to 53 nS (n = 4), with a decay constant ßn of 0.40 per methylene (-CH2) group. This result is explained by a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and Keldysh-Green function calculations. The obtained decay, which is much lower than the one obtained for symmetric gold junctions, is related to the weak coupling at the molecule-graphene interface and the electronic structure of graphene. As a consequence, we show that using graphene nonsymmetric junctions and appropriate anchoring groups may lead to a much-lower decay constant and more-conductive molecular junctions at longer lengths.

Charge transport through dicarboxylic-acid-terminated alkanes bound to graphene-gold nanogap electrodes.

Graphene-based electrodes are attractive for single-molecule electronics due to their high stability and conductivity and reduced screening compared with metals. In this paper, we use the STM-based matrix isolation I(s) method to measure the performance of graphene in single-molecule junctions with one graphene electrode and one gold electrode. By measuring the length dependence of the electrical conductance of dicarboxylic-acid-terminated alkanes, we find that the transport is consistent with phase-coherent tunneling, but with an attenuation factor of ßN = 0.69 per methyl unit, which is lower than the value measured for Au-molecule-Au junctions. Comparison with density-functional-theory calculations of electron transport through graphene-molecule-Au junctions and Au-molecule-Au junctions reveals that this difference is due to the difference in Fermi energies of the two types of junction, relative to the frontier orbitals of the molecules. For most molecules, their electrical conductance in graphene-molecule-Au junctions is higher than that in Au-molecule-Au junctions, which suggests that graphene offers superior electrode performance, when utilizing carboxylic acid anchor groups.

From wires to veins: wet-process fabrication of light-weight reticulation photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Different shapes of photoanodes, including wires, nets, and veins, were assembled via an all-wet process on various light-weight and low-cost Ni-plated substrates without any transparent conducting oxides to fabricate flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a wide range of shapes and substrate materials.