Tensile-Strained Cu Penetration Electrode Boosts Asymmetric C-C Coupling for Ampere-Level CO2-to-C2+ Reduction in Acid.

The synthesis of multicarbon (C2+) products remains a substantial challenge in sustainable CO2 electroreduction owing to the need for sufficient current density and faradaic efficiency alongside carbon efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate ampere-level high-efficiency CO2 electroreduction to C2+ products in both neutral and strongly acidic (pH = 1) electrolytes using a hierarchical Cu hollow-fiber penetration electrode (HPE). High concentration of K+ could concurrently suppress hydrogen evolution reaction and facilitate C-C coupling, thereby promoting C2+ production in strong acid. By optimizing the K+ and H+ concentration and CO2 flow rate, a faradaic efficiency of 84.5% and a partial current density as high as 3.1 A cm-2 for C2+ products, alongside a single-pass carbon efficiency of 81.5% and stable electrolysis for 240 h were demonstrated in a strong acidic solution of H2SO4 and KCl (pH = 1). Experimental measurements and density functional theory simulations suggested that tensile-strained Cu HPE enhances the asymmetric C-C coupling to steer the selectivity and activity of C2+ products.

Circular RNA HIPK3 plays a carcinogenic role in cervical cancer progression via regulating miR-485-3p/FGF2 axis.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is an endogenous RNA molecule with a stable closed-loop structure. The circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and facilitates tumor growth. However, its role in cervical cancer (CC) and its regulatory mechanisms are not well-studied. This study aimed for investigating the function of circHIPK3 on proliferation and metastasis of CC cells. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR assay was adopted to delve into the circHIPK3 expression in CC cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were used to evaluate the influence of overexpression and knockdown of circHIPK3 on CC cell proliferation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to probe into the binding of miR-485-3p to circHIPK3 and miR-485-3p to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), respectively. FGF2 protein expression was detected by western blot analysis. This study confirmed that circHIPK3 was highly expressed in CC tissues. Overexpressed circHIPK3 could remarkably expedite the proliferation, migration and invasion of SiHa cells, and knocking down circHIPK3 could significantly impede the proliferation, migration and invasion of HeLa cells. MiR-485-3p can directly bind to circHIPK3 and the 3'UTR of FGF2. Overexpression of circHIPK3 triggered the upregulation of FGF2 expression while knockdown of circHIPK3 reduced FGF2 expression in CC cells, and the transfection of miR-485-3p mimics reversed the upregulation of FGF2 expression and enhanced malignant phenotypes in CC cells with overexpressed circHIPK3.

The proliferation of cervical cancer is promoted by miRNA-125b through the regulation of the HMGA1.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that miRNA-125b is associated with carcinogenesis and development of several different kinds of cancers. Nevertheless, there is no clarity regarding the significance and mechanism of action of miR-125b in clinical practice for cervical cancer (CC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current investigation, the expression of miR-125b in cervical clinical specimens and CC cell lines was analyzed via real-time quantitative PCR, and the relationship of miR-125b with the chromatin-associated protein high mobility group A (HMGA1) expression and clinicopathological parameters of CC patients was explored. RESULTS: The results indicated that miR-125b expression was remarkably upregulated in CC cell lines as well as in the tissues of humans. miR-125b overexpression was significantly related to a decrease in HMGA1 expression, progression-free survival, overall survival, and prognosis as well. Besides, knockdown of miR-125b inhibited proliferation and colony formation in SW756 and C4-1 cells, where the 3'-UTR of HMGA1 mRNA was directly targeted. Moreover, PI3K/Akt pathway was regulated by miR-125b through suppression of HMGA1. CONCLUSION: These findings illustrated that a new regulatory role of HMGA1 is involved in the progression of CC. Our data demonstrated that miR-125b could play a critical role in the carcinogenesis and progression of CC, revealing that miR-125b might serve as a potential new target for treating CC.

Association of Rs13405728, Rs12478601, and Rs2479106 single nucleotide polymorphisms and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer efficacy in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case control genome-wide association study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female endocrine disorder that has a detriment impact on female health. Herein, the study used a case-control analysis to sought to explore the association of rs13405728, rs12478601, and rs2479106 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) efficacy in treating PCOS. A total of 163 PCOS patients (52 cycles) were selected as the PCOS group and 171 patients with tubal factor infertility without PCOS (68 cycles) were selected as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify genome DNA and direct sequencing to detect SNPs. The LHCGR rs13405728, THADA rs12478601, and DENND1A rs2479106 genotypes were subsequently tested. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors influencing the occurrence of PCOS as well as those influencing the efficacy of IVF-ET. rs13405728, rs12478601, and family history of DM were influencing factors for the occurrence of PCOS. The rate of abortion and number of oocytes retrieved of patients with the THADA rs12478601 CC genotype increased but the rate of clinical gestation decreased. Patients with AG + GG genotype of the DENND1A rs2479106 had increased number of oocytes retrieved, rate of abortion and incidence of gestational DM. rs13405728, rs12478601, serum E2 value as well as fertility rate were influencing factors for efficacy of IVF-ET. It was suggested that the TT genotype of LHCGR rs13405728, CC genotype of THADA rs12478601 and AG + GG genotype of DENND1A rs2479106 had poor outcomes of IVF-ET in treating PCOS.