Independent Replication on Genome-Wide Association Study Signals Identifies IRF3 as a Novel Locus for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a genetically complex autoimmune disease. Despite the significant progress made in identifying susceptibility genes for SLE, the genetic architecture of the disease is far from being understood. In this study, we set to replicate a number of suggestive association signals found in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in additional independent cohorts. Replication studies were performed on Han Chinese cohorts from Hong Kong and Anhui, involving a total of 2,269 cases and 5,073 controls. We identified a missense variant in IRF3 (rs7251) reaching genome-wide significance through a joint analysis of GWAS and replication data (OR = 0.876, P = 4.40E-08). A significant correlation was observed between rs7251 and lupus nephritis (LN) by subphenotype stratification (OR = 0.785, P = 0.0128). IRF3 is a key molecule in type I interferon production upon nucleic acid antigen stimulations and may inhibit regulatory T cell differentiation. Further elucidation of the mechanism of this association could help us better understand the pathogenesis of SLE.

Fabrication and Tribological Properties of Copper Matrix Solid Self-Lubricant Composites Reinforced with Ni/NbSe2 Composites.

This paper presents a facile and effective method for preparing Ni/NbSe2 composites in order to improve the wettability of NbSe2 and copper matrix, which is helpful in enhancing the friction-reducing and anti-wear properties of copper-based composites. The powder metallurgy (P/M) technique was used to fabricate copper-based composites with different weight fractions of Ni/NbSe2, and tribological properties of composites were evaluated by using a ball-on-disk friction-and-wear tester. Results indicated that tribological properties of copper-based composites were improved by the addition of Ni/NbSe2. In particular, copper-based composites containing 15 wt.% Ni/NbSe2 showed the lowest friction coefficient (0.16) and wear rate (4.1 × 10-5 mm3·N-1·m-1) among all composites.

[Effect of glucocorticoid receptor function on the behavior of rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ideal animal models for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and the effect of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function on the behavior of ADHD rats by comparing behavioral differences between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 male SHRs aged 21 days were randomly divided into GR agonist group, GR inhibitor group, and SHR group, with 8 rats in each group. Eight male WKY rats and 8 male SD rats, also aged 21 days, were enrolled as WKY group and SD group respectively. The GR agonist group was treated with intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg daily); the GR inhibitor group was treated with intraperitoneal injection of mifepristone (RU486) (54 mg/kg daily); the SHR, WKY, and SD groups were treated with intraperitoneal injection of normal saline (0.5 mL/kg daily). The course of treatment was 14 days for all groups. The open field test and Lat maze test were used to evaluate spontaneous activity and non-selective attention. RESULTS: The open field test showed that before drug intervention the SHR group had significantly higher numbers of line crossings and rearings than the WKY and SD groups (P<0.05); the WKY group had a significantly higher number of line crossings than the SD group (P<0.05); the SD group had a significantly higher number of groomings than the WKY group (P<0.05). After drug intervention, the GR agonist group had significantly lower numbers of line crossings and groomings than the SHR group (P<0.05). The Lat maze test indicated that before drug intervention the SHR group had significantly higher numbers of corner crossings and rearings than the WKY and SD groups (P<0.05); the WKY group had significantly higher numbers of rearings and leanings than the SD group (P<0.05). After drug intervention, the GR agonist group had significantly lower numbers of corner crossings and rearings than the SHR group (P<0.05); the GR inhibitor group had a significantly higher number of rearings than the SHR group (P<0.05); the WKY group had significantly higher numbers of rearings and leanings than the SD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SHR is an ideal animal model for mixed subtype ADHD, and further studies are needed to determine whether WKY rats can be used as an animal model for attention-deficit subtype ADHD. GR agonist can effectively improve spontaneous activity and non-selective attention in SHRs.

Importance of C(2) symmetry for the device performance of a newly synthesized family of fused-ring thiophenes.

We investigated the relationship between molecular structure and field-effect hole mobility in a family of fused-ring polythiophene copolymers that we designed recently. The results suggest that a repeat unit that possesses a C(2) axis perpendicular to the conjugation plane is important to achieve a high-mobility. Our finding is supported by a review of literature data: Many polymer semiconductors showing a hole or electron mobility >0.1 cm(2)/V.s feature a repeat unit with C(2) symmetry; however exceptions have been found from some push - pull polymer structures.

Alkylsubstituted thienothiophene semiconducting materials: structure-property relationships.

A family of conjugated polymers with fused structures consisting of three to five thiophene rings and with the same alkyl side chains has been synthesized as a means to understand structure-property relationships. All three polymers showed well-extended conjugation through the polymer backbone. Ionization potentials (IP) ranged from 5.15 to 5.21 eV; these large values are indicative of their excellent oxidative stability. X-ray diffraction and AFM studies suggest that the polymer with the even number of fused thiophene rings forms a tight crystalline structure due to its tilted side chain arrangement. On the other hand, the polymers with the odd number of fused thiophene rings packed more loosely. Characterization in a field-effect transistor configuration showed that the mobility of the polymer with the even number of rings is 1 order of magnitude higher than its odd-numbered counterparts. Through this structure-property study, we demonstrate that proper design of the molecules and properly arranged side chain positions on the polymer backbone can greatly enhance polymer electronic properties.

Tetrathienoacene copolymers as high mobility, soluble organic semiconductors.

Increasing the rigidity of the thiophene monomer through the use of an alkyl-substituted core that consists of four fused thiophene rings is shown to be a promising route toward high-performance organic semiconductors. We report on a dialkylated tetrathienoacene copolymer that can be deposited from solution to yield ordered films with a short pi-pi distance of 3.76 A and with a field-effect hole mobility that exceeds 0.3 cm2/V.s. This polymer enables simple transistor fabrication at relatively low temperatures, which is particularly important for the realization of large-area, mechanically flexible electronics.

Synthesis and structure of alkyl-substituted fused thiophenes containing up to seven rings.

We have established a series of synthetic methods to synthesize alkyl-substituted fused thiophenes with degrees of fusion from two to seven rings. These fused thiophene ring compounds have very good solubility in common organic solvents, making possible the solution processing of these compounds for electronic applications. The UV absorption of these fused thiophenes is blue-shifted when compared with their hydrocarbon counterparts. The larger band gaps result in much better stability. Single-crystal X-ray results for 3,6-didecanyldithieno[2,3-d:2',3'-d']thieno[3,2-b:4,5-b'']dithiophene (FT5) and 3,7-didecanylthieno[3,2-b]thieno[2',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]thiophene (FT4) demonstrate that both compounds form pi-stacking structures instead of a herringbone-type of packing motif. This more favorable pi-stacked structure may lead to better material electronic properties such as mobility in devices fabricated with these compounds.