Monitoring Local Strain Vector in Atomic-Layered MoSe by Second-Harmonic Generation.

Strain serves as a powerful freedom to effectively, reversibly, and continuously engineer the physical and chemical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as bandgap, phase diagram, and reaction activity. Although there is a high demand for full characterization of the strain vector at local points, it is still very challenging to measure the local strain amplitude and its direction. Here, we report a novel approach to monitor the local strain vector in 2D molybdenum diselenide (MoSe) by polarization-dependent optical second-harmonic generation (SHG).

Robust Stacking-Independent Ultrafast Charge Transfer in MoS/WS Bilayers.

Van der Waals-coupled two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures have attracted great attention recently due to their high potential in the next-generation photodetectors and solar cells. The understanding of charge-transfer process between adjacent atomic layers is the key to design optimal devices as it directly determines the fundamental response speed and photon-electron conversion efficiency. However, general belief and theoretical studies have shown that the charge transfer behavior depends sensitively on interlayer configurations, which is difficult to control accurately, bringing great uncertainties in device designing.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture on Adenosine Receptor Expression in White Adipose Tissue of Diet-induced Obese Mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of adenosine receptor (AR) in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, so as to reveal a peripheral mechanism of EA underlying improvement of body weight.

Methods: Forty three-week-old C 57 BL/6 male mice were divided into normal diet group (=12) and high fat diet group (=28) randomly, and fed by normal diet and high fat diet for 12 weeks, respectively. In the high fat diet group, mice with body weight over 20% heavier than that of the normal diet group were considered as obese mice.

Neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract and Ginkgolide B against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and glucose injury in a new in vitro multicellular network model.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as the third leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by its high incidence, mortality rate, high incurred disability rate, and frequent reoccurrence. The neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against several cerebral diseases have been reported in previous studies, but the underlying mechanisms of action are still unclear. Using a novel in vitro rat cortical capillary endothelial cell-astrocyte-neuron network model, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of GBE and one of its important constituents, Ginkgolide B (GB), against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and glucose (OGD/R) injury.

Favorable impact of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with therapy-related myelodysplasia regardless of mutational status.

Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome is a long-term complication of cancer treatment in patients receiving cytotoxic therapy, characterized by high-risk genetics and poor outcomes. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is the only potential cure for this disease, but the prognostic impact of pre-transplant genetics and clinical features has not yet been fully characterized. We report here the genetic and clinical characteristics and outcomes of a relatively large cohort of patients with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (n=67) who underwent allogeneic transplantation, comparing these patients to similarly treated patients with disease (n=199).

Interlayer-State-Coupling Dependent Ultrafast Charge Transfer in MoS/WS Bilayers.

Light-induced interlayer ultrafast charge transfer in 2D heterostructures provides a new platform for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. The charge separation process is generally hypothesized to be dependent on the interlayer stackings and interactions, however, the quantitative characteristic and detailed mechanism remain elusive. Here, a systematical study on the interlayer charge transfer in model MoS/WS bilayer system with variable stacking configurations by time-dependent density functional theory methods is demonstrated.

RAGE-NF-κB-PPARγ Signaling is Involved in AGEs-Induced Upregulation of Amyloid-β Influx Transport in an In Vitro BBB Model.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical for regulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) homeostasis in the diabetic brain. In this study, we used an in vitro BBB model consisting of mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (MBCECs) to investigate whether advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increase Aβ influx transport across the BBB and the underlying mechanisms. We found that AGEs induced Aβ influx transport across the BBB in concentration- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by increased RAGE expression and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and decreased nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ).

Structure-Guided Design and Initial Studies of a Bifunctional MEK/PI3K Inhibitor (ST-168).

The structure-based design of a new single entity, MEK/PI3K bifunctional inhibitor (, ), which displays improved MEK1 and PI3K isoform inhibition, is described. demonstrated a 2.2-fold improvement in MEK1 inhibition and a 2.

GTS40, an active fraction of Gou Teng-San (GTS), protects PC12 from HO-induced cell injury through antioxidative properties.

Oxidative stress, a predominant cause of apoptosis cascades triggered in neurodegenerative disorders, has been regarded as a critical inducement in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Gou Teng-San (GTS) is a traditional Chinese herbs preparation commonly utilized to alleviate cognitive dysfunction and psychological symptoms of patients with dementia. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GTS40, an active fraction of GTS, on HO-induced oxidative damage and identify the potential active ingredients.

Genome-wide regulation of electro-acupuncture on the neural Stat5-loss-induced obese mice.

Acupuncture is reported to be effective in treating obesity related illnesses, but its mechanism is still unclear. To investigate this mechanism we applied electro-acupuncture (EA) in a mouse model of obesity and used RNA-seq to identify molecular consequences. Deletion of the transcription factor STAT5 from neurons (Stat5NKO) led to obesity.

Rational Design and Multibiological Profiling of Novel Donepezil-Trolox Hybrids against Alzheimer's Disease, with Cholinergic, Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, and Cognition Enhancing Properties.

A novel series of donepezil-trolox hybrids were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional ligands against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Biological assays showed that these derivatives possessed moderate to good inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) as well as remarkable antioxidant effects. The optimal compound 6d exhibited balanced functions with good inhibition against hAChE (IC = 0.

Positron emission tomography (PET) guided glioblastoma targeting by a fullerene-based nanoplatform with fast renal clearance.

Unlabelled: Various carbonaceous nanomaterials, including fullerene, carbon nanotube, graphene, and carbon dots, have attracted increasing attention during past decades for their potential applications in biological imaging and therapy. In this study, we have developed a fullerene-based tumor-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging probe. Water-soluble functionalized C conjugates were radio-labeled with Cu and modified with cyclo (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides (cRGD) for targeting of integrin αβ in glioblastoma.

Complete genome sequence of a Capsicum chlorosis virus in China and the structural variation and evolutionary origin of its S RNA intergenic region.

The complete genome sequence of a Capsicum chlorosis virus from China (CaCV-Hainan) was determined. The tripartite genome of CaCV-Hainan consists of small (S), medium (M), and large (L) RNAs of 3629, 4859, and 8912 nucleotides (nt), respectively. The S and M RNAs contain intergenic regions (IGRs) of 1348 and 462 nt, respectively.

NFPscanner: a webtool for knowledge-based deciphering of biomedical networks.

Background: Many biological pathways have been created to represent different types of knowledge, such as genetic interactions, metabolic reactions, and gene-regulating and physical-binding relationships. Biologists are using a wide range of omics data to elaborately construct various context-specific differential molecular networks. However, they cannot easily gain insight into unfamiliar gene networks with the tools that are currently available for pathways resource and network analysis.

Simvastatin ameliorates memory impairment and neurotoxicity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Diabetes comes with an additional burden of moderate to severe hyperlipidemia, but little is known about the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on diabetic complications such as diabetes-associated cognitive decline. Herein we investigated the effects of statins on memory impairment and neurotoxicity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Our data indicated that oral administration of simvastatin at 10 or 20mg/kg for 4weeks significantly ameliorated diabetes-associated memory impairment reflected by performance better in the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests.

In Vivo Targeting and Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tumor with Intrinsically Radioactive Metal-Organic Frameworks Nanomaterials.

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOF) materials represent an attractive tool for various biomedical applications. Due to the chemical versatility, enormous porosity, and tunable degradability of nMOFs, they have been adopted as carriers for delivery of imaging and/or therapeutic cargos. However, the relatively low stability of most nMOFs has limited practical in vivo applications.

Surfactant-stripped naphthalocyanines for multimodal tumor theranostics with upconversion guidance cream.

Surfactant-stripped, nanoformulated naphthalocyanines (nanonaps) can be formed with Pluronic F127 and low temperature membrane processing, resulting in dispersed frozen micelles with extreme contrast in the near infrared region. Here, we demonstrate that nanonaps can be used for multifunctional cancer theranostics. This includes lymphatic mapping and whole tumor photoacoustic imaging following intradermal or intravenous injection in rodents.

Femoral Intertrochanteric Fracture With Spontaneous Lumbar Hernia: A Case Report.

Introduction: The diagnosis of lumbar hernia can be easily missed, as it is a rare case to which most orthopedists are not exposed in their common clinical practice. Approximately 300 cases have been reported in the literature since it was first described by Barbette in 1672.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with a femoral intertrochanteric fracture was sent to our department.

β-arrestin-2 is an essential regulator of pancreatic β-cell function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

β-arrestins are critical signalling molecules that regulate many fundamental physiological functions including the maintenance of euglycemia and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Here we show that inactivation of the β-arrestin-2 gene, barr2, in β-cells of adult mice greatly impairs insulin release and glucose tolerance in mice fed with a calorie-rich diet. Both glucose and KCl-induced insulin secretion and calcium responses were profoundly reduced in β-arrestin-2 (barr2) deficient β-cells.

Design and Investigation of a [F]-Labeled Benzamide Derivative as a High Affinity Dual Sigma Receptor Subtype Radioligand for Prostate Tumor Imaging.

High overexpression of sigma (σ) receptors (σ and σ subtypes) in a variety of human solid tumors has prompted the development of σ receptor-targeting radioligands, as imaging agents for tumor detection. A majority of these radioligands to date target the σ receptor, a potential marker of tumor proliferative status. The identification of approximately equal proportions of both σ receptor subtypes in prostate tumors suggests that a high affinity, dual σ receptor-targeting radioligand could potentially provide enhanced tumor targeting efficacy in prostate cancer.

Hippocampal CysLTR knockdown or blockade represses LPS-induced depressive behaviors and neuroinflammatory response in mice.

Evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is involved in depression and that the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR) plays a potential pathophysiological role in several types of CNS disorders. Our previous study has shown that knockdown of hippocampal CysLTR in mice prevents the depressive-like phenotype and neuroinflammation induced by chronic mild stress (CMS). Here, we examined the effects of hippocampal CysLTR knockdown and CysLTR blockade on LPS-induced depressive-like behavior in mice.

Two-Dimensional (CHNH)PbBr Perovskite Crystals for High-Performance Photodetector.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered hybrid perovskites of (RNH)PbX (R is an alkyl and X is a halide) have been recently synthesized and exhibited rich optical properties including fluorescence and exciton effects. However, few studies on transport and optoelectronic measurements of individual 2D perovskite crystals have been reported, presumably owing to the instability issue during electronic device fabrications. Here we report the first photodetector based on individual 2D (CHNH)PbBr perovskite crystals, built with the protection and top contact of graphene film.

Nitrogen and phosphorus in sediments in China: A national-scale assessment and review.

A national-scale investigation of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and pH in sediments was performed. The sediment samples investigated in this study were collected from 10 major basins in China (Songhua River Basin (SRB), Liao River Basin (LRB), Hai River Basin (HRB), Yellow River Basin (YRB), Huai River Basin (HuRB), Yangtze River Basin (YtRB), Southeastern River Basin (SeRB), Pearl River Basin (PRB), Southwestern River Basin (SwRB), and Northwestern River Basin (NwRB)). And then, a pollution assessment was performed by comparing the data with established sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and organic nitrogen index values.

Preventive effect of genetic knockdown and pharmacological blockade of CysLTR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory deficit and neurotoxicity in vivo.

Previously we reported that cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) and the type 1 receptor for Cys-LTs (CysLTR) are related to amyloid β (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity. The aim of the current study was to find out the role of CysLTR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive deficit and neurotoxicity. shRNA-mediated knockdown or pharmacological blockade (by pranlukast) of CysLTR were performed in ICR mice for 21days prior to systemic infusion of LPS.

Montelukast ameliorates streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity in mice.

Extensive studies have demonstrated that neuroinflammation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR) was involved in neuroinflammation. Montelukast, a highly selective CysLTR antagonist, has been reported to attenuate learning and memory impairments in the amyloid-β-induced mouse model of AD. However, whether montelukast also exerts beneficial effects on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced memory deficits in mice is not well known.