Theoretical Insights on Au-based Bimetallic Alloy Electrocatalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction with High Selectivity and Activity.

Electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia at moderate conditions in aqueous solutions holds great prospect but also faces huge challenges. Considering the high selectivity of Au-based materials to inhibit competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and high activity of transition metals such as Fe and Mo toward the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), it was proposed that Au-based alloy materials could act as efficient catalysts for N fixation based on density functional theory simulations. Only on Mo Au(111) surface the adsorption of N is stronger than H atom.

Revealing practical specific capacity and carbonyl utilization of multi-carbonyl compounds for organic cathode materials.

Organic carbonyl compounds are regarded as promising candidates for next-generation rechargeable batteries due to their low cost, environmentally benign nature, and high capacity. The carbonyl utilization is a key issue that limits the practical specific capacity of multi-carbonyl compounds. In this work, a combination of thermodynamic computation and electronic structure analysis is carried out to study the influence of carbonyl type and carbonyl number on the electrochemical performance of a series of multi-carbonyl compounds by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Loss of Speckle-Type POZ Protein Promotes Prostate Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion Through Upregulation of MCP-1.

BACKGROUND The goal of this study is to verify that the loss of speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) promotes the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells, and that this process is brought about by an increase in MCP-1. MATERIAL AND METHODS SPOP knockout C4-2 cells (C4-2 SPOP-/-) were verified by western blotting. Transwell and wound-healing assays were applied to verify different migration and invasion abilities between the C4-2 SPOP-/- and control cells.

A thermodynamic and kinetic study of the catalytic performance of Fe, Mo, Rh and Ru for the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction.

The electrochemical reduction of N2 is a promising reaction candidate for the ammonia synthesis process. Density functional theory simulations are carried out to study the reaction thermodynamics and kinetics for a better understanding of the catalytic performance of Fe, Mo, Rh, and Ru electrodes. The distal pathway is the most likely reaction pathway for nitrogen reduction on transition metal surfaces according to the computed reaction free energies.

Lei-gong-gen formula granule attenuates hyperlipidemia in rats via cGMP-PKG signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Lei-gong-gen formula granule (LFG) is a folk prescription derived from Zhuang nationality, the largest ethnic minority among the 56 nationalities in China. It is composed of three herbs, namely Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.

Theoretical understanding of the electrochemical reaction barrier: a kinetic study of CO reduction reaction on copper electrodes.

The electrochemical reduction of CO is a promising route for converting intermittent renewable energy into storable fuels and useful chemical products. A theoretical investigation of the reaction mechanism and kinetics is beneficial for understanding the electrocatalytic activity and selectivity. In this report, a kinetic model based on Marcus theory is developed to compute the potential-dependent reaction barrier of the elementary concerted proton-electron transfer steps of electrochemical CO reduction reactions, different from the previous hydrogen atom transfer model.

Tumor microenvironment promotes prostate cancer cell dissemination via the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Metastasis causes high mortality in various malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). Accumulating data has suggested that cancer cells spread from the primary tumor to distant sites at early stage, which is characterized by disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). However, lack of direct evidence of partial localized PCa cells occurring epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and disseminating to distant sites (e.

Down-regulation of E-cadherin enhances prostate cancer chemoresistance via Notch signaling.

Background: The chemoresistance of prostate cancer (PCa) is invariably associated with the aggressiveness and metastasis of this disease. New emerging evidence indicates that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play pivotal roles in the development of chemoresistance and metastasis. As a hallmark of EMT, E-cadherin is suggested to be a key marker in the development of chemoresistance.

MEK inhibitor diminishes nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell growth and NPC-induced osteoclastogenesis via modulating CCL2 and CXCL16 expressions.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy in southern China and Southeast Asia. NPC frequently metastasizes to the bone in advanced patients resulting in high mortality. The molecular mechanisms for NPC development and cancer-induced bone lesions are unclear.

A review on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with a focus on the role of Wnts and the dickkopf family of Wnt inhibitors.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. There are multiple etiologic factors including viral and environmental influences that can lead to HCC. Successful screening for early HCC is challenging due to the lack of well characterized and specific biomarkers.

Histopathological changes in the liver of tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) persistently infected with hepatitis B virus.

Background: An animal model for HBV that more closely approximates the disease in humans is needed. The tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is closely related to primates and susceptible to HBV. We previously established that neonatal tree shrews can be persistently infected with HBV in vivo, and here present a six year follow-up histopathological study of these animals.

[Factors influencing long-term hepatitis B virus infection of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as an in vivo model of chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To determine the methods for establishing an in vivo model of long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis).

Methods: Seventy-seven neonate (1-3 days old) and 49 young adult (2 weeks to 1 year old) tree shrews were inoculated with different HBV sources (chronic hepatitis B (CHB) human patient serum, single or pooled; HBV-infected tree shrew serum, single only; HBV-infected HepG2.2.

[Expression of epidermal fatty acid-binding protein in cross-species hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the utility of the cross-species screening strategy for investigating key molecule(s) involved in onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: HCC-related molecule data from our previous studies and in the literature were collected to establish a cross-species dataset. Tissue samples of HCC, non-HCC surrounding liver (para-HCC), and normal liver that were collected from humans, tree shrews and rats.

Experimental chronic hepatitis B infection of neonatal tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis): a model to study molecular causes for susceptibility and disease progression to chronic hepatitis in humans.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be an escalating global health problem. Feasible and effective animal models for HBV infection are the prerequisite for developing novel therapies for this disease. The tree shrew (Tupaia) is a small animal species evolutionary closely related to humans, and thus is permissive to certain human viral pathogens.

[Long-term observation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in new-born tree shrews inoculated with HBV].

Objective: To observe the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in the tree shrews that were inoculated with HBV at neonatal period.

Methods: Six new-born tree shrews were inoculated with human HBV positive serum. Blood samples and liver biopsies were collected at different time points after inoculation.