MCU-dependent mitochondrial calcium uptake-induced mitophagy contributes to apelin-13-stimulated VSMCs proliferation.

Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor APJ. Both apelin and APJ receptors, which are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), play important roles in the cardiovascular system. Our previous studies researches indicated that mitophagy mediated apelin-13-induced VSMCs proliferation.

MicroRNA-410-3p modulates chondrocyte apoptosis and inflammation by targeting high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in an osteoarthritis mouse model.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis, which commonly involves inflammation in the articular cartilage in OA pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in the regulation and pathophysiology of various diseases including OA. MiR-410-3p has been demonstrated to mediate inflammatory pathways, however, the regulatory functions of miR-410-3p in OA remain largely unknown.

Tuning the Schottky rectification in graphene-hexagonal boron nitride-molybdenum disulfide heterostructure.

It was still a great challenge to design high performance of rectification characteristic for the rectifier diode. Lately, a new approach was proposed experimentally to tune the Schottky barrier height (SBH) by inserting an ultrathin insulated tunneling layer to form metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) heterostructures. However, the electronic properties touching off the high performance of these heterostructures and the possibility of designing more efficient applications for the rectifier diode were not presently clear.

Correction: Tuning the Schottky contacts in the phosphorene and graphene heterostructure by applying strain.

Correction for 'Tuning the Schottky contacts in the phosphorene and graphene heterostructure by applying strain' by Biao Liu et al., Phys. Chem.

First-principles study of photovoltaics and carrier mobility for non-toxic halide perovskite CH3NH3SnCl3: theoretical prediction.

Promising candidates in this respect are organometal perovskites ABX3, which have been intensely investigated during the last years. In this paper, we calculate the crystal structures, optical properties and carrier mobility for three phases of non-toxic perovskite halide CH3NH3SnCl3 by applying density functional theory with the nonlocal van der Waals (vdW) correlation. The results show that CH3NH3SnCl3 has superior performance in terms of its optical absorption coefficient, which reaches as high as 10(5) cm(-1) and has proven itself to be a perfect solar light harvester.

Tuning the Schottky contacts in the phosphorene and graphene heterostructure by applying strain.

The structures and electronic properties of the phosphorene and graphene heterostructure are investigated by density functional calculations using the hybrid Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE) functional. The results show that the intrinsic properties of phosphorene and graphene are preserved due to the weak van der Waals contact. But the electronic properties of the Schottky contacts in the phosphorene and graphene heterostructure can be tuned from p-type to n-type by the in-plane compressive strains from -2% to -4%.

Compact high extinction ratio asymmetric polarization beam splitter of periodic rods waveguide.

A compact high extinction ratio polarization beam splitter based on an asymmetric directional coupler was proposed and theoretically investigated. The asymmetric directional coupler consists of a silicon wire waveguide and a 1D periodic silicon rods waveguide, which results in an ultracompact polarization splitting length. By using the plane wave expansion method, a minimum coupling length of 3.

Lutein prevents high fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice by inhibiting NADPH oxidase and increasing PPAR expression.

Epidemiological and experimental studies provide supportive evidence that lutein, a major carotenoid, may act as a chemopreventive agent against atherosclerosis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lutein on the alleviation of atherosclerosis and its molecular mechanisms involved in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Male apolipoprotein E knockout mice (n = 55) were fed either a normal chow diet or a high fat diet (HFD) supplemented with or without lutein for 24 weeks.

H2O2/HCl and heat-treated Ti-6Al-4V stimulates pre-osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioactivity of chemical treatment of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) in vitro. Smooth-surface discs of Ti-6Al-4V were used in this study. Sandblasted, dual acid-etched and H(2)O(2)/HCl heat-treated discs were set as test group, and sandblasted, dual acid-etched discs as control group.

[Association of matrix metalloproteinase-3 serum level and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism of the MMP-3 gene with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

Objective: To investigate the association of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) serum level and the promoter 5A/6A polymorphism of the MMP-3 gene with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: Two hundred and fifteen patients with acute ACI from the Department of Neurology of Taizhou Hospital and 226 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum MMP-3 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).