[Difference in imaging and metal metabolism between hepatic and cerebral type Wilson disease]

Objective: To evaluate the difference of metal metabolism, damage to structure and functional activity in brains between hepatic and cerebral type Wilson disease (WD). Methods: Forty patients with WD, including 20 with cerebral type and 20 with hepatic type, and 20 age-matched healthy controls in the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between Jul 2013 and May 2016 were enrolled.All study subjects underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) of the brain.Six regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen.The values of fractional anisotropy (FA), λ in ROIs were determined on DTI, FA and fiber volumes between ROIs were also determined on DTI.The values of amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (REHO) in ROIs were determined on rs-fMRI.The values of corrected phase (CP) were calculated on SWI.The copper and iron content were measured.The difference of imaging and metal metrics between cerebral type and hepatic type WD were evaluated. Results: DTI metrics differed between patients with the cerebral and hepatic types of WD.ALFF values in the caudate nucleus, and thalamus were lower (P=0.037, 0.040), and REHO values in the caudate nucleus were lower (P=0.029), in patients of cerebral type than in hepatic type patients.CP values of the right caudate nucleus and left putamen in cerebral type WD patients were lower than in hepatic type patients (P=0.020, 0.23). The serum iron content of hepatic type WD patients was higher than the normal (P=0.013), and the urine copper content was higher than the cerebral type patients (P=0.021). Conclusions: Metal deposition and damage to the structure and functional activity in the brain may occur in hepatic type WD patients.The structural and functional activity damage of the brain in hepatic type is less severe than that in cerebral type patients, while the metal deposition is not significant different between hepatic and cerebral type.

Tracking Co(I) Intermediate in Operando in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by X-ray Transient Absorption Spectroscopy and DFT Calculation

X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy (XTA) and optical transient spectroscopy (OTA) were used to probe the Co(I) intermediate generated in situ from an aqueous photocatalytic hydrogen evolution system, with [Ru^II(bpy)₃]Cl₂·6H₂O as the photosensitizer, ascorbic acid/ascorbate as the electron donor, and the Co-polypyridyl complex ([Co^II(DPA-Bpy)Cl]Cl) as the precatalyst. Upon exposure to light, the XTA measured at Co K-edge visualizes the grow and decay of the Co(I) intermediate, and reveals its Co-N bond contraction of 0.09 ± 0.03 Å. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations support the bond contraction and illustrate that the metal-to-ligand π back-bonding greatly stabilizes the penta-coordinated Co(I) intermediate, which provides easy photon access. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of capturing the penta-coordinated Co(I) intermediate in operando with bond contraction by XTA, thereby providing new insights for fundamental understanding of structure-function relationship of cobalt-based molecular catalysts.

[The effects of β-elemene on rabbit VX2 laryngeal carcinoma and factors associated with tumor growth and metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the inhibition effect of β-elemene on the growth and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Sixty-six rabbits were vaccinated with suspension of VX2 cancer tissues to establish a rabbit laryngeal carcinoma model and then they were randomly treated with the injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (as a control), cisplatin, or β-elemene from the seventh day after vaccination. The rabbits were sacrificed three weeks after vaccination. The laryngeal tumor was dissected. and the volume of tumor and the inhibitory rate of tumor growth were measured. The expressions of PCNA (proliferation cell nuclear antigen), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) and VEGF-D (vascular endothelial growth factor D) in tumor were semiquantitatively examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The inhibition rates of tumor growth in β-elemene-treated group and the cisplatin-treated group were 48.5% and 51.4%, respectively. The expressions of Bcl-2 in β-elemene-treated group and cisplatin-treated group were significantly lower than the control (P<0.05), but with no significant difference between β-elemene-treated group and cisplatin-treated group. The expression of PCNA in β-elemene-treated group was significantly decreased compared to control group (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF-D in β-elemene-treated group was lower than that in control group or the cisplatin-treated group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

β-elemene can inhibit the growth of rabbit VX2 laryngeal tumor, which may be associated with the inhibition of factors related to tumor growth and metastasis.

Hole-Accepting-Ligand-Modified CdSe QDs for Dramatic Enhancement of Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution by Solar Energy

Solar H2 evolution of CdSe QDs can be significantly enhanced simply by introducing a suitable hole-accepting-ligand for achieving efficient hole extraction and transfer at the nanoscale interfaces, which opens an effective pathway for dissociation of excitons to generate long-lived charge separation, thus improving the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency.

A novel hemizygous SACS mutation identified by whole exome sequencing and SNP array analysis in a Chinese ARSACS patient

The array of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) has expanded worldwide after the first description in the Charlevoix-Saguenay region of Québec. Here, we report a Chinese ARSACS patient presenting progressive peripheral neuropathy (CMTNS2=15) with horizontal gaze nystagmus and mild spastic gait. Genetic studies including whole exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis revealed a novel hemizygous nonsense mutation (c.11803C>T, p.Gln3935X) of SACS and a 1.33Mb deletion involved in SACS on chromosome 13q12.12 in the patient. Our findings highlight the necessity of SACS mutation screening in the gene panel of inherited peripheral neuropathies, and stress the need of testing copy number variation (CNV) in SACS mutation screening.

Amphiphilic polymeric micelles as microreactors: improving the photocatalytic hydrogen production of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic in water

An amphiphilic polymeric micelle is utilized as a microreactor to load a hydrophobic [FeFe]-hydrogenase mimic for photocatalytic hydrogen production in water.

Visible light-induced photochemical oxygen evolution from water by 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride nanorods as an n-type organic semiconductor

The designed nanorods with cobalt oxide achieve an AQE of 4.6 ± 0.3% for oxygen evolution under visible light irradiation at 410 nm.

Vectorial electron transfer for improved hydrogen evolution by mercaptopropionic-acid-regulated CdSe quantum-dots-TiO2 -Ni(OH)2 assembly

A visible-light-induced hydrogen evolution system based on a CdSe quantum dots (QDs)-TiO2 -Ni(OH)2 ternary assembly has been constructed under an ambient environment, and a bifunctional molecular linker, mercaptopropionic acid, is used to facilitate the interaction between CdSe QDs and TiO2 . This hydrogen evolution system works effectively in a basic aqueous solution (pH 11.0) to achieve a hydrogen evolution rate of 10.1 mmol g(-1)  h(-1) for the assembly and a turnover frequency of 5140 h(-1) with respect to CdSe QDs (10 h); the latter is comparable with the highest value reported for QD systems in an acidic environment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and control experiments demonstrate that Ni(OH)2 is an efficient hydrogen evolution catalyst. In addition, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and the emission decay of the assembly combined with the hydrogen evolution experiments show that TiO2 functions mainly as the electron mediator; the vectorial electron transfer from CdSe QDs to TiO2 and then from TiO2 to Ni(OH)2 enhances the efficiency for hydrogen evolution. The assembly comprises light antenna CdSe QDs, electron mediator TiO2 , and catalytic Ni(OH)2 , which mimics the strategy of photosynthesis exploited in nature and takes us a step further towards artificial photosynthesis.

The association between the -2518A/G polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene and the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in Sichuan Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

The -2518A/G polymorphism in the Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) gene may play an important role in regulating immunological reactions and may be associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, the relationship for the populations in Sichuan province of China remains unknown. The objective of the current study was to analysis that association.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 386 PTB patients and 398 controls were recruited. The genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP and sequencing method. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.0 software.

RESULTS

Significant association was found between the polymorphism and the risk of PTB: AG vs. AA: OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.98-1.92 and p = 0.06; GG vs. AA: OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.14-2.50 and p = 0.009; AG+GG vs. AA: OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07-2.01 and p = 0.02; G vs. A: OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.08-1.60 and p = 0.007.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study suggested that the 2518A/G polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene was associated with risk of PTB in population of Sichuan province in China.

Characterization and expression analysis of six chitinase genes from the desert beetle Microdera punctipennis in response to low temperature

BACKGROUND

Chitinase is responsible for chitin metabolism in a wide range of organisms. However, current knowledge on insect chitinase and their possible functions in relation to low temperature stress is very limited.

OBJECTIVE

Six chitinase genes from cold treated desert beetle Microdera punctipennis obtained by RNA-seq technology were characterized, and their expression patterns in different tissues and in response to cold were investigated.

METHODS

Multiple sequence alignment was carried out using ClustalW1.81 and Phylogenetic trees were generated by MEGA5. The expression patterns were studied by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

These genes were belong to three different chitinase groups. Almost all of them were highly expressed in midgut, and some are expressed in fat body or hindgut. Subzero-4 degree C had stronger effect than 4 degree C in inducing chitinase expression.

CONCLUSION

The tissue specific and cold inducible expressions suggest that the chitinases may have diverse functions and play roles in insect cold adaptation.

Circulating chemerin levels are increased in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Chemerin is an important risk factor of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of chemerin in the early stage of diabetes development.

METHODS

63 control subjects without any family history of diabetes and with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 74 healthy, first-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetic patients were recruited in the study. All subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) test after having fasted overnight. Plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, chemerin, and adiponectin were measured.

RESULTS

FDR subjects had higher BMI, WHR, waist, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, TG, UA, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and lower HDL- C levels than control subjects (p < 0.05). The FDRs group had significantly lower adiponectin levels while chemerin was higher. Plasma chemerin levels were independently correlated with HOMA-IR, FINS, TG, FPG, and adiponectin level. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR and TG were independent risk factors that influenced circulating chemerin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings showed a significant increase of chemerin levels in FDR subjects which suggested that chemerin may be involved in the development and progression of insulin resistance.

Visible light catalysis-assisted assembly of Ni(h)-QD hollow nanospheres in situ via hydrogen bubbles

Hollow spheres are one of the most promising micro-/nanostructures because of their unique performance in diverse applications. Templates, surfactants, and structure-directing agents are often used to control the sizes and morphologies of hollow spheres. In this Article, we describe a simple method based on visible light catalysis for preparing hollow nanospheres from CdE (E = Te, Se, and S) quantum dots (QDs) and nickel (Ni(2+)) salts in aqueous media. In contrast to the well-developed traditional approaches, the hollow nanospheres of QDs are formed in situ by the photogeneration of hydrogen (H2) gas bubbles at room temperature. Each component, that is, the QDs, metal ions, ascorbic acid (H2A), and visible light, is essential for the formation of hollow nanospheres. The quality of the hollow nanospheres depends on the pH, metal ions, and wavelength and intensity of visible light used. Of the various metal ions investigated, including Cu(+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+), RuCl5(2-), Ag(+), and PtCl4(2-), Ni(2+) ions showed the best ability to generate H2 and hollow-structured nanospheres under visible light irradiation. The average diameter and shell thickness of the nanospheres ranged from 10 to 20 nm and from 3 to 6 nm, respectively, which are values rarely reported in the literature. Studies using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy revealed the chemical nature of the hollow nanospheres. Additionally, the hollow-structured nanospheres exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity and stability for the generation of H2 with a rate constant of 21 μmol h(-1) mg(-1) and a turnover number (TON) of 137,500 or 30,250 for CdTe QDs or nickel, respectively, under visible light irradiation for 42 h.

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from glycerol and water over nickel-hybrid cadmium sulfide quantum dots under visible-light irradiation

Natural photosynthesis offers the concept of storing sunlight in chemical form as hydrogen (H2), using biomass and water. Herein we describe a robust artificial photocatalyst, nickel-hybrid CdS quantum dots (Nih-CdS QDs) made in situ from nickel salts and CdS QDs stabilized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid, for visible-light-driven H2 evolution from glycerol and water. With visible light irradiation for 20 h, 403.2 μmol of H2 was obtained with a high H2 evolution rate of approximately 74.6 μmol h(-1)  mg(-1) and a high turnover number of 38 405 compared to MPA-CdS QDs (mercaptopropionic-acid-stabilized CdS quantum dots). Compared to CdTe QDs and CdSe QDs, the modified CdS QDs show the greatest affinity toward Ni(2+) ions and the highest activity for H2 evolution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and photophysical studies reveal the chemical nature of the Nih-CdS QDs. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and terephthalate fluorescence measurements clearly demonstrate water splitting to generate ⋅OH radicals. The detection of DMPO-H and DMPO-C radicals adduct in EPR also indicate that ⋅H radicals and ⋅C radicals are the active species in the catalytic cycle.