We report the phenomenon that the intensity of the ultraviolet (UV) photoluminescence
(PL) from ZnO was greatly enhanced by incorporating ZnO into the SiO2
matrix. PL excitation results show that both the ZnO nanoparticles and the SiO2
matrix in the nanocomposites contribute to the luminescence process
for the UV band. On the basis of the x-ray photoelectron spectra, we
suggest that interface energy states are formed due to the presence
of Zn–O–Si bonds between ZnO nanoparticles and the SiO2
matrix. A tentative model concerning the contribution of the ZnO nanoparticles, SiO2 matrix, and ZnO–SiO2
interface is suggested to explain the PL enhancement effect.
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported multiple risk loci associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), some of which are involved in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway. We systematically examined associations of common genetic variations in the TGFβ signaling pathway and environmental factors with CRC risk using a two-staged case-control study in a Chinese population. A set of 77 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 10 candidate genes involved in the TGFβ signaling pathway and several environmental factors including sex, age, smoking and drinking were examined by random forest (RF) to capture the potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in stage 1 of the study with 443 CRC patients and 480 controls. Three promising SNPs (SMAD7 rs11874392, TGFBR1 rs10988706 and rs6478972) selected by the RF method were genotyped in stage 2 comprising 351 cases and 360 controls for validation. SMAD7 rs11874392 presented consistently significant associations with a risk of CRC at both stages, with odds ratio = 1.41 (95% confidence interval = 1.21-1.63) using additive modes in combined analyses. Moreover, the potential interactions between SMAD7 rs11874392, TGFBR1 rs10988706 and rs6478972 were indicated consistently in both stages of the study by using pair-wise interaction and multilocus genotype pattern analysis. Additionally, gene-smoking interactions for rs11874392, rs10988706 and rs6478972 were also found to enhance the risk of CRC at both stages, with P for multiplicative interaction equal to 1.162×10(-6), 8.574×10(-8) and 9.410×10(-8) in combined analyses, respectively. This study emphasized the substantial role of the TGFβ signaling pathway in CRC, especially in interaction with smoking.
BackgroundMetabolic syndrome traits play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer. Adipokines, key metabolic syndrome cellular mediators, when abnormal, may induce carcinogenesis.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo investigate whether polymorphisms of important adipokines, adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors, either alone or in combination with environmental factors, are implicated in colorectal cancer, a two-stage case-control study was conducted. In the first stage, we evaluated 24 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag SNPs) across ADIPOQ ligand and two ADIPOQ receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) among 470 cases and 458 controls. One SNP with promising association was then analyzed in stage 2 among 314 cases and 355 controls. In our study, ADIPOQ rs1063538 was consistently associated with increased colorectal cancer risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.94 (95%CI: 1.48–2.54) for CC genotype compared with TT genotype. In two-factor gene-environment interaction analyses, rs1063538 presented significant interactions with smoking status, family history of cancer and alcohol use, with ORs of 4.52 (95%CI: 2.78–7.34), 3.18 (95%CI: 1.73–5.82) and 1.97 (95%CI: 1.27–3.04) for smokers, individuals with family history of cancer or drinkers with CC genotype compared with non-smokers, individuals without family history of cancer or non-drinkers with TT genotype, respectively. Multifactor gene-environment interactions analysis revealed significant interactions between ADIPOQ rs1063538, ADIPOR1 rs1539355, smoking status and BMI. Individuals carrying one, two and at least three risk factors presented 1.18–fold (95%CI:0.89–fold to 1.58–fold), 1.87–fold (95%CI: 1.38–fold to2.54–fold) and 4.39–fold (95%CI: 2.75–fold to 7.01–fold) increased colorectal cancer risk compared with those who without risk factor, respectively (P
trend <0.0001).Conclusions/SignificanceOur results suggest that variants in ADIPOQ may contribute to increased colorectal cancer risk in Chinese and this contribution may be modified by environmental factors, such as smoking status, family history of cancer and BMI.
We reported a new simple route to fabricate N-F-codoped titania inverse opal (IO) films with a hierarchical meso-/macroporous structure, in which the IO structure and the N-F codoping play a role as physical and chemical modifications for titania, respectively. Both modifications are simultaneously achieved via a liquid phase deposition process using a silica colloidal crystal as a template for the first time. The average size of a mesopore in the TiO 2 frameworks is 3.2 nm, and that of an interpenetrating aligned macropore is adjusted in the range of 201-315 nm. The N-F-codoped TiO 2 IO films exhibit 6.6-7.4 times the methylene blue visible-light photodegradation rate comparing with N-F-codoped TiO 2 films without the IO structure. This high visible-light activity was mainly ascribed to a synergetic effect of the hierarchical meso-/macroporous structure and N-F codoping. Furthermore, it was found that the multiple scattering effect of the macroporous structure is more pronounced than the slow photon effect of IOs for facilitating visible-light photocatalysis in our system from the comparison with nonperiodic macroporous N-F-codoped TiO 2 . The repeated cycling tests revealed that samples showed stable photocatalytic activity.
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