Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6) is a ferrimagnetic nodal-line semiconductor with colossal angular magnetoresistance at ambient pressure.In this work,we investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on its electrical transport pr...Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6) is a ferrimagnetic nodal-line semiconductor with colossal angular magnetoresistance at ambient pressure.In this work,we investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on its electrical transport properties,magnetic transition,and crystal structure by measuring resistivity,DC and AC magnetic susceptibility,and XRD under various pressures up to~20 GPa.Our results confirmed the occurrence of pressure-induced structural transition at P_(c)≈10–12 GPa accompanied by a concurrent drop of room-temperature resistance in Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6).In the low-pressure phase at PP_(c),the sample exhibits a metallic behavior in the whole temperature range and its resistivity exhibits a kink anomaly at T_(M),characteristic of critical scattering around a magnetic transition.Recovery of the Raman spectrum upon decompression indicated that pressure-induced structural transition is reversible without amorphization under hydrostatic pressure conditions.Our present work not only resolves some existing controversial issues but also provides new insights into pressure-driven diverse behaviors of Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6).展开更多
A longstanding discrepancy between theoretical predictions and experimental observations on the highpressurestructural transformations of lanthanum mononitride(LaN)has posed challenges for understandingthe behavior of...A longstanding discrepancy between theoretical predictions and experimental observations on the highpressurestructural transformations of lanthanum mononitride(LaN)has posed challenges for understandingthe behavior of heavy transition metal mononitrides.Here,we systematically investigate the structural evolutionof LaN under high pressure using first-principles calculations combined with angle-dispersive synchrotron X-raydiffraction,identifying the phase transition sequence and corresponding phase boundaries.Analyses of energetics,kinetic barriers,and lattice dynamics reveal distinct mechanisms driving these transitions.These results clarifythe structural stability of LaN and offer guidance for studying other heavy transition metal mononitrides withcomplex electronic behavior under extreme conditions.展开更多
In the context of climate change,the acceleration of the global water cycle has led to the emergence of abrupt transitions between drought and flood events,presenting a new challenge for flood and drought disaster mit...In the context of climate change,the acceleration of the global water cycle has led to the emergence of abrupt transitions between drought and flood events,presenting a new challenge for flood and drought disaster mitigation.Abrupt transitions between drought and flood refer to a phenomenon in which an extreme drought event quickly shifts to an extreme flood event,or vice versa,within a relatively short time span.This phenomenon disrupts the traditional spatiotemporal distribution patterns of water-related disasters,reflecting not only the extreme unevenness in the distribution of water resources but also the rapid alternation of the water cycle's evolution(He et al.,2016).Moreover,due to its suddenness,extremity,and complexity,it poses severe threats to human societies and ecosystems.Scientifically addressing abrupt transitions between drought and flood has thus become a new challenge in flood and drought disaster prevention.展开更多
Active matter is a non-equilibrium condensed system consisting of self-propelled particles capable of converting stored or ambient energy into collective motion.Typical active matter systems include cytoskeleton biopo...Active matter is a non-equilibrium condensed system consisting of self-propelled particles capable of converting stored or ambient energy into collective motion.Typical active matter systems include cytoskeleton biopolymers,swimming bacteria,artificial swimmers,and animal herds.In contrast to wet active matter,dry active matter is an active system characterized by the absence of significant hydrodynamic interactions and conserved momentum.In dry active matter,the role of surrounding fluids is providing viscous friction at low Reynolds numbers and can be neglected at high Reynolds numbers.This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent experimental,computational,and theoretical advances in understanding phase transitions and critical phenomena in dry aligning active matter,including polar particles,self-propelled rods,active nematics,and their chiral counterparts.Various ways of determining phase transition points as well as non-equilibrium phenomena,such as collective motion,cluster formation,and creation and annihilation of topological defects are reviewed.展开更多
Background: Since it was theorised by Abdel Omran in 1971, the epidemiological transition has been well documented in Latin America, Asia and even increasingly in Africa south of the Sahara. According to this theory, ...Background: Since it was theorised by Abdel Omran in 1971, the epidemiological transition has been well documented in Latin America, Asia and even increasingly in Africa south of the Sahara. According to this theory, sub-Saharan Africa is in the first phase of development corresponding to the “age of plague and famine”. Given the health statistics currently available, more and more low- and middle-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, are experiencing an increase in mortality and the economic impact associated with non-communicable diseases. Côte d’Ivoire is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa where non-communicable diseases are currently on the rise. Despite the significant changes observed over the last decades, few studies have been carried out on the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire. It therefore seemed necessary to examine the changes in patterns of disease occurrence and causes of death in Côte d’Ivoire. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the reality of the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire and characterize its facies from 1990 to 2020. Methods: A literature review was carried out using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Google, institutional websites (WHO, World Bank), university library websites and institutional reports from Côte d’Ivoire. The indicators sought were mortality, morbidity, life expectancy and fertility. Results: Mortality fell overall from 13.88‰ to 9.70‰, with variations linked to cyclical situations. Life expectancy rose by 52.6 to 59.03 years, although it is still below 60. Fertility has fallen from 6.3 to 4.5 children. There is a general downward trend in morbidity due to communicable diseases between 2009 and 2019, followed by an increase in non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: Côte d’Ivoire is undergoing an original and complex epidemiological transition that needs to be taken into account in health policies and strategies.展开更多
This letter presents a method for probing the attosecond time delay between two radiatively resonant transitions from Fano structures,which arise from interference between the extreme ultraviolet free induction decay(...This letter presents a method for probing the attosecond time delay between two radiatively resonant transitions from Fano structures,which arise from interference between the extreme ultraviolet free induction decay(XFID)emission and high-order harmonics.The ellipticity dependence of the Ne^(+)XFID yield confirms that the ionic excited-state populations originate from inelastic recollision between tunneling electrons and parent ions.Subsequent extraction of relative phases from Fano structures enables the determination of the time delay(~22 as)between the two decay pathways.This work provides an experimental approach to probe the attosecond time delay between different XFID channels and contributes to a deeper understanding of the tunneling-plusrescattering model in strong laser fields.展开更多
Understanding the occurrence and characteristics of dry and wet events is crucial for effective disaster prevention,resource management,and risk reduction in vulnerable regions.This study analyzed the spatiotemporal p...Understanding the occurrence and characteristics of dry and wet events is crucial for effective disaster prevention,resource management,and risk reduction in vulnerable regions.This study analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of dry-wet events and their transition characteristics in Uttar Pradesh,India.The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI)at a monthly timescale was utilized to identify hotspot regions vulnerable to concurrent and frequent dry and wet events and their transitions.The severity,duration,and intensity of dry and wet events were characterized with the run theory over SPEI time series data from 18 synoptic stations in Uttar Pradesh over 48 years(1971-2018),sourced from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the India Meteorological Department.Multiple assessment methods were utilized to examine the interaction of these extreme events,considering characteristics such as wet-dry ratio,average transition time,and rapid transition times from wet to dry events and from dry to wet events.Average wet durations ranged from 1.27 to 1.58 months,and average dry durations ranged from 1.29 to 1.82 months.Rapid transition times from dry to wet events ranged from 2.5 to 4.1 months,and those for wet-to-dry events ranged from 2.1 to 5.3 months.The eastern region experienced a significantly high number of dry events,while the western and Bundelkhand regions experienced more intense dry events.In contrast,the eastern region had intense wet events.This research on the occurrence of dry-wet events and their transitions can provide valuable insights for government decision-making and disaster prevention and reduction efforts.展开更多
The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key ...The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key role.In this work,X70 steels with different start cooling temperatures were prepared through thermo-mechanical control process.The quasi-polygonal ferrite(QF),granular bainite(GB),bainitic ferrite(BF)and martensite-austenite constituents were formed at the start cooling temperatures of 780℃(C1),740℃(C2)and 700℃(C3).As start cooling temperature decreased,the amount of GB decreased,the microstructure of QF and BF increased.Microstructure characteristics of the three samples,such as high-angle grain boundaries(HAGBs),MA constituents and crystallographic orientation,also varied with the start cooling temperatures.C2 sample had the lowest DBTT value(−86℃)for its highest fraction of HAGBs,highest content of<110>oriented grains and lowest content of<001>oriented grains parallel to TD.The high density of{332}<113>and low density of rotated cube{001}<110>textures also contributed to the best impact toughness of C2 sample.In addition,a modified model was used in this paper to quantitatively predict the approximate DBTT value of steels.展开更多
As metropolitan areas expand spatially,they encounter constraints imposed by the fixed daily time budget.Rail transit enhances transport efficiency,reduces costs,and facilitates the formation of a“transit economic fi...As metropolitan areas expand spatially,they encounter constraints imposed by the fixed daily time budget.Rail transit enhances transport efficiency,reduces costs,and facilitates the formation of a“transit economic field”centered on rail networks,thereby alleviating such temporal-spatial pressures.This paper adopts an integrated temporal-spatial analytical framework.Following a conceptual clarification of the transit economic field,it dissects the mechanisms through which rail transit improves mobility and examines how this field influences urban spatial patterns,temporal dynamics,and their interrelationships.It constructs a theoretical framework to explain the co-development of transit economic fields and cities,supplemented by empirical case studies.The key findings are as follows:Firstly,the transit economic field represents a high-density development model that expands both horizontally and vertically around rail networks.It mitigates temporal-spatial conflicts.Secondly,with rail networks as the core,the field integrates diverse spatial functions,facilitating the establishment of economic connections and stabilizing temporal-spatial relationships.Thirdly,the transit economic field contributes to the preservation of urban natural ecosystems and enhances urban livability.Overall,this research can provide insights for promoting rail transit-oriented development transitions in large cities and urban agglomerations.展开更多
The transition metal trichalcogenides(TMTs)with quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)layered crystal structure represent a unique platform to explore intriguing physical properties.Herein,we report the successful growth of ...The transition metal trichalcogenides(TMTs)with quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)layered crystal structure represent a unique platform to explore intriguing physical properties.Herein,we report the successful growth of a new TMT TiSe_(3)single crystal by using a high-pressure and high-temperature technique.The crystal structure of TiSe_(3)was determined by measuring the single-crystal x-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction.The 1D chain-like structure along the b-axis is formed by the TiSe_(6)prisms which share their tops and bottoms with each other.TiSe_(3)is a narrow band gap semiconductor with electron-type carriers under ambient conditions identified by the electrical and Hall effect measurements.It exhibits a pressure-induced semiconductor-to-metal transition around 4 GPa.As the pressure further increases to~6 GPa,a pressure-induced Lifshitz transition occurs,as indicated by the electrical transport measurements,high-pressure crystal structure characterizations,and electronic band structure calculations.展开更多
Today,more than 90%of children who are born with congenital heart disease survive and reach adulthood,especially in developed countries.Consequently,the population of adults with congenital heart disease has increased...Today,more than 90%of children who are born with congenital heart disease survive and reach adulthood,especially in developed countries.Consequently,the population of adults with congenital heart disease has increased signiffcantly over the last few decades.In Latin America and the Caribbean countries,this same scenario is occurring at an accelerated pace.Loss to follow-up is a global problem in adults with congenital heart disease,ranging from 30–60%.In Latin America and Caribbean countries,it is estimated that less than 10%of adults with congenital heart disease are being followed.The small number of specialists and adult congenital heart disease specialized centers,as well as virtually nonexistent transition and transfer programs,are some of the reasons for this.This article is a narrative review of the current status of the transition and transfer of young adults with congenital heart disease,with a special focus on Latin America and Caribbean countries.It describes the general concepts of transition and transfer,analyzes barriers and,ffnally,presents specialized care alternatives that would reduce losses and improve this population’s care.展开更多
Elucidating the relationship between spin excitations and fermiology is essential for clarifying the pairing mechanism in iron-based superconductors(FeSCs).Here,we report inelastic neutron scattering results on the ho...Elucidating the relationship between spin excitations and fermiology is essential for clarifying the pairing mechanism in iron-based superconductors(FeSCs).Here,we report inelastic neutron scattering results on the hole overdoped Ba_(0.4)K_(0.6)Fe_(2)As_(2) near a Lifshitz transition,where the electron pocket at M point is nearly replaced by four hole pockets.In the normal state,the spin excitations is observed at incommensurate wave vectors with a chimney-like dispersion.By cooling down to the superconducting state,a neutron spin resonance mode emerges with a peak energy of Er=14-15 meV,weakly modulated along the L-direction.The incommensurability notably increases at low energies,giving rise to downward dispersions of the resonance mode.This behavior contrasts sharply with the upward dispersions of resonance observed in optimally doped Ba_(0.67)K_(0.33)Fe_(2)As_(2) contributed by the hole to electron scattering,but resembles those in KFe_(2)As_(2) and KCa_(2)Fe_(4)As_(4)F_(2) where the fermiology is dominated by hole pockets.These results highlight the critical role of electronic structure modifications near the Fermi level,especially in governing interband scattering under imperfect nesting conditions,which fundamentally shape the spin dynamics of FeSCs.展开更多
Phase transitions,as one of the most intriguing phenomena in nature,are divided into first-order phase transitions(FOPTs)and continuous ones in current classification.While the latter shows striking phenomena of scali...Phase transitions,as one of the most intriguing phenomena in nature,are divided into first-order phase transitions(FOPTs)and continuous ones in current classification.While the latter shows striking phenomena of scaling and universality,the former has recently also been demonstrated to exhibit scaling and universal behavior within a mesoscopic,coarse-grained Landau-Ginzburg theory.Here we apply this theory to a microscopic model-the paradigmatic Ising model,which undergoes FOPTs between two ordered phases below its critical temperature-and unambiguously demonstrate universal scaling behavior in such FOPTs.These results open the door for extending the theory to other microscopic FOPT systems and experimentally testing them to systematically uncover their scaling and universal behavior.展开更多
China Oil&Gas,as a prominent academic journal in the energy industry,has been dedicated to advancing academic research and industrial development in the oil and gas energy field.As one of the authoritative media o...China Oil&Gas,as a prominent academic journal in the energy industry,has been dedicated to advancing academic research and industrial development in the oil and gas energy field.As one of the authoritative media outlets in the international energy sector,the magazine has long focused on the evolution of the global energy landscape and has organized and participated in several influential academic activities and research projects.展开更多
In the present study,we aimed to investigate whether anlotinib reverses osimertinib resistance by inhibiting the formation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and angiogenesis.In a clinical case,anlotinib reverse...In the present study,we aimed to investigate whether anlotinib reverses osimertinib resistance by inhibiting the formation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and angiogenesis.In a clinical case,anlotinib reversed osimertinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Therefore,we performed immunohistochemical analyses on tumor tissues from three NSCLC patients with osimertinib resistance to analyze alterations in the expression levels of EMT markers and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)before and after the development of osimertinib resistance.The results revealed the downregulation of E-cadherin,coupled with the upregulation of vimentin and VEGFA in tumor tissues of patients exhibiting osimertinib resistance,compared with those in tissues from patients before receiving osimertinib.Subsequently,we established osimertinib-resistant(Osi-R)cell lines and found that the Osi-R cells acquired EMT features.Next,we analyzed the synergistic effects of the combination therapy to verify whether anlotinib could reverse osimertinib resistance by inhibiting EMT.The expression levels of VEGFA and tube formation were analyzed in the combination group in vitro.Finally,we determined the reversal of osimertinib resistance by the combination of osimertinib and anlotinib in vivo using 20 nude mice.The combined treatment of osimertinib and anlotinib effectively prevented the metastasis of Osi-R cells,inhibited tumor growth,exerted antitumor activity,and ultimately reversed osimertinib resistance in mice.The co-administration of osimertinib and anlotinib demonstrated synergistic efficacy in inhibiting EMT and angiogenesis in three NSCLC patients,ultimately reversing osimertinib resistance.展开更多
Background:The aim was to explore the effect of macrophage polarization and macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition(MMT)in silicosis.Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into a control group and a silicosis group deve...Background:The aim was to explore the effect of macrophage polarization and macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition(MMT)in silicosis.Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into a control group and a silicosis group developed using a HOPE MED 8050 dynamic automatic dusting system.Murine mac-rophage MH-S cells were randomly divided into a control group and an SiO_(2) group.The pathological changes in lung tissue were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Van Gieson(VG)staining.The distribution and location of macrophage marker(F4/80),M1 macrophage marker(iNOS),M2 macrophage marker(CD206),and myofibroblast marker(α-smooth muscle actin[α-SMA])were detected using immu-nohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining.The expression changes in iNOS,Arg,α-SMA,vimentin,and type I collagen(Col I)were measured using Western blot.Results:The results of HE and VG staining showed obvious silicon nodule formation and the distribution of thick collagen fibers in the lung tissue of the silicosis group.Macrophage marker F4/80 increased gradually from 8 to 32 weeks after exposure to silica.Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining results revealed that there were more iNOS-positive cells and some CD206-positive cells in the lung tissue of the silicosis group at 8 weeks.More CD206-positive cells were found in the silicon nodules of the lung tissues in the silicosis group at 32 weeks.Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of Inducible nitric oxide synthase and Arg protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis group were upregulated compared with those of the con-trol group.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed the co-expression of F4/80,α-SMA,and Col I,and CD206 andα-SMA were co-expressed in the lung tissue of the silicosis group.The extracted rat alveolar lavage fluid revealed F4/80+α-SMA+,CD206+α-SMA+,and F4/80+α-SMA+Col I+cells using immunofluorescence staining.Similar results were also found in MH-S cells induced by SiO_(2).Conclusions:The development of silicosis is accompanied by macrophage polarization and MMT.展开更多
BACKGROUND The development of slow transit constipation(STC)is associated with intestinal barrier damage.Huangqi decoction(HQD)is effective in treating STC,but me-chanisms are unclear.AIM To investigate whether HQD al...BACKGROUND The development of slow transit constipation(STC)is associated with intestinal barrier damage.Huangqi decoction(HQD)is effective in treating STC,but me-chanisms are unclear.AIM To investigate whether HQD alleviates STC by downregulating the nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and restoring intestinal barrier function.METHODS KM mice were divided into control,model,and HQD treatment groups.Fresh colonic tissues were collected for single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial tra-nscriptome sequencing.The expressions of claudin-1,mucin 2,and NF-κB P65 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry.In vitro experiments evaluated the effects of HQD on the LS174T cell line.RESULTS HQD improved intestinal motility,restored mucosal epithelium function and morphology.Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing data showed a reduction in goblet cells,decreased mucin 2 secretion,and activated apoptotic pathways in STC mice.The population of intestinal stem cells was reduced,and proliferation along with Wnt/β-catenin pathways were inhibited.STC also altered the distribution of intestinal cell states,increasing immune-associated Enterocyte_C3.Aberrant NF-κB pathway activation was noted across various cell types.After HQD treatment,NF-κB pathway activity was down-regulated,while cell proliferation pathways were up-regulated,alongside an increase in Enterocyte_C1 related to material transport.Immunocytochemical,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry analyses confirmed NF-κB pathway activation in goblet cells of STC mice,with HQD inhibiting this aberrant activation.CONCLUSION STC involves intestinal mucosal barrier damage.HQD may treat STC by suppressing NF-κB signaling in epithelial cells,restoring intestinal epithelial cell function,and promoting mucosal barrier repair.展开更多
This study examined the influence of the built environment surrounding rail stations on rail transit ridership and its spatiotemporal variations,aiming to enhance rail transit operational efficiency and inform station...This study examined the influence of the built environment surrounding rail stations on rail transit ridership and its spatiotemporal variations,aiming to enhance rail transit operational efficiency and inform station planning and development.Data from 159 metro stations in Nanjing,collected over a 14-d period,were analyzed to identify changes in weekday and weekend ridership patterns.The analysis included explanatory variables grouped into three categories:urban spatial variables,socioeconomic vari-ables,and transit service variables.A geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR)model was developed,and its performance was compared with that of ordinary least squares(OLS)and geographically weighted regression(GWR)models.The results demonstrated that the GTWR model outperformed others in analyzing the relationship between rail transit ridership and the built environment.In addition,the coefficients of explanatory variables showed significant variation across spatiotemporal dimensions,revealing distinct patterns.Notably,the influence of commuter flows led to more pronounced temporal heterogeneity in the coefficients observed on weekdays.These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing urban public transportation systems and advancing integrated urban rail development.展开更多
Layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising cathode materials for sodium ion batteries.However,irreversible phase transitions cause structural distortion and cation rearrangement,leading to sluggish Na+d...Layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising cathode materials for sodium ion batteries.However,irreversible phase transitions cause structural distortion and cation rearrangement,leading to sluggish Na+dynamics and rapid capacity decay.In this study,we propose a medium-entropy cathode by simultaneously introducing Fe,Mg,and Li dopants into a typical P2-type Na_(0.75)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)cathode.The modified Na_(0.75)Ni_(0.2125)Mn_(0.6375)Fe_(0.05)Mg_(0.05)Li_(0.05)O_(2)cathode predominantly exhibits a main P2 phase(93.5%)with a minor O3 phase(6.5%).Through spectroscopy techniques and electrochemical investigations,we elucidate the redox mechanisms of Ni^(2+/3+/4+),Mn^(3+/4+),Fe^(3+/4+),and O_(2)-/O_(2)^(n-)during charging/discharging.The medium-entropy doping mitigates the detrimental P2-O_(2)phase transition at high-voltage,replacing it with a moderate and reversible structural evolution(P2-OP4),thereby enhancing structural stability.Consequently,the modified cathode exhibits a remarkable rate capacity of 108.4 mAh·g^(-1)at 10C,with a capacity retention of 99.0%after 200 cycles at 1C,82.5%after 500 cycles at 5C,and 76.7%after 600 cycles at 10C.Furthermore,it also demonstrates superior electrochemical performance at high cutoff voltage of 4.5 V and extreme temperature(55 and 0℃).This work offers solutions to critical challenges in sodium ion batteries cathode materials.展开更多
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)plays an irreplaceable role in the development of silicosis.However,molecular mechanisms of EMT induced by silica exposure still remain to be addressed.Herein,metabolic profiles o...Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)plays an irreplaceable role in the development of silicosis.However,molecular mechanisms of EMT induced by silica exposure still remain to be addressed.Herein,metabolic profiles of human alveolar type II epithelial cells(A549 cells)exposed directly to silica were characterized using non-targeted metabolomic approaches.A total of 84 differential metabolites(DMs)were identified in silica-treated A549 cells undergoing EMT,which were mainly enriched in metabolisms of amino acids(e.g.,glutamate,alanine,aspartate),purine metabolism,glycolysis,etc.The number of DMs identified in the A549 cells obviously increased with the elevated exposure concentration of silica.Remarkably,glutamine catabolism was significantly promoted in the silica-treated A549 cells,and the levels of related metabolites(e.g.,succinate)and enzymes(e.g.,α-ketoglutarate(α-KG)dehydrogenase)were substantially up-regulated,with a preference toα-KG pathway.Supplementation of glutamine into the cell culture could substantially enhance the expression levels of both EMT-related markers and Snail(zinc finger transcription factor).Our results suggest that the EMT of human alveolar epithelial cells directly induced by silica can be essential to the development of silicosis.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant Nos. 2023YFA1406100, 2022YFA1403900, 2024YFA1408400, 2021YFA1400200, 2022YFA1403800, and 2023YFA1406500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12174424, 12025408, 11921004, U22A6005, and 12274459)+1 种基金the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 2023007)the Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative (Grant No. 2024PG0003)。
文摘Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6) is a ferrimagnetic nodal-line semiconductor with colossal angular magnetoresistance at ambient pressure.In this work,we investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on its electrical transport properties,magnetic transition,and crystal structure by measuring resistivity,DC and AC magnetic susceptibility,and XRD under various pressures up to~20 GPa.Our results confirmed the occurrence of pressure-induced structural transition at P_(c)≈10–12 GPa accompanied by a concurrent drop of room-temperature resistance in Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6).In the low-pressure phase at PP_(c),the sample exhibits a metallic behavior in the whole temperature range and its resistivity exhibits a kink anomaly at T_(M),characteristic of critical scattering around a magnetic transition.Recovery of the Raman spectrum upon decompression indicated that pressure-induced structural transition is reversible without amorphization under hydrostatic pressure conditions.Our present work not only resolves some existing controversial issues but also provides new insights into pressure-driven diverse behaviors of Mn_(3)Si_(2)Te_(6).
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.T2325013,12474004,and 52288102)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2021YFA1400503)the Program for Jilin University Science and Technology Innovative Research Team。
文摘A longstanding discrepancy between theoretical predictions and experimental observations on the highpressurestructural transformations of lanthanum mononitride(LaN)has posed challenges for understandingthe behavior of heavy transition metal mononitrides.Here,we systematically investigate the structural evolutionof LaN under high pressure using first-principles calculations combined with angle-dispersive synchrotron X-raydiffraction,identifying the phase transition sequence and corresponding phase boundaries.Analyses of energetics,kinetic barriers,and lattice dynamics reveal distinct mechanisms driving these transitions.These results clarifythe structural stability of LaN and offer guidance for studying other heavy transition metal mononitrides withcomplex electronic behavior under extreme conditions.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2023YFC3209800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52279011).
文摘In the context of climate change,the acceleration of the global water cycle has led to the emergence of abrupt transitions between drought and flood events,presenting a new challenge for flood and drought disaster mitigation.Abrupt transitions between drought and flood refer to a phenomenon in which an extreme drought event quickly shifts to an extreme flood event,or vice versa,within a relatively short time span.This phenomenon disrupts the traditional spatiotemporal distribution patterns of water-related disasters,reflecting not only the extreme unevenness in the distribution of water resources but also the rapid alternation of the water cycle's evolution(He et al.,2016).Moreover,due to its suddenness,extremity,and complexity,it poses severe threats to human societies and ecosystems.Scientifically addressing abrupt transitions between drought and flood has thus become a new challenge in flood and drought disaster prevention.
基金granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12047503)Wenzhou Institute,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.WIUCASQD2023009)。
文摘Active matter is a non-equilibrium condensed system consisting of self-propelled particles capable of converting stored or ambient energy into collective motion.Typical active matter systems include cytoskeleton biopolymers,swimming bacteria,artificial swimmers,and animal herds.In contrast to wet active matter,dry active matter is an active system characterized by the absence of significant hydrodynamic interactions and conserved momentum.In dry active matter,the role of surrounding fluids is providing viscous friction at low Reynolds numbers and can be neglected at high Reynolds numbers.This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent experimental,computational,and theoretical advances in understanding phase transitions and critical phenomena in dry aligning active matter,including polar particles,self-propelled rods,active nematics,and their chiral counterparts.Various ways of determining phase transition points as well as non-equilibrium phenomena,such as collective motion,cluster formation,and creation and annihilation of topological defects are reviewed.
文摘Background: Since it was theorised by Abdel Omran in 1971, the epidemiological transition has been well documented in Latin America, Asia and even increasingly in Africa south of the Sahara. According to this theory, sub-Saharan Africa is in the first phase of development corresponding to the “age of plague and famine”. Given the health statistics currently available, more and more low- and middle-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, are experiencing an increase in mortality and the economic impact associated with non-communicable diseases. Côte d’Ivoire is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa where non-communicable diseases are currently on the rise. Despite the significant changes observed over the last decades, few studies have been carried out on the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire. It therefore seemed necessary to examine the changes in patterns of disease occurrence and causes of death in Côte d’Ivoire. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the reality of the epidemiological transition in Côte d’Ivoire and characterize its facies from 1990 to 2020. Methods: A literature review was carried out using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Google, institutional websites (WHO, World Bank), university library websites and institutional reports from Côte d’Ivoire. The indicators sought were mortality, morbidity, life expectancy and fertility. Results: Mortality fell overall from 13.88‰ to 9.70‰, with variations linked to cyclical situations. Life expectancy rose by 52.6 to 59.03 years, although it is still below 60. Fertility has fallen from 6.3 to 4.5 children. There is a general downward trend in morbidity due to communicable diseases between 2009 and 2019, followed by an increase in non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: Côte d’Ivoire is undergoing an original and complex epidemiological transition that needs to be taken into account in health policies and strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12234020,12474281,12450403,and 12274461)the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province(Grant No.2022RC1193).
文摘This letter presents a method for probing the attosecond time delay between two radiatively resonant transitions from Fano structures,which arise from interference between the extreme ultraviolet free induction decay(XFID)emission and high-order harmonics.The ellipticity dependence of the Ne^(+)XFID yield confirms that the ionic excited-state populations originate from inelastic recollision between tunneling electrons and parent ions.Subsequent extraction of relative phases from Fano structures enables the determination of the time delay(~22 as)between the two decay pathways.This work provides an experimental approach to probe the attosecond time delay between different XFID channels and contributes to a deeper understanding of the tunneling-plusrescattering model in strong laser fields.
文摘Understanding the occurrence and characteristics of dry and wet events is crucial for effective disaster prevention,resource management,and risk reduction in vulnerable regions.This study analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of dry-wet events and their transition characteristics in Uttar Pradesh,India.The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI)at a monthly timescale was utilized to identify hotspot regions vulnerable to concurrent and frequent dry and wet events and their transitions.The severity,duration,and intensity of dry and wet events were characterized with the run theory over SPEI time series data from 18 synoptic stations in Uttar Pradesh over 48 years(1971-2018),sourced from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the India Meteorological Department.Multiple assessment methods were utilized to examine the interaction of these extreme events,considering characteristics such as wet-dry ratio,average transition time,and rapid transition times from wet to dry events and from dry to wet events.Average wet durations ranged from 1.27 to 1.58 months,and average dry durations ranged from 1.29 to 1.82 months.Rapid transition times from dry to wet events ranged from 2.5 to 4.1 months,and those for wet-to-dry events ranged from 2.1 to 5.3 months.The eastern region experienced a significantly high number of dry events,while the western and Bundelkhand regions experienced more intense dry events.In contrast,the eastern region had intense wet events.This research on the occurrence of dry-wet events and their transitions can provide valuable insights for government decision-making and disaster prevention and reduction efforts.
基金Project(2018XK2301) supported by the Change-Zhu-Tan National Independent Innavation Demonstration Zone Special Program,China。
文摘The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key role.In this work,X70 steels with different start cooling temperatures were prepared through thermo-mechanical control process.The quasi-polygonal ferrite(QF),granular bainite(GB),bainitic ferrite(BF)and martensite-austenite constituents were formed at the start cooling temperatures of 780℃(C1),740℃(C2)and 700℃(C3).As start cooling temperature decreased,the amount of GB decreased,the microstructure of QF and BF increased.Microstructure characteristics of the three samples,such as high-angle grain boundaries(HAGBs),MA constituents and crystallographic orientation,also varied with the start cooling temperatures.C2 sample had the lowest DBTT value(−86℃)for its highest fraction of HAGBs,highest content of<110>oriented grains and lowest content of<001>oriented grains parallel to TD.The high density of{332}<113>and low density of rotated cube{001}<110>textures also contributed to the best impact toughness of C2 sample.In addition,a modified model was used in this paper to quantitatively predict the approximate DBTT value of steels.
基金Hubei Social Science Foundation Project“Research on the Relationship Between Rail Transit and Intensive and Sustainable Development of Large Cities”(2020052)。
文摘As metropolitan areas expand spatially,they encounter constraints imposed by the fixed daily time budget.Rail transit enhances transport efficiency,reduces costs,and facilitates the formation of a“transit economic field”centered on rail networks,thereby alleviating such temporal-spatial pressures.This paper adopts an integrated temporal-spatial analytical framework.Following a conceptual clarification of the transit economic field,it dissects the mechanisms through which rail transit improves mobility and examines how this field influences urban spatial patterns,temporal dynamics,and their interrelationships.It constructs a theoretical framework to explain the co-development of transit economic fields and cities,supplemented by empirical case studies.The key findings are as follows:Firstly,the transit economic field represents a high-density development model that expands both horizontally and vertically around rail networks.It mitigates temporal-spatial conflicts.Secondly,with rail networks as the core,the field integrates diverse spatial functions,facilitating the establishment of economic connections and stabilizing temporal-spatial relationships.Thirdly,the transit economic field contributes to the preservation of urban natural ecosystems and enhances urban livability.Overall,this research can provide insights for promoting rail transit-oriented development transitions in large cities and urban agglomerations.
基金the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant Nos.2023YFA1406100 and 2024YFA1400066)the Open Research Fund of Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics(Grant No.2023BNLCMPKF002)+6 种基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52288102 and 52090020)the S&T Program of Hebei(Grant No.225A1102D)the Open Projects from the State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology,Yanshan University(Grant No.202301)carried out at the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility(SE-CUF)of the Chinese Academy of Sciencessupport from the Analytical Instrumentation Center(Grant No.SPST-AIC10112914)School of Physical Science and Technology(SPST),ShanghaiTech Universitysupported by the Double First-Class Initiative Fund of ShanghaiTech University.
文摘The transition metal trichalcogenides(TMTs)with quasi-one-dimensional(quasi-1D)layered crystal structure represent a unique platform to explore intriguing physical properties.Herein,we report the successful growth of a new TMT TiSe_(3)single crystal by using a high-pressure and high-temperature technique.The crystal structure of TiSe_(3)was determined by measuring the single-crystal x-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction.The 1D chain-like structure along the b-axis is formed by the TiSe_(6)prisms which share their tops and bottoms with each other.TiSe_(3)is a narrow band gap semiconductor with electron-type carriers under ambient conditions identified by the electrical and Hall effect measurements.It exhibits a pressure-induced semiconductor-to-metal transition around 4 GPa.As the pressure further increases to~6 GPa,a pressure-induced Lifshitz transition occurs,as indicated by the electrical transport measurements,high-pressure crystal structure characterizations,and electronic band structure calculations.
文摘Today,more than 90%of children who are born with congenital heart disease survive and reach adulthood,especially in developed countries.Consequently,the population of adults with congenital heart disease has increased signiffcantly over the last few decades.In Latin America and the Caribbean countries,this same scenario is occurring at an accelerated pace.Loss to follow-up is a global problem in adults with congenital heart disease,ranging from 30–60%.In Latin America and Caribbean countries,it is estimated that less than 10%of adults with congenital heart disease are being followed.The small number of specialists and adult congenital heart disease specialized centers,as well as virtually nonexistent transition and transfer programs,are some of the reasons for this.This article is a narrative review of the current status of the transition and transfer of young adults with congenital heart disease,with a special focus on Latin America and Caribbean countries.It describes the general concepts of transition and transfer,analyzes barriers and,ffnally,presents specialized care alternatives that would reduce losses and improve this population’s care.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2023YFA1406100,2018YFA0704200,2022YFA1403400 and 2021YFA1400400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11822411 and 12274444)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program(B)of the CAS(Grant Nos.XDB25000000 and XDB33000000)K.C.Wong Education Foundation(GJTD-2020-01)AP by HBNI-RRCAT and MPCST under the FTYS program。
文摘Elucidating the relationship between spin excitations and fermiology is essential for clarifying the pairing mechanism in iron-based superconductors(FeSCs).Here,we report inelastic neutron scattering results on the hole overdoped Ba_(0.4)K_(0.6)Fe_(2)As_(2) near a Lifshitz transition,where the electron pocket at M point is nearly replaced by four hole pockets.In the normal state,the spin excitations is observed at incommensurate wave vectors with a chimney-like dispersion.By cooling down to the superconducting state,a neutron spin resonance mode emerges with a peak energy of Er=14-15 meV,weakly modulated along the L-direction.The incommensurability notably increases at low energies,giving rise to downward dispersions of the resonance mode.This behavior contrasts sharply with the upward dispersions of resonance observed in optimally doped Ba_(0.67)K_(0.33)Fe_(2)As_(2) contributed by the hole to electron scattering,but resembles those in KFe_(2)As_(2) and KCa_(2)Fe_(4)As_(4)F_(2) where the fermiology is dominated by hole pockets.These results highlight the critical role of electronic structure modifications near the Fermi level,especially in governing interband scattering under imperfect nesting conditions,which fundamentally shape the spin dynamics of FeSCs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12175316).
文摘Phase transitions,as one of the most intriguing phenomena in nature,are divided into first-order phase transitions(FOPTs)and continuous ones in current classification.While the latter shows striking phenomena of scaling and universality,the former has recently also been demonstrated to exhibit scaling and universal behavior within a mesoscopic,coarse-grained Landau-Ginzburg theory.Here we apply this theory to a microscopic model-the paradigmatic Ising model,which undergoes FOPTs between two ordered phases below its critical temperature-and unambiguously demonstrate universal scaling behavior in such FOPTs.These results open the door for extending the theory to other microscopic FOPT systems and experimentally testing them to systematically uncover their scaling and universal behavior.
文摘China Oil&Gas,as a prominent academic journal in the energy industry,has been dedicated to advancing academic research and industrial development in the oil and gas energy field.As one of the authoritative media outlets in the international energy sector,the magazine has long focused on the evolution of the global energy landscape and has organized and participated in several influential academic activities and research projects.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82172728,82370096).
文摘In the present study,we aimed to investigate whether anlotinib reverses osimertinib resistance by inhibiting the formation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and angiogenesis.In a clinical case,anlotinib reversed osimertinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Therefore,we performed immunohistochemical analyses on tumor tissues from three NSCLC patients with osimertinib resistance to analyze alterations in the expression levels of EMT markers and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)before and after the development of osimertinib resistance.The results revealed the downregulation of E-cadherin,coupled with the upregulation of vimentin and VEGFA in tumor tissues of patients exhibiting osimertinib resistance,compared with those in tissues from patients before receiving osimertinib.Subsequently,we established osimertinib-resistant(Osi-R)cell lines and found that the Osi-R cells acquired EMT features.Next,we analyzed the synergistic effects of the combination therapy to verify whether anlotinib could reverse osimertinib resistance by inhibiting EMT.The expression levels of VEGFA and tube formation were analyzed in the combination group in vitro.Finally,we determined the reversal of osimertinib resistance by the combination of osimertinib and anlotinib in vivo using 20 nude mice.The combined treatment of osimertinib and anlotinib effectively prevented the metastasis of Osi-R cells,inhibited tumor growth,exerted antitumor activity,and ultimately reversed osimertinib resistance in mice.The co-administration of osimertinib and anlotinib demonstrated synergistic efficacy in inhibiting EMT and angiogenesis in three NSCLC patients,ultimately reversing osimertinib resistance.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.82204006)the Science and Technology of Project of Hebei Education Department(QN2022009)+1 种基金the Provincial Graduate Student Innovation Funding Project of Hebei Province(CXZZBS2022104)the National Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(H2020209292).
文摘Background:The aim was to explore the effect of macrophage polarization and macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition(MMT)in silicosis.Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into a control group and a silicosis group developed using a HOPE MED 8050 dynamic automatic dusting system.Murine mac-rophage MH-S cells were randomly divided into a control group and an SiO_(2) group.The pathological changes in lung tissue were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Van Gieson(VG)staining.The distribution and location of macrophage marker(F4/80),M1 macrophage marker(iNOS),M2 macrophage marker(CD206),and myofibroblast marker(α-smooth muscle actin[α-SMA])were detected using immu-nohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining.The expression changes in iNOS,Arg,α-SMA,vimentin,and type I collagen(Col I)were measured using Western blot.Results:The results of HE and VG staining showed obvious silicon nodule formation and the distribution of thick collagen fibers in the lung tissue of the silicosis group.Macrophage marker F4/80 increased gradually from 8 to 32 weeks after exposure to silica.Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining results revealed that there were more iNOS-positive cells and some CD206-positive cells in the lung tissue of the silicosis group at 8 weeks.More CD206-positive cells were found in the silicon nodules of the lung tissues in the silicosis group at 32 weeks.Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of Inducible nitric oxide synthase and Arg protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis group were upregulated compared with those of the con-trol group.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed the co-expression of F4/80,α-SMA,and Col I,and CD206 andα-SMA were co-expressed in the lung tissue of the silicosis group.The extracted rat alveolar lavage fluid revealed F4/80+α-SMA+,CD206+α-SMA+,and F4/80+α-SMA+Col I+cells using immunofluorescence staining.Similar results were also found in MH-S cells induced by SiO_(2).Conclusions:The development of silicosis is accompanied by macrophage polarization and MMT.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province for Distinguished Young Scholars,No.2022B1515020003the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82174369,No.82405397,No.82374442,and No.81973847+2 种基金Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF No.GZC20233247National Key Clinical Disciplineand the Program of Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases,No.2020B1111170004.
文摘BACKGROUND The development of slow transit constipation(STC)is associated with intestinal barrier damage.Huangqi decoction(HQD)is effective in treating STC,but me-chanisms are unclear.AIM To investigate whether HQD alleviates STC by downregulating the nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and restoring intestinal barrier function.METHODS KM mice were divided into control,model,and HQD treatment groups.Fresh colonic tissues were collected for single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial tra-nscriptome sequencing.The expressions of claudin-1,mucin 2,and NF-κB P65 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry.In vitro experiments evaluated the effects of HQD on the LS174T cell line.RESULTS HQD improved intestinal motility,restored mucosal epithelium function and morphology.Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing data showed a reduction in goblet cells,decreased mucin 2 secretion,and activated apoptotic pathways in STC mice.The population of intestinal stem cells was reduced,and proliferation along with Wnt/β-catenin pathways were inhibited.STC also altered the distribution of intestinal cell states,increasing immune-associated Enterocyte_C3.Aberrant NF-κB pathway activation was noted across various cell types.After HQD treatment,NF-κB pathway activity was down-regulated,while cell proliferation pathways were up-regulated,alongside an increase in Enterocyte_C1 related to material transport.Immunocytochemical,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry analyses confirmed NF-κB pathway activation in goblet cells of STC mice,with HQD inhibiting this aberrant activation.CONCLUSION STC involves intestinal mucosal barrier damage.HQD may treat STC by suppressing NF-κB signaling in epithelial cells,restoring intestinal epithelial cell function,and promoting mucosal barrier repair.
基金The National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFC3800201).
文摘This study examined the influence of the built environment surrounding rail stations on rail transit ridership and its spatiotemporal variations,aiming to enhance rail transit operational efficiency and inform station planning and development.Data from 159 metro stations in Nanjing,collected over a 14-d period,were analyzed to identify changes in weekday and weekend ridership patterns.The analysis included explanatory variables grouped into three categories:urban spatial variables,socioeconomic vari-ables,and transit service variables.A geographically and temporally weighted regression(GTWR)model was developed,and its performance was compared with that of ordinary least squares(OLS)and geographically weighted regression(GWR)models.The results demonstrated that the GTWR model outperformed others in analyzing the relationship between rail transit ridership and the built environment.In addition,the coefficients of explanatory variables showed significant variation across spatiotemporal dimensions,revealing distinct patterns.Notably,the influence of commuter flows led to more pronounced temporal heterogeneity in the coefficients observed on weekdays.These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing urban public transportation systems and advancing integrated urban rail development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21805018)by Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Nos.2022ZHCG0018,2023NSFSC0117 and 2023ZHCG0060)Yibin Science and Technology Program(No.2022JB005)and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2022M722704).
文摘Layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising cathode materials for sodium ion batteries.However,irreversible phase transitions cause structural distortion and cation rearrangement,leading to sluggish Na+dynamics and rapid capacity decay.In this study,we propose a medium-entropy cathode by simultaneously introducing Fe,Mg,and Li dopants into a typical P2-type Na_(0.75)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)cathode.The modified Na_(0.75)Ni_(0.2125)Mn_(0.6375)Fe_(0.05)Mg_(0.05)Li_(0.05)O_(2)cathode predominantly exhibits a main P2 phase(93.5%)with a minor O3 phase(6.5%).Through spectroscopy techniques and electrochemical investigations,we elucidate the redox mechanisms of Ni^(2+/3+/4+),Mn^(3+/4+),Fe^(3+/4+),and O_(2)-/O_(2)^(n-)during charging/discharging.The medium-entropy doping mitigates the detrimental P2-O_(2)phase transition at high-voltage,replacing it with a moderate and reversible structural evolution(P2-OP4),thereby enhancing structural stability.Consequently,the modified cathode exhibits a remarkable rate capacity of 108.4 mAh·g^(-1)at 10C,with a capacity retention of 99.0%after 200 cycles at 1C,82.5%after 500 cycles at 5C,and 76.7%after 600 cycles at 10C.Furthermore,it also demonstrates superior electrochemical performance at high cutoff voltage of 4.5 V and extreme temperature(55 and 0℃).This work offers solutions to critical challenges in sodium ion batteries cathode materials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22206207,22127810,and 22276224)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Nos.2021A1515011546 and 2023A1515010085)the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangzhou(No.202102080005)。
文摘Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)plays an irreplaceable role in the development of silicosis.However,molecular mechanisms of EMT induced by silica exposure still remain to be addressed.Herein,metabolic profiles of human alveolar type II epithelial cells(A549 cells)exposed directly to silica were characterized using non-targeted metabolomic approaches.A total of 84 differential metabolites(DMs)were identified in silica-treated A549 cells undergoing EMT,which were mainly enriched in metabolisms of amino acids(e.g.,glutamate,alanine,aspartate),purine metabolism,glycolysis,etc.The number of DMs identified in the A549 cells obviously increased with the elevated exposure concentration of silica.Remarkably,glutamine catabolism was significantly promoted in the silica-treated A549 cells,and the levels of related metabolites(e.g.,succinate)and enzymes(e.g.,α-ketoglutarate(α-KG)dehydrogenase)were substantially up-regulated,with a preference toα-KG pathway.Supplementation of glutamine into the cell culture could substantially enhance the expression levels of both EMT-related markers and Snail(zinc finger transcription factor).Our results suggest that the EMT of human alveolar epithelial cells directly induced by silica can be essential to the development of silicosis.
