A Combinational Approach for More Efficient miRNA Biosensing.

MicroRNAs, short single-stranded noncoding RNAs ranging in length from 18 ~ 24 bp, are found in all kingdoms of eukaryotes and even viruses. It was found that miRNAs are involved in a variety of biological processes, and their intracellular aberrant expression is related to diseases and abnormalities in the immune system. Since then, it has been considered essential to develop an efficient miRNA detection system.

Understanding an Exceptionally Fast and Stable Li-Ion Charging of Highly Fluorinated Graphene with Fine-Controlled C-F Configuration.

Fluorine (F) atoms with the highest electronegativity and low polarizability can easily modify the surface and composition of carbon-based electrode materials. However, this is accompanied by complete irreversibility and uncontrolled reactivity, thus hindering their use in rechargeable electronic devices. Therefore, understanding the electrochemical effects of the C-F configuration might lead to achieving superior electrochemical properties.

Stenting versus balloon angioplasty alone in patients with below-the-knee disease: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is considered an effective treatment in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). However, the long-term durability of below-the-knee (BTK) PTA is known to be limited. This study sought to compare the 1-year clinical outcomes following stenting versus balloon angioplasty alone in BTK lesions.

Enhanced neuroprotective and antidepressant activity of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers in lipopolysaccharide-induced depression and anxiety rat model.

The present study aims to develop curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (CUR-NLCs) and investigate their neuroprotective effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression and anxiety model. Nanotemplate engineering technique was used to prepare CUR-NLCs with Compritol 888 ATO and oleic acid as solid and liquid lipid, respectively. Poloxamer 188, Tween 80 and Span 80 were used as stabilizing agents for solid-liquid lipid core.

Swelling-Controlled Double-Layered SiO/MgSiO/SiO Composite with Enhanced Initial Coulombic Efficiency for Lithium-Ion Battery.

Si-based anode materials are considered as potential materials for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with the advantages of high specific capacities and low operating voltages. However, significant initial capacity loss and large volume variations during cycles are the primary restrictions for the practical application of Si-based anodes. Herein, we propose an affordable and scalable synthesis of double-layered SiO/MgSiO/SiO composites through the magnesiothermic reduction of micro-sized SiO with Mg metal powder at 750 °C for 2 h.

CORM-2-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes ameliorate acute skin inflammation in an ear edema model effective CO delivery.

The short release half-life of carbon monoxide (CO) is a major obstacle to the effective therapeutic use of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2). The potential of CORM-2-entrapped ultradeformable liposomes (CORM-2-UDLs) to enhance the release half-life of CO and alleviate skin inflammation was investigated in the present study. CORM-2-UDLs were prepared by using soy phosphatidylcholine to form lipid bilayers and Tween 80 as an edge activator.

Potential and Applications of Nanocarriers for Efficient Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals.

During the past two decades, the clinical use of biopharmaceutical products has markedly increased because of their obvious advantages over conventional small-molecule drug products. These advantages include better specificity, potency, targeting abilities, and reduced side effects. Despite the substantial clinical and commercial success, the macromolecular structure and intrinsic instability of biopharmaceuticals make their formulation and administration challenging and render parenteral delivery as the only viable option in most cases.

Clinical application of a phenotype-based NGS panel for differential diagnosis of inherited kidney disease and beyond.

Understanding the genetic causes of kidney disease is essential for accurate diagnosis and could lead to improved therapeutic strategies and prognosis. To accurately and promptly identify the genetic background of kidney diseases, we applied a targeted next-generation sequencing gene panel including 203 genes associated with kidney disease, as well as diseases originating in other organs with mimicking symptoms of kidney disease, to analyze 51 patients with nonspecific nephrogenic symptoms, followed by validation of its efficacy as a diagnostic tool. We simultaneously screened for copy number variants (CNVs) in each patient to obtain a higher diagnostic yield (molecular diagnostic rate: 39.

Solid lipid nanoparticles-mediated enhanced antidepressant activity of duloxetine in lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive model.

The potential of duloxetine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (DLX-SLNs) for enhanced antidepressant activity was investigated in the current study. Nano-template engineering technology was successfully employed for the preparation of DLX-SLNs. In vivo forced swim and tail suspension tests were used to evaluate behavioral changes of rats in lipopolysaccharide-induced depression.

The Current Status and Future Outlook of Quantum Dot-Based Biosensors for Plant Virus Detection.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), widely used for the detection of plant viruses, are not easily performed, resulting in a demand for an innovative and more efficient diagnostic method. This paper summarizes the characteristics and research trends of biosensors focusing on the physicochemical properties of both interface elements and bioconjugates. In particular, the topological and photophysical properties of quantum dots (QDs) are discussed, along with QD-based biosensors and their practical applications.

Synergetic effects of solution-processable fluorinated graphene and PEDOT as a hole-transporting layer for highly efficient and stable normal-structure perovskite solar cells.

We demonstrate that a bi-interlayer consisting of water-free poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and fluorinated reduced graphene oxide (FrGO) noticeably enhances the efficiency and the stability of the normal-structure perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). With simple and low temperature solution-processing, the PeSC employing the PEDOT + FrGO interlayer exhibits a significantly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.9%.

One-Step Printable Perovskite Films Fabricated under Ambient Conditions for Efficient and Reproducible Solar Cells.

Despite the potential of roll-to-roll processing for the fabrication of perovskite films, the realization of highly efficient and reproducible perovskite solar cells (PeSCs) through continuous coating techniques and low-temperature processing is still challenging. Here, we demonstrate that efficient and reliable CHNHPbI (MAPbI) films fabricated by a printing process can be achieved through synergetic effects of binary processing additives, N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (CHP) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Notably, these perovskite films are deposited from premixed perovskite solutions for facile one-step processing under a room-temperature and ambient atmosphere.

Unravelling the mechanism of action of enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked recessive glycosphingolipid-storage disorder caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been used to supplement deficient enzyme activity in patients with FD. Despite its clinical effect and manifestations, clear criteria for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ERT have not been well established.

AltMV TGB1 Nucleolar Localization Requires Homologous Interaction and Correlates with Cell Wall Localization Associated with Cell-to-Cell Movement.

The Potexvirus Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) has multifunctional triple gene block (TGB) proteins, among which our studies have focused on the properties of the TGB1 protein. The TGB1 of AltMV has functions including RNA binding, RNA silencing suppression, and cell-to-cell movement, and is known to form homologous interactions. The helicase domains of AltMV TGB1 were separately mutated to identify which regions are involved in homologous TGB1 interactions.

Fluorine-functionalized and simultaneously reduced graphene oxide as a novel hole transporting layer for highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaic cells.

A one-step reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide (FrGO) was easily achieved using a novel phenylhydrazine-based reductant containing fluorine atoms, which can induce p-type doping due to its high electronegativity. The FrGO-based OPV exhibited a high power conversion efficiency of ∼6.71% and a superior OPV-stability to commercial PEDOT:PSS.

Immunohistochemical study of arginase-1 in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury.

The expression of arginases, enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea, was studied in the inflammatory lesions of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The level of arginase-1 expression in rat spinal cords with clip compression injury was determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western blot showed that the level of arginase-1 increased in the core lesion of SCI at day 1 post injury and continued to increase through days 4 (p<0.

The sweet potato ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene (ibAGP1) promoter confers high-level expression of the GUS reporter gene in the potato tuber.

Molecular farming refers to the process of creating bioengineered plants with the capability of producing potentially valuable products, such as drugs, vaccines, and chemicals. We have investigated the potential of the sweet potato ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene (ibAGP1) promoter and its transit peptide (TP) as an expression system for the mass production of foreign proteins in potato. The ibAGP1 promoter and its TP sequence were transformed into potato along with beta-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter gene, and GUS activity was subsequently analyzed in the transgenic potato plants.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality and antioxidant activity of fresh vegetable juice.

A fresh vegetable juice has become a new functional food available for dieting and health. However, it poses a microbiological hazard to the consumer because it is distributed and consumed without any cooking. In this study, we applied the radiation sterilization of fresh vegetable juice, and the effectiveness of gamma irradiation for inactivating Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli in the carrot and kale juice was investigated.

The effect of ethanol on the physical properties of neuronal membranes.

Intramolecular excimer formation of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl) propane(Py-3-Py) and fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) were used to evaluate the effect of ethanol on the rate and range of lateral and rotational mobilities of bulk bilayer structures of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVs) from the bovine cerebral cortex. Ethanol increased the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py in the SPMVs. Selective quenching of both DPH and Py-3-Py by trinitrophenyl groups was used to examine the range of transbilayer asymmetric rotational mobility and the rate and range of transbilayer asymmetric lateral mobility of SPMVs.