Discontinuous Directional Wetting Transitions in Polymeric Droplets on the Heterogeneous Microcavity Surface.

The wetting transition behaviors of polymeric droplets on microcavity surfaces are familiar and play a vital role in micromanufacturing, microfluidics, and printing industries. Despite previous research indicating that microcavity surfaces can precisely control the droplet wetting state, the understanding of the complex effects of droplet spreading, surface morphology, and property of polymeric droplet on wetting transitions remains incomplete. The air-liquid interfaces (ALIs) typically arise from the entrapped air beneath the droplet on microcavity surfaces, adopting a metastable wetting state caused by either bubble escape or dissolution.

Semaphorin heterodimerization in cis regulates membrane targeting and neocortical wiring.

Disruption of neocortical circuitry and architecture in humans causes numerous neurodevelopmental disorders. Neocortical cytoarchitecture is orchestrated by various transcription factors such as Satb2 that control target genes during strict time windows. In humans, mutations of SATB2 cause SATB2 Associated Syndrome (SAS), a multisymptomatic syndrome involving epilepsy, intellectual disability, speech delay, and craniofacial defects.

Cortical neurodegeneration caused by mutations is independent of Aβ.

Mutations in the genes are the major cause of familial Alzheimer's disease, and presenilin (PS) is the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, which cleaves type I transmembrane proteins, including the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to release Aβ peptides. While PS plays an essential role in the protection of neuronal survival, mutations also increase the ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40. Thus, it remains unresolved whether mutations cause AD via a loss of its essential function or increases of Aβ42/Aβ40.

Reply to Chan et al.

We agree that smoking might be a risk factor for the severity of COVID-19, but in our previous study, smoking was not so robust compared with our conclusion. Also, we strongly agreed that COVID-19 patients with diabetes or other chronic diseases might worsen the situation of the disease. But these factors were out of the scope of our study and we had published other research on this topic related to diabetes.

The clinical and bioinformatics analysis for the role of antihypertension drugs on mortality among patients with hypertension hospitalized with COVID-19.

Comorbidities such as hypertension could exacerbate symptoms of coronaviral disease 2019 (COVID)-19 infection. Patients with hypertension may receive both anti-COVID-19 and antihypertension therapies when infected with COVID-19. However, it is not clear how different classes of anti-hypertension drugs impact the outcome of COVID-19 treatment.

Targeted Protein Degradation: An Important Tool for Drug Discovery for "Undruggable" Tumor Transcription Factors.

Conventional small-molecule drugs (SMDs) are compounds characterized by low molecular weight, high cell permeability, and high selectivity. In clinical translation, SMDs are regarded as good candidates for oral drug formulation. SMD inhibitors play an important role in cancer treatment; however, resistance and low effectiveness have been major bottlenecks in clinical application.

TrkB-dependent EphrinA reverse signaling regulates callosal axon fasciculate growth downstream of Neurod2/6.

Abnormal development of corpus callosum is relatively common and causes a broad spectrum of cognitive impairments in humans. We use acallosal Neurod2/6-deficient mice to study callosal axon guidance within the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. Initial callosal tracts form but fail to traverse the ipsilateral cingulum and are not attracted towards the midline in the absence of Neurod2/6.

Fabrication of MnCuNiFe-CuAlNiFeMn Gradient Alloy by Laser Engineering Net Shaping System.

Marine noise pollution generated by propellers is of wide concern. Traditional propeller materials (nickel-aluminum bronze (NAB) alloys) can no longer meet the requirements for reducing shaft vibration. However, the Mn-Cu alloy developed to solve the problem of propeller vibration is affected by seawater corrosion, which greatly limits the application of the alloy in the field of marine materials.

Targeting hippocampal phospholipid and tryptophan metabolism for antidepressant-like effects of albiflorin.

Background: Current antidepressant therapy remains unsatisfactory due to its delayed clinical onset of action and the heterogeneity of depression. Targeting disturbed neurometabolic pathways could provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression. Albiflorin is a phytomedicine isolated from the root of Peony (Paeonia albiflora Pall) with excellent clinical tolerance.

Efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in the treatment of severe chronic immune thrombocytopenia in children of China: A single-center observational study.

The treatment of severe chronic immune thrombocytopenia (SCITP) in pediatric patients is challenging. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in children with SCITP in China. This observational study was carried out at the Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital between April 2017 and July 2018.

Antidepressant-like effects of dietary gardenia blue pigment derived from genipin and tyrosine.

Gardenia blue pigments derived from genipin reacting with amino acids have been used as natural food colorants for nearly 30 years in East Asia. However, their pharmacological effects, especially antidepressant-like effects, have not been reported so far. In this study, one of the gardenia blue pigments, was obtained from the reaction of genipin with tyrosine (genipin-tyrosine derivant (GTD)), and its antidepressant-like effects were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models.

NeuroD2 controls inhibitory circuit formation in the molecular layer of the cerebellum.

The cerebellar cortex is involved in the control of diverse motor and non-motor functions. Its principal circuit elements are the Purkinje cells that integrate incoming excitatory and local inhibitory inputs and provide the sole output of the cerebellar cortex. However, the transcriptional control of circuit assembly in the cerebellar cortex is not well understood.

A neuronal PI(3,4,5)P-dependent program of oligodendrocyte precursor recruitment and myelination.

The molecular trigger of CNS myelination is unknown. By targeting Pten in cerebellar granule cells and activating the AKT1-mTOR pathway, we increased the caliber of normally unmyelinated axons and the expression of numerous genes encoding regulatory proteins. This led to the expansion of genetically wild-type oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocyte differentiation and de novo myelination of parallel fibers.

Coordinately Co-opted Multiple Transposable Elements Constitute an Enhancer for wnt5a Expression in the Mammalian Secondary Palate.

Acquisition of cis-regulatory elements is a major driving force of evolution, and there are several examples of developmental enhancers derived from transposable elements (TEs). However, it remains unclear whether one enhancer element could have been produced via cooperation among multiple, yet distinct, TEs during evolution. Here we show that an evolutionarily conserved genomic region named AS3_9 comprises three TEs (AmnSINE1, X6b_DNA and MER117), inserted side-by-side, and functions as a distal enhancer for wnt5a expression during morphogenesis of the mammalian secondary palate.

A promising antitumor activity of evodiamine incorporated in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: pro-apoptotic activity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Background: Evodiamine has gained wide interests recently because of its antitumor activities. However, a superior bioavailability is required to achieve better efficacy due to its poor water solubility. The aim of this study was to enhance the evodiamine's aqueous solubility by preparing evodiamine/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (EVO/HP-β-CD) inclusion complex, which is incorporated evodiamine into HP-β-CD, and compare the antitumor activities before and after inclusion with HP-β-CD in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

The cyclic AMP signaling pathway: Exploring targets for successful drug discovery (Review).

During development of disease, complex intracellular signaling pathways regulate an intricate series of events, including resistance to external toxins, the secretion of cytokines and the production of pathological phenomena. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is a nucleotide that acts as a key second messenger in numerous signal transduction pathways. cAMP regulates various cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation, gene transcription and protein expression.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of genipin crosslinked chitosan/gelatin three-dimensional scaffolds for liver tissue engineering applications.

In liver tissue engineering, scaffolds with porous structure desgined to supply nutrient and oxygen exchange for three-dimensional (3-D) cells culture, and maintain liver functions. Meanwhile, genipin, as a natural crosslinker, is widely used to crosslink biomaterials in tissue engineering, with lower cytotoxicity and better biocompatibility. In present study, chitosan/gelatin 3-D scaffolds crosslinked by genipin, glutaraldehyde or 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodimide hydrochloride (EDC) were prepared and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Protective effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius extract against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury.

Aim: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius in vivo.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups and intraperitoneally administered 0.9% saline, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius extract [Danhong injection (DHI), 0.

Evaluation of genipin on human cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and P-glycoprotein in vitro.

Genipin is obtained from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and acts as an herbal medicine or functional food in East Asia. In addition to produce natural colorant, it possesses widely antiinflammatory, antithrombotic, antidepressive and anticarcinogenic activities. However, little research focuses on the potential of genipin for drug-drug interactions.

Neuronal basic helix-loop-helix proteins Neurod2/6 regulate cortical commissure formation before midline interactions.

Establishment of long-range fiber tracts by neocortical projection neurons is fundamental for higher brain functions. The molecular control of axon tract formation, however, is still poorly understood. Here, we have identified basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors Neurod2 and Neurod6 as key regulators of fasciculation and targeted axogenesis in the mouse neocortex.

Mechanical properties of nickel-titanium archwire used in the final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique: an in vitro study.

Background: As the only active component in final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the activation of nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires is one of the factors that affect the torque expression. It is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties of the nickel-titanium wire used in the final treatment phase in simulated oral environments to forecast the treatment outcomes.

Methods: The mechanical properties of 171 thermal nickel-titanium wires of 0.

[Comparative studies of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and fluoride products in inhibiting enamel demineralization].

Objective: To evaluate casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and several fluoride products in inhibiting enamel demineralization.

Methods: Seventy healthy premolars extracted before orthodontic treatment were divided into seven groups (A: CPP-ACP; B: CPP-ACP + fluoride mouth rinses; C: fluoride mouth rinses; D: fluoride glass ionomer protection; E: fluoride resin binder; F: fluoride varnish; G: control group). There were ten samples in each group.

Rapid screening of five phthalate esters from beverages by ultrasound-assisted surfactant-enhanced emulsification microextraction coupled with gas chromatography.

A rapid ultrasound-assisted surfactant-enhanced emulsification microextraction (UASEME) method coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) is proposed for the rapid screening of five phthalate esters in bottled beverages. In the UASEME procedure, a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) was used as the emulsifier, without application of any organic dispersive solvents typically required in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Triton X-100 as the emulsifier accelerated the formation of fine droplets from the extraction solvent in the sample solution under ultrasound radiation, thus combining the advantages of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (UAEME).