A Concentric Ring Microneedle Electrode with Low Contact Impedance for Close Sources Laplacian EEG Recording.

Objective: Microneedle electrodes are a promising solution to the long-term collection of high-quality electroencephalography (EEG) signals without skin preparation. However, conventional microneedle electrodes still suffer from poor spatial resolution due to the volume conduction effect, which results in signal aliasing from adjacent electrodes and interference from remote sources.

Methods: Here, we introduce the design, fabrication, and application of an iridium oxide (IrOx) concentric ring microneedle electrode (CRME) for surface Laplacian EEG (SLEEG) signals recording.

Treating human cancer by targeting EZH2.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), an epigenetic regulator that primarily inhibits downstream gene expression by tri-methylating histone H3, which is usually overexpressed in tumors and participates in many processes such as tumor occurrence and development, invasion, migration, drug resistance, and anti-tumor immunity as an oncogene, making it an important biomarker in cancer therapy. Collectively, several transcription factors and RNAs cooperate to facilitate the elevated expression of EZH2 in cancer. Although the significance of blocking EZH2 in cancer for inhibiting cancer progression is widely recognized, the clinical application of EZH2 inhibitors continues to encounter numerous challenges.

An Efficient MEMS Microelectrode Array with Reliable Interelectrode Insulation Processes for In Vivo Neural Recording.

Microelectrode arrays, particularly Utah arrays, offer irreplaceable advantages in clinical applications and play a crucial role in advancing brain-computer interactions. However, the glass-fused monolithic structure of Utah arrays limits functional expansion, and the glass insulation process is complex, costly, and time-intensive. This paper presents a microelectrode array with a simple and time-saving fabrication process, utilizing low-resistance silicon and borosilicate glass wafers as electrodes and insulation substrates, respectively.

Controllable tip exposure of ultramicroelectrodes coated by diamond-like carbon via direct microplasma jet for enhanced stability and fidelity in single-cell recording.

Precise and long-term electroanalysis at the single-cell level is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of brain diseases. The reliable protection in areas outside the signal acquisition points at sharp ultramicroelectrode (UME) tips has a significant impact on the sensitivity, fidelity, and stability of intracellular neural signal recording. However, it is difficult for existing UMEs to achieve controllable exposure of the tip functional structure, which affects their ability to resist environmental interference and shield noise, resulting in unsatisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and signal fidelity of intracellular recordings.

[Determination of eight phthalate metabolites in urine of pregnant women and evaluation of neonatal birth outcomes based on solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

Phthalates (PAEs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are widely present in everyday life and enter the human body through various pathways. The release of PAEs into the environment through pathways that include leaching, evaporation, abrasion, and the use of personal care products exposes humans to PAEs via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Pregnant women, as a particularly vulnerable population, risk adverse newborn growth and development when exposed to PAEs.

Association between prenatal exposure to phthalate esters and blood pressure in children aged 3-7 years: A prospective cohort study.

Background: An increasing number of animal studies have indicated that exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) may cause high blood pressure. However, population-based evidence is limited, particularly for pregnant women and young children.

Objective: To examine the correlation between prenatal exposure to phthalate ester metabolites (mPAEs) and blood pressure in preschool children.

An Opto-electrophysiology Neural Probe with Photoelectric Artifact-Free for Advanced Single-Neuron Analysis.

Opto-electrophysiology neural probes targeting single-cell levels offer an important avenue for elucidating the intrinsic mechanisms of the nervous system using different physical quantities, representing a significant future direction for brain-computer interface (BCI) devices. However, the highly integrated structure poses significant challenges to fabrication processes and the presence of photoelectric artifacts complicates the extraction and analysis of target signals. Here, we propose a highly miniaturized and integrated opto-electrophysiology neural probe for electrical recording and optical stimulation at the single-cell/subcellular level.

miR-129-5p inhibits anchorage-independent growth through silencing of ACTN1 and the ELK4/c-FOS axis in HPV-transformed keratinocytes.

A persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) can induce precancerous lesions of the cervix that may ultimately develop into cancer. Cervical cancer development has been linked to altered microRNA (miRNA) expression, with miRNAs regulating anchorage-independent growth being particularly important for the progression of precancerous lesions to cancer. In this study, we set out to identify and validate targets of miR-129-5p, a previously identified tumor suppressive miRNA involved in anchorage-independent growth and HPV-induced carcinogenesis.

Kinesin-7 CENP-E mediates chromosome alignment and spindle assembly checkpoint in meiosis I.

In eukaryotes, meiosis is the genetic basis for sexual reproduction, which is important for chromosome stability and species evolution. The defects in meiosis usually lead to chromosome aneuploidy, reduced gamete number, and genetic diseases, but the pathogenic mechanisms are not well clarified. Kinesin-7 CENP-E is a key regulator in chromosome alignment and spindle assembly checkpoint in cell division.

Effects of virtual exposure to urban greenways on mental health.

Urban greenways (UGW) are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban green infrastructure (UGI). While existing research has provided empirical evidence on the positive impacts of UGW on physical health, studies focusing on the effects on mental health remain limited. Moreover, previous investigations predominantly compare UGW as a whole with other built environments, neglecting the influence of specific vegetation designs along UGW on mental health.

In situ self-referenced intracellular two-electrode system for enhanced accuracy in single-cell analysis.

Since the emergence of single-cell electroanalysis, the two-electrode system has become the predominant electrochemical system for real-time behavioral analysis of single-cell and multicellular populations. However, due to the transmembrane placement of the two electrodes, cellular activities can be interrupted by the transmembrane potentials, and the test results are susceptible to influences from factors such as intracellular solution, membrane, and bulk solution. These limitations impede the advancement of single-cell analysis.

Loss-of-function of kinesin-5 KIF11 causes microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, and developmental disorders through chromosome instability and cell cycle arrest.

Kinesin motors play a fundamental role in development by controlling intracellular transport, spindle assembly, and microtubule organization. In humans, patients carrying mutations in KIF11 suffer from an autosomal dominant inheritable disease called microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphoedema, or mental retardation (MCLMR). While mitotic functions of KIF11 proteins have been well documented in centrosome separation and spindle assembly, cellular mechanisms underlying KIF11 dysfunction and MCLMR remain unclear.

CETSA-MS-based target profiling of anti-aging natural compound quercetin.

Background: Quercetin is widely distributed in nature and abundant in the human diet, which exhibits diverse biological activities and potential medical benefits. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding about its cellular targets, impeding its in-depth mechanistic studies and clinical applications.

Purpose: This study aimed to profile protein targets of quercetin at the proteome level.

Brainmask: an ultrasoft and moist micro-electrocorticography electrode for accurate positioning and long-lasting recordings.

Bacterial cellulose (BC), a natural biomaterial synthesized by bacteria, has a unique structure of a cellulose nanofiber-weaved three-dimensional reticulated network. BC films can be ultrasoft with sufficient mechanical strength, strong water absorption and moisture retention and have been widely used in facial masks. These films have the potential to be applied to implantable neural interfaces due to their conformality and moisture, which are two critical issues for traditional polymer or silicone electrodes.

Kaempferol promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell autophagy via restricting Met pathway.

Background: Kaempferol is extracted from Hedyotis diffusa, exerting an obvious anti-cancer effect. Here in the present study, we explored the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of kaempferol in non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC).

Purpose: Our objective is to figure out the molecular mechanism by which kaempferol promotes autophagy in NSCLC cells.

Doped Multiple Nanoparticles with Hydroxyapatite Coating Show Diverse Health Effects in vivo.

Introduction: The lack of osteoinductive, angiogenic and antimicrobial properties of hydroxyapatite coatings (HA) on titanium surfaces severely limits their use in orthopedic and dental implants. Therefore, we doped SiO, GdO and CeO nanoparticles into HA to fabricate a HASiGdCe coating with a combination of decent antibacterial, angiogenic and osteogenic properties by the plasma spraying technique.

Methods: The HASiGdCe coating was analyzed by SEM (EDS), surface roughness tests, contact angle tests, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, tensile tests and electrochemical dynamic polarization tests.

Novel pH-Responsive CaO@ZIF-67-HA-ADH Coating That Efficiently Enhances the Antimicrobial, Osteogenic, and Angiogenic Properties of Titanium Implants.

Titanium-based implants often lead to premature implant failure due to the lack of antimicrobial, osteogenic, and angiogenic properties. To this end, a new strategy was developed to fabricate CaO@ZIF-67-HA-ADH coating on titanium surfaces by combining calcium peroxide (CaO) nanoparticles, zeolite imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67), and the chemical coupling hyaluronic acid-adipic acid dihydrazide (HA-ADH). We characterized CaO@ZIF-67-HA-ADH with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

A shape-memory poly(ε-caprolactone) hybridized TiO/poly(l-lactide) composite with antibacterial properties.

Organic-inorganic composites as an efficient strategy to upgrade the structural and functional properties of synthetic polymers are attracting extensive attentions. However, there are few studies on the shape memory (SM) behavior of organic-inorganic composites. In the work, poly(ε-caprolactone) hybridized TiO nanomaterial (PCL-TiO) is made as the switching phase and integrated into poly (l-lactide) (PLLA) to construct an SM composite.

Generation of Centromere-Associated Protein-E CENP-E-/- Knockout Cell Lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 System.

The CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 system has emerged as a powerful tool for precise and efficient gene editing in a variety of organisms. Centromere-associated protein-E (CENP-E) is a plus-end-directed kinesin required for kinetochore-microtubule capture, chromosome alignment, and spindle assembly checkpoint. Although cellular functions of the CENP-E proteins have been well studied, it has been difficult to study the direct functions of CENP-E proteins using traditional protocols because CENP-E ablation usually leads to spindle assembly checkpoint activation, cell cycle arrest, and cell death.

Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination: Enantioselective Addition of Pyrazoles to Cyclopropenes.

Chiral -cyclopropyl pyrazoles and structurally related heterocycles are prepared using an earth-abundant copper catalyst under mild reaction conditions with high regio-, diastereo-, and enantiocontrol. The observed N:N regioselectivity favors the more hindered nitrogen of the pyrazole. Experimental and DFT studies support a unique mechanism that features a five-centered aminocupration.

FZKA reverses gefitinib resistance by regulating EZH2/Snail/EGFR signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Fuzheng Kang-Ai (FZKA) decoction is mainly composed of 12 components with different types of herbs. In the last decade, FZKA has been used as an adjuvant treatment for lung cancer in clinical practice. Our previous studies have confirmed that FZKA shows a strong anti-cancer activity, significantly increases the clinical efficacy of gefitinib and reverses gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Functional hydrogels for the repair and regeneration of tissue defects.

Tissue defects can be accompanied by functional impairments that affect the health and quality of life of patients. Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) hydrophilic polymer networks that can be used as bionic functional tissues to fill or repair damaged tissue as a promising therapeutic strategy in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This paper summarises and discusses four outstanding advantages of hydrogels and their applications and advances in the repair and regeneration of tissue defects.

Fuzheng Kang-Ai inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation via regulating hsa_circ_0048091/hsa-miR-378g/ARRDC3 pathway.

Background: Current treatments for lung cancer have their own deficiencies, such as severe adverse effect. Therefore, more safe and effective drugs are needed.

Purpose: Fuzheng Kang-Ai (FZKA for short) has been applied as an adjuvant treatment in advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients for decades in China, showing a definitive effect with minimal toxicities.