Humidity-Sensing and Moisture-Steering Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuator.

A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator capable of colorimetric humidity sensing is realized. The designed LCE features acid protonated amino azobenzene side groups in its structure, which endow the actuator with the hygroscopicity and act as the humidity reporter via color changes. Given that the protonated and deprotonated chromophore absorb visible light at different wavelengths, when the protonated LCE is under higher humidity, it absorbs more water that deprotonates azobenzene and leads to a change in color.

Nanopore discrimination and sensitive plasma detection of multiple natriuretic peptides: The representative biomarker of human heart failure.

Natriuretic peptides can relieve cardiovascular stress and closely related to heart failure. Besides, these peptides also have preferable interactions of binding to cellular protein receptors, and subsequently mediate various physiology actions. Hence, detection of these circulating biomarkers could be evaluated as a predictor ("Gold standard") for rapid, early diagnosis and risk stratification in heart failure.

Label-free high-precise nanopore detection of endopeptidase activity of anthrax lethal factor regulated by diverse conditions.

Endopeptidase activity of anthrax lethal factor (aLF) prevents the destroy of anthracis spore intracellularly by host macrophages, meanwhile disables the signaling pathways extracellularly that leads to host lethality. Hence, inhibitory of this activity is expected to be an alternative option to cure anthrax infection. Herein, we fabricated a nanopore platform via transmembrane pore construction in vitro, which allows precise mimics, monitoring of intercellular proteinic transport and enables the quantitative detection of aLF endopeptidase activity towards MAPKK signaling protein at single molecule level.

Ultrahigh Carbon Dioxide-Selective Composite Membrane Containing a γ-CD-MOF Layer.

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for CO separation have overcome the trade-off between gas permeability and gas selectivity to some extent. However, most MMMs still are prepared in lab- and pilot-scales since the permeability and selectivity of CO are not good enough to reach the economically available requirements. Moreover, the fabrication of few MMMs with good separation performance is time-consuming or need harsh conditions.

Personalized Preoperative Education Reduces Perioperative Anxiety in Old Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Psychological health is important to old patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after prostatic surgery. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the effect of personalized preoperative education in the reduction of perioperative anxiety in old BPH patients after prostatic surgery.

Methods: Senior patients (≥65 years) admitted with a diagnosis of BPH and scheduled for initial transurethral resection of the prostate from January 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019 were retrieved.

Facile Fabrication of an AIE-Active Metal-Organic Framework for Sensitive Detection of Explosives in Liquid and Solid Phases.

Nowadays, the practical applications of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based fluorescence detectors are severely hindered because of the complex synthesis process of linkers or heavy metal contamination. The development of a simple, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly fluorescence sensing system remains a huge challenge. In this study, we designed and synthesized a TPE@γ-CD-MOF-K complex using the facile in situ encapsulation method.

miR‑96 exerts an oncogenic role in the progression of cervical cancer by targeting CAV‑1.

Cervical cancer is the 4th most common malignant tumor type affecting women worldwide; however, its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Previous studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRs) serve crucial roles in the cellular functions of tumors. miR‑96 is involved in the tumorigenesis of many cancer types.