Molecule Differentiation Encoding Microscopy to Dissect Dense Biomolecules in Cellular Nanoenvironments Below Spatial Resolution.

Cellular biomolecules may exhibit dense distribution and organization at the nanoscale to govern vital biological processes. However, it remains a common challenge to digitize the spatially dense biomolecules under spatial resolution of microscopies. Here, we report a proof-of-principle method, molecule differentiation encoding microscopy by orthogonal tandem repeat DNA identifiers, to resolve the copy numbers of dense biomolecules in cellular nanoenvironments.

Effects of zinc silicate additive on the physicochemical properties and cellular behaviors of 3D-printed magnesium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds.

Magnesium phosphate (MP) is a promising bone regeneration material, but it lacks the capacity to efficiently stimulate osteogenesis. In this work, zinc silicate (ZS) was used as an additive to modify MP bioceramics, and the MP-ZS composite bioceramic scaffolds with three-dimensional macroporous structure were fabricated by fiber deposition-based 3D printing and subsequent high-temperature sintering. New silicate phase was produced during sintering the MP-ZS bioceramic scaffolds.

3D microstructure reconstruction and characterization of porous materials using a cross-sectional SEM image and deep learning.

Accurate assessment of the three-dimensional (3D) pore characteristics within porous materials and devices holds significant importance. Compared to high-cost experimental approaches, this study introduces an alternative method: utilizing a generative adversarial network (GAN) to reconstruct a 3D pore microstructure. Unlike some existing GAN models that require 3D images as training data, the proposed model only requires a single cross-sectional image for 3D reconstruction.

Analysis on agricultural carbon emissions transfer of inter-provincial trade in China.

The "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals" has put forward new requirements for China's agricultural carbon emission reduction. It is easy to ignore the carbon emission transfer caused by agricultural trade if the reduction responsibility of carbon emission is merely defined from the supply side. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on agricultural carbon transfer for reasonably dividing the responsibility of agricultural carbon reduction in different provinces.

Improvement in mechanical strength and biological function of 3D-printed trimagnesium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds by incorporating strontium orthosilicate.

Trimagnesium phosphate (TMP) bioceramic scaffolds are deemed as promising bone grafts, but their mechanical and biological properties are yet to be improved. In the study, strontium orthosilicate (SrOS) was used to modify the TMP scaffolds, whose macroporous structure was constructed by the filament deposition-type 3D printing method. The new phases of SrMg(PO) and SrMgSiO, which showed nanocrystalline topography, were produced in the 3D-printed TMP/SrOS bioceramic composite scaffolds.

Efficient optical plasmonic tweezer-controlled single-molecule SERS characterization of pH-dependent amylin species in aqueous milieus.

It is challenging to characterize single or a few biomolecules in physiological milieus without excluding the influences of surrounding environment. Here we utilize optical plasmonic trapping to construct a dynamic nanocavity, which reduces the diffraction-limited detection volume and provides reproducible electromagnetic field enhancements to achieve high-throughput single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) characterizations in aqueous environments. Specifically, we study human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (amylin, hIAPP) under different physiological pH conditions by combining spectroscopic experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Preparation of lithium-containing magnesium phosphate-based composite ceramics having high compressive strength, osteostimulation and proangiogenic effects.

Fairly high concentrations of magnesium and lithium are conducive to improving the osteogenic and angiogenic capacities. In the current study, lithium-containing magnesium phosphate-based ceramics (AMP/LMPGs) were prepared from amorphous magnesium phosphate (AMP) at a low sintering temperature (650 °C), and the lithium/magnesium-containing phosphate glasses (LMPGs) were utilized as sintering additives. During the sintering procedure of AMP/LMPGs, the AMP reacted with LMPGs, producing new compounds.

BNIP3 as a potential biomarker for the identification of prognosis and diagnosis in solid tumours.

Background: Traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been intensively studied for their role in the treatment of tumours. However, these therapies often cause side effects for patients, which calls for the development of novel treatment options for tumours. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) reportedly apoptosis-inducing effects in tumour cells and is associated with the progression and treatment of multiple tumours.

Potential clinical feasibility of synthetic MRI in bladder tumors: a comparative study with conventional MRI.

Background: Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide quantitative information about inherent tissue properties and synthesize tailored contrast-weighted images simultaneously in a single scan. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of synthetic MRI in bladder tumors.

Methods: A total of 47 patients (37 males; mean age: 66±10 years old) with postoperative pathology-confirmed papillary urothelial neoplasms of the bladder were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Fabrication of 3D printed CaMg(PO)-based bioceramic scaffolds with tailorable high mechanical strength and osteostimulation effect.

Calcium, magnesium and phosphate are predominant constituents in the human bone. In this study, magnesium-calcium phosphate composite bioceramic scaffolds were fabricated utilizing Mg(PO) and β-Ca(PO) as starting materials, and their pore structure was constructed by 3D printing. The porosity and compressive strength of the composite bioceramic scaffolds could be adjusted by altering the sintering temperature and the formula of starting materials.

Improving the osseointegration and soft tissue sealing of zirconia ceramics by the incorporation of akermanite sol infiltration for dental implants.

Zirconia ceramics are promising dental implant materials due to their high-grade biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, and distinctive aesthetic appearance. Nevertheless, zirconia ceramics are bio-inert with a lack of osseointegration and soft tissue sealing, which limits dental implant applications. As such, the fabrication of zirconia ceramics with high mechanical strength, excellent osseointegration and soft tissue sealing performance remains a great challenge in the dental restoration field.

Can decreased cost-sharing reduce the vulnerability of sick families to poverty? An analysis of the multi-level social health insurance scheme in China.

In recent years, China has been increasing social health insurance benefits to alleviate poverty due to illness. In 2015, China introduced the Critical Illness Insurance for patients with high out-of-pocket expenses as supplementary to the social health insurance, which categorized patients with different medical expenses into different cost-sharing policies. We conducted a survey on households with high-cost patients in rural Shandong in 2019 and employed the instrumental variables estimation approach to determine how different cost-sharing measures affect households' poverty vulnerability.

Retromer Complex and PI3K Complex II-Related Genes Mediate the Yeast () Sodium Metabisulfite Resistance Response.

Sodium metabisulfite (NaSO) is widely used as a preservative in the food and wine industry. However, it causes varying degrees of cellular damage to organisms. In order to improve our knowledge regarding its cyto-toxicity, a genome-wide screen using the yeast single deletion collection was performed.

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoids from the heartwood of Juniperus formosana Hayata.

Juniperus formosana Hayata (J. formosana) is a commom needlebush cultivar growing in China. Six new compounds (1-6), including four cadinene sesquiterpenoids (1-4), one abietane diterpenoid (5), and one β-naphthol derivative (6), along with 18 known compounds (7-24) were isolated and identified through phytochemical investigation on the heartwood of J.

Association between livelihood capital and catastrophic health expenditure among patients with critical illness: a cross-sectional study in rural Shandong, China.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the association between livelihood capital and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE).

Design: Between July and August 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in critically ill patients.

Setting: Shandong, China.

Subjective burdens among informal caregivers of critically ill patients: a cross-sectional study in rural Shandong, China.

Background: Informal caregivers are the main source of care for the critically ill, especially after discharge or during the terminal stages at home. However, the concern for informal caregivers is often overshadowed by critically ill patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the influencing factors of the subjective burden of informal caregivers and to seek solutions accordingly.

Multiparametric quantitative MRI for the evaluation of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of quantitative MRI parameters for predicting dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON).

Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical features and 3.0 T MRI data of 59 patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO), with (n = 26) and without DON (n = 33).

Association between social capital and depression among critically ill patients: evidence from a cross-sectional study in rural Shandong, China.

Background: With an increasing number of critically ill patients, attention should be paid to both their physical health and mental health. The objective of this study is to examine the links between depression and social capital among critically ill patients.

Methods: Data for 1043 patients with critical illnesses was collected with a stratified cluster random sampling method in rural Shandong, China.

Adrenal pheochromocytoma: is it all or the tip of the iceberg?

Adrenal pheochromocytoma is not always a simple retroperitoneal tumor but may be part of a more complicated condition. It often has a spectrum of complex and variable imaging features, may present as a collision tumor and composite tumor, and is associated with a variety of clinical syndromes. A comprehensive understanding of the clinical, pathological, and variable imaging manifestations of pheochromocytoma can help radiologists make an accurate diagnosis.

Appraisal of China's Response to the Outbreak of COVID-19 in Comparison With SARS.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since become a pandemic. The COVID-19 containment measures were comparable to those used with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), although these were stricter and more organized, and were initiated earlier and on a larger scale. Based on the lessons learned from SARS, the Chinese government acted aggressively in response to COVID-19, through a unified and effective commanding system, using law-based and science-driven strategies, and coordinated deployment of medical resources.

A Genome-Wide Screen in Reveals a Critical Role for Oxidative Phosphorylation in Cellular Tolerance to Lithium Hexafluorophosphate.

Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF) is one of the leading electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries, and its usage has increased tremendously in the past few years. Little is known, however, about its potential environmental and biological impacts. In order to improve our understanding of the cytotoxicity of LiPF and the specific cellular response mechanisms to it, we performed a genome-wide screen using a yeast () deletion mutant collection and identified 75 gene deletion mutants that showed LiPF sensitivity.

A CT-based nomogram for predicting the malignant potential of primary gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors preoperatively.

Purpose: To develop and validate a computerized tomography (CT)-based nomogram for predicting the malignant potential of primary gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Methods: The primary and validation cohorts consisted of 167 and 39 patients (single center, different time periods) with histologically confirmed primary gastric GISTs. Clinical data and preoperative CT images were reviewed.

Optical tweezers-controlled hotspot for sensitive and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy characterization of native protein structures.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a powerful tool to detect biomolecules in aqueous environments. However, it is challenging to identify protein structures at low concentrations, especially for the proteins existing in an equilibrium mixture of various conformations. Here, we develop an in situ optical tweezers-coupled Raman spectroscopy to visualize and control the hotspot between two Ag nanoparticle-coated silica beads, generating tunable and reproducible SERS enhancements with single-molecule level sensitivity.