Mapping Reaction Pathways by Step Sweep Voltammetry Flow Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry.

A step sweep voltammetry (SSV) flow electrochemical (EC) mass spectrometry (MS) platform was developed for real-time and mapping of EC reaction pathways. By integrating a flow EC cell into the pneumatic spray nozzle followed by atmospheric chemical ionization, this setup was capable of MS monitoring of short-lived EC intermediates with enhanced sensitivity. This setup also realized precise measurement and control of the electrode potential during EC-MS analysis, which can provide detailed information on the interplay of reaction pathways under different electrode potentials.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi regulate amino acid metabolism, phytohormones and glycolysis pathway to promote the growth of Suaeda salsa under combined Cd and NaCl stresses.

The use of halophytes in conjunction with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been found to enhance the removal efficacy of heavy metals and salts in heavy metals contaminated saline soil. The mechanisms of AM fungi on promoting halophyte growth and regulating metabolism remain unclear. In this study, combinations of 0 g kg NaCl and 3 mg kg Cd (S0Cd3), 6 g kg NaCl and 3 mg kg Cd (S6Cd3), and 12 g kg NaCl and 3 mg kg Cd (S12Cd3) were employed to explore the impact of Funneliformis mosseae on the growth and metabolism of Suaeda salsa.

A Study on the Removal of Impurity Elements Silicon and Zinc from Rubidium Chloride by Vacuum Distillation.

With the rapid development of high and new technology, rubidium and its compounds show broad application prospect and market demand with their unique characteristics. At present, the production of rubidium metal is mainly prepared by calcium thermal reduction of rubidium chloride. Rubidium metal obtained by reduction requires multi-step vacuum distillation to obtain high-purity rubidium metal.

Piezocatalytically-induced controllable mineralization scaffold with bone-like microenvironment to achieve endogenous bone regeneration.

Orderly hierarchical structure with balanced mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties is the basis of the natural bone microenvironment. Inspired by nature, we developed a piezocatalytically-induced controlled mineralization strategy using piezoelectric polymer poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fibers with ordered micro-nano structures to prepare biomimetic tissue engineering scaffolds with a bone-like microenvironment (pcm-PLLA), in which PLLA-mediated piezoelectric catalysis promoted the in-situ polymerization of dopamine and subsequently regulated the controllable growth of hydroxyapatite crystals on the fiber surface. PLLA fibers, as analogs of mineralized collagen fibers, were arranged in an oriented manner, and ultimately formed a bone-like interconnected pore structure; in addition, they also provided bone-like piezoelectric properties.

HIF-2α-dependent TGFBI promotes ovarian cancer chemoresistance by activating PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit apoptosis and facilitate DNA repair process.

Hypoxia-mediated chemoresistance plays a crucial role in the development of ovarian cancer (OC). However, the roles of hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) in chemoresistance and prognosis prediction and theirs underlying mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. We intended to identify and validate classifiers of hub HRGs for chemoresistance, diagnosis, prognosis as well as immune microenvironment of OC, and to explore the function of the most crucial HRG in the development of the malignant phenotypes.

A responsive cascade drug delivery scaffold adapted to the therapeutic time window for peripheral nerve injury repair.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common clinical challenge, requiring timely and orderly initiation of synergistic anti-inflammatory and reparative therapy. Although the existing cascade drug delivery system can realize sequential drug release through regulation of the chemical structure of drug carriers, it is difficult to adjust the release kinetics of each drug based on the patient's condition. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a cascade drug delivery system that can dynamically adjust drug release and realize personalized treatment.

Tumor microenviroment-responsive self-assembly of barium titanate nanoparticles with enhanced piezoelectric catalysis capabilities for efficient tumor therapy.

Catalytic therapy based on piezoelectric nanoparticles has become one of the effective strategies to eliminate tumors. However, it is still a challenge to improve the tumor delivery efficiency of piezoelectric nanoparticles, so that they can penetrate normal tissues while specifically aggregating at tumor sites and subsequently generating large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to achieve precise and efficient tumor clearance. In the present study, we successfully fabricated tumor microenvironment-responsive assembled barium titanate nanoparticles (tma-BTO NPs): in the neutral pH environment of normal tissues, tma-BTO NPs were monodisperse and possessed the ability to cross the intercellular space; whereas, the acidic environment of the tumor triggered the self-assembly of tma-BTO NPs to form submicron-scale aggregates, and deposited in the tumor microenvironment.

In Situ Probing and Identification of Electrochemical Reaction Intermediates by Floating Electrolytic Electrospray Mass Spectrometry.

The in-depth study of electrochemical (EC) synthesis can require a powerful mass spectrometry (MS) analytical platform which can discover and identify fleeting intermediates in EC reactions. Here we report a floating electrolytic electrospray ionization (FE-ESI) strategy that can perform EC processes in a floating electrolytic cell and monitor intermediates by high-resolution MS. Compared with previous EC-MS methods, a significant advantage of FE-ESI-MS is that it allows one to modulate the electrolytic and electrospray process individually, ensuring its high sensitivity in discovering intermediates and universality to investigate redox reactions in different scenarios.

The continuous evolution of 2D cell-traction forces quantification technology.

Cells generate traction forces by interacting with the extracellular matrix (ECM) during migration, contraction, invasion, and spreading. Cell-traction forces (CTFs) are extremely small but have enormous biological effects. It has been discovered that CTFs serve a crucial role in regulating proliferation, differentiation, wound healing, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and tumor genesis by working together with biochemical signals to maintain a coherent framework for these processes.

Levels, source apportionment, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetable bases of northwest China.

Dietary consumption of contaminated vegetables is the main route of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there is a lack of research on PAHs in vegetables from northwest China. In this study, the concentrations, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs in the soil and vegetables of Urumqi, an urbanized city in Xinjiang, China, were investigated.

Recent progress of electroactive interface in neural engineering.

Neural tissue is an electrical responsible organ. The electricity plays a vital role in the growth and development of nerve tissue, as well as the repairing after diseases. The interface between the nervous system and external device for information transmission is called neural electroactive interface.

Localized Myocardial Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Temperature-Sensitive Budesonide Nanoparticles during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation.

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has emerged as an effective alternative for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), but ablation lesions will result in swelling and hematoma of local surrounding tissue, triggering inflammatory cell infiltration and increased release of inflammatory cytokines. Some studies have shown that the inflammatory response may be related to the early occurrence of AF. The most direct way to inhibit perioperative inflammation is to use anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids.

Shape Designed Implanted Drug Delivery System for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy.

In this study, an intelligent drug delivery system (DDS) based on implanted triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) and red blood cell (RBC) is established for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. Apatinib (APA), as an oral antitumor drug, which can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is loaded inside RBC, realizing the transform from oral formulation to injection preparation. Multishape designed iTENG adapted for different implant sites and environments can harvest biomechanical energy efficiently.

Self-Powered Gesture Recognition Wristband Enabled by Machine Learning for Full Keyboard and Multicommand Input.

Virtual reality is a brand-new technology that can be applied extensively. To realize virtual reality, certain types of human-computer interaction equipment are necessary. Existing virtual reality technologies often rely on cameras, data gloves, game pads, and other equipment.

Self-Powered Electrical Impulse Chemotherapy for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common oral cancer of the head and neck, which causes tremendous physical and mental pain to people. Traditional chemotherapy usually results in drug resistance and side effects, affecting the therapy process. In this study, a self-powered electrical impulse chemotherapy (EIC) method based on a portable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was established for OSCC therapy.

Clinically relevant materials & applications inspired by food technologies.

Food science and technology have a fundamental and considerable overlap with medicine, and many clinically important applications were borne out of translational food science research. Globally, the food industry - through various food processing technologies - generates huge quantities of agro-waste and food processing byproducts that retain a significant biochemical potential for upcycling into important medical applications. This review explores some distinct clinical applications that are fabricable from food-based biopolymers and substances, often originating from food manufacturing side streams.

Brain functional networks analysis of five fingers grasping in virtual reality environment.

This study investigated the effects of different center of mass (COM) of the grasping device and visual time-delay on the information interaction between brain regions during five-finger grasping process. Nine healthy right-handed subjects used five fingers to grasp a special device in a virtual reality (VR) environment. Two independent variables were set in the experiment: the COM of the grasping device and the visual delay time.

Ultrathin Stretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerators Improved by Postcharging Electrode Material.

Sustainable ultrathin stretchable power sources have emerged with the development of wearable electronics. They obtain energy from living organisms and the environment to drive these wearable electronics. Here, an ultrathin stretchable and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) improved by chargeable carbon black (CB)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite material (CT-TENG) is proposed for mechanical energy harvesting and physiological signal sensing.

Histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing 1A inhibits proliferation and progression of gastric cancer by upregulating runt-related transcription factor 3.

The histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing 1A (JMJD1A) is overexpressed in multiple cancers and promotes cancer progression. However, the role and mechanism of JMJD1A in gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. Here, we found that JMJD1A could suppress GC cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth.

The severity of mobile phone addiction and its relationship with quality of life in Chinese university students.

Objective: This study examined the severity of mobile phone addiction and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in Chinese university students.

Methods: A total of 2,312 university students from Macao, Hong Kong and mainland China participated in this cross-sectional study. The Mobile Phone Addiction Scale (MPAS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) rating instruments were used to assess the severity of mobile phone addiction and QOL, respectively.

Overexpression of Growth-Arrest-Specific Transcript 5 Improved Cisplatin Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Sponging miR-222.

Long noncoding RNA growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) has been proved to play a crucial role in cancer chemoresistance. However, the function of GAS5 and its underlying molecular mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemoresistance remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate its function and underlying molecular mechanism in HCC cisplatin (CDDP) resistance.

Eco-friendly and biodegradable cellulose hydrogels produced from low cost okara: towards non-toxic flexible electronics.

With increasing resource shortage and environmental pollution, it is preferable to utilize materials which are sustainable and biodegradable. Side-streams products generated from the food processing industry is one potential avenue that can be used in a wide range of applications. In this study, the food by-product okara was effectively reused for the extraction of cellulose.

[Comparison on fungal molecular ecological networks of agricultural soils with different latitudes in the black soil region of Northeast China].

To investigate the differences of fungal network structures and interaction among fungal species of in black soil region of Northeast China, Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to reveal the fungal communities in the three long-term fertilization experimental fields. Fungal molecular ecological networks were constructed based on random matrix theory (RMT). The results demonstrated that Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota were the dominant phyla and Hypocreales, Pleosporales and Sordariales were the dominant order, but the relative abundance of some dominant taxa significantly varied in different locations.

MORC2 promotes development of an aggressive colorectal cancer phenotype through inhibition of NDRG1.

MORC2 (microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2) is a newly identified chromatin remodeling protein that functions in diverse biological processes including gene transcription. NDRG1 is a metastasis suppressor and a prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the relationship between MORC2 and NDRG1 transcriptional regulation and the roles of MORC2 in CRC remain elusive.