A prospective self-controlled study on the alterations of the ocular surface and conjunctival transcriptomic profile associated with prolonged exposure to video display terminals.

Purpose: To assess the impact of prolonged and intense exposure to video display terminals (VDTs) on ocular surface homeostasis.

Methods: 30 subjects limited daily VDT usage to less than 3 h for one week, then extended usage to more than 8 h/day for the next three weeks. Ocular symptoms and signs were evaluated weekly using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and clinical examinations.

An improved Patlak-based Kparametric imaging approach for clinicalF-FDG total-body PET.

Objective: The objective is to generate reliable Ki parametric images from 18F-FDG total-body PET with clinically acceptable scan durations using Patlak and shallow machine learning algorithms, under conditions of limited computational and data resources.

Approach: We proposed a robust and fast algorithm named Patlak-KXD to generate Ki images from dynamic PET images with shortened scan durations. In the training phase, K-means is employed to generate a Ki-balanced training dataset.

Design of an LiF-rich interface layer using high-concentration fluoroethylene carbonate and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) to stabilize Li metal batteries.

The development of high-energy-density Li metal batteries is limited by the uncontrollable growth of Li dendrites and an unstable Li/electrolyte interface during long-term Li plating/stripping. In this work, using high-concentration fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) electrolyte, an LiF-rich interface layer was generated on the Li metal surface. This LiF-rich interface layer could effectively inactivate the high reactivity of the Li metal surface and suppress lithium dendrite growth, forming a uniform and dense structure at the Li/electrolyte interface to stabilize Li metal batteries.

Enzymatic modification of wheat starch by a novel maltotetraose-forming amylase from Atopomonas hussainii to retard retrogradation and improve bread quality.

To retard starch retrogradation and improve bread quality, a novel maltotetraose-forming amylase (AhMFA) from Atopomonas hussainii was expressed in Komagataella phaffii. After high cell density fermentation, the enzyme activity reached a maximum level of 3032 U mL. AhMFA showed optimal activity at pH 6.

Advances of microbial xylanases in the application of flour industries: A comprehensive review.

Microbial xylanase has a wide range of applications, and many researchers favoring its utilization as an alternative to improve flour products. Wheat flour is the main raw material of flour products, although the content of arabinoxylan is not high in flour products, but it has a great influence on the quality of flour products, microbial xylanase can act on wheat arabinoxylan, so as to play the role of flour product improvement. This review carries out a description of the research progress on the application of xylanases in flour products in terms of xylanase properties, different families of xylanases and improvement mechanisms of xylanases in flour products.

Association of hemoglobin glycation index with clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: a prospective cohort study.

Background: To analyze the association between the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) and the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: HGI represented the difference between laboratory measured Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and predicted HbA1c based on a liner regression between Hb1Ac and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). A total of 10 598 patients who treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were stratified into three groups (low HGI group: HGI<-0.

Tough Monolayer Silver Nanowire-Reinforced Double-Layer Graphene.

Mixed-dimensional nanomaterials composed of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, such as graphene-silver nanowire (AgNW) composite sandwiched structures, are promising candidates as building blocks for multifunctional structures and materials. However, their mechanical behavior and failure mechanism have not yet been fully understood. In this work, we have performed integrated experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies to explore the performance and failure modes of graphene-AgNW composite under tensile and impact loading conditions.

Nanoscale-localized multiplexed biological activation of field effect transistors for biosensing applications.

The rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens, highly infectious viruses, and chronic diseases has prompted the search for rapid and versatile medical tests that can be performed by the patient. Field-effect transistor (FET)-based electronic biosensing platforms are particularly attractive due to their sensitivity, fast turn-around time, potential for parallel detection of multiple pathogens, and compatibility with semiconductor manufacturing. However, an unmet critical need is a scalable, site-selective multiplexed biofunctionalization method with nanoscale precision for immobilizing different types of pathogen-specific bioreceptors on individual FETs, preventing parallel detection of multiple targets.

A ratiometric fluorescent electrospun film with high amine sensitivity and stability for visual monitoring of livestock meat freshness.

Ratiometric fluorescent films with high amine sensitivity and stability were developed to monitor the freshness of beef and pork. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and red carbon quantum dots (R-CQD) were used as the amine-responsive indicator and internal reference, respectively. The electrospun films prepared by immobilizing FITC and R-CQD complex (F-R) into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) under 35 %, 55 % and 75 % of relative humidity (RH) were named F-R@PVDF-1, F-R@PVDF-2 and F-R@PVDF-3, respectively.

The Function and Mechanism of Laminaripentaose Prepared from Curdlan for the Amelioration of the Cognitive Dysfunctions in Obese Mice.

Functional oligosaccharides induce specific alterations in gut microbiota, potentially providing physiological benefits. However, the effects of laminaripentaose (LPA) on metabolic syndrome and the mechanism underlying it have not been intensively investigated yet. This study aimed to determine the effects of LPA on obesity and obesity-induced cognition impairment in mice.

Superoxide radicals mediated by high-spin Fe catalysis for organic wastewater treatment.

Water resources are indispensable basic resources and important environmental carriers; the presence of organic contaminants in wastewater poses considerable risks to the health of both humans and ecosystems. Although the Fenton-like reactions using HO as the oxidant to destroy organic pollutants are attractive, there are still challenges in improving reaction activity under neutral or even alkaline conditions. Herein, we designed a HO activation pathway with O as the main active species and elucidated that the spin interaction between Fe sites and coordinated O atoms effectively promotes the generation of the key intermediate Fe-*OOH.

Identification and characterization of the RcTCP gene family and its expression in response to abiotic stresses in castor bean.

Background: The TCP (teosinte branched1/cincinnata/proliferating cell factor) family plays a prominent role in plant development and stress responses. However, TCP family genes have thus far not been identified in castor bean, and therefore an understanding of the expression and functional aspects of castor bean TCP genes is lacking. To identify the potential biological functions of castor bean (RcTCP) TCP members, the composition of RcTCP family members, their basic physicochemical properties, subcellular localizations, interacting proteins, miRNA target sites, and gene expression patterns under stress were assessed.

Genome-wide analysis of LOG family genes in castor and RcLOG5 enhances drought, salt, and cold stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The gene encoding the specific phosphohydrolase LONELY GUY (LOG) plays an important role in the activation of cytokinin and the stress response in plant cells. However, the role of LOG genes in castor bean (Ricinus communis) has not been reported. In this study, we identified a total of nine members of the LOG gene family in the castor bean genome and investigated the upregulated expression of the RcLOG5 gene using transcriptome data analysis.

Molecular level removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes: A review of interfacial chemical in advanced oxidation processes.

As a kind of novel and persistent environmental pollutants, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been frequently detected in different aquatic environment, posing potential risks to public health and ecosystems, resulting in a biosecurity issue that cannot be ignored. Therefore, in order to control the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment, advanced oxidation technology (such as Fenton-like, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis) has become an effective weapon for inactivating and eliminating ARB and ARGs. However, in the process of advanced oxidation technology, studying and regulating catalytic active sites at the molecular level and studying the adsorption and surface oxidation reactions between catalysts and ARGs can achieve in-depth exploration of the mechanism of ARGs removal.

Simultaneous improvement of thermostability and maltotriose-forming ability of a fungal α-amylase for bread making by directed evolution.

For applications in food industries, a fungal α-amylase from Malbranchea cinnamomea was engineered by directed evolution. Through two rounds of screening, a mutant α-amylase (mMcAmyA) was obtained with higher optimal temperature (70 °C, 5 °C increase) and better hydrolysis properties (18.6 % maltotriose yield, 2.

Species-specific duplicated FMRFaR-like gene A62 regulates spontaneous locomotion in Apolygus lucorum.

Background: Apolygus lucorum, a major cotton pest, has undergone a significant expansion of the FMRFaR gene within the GPCR superfamily, resulting in two classes of GPCR, namely FMRFaR (A54-55) and newly duplicated FMRFaR-like (A56-62). Notably, FMRFaR-like genes, particularly A62, show enhanced expression in the legs and wings of adults, indicating their potential role in locomotion. Employing A62 as a representative of FMRFaR-like, our study investigates the influence of FMRFa, FMRFaR, and FMRFaR-like on locomotion and development of A.

Effects of sodium chloride substitutes on physicochemical properties of salted beef.

In this study, beef was marinated with different low-sodium salt substitutes and heated and aged by employing superheated steam roasting and traditional roasting to investigate the effects of the various substitutes on the physicochemical properties, texture profile, sensory properties, volatile compounds, microstructural characteristics, and safety of cured and aged beef. Twenty kilograms of beef were arbitrarily divided into five treatments and pickled with different low-sodium salt substitutes. The results revealed no significant differences in saltiness, physicochemical characteristics, texture profile, or volatile compounds between the T2 and T3 and T1 (100% NaCl, T1; 75% KCl + 25% NaCl, T2; 50% KCl + 50% NaCl, T3) samples.

Unraveling the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily in aphids: Contractions and duplications linked to phloem feeding.

The G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) superfamily is the largest and most diverse transmembrane receptor family, playing crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes. As one of the most destructive pests, aphids have been subject to previous studies, which revealed fewer GPCR superfamily members in Acyrthosiphon pisum and Aphis gossypii and the loss of multiple neuropeptide GPCRs. To elucidate the contraction patterns and evolutionary features of the aphid GPCR superfamily, we identified 97, 105, and 95 GPCR genes in Rhopalosiphum maidis, A.

Probing the Mechanical Properties of 2D Materials via Atomic-Force-Microscopy-Based Modulated Nanoindentation.

As the field of low-dimensional materials (1D or 2D) grows and more complex and intriguing structures are continuing to be found, there is an emerging need for techniques to characterize the nanoscale mechanical properties of all kinds of 1D/2D materials, in particular in their most practical state: sitting on an underlying substrate. While traditional nanoindentation techniques cannot accurately determine the transverse Young's modulus at the necessary scale without large indentations depths and effects to and from the substrate, herein an atomic-force-microscopy-based modulated nanomechanical measurement technique with Angstrom-level resolution (MoNI/ÅI) is presented. This technique enables non-destructive measurements of the out-of-plane elasticity of ultra-thin materials with resolution sufficient to eliminate any contributions from the substrate.

Single-cell landscape reveals the epithelial cell-centric pro-inflammatory immune microenvironment in dry eye development.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent chronic eye disease characterized by an aberrant inflammatory response in ocular surface mucosa. The immunological alterations underlying DED remain largely unknown. In this study, we employed single-cell transcriptome sequencing of conjunctival tissue from environment-induced DED mice to investigate multicellular ecosystem and functional changes at different DED stages.

Sodium alginate/guar gum based nanocomposite film incorporating β-Cyclodextrin/persimmon pectin-stabilized baobab seed oil Pickering emulsion for mushroom preservation.

The poor biological, mechanical and water-resistance properties of sodium alginate/guar gum film (SG) limit its application in food preservation. To overcome this disadvantage, we added β-Cyclodextrin/persimmon pectin-stabilized baobab seed oil Pickering emulsion (BOPE) to enhance the mechanical and water resistance properties of SG film, and added green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPS) and Lycium ruthenicum extract (LA) to improve the biological properties of the film. The properties of BOPE was optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD).

CRISPR/Cas9 System-Mediated Multi-copy Expression of an Alkaline Serine Protease in for the Production of XOD-Inhibitory Peptides.

CRISPR/Cas9 system-mediated multi-copy expression of an alkaline serine protease (S8) from was successfully built in . Furthermore, AoproS8 was continuously knocked in the , , and gene loci in to construct multi-copy expression strains. The yield of the AoproS8 3.