Arrayed CRISPR libraries for the genome-wide activation, deletion and silencing of human protein-coding genes.

Arrayed CRISPR libraries extend the scope of gene-perturbation screens to non-selectable cell phenotypes. However, library generation requires assembling thousands of vectors expressing single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs). Here, by leveraging massively parallel plasmid-cloning methodology, we show that arrayed libraries can be constructed for the genome-wide ablation (19,936 plasmids) of human protein-coding genes and for their activation and epigenetic silencing (22,442 plasmids), with each plasmid encoding an array of four non-overlapping sgRNAs designed to tolerate most human DNA polymorphisms.

Nanofiber Space-Confined Fabrication of High-Performance Perovskite Films for Flexible Conversion of Fluorescence Quantum Yields in LED Applications.

Perovskite is an advanced optoelectronic semiconductor material that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, its drawback lies in its environmental instability, limiting its practical applications. To tackle this issue, this research delved into the idea of creating a space-confined structure and used electrospinning to produce a film of perovskite nanocomposite fibers.

Approaching Splendid Catalysts for Li-CO Battery from the Theory to Practical Designing: A Review.

Lithium carbon dioxide (Li-CO) batteries, noted for their high discharge voltage of approximately 2.8 V and substantial theoretical specific energy of 1876 Wh kg, represent a promising avenue for new energy sources and CO emission reduction. However, the practical application of these batteries faces significant hurdles, particularly at high current densities and over extended cycle lives, due to their complex reaction mechanisms and slow kinetics.

Performance Evaluation of a Nylon-like Polyester Tire Cord Combining the Characteristics of Nylon and Polyester.

A nylon-like polyester tire cord, which combined the characteristics of nylon and polyester tire cords, was designed as the carcass reinforcement material used to meet the increasing demands of the tire industry for performance and impact on the environment. Tires' carcass construction plays a crucial role in affecting handling performance and ride comfort. Small changes in the carcass component can lead to significant improvements in the total tire/vehicle performance.

A -Butyldiphenylsilyl-Containing Polyimide-Based Chemosensor for Sequential Detection of Fluoride Ions and Trace Water in Organic Solvents.

A -butyldiphenylsilyl-containing polyimide () has been established as a colorimetric and ratiometric chemosensor for rapid detecting fluoride ions (F). The UV-vis absorbance ratio value (A/A) of in a DMF solution displays a wide linear range change to F concentrations with a detection limit (DL) value of 2.13 μM.

Multistimuli-responsive fluorescence behaviours of aggregation-induced emission small-molecule and electrospun nanofibre films for acid-base vapour sensing.

Multistimuli-responsive fluorescent materials have garnered great research interest benefited from their practical applications. Two twisted-structure compounds containing tetraphenylethylene (TPE) as the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) group and a pyridine unit as the acid reaction site to obtain new multistimuli-responsive fluorescent compounds (namely, TPECNPy: TPECNPy-2 and TPECNPy-3) were successfully synthesized through a one-step Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The multiple-stimuli response process of TPECNPy was investigated by means of photoluminescence (PL) spectra and emission colour.

Modified Fabrication of Perovskite-Based Composites and Its Exploration in Printable Humidity Sensors.

Organic perovskites are promising optoelectronic semiconductor materials with photoelectric applications. It is known that the luminescence of perovskites is highly sensitive to hydron molecules due to its low moisture resistance of crystal structure, indicating its potential application on humidity-sensing. Herein, a novel perovskite-based compound (PBC) with minimal defects was developed to promote the photoluminescence performance via optimization of the drying method and precursor constitutions.

Simultaneously Improving the Optical, Dielectric, and Solubility Properties of Fluorene-Based Polyimide with Silyl Ether Side Groups.

Three fluorene-based polyimides with silyl ether groups (Si-PIs) were successfully synthesized by a simple and efficient silicon etherification reaction of hydroxyl-containing polyimides (OH-PIs) and -butylchlorodiphenylsilane (TBDPSCl), and their structures were confirmed by H NMR and IR spectra. The bulky nonpolar -butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) side groups in the modified PI unit instead of the strong electron donor -OH group is conducive to decreasing electronic conjugation and charge transfer (CT) interaction along the PI chain. Accordingly, the optical, dielectric, and solubility properties of the modified Si-PI films are simultaneously improved compared with the precursor OH-PI films.

Design and Synthesis of AIE-Based Small-Molecule and Nanofibrous Film for Fluorescent Sensing Application.

Fluorescent sensors that respond to environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, and pH) have attracted widespread attention in recent years. Generally, traditional solid-state fluorescent materials tend to suffer from aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ) and difficulty of film forming, limiting their extensive applications. Therefore, researchers are focusing more and more attention on fluorescent sensors with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effects.

Sodium Butyrate Protects N2a Cells against A Toxicity In Vitro.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. A plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid salt that exerts neuroprotective effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and cognitive improvement in central nervous system diseases.

Ratiometric and colorimetric sensors for highly sensitive detection of water in organic solvents based on hydroxyl-containing polyimide-fluoride complexes.

Two new hydroxyl-containing polyimides (PIs) with excellent comprehensive performances were designed and synthesized. After PIs react with fluoride ion (F), the resulting polyimide-fluoride complexes (PI-1·F and PI-2·F) are exploited as ratiometric and colorimetric sensors for detecting trace water in DMSO/DMF with high sensitivity. Both sensors PI-1·F and PI-2·F exhibit a good naked-eye visual detection as well as an excellent linear relationship between the UV-vis absorbance ratio and the low water content in DMSO/DMF, which constitutes a quantitative method for determining water content in DMSO/DMF.

BHBA treatment improves cognitive function by targeting pleiotropic mechanisms in transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, inflammation, and oxidative stress contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and trigger complex pathogenesis. The ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) is an endogenous metabolic intermediate that protects against stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study aims to elucidate the protective effects of BHBA in the early stage of AD model and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of high thermal stability and colourless polyimides containing pyridine.

A novel aromatic diamine containing pyridyl side group, 4-pyridine-4,4-bis(3,5-dimethyl-5-aminophenyl)methane (PyDPM), was successfully synthesized via electrophilic substitution reaction. The polyimides (PIs) containing pyridine were obtained via the microwave-assisted one-step polycondensation of the PyDPM with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 3,3',4,4'-diphenylether tetracarboxylic dianhydride (ODPA) and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA). Contrarily to the reported similar PIs, these PIs exhibit much higher thermal stability or heat resistance, i.

Fibered platinum coil: A novel option for the patients of hydrosalpinx with laparoscopic contradiction.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of proximal tubal occlusion with fibered platinum coils in subfertile women with hydrosalpinx, and to observe the clinical outcomes of subsequent treatment with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Study Design: A prospective study was carried out in a university-affiliated teaching hospital. 56 women with uni- or bilateral hydrosalpinx received fibered platinum coil placement before IVF-ET.

Sodium Butyrate Attenuates Diarrhea in Weaned Piglets and Promotes Tight Junction Protein Expression in Colon in a GPR109A-Dependent Manner.

Background/aims: Butyric acid plays an important role in maintaining intestinal health. Butyric acid has received special attention as a short-chain fatty acid, but its role in protecting the intestinal barrier is poorly characterized. Butyric acid not only provides energy for epithelial cells but also acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor; it is also a natural ligand for G protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A).

Novel dual-functional fluorescent sensors based on bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole) derivatives for distinguishing of Ag and Fe in semi-aqueous medium.

Three novel bisbenzimidazole derivatives have been synthesized and developed as dual-functional fluorescent sensors for the rapid and highly selective detection of Ag and Fe ions in semi-aqueous medium with distinct spectral response for the first time. The absorption intensity is drastically decreased after the addition of Ag. Contrarily, it is markedly increased upon the addition of Fe.

Distribution and role of high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A retrospective analysis from Wenzhou, southeast China.

To add the growing literature on baseline of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) genotype distribution in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) before the widespread using of HPV vaccines in Chinese mainland and to improve risk stratification of HR-HPV-positive women. Retrospectively, the data of age, cervical HPV genotypes, cytology, and pathology were collected from 1166 patients who received loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). HPV genotypes were analyzed with Flowcytometry Fluorescence Hybridization Method.

Comparative analysis of human sperm glycocalyx from different freezability ejaculates by lectin microarray and identification of ABA as sperm freezability biomarker.

Background: Semen cryopreservation has been widely applied in assisted reproductive technologies and sperm bank, but it causes considerable impairments on sperm quality. It is necessary to find an evaluation indicator for determining the sperm-freezing tolerance.

Methods: The glycocalyx of good freezability ejaculates was compared with poor freezability ejaculates by lectin microarray.

Bis-2(5H)-furanone derivatives as new anticancer agents: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism studies.

New bis-2(5H)-furanone derivatives containing a benzidine core were synthesized via a one-step transition-metal-free reaction of benzidine with 5-substituted 3,4-dihalo-2(5H)-furanones. Their antitumor activities against various tumor cells have been evaluated by MTT assay. Among them, compound 4e exhibits significant inhibitory activity against C6 glioma cells with an IC value of 12.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-biphenylamino-5-halo-2(5H)-furanones as potential anticancer agents.

An efficient route without metal catalyst has been developed for synthesis of 4-biphenylamino-5-halo-2(5H)-furanones. The antitumor activities against various tumor cells of all the compounds have been evaluated by MTT assay. Among them, the compound 3j exhibits significant inhibitory activity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with an IC value of 11.

Self-assembled structures of N-alkylated bisbenzimidazolyl naphthalene in aqueous media for highly sensitive detection of picric acid.

A 2,6-dibenzimidazole-appended naphthalene derivative flanking with two N-alkyl chains (sensor 4) was designed and applied for highly sensitive detection of picric acid (PA) in aqueous media. Driven by the hydrophobicity of alkyl chain and π-π stacking effect of aryl, sensor 4 can undergo self-assembly to form an orderly rod-like structure in HO/THF (v/v, 90/10) solution, as shown by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Sensor 4 shows high selectivity and sensitivity toward PA over other nitroaromatic explosives.

Lectin binding of human sperm associates with DEFB126 mutation and serves as a potential biomarker for subfertility.

Coating on the sperm surface, glycocalyx, plays a key role in sperm motility, maturation and fertilization. A comprehensive profile of sperm surface glycans will greatly facilitate both basic researches and clinical studies. Because of the capability of recognizing different glycan moieties, lectins are widely used in glycobiology.

Another functional frame-shift polymorphism of DEFB126 (rs11467497) associated with male infertility.

DEFB126 rs140685149 mutation was shown to cause sperm dysfunction and subfertility. Indel rs11467497 is another 4-nucleotide frame-shift mutation (151bp upstream of rs140685149) that leads to the premature termination of translation and the expression of peptide truncated at the carboxyl terminus. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive association study to check the contribution of rs140685149 and rs11467497 to male infertility.

Comprehensive profiling of accessible surface glycans of mammalian sperm using a lectin microarray.

It is well known that cell surface glycans or glycocalyx play important roles in sperm motility, maturation and fertilization. A comprehensive profile of the sperm surface glycans will greatly facilitate both basic research (sperm glycobiology) and clinical studies, such as diagnostics of infertility. As a group of natural glycan binders, lectin is an ideal tool for cell surface glycan profiling.