Machine Learning Assists in the Design and Application of Microneedles.

Microneedles (MNs), characterized by their micron-sized sharp tips, can painlessly penetrate the skin and have shown significant potential in disease treatment and biosensing. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the design and application of MNs have experienced substantial innovation aided by machine learning (ML). This review begins with a brief introduction to the concept of ML and its current stage of development.

Gut microbiota mediates ambient PM exposure-induced abnormal glucose metabolism via short-chain fatty acids.

PM exposure has been found to cause gut dysbiosis and impair glucose homeostasis in human and animals, yet their underlying biological connection remain unclear. In the present study, we aim to investigate the biological significance of gut microbiota in PM-induced glucose metabolic abnormalities. Our results showed that microbiota depletion by antibiotics treatment significantly alleviated PM-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, as indicated by the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, glucose-induced insulin secretion, insulin tolerance test, insulin-induced phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK-3β in insulin sensitive tissues.

Enhanced Interstitial Fluid Extraction and Rapid Analysis via Vacuum Tube-Integrated Microneedle Array Device.

Advancing the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) sensors that utilize interstitial fluid (ISF) presents considerable obstacles in terms of rapid sampling and analysis. Herein, an innovative strategy is introduced that involves the use of a 3D-printed, hollow microneedle array patch (MAP), in tandem with a vacuum tube (VT) connected through a hose, to improve ISF extraction efficiency and facilitate expedited analysis. The employment of negative pressure by the VT allows the MAP device to effectively gather ≈18 µL of ISF from the dermis of a live rabbit ear within a concise period of 5 min.

Unlocking the future of brain research: MOFs, TMOs, and MOFs/TMOs for electrochemical NTMs detection and analysis.

The central nervous system relies heavily on neurotransmitters (NTMs), and NTM imbalances have been linked to a wide range of neurological conditions. Thus, the development of reliable detection techniques is essential for advancing brain studies. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), transition metal oxides (TMOs), and MOFs-derived TMOs (MOFs/TMOs) as materials for electrochemical (EC) sensors targeting the detection of key NTMs, specifically dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP), and serotonin (SR).

Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway mediates diesel exhaust PM-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation.

Previous research has indicated that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) can regulate the duration and intensity of inflammatory responses. A wide range of research has demonstrated that PM exposure may induce various negative health effects via pulmonary and systemic inflammations. To study the potential role of the CAP in mediating PM-induced effects, mice were treated with vagus nerve electrical stimulation (VNS) to activate the CAP before diesel exhaust PM (DEP) instillation.

Impacts of physical activity and particulate air pollution on the onset, progression and mortality for the comorbidity of type 2 diabetes and mood disorders.

Objective: The co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mood disorders (depression or anxiety) is an exceedingly common comorbidity with poor prognosis. We aimed to explore the effects of physical activity (PA), fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution or their interactions on the initiation, progression and subsequent mortality of this comorbidity.

Methods: The prospective analysis was based on 336,545 participants in UK Biobank.

Maternal exposure to ambient PM perturbs the metabolic homeostasis of maternal serum and placenta in mice.

Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that maternal fine particulate matters (PM) exposure correlates with various adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight (LBW) of offspring. However, the underlying biological mechanisms have not been fully understood. In this study, female C57Bl/6 J mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM (CAP) during pregestational and gestational periods, and metabolomics was performed to analyze the metabolic features in maternal serum and placenta by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Visual cortex encodes timing information in humans and mice.

Despite the importance of timing in our daily lives, our understanding of how the human brain mediates second-scale time perception is limited. Here, we combined intracranial stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) recordings in epileptic patients and circuit dissection in mice to show that visual cortex (VC) encodes timing information. We first asked human participants to perform an interval-timing task and found VC to be a key timing brain area.

Behavioral mimicry of eating in mice.

Nonconscious behavioral mimicry is prevalent in humans and highly social animals who imitate the behaviors of others without awareness. Previous studies indicated people tended to match their amount of eating to that of their eating companions due to behavioral mimicry, however whether such phenomena were existed in rodents is still unknown. Developing a behavioral paradigm would be helpful to better understand the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral mimicry.

A shape-memory and spiral light-emitting device for precise multisite stimulation of nerve bundles.

We previously demonstrated that for long-term spastic limb paralysis, transferring the seventh cervical nerve (C7) from the nonparalyzed side to the paralyzed side results in increase of 17.7 in Fugl-Meyer score. One strategy for further improvement in voluntary arm movement is selective activation of five target muscles innervated by C7 during recovery process.