In silico discovery of potential inhibitors targeting the MEIG1-PACRG complex for male contraceptive development.

The interaction between meiosis-expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) and Parkin co-regulated gene (PACRG) is a critical determinant of spermiogenesis, the process by which round spermatids mature into functional spermatozoa. Disruption of the MEIG1-PACRG complex can impair sperm development, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for addressing male infertility or for the development of non-hormonal contraceptive methods. This study used virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify small molecule inhibitors targeting the MEIG1-PACRG interface.

Nonspherical Particle Stabilized Emulsions Formed through Destabilization and Arrested Coalescence.

To form nonspherical emulsion droplets, the interfacial tension driving droplet sphericity must be overcome. This can be achieved through interfacial particle jamming; however, careful control of particle coverage is required. In this work, we present a scalable novel batch process to form nonspherical particle-stabilized emulsions.

Near-infrared SPR biosensor based on photonic crystal fiber for DNA hybridization detection.

Background: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing technology has been widely used in biometrics, but the weak detection capability and low sensitivity limit the development of SPR biosensors. In this work, we propose to employ the transition metal disulfide (TMD) material MoS to induce the SPR effect into the near-infrared band. The aim of this work is to develop a near-infrared sensor capable of quantitatively detecting the concentration of cDNA, which is able to solve the problems of low sensitivity, parameter crosstalk and so on.

Cascaded dual-parameter SPR fiber sensor for RI and pH simultaneous detection based on Ag film and an Ag/self-assembled nanofilm structure.

To achieve more accurate analysis and detection of changes in liquid parameters, we propose a dual-parameter surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor that can measure refractive index (RI) and pH simultaneously. In this paper, we compare and analyze the transmission spectrum when the SPR effect is excited by the cladding mode of a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and the core mode of the no-core fiber. The results show that the SPR effect excited using the cladding mode is stronger and the sensor has better loss peaks, which is more conducive to realizing the detection of the external environment.

Two-directional trafficking of the IFT25 protein in the developing mouse sperm flagella.

Intraflagellar transport 25 (IFT25) is a component of the IFT-B complex. In mice, even though this IFT component is not required for cilia formation in somatic cells, it is essential for sperm formation. However, the intracellular localization of this protein in male germ cells is not known given no reliable antibodies are available for histologic studies, and the dynamic trafficking in the developing sperm flagella is not clear.

Dual parameter sensor for RI and temperature detection by cascading Ag/WO film PCF and Ag/MoS/PDMS film PCF.

Multi-parameter surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors generally have low detection sensitivity due to detection wavelength limitations. We developed a two-parameter SPR sensor for refractive index (RI) and temperature detection by cascading Ag/WO film photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and Ag/MoS film PCF together. By using WO film with a low effective refractive index to prevent oxidation of silver-based PCF and maintain a wider RI sensing channel detection band; at the same time, MoS film with a high effective refractive index is used to modulate the detection range of temperature sensing channel.

Does outpatient mutual-aid reduce oncology patients' utilization of inpatient services?-An empirical study of outpatient mutual-aid policy in Wuhan, China.

Background: The escalating costs of healthcare had prompted countries to undertake reforms, and in recent years China had focused on overhauling its outpatient healthcare system. China implemented the outpatient mutual-aid policy which had led to a change in the costs associated with outpatient treatment from being fully self-paid by the patient to being partially self-paid.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of the outpatient mutual-aid policy on inpatient services for oncology patients in Wuhan, China, exploring the impact that the cumbersome administration of health insurance would have on patient welfare.

Catalyst-Free Oxidation of Styrene to Styrene Oxide Using Circulating Microdroplets in an Oxygen Atmosphere.

Water microdroplets possess unique interfacial properties that enable chemical reactions to occur spontaneously and increase the reaction rate by orders of magnitude. In this study, water containing styrene (SY) was cyclically sprayed into the air to form microdroplets with an average diameter of 6.7 μm.

Selective recognition of PTRE1 transcripts mediated by protein-protein interaction between the mA reader ECT2 and PTRE1.

N-methyladenosine (mA) is a prevalent internal post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotic RNAs executed by mA-binding proteins known as "readers." Our previous research demonstrated that the Arabidopsis mA reader ECT2 positively regulates transcript levels of the proteasome regulator PTRE1 and several 20S proteasome subunits, thereby enhancing 26S proteasome activity. However, mechanism underlying the selective recognition of mA targets by readers, such as ECT2, remains elusive.

Current Challenges in Microcapsule Designs and Microencapsulation Processes: A Review.

Microencapsulation is an advanced methodology for the protection, preservation, and/or delivery of active materials in a wide range of industrial sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fragrances, paints, coatings, detergents, food products, and agrochemicals. Polymeric materials have been extensively used as microcapsule shells to provide appropriate barrier properties to achieve controlled release of the encapsulated active ingredient. However, significant limitations are associated with such capsules, including undesired leaching and the nonbiodegradable nature of the typically used polymers.

Microplastic-Free Microcapsules Using Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Bis-Urea Molecules at an Emulsion Interface.

Encapsulation technology is well established for entrapping active ingredients within an outer shell for their protection and controlled release. However, many solutions employed industrially use nondegradable cross-linked synthetic polymers for shell formation. To curb rising microplastic pollution, regulatory policies are forcing industries to substitute the use of such intentionally added microplastics with environmentally friendly alternatives.

Towards an actionable One Health approach.

Background: Despite the increasing focus on strengthening One Health capacity building on global level, challenges remain in devising and implementing real-world interventions particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Recognizing these gaps, the One Health Action Commission (OHAC) was established as an academic community for One Health action with an emphasis on research agenda setting to identify actions for highest impact.

Main Text: This viewpoint describes the agenda of, and motivation for, the recently formed OHAC.

Cascaded dual-channel broadband SPR fiber optic sensor based on Ag and Ag/ZnO/PDMS film structure.

In order to broaden the sensing bandwidth of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors, we propose and demonstrate a dual-channel SPR fiber optic sensor with wide bandwidth. The sensor is fabricated using no-core fiber (NCF), in which the film consists of a silver film and a ZnO film. The sensing characteristics are investigated by simulation and experiment.

Mirrored transformation optics.

A mirrored transformation optics (MTO) approach is presented to overcome the material mismatch in transformation optics. It makes good use of the reflection behavior and introduces a mirrored medium to offset the phase discontinuities. Using this approach, a high-performance planar focusing lens of transmission type is designed, which has a larger concentration ratio than the other focusing lens obtained by the generalized Snell's law.

Deciphering the Kinetics of Spontaneous Generation of HO in Individual Water Microdroplets.

Spontaneous generation of HO in sub-10 μm-sized water microdroplets has received increasing interest since its first discovery in 2019. On the other hand, due to the short lifetime of these microdroplets (rapid evaporation) and lack of suitable tools to real-time monitor the generation of HO in individual microdroplets, such a seemingly thermodynamically unfavorable process has also raised vigorous debates on the origin of HO and the underlying mechanism. Herein, we prepared water microdroplets with a long lifetime (>1 h) by virtue of microwell confinement and dynamically monitored the spontaneous generation of HO in individual microdroplets via time-lapsed fluorescence imaging.

Transdermally delivered tolerogenic nanoparticles induced effective immune tolerance for asthma treatment.

Induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance for the treatment of allergic or autoimmune diseases is an attractive strategy. Herein, we investigated the protective effect of a transdermal microneedle patch against allergic asthma by stimulating allergen-specific immune tolerance. We fabricated biodegradable tolerogenic nanoparticles (tNPs) that are loaded with a model allergen ovalbumin (OVA) and an immunomodulator rapamycin, and filled the tNPs into microneedle tips by centrifugation to form sustained-release microneedles.

The effects of hydration on the topographical and mechanical properties of corneocytes.

It is well established that the biomechanical properties of the Stratum Corneum (SC) are influenced by both moisture-induced plasticization and the lipid content. This study employs Atomic Force Microscopy to investigate how hydration affects the surface topographical and elasto-viscoplastic characteristics of corneocytes from two anatomical sites. Volar forearm cells underwent swelling when immersed in water with a 50% increase in thickness and volume.

Polyoxometalate-loaded hyper-crosslinked nanoparticles as a Pickering interfacial catalyst for solvent-free epoxidation of allyl chloride under static conditions.

Epoxidation of allyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide (HO) carried out in heterogeneous catalytic systems suffer from poor reaction efficiency due to their heavy mass transfer resistance present at the liquid-liquid interface. Pickering interfacial catalysis (PIC) provides an elegant solution by involving the design of amphiphilic heterogeneous catalysts, which can act as emulsifiers simultaneously. In this study, interface-active polyoxometalate-loaded hyper-crosslinked nanoparticles (HCNPs) were designed.

Transdermal Microneedles Alleviated Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inducing Immune Tolerance via Skin-Resident Antigen Presenting Cells.

Restoring immune tolerance is the ultimate goal for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. The most reported oral or intravenous injection routes for the immunization of autoantigens cause gastrointestinal side effects, low patient compliance, and unsatisfied immune tolerance induction. Herein, the use of a transdermal microneedle patch is for the first time investigated to codeliver CII peptide autoantigen and rapamycin for reversing immune disorders of RA.

Characterisation of topographical, biomechanical and maturation properties of corneocytes with respect to anatomical location.

Background: The Stratum Corneum (SC) is the first barrier of the skin. The properties of individual cells are crucial in understanding how the SC at different anatomical regions maintains a healthy mechanical barrier. The aim of the current study is to present a comprehensive description of the maturation and mechanical properties of superficial corneocytes at different anatomical sites in the nominal dry state.

Characterisation of superficial corneocyte properties over category I pressure ulcers: Insights into topographical and maturation changes.

Background: Pressure ulcers (PUs) are chronic wounds that are detrimental to the quality of life of patients. Despite advances in monitoring skin changes, the structure and function of skin cells over the site of pressure ulcers are not fully understood.

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate local changes in the properties of superficial corneocytes in category 1 PU sites sampled from a cohort of hospitalised patients.

Improvement in CO Capture of Polyamine with Micro-Interfacial System.

Polyamines have emerged as a promising class of CO absorbents due to their remarkable sequestration capacity. However, their potential industrial application as aqueous absorbents is significantly hindered by a low regeneration efficiency and high energy consumption. To address these issues, this study investigates the use of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and ethylene glycol (EG) to develop a nonaqueous absorbent.

Iridium-phosphine ligand complexes as an alternative to rhodium-based catalysts for the efficient hydroformylation of propene.

Expensive rhodium (Rh)-based catalysts have been widely used for the hydroformylation of propene. To find a cheaper and effective alternative to these Rh-based catalysts, herein, a series of phosphine ligands were used to coordinate with iridium, and their catalytic reactivities for the hydroformylation of propene were systematically investigated in this study. The effects of different phosphine ligands, pressures, temperatures, and catalyst dosages on the hydroformylation of propene were investigated.

Debiased ambient vibrations optical coherence elastography to profile cell, organoid and tissue mechanical properties.

The role of the mechanical environment in defining tissue function, development and growth has been shown to be fundamental. Assessment of the changes in stiffness of tissue matrices at multiple scales has relied mostly on invasive and often specialist equipment such as AFM or mechanical testing devices poorly suited to the cell culture workflow.In this paper, we have developed a unbiased passive optical coherence elastography method, exploiting ambient vibrations in the sample that enables real-time noninvasive quantitative profiling of cells and tissues.