Automated Laser-Assisted Single-Cell Sorting for Cell Functional and RNA Sequencing.

Accurate and efficient sorting of single target cells is crucial for downstream single-cell analysis, such as RNA sequencing, to uncover cellular heterogeneity and functional characteristics. However, conventional single-cell sorting techniques, such as manual micromanipulation or fluorescence-activated cell sorting, do not match current demands and are limited by low throughput, low sorting efficiency and precision, or limited cell viability. Here, we report an automated, highly efficient single-cell sorter, integrating laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) with a high-throughput picoliter micropore array.

Sphingolipid remodeling in the plasma membrane is essential for osmotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Osmotic stress caused by drought, salinity, or cold conditions is an important abiotic factor that decreases membrane integrity and causes cell death, thus decreasing plant growth and productivity. Remodeling cell membrane composition via lipid turnover can counter the loss of membrane integrity and cell death caused by osmotic stress. Sphingolipids are important components of eukaryotic membrane systems; however, how sphingolipids participate in plant responses to osmotic stress remains unclear.

Composite Graphene for the Dimension- and Pore-Size-Mediated Stem Cell Differentiation to Bone Regenerative Medicine.

As one of the most promising means to repair diseased tissues, stem cell therapy with immense potential to differentiate into mature specialized cells has been rapidly developed. However, the clinical application of stem-cell-dominated regenerative medicine was heavily hindered by the loss of pluripotency during the long-term in vitro expansion. Here, a composite three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based biomaterial, denoted as GO-Por-CMP@CaP, with hierarchical pore structure (micro- to macropore), was developed to guide the directional differentiation of human umbilical cord MSCs (hucMSCs) into osteoblasts.

Hazy transparent cellulose nanocrystal-based films with tunable structural colors.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are powerful biosourced nanomaterials for the construction of chiral photonic films. While various techniques have been used to enrich the optical properties of such systems, surface roughness engineering has yet to be exploited to significantly modify their optical properties. In this work, by using vacuum filtration-assisted self-assembly, CNCs are densely packed into films with high optical transparency.

Rational design of a starch/whey protein isolate/caffeic acid ternary system to alleviate gel deterioration during freeze-thaw cycles.

To strengthen starch gel quality and improve the deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles, corn starch/whey protein isolate (WPI)/caffeic acid (CA) composite gels were rationally constructed in this study. The results showed that the introduction of WPI and CA significantly optimized the microstructure of the gels, an observation verified by SEM and CLSM. In addition, FT-IR and XRD analyses further revealed that the interaction mechanism within the composite gel was mainly due to the reinforcement of hydrogen bonds.

Regulating the macroscopic and microscopic self-assembly behavior of hydroxybutyl chitosan based on alkyl distribution.

Hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC), a derivative of chitosan, exhibits biocompatibility and temperature-sensitive properties, rendering it utilized in tissue engineering, and biomedical science. Currently, HBC is mainly prepared based on heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions. However, the impact of reactions on structure of derivatives and their mechanisms for self-assembly remains to be elucidated.

3D-printed ultra-sensitive strain sensors using biogels prepared from fish gelatin and gellan gum.

The long-term sustainable development of flexible electronic devices is limited by a reliance on synthetic polymers that pose dangers for humans and potentially severe ecological problems, as well as a reliance on conventional processing methods. This work aims to exploit 3D printing to develop natural biogels composed of fish gelatin and high acyl gellan gum for use as flexible sensors. The electrical conductivity and mechanical strength were remarkably enhanced through the environmentally friendly enzyme (transglutaminase) cross-linking and non-toxic ethanol modification treatment, which allows the development of 3D printed sensors for temperature, strain, and stress sensors.

Effects of ratios of A- and B-type wheat starch on liangpi (a starch gel food) quality and its potential mechanism.

The fractionation and reconstitution method was employed to investigate the impact of different proportions of A-type (AS) and B-type (BS) wheat starch on the quality of liangpi and its potential mechanism, with traditional gluten-removed liangpi (RGL) as a control. The results demonstrated that a higher AS/BS ratio led to an increase in hardness, resilience, and chewiness. Moreover, the sensory scores for BS-dominated liangpi were significantly lower than those for AS-dominated liangpi, and liangpi with 60 % AS had the highest sensory scores.

Quaternary ammonium chitosan-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles: A promising targeted drug delivery system for the treatment of intracellular MRSA infection.

The limited membrane permeability and bacterial resistance pose significant challenges in the management of intracellular drug-resistant bacterial infections. To overcome this issue, we developed a bacterial-targeted drug delivery system based on quaternary ammonium chitosan-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-NH-CFP@HACC) for the treatment of intracellular Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. This system utilizes amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles to efficiently load cefoperazone (CFP), and the nanoparticles' surface is coated with 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) to target bacteria and enhance macrophage uptake.

A shear-responsive and lubricating hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulfate-decellularized matrix hydrogel for articular cartilage regeneration.

The high-dynamic, high-loading environment in the joint cavity puts urgent demands on the cartilage regenerative materials with shear responsiveness and lubrication. Here, a new type of injectable hydrogel composed of oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), adipic dihydrazide-grafted hyaluronic acid (HA-ADH), oxidized chondroitin sulfate (OChs), and decellularized extracellular matrix methacrylate (dECMMA) was fabricated. The aldehyde groups in OHA and OChs reacted with the amino groups in HA-ADH to form a dynamic hydrogel, which was then covalently crosslinked with dECMMA to create a dual-crosslinked hydrogel with sufficient mechanical strength.

Synthesis of a novel starch-based emulsion gel with remarkable low-temperature stability via esterification, ozone-oxidation and ion induction.

A novel starch-based emulsion gel was designed via octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) esterification, ozone oxidation, and ion (Ca) induction. The gel properties and low-temperature stability of emulsion gel with different oxidation time (0, 5, 10, 15, 25 min; OW-0, 5, 10, 15, 25) were systematically investigated. FTIR revealed that the oxidation of CC and -OH groups in OW-0 by ozone oxidation led to their cleavage into carbonyl groups, and than transformed to carboxyl groups.

Lotus-inspired cellulose-based aerogel with Janus wettability and vertically aligned vessels for salt-rejecting solar seawater purification.

High-performance solar interface evaporators provide a promising, sustainable, and cost-effective solution to the global freshwater crisis through seawater purification. However, achieving a delicate balance between maximizing the evaporation rate and ensuring continuous, stable, and durable operation presents a critical challenge. Herein, we present a biomimetic cellulose/polypyrrole-coated silica/graphene evaporator with self-assembled nanofiber networks and vertically aligned vessels for enhanced salt resistance.

[Evaluation of pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy by narrow band imaging].

To investigate the changes in the narrow band imaging (NBI) phenotypes of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, and to explore the clinical value of NBI endoscopy in re-evaluation and follow-up of pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy. Twenty-nine patients diagnosed with locally advanced pharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from November 2021 to January 2024 and receiving 2 cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy were selected, including 26 males and 3 females, aged 43-80 years. Regular NBI and white light (WL) endoscopy examinations, as well as imaging examinations such as CT scans, were performed.

Emotional Influences on Remembering and Forgetting Explained by Frontal and Parietal Dynamics.

Based on item-method directed forgetting (DF) task, sixty participants were recruited to explore the influence of emotion (negative, neutral, and positive) on memory encoding processing. Behavioral results showed that participants were more successful at remembering negative pictures that needed to be forgotten, with both higher recognition rates and Pr values compared to neutral pictures. In the brain, parietal activities reflected preferential processing during negative picture viewing through enhanced late parietal positive potentials (LPP) relative to neutral ones.

Microbial community structure and water quality performance in local scrubber reclaim system for water reclamation of the semiconductor industry: a case study of a semiconductor plant in Beijing.

The local scrubber reclaim (LSR) system plays a critical role in water reclamation and in reducing environmental pollution emissions in semiconductor factories. This study monitored the changes in water quality and assessed the key stages of pollutant removal, with a primary focus on evaluating microbial growth and the shifts in microbial community structure and function in the LSR system. The results showed that activated carbon filtration (ACF) effectively removed total organic carbon (TOC) with a removal rate of 59.

Mannose functionalized small molecule nanodrug self-assembled from amphiphilic prodrug connected by disulfide bonds for synergistic cancer chemotherapy and photodynamic/photothermal therapy.

Compared to conventional nanocarrier-based drug delivery technology, small-molecule-assembled nanomaterials provide various advantages, including higher drug loading efficiency, lower excipient-related toxicity, and a simpler formulation process. Our research constructed a mannonse-modified small-molecule-assembled nanodrug for synergistic photodynamic/chemotherapy against A549 cancer cells. The hydrophobic hypoxic-activated agent tirapazamine (TPZ) and a hydrophilic fluorescence probe Cyanine 3 (Cy3) constitute this amphiphilic prodrug via a glutathione (GSH)-responsive linkage, which could self-assemble into stable nanoparticles (NPs) and encapsulate a newly synthesized photosensitizer (SeBDP).

Association between Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy and Abnormal Fetal Growth: Evidence from a birth cohort baseline survey.

Background And Aim: The prevention of abnormal fetal growth can improve the health status of children during infancy and in the future. However, the effect of folic acid supplementation on fetal weight for gestational age is unclear.

Objective: To investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on abnormal fetal growth.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) for exosome detection.

Background: Exosomes, nanoscale extracellular vesicles secreted by various cells, are abundantly present in biological fluids. They have been identified as carriers of specific molecules, suggesting their potential role in early disease detection. However, their clinical application is hindered by several challenges, including the need for large sample volumes for enrichment, limitations of traditional detection methods, and the complexity involved in phenotype analysis and separation.

Impact of pretreatment strategies and cleaning methods on the cleaning efficacy of electrosurgical instruments: a multicentre study.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of different pretreatment strategies and cleaning methods on the cleaning efficacy of electrosurgical instruments, aiming to propose an optimal protocol.

Methods: A total of 573 electrosurgical instruments were collected from three large-scale hospitals within two hours post-use from December 2023 to July 2024. The instruments were categorized into six group: medical alkaline or multi-enzyme cleaner, or instant foam-type multi-enzyme humectant, followed by either manual cleaning or vacuum boiling washer.

Oleanolic acid inhibits appetite through the TGR5/cAMP signaling pathway.

Inhibition of appetite is an effective approach to fight obesity. Recently, bile acids have been reported to suppress appetite and alleviate obesity via the Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). However, whether the downstream signaling molecule cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) of TGR5 is involved in this process remains unclear.

Insights into the formation of pullulan nanofilm and its feasibility as probiotic-resided oral fast dissolving carrier.

Oral fast dissolving films represent a novel dosage form for probiotics. To reduce the dependence of film preparation on synthetic materials, a polysaccharide-based oral fast dissolving nanofilm for probiotics was fabricated through pullulan (PUL) electrospinning. An electrospinnability map of PUL with varying physical properties was developed, identifying a molecular weight of 200 kDa and a concentration of 20 % as suitable conditions for achieving favorable fiber morphology.

Dual-stimuli-responsive carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium lignosulfonate microcapsules from oppositely charged biopolymers for smart pesticide release.

In this study, we constructed a pH/laccase dual responsive drug delivery system, denoted as IMI@(CMCS+SL)n, capable of modulating wall thickness and drug release via the layer-by-layer deposition of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and sodium lignosulfonate (SL). The IMI@(CMCS+SL)n microcapsules was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) EDS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS) analysis. IMI@(CMCS+SL)n demonstrated not only a high loading capacity (exceeding 90 %) but also exhibited exceptional performance in sustained release and anti-termite activity of IMI.

Mechanistic insights and optimization of lignin depolymerization into aromatic monomers using vanadium-modified Dawson-type polyoxometalates.

Lignin, as the largest renewable aromatic resource, has significant opportunities for producing high-value products via catalytic depolymerization. However, its complex structure and stable chemical bonds present challenges to its transformation. This study explores the catalytic depolymerization of lignin to aromatic monomers by means of Dawson-type phosphomolybdovanadate polyoxometalates (POMs), understanding the underlying mechanisms.

Structure and function of the uracil DNA glycosylases from hyperthermophiles: Elucidating DNA uracil repair mechanisms: A review.

Base deamination can lead to DNA base damage, among which cytosine deamination to uracil occurs frequently. Before repair, replication of uracil in DNA will generate GC → AT transversion mutation. Since base deamination is accelerated by high temperature, genomic DNA stability of hyperthermophiles, which grow optimally above 75 °C, is facing a severe threat by the elevated base deamination created by their living high temperature environments.

Phosphoproteomic analysis of X-ray-irradiated planarians provides novel insights into the DNA damage response.

Phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the cellular response to radiation and cancer therapies, yet phosphoproteomics studies in planarians remain underexplored despite the organism's remarkable regenerative capacities. This study utilized advanced ion mobility mass spectrometry for 4D-label-free quantitative proteomics to identify phosphorylation sites associated with irradiation in planarians. A total of 33,284 phosphorylation sites from 15,505 phosphorylated peptides and 4710 unique phosphoproteins were identified.