Bionic Scotopic Adaptation Transistors for Nighttime Low Illumination Imaging.

Human vision excels in perceiving nighttime low illumination due to biological feedforward adaptation. Replicating this ability in biomimetic vision using solid-state devices has been highly sought after. However, emulating scotopic adaptation, entailing a confluence of efficient photoexcitation and dynamic carrier modulation, presents formidable challenges. Here, we demonstrate a low-power and bionic scotopic adaptation transistor by coupling a light-absorption layer and an electron-trapping layer at the bottom of the semiconducting channel, enabling simultaneous achievement of efficient generation of free photocarriers and adaptive carrier accumulation within a single device. This innovation empowers our transistor to exhibit sensitivity-potentiated characteristics after adaptation, detecting scotopic-level illumination (0.001 lx) with exceptional photosensitivity up to 103 at low voltages below 2 V. Moreover, we have successfully replicated diverse scotopic vision functions, encompassing time-dependent visual threshold enhancement, light intensity-dependent adaptation index, imaging contrast enhancement for nighttime low illumination imaging, opening an opportunity for artificial night vision.

Tailored chitosan integration in diatomaceous earth particles as a scaffold for fructosyltransferase immobilization in fructo-oligosaccharide production.

BACKGROUND: Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) belongs to the group of short inulin-type fructans and is one of the most important non-digestible bifid-oligosaccharides capable of biotransforming sucrose using fructosyltransferase (FTase). However, there are no immobilized FTase products that can be successfully used industrially. In this study, diatomite was subjected to extrusion, sintering and granulation to form diatomaceous earth particles that were further modified via chitosan aminomethylation for modification. FTase derived from Aspergillus oryzae was successfully immobilized on the modified support via covalent binding. RESULTS: The immobilized enzyme activity was 503 IU g-1 at an enzyme concentration of 0.6 mg mL-1, immobilization pH of 7.0 and contact time of 3 h. Additionally, the immobilization yield was 56.91%. Notably, the immobilized enzyme was more stable under acidic conditions. Moreover, the half-life of the immobilized enzyme was 20.80 and 10.96 times as long as that of the free enzyme at 45 and 60 °C, respectively. The results show good reusability, as evidenced by the 84.77% retention of original enzyme activity after eight cycles. Additionally, the column transit time of the substrate was 35.56 min when the immobilized enzyme was applied in a packed-bed reactor. Furthermore, a consistently high FOS production yield of 60.68% was achieved and maintained over the 15-day monitoring period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that immobilized FTase is a viable candidate for continuous FOS production on an industrial scale. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enhancing enzyme immobilization: Fabrication of biosilica-based organic-inorganic composite carriers for efficient covalent binding of D-allulose 3-epimerase.

D-allulose, an ideal low-calorie sweetener, is primarily produced through the isomerization of d-fructose using D-allulose 3-epimerase (DAE; EC 5.1.3.30). Addressing the gap in available immobilized DAE enzymes for scalable commercial D-allulose production, three core-shell structured organic-inorganic composite silica-based carriers were designed for efficient covalent immobilization of DAE. Natural inorganic diatomite was used as the core, while 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and chitosan organic layers were coated as the shells, respectively. These tailored carriers successfully formed robust covalent bonds with DAE enzyme conjugates, cross-linked via glutaraldehyde, and demonstrated enzyme activities of 372 U/g, 1198 U/g, and 381 U/g, respectively. These immobilized enzymes exhibited an expanded pH tolerance and improved thermal stability compared to free DAE. Particularly, the modified diatomite with PEI exhibited a higher density of binding sites than the other carriers and the PEI-coated immobilized DAE enzyme retained 70.4 % of its relative enzyme activity after ten cycles of reuse. This study provides a promising method for DAE immobilization, underscoring the potential of using biosilica-based organic-inorganic composite carriers for the development of robust enzyme systems, thereby advancing the production of value-added food ingredients like D-allulose.

Expression of Serum Anti-BP180/230 Antibodies in Bullous Pemphigoid Patients Combined with Nervous System Diseases and Relevant Factor Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the anti-BP230/180 and anti-BP180 antibodies in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) combined with neurological diseases, and to analyse the relevant factors. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Neurology Department, Cangzhou People's Hospital, Cangzhou, from April 2019 to June 2022. METHODOLOGY: Eighty BP patients were chosen based on associated neurological diseases, they were split into single (n=42) and combined groups (n=38). Expression of anti-BP180/230 antibodies was compared between the two groups. Associations with neurological diseases were analysed and the factors affecting the expression of anti-BP180/230 antibodies were explored. RESULTS: Out of 80 patients, 61 were positive for anti-BP180 antibodies and 58 were positive for anti-BP230 antibodies. The proportion of patients with positive anti-BP230/180 antibodies in the single group was considerably lower than in the combined group (p<0.05). Presence of both nervous system diseases and BP was found to be associated with the presence of anti-BP230/180 antibodies (p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed statistically significant association with age (<70 years, total IgE (>100 IU/ml), and EOS count >0.5 x 109/L (p<0.05). Logistic analysis demonstrated that age, total IgE and EOS count were independent risk factors affecting the expression of anti-BP180 and anti-BP23 antibodies (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum anti-BP230/180 antibodies expression is abnormally high in BP patients having nervous system diseases. Combined nervous system diseases, age, total IgE and EOS count are independent risk factors affecting expression of anti-BP180/230 antibodies. KEY WORDS: Anti-BP180 antibody, Anti-BP230 antibody, Bullous pemphigoid, Nervous system diseases.

Migration and invasion in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells are regulated by Nrf2 inhibition during treatment with ionizing radiation.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) serves a critical role in carcinogenesis. The present study examined the effect of Nrf2 on the proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells that were treated with ionizing radiation. B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells were exposed to various doses of ionizing radiation for different time periods. Small interfering (si)RNAs targeting Nrf2 were transfected into B16-F10 cells, and cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis were detected by Transwell, MTT or western blot assays. The expression of Nrf2 and its downstream heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. HO-1 activity was also examined. Ionizing radiation stimulated Nrf2 expression, increased caspase-3 expression, and reduced the viability, migration and invasion of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells. Transfection with Nrf2 siRNA was able to inhibit Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells that were treated by ionizing radiation. Inhibition of Nrf2 further reduced cell viability, invasion and migration, and elevated caspase-3 expression in B16-F10 mice melanoma cells that were treated by ionizing radiation. In summary, treatment with ionizing radiation was able to stimulate Nrf2 expression and regulate cell viability, invasion and migration of B16-F10 cells. A combination of Nrf2 knockdown and ionizing radiation treatment exerted a synergistic effect on migration, invasion and apoptosis in B16-F10 murine melanoma cells.

Hydrogen ameliorates oxidative stress via PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in UVB-induced HaCaT cells.

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure-induced oxidative stress is associated with the pathogenesis of skin damage. However, the nuclear factor erythroid­2­related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway is a critical factor in protecting cells against UVB­induced injury through inhibiting oxidative stress. Furthermore, Nrf2 activation requires the involvement of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway, which has a major role in survival of various cell types. Molecular hydrogen exerts protective effects on UV­induced injury, but the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. The present study assessed the protective effects of hydrogen against oxidative stress­induced injury caused by UVB irradiation and investigated the molecular mechanisms. In vitro, UVB­induced HaCaT cells were collected for the detection of reactive oxygen species, 8­iso­prostaglandin F2α, malondialdehyde via fluorescence spectrometry and ELISA; cell activity and cytotoxicity by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assays, respectively. Additionally, the expression level of PI3K, Akt, Nrf2 and heme oxygenase­1 (HO­1) were investigated using western blot, etc. All of the results indicated that hydrogen decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, 8­iso­prostaglandin F2α and malondialdehyde, and promoted the UVB exposure­induced expression of PI3K, Akt, Nrf2 and heme oxygenase­1 in HaCaT cells. Of note, PI3K inhibition partially reversed the effects of hydrogen on UVB­induced HaCaT cells. Therefore, hydrogen effectively protects cells from UVB radiation­induced oxidative stress by inhibiting Nrf2/HO­1 activation through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Long Noncoding RNA PVT1 Facilitates Cervical Cancer Progression via Negative Regulating of miR-424.

Emerging evidence suggests that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) gene is involved in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. However, the potential mechanism is rarely reported. Our study found that PVT1 was upregulated in cervical cancer tissue and cell lines. After transfecting PVT1 siRNA, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells were markedly decreased. miRNA expression profiles demonstrate that miR-424 was markedly downregulated in cervical cancer tissue. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-424 was potentially targeted by PVT1, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that PVT1 expression was negatively related to miR-424 expression in glioma cancer tissues. Finally, lowered expression of miR-424 could recover the tumor-suppressive effects of PVT1 knockdown in cervical cancer cell lines. Our results reveal a tumor-promoting role for PVT1, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) or a molecular sponge in negatively modulating miR-424, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for cervical cancer.