An Asymmetric Layer Structure Enables Robust Multifunctional Wearable Bacterial Cellulose Composite Film with Excellent Electrothermal/Photothermal and EMI Shielding Performance.

Highly robust flexible multifunctional film with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding and electrothermal/photothermal characteristics are highly desirable for aerospace, military, and wearable devices. Herein, an asymmetric gradient multilayer structured bacterial cellulose@Fe3O4/carbon nanotube/Ti3C2Tx (BC@Fe3O4/CNT/Ti3C2Tx) multifunctional composite film is fabricated with simultaneously demonstrating fast Joule response, excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) and photothermal conversion properties. The asymmetric gradient 6-layer composite film with 40% of Ti3C2Tx possesses excellent mechanical performance with exceptional tensile strength (76.1 MPa), large strain (14.7%), and good flexibility. This is attributed to the asymmetric gradient multilayer structure designed based on the hydrogen bonding self-assembly strategy between Ti3C2Tx and BC. It achieved an EMI SE of up to 71.3 dB, which is attributed to the gradient "absorption-reflection-reabsorption" mechanism. Furthermore, this composite film also exhibits excellent low-voltage-driven Joule heating (up to 80.3 °C at 2.5 V within 15 s) and fast-response photothermal performance (up to 101.5 °C at 1.0 W cm-2 within 10 s), which is attributed to the synergistic effect of heterostructure. This work demonstrates the fabrication of multifunctional bacterial cellulose@Fe3O4/carbon nanotube/Ti3C2Tx composite film has promising potentials for next-generation wearable electronic devices in energy conversion, aerospace, and artificial intelligence.

Exploring the co-operativity of secretory structures for defense and pollination in flowering plants.

MAIN CONCLUSION: In flowers multiple secretory systems cooperate to deliver specialized metabolites to support specific roles in defence and pollination. The collective roles of cell types, enzymes, and transporters are discussed. The interplay between reproductive strategies and defense mechanisms in flowering plants has long been recognized, with trade-offs between investment in defense and reproduction predicted. Glandular trichomes and secretory cavities or ducts, which are epidermal and internal structures, play a pivotal role in the secretion, accumulation, and transport of specialized secondary metabolites, and contribute significantly to defense and pollination. Recent investigations have revealed an intricate connection between these two structures, whereby specialized volatile and non-volatile metabolites are exchanged, collectively shaping their respective ecological functions. However, a comprehensive understanding of this profound integration remains largely elusive. In this review, we explore the secretory systems and associated secondary metabolism primarily in Asteraceous species to propose potential shared mechanisms facilitating the directional translocation of these metabolites to diverse destinations. We summarize recent advances in our understanding of the cooperativity between epidermal and internal secretory structures in the biosynthesis, secretion, accumulation, and emission of terpenes, providing specific well-documented examples from pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium). Pyrethrum is renowned for its natural pyrethrin insecticides, which accumulate in the flower head, and more recently, for emitting an aphid alarm pheromone. These examples highlight the diverse specializations of secondary metabolism in pyrethrum and raise intriguing questions regarding the regulation of production and translocation of these compounds within and between its various epidermal and internal secretory systems, spanning multiple tissues, to serve distinct ecological purposes. By discussing the cooperative nature of secretory structures in flowering plants, this review sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying the ecological roles of terpenes in defense and pollination.

A novel antimicrobial peptide S24 combats serious wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are ranked as top-priority organisms by WHO. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that are highly effective against serious bacterial infections. METHODS: In our previous study, a series of α-helical AMPs were screened using a novel multiple-descriptor strategy. The current research suggested that S24 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against major pathogenic bacteria, and displayed minimal haemolysis, good serum stability and maintained salt resistance. RESULTS: We found that S24 exerted an antimicrobial effect by destroying outer membrane permeability and producing a strong binding effect on bacterial genomic DNA that inhibits genomic DNA migration. Furthermore, S24 exerted a strong ability to promote healing in wound infected by P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and mixed strains in a mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, S24 showed good stability under physiological conditions and excellent antimicrobial activity, suggesting it may be a potential candidate for the development of serious bacterial infection treatment.

An electrochemical biosensor for Staphylococcus aureus detection based on a multilevel surface 3D micro/nanostructure.

Detection of pathogens is one of the key concerns for hospitals, the food industry, water suppliers, or other environmental engineering practices because pathogens can cause a wide range of infectious risks. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most common pathogens that are hazardous to human health and its existence is an important index to the safety of food, environmental sanitation, or medical products. In this study, we prepared an electrode with designed surface multilevel 3D micro/nano protrusions for facile and efficient S. aureus detection. The existence of these multilevel protrusions enhanced the adsorption of S. aureus. Hence, the detection limit could be as low as 10 CFU mL-1. Furthermore, the electrode was also successfully used to detect S. aureus in actual samples, such as milk and artificial human tissue fluid. It was found that the recovery of the reported approach showed no significant difference from that of the traditional plate count method. However, compared with the plate count method, the detection process of our approach is much more time-saving and easy-operating. These advantages of the approach we report, such as high sensitivity, reliability, quickness, and user-friendliness, make it a potential platform for detecting S. aureus in relation to the food industry and clinical diagnosis.

Ligand-Induced Red-Emitting Copper Nanoclusters for Selective Fluorescence Determination of Aluminum Ions.

Monitoring levels of excessive aluminum ions (Al3+) is crucial as it can harm the immune system, reduce enzyme activity, cause cell death, and damage environmental and biological systems. Developing a fast and efficient Al3+ ion determination method is the key to addressing this issue. In this work, red-emitting fluorescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) were synthesized using N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as a ligand and CuCl2·2H2O through a facile procedure. The NAC-CuNCs exhibited a large Stokes shift and displayed remarkable luminescence properties. A method for detecting Al3+ through a fluorescence probe was proposed. Its fluorescence mechanism was also explored. The probe showed rapid responsiveness (within 1 min) to Al3+ ion determination. The detection limit for Al3+ was found to be 19.7 nM, which is significantly lower than the WHO's value and most reports, with a linear range of 0-52.9 µM. The determination of Al3+ concentrations in actual water using the fluorescence probe yielded satisfactory outcomes. Moreover, the visual detection of Al3+ ions was also achieved through a smartphone, which can enhance its fast and practical detection.

Imazalil resulted in glucolipid metabolism disturbance and abnormal m6A RNA methylation in the liver of dam and offspring mice.

As a fungicide with the characteristics of high effectiveness, internal absorption and broad spectrum, imazalil is widely used to prevent and treat in fruits and vegetables. Here, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were exposed to imazalil at dietary levels of 0, 0.025‰, and 0.25‰ through drinking water during pregnancy and lactation. We then analyzed the phenotype, metabolome, and expression of related genes and proteins in the livers of mice. There was a marked decrease in the body and liver weights of male offspring mice after maternal imazalil exposure, while this effect on the dam and female offspring was slight. Metabolomics analyses revealed that imazalil significantly altered the metabolite composition of liver samples from both dams and offspring. The preliminary results of the analysis indicated that glucolipid metabolism was the pathway most significantly affected by imazalil. We performed a coabundance association analysis of metabolites with significant changes in the pathway of glycolipid metabolism, and IMZ altered the networks of both dams and offspring compared with the network in control mice, especially in male offspring. The hepatic triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose levels were increased significantly in the dams but decreased significantly in male offspring after maternal imazalil exposure. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes associated with glycolipid metabolism and m6A RNA methylation were significantly affected by maternal intake of imazalil. Imazalil-induced glucolipid metabolism disturbance was highly correlated with m6A RNA methylation. In conclusion, maternal imazalil exposure resulted in glucolipid metabolism disturbance and abnormal m6A RNA methylation in the livers of dams and offspring mice. We expected that the information acquired in this study will provide novel evidence for understanding the effect of maternal imazalil exposure on potential health risks.

Different Dosages of Progesterone in Luteal Phase Support Reflect Varying Endometrial microRNA Expression in Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles.

Despite serum progesterone being a widely accepted method for luteal phase support during embryo transfer cycles, debates persist regarding the optimal strategy for guiding clinical decisions on progesterone dosages to maximize reproductive outcomes. This retrospective study explored the utility of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in guiding personalized progesterone dosage adjustments for frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in 22 in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Utilizing MIRA, an miRNA-based endometrial receptivity test, we analyzed patients' miRNA expression profiles before and after progesterone dosage adjustments to determine suitable dosages and assess endometrial status. Despite patients receiving identical progesterone dosages, variations in miRNA profiles were observed in the initial cycle, and all patients presented a displaced window of implantation. Following dosage adjustments based on their miRNA profiles, 91% of patients successfully transitioned their endometrium towards the receptive stages. However, two patients continued to exhibit persistent displaced receptivity despite the adjustments. Given the evident variation in endometrial status and serum progesterone levels among individuals, analyzing miRNA expression profiles may address the challenge of inter-personal variation in serum progesterone levels, to deliver more personalized dosage adjustments and facilitate personalized luteal phase support in IVF.

Bovine milk ß-casein: Structure, properties, isolation, and targeted application of isolated products.

ß-Casein, an important protein found in bovine milk, has significant potential for application in the food, pharmaceutical, and other related industries. This review first introduces the composition, structure, and functional properties of ß-casein. It then reviews the techniques for isolating ß-casein. Chemical and enzymatic isolation methods result in inactivity of ß-casein and other components in the milk, and it is difficult to control the production conditions, limiting the utilization range of products. Physical technology not only achieves high product purity and activity but also effectively preserves the biological activity of the components. The isolated ß-casein needs to be utilized effectively and efficiently for various purity products in order to achieve optimal targeted application. Bovine ß-casein, which has a purity higher than or close to that of breast ß-casein, can be used in infant formulas. This is achieved by modifying its structure through dephosphorylation, resulting in a formula that closely mimics the composition of breast milk. Bovine ß-casein, which is lower in purity than breast ß-casein, can be maximized for the preparation of functional peptides and for use as natural carriers. The remaining byproducts can be utilized as food ingredients, emulsifiers, and carriers for encapsulating and delivering active substances. Thus, realizing the intensive processing and utilization of bovine ß-casein isolation. This review can promote the industrial production process of ß-casein, which is beneficial for the sustainable development of ß-casein as a food and material. It also provides valuable insights for the development of other active substances in milk.

The regulatory effect of TiO2 nanotubes loaded with graphene oxide on macrophage polarization in an inflammatory environment.

BACKGROUND: Excessive inflammation is a major cause of implant failure. The surface morphology, hydrophilicity, and loading of biomaterials are major properties modulating anti-inflammatory macrophage activation. This paper investigates the regulatory effects of modifying the surface of Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) with graphene oxide (GO) on the polarization of mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW264.7). METHODS: TNT was produced by the anodic oxidation of titanium. GO was subsequently electrodeposited on the TNT to obtain a TNT-GO composite. The samples were characterised through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. RAW264.7 cells were separately seeded onto the surface of three groups of samples: pure Ti, TNT, and TNT-GO. Under the condition of lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the influence of the sample surfaces on the gene expression profiles was investigated through RNA sequence analysis. In addition, cell spreading was observed through SEM, cell adhesion and proliferation were analysed using the CCK8 assay, and the expression of inflammation-related factors was investigated by ELISA and cellular immunofluorescence staining. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the RAW264.7 cells on the surface of the three groups was detected via immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The CCK8 results indicated that the adhesion and proliferation of the RAW264.7 cells were reduced on the TNT and TNT-GO surfaces. ELISA results revealed significant differences in the pro-inflammatory factors tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 secretion among the three groups at 24 h (p < 0.05). The secretion of pro-inflammatory factors significantly reduced and the expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 increased on the TNT and TNT-GO surfaces. The RNA sequencing, ELISA, and cell immunofluorescence staining test results suggested that the inflammatory response of M1 polarization was reduced and the M2 polarization of macrophages was induced on the TNT-GO surface, which may be attributed to the reduction in ROS production. CONCLUSIONS: Under lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the inflammatory response of the RAW264.7 cells was reduced and the M2 polarization of macrophages was promoted on the TNT-GO surface, which may be caused by the reduced ROS production. Consequently, the designed TNT-GO material is promising for implants owing to its excellent inflammation regulation ability.

[A multi-center epidemiological study on pneumococcal meningitis in children from 2019 to 2020]. / 2019­2020å¹´160ä¾‹å„¿ç«¥è‚ºç‚Žé“¾çƒèŒè„‘è†œç‚Žä¸´åºŠæµè¡Œç— å­¦å¤šä¸­å¿ƒç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) isolates in Chinese children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information, laboratory data, and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country. RESULTS: Among the 160 children with PM, there were 103 males and 57 females. The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years, with 109 cases (68.1%) aged 3 months to under 3 years. SP strains were isolated from 95 cases (59.4%) in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases (35.6%) in blood cultures. The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87) and 27% (21/78), respectively. Fifty-five cases (34.4%) had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis, 113 cases (70.6%) had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci, and 18 cases (11.3%) had underlying diseases. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (147 cases, 91.9%), followed by lethargy (98 cases, 61.3%) and vomiting (61 cases, 38.1%). Sixty-nine cases (43.1%) experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization, with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication [43 cases (26.9%)], followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases (15.0%), brain abscess in 23 cases (14.4%), and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases (5.0%). Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old, with rates of 91% (39/43) and 83% (20/24), respectively. SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin (100%, 75/75), linezolid (100%, 56/56), and meropenem (100%, 6/6). High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin (81%, 22/27), moxifloxacin (82%, 14/17), rifampicin (96%, 25/26), and chloramphenicol (91%, 21/23). However, low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin (16%, 11/68) and clindamycin (6%, 1/17), and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin (100%, 31/31). The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160) and 66.2% (106/160), respectively, while 18 cases (11.3%) had adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years. Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old. Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM, and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications. Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates. Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases. SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid, meropenem, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol.

Selective Chemical Labeling Strategy for Oligonucleotides Determination: A First Application to Full-Range Profiling of Transfer RNA Modifications.

To date, the extremely high polarity and poor signal intensity of macromolecular nucleic acids are greatly impeding the progress of mass spectrometry technology in the quality control of nucleic acid drugs and the characterization of DNA oxidation and RNA modifications. We recently described a general N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyl-trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) labeling method for oligonucleotide determination and applied it to the full-range profiling of tRNA in vitro and in vivo studies for the first time. The primary advantages of this method include strong retention, no observable byproducts, predictable and easily interpreted MS2 data, and the circumvention of instrument harmful reagents that were necessary in previous methods. Selective labeling of N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyl-trifluoroacetamide to the terminal phosphate groups of oligonucleotides endows it broadly applicable for DNA/RNA profiling. Moreover, the improvement of sequence coverage was achieved in yeast tRNAphe(GAA) analysis owing to this method's good detection capability of 1-12 nucleotides in length. We also extended this strategy to determine the abundance of modified bases and discover new modifications via digesting RNA into single-nucleotide products, promoting the comprehensive mapping of RNA. The easy availability of derivatization reagent and the simple, rapid one-step reaction render it easy to operate for researchers. When applied in characterizing tRNAs in HepG2 cells and rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a fragment of U[m1G][m2G], specific for tRNAAsn(QUU) in cells, was significantly upregulated, indicating a possible clue to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis.

Transferring and Retaining of Different Polyaniline Nanofeatures via Electrophoretic Deposition for Enhanced Sensing Performance.

Nanofeatured polyaniline (PANI) electrodes have demonstrated impressive sensing performance due to the enhanced electrolyte diffusion and ion transport. However, the retaining of these nanostructures on substrates via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) faces an insurmountable challenge from the involved dedoping process. Here, camphorsulfonic acid is utilized with high steric effects to dope PANI (PANI-CSA) that can be directly used EPD without involving a dedoping process. Five different nanofeatures (sea cucumber-like, nanofiber, amorphous, nanotube, and nanorod) are synthesized, and they have been all successfully transferred onto indium tin oxide substrate in a formic acid/acetonitrile system, namely a morphology memory effect. The mechanism of retaining these nanofeatures is revealed, which is realized via the processes of dissolution of PANI-CSA, codoping and solvation, and reassembly of basic units into the original nanofeature. The enhanced protonation level by the codoping of formic acid and solvation of acetonitrile plays the key role in retaining these nanofeatures. This method is also applicable to transfer PANI/gold nanorod composites (PANI-CSA/AuNRs). The PANI-CSA/AuNRs electrode as an ascorbic acid sensor has shown an excellent sensing performance with a sensitivity up to 872.7 µA mm-1 cm-2 and a detection limit of as low as 0.18 × 10-6 m.

High-Performance Flexible Graphene Oxide-Based Moisture-Enabled Nanogenerator via Multilayer Heterojunction Engineering and Power Management System.

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in nanogenerators within the scientific community because their immense potential for extracting energy from the surrounding environment. A promising approach involves utilizing ambient moisture as an energy source for portable devices. In this study, moisture-enabled nanogenerators (MENGs) are devised by integrating heterojunctions of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Benefiting from the unique structure, a larger ion concentration gradient is achieved as well as a lower resistance, which leads to enhanced electricity generation. The resulting MENG generates a desirable open-circuit voltage of 0.76 V and a short-circuit current density of 73 µA cm-2 with a maximum power density of 15.8 µW cm-2 . Notably, the designed device exhibits a high voltage retention of more than 90% after 3000 bending cycles, suggesting a high potential for flexible applications. Moreover, a large-scale integrated MENG array is developed by incorporating flexible printed circuit technology and connecting it to a power management system. This integrated system can provide ample energy to operate an electronic ink display and drive a heart rate sensor for health monitoring. The outcomes of this research present a novel framework for advancing next-generation self-powered flexible devices, thereby demonstrating significant promise for future wearable electronics.

Self-reported sleep quality and oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia among men attending an infertility clinic: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the influence of sleep disturbances on the risk of oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia (OAT) in men attending an infertility clinic. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled men attending an infertility clinic from July 2020 to June 2021. Semen parameters were obtained at initial presentation, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and the STOP-BANG Questionnair were completed to assess sleep quality. Embryo outcomes were evaluated after infertility treatment. RESULTS: Of 466 men enrolled, 119 had OAT (OAT group) and 347 had normozoospermia (NS group). There were no differences between the two groups regarding Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG Questionnaire scores. The prevalence of poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥ 5) in the OAT group was significantly higher than that in the NS group (42% vs. 29%, p = 0.009). A higher rate of poor subjective sleep quality was observed in the OAT group compared with the NS group (p = 0.005) and Pearson's correlations revealed a negative relationship between subjective sleep quality and semen quality. Logistic regression found that subjective sleep quality was independently associated with an increased risk of OAT (adjusted odds ratio = 0.610, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Men with OAT attending an infertility clinic exhibited poor subjective sleep quality. Improving sleep disturbances may be a target intervention to reduce the risk of OAT. This possibility warrants further investigation.

TcbHLH14 a Jasmonate Associated MYC2-like Transcription Factor Positively Regulates Pyrethrin Biosynthesis in Tanacetum cinerariifolium.

Natural pyrethrins have high application value, and are widely used as a green pesticide in crop pest prevention and control. Pyrethrins are mainly extracted from the flower heads of Tanacetum cinerariifolium; however, the natural content is low. Therefore, it is essential to understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying the synthesis of pyrethrins through identification of key transcription factors. We identified a gene encoding a MYC2-like transcription factor named TcbHLH14 from T. cinerariifolium transcriptome, which is induced by methyl jasmonate. In the present study, we evaluated the regulatory effects and mechanisms of TcbHLH14 using expression analysis, a yeast one-hybrid assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and overexpression/virus-induced gene silencing experiments. We found that TcbHLH14 can directly bind to the cis-elements of the pyrethrins synthesis genes TcAOC and TcGLIP to activate their expression. The transient overexpression of TcbHLH14 enhanced expression of the TcAOC and TcGLIP genes. Conversely, transient silencing of TcbHLH14 downregulated the expression of TcAOC and TcGLIP and reduced the content of pyrethrins. In summary, these results indicate that the potential application of TcbHLH14 in improving the germplasm resources and provide a new insight into the regulatory network of pyrethrins biosynthesis of T. cinerariifolium to further inform the development of engineering strategies for increasing pyrethrins contents.

The photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) by Ag-doped SnS2 materials under visible light.

Efficient degradation of uranium(VI) (U(VI)) in wastewater is an urgent problem because of the chemical toxicity and radiotoxicity. In this study, the Agx-SnS2 photocatalysts were compounded by a simple hydrothermal method, effectively removing U(VI) under visible light in water. Compared with SnS2, the results indicated that Agx-SnS2 would decrease the crystallinity without destroying the crystal structure. Moreover, it has excellent photocatalytic performance on the degradation rate of U(VI). Ag0.5-SnS2 exhibited a prominent photocatalytic reduction efficiency of UO22+ of about 86.4% under optical light for 75 min. This was attributed to Ag-doped catalysts, which can narrow the band gap and enhance absorption in visible light. Meanwhile, the doping of Ag promoted the separation of photoinduced carriers, so that more photogenerated charges participated in the photocatalytic reaction. The stability and reusability were verified by the cycle test and the potential photocatalytic mechanism was analyzed based on the experiment.

Influence of surface nanotopography and wettability on early phases of peri-implant soft tissue healing: an in-vivo study in dogs.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that nanotopography and wettability of implant surfaces contribute to osseointegration and long-term implant success. However, the effects of a hydrogenated surface with nanotubular and superhydrophilic properties on peri-implant soft tissue remain unclear. This study was designed to study the impact of a modified abutment surface on early soft tissue integration compared with a machined surface. METHODS: Thirty-six implants were placed at the bone level in the bilateral mandible of six beagles, followed by healing abutments belonging to the standard machined Ti-6Al-4V alloy abutments (TC4-M), anodized abutments with nanotubes (TC4-Nano), and hydrogenated abutments (TC4-H/Nano) groups, which were randomly screwed to the implants. After two and four weeks of wound healing, the animals were euthanized for histological evaluation. RESULTS: A superhydrophilic nanotubular surface developed on the hydrogenated abutment. Histological and histometric analyses revealed similar peri-implant soft tissue healing and dimensions for the three types of abutments at two and four weeks. Connective tissue (CT) length was longer around TC4-H/Nano abutments compared with standard abutments; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, collagen fibers in the TC4-H/Nano group extended and were attached perpendicularly to the superhydrophilic surface. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that the soft tissue interface adjacent to the hydrogenated abutment is comparable to that of the machined abutment. A tendency of increased CT length and perpendicular collagen fibers was observed around the modified abutment. This study suggests that nanotubular/superhydrophilic surfaces could be a promising modification to enhance soft tissue sealing. However, comprehensive studies should be conducted to evaluate the peri-implant soft tissue around the modified abutment immunohistochemically, histopathologically, and clinically.

[Overview of the application of knowledge graphs in the medical field].

With the booming development of medical information technology and computer science, the medical services industry is gradually transiting from information technology to intelligence. The medical knowledge graph plays an important role in intelligent medical applications such as knowledge questions and answers and intelligent diagnosis, and is a key technology for promoting wise medical care and the basis for intelligent management of medical information. In order to fully exploit the great potential of knowledge graphs in the medical field, this paper focuses on five aspects: inter-drug relationship discovery, assisted diagnosis, personalized recommendation, decision support and intelligent prediction. The latest research progress on medical knowledge graphs is introduced, and relevant suggestions are made in light of the current challenges and problems faced by medical knowledge graphs to provide reference for promoting the wide application of medical knowledge graphs.

Fine-Tuning the Molecular Design for High-Performance Molecular Diodes Based on Pyridyl Isomers.

Better control of molecule-electrode coupling (Γ) to minimize leakage current is an effective method to optimize the functionality of molecular diodes. Herein we embedded 5 isomers of phenypyridyl derivatives, each with an N atom placed at a different position, in two electrodes to fine-tune Γ between self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and the top electrode of EGaIn (eutectic Ga-In terminating in Ga2 O3 ). Combined with electrical tunnelling results, characterizations of electronic structures, single-level model fittings, and DFT calculations, we found that the values of Γ of SAMs formed by these isomers could be regulated by nearly 10 times, thereby contributing to the leakage current changing over about two orders of magnitude and switching the isomers from resistors to diodes with a rectification ratio (r+ =|J(+1.5 V)/J(-1.5 V)|) exceeding 200. We demonstrated that the N atom placement can be chemically engineered to tune the resistive and rectifying properties of the molecular junctions, making it possible to convert molecular resistors into rectifiers. Our study provides fundamental insights into the role of isomerism in molecular electronics and offers a new avenue for designing functional molecular devices.

Supramolecular Memristor Based on Bistable [2]Catenanes: Toward High-Density and Non-Volatile Memory Devices.

The ever-increasing demand for data storage and neuromorphic computing calls for innovative, high-density solutions, such as resistive random-access memory (RRAM). However, the integration of resistive switching and rectification at the nanoscale remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we introduce a bistable [2]catenane-based supramolecular junction that simultaneously functions as a resistive switch and a diode. All supramolecular junctions are highly stable and reproducible over thousands of resistive switching cycles, because the nano-confinement of two mechanically interlocked rings can stabilize the radical states of pyridinium moieties under ambient conditions. The successful realization of supramolecular junctions in functionality with a thickness of approximately 2 nm presents a promising avenue for the development of molecule-scale based RRAM for a better solution to high density and energy efficiency.