miR-193b-5p promotes GCRV replication by inhibiting autophagy via targeting deptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus).

miRNAs are increasingly recognized for their crucial role in autophagy processes. Recent research has highlighted the significant function of autophagy in modulating immune responses. Within this context, specific miRNAs have been identified as indirect mediators of immune functions through their modulation of autophagy. In this study, we verified that miR-193b-5p simultaneously targeted the grass carp autophagy-related gene deptor, thereby reducing autophagy levels in CIK cells. Moreover, we found the expression levels of miR-193b-5p and deptor responding to pathogen infections in the GCRV-infected CIK cells. Notably, the overexpression of miR-193b-5p was found to induce the GCRV replication and reduce the irf3, irf7 and IFN1 expression. These findings also demonstrated that grass carp miR-193b-5p impacted the proliferation, migration, and antiapoptotic abilities of CIK cells. All the above results indicated that miR-193b-5p was linked to grass carp autophagy and played a vital role in antiviral immunity by targeting deptor. Our study may provide important insights into autophagy-related miRNAs and their roles in defense and immune mechanisms against pathogens in teleost.

Clustering pattern and evolution characteristic of microRNAs in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

BACKGROUND: A considerable fraction of microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, and certain miRNAs correspond to genomic clusters. The clustering of miRNAs can be advantageous, possibly by allowing coordinated expression. However, little is known about the evolutionary forces responsible for the loss and acquisition of miRNA and miRNA clusters. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that several novel miRNAs arose throughout grass carp evolution. Duplication and de novo production were critical strategies for miRNA cluster formation. Duplicates accounted for a smaller fraction of the expansion in the grass carp miRNA than de novo creation. Clustered miRNAs are more conserved and change slower, whereas unique miRNAs usually have high evolution rates and low expression levels. The expression level of miRNA expression in clusters is strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: This study examines the genomic distribution, evolutionary background, and expression regulation of grass carp miRNAs. Our findings provide novel insights into the genesis and development of miRNA clusters in teleost.

Performance improvement in monolayered SnS2 double-gate field-effect transistors via point defect engineering.

Owing to the relatively high carrier mobility and on/off current ratio, monolayered SnS2 has the advantage of suppressing drain-to-source tunneling for short channels, rendering it a promising candidate in field-effect transistor (FET) applications. To extend the scaling limit of the channel length, we propose to rationally modulate the electronic properties of monolayered SnS2 through the customized design of point defects and simulate its performance limit in sub-5 nm double-gate FETs (DGFETs), using density functional theory combined with nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. Among all types of point defects, the Se atom as a substitutional dopant (SeS) can nondegenerately inject electrons into each monolayered (ML) SnS2 2 × 4 × 1 supercell, whereas the Sn vacancy (VSn) defect exhibits an opposite doping effect. By adjusting the lateral Schottky barrier height between electrodes and the channel region, the on-state current (Ion), on/off ratio, delay time, and power-delay product in the formed n-type SeS-doped SnS2 and p-type VSn-doped SnS2 DGFETs with a channel length of 4.5 nm have been remarkably improved, fulfilling the requirements of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) for high-performance applications in the 2028 horizon. Our work unveils the great significance of point defect engineering for applications in ultimately scaled electronics.

Poly(aspartic acid) Electrospun Nanofiber Hydrogel Membrane-Based Reusable Colorimetric Sensor for Cu(II) and Fe(III) Detection.

Electrospun nanofiber membrane (ENM) with huge specific surface area is an ideal solid substrate for sensors. However, only a few ENMs are developed into colorimetric sensors and it is even more challenging to fabricate multiple-ion-responsive ENM-based colorimetric sensor. In this study, benefiting from the excellent metal ion adsorption ability of poly(aspartic acid) (PASP) and high specific surface area of nanofibers, a reusable colorimetric sensor utilizing PASP electrospun nanofiber hydrogel membrane (ENHM) was designed to detect Cu2+ and Fe3+ in aqueous solution with simple filtration. The sensor based on PASP-ENHM exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, and colorimetric responses for Cu2+ and Fe3+ detection could be observed by the naked eye. Upon exposure to Cu2+ aqueous solution, the color of the sensor changed from white to blue with a naked eye detection limit of 0.3 mg/L, while it turned from white to yellow with a detection limit of 0.1 mg/L for Fe3+ detection. Furthermore, this sensor was reusable after metal ion extraction by the desorption process.

Lysine-doped polypyrrole/spider silk protein/poly(l-lactic) acid containing nerve growth factor composite fibers for neural application.

Lysine-doped polypyrrole (PPy)/regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP)/poly(l-lactic) acid (PLLA)/nerve growth factor (NGF) (L-PRPN) composite scaffold was fabricated by co-axial electrospraying and electrospinning. This L-PRPN composite scaffold had a structure of microfibers with a core-shell structure as the stems and nanofibers as branches. Assessment in vitro demonstrated that the L-PRPN composite micro/nano-fibrous scaffold could maintain integrated structure for at least 4months and the pH value of PBS at about 7.28. It had good biocompatibility and cell adhesion and relatively stable conductivity. PC 12 cells cultured on this scaffold, anisotropic cell-neurite-cell-neurite or neurite-neurite sheets were formed after being cultured for 6days. Evaluations in vivo also showed that L-PRPN composite fibrous conduit was effective at bridging 2.0cm sciatic nerve gap in adult rat within 10months. This conduit and electrical stimulation (ES) through it promoted Schwann cell migration and axonal regrowth.

A three-dimensional multiporous fibrous scaffold fabricated with regenerated spider silk protein/poly(l-lactic acid) for tissue engineering.

An axially aligned three-dimensional (3-D) fibrous scaffold was fabricated with regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP)/poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) through electrospinning and post treatment. The morphology, mechanical and degradation properties of the scaffold were controlled through the weight ratio of RSSP to PLLA, the thickness of the scaffold and the treatment time. The scaffold with a weight ratio of 2:3 (RSSP:PLLA) had a nanoleaves-on-nanofibers hierarchical nanostructure; the length and thickness of the nanoleaves were about 400 and 30 nm, respectively. The holes of the scaffolds ranged from hundreds of nanometers to several microns. The scaffold showed an ideal mechanical property that it was stiff when dry, but became soft once hydrated in the culture medium. Its degradation rate was very slow in the first 2 months, and then accelerated in the following 2 months. The pH values of the degradation mediums of all the samples remained in the range of 7.40-7.12 during degradation for 6 months. It had good biocompatibility with PC 12 cells. The aligned hierarchical nanostructure could guide the directions of the axon extension. This scaffold has a potential application in Tissue Engineering and controlled release. This study provides a method to produce synthetic or natural biodegradable polymer scaffold with tailored morphology, mechanical, and degradation properties.

Structure-property relationship of regenerated spider silk protein nano/microfibrous scaffold fabricated by electrospinning.

The regenerated Araneus ventricosus spider dragline silk protein fibrous scaffold with moderate strength and flexibility was fabricated by electrospinning and post treatment with 90 vol % acetone. The effect of collection method on the morphology of regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP) fibrous scaffold, the effects of the post treatment solvents and their concentrations on the molecular conformation, crystallinity and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the morphology was affected by the solvent used in the coagulation bath. The molecular conformation, crystallinity and mechanical property of this scaffold were strongly affected by the kind of post treatment solvent and slightly influenced by its concentration when it was higher than 50 vol %. The degradation rate of this scaffold was very slow and resulting in little pH change of the degradation medium within 5 months. PC 12 cells were cultured on the electrospun RSSP fibrous scaffold and in its extraction fluid to examine the changes of PC 12 cells after different times of culture. The results show that the electrospun RSSP fibrous scaffold had good biocompatibility with PC 12 cells.

Multi-porous electroactive poly(L-lactic acid)/polypyrrole composite micro/nano fibrous scaffolds promote neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

In this study, poly(L-lactic acid)/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole composite fibrous scaffolds with moderate conductivity were produced by combining electrospinning with in situ polymerization. PC12 cells were cultured on these fibrous scaffolds and their growth following electrical stimulation (0-20.0 µA stimulus intensity, for 1-4 days) was observed using inverted light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with the MTT cell viability test. The results demonstrated that the poly(L-lactic acid)/ammonium persulfate doped-polypyrrole fibrous scaffold was a dual multi-porous micro/nano fibrous scaffold. An electrical stimulation with a current intensity 5.0-10.0 µA for about 2 days enhanced neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth, while a high current intensity (over 15.0 µA) suppressed them. These results indicate that electrical stimulation with a moderate current intensity for an optimum time frame can promote neuronal growth and neurite outgrowth in an intensity- and time-dependent manner.

Electrospun biomimic nanofibrous scaffolds of silk fibroin/hyaluronic acid for tissue engineering.

This study aimed to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds which could biomimic the natural extracellular matrix from aqueous solutions of silk fibroin and hyaluronic acid blends (SF/HA) by means of electrospinning. Scanning electronic microscopy results indicated that electrospun SF/HA nanofibers were ribbon-shaped and their average width obviously decreased with the increase of HA content. However, there is no fiber observed when the volume of HA further increased to 50% of overall volume. After being treated with 75% ethanol vapor for 24 h, the fibers still remained their fibrous morphologies and presented good capability of water-resistance. Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, (13)C-CP-MAS nuclear magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that HA did not induce SF conformation from random coil to ß-sheet. SF conformation converted from random coil to ß-sheet after being treated with 75% ethanol vapor. Cell viability studies demonstrated that SF/HA nanofibrous scaffolds significantly promoted cell proliferation. Electrospun SF/HA nanofibers may provide an ideal biomimic tissue-engineering scaffold or vehicle for water-soluble drugs.

Fabrication and intermolecular interactions of silk fibroin/hydroxybutyl chitosan blended nanofibers.

The native extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of a cross-linked porous network of multifibril collagens and glycosaminoglycans. Nanofibrous scaffolds of silk fibroin (SF) and hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) blends were fabricated using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as solvents to biomimic the native ECM via electrospinning. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) showed that relatively uniform nanofibers could be obtained when 12% SF was blended with 6% HBC at the weight ratio of 50:50. Meanwhile, the average nanofibrous diameter increased when the content of HBC in SF/HBC blends was raised from 20% to 100%. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) showed SF and HBC molecules existed in hydrogen bonding interactions but HBC did not induce conformation of SF transforming from random coil form to ß-sheet structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the different structure of SF/HBC blended nanofibers from both SF and HBC. Thermogravimetry-Differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) results demonstrated that the thermal stability of SF/HBC blend nanofibrous scaffolds was improved. The results indicated that the rearrangement of HBC and SF molecular chain formed a new structure due to stronger hydrogen bonding between SF and HBC. These electrospun SF/HBC blended nanofibers may provide an ideal tissue engineering scaffold and wound dressing.

Fe(3)O(4)@Au/polyaniline multifunctional nanocomposites: their preparation and optical, electrical and magnetic properties.

Fe(3)O(4)@Au/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ polymerization in the presence of mercaptocarboxylic acid. The mercaptocarboxylic acid was used to introduce hydrogen bonding and/or electrostatic interaction; it acts as a template in the formation of Fe(3)O(4)@Au/PANI nanorods. The morphology and structure of the resulting nanocomposites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that the nanocomposites were rod-like with an average diameter of 153 nm, and they exhibited a core-shell structure. A UV-visible spectrometer, semiconductor parameter analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to characterize the optical, electrical and magnetic properties of the Fe(3)O(4)@Au/PANI nanocomposites. It was interesting to find that these properties are dependent on the molar ratio of Au to Fe(3)O(4) when the molar ratio of Fe(3)O(4)@Au to PANI is fixed. The magnetic property of the Fe(3)O(4)@Au/PANI nanocomposite is very close to superparamagnetic behavior.