Biomimetic nanochannels for molybdate transport: application to sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for HER2.

A nanochannel-based electrochemical immunoassay was developed for the detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), with molybdate as the reporter to explore the interaction occurring into the nanochannels. The presence of target increased steric hindrance of the antibody-functionalized nanochannels, thereby hindering the transport of molybdate. And the reporter could be monitored by working electrode modified with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, based on the formation of the redox-active molybdophosphate. As a result, peak current obtained at ca. - 0.28 V in square wave voltammograms could be applied to quantitative determination of HER2. The electrochemical signal increased linearly with the logarithm of the concentration of HER2 in a broad dynamic range of 0.1 pg∙mL-1 to 10 ng∙mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.05 pg∙mL-1. The reliability of this immunoassay was validated by a recovery range of 99.5% to 111.7% for the detection of three different levels of HER2 in human serum samples. Integrating with multiple bionanochannels, this immunoassay is expected to provide a versatile approach for quantitative detection of various biomarkers in related disease diagnosis and therapy.

"Without the need for a second visit" initiative improves patient satisfaction with updated services of outpatient clinics in China.

BACKGROUND: To implement the "without the need for a second visit" (WNASV) initiative in our hospital by optimizing the outpatient clinic services via an upgraded information system, in order to increase the quality of outpatient medical services and improve patients' satisfaction. METHODS: An Internet-based care delivery approach was developed and applied to improve the delivery of health care services, simplify the treatment process, and reduce patient waiting time. The patient waiting time and consultation time in the outpatient clinics of our hospital during the peak service intervals and the proportions of various payment methods for outpatient services during the period from May 2017 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Also, the patients' satisfaction with the outpatient process was surveyed. RESULTS: The waiting time for consultation was shortened from 32.25 min to 28.42 min; the consultation time was shortened from 6.52 min to 3.15 min; and the waiting time for payment decreased from 7.40 min to 4.31 min. The proportion of payment via a counter was reduced from 86.80 to 21.79%, the proportion of self-service payment increased from 9.99 to 16.05%, and the proportion of payment during a consultation increased from 3.21 to 61.91%. The scores of the patients' satisfaction with the outpatient services increased from an average of 89.10 points in 2017 to an average of 90.26 points in 2019. CONCLUSION: The continuous improvement of the service process markedly increases the efficiency of the outpatient services, and effectively improves patient's satisfaction with the outpatient process, this initiative thus deserves further application.

A Novel Lipase from Lasiodiplodia theobromae Efficiently Hydrolyses C8-C10 Methyl Esters for the Preparation of Medium-Chain Triglycerides' Precursors.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are an emerging choice to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. They are triesters of glycerol and three medium-chain fatty acids, such as capric (C8) and caprylic (C10) acids. The availability of C8-C10 methyl esters (C8-C10 ME) from vegetable oil processes has presented an opportunity to use methyl esters as raw materials for the synthesis of MCTs. However, there are few reports on enzymes that can efficiently hydrolyse C8-C10 ME to industrial specifications. Here, we report the discovery and identification of a novel lipase from Lasiodiplodia theobromae fungus (LTL1), which hydrolyses C8-C10 ME efficiently. LTL1 can perform hydrolysis over pH ranges from 3.0 to 9.0 and maintain thermotolerance up to 70 °C. It has high selectivity for monoesters over triesters and displays higher activity over commercially available lipases for C8-C10 ME to achieve 96.17% hydrolysis within 31 h. Structural analysis by protein X-ray crystallography revealed LTL1's well-conserved lipase core domain, together with a partially resolved N-terminal subdomain and an inserted loop, which may suggest its hydrolytic preference for monoesters. In conclusion, our results suggest that LTL1 provides a tractable route towards to production of C8-C10 fatty acids from methyl esters for the synthesis of MCTs.

Zymography for Picogram Detection of Lipase and Esterase Activities.

Lipases and esterases are important catalysts with wide varieties of industrial applications. Although many methods have been established for detecting their activities, a simple and sensitive approach for picogram detection of lipolytic enzyme quantity is still highly desirable. Here we report a lipase detection assay which is 1000-fold more sensitive than previously reported methods. Our assay enables the detection of as low as 5 pg and 180 pg of lipolytic activity by direct spotting and zymography, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the detection sensitivity was adjustable by varying the buffering capacity, which allows for screening of both high and low abundance lipolytic enzymes. Coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, our method provides a useful tool for sensitive detection and identification of lipolytic enzymes.

Details of the topological state transition induced by gradually increased disorder in photonic Chern insulators.

Using two well-defined empirical parameters, we numerically investigate the details of the disorder-induced topological state transition (TST) in photonic Chern insulators composed of two-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals (MPCs). The TST undergoes a gradual process, accompanied with some interesting phenomena as the disorder of rod positions in MPCs increases gradually. This kind of TST is determined by the competition among the topologically protected edge state, disorder-induced wave localizations and bulk states in the system. More interestingly, the disorder-induced wave localizations almost have no influence on the one-way propagation of the original photonic topological states (PTSs), and the unidirectional nature of the PTSs at the edge area can survive even when the bulk states arise at stronger disorders. Our results provide detailed demonstrations for the deep understanding of fundamental physics underlying topology and disorder and are also of practical significance in device fabrication with PTSs.

Single-cell RNA-seq of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line with fractionated irradiation reveals radioresistant gene expression patterns.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells are heterogeneous, easily develop radioresistance, and recur. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) is a next-generation sequencing method that can delineate diverse gene expression profiles of individual cells and mining their heterogeneous behaviors in response to irradiation. Our aim was using scRNA-seq to describe the difference between parental cells and cells that acquired radioresistance, and to investigate the dynamic changes of the transcriptome of cells in response to FIR. RESULTS: We sequenced ESCC cell lines KYSE180 with and without fractionated irradiation (FIR). A total of 218 scRNA-seq libraries were obtained from 88 cells exposed to 12 Gy (KYSE-180-12 Gy), 89 exposed to 30 Gy (KYSE-180-30 Gy), and 41 parental KYSE-180 cells not exposed to FIR. Dynamic gene expression patterns were determined by comprehensive consideration of genes and pathways. Biological experiments showed that KYSE-180 cells became radioresistant after FIR. PCA analysis of scRNA-seq data showed KYSE-180, KYSE-180-12 Gy and KYSE-180-30 Gy cells were discrete away from each other. Two sub-populations found in KYSE-180-12 Gy and only one remained in KYSE-180-30 Gy. This sub-population genes exposure to FIR through 12 Gy to 30 Gy were relevant to the PI3K-AKT pathway, pathways evading apoptosis, tumor cell migration, metastasis, or invasion pathways, and cell differentiation and proliferation pathways. We validated DEGs, such as CFLAR, LAMA5, ITGA6, ITGB4, and SDC4 genes, in these five pathways as radioresistant genes in bulk cell RNA-seq data from ESCC tissue of a ESCC patient treated with radiotherapy and from KYSE-150 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Our results delineated the divergent gene expression patterns of individual ESCC cells exposure to FIR, and displayed genes and pathways related to development of radioresistance.

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunoassay Based on Cargo Release from Nanosized PbS Colloidosomes.

Colloidosome is a novel nanostructure composed of millions of colloid particles. In this work, nanosized PbS colloidosomes were initially prepared and applied as nanoprobes for an ultrasensitive immunoassay. The colloidosomes were simply prepared in mild conditions by assembling the elementary approximately 8 nm PbS nanoparticles at the water-in-oil interface of emulsion droplets. To enhance the rigidity and biocompatibility of the colloidosomes, interfacial polymer was introduced by utilizing self-polymerization of dopamine. By treating with dilute nitric acid, a bursting release of lead ions from the colloidosomes occurred and the lead ions can be detected easily by anodic stripping voltammetry. In this way, a colloidosome-based electrochemical immunoassay was developed by using the nanosized PbS colloidosomes as electroactive labels. The proposed method featured a linear calibration range from 10 fg·mL-1 to 100 ng·mL-1 with a low detection limit of 3.4 fg·mL-1 for the detection of human epididymis protein 4. This work introduced a new member for the family of colloidosomes and offered a novel perspective for the rational implementation of various colloidosomes for novel low-abundance cancer biomarkers analysis.

C60 Mediated Ion Pair Interaction for Label-Free Electrochemical Immunosensing with Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Nanochannels.

Label-free biosensing based on the nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) membrane emerged as a versatile biosensing platform in the recent decade. In the present work, we developed a new immunosensing strategy based on the nanochannels of NAA and the ion pair interaction mediated by electrochemistry of C60. The NAA served as the matrix for the immobilization of the capture antibodies. The incubation of target antigens resulted in the formation of the immunocomplexes and thus an increase of the steric hindrance of the nanochannels. Therefore, the concentration of the redox probe transported through the nanochannels decreases, which can be detected at the working electrode modified with C60. Herein, we initially found that the cathodic peak ascribed to the reduction of C60 to C60- was obviously enhanced by the presence of the redox probe K3[Fe(CN)6] and which was contributed to the formation of a ternary ion association complex among C60, tetraoctylammonium bromide, and K3[Fe(CN)6]. Therefore, the transportation of K3[Fe(CN)6] though the NAA-based bionanochannels can be detected by a C60 modified electrode with an amplified signal. Choosing human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) as the model target, a linear range of 1.0 ng mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1 can be established between the peak current obtained from the differential pulse voltammetric response of the platform and the concentration of HE4. The detection limit was 0.2 ng mL-1. This study not only provides a new avenue to develop the other nanochannel-based biosensing platform for a variety of other disease biomarkers but also contributes to the electrochemistry of fullerene.

Biocatalysis for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Biocatalysis has been increasingly used for pharmaceutical synthesis in an effort to make manufacturing processes greener and more sustainable. Biocatalysts that possess excellent activity, specificity, thermostability and solvent-tolerance are highly sought after to meet the requirements of practical applications. Generating biocatalysts with these specific properties can be achieved by either discovery of novel biocatalysts or protein engineering. Meanwhile, chemoenzymatic routes have also been designed and developed for pharmaceutical synthesis on an industrial scale. This review discusses the recent discoveries, engineering, and applications of biocatalysts for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical intermediates. Key classes of biocatalysts include reductases, oxidases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and transaminases.

Effect of smartphone application assisted medical service on follow-up adherence improvement in pediatric cataract patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of the smartphone application assisted medical service to increase patient compliance in attendance of follow-up after pediatric cataract treatment. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled a total of 163 pediatric cataract patients with uneventful surgery. According to their follow-up intervention method, patients were divided into the smartphone application assisted medical service group (WeChat group, 75 patients) or control group (88 patients). Attendance at five follow-up appointments after surgery was recorded. The percentage of patients that attend each follow-up appointment and the compliance of refractive correction were assessed. RESULTS: Although no significant difference was observed in the first appointment comparing the two groups (98.7% vs. 94.3%, p = 0.293), the attendance rates at the other appointments of the WeChat group were significantly higher than the control group (second: 98.7% vs. 89.8%, third: 97.3% vs. 83%, fourth: 93.3% vs. 78.4%, fifth: 80% vs. 56.8%, total: 93.6% vs. 80.5%, respectively). Compared with the control group, the odd ratios for adherence improvement were 4.4 for males (95% confidence index [CI] 2.54-7.65), 4.75 for patients more than 2 years old (95% CI 2.41-9.36), 4.19 for intraocular lens implantation (2.29-7.66), 6.93 for unilateral cataract (2.9-16.52), 4.87 for undeveloped cities (2.74-8.65), and 3.49 for cities far away (2.04-5.96), with all the p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the use of smartphone application assisted medical service can significantly improve follow-up attendance after pediatric cataract treatment.

Fullerene-based anodic stripping voltammetry for simultaneous determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) in foodstuff.

Various carbon nanomaterials for use in anodic stripping voltammetric analysis of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) are screened. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers and fullerene (C60), dispersed in chitosan (Chit) aqueous solution, are used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The fullerene-chitosan modified GCE (C60-Chit/GCE) displays superior performance in terms of simultaneous determination of the above ions. The electrodes and materials are characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The excellent performance of C60-Chit/GCE is attributed to the good electrical conductivity, large surface area, strong adsorption affinity and unique crystalline structure of C60. Using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, the assay has the following features for Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively: (a) Peak voltages of +0.14, -0.11, -0.58 and - 0.82 V (vs SCE); (b) linear ranges extending from 0.01-6.0 µM, 0.05-6.0 µM, 0.005-6.0 µM and 0.5-9.0 µM; and (c), detection limits (3σ method) of 3 nM (0.6 ppb), 14 nM (0.9 ppb), 1 nM (0.2 ppb) and 21 nM (2.4 ppb). Moreover, the modified GCE is well reproducible and suitable for long-term usage. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these ions in spiked foodstuff. Graphical abstract Compared with graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, an electrode modified with fullerene in chitosan electrode displays superior performance for the simultaneous anodic stripping voltammetric detection of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II).

Cancer-associated fibroblasts mediated chemoresistance by a FOXO1/TGFß1 signaling loop in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Previous studies on the mechanisms underlying ESCC (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma) chemoresistance only focused on tumor cells while tumor microenvironment has been completely ignored. Our study aimed to clarify the effect of CAFs (cancer-associated fibroblasts), one major component of tumor microenvironment, on the chemoresistance of ESCC. By primary culture, two pairs of CAFs and matched NFs (normal fibroblasts) were isolated from tumor tissues of ESCC patients and matched normal esophageal epithelial tissues, respectively. The association of CAFs and chemoresistance was assessed in esophageal carcinoma cells, in xenograft tumor models and in clinical specimens of ESCC patients. We found CAFs conferred ESCC cells significant resistance to several common chemotherapeutic drugs including cisplatin, taxol, irinotecan (CPT-11), 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), carboplatin, docetaxel, pharmorubicin, and vincristine. Mechanism studies revealed that blockage of CAFs-secreted TGFß1 signaling by its receptor TGFßR1 inhibitor LY2157299 significantly reversed the chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the crosstalk of CAFs and ESCC cells enhanced the expression and activation of FOXO1, a member of the forkhead transcription factors in the O-box sub-family, inducing TGFß1 expression in an autocrine/paracrine signaling loop. In 130 ESCC patients, the expression of TGFß1 in CAFs was significantly associated with overall survival of patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Together, our study highlighted TGFß1 expressed in CAFs as an attractive target to reverse tumor chemoresistance, and can be used as an independent prognostic factor of ESCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of curcumin-inhibited extracellular matrix receptors in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells by RNA sequencing.

Curcumin is a potent anti-cancer drug in several types of human cancers. Despite of several preclinical and clinical studies of curcumin, the precise mechanism of curcumin in cancer prevention has remained unclear. In our study, we for the first time investigated whole transcriptome alteration in A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines after treatment with curcumin using RNA sequencing. We found that lots of genes and signaling pathways were significantly altered after curcumin treatment in A549 cells. With bioinformatics approaches (gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and STRING), we found that those curcumin altered genes were not only the genes that induce cell death but also those extracellular matrix receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway genes which regulate cell migration and proliferation. Among those significantly altered genes, eight genes ( COL1A1, COL4A1, COL5A1, LAMA5, ITGA3, ITGA2B, DDIT3, and DUSP1) were further examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis in four non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Both in cell lines and in mouse model, the extracellular matrix receptors including the integrin ( ITGA3 and ITGA2B), collagen ( COL5A1), and laminin ( LAMA5) were significantly inhibited by curcumin at messenger RNA and protein levels. Functional studies confirmed that curcumin not only induced A549 cell death but also repressed cell proliferation and migration by regulating extracellular matrix receptors. Collectively, our study suggests that curcumin may be used as a promising drug candidate for intervening lung cancer in future studies.

[Diagnosis and Treatment for Four Cases of Sparganosis mansoni].

The data of 4 sparganosis mansoni cases were collected from January 2010 to September 2014, and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods. Among the cases, 3 cases had a history of eating raw frogs, and 1 case had a history of eating half-cooked frogs and drinking unboiled water. All cased and 3 out of 7 persons eating raw frogs together with case 3 were positive for anti-Sparganum mansoni antibody. 2 patients were cured by operation removal and praziquantel+alhendazole treatment, and the other 2 cases were cured by drugs only.

Enhancing E. coli isobutanol tolerance through engineering its global transcription factor cAMP receptor protein (CRP).

The limited isobutanol tolerance of Escherichia coli is a major drawback during fermentative isobutanol production. Different from classical strain engineering approaches, this work was initiated to improve E. coli isobutanol tolerance from its transcriptional level by engineering its global transcription factor cAMP receptor protein (CRP). Random mutagenesis libraries were generated by error-prone PCR of crp, and the libraries were subjected to isobutanol stress for selection. Variant IB2 (S179P, H199R) was isolated and exhibited much better growth (0.18 h(-1) ) than the control (0.05 h(-1) ) in 1.2% (v/v) isobutanol (9.6 g/L). Genome-wide DNA microarray analysis revealed that 58 and 308 genes in IB2 had differential expression (>2-fold, p < 0.05) in the absence and presence of 1% (v/v) isobutanol, respectively. When challenged with isobutanol, genes related to acid resistance (gadABCE, hdeABD), nitrate reduction (narUZYWV), flagella and fimbrial activity (lfhA, yehB, ycgR, fimCDF), and sulfate reduction and transportation (cysIJH, cysC, cysN) were the major functional groups that were up-regulated, whereas most of the down-regulated genes were enzyme (tnaA) and transporters (proVWX, manXYZ). As demonstrated by single-gene knockout experiments, gadX, nirB, rhaS, hdeB, and ybaS were found associated with strain isobutanol resistance. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in IB2 was only half of that of the control when facing stress, indicating that IB2 can withstand toxic isobutanol much better than the control.

Repair of segmental long bone defect in a rabbit radius nonunion model: comparison of cylindrical porous titanium and hydroxyapatite scaffolds.

A segmental long bone defect in a rabbit radius nonunion model was repaired using cylindrical porous titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds. Each scaffold was produced using the same method, namely, a slurry foaming method. Repairing ability was characterized using x-radiographic score 12 and 24 weeks postprocedure; failure load of the radius-ulna construct, under three-point bending, 12 weeks postprocedure; and the percentage of newly formed bone within the implant, 12 and 24 weeks after postprocedure. For each of these parameters, the difference in the results when porous Ti scaffold was used compared with when HA scaffolds were used was not significant; both porous scaffolds showed excellent repairing ability. Because the trabecular bone is a porous tissue, the interconnected porous scaffolds have the advantages of natural bone, and vasculature can grow into the porous structure to accelerate the osteoconduction and osteointegration between the implant and bone. The porous Ti scaffold not only enhanced the bone repair process, similar to porous HA scaffolds, but also has superior biomechanical properties. The present results suggest that porous Ti scaffolds may have promise for use in the clinical setting.

[Targeted inhibition of WISP1 enhanced radiosensitivity in glioma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of differencial expression of WISP1 upon the radiosenstivity and migration in glioma cell lines M059K and M059J, as well as WISP1 knockdown cell line M059K-WISP1-. METHODS: The expression of WISP1 in different cell lines was detected by Western blot assay. The lentivirus mediated-RNA interference technology was employed to knockdown the endogenous expression of gene WISP1 in human glioma cells(M059K). A stable cell line was established by infecting M059K cells with the lentivirus particles, the transfection efficiency was examined by fluorescence microscopy. The radiosensitivity and migration ability of cells were assessed by Colony-forming and Scratch Wound Assays respectively. RESULTS: WISP1 was highly expressed in M059K cells compared with M059J cells. M059K cells were less radiosensitive than M059J cells , and had a better ability of migration. M059K cells were transfected into by the lentiviral vector pGLV3/H1/GFP+puro vector -WISP1. And M059K-WISP1- cell line with stable WISP1 downregulation was established successfully. Western blot demonstrated significantly downregulated WISP1 expression in M059K-WISP1- cells, which showed obviously improved radiosensitivity in Colony-forming assay and suppressed migration ability in Scratch Wound Assay. Colony-forming assay based on the muti-target/single-hit model indicated that radiosensitivity of M059K-WISP1- was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Compared with WISP1 low expression cell line M059J , WISP1 high expression cell line M059K was less radiosensitive and had a better ability of migration.We have successfully established a glioma cell line M059K-WISP1- stably downregulating WISP1, which shows a better radiosensitivity and a lowered migration activity in vitro. This may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of human glioma.

Characteristic cytokine profile of the aqueous humor in eyes with congenital cataract and pre-existing posterior capsule dysfunction.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristic cytokine profile of the aqueous humor in eyes with congenital cataract and pre-existing posterior capsule dysfunction (PCD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the enrolled eyes with congenital cataract and PCD were included in the PCD group, while those with an intact posterior capsule were included in the control group. Demographic data and biometric parameters were recorded. The levels of 17 inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor collected from the enrolled eyes were detected using Luminex xMAP technology, and intergroup differences in the collected data were analyzed. Results: The PCD group comprised 41 eyes from 31 patients with congenital cataract and PCD, whereas the control group comprised 42 eyes from 27 patients with congenital cataract and an intact posterior capsule. Lens thickness was significantly thinner in the PCD group than in the control group. However, the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGF-ß2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the PCD group than in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that lens thickness and TGF-ß2 level were independent risk factors for PCD. Conclusion: A thinner lens thickness in eyes with congenital cataract and PCD could serve as a biometric feature of these eyes. The higher levels of MCP-1, TGF-ß2, and VEGF in eyes with PCD indicated a change in their intraocular inflammatory microenvironment, which possibly led to cataract progression. Lens thickness and TGF-ß2 level are independent risk factors for PCD.

Quantitative Assessment of Lid Margin Vascularity Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) to assess lid margin vascularity. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional trial enrolled 125 participants, including 15 control subjects and 110 meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) patients. Lid margin blood flow density (LMBFD) was obtained using SS-OCTA. LMBFD was assessed for repeatability in 54 of 125 participants and for reproducibility in 23 of 125 participants. The efficacy of LMBFD was validated in the 125 participants, who were divided into mild (n = 46), moderate (n = 42), and severe groups (n = 37) according to the lid margin vascularity severity shown in the slit-lamp photographs. Correlations between LMBFD and MG-related parameters, such as ocular surface disease index (OSDI), fluorescein tear break-up time (FTBUT), cornea fluorescein staining (CFS), lid margin score (LMS), and meibomian gland expressibility (ME), were analyzed in all 125 participants. Results: Repeatability and reproducibility coefficients were satisfactorily high in the scan mode with a scan area of 6 mm × 6 mm (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] repeatability = 0.905; ICC reproducibility = 0.986) and a scan area of 9 mm × 9 mm (ICC repeatability = 0.888; ICC reproducibility = 0.988). The LMBFD gradually increased in the mild, moderate, and severe groups (P < 0.001). LMBFD was significant correlated with OSDI (r = 0.290, P = 0.001), FTBUT (r = -0.195, P = 0.030), CFS (r = 0.352, P < 0.001), ME (r = 0.191, P = 0.033), and LMS (r = 0.370, P < 0.001). Conclusions: LMBFD may be a noninvasive, repeatable, reproducible, and efficient index for the quantitative evaluation of eyelid margin vascularity in the future. Translational Relevance: We demonstrated that SS-OCTA has the potential to evaluate the eyelid margin vascularity in MGD patients and guide future treatment strategies in clinics.

Electrochemical Sensing Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks-Derived Carbon/Molybdenum Disulfide Composites with Superstructure and Synergistic Catalysis.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived nanocomposite has attracted extensive attention due to its tunable nanoscale cavities and high chemical tailorability. Herein, with the aim of developing a sensitive electrochemical sensor for p-nitrophenol, a novel MOFs-derived nanocomposite was prepared by the solvothermal method using Zr-MOFs, thiourea, and sodium molybdate as raw materials. By controlling the growth mode and reaction time, the nanohybrids displayed a superstructure composed of MOFs-derived carbon (MOFs-C) and MoS2. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that MOFs-C/MoS2 was a flower-like porous sphere. Transmission electron microscopic images showed that the MOFs-C/MoS2 had a unique arrow target-like structure. The porous structure held great promise for the fast mass transfer into the material, while the layer-by-layer distributed carbon and MoS2 provided a great structure for the synergistic catalysis. The electrochemical oxidation of (hydroxyamino)phenol to nitrosophenol, which is an important process for the electrochemical behavior of p-nitrophenol, can be selectively catalyzed by the MOFs-C/MoS2. Therefore, the electrochemical sensor based on the MOFs-C/MoS2 material exhibited excellent analytical performance in the determination of p-nitrophenol. Using the technique of square wave voltammetry, the peak current varied quantitatively with the presence of p-nitrophenol in the wide concentration range of 0.5-500 µM. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor exhibited good practicability in real sample analysis.