Deciphering the Dynamic Assembling-Disassembling of Small Molecules on Solid/Liquid Interfaces within Microchannels by Pulsed Streaming Potential Measurement.

Assembling small molecules at liquid/solid interfaces is relatively common and contributes to many unique properties of the interface. However, such an assembling process can be dynamic depending on the concentration of the molecule and the properties of the solid and liquid themselves, which poses serious challenges on the accurate evaluation of the assembling processes. Herein, we report a convenient way for in situ and real-time monitoring of assembling-disassembling of small-molecule surfactants on the surface of microchannels using pulsed streaming potential (SP) measurement based on the variation of surface charge. With this technique, five distinctive kinetic regimes, each responsible for a characteristic molecular behavior, can be differentiated during a typical assembling-disassembling cycle. Significant difference of the assembling-disassembling process was clearly reflected for surfactants with hydrophobic tails of only a two -CH2- difference (C16TAB/C18TAB and D10DAB/D12DAB). The relative SP (Er) value is positively correlated with the molecular weight at a concentration of 0.1 mM for the same kinds of surfactants. Moreover, the assembling kinetics of D10DAB exhibits an "overshoot effect" at high concentration, which means morphology adjustment. The consequences of such assembling/disassembling of these molecules for electrophoretic separation, protein immobilization, and photocatalysis in a microchannel were investigated through dynamic characterization, which proves its potential as a tool for dynamic solid/liquid interface characterization.

Assessing the Redox Toxicity of 2D Nanosheets Based on Their Redox Effect on Cytochrome c in Microchannels.

2D nanosheets (NSs) have been widely used in drug-related applications. However, a comprehensive investigation into the cytotoxicity mechanism linked to the redox activity is lacking. In this study, with cytochrome c (Cyt c) as the model biospecies, the cytotoxicity of 2D NSs was evaluated systematically based on their redox effect with microfluidic techniques. The interface interaction, dissolution, and redox effect of 2D NSs on Cyt c were monitored with pulsed streaming potential (SP) measurement and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The relationship between the redox activity of 2D NSs and the function of Cyt c was evaluated in vitro with Hela cells. The results indicated that the dissolution and redox activity of 2D NSs can be simultaneously monitored with CE under weak interface interactions and at low sample volumes. Both WS2 NSs and MoS2 NSs can reduce Cyt c without significant dissolution, with reduction rates measured at 6.24 × 10-5 M for WS2 NSs and 3.76 × 10-5 M for MoS2 NSs. Furthermore, exposure to 2D NSs exhibited heightened reducibility, which prompted more pronounced alterations associated with Cyt c dysfunction, encompassing ATP synthesis, modifications in mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased reactive oxygen species production. These observations suggest a positive correlation between the redox activity of 2D NSs and their redox toxicity in Hela cells. These findings provide valuable insight into the redox properties of 2D NSs regarding cytotoxicity and offer the possibility to modify the 2D NSs to reduce their redox toxicity for clinical applications.

Differential SW16.1 allelic effects and genetic backgrounds contributed to increased seed weight after soybean domestication.

Although seed weight has increased following domestication from wild soybean (Glycine soja) to cultivated soybean (Glycine max), the genetic basis underlying this change is unclear. Using mapping populations derived from chromosome segment substitution lines of wild soybean, we identified SW16.1 as the causative gene underlying a major quantitative trait locus controlling seed weight. SW16.1 encodes a nucleus-localized LIM domain-containing protein. Importantly, the GsSW16.1 allele from wild soybean accession N24852 had a negative effect on seed weight, whereas the GmSW16.1 allele from cultivar NN1138-2 had a positive effect. Gene expression network analysis, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and promoter-luciferase reporter transient expression assays suggested that SW16.1 regulates the transcription of MT4, a positive regulator of seed weight. The natural variations in SW16.1 and other known seed weight genes were analyzed in soybean germplasm. The SW16.1 polymorphism was associated with seed weight in 247 soybean accessions, showing much higher frequency of positive-effect alleles in cultivated soybean than in wild soybean. Interestingly, gene allele matrix analysis of the known seed weight genes revealed that G. max has lost 38.5% of the G. soja alleles and that most of the lost alleles had negative effects on seed weight. Our results suggest that eliminating negative alleles from G. soja led to a higher frequency of positive alleles and changed genetic backgrounds in G. max, which contributed to larger seeds in cultivated soybean after domestication from wild soybean. Our findings provide new insights regarding soybean domestication and should assist current soybean breeding programs.

Bracket-like suture method: a novel, circular marked, simplest sided purse-string suture technique for intracorporeal circular-stapled oesophagojejunostomy during laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Total laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) has been limited in application because of the difficulty of intracorporeal oesophagojejunostomy. Theoretically, an intracorporeal single-stapling oesophagojejunostomy using a circular stapler could be commonly used and provide favourable outcomes for TLTG, as in open total gastrectomy(OTG), in which the use of circular staplers in oesophagojejunostomy is common and the standard procedure. This could be possible if use of a laparoscopic purse-string suture along the distal oesophagus were made easy and simple. However, the simple and optimal use of this procedure remains to be developed. METHODS: Between October 2018 and March 2020, 21 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent TLTG using the bracket-like suture method (BLSM) for intracorporeal circular-stapled oesophagojejunostomy in our institution. The surgical details and postoperative outcomes were analysed to evaluate this method. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 227.6 ± 13.6 min. The median time for the two-sided purse-string suture was 4 min (range, 3-5 min). It took an average of 11.5 min for the completion of purse-string suture and anvil placement. Tumour-free margins were achieved in 21 patients with a median length of 2.5 cm (range, 2-6 cm) proximal margin. Three patients developed postoperative complications. There was no mortality. During the median follow-up period of 12 months, no anastomosis-related complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the method cannot only facilitate safe and easy purse-string creation, using the simplest two-sided suture in a short amount of time by circular marking of the intended transection level for intracorporeal circular-stapled oesophagojejunostomy, but can also be completed by laparoscopic surgeons with basic laparoscopic suturing skills.

Global, regional, and national burden of disease study of atrial fibrillation/flutter, 1990-2019: results from a global burden of disease study, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injury, and Risk Factor Study 2019 (GBD 2019) was used to assess the burden and change in prevalence, incidence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years, and risk factors for atrial fibrillation/flutter in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019. METHODS: Incidence, prevalence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and their age-standardized rates of AF/AFL were analyzed by age, sex, socio-demographic index (SDI), and human development index (HDI) using the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 (GBD2019) results，and risk factors for AF/AFL (mainly high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index, alcohol use, smoking and diet high in sodium) were differentially analyzed. RESULTS: There are 59.70 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 45.73-75.29 million) AF/AFL patients worldwide in 2019, with 4.72 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 3.64-5.96 million) new cases and 0.315 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.268-0.361 million) and 8.39 million disability-adjusted years (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 6.69-10.54 million). The highest risk factor for deaths, DALYs attributable to AF/AFL in 2019 was high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index, alcohol use, smoking, and diet high in sodium. It is estimated that between 2030 and 2034, the total incidence of male AF/ AFL will be 16.08 million, and the total number of deaths will be 1.01 million. For females, the total number of incidence is 16.85 million, and the total number of deaths is 1.49 million. CONCLUSIONS: AF/AFL remains a major global public health problem, although the ASR of prevalence, incidence, and DALY at the worldwide level showed a decreasing trend from 1990 to 2019(the ASR of deaths increased slightly). However, the unfavorable trend observed in this study in countries with lower SDI suggests that current prevention and treatment strategies should be reoriented. Some countries should develop more targeted and specific strategies to prevent the increase of AF/AFL.

Design of Lubricant-Infused Surfaces Based on Mussel-Inspired Nanosilica Coatings: Solving Adhesion by Pre-Adhesion.

Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs) have attracted wide interest with regard to their excellent liquid repellency properties and broad applications in various fields associated with anti-adhesion. However, the preparation processes depending on the chemical properties of the substrate and the poor stability of the lubricant layer hinder the practical applications. In this work, a facile method to fabricate SLIPSs based on the mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA)-mediated nanosilica structures is demonstrated. A variety of substrates can be decorated with SLIPSs by successive treatment of PDA-assisted sol-gel process, fluorination, and lubricant filling. The robust uniform and nanotextured silica coating, mediated by the pre-adhered PDA layer, shows enhanced lubricant-locking ability even when subjected to increased evaporation and high shear from flowing water or spinning compared with hierarchical silica rough structures. The obtained SLIPSs exhibit high transparency and excellent resistance against adhesion of liquid/solid contaminants and biofoulings through this pre-adhesion of PDA strategy. The well-defined nanosilica coating of high decoration covering micron-scaled pore walls enables improved durability of the slippery surfaces for antifouling of the porous membrane under pressure-driven filtration and this may be employed as a potential candidate for fouling resistance of porous materials.

Predominant classic circular-stapled double-tract reconstruction after totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy: safe, feasible, time-saving anastomoses by technical tie-up.

BACKGROUND: The double-tract reconstruction (DTR) could be a preferable option in avoiding the postoperative esophageal reflux and anastomotic stenosis during totally laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG). An optimal procedure to achieve the DTR in TLPG remains to be established. METHODS: During March 2018 to April 2019, 15 consecutive patients with gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach underwent intracorporeal DTR after TLPG at our hospital. The intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (E-J), gastrojejunostomy (G-J) and jejunojejunostomy (J-J) were, respectively, performed using circular staplers by the Self-Pulling and Holding Purse-String Suture Technique, Intraluminal Poke Technique and U-shaped Parallel Purse-string Suture Technique (Technical Tie-Up). Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative details and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 216.1 ± 18.2 min. Total time for three anastomoses was 49.8 ± 6.1 min, and the time for E-J, G-J, J-J was 22.4 ± 5.0 min, 13 (range 11-16) min, 14.2 ± 2.8 min, respectively. The median proximal and distal resection margins were 2.5 (range 2-4) cm and 6 (range 5-7) cm, respectively, which were all tumor-free in 15 patients. No major complications and mortality occurred. During the median follow-up period of 14 months (range 7 to 20.5 months), there were no postoperative anastomosis-related complications observed, such as anastomotic bleeding, leakage or stenosis. No patients complained the symptoms indicating esophageal reflux and remnant gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: Predominant classic circular-stapled double-tract reconstruction is safe, feasible and time-saving in TLPG by the technical tie-up.

Protein changes in gastric epithelial cells RGM-1 in response to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation significantly increases the risk of gastric cancer. To investigate the role of H. pylori infection in gastric epithelial cell carcinogenesis, flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells infected by H. pylori. Next, LTQ MS mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to identify protein changes in gastric epithelial cells infected with H. pylori, and then bioinformatics was adopted to analyze the cellular localization and biological function of differential proteins. LTQ MS/MS successfully identified identified 22 differential proteins successfully, including 20 host-cell proteins and two H. pylori bacterial proteins. Also, human proteins were located in all areas of cells and involved in various cell biological functions. The oncogene proteins p53, p16, and C-erbB-2 proteins in H. pylori-infected RGM-1 cells were remarkably increased from the analysis by Western blot analysis. H. pylori infection of gastric epithelial cells leads to changes in various protein components in the cell, and enhances the expression of oncogene proteins, thereby increasing the possibility of possibility of carcinogenesis of H. pylori infection.

Facile Evaluation of Nanoparticle-Protein Interaction Based on Charge Neutralization with Pulsed Streaming Potential Measurement.

Exploration of simple and universal methods to quantitatively measure nanoparticle (NP)-protein interaction is of great importance. In this work, pulsed streaming potential (SP) measurement has been used to evaluate the interaction between NPs and proteins within microchannels. Graphene oxide (GO) and SiO2 NPs were selected to represent two kinds of NPs. Lysozyme and common blood proteins, including albumin V, γ-globulins, and fibrinogen, were used as model proteins. The linear relationship between the initial adsorption rate (S = dEr/dt) and the concentration of proteins was observed. Combined with the Hill equation, the microscopic dissociation constant (KD) and the Hill coefficient (n) between NPs and proteins were calculated based on the relationship between S and the concentration of each protein. The concentration of free proteins which have not interacted with the NPs in the NPs-protein mixture could also be measured. The influence of pH, conductivity, and ionic strengths of the incubation buffer on the interaction between GO and lysozyme was evaluated based on the constant KD. The interaction intensity between NPs and proteins was defined as charge neutralization efficiency QC, which could be calculated from the value of S. It takes only 150 s to get the whole set of data under the optimized experiment parameters. The measurement solely depends on the surface charge, no intrinsic fluorescence is required for either the NPs or the proteins, and no labeling or immobilization process is involved as well.

Intracorporeal classic circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: A simple, safe "intraluminal poke technique" for anvil placement.

BACKGROUND: Totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is being increasingly performed. However, an optimal procedure to achieve intracorporeal gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy for Roux-en-Y reconstruction after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy remains to be established. Compared with the simple and preferable circular-stapled Roux-en-Y reconstruction in open gastrectomy, application of intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy of Roux-en-Y reconstruction during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy have been limited (no report of intracorporeal circular-stapled jejunojejunostomy) because of the difficulties of intracorporeal purse-string suture and anvil placement. To address these problems, a simple and safe intraluminal poke technique of universal surgical concept and procedure was introduced and evaluated. METHODS: Between March 2018 and August 2018, 24 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in our hospital. Roux-en-Y reconstruction of intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy with the intraluminal poke technique was performed in all patients. Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative details and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 203.6±26.2min, both proximal and distal tumor-free margins were achieved in all patients. The time for anvil placement at stomach and intestine was 5.9±1.3min and 3.9±0.7min, respectively. Intracorporeal gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy were successively completed following anvil placement with no any anastomosis-related sutures. There were 5 postoperative complications. Morbidities included pancreas fistula (n=1), stasis (n=2), atelectasis (n=1), pneumonia (n=1). These all patients recovered after conservative treatment. No postoperative anastomosis-related complications, such as anastomotic bleeding and leakage, or stenosis occurred during the median follow-up of 6.5 months. CONCLUSION: The initial results suggest that the technique allowing easy and common anvil placement at stomach and intestine may be a simple, safe, preferable and time-saving procedure to accomplish intracorporeal circular-stapled gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy of Roux-en-Y reconstruction in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy as open surgery.

Intracorporeal circular-stapled anastomosis after totally laparoscopic gastrectomy: A novel, simplest u-shaped parallel purse-string suture technique.

BACKGROUND: Intracorporeal anastomoses in totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) remain technical challenges to many surgeons, although the intracorporeal jejunojejunal or gastrojejunal anastomosis is an essential procedure during TLG. Standardized, reproducible and simple circular-stapled anastomosis in open gastrectomy is limited in TLG due to the difficulties of intracorporeal purse-string suture or anvil placement. An optimal procedure for intracorporeal anastomosis in TLG remains to be established. METHODS: Between February 2018 and January 2019, 31 consecutive patients with gastric cancer underwent totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) or totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) using the novel u-shaped parallel purse-string suture technique along the jejunum for anvil placement. The intracorporeal circular-stapled jejunojejunostomy of Roux-en-Y reconstruction in TLTG and gastrojejunostomy of Billroth II in TLDG were, respectively, performed. RESULTS: The total mean ± SD operative time was 214.7 ± 48.6 minutes. The time required for purse-string suture and anvil placement was 2.3 ± 0.5 and 4.4 ± 1.1 minutes, respectively. There were no instances of postoperative jejunojejunal or gastrojejunal anastomosis-related complications observed during the median follow-up period of 5.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The novel procedure conceptionally and technically changes the conventional circular-shaped purse-string suture into a much simpler way, u-shaped parallel purse-string suture. This could be the simplest published intracorporeal pure-string suture technique.

Use of Pulsed Streaming Potential with a Prepared Cationic Polyelectrolyte Layer to Detect Deposition Kinetics of Graphene Oxide and Consequences of Particle Size Differences.

The deposition kinetics of graphene oxide (GO) onto poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) layer was characterized in situ with pulsed streaming potential (SP) measurement, and it was found that the initial rate constant (ki) was dependent on the size of GO with same surface charge density at a fixed concentration under controlled experimental conditions. Assuming the deposition was controlled by diffusion at the initial stage, ki is proportional to Rh-2/3, where Rh is the hydrodynamic radius. By flushing a GO solution through a capillary coated with PEI, the initial change rate of relative SP (dEr/dt) was obtained in 20 s and ki was measured with five different concentrations in about 2 min. Three GO samples of different sizes obtained from the same batch of raw material were characterized with pulsed SP to get ki values, and their sizes were verified with atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The experimental results are consistent with the predicted effects of the size of NPs on their deposition kinetics.

Aggregation behavior of the template-removed 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin chiral array directed by poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine).

Complexation between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine) (PEG-b-PLL) was performed via electrostatic interaction. Two kinds of primary arrays of TPPS with different supramolecular chirality induced by PLL were obtained in the resultant complex by inverting the mixing procedure of the two components. These arrays could be displaced by poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) from the chiral PLL template through competitive electrostatic complexation, and then PSS formed a polyion complex micelle with PEG-b-PLL. The template-removed TPPS arrays preserved their induced chirality and served as primary subunits for the secondary aggregation of TPPS. The morphology of the secondary aggregates was strongly dependent upon the asymmetric primary supramolecular arrangement of TPPS. The rodlike nanostructure that was ∼200 nm in length was composed of the primary arrays that showed opposite exciton chirality between the J- and H-bands. In contrast, the micrometer-sized fibrils observed were composed of the arrays with the same exciton chirality at the J- and H-bands.

Identification of Potential Crucial Biomarkers in STEMI Through Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis. / Identificação de Potenciais Biomarcadores Cruciais em IAMCSST por Meio de Análise Bioinformática Integrada.

BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the leading causes of fatal cardiovascular diseases, which have been the prime cause of mortality worldwide. Diagnosis in the early phase would benefit clinical intervention and prognosis, but the exploration of the biomarkers of STEMI is still lacking. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we conducted a bioinformatics analysis to identify potential crucial biomarkers in the progress of STEMI. METHODS: We obtained GSE59867 for STEMI and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened with the threshold of |log2fold change| > 0.5 and p <0.05. Based on these genes, we conducted enrichment analysis to explore the potential relevance between genes and to screen hub genes. Subsequently, hub genes were analyzed to detect related miRNAs and DAVID to detect transcription factors for further analysis. Finally, GSE62646 was utilized to assess DEGs specificity, with genes demonstrating AUC results exceeding 75%, indicating their potential as candidate biomarkers. RESULTS: 133 DEGs between SCAD and STEMI were obtained. Then, the PPI network of DEGs was constructed using String and Cytoscape, and further analysis determined hub genes and 6 molecular complexes. Functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs suggests that pathways related to inflammation, metabolism, and immunity play a pivotal role in the progression from SCAD to STEMI. Besides, related-miRNAs were predicted, has-miR-124, has-miR-130a/b, and has-miR-301a/b regulated the expression of the largest number of genes. Meanwhile, Transcription factors analysis indicate that EVI1, AML1, GATA1, and PPARG are the most enriched gene. Finally, ROC curves demonstrate that MS4A3, KLRC4, KLRD1, AQP9, and CD14 exhibit both high sensitivity and specificity in predicting STEMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that immunity, metabolism, and inflammation are involved in the development of STEMI derived from SCAD, and 6 genes, including MS4A3, KLRC4, KLRD1, AQP9, CD14, and CCR1, could be employed as candidate biomarkers to STEMI.

FUNDAMENTO: O infarto do miocárdio com elevação do segmento ST (IAMCSST) é uma das principais causas de doenças cardiovasculares fatais, que têm sido a principal causa de mortalidade em todo o mundo. O diagnóstico na fase inicial beneficiaria a intervenção clínica e o prognóstico, mas ainda falta a exploração dos biomarcadores do IAMCSST. OBJETIVOS: Neste estudo, conduzimos uma análise bioinformática para identificar potenciais biomarcadores cruciais no progresso do IAMCSST. MÉTODOS: Obtivemos GSE59867 para pacientes com IAMCSST e doença arterial coronariana estável (DACE). Genes diferencialmente expressos (GDEs) foram selecionados com o limiar de |log2fold change| > 0,5 e p < 0,05. Com base nesses genes, conduzimos análises de enriquecimento para explorar a relevância potencial entre genes e para rastrear genes centrais. Posteriormente, os genes centrais foram analisados para detectar miRNAs relacionados e DAVID para detectar fatores de transcrição para análise posterior. Finalmente, o GSE62646 foi utilizado para avaliar a especificidade dos GDEs, com genes demonstrando resultados de AUC superiores a 75%, indicando seu potencial como candidatos a biomarcadores. Posteriormente, os genes centrais foram analisados para detectar miRNAs relacionados e DAVID para detectar fatores de transcrição para análise posterior. Finalmente, o GSE62646 foi utilizado para avaliar a especificidade dos GDEs, com genes demonstrando resultados de AUC superiores a 75%, indicando seu potencial como candidatos a biomarcadores. RESULTADOS: 133 GDEs entre DACE e IAMCSST foram obtidos. Em seguida, a rede PPI de GDEs foi construída usando String e Cytoscape, e análises posteriores determinaram genes centrais e 6 complexos moleculares. A análise de enriquecimento funcional dos GDEs sugere que as vias relacionadas à inflamação, metabolismo e imunidade desempenham um papel fundamental na progressão de DACE para IAMCSST. Além disso, foram previstos miRNAs relacionados, has-miR-124, has-miR-130a/b e has-miR-301a/b regularam a expressão do maior número de genes. Enquanto isso, a análise dos fatores de transcrição indica que EVI1, AML1, GATA1 e PPARG são os genes mais enriquecidos. Finalmente, as curvas ROC demonstram que MS4A3, KLRC4, KLRD1, AQP9 e CD14 exibem alta sensibilidade e especificidade na previsão de IAMCSST. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo revelou que imunidade, metabolismo e inflamação estão envolvidos no desenvolvimento de IAMCSST derivado de DACE, e 6 genes, incluindo MS4A3, KLRC4, KLRD1, AQP9, CD14 e CCR1, poderiam ser empregados como candidatos a biomarcadores para IAMCSST.

Interaction of FeIII-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin with copolymers and aggregation in complex micelles.

Aggregation of Fe(III)-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin (Fe(III)TPPS) was studied in the presence of block copolymers, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG-b-P4VP), poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methylacrylate) (PEG-b-PDMAEMA), and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ß-cyclodextrin) (PEG-b-PCD). The interaction between the iron porphyrin and the blocks, P4VP, PDMAEMA, and PCD, led to the formation of copolymers/Fe(III)TPPS complex micelles with a PEG shell and determined the species of Fe(III)TPPS. The electrostatic interaction of protonated P4VP and PDMAEMA with Fe(III)TPPS remarkably decreased the apparent pKd of Fe(III)TPPS and led to a micellar µ-oxo dimer of the iron porphyrin. At pH above the pKa of P4VP, Fe(III)TPPS was kept inside the hydrophobic P4VP core and formed an encapsulated µ-oxo dimer. However, when above the pKa of PDMAEMA, Fe(III)TPPS escaped from the hydrophobic PDMAEMA core, existing as a free µ-oxo dimer. PCD caused the monomer of the porphyrin because of the inclusion complexation between the ß-cyclodextrin residues and Fe(III)TPPS. The two micellar monomer species Fe(III)TPPS(H2O)2 and Fe(III)TPPS(OH) were obtained with an equilibrium pKa ~ 6.4.

From formic acid to single-cell protein: genome-scale revealing the metabolic network of Paracoccus communis MA5.

With the increase in population growth and environmental pollution, the daily protein supply is facing great challenges. Single-cell protein (SCP) produced by microorganism fermentation is a good alternative for substituting plant- and animal-derived proteins. In this study, Paracoccus communis MA5 isolated from soil previously demonstrated an excellent ability to synthesize SCP directly from sodium formate. To investigate the central metabolic network of formic acid assimilation and protein synthesis, genome-scale analyses were performed. Genomic analysis showed that complete tetrahydrofolate cycle-, serine cycle-, glycolytic pathway-, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle- and nitrogen metabolism-relevant genes were annotated in the genome. These pathways play key roles in the conversion of formic acid into proteins. Transcriptional analysis showed that sodium formate stress could stimulate the metabolic pathway in response to environmental stress, but weaken the sulfur metabolic pathway to inhibit amino acid synthesis, resulting in a decrease in protein content (30% vs 44%). However, under culture conditions with ammonium sulfate, metabolic pathways associated with protein synthesis were accelerated, causing an increase in protein content (53% vs 44%); while the tetrahydrofolate cycle associated with formic acid assimilation was inhibited, causing a 62.5% decrease in growth rate (OD600: 0.21 vs 0.56). These results provide evidence of protein synthesis from sodium formate in strain MA5 at the gene level and lay a theoretical foundation for the optimization of fermentation systems using formic acid as a carbon source.

Efficacy and safety of vernakalant for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia encountered in clinical practice and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of vernakalant for cardioversion of recent-onset AF. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic literature search will be conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the vernakalant with AF. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of the selected studies according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for RCTs. The bias risk of the RCT will be assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool. The quality of the evidence will be evaluated by Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results from these questions will be graphed and assessed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: This review will evaluate the safety and efficacy of vernakalant for patients with AF, provide more recommendations for patients or researchers, and high-level evidence for clinical decision-making.

Constructing rapid water vapor transport channels within mixed matrix membranes based on two-dimensional mesoporous nanosheets.

Membrane technology is an effective strategy for gas dehumidification and fuel cell humidification. In this study, cerium fluoride oxide (F-Ce) two-dimensional (2D) mesoporous nanosheets and their composite with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([Emim][DCA]) ionic liquids (ILs) (IL@F-Ce) are introduced as fillers into polyether block amide (PEBAX® 1074) to fabricate mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The slit-shaped mesoporous structure of the nanosheets facilitates the construction of water vapor rapid transport channels in MMMs. The permeability and selectivity of water vapor for MMMs loaded with F-Ce nanosheets are greatly improved, and the performance of MMMs loaded with IL@F-Ce nanosheets are much better than the former. Particularly, the MMM with IL@F-Ce content of 4 wt.% achieves the highest H2O permeability of 4.53 × 105 Barrer, which is more than twice that of the pure PEBAX membrane, and the selectivity is increased by 83%. Thus, the MMMs based on 2D mesoporous nanosheets have considerable potential application in industrial-scale dehydration and humidification processes.

Chiral conversion and memory of TPPS J-aggregates in complex micelles: PEG-b-PDMAEMA/TPPS.

In the presence of tryptophan (Trp), complex micelles were prepared by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methylacrylate) (PEG-b-PDMAEMA) in aqueous solutions at pH 1.8. Different mixing sequences led to different morphologies. Spheres and nanorods of small size were obtained in sequence I (P/Trp+TPPS) where TPPS was added into the mixed solution of PEG-b-PDMAEMA and Trp. More nanorods of larger length were achieved in sequence II (TPPS/Trp+P) where the copolymer was added as the last component. Two types of supramolecular chirality of TPPS aggregates caused by mixing sequences were investigated. In (P/Trp+TPPS), the circular dichroism (CD) signal of H-band was in line with the chirality of Trp while that of J-band exhibited an opposite signal (Chirality I). In (TPPS/Trp+P), chiral signals at both H- and J-bands followed that of Trp (Chirality II). The conversion between the two types of chirality can be accomplished by modulating the molar ratio of the repeating units on block PDMAEMA to TPPS, or a cycle of pH 1.8-5.5-1.8 processing on the micelle solution. In addition, the supramolecular chirality can be memorized via strong electrostatic interaction with achiral copolymer even after removal of the chiral template, but only Chirality II can be cyclically "switched-off-on".