A Core-Shell Nanoreinforced Ion-Conductive Implantable Hydrogel Bioelectronic Patch with High Sensitivity and Bioactivity for Real-Time Synchronous Heart Monitoring and Repairing.

To achieve synchronous repair and real-time monitoring the infarcted myocardium based on an integrated ion-conductive hydrogel patch is challenging yet intriguing. Herein, a novel synthetic strategy is reported based on core-shell-structured curcumin-nanocomposite-reinforced ion-conductive hydrogel for synchronous heart electrophysiological signal monitoring and infarcted heart repair. The nanoreinforcement and multisite cross-linking of bioactive curcumin nanoparticles enable well elasticity with negligible hysteresis, implantability, ultrahigh mechanoelectrical sensitivity (37 ms), and reliable sensing capacity (over 3000 cycles) for the nanoreinforced hydrogel. Results of in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that such solely physical microenvironment of electrophysiological and biomechanical characteristics combining with the role of bioactive curcumin exert the synchronous benefit of regulating inflammatory microenvironment, promoting angiogenesis, and reducing myocardial fibrosis for effective myocardial infarction (MI) repair. Especially, the hydrogel sensors offer the access for achieving accurate acquisition of cardiac signals, thus monitoring the whole MI healing process. This novel bioactive and electrophysiological-sensing ion-conductive hydrogel cardiac patch highlights a versatile strategy promising for synchronous integration of in vivo real-time monitoring the MI status and excellent MI repair performance.

Significance of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in promoting growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature.

Objective: To explore the significance of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) therapy in promoting the growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). Methods: Medical records of 95 children with ISS, treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2020, were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups based on the received treatment. Of them, 41 patients received routine treatment (Group-I) and 54 patients received a combination of routine and rhGH treatment (Group-II). The levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), bone age, growth velocity, height standard deviation score (Ht-SDS), and adverse reactions were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results: After treatment, IGF-1, bone age, growth velocity, and Ht-SDS in Group-II were higher than those in Group-I (P < 0.05); After treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions in Group-II was 7.41%, which had no significant difference compared with 7.32% in Group-I (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of children with Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS), the choice of rhGH can further improve the curative effect, promote the growth and development of children, without significant adverse reactions.

Evaluation of miR-130 family members as circulating biomarkers for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that the miR-130 family is closely related to the occurrence and development of bladder cancer. We hope to use the miR-130 family members as new, non-invasive, and easily detectable biomarkers for bladder cancer. METHODS: We analyzed 428 cases in The Cancer Genome Atlas-Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma database and verified that the miR-130 family members were significantly overexpressed in bladder cancer. A total of 74 bladder cancer patients and 90 controls were enrolled. The relative expression of the miR-130 family in serum was detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic efficacy of the miR-130 family members was determined using the receiver operating characteristic method (ROC), and a diagnostic panel was built using logistic regression. The results of the study were further confirmed in an external validation set of 492 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. RESULTS: The expression of the miR-130 family members (except for miR-301b-3p) in the serum of bladder cancer patients was higher than that in the controls. The diagnostic capabilities for bladder cancer were 0.847 (miR-130a-3p), 0.762 (miR-130b-3p), and 0.892 (miR-301a-3p). We established a three-miRNA panel with an area under the ROC curve as high as 0.961, indicating that it is a promising clinical diagnostic biomarker of bladder cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of miR-130 family members in serum can effectively distinguish the bladder cancer patients from healthy controls. This finding will facilitate the clinical diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Identification of chemical compositions and sources of atmospheric aerosols in Xi'an, inland China during two types of haze events.

High time resolution (1h) of TSP filter samples was collected in Xi'an in inland China from December 5 to 13, 2012, during which a 9-day long of haze episode occurred. The hazy days were classified as two types, i.e., Light-haze period with moderate degradation in visibility (5-10km) and relatively dry conditions (RH: 53±19%) and Severe-haze period with a daily visibility less than 5km and humid conditions (RH: 73±14%). TSP in the two periods (415±205 and 530±180µgm(-3) in Light-haze and Severe-haze periods, respectively) was comparable, but crustal Fe and Ca elements presented higher concentrations and strong correlation (R(2)=0.72) with TSP in Light-haze period. SO4(2-), NO3(-) and NH4(+) in Light-haze period were 16±5.9, 12±6.7 and 4.1±2.8µgm(-3), respectively, and increased dramatically to 51±15, 44±9.7 and 23±5.6µgm(-3) in Severe-haze period. Contributions of Fe and Ca to TSP decreased from 9.2% in Light-haze period to 5.3% in Severe-haze period, but those of SO4(2-), NO3(-) and NH4(+) increased from 3.8%, 2.9% and 1.0% in Light-haze period to 9.6%, 8.3% and 4.4% in Severe-haze period, respectively. These results suggest that dust-derived particles were more significant in Light-haze period while secondary aerosols were more important in Severe-haze period. Hopanes (33±24 and 38±29ngm(-3) in Light-haze and Severe-haze periods, respectively) during the two types of haze periods are comparable, indicating that differences in contribution of primary organic aerosols from fossil fuel combustions to TSP were insignificant. In contrast, the ratio of secondary organic aerosols (e.g., o-phthalic acid) to EC was much higher in Severe-haze period (5.8±2.7ngµg(-1)) than in Light-haze period (3.4±2.1ngµg(-1)), probably indicating that the humid conditions in Severe-haze period are favorable for secondary organic aerosol formation.

Novel iron metal matrix composite reinforced by quartz sand for the effective dechlorination of aqueous 2-chlorophenol.

In this work, we tested a novel iron metal matrix composite (MMC) synthesized by mechanically introducing quartz sand (SiO2) into an iron matrix (denoted as SiO2-Fe MMC). The pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of the SiO2-Fe MMC (initial pH 5.0) for 20 mg/L of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) was 0.051 × 10(-3) L/m(2)/min, which was even higher than that of some reported Pd/Fe bimetals. This extraordinary high activity was promoted by the quick iron dissolution rate, which was caused by the formation of Fe-C internal electrolysis from carbonization of process control agent (PCA) and the active reinforcement/metal interfaces during the milling process. In addition, pH has slight effect on the dechlorination rate. The SiO2-Fe MMC retained relatively stable activity, still achieving 71% removal efficiency for 2-CP after six consecutive cycles. The decrease in dechlorination efficiency can be attributed to the rapid consumption of Fe(0). A dechlorination mechanism using the SiO2-Fe MMC was proposed by a direct electron transfer from Fe(0) to 2-CP at the quartz sand/iron interface.

Natural history of sensory nerve recovery after cutaneous nerve injury following foot and ankle surgery.

Cutaneous nerve injury is the most common complication following foot and ankle surgery. However, clinical studies including long-term follow-up data after cutaneous nerve injury of the foot and ankle are lacking. In the current retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical data of 279 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery. Subjects who suffered from apparent paresthesia in the cutaneous sensory nerve area after surgery were included in the study. Patients received oral vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin. We examined final follow-up data of 17 patients, including seven with sural nerve injury, five with superficial peroneal nerve injury, and five with plantar medial cutaneous nerve injury. We assessed nerve sensory function using the Medical Research Council Scale. Follow-up immediately, at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 9 months, and 1 year after surgery demonstrated that sensory function was gradually restored in most patients within 6 months. However, recovery was slow at 9 months. There was no significant difference in sensory function between 9 months and 1 year after surgery. Painful neuromas occurred in four patients at 9 months to 1 year. The results demonstrated that the recovery of sensory function in patients with various cutaneous nerve injuries after foot and ankle surgery required at least 6 months.

Genome of the long-living sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.).

BACKGROUND: Sacred lotus is a basal eudicot with agricultural, medicinal, cultural and religious importance. It was domesticated in Asia about 7,000 years ago, and cultivated for its rhizomes and seeds as a food crop. It is particularly noted for its 1,300-year seed longevity and exceptional water repellency, known as the lotus effect. The latter property is due to the nanoscopic closely packed protuberances of its self-cleaning leaf surface, which have been adapted for the manufacture of a self-cleaning industrial paint, Lotusan. RESULTS: The genome of the China Antique variety of the sacred lotus was sequenced with Illumina and 454 technologies, at respective depths of 101× and 5.2×. The final assembly has a contig N50 of 38.8 kbp and a scaffold N50 of 3.4 Mbp, and covers 86.5% of the estimated 929 Mbp total genome size. The genome notably lacks the paleo-triplication observed in other eudicots, but reveals a lineage-specific duplication. The genome has evidence of slow evolution, with a 30% slower nucleotide mutation rate than observed in grape. Comparisons of the available sequenced genomes suggest a minimum gene set for vascular plants of 4,223 genes. Strikingly, the sacred lotus has 16 COG2132 multi-copper oxidase family proteins with root-specific expression; these are involved in root meristem phosphate starvation, reflecting adaptation to limited nutrient availability in an aquatic environment. CONCLUSIONS: The slow nucleotide substitution rate makes the sacred lotus a better resource than the current standard, grape, for reconstructing the pan-eudicot genome, and should therefore accelerate comparative analysis between eudicots and monocots.

Genetic linkage maps for Asian and American lotus constructed using novel SSR markers derived from the genome of sequenced cultivar.

BACKGROUND: The genus Nelumbo Adans. comprises two living species, N. nucifera Gaertan. (Asian lotus) and N. lutea Pers. (American lotus). A genetic linkage map is an essential resource for plant genetic studies and crop improvement but has not been generated for Nelumbo. We aimed to develop genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from the genome sequence and construct two genetic maps for Nelumbo to assist genome assembly and integration of a genetic map with the genome sequence. RESULTS: A total of 86,089 SSR motifs were identified from the genome sequences. Di- and tri-nucleotide repeat motifs were the most abundant, and accounted for 60.73% and 31.66% of all SSRs, respectively. AG/GA repeats constituted 51.17% of dinucleotide repeat motifs, followed by AT/TA (44.29%). Of 500 SSR primers tested, 386 (77.20%) produced scorable alleles with an average of 2.59 per primer, and 185 (37.00%) showed polymorphism among two parental genotypes, N. nucifera 'Chinese Antique' and N. lutea 'AL1', and six progenies of their F1 population. The normally segregating markers, which comprised 268 newly developed SSRs, 37 previously published SSRs and 53 sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers, were used for genetic map construction. The map for Asian lotus was 365.67 cM with 47 markers distributed in seven linkage groups. The map for American lotus was 524.51 cM, and contained 177 markers distributed in 11 genetic linkage groups. The number of markers per linkage group ranged from three to 34 with an average genetic distance of 3.97 cM between adjacent markers. Moreover, 171 SSR markers contained in linkage groups were anchored to 97 genomic DNA sequence contigs of 'Chinese Antique'. The 97 contigs were merged into 60 scaffolds. CONCLUSION: Genetic mapping of SSR markers derived from sequenced contigs in Nelumbo enabled the associated contigs to be anchored in the linkage map and facilitated assembly of the genome sequences of 'Chinese Antique'. The present study reports the first construction of genetic linkage maps for Nelumbo, which can serve as reference linkage maps to accelerate characterization germplasm, genetic mapping for traits of economic interest, and molecular breeding with marker-assisted selection.