Research on the removal characteristics of surface error with different spatial frequency based on shear thickening polishing method.

X-ray mirrors, which are essential for constructing synchrotron radiation light sources, are highly required for full-range spatial wavelength errors. This paper investigated power-law non-Newtonian fluids and pointed out that both three-body removal and shear removal existed in the shear thickening polishing process. Subsequently, this paper calculates the shear force of the power-law non-Newtonian fluid polishing fluid in polishing the surface with different frequency errors. It establishes an MRR model of shear thickening polishing in the frequency domain by combining it with the Archard equation. Then, this model is also applied to optimize the polishing fluid formulation and processing parameters. Finally, the removal effect of the optimized polishing fluid on the mid-frequency ripple error is experimentally verified. On Ф50 mm monocrystalline silicon, the removal of mid-frequency ripple error with a spatial wavelength of 1 mm was achieved by shear thickening polishing technique while converging the surface roughness to 0.14 nm. Finally, the experimental results were applied to monocrystalline silicon with a length of 500 mm. This work provides a new research idea for the existing shear thickening polishing process. It provides theoretical and technical support for removing the mid- and high-frequency errors in high-precision X-ray mirrors.

Knockdown of ChREBP ameliorates retinal microvascular endothelial cell injury and angiogenic responses in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To examine whether and how carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) plays a role in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Western blotting was used to detect ChREBP expression and location following high glucose stimulation of Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HRMECs). Flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, and western blotting were used to evaluate apoptosis following ChREBP siRNA silencing. Cell scratch, transwell migration, and tube formation assays were used to determine cell migration and angiogenesis. Diabetic models for wild-type (WT) and ChREBP knockout (ChKO) mice were developed. Retinas of WT and ChKO animals were cultivated in vitro with vascular endothelial growth factor + high glucose to assess neovascular development. RESULTS: ChREBP gene knockdown inhibited thioredoxin-interacting protein and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 expression in HRMECs, which was caused by high glucose stimulation, reduced apoptosis, hindered migration, and tube formation, and repressed AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activation. Compared with WT mice, ChKO mice showed suppressed high glucose-induced alterations in retinal structure, alleviated retinal vascular leakage, and reduced retinal neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: ChREBP deficiency decreased high glucose-induced apoptosis, migration, and tube formation in HRMECs as well as structural and angiogenic responses in the mouse retina; thus, it is a potential therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy.

Human placental extract regulates polarization of macrophages via IRGM/NLRP3 in allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is globally prevalent and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Alternative activation of macrophages is suggested in AR and thought to be involved in natural immunoregulatory processes in AR. Aberrant activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is linked with AR. Human placenta extract (HPE) is widely used in clinics due to its multiple therapeutic potential carried by diverse bioactive molecules in it. We aim to investigate the effect of HPE on AR and the possible underlying mechanism. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR rat model was set up and treated by HPE or cetirizine. General manifestation of AR was evaluated along with the histological and biochemical analysis performed on rat nasal mucosa. A proteomic analysis was performed on AR rat mucosa. Mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S cells) were cultured under OVA stimulation to investigate the regulation of macrophages polarization. The morphological changes and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and immunity-related GTPase M (IRGM) in nasal mucosa as well as in MH-S cells were evaluated respectively. The results of our study showed the general manifestation of AR along with the histological changes in nasal mucosa of AR rats were improved by HPE. HPE suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome and the decline of IRGM in AR rats and MH-S cells. HPE regulates macrophage polarization through IRGM/NLRP3. We demonstrated that HPE had protection for AR and the protection is achieved partly through suppressing M1 while promoting M2, the process which is mediated by IRGM via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in AR.

Controlled Interfacial Polymer Self-Assembly Coordinates Ultrahigh Drug Loading and Zero-Order Release in Particles Prepared under Continuous Flow.

Microparticles are successfully engineered through controlled interfacial self-assembly of polymers to harmonize ultrahigh drug loading with zero-order release of protein payloads. To address their poor miscibility with carrier materials, protein molecules are transformed into nanoparticles, whose surfaces are covered with polymer molecules. This polymer layer hinders the transfer of cargo nanoparticles from oil to water, achieving superior encapsulation efficiency (up to 99.9%). To control payload release, the polymer density at the oil-water interface is enhanced, forming a compact shell for microparticles. The resultant microparticles can harvest up to 49.9% mass fraction of proteins with zero-order release kinetics in vivo, enabling an efficient glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. Moreover, the precise control of engineering process offered through continuous flow results in high batch-to-batch reproducibility and, ultimately, excellent scale-up feasibility.

Engineering a conformal optical window of a square-to-circular transition isolator.

To realize the flow visualization of shock train structures by Schlieren measurements in a square-to-circular transition isolator, a high-precision conformal optical window was manufactured by fly-cutting technology. According to the light refraction principle, the window's outer surface was iteratively optimized based on the super-elliptic curves of the internal flow channel. Through tolerance analysis and processing parameter optimization, the transmitted wavefront error (RMS value) of the finished window was 0.823λ (λ=632.8n m). Based on a z-type Schlieren apparatus, the high-precision Schlieren measurements were conducted through the window and processed by an image filtering process method. The results promote high-precision Schlieren observation towards square-to-circular transition isolators.

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.

Integrative design and processing of a conformal optical window pair in a cylindrical isolator.

In order to perform the flow visualization of a shock train structure by the schlieren imaging method in the cylindrical isolator, to the best of our knowledge, a novel integrative design and processing scheme of an aluminum alloy pipe with an acrylic conformal optical window pair are proposed. The optical ray tracing and wavefront correction methods were applied to design the inner cylindrical surfaces and outer aspherical cylindrical surfaces of the optical window pair for parallel light correction based on the conjoint analysis with the processing capability. Under the tolerance analysis and the optimization of the machining path, the integrative model was fabricated on a three-axis computer numerical control machine using two-axis turning and fast tool servo machining. The wavefront aberration (peak-to-valley value) and wavefront aberration (RMS) of the optical window pair were corrected within 12.189 and 2.658λ (λ=632.8nm) in the observation area which met the requirements of high-precision schlieren observation.

Ion beam figuring strategy for aluminum optics with minimal extra material removal.

With the application spectrum moving from infrared to visible light, aluminum optics with complex forms are difficult to fabricate by the majority of existing processing methods. Possessing the highest machining precision and low processing contamination, ion beam figuring (IBF) is a better method for fabrication of aluminum optics. However, the surface roughness deteriorates with the removal depth during IBF. In this study, the extra material removal during the IBF process is studied systematically. Extra material removal consists of two parts, determined by the convolution process and the limitation of the dynamic performance of machining tools. Extra material removal can be reduced by filtering out the surface residual error with a spatial frequency higher than the cut-off frequency and reducing the iterations of the machining process. Then, the executability of the dwell time matrix and the figuring ability of the removal function are analyzed. Adjusting the working parameters (volume removal rate) reduces the requirements for dynamic performance of machining tools. Finally, a minimal material removal processing strategy for aluminum optics based on power spectral density analysis and a spatial frequency filtering method is proposed. A simulation is conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed strategy. With the same final precision (59.8 nm PV and 4.4 nm RMS), the maximum material removal decreases nearly 36 nm by applying the strategy, which reduces roughness nearly 10 nm. This study promotes the application of IBF in the field of aluminum optics fabrication as well as improves the machining precision of aluminum optics.

C1q/tumour necrosis factor-related protein-3 alleviates high-glucose-induced lipid accumulation and necroinflammation in renal tubular cells by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathway.

Lipid accumulation and progressive necroinflammation play pivotal roles in the development of diabetic nephropathy. C1q tumour necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is an adipokine with pleiotropic functions in cell proliferation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation. However, the mechanism and involvement of CTRP3 in lipid metabolism and the necroinflammation of renal tubular cells remain unclear. Here, we report that CTRP3 expression decreased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in high glucose-stimulated HK-2 cells. We noted that the overexpression of CTRP3 or recombinant CTRP3 (rCTRP3) treatment prevented high glucose-induced lipid accumulation by inhibiting the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and increasing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and ATP-binding cassette A1. Moreover, the nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-like receptor protein 3-mediated inflammatory response and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein-dependent necroinflammation were inhibited by CTRP3 overexpression or rCTRP3 treatment in HK-2 cells cultured in high glucose. Furthermore, lipotoxicity-induced by palmitic acid was found to be involved in necroinflammation in HK-2 cells, and CTRP3 displayed the same protective effect. CTRP3 also activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, whereas adenine 9-ß-D-arabinofuranoside, an AMPK inhibitor, replicated the protective effects of CTRP3. Besides, using kidney biopsies from patients with diabetes, we found that decreased CTRP3 expression was accompanied by increased lipid deposition, as well as the structural and functional injury of renal tubular cells. Our findings demonstrate that CTRP3 affects lipid metabolism and necroinflammation in renal tubular cells via the AMPK signalling pathway. Thus, CTRP3 may be a potential therapeutic target in diabetic renal injury.

Glis2 inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis of renal tubule cells by regulating the ß-catenin signalling pathway in diabetic kidney disease.

Increasing evidence has supported the idea that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-based tubulointerstitial fibrosis and the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of Diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Glis2 is abundantly expressed in renal tubules and is a member of the Kruppel-like zinc finger transcription factor family, which is involved in the regulation of normal renal development and function. Glis2 deficiency may be closely associated with tubular atrophy and fibrosis, but the role played by Glis2 in DKD remains unclear. In this study, we found that Glis2 protein expression was downregulated in kidney tissue samples obtained by biopsy from DKD patients as well as HK-2 cells cultured in high-glucose medium, and overexpression of the Glis2 plasmid inhibited the apoptosis and EMT of TECS under HG conditions. In addition, Glis2 overexpression obliterated the activation of the ß-catenin signalling pathway in HG-cultured HK-2 cells. Moreover, the ß-catenin inhibitor XAV939 or XAV939 combined with Glis2 overexpression markedly inhibited the apoptosis and EMT of HG-treated HK-2 cells. All these findings indicated that upregulation of Glis2 expression might attenuate the EMT and apoptosis of renal tubule cells via the ß-catenin signalling pathway under HG conditions. This outcome may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DKD and provide new insights into prevention and treatment strategies targeting DKD.

Surface Adsorption-Mediated Ultrahigh Efficient Peptide Encapsulation with a Precise Ratiometric Control for Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Therapy.

A surface adsorption strategy is developed to enable the engineering of microcomposites featured with ultrahigh loading capacity and precise ratiometric control of co-encapsulated peptides. In this strategy, peptide molecules (insulin, exenatide, and bivalirudin) are formulated into nanoparticles and their surface is decorated with carrier polymers. This polymer layer blocks the phase transfer of peptide nanoparticles from oil to water and, consequently, realizes ultrahigh peptide loading degree (up to 78.9%). After surface decoration, all three nanoparticles are expected to exhibit the properties of adsorbed polymer materials, which enables the co-encapsulation of insulin, exenatide, and bivalirudin with a precise ratiometric control. After solidification of this adsorbed polymer layer, the release of peptides is synchronously prolonged. With the help of encapsulation, insulin achieves 8 days of glycemic control in type 1 diabetic rats with one single injection. The co-delivery of insulin and exenatide (1:1) efficiently controls the glycemic level in type 2 diabetic rats for 8 days. Weekly administration of insulin and exenatide co-encapsulated microcomposite effectively reduces the weight gain and glycosylated hemoglobin level in type 2 diabetic rats. The surface adsorption strategy sets a new paradigm to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological performance of peptides, especially for the combination of peptides.

Co-delivery of F7 and crizotinib by thermosensitive liposome for breast cancer treatment.

In order to enhance the targeting efficiency and reduce the side effects and drug resistance, crizotinib (Cri) and F7 were co-loaded in a thermosensitive liposome (TSL) (F7-Cri-TSL), which showed enhanced permeability and retention in breast cancer model, as well as local controlled release by external hyperthermia. Cri is an inhibitor for cell proliferation and a promoter of apoptosis, by inhibiting the phosphorylation of intracellular ALK and c-Met, but its drug resistance limits its application. F7 is a novel drug candidate with significant resistance to cyclin-dependent kinase, but its use was restricted by its high toxicity. The F7-Cri-TSL was found with excellent particle size (about 108 nm), high entrapment efficiency (>95%), significant thermosensitive property, and good stability. Furthermore, F7-Cri-TSL/H had strongest cell lethality compared with other formulations. On the MCF-7 xenograft mice model, the F7-Cri-TSL also exhibited therapeutic synergism of Cri, F7 and hyperthermia. Meanwhile, it was shown that the TSL reduced the systemic toxicity of the chemotherapy drug. Therefore, the F7-Cri-TSL may serve as a promising system for temperature triggered breast cancer treatment.

High precision fabrication of aluminum optics by optimizing an Ar+ ion beam figuring strategy for polishing the contamination layer.

Benefiting from high specific stiffness and high reflectance, aluminum optics with a complex surface profile are widely used in aerospace optical systems which have strict requirements for volume of the systems. Contact figuring polishing process provides highly deterministic technology for the fabrication of high precision aluminum optics. However, due to the high chemical activity of aluminum, the inevitable contamination layer will generate on the surface and bring difficulties for the subsequent processes, which greatly limit the fabrication precision. Ion beam figuring (IBF) is an effectively technology that can remove the contamination layer and improve surface quality. But, the surface profile may deteriorate during IBF. In this study, through experimental method, the nonuniformity of the contamination layer is found to be the inducer for deterioration and deviation of surface profile during IBF. The mapping between the characteristics of contamination layer and dwell time of contact polishing is studied. The thickness of the contamination layer will firstly increase with dwell time and stabilize to 120 nm when the dwell time exceeds a specific value. The variation of the IBF removal function with removal depth is also revealed through experimental and theoretical methods. Due to the dynamic variation of the composition in the contamination layer during IBF, the removal function increases with the removal depth and stabilizes when the depth exceeds 60 nm (the contamination layer is fully removed). Consequently, we propose two processing strategies to improve the aluminum optics fabrication process. Comparative experiments are performed on two off-axis aspherical surfaces. The results indicate that the surface profile can be stably maintained and improved during IBF processing based on the proposed strategies. Our research will significantly improve the fabrication precision of aluminum optics and promote the application of aluminum optics to the visible and even ultraviolet band.

Single Cell Transcriptome Helps Better Understanding Crosstalk in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Years of research revealed that crosstalk extensively existed among kidney cells, cell factors and metabolites and played an important role in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). In the last few years, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology provided new insight into cellular heterogeneity and genetic susceptibility regarding DKD at cell-specific level. The studies based on scRNA-seq enable a much deeper understanding of cell-specific processes such as interaction between cells. In this paper, we aim to review recent progress in single cell transcriptomic analyses of DKD, particularly highlighting on intra- or extra-glomerular cell crosstalk, cellular targets and potential therapeutic strategies for DKD.

Molecular Dynamic Investigation of the Anisotropic Response of Aluminum Surface by Ions Beam Sputtering.

Aluminum optics are widely used in modern optical systems because of their high specific stiffness and high reflectance. With the applied optical frequency band moving to visible, traditional processing technology cannot meet the processing precision. Ion beam sputtering (IBS) provides a highly deterministic technology for high-precision aluminum optics fabrication. However, the surface quality is deteriorated after IBS. The interaction between the bombard atoms and the surface morphology evolution mechanism are not clear, and systematic research is needed. Thus, in this paper, the IBS process for single crystal aluminum with different crystallographic orientations are studied by the molecular dynamics method. The ion beam sputter process is firstly demonstrated. Then, the variation of sputter yield of the three crystal faces is analyzed. The sputter yield difference of different crystal surfaces causes the appearance of the relief structure. Then, the gravel structure generates on the single crystal surfaces and dominates the morphology evolution. The state of the atom diffusion of the specific crystal surfaces will determine the form of the gravel structure. Furthermore, the form and distribution of subsurface damage and stress distribution of three different crystal surfaces are analyzed. Although there are great differences in defect distribution, no stress concentration was found in three workpieces, which verifies that the ion beam sputter is a stress-free machining method. The process of IBS and the mechanism of morphology evolution of aluminum are revealed. The regularity and mechanism will provide a guidance for the application of IBS in aluminum optics manufacture fields.

High-Precision Machining Method of Weak-Stiffness Mirror Based on Fast Tool Servo Error Compensation Strategy.

Weak-stiffness mirrors are widely used in various fields such as aerospace and optoelectronic information. However, it is difficult to achieve micron-level precision machining because weak-stiffness mirrors are hard to clamp and are prone to deformation. The machining errors of these mirrors are randomly distributed and non-rotationally symmetric, which is difficult to overcome by common machining methods. Based on the fast tool servo system, this paper proposes a high-precision machining method for weak-stiffness mirrors. Firstly, the clamping error and cutting error compensation strategy is obtained by analyzing the changing process of the mirror surface morphology. Then, by combining real-time monitoring and theoretical simulation, the elastic deformation of the weak-stiffness mirror is accurately extracted to achieve the compensation of the clamping error, and the compensation of the cutting error is achieved by iterative machining. Finally, a weak-stiffness mirror with a thickness of 2.5 mm was machined twice, and the experimental process produced a clamping error with a peak to valley (PV) value of 5.2 µm and a cutting error with a PV value of 1.6 µm. The final machined surface after compensation had a PV value of 0.7 µm. The experimental results showed that the compensation strategy proposed in this paper overcomes the clamping error of the weak-stiffness mirror and significantly reduces cutting errors during the machining process, achieving the high precision machining of a weak-stiffness mirror.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of the Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Favorita (Solanaceae).

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), a species of the family Solanaceae, is the fourth most important food crop worldwide. Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Favorita is a long oval, smooth, yellowish-skinned potato variety with green and plump leaves. It has a dry matter content of 17.7% and starch content of 12.4-14.01% in the tuber. In order to support more genetic data for the taxonomy of S. tuberosum, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of S. tuberosum L. cv. Favorita was determined using next-generation sequencing. In leaves, the chloroplast genome accounts for 5.17% of the total genome. The entire cp genome was determined to be 155,296 bp in length. It contained large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions of 85,737 and 18,373 bp, respectively, which were separated by a pair of 25,593 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The genome contained 132 total genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 37.9%. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed by 60 chloroplast genomes reveals that S. tuberosum L. cv. Favorita is most closely related to S. tuberosum L. cv. Desiree and S. tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic.

Rapid fabrication technique for aluminum optics by inducing a MRF contamination layer modification with Ar+ ion beam sputtering.

Aluminum optics are widely used in modern optical systems because of high specific stiffness and high reflectance. Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) provides a highly deterministic technology for high precision aluminum optics fabrication. However, the contamination layer will generate on the surface and bring difficulties for the subsequent processes, which highly limit the fabrication efficiency and precision. In this study, characteristics of the contamination layer and its formation process are firstly revealed through experimental and theoretical methods. Impurities such as abrasives are embedded into the aluminum substrate causing increasing surface hardness. The influence of the contaminant layer on machining accuracy and machining efficiency is analyzed in this study. Based on the analysis, ion beam sputtering (IBS) is induced as a contamination layer modification method. Impurities will be preferential sputtered during the process. Surface hardness and brightness will restore to the state before MRF. Moreover, the thickness of the contamination layer reduces dynamically during IBS because of the bombardment-induced Gibbsian segregation and sputter yield amplification mechanism. Consequently, we proposed a combined technique that includes MRF, IBS and smoothing polishing. Comparative experiments are performed on an elliptical shape plane surface. The results indicate that the efficiency has been increased sevenfold and surface precision is also highly improved. Our research will promote the application of aluminum optics to the visible and even ultraviolet band.

High efficiency removal of single point diamond turning marks on aluminum surface by combination of ion beam sputtering and smoothing polishing.

Single point diamond turning (SPDT) is highly versatile in fabricating axially symmetric form, non-axially-symmetric form and free form surfaces. However, inevitable microstructure known as turning marks left on the surface have limited the mirror's optical performance. Based on chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) mechanism, smoothing polishing (SP) process is believed to be an effective method to remove turning marks. However, the removal efficiency is relatively low. In this paper, based on Greenwood-Williamson (GW) theory, the factors that limit removal efficiency of SP are discussed in details. Influences of process parameters (work pressure and rotational speed) are firstly discussed. With further analysis, surface spectral characteristics are identified as the inherent factor affecting further efficiency improvement. According to theoretical analysis, the removal efficiency of isotropic surface is nearly 1.8 times higher than anisotropy surface like surface with turning marks. A high efficiency turning marks removal process combining ion beam sputtering (IBS) and SP is proposed in our research. With removal depth exceeding 100 nm, the isotropic aluminum surface can be constructed by IBS so that the efficiency of SP process can be greatly improved. Though deteriorated by IBS, the surface roughness will be rapidly reduced by SP process. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify our analysis. A 3.7 nm roughness surface without turning marks is achieved by new method while direct SP can only reach roughness of 4.3 nm with evident turning marks. Experimental results show that removal efficiency nearly doubled which matches well with the theoretical analysis. Our research not only can be used as a high efficiency turning marks removal and surface quality improvement method but also can be a new method for high precision aluminum optics fabrication.