Mechanical Control of Polar Patterns in Wrinkled Thin Films via Flexoelectricity.

Intriguing topological polar structures in oxide nanofilms have drawn growing attention owing to their immense potential applications in nanoscale electronic devices. Here, we report a novel route to mechanically manipulate polar structures via flexoelectricity in wrinkled thin films. Our results present a flexoelectric polar transition from a nonpolar state to uniaxial polar stripes, biaxial meronlike or antimeronlike polar structures, and polar labyrinths by varying wrinkle morphologies. The evolution mechanisms and the outstanding mechanical tunability of these flexoelectric polar patterns were investigated theoretically and numerically. This strategy based on flexoelectricity for generating nontrivial polar structures will no longer rely on the superlattice structure and can be widely applicable to all centrosymmetric or noncentrosymmetric materials, providing a broader range of material and structure candidates for polar topologies.

Wheat germ agglutinin modified mixed micelles overcome the dual barrier of mucus/enterocytes for effective oral absorption of shikonin and gefitinib.

The combination of shikonin (SKN) and gefitinib (GFB) can reverse the drug resistance of lung cancer cells by affecting energy metabolism. However, the poor solubility of SKN and GFB limits their clinical application because of low bioavailability. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) can selectively bind to sialic acid and N-acetylglucosamine on the surfaces of microfold cells and enterocytes, and is a targeted biocompatible material. Therefore, we created a co-delivery micelle system called SKN/GFB@WGA-micelles with the intestinal targeting functions to enhance the oral absorption of SKN and GFB by promoting mucus penetration for nanoparticles via oral administration. In this study, Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12 co-cultured cells were used to simulate a mucus/enterocyte dual-barrier environment, and HCC827/GR cells were used as a model of drug-resistant lung cancer. We aimed to evaluate the oral bioavailability and anti-tumor effect of SKN and GFB using the SKN/GFB@WGA-micelles system. In vitro and in vivo experimental results showed that WGA promoted the mucus penetration ability of micelles, significantly enhanced the uptake efficiency of enterocytes, improved the oral bioavailability of SKN and GFB, and exhibited good anti-tumor effects by reversing drug resistance. The SKN/GFB@WGA-micelles were stable in the gastrointestinal tract and provided a novel safe and effective drug delivery strategy.

Towards overcoming obstacles of type II photodynamic therapy: Endogenous production of light, photosensitizer, and oxygen.

Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) approaches face challenges including limited light penetration, low uptake of photosensitizers by tumors, and lack of oxygen in tumor microenvironments. One promising solution is to internally generate light, photosensitizers, and oxygen. This can be accomplished through endogenous production, such as using bioluminescence as an endogenous light source, synthesizing genetically encodable photosensitizers in situ, and modifying cells genetically to express catalase enzymes. Furthermore, these strategies have been reinforced by the recent rapid advancements in synthetic biology. In this review, we summarize and discuss the approaches to overcome PDT obstacles by means of endogenous production of excitation light, photosensitizers, and oxygen. We envision that as synthetic biology advances, genetically engineered cells could act as precise and targeted "living factories" to produce PDT components, leading to enhanced performance of PDT.

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan/anthocyanin intelligent packaging film fortified by cellulose nanocrystal for shrimp preservation and visual freshness monitoring.

In this study, a multi-functional packaging film was fabricated, utilizing the natural polysaccharide chitosan (CS) as the base material, integrating natural blueberry anthocyanin (AN) as pH-responsive indicator, and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The implications of addition levels of CNCs on the characteristics of the films were systematically investigated, resulting in that CS-AN-CNCs 9 % film exhibited optimal performance. Specifically, the film showed a substantial enhancement in maximum tensile strength from 15 MPa to 35 MPa; On the other hand, the swelling degree properties, the oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability decreased from 159.2 % to 92.0 %, from 51.7 g/(m2d) to 12.2 g/(m2d), from 31.6 × 10-12 g/(m·s·Pa) to 1.6 × 10-12 g/(m·s·Pa), respectively. Moreover, the CS-AN-CNCs 9 % film exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, coupled with a color metrically responsive to pH variations, displaying great potential in indicating the shrimp freshness and delaying spoilage. Another notable advantage of the-prepared packaging material lies in its completely biodegradability, therefore meeting the requirement of environmental protection. Therefore, the prepared CS-AN-CNCs film as an intelligent packaging solution with potential applications in food preservation and freshness monitoring applications.

Assessment of land use change of ecological green wedge and cooling island effect: A case study of Wuhan, China.

The construction of urban ecological green wedges, which can mitigate the heat island effect through cooling and ventilation effects, is an important way to enhance the adaptation of cities to climate change. Dynamic monitoring and periodic assessment of both the conservation status and cooling effect of ecological green wedges is a key to ensure the heat mitigation benefits. Based on multi-source remote sensing data, we systematically analyzed the land use changes of six ecological green wedges in Wuhan in 2013 and 2020 using the methods of Markov transfer matrix, land use dynamics, and comprehensive index of land use degree, and evaluated the changes in surface temperature of the ecological green wedges and their cooling island effect. Results showed that the ecological green wedges in Wuhan generally had a large amount of construction land encroaching on ecological land from 2013 to 2020, with the water decreased the most. With the continuous deterioration of ecological green wedges, their land surface temperatures showed rising trends, together with significant weakening trends in cooling island effects. Among all the six wedges, the Dadonghu, Tangxun, and Wuhu exhibited relatively better ecological conservation, slighter land use change and lower overall development degree. Qinglinghu and Houguanhu demonstrated average levels of conservation. Fuhe experienced the most severe change under the significant influence of the westward policy of Wuhan City, with the proportion of water decreasing by 7.1%, warming up by 3.00 ℃, and the largest reduction in cooling distance for the cooling island effect, amounting to about 210 m. The results provided scientific evidence for the urban heat island mitigation-oriented planning and management of ecological green wedges for Wuhan City.

Value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease.

Background and objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely recognized marker of inflammation in peripheral blood. However, its specific role in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) has not been reported. This study aims to investigate the relationship between NIID and NLR. Methods: A multicenter database was collected, including 157 NIID patients from seven hospitals (The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital,The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Liaocheng People's Hospital,The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University,The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC), along with 157 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. White blood cell counts (including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) were obtained, and the NLR was calculated. Additionally, cognitive impairment was assessed using clinical evaluation scores. Results: NIID patients exhibited significantly higher NLR values compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001). The plasma NLR levels in NIID patients showed a weak positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.219, p = 0.016). However, no significant correlations were found between NLR and age of onset or cognitive impairment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant association between NLR and NIID, suggesting a potential role of peripheral blood inflammation in the pathogenesis of NIID.

Structural and biochemical characterization of active sites mutant in human inorganic pyrophosphatase.

Inorganic pyrophosphatases (PPases) are enzymes that catalyze the conversion of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) into phosphate (Pi). Human inorganic pyrophosphatase 1 (Hu-PPase) exhibits high expression levels in a variety of tumors and plays roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, making it a promising prognostic biomarker and a target for cancer therapy. Despite its widespread presence, the catalytic mechanism of Hu-PPase in humans remains inadequately understood. The signature motif amino acid sequence (DXDPXD) within the active sites of PPases is preserved across different species. In this research, an enzymatic activity assay revealed that mutations led to a notable reduction in enzymatic function, although the impact of the four amino acids on the activity of the pocket varied. To investigate the influence of these residues on the substrate binding and enzymatic function of PPase, the crystal structure of the Hu-PPase-ED quadruple mutant (D116A/D118A/P119A/D121A) was determined at 1.69 Å resolution. The resulting structure maintained a barrel-like shape similar to that of the wild-type, albeit lacking Mg2+ ions. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated a decreased ability of Hu-PPase-ED to bind to PPi. Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicated that the mutation rendered the loop of Mg2+ ion-binding residues less stable. Therefore, the effect on enzyme activity did not result from a change in the gross protein structure but rather from a mutation that abolished the Mg2+-coordinating groups, thereby eliminating Mg2+ binding and leading to the loss of enzyme activity.

Tumor Microenvironment ROS/pH Cascade-Responsive Supramolecular Nanoplatform with ROS Regeneration Property for Enhanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy.

The low targeted drug delivery efficiency, including poor tumor accumulation and penetration and uncontrolled drug release, leads to the failure of cancer therapy. Herein, a multifunctional supramolecular nanoplatform loading triptolide (TPL/PBAETK@GA NPs) was fabricated via the host-guest interaction between glycyrrhetinic-acid-modified poly(ethylene glycol)-adamantanecarboxylic acid moiety and reactive oxygen species (ROS)/pH cascade-responsive copolymer poly(ß-amino esters)-thioketal (TK)-ß-cyclodextrin. TPL/PBAETK@GA NPs could accumulate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue effectively, mediated by nanoscale advantage and GA' recognition to specific receptors. The elevated concentration of ROS in tumor microenvironment (TME) quickly breaks the TK linkages, causing the detachment of shell (cyclodextrin) CD layer. Then, the accompanying negative-to-positive charge-reversal of NPs was realized via the PBAE moiety protonation under the slightly acidic TME, significantly enhancing the NPs' cellular internalization. Remarkably, the pH-responsive endo/lysosome escape of PBAE core triggered intracellular TPL burst release, promoting the cancer cell apoptosis, autophagy, and intracellular ROS generation, leading to the self-amplification of ROS in TME. Afterward, the ROS positive-feedback loop was generated to further promote size-shrinkage and charge-reversal of NPs. Both in vitro and in vivo tests verified that TPL/PBAETK@GA NPs produced a satisfactory anti-HCC therapy outcome. Collectively, this study offers a potential appealing paradigm to enhance TPL-based HCC therapy outcomes via multifunctionalized supramolecular nanodrugs.

TPGS-mediated Transethosomes Enhance Transdermal Administration of Curcumin via Effects on Deformability and Stability.

BACKGROUND: Adding a suitable surfactant can enhance the transdermal permeability of transethosomes while also leveraging its functionality as a functional material. In this study, transethosomes were prepared using D-α-tocopherol acid polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) as edge activators for transdermal delivery of curcumin (Cur). METHODS: The TPGS-mediated curcumin-loaded transethosomes (Cur@TES) were prepared and formulated optimally, and the optimized formulations were characterized for their morphology, particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL). The stability and deformability of Cur@TES were investigated, while the transdermal delivery of Cur@TES was investigated through in vitro transdermal assays and fluorescence imaging. A mouse ear swelling model was performed to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of Cur@TES. RESULTS: Cur@TES appeared round or elliptical in shape. The particle size, EE and DL for the optimized formulation were observed as 131.2 ± 7.2 nm, 97.68 ± 2.26%, and 6.58 ± 0.62%, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of disordered structures in the inner core of the vesicles. Moreover, Cur@TES system demonstrated better stability and deformability compared to the curcumin-loaded ethosomes (Cur@ES). In-vitro transdermal experiments demonstrated that Cur@TES significantly increased the amount of drug retained in the skin (P＜0.05). Fluorescence imaging confirmed that the skin distribution were distinctly enhanced with the delivery by TPGS mediated transethosomes. In addition, Cur@TES showed a significant inhibitory effect on Inflammatory swelling in the mouse ear-swelling model. CONCLUSION: TPGS-mediated transethosomes exhibit significant transdermal advantages and enhanced anti-inflammatory effects, providing a new perspective for the transdermal delivery of curcumin.

Challenging the nexus of power: The gaming dilemma of collaboration between government and enterprises in environmental management.

This study presents a novel approach to analysing environmental governance by Chinese governments through the lens of a tripartite evolutionary game model. The key novelty of our research lies in the explicit incorporation of a reputation mechanism into the evolutionary game analysis, which significantly influences government decision-making, environmental governance strategies, and the dynamics of the relationship between government and polluting enterprises. By assessing the marginal effects of conventional governance and mobilization-based governance on the environmental mechanism, as well as the collusion behaviours between government and polluting enterprises, our study sheds light on previously unexplored aspects of environmental governance. Our findings indicate that the reputation mechanism plays a crucial role within the evolutionary game system of environmental governance, exerting a substantial impact on government decision-making. Furthermore, we demonstrate that policy interventions, such as increasing the cost of penalties under regulatory policies, can encourage compliance strategies among enterprises. Additionally, our research highlights the high sensitivity of reputation signals towards local government's environmental governance strategies, directly impacting their credibility and influencing the adoption of proactive environmental governance strategies. Moreover, we emphasize the role of the central environmental inspection system as a means to facilitate the transmission of environmental governance pressures between central and local governments, ultimately fostering a green development concept and promoting coordinated development between the economy and ecological civilization. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the intricacies of environmental governance in China and underscores the importance of reputation mechanisms and policy interventions in promoting sustainable development.

Chinese Women's Concept of Childbirth Based on the Social Media Topic "What Does Childbirth Mean to a Woman": Content and Thematic Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, women's fertility desire has attracted increasing attention in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to detect attitudes toward giving birth among young female users on Douban, a very popular Chinese social media platform. METHODS: A total of 2634 valid posts from 2489 users discussing the topic "What does childbirth mean to a woman" on Douban were crawled and retained for analysis. We utilized content and thematic analysis methods to capture users' concepts of childbirth. RESULTS: The findings reveal that a significant majority of users conveyed generally neutral (1060/2634, 40.24%) or negative (1051/2634, 39.90%) attitudes toward childbirth, while only about one-fifth of users expressed positive (523/2634, 19.86%) sentiments. Notably, posts with negative attitudes garnered more replies and likes, and the proportion of posts expressing negativity exhibited fluctuations over time. Health risk (339/2634, 12.87%) emerged as the most frequently cited aspect of childbirth cost, with subjective happiness and the fulfillment of mental needs identified as primary benefits. Surprisingly, only a minimal number of posts (10/2634, 0.38%) touched upon the traditional objective benefits of raising children for old-age care. Thematic analysis results suggest that discussions about fertility on social media platforms might contribute to an exaggerated perception of health risks among women. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about childbirth was observed, partially attributable to longstanding neglect and avoidance of communication on these matters, likely influenced by traditional cultural biases. Moreover, there is a prevailing assumption that women should naturally sacrifice themselves for childbirth and childcare, influenced by the idealization of the female figure. Consequently, women may harbor hesitations about having a baby, fearing the potential loss of their own identity in the process. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a shift in the perception of childbirth among modern Chinese women over time, influenced by their increasing social status and the pursuit of self-realization. Implementing strategies such as public education on the health risks associated with pregnancy and delivery, safeguarding women's rights, and creating a supportive environment for mothers may enhance women's willingness to undergo childbirth. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/preprints.50468.

Unravelling the veil of appearance anxiety: exploring social media use among Chinese young people.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between appearance anxiety and social media use among Chinese adolescents. Using a grounded theory approach, the study conducted two-round online interviews with ten Chinese university students and subsequently constructed a theoretical model of social media appearance anxiety among Chinese young people. The results of the study indicate that social media has a dual impact on appearance anxiety. On one hand, increased social media engagement amplifies appearance anxiety by shaping aesthetic standards and fostering comparative environments. On the other hand, diverse aesthetic perspectives and authentic presentations on social media partially alleviate appearance anxiety by promoting acceptance of unique appearances and boosting self-confidence. It is emphasized in this study that there should be an in-depth understanding of the dual impact and complicated relationship of social media on the daily lives of Chinese adolescents to further develop relevant strategies that promote healthy social media behavior among youth. Furthermore, this study calls for efforts to actively promote the healthy image and psychological well-being of adolescents while alleviating the negative impact of appearance anxiety and overall mental health. Such efforts are needed to ensure a positive and healthy development for the younger generation.

A Compound Essential Oil Alters Stratum Corneum Structure, Potentially Promoting the Transdermal Permeation of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Ingredients.

BACKGROUND: The stratum corneum (SC) is the main barrier of the skin, and cosmeceuticals are different from ordinary cosmetics in that they need to deliver active ingredients targeting specific skin problems through the SC into the deeper layers of the skin. Thus, we designed a compound essential oil (CEO) extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge and Cinnamomum cassia Presl, supplemented with borneol to deliver active ingredients through the SC. METHODS: The CEO was prepared by flash extraction combined with the microwave method. Moreover, the main components of the CEO were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Visualization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), were used to study the permeationpromoting mechanism of the CEO on the skin. Furthermore, the permeation-promoting effects of the CEO on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic ingredients were tested via in vitro skin penetration experiments and in vivo microdialysis experiments. RESULTS: The results indicated the ability of the CEO to alter the structure of the SC, leading to enhanced transdermal permeation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ingredients. The 1.5% CEO group demonstrated the best permeation-promoting effect compared to the other CEO groups and blank groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the CEO displayed an expedited permeability-promoting effect on hydrophobic ingredients compared to hydrophilic ingredients. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the prepared CEO can promote the transdermal permeation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ingredients. This study will provide a reference for the application of the prepared CEO in the development of cosmeceuticals with natural efficacy.

Living Materials Based Dynamic Information Encryption via Light-Inducible Bacterial Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots.

Microbial biosynthesis, as an alternative method for producing quantum dots (QDs), has gained attention because it can be conducted under mild and environmentally friendly conditions, distinguishing it from conventional chemical and physical synthesis approaches. However, there is currently no method to selectively control this biosynthesis process in a subset of microbes within a population using external stimuli. In this study, we have attained precise and selective control over the microbial biosynthesis of QDs through the utilization of an optogenetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant E. coli is designed to express smCSE enzyme, under the regulation of eLightOn system, which can be activated by blue light. The smCSE enzymes use L-cysteine and Cd2+ as substrates to form CdS QDs. This system enables light-inducible bacterial biosynthesis of QDs in precise patterns within a hydrogel for information encryption. As the biosynthesis progresses, the optical characteristics of the QDs change, allowing living materials containing the recombinant E. coli to display time-dependent patterns that self-destruct after reading. Compared to static encryption using fluorescent QD inks, dynamic information encryption based on living materials offers enhanced security.

A novel truncated variant in SPAST results in spastin accumulation and defects in microtubule dynamics.

OBJECTIVE: Haploinsufficiency is widely accepted as the pathogenic mechanism of hereditary spastic paraplegias type 4 (SPG4). However, there are some cases that cannot be explained by reduced function of the spastin protein encoded by SPAST. The aim of this study was to identify the causative variant of SPG4 in a large Chinese family and explore its pathological mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A five-generation family with 49 members including nine affected (4 males and 5 females) and 40 unaffected individuals in Mongolian nationality was recruited. Whole exome sequencing was employed to investigate the genetic etiology. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the effects of the mutant proteins in vitro. RESULTS: A novel frameshift variant NM_014946.4: c.483_484delinsC (p.Val162Leufs*2) was identified in SPAST from a pedigree with SPG4. The variant segregated with the disease in the family and thus determined as the disease-causing variant. The c.483_484delinsC variant produced two truncated mutants (mutant M1 and M87 isoforms). They accumulated to a higher level and presented increased stability than their wild-type counterparts and may lost the microtubule severing activity. CONCLUSION: SPAST mutations leading to premature stop codons do not always act through haploinsufficiency. The potential toxicity to the corticospinal tract caused by the intracellular accumulation of truncated spastin should be considered as the pathological mechanism of SPG4.

[Research progress on anti-tumor effects by traditional Chinese medicine based on "soothing" or "blockage" regulation of tumor vessels].

Regulation of tumor vessels has become one of the most common strategies for clinical anti-tumor therapy. In recent years, studies have found that the anti-tumor effect of limotherapy, which routinely inhibits tumor angiogenesis, is not ideal and may even deteriorate the tumor microenvironment, causing tumor resistance and distal metastasis and increasing the risk of tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, the proper use of anti-angiogenic drugs can promote the normalization of tumor vessels, improve the structure and function of tumor vessels, increase the number of functional vessels in the tumor, and reduce the number of ineffective vessels. It is beneficial to promote the penetration of anti-tumor drugs into the tumor, improve the microenvironment of tumor hypoxia and immunosuppression, and enhance the anti-tumor effect. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history of understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of tumors and has accumulated rich experience in tumor treatment, with significant clinical advantages and broad application prospects. In this study, from the perspective of bidirectional "soothing" or "blockage" regulation of tumor vessels, the commonly used molecular targets were sorted out, and the research status of anti-tumor regulation of tumor vessels by monomer-single herb-compound(herb pair) of TCM in recent years was summarized. The research on the anti-tumor effects of TCM compounds and active ingredients by regulating tumor vessels combined with other therapies was analyzed and sorted out, so as to provide ideas for the clinical application of TCM in regulating functions and anti-tumor effects of tumor vessels.

[Q-marker prediction of resin ethanol extract of Gegen Qinlian Decoction based on characteristic spectrum and network pharmacology].

The resin ethanol extract of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GGQLD) has been found to significantly alleviate the intestinal toxicity caused by Irinotecan, but further research is needed to establish its overall quality and clinical medication standards. This study aimed to establish an HPLC characteristic fingerprint of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD, predicted the targets and signaling pathways of its pharmacological effects based on network pharmacology, identified core compounds with pharmacological relevance, and analyzed potential quality markers(Q-markers) of the resin eluate of GGQLD for relieving Irinotecan-induced toxicity. By considering the uniqueness, measurability, and traceability of Q-markers based on the "five principles" of Q-markers and combining them with network pharmacology techniques, the overall efficacy of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD can be characterized. Preliminary predictions suggested that the four components of puerarin, berberine, baicalin, and baicalein might serve as potential Q-markers for the resin etha-nol extract of GGQLD. This study provides a basis and references for the quality control and clinical mechanism of the resin ethanol extract of GGQLD.

Characterizing normal perinatal development of the human brain structural connectivity.

Early brain development is characterized by the formation of a highly organized structural connectome. The interconnected nature of this connectome underlies the brain's cognitive abilities and influences its response to diseases and environmental factors. Hence, quantitative assessment of structural connectivity in the perinatal stage is useful for studying normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. However, estimation of the connectome from diffusion MRI data involves complex computations. For the perinatal period, these computations are further challenged by the rapid brain development and imaging difficulties. Combined with high inter-subject variability, these factors make it difficult to chart the normal development of the structural connectome. As a result, there is a lack of reliable normative baselines of structural connectivity metrics at this critical stage in brain development. In this study, we developed a computational framework, based on spatio-temporal averaging, for determining such baselines. We used this framework to analyze the structural connectivity between 33 and 44 postmenstrual weeks using data from 166 subjects. Our results unveiled clear and strong trends in the development of structural connectivity in perinatal stage. Connection weighting based on fractional anisotropy and neurite density produced the most consistent results. We observed increases in global and local efficiency, a decrease in characteristic path length, and widespread strengthening of the connections within and across brain lobes and hemispheres. We also observed asymmetry patterns that were consistent between different connection weighting approaches. The new computational method and results are useful for assessing normal and abnormal development of the structural connectome early in life.

Ex vivo detection of mandibular incisors' root canal morphology using cone-beam computed tomography with 4 different voxel sizes and micro-computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely used to evaluate patients' root canal anatomy due to its high resolution and noninvasive nature. As voxel size is one of the most important parameters affecting CBCT image quality, the current study evaluated the diagnostic potential of CBCT with 4 different voxel sizes in the detection of double root canal systems and accessory canals (ACs) in permanent mandibular incisors. METHODS: A total of 106 extracted mandibular permanent incisors were collected from the dental clinics, and then were scanned by using micro-CT with a voxel size of 9 µm. The teeth were then fixed in the tooth sockets of human dry mandibles and scanned by using a CBCT device with 4 different voxel sizes (300, 200, 250, and 125 µm). Four observers detected in blind the root canal morphology of the teeth according to the CBCT images, and the presence or absence of a double root canal system, and the presence or absence of ACs, were scored according to a 5-point scale, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed, and DeLong test was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC) values and the micro-CT data was taken as a gold standard. RESULTS: Among 106 sample teeth, 25 specimens with a double root canal system were identified by the micro-CT. ROC curve analysis of the data obtained by the four observers showed that in the detection of double root canal systems, the AUC values ranged from 0.765 to 0.889 for 300 µm voxel size, from 0.877 to 0.926 for 250 µm voxel size, from 0.893 to 0.967 for 200 µm voxel size, and from 0.914 to 0.967 for 125 µm voxel size (all p < 0.01). In general, we observed a trend that the AUC values, sensitivity, and specialty increased with the decrease in the voxel size, and significantly higher AUC values were detected in 125 µm voxel size images. In the detection of ACs, ROC curve analysis showed that among the four observers, the AUC values ranged from 0.554 to 0.639 for 300 µm voxel size, from 0.532 to 0.654 for 250 µm voxel size, from 0.567 to 0.626 for 200 µm voxel size, and from 0.638 to 0.678 for 125 µm voxel size. CBCT images at a voxel size of 125 µm had a weak diagnostic potential (AUC: 0.5-0.7, all p < 0.05) in the detection of AC, with a lower sensitivity ranging from 36.8 to 57.9% and a higher specialty ranging from 73.6 to 98.8%. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT with 300 µm voxel size could only provide moderate diagnostic accuracy in the detection of a double canal system in mandibular incisors. CBCT with a voxel size of 125 µm exhibited high diagnostic value in the detection of double canal systems, while showing low but statistically significant value in the detection of ACs.

A superstable, flexible, and scalable nanofluidic ion regulation composite membrane.

Two-dimensional layered membranes with high and stable ion transport properties have various applications in nanofluidic devices; however, their construction remains a considerable challenge. Herein, we develop a superstable aramid nanofiber/graphite composite membrane with numerous one-dimensional and two-dimensional nano-confined interspaces for ultrafast ion transport. The fabricated flexible and scalable membrane exhibits high tensile strength (∼115.3 MPa) even after immersion in water for 90 days. Further, the aramid nanofiber/graphite conductor features the surface-charge-governed ion transport behavior. The ionic conductivity of the membrane at a low potassium chloride concentration of 10-4 mol/L can be enhanced by 16 times that of the bulk counterpart. More importantly, its structure and ionic conductivity remain unchanged even after immersion in different harsh solutions (e.g., acid, base, and ethanol) for over 30 days. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the superstability of the membrane is attributable to the robust interchain interactions within the aramid nanofibers and the strong interfacial interactions between the aramid nanofibers and graphite nanosheets. This study highlights the superior structural stability of the proposed flexible and scalable aramid nanofiber/graphite composite membrane, which could be employed in advanced nanofluidic devices for application under extreme working environments.