Machine learning improves early prediction of organ failure in hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis using clinical and abdominal CT features.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate and validate machine-learning predictive models combining computed tomography and clinical data to early predict organ failure (OF) in Hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). METHODS: Demographics, laboratory parameters and computed tomography imaging data of 314 patients with HLAP from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between 2017 and 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-five percent of patients (n = 204) were assigned to the training group and categorized as patients with and without OF. Parameters were compared by univariate analysis. Machine-learning methods including random forest (RF) were used to establish model to predict OF of HLAP. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of receiver operating characteristic were calculated. The remaining 35% patients (n = 110) were assigned to the validation group to evaluate the performance of models to predict OF. RESULTS: Ninety-three (45.59%) and fifty (45.45%) patients from the training and the validation cohort, respectively, developed OF. The RF model showed the best performance to predict OF, with the highest AUC value of 0.915. The sensitivity (0.828) and accuracy (0.814) of RF model were both the highest among the five models in the study cohort. In the validation cohort, RF model continued to show the highest AUC (0.820), accuracy (0.773) and sensitivity (0.800) to predict OF in HLAP, while the positive and negative likelihood ratios and post-test probability were 3.22, 0.267 and 72.85%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Machine-learning models can be used to predict OF occurrence in HLAP in our pilot study. RF model showed the best predictive performance, which may be a promising candidate for further clinical validation.

Endofungal bacteria and ectomycorrhizal fungi synergistically promote the absorption of organic phosphorus in Pinus massoniana.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMFs) that are involved in phosphorus mobilisation and turnover have limited ability to mineralise phytate alone. The endofungal bacteria in the ectomycorrhizal fruiting body may contribute to achieving this ecological function of ECMFs. We investigated the synergistic effect and mechanisms of endofungal bacteria and ECMF Suillus grevillea on phytate mineralisation. The results showed that soluble phosphorus content in the combined system of endofungal bacterium Cedecea lapagei and S. grevillea was 1.8 times higher than the sum of C. lapagei and S. grevillea alone treatment under the phytate mineralisation experiment. The S. grevillea could first chemotactically assist C. lapagei in adhering to the surface of S. grevillea. Then, the mineralisation of phytate was synergistically promoted by increasing the biomass of C. lapagei and the phosphatase and phytase activities of S. grevillea. The expression of genes related to chemotaxis, colonisation, and proliferation of C. lapagei and genes related to phosphatase and phytase activity of S. grevillea was also significantly upregulated. Furthermore, in the pot experiment, we verified that there might exist a ternary symbiotic system in the natural forest in which endofungal bacteria and ECMFs could synergistically promote phytate uptake in the plant Pinus massoniana via the ectomycorrhizal system.

Chloroplast Genomes and Phylogenetic Analysis of Three Carthamus (Asteraceae) Species.

The genus Carthamus Linnaeus, which belongs to the tribe Cardueae in the Asteraceae family, originated in the Mediterranean region and consists of approximately 20 species worldwide. Understanding the phylogeny of the Carthamus is crucial for the cultivation of C. tinctorius. Although chloroplast genomes are widely used for species identification and evolutionary studies, there have been limited investigations on the chloroplast genomes of Carthamus species. In this study, we assembled the chloroplast genomes of C. persicus, C. tinctorius × C. persicus, and C. lanatus and combined them with the five chloroplast genomes of C. tinctorius for comparative genomic analysis. The sizes of the chloroplast genomes of C. lanatus, C. persicus, and C. tinctorius × C. persicus were 152,602 bp, 153,177 bp, and 153,177 bp, respectively. Comparative analysis showed that the chloroplast genome structures of the four Carthamus species were highly conserved. Additionally, the phylogenomic analysis demonstrated that the plastid genome and angiosperms353 dataset significantly improved the phylogenetic support of Carthamus species. This analysis supported Carthamus as a monophyletic taxon and its internal division into the sect. Carthamus and sect. Atractylis. The Carthamus was closely related to Carduncellus, Femeniasia, Phonus, and Centaurea. In conclusion, this study not only expands our understanding of the cp genomes of Carthamus species but also provides support for more comprehensive phylogenetic studies of Carthamus.

Endofungal Bacterial Microbiota Promotes the Absorption of Chelated Inorganic Phosphorus by Host Pine through the Ectomycorrhizal System.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi play an irreplaceable role in phosphorus cycling. However, ectomycorrhizal fungi have a limited ability to dissolve chelated inorganic phosphorus, which is the main component of soil phosphorus. Endofungal bacteria in ectomycorrhizal fruiting bodies are always closely related to the ecological function of ectomycorrhizal fungi. In this study, we explore endofungal bacteria in the fruiting body of Tylopilus neofelleus and their function during the absorption of chelated inorganic phosphorus by host pine through the ectomycorrhizal system. The results showed that the endofungal bacterial microbiota in the fruiting body of T. neofelleus might be related to the dissolution of chelated inorganic phosphorus in soil. The soluble phosphorus content in the combined system of T. neofelleus and endofungal bacteria Bacillus sp. strain B5 was five times higher than the sum of T. neofelleus-only treatment and Bacillus sp. strain B5-only treatment in the dissolution experiment of chelated inorganic phosphorus. The results showed that T. neofelleus not only promoted the proliferation of Bacillus sp. strain B5 in the combined system but also improved the expression of genes related to organic acid metabolism, as assesed by transcriptomic analysis. Lactic acid content was five times higher in the combined system than the sum of T. neofelleus-only treatment and Bacillus sp. strain B5-only treatment. Two essential genes related to lactate metabolism of Bacillus sp. strain B5, gapA and pckA, were significantly upregulated. Finally, in a pot experiment, we verified that T. neofelleus and Bacillus sp. strain B5 could synergistically promote the absorption of chelated inorganic phosphorus by Pinus sylvestris in a ternary symbiotic system. IMPORTANCE Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) have a limited ability to dissolve chelated inorganic phosphorus, which is the main component of soil phosphorus. In the natural environment, the extraradical hyphae of ECMF alone may not satisfy the phosphorus demand of the plant ectomycorrhizal system. In this study, our results innovatively show that the ectomycorrhizal system might be a ternary symbiont in which ectomycorrhizal fungi might recruit endofungal bacteria that could synergistically promote the mineralization of chelated inorganic phosphorus, which ultimately promotes plant phosphorus absorption by the ectomycorrhizal system.

Single-Molecule Evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Using Gold Particle-in-a-Frame Nanostructures Enhanced Fluorescent Assay.

Ultrasensitive evaluation of low-abundance analytes, particularly with limits approaching a single molecule, is a key challenge in the design of an assay for profiling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen. Herein, we report an aptamer claw strategy for directly evaluating the SARS-CoV-2 antigen based on gold particle-in-a-frame nanostructures (Au PIAFs). Au PIAF was used as a metal-enhanced fluorescence material. The assay integrated with a microplate reader achieved a sensitivity of 44 fg·mL-1 in under 3 min and accurately detected the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N protein) in human saliva samples. When our assay is combined with a single-molecule counting platform, the limit of detection can be as low as 0.84 ag·mL-1. This rapid and ultrasensitive assay holds promise as a tool for screening SARS-CoV-2 and other contagious viruses.

[Research progress in targeting autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds to regulate atherosclerosis].

Atherosclerosis(AS) is the common pathological basis of many ischemic cardiovascular diseases, and its formation process involves various aspects such as vascular endothelial injury and platelet activation. Vascular endothelial injury is the initiating factor of AS plaque. Monocytes are recruited to differentiate into macrophages at the damaged endothelial cells, which absorb oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) and slowly transform into foam cells. Smooth muscle cells(SMCs) proliferate and migrate continuously. As the only cell producing interstitial collagen fibers in the fibrous cap, SMCs largely determine whether the plaque ruptured or not. The amplifying inflammatory response during the formation of AS recruits platelets to adhere to the damaged area of vascular endothelium and stimulates excessive platelet aggregation. Autophagy activity is associated with vascular lesions and abnormal platelet activation, and excessive autophagy is considered to be a negative factor for plaque stability. Therefore, precise regulation of different types of vascular autophagy and platelet autophagy to treat AS may provide a new therapeutic perspective for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic ischemic cardiovascular disease. Currently, treatment strategies for AS still focus on lowering lipid levels with high-intensity statins, which often cause significant side effects. Therefore, the development of safer and more effective drugs and treatment modes is the focus of current research. Traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds have the potential to treat AS by targeted autophagy, and have been playing an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. This paper summarizes the experimental studies on different vascular cell types and platelet autophagy in AS, and sums up the published research results on targeted autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural plant compounds to regulate AS, providing new ideas for further research.

Apigenin suppresses mycoplasma-induced alveolar macrophages necroptosis via enhancing the methylation of TNF-α promoter by PPARγ-Uhrf1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma-associated pneumonia is characterized by severe lung inflammation and immunological dysfunction. However, current anti-mycoplasma agents used in clinical practice do not prevent dysfunction of alveolar macrophages caused by the high level of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) after mycoplasma infection. Apigenin inhibits the production of TNF-α in variet inflammation associated disease. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate apigenin's effect on mycoplasma-induced alveolar immune cell injury and the mechanism by which it inhibits TNF-α transcription. METHODS: In this study, we performed a mouse model of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection to evaluate the effect of apigenin on reducing mycoplasma-induced alveolar immune cell injury. Furthermore, we carried out transcriptome analysis, RNA interference assay, methylated DNA bisulfite sequencing assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to explore the mechanism of action for apigenin in reducing TNF-α. RESULTS: We discovered that M. hyopneumoniae infection-induced necroptosis in alveolar macrophages MH-S cells and primary mouse alveolar macrophages, which was activated by TNF-α autocrine. Apigenin inhibited M. hyopneumoniae-induced elevation of TNF-α and necroptosis in alveolar macrophages. Apigenin inhibited TNF-a mRNA production via increasing ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (Uhrf1)-dependent DNA methylation of the TNF-a promotor. Finally, we demonstrated that apigenin regulated Uhrf1 transcription via peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation, which acts as a transcription factor binding to the Uhrf1 promoter and protected infected mice's lungs, and promoted alveolar macrophage survival. CONCLUTSION: This study identified a novel mechanism of action for apigenin in reducing alveolar macrophage necroptosis via the PPARγ/ Uhrf1/TNF-α pathway, which may have implications for the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Survival characteristics and transcriptome profiling reveal the adaptive response of the Brucella melitensis 16M biofilm to osmotic stress.

Brucella can inhabit hostile environments, including osmotic stress. How Brucella responds collectively to osmotic stress is largely unexplored, particularly in spatially structured communities such as a biofilm. To gain insight into this growth mode, we set out to characterize the Brucella melitensis 16M biofilm, describe its phenotype, and carry out a comparative transcriptomic analysis between biofilms under osmotic stress and control conditions. We determined that the bacteria challenged with 1.5 M NaCl had a reduced ability to aggregate and form clumps and develop a biofilm; however, the salt stress promoted the release of the outer membrane vesicles from the biofilm. Together with the genotypical response to osmotic stress, we identified 279 differentially expressed genes in B. melitensis 16M grown under osmotic conditions compared with control conditions; 69 genes were upregulated and 210 downregulated. Under osmotic stress, the main changed genes of biofilm were predicted to be involved in flagellar assembly, cell envelope, translation, small RNA regulation, transport and binding proteins, and energy metabolism. In addition, the ABC transporter was enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. We highlight 12 essential ABC transporter genes associated with a bacterial response to osmotic stress at the biofilm stage, including one specific locus, BME_RS12880, mediating betaine accumulation in biofilms to eliminate osmotic stress. The current study results can help researchers gain insights into B. melitensis 16M biofilm adaptation to osmotic stress and provide information for developing intervention strategies to control Brucella.

Ginkgolide B targets and inhibits creatine kinase B to regulate the CCT/TRiC-SK1 axis and exerts pro-angiogenic activity in middle cerebral artery occlusion mice.

Promoting angiogenesis in the ischemic penumbra is a well-established method of ischemic stroke treatment. Ginkgolide B (GB) has long been recognized for its neuroprotective properties following stroke. As previously reported, it appears that stroke-induced neurogenesis and angiogenesis interact or are dependent on one another. Although the pharmacodynamic effect of GB on cerebral blood flow (CBF) following ischemic stroke has been reported, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect remains unknown. As such, this study sought to elucidate the pharmacodynamic effects and underlying mechanisms of GB on post-stroke angiogenesis. To begin, GB significantly increased the proliferation, migration, and tube formation capacity of mouse cerebral hemangioendothelioma cells (b.End3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Additionally, GB significantly improved angiogenesis after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in endothelial cells. The dynamics of CBF, brain microvascular neovascularization and reconstruction, and brain endothelial tissue integrity were examined in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice following GB administration. Through label-free target detection techniques, we discovered for the first time that GB can specifically target Creatine Kinase B (CKB) and inhibit its enzymatic activity. Additionally, we demonstrated through network pharmacology and a series of molecular biology experiments that GB inhibited CKB and then promoted angiogenesis via the CCT/TRiC-SK1 axis. These findings shed new light on novel therapeutic strategies for neurological recovery and endothelial repair following ischemic stroke using GB therapy.

Analyzing the Effect of People Utilizing Mobile Technology to Make Banking Services More Accessible.

Many firms in the modern world utilize m-banking systems to communicate with their consumers. The word m-banking refers to a widespread method of providing financial services and localization to customers. Since m-banking is important to both banks and users, it has been included in numerous literary works. As a result, embracing financial services via the m-banking platform is critical. This article's technique is mostly descriptive research that investigates common views, current situations, modern tactics, tangible emerging consequences, etc. The main objective here is to analyze the benefits of this study by investigating the past. Since this article analyzes what exists and is descriptive, the data is being retrieved by conducting a cross-sectional survey method about different features that are relevant by sampling the population. The main aim of this study is to explore the adoption of mobile banking technology by consumers. Based on the values of different variables such as affective commitment (AC), transaction convenience (TC), perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived reliability (PR), pre and post benefits (PPB), service, system, and information quality (SSIQ), bank trust (BT), and profitability (P), the inter-relationship between them and the adoption of m-banking technique by the users in banking technology. The model is investigated by examining the hypothesis and identifying the relationship that exists between these different parameters. A simple linear regression method is implemented using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Synthesis and Characteristics of Self-Assembled Multifunctional Ln3+ -DNA Hybrid Coordination Polymers.

Owing to the unique catalytic, optical and magnetic properties, lanthanides (Ln) as multicomponent biomarkers, are widely used in the field of optical sensing, mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance imaging. As ligands, DNA molecules have good biocompatibility, high stability, cost efficiency, programmability and biodegradability. Based on the coordination-driven self-assembly between Ln ions (Ln3+ ) and DNA molecules, a multifunctional Ln3+ -DNA hybrid coordination polymers (CPs) were synthesized. Not only a series of different Ln3+ (single Ln3+ ) and DNA hybrid CPs were synthesized, but one hybrid CP contains two kinds of Ln3+ was obtained. Besides, the synthetic CPs in cell fluorescence imaging and miRNA sensing also exhibited high performance. This work provides a novel idea for the synthesis of DNA based nanomaterials, which is promising for biologically-related applications.

Gait Phase Subdivision and Leg Stiffness Estimation During Stair Climbing.

Leg stiffness is considered a prevalent parameter used in data analysis of leg locomotion during different gaits, such as walking, running, and hopping. Quantification of the change in support leg stiffness during stair ascent and descent will enhance our understanding of complex stair climbing gait dynamics. The purpose of this study is to investigate a methodology to estimate leg stiffness during stair climbing and subdivide the stair climbing gait cycle. Leg stiffness was determined as the ratio of changes in ground reaction force in the direction of the support leg Fl (leg force) to the respective changes in length Ll during the entire stance phase. Eight subjects ascended and descended an instrumented staircase at different cadences. In this study, the changes of leg force and length (force-length curve) are described as the leg stiffness curve, the slope of which represents the normalized stiffness during stair climbing. The stair ascent and descent gait cycles were subdivided based on the negative and positive work fluctuations of the center-of-mass (CoM) work rate curve and the characteristics of leg stiffness. We found that the leg stiffness curve consists of several segments in which the force-length relationship was similarly linear and the stiffness value was relatively constant; the phase divided by the leg stiffness curve corresponds to the phase divided by the CoM work rate curve. The results of this study may guide biomimetic control strategies for a wearable lower-extremity robot for the entire stance phase during stair climbing.

Enhanced tumor homing of pathogen-mimicking liposomes driven by R848 stimulation: A new platform for synergistic oncology therapy.

Although multifarious tumor-targeting modifications of nanoparticulate systems have been attempted in joint efforts by our predecessors, it remains challenging for nanomedicine to traverse physiological barriers involving blood vessels, tissues, and cell barriers to thereafter demonstrate excellent antitumor effects. To further overcome these inherent obstacles, we designed and prepared mycoplasma membrane (MM)-fused liposomes (LPs) with the goal of employing circulating neutrophils with the advantage of inflammatory cytokine-guided autonomous tumor localization to transport nanoparticles. We also utilized in vivo neutrophil activation induced by the liposomal form of the immune activator resiquimod (LPs-R848). Fused LPs preparations retained mycoplasma pathogen characteristics and achieved rapid recognition and endocytosis by activated neutrophils stimulated by LPs-R848. The enhanced neutrophil infiltration in homing of the inflammatory tumor microenvironment allowed more nanoparticles to be delivered into solid tumors. Facilitated by the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), podophyllotoxin (POD)-loaded MM-fused LPs (MM-LPs-POD) were concomitantly released from neutrophils and subsequently engulfed by tumor cells during inflammation. MM-LPs-POD displayed superior suppression efficacy of tumor growth and lung metastasis in a 4T1 breast tumor model. Overall, such a strategy of pathogen-mimicking nanoparticles hijacking neutrophils in situ combined with enhanced neutrophil infiltration indeed elevates the potential of chemotherapeutics for tumor targeting therapy.

Assessment of heavy metals in surface water, sediment and macrozoobenthos in inland rivers: a case study of the Heihe River, Northwest China.

Long-term retention and accumulation of heavy metals in surface water and sediment pose a great threat to the sustainable development of aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this research, macrozoobenthos, and surface water and sediment heavy metal (Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As) samples were collected from 23 sites in the upper and middle reaches of the Heihe River in the summers of 2019-2020. The interrelationships between heavy metals and macrozoobenthos were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA), and the contamination level and potential ecological risk of the heavy metals in surface water and sediments were assessed by comprehensive pollution index (WQI), single potential ecological risk index ([Formula: see text]), and sediment quality guideline-quotient (SQG-Q), respectively. The results showed that the level of heavy metal pollution in the surface water of the Heihe River was extremely low, but the contents of Mn and Pb exceeded the third class of surface water environmental quality standards (GB 3838-2002). The spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments were significantly different, and the average concentration of 8 heavy metals exceeded the background values of Gansu Province. Meanwhile, the pollution level of heavy metals in surface sediments was high pollution, and the ecological risk level was moderate risk. Combining [Formula: see text] and SQG-Q evaluations showed that Cd, Ni, and Cr were the main ecological risk factors. In addition, the distribution coefficients of Cr and Cd were low, indicating that Cr and Cd were easily released from the surface sediments, causing secondary pollution. In terms of the source of the heavy metals, Cu, As, Zn, Cr, and Ni mainly came from industrial and agricultural wastewaters, Pb was from the mining industry and natural sources, and Mn and Cd mainly came from tailings and their landfill leachate. Basommatophora and Araneae can be used as potential indicator organisms for heavy metal pollution in surface water, and Basommatophora, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae can be used as indicator species for heavy metal pollution in surface sediments. The study showed that macroinvertebrate community characteristics had a sensitive response to heavy metals in the surface waters and sediments of the Heihe River, which can be used to evaluate the pollution status of heavy metals in inland rivers.

Field Study on Indoor Thermal Environments of Monastic Houses and Thermal Comfort of Monks.

Monastic houses are an essential part of the Tibetan monastic system in China. In this study, the monastic houses of Labrang in the Tibetan region of Gannan were used as the research objects. Physical parameters such as indoor temperature, humidity, and radiation temperature of the monastic houses were measured. The measured results were compared with the standard values, while the air temperature was linearly fitted using TSV, PMV, and aPMV. The results show that the temperature inside and outside the monastic houses fluctuates considerably; the theoretical thermal neutral temperature of the tested monks in winter is 22.46 °C, which is higher than the measured thermal neutral temperature in winter of 16.43 °C. When analyzing the results, it was found that the local climate, dress code, and the monks' specific habits all impact the perception of thermal comfort, which creates a discrepancy between the accurate results and the standard values. The above findings provide a more comprehensive reference for the thermal comfort requirements of the monks in cold areas, which can be used as a guide for the improvement and evaluation of the monastic houses in cold areas.

Radical-Doped Crystalline Lanthanide-Based Photochromic Complexes: Self-Assembly Driven by Multiple Interactions and Photoswitchable Luminescence.

Stimuli-responsive functional materials, especially the light stimulation color change and tunable fluorescent materials, have received considerable attention because of their broad applications in smart materials. Herein, a series of lanthanide-based [Ln = Nd(III) (1), Sm(III) (2), Eu(III) (3), Gd(III) (4), Tb(III) (5), Yb(III) (6), and Lu(III) (7)] crystalline complexes were attained by simply adding the aqueous lanthanide nitrate solution to the water-soluble naphthalenediimide derivative. The obtained lanthanide-based crystalline materials not only show significant photochromism but also possess reactive organic radicals under ambient conditions. Intriguingly, photoswitchable near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence was realized in the crystalline complex 1. The structures of these crystalline materials were systematically studied to clarify the weak interaction-assisted charge-transfer process. The underlying multiple-interaction-assisted supramolecular self-assembly, the radical-doped nature, and the corresponding photochromic mechanism were thoroughly unearthed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, in situ solid-state UV-vis diffuse reflectance, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometric analysis.

The Chk2-PKM2 axis promotes metabolic control of vasculogenic mimicry formation in p53-mutated triple-negative breast cancer.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation, which participates in the process of neovascularization, is highly activated in p53-mutated triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we show that Chk2 is negatively correlated with VM formation in p53-mutated TNBC. Its activation by DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin, etoposide, and DPT reduces VM formation. Mechanistically, the Chk2-PKM2 axis plays an important role in the inhibition of VM formation at the level of metabolic regulation. Chk2 promotes the Chk2-PKM2 interaction through the Chk2 SCD (SQ/TQ cluster domain) and the PKM2 C domain. Furthermore, Chk2 promotes the nuclear export of PKM2 by phosphorylating PKM2 at Ser100. P-PKM2 S100 reduces VM formation by decreasing glucose flux, and the PKM2 S100A mutation abolishes the inhibition of glucose flux and VM formation induced by Chk2 activation. Overall, this study proposes a novel strategy of VM suppression through Chk2 induction, which prevents PKM2-mediated glucose flux in p53-mutated TNBC.

Target-triggered and controlled release plasmon-enhanced fluorescent AIE probe for conformational monitoring of insulin fibrillation.

In this work, we constructed a target-triggered and controlled-release plasmon-enhanced fluorescent AIE probe to realize the purpose of conformational monitoring of insulin fibrillation. We synthesized a novel water-soluble anthracene derivative, 4,4',4'',4'''-(anthracene-9,10-diylbis(ethene-2,1,1-triyl))tetrakis(N,N,N-trimethylbenzenaminium) iodide (BDVAI), with AIE properties, high biocompatibility and good self-assembly effect. Gold nanocages (AuNCs) were selected as the substrate for PEF, and the inner space of hollow AuNCs was filled with BDVAI. Thiol-modified DNA chains were bonded to the surface of AuNCs by Au-S bonds, and an insulin aptamer was combined with the sulfhydryl chain to seal the AuNCs. This PEF-AIE sensor produces different fluorescence signals when interacting with native insulin and fibrillar insulin; thus, monitoring conformational changes in insulin can be realized by detecting fluorescence intensity changes during insulin fibrillation. Based on this design, this system realized sensitive detection of fibrillar insulin with a detection limit of 23.6 pM. This AIE molecular-based PEF fluorescence enhancement system improves the optical properties of fluorescent substances, which is of great significance in improving the detection sensitivity of amyloid fibrils conformational changes and providing a reliable basis for further understanding the pathogenesis of amyloidosis.

Intercalation and delamination of Ti2SnC with high lithium ion storage capacity.

Li-ion batteries attract great attention due to the rapidly increasing and urgent demand for high energy storage devices. MAX phase compounds, layered ternary transition metal carbides and/or nitrides show promise as candidate materials of electrodes for Li-ion batteries. However, the highest specific capacity reported up to now is relatively low (180 mA h g-1), preventing them from use in real applications. Exploring more MAX phase compounds with delaminated two-dimensional structure is an effective solution to increase the specific capacity. Herein, we report the reversible electrochemical intercalation of Li+ into Ti2SnC (MAX phase) nanosheets. Owing to the synergistic effects of intercalation and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-assisted exfoliation, Ti2SnC nanosheets are successfully obtained via sonication in DMSO. Moreover, when using as an anode of a Li-ion battery, Ti2SnC nanosheets exhibited an increasing specific capacity with cycling due to the exfoliation of Ti2SnC nanosheets via reversible Li-ion intercalation. After 1000 charge-discharge cycles, Ti2SnC nanosheets delivered a high specific capacity of 735 mA h g-1 at a current density of 50 mA g-1, which is far better than other MAX phases, such as Ti2SC, Ti3SiC2 and Nb2SnC. The current work demonstrates the Li-ion storage potential and indicates a novel strategy for further intercalation and delamination of MAX phases.

A Subvision System for Enhancing the Environmental Adaptability of the Powered Transfemoral Prosthesis.

Visual information is indispensable to human locomotion in complex environments. Although amputees can perceive the environmental information by eyes, they cannot transmit the neural signals to prostheses directly. To augment human-prosthesis interaction, this article introduces a subvision system that can perceive environments actively, assist to control the powered prosthesis predictively, and accordingly reconstruct a complete vision-locomotion loop for transfemoral amputees. By using deep learning, the subvision system can classify common static terrains (e.g., level ground, stairs, and ramps) and estimate corresponding motion intents of amputees with high accuracy (98%). After applying the subvision system to the locomotion control system, the powered prosthesis can help amputees to achieve nonrhythmic locomotion naturally, including switching between different locomotion modes and crossing the obstacle. The subvision system can also recognize dynamic objects, such as an unexpected obstacle approaching the amputee, and assist in generating an agile obstacle-avoidance reflex movement. The experimental results demonstrate that the subvision system can cooperate with the powered prosthesis to reconstruct a complete vision-locomotion loop, which enhances the environmental adaptability of the amputees.