Asynchrony of ovule primordia initiation in Arabidopsis.

Plant ovule initiation determines the maximum of ovule number and has a great impact on the seed number per fruit. The detailed processes of ovule initiation have not been accurately described, although two connected processes, gynoecium and ovule development, have been investigated. Here, we report that ovules initiate asynchronously. The first group of ovule primordia grows out, the placenta elongates, the boundaries of existing ovules enlarge and a new group of primordia initiates from the boundaries. The expression pattern of different marker genes during ovule development illustrates that this asynchronicity continues throughout whole ovule development. PIN-FORMED1 polar distribution and auxin response maxima correlate with ovule primordia asynchronous initiation. We have established computational modeling to show how auxin dynamics influence ovule primordia initiation. Brassinosteroid signaling positively regulates ovule number by promoting placentae size and ovule primordia initiation through strengthening auxin response. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrates numerous known regulators of ovule development and hormone signaling, and many new genes are identified that are involved in ovule development. Taken together, our results illustrate that the ovule primordia initiate asynchronously and the hormone signals are involved in the asynchrony.

Impact of pharmacist intervention in reducing vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The aim was to quantify the relationship between pharmacist intervention and vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: Electronic databases were searched up to August 2020 for meta-analyses of cohort studies and/or randomized controlled trials. Studies that compared the incidence of AKI in patients between post- and prepharmacist intervention were investigated. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. We also evaluated the influence of pharmacist intervention in risk factors of vancomycin-associated AKI. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 1744 studies and 34 studies with 19 298 participants were included (22 published articles and 12 abstracts from conference proceedings). Compared with the preintervention group, the postintervention group patients had a significantly lower incidence of vancomycin-associated AKI: 7.3% for post- and 9.6% for preintervention (odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.41, 0.67], P < .00001). The rate of attaining target concentration was significantly higher in the post- than preintervention group (OR 2.86, 95% CI [2.23, 3.67], P < .00001). The postintervention group significantly improved the percentage of serum creatinine laboratory tests than preintervention group (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 2.02, 5.19], P < .00001). Patients postintervention had markedly lower risk of mortality than preintervention patients (OR 0.47, 95% CI [0.31, 0.72], P = .0004). CONCLUSION: Pharmacist intervention in vancomycin treatment significantly decreased the rate of vancomycin-associated AKI, while improving efficacy and reducing mortality. We speculate that this is because the pharmacist interventions optimized the rationality of vancomycin therapy, monitoring of vancomycin trough concentration and the monitoring of patients' renal function.

TMED family genes and their roles in human diseases.

The members of the transmembrane emp24 domain-containing protein (TMED) family are summarized in human as four subfamilies, α (TMED 4, 9), ß (TMED 2), γ (TMED1, 3, 5, 6, 7) and δ (TMED 10), with a total of nine members, which are important regulators of intracellular protein transport and are involved in normal embryonic development, as well as in the pathogenic processes of many human diseases. Here we systematically review the composition, structure and function of TMED family members, and describe the progress of TMED family in human diseases, including malignancies (head and neck tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, urological tumors, osteosarcomas, etc.), immune responses, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, mucin 1 nephropathy (MKD), and desiccation syndrome (SS). Finally, we discuss and prospect the potential of TMED for disease prognosis prediction and therapeutic targeting, with a view to laying the foundation for therapeutic research based on TMED family causative genes.

Continuous Dural Suturing for the Closure of Grade 1 to 2 Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage After Pituitary Adenoma Removal Using an Endoscopic Endonasal Approach.

In this study, we aim at evaluating continuous dural suturing in patients with grade 1 to 2 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after pituitary adenoma removal using an endoscopic endonasal approach. The study population comprised 381 pituitary adenoma patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal removal of the tumor. The degree of intraoperative CSF leakage was graded based on Esposito method. Cranial base repair using continuous dural suturing was performed according to the grade of CSF leakage. Intraoperative grade 1 to 2 CSF leakage was identified in 143 patients (37.5%). Continuous dural suturing to repair the cranial base was accepted by 61 patients and refused by 82 patients. Among patients who accepted dural suturing, the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage was reduced and the length of hospital stay was shortened. Patients with low-flow leakage were treated using a reduced vascularized pedicled nasoseptal flap. In conclusion, our graded cranial base repair method using the dural suturing technique is simple and effective.

Identification of Six Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Analysis of Their Expression Patterns in Response to Environmental Stressors.

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) is a major insect pest in maize production that is highly adaptable to the environment. Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are a class of chaperone proteins that play an important role in insect responses to various environmental stresses. The present study aimed to clarify the responses of six O. furnacalis sHsps to environmental stressors. In particular, we cloned six sHsp genes, namely, OfHsp24.2, OfHsp21.3, OfHsp20.7, OfHsp21.8, OfHsp29.7, and OfHsp19.9, from O. furnacalis. The putative proteins encoded by these genes contained a typical α-crystallin domain. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the differences in the expression of these genes at different developmental stages, in different tissues of male and female adults, and in O. furnacalis under UV-A and extreme temperature stresses. The six OfsHsp genes were expressed at significantly different levels based on the developmental stage and tissue type in male and female adults. Furthermore, all OfsHsp genes were significantly upregulated in both male and female adults under extreme temperature and UV-A stresses. Thus, O. furnacalis OfsHsp genes play important and unique regulatory roles in the developmental stages of the insect and in response to various environmental stressors.

Calcineurin inhibitor-associated new-onset diabetes mellitus in chronic kidney disease treatment: a 4-year single-center cross-sectional study in China.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-associated new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively screened patients treated with CNIs in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2018. The inclusion criteria were as follows: a clear diagnosis of CKD and patients receiving CNI treatment. We compared patients with and without CNI-associated NODM. RESULTS: Ninety-eight of the 336 assessed patients met the inclusion criteria, 15 (15.3% [15/98]) of whom developed CNI-associated NODM. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (OR=4.141; 1.024-16.743; p=0.046) and CNI trough concentration (1 year) (OR=1.028; 1.009-1.047, p=0.004) were independent risk factors for NODM. In contrast, glucocorticoid type (prednisone) (OR=0.075; 0.011-0.526, p=0.009) was identified as an independent protective factor for NODM. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cutoff cyclosporin A trough concentration of 102.1 ng/mL was identified as a predictive factor of NODM. Univariate logistic regression showed that the incidence of diabetes was significantly higher in patients with baseline glycosylated hemoglobin in non-diabetic range but higher than 5.65% (10.2% vs. 29.2%, p=0.038). One NODM patient (6.7% [1/15]) recovered at 12.7 months after the onset of diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that more attention be paid to patients with baseline glycosylated hemoglobin in non-diabetic range but higher than 5.65% during CKD treatment with CNIs. High trough concentrations of cyclosporin A, particularly those >102.1 ng/mL, contribute to NODM. CNI-associated NODM may be reversible in the treatment of CKD.

Expression stability of candidate RT-qPCR housekeeping genes in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is commonly used to quantify gene expression. For normalization, the expression of each gene is compared with a reference "housekeeping" gene that is stably expressed under relevant stress. Unfortunately, there have been no reports on the stability of such reference genes under various treatments of the Spodoptera frugiperda. In this study, we used five tools (RefFinder, GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ΔCt methods) to evaluate the stability of 12 candidate reference genes (RPS18, ß-tubulin, GAPDH, RPS7, RPS15, RPL7, RPL32, Actin-5C, EF1-α, EF1-γ, RPL27, and ACE) in different instars, tissues, and treatments (high and low temperature, UV-A, and emamectin benzoate). Several ribosomal proteins (RPS7, RPS15, RPL32, RPS18, and RPL7), GAPDH, Actin-5C, and ß-tubulin, were relatively stable, suggesting that they are ideal housekeeping genes for various treatments. ACE was extremely unstable under various experimental treatments, rendering it unsuitable as an internal reference. This study identified the reference housekeeping genes stably expressed by S. frugiperda under different treatments, thus setting a foundation for further exploration of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms.

Identification of Fusarium ipomoeae as the causative agent of leaf spot disease in Bletilla striata in China.

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) is traditionally used for hemostasis and detumescence in China. In April 2019, a leaf spot disease on B. striata was observed in plant nurseries in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China, with an estimated incidence of ~30%. Initial symptoms include the appearance of circular or irregular brown spots on leaf surfaces, which progressively expand into large, dark brown, necrotic areas. As lesions coalesce, large areas of the leaf die, ultimately resulting in abscission. To isolate the pathogen, representative samples exhibiting symptoms were collected, leaf tissues (5 × 5 mm) were cut from the junction of diseased and healthy tissue, surface-disinfected in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 min, rinsed three times in sterile water, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, and incubated at 28°C (12-h light-dark cycle) for 3 days. Hyphal tips from recently germinated spores were transferred to PDA to obtain pure cultures. Nine fungal isolates with similar morphological characteristics were obtained. Colonies on PDA were villose, had a dense growth of aerial mycelia and appeared pinkish white from above and greyish orange at the center and pinkish-white at the margin on the underside. Macroconidia were smooth, and hyaline, with a dorsiventral curvature, hooked to tapering apical cells, and 3- to 5-septate. Three-septate macroconidia were 21.2 to 32.1 × 2.4 to 3.9 µm (mean ± SD: 26.9 ± 2.5 × 3.2 ± 0.4 µm, n = 30); 4-septate macroconidia were 29.5 to 38.9 × 3.0 to 4.3 µm (mean ± SD: 33.5 ± 2.6 × 3.6 ± 0.3 µm, n = 40); and 5-septate macroconidia were 39.3 to 55.6 × 4.0 to 5.4 µm (mean ± SD: 48.0 ± 3.9 × 4.5 ± 0.3 µm, n = 50). These morphological characteristics were consistent with F. ipomoeae, a member of the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) (Wang et al. 2019). To confirm the fungal isolate's identification, the genomic DNA of the single-spore isolate BJ-22.3 was extracted using the CTAB method (Guo et al. 2000). The internal transcribed space (ITS) region of rDNA, translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF-1α), and partial RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) were amplified using primer pairs [ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF-1/EF-2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998), and 5f2/11ar (Liu, Whelen et al. 1999, Reeb, Lutzoni et al. 2004), respectively]. The ITS (MT939248), TEF-1α (MT946880), and RPB2 (MT946881) sequences of the BJ-22.3 isolate were deposited in GenBank. BLASTN analysis of these sequences showed over 99% nucleotide sequence identity with members of the FIESC: the ITS sequence showed 99.6% identity (544/546 bp) to F. lacertarum strain NRRL 20423 (GQ505682); the TEF-1α sequence showed 99.4% similarity (673/677 bp) to F. ipomoeae strain NRRL 43637 (GQ505664); and the RPB2 sequence showed 99.6% identity (1883/1901 bp) to F. equiseti strain GZUA.1657 (MG839492). Phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2 showed that BJ-22.3 clustered monophyletically with strains of F. ipomoeae. Therefore, based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the isolate BJ-22.3 was identified as F. ipomoeae. To verify the F. ipomoeae isolate's pathogenicity, nine 1.5-year-old B. striata plants were inoculated with three 5 × 5 mm mycelial discs of strain BJ-22.3 from 4-day-old PDA cultures. Additionally, three control plants were inoculated with sterile PDA discs. The experiments were replicated three times. All plants were enclosed in transparent plastic bags and incubated in a greenhouse at 26°C for 14 days. Four days post-inoculation, leaf spot symptoms appeared on the inoculated leaves, while no symptoms were observed in control plants. Finally, F. ipomoeae was consistently re-isolated from leaf lesions from the infected plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. ipomoeae causing leaf spot disease on B. striata in China. The spread of this disease might pose a serious threat to the production of B. striata. Growers should implement disease management to minimize the risks posed by this pathogen.

A Method to Improve the Distribution of Observations in GNSS Water Vapor Tomography.

Water vapor is an important driving factor in the related weather processes in the troposphere, and its temporal-spatial distribution and change are crucial to the formation of cloud and rainfall. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) water vapor tomography, which can reconstruct the water vapor distribution using GNSS observation data, plays an increasingly important role in GNSS meteorology. In this paper, a method to improve the distribution of observations in GNSS water vapor tomography is proposed to overcome the problem of the relatively concentrated distribution of observations, enable satellite signal rays to penetrate more tomographic voxels, and improve the issue of overabundance of zero elements in a tomographic matrix. Numerical results indicate that the accuracy of the water vapor tomography is improved by the proposed method when the slant water vapor calculated by GAMIT is used as a reference. Comparative results of precipitable water vapor (PWV) and water vapor density (WVD) profiles from radiosonde station data indicate that the proposed method is superior to the conventional method in terms of the mean absolute error (MAE), standard deviations (STD), and root-mean-square error (RMS). Further discussion shows that the ill-condition of tomographic equation and the richness of data in the tomographic model need to be discussed separately.

Effects of phosphorus sources on volatile organic compound emissions from Microcystis flos-aquae and their toxic effects on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

There is diverse phosphorus (P) in eutrophicated waters, but it is considered as a crucial nutrient for cyanobacteria growth due to its easy precipitation as insoluble salts. To uncover the effects of complex P nutrients on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cyanobacteria and their toxic effects on other algae, the VOCs from Microcystis flos-aquae supplied with different types and amount of P nutrients were analyzed, and the effects of VOCs and their two main compounds on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii growth were investigated. When M. flos-aquae cells were supplied with K2HPO4, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate as the sole P source, 27, 23 and 29 compounds were found, respectively, including furans, sulfocompounds, terpenoids, benzenes, aldehydes, hydrocarbons and esters. With K2HPO4 as the sole P source, the VOC emission increased with reducing P amount, and the maximum emission was found under Non-P condition. In the treatments of M. flos-aquae VOCs under Non-P condition and two main terpenoids (eucalyptol and limonene) in the VOCs, remarkable decreases were found in C. reinhardtii cell growth, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic abilities. Therefore, we deduce that multiple P nutrients in eutrophicated waters induce different VOC emissions from cyanobacteria, and P amount reduction caused by natural precipitation and algal massive growth results in more VOC emissions. These VOCs play toxic roles in cyanobacteria becoming dominant species, and eucalyptol and limonene are two toxic agents.

Volatile organic compounds released from Microcystis flos-aquae under nitrogen sources and their toxic effects on Chlorella vulgaris.

Eutrophication promotes massive growth of cyanobacteria and algal blooms, which can poison other algae and reduce biodiversity. To investigate the differences in multiple nitrogen (N) sources in eutrophicated water on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cyanobacteria, and their toxic effects on other algal growth, we analyzed VOCs emitted from Microcystis flos-aquae with different types and concentrations of nitrogen, and determined the effects under Normal-N and Non-N conditions on Chlorella vulgaris. M. flos-aquae released 27, 22, 20, 27, 19, 25 and 17 compounds, respectively, with NaNO3, NaNO2, NH4Cl, urea, Ser, Lys and Arg as the sole N source. With the reduction in N amount, the emission of VOCs was increased markedly, and the most VOCs were found under Non-N condition. C. vulgaris cell propagation, photosynthetic pigment and Fv/Fm declined significantly following exposure to M. flos-aquae VOCs under Non-N condition, but not under Normal-N condition. When C. vulgaris cells were treated with two terpenoids, eucalyptol and limonene, the inhibitory effects were enhanced with increasing concentrations. Therefore, multiple N sources in eutrophicated water induce different VOC emissions from cyanobacteria, and reduction in N can cause nutrient competition, which can result in emissions of more VOCs. Those VOCs released from M. flos-aquae cells under Non-N for nutrient competition can inhibit other algal growth. Among those VOCs, eucalyptol and limonene are the major toxic agents.

Precise Orbit Solution for Swarm Using Space-Borne GPS Data and Optimized Pseudo-Stochastic Pulses.

Swarm is a European Space Agency (ESA) project that was launched on 22 November 2013, which consists of three Swarm satellites. Swarm precise orbits are essential to the success of the above project. This study investigates how well Swarm zero-differenced (ZD) reduced-dynamic orbit solutions can be determined using space-borne GPS data and optimized pseudo-stochastic pulses under high ionospheric activity. We choose Swarm space-borne GPS data from 1-25 October 2014, and Swarm reduced-dynamic orbits are obtained. Orbit quality is assessed by GPS phase observation residuals and compared with Precise Science Orbits (PSOs) released by ESA. Results show that pseudo-stochastic pulses with a time interval of 6 min and a priori standard deviation (STD) of 10-2 mm/s in radial (R), along-track (T) and cross-track (N) directions are optimized to Swarm ZD reduced-dynamic precise orbit determination (POD). During high ionospheric activity, the mean Root Mean Square (RMS) of Swarm GPS phase residuals is at 9-11 mm, Swarm orbit solutions are also compared with Swarm PSOs released by ESA and the accuracy of Swarm orbits can reach 2-4 cm in R, T and N directions. Independent Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) validation indicates that Swarm reduced-dynamic orbits have an accuracy of 2-4 cm. Swarm-B orbit quality is better than those of Swarm-A and Swarm-C. The Swarm orbits can be applied to the geomagnetic, geoelectric and gravity field recovery.

Change of volatile components in six microalgae with different growth phases.

BACKGROUND: Head space solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been applied to analyze the volatile components of six marine microalgae (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Nitzschia closterium, Chaetoceros calcitrans, Platymonas helgolandica, Nannochloropsis spp. and Dicrateria inornata) from Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Chrysophyta, respectively, in different growth phases. RESULTS: All volatile compounds were identified by database searching in the NIST08 Mass Spectral Library and analyzed by principal component analysis with SIMCA-P software (Umetrics, Umea, Sweden). The results clearly revealed that the volatile components of the six microalgae were significantly different in the exponential, stationary and declining phases. Aldehydes, alkanes, some esters and dimethyl sulfide significantly changed in different growth phases. CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the comprehensive characteristics of volatile components in different microalgae and in different growth phases. The results may provide reference data for studies on the flavor of cultivated aquatic organism, odor formation in nature water, choice of feeding period and microalgae species selection for the artificial rearing of marine organisms. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism in TiO2 Nanocrystals Synthesized by the Controlled Hydrolysis Procedure.

TiO2 nanocrystals were prepared by a controlled hydrolysis procedure at room temperature. The effect of V-doping, N-doping and V/N codoping on the lattice parameters and magnetic properties of TiO2 nanocrystals was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibration sample magnetometry. Doping performed at room temperature causes the expansion of lattice parameters. Undoped and doped TiO2 nanocrystals show room-temperature ferromagnetism. A monotonic correlation between saturation magnetization and the ratio of the lattice parameter c to a (c/a) was observed. Saturation magnetization of TiO2 nanocrystals increases with the value of c/a.

Surface Subsidence Analysis by Multi-Temporal InSAR and GRACE: A Case Study in Beijing.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between surface subsidence and groundwater changes. To investigate this relationship, we first analyzed surface subsidence. This paper presents the results of a case study of surface subsidence in Beijing from 1 August 2007 to 29 September 2010. The Multi-temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (multi-temporal InSAR) technique, which can simultaneously detect point-like stable reflectors (PSs) and distributed scatterers (DSs), was used to retrieve the subsidence magnitude and distribution in Beijing using 18 ENVISAT ASAR images. The multi-temporal InSAR-derived subsidence was verified by leveling at an accuracy better than 5 mm/year. Based on the verified multi-temporal InSAR results, a prominent uneven subsidence was identified in Beijing. Specifically, most of the subsidence velocities in the downtown area were within 10 mm/year, and the largest subsidence was detected in Tongzhou, with velocities exceeding 140 mm/year. Furthermore, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data were used to derive the groundwater change series and trend. By comparison with the multi-temporal InSAR-derived subsidence results, the long-term decreasing trend between groundwater changes and surface subsidence showed a relatively high consistency, and a significant impact of groundwater changes on the surface subsidence was identified. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the subsidence funnel was partially consistent with that of groundwater depression, i.e., the former possessed a wider range than the latter. Finally, the relationship between surface subsidence and groundwater changes was determined.

Dysbiosis promotes recurrence of adenomatous polyps in the distal colorectum.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal polyps, which are characterized by a high recurrence rate, represent preneoplastic conditions of the intestine. Due to unclear mechanisms of pathogenesis, first-line therapies for non-hereditary recurrent colorectal polyps are limited to endoscopic resection. Although recent studies suggest a mechanistic link between intestinal dysbiosis and polyps, the exact compositions and roles of bacteria in the mucosa around the lesions, rather than feces, remain unsettled. AIM: To clarify the composition and diversity of bacteria in the mucosa surrounding or 10 cm distal to recurrent intestinal polyps. METHODS: Mucosal samples were collected from four patients consistently with adenomatous polyps (Ade), seven consistently with non-Ade (Pol), ten with current Pol but previous Ade, and six healthy individuals, and bacterial patterns were evaluated by 16S rDNA sequencing. Linear discriminant analysis and Student's t-tests were used to identify the genus-level bacteria differences between groups with different colorectal polyp phenotypes. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation between intestinal bacteria at the genus level and clinical indicators. RESULTS: The results confirmed a decreased level of probiotics and an enrichment of pathogenic bacteria in patients with all types of polyps compared to healthy individuals. These changes were not restricted to the mucosa within 0.5 cm adjacent to the polyps, but also existed in histologically normal tissue 10 cm distal from the lesions. Significant differences in bacterial diversity were observed in the mucosa from individuals with normal conditions, Pol, and Ade. Increased abundance of Gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella, Plesiomonas, and Cronobacter, was observed in Pol group and Ade group, suggesting that resistance to antibiotics may be one risk factor for bacterium-related harmful environment. Meanwhile, age and gender were linked to bacteria changes, indicating the potential involvement of sex hormones. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results support intestinal dysbiosis as an important risk factor for recurrent polyps, especially adenoma. Targeting specific pathogenic bacteria may attenuate the recurrence of polyps.

Superimposed Electric Field Enhanced Electrospray for High-Throughput and Consistent Cell Encapsulation.

Cell encapsulation technology, crucial for advanced biomedical applications, faces challenges in existing microfluidic and electrospray methods. Microfluidic techniques, while precise, can damage vulnerable cells, and conventional electrospray methods often encounter instability and capsule breakage during high-throughput encapsulation. Inspired by the transformation of the working state from unstable dripping to stable jetting triggered by local electric potential, this study introduces a superimposed electric field (SEF)-enhanced electrospray method for cell encapsulation, with improved stability and biocompatibility. Utilizing stiffness theory, the stability of the electrospray, whose stiffness is five times stronger under conical confinement, is quantitatively analyzed. The SEF technique enables rapid, continuous production of ≈300 core-shell capsules per second in an aqueous environment, significantly improving cell encapsulation efficiency. This method demonstrates remarkable potential as exemplified in two key applications: (1) a 92-fold increase in human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) expansion over 10 d, outperforming traditional 2D cultures in both growth rate and pluripotency maintenance, and (2) the development of liver capsules for steatosis modeling, exhibiting normal function and biomimetic lipid accumulation. The SEF-enhanced electrospray method presents a significant advancement in cell encapsulation technology. It offers a more efficient, stable, and biocompatible approach for clinical transplantation, drug screening, and cell therapy.

Sex differences in the effects of sleep disorders on cognitive dysfunction.

Sleep is an essential physiological function that sustains human life. Sleep disorders involve problems with the quality, duration, and abnormal behaviour of sleep. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, followed by sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Sleep disorders often occur along with medical conditions or other mental health conditions. Of particular interest to researchers is the role of sleep disorders in cognitive dysfunction. Sleep disorder is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction, yet the exact pathogenesis is still far from agreement. Little is known about how sex differences influence the changes in cognitive functions caused by sleep disorders. This narrative review examines how sleep disorders might affect cognitive impairment, and then explores the sex-specific consequences of sleep disorders as a risk factor for dementia and the potential underlying mechanisms. Some insights on the direction of further research are also presented.

Sleep disorders affect cognitive function in adults: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Sleep disorders frequently result in poor memory, attention deficits, as well as a worse prognosis for neurodegenerative changes, such as Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of sleep disorders on cognition. We screened four databases for all meta-analyses and systematic reviews from the establishment through March 2022. We have carried out quality evaluation and review the eligible systematic reviews. Evidence grading and quality assessment were performed on 22 eligible articles. Sleep deprivation primarily affects simple attention, complex attention, and working memory in cognition and alertness. The moderate-to-high-quality evidence proves optimal sleep time as 7-8 h. Sleep time outside this range increases the risk of impaired executive function, non-verbal memory, and working memory. Sleep-related breathing disorders is more likely to cause mild cognitive impairment and affects several cognitive domains. In older adults, insomnia primarily affects working memory, episodic memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, operational ability, perceptual function, alertness, and complex attention, and maintaining sensitivity. Sleep disturbances significantly impair cognitive function, and early detection and intervention may be critical steps in reducing poor prognosis. A simple neuropsychological memory test could be used to screen people with sleep disorders for cognitive impairment. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-022-00439-9.

Diagnosis, treatment, and genetic characteristics of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: A review.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a highly aggressive and extremely rare hematologic disease with a poor prognosis, involving mainly the skin and bone marrow. The immunophenotype of these tumor cells is characterized by the expression of CD4, CD56, CD123, TCL-1, and CD303. To date, no consensus has been reached on the standard of care for BPDCN. Currently, clinical treatment is mainly based on high-dose chemotherapy combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, this treatment method has limitations for elderly, frail, and relapsed/refractory patients. In recent years, breakthroughs in molecular biology and genetics have not only provided new ideas for the diagnosis of BPDCN but also helped develop targeted treatment strategies for this disease. The emergence of targeted drugs has filled the gap left by traditional therapies and shown great clinical promise. This article focuses on the latest advances in genetics and targeted therapies for BPDCN, especially the emerging therapies that may provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of BPDCN.