This paper presents a fully integrated platform that leverages hardware,software,and specially formulated O/W emulsions to provide localized mechanical stimuli for manipulating cellular behaviors.The system comprises ...This paper presents a fully integrated platform that leverages hardware,software,and specially formulated O/W emulsions to provide localized mechanical stimuli for manipulating cellular behaviors.The system comprises a hexapole magnetic tweezer device,position-based current calculation software,and biocompatible micro-robots embedded with magnetic microbeads for vibration-driven force generation.High-permeability materials in the tweezer tips,combined with fast-response current regulators,enable rapid and precise force control,ensuring uniform and continuous mechanical stimuli in the pico-newton range.Closed-loop control algorithms automatically adjust coil currents based on the micro-robot’s position,thereby compensating for potential hysteresis and optimizing system stability.Experimental results demonstrate stable operation at frequencies up to 4 Hz,with a theoretical possibility of extending to 8 Hz under a 2 A current,delivering mean forces around 20 pN at 1 Hz with a 57μm emulsion.Additionally,the platform allows fine-tuning of forces by altering emulsion size or bead concentrations,thereby providing researchers with a versatile approach to study apoptosis,proliferation,and the other mechanotransduction pathways.The biodegradable and cell-friendly emulsion serves as a protective membrane for the magnetic microbeads while effectively mimicking the mechanical properties of living cells.By bridging the gap between precise motion control and continuous vibrational force application,this novel platform offers a promising tool for advancing targeted cellular studies,fostering insights into tissue engineering,and improving cancer therapies.展开更多
Black wings of butterfly Ornithoptera goliath and infrared-band radiative cooling function of Rapala dioetas butterfly wings are associated with black pigment(e.g.,melanin)and unique hierarchical micro/nanostructures,...Black wings of butterfly Ornithoptera goliath and infrared-band radiative cooling function of Rapala dioetas butterfly wings are associated with black pigment(e.g.,melanin)and unique hierarchical micro/nanostructures,greatly stimulating biomimetic fabrication of functional photonic structures but mainly targeted to one prototype.Targeted at two-prototype integrated biomimetic fabrication from fully compositional/structural/functional aspects,femtosecond(fs)laser subtractive/additive-integrated hierarchical micro/nano-manufacturing technique is proposed in this work.This technique can one-step transfer refractory metals(e.g.,W,Mo,Nb,Ta)into black non-stoichiometric oxide nanomaterials with abundant oxygen vacancies and simultaneously enable the realization of in situ quasi-controllable micro/nanoscale hierarchical aggregation and assembly,all displaying black color but with tunable infrared emission.Adjusting the scan interval for biomimetic manufacturing can tailor the structural oxidation degree,the emission in the long-wave infrared(LWIR)band while keeping the blackness of hierarchical aggregates,and the confined height between the covering quartz plate and the ablated sample.The blackening efficiency of this technique can reach∼11.25 cm^(2)·min^(−1),opening opportunities for high-throughput optical/thermal applications.Selectively patterned Chinese characters,Arabic numbers,and English letters are easily fabricable,which are intrinsically invisible-infrared dual-band encrypted but decryptable via static/dynamic environment stimuli(e.g.,sample heating/cooling,introducing external hot/cold sources including human hands).The self-evolution from‘orderless’structuring to‘ordered’functionalization is validated for the proposed fs laser subtractive/additive-integrated biomimetic manufacturing,specifically from the synthesis of diverse black nanomaterials and the seemingly disordered micro/nano-aggregates to the ordered optical/thermal regulation capacities for a delicate modulation of information encryption and decryption,unveiling a new concept for future exploration and extension.展开更多
Objective To perform the modulation of an assay system for the sensory integration of 2 sensory stimuli that inhibit each other.Methods The assay system for assessing the integrative response to 2 reciprocally-inhibit...Objective To perform the modulation of an assay system for the sensory integration of 2 sensory stimuli that inhibit each other.Methods The assay system for assessing the integrative response to 2 reciprocally-inhibitory sensory stimuli was modulated by changing the metal ion barrier.Moreover,the hen-1,ttx-3 and casy-1 mutants having known defects in integrative response were used to evaluate the modulated assay systems.Based on the examined assay systems,new genes possibly involved in the sensory integration control were identified.Results In the presence of different metal ion barriers and diacetyl,locomotion behaviors,basic movements,pan-neuronal,cholinergic and GABAergic neuronal GFP expressions,neuronal development,structures of sensory neurons and interneurons,and stress response of nematodes in different regions of examined assay systems were normal,and chemotaxis toward different concentrations of diacetyl and avoidance of different concentrations of metal ions were inhibited.In the first group,most of the nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Fe2＋,Zn2＋,or Mn2＋.In the second group,almost half of the nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Ag＋,Cu2＋,Cr2＋,or Cd2＋.In the third group,only a small number of nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Pb2＋ or Hg2＋.Moreover,when nematodes encountered different metal ion barriers during migration toward diacetyl,the percentage of nematodes moving back and then turning and that of nematodes moving straight to diacetyl were very different.With the aid of examined assay systems,it was found that mutations of fsn-1 that encodes a F-box protein,and its target scd-2 that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase,caused severe defects in integrative response,and the sensory integration defects of fsn-1 mutants were obviously inhibited by scd-2 mutation.Conclusion Based on the nematode behaviors in examined assay systems,3 groups of assay systems were obtained.The first group may be helpful in evaluating or identifying the very subtle deficits in sensory integration,and the third group may be useful for the final confirmation of sensory integration defects of mutants identified in the first or the second group of assay systems.Furthermore,the important association of sensory integration regulation with stabilization or destabilization of synaptic differentiation may exist in C.elegans.展开更多
The world has been dealing with a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS-CoV-2)since the end of 2019,which threatens the lives of many peopleworldwide.COVID-19 causes respiratory infection with different symptom...The world has been dealing with a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS-CoV-2)since the end of 2019,which threatens the lives of many peopleworldwide.COVID-19 causes respiratory infection with different symptoms,from sneezing and coughing to pneumonia and sometimes gastric symptoms.Researchers worldwide are actively developing novel drug delivery systems(DDSs),such as stimuli-responsive DDSs.The ability of these carriers to respond to external/internal and even multiple stimuli is essential in creating“smart”DDS that can effectively control dosage,sustained release,individual variations,and targeted delivery.To conduct a comprehensive literature survey for this article,the terms“Stimuli-responsive”,“COVID-19”and“Drug delivery”were searched on databases/search engines like“Google Scholar”,“NCBI”,“PubMed”,and“Science Direct”.Many different types of DDSs have been proposed,including those responsive to various exogenous(light,heat,ultrasound andmagnetic field)or endogenous(microenvironmental changes in pH,ROS and enzymes)stimuli.Despite significant progress in DDS research,several challenging issues must be addressed to fill the gaps in the literature.Therefore,this study reviews the drug release mechanisms and applications of endogenous/exogenous stimuli-responsive DDSs while also exploring their potential with respect to COVID-19.展开更多
Previous studies have shown that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide,the main active component of Lycium barbarum,exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in treating neurological diseases.However,the therapeutic ...Previous studies have shown that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide,the main active component of Lycium barbarum,exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in treating neurological diseases.However,the therapeutic action of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on depression has not been studied.In this investigation,we established mouse models of depression using aversive stimuli including exposure to fox urine,air puff and foot shock and physical restraint.Concurrently,we administered 5 mg/kg per day Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein to each mouse intragastrically for the 28 days.Our results showed that long-term exposure to aversive stimuli significantly enhanced depressive-like behavior evaluated by the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test and increased anxietylike behaviors evaluated using the open field test.In addition,aversive stimuli-induced depressed mice exhibited aberrant neuronal activity in the lateral habenula.Importantly,concurrent Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein treatment significantly reduced these changes.These findings suggest that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein is a potential preventative intervention for depression and may act by preventing aberrant neuronal activity and microglial activation in the lateral habenula.The study was approved by the Jinan University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(approval No.20170301003)on March 1,2017.展开更多
Bacterial biofilm infections have been threatening the human’s life and health globally for a long time because they typically cause chronic and persistent infections.Traditional antibiotic therapies can hardly eradi...Bacterial biofilm infections have been threatening the human’s life and health globally for a long time because they typically cause chronic and persistent infections.Traditional antibiotic therapies can hardly eradicate biofilms in many cases,as biofilms always form a robust fortress for pathogens inside,inhibiting the penetration of drugs.To address the issues,many novel drug carriers emerged as promising strategies for biofilm treatment.Among them,stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have attracted much attentions for their intriguing physicochemical properties,such as tunable size,shape and surface chemistry,especially smart drug release characteristic.Based on the microenvironmental difference between biofilm infection sites and normal tissue,many stimuli,such as bacterial products accumulating in biofilms(enzymes,glutathione,etc.),lower pH and higher H_(2)O_(2)levels,have been employed and proved in favor of“on-demand”drug release for biofilm elimination.Additionally,external stimuli including light,heat,microwave and magnetic fields are also able to control the drug releasing behavior artificially.In this review,we summarized recent advances in stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for combating biofilm infections,and mainly,focusing on the different stimuli that trigger the drug release.展开更多
Biological stimuli-responsive polymers have increasingly attracted attention in recent years because it can satisfy many requirements of applications related with human body while traditional systems do not meet.Due t...Biological stimuli-responsive polymers have increasingly attracted attention in recent years because it can satisfy many requirements of applications related with human body while traditional systems do not meet.Due to the importance of this burgeoning field,great efforts have been devoted and,up to now,polymer chemists have made a remarkable success in this prospective research topic.In this review,we systematically generalize the present state of biological stimuli-responsive polymer systems.We highlight several representative examples to specify the current problems and look ahead a clear sense of direction in this area.展开更多
At present, researchers are unclear about which activity within the brain is responsible for the emergence of consciousness—the subconscious or unconscious. Current literature suggests that consciousness is isolated ...At present, researchers are unclear about which activity within the brain is responsible for the emergence of consciousness—the subconscious or unconscious. Current literature suggests that consciousness is isolated in the brain;however, we suggest consciousness emerges from both—subconscious and unconscious activity, in addition to sensory consciousness. This article contends that sensory consciousness arises from neurophysiological brain activity, intrapersonal space, sensory information, and parallel processing of the external and internal environment through vision, olfaction, the integumentary system, gustation, and audition. Traditionally, lateral inhibition is defined as the ability for an excited neuron to laterally inhibit its neighbors, and is an integral part of neurophysiology in all senses. In this article, we are connecting the science behind the well-established physiological observations of gamma wave activity in the interneurons of peripheral receptors with what is currently unknown regarding the functional significance of seemingly unrelated gamma activity in the cortico-thalamic gamma oscillations. We suggest that this allows for instantaneous integration of the brain with sensory receptors. This article uses existing literature on lateral inhibition to investigate its role in sensory organs and various areas of the body. We explain how sensory consciousness is only one component of unified consciousness. We propose that lateral inhibition also plays a vital role in consciousness theory, and understanding this can help illustrate the dynamic interactions between the central and peripheral nervous systems within the body.展开更多
Smart materials,such as stimuli-responsive luminescence,have attracted much attentions due to their potential application in semiconductor filed.In this context,platinum complexes of(dfppy-DC)Pt(acac) and(dfppy-O-DC)P...Smart materials,such as stimuli-responsive luminescence,have attracted much attentions due to their potential application in semiconductor filed.In this context,platinum complexes of(dfppy-DC)Pt(acac) and(dfppy-O-DC)Pt(acac) were prepared and characterized,in which(2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2')(2,4-pentanedionato-0,0)Pt(Ⅱ) was used as the planar emission core and 9-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)-9 H-carbazole(DC) was regard as the bent pendent.Both platinum complexes showed bright emission in solution and solid state,concomitant with charming external-stimuli-responsive emission under mechanical grinding,organic solvent vapors and pressure.The change emission color spanned from yellow to near-infrared region.Using the platinum complexes as the dopant,solution processable organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs) were fabricated and a maximum external quantum efficiency of ~18% was achieved,which is the highest value among the reported solution-processable OLEDs based on externalstimuli-responsive luminescence.This research demonstrated that platinum complex can show promising stimuli responsive emission via ingenious molecular design,indicating a novel way for developing the smart materials in semiconductor filed.展开更多
A fluorescent supramolecular polymer network with an excellent triple-stimuli responsive property based on metal-ligand coordination and host-vip interactions has been constructed from a terpyridine-monofunctionaliz...A fluorescent supramolecular polymer network with an excellent triple-stimuli responsive property based on metal-ligand coordination and host-vip interactions has been constructed from a terpyridine-monofunctionalized leaning tower[6]arene,a tetraphenylethylene AIEgen,and a bridging coordination ion(Zn^2+).Addition of competitive binding agents,trifluoroacetic acid,and/or pillar[5]arene can break the metal coordination and/or host-vip inclusion complexation,and thermal heating can weaken the non-covalent interactions in the supramolecular polymer gel,all leading to the gel-to-sol transition.展开更多
Numerous studies have been conducted to illuminate the effect of image factors to reduce unexpected influence of stereoscopic images on healthy visual experience. In this paper, we introduce changes in the psychologic...Numerous studies have been conducted to illuminate the effect of image factors to reduce unexpected influence of stereoscopic images on healthy visual experience. In this paper, we introduce changes in the psychological and physiological indexes of observers of a stereo- scopic image disturbed by vibration stimuli. Forty-four healthy university students participated in the experiment. A programmable vibration table generated two types of vibrations (5 Hz and 20 Hz) and provided intermittent vibration stimuli to a stereoscopic projector installed on a vibration table. Our results showed that the frequency of vibration stimuli has a strong impact in evaluating the local comfort of subjects. Our results also showed that the indexes of visual fatigue increased after observation independent of the frequency. The activity status of the autonomic nervous system as a physiological index significantly increased after observing 3D images with vibration stimuli although the vibrational frequency did not have a significant effect on the activity status.展开更多
A novel smart metal-organic gel（MOG） formed from biscarboxyl-functionalized benzimidazole derivative（D11） in the presence of lead nitrate has been investigated.The critical gel concentration for the formation of M...A novel smart metal-organic gel（MOG） formed from biscarboxyl-functionalized benzimidazole derivative（D11） in the presence of lead nitrate has been investigated.The critical gel concentration for the formation of MOG was just 0.36 wt%,which exhibits a super gelation capability of D11.The coordination of the metal to the ligand D11 was found to play a vital role in the construction of the supramolecular MOG.Microstructures determined by SEM observation demonstrated that the MOG was formed by intertwined fibrils.Interestingly,the MOG exhibits pH-induced,thermo-induced,and chemical-induced reversible gel-sol transition.Meanwhile,this supramolecular MOG shows desirable absorption ability of methyl orange dye molecules in aqueous solution.展开更多
Multi-functional nanoshuttles for remotely targeted and on-demand delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging to defined tissues and organs hold great potentials in personalized medicine, including precise early dia...Multi-functional nanoshuttles for remotely targeted and on-demand delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging to defined tissues and organs hold great potentials in personalized medicine, including precise early diagnosis, efficient prevention and therapy without toxicity. Yet, in spite of 25 years of research, there are still no such shuttles available. To this end, we have designed magnetic and gold nanoparticles （NP）-embedded silica nanoshuttles （MGNSs） with nanopores on their surface. Fluorescently labeled Doxombicin （DOX）, a cancer drug, was loaded in the MGNSs as a payload. DOX loaded MGNSs were encapsulated in heat and pH sensitive polymer P（NIPAM-co- MAA） to enable controlled release of the payload. Magnetically-guided transport of MGNSs was examined in： （a） a glass capillary tube to simulate their delivery via blood vessels; and （b） porous hydrogels to simulate their transport in composite human tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscles and blood-brain barrier {BBB）. The viscoelastic properties of hydrogels were examined by atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Cellular uptake of DOX- loaded MGNSs and the subsequent pH and temperature-mediated release were demonstrated in differentiated human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） as well as epithelial HeLa cells. The presence of embedded iron and gold NPs in silica shells and polymer-coating are supported by SEM and TEM. Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy documented DOX loading in the MGNSs. Time-dependent transport of MGNSs guided by an external magnetic field was observed in both glass capillary tubes and in the porous hydrogel. AFM results affirmed that the stiffness of the hydrogels model the rigidity range from soft tissues to bone. pH and temperature-dependent drug release analysis showed stimuli responsive and gradual drug release. Cells＇ viability MTT assays showed that MGNSs are non-toxic. The cell death from on-demand DOX release was observed in both neurons and epithelial cells even though the drug release efficiency was higher in neurons. Therefore, development of smart nanoshuttles have significant translational potential for controlled delivery of theranostics＇ payloads and precisely guided transport in specified tissues and organs （for example, bone, cartilage, tendon, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain） for highly efficient personalized medicine applications.展开更多
Thermal and salt dual stimuli-responsive filter-paper-based membranes were prepared by UV-induced grafting of NIPAM-based polymers on paper surface. The grafting ratio could be controlled by monomer concentration duri...Thermal and salt dual stimuli-responsive filter-paper-based membranes were prepared by UV-induced grafting of NIPAM-based polymers on paper surface. The grafting ratio could be controlled by monomer concentration during grafting polymerization. The results from pressure drop measurement of the mobile phase flowed cross the membrane demonstrate that an appropriate grafting ratio would be 8%-10%. Protein adsorption on the membrane through hydrophobic interaction could be promoted by increasing temperature and lyotropic salt concentration. The effect of grafted polymer structure on protein binding performance was studied. Filter paper grafted with NIPAM-based branched copolymer consisting of hydrophobic monomer moieties shows ten times higher protein binding capacity than that of the original filter paper. The separation of plasma proteins using the dual stimuli-responsive membrane was examined to demonstrate feasible application for hydrophobic interaction chromatographic separation of proteins.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Previous studies of attentional control have focused primarily on pre-cue control of attentional cue and direction. OBJECTIVE： To measure the differences in electrical activity of brain cells while proce...BACKGROUND： Previous studies of attentional control have focused primarily on pre-cue control of attentional cue and direction. OBJECTIVE： To measure the differences in electrical activity of brain cells while processing pre-cue and post-cue compound stimuli, and to explore brain electrical activity during global and local processing of compound stimuli according to electroencephalogram （EEG） recordings. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A within-subject design study was performed at the School of Psychology, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, China from March to May 2006. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 30 healthy, undergraduate students, aged 17-24 years, comprising 12 males and 18 females, were voluntarily enrolled from Beijing Normal University. Subjects exhibited normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity. No significant non signal wave drift was detected during testing. METHODS： A total of 30 subjects were subjected to pre-cue and post-cue compound stimulus processing using event-related potential and EEG recordings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Evoked potential was recorded in different brain regions utilizing event-related potential to observe hemispheric symmetry, cue consistency and global-local features. RESULTS： Pre-cue compound stimuli resulted in hemispheric asymmetry for early wave （N1） and late wave （P3） in anterior brain regions. Early- and late-wave induced hemispheric asymmetry for electrode points （O1, 02, P3, P4, Pz, F3, F4, F7, F8, Fz, FP1, FP2, T7, TS, C3, C4, and Cz） during processing of pre-cue compound stimuli （P 〈 0.05）. Post-cue compound stimuli did not induce hemispheric asymmetry of brain waves induced by the above-described electrode points. No significant differences in global and local responses were determined during processing of post-cue compound stimuli. Under pre-cue conditions, significant differences were observed in N1 and P3 in the above-mentioned electrode points （P 〈 0.05）. However, under post-cue conditions, no significant differences were observed in N1 and P3 using the above-mentioned electrode points. Significant differences in early waves （N1 and P1） using the above-mentioned electrode points were detected between anterior and posterior brain regions, regardless of consistent or inconsistent, large or small letters （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Cue location effected mechanisms underlying global and local processing of compound stimuli. Pre- or post-cue conditions resulted in differences in hemispheric symmetry, cue consistency, and global and local features. Under pre-cue conditions, hemispheric dominance was detected in global and local processing following compound stimuli. Under post-cue conditions, hemispheric dominance was not determined.展开更多
The tactile P300 brain-computer interface( BCI) is related to the somatosensory perception and response of the human brain,and is different from visual or audio BCIs. Recently,several studies focused on the tactile st...The tactile P300 brain-computer interface( BCI) is related to the somatosensory perception and response of the human brain,and is different from visual or audio BCIs. Recently,several studies focused on the tactile stimuli delivered to different parts of the human body. Most of these stimuli were symmetrically bilateral.Only a fewstudies explored the influence of tactile stimuli laterality.In the current study,we extensively tested the performance of a vibrotactile BCI system using ipsilateral stimuli and bilateral stimuli.Two vibrotactile P300-based paradigms were tested. The target stimuli were located on the left and right forearms for the left forearm and right forearm( LFRF) paradigm,and on the left forearm and calf for the left forearm and left calf( LFLC)paradigm. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. Our experiments and analysis showed that the bilateral paradigm( LFRF) elicited larger P300 amplitude and achieved significantly higher classification accuracy than the ipsilateral paradigm( LFLC). However, both paradigms achieved classification accuracies higher than 70% after the completion of several trials on average,which was usually regarded as the minimum accuracy level required for BCI system to be deemed useful.展开更多
Nanoparticle surface property is crucial for circulation stability,cellullar uptake and other biological characteristics.Zwitte rionic pillar[n]arenes(ZPns)we re used to coat gold nanopa rticles(GNPs)via hostvip int...Nanoparticle surface property is crucial for circulation stability,cellullar uptake and other biological characteristics.Zwitte rionic pillar[n]arenes(ZPns)we re used to coat gold nanopa rticles(GNPs)via hostvip interaction.The resulting GNPs demonstrated higher stability in blood serum compared to polyethylene glycol(PEG)-coated GNPs.ZPn-coated GNPs were responsive to UV-irradiation,competitive displacement and acidic pH.UV-irradiation or competitive displacement could lead to the removal of ZPn coating to expose GNPs,which enhanced cell uptake efficiency by 5.9-and 7.4-fold,respectively.展开更多
Mammography is widely performed as a standardized procedure for breast cancer screening;however, women often feel some degree of pain during this procedure. Currently, there are limited options available for alleviati...Mammography is widely performed as a standardized procedure for breast cancer screening;however, women often feel some degree of pain during this procedure. Currently, there are limited options available for alleviating pain related to mammography. A non-medicinal approach to the alleviation of pain involves the effects of laughter on physical and psychological wellbeing. We therefore examined the possibility that humorous stimuli would alleviate the physical burden on women undergoing mammography. We assessed 29 women, 15 women received only conventional mammography (neutral group), while 14 women (humor group) watched a funny video during the same examination. The intensity of pain experienced during mammography was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the VAS results showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.007) between the two groups, with the humor group experiencing less pain. In an additional experiment, 14 women in the humor group also underwent conventional mammography without exposure to the funny video and pain was assessed by VAS. We found that the pain experienced during conventional mammography without the funny video was significantly greater than the pain experienced during the same mammography but with the funny video (P = 0.047). These findings suggested the possibility of alleviating pain during mammography by humorous stimuli.展开更多
Objective: To determine whether patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome respond to auditory stimuli based on changes in facial expressions. Participants: Six patients diagnosed with disorders of consciousness ...Objective: To determine whether patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome respond to auditory stimuli based on changes in facial expressions. Participants: Six patients diagnosed with disorders of consciousness due to brain injury with permission for participation from their doctor. Design: In this hypothesis-driven observational study, the facial expressions of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome were video-recorded for 5 min before and during auditory stimulation in three consecutive weekly sessions. Main Measures: Facial muscle movement was quantified using FaceReader<sup>®</sup> software (Noldus, Wageningen, Netherlands). Valence/action unit values were plotted to detail facial expression changes. Heart rate values were also plotted. These parameters were compared before and after stimulation. Results: No significant differences in valence integral values or average heart rate were observed between the pre- and intra-stimulus conditions. However, valence signals increased in approximately half of the sessions, indicating that some patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome may exhibit emotional responses to auditory stimuli. Analysis of action unit integral values indicated that movement of the eyebrows and eyelids on the upper part of the face occurred during auditory stimulation. Furthermore, the types of auditory stimuli differed depending on the session for the 12 sessions of voice stimuli, whereas the changes in average heart rate differed in each of nine sessions of music stimuli. Because the changes in average heart rate were similar, it is possible that musical stimuli are more suitable than voice stimuli. Conclusion: Some patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome may have an emotional response to auditory stimuli. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to distinguish the emotional expression response of a patient based on their facial expression.展开更多
Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), alterations in the prefrontal cortex, changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, and lower performance on working memory...Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), alterations in the prefrontal cortex, changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, and lower performance on working memory tasks. The aim of this study was to characterize brain electrical correlations in girls with PTSD secondary to CSA during a working memory task based on recognizing emotional facial stimuli. Girls aged 8 - 16 years old were evaluated: 12 with PTSD secondary to CSA, and 12 healthy girls with no history of abuse. EEG activity during a working memory task with emotional stimuli was recorded, and the inter- and intra-hemispheric correlations that assessed the functional connectivity among different cortical regions were analyzed. The PTSD group showed lower performance than controls on the working memory task while watching happy faces, while the EEG of this group showed greater intrahemispheric correlation among frontal areas and between frontal and posterior cortical regions. Also, the PTSD group had lower interhemispheric correlations between posterior temporal areas. The higher intrahemispheric correlation in the PTSD group could indicate that those girls used more brain areas when performing the task, likely because it required greater effort. The lower inter-posterior temporal correlation could be attributed to a reduction of the corpus callosum.展开更多
基金part supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP23K28396.
文摘This paper presents a fully integrated platform that leverages hardware,software,and specially formulated O/W emulsions to provide localized mechanical stimuli for manipulating cellular behaviors.The system comprises a hexapole magnetic tweezer device,position-based current calculation software,and biocompatible micro-robots embedded with magnetic microbeads for vibration-driven force generation.High-permeability materials in the tweezer tips,combined with fast-response current regulators,enable rapid and precise force control,ensuring uniform and continuous mechanical stimuli in the pico-newton range.Closed-loop control algorithms automatically adjust coil currents based on the micro-robot’s position,thereby compensating for potential hysteresis and optimizing system stability.Experimental results demonstrate stable operation at frequencies up to 4 Hz,with a theoretical possibility of extending to 8 Hz under a 2 A current,delivering mean forces around 20 pN at 1 Hz with a 57μm emulsion.Additionally,the platform allows fine-tuning of forces by altering emulsion size or bead concentrations,thereby providing researchers with a versatile approach to study apoptosis,proliferation,and the other mechanotransduction pathways.The biodegradable and cell-friendly emulsion serves as a protective membrane for the magnetic microbeads while effectively mimicking the mechanical properties of living cells.By bridging the gap between precise motion control and continuous vibrational force application,this novel platform offers a promising tool for advancing targeted cellular studies,fostering insights into tissue engineering,and improving cancer therapies.
基金financially supported by Shanghai Pujiang Program 23PJ1406500.
文摘Black wings of butterfly Ornithoptera goliath and infrared-band radiative cooling function of Rapala dioetas butterfly wings are associated with black pigment(e.g.,melanin)and unique hierarchical micro/nanostructures,greatly stimulating biomimetic fabrication of functional photonic structures but mainly targeted to one prototype.Targeted at two-prototype integrated biomimetic fabrication from fully compositional/structural/functional aspects,femtosecond(fs)laser subtractive/additive-integrated hierarchical micro/nano-manufacturing technique is proposed in this work.This technique can one-step transfer refractory metals(e.g.,W,Mo,Nb,Ta)into black non-stoichiometric oxide nanomaterials with abundant oxygen vacancies and simultaneously enable the realization of in situ quasi-controllable micro/nanoscale hierarchical aggregation and assembly,all displaying black color but with tunable infrared emission.Adjusting the scan interval for biomimetic manufacturing can tailor the structural oxidation degree,the emission in the long-wave infrared(LWIR)band while keeping the blackness of hierarchical aggregates,and the confined height between the covering quartz plate and the ablated sample.The blackening efficiency of this technique can reach∼11.25 cm^(2)·min^(−1),opening opportunities for high-throughput optical/thermal applications.Selectively patterned Chinese characters,Arabic numbers,and English letters are easily fabricable,which are intrinsically invisible-infrared dual-band encrypted but decryptable via static/dynamic environment stimuli(e.g.,sample heating/cooling,introducing external hot/cold sources including human hands).The self-evolution from‘orderless’structuring to‘ordered’functionalization is validated for the proposed fs laser subtractive/additive-integrated biomimetic manufacturing,specifically from the synthesis of diverse black nanomaterials and the seemingly disordered micro/nano-aggregates to the ordered optical/thermal regulation capacities for a delicate modulation of information encryption and decryption,unveiling a new concept for future exploration and extension.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30870810)National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB933404)
文摘Objective To perform the modulation of an assay system for the sensory integration of 2 sensory stimuli that inhibit each other.Methods The assay system for assessing the integrative response to 2 reciprocally-inhibitory sensory stimuli was modulated by changing the metal ion barrier.Moreover,the hen-1,ttx-3 and casy-1 mutants having known defects in integrative response were used to evaluate the modulated assay systems.Based on the examined assay systems,new genes possibly involved in the sensory integration control were identified.Results In the presence of different metal ion barriers and diacetyl,locomotion behaviors,basic movements,pan-neuronal,cholinergic and GABAergic neuronal GFP expressions,neuronal development,structures of sensory neurons and interneurons,and stress response of nematodes in different regions of examined assay systems were normal,and chemotaxis toward different concentrations of diacetyl and avoidance of different concentrations of metal ions were inhibited.In the first group,most of the nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Fe2＋,Zn2＋,or Mn2＋.In the second group,almost half of the nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Ag＋,Cu2＋,Cr2＋,or Cd2＋.In the third group,only a small number of nematodes moved to diacetyl by crossing the barrier of Pb2＋ or Hg2＋.Moreover,when nematodes encountered different metal ion barriers during migration toward diacetyl,the percentage of nematodes moving back and then turning and that of nematodes moving straight to diacetyl were very different.With the aid of examined assay systems,it was found that mutations of fsn-1 that encodes a F-box protein,and its target scd-2 that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase,caused severe defects in integrative response,and the sensory integration defects of fsn-1 mutants were obviously inhibited by scd-2 mutation.Conclusion Based on the nematode behaviors in examined assay systems,3 groups of assay systems were obtained.The first group may be helpful in evaluating or identifying the very subtle deficits in sensory integration,and the third group may be useful for the final confirmation of sensory integration defects of mutants identified in the first or the second group of assay systems.Furthermore,the important association of sensory integration regulation with stabilization or destabilization of synaptic differentiation may exist in C.elegans.
基金the financial support of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences by grant No.#199180.
文摘The world has been dealing with a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS-CoV-2)since the end of 2019,which threatens the lives of many peopleworldwide.COVID-19 causes respiratory infection with different symptoms,from sneezing and coughing to pneumonia and sometimes gastric symptoms.Researchers worldwide are actively developing novel drug delivery systems(DDSs),such as stimuli-responsive DDSs.The ability of these carriers to respond to external/internal and even multiple stimuli is essential in creating“smart”DDS that can effectively control dosage,sustained release,individual variations,and targeted delivery.To conduct a comprehensive literature survey for this article,the terms“Stimuli-responsive”,“COVID-19”and“Drug delivery”were searched on databases/search engines like“Google Scholar”,“NCBI”,“PubMed”,and“Science Direct”.Many different types of DDSs have been proposed,including those responsive to various exogenous(light,heat,ultrasound andmagnetic field)or endogenous(microenvironmental changes in pH,ROS and enzymes)stimuli.Despite significant progress in DDS research,several challenging issues must be addressed to fill the gaps in the literature.Therefore,this study reviews the drug release mechanisms and applications of endogenous/exogenous stimuli-responsive DDSs while also exploring their potential with respect to COVID-19.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.31900825(to SL),31922030(to CRR),31771170(to CRR)Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Province of China,No.2018B030334001(to CRR)+3 种基金Science and Techology of Guangzhou of China,No.202007030012(to CRR)Guangdong Special Support Program of China,No.2017TQ04R173(to CRR)Pearl River S&T Nova Program of Guangzhou Province of China,No.201806010198(to CRR)Outstanding Scholar Program of Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory of China,No.2018GZR110102002(to KFS)。
文摘Previous studies have shown that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide,the main active component of Lycium barbarum,exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in treating neurological diseases.However,the therapeutic action of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on depression has not been studied.In this investigation,we established mouse models of depression using aversive stimuli including exposure to fox urine,air puff and foot shock and physical restraint.Concurrently,we administered 5 mg/kg per day Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein to each mouse intragastrically for the 28 days.Our results showed that long-term exposure to aversive stimuli significantly enhanced depressive-like behavior evaluated by the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test and increased anxietylike behaviors evaluated using the open field test.In addition,aversive stimuli-induced depressed mice exhibited aberrant neuronal activity in the lateral habenula.Importantly,concurrent Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein treatment significantly reduced these changes.These findings suggest that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-glycoprotein is a potential preventative intervention for depression and may act by preventing aberrant neuronal activity and microglial activation in the lateral habenula.The study was approved by the Jinan University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(approval No.20170301003)on March 1,2017.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51873212 and 51803212)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy Science(No.2017269)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(No.ZR2019MEM008)Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wego Group Hightech Research&Development Program.
文摘Bacterial biofilm infections have been threatening the human’s life and health globally for a long time because they typically cause chronic and persistent infections.Traditional antibiotic therapies can hardly eradicate biofilms in many cases,as biofilms always form a robust fortress for pathogens inside,inhibiting the penetration of drugs.To address the issues,many novel drug carriers emerged as promising strategies for biofilm treatment.Among them,stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have attracted much attentions for their intriguing physicochemical properties,such as tunable size,shape and surface chemistry,especially smart drug release characteristic.Based on the microenvironmental difference between biofilm infection sites and normal tissue,many stimuli,such as bacterial products accumulating in biofilms(enzymes,glutathione,etc.),lower pH and higher H_(2)O_(2)levels,have been employed and proved in favor of“on-demand”drug release for biofilm elimination.Additionally,external stimuli including light,heat,microwave and magnetic fields are also able to control the drug releasing behavior artificially.In this review,we summarized recent advances in stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for combating biofilm infections,and mainly,focusing on the different stimuli that trigger the drug release.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21674022 and 51703034)
文摘Biological stimuli-responsive polymers have increasingly attracted attention in recent years because it can satisfy many requirements of applications related with human body while traditional systems do not meet.Due to the importance of this burgeoning field,great efforts have been devoted and,up to now,polymer chemists have made a remarkable success in this prospective research topic.In this review,we systematically generalize the present state of biological stimuli-responsive polymer systems.We highlight several representative examples to specify the current problems and look ahead a clear sense of direction in this area.
文摘At present, researchers are unclear about which activity within the brain is responsible for the emergence of consciousness—the subconscious or unconscious. Current literature suggests that consciousness is isolated in the brain;however, we suggest consciousness emerges from both—subconscious and unconscious activity, in addition to sensory consciousness. This article contends that sensory consciousness arises from neurophysiological brain activity, intrapersonal space, sensory information, and parallel processing of the external and internal environment through vision, olfaction, the integumentary system, gustation, and audition. Traditionally, lateral inhibition is defined as the ability for an excited neuron to laterally inhibit its neighbors, and is an integral part of neurophysiology in all senses. In this article, we are connecting the science behind the well-established physiological observations of gamma wave activity in the interneurons of peripheral receptors with what is currently unknown regarding the functional significance of seemingly unrelated gamma activity in the cortico-thalamic gamma oscillations. We suggest that this allows for instantaneous integration of the brain with sensory receptors. This article uses existing literature on lateral inhibition to investigate its role in sensory organs and various areas of the body. We explain how sensory consciousness is only one component of unified consciousness. We propose that lateral inhibition also plays a vital role in consciousness theory, and understanding this can help illustrate the dynamic interactions between the central and peripheral nervous systems within the body.
基金Financial support was from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51773021,51911530197,U1663229)Six Talent Peaks Project in Jiangsu Province(No.XCL-102)the Talent Project of Jiangsu Specially-Appointed Professor,Natural Science Fund for Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province(No.19KJA430002)。
文摘Smart materials,such as stimuli-responsive luminescence,have attracted much attentions due to their potential application in semiconductor filed.In this context,platinum complexes of(dfppy-DC)Pt(acac) and(dfppy-O-DC)Pt(acac) were prepared and characterized,in which(2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C2')(2,4-pentanedionato-0,0)Pt(Ⅱ) was used as the planar emission core and 9-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)-9 H-carbazole(DC) was regard as the bent pendent.Both platinum complexes showed bright emission in solution and solid state,concomitant with charming external-stimuli-responsive emission under mechanical grinding,organic solvent vapors and pressure.The change emission color spanned from yellow to near-infrared region.Using the platinum complexes as the dopant,solution processable organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs) were fabricated and a maximum external quantum efficiency of ~18% was achieved,which is the highest value among the reported solution-processable OLEDs based on externalstimuli-responsive luminescence.This research demonstrated that platinum complex can show promising stimuli responsive emission via ingenious molecular design,indicating a novel way for developing the smart materials in semiconductor filed.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21871108) for financial support
文摘A fluorescent supramolecular polymer network with an excellent triple-stimuli responsive property based on metal-ligand coordination and host-vip interactions has been constructed from a terpyridine-monofunctionalized leaning tower[6]arene,a tetraphenylethylene AIEgen,and a bridging coordination ion(Zn^2+).Addition of competitive binding agents,trifluoroacetic acid,and/or pillar[5]arene can break the metal coordination and/or host-vip inclusion complexation,and thermal heating can weaken the non-covalent interactions in the supramolecular polymer gel,all leading to the gel-to-sol transition.
文摘Numerous studies have been conducted to illuminate the effect of image factors to reduce unexpected influence of stereoscopic images on healthy visual experience. In this paper, we introduce changes in the psychological and physiological indexes of observers of a stereo- scopic image disturbed by vibration stimuli. Forty-four healthy university students participated in the experiment. A programmable vibration table generated two types of vibrations (5 Hz and 20 Hz) and provided intermittent vibration stimuli to a stereoscopic projector installed on a vibration table. Our results showed that the frequency of vibration stimuli has a strong impact in evaluating the local comfort of subjects. Our results also showed that the indexes of visual fatigue increased after observation independent of the frequency. The activity status of the autonomic nervous system as a physiological index significantly increased after observing 3D images with vibration stimuli although the vibrational frequency did not have a significant effect on the activity status.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21064006,21161018 and 21262032)the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University of Ministry of Education of China(No.IRT1177)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(No. 1010RJZA018)the Youth Foundation of Gansu Province(No.1208RJYA048)NWNU-LKQN-11-32
文摘A novel smart metal-organic gel（MOG） formed from biscarboxyl-functionalized benzimidazole derivative（D11） in the presence of lead nitrate has been investigated.The critical gel concentration for the formation of MOG was just 0.36 wt%,which exhibits a super gelation capability of D11.The coordination of the metal to the ligand D11 was found to play a vital role in the construction of the supramolecular MOG.Microstructures determined by SEM observation demonstrated that the MOG was formed by intertwined fibrils.Interestingly,the MOG exhibits pH-induced,thermo-induced,and chemical-induced reversible gel-sol transition.Meanwhile,this supramolecular MOG shows desirable absorption ability of methyl orange dye molecules in aqueous solution.
基金supported in part by the National Institute on Aging of National Institutes of Health(Grant AG028709)the FUMEC and AMC for funds to support the 2016 summer research yield at the University of California in San Diego
文摘Multi-functional nanoshuttles for remotely targeted and on-demand delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging to defined tissues and organs hold great potentials in personalized medicine, including precise early diagnosis, efficient prevention and therapy without toxicity. Yet, in spite of 25 years of research, there are still no such shuttles available. To this end, we have designed magnetic and gold nanoparticles （NP）-embedded silica nanoshuttles （MGNSs） with nanopores on their surface. Fluorescently labeled Doxombicin （DOX）, a cancer drug, was loaded in the MGNSs as a payload. DOX loaded MGNSs were encapsulated in heat and pH sensitive polymer P（NIPAM-co- MAA） to enable controlled release of the payload. Magnetically-guided transport of MGNSs was examined in： （a） a glass capillary tube to simulate their delivery via blood vessels; and （b） porous hydrogels to simulate their transport in composite human tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscles and blood-brain barrier {BBB）. The viscoelastic properties of hydrogels were examined by atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Cellular uptake of DOX- loaded MGNSs and the subsequent pH and temperature-mediated release were demonstrated in differentiated human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） as well as epithelial HeLa cells. The presence of embedded iron and gold NPs in silica shells and polymer-coating are supported by SEM and TEM. Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy documented DOX loading in the MGNSs. Time-dependent transport of MGNSs guided by an external magnetic field was observed in both glass capillary tubes and in the porous hydrogel. AFM results affirmed that the stiffness of the hydrogels model the rigidity range from soft tissues to bone. pH and temperature-dependent drug release analysis showed stimuli responsive and gradual drug release. Cells＇ viability MTT assays showed that MGNSs are non-toxic. The cell death from on-demand DOX release was observed in both neurons and epithelial cells even though the drug release efficiency was higher in neurons. Therefore, development of smart nanoshuttles have significant translational potential for controlled delivery of theranostics＇ payloads and precisely guided transport in specified tissues and organs （for example, bone, cartilage, tendon, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain） for highly efficient personalized medicine applications.
基金financially supported by the China Scholarship Council and the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20874004)
文摘Thermal and salt dual stimuli-responsive filter-paper-based membranes were prepared by UV-induced grafting of NIPAM-based polymers on paper surface. The grafting ratio could be controlled by monomer concentration during grafting polymerization. The results from pressure drop measurement of the mobile phase flowed cross the membrane demonstrate that an appropriate grafting ratio would be 8%-10%. Protein adsorption on the membrane through hydrophobic interaction could be promoted by increasing temperature and lyotropic salt concentration. The effect of grafted polymer structure on protein binding performance was studied. Filter paper grafted with NIPAM-based branched copolymer consisting of hydrophobic monomer moieties shows ten times higher protein binding capacity than that of the original filter paper. The separation of plasma proteins using the dual stimuli-responsive membrane was examined to demonstrate feasible application for hydrophobic interaction chromatographic separation of proteins.
基金the Planning Program Foundation of Application and Experimental Psychology of Beijing Key Laboratory from 2008 to 2009.No.JD100270541
文摘BACKGROUND： Previous studies of attentional control have focused primarily on pre-cue control of attentional cue and direction. OBJECTIVE： To measure the differences in electrical activity of brain cells while processing pre-cue and post-cue compound stimuli, and to explore brain electrical activity during global and local processing of compound stimuli according to electroencephalogram （EEG） recordings. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A within-subject design study was performed at the School of Psychology, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, China from March to May 2006. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 30 healthy, undergraduate students, aged 17-24 years, comprising 12 males and 18 females, were voluntarily enrolled from Beijing Normal University. Subjects exhibited normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity. No significant non signal wave drift was detected during testing. METHODS： A total of 30 subjects were subjected to pre-cue and post-cue compound stimulus processing using event-related potential and EEG recordings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Evoked potential was recorded in different brain regions utilizing event-related potential to observe hemispheric symmetry, cue consistency and global-local features. RESULTS： Pre-cue compound stimuli resulted in hemispheric asymmetry for early wave （N1） and late wave （P3） in anterior brain regions. Early- and late-wave induced hemispheric asymmetry for electrode points （O1, 02, P3, P4, Pz, F3, F4, F7, F8, Fz, FP1, FP2, T7, TS, C3, C4, and Cz） during processing of pre-cue compound stimuli （P 〈 0.05）. Post-cue compound stimuli did not induce hemispheric asymmetry of brain waves induced by the above-described electrode points. No significant differences in global and local responses were determined during processing of post-cue compound stimuli. Under pre-cue conditions, significant differences were observed in N1 and P3 in the above-mentioned electrode points （P 〈 0.05）. However, under post-cue conditions, no significant differences were observed in N1 and P3 using the above-mentioned electrode points. Significant differences in early waves （N1 and P1） using the above-mentioned electrode points were detected between anterior and posterior brain regions, regardless of consistent or inconsistent, large or small letters （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Cue location effected mechanisms underlying global and local processing of compound stimuli. Pre- or post-cue conditions resulted in differences in hemispheric symmetry, cue consistency, and global and local features. Under pre-cue conditions, hemispheric dominance was detected in global and local processing following compound stimuli. Under post-cue conditions, hemispheric dominance was not determined.
基金National Key Research and Development Program,China(No.2017YFB13003002)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.61573142,61773164,91420302)Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities(the 111 Project)(No.B17017)
文摘The tactile P300 brain-computer interface( BCI) is related to the somatosensory perception and response of the human brain,and is different from visual or audio BCIs. Recently,several studies focused on the tactile stimuli delivered to different parts of the human body. Most of these stimuli were symmetrically bilateral.Only a fewstudies explored the influence of tactile stimuli laterality.In the current study,we extensively tested the performance of a vibrotactile BCI system using ipsilateral stimuli and bilateral stimuli.Two vibrotactile P300-based paradigms were tested. The target stimuli were located on the left and right forearms for the left forearm and right forearm( LFRF) paradigm,and on the left forearm and calf for the left forearm and left calf( LFLC)paradigm. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. Our experiments and analysis showed that the bilateral paradigm( LFRF) elicited larger P300 amplitude and achieved significantly higher classification accuracy than the ipsilateral paradigm( LFLC). However, both paradigms achieved classification accuracies higher than 70% after the completion of several trials on average,which was usually regarded as the minimum accuracy level required for BCI system to be deemed useful.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21672042 and 21921003)for financial support。
文摘Nanoparticle surface property is crucial for circulation stability,cellullar uptake and other biological characteristics.Zwitte rionic pillar[n]arenes(ZPns)we re used to coat gold nanopa rticles(GNPs)via hostvip interaction.The resulting GNPs demonstrated higher stability in blood serum compared to polyethylene glycol(PEG)-coated GNPs.ZPn-coated GNPs were responsive to UV-irradiation,competitive displacement and acidic pH.UV-irradiation or competitive displacement could lead to the removal of ZPn coating to expose GNPs,which enhanced cell uptake efficiency by 5.9-and 7.4-fold,respectively.
文摘Mammography is widely performed as a standardized procedure for breast cancer screening;however, women often feel some degree of pain during this procedure. Currently, there are limited options available for alleviating pain related to mammography. A non-medicinal approach to the alleviation of pain involves the effects of laughter on physical and psychological wellbeing. We therefore examined the possibility that humorous stimuli would alleviate the physical burden on women undergoing mammography. We assessed 29 women, 15 women received only conventional mammography (neutral group), while 14 women (humor group) watched a funny video during the same examination. The intensity of pain experienced during mammography was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the VAS results showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.007) between the two groups, with the humor group experiencing less pain. In an additional experiment, 14 women in the humor group also underwent conventional mammography without exposure to the funny video and pain was assessed by VAS. We found that the pain experienced during conventional mammography without the funny video was significantly greater than the pain experienced during the same mammography but with the funny video (P = 0.047). These findings suggested the possibility of alleviating pain during mammography by humorous stimuli.
文摘Objective: To determine whether patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome respond to auditory stimuli based on changes in facial expressions. Participants: Six patients diagnosed with disorders of consciousness due to brain injury with permission for participation from their doctor. Design: In this hypothesis-driven observational study, the facial expressions of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome were video-recorded for 5 min before and during auditory stimulation in three consecutive weekly sessions. Main Measures: Facial muscle movement was quantified using FaceReader<sup>®</sup> software (Noldus, Wageningen, Netherlands). Valence/action unit values were plotted to detail facial expression changes. Heart rate values were also plotted. These parameters were compared before and after stimulation. Results: No significant differences in valence integral values or average heart rate were observed between the pre- and intra-stimulus conditions. However, valence signals increased in approximately half of the sessions, indicating that some patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome may exhibit emotional responses to auditory stimuli. Analysis of action unit integral values indicated that movement of the eyebrows and eyelids on the upper part of the face occurred during auditory stimulation. Furthermore, the types of auditory stimuli differed depending on the session for the 12 sessions of voice stimuli, whereas the changes in average heart rate differed in each of nine sessions of music stimuli. Because the changes in average heart rate were similar, it is possible that musical stimuli are more suitable than voice stimuli. Conclusion: Some patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome may have an emotional response to auditory stimuli. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to distinguish the emotional expression response of a patient based on their facial expression.
文摘Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), alterations in the prefrontal cortex, changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, and lower performance on working memory tasks. The aim of this study was to characterize brain electrical correlations in girls with PTSD secondary to CSA during a working memory task based on recognizing emotional facial stimuli. Girls aged 8 - 16 years old were evaluated: 12 with PTSD secondary to CSA, and 12 healthy girls with no history of abuse. EEG activity during a working memory task with emotional stimuli was recorded, and the inter- and intra-hemispheric correlations that assessed the functional connectivity among different cortical regions were analyzed. The PTSD group showed lower performance than controls on the working memory task while watching happy faces, while the EEG of this group showed greater intrahemispheric correlation among frontal areas and between frontal and posterior cortical regions. Also, the PTSD group had lower interhemispheric correlations between posterior temporal areas. The higher intrahemispheric correlation in the PTSD group could indicate that those girls used more brain areas when performing the task, likely because it required greater effort. The lower inter-posterior temporal correlation could be attributed to a reduction of the corpus callosum.
