Background:Rats are often used to prepare skin defect models.However,the skin defect sizes of the models prepared by researchers are different,and the lack of consensus on the critical-size defect makes it difficult t...Background:Rats are often used to prepare skin defect models.However,the skin defect sizes of the models prepared by researchers are different,and the lack of consensus on the critical-size defect makes it difficult to compare their research results.Methods:The time for wound closure was evaluated and recorded through gross observation.The regression equation between the healing time and the diameter of skin defect was established,which can be used to predict the healing time for a certain skin defect size in rats.Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the regeneration and reconstruction of skin appendages,and the functional skin repair was quantitatively scored.Results:The critical-size defect of rats was determined based on the maximum capacity of structural skin repair,and the functional skin repair was quantitatively scored based on the regeneration and reconstruction of skin appendages.The allowable range of critical-size skin defect of SD rats lies between 45 and 50 mm in diameter.The concept of structural repair and the category of functional repair of injured skin are put forward.The regression equation between the structural skin healing time and defect diameters is established.Conclusion:The allowable range of skin critical-size defect of SD rats lies between 45 and 50 mm in diameter.The regression equation between the structural skin healing time and defect diameters can be used to predict the healing time for a certain skin defect size in rats.展开更多
Functionally graded cellular structures(FGCSs)have a multitude of applications to a wide range of industries.Utilising the ever-progressing technology of additive manufacturing(AM),FGCSs can be applied to control mate...Functionally graded cellular structures(FGCSs)have a multitude of applications to a wide range of industries.Utilising the ever-progressing technology of additive manufacturing(AM),FGCSs can be applied to control material grading and achieve the desired mechanical properties.The current study explores the design and optimisation of FGCSs for AM,with a focus on improving the compression and impact performance of below knee(BK)prosthetic limbs made of thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU).A multiscale research methodology integrating topology optimization(TO),finite element analysis(FEA),and design of experiments(Do E)was adopted to optimise lattice structures in terms of stiffness and lightweight properties.Two-unit cell designs were considered in the study:Schwarz P gyroid and body-centered cubic(BCC).Response surface methodology(RSM)was implemented to analyse the effect of minimum and maximum cell wall thickness,cell size,and unit cell type on the mechanical performance of TPU FGCS structures.The results indicated that a Schwarz P FGCS structure with cell size,minimum and maximum cell wall thickness of 6,0.9 and 2.8 mm,respectively,could be optimal for a compromise between performance and weight.In this optimized case,stiffness and volume fraction values of 684 N/mm and 0.64 were obtained,respectively.The study also presents a proof-of-concept design for a BK prosthetic damper,highlighting the potential of FGCSs to enhance patient comfort,reduce manufacturing costs,and enable personalised designs through 3D scanning and AM.The obtained results could be a step forward towards the incorporation of AM technologies in prosthetics,offering a pathway to lightweight,cost-effective,and functionally tailored solutions.展开更多
The emergence of precision electronic devices and wearable electronic products urgently requires high-performance multifunctional electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorbers to meet the applicability and versatility in various...The emergence of precision electronic devices and wearable electronic products urgently requires high-performance multifunctional electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorbers to meet the applicability and versatility in various applications.Herein,a dual-network(DN)gel was successfully prepared using acrylamide and sodium lignosulphonate as the basic units by simple chemical cross-linking and physical cross-linking methods.Specifically,the hydrogel forms two types of cross-linking networks through metal coordination and hydrogen bonding.Benefiting from the combined effects of dipole polarization and conductivity loss,the gel achieves an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 6.74 GHz at a thickness of only 1.89 mm,demonstrating excellent EMW absorption performance.In addition,this unique structural configuration endows the EMW absorber with multifunctional features,such as remarkable tensile strength,good environmental compatibility,ultraviolet(UV)resistance,and excellent adhesion.Integrating multiple functional features into the EMW gels displays a broad application prospect in a variety of application scenarios.This research reveals the significance of DN structure design in the electromagnetic wave absorption(EWA)performance of gel-based materials,providing a substantial foundation for the multifunctional design of gel-based absorbers.展开更多
When micro/nano-scale gradient coatings are subject to large thermal gradients or high heat fluxes,the spatial size effect cannot be ignored.It is important to understand how the size effect influences the thermal fra...When micro/nano-scale gradient coatings are subject to large thermal gradients or high heat fluxes,the spatial size effect cannot be ignored.It is important to understand how the size effect influences the thermal fracture behavior of functionally graded coating/substrate structures.This study aims at analyzing the transient thermal fracture behavior of collinear interface cracks in functionally graded coating/substrate structures based on the nonlocal dual-phase-lag heat conduction model.By means of integral transform techniques,the mixed boundary problem is transformed into a set of singular integral equations,which are solved by the Chebyshev polynomials.The effects of the nonlocal parameter,coating thickness,crack spacing,and non-homogeneous parameters on the temperature and stress intensity factors(SIFs)are examined.The numerical results show that these parameters play an essential role in controlling the thermal fracture behavior of the structures,especially at micro/nano-scales.展开更多
High entropy materials(HEMs)are the promising electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane electrolyser(AEMs)and proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)due to the intriguing cocktail effect,wide design space,tailo...High entropy materials(HEMs)are the promising electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane electrolyser(AEMs)and proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)due to the intriguing cocktail effect,wide design space,tailorable electronic structure,and entropy stabilization effect.The precise fabrication of HEMs with functional nanostructures provides a crucial avenue to optimize the adsorption strength and catalytic activity for electrocatalysis.This review comprehensively summarizes the development of HEMs,focusing on the principles and strategies of structural design,and the catalytic mechanism towards hydrogen evolution reaction,oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction for the development of high-performance electrocatalysts.The complexity inherent in the interactions between different elements,the changes in the d-band center and the Gibbs free energies during the catalytic progress,as well as the coordination environment of the active sites associated with the unique crystal structure to improve the catalytic performance are discussed.We also provide a perspective on the challenges and future development direction of HEMs in electrocatalysis.This review will contribute to the design and development of HEMs-based catalysts for the next generation of electrochemical applications.展开更多
Land use change is a fundamental factor affecting ecosystem’s structures and functions.However,few studies have explored the ecological disturbance caused by land use change from a combined structural and functional ...Land use change is a fundamental factor affecting ecosystem’s structures and functions.However,few studies have explored the ecological disturbance caused by land use change from a combined structural and functional perspective.In this study,the ecological structural disturbance index(SDI)and functional disturbance index(FDI)were introduced to quantitatively evaluate ecological disturbance caused by land use change in a typical karst area—Huangping County,Guizhou Province,China during 2009–2019.Results show that although the area of ecological land increased during past 10 yr,there had been a fragmentation trend of ecological land.Agricultural occupation was more severe than construction encroachment on ecological land.The grids with negative structural disturbance were consistent with areas of obvious dynamic loss and gain of ecological land.Ecological fragmentation had a greater impact than habitat gain in grids with negative structural disturbance.The ecosystem service functions of supply,adjustment,support,and culture were obviously affected by land use change,and the total FDI reflects the trade-off among them.Negative FDI values were easily observed in the rocky desertification area or water and soil loss area.The combination analysis of the SDI and FDI indicated the characteristic of codirectional ecologically structural and functional disturbance in the majority of grids.The findings improve our understanding of multiple relationships among ecological disturbances and provide valuable information for guiding land use activities.展开更多
Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychoso...Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychosocial implications for affected people, their families, and their communities;the financial costs can be challenging for their families and health institutions. Treatments aimed at restoring the spinal cord after spinal cord injury, which have been tested in animal models or clinical trials, generally seek to counteract one or more of the secondary mechanisms of injury to limit the extent of the initial damage. Most published works on structural/functional restoration in acute and chronic spinal cord injury stages use a single type of treatment: a drug or trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and implantation of a biomaterial. Despite the significant benefits reported in animal models, when translating these successful therapeutic strategies to humans, the result in clinical trials has been considered of little relevance because the improvement, when present, is usually insufficient. Until now, most studies designed to promote neuroprotection or regeneration at different stages after spinal cord injury have used single treatments. Considering the occurrence of various secondary mechanisms of injury in the acute and sub-acute phases of spinal cord injury, it is reasonable to speculate that more than one therapeutic agent could be required to promote structural and functional restoration of the damaged spinal cord. Treatments that combine several therapeutic agents, targeting different mechanisms of injury, which, when used as a single therapy, have shown some benefits, allow us to assume that they will have synergistic beneficial effects. Thus, this narrative review article aims to summarize current trends in the use of strategies that combine therapeutic agents administered simultaneously or sequentially, seeking structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.展开更多
Macrocyclic hosts play a crucial role in supramolecular chemistry and the development of supramolecular functional materials.Their well-defined cavities and diverse host-vip interactions endow macrocycles with excel...Macrocyclic hosts play a crucial role in supramolecular chemistry and the development of supramolecular functional materials.Their well-defined cavities and diverse host-vip interactions endow macrocycles with excellent stimuli responsiveness,facilitating efficient assembly construction.However,the limited availability of functional groups in conventional macrocycles restricts their ability to meet the demand for fabricating materials with multiple functionalities.To address this limitation,several research groups have introduced tetraphenylethylene(TPE),a well-known building block renowned for its remarkable aggregation-induced emission(AIE)effect,into the macrocycle framework.Herein,this paper summarizes the combination strategies and synergistic approaches that achieve multi-functionality by integrating TPE and macrocyclic architectures.The emission characteristics of TPE-embedded macrocycles are elucidated,and it is anticipated that more AIE-type macrocycles with innovative backbones and broad applications will emerge.展开更多
Color as an indispensable element in our life brings vitality to us and enriches our lifestyles through decorations,indicators,and information carriers.Structural color offers an intriguing strategy to achieve novel f...Color as an indispensable element in our life brings vitality to us and enriches our lifestyles through decorations,indicators,and information carriers.Structural color offers an intriguing strategy to achieve novel functions and endows color with additional levels of significance in anti-counterfeiting,display,sensor,and printing.Furthermore,structural colors possess excellent properties,such as resistance to extreme external conditions,high brightness,saturation,and purity.Devices and platforms based on structural color have significantly changed our life and are becoming increasingly important.Here,we reviewed four typical applications of structural color and analyzed their advantages and shortcomings.First,a series of mechanisms and fabrication methods are briefly summarized and compared.Subsequently,recent progress of structural color and its applications were discussed in detail.For each application field,we classified them into several types in terms of their functions and properties.Finally,we analyzed recent emerging technologies and their potential for integration into structural color devices,as well as the corresponding challenges.展开更多
This study investigated the effects of planting duration(1,5,10 and 15 years)on soil properties,bacterial community diversity,and function in the rhizosphere of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.We employed Illumina highthroughpu...This study investigated the effects of planting duration(1,5,10 and 15 years)on soil properties,bacterial community diversity,and function in the rhizosphere of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.We employed Illumina highthroughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional prediction to analyze the structure and functional potential of rhizosphere soil bacterial communities.The Mantel test and redundancy analysis were used to identify physicochemical factors influencing bacterial community structure and function.The results indicated significant differences in rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties across planting years:the content of organic matter,alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen in the soil,as well as the activity of invertase,urease,and alkaline phosphatase initially increased and then decreased,while available potassium,Olsen-phosphorus content,and peroxidase activity continued to increase.However,bacterial alpha diversity(Chao1 and Shannon indices)and the number of amplicon sequence variants increased continuously with planting duration.Principal coordinate analysis and Adonis tests revealed that the planting year significantly influenced the bacterial community structure(p<0.05).The phyla Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi collectively constituted 56.7%to 71.2%of the relative abundance,representing the dominant taxa.PICRUSt2 predictions indicated key functional categories(cellular processes,metabolism,genetic information processing,and environmental information processing)each exceeding 10%relative abundance.BugBase analysis revealed a progressive increase in aerobic and oxidative stress-tolerant bacteria and a decrease in anaerobic and potentially pathogenic bacteria.Differential indicator species analysis identified Firmicutes,Planctomycetes,Methylomirabilota and Actinobacteriota as key discriminators for the 1-,5-,10-and 15-year stages,respectively.Organic matter,alkaline phosphatase,soil pH,and available phosphorus were the primary physicochemical drivers of bacterial communities.Notably,soil organic matter significantly influenced both the community structure(p<0.05)and predictedmetabolic functions(p<0.05).In conclusion,prolonged planting duration significantly enhanced rhizosphere microbial diversity and functional gene abundance in Z.bungeanumwhile driving the structural succession of bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteriota,and Chloroflexi.This ecological shift,characterized by increased aerobic/oxidative-stress taxa and decreased anaerobic/pathogenic bacteria,was primarily regulated by soil organic matter,a key driver shaping both community structure and metabolic functions,ultimately improving soil microecological health.展开更多
This study was carried out to assess plasticity to drought of 30 adult fig cultivars,based on a screening of leaf structural and functional traits under sustained deficit irrigation,corresponding to 60%of crop evapotr...This study was carried out to assess plasticity to drought of 30 adult fig cultivars,based on a screening of leaf structural and functional traits under sustained deficit irrigation,corresponding to 60%of crop evapotranspiration.All trees,three per cultivar,are planted in an ex-situ collection in Sais plain,northern Morocco.The measurements concerned leaf area,blade thickness,trichomes density,trichome hair length,stomatal density,stomatal dimensions,stomatal area index,chlorophyll concentration index,relative water content,stomatal conductance,leaf temperature,water loss in detached leaves,cuticular wax content,proline content,total phenolic compounds,and total soluble sugars.The ranking of cultivars regarding drought tolerance was established based on a two-level clustering approach,primarily relying on chlorophyll concentration index and secondarily on water status traits.Results showed significant genotypic variations for all measured traits,except phenolic compounds content.Correlations between structural and functional traits have pinpointed blade thickness and trichome hair length as the key indicators of fig drought tolerance,owing to their involvement in maintaining chlorophyll content under water stress conditions.The extent of the variations shows that fig leaf is endowed with a wide structural and functional diversity,which can give to the species potential for resilience to various environmental stresses,including drought.Among the cultivars assessed,two exotic varieties,“Kadota”and“Royal Blanck”,as well as four local cultivars,namely,“Ferqouch Jmel”,“El Qoti Labied”,“Hamra”and“Fassi”showed the highest drought plasticity level.展开更多
Crude oil pollution is a significant global environmental challenge.The eastern Gansu Province on the Loess Plateau,an important agricultural region containing the Changqing Oilfield,is facing increasing crude oil con...Crude oil pollution is a significant global environmental challenge.The eastern Gansu Province on the Loess Plateau,an important agricultural region containing the Changqing Oilfield,is facing increasing crude oil contamination.Understanding how microbial communities respond to varying pollution levels is critical for developing effective bioremediation strategies.This study examined how different concentrations of crude oil affect soil properties and microbial communities in Qingyang City,eastern Gansu Province,China by comparing lightly polluted(1895.84-2696.54 mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons(TPH)),heavily polluted(4964.25-7153.61 mg/kg TPH),and uncontaminated(CK)soils.Results revealed that petroleum contamination significantly increased total organic carbon(TOC),pH,C:N:P ratio,and the activities of dehydrogenase(DHA)and polyphenol oxidase(PPO),while reducing total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),total phosphorus(TP),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),soil organic matter(SOM),soil water content(SWC),the activities of urease(URE)and alkaline phosphatase(APA),and microbial alpha diversity(P<0.050).Light pollution(LP)soils demonstrated an increase in culturable microorganisms,whereas heavy pollution(HP)soils exhibited increased hydrocarbon-degrading microbes and higher expression of key functional genes,such as alkane monooxygenase(AlkB),cytochrome P450 alkane hydroxylases(P450),catechol 2,3-dioxygenase(C23O),and naphthalene dioxygenase(Nah)(P<0.050).Non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS)and redundancy analysis(RDA)indicated evident variations in microbial community structure across different oil contamination levels.LP soils were dominated by bacterial genera Pseudoxanthomonas and Solimonadaceae,whereas Pseudomonas,Nocardioides,and hydrocarbon-degrading genera(Marinobacter,Idiomarina,and Halomonas)were predominant in HP soils.The fungal genus Pseudallescheria exhibited the most pronounced abundance shift between LP and HP soils(P<0.050).Environmental factor analysis identified AN,SWC,TN,SOM,and alpha diversity indices(Shannon index and Chao1 index)as the key differentiators of CK soils,whereas the pollutant levels and metal content were characterized in HP soils.Hydrocarbon-degrading microbial abundance was a defining trait of HP soils.Metabolic pathway analysis revealed enhanced aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in HP soils,indicating microbial adaptation to severe contamination.These findings demonstrated that crude oil pollution suppressed soil nutrients while reshaping the structure and function of microbial communities.Pollution intensity directly affected microbial composition and degradation potential.This study offers valuable insights into microbial responses across contamination gradients and supports the development of targeted bioremediation strategies for oil-contaminated loess soils.展开更多
BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that evolves towards the deve-lopment of end-stage renal disease.The superimposition of renal impairment on a complex disease,namely human immunodeficiency vi...BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that evolves towards the deve-lopment of end-stage renal disease.The superimposition of renal impairment on a complex disease,namely human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection,will raise the burden of comorbidities and,predict worse outcomes in this group of the population.AIM To evaluate the structural and functional defects of kidney in patients with HIV infection.METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 227 patients with HIV infection.Participants were selected by simple random sampling method.Eligible participants included HIV infection-positive adults aged 18 years and above.Exclusion criteria en-compassed individuals with preexisting hypertension,diabetes mellitus,chronic kidney disease,chronic liver disease,and those receiving nephrotoxic drugs.Informed consent was obtained.Data collection involved recording medical histories,conducting clinical examinations,and performing baseline blood investigations and ultrasono-graphy to assess renal function and structural abnormalities.RESULTS The mean age of participants was 41 years.Females constituted 66.5%;78% were on Tenofovir-based regimen.The mean duration of HIV infection was 5 years;mean duration of antiretroviral therapy was 4 years.67.4% had a body mass index over 25.World Health Organization staging of HIV infection revealed that 41.9%were in stage 3,30%in stage 2.35.7% had cluster differentiation 4 counts<200.The mean creatinine was 1 mg/dL and mean urea was 25.1 mg/dL.54.6%had estimated glomerular filtration rate of<60.Enlarged kidneys in 39.2%and increased echogenicity in 82.8%of participants.A decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and an increase in kidney size was significantly associated with advancing HIV stages.CONCLUSION Both structural and functional kidney abnormalities are common in patients with HIV infection.These abnor-malities increase with disease progression,underscoring the need for regular and consistent renal monitoring.展开更多
A growing global population and the increasing prevalence of diet-related health issues such as“hidden hunger”,obesity,hypertension,and diabetes necessitate a fundamental rethinking of crop design and breeding.Synth...A growing global population and the increasing prevalence of diet-related health issues such as“hidden hunger”,obesity,hypertension,and diabetes necessitate a fundamental rethinking of crop design and breeding.Synthetic metabolic engineering offers a method to modify and redesign metabolic pathways to increase the nutritional value of crops.We summarize recent advances in the biofortification of key nutrients including provitamin A,vitamin C,vitamin B9,iron,zinc,anthocyanins,flavonoids,and unsaturated fatty acids.We discuss the potential of multi-gene stacking,gene editing,enzyme engineering,and artificial intelligence in synthetic metabolic engineering.We propose future research directions and potential solutions centered on leveraging AI-driven systems biology,precision gene editing,enzyme engineering,agrobacterium-mediated genotype-independent transformation,and modular metabolic engineering strategies to develop next-generation nutritionally enhanced super crops and transform global food systems.展开更多
This study investigates the properties of high-purity starches extracted from Polygonum multiflorum(PMS)and Smilax glabra(SGS).The starches were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,Fouriertransform infrared ...This study investigates the properties of high-purity starches extracted from Polygonum multiflorum(PMS)and Smilax glabra(SGS).The starches were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,high-performance anion-exchange chromatography,and differential scanning calorimetry.Significant differences were observed in their morphological,physicochemical,and functional properties.PMS had a smaller particle size(13.68 μm),irregular polygonal shape,A-type,lower water absorption(62.67 %),and higher oil absorption(51.17 %).In contrast,SGS exhibited larger particles(31.75 μm),a nearly spherical shape,B-type,higher crystallinity(50.66 %),and greater amylose content(21.54 %),with superior thermal stability,shear resistance,and gelatinization enthalpy.SGS also contained higher resistant starch(83.28 %) and longer average chain length(20.58 %),but showed lower solubility,swelling power,light transmittance,and freeze-thaw stability.The physicochemical properties differences in crystal pattern and particle morphology between PMS and SGS lead to distinct behaviors during in vitro digestion and fermentation.These findings highlight the potential of medicinal plant starches in functional ingredients and industrial processes.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effects of shortening the duration of silicone oil tamponade on retinal structure and function in patients undergoing silicone oil removal(SOR)after surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal de...AIM:To investigate the effects of shortening the duration of silicone oil tamponade on retinal structure and function in patients undergoing silicone oil removal(SOR)after surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD).METHODS:A total of 58 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups based on tamponade duration:the short-term group(30-45d)and the conventional group(≥90d).Comprehensive evaluations were performed before and after SOR,including slitlamp examination,best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)measurement,intraocular pressure(IOP)testing,optical coherence tomography(OCT),optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA),microperimetry,electroretinography(ERG),and visual evoked potential(VEP)assessment.RESULTS:A total of 33 patients(23 males and 10 females;33 eyes)were enrolled in the short-term SO tamponade group with mean age of 52.45±9.35y,and 25 patients(15 males and 10 females;25 eyes)were enrolled in the conventional SO tamponade group with mean age of 50.80±12.06y.Compared with the conventional group,the short-term silicone oil tamponade group had a significantly lower incidence of silicone oil emulsification and cataract progression,with no significant difference in retinal reattachment success rate.Structurally,short-term tamponade was associated with increased thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer(RGCL)in the nasal and superior macular regions and improved recovery of superficial retinal vascular density in these areas.Functionally,the shortterm group showed better BCVA and retinal sensitivity both before and 1mo after SOR;additionally,the P100 amplitude in VEP tests was significantly increased in this group.CONCLUSION:Shortening the duration of silicone oil tamponade effectively reduces damage to retinal structure and function without compromising the success rate of retinal reattachment in patients with primary RRD.展开更多
Understanding the acid resistance mechanism of S.mutans is crucial for preventing dental caries.FtsZ is the core protein for cell division in bacteria that can polymerize into Z-rings and drive cytokinesis.Our previou...Understanding the acid resistance mechanism of S.mutans is crucial for preventing dental caries.FtsZ is the core protein for cell division in bacteria that can polymerize into Z-rings and drive cytokinesis.Our previous study revealed that the FtsZ in S.mutans(SmFtsZ) has higher self-assembly and GTPase activity under acidic stress,which may be responsible for acid resistance and ca riogenesis of S.mutans.However,the functional structure mechanism of SmFtsZ under low pH conditions is still unclear.Here,we further reported the crystal structure of S.mutans FtsZ,revealing a unique lateral interface.Through protein polymerization and GTPase activity assay,we experimentally demonstrated that the mutation of Arg68 on this lateral interface significantly reduced the functional activity of FtsZ in an acidic environment.The phenotype assay and rat caries model further showed that the mutation of Arg68 effectively inhibited the acid resistance of S.mutans and the occurrence and progress of dental caries in vivo.By employing a molecular dynamics simulation analysis,we conclude that the mutation of Arg68 disrupts the conformation change necessary for SmFtsZ polymerization under acidic conditions.Our study proposes a novel mechanism to maintain FtsZ function in bacteria and could be a potential target for antimicrobial drugs to inhibit the growth of S.mutans in acidic environments.展开更多
Spinal cord injury represents a severe form of central nervous system trauma for which effective treatments remain limited.Microglia is the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,play a critical role in s...Spinal cord injury represents a severe form of central nervous system trauma for which effective treatments remain limited.Microglia is the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,play a critical role in spinal cord injury.Previous studies have shown that microglia can promote neuronal survival by phagocytosing dead cells and debris and by releasing neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory factors.However,excessive activation of microglia can lead to persistent inflammation and contribute to the formation of glial scars,which hinder axonal regeneration.Despite this,the precise role and mechanisms of microglia during the acute phase of spinal cord injury remain controversial and poorly understood.To elucidate the role of microglia in spinal cord injury,we employed the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX5622 to deplete microglia.We observed that sustained depletion of microglia resulted in an expansion of the lesion area,downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,and impaired functional recovery after spinal cord injury.Next,we generated a transgenic mouse line with conditional overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor specifically in microglia.We found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia increased angiogenesis and blood flow following spinal cord injury and facilitated the recovery of hindlimb motor function.Additionally,brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia reduced inflammation and neuronal apoptosis during the acute phase of spinal cord injury.Furthermore,through using specific transgenic mouse lines,TMEM119,and the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX73086,we demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects were predominantly due to brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia rather than macrophages.In conclusion,our findings suggest the critical role of microglia in the formation of protective glial scars.Depleting microglia is detrimental to recovery of spinal cord injury,whereas targeting brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia represents a promising and novel therapeutic strategy to enhance motor function recovery in patients with spinal cord injury.展开更多
Hydrogel scaffolds have numerous potential applications in the tissue engineering field.However,tough hydrogel scaffolds implanted in vivo are seldom reported because it is difficult to balance biocompatibility and hi...Hydrogel scaffolds have numerous potential applications in the tissue engineering field.However,tough hydrogel scaffolds implanted in vivo are seldom reported because it is difficult to balance biocompatibility and high mechanical properties.Inspired by Chinese ramen,we propose a universal fabricating method(printing-P,training-T,cross-linking-C,PTC&PCT)for tough hydrogel scaffolds to fill this gap.First,3D printing fabricates a hydrogel scaffold with desired structures(P).Then,the scaffold could have extraordinarily high mechanical properties and functional surface structure by cycle mechanical training with salting-out assistance(T).Finally,the training results are fixed by photo-cross-linking processing(C).The tough gelatin hydrogel scaffolds exhibit excellent tensile strength of 6.66 MPa(622-fold untreated)and have excellent biocompatibility.Furthermore,this scaffold possesses functional surface structures from nanometer to micron to millimeter,which can efficiently induce directional cell growth.Interestingly,this strategy can produce bionic human tissue with mechanical properties of 10 kPa-10 MPa by changing the type of salt,and many hydrogels,such as gelatin and silk,could be improved with PTC or PCT strategies.Animal experiments show that this scaffold can effectively promote the new generation of muscle fibers,blood vessels,and nerves within 4 weeks,prompting the rapid regeneration of large-volume muscle loss injuries.展开更多
This study aims to explore the impact of fatigue induced by different limb exercises on cerebral cortical oxygenation levels and functional connectivity strength using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).Fati...This study aims to explore the impact of fatigue induced by different limb exercises on cerebral cortical oxygenation levels and functional connectivity strength using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).Fatigue was induced using an upper limb ergometer or a lower limb ergometer,with the load increasing gradually each minute.fNIRS covering the prefrontal cortex and motor cortex were used to collect data during the resting state,both before and after fatigue induction.A two-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in oxyhemoglobin(HbO_(2))and functional connectivity before and after fatigue induction in both groups,with the significance level set at 0.05.Exercise-induced fatigue in both the upper and lower limbs leads to a significant decrease in cerebral cortical oxygenation levels.Upper limb fatigue leads to a significant reduction in functional connectivity,there were significant decreases in connectivity within the motor cortex,between the motor cortex and frontal regions,and between the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and other frontal regions.Conversely,no significant changes were observed before and after lower limb fatigue.Future studies should focus on examining the extent to which how changes in the cerebral cortex,induced by exercise fatigue,are linked to exercise-and/or performance-related outcomes.展开更多
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2023YFC2410403。
文摘Background:Rats are often used to prepare skin defect models.However,the skin defect sizes of the models prepared by researchers are different,and the lack of consensus on the critical-size defect makes it difficult to compare their research results.Methods:The time for wound closure was evaluated and recorded through gross observation.The regression equation between the healing time and the diameter of skin defect was established,which can be used to predict the healing time for a certain skin defect size in rats.Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the regeneration and reconstruction of skin appendages,and the functional skin repair was quantitatively scored.Results:The critical-size defect of rats was determined based on the maximum capacity of structural skin repair,and the functional skin repair was quantitatively scored based on the regeneration and reconstruction of skin appendages.The allowable range of critical-size skin defect of SD rats lies between 45 and 50 mm in diameter.The concept of structural repair and the category of functional repair of injured skin are put forward.The regression equation between the structural skin healing time and defect diameters is established.Conclusion:The allowable range of skin critical-size defect of SD rats lies between 45 and 50 mm in diameter.The regression equation between the structural skin healing time and defect diameters can be used to predict the healing time for a certain skin defect size in rats.
基金financially supported and funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University(IMSIU)(No.IMSIU-DDRSP2503)。
文摘Functionally graded cellular structures(FGCSs)have a multitude of applications to a wide range of industries.Utilising the ever-progressing technology of additive manufacturing(AM),FGCSs can be applied to control material grading and achieve the desired mechanical properties.The current study explores the design and optimisation of FGCSs for AM,with a focus on improving the compression and impact performance of below knee(BK)prosthetic limbs made of thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU).A multiscale research methodology integrating topology optimization(TO),finite element analysis(FEA),and design of experiments(Do E)was adopted to optimise lattice structures in terms of stiffness and lightweight properties.Two-unit cell designs were considered in the study:Schwarz P gyroid and body-centered cubic(BCC).Response surface methodology(RSM)was implemented to analyse the effect of minimum and maximum cell wall thickness,cell size,and unit cell type on the mechanical performance of TPU FGCS structures.The results indicated that a Schwarz P FGCS structure with cell size,minimum and maximum cell wall thickness of 6,0.9 and 2.8 mm,respectively,could be optimal for a compromise between performance and weight.In this optimized case,stiffness and volume fraction values of 684 N/mm and 0.64 were obtained,respectively.The study also presents a proof-of-concept design for a BK prosthetic damper,highlighting the potential of FGCSs to enhance patient comfort,reduce manufacturing costs,and enable personalised designs through 3D scanning and AM.The obtained results could be a step forward towards the incorporation of AM technologies in prosthetics,offering a pathway to lightweight,cost-effective,and functionally tailored solutions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52231007,51872238,52074227,and 21806129)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Nos.3102018zy045,3102019AX11,and 5000220455)the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China(Nos.2017JQ5116 and 2020JM-118).
文摘The emergence of precision electronic devices and wearable electronic products urgently requires high-performance multifunctional electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorbers to meet the applicability and versatility in various applications.Herein,a dual-network(DN)gel was successfully prepared using acrylamide and sodium lignosulphonate as the basic units by simple chemical cross-linking and physical cross-linking methods.Specifically,the hydrogel forms two types of cross-linking networks through metal coordination and hydrogen bonding.Benefiting from the combined effects of dipole polarization and conductivity loss,the gel achieves an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 6.74 GHz at a thickness of only 1.89 mm,demonstrating excellent EMW absorption performance.In addition,this unique structural configuration endows the EMW absorber with multifunctional features,such as remarkable tensile strength,good environmental compatibility,ultraviolet(UV)resistance,and excellent adhesion.Integrating multiple functional features into the EMW gels displays a broad application prospect in a variety of application scenarios.This research reveals the significance of DN structure design in the electromagnetic wave absorption(EWA)performance of gel-based materials,providing a substantial foundation for the multifunctional design of gel-based absorbers.
基金Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China(No.ZR2024MA085)the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities of China(No.27RA2515008)。
文摘When micro/nano-scale gradient coatings are subject to large thermal gradients or high heat fluxes,the spatial size effect cannot be ignored.It is important to understand how the size effect influences the thermal fracture behavior of functionally graded coating/substrate structures.This study aims at analyzing the transient thermal fracture behavior of collinear interface cracks in functionally graded coating/substrate structures based on the nonlocal dual-phase-lag heat conduction model.By means of integral transform techniques,the mixed boundary problem is transformed into a set of singular integral equations,which are solved by the Chebyshev polynomials.The effects of the nonlocal parameter,coating thickness,crack spacing,and non-homogeneous parameters on the temperature and stress intensity factors(SIFs)are examined.The numerical results show that these parameters play an essential role in controlling the thermal fracture behavior of the structures,especially at micro/nano-scales.
基金supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Project(2022A1515140061,No.11000-2344014)Startup Foundation for Postdoctor by Dongguan University of Technology(No.11000-221110149)the High-level Talents Program(contract number 2023JC10L014)of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province。
文摘High entropy materials(HEMs)are the promising electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane electrolyser(AEMs)and proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)due to the intriguing cocktail effect,wide design space,tailorable electronic structure,and entropy stabilization effect.The precise fabrication of HEMs with functional nanostructures provides a crucial avenue to optimize the adsorption strength and catalytic activity for electrocatalysis.This review comprehensively summarizes the development of HEMs,focusing on the principles and strategies of structural design,and the catalytic mechanism towards hydrogen evolution reaction,oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction for the development of high-performance electrocatalysts.The complexity inherent in the interactions between different elements,the changes in the d-band center and the Gibbs free energies during the catalytic progress,as well as the coordination environment of the active sites associated with the unique crystal structure to improve the catalytic performance are discussed.We also provide a perspective on the challenges and future development direction of HEMs in electrocatalysis.This review will contribute to the design and development of HEMs-based catalysts for the next generation of electrochemical applications.
基金Under the auspices of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41661088,32101593,42361028)Science and Technology Program of Guizhou Province(No.Qiankehe Zhongyindi[2023]005)+1 种基金2024 Humanities and Social Science Research Project of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education(No.24RWZX007)Graduate Research Fund Project of Guizhou Province(No.2024YJSKYJJ153)。
文摘Land use change is a fundamental factor affecting ecosystem’s structures and functions.However,few studies have explored the ecological disturbance caused by land use change from a combined structural and functional perspective.In this study,the ecological structural disturbance index(SDI)and functional disturbance index(FDI)were introduced to quantitatively evaluate ecological disturbance caused by land use change in a typical karst area—Huangping County,Guizhou Province,China during 2009–2019.Results show that although the area of ecological land increased during past 10 yr,there had been a fragmentation trend of ecological land.Agricultural occupation was more severe than construction encroachment on ecological land.The grids with negative structural disturbance were consistent with areas of obvious dynamic loss and gain of ecological land.Ecological fragmentation had a greater impact than habitat gain in grids with negative structural disturbance.The ecosystem service functions of supply,adjustment,support,and culture were obviously affected by land use change,and the total FDI reflects the trade-off among them.Negative FDI values were easily observed in the rocky desertification area or water and soil loss area.The combination analysis of the SDI and FDI indicated the characteristic of codirectional ecologically structural and functional disturbance in the majority of grids.The findings improve our understanding of multiple relationships among ecological disturbances and provide valuable information for guiding land use activities.
文摘Spinal cord injury results in paralysis, sensory disturbances, sphincter dysfunction, and multiple systemic secondary conditions, most arising from autonomic dysregulation. All this produces profound negative psychosocial implications for affected people, their families, and their communities;the financial costs can be challenging for their families and health institutions. Treatments aimed at restoring the spinal cord after spinal cord injury, which have been tested in animal models or clinical trials, generally seek to counteract one or more of the secondary mechanisms of injury to limit the extent of the initial damage. Most published works on structural/functional restoration in acute and chronic spinal cord injury stages use a single type of treatment: a drug or trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and implantation of a biomaterial. Despite the significant benefits reported in animal models, when translating these successful therapeutic strategies to humans, the result in clinical trials has been considered of little relevance because the improvement, when present, is usually insufficient. Until now, most studies designed to promote neuroprotection or regeneration at different stages after spinal cord injury have used single treatments. Considering the occurrence of various secondary mechanisms of injury in the acute and sub-acute phases of spinal cord injury, it is reasonable to speculate that more than one therapeutic agent could be required to promote structural and functional restoration of the damaged spinal cord. Treatments that combine several therapeutic agents, targeting different mechanisms of injury, which, when used as a single therapy, have shown some benefits, allow us to assume that they will have synergistic beneficial effects. Thus, this narrative review article aims to summarize current trends in the use of strategies that combine therapeutic agents administered simultaneously or sequentially, seeking structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22271154)the Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20240078).
文摘Macrocyclic hosts play a crucial role in supramolecular chemistry and the development of supramolecular functional materials.Their well-defined cavities and diverse host-vip interactions endow macrocycles with excellent stimuli responsiveness,facilitating efficient assembly construction.However,the limited availability of functional groups in conventional macrocycles restricts their ability to meet the demand for fabricating materials with multiple functionalities.To address this limitation,several research groups have introduced tetraphenylethylene(TPE),a well-known building block renowned for its remarkable aggregation-induced emission(AIE)effect,into the macrocycle framework.Herein,this paper summarizes the combination strategies and synergistic approaches that achieve multi-functionality by integrating TPE and macrocyclic architectures.The emission characteristics of TPE-embedded macrocycles are elucidated,and it is anticipated that more AIE-type macrocycles with innovative backbones and broad applications will emerge.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(Grant No.2024JC-YBMS-291)Special Support Program for High-level Talents of Shaanxi Province(No.2020-44)。
文摘Color as an indispensable element in our life brings vitality to us and enriches our lifestyles through decorations,indicators,and information carriers.Structural color offers an intriguing strategy to achieve novel functions and endows color with additional levels of significance in anti-counterfeiting,display,sensor,and printing.Furthermore,structural colors possess excellent properties,such as resistance to extreme external conditions,high brightness,saturation,and purity.Devices and platforms based on structural color have significantly changed our life and are becoming increasingly important.Here,we reviewed four typical applications of structural color and analyzed their advantages and shortcomings.First,a series of mechanisms and fabrication methods are briefly summarized and compared.Subsequently,recent progress of structural color and its applications were discussed in detail.For each application field,we classified them into several types in terms of their functions and properties.Finally,we analyzed recent emerging technologies and their potential for integration into structural color devices,as well as the corresponding challenges.
基金supported by Forestry and Grassland Science and Technology Innovation Project(LCKJCX2022001)from Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Gansu Province’s.
文摘This study investigated the effects of planting duration(1,5,10 and 15 years)on soil properties,bacterial community diversity,and function in the rhizosphere of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.We employed Illumina highthroughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional prediction to analyze the structure and functional potential of rhizosphere soil bacterial communities.The Mantel test and redundancy analysis were used to identify physicochemical factors influencing bacterial community structure and function.The results indicated significant differences in rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties across planting years:the content of organic matter,alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen in the soil,as well as the activity of invertase,urease,and alkaline phosphatase initially increased and then decreased,while available potassium,Olsen-phosphorus content,and peroxidase activity continued to increase.However,bacterial alpha diversity(Chao1 and Shannon indices)and the number of amplicon sequence variants increased continuously with planting duration.Principal coordinate analysis and Adonis tests revealed that the planting year significantly influenced the bacterial community structure(p<0.05).The phyla Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi collectively constituted 56.7%to 71.2%of the relative abundance,representing the dominant taxa.PICRUSt2 predictions indicated key functional categories(cellular processes,metabolism,genetic information processing,and environmental information processing)each exceeding 10%relative abundance.BugBase analysis revealed a progressive increase in aerobic and oxidative stress-tolerant bacteria and a decrease in anaerobic and potentially pathogenic bacteria.Differential indicator species analysis identified Firmicutes,Planctomycetes,Methylomirabilota and Actinobacteriota as key discriminators for the 1-,5-,10-and 15-year stages,respectively.Organic matter,alkaline phosphatase,soil pH,and available phosphorus were the primary physicochemical drivers of bacterial communities.Notably,soil organic matter significantly influenced both the community structure(p<0.05)and predictedmetabolic functions(p<0.05).In conclusion,prolonged planting duration significantly enhanced rhizosphere microbial diversity and functional gene abundance in Z.bungeanumwhile driving the structural succession of bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Acidobacteriota,and Chloroflexi.This ecological shift,characterized by increased aerobic/oxidative-stress taxa and decreased anaerobic/pathogenic bacteria,was primarily regulated by soil organic matter,a key driver shaping both community structure and metabolic functions,ultimately improving soil microecological health.
文摘This study was carried out to assess plasticity to drought of 30 adult fig cultivars,based on a screening of leaf structural and functional traits under sustained deficit irrigation,corresponding to 60%of crop evapotranspiration.All trees,three per cultivar,are planted in an ex-situ collection in Sais plain,northern Morocco.The measurements concerned leaf area,blade thickness,trichomes density,trichome hair length,stomatal density,stomatal dimensions,stomatal area index,chlorophyll concentration index,relative water content,stomatal conductance,leaf temperature,water loss in detached leaves,cuticular wax content,proline content,total phenolic compounds,and total soluble sugars.The ranking of cultivars regarding drought tolerance was established based on a two-level clustering approach,primarily relying on chlorophyll concentration index and secondarily on water status traits.Results showed significant genotypic variations for all measured traits,except phenolic compounds content.Correlations between structural and functional traits have pinpointed blade thickness and trichome hair length as the key indicators of fig drought tolerance,owing to their involvement in maintaining chlorophyll content under water stress conditions.The extent of the variations shows that fig leaf is endowed with a wide structural and functional diversity,which can give to the species potential for resilience to various environmental stresses,including drought.Among the cultivars assessed,two exotic varieties,“Kadota”and“Royal Blanck”,as well as four local cultivars,namely,“Ferqouch Jmel”,“El Qoti Labied”,“Hamra”and“Fassi”showed the highest drought plasticity level.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(23JRRM0752,22JR5RA345,21JR1RM333)the Project of Science and Technology Specialist in Gansu Province(24CXGM002)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31860148)the Research Fund Project for PhD of Longdong University(XYBYZK2208)the Natural Science Foundation of Longdong University(HXZK2488).
文摘Crude oil pollution is a significant global environmental challenge.The eastern Gansu Province on the Loess Plateau,an important agricultural region containing the Changqing Oilfield,is facing increasing crude oil contamination.Understanding how microbial communities respond to varying pollution levels is critical for developing effective bioremediation strategies.This study examined how different concentrations of crude oil affect soil properties and microbial communities in Qingyang City,eastern Gansu Province,China by comparing lightly polluted(1895.84-2696.54 mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons(TPH)),heavily polluted(4964.25-7153.61 mg/kg TPH),and uncontaminated(CK)soils.Results revealed that petroleum contamination significantly increased total organic carbon(TOC),pH,C:N:P ratio,and the activities of dehydrogenase(DHA)and polyphenol oxidase(PPO),while reducing total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),total phosphorus(TP),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),soil organic matter(SOM),soil water content(SWC),the activities of urease(URE)and alkaline phosphatase(APA),and microbial alpha diversity(P<0.050).Light pollution(LP)soils demonstrated an increase in culturable microorganisms,whereas heavy pollution(HP)soils exhibited increased hydrocarbon-degrading microbes and higher expression of key functional genes,such as alkane monooxygenase(AlkB),cytochrome P450 alkane hydroxylases(P450),catechol 2,3-dioxygenase(C23O),and naphthalene dioxygenase(Nah)(P<0.050).Non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS)and redundancy analysis(RDA)indicated evident variations in microbial community structure across different oil contamination levels.LP soils were dominated by bacterial genera Pseudoxanthomonas and Solimonadaceae,whereas Pseudomonas,Nocardioides,and hydrocarbon-degrading genera(Marinobacter,Idiomarina,and Halomonas)were predominant in HP soils.The fungal genus Pseudallescheria exhibited the most pronounced abundance shift between LP and HP soils(P<0.050).Environmental factor analysis identified AN,SWC,TN,SOM,and alpha diversity indices(Shannon index and Chao1 index)as the key differentiators of CK soils,whereas the pollutant levels and metal content were characterized in HP soils.Hydrocarbon-degrading microbial abundance was a defining trait of HP soils.Metabolic pathway analysis revealed enhanced aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in HP soils,indicating microbial adaptation to severe contamination.These findings demonstrated that crude oil pollution suppressed soil nutrients while reshaping the structure and function of microbial communities.Pollution intensity directly affected microbial composition and degradation potential.This study offers valuable insights into microbial responses across contamination gradients and supports the development of targeted bioremediation strategies for oil-contaminated loess soils.
文摘BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that evolves towards the deve-lopment of end-stage renal disease.The superimposition of renal impairment on a complex disease,namely human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection,will raise the burden of comorbidities and,predict worse outcomes in this group of the population.AIM To evaluate the structural and functional defects of kidney in patients with HIV infection.METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 227 patients with HIV infection.Participants were selected by simple random sampling method.Eligible participants included HIV infection-positive adults aged 18 years and above.Exclusion criteria en-compassed individuals with preexisting hypertension,diabetes mellitus,chronic kidney disease,chronic liver disease,and those receiving nephrotoxic drugs.Informed consent was obtained.Data collection involved recording medical histories,conducting clinical examinations,and performing baseline blood investigations and ultrasono-graphy to assess renal function and structural abnormalities.RESULTS The mean age of participants was 41 years.Females constituted 66.5%;78% were on Tenofovir-based regimen.The mean duration of HIV infection was 5 years;mean duration of antiretroviral therapy was 4 years.67.4% had a body mass index over 25.World Health Organization staging of HIV infection revealed that 41.9%were in stage 3,30%in stage 2.35.7% had cluster differentiation 4 counts<200.The mean creatinine was 1 mg/dL and mean urea was 25.1 mg/dL.54.6%had estimated glomerular filtration rate of<60.Enlarged kidneys in 39.2%and increased echogenicity in 82.8%of participants.A decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and an increase in kidney size was significantly associated with advancing HIV stages.CONCLUSION Both structural and functional kidney abnormalities are common in patients with HIV infection.These abnor-malities increase with disease progression,underscoring the need for regular and consistent renal monitoring.
基金supported by grants from the Guangxi Science and Technology Major Project(GKAA24206023)the Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project(2024ZD04077)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272120)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFF1000800)the Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Precise Breeding of Future Crops Major Project(FCBRCE-202502,FCBRCE-202504).
文摘A growing global population and the increasing prevalence of diet-related health issues such as“hidden hunger”,obesity,hypertension,and diabetes necessitate a fundamental rethinking of crop design and breeding.Synthetic metabolic engineering offers a method to modify and redesign metabolic pathways to increase the nutritional value of crops.We summarize recent advances in the biofortification of key nutrients including provitamin A,vitamin C,vitamin B9,iron,zinc,anthocyanins,flavonoids,and unsaturated fatty acids.We discuss the potential of multi-gene stacking,gene editing,enzyme engineering,and artificial intelligence in synthetic metabolic engineering.We propose future research directions and potential solutions centered on leveraging AI-driven systems biology,precision gene editing,enzyme engineering,agrobacterium-mediated genotype-independent transformation,and modular metabolic engineering strategies to develop next-generation nutritionally enhanced super crops and transform global food systems.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82174074)。
文摘This study investigates the properties of high-purity starches extracted from Polygonum multiflorum(PMS)and Smilax glabra(SGS).The starches were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,high-performance anion-exchange chromatography,and differential scanning calorimetry.Significant differences were observed in their morphological,physicochemical,and functional properties.PMS had a smaller particle size(13.68 μm),irregular polygonal shape,A-type,lower water absorption(62.67 %),and higher oil absorption(51.17 %).In contrast,SGS exhibited larger particles(31.75 μm),a nearly spherical shape,B-type,higher crystallinity(50.66 %),and greater amylose content(21.54 %),with superior thermal stability,shear resistance,and gelatinization enthalpy.SGS also contained higher resistant starch(83.28 %) and longer average chain length(20.58 %),but showed lower solubility,swelling power,light transmittance,and freeze-thaw stability.The physicochemical properties differences in crystal pattern and particle morphology between PMS and SGS lead to distinct behaviors during in vitro digestion and fermentation.These findings highlight the potential of medicinal plant starches in functional ingredients and industrial processes.
基金Supported by the Key Science&Technology Project of Guangzhou(No.202103000045)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82070972,No.82271093).
文摘AIM:To investigate the effects of shortening the duration of silicone oil tamponade on retinal structure and function in patients undergoing silicone oil removal(SOR)after surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD).METHODS:A total of 58 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups based on tamponade duration:the short-term group(30-45d)and the conventional group(≥90d).Comprehensive evaluations were performed before and after SOR,including slitlamp examination,best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)measurement,intraocular pressure(IOP)testing,optical coherence tomography(OCT),optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA),microperimetry,electroretinography(ERG),and visual evoked potential(VEP)assessment.RESULTS:A total of 33 patients(23 males and 10 females;33 eyes)were enrolled in the short-term SO tamponade group with mean age of 52.45±9.35y,and 25 patients(15 males and 10 females;25 eyes)were enrolled in the conventional SO tamponade group with mean age of 50.80±12.06y.Compared with the conventional group,the short-term silicone oil tamponade group had a significantly lower incidence of silicone oil emulsification and cataract progression,with no significant difference in retinal reattachment success rate.Structurally,short-term tamponade was associated with increased thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer(RGCL)in the nasal and superior macular regions and improved recovery of superficial retinal vascular density in these areas.Functionally,the shortterm group showed better BCVA and retinal sensitivity both before and 1mo after SOR;additionally,the P100 amplitude in VEP tests was significantly increased in this group.CONCLUSION:Shortening the duration of silicone oil tamponade effectively reduces damage to retinal structure and function without compromising the success rate of retinal reattachment in patients with primary RRD.
基金supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation:7222220National Natural Science Foundation of China (82001039)+2 种基金Research Foundation of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology:PKUSS20230117The Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesYoung Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program by CAST (No.2019QNRC001 to Y.L.L)。
文摘Understanding the acid resistance mechanism of S.mutans is crucial for preventing dental caries.FtsZ is the core protein for cell division in bacteria that can polymerize into Z-rings and drive cytokinesis.Our previous study revealed that the FtsZ in S.mutans(SmFtsZ) has higher self-assembly and GTPase activity under acidic stress,which may be responsible for acid resistance and ca riogenesis of S.mutans.However,the functional structure mechanism of SmFtsZ under low pH conditions is still unclear.Here,we further reported the crystal structure of S.mutans FtsZ,revealing a unique lateral interface.Through protein polymerization and GTPase activity assay,we experimentally demonstrated that the mutation of Arg68 on this lateral interface significantly reduced the functional activity of FtsZ in an acidic environment.The phenotype assay and rat caries model further showed that the mutation of Arg68 effectively inhibited the acid resistance of S.mutans and the occurrence and progress of dental caries in vivo.By employing a molecular dynamics simulation analysis,we conclude that the mutation of Arg68 disrupts the conformation change necessary for SmFtsZ polymerization under acidic conditions.Our study proposes a novel mechanism to maintain FtsZ function in bacteria and could be a potential target for antimicrobial drugs to inhibit the growth of S.mutans in acidic environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82072165 and 82272256(both to XM)the Key Project of Xiangyang Central Hospital,No.2023YZ03(to RM)。
文摘Spinal cord injury represents a severe form of central nervous system trauma for which effective treatments remain limited.Microglia is the resident immune cells of the central nervous system,play a critical role in spinal cord injury.Previous studies have shown that microglia can promote neuronal survival by phagocytosing dead cells and debris and by releasing neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory factors.However,excessive activation of microglia can lead to persistent inflammation and contribute to the formation of glial scars,which hinder axonal regeneration.Despite this,the precise role and mechanisms of microglia during the acute phase of spinal cord injury remain controversial and poorly understood.To elucidate the role of microglia in spinal cord injury,we employed the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX5622 to deplete microglia.We observed that sustained depletion of microglia resulted in an expansion of the lesion area,downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,and impaired functional recovery after spinal cord injury.Next,we generated a transgenic mouse line with conditional overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor specifically in microglia.We found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia increased angiogenesis and blood flow following spinal cord injury and facilitated the recovery of hindlimb motor function.Additionally,brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia reduced inflammation and neuronal apoptosis during the acute phase of spinal cord injury.Furthermore,through using specific transgenic mouse lines,TMEM119,and the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX73086,we demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects were predominantly due to brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia rather than macrophages.In conclusion,our findings suggest the critical role of microglia in the formation of protective glial scars.Depleting microglia is detrimental to recovery of spinal cord injury,whereas targeting brain-derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in microglia represents a promising and novel therapeutic strategy to enhance motor function recovery in patients with spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(T2121004)Key Programme(52235007)National Outstanding Youth Foundation of China(52325504).
文摘Hydrogel scaffolds have numerous potential applications in the tissue engineering field.However,tough hydrogel scaffolds implanted in vivo are seldom reported because it is difficult to balance biocompatibility and high mechanical properties.Inspired by Chinese ramen,we propose a universal fabricating method(printing-P,training-T,cross-linking-C,PTC&PCT)for tough hydrogel scaffolds to fill this gap.First,3D printing fabricates a hydrogel scaffold with desired structures(P).Then,the scaffold could have extraordinarily high mechanical properties and functional surface structure by cycle mechanical training with salting-out assistance(T).Finally,the training results are fixed by photo-cross-linking processing(C).The tough gelatin hydrogel scaffolds exhibit excellent tensile strength of 6.66 MPa(622-fold untreated)and have excellent biocompatibility.Furthermore,this scaffold possesses functional surface structures from nanometer to micron to millimeter,which can efficiently induce directional cell growth.Interestingly,this strategy can produce bionic human tissue with mechanical properties of 10 kPa-10 MPa by changing the type of salt,and many hydrogels,such as gelatin and silk,could be improved with PTC or PCT strategies.Animal experiments show that this scaffold can effectively promote the new generation of muscle fibers,blood vessels,and nerves within 4 weeks,prompting the rapid regeneration of large-volume muscle loss injuries.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China[NO.11932013].
文摘This study aims to explore the impact of fatigue induced by different limb exercises on cerebral cortical oxygenation levels and functional connectivity strength using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS).Fatigue was induced using an upper limb ergometer or a lower limb ergometer,with the load increasing gradually each minute.fNIRS covering the prefrontal cortex and motor cortex were used to collect data during the resting state,both before and after fatigue induction.A two-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in oxyhemoglobin(HbO_(2))and functional connectivity before and after fatigue induction in both groups,with the significance level set at 0.05.Exercise-induced fatigue in both the upper and lower limbs leads to a significant decrease in cerebral cortical oxygenation levels.Upper limb fatigue leads to a significant reduction in functional connectivity,there were significant decreases in connectivity within the motor cortex,between the motor cortex and frontal regions,and between the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and other frontal regions.Conversely,no significant changes were observed before and after lower limb fatigue.Future studies should focus on examining the extent to which how changes in the cerebral cortex,induced by exercise fatigue,are linked to exercise-and/or performance-related outcomes.
