Multi-CEM-embedded microfluidic system for simultaneous molecular enrichment and separation by multi-stage ion concentration polarization.

The ion concentration polarization (ICP) effect is widely utilized in low-abundance particle preconcentration with a high enrichment factor. However, it is still challenging to realize the locational molecular separation based on their mobilities in traditional single-cation-exchange-membrane (CEM) microsystems. In this study, we developed a multi-CEM-embedded molecular enrichment and separation system leveraging the ICP effect, where analytes could be selectively enriched at distinct membrane interfaces.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 4-mediated glutamatfergic signaling reshapes the tumor microenvironment by regulating dendritic cell maturation.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4, encoded by Grm4), is a neurotransmitter receptor, known to play roles in tumor progression and immune modulation through the nervous system. Here we show that mGluR4 may regulate immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) also via non-neuronal mechanisms. We observe that dendritic cells (DC) from mGluR4-deficient mice display enhanced migration, maturation and antigen-presentation capacity, which promote T cell and NK cell responses against tumor cells.

Facilitating Sodium-Ion Diffusion in Fe-Doped CoO for High-Rate Performance.

Due to its high theoretical capacity, cobalt oxide (CoO) has attracted attention to sodium-ion battery (SIB) anodes. However, its low conductivity and poor rate performance have limited its practical application. This work proposes a co-precipitation doping strategy to synthesize iron-doped CoO nanoparticles (FeCoO NPs).

Major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome risk: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous studies have revealed a connection between major depressive disorder (MDD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but it remains obscure if the two diseases are related causally. Mendelian randomization was utilized in this investigation to ascertain whether MDD contributed to the emergence of IBS.

Methods: To examine possible connections between MDD and IBS, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) utilizing summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

NMDAR antagonists suppress tumor progression by regulating tumor-associated macrophages.

Neurotransmitter receptors are increasingly recognized to play important roles in anti-tumor immunity. The expression of the ion channel N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) on macrophages was reported, but the role of NMDAR on macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unknown. Here, we show that the activation of NMDAR triggered calcium influx and reactive oxygen species production, which fueled immunosuppressive activities in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the hepatocellular sarcoma and fibrosarcoma tumor settings.

Effects of Press Needling combined with general anesthesia on postoperative analgesia in thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for lung cancer: A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of press needle therapy on postoperative analgesia and other relevant complications in patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Design: randomized, single-blind, controlled trial SETTING: Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities.

Interventions: Eighty-six patients were randomized into: the Acu group (press-needle group) and the control group MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain levels 24, 48, and three months after surgery were measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS).

Circ-C16orf62 Regulates Oxidized low-density Lipoprotein-induced Apoptosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Cholesterol Accumulation of Macrophages via Mediating RAB22A Expression by Targeting miR-377.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the most common and important vascular diseases. It is believed that the abnormal expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays an important role in AS. Hence, we investigate the function and mechanism of circ-C16orf62 in AS development.

The role of glutamate receptors in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment.

Glutamate, as one of the most important carbon sources in the TCA cycle, is central in metabolic processes that will subsequently influence tumor progression. Several factors can affect the expression of glutamate receptors, playing either a tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressor role in cancer. Thus, the activation of glutamate receptors by the ligand could play a role in tumor development as ample studies have demonstrated the expression of glutamate receptors in a broad range of tumor cells.

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) guided preparation of Ag nanostructures on Ti substrate for sensitive SERS detection of small molecules.

Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has become a powerful analytical technique for highly sensitive detection of target molecules. Its performance, however, is heavily dependent on the substrates. Relatively low sensitivity for small molecules and poor reproducibility in quantitative analysis are often encountered in most of nanoparticle modified SERS substrate.

Fabrication of nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets anchored with carbon nanotubes for the degradation of tetracycline in saline water.

The treatment of wastewater with high salinity is still a challenge because of the quenching effect of various anions on radical processes. The nonradical process may be a more promising pathway. Herein, a 3D structured nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheet anchored with carbon nanotubes (N-GS-CNTs) was prepared by direct pyrolysis of KFe(CN).

A facile electroless preparation of Cu, Sn and Sb oxides coated Ti electrode for electrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Electrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants is an encouraging technology for wastewater treatment. To achieve practical application, electrode plate with cost effective fabrication, high catalytic efficiency and long service life is urgently required. This work prepared a CuO-SnO-SbO electrode on Ti substrate, which is achieved by ultrasonic assisted deposition of Cu layer, followed by electroless deposition of SnSb layer and finalized by calcination at 500 °C.

ASPP2 inhibits tumor growth by repressing the mevalonate pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cancer is, fundamentally, a disorder of cell growth and proliferation, which requires adequate supplies of energy and nutrients. In this study, we report that the haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor ASPP2, a p53 activator, negatively regulates the mevalonate pathway to mediate its inhibitory effect on tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gene expression profile analysis revealed that the expression of key enzymes in the mevalonate pathway were increased when ASPP2 was downregulated.

Obesity-Induced Methylation of Osteopontin Contributes to Adipogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including diabetes, fatty livers, and cancer. Expansion of the adipose mass has been shown to be related to adipogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). However, the underlying mechanism of this effect has yet to be elucidated.

Impacts of the Dispersal Delay on the Stability of the Coexistence Equilibrium of a Two-Patch Predator-Prey Model with Random Predator Dispersal.

In this paper, we study a predator-prey system with random predator dispersal over two habitat patches. We show that in most cases the dispersal delay does not affect the stability and instability of the coexistence equilibrium. However, if the mean time that the predator spent in one patch is much shorter than the timescale of reproduction of the prey and is larger than the double mean time of capture of prey, the dispersal delay can induce stability switches such that an otherwise unstable coexistence equilibrium can be stabilized over a finite number of stability intervals.

The joint impacts of dispersal delay and dispersal patterns on the stability of predator-prey metacommunities.

A predator-prey metapopulation model over arbitrary number of patches is considered in this paper. The model assumes that only prey move (with a dispersal delay) between all connected patches. Two cases of dispersal patterns are considered.

The long noncoding RNA XIST protects cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by targeting miR-330-3p.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in numerous kinds of cardiovascular diseases, and their vital role in regulating cardiac hypertrophy still needs to be explored. In this study, we demonstrated that lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) was upregulated in hypertrophic cardiac of mice and phenylephrine (PE)-treated cardiomyocytes. Next, we observed that inhibition of XIST induced hypertrophic response of cardiomyocyte and overexpression of XIST attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by PE.

Novel Virophages Discovered in a Freshwater Lake in China.

Virophages are small double-stranded DNA viruses that are parasites of giant DNA viruses that infect unicellular eukaryotes. Here we identify a novel group of virophages, named Dishui Lake virophages (DSLVs) that were discovered in Dishui Lake (DSL): an artificial freshwater lake in Shanghai, China. Based on PCR and metagenomic analysis, the complete genome of DSLV1 was found to be circular and 28,788 base pairs in length, with a G+C content 43.

Agarose gel purification of PCR products for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis results in GC-clamp deletion.

The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of marine archaeal samples was amplified using a nested PCR approach, and the V3 region of 16S rRNA gene of crab gut microbiota (CGM) was amplified using the V3 universal primer pair with a guanine and cytosine (GC)-clamp. Unpurified PCR products (UPPs), products purified from reaction solution (PPFSs), and products purified from gel (PPFGs) of above two DNA samples were used for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, respectively. In contrast to almost identical band patterns shared by both the UPP and PPFS, the PPFGs were barely observed on the DGGE gel for both the marine archaea and CGM samples.

Fine structure of Tibetan kefir grains and their yeast distribution, diversity, and shift.

Tibetan kefir grains (TKGs), a kind of natural starter for fermented milk in Tibet, China, host various microorganisms of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and occasionally acetic acid bacteria in a polysaccharide/protein matrix. In the present study, the fine structure of TKGs was studied to shed light on this unusual symbiosis with stereomicroscopy and thin sections. The results reveal that TKGs consist of numerous small grain units, which are characterized by a hollow globular structure with a diameter between 2.

Infinitely many homoclinic solutions for second order nonlinear difference equations with p-Laplacian.

We employ Nehari manifold methods and critical point theory to study the existence of nontrivial homoclinic solutions of discrete p-Laplacian equations with a coercive weight function and superlinear nonlinearity. Without assuming the classical Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz condition and without any periodicity assumptions, we prove the existence and multiplicity results of the equations.

Efficient purification and concentration of viruses from a large body of high turbidity seawater.

Marine viruses are the most abundant entities in the ocean and play crucial roles in the marine ecological system. However, understanding of viral diversity on large scale depends on efficient and reliable viral purification and concentration techniques. Here, we report on developing an efficient method to purify and concentrate viruses from large body of high turbidity seawater.