Dysfunction and Metabolic Reprogramming of Gut Regulatory T Cells in HIV-Infected Immunological Non-Responders.

Disruption of the gut microenvironment is a hallmark of HIV infection, where regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining gut homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which gut Tregs contribute to immune reconstitution failure in HIV-infected individuals remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze gut Treg populations across three cohorts: eight immunological responders (IRs), three immunological non-responders (INRs), and four HIV-negative controls (NCs).

Experiences in practicing physical examination skills among undergraduate nursing students in clinical rotation based on the COM-B system: a descriptive qualitative study.

Purposes: To explore the experiences of Chinese undergraduate nursing students in practicing physical examination (PE) skills during clinical rotation.

Methods: A descriptive-qualitative approach was used. A total of 18 undergraduate nursing students from eight universities were interviewed.

Characteristics and functions of an atypical inflammation-associated GZMKGZMBCD8 T subset in people living with HIV-1.

HIV-1 chronically infects host CD4 T lymphocytes and further affects a variety of immune cells, including CD8 T cells. In our previous study, by analyzing unbiased high-dimensional single-cell RNA-seq data (scRNA-seq), we found that the frequency of GZMKCD8 T cells expressing granzyme K (GZMK) was increased in people living with HIV-1 (PLWHs). However, the phenotypic and functional characteristics of these cells in chronic HIV-1 infection and their correlation with disease are not well understood.

Highly Reliable Magnetic Memory-Based Physical Unclonable Functions.

Magnetic random-access memory (MRAM), which stores information through control of the magnetization direction, offers promising features as a viable nonvolatile memory alternative, including high endurance and successful large-scale commercialization. Recently, MRAM applications have extended beyond traditional memories, finding utility in emerging computing architectures such as in-memory computing and probabilistic bits. In this work, we report highly reliable MRAM-based security devices, known as physical unclonable functions (PUFs), achieved by exploiting nanoscale perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs).

Creation and regulation of ion channels across reconstituted phospholipid bilayers generated by streptavidin-linked magnetite nanoparticles.

In this work, we explore the nature of ion-channel-like conductance fluctuations across a reconstituted phospholipid bilayer due to insertion of ∼100 nm sized, streptavidin-linked magnetite nanoparticles under static magnetic fields (SMFs). For a fixed bias voltage, the frequency of current bursts increases with the application of SMFs. Apart from a closed conductance state G(0) (≤14 pS), we identify four major conductance states, with the lowest conductance level (G(1)) being ∼126 pS.

Rapid fabrication and piezoelectric tuning of micro- and nanopores in single crystal quartz.

We outline the fabrication of piezoelectric through-pores in crystalline quartz using a rapid micromachining process, and demonstrate piezoelectric deformation of the pore. The single-step fabrication technique combines ultraviolet (UV) laser irradiation with a thin layer of absorbing liquid in contact with the UV-transparent quartz chip. The effects of different liquid media are shown.

Mechanical actuation of ion channels using a piezoelectric planar patch clamp system.

High-throughput screening of ion channels is now possible with the advent of the planar patch clamp system. This system drastically increases the number of ion channels that can be studied, as multiple ion channel experiments can now be conducted in parallel. However, due to tedious, usually pressure-driven mechanotransduction techniques, there has been a slow integration of this technology into the field of mechanosensitive ion channels.

Semiconductor nanomembrane tubes: three-dimensional confinement for controlled neurite outgrowth.

In many neural culture studies, neurite migration on a flat, open surface does not reflect the three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment in vivo. With that in mind, we fabricated arrays of semiconductor tubes using strained silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) nanomembranes and employed them as a cell culture substrate for primary cortical neurons. Our experiments show that the SiGe substrate and the tube fabrication process are biologically viable for neuron cells.

Single-ion channel recordings on quartz substrates.

We show that a single-crystal quartz substrate provides a working platform for ion channel research. Single-crystal quartz is piezoelectric, so it can be nanomechanically actuated to perform precise membrane deformations. This, along with its superior noise properties, makes single-crystal quartz ideal for analyzing mechanosensitive ion channels.

Laser drilling of nano-pores in sandwiched thin glass membranes.

We report on a novel method of using an excimer laser to drill ultra-small pores in borosilicate glass membranes. By introducing a thin layer of liquid between sandwiches of two glass slides, we can shrink the pore size and smoothen the surface on the exit side. We are able to push the minimal exit pore diameter down to 90 nm, well below the laser wavelength of 193 nm.