Low-cost, 4 × 4 pixels, pyroelectric infrared array device based on flexible composites.

The P(VDF-TrFE) and PZT composite materials have the advantages of flexibility, ease of preparation, low cost, and potential for large-scale production. In this paper, a low-cost, 4×4 pixel array-type pyroelectric infrared device based on P(VDF-TrFE)/PZT is prepared. In order to facilitate the interconnection between the sensitive element and readout circuit using the room temperature cured silver paste, the array electrodes are fanned out to the edge of the sensitive element.

Novel Glasses-Free Distance Stereotest Using Eye Tracking: Evaluation of Sensitivity, Validity, Reliability, and Monocular Cue Masking.

Objective: This study assessed the sensitivity, validity, reliability, and monocular cue masking of a novel glasses-free distance random-dot stereotest system (GFDRDSS) compared with the established Distance Randot stereotest in youth with normal vision.

Methods: A total of 185 participants (17-20 years) with normal uncorrected visual acuity and eye alignment were enrolled. Distance stereoacuity was measured by GFDRDSS at 5 m and Distance Randot at 3 m.

Identification and characterization of HP-B1083-derived β-glucuronidase and its application for baicalin biotransformation.

Baicalein, showing higher bioavailability and stronger pharmacological activity, can be obtained via a β-glucuronidase (GUS)-catalyzed transformation of baicalein 7-O-β-D-glucuronide (baicalin). Recently, we have found that the fermentation broth of HP-B1083 can efficiently convert baicalin to baicalein. In this study, the HP-B1083-derived enzyme involved in baicalin biotransformation was identified and characterized.

Transcription factor triggers the SPRY1-NF-κB pathway to maintain testicular immune homeostasis and male fertility.

Bacterial or viral infections, such as , mumps virus, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus, destroy immune homeostasis of the testes, leading to spermatogenesis disorder and infertility. Of note, recent research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect male gonads and destroy Sertoli and Leydig cells, leading to male reproductive dysfunction. Due to the many side effects associated with antibiotic therapy, finding alternative treatments for inflammatory injury remains critical.

Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy for Stem Cell Research.

Stem cells have shown great potential functions for tissue regeneration and repair because of their unlimited self-renewal and differentiation. Stem cells reside in their niches, making them a hotspot for the development and diagnosis of diseases. Complex interactions between niches and stem cells create the balance between differentiation, self-renewal, maturation, and proliferation.

A New Distance Stereotest by Autostereoscopic Display Using an Eye-Tracking Method.

This research aimed to present a novel glasses-free distance random-dot stereotest system (GFDRDSS) using an eye-tracking method. A single-view autostereoscopic display applying a backlight control system combined with an eye-tracking method and the corresponding random-dot stereotest software were developed to create a GFDRDSS with a viewing distance of 5 m. The stereoacuity of 12 subjects with normal eye position was evaluated using the Randot Stereotest, Stereoscopic Test Charts vol.

Body Mass Index: An Effective Predictor of Ejection Fraction Improvement in Heart Failure.

Heart failure patients with higher body mass index (BMI) exhibit better clinical outcomes. Therefore, we assessed whether the BMI can predict left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) improvement following heart failure. We included 184 patients newly diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced EF in our center and who underwent follow-up examination of EF via echocardiography after 6 months.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals atlas of dairy goat testis cells.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is useful for exploring cell heterogeneity. For large animals, however, little is known regarding spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) self-renewal regulation, especially in dairy goats. In this study, we described a high-resolution scRNA-seq atlas derived from a dairy goat.

Treatment of ammonia-embodied wastewater by a transition-metal-based photochemical catalysis strategy.

Inspired by the self-purification process and a low nitrogen content of the ocean, and the fact that the driving-force behind ecological cycle is solar irradiation, a novel photochemical strategy was designed to spontaneously remove inorganic ammonia nitrogen from wastewater with solar irradiation. This strategy is based on the principles of green chemistry and energy efficiency, and meanwhile the prevention from the introduction of accompanying pollution. In our strategy, a photo-Fe (or Mn)-O system was built to remove ammonia-nitrogen from its aqueous solution.

Cardiovascular Safety, Long-Term Noncardiovascular Safety, and Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis.

Background: The cardiovascular and long-term noncardiovascular safety and efficacy of SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors have not been well documented.

Methods And Results: For cardiovascular outcomes, we performed a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials and adjusted observational studies, each with a minimum of 26 weeks and 2000 patient-years of follow-up. For long-term noncardiovascular safety and efficacy outcome analyses, we included only randomized controlled trials with at least 2 years and 1000 patient-years of follow-up.

Mid- and Long-Term Outcome Comparisons of Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Scaffolds Versus Everolimus-Eluting Metallic Stents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions to implant bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) were designed to reduce the late thrombotic events that occur with metallic stents.

Purpose: To estimate the incidence of scaffold thrombosis after BVS implantation and compare everolimus-eluting BVSs with everolimus-eluting metallic stents (EESs) in terms of safety and efficacy at mid- and long-term follow-up in adults who had a percutaneous coronary intervention.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, conference proceedings, and relevant Web sites from inception until 20 May 2017, without language restriction.

Optimization of paeonol-loaded microparticle formulation by response surface methodology.

In this study, a central composite rotatable design based on response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to design and formulate an appropriate paeonol microparticle formulation. Five levels of a three-factor, rotatable, central composite design were used to evaluate the critical formulation variables. The optimum conditions for preparing paeonol-loaded microparticles were predicted to be: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) content (2.

[Preparation of paeonol transdermal delivery systems based on proniosomes-based ointment and its pharmacokinetics characters].

The paeonol proniosomes ointment and ordinary ointment were administered to rats. Physiological saline served as perfused solution. The perfusion rate was 5 mL x L(-1) and the microdialysis samples were collected every 20 min intervals.

Evaluation of paeonol skin-target delivery from its microsponge formulation: in vitro skin permeation and in vivo microdialysis.

The aim of the present study was to design a novel topical skin-target drug-delivery system, the paeonol microsponge, and to investigate its drug-release patterns in dosage form, both in vitro and in vivo. Paeonol microsponges were prepared using the quasi-emulsion solvent-diffusion method. In vitro release studies were carried out using Franz diffusion cells, while in vivo studies were investigated by microdialysis after the paeonol microsponges were incorporated into a cream base.

[Construction and expression of non-structural protein gene 3-4b of HCV 1b based on the adenoassociated virus vector].

Objective: To clone 1b type of HCV NS3-4b Gene and express in HEK 293 cells, lay the foundation for further study of the HCV NS3-4b recombinant adeno-associated virus vaccine and its dendritic cell vaccine.

Methods: HCV 1b patients' serum was collected, and full length NS3-4b segment was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into adeno-associated virus' expression vector pAAV. CMV.

Finding minimum gene subsets with heuristic breadth-first search algorithm for robust tumor classification.

Background: Previous studies on tumor classification based on gene expression profiles suggest that gene selection plays a key role in improving the classification performance. Moreover, finding important tumor-related genes with the highest accuracy is a very important task because these genes might serve as tumor biomarkers, which is of great benefit to not only tumor molecular diagnosis but also drug development.

Results: This paper proposes a novel gene selection method with rich biomedical meaning based on Heuristic Breadth-first Search Algorithm (HBSA) to find as many optimal gene subsets as possible.

Characteristics of the toxin extracted from liquid culture of Colletotrichum capsici f. nicotianae.

Colletotrichum capsici f. nicotianae is an important plant pathogen in tobacco-grown area of Weifang region of Shangdong Province, China. In this study, the toxicity of liquid culture media from different isolates was characterized, and some properties of the toxic ingredient were identified.

[Role of perforin in severe preeclampsia].

Objectives: To investigate the possible role of perforin (PFN) in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia.

Methods: Thirty-two cases of severe preeclampsia were included in the study. Thirty-two cases of normal pregnancy were selected as control group in random.

Characteristics of temporomandibular joint vibrations in anterior disk displacement with reduction in adults.

The objective to the present study was to compare temporomandibular joint (TMJ) vibration in anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADDWR) in adults and to explore the diagnostic value of frequency spectrography of TMJ vibrations. Twenty-one patients with ADDWR formed the case group and were further divided into three subgroups according to the degree of disk displacement, and 26 symptomless adults formed the control group. The joint vibration was recorded during rhythmic maximal open-close jaw movement using JVA/JT, BioPAK (Bioresearch, Inc.

Effect of glutaraldehyde fixation on bacterial cells observed by atomic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a promising microscopy technique that can provide high-resolution images of bacterial cells without fixation. Three species of bacteria, Xanthomonas campestris, Pseudomonas syringae, and Bacillus subtilis, were used in this study. AFM images were obtained from unfixed and glutaraldehyde-fixed cells, and cell height was measured.

[Impacts of hydroelectric cascade exploitation on river ecosystem and landscape: a review].

Hydroelectric cascade exploitation, one of the major ways for exploiting water resources and developing hydropower, not only satisfies the needs of various national economic sectors, but also promotes the socio-economic sustainable development of river basin. unavoidable anthropogenic impacts on the entire basin ecosystem. Based on the process of hydroelectric cascade exploitation and the ecological characteristics of river basins, this paper reviewed the major impacts of hydroelectric cascade exploitation on dam-area ecosystems, river reservoirs micro-climate, riparian ecosystems, river aquatic ecosystems, wetlands, and river landscapes.

Neighborhood rough set reduction-based gene selection and prioritization for gene expression profile analysis and molecular cancer classification.

Selection of reliable cancer biomarkers is crucial for gene expression profile-based precise diagnosis of cancer type and successful treatment. However, current studies are confronted with overfitting and dimensionality curse in tumor classification and false positives in the identification of cancer biomarkers. Here, we developed a novel gene-ranking method based on neighborhood rough set reduction for molecular cancer classification based on gene expression profile.

Prediction of beta-hairpins in proteins using physicochemical properties and structure information.

In this study, we propose a new method to predict hairpins in proteins and its evaluation based on the support vector machine. Different from previous methods, new feature representation scheme based on auto covariance is adopted. We also investigate two structure properties of proteins (protein secondary structure and residue conformation propensity), and examine their effects on prediction.