Physiological Activity Research Articles

Construction of lignan glycosides biosynthetic network in Escherichia coli using mutltienzyme modules

BackgroundDue to the complexity of the metabolic pathway network of active ingredients, precise targeted synthesis of any active ingredient on a synthetic network is a huge challenge. Based on a complete analysis of the active ingredient pathway in a species, this goal can be achieved by elucidating the functional differences of each enzyme in the pathway and achieving this goal through different combinations. Lignans are a class of phytoestrogens that are present abundantly in plants and play a role in various physiological activities of plants due to their structural diversity. In addition, lignans offer various medicinal benefits to humans. Despite their value, the low concentration of lignans in plants limits their extraction and utilization. Recently, synthetic biology approaches have been explored for lignan production, but achieving the synthesis of most lignans, especially the more valuable lignan glycosides, across the entire synthetic network remains incomplete.ResultsBy evaluating various gene construction methods and sequences, we determined that the pCDF-Duet-Prx02-PsVAO gene construction was the most effective for the production of (+)-pinoresinol, yielding up to 698.9 mg/L after shake-flask fermentation. Based on the stable production of (+)-pinoresinol, we synthesized downstream metabolites in vivo. By comparing different fermentation methods, including “one-cell, one-pot” and “multicellular one-pot”, we determined that the “multicellular one-pot” method was more effective for producing (+)-lariciresinol, (-)-secoisolariciresinol, (-)-matairesinol, and their glycoside products. The “multicellular one-pot” fermentation yielded 434.08 mg/L of (+)-lariciresinol, 96.81 mg/L of (-)-secoisolariciresinol, and 45.14 mg/L of (-)-matairesinol. Subsequently, ultilizing the strict substrate recognition pecificities of UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) incorporating the native uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) Module for in vivo synthesis of glycoside products resulted in the following yields: (+)-pinoresinol glucoside: 1.71 mg/L, (+)-lariciresinol-4-O-d-glucopyranoside: 1.3 mg/L, (+)-lariciresinol-4’-O-d-glucopyranoside: 836 µg/L, (-)-secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside: 103.77 µg/L, (-)-matairesinol-4-O-d-glucopyranoside: 86.79 µg/L, and (-)-matairesinol-4’-O-d-glucopyranoside: 74.5 µg/L.ConclusionsBy using various construction and fermentation methods, we successfully synthesized 10 products of the lignan pathway in Isatis indigotica Fort in Escherichia coli, with eugenol as substrate. Additionally, we obtained a diverse range of lignan products by combining different modules, setting a foundation for future high-yield lignan production.

Lead Tolerance and Remediation Potential of Four Indocalamus Species in Lead-Contaminated Soil.

Indocalamus plants are low-growing shrubby bamboos with growth advantages, such as high biomass and strong resistance, and they are rich in germplasm resources in southern China. This study conducted soil lead (Pb) stress experiments on Indocalamus latifolius (Keng) McClure (LA), Indocalamus hunanensis B.M. Yang (HU), Indocalamus chishuiensis Y.L. Yang and Hsueh (CH) and Indocalamus lacunosus Wen (LC). Five Pb treatments (0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg·kg-1 Pb, and 1000 mg·kg-1 Pb + 1000 mg·kg-1 ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)) were established. EDTA was applied to explore the tolerance mechanism of different Indocalamus species after absorbing large amounts of heavy metals. The results were as follows: (1) under Pb treatment, the total relative biomass of LA, HU and LC was <100%, whereas the total relative biomass of CH was >100%; (2) after applying EDTA, the bioconcentration coefficient, translocation factor, and free proline content of the four Indocalamus species increased; and (3) the Pb mobility and distribution rates of the underground parts of the four Indocalamus species were consistently greater than those of the aboveground parts. The Pb mobility and distribution rates in the stems increased after applying EDTA, while those in the leaves decreased, as the plants tended to transfer Pb to their stems, which have lower physiological activity than their leaves.

Linear Film Strain Sensors with Nanosphere‐on‐Fiber Hetero‐Modulus Microstructure for Human‐Bionic Finger Interfacing

AbstractStretchable film strain sensors show potential applications in healthcare and human‐machine interfacing, while poor signal linearity restricts their practical applications owing to inaccurate and instable strain indication. Signal sensitivity and linearity can be improved via constructing hetero‐modulus microstructure on elastomeric substrate to some extent, though it is challenging to construct hetero‐structure with distinct modulus differences for electrical signal linearity modulation over a wide strain range. Herein, a simple strategy is proposed to tune signal sensitivity, linearity, and detection range of stretchable strain sensors by adjusting the distribution of rigid polystyrene (PS) nanospheres coated on electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber mats. Heterostructure characteristics can be controlled by spray coating times of PS nanospheres, which are immobilized onto the fiber mats by weak swelling of TPU and the linking layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) between TPU and PS induced by hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking. Relatively, the sensors with moderate spray coating times of PS nanospheres show balanced signal sensitivity and linearity over a strain range of 0–80%, as well as fast response to tensile strain and good signal reproducibility. Such elastomeric film strain sensors can be used for monitoring physiological activities and interfacing human hand and bionic fingers.

Impacts of Epihomobrassinolide and Thiamethoxam·Flutolanil·Azoxystrobin on the Continuous Cropping Stress of Pinellia ternata

Continuous cropping (CC) stress severely limits the growth and industrial development of Pinellia ternata. Epihomobrassinolide (EBR) is a natural product that widely participates in many the physiological activities of many plants. Thiamethoxam·flutolanil·azoxystrobin (TFA) has been registered as a seed coating agent in crop production. In this work, the effects of seeds soaked with EBR, seeds coated with TFA, and their co-application on the plant growth, electrophysiological information (as physiological activities related to plant electrical signals), leaf photosynthesis, plant resistance, bulb quality, and yield of CC P. ternata were evaluated. The aim of this work is to excogitate a practicable agronomic measure for ameliorating the growth of CC P. ternata. The results show that soaking the seeds with EBR or coating the seeds with TFA could effectively enhance the plant height, leaf area, and stem diameter of CC P. ternata, promote its emergence seedling ratio, and decrease its inverted seedling ratio, and their associated application was found to be more efficient. Additionally, their associated application effectively enhanced the intrinsic capacitance (IC), intracellular water metabolism, nutrient transport, and metabolic activity and decreased the intrinsic resistance (IR), impedance (IZ), capacitive reactance (IXc), and inductive reactance (IXL). Meanwhile, their associated application could reliably enhance the photosynthetic capacity and stress resistance, and effectively improve the bulb quality and yield. This study emphasizes that the associated application of seeds soaked with a 0.004% aqueous EBR solution diluted 1000 times and seeds coated with a 24% TFA flowable concentrate at 1.6 mL kg−1 seed can be used as a novel and practicable technology for alleviating the CC stress of P. ternata and ameliorating its growth, electrophysiological information, resistance, quality, and yield.

Selenite improves growth by modulating phytohormone pathways and reprogramming primary and secondary metabolism in tomato plants

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient in organisms that has a significant impact on physiological activity and gene expression in plants, thereby affecting growth and development. Humans and animals acquire Se from plants. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide. Improving the Se nutrient level not only is beneficial for growth, development and stress resistance in tomato plants but also contributes to improving human health. However, the molecular basis of Se-mediated tomato plant growth has not been fully elucidated. In this study, using physiological and transcriptomic analyses, we investigated the effects of a low dosage of selenite [Se(Ⅳ)] on tomato seedling growth. Se(IV) enhanced the photosynthetic efficiency and increased the accumulation of soluble sugars, dry matter and organic matter, thereby promoting tomato plant growth. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Se(IV) reprogrammed primary and secondary metabolic pathways, thus modulating plant growth. Se(IV) also increased the concentrations of auxin, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid in leaves and the concentration of cytokinin in roots, thus altering phytohormone signaling pathways and affecting plant growth and stress resistance in tomato plants. Furthermore, exogenous Se(IV) alters the expression of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, thereby modulating plant growth and development in tomato plants. Taken together, these findings provide important insights into the regulatory mechanisms of low-dose Se(IV) on tomato growth and contribute to the breeding of Se-accumulating tomato cultivars.

Dye-sensitized lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoprobe for enhanced sensitive detection of Fe3+ in human serum and tap water

Iron ion (Fe3+) detection is crucial for human health since it plays a crucial role in many physiological activities. In this work, a novel Schiff-base functionalized cyanine derivative (CyPy) was synthesized, which was successfully assembled on the surface of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) through an amphiphilic polymer encapsulation method. In the as-designed nanoprobe, CyPy, a recognizer of Fe3+, is served as energy donor and β-NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles are adopted as energy acceptor. As a result, a 93-fold enhancement of upconversion luminescence is achieved. The efficient energy transfer from CyPy to β-NaYF4:Yb,Er endows the nanoprobe a high sensitivity for Fe3+ in water with a low detection limit of 0.21 μM. Moreover, the nanoprobe has been successfully applied for Fe3+ determination in human serum and tap water samples with recovery ranges of 95 %-105 % and 97 %-106 %, respectively. Moreover, their relative standard deviations are all below 3.72 %. This work provides a sensitive and efficient methodology for Fe3+ detection in clinical and environmental testing.

Delineation of the impacts of varying 6-benzylaminopurine concentrations on physiological, biochemical and genetic traits of different olive cultivars under in vitro conditions.

Abstract. The plant growth regulator 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) is an important component of plant nutrient medium with tendency to accelerate physiological, biochemical and molecular processes in woody plants such as olive. To date, limited knowledge is available on the role of BAP in mediating physiological, biochemical and genetic activities in olives under in vitro conditions. To cover this research gap, the current study was conducted with the objective of studying the role of BAP in regulating physiological traits (chlorophyll, CO2 assimilation), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase), metabolic contents (starch, sucrose and flavonoids) and gene expression (OeRbcl, OePOD10, OeSOD10, OeCAT7, OeSS4, OeSuSY7, OeF3GT and OeChlH) under varying concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5mg L-1) within the provided in vitro conditions. The explants obtained from different olive cultivars ('Leccino', 'Gemlik', 'Moraiolo', 'Arbosana') were cultured on olive medium (OM) provided with different BAP concentrations using a two-factorial design, and data were analysed statistically. All traits increased significantly under in vitro conditions due to increasing concentrations of BAP; however, this increase was more dramatic at 2.5mg L-1 and the least dramatic at 0.5mg L-1. Moreover, correlation, principal component analysis and heatmap cluster analysis confirmed significant changes in the paired association and expression of traits with changing BAP concentration and type of olive cultivars. Likewise, the expression of all genes varied due to changes in BAP concentration in all cultivars, corresponding to variations in physiological and biochemical traits. Moreover, the spectrographs generated via scanning electron microscopy further indicated the variations in the distribution of elements in olive leaf samples due to varying BAP concentrations. Although all cultivars showed a significant response to in vitro varying concentrations of BAP, the response of Arbosana was statistically more significant. In conclusion, the current study proved the dynamic impact of the varying BAP concentrations on regulating the physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes of olive cultivars.

Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ponatinib and tofacitinib)

Ponatinib and tofacitinib, established kinase inhibitors and FDA-approved for chronic myeloid leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis, are recently undergoing investigation in diverse clinical trials for potential repurposing. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor influencing a spectrum of physiological and pathophysiological activities, stands as a therapeutic target for numerous diseases. This study employs molecular modelling tools and in vitro assays to identify ponatinib and tofacitinib as AhR ligands, elucidating their binding and molecular interactions in the AhR PAS-B domain. Molecular docking analyses revealed that ponatinib and tofacitinib occupy the central pocket within the primary cavity, similar to AhR agonists 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) and (benzo[a]pyrene) B[a]P. Our simulations also showed that these compounds exhibit good stability, stabilizing many hot spots within the PAS-B domain, including the Dα-Eα loop, which serves as a regulatory element for the binding pocket. Binding energy calculations highlighted ponatinib's superior predicted affinity, revealing F295 as a crucial residue in maintaining strong interaction with the two compounds. Our in vitro data suggest that ponatinib functions as an AhR antagonist, blocking the downstream signaling of AhR pathway induced by TCDD and B[a]P. Additionally, both tofacitinib and ponatinib cause impairment in AhR-regulated CYP1A1 enzyme activity induced by potent AhR agonists. This study unveils ponatinib and tofacitinib as potential modulators of AhR, providing valuable insights into their therapeutic roles in AhR-associated diseases and enhancing our understanding of the intricate relationship between kinase inhibitors and AhR.

Wearable Sensors for Physiological Condition and Activity Monitoring

Wearable Sensors for Physiological Condition and Activity Monitoring

Cardiac implantable electronic devices: An update.

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are a core component in the management of heart rhythm disorders. The complexity of devices, the information gathered and therapy delivered by CIEDs continues to advance at pace. The aim of this paper is to provide an update on advances in CIED technology and how this applies to managing patients with CIEDs in general practice. In recent years, there have been notable advances in CIED technology. These include widespread magnetic resonance imaging compatibility and automated algorithms to assist in the clinical management of patients. There is the ability for clinicians and pacemaker clinics to monitor devices remotely, avoiding in-clinic visits. Options are now available for leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous defibrillators as an alternative to indwelling leads and associated infection and vascular issues. Techniques have been developed to allow leads to capture the native conduction system, providing physiological cardiac activation (conduction system pacing) for treatment and prevention of heart failure.

CaAOS as a hub gene based on physiological and transcriptomic analyses of cold-resistant and cold-sensitive pepper cultivars

The yield and quality of pepper are considerably influenced by the cold conditions. Herein, we performed morphological, physiological and transcriptomic analyses by using two pepper seedlings, ‘2379’ (cold-resistant) and ‘2380’ (cold-sensitive). Briefly, 60 samples from each cultivar were analyzed at four distinct time points (0, 6, 24 and 48 h) at 5 °C in darkness. The physiological indices and activities of enzymes exhibited marked differences between the two cultivars. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that, compared to the control group, 11,415 DEGs were identified in ‘2379’ and ‘2380’ at 24 h. In the early stage, the number of DEGs in ‘2379’ was 5.68 times higher than that in ‘2380’, potentially explaining the observed differences in tolerance to colds. Processes such as protein targeting to membranes, jasmonic acid (JA)–mediated signalling, cold response and abscisic acid–activated signalling were involved. Subsequently, we identified a hub gene, CaAOS, that is involved in JA biosynthesis, positively influences cold tolerance and is a target of CaMYC2. Variations in the GC-motif of the CaAOS's promoter may influence the expression levels of CaAOS under cold treatment. The result of this study may lead to the development of more effective strategies for enhancing cold tolerance, potentially benefitting pepper breeding in cold regions.

Effect of Quorum Sensing Systems on Biofilm Formation and Virulence in Salmonella

In recent years, as the paradigm of communication between cells has been clarified, the ability of bacteria to change their gene expression patterns in response to various extracellular signals has attracted great interest. In particular, intracellular and intercellular communication between bacterial populations, called quorum sensing (QS), is essential for coordinating physiological and genetic activities. QS studies are critical, particularly in elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of infectious processes in food-borne pathogens. Elucidating the QS mechanisms in Salmonella is effective in silencing the virulence factors in the fight against this bacterium. The aims of this study were; to create luxS gene mutants that play a vital role in the QS activity of Salmonella and to determine the effect of this mutation on the expression of virulence genes in the bacteria and to determine the impact of synthetic N-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone (C6HSL) on biofilm formation and AI-2 signaling pathway of Salmonella wild strain and luxS gene mutants. luxS gene mutants were constructed by recombining the gene region with the chloramphenicol gene cassette based on homologous region recombination. In the luxS mutants obtained in this way, the expression of eight different virulence genes (hilA, invA, inv, glgC, fimF, fliF, lpfA, gyrA), which have essential roles in Salmonella pathogenicity, was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-qPCR) method and compared with natural strains. As a result of these studies, it was determined that the expression of each gene examined was significantly reduced in luxS mutant strains. The relative AI-2 activities of Salmonella strains were analyzed depending on time. It was determined that the highest activity occurred at the fourth hour and the AI-2 activities of luxS mutants were reduced compared to the wild strain. Finally, it was determined that C6HSL increased the biofilm activity of Salmonella Typhimurium DMC4, SL1344 wild strains, and mutants, mainly at the 72nd hour. In conclusion, our results proved that C6HSL stimulated QS communication in all strains and increased biofilm of Salmonella formation and autoinducer activity. This situation determines that Salmonella responds to external signals by using QS systems. In addition, this research contributed to provide additional information on interspecies communication mechanisms to develop strategies to prevent biofilm formation of this pathogen.

An isocratic HPLC-UV analytical procedure for assessment of glutathione and its related substances

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous tripeptide antioxidant which plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological and pathological activities. Although GSH is not present in any FDA-approved drug product, GSH dietary supplement products and compounded GSH drugs are available to patients in the US. Several incidents of toxicity have occurred in recent years due to endotoxin or otherwise contaminated GSH in compounded drugs. Efficient and sensitive analytical methods are needed for assessing and ensuring the quality of GSH substance and associated drug or dietary supplement products. Impurities A (L-cysteinylglycine), B (cysteine), C (oxidized L-glutathione) and D (L-g-glutamyl-L-cysteine) are the main related impurities for GSH drug substance which have been detected and quantified by capillary electrophoresis and qNMR analytical procedures. However, there are no reported HPLC methods for detecting or quantifying the three main related impurities A, B and D even though numerous HPLC analytical methods have been reported for analyzing GSH and impurity C. In this report, an isocratic HPLC-UV analytical procedure was developed and validated for separating and identifying GSH and related impurities A-D as well as a newly identified degradant, L-pyroglutamic acid (pGlu), within 10minutes with resolution (RS) more than 3. The LOD and LOQ were determined to be 0.02% w/w and 0.05% w/w, respectively, for impurities A-D and pGlu. Importantly, the optimized HPLC analytical procedure for GSH assay does not have interference from impurities A, B and D, providing highly specific results compared to the commonly used iodine titration method. The newly validated analytical procedure was applied to assess different commercial GSH bulk substance samples. The results suggest that the analytical procedure described in this work is suitable for quality assessment of GSH samples.

The effects of the activation of TLR2/TLR1 on in vitro angiogenesis in an immortalized ovine luteal endothelial cell line.

Postpartum bacterial infections of the uterus affect uterine physiology and ovarian activity, causing fertility problems. The outer membrane component of Gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is involved in the initiation of the local inflammatory process, and other bacterial toxins, particularly lipopeptides, have also been shown to be potent cytokine inducers, acting via Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2). However, the possible adverse effects of TLR2 on ovarian and luteal activities have not yet been investigated in depth. The strong expression of TLR2 in the blood vessels of the corpus luteum (CL) led us to hypothesize that TLR2 activation might participate in the disruption of luteal vascular functionality. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of Pam3CSK4 (Pam3CysSerLys4), a synthetic triacylated lipopeptide and TLR2/TLR1 ligand, on the functionality of gap junctional intercellular communication, endothelial cell invasion, and in vitro capillary-like network formation in an immortalized ovine microvascular endothelial (OLENDO) cell line. Pam3CSK4 treatment of OLENDO cells disrupted in vitro tube formation, but had no effect on gap junctional intercellular communication or migration of OLENDO cells. Furthermore, Pam3CSK4 induced the expression of NF-kB, IL6, and IL8 in OLENDO cells. Additionally, the basal availability of TLRs (TLR1-10) and TLR co-receptors (MYD88, LY96/MD2, and CD14) in OLENDO cells was confirmed by conventional PCR. Finally, the activation of TLR2/TLR1 appears to alter in vitro formation of capillary-like structures and induce inflammatory processes in OLENDO cells.

A “turn-on” fluorescence probe based on a novel hypochlorous acid-induced cyclization response mechanism, and its applications in real water samples and bioimaging in vitro and in vivo

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), as an important reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays key roles in normal physiological activities. Simultaneously, HOCl is also an efficient and strong oxidant, and is widely used in disease prevention and disinfection. Nevertheless, abnormal expression or excessive intake of HOCl may cause some serious diseases. Accordingly, the high sensitivity and specificity detection of HOCl in organisms and the environment is significant for understanding its roles in biology and environmental protection. Herein, a novel responsive 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescence probe PNL for the detection of HOCl was reported by a novel recognition mechanism. In the presence of HOCl, the PET effect of PNL was inhibited by the HOCl-induced cyclization reaction, leading to the “turn-on” fluorescence response. The recognition mechanism of PNL towards HOCl was determined by HR-MS, and the fluorescence “turn-on” sensing mechanism was rationalized via DFT calculation. PNL possesses the advantages of short response time (10 s), excellent selectivity, low cytotoxicity and reliability at a wide range of pH (3.0-11.5). Furthermore, the quantitative determinations of HOCl in practical water samples were achieved via the smartphone using PNL as the probe. Most importantly, the applications of PNL in fluorescent imaging of HOCl in vitro and the visualization of HOCl in an inflammatory model were successfully demonstrated. The development of PNL would also provide more abundant design strategies for the construction of HOCl fluorescence probes in the future.

Transcriptomic responses of ‘Huping jujube’ (Zizyphus jujuba mill. cv. Huping) fruit to combined treatment of acidic electrolyzed water and high-voltage electrostatic field

The molecular mechanism underlying the preserving superior quality attributes of postharvest Huping jujube fruit by combining acidic electrolyzed water and high-voltage electrostatic field (AH) treatment remained unclear. The high-throughput sequencing analysis revealed a total of 3590 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the T-W-CK0 vs T-W-CK75 and T-W-CK75 vs T-W-AH75 groups. AH treatment down-regulated most genes associated with respiratory metabolism, as well as lignin and anthocyanin biosynthesis, thereby maintaining lower physiological activities, improving taste and color quality of mature-white jujube. Additionally, AH treatment downregulated the genes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and disease resistance, while simultaneously upregulating the genes associated with ROS elimination. This suggested that AH treatment could inhibit pathogen infection to prevent the activation of plants’ active defense and reduce the ROS-induced damage. In sum, the present study provided a comprehension explanation that AH treatment improved the storage quality attributes of jujube fruit at the genetic level.

Flexible high electrochemical active hydrogel for wearable sensors and supercapacitor electrolytes

With the rapid advancement of flexible, portable devices, hydrogel electrolytes have gained considerable attention as potential replacements for conventional liquid electrolytes. A hydrogel electrolyte was synthesised by cross-linking acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). The formation of hydrogen bonds and chelate interactions between the P(AA-co-AM) polymer, CMC, and ZnSO4 created a robust network, enhancing the mechanical properties of the hydrogel electrolytes. Notably, the hydrogel electrolyte containing 0.6 % CMC demonstrated superior mechanical strength (compression strength of 1.22 MPa, tensile stress of 230 kPa, tensile strain of 424 %, adhesion strength of 1.98 MPa on wood). Additionally, the CMC/P(AA-co-AM) hydrogels exhibited commendable electrical performance (38 mS/cm) and a high gauge factor (2.9), enabling the precise detection of physiological activity signals through resistance measurements. The unique network structure of the hydrogel electrolyte also ensured a stable bonding interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. After 2000 charge–discharge cycles, the supercapacitor maintained good capacitance characteristics, with a capacitance retention rate of 71.21 % and a stable Coulombic efficiency of 98.85 %, demonstrating excellent cyclic stability. This study introduces a novel methodology for fabricating multifunctional all-solid-state supercapacitors and suggests that the hydrogel can significantly advance the development of wearable energy storage devices.

Phytocannabinoids as Potential Multitargeting Neuroprotectants in Alzheimer's Disease.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a well-studied system that influences a variety of physiological activities. It is evident that the ECS plays a significant role in metabolic activities and also has some neuroprotective properties. In this review, we emphasize several plant-derived cannabinoids such as β-caryophyllene (BCP), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Cannabinol (CBN), which are known to have distinctive modulation abilities of ECS. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the activation of ECS may provide neuroprotection by modulating certain neuronal circuitry pathways through complex molecular cascades. The present article also discusses the implications of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) as well as cannabinoid enzymes (FAAH and MAGL) modulators in AD. Specifically, CBR1 or CB2R modulations result in reduced inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2 and IL-6, as well as a reduction in microglial activation, which contribute to an inflammatory response in neurons. Furthermore, naturally occurring cannabinoid metabolic enzymes (FAAH and MAGL) inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, which may offer significant neuroprotection. In this review, we explored the multi-targeted neuroprotective properties of phytocannabinoids and their possible modulations, which could offer significant benefits in limiting AD.

A dual-mode, image-enhanced, miniaturized microscopy system for incubator-compatible monitoring of live cells

Imaging live cells under stable culture conditions is essential to investigate cell physiological activities and proliferation. To achieve this goal, typically, a specialized incubation chamber that creates desired culture conditions needs to be incorporated into a microscopy system to perform cell monitoring. However, such imaging systems are generally large and costly, hampering their wide applications. Recent advances in the field of miniaturized microscopy systems have enabled incubator cell monitoring, providing a hospitable environment for live cells. Although these systems are more cost-effective, they are usually limited in imaging modalities and spatial temporal resolution. Here, we present a dual-mode, image-enhanced, miniaturized microscopy system (termed MiniCube) for direct monitoring of live cells inside incubators. MiniCube enables both bright field imaging and fluorescence imaging with single-cell spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution. Moreover, this system can also perform cell monitoring inside the incubator with tunable time scales ranging from a few seconds to days. Meanwhile, automatic cell segmentation and image enhancement are realized by the proposed data analysis pipeline of this system, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of acquired data is significantly improved using a deep learning based image denoising algorithm. Image data can be acquired with 5 times lower light exposure while maintaining comparable SNR. The versatility of this miniaturized microscopy system lends itself to various applications in biology studies, providing a practical platform and method for studying live cell dynamics within the incubator.

A dual-mode, image-enhanced, miniaturized microscopy system for incubator-compatible monitoring of live cells

Imaging live cells under stable culture conditions is essential to investigate cell physiological activities and proliferation. To achieve this goal, typically, a specialized incubation chamber that creates desired culture conditions needs to be incorporated into a microscopy system to perform cell monitoring. However, such imaging systems are generally large and costly, hampering their wide applications. Recent advances in the field of miniaturized microscopy systems have enabled incubator cell monitoring, providing a hospitable environment for live cells. Although these systems are more cost-effective, they are usually limited in imaging modalities and spatial temporal resolution. Here, we present a dual-mode, image-enhanced, miniaturized microscopy system (termed MiniCube) for direct monitoring of live cells inside incubators. MiniCube enables both bright field imaging and fluorescence imaging with single-cell spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution. Moreover, this system can also perform cell monitoring inside the incubator with tunable time scales ranging from a few seconds to days. Meanwhile, automatic cell segmentation and image enhancement are realized by the proposed data analysis pipeline of this system, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of acquired data is significantly improved using a deep learning based image denoising algorithm. Image data can be acquired with 5 times lower light exposure while maintaining comparable SNR. The versatility of this miniaturized microscopy system lends itself to various applications in biology studies, providing a practical platform and method for studying live cell dynamics within the incubator.