Time and power dependence of laser-induced photodamage on human sperm revealed by longitudinal rolling measurement using optical tweezers.

Lasers are widely applied in assisted reproductive technologies, including sperm fixation, sperm selection and intracytoplasmic sperm injections, to reduce procedure time and improve consistency and reproducibility. However, quantitative studies on laser-induced photodamage of sperm are lacking. In this study, we demonstrated that, by using optical tweezers, the kinematic parameters of freely swimming sperm are correlated with the frequency as well as the percentage of pausing duration of longitudinal rolling of the same sperm head in the optical trap. Furthermore, by trapping individual sperm cells using 1064-nm optical tweezers, we quantitatively characterized the time-dependence of longitudinal rolling frequency and percentage of pausing duration of sperm under different laser powers. Our study revealed that, as trapping time and the laser power time increase, the longitudinal rolling frequency of the optically trapped sperm decreases with an increasing percentage of pausing duration, which characterizes the effect of laser power and duration on the photodamage of individual sperm cells. Our study provides experimental basis for the optimization of laser application in assisted reproductive technology, which may reduce the photodamage-induced biosafety risk in the future.

The anti-hyperplasia effect of polysaccharide from Prunella vulgaris L. on mammary gland hyperplasia in rats through regulation of the AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathway and intestinal flora.

BACKGROUND: Prunella vulgaris L., a medicinal and edible homologous plant, is often used to treat conditions such as breast hyperplasia, thyroid enlargement and lymphatic tuberculosis. Research has demonstrated that it is particularly effective in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH). However, the material basis and mechanism of its efficacy are still unclear. RESULTS: Our results showed that in rats with MGH, polysaccharide from Prunella vulgaris L. (PVP) led to a reduction in the levels of estradiol, prolactin and malondialdehyde, while simultaneously increasing the concentrations of progesterone (P), superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) in the serum. In addition, results obtained from 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that PVP had the capacity to increase the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in MGH rats, as well as modify the structure of the microbiota. Correlation analysis revealed that the levels of P, SOD, MnSOD and CAT were positively associated with Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Faecalibaculum and Clostridium, while negatively correlated with Turicibacter. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of PVP in treating MGH might be through inhibiting the phosphorylation of the AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathway and then activating the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes, such as MnSOD and CAT. At the same time, PVP could restore intestinal flora homeostasis in rats with MGH by regulating the flora changes of Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Clostridium and Faecalibaculum, thereby reducing oxidative stress in rats with MGH. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Laser-induced microbubble as an in vivo valve for optofluidic manipulation in living Mice's microvessels.

Optofluidic regulation of blood microflow in vivo represents a significant method for investigating illnesses linked to abnormal changes in blood circulation. Currently, non-invasive strategies are limited to regulation within capillaries of approximately 10 µm in diameter because the adaption to blood pressure levels in the order of several hundred pascals poses a significant challenge in larger microvessels. In this study, using laser-induced microbubble formation within microvessels of the mouse auricle, we regulate blood microflow in small vessels with diameters in the tens of micrometers. By controlling the laser power, we can control the growth and stability of microbubbles in vivo. This controlled approach enables the achievement of prolonged ischemia and subsequent reperfusion of blood flow, and it can also regulate the microbubbles to function as micro-pumps for reverse blood pumping. Furthermore, by controlling the microbubble, narrow microflow channels can be formed between the microbubbles and microvessels for assessing the apparent viscosity of leukocytes, which is 76.9 ± 11.8 Pa·s in the in vivo blood environment. The proposed design of in vivo microbubble valves opens new avenues for constructing real-time blood regulation and exploring cellular mechanics within living organisms.

Influence of Physical Attractiveness and Gender on Patient Preferences in Digital Doctor Consultations: Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: The rise of digital health services, particularly digital doctor consultations, has created a new paradigm in health care choice. While patients traditionally rely on digital reviews or referrals to select health care providers, the digital context often lacks such information, leading to reliance on visual cues such as profile pictures. Previous research has explored the impact of physical attractiveness in general service settings but is scant in the context of digital health care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to fill the research gap by investigating how a health care provider's physical attractiveness influences patient preferences in a digital consultation setting. We also examine the moderating effects of disease severity and the availability of information on health care providers' qualifications. The study uses signal theory and the sexual attribution bias framework to understand these dynamics. METHODS: Three experimental studies were conducted to examine the influence of health care providers' physical attractiveness and gender on patient preferences in digital consultations. Study 1 (n=282) used a 2×2 between-subjects factorial design, manipulating doctor attractiveness and gender. Study 2 (n=158) focused on women doctors and manipulated disease severity and participant gender. Study 3 (n=150) replicated study 2 but added information about the providers' abilities. RESULTS: This research found that patients tend to choose attractive doctors of the opposite gender but are less likely to choose attractive doctors of the same gender. In addition, our studies revealed that such an effect is more prominent when the disease severity is high. Furthermore, the influence of gender stereotypes is mitigated in both the high and low disease severity conditions when service providers' qualification information is present. CONCLUSIONS: This research contributes to the literature on medical information systems research and sheds light on what information should be displayed on digital doctor consultation platforms. To counteract stereotype-based attractiveness biases, health care platforms should consider providing comprehensive qualification information alongside profile pictures.

A Novel Air-Cooled Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of the Venous Lakes of the Lips.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a novel air-cooled Nd:YAG laser in the venous lakes of the lips (VLL). Background: The thermal injury is one of the most important issues during laser therapy for venous lakes. Methods: Six pieces of fresh pork livers were used to provide 30 regions with a diameter of 6 mm for experiment in vitro, among which 15 regions were treated by Nd:YAG laser with air cooling until the tissue turned gray-white, whereas the rest were treated without air cooling as control. The operation time of laser irradiation, the degree of temperature increase, and the depth of coagulation tissue were compared between two groups. Then, 60 VLL patients were selected for Nd:YAG laser treatment with or without air cooling. The operation time of laser irradiation, the degree of temperature increase, the postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the percentage of lesions removed within 1 month were compared. Results: In tissue studies, the treated group showed a longer operation time of laser irradiation (p < 0.01), a lower degree of temperature increase (p < 0.01), and there was no significant statistical difference in the depth of coagulation tissue (p = 0.624). In clinical studies, the treated group showed a longer operation time of laser irradiation (p < 0.01), a lower degree of temperature increase (p < 0.01), and a lower VAS score on the 1st and 2nd day, compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Air cooling during Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of VLL can prolong the surgical time, but lowered tissue temperature and reduced patient pain within 2 days under the premise of ensuring the treatment effect.

Measurement of red blood cell deformability during morphological changes using rotating-glass-plate-based scanning optical tweezers.

It is important to measure the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) before transfusion, which is a key factor in the gas transport ability of RBCs and changes during storage of RBCs in vitro. Moreover, the morphology of RBCs also changes during storage. It is proposed that the change in morphology is related to the change in deformability. However, the efficiency of typical methods that use particles as handles is low, especially in the deformability measurement of echinocyte and spherocytes. Therefore, the deformability of RBCs with different morphologies is hard to be measured and compared in the same experiment. In this study, we developed a cost-effective and efficient rotating-glass-plate-based scanning optical tweezers device for the measurement of deformability of RBCs. The performance of this device was evaluated, and the deformability of three types of RBCs was measured using this device. Our results clearly show that the change of erythrocyte morphology from discocyte to echinocyte and spherocyte during storage in vitro is accompanied by a decrease in deformability.

Deformability of mouse erythrocytes in different diluents measured using optical tweezers.

Optical tweezers are widely used to measure the mechanical properties of erythrocytes, which is crucial to the study of pathology and clinical diagnosis of disease. During the measurement, the blood sample is diluted and suspended in an exogenous physiological fluid, which may affect the elastic properties of the cells in vitro. Here, we investigate the effect of different diluents on the elastic properties of mouse erythrocytes by quantitatively evaluating their elastic constants using optical tweezers. The diluents are plasma extracted from mouse blood, veterinary blood diluent (V-52D), Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and normal saline (NS). To create an environment that closely resembles in vivo conditions, the experiment is performed at 36.5 °C. The results show that the spring constant of mouse erythrocytes in plasma is 6.23 ± 0.41 µN m-1. The elasticity of mouse erythrocytes in V-52D and DMEM is 8.21 ± 0.91 and 6.95 ± 0.85 µN m-1, which are higher than that in plasma extracted from blood, whereas, the elasticity in PBS and NS is 4.23 ± 0.85 and 4.68 ± 0.79 µN m-1, which are less than that in plasma extracted from blood. At last, we observe the size and circularity of erythrocytes in different diluents, and consider that the erythrocyte diameter and circularity may affect cell deformability. Our results provide a reference of the diluent choice for measuring the mechanical properties of erythrocytes in vitro.

Construction of microneedle of Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract and effect on mammary gland hyperplasia based on intestinal flora.

Background: A microneedle patch loaded with Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma water extract was prepared for the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia. To explore the relationship between Mammary gland hyperplasia and intestinal flora. Materials and methods: Preparation of the microneedle patch by micromolding method, the prescription of the microneedle was optimized by the Box-Behnken Design response surface test, and the micro-morphology, penetration, toughness, and brittleness were investigated. In vitro release of drug-loaded microneedles was measured by diffusion cell method. The rat model of mammary gland hyperplasia was prepared by the combination of estradiol benzoate-progesterone, and the microneedle patch of Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract was used for intervention treatment. The change of levels in E2, P, and PRL in rat serum was determined. The intestinal contents of rats were collected and the changes in intestinal flora in MGH rats were analyzed by 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results: The optimized microneedle formula is a PVA concentration of 6.0%, HA concentration of 15.5%, and PVPK30 concentration of 16.0%. The prepared microneedle tip loaded with Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract has complete, sharp, and no bubbles and the needle rate of the microneedle array is in the range of 95%~100%. The bending rate of the microneedle is about 12.7%, and it has good flexibility, and the microneedle can puncture 4 layers of ParafilmⓇ membrane smoothly, and the puncture rate is more than 96%. The in vitro release of the microneedle was characterized by rapid release. The results of animal experiments showed that Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract microneedle patch could significantly reduce the E2 level, significantly reduce the PRL level, and significantly increase the P level. At the same time, it can regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora in MGH rats, improve the intestinal flora disorder caused by mammary gland hyperplasia, and balance the community structure. Conclusion: The prepared microneedle containing Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract has good toughness and brittle strength, can penetrate the skin and enter the dermis, and effectively deliver drugs to play a role in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia.

Seabuckthorn polysaccharide combined with astragalus polysaccharide ameliorate alcoholic fatty liver by regulating intestinal flora.

Background: At present, the incidence of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is increasing year by year, and numerous studies have confirmed that liver diseases are closely related to intestinal flora. Seabuckthorn and Astragalus membranaceus, as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the homology of medicine and food, have good liver protection, and their polysaccharides can regulate the intestinal flora. Here, we studied the effects of HRP, APS and the combination of the two polysaccharides on the intestinal flora of AFLD mice, which provided scientific basis for the treatment of AFLD with the two polysaccharides. Materials and methods: Thirty Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into the control group (Con), the model group (Mod), the HRP treatment group (HRP), the APS treatment group (APS), and HRP+APS treatment group (HRP+APS), with six mice in each group. The AFLD model was constructed by continuous intragastric administration of 42% vol Niulanshan ethanol solution for 28 days, and the mice in each polysaccharide group were given corresponding drugs. The levels of AST, ALT, TC and TG in serum of mice were measured. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technique was used to determine the diversity and richness of intestinal flora, and the relative abundance of intestinal flora at phylum level and genus level of the mice in each group. Results: HRP, APS and HRP+APS could reduce the serum levels of AST, ALT, TC and TG in mice. In addition, HRP, APS and HRP + APS restored the diversity, relative abundance and community structure of intestinal mucosa bacteria in AFLD mice to a certain extent. Specifically, HRP, APS and HRP+APS remarkably decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, and ultimately increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: HRP, APS, and HRP+APS can improve the intestinal microecology of AFLD model mice, alleviate liver injury, and maintain normal intestinal function in different degrees.

Femtosecond laser direct writing of a 3D microcantilever on the tip of an optical fiber sensor for on-chip optofluidic sensing.

Real-time detection of the concentration of input fluid is essential for optofluidic sensing, especially in the case of biochips and organ-on-a-chip systems. In this paper, a microcantilever structure that enables temperature and liquid concentration sensing was fabricated on the tip of the optical fiber by femtosecond laser direct writing (two-photon polymerization, TPP) technology. An open Fabry-Pérot interferometer (F-P) structure was formed between the end of the optical fiber and the cantilever, so the sensor becomes quite sensitive to the localized temperature, concentration and refractive index of the target liquids. The reasonable size parameters of the cantilever were determined by structural stress analysis and interference spectrum analysis. By integrating the fiber sensor with a microfluidic chip, an on-chip optofluidic sensing platform is developed, which shows high sensitivities of the temperature (92.7 pm °C-1), concentration (0.3287 nm (g L-1)-1), and refractive index (1385.819 nm RIU-1). The reported optofluidic sensing platform demonstrates reasonably high stability and satisfactory sensing effect, holding great promise for applications in lab-on-a-chip systems.

Protective effect of flavonoids extract of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on alcoholic fatty liver disease through regulating intestinal flora and inhibiting TAK1/p38MAPK/p65NF-κB pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The therapeutic properties of Hippophae rhamnoides L. were already known in ancient Greece as well as in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine. Modern studies have indicated that Hippophae rhamnoides L. fermentation liquid protected against alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). However, the underlying mechanism of Hippophae rhamnoides L. flavonoids extract (HLF) treating AFLD remains elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of HLF in mice with AFLD and the interaction between AFLD and gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical constituents of HLF were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography-Ion Trap-ESI-Mass Spectrometry. The Hepatoprotective effect of HLF was evaluated in mice with AFLD induced by alcohol (six groups, n = 10) daily at doses of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg for 30 consecutive days. At the end of experiment, mice were sacrificed and the liver, serum and feces were harvested for analysis. The liver histological changes were observed by H&E staining and oil red O staining. Moreover, the alterations of fecal microflora were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The inflammatory related genes were determined by qRT-PCR and western blotting respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that the oral administration of HLF remarkably alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation by decreasing the levels of ALT, AST, TG and TC. The levels of TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IL-6 were also reduced after treatment with HLF. Meanwhile, the protein and mRNA expression of NF-kB p65, MAPK p38 and TAK-1 in the liver of mice with AFLD were all reduced by HLF compared with model group. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis demonstrated that HLF treatment can help restore the imbalance of intestinal microbial ecosystem and reverse the changes in Fimicutes/Bacterodietes, Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, S24-7, and Prevotella in mice with AFLD. CONCLUSION: HLF can effectively ameliorate liver injury in mice with AFLD, and regulate the composition of gut microbiota. Its regulatory mechanism may be related to TAK1/p38MAPK/p65NF-κB pathway. This study may provide novel insights into the mechanism of HLF on AFLD and a basis for promising clinical usage.

Effects of Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma polysaccharide on intestinal microbiota composition in rats with mammary gland hyperplasia.

Background: In recent years, mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) has been considered to be one of the diseases caused by endocrine disorders. It has been shown that diseases caused by endocrine disorders can be treated by regulating intestinal microbial. As a commonly used medicine in clinical practice, Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma has good functions in regulating intestinal homeostasis. Therefore, this paper studied the effect of Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma polysaccharide (AMP) on the intestinal flora of MGH rats, providing a new idea for polysaccharide treatment of MGH. Materials and methods: Eighteen female SD rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups: blank control group (Con), model control group (Mod), and AMP group, six rats in each group. MGH rat models were established by estradiol-progesterone combination and treated with AMP gastric infusion. The levels of E2, P, and PRL in the serum of rats were measured, the intestinal contents were collected, and 16s rRNA high- throughput sequencing technology was analyzed the changes of intestinal flora in the MGH rats. Results: AMP has good therapeutic effects on MGH rats, decreasing estradiol (E2) and prolactin (PRL) levels and increasing progesterone (P) levels; at the same time, it can regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora of MGH rats, improve the disorder of intestinal flora caused by MGH, and change the community structure, increase the abundance of beneficial flora, and decrease the abundance of pathogenic flora. Conclusion: AMP can improve the intestinal microbiological environment of MGH rats, maintain the microecological balance of intestinal microbial, and improve MGH symptoms.

A Review of Coating Materials Used to Improve the Performance of Optical Fiber Sensors.

In order to improve the performance of fiber sensors and fully tap the potential of optical fiber sensors, various optical materials have been selectively coated on optical fiber sensors under the background of the rapid development of various optical materials. On the basis of retaining the original characteristics of the optical fiber sensors, the coated sensors are endowed with new characteristics, such as high sensitivity, strong structure, and specific recognition. Many materials with a large thermal optical coefficient and thermal expansion coefficients are applied to optical fibers, and the temperature sensitivities are improved several times after coating. At the same time, fiber sensors have more intelligent sensing capabilities when coated with specific recognition materials. The same/different kinds of materials combined with the same/different fiber structures can produce different measurements, which is interesting. This paper summarizes and compares the fiber sensors treated by different coating materials.

Topochemical approach to efficiently produce main-chain poly(bile acid)s with high molecular weights.

Based on a topochemical approach, a strategy for efficiently producing main-chain poly(bile acid)s in the solid state was developed. This strategy allows for facile and scalable synthesis of main-chain poly(bile acid)s not only with high molecular weights, but also with quantitative conversions and yields.