3D Optical Heterostructure Patterning by Spatially Allocating Nanoblocks on a Printed Matrix.

Heterostructures have attracted enormous interest due to the properties arising from the coupling and synergizing between multiscale structures and the promising applications in electronics, mechanics, and optics. However, it is challenging for current technologies to precisely integrate cross-scale micro/nanomaterials in three dimensions (3D). Herein, we realize the precise spatial allocation of nanoblocks on micromatrices and programmable 3D optical heterostructure patterning via printing-assisted self-assembly. This bottom-up approach fully exploits the advantages of printing in on-demand patterning, low cost, and mass production, as well as the merits of solution-based colloidal assembly for simple structuring and high-precision regulating, which facilitates the patterned integration of multiscale materials. Importantly, the luminescent nanoparticle assembly can be accurately coupled to the dye-doped polymer matrix by regulating the interface wettability, enabling facile multicolor tuning in a single heterostructure. Thus, the heterostructure can be specially encoded for anticounterfeiting and encryption applications due to the morphology-dependent and interface-coupling-induced luminescence. Moreover, with the capability to achieve single-nanoparticle resolution, these findings have great potential for designing photonic superstructures and advanced optical devices.

Magnolol effectively ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy in mice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes lacking efficient treatment. Magnolol (MG), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, is a natural product derived from Magnolia officinalis and widely used to treat a variety of diseases as a traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo medicine. PURPOSE: Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of MG in ameliorating DPN-like pathology in mice and decipher the mechanism of MG in treating DPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12-week-old male streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic (T1DM) mice and 15-week-old male BKS Cg-m+/+Lepr db/J (db/db) type 2 diabetic mice (T2DM) were used as DPN mice. MG was administrated (i.p) daily for 4 weeks. Peripheral nerve functions of mice were evaluated by measuring mechanical response latency, thermal response latency and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV). The mechanisms underlying the amelioration of MG on DPN-like pathology were examined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry assays, and verified in the DPN mice with PPARγ-specific knockdown in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuron and sciatic nerve tissues by injecting adeno-associated virus (AAV)8-PPARγ-RNAi. RESULTS: MG promoted DRG neuronal neurite outgrowth and effectively ameliorated neurological dysfunctions in both T1DM and T2DM diabetic mice, including improvement of paw withdrawal threshold, thermal response latency and MNCV. Additionally, MG promoted neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons, protected sciatic nerve myelin sheath structure, and ameliorated foot skin intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density in DPN mice by targeting PPARγ. Mechanism research results indicated that MG improved mitochondrial dysfunction involving PPARγ/MKP-7/JNK/SIRT1/LKB1/AMPK/PGC-1α pathway in DRG neurons, repressed inflammation via PPARγ/NF-κB signaling and inhibited apoptosis through regulation of PPARγ-mediated Bcl-2 family proteins in DRG neurons and sciatic nerves. CONCLUSIONS: Our work has detailed the mechanism underlying the amelioration of PPARγ agonist on DPN-like pathology in mice with MG as a probe, and highlighted the potential of MG in the treatment of DPN.

Organic donor-acceptor heterojunctions for high performance circularly polarized light detection.

Development of highly efficient and stable lateral organic circularly polarized light photodetector is a fundamental prerequisite for realization of circularly polarized light integrated applications. However, chiral semiconductors with helical structure are usually found with intrinsically low field-effect mobilities, which becomes a bottleneck for high-performance and multi-wavelength circularly polarized light detection. To address this problem, here we demonstrate a novel strategy to fabricate multi-wavelength circularly polarized light photodetector based on the donor-acceptor heterojunction, where efficient exciton separation enables chiral acceptor layer to provide differentiated concentration of holes to the channel of organic field-effect transistors. Benefitting from the low defect density at the semiconductor/dielectric interface, the photodetectors exhibit excellent stability, enabling current roll-off of about 3-4% over 500 cycles. The photocurrent dissymmetry value and responsivity for circularly polarized light photodetector in air are 0.24 and 0.28 A W-1, respectively. We further demonstrate circularly polarized light communication based on a real-time circularly polarized light detector by decoding the light signal. As the proof-of-concept, the results hold the promise of large-scale circularly polarized light integrated photonic applications.

3D Laser Displays Based on Circularly Polarized Lasing from Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Arrays.

3D laser displays play an important role in next-generation display technologies owing to the ultimate visual experience they provide. Circularly polarized (CP) laser emissions, featuring optical rotatory power and invariability under rotations, are attractive for 3D displays due to potential in enhancing contrast ratio and comfortability. However, the lack of pixelated self-emissive CP microlaser arrays as display panels hinders the implementation of 3D laser displays. Here, full-color 3D laser displays are demonstrated based on CP lasing with inkjet-printed cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) arrays as display panels. Individual CP lasers are realized by embedding fluorescent dyes into CLCs with their left-/right-handed helical superstructures serving as distributed feedback microcavities, bringing in ultrahigh circular polarization degree values (gem  = 1.6). These CP microlaser pixels exhibit excellent far-field color-rendering features and a relatively large color gamut for high-fidelity displays. With these printed CLC red-green-blue (RGB) microlaser arrays serving as display panels, proof-of-concept full-color 3D laser displays are demonstrated via delivering images with orthogonal CP laser emissions into one's left and right eyes. These results provide valuable enlightenment for the development of 3D laser displays.

Puerarin promotes the viability and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells by enhancing LC3B-mediated autophagy through downregulation of miR-204.

Puerarin is a bioactive substance extracted from Pueraria lobata. It is known to promote the viability, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these activities are not well understood. The present study was conducted with the aim of elucidating the effect of puerarin on osteoblasts and to explore the underlying mechanism. CCK-8 analysis showed that puerarin (0.1, 1 and 10 µM) promoted the viability of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, with 1 µM of puerarin exhibiting the strongest effect. Moreover, 1 µM puerarin significantly increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the formation of mineralized nodules in the MC3T3-E1 cells. Treatment with 1 µM puerarin for 72 h led to a significant upregulation in the expression level of microtubule-associated light chain 3 (LC3)B and Beclin1 proteins. This treatment was more effective in promoting LC3B expression than what was observed following treatment with rapamycin (overexpression for autophagy). The bilayer membrane structure of autophagosomes was observed by electron microscopy. Conversely, 3-methyladenine (3-MA, inhibitor of autophagy) reduced the cell viability as well as the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in MC3T3-E1 cells, although, there was no significant influence on mineralization. Prediction results of the biological information showed that LC3B could be a direct target of microRNA-204 (miR-204). In the present study, the expression level of miR-204 was decreased by puerarin. miR-204 mimics significantly decreased LC3B expression and inhibited auotophagosome formation, while the miR-204 inhibitor had the opposite effects. To conclude, the results of the present study suggest that puerarin promotes the viability and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through autophagy, which is possibly associated with miR-204-regulated LC3B upregulation.

Surfactant Lipidomics of Alveolar Lavage Fluid in Mice Based on Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Hybrid Quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

Surfactant lipid metabolism is closely related to pulmonary diseases. Lipid metabolism disorder can cause lung diseases, vice versa. With this rationale, a useful method was established in this study to determine the lipidome in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. The lipid components in BALF were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (methanol and methyl tert-butyl ether, and water). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid Quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to analyze the extracted samples, which showed a broad scanning range of 215-1800 m/z. With MS-DIAL software and built-in LipidBlast database, we identified 38 lipids in positive, and 31 lipids in negative, ion mode, including lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), etc. Then, the changes of lipids in BALF of mice with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated, which may contribute to further exploration of the pathogenesis of ALI.

Puerarin inhibits TRPM3/miR-204 to promote MC3T3-E1 cells proliferation, differentiation and mineralization.

Puerarin is an isoflavonoid phytoestrogen extracted from the root of Radix Pueraria, has attracted increasing attention because of its beneficial effects on anti-osteoporosis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its actions on osteoblasts are not fully understood. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of puerarin on MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells proliferation, differentiation and mineralization, in vitro and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicated that puerarin significantly promoted the osteoblasts proliferation, enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and increased the formation of mineralized nodules. Following treatment with puerarin, the expression levels of transient receptor potential Melastatin 3 (TRPM3) and microRNA-204 (miR-204) were decreased, whereas that of Runt-related transcription Factor 2 (Runx2) increased. TRPM3-small interfering RNA and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, inhibitor of TRPM3) promoted the expression of Runx2 and thus improved the development of osteoblasts, but pregnenolone sulfate, which is the agonist of TRPM3, inhibited the effects. In addition, puerarin induced the changes of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ) and extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]0 ) through TRPM3 might be involved in the biological process of MC3T3-E1 cells. These results suggested that puerarin may promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, differentiation and mineralization, which may be related to the downregulation of TRPM3/miR-204 and following regulating [Ca2+ ]i and [Ca2+ ]0 , and activation of Runx2.

Puerarin promotes the viability and differentiation of MC3T3­E1 cells by miR­204­regulated Runx2 upregulation.

Puerarin has attracted increasing attention because of its beneficial effects on anti­osteoporosis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its actions on osteoblasts are not fully understood. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of puerarin on the cell viability and differentiation of mouse MC3T3­E1 osteoblast­like cells in vitro and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicated that 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/ml puerarin significantly promoted the viability of osteoblasts, enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and increased the expression of transforming growth factor­ß1, Smad2, Smad3 and Runt­related transcription factor (Runx)2. Micro (mi)RNA target prediction programs predicted that miR­204 may directly target Runx2. Following treatment with 0.1 mg/ml puerarin for 48 h, the expression level of miR­204 was downregulated. Besides, miR­204 dramatically repressed the luciferase activity of wildtype Runx2 3'­UTR transfected cells, but not that of the mutant ones. Overexpression of miR­204 in osteoblasts significantly decreased the protein expression of Runx2, while inhibition of miR­204 enhanced Runx2's expression. In addition, overexpression of miR­204 inhibited the cell viability and ALP activity of osteoblasts, while inhibition of miR­204 had the opposite effect. The results suggested that puerarin may promote MC3T3­E1 osteoblast­like cell viability and differentiation, which may be related to the downregulation of miR­204 and the following activation of Runx2.

Ionic Liquid-Assisted Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of AuPd Bimetallic Particles.

Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of inorganic materials has been demonstrated to be an efficient synthesis route in the inorganic community. Here AuPd alloy particles are successfully synthesized with the assistance of the ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([OMIM]Cl) at room temperature. The p-nitrophenol reduction reaction using the synthesized metal particles as the catalysts indicates that the synthesized Au(1)Pd(1) particles exhibit the highest catalytic activity in comparison with the studied AuPd particles, the Au and the Pd particles. Therefore, the present synthesis route could be used as an efficient synthesis strategy for fabrication of metal alloy particles with interesting catalytic properties.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural protects against ER stress-induced apoptosis in GalN/TNF-α-injured L02 hepatocytes through regulating the PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a water-soluble compound extracted from wine-processed Fructus corni, is a novel hepatic protectant for treating acute liver injury. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of 5-HMF in human L02 hepatocytes injured by D-galactosamine (GalN) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in vitro and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action. Our results showed that 5-HMF caused significant increase in the viability of L02 cells injured by GalN/TNF-α, in accordance with a dose-dependent decrease in apoptotic cell death confirmed by morphological and flow cytometric analyses. Based on immunofluorescence and Western blot assays, we found that GalN/TNF-α induced ER stress in the cells, as indicated by the disturbance of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, the activation of protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK), phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), and expression of ATF4 and CHOP proteins, which was reversed by 5-HMF pre-treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-apoptotic effect of 5-HMF was further evidenced by balancing the expression of Bcl-2 family members. In addition, the knockdown of PERK suppressed the expression of phospho-PERK, phospho-eIF2α, ATF4, and CHOP, resulting in a significant decrease in cell apoptosis after the treatment with GalN/TNF-α. 5-HMF could enhance the effects of PERK knockdown, protecting the cells against the GalN/TNF-α insult. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that 5-HMF can effectively protect GalN/TNF-α-injured L02 hepatocytes against ER stress-induced apoptosis through the regulation of the PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway, suggesting that it is a possible candidate for liver disease therapy.

Protective effect of cornel iridoid glycoside in D-galactosamine/tumor necrosis factor-α-injured L02 hepatocytes and its mechanism.

AIM: The aim was to determine the action mode of cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG) from Fructus corni on hepatoprotective activities, the effects of CIG on human hepatocyte cell line (L02) injured by D-galactosamine (GalN) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The percentage of cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric analysis in human L02 hepatocytes. The expression levels of activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were detected by western-blot analysis. In addition, the activity of caspase-3 was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The results showed that CIG caused a significant increase in the viability of L02 cells injured by GalN/TNF-α, in accordance with a dose-dependent decrease of apoptotic cell death confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Based on western blot and colorimetric assay, we found that GalN/TNF-α induced increased expression of ATF4, CHOP, and activation of caspase-3 while CIG pre-treatment had a dose-dependent suppression on them in this cell model. CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings demonstrate that CIG can effectively protect L02 hepatocytes against apoptosis induced by GalN/TNF-α, suggesting that it is a possible candidate target for liver disease therapy.

[Study on fibrolytic and hypotensive activity of earthworm homogenate of ultrafiltration separation from enzymolysis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the fibrolytic and hypotensive activity of earthworm homogenate of ultrafiltration separation from simulated enzymolysis of gastrointestinal tract system. METHODS: The before and after enzymolysis homogenate of fresh earthworm was seperated with different pore size PVDF ultrafiltration membrane and its fibrolytic and hypotensive activity was assayed. RESULTS: The fibrolytic activity of the total homogenate after enzymolysis overall changed little, but decreased in the the site of higher molecular weight and increased in the lower site of molecular weight; The ACE inhibitory activity improved, especially in the filtrate of the MW 4000 membrane. CONCLUSION: The fibrolytic activity of earthworm homogenate was not reduced by the digestive simulated enzymolysis, and the retention site of MW 10 000 membrane have more fibrolytic activity; The hypotensive activity of earthworm homogenate is enhanced by the digestive simulated enzymolysis. So the stronger activity could be obtained from enzymolysis.