DataSheet1_Preparation and Evaluation of Starch Hydrogel/Contact Lens Composites as Epigallocatechin Gallate Delivery Systems for Inhibition of Bacterial Adhesion.docx

Microbial infections caused by wearing contact lenses has become a major health problem, so the design and development of antibacterial contact lenses has attracted widespread attention. To safely and effectively inhibit bacterial adhesion of contact lenses, we have facilely prepared epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens composites by in-situ free radical polymerization of the mixture containing 2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The adequate transmittance of the resulting contact lenses was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and their satisfactory stability was examined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Whereafter, cytotoxicity and degradation experiments were performed to investigate the biocompatibility and degradability of the contact lenses. The results showed the nontoxicity and good degradability of the composites. Besides, the capacity of the contact lenses for in vitro release of EGCG was also evaluated, and the results showed that the EGCG in these contact lenses can be sustainably released for at least 14 days. Further bacterial adhesion assay suggested that the EGCG loaded starch hydrogel/contact lenses could significantly reduce the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to the control. The EGCG loaded starch hydrogel/contact lens composites provide a potential intervention strategy for preventing ocular microbial infections and inhibiting bacterial keratitis.</p

Supplementary document for Reuleaux triangle core fiber with triple rotational symmetry - 6797647.pdf

Reuleaux triangle core fiber with triple rotational symmetr

Supplementary document for Unidirectional coupled chiral fiber grating - 6821356.pdf

Unidirectional coupled chiral fiber gratin

Image_3_New Evidence for the Existence of Two Kiss/Kissr Systems in a Flatfish Species, the Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), and Stimulatory Effects on Gonadotropin Gene Expression.pdf

Seasonal reproduction is generally controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in fish. Previous studies have demonstrated that the kisspeptin (Kiss)/kisspeptin receptor (Kissr) system, a positive regulator of the HPG axis, mediates the responses to environmental cues. Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a representative species of Pleuronectiformes, is one of the most commercially important fish species cultured in Europe and North China. However, the mechanisms by which the Kiss/Kissr system regulates the reproductive axis of turbot according to seasonal changes, especially photoperiod, have not been clearly characterized. In the current study, the cDNA sequences of kiss2/kissr2, along with kiss1/kissr3 which was thought to be lost in flatfish species, were cloned and functionally characterized. The kiss1, kiss2, and kissr3 transcripts were highly detected in the brain and gonad, while kissr2 mRNA was only abundantly expressed in the brain. Moreover, kiss/kissr mRNAs were further examined in various brain areas of both sexes. The kiss1, kissr2, kissr3 mRNAs were highly expressed in the mesencephalon, while a substantial degree of kiss2 transcripts were observed in the hypothalamus. During annual reproductive cycle, both kiss and kissr transcript levels declined significantly from the immature to mature stages and increased at the degeneration stage in the brains of both sexes, especially in the mesencephalon and hypothalamus. The ovarian kiss1, kiss2, and kissr2 mRNA levels were highest at the vitellogenic stage (mature stage), while expression of kissr3 was highest at the immature stage. The testicular kiss and kissr transcripts were highest in the immature and degeneration stages, and lowest at the mature stage. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of Kiss1-10 and Kiss2-10 significantly stimulated mRNA levels of pituitary lhβ, fhsβ, and gthα. In summary, two Kiss/Kissr systems were firstly proven in a flatfish species of turbot, and it has a positive involvement in controlling the reproduction of the Kiss/Kissr system in turbot. The results will provide preliminary information regarding how the Kiss/Kissr system controls seasonal reproduction in turbot broodstock.</p

Effect of scratch distance on friction coefficient.

Effect of scratch distance on friction coefficient.</p

Fig 3 -

Variation of Cartilage Friction Coefficient at Different Sliding Velocities in Normal Synovial Fluid (a) and AGA Synovial Fluid (b).</p

Synergy Between Metal and Molecular Catalysts for (Photo)electrocatalytic 1,4-NADH Regeneration

(Photo)electrocatalytic NAD+ reduction provides a promising approach for 1,4-NADH regeneration, but it remains challenging to achieve both high activity and selectivity. Here, we found prominent synergetic effects between various metals (Cu, Fe, Co, and Ni) and Rh-based complexes (M and M’) for electrocatalytic NAD+ reduction, promoting the activity and selectivity simultaneously. Typically, the normalized activity of the Cu and M coupled system is 15.6 times that of M, while Cu alone shows negligible activity at the same potential. Meanwhile, the selectivity of 1,4-NADH is enhanced from 63.3% for Cu alone to as high as 95.3% for the coupled system. We found that the transfer of hydrogen atoms from the metal electrode to the M complex accelerates the formation of metal-hydride active species, which catalyzes the regioselective production of 1,4-NADH. This work provides a universal strategy of coupling proton-reduction electrocatalysts and regioselective molecular catalysts for efficient (photo)electrocatalytic 1,4-NAD(P)H regeneration

Au Nanorods Activated the Zn/Ce Composites with Cancer Cell Specific Cytotoxicity for Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy

Chemodynamic therapy based on the Fenton reaction has been developed as an extremely promising modality for cancer therapeutics. In this study, a core–shell structure nanoplatform was constructed by a Au nanorod externally encapsulating Ce/Zn-based composites (ACZO). The nanoparticles can catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under acidic conditions and effectively consume existing glutathione (GSH) to destroy the redox balance within the tumor. Moreover, the decomposition of the nanocomplexes under acidic conditions releases large amounts of zinc ions, leading to zinc overload in cancer cells. The photothermal effect generated by the Au nanorods not only provides photothermal therapy (PTT) but also augments the catalytic reaction and ions action mentioned above. This facile strategy to improve the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy by the photothermal enhancement of catalytic activity and zinc ion release provides a promising perspective for potential tumor treatment

Fig 2 -

Variation of the coefficient of friction with changes in scratch velocity (a) and normal load (b).</p

Fig 4 -

Variation of Cartilage Friction Coefficient with Different Normal Loads in Normal Synovial Fluid (a) and AGA Synovial Fluid (b).</p