Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes on Poly(ether–ether–ketone)/PDMS Composite Films for Flexible Strain and Humidity Sensors

Laser-induced graphene prepared on polymer substrates with a high modulus is a widely applied method to fabricate varied flexible electronics; however, the resulting relatively poor stretchability considerably limits its applicability. In this paper, an elastic composite consisting of poly(ether–ether–ketone) powder and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is reported to fabricate stretchable electrodes using direct laser-induced graphitization without transferring. The liquid composites before curing can be cast into various shapes for different applications. To balance the conductivity and stretchability of stretchable electrodes, we optimized the composite mass ratios and laser parameters and performed a series of morphological and performance characterizations on the composites; furthermore, we analyzed the elemental composition and functional groups of the laser-induced products. With the proper encapsulating method, strain sensors were prepared, exhibiting high sensitivity (a gauge factor of 78) and a stable resistance response over 50% operating range with the ability to monitor both fine pulse beats and larger strains such as human joint movement. Furthermore, a humidity sensor composited with laser-patterned interdigital electrode and graphene oxide on the elastic composite substrate had characteristics of high sensitivity (14.18 pF/%RH) and fast recovery time (9 s), which could be used for breathing monitoring and noncontact sensing. In conclusion, laser-induced graphene prepared in one step on a stretchable composite film of polymers with a high modulus and low modulus is a promising method to fabricate wearable electronics

Programmable and Weldable Superelastic EGaIn/TPU Composite Fiber by Wet Spinning for Flexible Electronics

As an essential component of flexible electronics, superelastic conductive fibers with good mechanical and electrical properties have drawn significant attention, especially in their preparation. In this study, we prepared a superelastic conductive fiber composed of eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by simple wet spinning. The composite conductive fiber with a liquid metal (LM) content of 85 wt % achieved a maximum strain at a break of 659.2%, and after the conductive pathway in the porous structure of the composite fibers was fully activated, high conductivity (1.2 × 105 S/m) was achieved with 95 wt % LM by mechanical sintering and training processes. The prepared conductive fibers exhibited a stable resistive response as the fibers were strained and could be sewn into fabrics and used as wearable strain sensors to monitor various human motions. These conductive fibers can be molded into helical by heating, and they have excellent electrical properties at a maximum mechanical strain of 3400% (resistance change <0.27%) with a helical index of 11. Moreover, the conductive fibers can be welded to various two or three-dimensional conductors. In summary, with a scalable manufacturing process, weldability, superelasticity, and high electrical conductivity, EGaIn/TPU composite fibers fabricated by wet spinning have considerable potential for flexible electronics

Facile synthesis of poly N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylamide-quantum dots hybrid hydrogels and their fluorescence temperature sensitive behaviors

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is an intelligent hydrogel which exhibits volume transition in response to temperature change. This work reports the PNIPAM/AM-QDs hybrid hydrogels, in which N-isopropylacrylamide, acrylamide as monomers and CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) as filler, are prepared by glow discharge electrolysis plasma (GDEP). The hydrogels are investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and PL spectra, as well as the swelling rate, temperature sensitivity and fluorescence reversibility. The results show that the PNIPAM hydrogels and QDs are cross-linked by coordination bond, and the QDs are well dispersed and combined firmly in the networks of the hydrogels. The phase transition temperature of PNIPAM/AM-QDs hybrid hydrogels is 32.5°C. The fluorescence intensity of hydrogels is 1490 a.u. and 20 a.u. at 20 and 40°C, respectively. Furthermore, the luminescence intensity of hydrogels is almost not weakened after five heating-cooling cycles, which should be used as a temperature-controlled light switch.</p

Additional file 1 of Characterization of multiple soluble immune checkpoints in individuals with different Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection status and dynamic changes during anti-tuberculosis treatment

Additional file 1. Supplementary Figure 1. Profile of baseline circulating sICs levels in definite ATB, LTBI and HC individuals. Supplementary Figure 2. Dynamic changes of ten circulating sICs during anti-TB treatment

Ginsenoside Rg3 Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Regulating Microbial Homeostasis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent inflammatory disease without a specific cure or treatment for improvement. Here, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 (Gin Rg3) on UC. We constructed an in vitro cellular inflammatory model and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model. We also used Gin Rg3, MCC950 (NLRP3 inhibitor), MSU (NLRP3 activator), and fecal transplantation (FMT) to intervene the model. The results showed that Gin Rg3 inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. DSS-induced changes in the abundance of gut microbiota at the phylum or genus level were partially restored by Gin Rg3. Furthermore, gin Rg3 affected intestinal metabolism in mice by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The gut microbiota treated with Gin Rg3 was sufficient to alleviate DSS-induced UC. In summary, Gin Rg3 alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulating gut microbiota homeostasis

Additional file 1 of The association between basal metabolic rate and osteoarthritis: a Mendelian randomization study

Supplementary Material

Image_3_Effect of basal metabolic rate on osteoporosis: A Mendelian randomization study.TIFF

PurposeBasal metabolic rate may play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoporosis. We performed Mendelian random analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and osteoporosis.MethodsInstrumental variables for the basal metabolic rate were selected. We used the inverse variance weighting approach as the main Mendelian random analysis method to estimate causal effects based on the summary-level data for osteoporosis from genome-wide association studies.ResultsA potential causal association was observed between basal metabolic rate and risks of osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9923, 95% confidence interval: 0.9898–0.9949; P = 4.005e − 09). The secondary MR also revealed that BMR was causally associated with osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9939, 95% confidence interval: 0.9911–0.9966; P = 1.038e − 05). The accuracy and robustness of the findings were confirmed using sensitivity tests.ConclusionBasal metabolic rate may play a causal role in the development of osteoporosis, although the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.</p

Image_2_Effect of basal metabolic rate on osteoporosis: A Mendelian randomization study.TIFF

PurposeBasal metabolic rate may play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoporosis. We performed Mendelian random analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and osteoporosis.MethodsInstrumental variables for the basal metabolic rate were selected. We used the inverse variance weighting approach as the main Mendelian random analysis method to estimate causal effects based on the summary-level data for osteoporosis from genome-wide association studies.ResultsA potential causal association was observed between basal metabolic rate and risks of osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9923, 95% confidence interval: 0.9898–0.9949; P = 4.005e − 09). The secondary MR also revealed that BMR was causally associated with osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9939, 95% confidence interval: 0.9911–0.9966; P = 1.038e − 05). The accuracy and robustness of the findings were confirmed using sensitivity tests.ConclusionBasal metabolic rate may play a causal role in the development of osteoporosis, although the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.</p

Table_2_Effect of basal metabolic rate on osteoporosis: A Mendelian randomization study.XLSX

PurposeBasal metabolic rate may play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoporosis. We performed Mendelian random analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and osteoporosis.MethodsInstrumental variables for the basal metabolic rate were selected. We used the inverse variance weighting approach as the main Mendelian random analysis method to estimate causal effects based on the summary-level data for osteoporosis from genome-wide association studies.ResultsA potential causal association was observed between basal metabolic rate and risks of osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9923, 95% confidence interval: 0.9898–0.9949; P = 4.005e − 09). The secondary MR also revealed that BMR was causally associated with osteoporosis (odds ratio = 0.9939, 95% confidence interval: 0.9911–0.9966; P = 1.038e − 05). The accuracy and robustness of the findings were confirmed using sensitivity tests.ConclusionBasal metabolic rate may play a causal role in the development of osteoporosis, although the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.</p

Additional file 1 of A novel antibiotic combination of linezolid and polymyxin B octapeptide PBOP against clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Additional file 1: Table S1. FICs of 6 polymyxin derivatives combined with 5 antibiotics against P. aeruginosa