Dissecting the Kinetic Process of Amyloid Fiber Formation through Asymptotic Analysis

Amyloids are insoluble fibrous protein aggregates which, when abnormally accumulated in the body, can result in amyloidosis and various neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we describe a new approach to the asymptotic solution of the master equation of amyloid fiber aggregations. It is found that four distinct and successive stages (lag phase, exponential growth phase, breaking phase, and static phase) dominate the fiber formation process. On the basis of the distinctive power-law dependence of the half-time and apparent growth rate of the fiber formation on the initial protein concentration, we propose a novel classification for amyloid proteins theoretically

Attapulgite supported nanoscale zero-valent iron in wastewater treatment and groundwater remediation: synthesis, application, performance and limitation

Polluted water continues to be a major problem globally since it deteriorates human health after consumption and impedes sustainable development. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been used to tackle the problem, but certain significant disadvantages of the nZVI limit its efficiency. Owing to the demerits of nZVI, various materials have been employed to support the nZVI to ensure efficient decontamination. There is rising interest in using attapulgite as a support for nZVI. The use of attapulgite supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (A-nZVI) to decontaminate wastewater/groundwater has proven to be highly efficient as compared to unsupported nZVI. This paper presents an overview of the syntheses, performance, application and limitations of using A-nZVI to treat wastewater/remediate groundwater. A-nZVI has been extensively employed on laboratory scale, thus making it difficult to simulate its removal efficiency on a large scale. However, its high removal efficiency under the appropriate operational conditions make it ideal to be used on an industrial level. This review is important because it identifies gaps in literature with respect to A-nZVI that need to be filled to improve ZVI-based technology.</p

The Effects of 17-beta Estradiol on Enhancing Proliferation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with self-renewal and multiple differentiation potentials are considered a possible cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the limited amount of MSCs in bone marrow and the loss of differentiation capacity following in vitro expansion restrict their practical application. Effective improvement of MSC proliferation is necessary for the clinical application of MSC-based tissue engineering. The effects of estrogen supplements on proliferation and characterizations of human MSCs were investigated at the present study. Supplements of 17-beta estradiol (E2) significantly increase the proliferation of human MSCs in vitro. The dose range of E2 to significantly increase MSC proliferation differs in the gender of MSC donor. E2 supplementation in cell proliferation maintains characterizations of MSCs, including cell surface markers, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacities. These data indicate that estrogen treatment can play an important role in improving human MSCs' expansion in vitro, which will effectively facilitate MSCs' function in the practical application of tissue engineering and regeneration

Efficient Antimicrobial Effect of Alginate–Catechol/Fe²⁺ Coating on Hydroxyapatite toward Oral Care Application

Reducing the formation of oral bacterial biofilms is critical to prevent common dental diseases. Though many strategies for restricting bacterial adhesion on tooth surfaces have been reported, a simple method for efficient oral bacteriostasis is still highly expected. Herein, we have proved a soft gel made of an alginate–catechol conjugate (SA–DA) and the ferrous cation (Fe2+) as an effective antibacterial coating on hydroxyapatite (HAP, a tooth model). As suggested by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements, SA–DA/Fe2+ coating possessed a high binding affinity to HAP without destruction by either immersion in artificial saliva or simulated tooth brushing. Significantly less protein (bovine serum albumin) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans, an oral bacterial model) could be found on HAP after coating with SA–DA/Fe2+, indicating that the prepared gel could resist well the adhesion of biofouling and microbes due to its hydrophilicity. Notably, such an antibacterial effect (around 70% S. mutans was inhibited) could be maintained for 3 d, which resulted from the extremely good stability of SA–DA/Fe2+ coating, as confirmed by QCM analysis. Our results may offer possibilities for developing applications in order to further improve oral hygiene

Multifunctional Electrolyte Additive Stabilizes Electrode–Electrolyte Interface Layers for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries

A lithium metal anode and high nickel ternary cathode are considered viable candidates for high energy density lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, unstable electrode–electrolyte interfaces and structure degradation of high nickel ternary cathode materials lead to serious capacity decay, consequently hindering their practical applications in LMBs. Herein, we introduced N,O-bis­(trimethylsilyl) trifluoro acetamide (BTA) as a multifunctional additive for removing trace water and hydrofluoric acid (HF) from the electrolyte and inhibiting corrosive HF from disrupting the electrode–electrolyte interface layers. Furthermore, the BTA additive containing multiple functional groups (C–F, Si–O, Si–N, and CN) promotes the formation of LiF-rich, Si- and N-containing solid electrolyte interfacial films on a lithium metal anode and LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathode surfaces, thereby improving the electrode–electrolytes interfacial stability and mitigating the capacity decay caused by structural degradation of the layered cathode. Using the BTA additive had tremendous benefits through modification of both anode and cathode surface layers. This was demonstrated using a Li||NMC811 metal battery with the BTA electrolyte, which exhibits remarkable cycling and rate performances (122.9 mA h g–1 at 10 C) and delivers a discharge capacity of 162 mA h g–1 after 100 cycles at 45 °C. Likewise, this study establishes a cost-effective approach of using a single additive to improve the electrochemical performance of LMBs

Correction to “Fullerene Nanorings as Nitric Oxide Radical Scavengers for Ultraviolet-Induced Cellular Injury”

Correction to “Fullerene Nanorings as Nitric Oxide Radical Scavengers for Ultraviolet-Induced Cellular Injury

Table_1_Variations in olfactory function among bipolar disorder patients with different episodes and subtypes.pdf

PurposeMost studies on olfactory function in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) have not distinguished between the different subtypes or between the acute phase (mania or depression) and euthymic state. In this study, we compared olfactory function among BD patients with different subtypes and episodes to explore the potential use of olfactory function as a biomarker for the early identification of BD.Patients and methodsThe study sample consisted of 117 BD patients who were hospitalized between April 2019 and June 2019, and 47 healthy volunteers as controls. The BD patients were divided into a bipolar I disorder (BD I) (n = 86) and bipolar II disorder (BD II) group (n = 31) according to the different subtypes, and divided into depressive BD (n = 36), manic BD (n = 44), or euthymic BD (n = 37) groups according to the types of episodes they experienced. We assessed olfactory sensitivity (OS) and olfactory identification (OI) via the Sniffin’ Sticks test and used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS) to evaluate BD characteristics among all subjects.ResultsCompared with controls, the participants with BD showed decreased OS and OI. We found statistically significant differences in OS and OI between the BD I group and controls, as well as differences in OS between the BD I and BD II group. Least-significant difference multiple comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in OS between the depressive BD group, manic BD group and controls and also between the manic BD and euthymic BD group. OI was positively correlated with the YMRS score in the BD I group and OS was negatively correlated with the HAMD score in the BD II group.ConclusionThis may be the first study to compare olfactory function in patients with BD I vs. BD II via pairwise comparisons. Our findings suggest that OS may have potential as a biomarker for distinguishing the different subtypes of BD and as a state-related biomarker for differentiating the acute phase from the euthymic state of BD. However, further prospective research is warranted.</p

Table_2_Variations in olfactory function among bipolar disorder patients with different episodes and subtypes.pdf

PurposeMost studies on olfactory function in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) have not distinguished between the different subtypes or between the acute phase (mania or depression) and euthymic state. In this study, we compared olfactory function among BD patients with different subtypes and episodes to explore the potential use of olfactory function as a biomarker for the early identification of BD.Patients and methodsThe study sample consisted of 117 BD patients who were hospitalized between April 2019 and June 2019, and 47 healthy volunteers as controls. The BD patients were divided into a bipolar I disorder (BD I) (n = 86) and bipolar II disorder (BD II) group (n = 31) according to the different subtypes, and divided into depressive BD (n = 36), manic BD (n = 44), or euthymic BD (n = 37) groups according to the types of episodes they experienced. We assessed olfactory sensitivity (OS) and olfactory identification (OI) via the Sniffin’ Sticks test and used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS) to evaluate BD characteristics among all subjects.ResultsCompared with controls, the participants with BD showed decreased OS and OI. We found statistically significant differences in OS and OI between the BD I group and controls, as well as differences in OS between the BD I and BD II group. Least-significant difference multiple comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in OS between the depressive BD group, manic BD group and controls and also between the manic BD and euthymic BD group. OI was positively correlated with the YMRS score in the BD I group and OS was negatively correlated with the HAMD score in the BD II group.ConclusionThis may be the first study to compare olfactory function in patients with BD I vs. BD II via pairwise comparisons. Our findings suggest that OS may have potential as a biomarker for distinguishing the different subtypes of BD and as a state-related biomarker for differentiating the acute phase from the euthymic state of BD. However, further prospective research is warranted.</p

Fullerene Nanorings as Nitric Oxide Radical Scavengers for Ultraviolet-Induced Cellular Injury

Nitric oxide radical (NO•) induced by UV irradiation would exacerbate cellular damage and apoptosis. Though fullerenes are known as excellent radical scavengers, severe aggregation and poor bioavailability often decrease their antioxidant capability in real bioapplications. Herein, a simple but effective method is introduced for the synthesis of a novel hollow fullerene nanostructure (fullerene nanoring, FNR). C60 aggregations produced in m-xylene/isopropyl alcohol (IPA) binary solvents by liquid–liquid interface precipitation strategy are chemically etched by the addition of ethylenediamine (EDA), while aminofullerenes subsequently nucleate at the interface of short-lived EDA-IPA droplets. Careful control of the nucleation kinetics via fine-tuning of the xylene/IPA ratio proved critical for the successful formation of ring-shaped FNR. Such hydrophilic and low-cytotoxic nanostructures possess surprisingly outstanding scavenging performance toward NO• (IC50 = 80 μg/mL). Prominent cytoprotection of FNR against UV-induced DNA oxidation and cellular injury is further confirmed by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Our results may benefit the upgradation of nanocarbon materials for bioapplications