Shape effect of glyco-nanoparticles on macrophage cellular uptake and immune response

The shells of various poly(dl-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PDLLA-b-PAA) spherical micelles and poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PLLA-b-PAA) cylindrical micelles were functionalized with mannose to yield glyco-nanoparticles (GNPs) with different shapes and dimensions. All of these GNPs were shown to have good biocompatibility (up to 1 mg/mL). Cellular uptake experiments using RAW 264.7 have shown that the spherical GNPs were internalized to a much greater extent than the cylindrical GNPs and such a phenomenon was attributed to their different endocytosis pathways. It was demonstrated that spherical GNPs were internalized based on clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis while cylindrical GNPs mainly depended on clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We also found that longer cylindrical GNPs (Ln × Wn = 215 × 47 nm) can induce an inflammatory response (specifically interleukin 6) more efficiently than shorter cylindrical GNPs (Ln × Wn = 99 × 50 nm) and spherical GNPs (Dn = 46 nm)

Glyco-platelets with controlled morphologies via crystallization-driven self-assembly and their shape-dependent interplay with macrophages

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are of great significance to the materials community as a result of their high surface area and controllable surface properties. However, controlled preparation of biodegradable 2D structures with biological activity is difficult. In this work we demonstrate that by careful selection of building block structures and assembly conditions it is possible to use crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) to assemble well-defined 2D nanostructures from poly­(l-lactide) (PLLA)-based diblock glycopolymers. 1D glyco-cylinders and 2D diamond-shaped glyco-platelets are produced, where the underlying formation mechanism is revealed by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that assembly of the polymers under mild degradation provides a straightforward route to hollow-cored platelets, a morphology that has previously proven laborious to access. The well-defined sizes and shapes of the glyco-platelets allow us to investigate macrophage activation efficiency and demonstrate clear size and shape effects, pointing toward potential applications in immunology

Identification of novel and conserved microRNAs involved in fruit development and ripening in Fragaria vesca

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are class of noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, either by endonucleolytic cleavage or by translational inhibition. Strawberry is a popular worldwide fresh fruit and is believed to benefit human health. However, the function of miRNAs during this fruit development and ripening remains unknown and miRNAs for specific for these processes are expected to be discovered. In the study, we identified 218 conserved miRNAs and 87 novel miRNAs in Fragaria vesca. Expression profiling of miRNAs during fruit development and ripening was performed, and the expression of targets of the miRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). This study provided data for further research on molecular mechanisms involved in fruit development and ripening

A multicenter study of fetal chromosomal abnormalities in Chinese women of advanced maternal age

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the rates of different fetal chromosomal abnormalities among women of advanced maternal age in China and to discuss the possible misdiagnosis risks of newer molecular techniques, for selection of appropriate prenatal screening and diagnostic technologies.Materials and MethodsSecond trimester amniocentesis and fetal karyotype results of 46,258 women were retrospectively reviewed. All women were ≥ 35 years old with singleton pregnancies. The rates of clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities (CSCAs), incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, and correlations with age were determined.ResultsFrom 2001 to 2010, the proportion of women of advanced maternal age undergoing prenatal diagnosis increased from 20% to 46%. The mean age was 37.4 years (range, 35–46 years). A total of 708 cases of CSCAs, with a rate of 1.53% were found. Trisomy 21 was the most common single chromosome abnormality and accounted for 55.9% of all CSCAs with an incidence of 0.86%. Trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and trisomy 21, the most common chromosome autosomal aneuploidies, accounted for 73.6% of all CSCAs, with a rate of 1.13%. As a group, the most common chromosomal aneuploidies (13/18/21/X/Y) accounted for 93.9% of all abnormalities, with a rate of 1.44%. The incidence of trisomy 21, trisomy 13/18/21 as a group, and 13/18/21/X/Y as a group was significantly greater in women aged 39 years and older (p < 0.001), but was not different between women aged 35 years, 36 years, 37 years, and 38 years.ConclusionThese findings may assist in genetic counseling of advanced maternal age pregnant women, and provide a basis for the selection of prenatal screening and diagnostic technologies

Through-skull fluorescence imaging of the brain in a new near-infrared window

To date, brain imaging has largely relied on X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography with limited spatial resolution and long scanning times. Fluorescence-based brain imaging in the visible and traditional near-infrared regions (400–900 nm) is an alternative but currently requires craniotomy, cranial windows and skull thinning techniques, and the penetration depth is limited to 1–2 mm due to light scattering. Here, we report through-scalp and through-skull fluorescence imaging of mouse cerebral vasculature without craniotomy utilizing the intrinsic photoluminescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the 1.3–1.4 micrometre near-infrared window. Reduced photon scattering in this spectral region allows fluorescence imaging reaching a depth of >2 mm in mouse brain with sub-10 micrometre resolution. An imaging rate of ~5.3 frames/s allows for dynamic recording of blood perfusion in the cerebral vessels with sufficient temporal resolution, providing real-time assessment of blood flow anomaly in a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model