Recently, blur detection is a hot topic in computer vision. It can accurately segment the blurred areas from an image, which is conducive for the post-processing of the image. Although many ...hand-crafted features based approaches have been presented during the last decades, they were not robust to the complex scenarios. To solve this problem, we newly establish a boundary-aware multi-scale deep network in this paper. First, the VGG-16 network is used to extract the deep features from multi-scale layers. Contrast layers and deconvolutional layers are added to make the difference between the blurred areas and clear areas more prominent. At last, a new boundary-aware penalty is introduced, which makes the edges of our results much clearer. Our method spends about 0.2 s to evaluate an image. Experiments on the large dataset confirm that the proposed model performs better than other models.
Dummy molecularly imprinted polymer (DMIP) for climbazole (CBZ) was synthesized for the first time employing miconazole (MNZ) as the dummy template together with methacrylic acid (MAA) monomer, ...ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) cross-linker and acetonitrile (ACN) porogen. The selectivity and capacity of the prepared MNZ-DMIP was estimated for CBZ by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and equilibrium binding experiments. Imprinting factor (IF) with a value of 7.0 was achieved, much higher than the CBZ templated MIP (IF = 3.5). Heterogeneous binding sites were found in the MNZ-DMIP, the corresponding saturation capacity and dissociation constant for the high and low affinity binding sites were 6.761 μmol g–1 and 0.3027 mmol L–1, 43.60 μmol g–1 and 4.055 mmol L–1, respectively. High efficient method based on dummy molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (DMISPE) coupled with HPLC was established for the selective enrichment of CBZ in river and tap water using MNZ-DMIP as sorbent. DMISPE conditions including sample loading pH/volume, selective washing and elution solvents were carefully optimized. The developed method showed good recoveries (82.3–96.2%) and repeatability (RSDs 0.6–4.9%, n = 5) for samples spiked at three different concentration levels (0.2, 1.0 and 5.0 μg L–1). The detection limit was determined as 0.012 μg L–1. The results demonstrated good potential of this method for sample pretreatment of CBZ in environmental water samples.
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•Preparation and evaluation of DMIP for CBZ using MNZ as the dummy template.•High selective solid-phase extraction of CBZ in water samples using MNZ-DMIP as sorbent.•Good recovery and reproducibility of the developed DMISPE-HPLC method.
The band spherulites grown in neat poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its blends with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) were observed by polarized optical microscopy. For the spherulites in neat PHB, ...it is evident that the band spacing increases first and then decreases with melting time. As the melting time is within 7 min, the band spacing increases continuously, which should be attributed to increasing mobility of polymer chains or decreasing viscosity of the melt. When the melting time is prolonged, evident thermal degradation of PHB occurs and results in a great deal of noncrystalline fractions, which is similar with addition of miscible amorphous polymers in the melt, and the band spacing decreases accordingly. The thermal degradation of PHB cannot, however, be detected by a thermogravimetric analyzer because of less volatile productions. An evident decrease of molecular weight can be measured by gel permeation chromatography, indicating occurrence of serious degradation. The decrease of crystallization and melting temperature revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) also prove the thermal degradation. For spherulites in PHB/PPC blends, however, the variation of band spacing differs from that in neat PHB. The band spacing increases continuously when melting time is within 15 min. The crystallization and melting behaviors are not influenced greatly by prolonging melting time in PHB/PPC blends. The variations of M w for PHB/PPC are slighter than those of the neat PHB and PPC upon heating at 190 °C. Combined with the corresponding DSC results, it is conjectured that blending may prohibit the degradation of PHB to some extent. An intermolecular interaction can be detected between PHB and PPC via Fouriertransform infrared spectra and should help to avoid degradation of PHB to a certain degree. The present results may help widen the applications of PHB and shed some light on understanding the formation mechanism of the band for aliphatic polyester polymers.
The exploration of cost-effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts through water splitting is important for developing clean energy technology and devices. The application of CoS
2
...in HER has been drawing more and more attention due to its low cost and relatively satisfactory HER catalytic performance. And CoS
2
was found to exhibit excellent HER catalytic performance after appropriate doping according to other experimental investigations. However, the theoretical simulation and the intrinsic catalytic mechanism of CoS
2
remains insufficiently investigated. Therefore, in this study, density functional theory is used to investigate the HER catalytic activity of CoS
2
doped with a heteroatom. The results show that Pt-, N- and O-doped CoS
2
demonstrates smaller Gibbs free energies close to that of Pt, compared with the original CoS
2
and CoS
2
doped with other atoms. Furthermore, HER catalytic performance of CoS
2
can be improved by tuning d-band centers of H adsorption sites. This study provides an effective method to achieve modified CoS
2
for high-performance HER and to investigate other transition metal sulfides as HER electrode.
The linear relationship between Δ
G
H*
and d-band centers of H adsorption sites.
The direct growth of graphene affording wafer‐scale uniformity on insulators is paramount to electronic and optoelectronic applications; however, it remains a challenge to date, because it entails an ...entirely different growth mode than that over metals. Herein, the metal‐catalyst‐free growth of quasi‐suspended graphene on a Si wafer is demonstrated using an interface‐decoupling chemical vapor deposition strategy. The employment of lower‐than‐conventional H2 dosage and concurrent introduction of methanol during growth can effectively weaken the interaction between the synthesized graphene and the underlying substrate. The growth mode can be thus fine‐tuned, producing a predominantly monolayer graphene film with wafer‐level homogeneity. Graphene thus grown on a 4 inch Si wafer enables the transfer‐free fabrication of high‐performance graphene‐based field‐effect transistor arrays that exhibit almost no shift in the charge neutral point, indicating a quasi‐suspended feature of the graphene. Moreover, a carrier mobility up to 15 000 cm2 V‐1 s‐1 can be attained. This study is anticipated to offer meaningful insights into the synthesis of wafer‐scale high‐quality graphene on dielectrics for practical graphene devices.
Using a precisely designed interface‐decoupling strategy, quasi‐suspended graphene can be grown directly on a 4 inch Si wafer. The obtained Gr/Si sample enables transfer‐free fabrication of graphene‐based field‐effect transistor devices with high electronic performance and a carrier mobility up to 15 000 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Aim/hypothesis
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator α (PGC-1α) plays a critical role in the maintenance of glucose, lipid and energy homeostasis by orchestrating metabolic ...programs in multiple tissues in response to environmental cues. In skeletal muscles, PGC-1α dysregulation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes but the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. This research aims to understand the role of TET3, a member of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family dioxygenases, in PGC-1α dysregulation in skeletal muscles in obesity and diabetes.
Methods
TET expression levels in skeletal muscles were analysed in humans with or without type 2 diabetes, as well as in mouse models of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced or genetically induced (
ob
/
ob
) obesity/diabetes. Muscle-specific
Tet3
knockout (mKD) mice were generated to study TET3’s role in muscle insulin sensitivity. Genome-wide expression profiling (RNA-seq) of muscle tissues from wild-type (WT) and mKD mice was performed to mine deeper insights into TET3-mediated regulation of muscle insulin sensitivity. The correlation between PGC-1α and TET3 expression levels was investigated using muscle tissues and in vitro-derived myotubes. PGC-1α phosphorylation and degradation were analysed using in vitro assays.
Results
TET3 expression was elevated in skeletal muscles of humans with type 2 diabetes and in HFD-fed and
ob
/
ob
mice compared with healthy controls. mKD mice exhibited enhanced glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and resilience to HFD-induced insulin resistance. Pathway analysis of RNA-seq identified ‘Mitochondrial Function’ and ‘PPARα Pathway’ to be among the top biological processes regulated by TET3. We observed higher PGC-1α levels (~25%) in muscles of mKD mice vs WT mice, and lower PGC-1α protein levels (~25–60%) in HFD-fed or
ob
/
ob
mice compared with their control counterparts. In human and murine myotubes, increased PGC-1α levels following TET3 knockdown contributed to improved mitochondrial respiration and insulin sensitivity. TET3 formed a complex with PGC-1α and interfered with its phosphorylation, leading to its destabilisation.
Conclusions/interpretation
Our results demonstrate an essential role for TET3 in the regulation of skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and suggest that TET3 may be used as a potential therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome.
Data availability
Sequences are available from the Gene Expression Omnibus (
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/
) with accession number of GSE224042.
Graphical Abstract
2D van der Waals metal 3R phase niobium disulfide (3R‐NbS2) has fascinating anisotropic, magnetic, optical, and superconducting properties. Herein, few‐layered 2D 3R‐NbS2 nanosheets are fabricated by ...combining liquid phase exfoliation and spin‐coating methods. The first principles calculations are performed to explore their electronic band structures to reveal the metallic properties and enhanced optical absorption as thickness increased. The linear and nonlinear optical properties arising from the plasmonic effects and nonequilibrium electrons are studied through the violet–visible–near‐infrared absorption spectroscopy, polarization‐resolved optical microscopy, and open‐aperture Z‐scan methods. The nonlinear absorption coefficient and imaginary part of the third‐order susceptibility are determined to be −2.5 × 106 cm GW−1 and −2.4 × 10−6 esu at 1064 nm. Furthermore, 2D 3R‐NbS2 nanosheets based saturable absorbers are fabricated and applied in solid‐state pulsed lasers, in which a continuous‐wave mode‐locking laser operation at 1050.6 nm is demonstrated with a pulse duration of 302 fs. The results not only verify that 2D metallic materials, such as 3R‐NbS2, are excellent nonlinear optical modulators, but also will arouse a general interest in designing novel materials/structures with 2D metallic materials for electronic and photonic devices.
3R phase NbS2 is a typical 2D metal. Its electronic band structure, linear, and nonlinear optical properties are systematically investigated, showing an excellent nonlinear saturable absorption behavior, which is introduced and enhanced by plasmonic effects and nonequilibrium carriers. Moreover, 2D 3R‐NbS2 nanosheets are successfully used as saturable absorbers for generating all‐solid‐state pulse lasers.
What is the significance and mechanism of human seminal plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) in regulating human sperm functions?
EV increases the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations Ca2+i via ...extracellular Ca2+ influx by activating CatSper channels, and subsequently modulate human sperm motility, especially hyperactivated motility, which is attributed to both protein and non-protein components in EV.
EVs are functional regulators of human sperm function, and EV cargoes from normal and asthenozoospermic seminal plasma are different. Pre-fusion of EV with sperm in the acidic and non-physiological sucrose buffer solution could elevate Ca2+i in human sperm. CatSper, a principle Ca2+ channel in human sperm, is responsible for the Ca2+i regulation when sperm respond to diverse extracellular stimuli. However, the role of CatSper in EV-evoked calcium signaling and its potential physiological significance remain unclear.
EV isolated from the seminal plasma of normal and asthenozoospermic semen were utilized to investigate the mechanism by which EV regulates calcium signal in human sperm, including the involvement of CatSper and the responsible cargoes in EV. In addition, the clinical application potential of EV and EV protein-derived peptides were also evaluated. This is a laboratory study that went on for more than 5 years and involved more than 200 separate experiments.
Semen donors were recruited in accordance with the Institutional Ethics Committee on human subjects of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University and Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital. The Flow NanoAnalyzer, western blotting, and transmission electron microscope were used to systematically characterize seminal plasma EV. Sperm Ca2+i responses were examined by fluorimetric measurement. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was performed to record CatSper currents. Sperm motility parameters were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Sperm hyperactivation was also evaluated by examining their penetration ability in viscous methylcellulose media. Protein and non-protein components in EV were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrum. The levels of prostaglandins, reactive oxygen species, malonaldehyde, and DNA integrity were detected by commercial kits.
EV increased Ca2+i via an extracellular Ca2+ influx, which could be suppressed by a CatSper inhibitor. Also, EV potentiated CatSper currents in human sperm. Furthermore, the EV-in Ca2+i increase and CatSper currents were absent in a CatSper-deficient sperm, confirming the crucial role of CatSper in EV induced Ca2+ signaling in human sperm. Both proteins and non-protein components of EV contributed to the increase of Ca2+i, which were important for the effects of EV on human sperm. Consequently, EV and its cargos promoted sperm hyperactivated motility. In addition, seminal plasma EV protein-derived peptides, such as NAT1-derived peptide (N-P) and THBS-1-derived peptide (T-P), could activate the sperm calcium signal and enhance sperm function. Interestingly, EV derived from asthenozoospermic semen caused a lower increase of Ca2+i than that isolated from normal seminal plasma (N-EV), and N-EV significantly improved sperm motility and function in both asthenozoospermic samples and frozen-thawed sperm.
N/A.
This was an in vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating the physiological relevance to in vivo regulation of sperm.
Our findings demonstrate that the CatSper-mediated-Ca2+ signaling is involved in EV-modulated sperm function under near physiological conditions, and EV and their derivates are a novel CatSper and sperm function regulators with potential for clinical application. They may be developed to improve sperm motility resulting from low Ca2+i response and/or freezing and thawing.
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32271167), the Social Development Project of Jiangsu Province (BE2022765), the Nantong Social and People's Livelihood Science and Technology Plan (MS22022087), the Basic Science Research Program of Nantong (JC22022086), and the Jiangsu Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Plan (JSSCRC2021543). The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonoses posing a significant threat to humans and animals. The difficulty in distinguishing between Brucella infection and vaccination has led to substantial health risks ...and economic losses. In this study, we developed a fluorescent dual-signal immunosensor, integrating it with machine learning to solve this problem. Immunogens were selected through structural analysis, followed by the screening of monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies were conjugated with fluorescent microspheres, serving as immunoprobes. Employing a dual-antibody sandwich strategy, we prepared the immunosensor and utilized machine learning to analyze the correlation between multibiomarkers and the status of Brucella infection or vaccine-induced immunity. The immunosensor achieved detection limits of 7.56 pg/mL for IL-1β and 76.61 pg/mL for IL-1Ra, without cross-reactivity with common inflammatory factors. Utilizing the Random Forest algorithm, the combination of the IL-1Ra/IL-1β ratio and RBPT achieved a F1 score of 1.0. Overall, the strategy effectively distinguishes between Brucella-infected and vaccinated subjects, offering valuable applications for brucellosis monitoring.
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•Innovatively utilizing ML-integrated dual-signal fluorescence immunosensors to assess Brucella infection and vaccination.•Discovery of IL-1Ra/IL-1β ratio as a new diagnostic indicator for brucellosis using a fluorescent dual-signal immunosensor.•Using machine learning algorithms for obtaining the optimal model for multi-biomarker diagnostics.
Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AM) is a Chinese herbal medicine that is widely used for treating gastrointestinal diseases. However, little research has focused on it as a single medicine for ...treating gastric ulcers. Honey‐bran stir‐frying is a characteristic method of concocting AM, so we speculated that AM is more effective after this preparation process. Analysis by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐hybrid quadrupole‐Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry revealed changes in the chemical composition of raw Atractylodes (SG), bran‐fried Atractylodes (FG), and honey‐bran‐fried Atractylodes (MFG). MFG was superior to SG and FG in improving the pathological structure of gastric tissue in rats with acute gastric ulcers, reducing inflammatory cell infiltration in gastric tissue, and significantly reducing malondialdehyde while increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and reducing the damage caused by free radical accumulation in the gastric mucosa. In addition, MFG reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), an inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB)proteins, inhibited inflammatory response, and regulated the degradation and rebalancing of the extracellular matrix. Fecal microbiota analysis also revealed that MFG normalized the intestinal flora to some extent. Our study shows that AM had a protective effect on rats with alcohol‐induced acute gastric ulcers before and after processing, and AM‐processed products were more effective than raw ones. Compared with MF, MFG had a higher rate of ulcer inhibition and a stronger anti‐inflammatory effect, and its mechanism of action was related to the NF‐κB‐MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 signaling pathway.
