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Background: The lack of appropriate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) selection methods has given the challenges for standardized harvesting, processing, and phenotyping procedures of MSCs. Genetic engineering coupled with high-throughput proteomic studies of MSC surface markers arises as a promising strategy to identify stem cell-specific markers. However, the technical limitations are the key factors making it less suitable to provide an appropriate starting material for the screening platform. A more accurate, easily accessible approach is required to solve the issues. Methods: This study established a high-throughput screening strategy with forward versus side scatter gating to identify the adipogenesis-associated markers of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) and tonsil-derived MSCs (TMSCs). We classified the MSC-derived adipogenic differentiated cells into two clusters: lipid-rich cells as side scatter (SSC)-high population and lipid-poor cells as SSC-low population. By screening the expression of 242 cell surface proteins, we identified the surface markers which exclusively found in lipid-rich subpopulation as the specific markers for BMSCs and TMSCs. Results: High-throughput screening of the expression of 242 cell surface proteins indicated that CD49f and CD146 were specific for BMSCs and TMSCs. Subsequent immunostaining confirmed the consistent specific expression of CD49f and CD146 and in BMSCs and TMSCs. Enrichment of MSCs by CD49f and CD146 surface markers demonstrated that the simultaneous expression of CD49f and CD146 is required for adipogenesis and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, the fate decision of MSCs from different sources is regulated by distinct responses of cells to differentiation stimulations despite sharing a common CD49f+CD146+ immunophenotype. Conclusions: We established an accurate, robust, transgene-free method for screening adipogenesis associated cell surface proteins. This provided a valuable tool to investigate MSC-specific markers. Additionally, we showed a possible crosstalk between CD49f and CD146 modulates the adipogenesis of MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiro-OMeTAD is a widely used hole-transporting layer (HTL) material, characterized by high hole mobility and good film-forming properties, in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, this material has high synthesis costs, low solubility, dependence on hygroscopic dopants, and a low commercial potential. Recently, we investigated alternative materials with good solubility, simple synthetic methods, and good electrical characteristics for use as hole transport materials (HTM) in triple-cation PSCs. Herein, (E,E,E,E)-4,4′,4″,4′″-[Benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayltetrakis(ethene-2,1-diyl)]tetrakis[N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)aniline], which has a small molecular weight and similar properties to Spiro-OMeTAD, was assessed for use as a HTM via a pre-test of device performance, including its electrical properties, surface morphology, and coating process method, with PSC efficiencies routinely surpassing 20%. A remarkable open-circuit voltage of 1.111, along with a photovoltaic efficiency of 20.18% was obtained in PSCs using this HTM with dichloromethane (DCM) instead of chlorobenzene, indicative of its potential for the fabrication of resistance components with improved surface uniformity. These results provide insights into DCM as an efficient solvent for small molecule-based HTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenethylamine (PEA) halides (X) coated on perovskite (PVK) films are widely known as passivating layers, resulting in high performance in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, critical stability issues associated with phenethylamine halides (PEAX) in PSCs are observed, especially with Spiro‐OMeTAD, which prevented its practical use. Here, the mechanism by which PEAX negatively affects PSCs is reported. In addition, a method is devised to overcome the stability issue by employing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at the PVK/PEABr interface to form dual PMMA/PEABr interlayers. Contrary to the general use of PEABr, the indirect contact of PEABr with PVK films by PMMA resulted in superior power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and enhanced stability resulting from the retention of dipole moments even under aging. Further, effective methods of maximizing and retaining the dipole effect by heating PMMA/PEAX, as opposed to PSCs incorporating PEAX without PMMA being negatively affected by heat are exploited. The resulting PSCs with PMMA/heated PEABr exhibit a PCE of 21.63%, and retain 95% of their original performance a month after fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the blood–brain barrier dysfunction has been suggested as a key pathological feature of the disease. Our research group successfully established a synthetic protocol for oleracones, a novel series of flavonoids isolated from the plant extract of Portulaca oleracea L. (PO). PO extract was reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, enhancing cognitive function. Thus, we investigated the effects and mechanism of oleracones on cognition using AD model transgenic mice (Tg; APPswe/PSEN1dE9). Oleracone F treatment significantly improved memory dysfunction in Tg mice. Oleracone F decreased the number, burden, and immunoreactivity of amyloid plaques and amyloid precursor protein (APP) protein levels in the brains of Tg mice compared to wild-type mice. Oleracone F also alleviated inflammation observed in Tg mice brains. In vitro studies in human microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) demonstrated that oleracones D, E, and F blocked the elevations in VCAM-1 protein induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hindering leukocyte adhesion to HBMVECs. Taken together, our results suggest that oleracones ameliorated cognitive impairment by blocking TNF-α-induced increases in VCAM-1, thereby reducing leukocyte infiltration to the brain and modulating brain inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]