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The successful 2020 launch and 2021 landing of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Perseverance Mars rover initiated the first phase of the NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The goal of the MSR campaign is to collect scientifically interesting samples from the Martian surface and return them to Earth for further study in terrestrial laboratories. The MSR campaign consists of three major spacecraft components to accomplish this objective: the Perseverance Mars rover, the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) and the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). Onboard the ERO spacecraft is the Capture, Containment and Return System (CCRS). CCRS will capture, process and return to Earth the samples that have been collected after they are launched into Mars orbit by the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which is delivered to Mars onboard the SRL. To facilitate the processing of the orbiting sample (OS) via the CCRS, we have designed and developed a vision system to determine the OS capture orientation. The vision system is composed of two cameras sensitive to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and two illumination modules constructed from broadband light emitting diodes (LED). Vision system laboratory tests and physics-based optical simulations predict CCRS ground processing will be able to correctly identify the OS post-capture orientation using only a single vision system image that is transmitted to Earth from Mars orbit.

Rong Chen,1 Wenbin Yang,2 Jing Sun,3 Yuan Liu,4 Qing An,2 Feijuan Zhang,2 Zhuanli Bai,5 Qi Luan2 1College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China; 4Center of Medical Genetics, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Qi Luan, Department of Dermatology, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-29-61816090, Email luanq@sina.com Zhuanli Bai, Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, Email zhuanlibai@xjtu.ecu.cnBackground: Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are applied to treat facial wrinkles and volume loss. Many efforts have been made to improve properties of HA to prolong the duration in aesthetic indications. A new cross-linking technique called “Tri-Hyal”, could make HAs to achieve desired rheological characteristics. HAs synthesized by Tri-Hyal are triple cross-linked and sustained-release, which could increase duration of promoting skin rejuvenation after injection.Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency and persistence of HAs with Tri-Hyal on skin rejuvenation and further investigate underlying mechanisms, we compared the performances of cross-linked HA (AF) based on Tri-Hyal with another highly acceptable HA filler (Res) in vivo and in vitro.Methods: Male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups, treated with AF, Res and vehicle, respectively. Skin biopsies were taken on day 0, 30, 90 and 180 after injection and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome (MT), immunohistochemical (IHC) stainings for CD31, TGF-β and MMP9 were performed. EdU incorporation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), SA-β-Gal staining and activity were measured by biochemical analysis. RFP-GFP-LC3 adeno virus was used for autophagic flux detection. Protein levels of CD44, P62 and LC3I/II were detected by Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by flow cytometry with DCFH-DA probe.Results: The AF synthesized by Tri-Hyal showed persistent dermal structural correction without attenuation up to 6 months, which was illustrated by skin thickness, formation of elastic fibers and vascular density. Consistently, in fibroblasts the AF improved cell proliferation and slowed the senescent in vitro. Furthermore, it promoted cellular autophagy to reduce ROS level, which would account for its function in skin renewal.Conclusion: The HA with Tri-Hyal could stimulate the production of extracellular matrix components more persistently than traditional HA fillers. In terms of mechanisms, it delayed senescence in dermal fibroblasts through reducing oxidative stress mediated by induction of autophagy.Keywords: skin rejuvenation, fibroblasts, senescence, ROS, autophagy

Wenmin Zeng,1 Guojing Liu,1 Qingxian Luan,1 Chunyu Yang,1 Shiyi Li,1 Xiaoqian Yu,1 Li Su2 1Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Center of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaoqian YuDepartment of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail Y_PK@163.comLi SuCenter of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lisu76@bjmu.edu.cnObjective: Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent chronic oral infectious diseases in humans, is induced by the breakdown in the balance between the biofilm and host immune system. Previous studies have shown the presence of large numbers of B cells in periodontitis lesions, implicating that B lymphocytes play a predominant role during the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the role of all B cells in the initiation of periodontitis.Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced in B cell-deficient (CD19Cre) mice and wild-type (WT) control mice by 5-0 silk ligation around the maxillary second molar. Four weeks after ligation, alveolar bone loss was determined by micro-computed tomography. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin in periodontal lesions were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Lymphocyte populations in the cervical lymph nodes and spleen and among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by flow cytometry.Results: B-cell deficiency resulted in increased severity of alveolar bone loss in mouse experimental periodontitis, which was associated with increased osteoclast activity and upregulated RANKL expression in the periodontal lesions. In addition, gingiva cytokine expression profiles were shifted to T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 in the CD19Cre mice with ligature-induced periodontitis compared with WT mice. In addition, a reduced CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio was observed in the CD19Cre mice.Conclusion: B-cell deficiency exacerbates the inflammation and alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis in mice, implicating that B cells may overall play a protective role in the initiation of periodontitis.Keywords: periodontitis, experimental periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, B lymphocytes

Hanbing Yang,1 Wenjing Zhang,2 Qingxia Luan,3 Yanchao Liu2 1Department of Interventional Thoracic Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hanbing YangDepartment of Interventional Thoracic Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-0536-3081293Email yanghb3240@163.comPurpose: MicroRNA-4284 (miR-4284) was demonstrated to be aberrantly expressed and affected cell activities in some types of diseases, including cancer. However, the role of miR-4284 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and biological role of miR-4284 in NSCLC.Patients and Methods: The qRT-PCR assay was applied to detect the expression of miR-4284 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Kaplan–Meier curve method and multiple Cox regression analyses were used to explore the prognostic factors for postoperative NSCLC patients. The CCK-8 assay was carried out to measure the proliferative abilities of A549 and H1299 cells. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to determine the cell migratory and invasive capabilities of NSCLC cells.Results: miR-4284 expression was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. High expression of miR-4284 was correlated with poor differentiation, positive lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stages. In addition, postoperative patients with higher expression of miR-4284 exhibited a shorter overall survival time than those with lower expression of miR-4284. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-4284 accelerated cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of A549 and H1299 cells, while the downregulation of miR-4284 inhibited these cellular capabilities.Conclusion: miR-4284 was noticeably upregulated in NSCLC and associated with a poor prognosis of postoperative NSCLC patients. miR-4284 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells. This study indicated that miR-4284 might serve as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for postoperative NSCLC patients.Keywords: miR-4284, malignant activities, non-small cell lung cancer, prognosis, biomarker

During brief 120° transitions between long catalytic dwells, single F _1 -ATPase molecules exhibit angular jumps that vary with rotation angles. Using the angular jump profile enables the detection of fast states in the mechano-chemical scheme of the enzyme, states that are difficult to capture from single-molecule trajectories due to the fluctuations of the imaging nanoprobe. In a previous work, a short-lived, three occupancy state was postulated from a multi-state, probabilistic theory to explain the mean angular jump profile. An assumption in the theory was that the ‘mixing’ of chemical states is negligible during jumps. In a mixing event, two subsequent angular positions recorded by the imaging apparatus belong to two different chemical states of the motor enzyme due to fast reactions within a recording frame. In this paper, we provide an enhanced method for the detection of fast states. On one hand, we show using Langevin simulations that state mixing leads to faster mean angular jump, shifting up the profile. Consequently, the improved method provides a correction to the angular position and lifetime of the postulated three-occupancy metastable state. On the other hand, we show that when F _1 -ATPase is subject to torques opposing rotation in hydrolysis direction, the torques shift down the dwell angles without affecting the angle-dependent reaction rates. The torques improve detection capability for the fast state by increasing dwell times which is made evident by the flattening of the mean angular jump profile within 40°–60° from the catalytic dwell. In the three-occupancy state release of ADP occurs in concert with the binding of ATP to a different site in the F _1 -ATPase. Similarly, in the full ATP synthase when torques are created by the proton gradient in the F _O region, the release of the product ATP is presumably accelerated by the binding of ADP to a different site in the F _1 domain.

A migrânea é uma cefaleia primária de etiologia multifatorial que acomete cerca de 15% da população. Afeta mais as mulheres do que os homens e gera um impacto significativo na qualidade de vida. A crise de cefaléia migranosa apresenta quatro fases: prodrômica, de aura, cefaléia e fase de recuperação. Um plano terapêutico para migrânea inclui tratamento agudo da crise para melhora da dor e do prejuízo funcional, e a terapia profilática de longo prazo para diminuir a frequência, a intensidade e a duração das crises. No presente trabalho, os autores correlacionaram o relato de caso de uma paciente do Hospital Universitário Sul Fluminense com a literatura atual.

The present research employed sodium alginate (SA) and pea protein isolate (PPI) as primary materials to explore the impact of pre-gelation time on the rheological properties, 3D printability, and swallowing properties of SA-PPI composite gel. Additionally, in vitro release capabilities of 3D printed products carrying curcumin (Cur) were studied. The results illustrated that adjusting the pre-gelation time could enhance the rheological properties, 3D printability, swallowing ability, encapsulation efficiency, and slow-release capabilities of the composite gel. Specifically, the SA-PPI composite gel (SA-PPI22) with pre-gelled for 22 min, displayed the optimal viscosity and recovery, which facilitated extrusion and shape retention during the 3D printing process. Moreover, SA-PPI22 exhibited a smooth surface quality in its 3D printed structures, along with exceptional self-supporting ability and swallowing performance meeting grade 5 fine filling food standards. Furthermore, SA-PPI22 delayed its release rate in vitro. This study could contribute to the advancement of hydrogel applications in the field of 3D printing and offer the theoretical groundwork for the development of SA-PPI composite gels in dysphagia-friendly food products.

In this study, sodium alginate (SA), locust bean gum (LBG) and mung bean starch (MBS) were used as raw materials. Dynamic rheometer, texture analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffractometer and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance were used to explore the effects of SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixtures with different compounding ratios on MBS aging and their influence mechanisms. The results showed that adding SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can reduce the hardness, aging enthalpy value, recrystallization rate constant (k), relative crystallinity and water mobility of aged MBS gel, and increase its loss factor. Low-field NMR results found that the SA-LBG mixture increased the T2 of MBS gel. The results show that SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can delay the aging of MBS gel, among which the anti-aging effect of SA-LBG mixture is more significant. SA-LBG mixture at mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited a strongest synergistic effect on inhibiting MBS gel retrogradation. This may be due to that the synergistic effects between SA and LBG, as well as hydrogen binding among SA, LBG and starch, which could prevent interactions between starch molecules and inhibit starch recrystallization. These findings might provide useful information for improving MBS-based products’ shelf-life with introduction of SA-LBG.

High-Speed Rail (HSR) stations can influence the expansion of the surrounding construction land. However, relevant studies face three main limitations: influence scope estimation lacking a theoretical foundation, less focus on whether the impacts of HSR stations on construction land expansion vary, and misjudgment of the drivers of HSR stations on construction land expansion. To address these research questions, this study first conducts a literature review to theoretically analyze the influence of HSR stations on the surrounding construction land expansion and then identifies the ideal curve for the influence distance of HSR on construction land expansion based on location theory and distance decay theory. Using the 24 stations of the Hainan Roundabout Railway (HRR) as an example, we revealed differences in the influence of various HRR stations on construction land expansion through GIS technology, buffer analysis, and nonlinear fitting to quantitatively analyze the expansion of construction land around HRR stations, identifying the impact range and direction of different HRR stations on the expansion of construction land. Building on the identification of heterogeneous impact results, the study further employed Geodetector to analyze the factors and reasons for the differentiated results of construction land expansion around different HRR stations from four dimensions: attributes of the socioeconomic environment, location conditions, HRR station attributes, and natural conditions. The results show that: (1) after the construction and operation of each HRR station, the surrounding construction land has expanded; the Hainan Eastern Ring HSR (the East Ring) has increased 1.70 km2 around each station per year and the Hainan Western Ring HSR (the West Ring) has increased 1.25 km2 around each station per year. (2) The changing trend of construction land expansion around 20 of 24 HRR stations conforms to the ideal curve, with the impact range of construction land expansion concentrated within 0.5-3.5 km, and the influence intensity of impact ranging from 0.06 to 6.64 km2. (3) The impact directions of construction land expansion around 20 HRR stations are mainly in three types of directions: "HSR-main urban area," "HSR-town center," and "HSR-scenic spot." This is because the expansion of construction land around HRR stations is not only influenced by the spillover effects of the stations, but also by the traction effect of the main urban areas, town centers, or tourist areas where the HRR stations are located. The stations along the East Ring of Hainan mainly expanded towards the main urban areas, whereas the stations along the West Ring of Hainan mainly expanded towards town centers. (4) Differences in the scope of the influence of each HRR station on the surrounding construction land expansion were mainly related to several variables, ordered as follows: socioeconomic environment, location conditions, attributes of the HRR station, and natural conditions. The GDP density of the towns where the HRR stations were located had the highest impact intensity at 0.51, followed by population density at 0.49, whereas the average elevation had the lowest impact intensity at 0.12. This study analyzed the mechanism and ideal curve of construction land expansion around HSR stations, establishing a logical basis for studying the spillover effects of HSR stations. In addition, this study analyzes the various impacts of HSR stations on the expansion of surrounding construction land and the reasons for these differences, providing a scientific basis for the current operation and future location of HSR stations. This study also offers methodological insights into the impacts of other infrastructures on the expansion of construction land in surrounding areas.

A method is proposed for analyzing fast (10 µs) single-molecule rotation trajectories in F1 adenosinetriphosphatase (F1-ATPase). This method is based on the distribution of jumps in the rotation angle that occur in the transitions during the steps between subsequent catalytic dwells. The method is complementary to the "stalling" technique devised by H. Noji et al. [Biophys. Rev. 9, 103-118, 2017], and can reveal multiple states not directly detectable as steps. A bimodal distribution of jumps is observed at certain angles, due to the system being in either of 2 states at the same rotation angle. In this method, a multistate theory is used that takes into account a viscoelastic fluctuation of the imaging probe. Using an established sequence of 3 specific states, a theoretical profile of angular jumps is predicted, without adjustable parameters, that agrees with experiment for most of the angular range. Agreement can be achieved at all angles by assuming a fourth state with an ~10 µs lifetime and a dwell angle about 40° after the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) binding dwell. The latter result suggests that the ATP binding in one β subunit and the adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) release from another β subunit occur via a transient whose lifetime is ~10 µs and is about 6 orders of magnitude smaller than the lifetime for ADP release from a singly occupied F1-ATPase. An internal consistency test is given by comparing 2 independent ways of obtaining the relaxation time of the probe. They agree and are ~15 µs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat treatment is the most commonly used physical modification method for starch, which shows advantage of simple operation, low pollution and high safety. The present work mainly summarized the effects of dry heat treatment, heat moisture treatment and annealing on physicochemical, structural and digestive properties of starch. Meanwhile, effects of heat treatment combined with hydrocolloid as well as combination of multiple heat treatments on physicochemical and digestive properties of starch were also introduced. As shown in the previous literature, heat treatment modification improved the thermal stability and anti-digestion properties of starch. Effects of heat treatment modification on starch properties were influenced by the kinds of heat treatment modification as well as the types and sources of starches. Due to high moisture content during the process of heat moisture treatment and annealing, swelling power and solubility of starches were remarkably changed. These three heat treatments could change the relatively crystallinity of starch. Moreover, heat moisture treatment could alter the crystalline patterns of starches. Except for annealing, both of dry heat treatment and heat moisture treatment changed the structure of starch particles. Both heat treatment combined with hydrocolloid and combination of multiple heat treatments enhanced physicochemical and digestive properties of heat-treated starches. Purpose of the present work could provide useful information for further research and application of heat-treated starches.

Common corn starch-lauric acid complex (CSLA) was prepared by extrusion treatment combined with cool storage. The effects of extrusion treatment combined with cool storage on the gelatinization degree, complexing index, thermal properties, crystal structure and digestive properties of CSLA were systematically investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results showed that compared with extrusion treatment, extrusion treatment combined with cool storage was beneficial to the formation of common corn starch-lauric acid complex, the complexing index increased from 29% to 35%, and the relative crystallinity increased from 25.20% to 31.82%. Extrusion treatment combined with cool storage can reduce the digestibility of the compound and increase the content of RS from 38.07% to 49.82%. The results of thermal properties showed that extrusion treatment combined with cool storage made common corn starch and lauric acid form VI- type complex with low thermal stability, and the melting temperature was 89.95~101.33 ℃, while common corn starch and endogenous lipids formed a VII- type complex with high thermal stability, and the melting temperature was 106.73~ 117.48 ℃. The results can provide reference for the preparation of starch-fatty acid complex with low digestibility and the preparation of anti-digestibility starch food.

Sodium alginate-porous starch complex gels were prepared by calcium chloride dripping method and calcium carbonate internal gelation method. Furthermore, hardness, syneresis, swelling characteristics, crystalline structure and microstructure of the complex gels were analyzed. The results showed that the gel properties were significantly affected by calcium source and sodium alginate to porous starch ratio (mass ratio defined as r value). At high r value (r =4∶2 or 5∶1), calcium carbonate caused the formation of gel curds with uniform shape and dense structures, which also showed high gel hardness and low syneresis. Meanwhile, calcium chloride caused the formation of gel beads with uniform shape and hard shell. Due to different gel structures, the initial swelling speed of gel beads was slow and the final swelling ratio was high, while the initial swelling speed of gel curds was fast and the final swelling ratio was relatively low. The gels prepared by these two methods showed high swelling ratio in simulated colonic fluid and low swelling ratio in simulated gastric fluid, indicating good pH response. Microstructure analysis showed there was good compatibility between sodium alginate and porous starch. The results of the present research could provide useful information to develop pH responded delivery system for bioactive substances.