Search

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) contains several active components, including alkaloids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and sterols, which make it have the traditional therapeutic uses. In this paper, we summarized the analytical progress of the active components associated with alkaloids, polysaccharides, glucosinolates, sterols, free fatty acids, flavonoids, and natural phenols in Maca by mass spectrometry (MS). Due to the effect of color and type on active components in Maca, we summarized the study of quality evaluation about Maca according to the type and the content of active components such as glucosinolates, essential oils, macamides, and macaenes by MS. Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources. We reviewed the study in the visible distribution of amino acids, amide alkaloids, imidazolium alkaloids, and saccharides in Maca by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). We also reviewed the pharmacology value associated with improvement of reproductive function, anti-stress response, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor activity, clinical research and toxicity of Maca, and so forth. Nevertheless, due to individual differences and limitations of the subjects, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of the plant.

PURPOSE: To explore the whole-chromosome status, origins, and mechanisms of chromosomal abnormalities in good-quality cleavage embryos using multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycle (MALBAC) sequencing. METHODS: The embryos studied came from7 patients (maternal aged 26–35) who had healthy birth from the same IVF cycles. These 21 frozen day 3 good-quality embryos were thawed and disaggregated into individual blastomere. Each blastomere was collected and analyzed by MALBAC sequencing. RESULTS: Conclusive results were obtained from a high percentage of blastomeres (95.3%). A total of 46.6% of blastomeres were diploid, 53.4% were abnormal, and 28.0% had complex aneuploidy. Out of 21 embryos, 3 (14.3%) were normal and 18 (85.7%) were mosaics, showing the occurrence of mitotic errors; aneuploidy was confirmed in all cells of 4 of the 18 embryos, which showed the coexistence of meiotic errors. Conclusive results were obtained from all blastomeres of 15 embryos (71.4%, 15/21), which enabled us to reconstruct the cell lineage on the basis of the chromosomal content of the blastomeres in each division. There were 9 mitotic errors (8.7%, 9/103): nondisjunction accounted for 88.9% (8/9), and endoreplication accounted for 11.1% (1/9). CONCLUSIONS: In good-quality embryos, there was a high rate and diverse array of chromosomal abnormalities. Morphological evaluation does not appear to assist in the reduction in meiotic errors from parental origins. Mitotic errors were common, and nondisjunction was found to be the main mechanism causing malsegregation during the cleavage divisions. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10815-020-01803-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The amylose and amylopectin contents, viscoelastic properties, freeze-thaw stability and Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) were studied to explore the microstructural property relationships. Compared with wheat, corn, rice and waxy rice starches, quinoa starch had special characteristics connected to its unique microstructure. The high ratio of amylopectin to amylose (12.03) in quinoa starch affected its functional and nutritional properties. Quinoa starch had the lowest setback (97 BU) showed that it had the best anti-aging ability of those cereal starches studied (153.5-1068 BU). The poor freeze-thaw stability of quinoa starch and the structure of its paste are related to its amylopectin contain extremely numerous Longest Chain (LC) and short chains, a few long chains. By comparing its size and shape with those of other types of starch granule, it was found that the small uniform size (1 μm) and polygonal structure of the quinoa starch granule affect its susceptibility to enzymes.

On the basis of multiple single‐factor studies, the best conditions for each factor were selected by comparison. Taking the biomass, polysaccharide and protein yields of chlorella as response values, the four‐factor and three‐level response surface design experiment was performed on four parameters that significantly affected the response values to further determine the optimal conditions. The optimal parameters of the culture process were nitrogen source (urea), carbon source (sodium carbonate), nitrogen concentration (15.80 mmol/L), carbon concentration (0.36 mmol/L), phosphorus concentration (0.2 mmol/L), magnesium concentration (0.33 mmol/L), calcium concentration (0.25 mmol/L), iron concentration (0.02 mmol/L), initial pH (7.0), inoculation amount (6%) and ventilation capacity (40 L/hr). According to this process, the biomass, polysaccharide and protein yield of Chlorella sorokiniana obtained from indoor culture were close to the predicted value, which were more than three times as much as before, reaching 3.58, 0.52 and 0.46 g/L respectively. Chlorella sorokiniana, which was cultured outdoor according to the optimized process, increased its biomass, polysaccharide and protein yield by more than 1.5 times. Chlorella sorokiniana was significantly different before and after optimized culture. This provides a good source for the research of polysaccharide and protein of C. sorokiniana and helps the further study of its structure and biological activity, which makes the further development of its function more possible.

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a generally indolent disease derived from skin-homing mature T cells. However, in advanced stages, cutaneous T cell lymphoma may manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and lead to a poor prognosis. The mechanism of disease progression in cutaneous T cell lymphoma remains unknown. This study, based on a large clinical cohort, found that IKZF2, an essential transcription factor during T cell development and differentiation, showed stage- dependent overexpression in the malignant T cells in mycosis fungoides lesions. IKZF2 is specifically over- expressed in advanced-stage mycosis fungoides lesions, and correlates with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, overexpression of IKZF2 promotes cutaneous T cell lymphoma progression via inhibiting malignant cell apoptosis and may contribute to tumour immune escape by downregulating major histocompatibility complex II molecules and up-regulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 by malignant T cells. These results demonstrate the important role of IKZF2 in high-risk cutaneous T cell lymphoma and pave the way for future targeted therapy.

To optimize the extraction of total flavonoids (TFL) from the leaves of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. using microwave-assisted method, a orthogonal test was used. The optimal extraction conditions for TFL...

In this paper, we report a high-speed, high-sensitivity, and economic method to authenticate Maca. After being extracted by ethanol, nutritional components of a dozen kinds of Maca were detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Combined with principal component analysis (PCA), these samples can be rapidly differentiated after selecting the origins and principal components in the projection of components 1 and 2. The result suggests that sample 2 from Lijiang gets the highest comprehensive score among the samples and sample 1 from Huize gets the lowest comprehensive score among the samples in positive-ion mass spectra. However, sample 2 from Peru gets the highest comprehensive score among the samples and sample 3 from Lijiang gets the lowest comprehensive score among the samples in negative-ion mass spectra. Compared with the PCA results, the data of negative-ion mass spectra can better differentiate these samples than those of positive-ion mass spectra. This method has the advantages of easy operation and high efficiency, which make it a differential tool in the fields of food safety, medicinal chemistry, and materials science.

In order to optimize the optimal cultivation conditions of freshwater algae Desmodesmus armatus for biomass production. In this study, the optimum source of carbon, nitrogen and intensity of light were investigated. Particularly, the variables which are affect the biomass of D. armatus was screened by the Plackett‐Burman (PB) method. Furthermore, the optimized medium composition using central composite design (CCD) of response surface method (RSM) central for D. armatus was reconstituted accordingly to have 0.93 g/L nitrate, 0.04 g/L phosphate, 0.15 g/L magnesium sulphate and 0.07 g/L bicarbonate, and optimum growth conditions of temperature at 27°C, light intensity of 108 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, pH 7.00 and air flow of 0.50 L/min. After 12 days, the biomass, protein and polysaccharose content were 1.65 ± 0.15 g/L, 53.61 ± 1.25% and 6.15 ± 0.43%, respectively. Finally, the optimized conditions were applied to the outdoor 800‐L photobioreactor for scale‐up cultivation.

Accurate mass calibration is beneficial to the identification of the unknown compounds quickly and accurately. The ESI mass spectrum of tannic acid (TA) tends to a normal distribution of the cluster ion peaks in m/z range from 371.0368 to 1739.1169. Based on the interesting result, we reported the use of TA, a natural plant polyphenol, as a novel calibrator for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS), which has the following three advantages, including (1) easy preparation, (2) the calibration range of m/z 200~2000, and (3) the calibration error is around 3.00 ppm in positive ion mode, which is less than the use of sodium formate (SF) and Prod #88323 calibrators. This TA calibrator has great potential for the wide applications in biological, chemical, and pharmacal analysis.

Using Ni2+ as charge compensation reagent and boric acid as flux regent, the luminescence properties of CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+ red phosphor were studied in detail by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectrometry, photoluminescence spectrometer, brightness meter and thermoluminescence (TL) spectrometry, respectively. The result indicates that the Ni2+ has influence on the crystal particle sizes, luminescence intensity, initial brightness and persistent time of CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+. The luminescence intensity of CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+ is 1.9 times as high as that of CaTiO3:Pr3+ at the same preparation condition. The initial brightness of CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+ is 1.6 times as high as that of CaTiO3:Pr3+ and the decay time of CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+ is 8.5 times as long as that of CaTiO3:Pr3+. Using boric acid as flux regent, CaTiO3:Pr3+, Ni2+ phosphor with the molar ratio of Ni2+ to Pr3+ 2:3 and that of Pr3+ to mixture 1:10,000 gained at 900 °C for 4 h was regarded as the optimal preparation condition.

The Li-rich Mn-based oxide Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 has been extensively studied as a cathode material of the battery module for new optoelectronic devices. To improve and enhance the electrochemical performance, sodium doping is one of the effective approaches. According to the density functional theory of first-principles, the band gap, partial density of states, lithiation formation energy, electron density difference, and potential energy of electrons for Li1.2−xNaxMn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 were simulated with Materials Studio, Nanodcal, and Matlab. When the sodium doping amount x = 0.10 mol, simulations show that Li1.2−xNaxMn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 has a better conductivity. The potential maps of Li1.2−xNaxMn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 obtained in Matlab demonstrate that the potential barrier is lower and the rate capability is enhanced after sodium doping. Results of analyses and calculations agree with the experimental result of Chaofan Yang’s group. This theoretical method could be a great avenue for the investigation of the battery application of new optoelectronic devices. Also, our findings could give some theoretical guidance for the subsequent electrochemical performance study on doping in the field of lithium-ion batteries.

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, undergo large-cell transformation (LCT) in the late stage, manifesting aggressive behavior, resistance to treatments, and poor prognosis, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. To identify the molecular driver of LCT, we collected tumor samples from 133 MF patients and performed whole-transcriptome sequencing on 49 advanced-stage MF patients, followed by integrated copy number inference and genomic hybridization. Tumors with LCT showed unique transcriptional programs and enriched expressions of genes at chr7q. Paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10), an imprinted gene at 7q21.3, was ectopically expressed in malignant T cells from LCT, driven by 7q21.3 amplification. Mechanistically, aberrant PEG10 expression increased cell size, promoted cell proliferation, and conferred treatment resistance by a PEG10/KLF2/NF-κB axis in in vitro and in vivo models. Pharmacologically targeting PEG10 reversed the phenotypes of proliferation and treatment resistance in LCT. Our findings reveal new molecular mechanisms underlying LCT and suggest that PEG10 inhibition may serve as a promising therapeutic approach in late-stage aggressive T-cell lymphoma.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of Desmodesmus armatus polysaccharides (DAP) were studied. They were extracted by microwave-assisted constant temperature extraction and purification by DEAE-cellulose 52. Four eluents of water (DAP1), 0.25 mol/L NaCl (DAP2), 0.5 mol/L NaCl (DAP3), and 1.0 mol/L NaCl (DAP4) were collected. Four polysaccharides fractions were analyzed, and they were all composed of mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, arabinose, and fucose. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis showed that the four polysaccharides fractions have a uniform molecular weight distribution. Scanning electron microscope showed that DAP1 had a dense structure and a smooth but uneven surface, while DAP2, DAP3, and DAP4 were amorphous solids in sheets. Oxidation in vitro experiments showed that DAP2 and DAP3 had scavenging effects on ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the determination of the antioxidant activity, it was found that the antioxidative activity of the polysaccharide of Desmodesmus armatus measured was significantly stronger than the crude polysaccharide of other microalgae. After the polysaccharide was purified, two polysaccharide fractions (DAP2 and DAP3) of Desmodesmus armatus were found to have strong scavenging ability to ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. They can be regarded as a new type of antioxidant, and the differences in the physicochemical properties between the parts can provide a preliminary explanation for the differences in antioxidant activity. But the connection between them needs further analysis. The Desmodesmus armatus used in the experiment is easy to cultivate and easy to obtain, which greatly increases its applicability. This research opens up new possibilities for the development of antioxidants and provides favorable evidence for the use of Desmodesmus armatus in food and feed.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of performing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) simultaneously by a universal strategy without the requirement of genotyping relevant affected family members or lengthy preliminary work on linkage analysis. METHODS: By utilizing a universal Mutated Allele Revealed by Sequencing with Aneuploidy and Linkage Analyses (MARSALA) strategy based on low depth whole genome sequencing (~3x), not involving specific primers' design nor the enrichment of SNP markers for haplotype construction. Single-sperm cells and trephectoderm cells from in vitro fertilized embryos from a couple carrying HBB mutations were genotyped. Haplotypes of paternal alleles were constructed and investigated in embryos, and the chromosome copy number profiles were simultaneously analyzed. RESULTS: The universal MARSALA strategy allows the selection of a euploid embryo free of disease mutations for in uterus transfer and successful pregnancy. A follow-up amniocentesis was performed at 17 weeks of gestation to confirm the PGD/PGS results. CONCLUSION: We present the first successful PGD procedure based on genotyping multiple single-sperm cells to obtain SNP linkage information. Our improved PGD/PGS procedure does not require genotyping the proband or relevant family members and therefore can be applicable to a wider population of patients when conducting PGD for monogenic disorders.

In this work, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) network structures were fabricated by the self-assembly method at air-water interface, and the continuous AuNPs network thin films with higher stability can be obtained by further growth at room temperature. The proposed approach does not require any inducer to assist the assembly of AuNPs. The formation mechanism of AuNPs network films was studied by changing the relative amount of HAuCl4 and AgNO3 and aging time, and it was found that the amount of AgNO3 was very important to the formation of AuNPs network structures. AgNO3 can promote the fusion of AuNPs and the formation of nano-chain, and could further evolve into a nano-chain network structure. A large area and good stability of Au nanoparticles network films were fabricated after further growth of gold nanoparticles by ascorbic acid reduction. Furthermore, the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of the as-prepared AuNPs network films was investigated by using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as the SERS probe molecule. Compared with unassembled AuNPs, the AuNPs network films showed enhanced SERS performance for 4-ATP.

Loading of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto environmentally sensitive polymer microgels is increasingly used to regulate their optical properties and catalytic activities. Herein, we synthesized composite polymer microgels composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane)/poly(acrylic acid) with a core–shell structure, and AuNPs were controllably loaded onto/into the network chains of the polymer microgels using seed-mediated growth. The prepared AuNPs composite materials possessed good pH sensitivity; the electromagnetic coupling between the AuNPs could thus be tuned via the swelling/deswelling of the polymer microgels under various acidic/alkaline conditions. More importantly, the coordination interaction between the carboxyl groups in the PAA chains and Cu2+ ions changed by varying the copper ion content under various pH conditions, thus enabling regulation of the localized surface plasmon resonance of the AuNPs. These structural features of the prepared composite microgels enabled to tailor the optical performance of the AuNPs by varying the pH of the surrounding medium.

To optimize the extraction of total flavonoids (TFL) from the leaves of

SATB1 is an important T-cell specific chromatin organizer in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, whereas its expression and function in mycosis fungoides (MF) remain ambiguous. Our study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of SATB1 in a cohort of 170 patients with MF. SATB1 expression was heterogeneous among the patients with MF in each clinical stage. High SATB1 expression was associated with epidermal hyperplasia, eosinophil infiltration, less large-cell transformation, and favorable prognosis in MF cases. SATB1 and CD30 coexpression distinguished cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders from MF large-cell transformation. SATB1 silencing in MF lines showed that SATB1 upregulated the genes involved in eosinophil recruitment, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and IL13, and downregulated the genes in cell-cycle progression, which may explain the inferior prognosis for low SATB1-expressing cases. Moreover, SATB1 was inversely correlated with PD-1 expression, indicating an exhausted status of SATB1-negative malignant T cells. SATB1 was positively correlated with toll-like receptors expression, suggesting innate immune activation in high SATB1-expressing MF cases. Therefore, variable SATB1 expression promotes heterogeneity in pathology and clinical outcome of patients with MF.

In this paper, a UPLC-ESI-MS was established to analyze macamide and macaene fractions from Lepidium meyenii (Maca). The antioxidant activity of Maca crude extract (MCE), total macamides (TMM) and total macaenes (TME) was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging and reducing power. The ability of MCE, TMM and TME against multiple cancer cell lines (leukemia HL-60, lung cancer A549, liver cancer SMMC-7721, breast cancer MCF-7, and colon cancer SW480) was used to evaluate their anticancer activity. The results demonstrate that TMM has the best free radical scavenging ability and reducing power compared to MCE, TME, and TMM, TME has the weakest antioxidant capacity compared to them. The difference in antioxidant properties between TMM and TME may be caused by benzylated alkamide in the chemical structure. TMM also has a good inhibitory effect on the five cancer cells. N-benzyl-(9Z, 12Z, 15Z)-octadecatrienamide (NBot) is the most cytotoxicity inhibitory of the macamides tested. The inhibitory effect of N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide (NBod) on colon cancer SW480 is near that of control group, while the inhibitory rates of NBot on leukemia HL-60, lung cancer A549, liver cancer SMMC-7721, and breast cancer MCF-7 are near those of the control group. Hence, NBot can be considered to have great potential as a natural drug with high efficiency and low side effects for cancer therapy.

Nanocrystalline ZnFe2O4, Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4, and Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4@CNT composites have been successfully prepared by a facile and high-yield co-precipitation method. All the samples as the anode materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and electrochemical measurements. It has been found that the appropriate Mn doping and CNTs intertwining actively affect the formation of uniform morphology and improve the cycling stability and rate capability. The Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4@CNT composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as the anode material, with enhanced reversible capacity (1374.8 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g−1) and good rate capability (933.5 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1, 809.9 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1, 634.2 mAh g−1 at 1500 mA g−1). We also present the crystal structure and Li-ion insertion mechanism for the above materials. Our work displays the Li storage matrix model of the ZMFO electrode which may offer a novel way for the investigation of the LIBs with excellent electrochemical performance and perfect structural stability .

The commercialized LIBs employing graphite as anodes currently suffer a series of problems from the safety problem, low theoretical capacity (372 mAh g−1) and bad rate capability. Herein, hollow microspheres MnFe2O4 (MFO) and nanoparticles MFO have been synthesized. Compared with the nanoparticles MFO, the hollow microspheres MFO as an anode material with novel structure demonstrate superior electrochemical performance, with large specific reversible capacity (1100 mAh g−1 at the specific current of 0.5 C after 100 cycles), high rate capability (more than 500 mAh g−1 even at 5.0 C) and good cyclability with little fading (1.4 % after 100 cycles). The excellent cycling performance is associated with the hollow microsphere structure with large specific surface areas, which can accommodate the severe mechanism strains and ensure more contact area between active material and electrolyte, thus good for diffusion of electrolyte and provide more reaction sites. This work presents a meaningful way for the preparation of MFO with different morphology as superior alternative anodes for lithium ion batteries.

The Li-rich layered Li1 + x(Mn0.6Ni0.2Co0.2)1 − xO2 (x = 0.14, 0.165, 0.19) cathode materials have been successfully synthesized through a one-pot facile co-precipitation route. The synthesized MCO3 (M = Mn0.6Ni0.2Co0.2) precursor mixing with Li2CO3 was annealed at 500 °C and calcinated at 900 °C. The morphology and structure of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the sample Li1.165Mn0.501Ni0.167Co0.167O2 (x = 0.165) exhibits the most outstanding electrochemical performance, which may be ascribed to uniform particle size and high crystallinity. It delivers an initial discharge-specific capacity of approximately 241.7 mAh g−1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of 70.3 % at a constant density of 25 mA g−1. A reversible discharge-specific capacity of approximately 207.2 mAh g−1 is still obtained after 100 cycles. The discharge capacities of nearly 226.8, 194.4, 158.9, 143.7, 116.8, 97.5, and 47.6 mAh g−1 can also be attained under 0.1 C, 0.2 C, 0.5 C, 1 C, 2 C, 5 C, and 10 C (1 C = 250 mA g−1), respectively. The Li-rich layered Li1.165Mn0.501Ni0.167Co0.167O2 will be a promising cathode material for advanced lithium-ion batteries.

An interweaved silicon monoxide/graphite/carbon nanotubes&carbon nanofibers (SiO/G/CNTs&CNFs) composite has been easily synthesized by using high-energy wet ball milling, spray drying in combination with a subsequent chemical vapor deposition method. CNTs&CNFs grow on the interface and the internal interspace of the spherical composite composed of SiO and graphite during the calcination process. The existence of CNTs&CNFs and graphite not only provides a buffer medium to accommodate the volume expansion of SiO during the electrochemical reaction process, but also provides high electrical conductivity for electrode material. When used as an anode material, a reversible specific capacity is approximate 672.3 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1, which is about 1.8 times larger than that of the commercial graphite electrode (372 mA g−1). Due to the facile synthesis process of the composite and excellent performance of the as-prepared electrode, great commercial potential is envisioned.

Reciprocal translocations (RecT) and Robertsonian translocations (RobT) are among the most common chromosomal abnormalities that cause infertility and birth defects. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy using comprehensive chromosome screening for in vitro fertilization enables embryo selection with balanced chromosomal ploidy; however, it is normally unable to determine whether an embryo is a translocation carrier. Here we report a method named “Mapping Allele with Resolved Carrier Status” (MaReCs), which enables chromosomal ploidy screening and resolution of the translocation carrier status of the same embryo. We performed MaReCs on 108 embryos, of which 96 were from 13 RecT carriers and 12 were from three RobT carriers. Thirteen of the sixteen patients had at least one diploid embryo. We have confirmed the accuracy of our carrier status determination in amniotic fluid karyotyping of seven cases as well as in the live birth we have thus far. Therefore, MaReCs accurately enables the selection of translocation-free embryos from patients carrying chromosomal translocations. We expect MaReCs will help reduce the propagation of RecT/RobT in the human population.

Single cell whole genome sequencing helps to decipher the genome heterogeneity within a cell population and facilitates the analysis of trace amounts of genetic material, such as is found in human embryos. The mitochondrial genome, although an important part of the genetic composition of eukaryotic cells, is often neglected in single cell genome analysis. A recently developed single cell whole genome amplification method was used, known as multiple annealing and looping based amplification cycles (MALBAC-NGS), for simultaneous analysis of chromosomal and mitochondrial genomes at the single cell level. The platform was validated by a series of technical and biological replicates and used for chromosomal and mitochondrial copy number analysis in 399 in-vitro fertilized embryos from 81 couples. A positive correlation of maternal age with increased mitochondria quantity (β = 0.176, P = 0.001) was observed after adjusting for the impact of cell type. Lower numbers of mitochondria were detected in successfully implanted embryos, although the difference was not significant. It is proposed that MALBAC-NGS could potentially be used for an advanced pre-implantation genetic screening procedure with both chromosomal constitution and mitochondrial copy number being evaluated.

Li-rich layered cathode materials Li1.13[Ni0.233Mn0.534Co0.233]0.87O2 are successfully synthesized by a co-precipitation method with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant. The structural and electrochemical feature changes of the resulting cathode materials have been studied thoroughly. When CTAB is considered as a surfactant, well-crystallized Li-rich layered cathode materials are obtained with Li2CO3 treatment for the festoon-like precursor hierarchically assembled by nanoplates. Among these oxides, the sample synthesized with CTAB shows a stable mixed phase on the edge of the powder particles and exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. The product delivers the highest initial discharge capacity of 394 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 200 mA g−1) between 2.5 and 4.8 V and 84.1% capacity is retained after 100 cycles. It is considered that the higher capacity and superior rate capability would be ascribed to the activation effect of CTAB, which can form a stable mixed structure and thus effectively alleviate the layered/spinel structure change during cycling.

Introduction Reciprocal translocations (RecT) and Robertsonian translocations (RobT) are among the most common chromosomal abnormalities that cause infertility and birth defects. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy using comprehensive chromosome screening for in vitro fertilization enables embryo selection with balanced chromosomal ploidy. However, it is normally unable to determine whether an embryo is a translocation carrier. We have reported a method named “Mapping Allele with Resolved Carrier Status” (MaReCs), which enables chromosomal ploidy screening and resolution of the translocation carrier status of the same embryo ( J. Xu et al. 2017 ). Here we introduce MaReCs and update the clinical study results. Material & Methods From September, 2017 to now, we have performed MaReCs on 69 patients, among them 55 were RecT carriers and 14 were RobT carriers. Result Totally 176 embryos from patients were identified ploidy-balanced, of which embryos from 41 patients were successfully identified as normal or balanced translocation. Other embryos’ translocation status could not be identified because of lacking reference embryos and these patients have accepted further identification in next cycles. And we have confirmed the accuracy of our carrier status determination in amniotic fluid karyotyping of seven cases as well as in the live birth we have thus far. Conclusions MaReCs accurately enables the selection of translocation-free embryos from patients carrying chromosomal translocations. It can work as an effective technology to help reduce the propagation of RecT/RobT in the human population.

Aerosol particles are major components of urban pollution in China and can influence the Earth's radiation budget by scattering and absorption of incoming solar radiation. Aurora 3000 integrating nephelometer, as an instrument for measuring the scattering coefficient of aerosol particles, is always used to monitor and study atmospheric aerosol particles. In order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the instrument, its results are needed to be corrected. In this paper, the calculated correction factor C for angular and wavelength non-idealities at three wavelengths (λ = 450 nm, 525 nm, 635 nm) was given to reduce and quantify the uncertainties for aerosol optical properties measured with Aurora 3000 integrating nephelometer.

Glassy carbon electrode modified with DNA-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (DNA/SWCNT) and Nafion composite film was developed for the detection of methotrexate. The characteristics of the modified electrode were examined by transmission electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Compared with a bare glassy carbon electrode and Nafion- and SWCNT/Nafion-modified electrodes, the DNA/SWCNT/Nafion-modified one exhibited the more superior ability of detecting methotrexate, including the higher sensitivity and the lower overpotentials, due to the synergetic DNA-functionalized SWCNT and Nafion. Also, the dependence of the current on pH, nature of buffer, instrumental parameters, accumulation time, and potential was investigated to optimize the experimental conditions in the determination of methotrexate. Under the selected conditions, the modified electrode in pH = 2.78 Britton–Robinson buffer solutions showed a linear voltammetric response to methotrexate within the concentration range of 2.0 × 10−8–1.5 × 10−6 mol L−1, with the detection limit of 8.0 × 10−9 mol L−1. The method was also applied to detect methotrexate in medicinal tablets and spiked human blood serum samples.

The electrochemical behavior of anticancer herbal drug berberine was investigated in 0.2 mol L -1 HAc-NaAc (pH 4.2) buffer solution at a glassy carbon electrode. The drug yields a single well-defined reduction peak at the potential of -1.085 V at the scan rate of 0.05 V s -1 and the electrode reaction is an irreversible adsorption-controlled process as the result of cyclic voltammetry. All experimental conditions were studied in order to obtain the optimum conditions for the determination of berberine. A good linear relationship was observed between the reductive peak currents and the concentrations of berberine in the range from 1.0 × 10 -6 to 8.0 × 10 -5 mol L -1 . The detection limit of 8.0 10 -7 mol L -1 was obtained in terms of the signal to noise ratio of 3:1 (S/N = 3). The proposed technique was applied to determine the content of berberine in tablets with good satisfactory. In addition, the electrode process dynamics parameters were calculated.