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The polymer produced by photoinitiated bulk polymerization promotes intersystem crossing of luminescent dopants and switches on room-temperature organic afterglow.

TTA and TADF mechanisms with moderate rate constants on the order of 10−1 to 101 s−1 have been incorporated into dopant–matrix systems to significantly enhance the organic afterglow efficiency under ambient conditions.

Constructing electrocatalysts with plentiful active sites, great mass transfer ability, and high electrical conductivity is critical to realize efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hierarchically porous cobalt phosphide/N-doped nanotubular carbon networks (CoP/NCNs) that have all the features were fabricated in this work. For the fabrication, the polymeric worm-like micelles (PWs) with a large aspect ratio were coated by a uniform nanolayer of Zn-Co zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Zn-Co-ZIFs) on their surface, resulting in the hybrid nanofibers PWs@Zn-Co-ZIFs (HPWs). Inheriting the randomly curved and entanglement properity of PWs, the rigid HPWs formed hybrid networks with the packing voids sized tens to 200 nm. Then, the hybrid networks were treated by pyrolysis-oxidation-phosphidation and ZnO-removal processes, leading to the hierarchically porous CoP/NCNs. In the CoP/NCNs, there are plentiful CoP nanoparticles embedded on the surface of conductive carbon network and fully exposed. When used for HER electrocatalyst, the CoP/NCNs only need small overpotentials (98 and 118 mV in acid and alkaline electrolyte) at 10 mA cm−2. This novel strategy is instructive for tailoring hierarchically porous transition metal phosphide/carbon nanocomposites as promising electrocatalysts.

This paper proposes a reverse procedure detection method for space target streaks based on motion parameter estimation. According to the phase shift characteristics of the spectrum, the interframe phase difference is used to obtain the displacement vectors of the target streak and image background, and then the morphological parameters of the target streak are estimated. In addition, a streak window is designed on the basis of the parameters, utilizing the local grayscale correlation in two image frames to carry out target searching and positioning with the interval of the target displacement vector. Images from different scenes are used to evaluate the adaptability of our method, and the experimental results suggest that the expected targets can be detected successfully with subpixel precision in all telescope operating modes. The proposed frequency-domain reverse procedure detection method avoids the problem of fake target confirmation caused by blind detection in traditional methods and overcomes the interference produced when the target streak passes through a bright star. Moreover, first target tracking and then positioning, which cannot be performed with time-domain methods, can be achieved. Our proposed method is attractive for multiple applications, such as space target cataloging, early warning and orbit prediction.

Because intersystem crossing and phosphorescence decay are spin-forbidden in organic systems, it is challenging to obtain high-performance organic afterglow materials. Inspired by two-component design strategy from macromolecular self-assembly, here we report the utilization of synthetic polymers to control the excited state properties of difluoroboron β-diketonate (BF

Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC)-based spinal cord injury (SCI) therapy is expected to bridge the lesion site by transplanting exogenous NSPCs for replacement of lost cells. The transplanted NSPCs produce a microenvironment conducive to neuronal regeneration, and ultimately, functional recovery. Although both human fetal brain- and spinal cord- derived NSPCs (hbNSPCs and hscNSPCs, respectively) have been used for SCI repair, it remains unclear whether hscNSPCs are a more appropriate stem cell source for transplantation than hbNSPCs. Therefore, in this study, we transplanted hbNSPCs or hscNSPCs into rats with complete transection SCI to monitor their differences in SCI treatment. An aligned collagen sponge scaffold (ACSS) was used here for cell retention. Aligned biomaterial scaffolds provide a support platform and favorable morphology for cell growth and differentiation, and guide axial axonal extension. The ACSS fabricated by our group has been previously reported to improve spinal cord repair by promoting neuronal regeneration and remyelination. Compared with the hbNSPC-ACSS, the hscNSPC-ACSS effectively promoted long-term cell survival and neuronal differentiation and improved the SCI microenvironment by reducing inflammation and glial scar formation. Furthermore, the transplanted hscNSPC-ACSS improved recovery of locomotor functions. Therefore, hscNSPCs appear to be a superior cell source to hbNSPCs for SCI cell therapy with greater potential clinical applications.

Composite worm-like micelles (CWMs) that encapsulate a large number of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (SMNPs) within the core while still having a small width should have a high magnetic resonance sensitivity and simultaneously a desirable circulation behaviour in biological systems. However, the preparation of such CWMs is still a challenge. Herein we report the fabrication of CWMs via two-stage self-assembly of SMNPs guided by a block copolymer and DNA, respectively. First, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) co-assembled with SMNPs to form spherical composite micelles, guiding the clustering of multiple SMNPs within the core of the micelles. Then, at the second stage, DNA co-assembled with and guided the linear aggregation and fusion of the micelles, resulting in the CWM encapsulating a large number of SMNPs in the linear core. As a proof of concept, CWMs with a T2 relaxivity as high as 704 mM−1 s−1 and a low MRI detection limit of 2.2 μg mL−1 (∼0.02 nM CWMs) were prepared; it is significant that the T2 relaxivity of the SMNPs assembled in the CWMs is around 20 times that of the same SMNPs in the same amount but individually dispersed in the suspension. Additionally, although heavily loaded with SMNPs, the CWMs have a width as small as 20.5 nm and a core–shell structure with PEG as the shell. These features should make the CWMs very promising in their use as ultra-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging probes.

The past several years have witnessed the tremendous development of novel chemical structures, new design strategies and intriguing applications in the field of room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and organic afterglow materials. This Review article focuses on recent advancements of high-performance organic afterglow materials obtained by two-component design strategies such as a dopant-matrix, donor-acceptor, sensitization, and energy-transfer strategies. Based on some cutting-edge studies, organic afterglow efficiency has been largely improved, exceeding 90 % in several cases. Organic afterglow durations reach tens of seconds in phosphorescence systems and hours in donor-acceptor systems. Organic afterglow brightness outcompetes some inorganic afterglow materials in the first several seconds after ceasing excitation source. Organic afterglow colors cover the whole visible regions and extend to near-infrared regions with respectful afterglow efficiency. On the basis of these achievements, researchers demonstrate promising applications of organic afterglow materials in diverse fields, which has also been reviewed.

Numerous studies have indicated that microgravity induces various changes in the cellular functions of neural stem cells (NSCs), and the use of microgravity to culture tissue engineered seed cells for the treatment of nervous system diseases has drawn increasing attention. The goal of this study was to verify the efficacy of collagen sponge-based 3-dimensional (3D) NSCs cultured in a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) in treating spinal cord injury (SCI). The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score, inclined plane test, and electrophysiology results all indicated that 3D cultured NSCs cultured in a RCCS had better therapeutic effects than those cultured in a traditional cell culture environment, suggesting that the microgravity provided by the RCCS could enhance the therapeutic effect of 3D cultured NSCs. Our study indicates the feasibility of combining the RCCS with collagen sponge-based 3D cell culture for producing tissue engineered seed cells for the treatment of SCI. This novel and effective method shows promise for application in cell-based therapy for SCI in the future.

The silkworm Bombyx mori is a domestic insect for silk production and a lepidopteran model. The currently available genomes limit a full understanding of its genetic and phenotypic diversity. Here we assembled long-read genomes of 545 domestic and wild silkworms and constructed a high-resolution pan-genome dataset. We found that the silkworm population harbors extremely variable genomes containing 7,308 new gene families, 4,260 (22%) core gene families, and 3,432,266 non-redundant SVs. We deciphered a series of causal genes and variants associated with domestication, breeding, and ecological adaptation traits, and experimentally validated two of those genes using CRISPR-Cas9 or RNA interference. This unprecedented large-scale genomic resource allows for high-throughput screening of interesting traits for functional genomic research and breeding improvement of silkworms and may serve as a guideline for traits decoding in other species.

The fabrication of room-temperature organic phosphorescence and afterglow materials, as well as the transformation of their photophysical properties, has emerged as an important topic in the research field of luminescent materials. Here, we report the establishment of energy landscapes in dopant-matrix organic afterglow systems where the aggregation states of luminescent dopants can be controlled by doping concentrations in the matrices and the methods of preparing the materials. Through manipulation by thermodynamic and kinetic control, dopant-matrix afterglow materials with different aggregation states and diverse afterglow properties can be obtained. The conversion from metastable aggregation state to thermodynamic stable aggregation state of the dopant-matrix afterglow materials to leads to the emergence of intriguing afterglow transformation behavior triggered by thermal and solvent annealing. The thermodynamically unfavorable reversible afterglow transformation process can also be achieved by coupling the dopant-matrix afterglow system to mechanical forces.

Insect wings are subject to strong selective pressure, resulting in the evolution of remarkably diverse wing shapes that largely determine flight capacity. However, the genetic basis and regulatory mechanisms underlying wing shape development are not well understood. The silkworm Bombyx mori micropterous (mp) mutant exhibits shortened wing length and enlarged vein spacings, albeit without changes in total wing area. Thus, the mp mutant comprises a valuable genetic resource for studying wing shape development. In this study, we used molecular mapping to identify the gene responsible for the mp phenotype and designated it Bmmp. Phenotype-causing mutations were identified as indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms in non-coding regions. These mutations resulted in decreased Bmmp mRNA levels and changes in transcript isoform composition. Bmmp null mutants were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 and exhibited significantly smaller wings. By examining the expression of genes critical to wing development in wildtype and Bmmp null mutants, we found that Bmmp exerts its function by coordinately modulating anterior-posterior and proximal-distal axis development. We also studied a Drosophila mp mutant and found that Bmmp is functionally conserved in Drosophila. The Drosophila mp mutant strain exhibits curly wings of reduced size and a complete loss of flight capacity. Our results increase our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning insect wing development and reveal potential targets for pest control.

Aim: To clarify the regulatory roles of GLDCV1, the first identified truncated glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), on cancer stem cells and tumorigenesis. Materials & methods: RT-PCR or RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining were applied to assess gene expression. MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays were used to examine cell proliferation capacity. Soft agar colony formation and in vivo transplantation were applied to evaluate cellular transformation and tumorigenesis. Results & conclusion: Expression of GLDCV1 or GLDC was enhanced in non-small-cell lung cancer cell line and clinical samples. GLDCV1 overexpression induced MRC5 cell proliferation, transformation and tumorigenesis. Additionally, GLDCV1 increased lactate production and cancer stem cell marker expression and activated ERK and P38 pathways. Our study gained deeper insight into GLDC oncogene.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious disease and the most economically important disease of the swine industry worldwide. Highly pathogenic-PRRS virus (HP-PRRSV) is a variant of PRRSV, which caused high morbidity and mortality. Scavenger receptor CD163, which contains nine scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains, is a key entry mediator for PRRSV. A previous study demonstrated that SRCR domain 5 (SRCR5), encoded by exon 7, was essential for PRRSV infection in vitro. Here, we substituted exon 7 of porcine CD163 with the corresponding exon of human CD163-like 1 (hCD163L1) using a CRISPR/Cas9 system combined with a donor vector. In CD163Mut/Mut pigs, modifying CD163 gene had no adverse effects on hemoglobin-haptoglobin (Hb-Hp) complex clearance or erythroblast growth. In vitro infection experiments showed that the CD163 mutant strongly inhibited HP-PRRSV replication by inhibiting virus uncoating and genome release. Compared to wild-type (WT) pigs in vivo, HP-PRRSV-infected CD163Mut/Mut pigs showed a substantially decreased viral load in blood and relief from PRRSV-induced fever. While all WT pigs were dead, there of four CD163Mut/Mut pigs survived and recovered at the termination of the experiment. Our data demonstrated that modifying CD163 remarkably inhibited PRRSV replication and protected pigs from HP-PRRSV infection, thus establishing a good foundation for breeding PRRSV-resistant pigs via gene editing technology.

Background With the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, multiple gene editing procedures became available for the silkworm. Although binary transgene-based methods have been widely used to generate mutants, delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system via DNA-free ribonucleoproteins offers several advantages. However, the T7 promoter that is widely used in the ribonucleoprotein-based method for production of sgRNAs in vitro requires a 5′ GG motif for efficient initiation. The resulting transcripts bear a 5′ GG motif, which significantly constrains the number of targetable sites in the silkworm genome. Results In this study, we used the T7 promoter to add two supernumerary G residues to the 5′ end of conventional (perfectly matched) 20-nucleotide sgRNA targeting sequences. We then asked if sgRNAs with this structure can generate mutations even if the genomic target does not contain corresponding GG residues. As expected, 5′ GG mismatches depress the mutagenic activity of sgRNAs, and a single 5′ G mismatch has a relatively minor effect. However, tests involving six sgRNAs targeting two genes show that the mismatches do not eliminate mutagenesis in vivo, and the efficiencies remain at useable levels. One sgRNA with a 5′ GG mismatch at its target performed mutagenesis more efficiently than a conventional sgRNA with 5′ matched GG residues at a second target within the same gene. Mutations generated by sgRNAs with 5′ GG mismatches are also heritable. We successfully obtained null mutants with detectable phenotypes from sib-mated mosaics after one generation. Conclusions In summary, our method improves the utility and flexibility of the ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas9 system in silkworm.

Stem cell-based therapy has been considered as a potential treatment to restore spinal cord injury (SCI) through reconstructing neural networks and providing a favorable microenvironment for neuronal survival, differentiation, and axonal outgrowth. Biomaterial scaffolds can promote cell attachment and survival, neuronal differentiation, and axonal outgrowth; therefore, they were used to combine with stem cells for implantation in SCI treatment. In addition, a longitudinal scaffold can guide regenerated axons with orientated growth and axial extension. Both human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human fetal spinal cord-derived neural stem cells (hNSCs) have been applied in clinical trials worldwide. To our knowledge, a parallel comparison of the therapeutic effects of hMSC and hNSC implantations has not been conducted. Hence, in this study, we grafted hMSCs or hNSCs seeded on longitudinal collagen sponge scaffolds into rats with completely transected SCI to examine differences in SCI repair. Both hMSCs and hNSCs had equivalent effects on reducing glial scar formation around the lesion gap. More neuronal class III β-tubulin-positive neurons and neurofilament-positive nerve fibers were found in the lesion cavity after hNSC implantation. In addition, hNSCs had better capabilities to improve motor function, attenuate inflammation, and promote cell survival than hMSCs. These encouraging results provide a clinical basis for future stem cell-based SCI therapies.

Coal seam permeability is one of the key factors influencing the gas extraction efficiency, which is of great significance to reduce coal and gas dynamic disasters in gassy coal mines. Hydraulic slotting technique is an effective method to stimulate the coal reservoir, but the selection of slotting key parameters has great impact on gas extraction efficiency. For this reason, the hydraulic slotting model was established by using FLAC3D software to analyze the stress distribution before and after slotting. Then, the influence of borehole diameter, slotting width, and slotting length on coal seam stress relief is also discussed. The results show that the slotting width has a great influence on the stress relief of the coal seam, while the borehole diameter and slotting length have no obvious influence on that. Based on the results of numerical simulation, field tests were carried out in Sangshuping NO.2 coal mine. The results show that the coal seam stress can be fully released, resulting in the improvement of coal seam permeability. The gas extraction efficiency can be highly enhanced by hydraulic slotting. This research achievement provides the guidance basis for high-stress water jet slotting technology with adaptive selection of slotting parameters in different geological conditions.

The geological structure of coal mines has always been a dangerous object of attention in coal mine outburst prevention work. In order to realize coal mine safety information management and early warning of gas disasters, comprehensive use of gas geological theory, coal mine disaster warning theory, computer information technology and other analysis methods, considering the influence of geological structure, coal seam occurrence parameters, and gas parameters, an early warning indicator system for identifying the risk of coal and gas outbursts reflecting the geological characteristics of gas has been constructed. The coal and gas outburst risk identification and early warning system is constructed using the principle of multi-index step-by-step identification and extreme value determination, and it is applied on-site in the 3303 Measure Lane in the East Shaft Area of Sihe Mine. The research results show that the constructed early warning system can provide accurate early warning for the area (belt) affected by the geological structure by 10m, and can provide accurate early warning of coal and gas outbursts based on the outburst signs of gas geology such as the thickness of soft layers and changes in coal seam thickness. This technology provides effective support for coal mines to effectively prevent gas disasters and ensure coal mine production safety.

In order to further strengthen the prevention and control of coal and gas outburst in Xinjing Coal Mine, the online comprehensive analysis and early warning index system and rules of coal and gas outburst suitable for Xinjing Coal Mine were studied. Based on the corresponding early warning computer system and guarantee mechanism, a comprehensive early warning system for coal and gas outbursts in Xinjing Coal Mine was established, realizing real-time intelligent early warning of outburst dangers in working faces. The system realizes the standardization and dynamic management of outburst prevention information at the working face, as well as the real-time dynamic update and sharing of outburst prevention information, which improves the efficiency of mine outburst prevention management and the level of mine safety. The actual application of the system in Xinjing Coal Mine shows that the system can provide an effective reference for the comprehensive early warning of outbursts in other outburst mines of Yangquan Coal Industry Group.

In combination with features such as intensive labor and speech in the customer service report field, this paper discusses the design of a customer service report system based on artificial intelligence automatic speech recognition technology and big data text classification technology. The proposed system realizes functions like a flat IVR menu, quick transcription and input of work orders, dynamic tracking of failure hotspots, automatic classification and accumulation of the knowledge base, speech emotion detection and real-time supervision of service quality, and it can improve the user experience and reduce the labor strengths of customer service staff. The automatically accumulated knowledge base can further assist with feedback to resolve the difficult problem that the emerging intelligent network Q&A and intelligent robots rely on a manually summarized knowledge base.

Many insects spin cocoons to protect the pupae from unfavorable environments and predators. After emerging from the pupa, the moths must escape from the sealed cocoons. Previous works identified cocoonase as the active enzyme loosening the cocoon to form an escape-hatch. Here, using bioinformatics tools, we show that cocoonase is specific to Lepidoptera and that it probably existed before the occurrence of lepidopteran insects spinning cocoons. Despite differences in cocooning behavior, we further show that cocoonase evolved by purification selection in Lepidoptera and that the selection is more intense in lepidopteran insects spinning sealed cocoons. Experimentally, we applied gene editing techniques to the silkworm Bombyx mori, which spins a dense and sealed cocoon, as a model of lepidopteran insects spinning sealed cocoons. We knocked out cocoonase using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The adults of homozygous knock-out mutants were completely formed and viable but stayed trapped and died naturally in the cocoon. This is the first experimental and phenotypic evidence that cocoonase is the determining factor for breaking the cocoon. This work led to a novel silkworm strain yielding permanently intact cocoons and provides a new strategy for controlling the pests that form cocoons., Author summary Spinning and cocooning are the instincts of many insects, providing a shelter to the residing pupae to resist adverse factors. After the metamorphosis of pupa into adult, the adult must break open the cocoon to emerge, which is called decocooning. We have bioinformatically identified that cocoonase is specific to Lepidoptera, and demonstrated that it is the determining factor for breaking the sealed cocoon experimentally for the first time. This work led to a novel silkworm strain yielding permanently intact cocoons and provides a new strategy for controlling the pests that form cocoons and for breeding.

Severe microenvironmental changes after spinal cord injury (SCI) present serious challenges in neural regeneration and tissue repair. Gelatin (GL)- and hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels are attractive scaffolds because they are major components of the extracellular matrix and can provide a favorable adjustable microenvironment for neurogenesis and motor function recovery. In this study, three-dimensional hybrid GL/HA hydrogel scaffolds were prepared and optimized. The hybrid hydrogels could undergo in situ gelation and fit the defects perfectly via visible light-induced crosslinking in the complete SCI rats. We found that the transplantation of the hybrid hydrogel scaffold significantly reduced the inflammatory responses and suppressed glial scar formation in an HA concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the hybrid hydrogel with GL/HA ratios less than 8/2 effectively promoted endogenous neural stem cell migration and neurogenesis, as well as improved neuron maturation and axonal regeneration. The results showed locomotor function improved 60 days after transplantation, thus suggesting that GL/HA hydrogels can be considered as a promising scaffold for complete SCI repair.

Correction for ‘Transplantation of collagen sponge-based three-dimensional neural stem cells cultured in a RCCS facilitates locomotor functional recovery in spinal cord injury animals’ by Yunlong Zou et al., Biomater. Sci., 2022, 10, 915–924. DOI: 10.1039/D1BM01744F.

Objective This meta-analysis evaluated the clinical outcomes of skip laminectomy relative to laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical compressive myelopathy. Methods The Cochrane library, PubMed MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched to identify relevant articles published up to March 18, 2018. All values of weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio are expressed as skip laminectomy relative to laminoplasty. Results Four studies comprising 241 patients were included. Skip laminectomy and laminoplasty were comparable in terms of cervical lordotic curvature (weighted mean difference [WMD] −2.37°; 95% confidence interval [CI] −6.18 to 1.43; P = 0.22) and range of motion (WMD –2.65°; 95% CI −6.02 to 0.72; P = 0.12). The pooled data revealed that the mean visual analogue scale score for pain of the skip laminectomy group was significantly lower than that of the laminoplasty group (WMD –0.97; 95% CI −1.90 to −0.05; P = 0.04), and the rate of axial pain was also significantly lower (WMD 0.26; 95% CI 0.07–0.93; P = 0.04). The atrophy rates of the deep extensor muscles in the skip laminectomy group (14%) were significantly lower than that of the laminoplasty group (60%). Conclusions This meta-analysis determined that skip laminectomy was superior to laminoplasty in terms of visual analogue scale score and rates of axial pain and muscle atrophy. These results warrant further confirmation in future research.

In this study, we upregulated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) expression specifically in skeletal muscle by engineering an enhancer into its non-coding regions and verified the expected phenotype in a mouse model. To select an appropriate site for introducing a skeletal muscle-specific myosin light chain (MLC) enhancer, three candidate sites that exhibited the least evolutionary conservation were chosen and validated in C2C12 single-cell colonies harbouring the MLC enhancer at each site. IGF1 was dramatically upregulated in only the site 2 single-cell colony series, and it exhibited functional activity leading to the formation of extra myotubes. Therefore, we chose site 2 to generate a genetically modified (GM) mouse model with the MLC enhancer incorporated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The GM mice exhibited dramatically elevated IGF1 levels, which stimulated downstream pathways in skeletal muscle. Female GM mice exhibited more conspicuous muscle hypertrophy than male GM mice. The GM mice possessed similar circulating IGF1 levels and tibia length as their WT littermates; they also did not exhibit heart abnormalities. Our findings demonstrate that genetically modifying a non-coding region is a feasible method to upregulate gene expression and obtain animals with desirable traits.

Early warning of coal and gas outburst based on gas emission characteristics is a more feasible and effective outburst prediction method. In order to make up for the limitations of the existing traditional contact coal and gas outburst prediction methods, the gas emission dynamic characteristics were used to carry out coal and gas outburst warnings, and the Xiayukou Coal Mine outburst warning system based on gas emission characteristics was constructed. The field application practice shows that the system can evaluate and warn the dangerous state and development trend of the working face stably and reliably. The system has tracked and inspected the tunnel length in the underground mine over 500m, and caught many abnormal gas phenomena in advance, and realized the real-time monitoring, online analysis, and intelligent early warning of coal and gas. It has extremely important practical significance for improving mine gas control and daily safe and efficient production.

In order to improve the accuracy of the prediction of gas emission from coal mining face, in view of the multiple correlation and complexity of the influencing factors of gas emission from working face, the R/S analysis method was used to establish the calculation method of the fractal of the time series of gas emission from working face. The Hurst index and R/S fractal dimension of the time series of gas emission from the working face were calculated, and the correlation between the Hurst index and R/S fractal dimension and the prominent hazard was explored. And the N2709 working face of Songzao Yuyang Coal Mine was taken as an example for application practice. The research results show that the Hurst index of the time series of gas emission from N2709 working face is 0.5432, and the fractal dimension D is 1.4568. In the area of no dynamic phenomena, Hurst is generally greater than 0.5, and R/S fractal dimension is generally less than 1.5. However, when entering the dynamic phenomenon area, the Hurst index is mostly less than 0.5, and the R/S fractal dimension is generally greater than 1.5.

Porcine hepatocytes are a promising option for xenotransplantation in light of the critical shortage of orthotopic donor livers. Because primary hepatocytes have limited ability to proliferate in vitro, several immortalized hepatocyte lines have been established. However, these cells have typically been generated using a virus-dependent transfection methodology and express viral oncogenes that introduce potential risks in clinical applications. In our study, we established immortalized porcine neonatal hepatocytes by introduction of a plasmid-based hTERT gene expression system by electroporation, without the use of viral components. We detected stable expression of hTERT by RT-PCR and Western blot. The immortalized hepatocytes exhibit a high growth rate, but retain the normal morphology of freshly isolated primary hepatocytes. To date, these immortalized hepatocytes have been expanded for over 80 passages. In addition, no significant differences were detected in glycogen synthesis, secretion of serum albumin, or lipid accumulation between the primary hepatocytes and our immortalized hepatocytes. The cells also exhibit serum-dependent growth and have no capacity for anchorage-independent growth in vitro, demonstrating that they have not been transformed in vitro. Our immortalized porcine hepatocytes will be useful for elucidating the pathogenesis of liver disease and developing efficient treatments. Furthermore, these immortalized hepatocytes may provide a safer source of cells for application in xenotransplantation, compared with immortalized cells generated using viral components.

Additional file 1: Figure S1.Overview image of immunofluorescence staining (GFAP+) in SCI animal models at 1 and 2 weeks post-injury were shown.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious disease and the most economically important disease of the swine industry worldwide. Highly pathogenic-PRRS virus (HP-PRRSV) is a variant of PRRSV, which caused high morbidity and mortality. Scavenger receptor CD163, which contains nine scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains, is a key entry mediator for PRRSV. A previous study demonstrated that SRCR domain 5 (SRCR5), encoded by exon 7, was essential for PRRSV infection in vitro. Here, we substituted exon 7 of porcine CD163 with the corresponding exon of human CD163-like 1 (hCD163L1) using a CRISPR/Cas9 system combined with a donor vector. In CD163Mut/Mut pigs, modifying CD163 gene had no adverse effects on hemoglobin-haptoglobin (Hb-Hp) complex clearance or erythroblast growth. In vitro infection experiments showed that the CD163 mutant strongly inhibited HP-PRRSV replication by inhibiting virus uncoating and genome release. Compared to wild-type (WT) pigs in vivo, HP-PRRSV-infected CD163Mut/Mut pigs showed a substantially decreased viral load in blood and relief from PRRSV-induced fever. While all WT pigs were dead, there of four CD163Mut/Mut pigs survived and recovered at the termination of the experiment. Our data demonstrated that modifying CD163 remarkably inhibited PRRSV replication and protected pigs from HP-PRRSV infection, thus establishing a good foundation for breeding PRRSV-resistant pigs via gene editing technology.

We report a promising set of donor–acceptor–acceptor (D–A–A) electron-donor materials based on coplanar thieno[3,2-b]/[2,3-b]indole, benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole, and dicyanovinylene, which are found to show broadband absorption with high extinction coefficients. The role of the regioisomeric electron-donating thienoindole moiety on the physical and structural properties is examined. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) based on the thieno[2,3-b]indole-based electron donor NTU-2, using C70 as an electron acceptor, show a champion power conversion efficiency of 5.2% under AM 1.5G solar simulated illumination. This efficiency is limited by a low fill factor (FF), as has previously been the case in D–A–A systems. In order to identify the origin of the limited FF, further insight into donor layer charge-transport behavior is realized by examining planar heterojunction OPVs, with emphasis on the evolution of film morphology with thermal annealing. Compared to as-deposited OPVs that exhibit...