Insight into the Impact of Oxidative Stress on the Barrier Properties of Lipid Bilayer Models

As a new field of oxidative stress-based therapy, cold physical plasma is a promising tool for several biomedical applications due to its potential to create a broad diversity of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Although proposed, the impact of plasma-derived RONS on the cell membrane lipids and properties is not fully understood. For this purpose, the changes in the lipid bilayer functionality under oxidative stress generated by an argon plasma jet (kINPen) were investigated by electrochemical techniques. In addition, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to analyze the plasma-induced modifications on the model lipids. Various asymmetric bilayers mimicking the structure and properties of the erythrocyte cell membrane were transferred onto a gold electrode surface by Langmuir-Blodgett/Langmuir-Schaefer deposition techniques. A strong impact of cholesterol on membrane permeabilization by plasma-derived species was revealed. Moreover, the maintenance of the barrier properties is influenced by the chemical composition of the head group. Mainly the head group size and its hydrogen bonding capacities are relevant, and phosphatidylcholines are significantly more susceptible than phosphatidylserines and other lipid classes, underlining the high relevance of this lipid class in membrane dynamics and cell physiology.     

Identification of Structural and Molecular Signatures Mediating Adaptive Changes in the Mouse Kidney in Response to Pregnancy

Pregnancy is characterized by adaptations in the function of several maternal body systems that ensure the development of the fetus whilst maintaining health of the mother. The renal system is responsible for water and electrolyte balance, as well as waste removal. Thus, it is imperative that structural and functional changes occur in the kidney during pregnancy. However, our knowledge of the precise morphological and molecular mechanisms occurring in the kidney during pregnancy is still very limited. Here, we investigated the changes occurring in the mouse kidney during pregnancy by performing an integrated analysis involving histology, gene and protein expression assays, mass spectrometry profiling and bioinformatics. Data from non-pregnant and pregnant mice were used to identify critical signalling pathways mediating changes in the maternal kidneys. We observed an expansion of renal medulla due to proliferation and infiltration of interstitial cellular constituents, as well as alterations in the activity of key cellular signalling pathways (e.g., AKT, AMPK and MAPKs) and genes involved in cell growth/metabolism (e.g., Cdc6, Foxm1 and Rb1) in the kidneys during pregnancy. We also generated plasma and urine proteomic profiles, identifying unique proteins in pregnancy. These proteins could be used to monitor and study potential mechanisms of renal adaptations during pregnancy and disease.     

盐+碱协同对多孔碳电极材料电化学性能的影响

超级电容器作为一类新兴的能量存储转换器件,因其充放电速度快、寿命长和安全环保的特点而受到推崇。其中,用于超级电容器的电极材料一直是人们的研究重点,综合原料来源、价格和制备工艺等因素,多孔碳电极材料成为首选。盐模板法和KOH化学活化法都是制备多孔碳电极常用的方法,前者产物的孔结构以介孔为主,但操作复杂;后者活化产物比表面积大,可以精确控制多孔碳电极的孔径分布和孔体积,但该法活化后的多孔碳多以微孔为主。若将两者结合,形成优势互补,协同构建合理的碳材料结构,有助于提升多孔碳电极的电化学性能。以锂电负极行业的固废——针状焦的生焦粉为原料,利用模板和化学活化相结合的方法制备电极材料,探索盐（KCl）和碱（KOH）的添加比例对碳电极材料电化学性能的影响。研究结果表明,两种方法相结合制备得到的多孔碳样品的碳结构以表面缺陷较多的无定型碳为主。随着KOH加入量的增加,无定型结构的碳增加,但是加入过量的KOH并不能提高无定型碳的含量。三电极测试分析发现,样品PC-2表现出优异的电容性能,在1 A·g^-1的电流密度下,质量比电容达到266.9 A·g^-1;在10 A·g^-1的高电流密度下,容量保持率高达79.4%。该电极材料的内阻仅为0.67 Ω,并且双电层电容性能有极短的响应时间。当m(生焦粉)∶m(KCl)∶m(KOH)=1∶3∶2时,KCl和KOH的协同活化效果达到了最佳,显著提高了碳电极材料电荷的传输能力,且能有效地缩短电解质离子在材料内部的扩散路径,表现出较快的充放电速度。     

飞秒光电子影像技术对氯丙烯分子的光电离/解离机理的研究

飞秒光电子影像技术结合飞行时间质谱对氯丙烯（C3H5Cl）在200 nm、400 nm、800 nm飞秒脉冲下的光电离/解离机理进行了研究。实验结果表明氯丙烯的光电离/解离机理与激光波长存在依赖关系。分析发现,在短波长200 nm时,母体分子C3H5Cl以双光子电离为主要通道,而其他的碎片离子则来源于C3H5Cl+的解离。当波长向长波方向变化时,例如800 nm时,C3H5Cl中间态的解离就开始占主导地位,碎片离子的信号也相应增强。此外,光电子能谱进一步证实了在400 nm和800 nm时存在来源于中性碎片的光电子,而这些中性碎片又是由C3H5Cl的中间态直接解离而产生的。这意味着,在长波400 nm和800 nm时,母体分子可能被激发到寿命较短的中间解离态,从而解离产生中性碎片,导致光解离过程在长波段占有重要角色。     

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Applied to Human Peripheral Fluids to Assess Potential Biomarkers of Schizophrenia

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques can be a powerful tool to identify neuropsychiatric disorder biomarkers, improving prediction and diagnosis ability. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of MS proteomics applied to human peripheral fluids of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients to identify disease biomarkers and relevant networks of biological pathways. Following PRISMA guidelines, a search was performed for studies that used MS proteomics approaches to identify proteomic differences between SCZ patients and healthy control groups (PROSPERO database: CRD42021274183). Nineteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, allowing the identification of 217 differentially expressed proteins. Gene ontology analysis identified lipid metabolism, complement and coagulation cascades, and immune response as the main enriched biological pathways. Meta-analysis results suggest the upregulation of FCN3 and downregulation of APO1, APOA2, APOC1, and APOC3 in SCZ patients. Despite the proven ability of MS proteomics to characterize SCZ, several confounding factors contribute to the heterogeneity of the findings. In the future, we encourage the scientific community to perform studies with more extensive sampling and validation cohorts, integrating omics with bioinformatics tools to provide additional comprehension of differentially expressed proteins. The produced information could harbor potential proteomic biomarkers of SCZ, contributing to individualized prognosis and stratification strategies, besides aiding in the differential diagnosis.     

A Predictive Instrument for Sensitive and Expedited Measurement of Ultra-Barrier Permeation

The reliable operation of flexible display devices poses a significant engineering challenge regarding the metrology of high barriers against water vapor. No reliable results have been reported in the range of 10^–6 g∙(m²∙d)⁻¹, and there is no standard ultra-barrier for calibration. To detect trace amount of water vapor permeation through an ultra-barrier with extremely high sensitivity and a greatly reduced test period, a predictive instrument was developed by integrating permeation models into high-sensitivity mass spectrometry measurement based on dynamic accumulation, detection, and evacuation of the permeant. Detection reliability was ensured by means of calibration using a standard polymer sample. After calibration, the lower detection limit for water vapor permeation is in the range of 10^–7 g∙(m²∙d)⁻¹, which satisfies the ultra-barrier requirement. Predictive permeation models were developed and evaluated using experimental data so that the steady-state permeation rate can be forecasted from non-steady-state results, thus enabling effective measurement of ultra-barrier permeation within a significantly shorter test period.     

岩体移动参数反分析的模糊数学方法

在采矿和岩土工程问题中,岩土移动变形及工程参数分析是该领域的重要工程研究课题.本文针对地下工程开挖而导致的岩体移动变形分析问题,根据模糊数学理论建立了模型,对工程参数确定给出了反分析方法.分析结果表明,理论结果与现场实测资料吻合较好,表明本文所建立的模糊数学模型适用于分析实际工程问题.     

Determination of sieve grading curves using an optical device

The grading curve of an aggregate is a fundamental characteristic for mix design that can easily be modified to adjust several mix properties. While sieve analysis remains the reference method to determine this curve, optical devices are developing, allowing easier and faster assessment of aggregate grading. Unfortunately, optical grading results significantly differ from sieve grading curves. As a consequence, getting full acceptance of these new methods requires building bridges between the various particle size measurement systems. In order to build the sieve grading curve of an aggregate sample from video image analysis, a new model using images captured by a single camera device has been developed. This model has been tested on different samples stemming from four quarries with various petrography and flakiness index. For the 10/12.5, 12.5/16, 10/16 and 10/25 size fractions, the difference between actual sieve grading curve and optical grading curve is smaller than 7%. For the 6.3/10 fraction, the maximum difference between the two grading curves is equal to 15%. This difference could mainly be explained by parasitical rotation of small particles before image capture.     

Sphere mass center determination by velocity modulation

This paper presents a new technique, called velocity modulation, for measuring the mass center location of a sphere, improving upon the accuracy of previous methods by at least a factor of 4. The sphere is rolled down a set of parallel rails. The offset of the sphere’s mass center with respect to its geometric center modulates the sphere’s velocity at the rolling frequency, which is detected by a series of differential optical shadow sensors. The measured times that the sphere crosses the sensors is compared with a simplified mechanics model in order to recover the sphere’s mass center location. The precision of the technique is demonstrated by the repeatability of independent measurements in one plane of a 50.8 mm (2 in.) stainless steel gage sphere. The best standard deviation achieved is 145 nm (95% confidence interval = 227 nm).     

Applications of mass spectrometry to the study of siRNA

RNA interference (RNAi) has quickly become a well‐established laboratory tool for regulating gene expression and is currently being explored for its therapeutic potential. The design and use of double‐stranded RNA oligonucleotides as therapeutics to trigger the RNAi mechanism and a greater effort to understand the RNAi pathway itself is driving the development of analytical techniques that can characterize these oligonucleotides. Electrospray (ESI) and MALDI have been used routinely to analyze oligonucleotides and their ability to provide mass and sequence information has made them ideal for this application. Reviewed here is the work done to date on the use of ESI and MALDI for the study of RNAi oligonucleotides as well as the strategies and issues associated with siRNA analysis by mass spectrometry. While there is not a large body of literature on the specific application of mass spectrometry to RNAi, the work done in this area is a good demonstration of the range of experiments that can be conducted and the value that ESI and MALDI can provide to the RNAi field. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 30:979–998, 2011