Abstract:In this paper we reviewed the latest development and discussed several problems in current research on brain-computer-interfaces (BCIs), such as overestimating the function of the human brain and lacking understanding on the way the brain stores information. Based on the model of "2D code" data form for brain functions, we argued that current BCI technical solutions are only applicable to some simple application scenarios, such as understanding the emotional type of the subject, the state of life activities, and controlling the external instruments, but they are not capable to obtain accurate details such as memory and thinking in the brain. On the other hand, we believed that here is a large space for the development of information input technologies, i.e., the information input technology. For example, a potential brain stimulation device with multiple regulatory effects and multiple control methods like physical and biochemical technologies may be widely used to treat brain diseases, such as depression and epilepsy, as well as for short-term enhancement of brain power. This work may shed some light on the current research field of brain-computer interface.

Abstract:A major challenge in the research on membrane protein is to deal with the absence of the lipid bilayer environment, which requires a mimic “native-like” lipid bilayer. Nanodisc, using amphiphilic membrane scaffold proteins (MSPs) to stabilize phospholipid molecules in the aqueous phase, self-assembly forms a disc-like structure similar to the natural phospholipid bilayer membrane environment. As a cutting-edge technique, nanodiscs are reported to provide model membrane environment of water solubility, homogeneity, control of oligomerization state and size, composition and specific functional modification on nanometer scale as well. In this review, we introduced the reconstitution of MSPs and integral proteins to introduce nanodiscs, followed by the nanodiscs applications in structural, functional and medical fields of membrane proteins. As for its medical applications, the high efficiency of delivery capacity as a carrier of hydrophobic drugs, and the targeting specificity of antineoplastic were particularly highlighted. Nanodisc technique also help to throw a light on the structural resolution and functional characterization of membrane proteins in imaging technology. Moreover, nanodiscs are applied to cardiovascular disease to boost the efficiency and manoeuvrability of cholesterol transport. In summary, nanodisc technique provides new method and insight into membrane protein research in the future, for better diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases.

Abstract:Atherosclerosis, as a major cardiovascular disease, threatens the health of humans worldwide. Currently, drug-eluting stent implantation is the most effective treatment to enlarge the lumen of an artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic lesion. However, drug-eluting stent implantation has several disadvantages, including the onset of late stent thrombosis, neo-atherosclerosis, and local inflammation caused by the presence of a foreign body. To overcome these limitations, bioresorbable scaffolds have been developed for use as transient scaffolds for blood vessels. Fully bioresorbable polymer intravascular scaffolds are made of high biodegradable molecular polymers. At the same time, because of the stimulation of degradation products at all levels and the changes in the mechanical microenvironment of the stent implantation site, the full degradable polymer stents can cause the inflammatory response, the in-stent restenosis and thromboembolism. We combine mechanical growth factor (MGF) with local mechanics changes caused by bioresorbable scaffolds. Therefore, this paper reviews the effect between the degradation characteristics and the mechanical microenvironmental changes of fully polymer bioresorbable scaffolds implantation, as well as the research progress of MGF in cardiovascular diseases, in order to provide references for the clinical intervention of fully bioresorbable polymer intravascular scaffolds therapy.

Abstract:The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a nanoscale contractile device, which is widely found in the gram negative bacteria. This machine can kill eukaryotic predators or prokaryotic competitors by injecting toxic effectors into target cells. In the past decades, the diversity of T6SS gene clusters, the assembly of the T6SS, and the infection mechanism of the effectors have been investigated extendedly, making great progress. This review summarizes the knowledge of the T6SS from four aspects, including the composition and diversity of the T6SS gene clusters, the structure and assembly of the T6SS machine, the type of the effector, as well as the regulation network to provide insights for further T6SS research.

Abstract:Interleukin (IL)-41 is a newly discovered and renamed cytokine or adipokine. IL-41 has also been called Metrnl, Cometin, Subfatin and Meteorin (metron)-like or Meteorin-β, and IL-39, respectively. IL-41/Metronl is a small secretory protein, which is widely expressed in vivo, especially in skin, mucosa and white adipose tissue. It plays an important role in neurodevelopment, white adipose browning, insulin sensitization, metabolism and inflammation-related diseases. The function and mechanism of IL-41/Metronl need to be further confirmed. This paper reviews the biological characteristics, expression, and role of IL-41/Metronl in metabolism and inflammation-related diseases, and provides new ideas for the research of therapeutic targets or drugs of related diseases.

Abstract:Blast wave can cause injury to human lungs, eardrums, gastrointestinal tract, brain and other organs. The lungs, eardrums, and air-containing gastrointestinal tract are more likely to cause damage. The study of explosive injury mechanism is of great significance to the treatment and protection of explosive injury and the design of explosive devices. Pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and air embolism are the main causes of explosive trauma death. Regarding the problem of explosive lung injury, the existing research in the macro aspect mainly involves several aspects such as explosion wave and animal experiments, mechanical models and numerical finite element simulation. In order to better understand the mechanism of blast injury, the mechanical process of the impact of the shock wave and microstructure should be studied. In this paper, the damage of DPPC(dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) membrane caused by shock wave is studied by using all-atomic molecular dynamics. The impulse of shock wave is controlled by stopping the piston, and the critical impulse of membrane damage caused by shock wave is discussed. We observed the distribution of phospholipid molecules and surrounding water molecules after the shock wave passed through the membrane under different impulses. It was found that as the impulse increased, the membrane became more and more disordered, the folds were more severe, and more and more water molecules in the hydrophobic area. The membrane impact process is divided into three stages, namely the impact stage, recovery stage and after-effect stage. When the impulse is greater than 153 mPa s, the damage of the membrane is not recovered during the impact.

Abstract:Echovirus B serves as one of the important causative agents of viral meningitis and encephalitis all over the world, but no specific vaccines against this virus family are thus far available in the market. Structurally similar to the natural virus whilst lacking the nucleic acid essential for viral replication and infectivity, the virus-like particle (VLP), has widely been considered an ideal vaccine candidate of next generation, especially for the enterovirus that has no envelope. In this study, we designed a platform based on the insect expression system which succeeded in producing the VLP of E16. Then, the 2.8-? cryo-EM structure of E16-VLP was determined and characterized. In line with the overall structure of E30, another member of Enterovirus B, E16-VLP employed the well-studied structural features found in the outer surface of most Enterovirus members and have been regarded to be the regions able to induce specific neutralizing antibodies, indicative of its potential value of vaccine development. Altogether, our established platform could serve as an important candidate to produce a safe and universal vaccine against Enterovirus B.

Abstract:The oocyte cytoplasmic maturity is important for the oocyte development competence. However, at present, there is still lack of a noninvasive, objective and efficient method to evaluate oocyte cytoplasmic maturity. It is known that the low ooplasm maturity is the main reason that causes the reduced development ability of in-vitro matured oocytes than the in-vivo oocytes. Full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) has the characteristics of noninvasive, label-free, three-dimension and?high-resolution. FF-OCT captured the images of in-vivo and in-vitro matured mouse oocytes. After comparing those FF-OCT images, it was found that the oocytes with the large-area high-brightness cortex and even?cytoplasm may present the higher cytoplasmic maturity. To verify this, the in-vitro fertilization rates of in-vitro matured oocytes which were screened by microscope observation and FF-OCT were compared, and it was found that the in-vitro fertilization rate in the microscope-observation group was much lower than that of in-vivo matured oocytes, the rate in the FF-OCT group had no significant difference from the rate of in-vivo matured oocytes. This indicated that the development ability of in-vitro matured oocytes screened by FF-OCT was close to that of in-vivo matured oocytes. Additionally, FF-OCT successfully observed the morphological differences between the fresh and aging oocytes, namely, the aging oocytes showed the worse cytoplasmic uniformity and smaller area of high-brightness cortex. Thus, FF-OCT can be used for noninvasive assessment of oocyte cytoplasmic quality, and the large-area high-brightness cortex existence and cytoplasmic gray distribution uniformity can be the effective indexes to evaluate the oocyte cytoplasmic maturity.