Major histocompatibility complex class I molecules protect motor neurons from astrocyte-induced toxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Astrocytes isolated from individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are toxic to motor neurons (MNs) and play a non–cell autonomous role in disease pathogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of MNs to cell death remain unclear. Here we report that astrocytes derived from either mice bearing mutations in genes associated with ALS or human subjects with ALS reduce the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) molecules on MNs; reduced MHCI expression makes these MNs susceptible to astrocyte-induced cell death. Increasing MHCI expression on MNs increases survival and motor performance in a mouse model of ALS and protects MNs against astrocyte toxicity. Overexpression of a single MHCI molecule, HLA-F, protects human MNs from ALS astrocyte–mediated toxicity, whereas knockdown of its receptor, the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor KIR3DL2, on human astrocytes results in enhanced MN death. Thus, our data indicate that, in ALS, loss of MHCI expression on MNs renders them more vulnerable to astrocyte-mediated toxicity

The nutritional composition of the vegetable soybean (maodou) and its potential in combatting malnutrition

IntroductionGlobal malnutrition continues to be a canker owing to poor eating habits and over-reliance on the major staple crops. Vegetable soybean (maodou) is gaining popularity globally as an affordable snack and vegetable.MethodsIn this study, we profiled the nutritional composition of 12 soybean cultivars at the vegetable (R6-R7) and mature (R8) stages. We also conducted an RNA-seq analysis during seed development, focusing on key biosynthesis enzymes for quality traits.ResultsThe results showed that 100 g of maodou contained 66.54% moisture, 13.49% protein, 7.81% fatty acids, 2.47% soluble sugar, abundant content of minerals, and micronutrients, including folate (462.27 μg FW) and carotenoids (3,935.41 μg FW). Also, the isoflavone content of maodou ranged between 129.26 and 2,359.35 μg/g FW. With regard to the recommended daily allowance, 100 g fresh weight of maodou can contribute 26.98, 115.57, and 11.60% of protein, folate, and zinc, respectively, and significant proportions of other nutrients including linoleic acid (21.16%), linolenic acid (42.96%), zinc (11.60%), and iron (18.01%). On a dry weight basis, maodou has two to six folds higher contents of folate, tocopherol, and carotenoid than the mature soybean. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that key biosynthesis enzymes of quality traits are differentially expressed during seed development and may contribute to variations in the content of quality traits at the vegetable and mature stages. Correlation analysis of quality traits at both stages revealed that protein only correlated positively with zinc at the vegetable stage but negatively correlated with total tocopherol and total fatty acid at the mature stage. Complex associations among folates, soluble sugar, and isoflavones were also identified.DiscussionThis study provides insight into the nutritional contents of vegetable soybean and demonstrates that maodou is essential for meeting the nutritional requirements of most countries

Advances and Prospects in Tissue-Engineered Meniscal Scaffolds for Meniscus Regeneration

The meniscus plays a crucial role in maintaining knee joint homoeostasis. Meniscal lesions are relatively common in the knee joint and are typically categorized into various types. However, it is difficult for inner avascular meniscal lesions to self-heal. Untreated meniscal lesions lead to meniscal extrusions in the long-term and gradually trigger the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The relationship between meniscal lesions and knee OA is complex. Partial meniscectomy, which is the primary method to treat a meniscal injury, only relieves short-term pain; however, it does not prevent the development of knee OA. Similarly, other current therapeutic strategies have intrinsic limitations in clinical practice. Tissue engineering technology will probably address this challenge by reconstructing a meniscus possessing an integrated configuration with competent biomechanical capacity. This review describes normal structure and biomechanical characteristics of the meniscus, discusses the relationship between meniscal lesions and knee OA, and summarizes the classifications and corresponding treatment strategies for meniscal lesions to understand meniscal regeneration from physiological and pathological perspectives. Last, we present current advances in meniscal scaffolds and provide a number of prospects that will potentially benefit the development of meniscal regeneration methods

A High-Quality Spacer Oxide Formation for 28nm Technology Node and Beyond

In this paper we present a new approach to fabricate spacer oxide for 28nm and beyond CMOS technology. The main advantage of this approach is that it allows a further downscaling of transistor's gate length while maintaining high qualities, such as low thermal budget, excellent conformality, and small pattern loading effect (referring to equal thickness deposition in open and dense areas within an array structure), etc.</jats:p

“Soggy sand” electrolyte based on COOH-functionalized silica nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new kind of carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles were synthesized and employed as framework to form “soggy sand” electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. The property of this electrolyte has been evaluated by studying the effect of the carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles content on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. The cells based on electrolyte containing the carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles show better performance owing to the increased short-circuit photocurrent than that of the liquid device and yield the energy conversion efficiency of 7.1% under AM 1.5 illumination at 100 mV cm−2 when the content of the carboxyl group-functionalized silica is 15 wt.%. Keywords: Functionalized silica, Ionic liquid, Soggy sand electrolyte, Dye-sensitized solar cell

Process Optimization of Dielectric CVD Film for Patterning Related Defect Reduction at 28nm Technology

As semiconductor device scales down towards 28nm technology and below, patterning technique becomes more critical and challenging to achieve circuit image with more stringent features, especilly for critical layers, such as AA, Gate, CT and M1 etc. Good patterning performance is not only related to lithograph/etch process window, but also process variation of various patterning related films, such as surface roughness, defect density and size, etc. In this paper, a few patterning related dielectric films, including APF (Advanced Patterning Film), NF-DARC (Nitrogen Free Dielectric Anti-Reflective Coating) and hardmask oxide/nitride, were discussed on defect reduction in a 28nm logic chip. Four types of patterning related defects at AA, CT and Gate layer, were addressed, which are Si cone, CT missing/distortion, poly bridging and tiny abnormal poly pattern. An in-depth study of defect source and mechanism of defect formation and transformation were dicussed. Potential solutions involving improved DCVD film deposition processes were also presented.</jats:p