Microfluidic-based single cell trapping using a combination of stagnation point flow and physical barrier

Single cell trapping in vitro by microfluidic device is an emerging approach for the study of the relationship between single cells and their dynamic biochemical microenvironments. In this paper, a hydrodynamic-based microfluidic device for single cell trapping is designed using a combination of stagnation point flow and physical barrier.The microfluidic device overcomes the weakness of the traditional ones, which have been only based upon either stagnation point flows or physical barriers, and can conveniently load dynamic biochemical signals to the trapped cell. In addition, it can connect with a programmable syringe pump and a microscope to constitute an integrated experimental system.It is experimentally verified that the microfluidic system can trap single cells in vitro even under flow disturbance and conveniently load biochemical signals to the trapped cell. The designed micro-device would provide a simple yet effective experimental platform for further study of the interactions between single cells and their microenvironments.

Effect of Forest Litter on the Regeneration of Larix sibirica: Insight from Aqueous Extract and Litter Coverage

The effect of litter on forest regeneration depends on the characteristics of regional climate and also shows community specificity. The influences of plant litter on seed germination and seedling growth of Larch Siberian forest in the Altai Mountains were investigated through two simulated experiments including litter coverage and litter aqueous extracts. In the litter coverage experiment, three litter coverage methods including above (D), below (S) and in the middle (Z) of litter were set with the litter coverage thickness of 0, 1, 2, and 4 cm, while two aqueous extract obtained methods using the air-dried litter and litter ash after fir were used with the concentration of 10%, 40%, 80% and 100% in the present study. Results showed that: the aqueous extracts obtained using the air-dried litter restrained the seed germination, while the aqueous extracts obtained using litter ash improved the seed germination. Compared with other litter concentration, the influences of 100% concentration reach highest. The seed germination rate, seed germination potential and vital index under the treatment of seeds above the litter coverage were highest, which were significantly higher than other treatments. The above-ground biomass was significantly higher and the inhibition index of below-ground bio-mass was significantly lower under the treatment of seed above the litter with thin litter cover-age (S1) compared to other litter coverage treatments. These results indicated that the litter aqueous extract and the litter coverage had a combined effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of Siberian larch forest. Fire disturbance could promote seed germination by modifying the adverse effects of litter aqueous extracts and litter coverage, and thus plays an important role in the regeneration of Siberian larch in the Altai Mountains.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets augments gut barrier function in pre-weaning piglets

To understand the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(ATCC 53103)on intestinal barrier function in pre-weaning piglets under normal conditions,twenty-four newborn littermate piglets were randomly divided into two groups.Piglets in the control group were orally administered with 2 mL 0.1 g/mL sterilized skim milk while the treatment group was administered the same volume of sterilized skim milk with the addition of viable L.rhamnosus at the 1st,3rd,and 5th days after birth.The feeding trial was conducted for 25 d.Results showed that piglets in the L.rhamnosus group exhibited increased weaning weight and average daily weight gain,whereas diarrhea incidence was decreased.The bacterial abundance and composition of cecal contents,especially Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,and Fusobacteria,were altered by probiotic treatment.In addition,L.rhamnosus increased the jejunal permeability and promoted the immunologic barrier through regulating antimicrobial peptides,cytokines,and chemokines via Toll-like receptors.Our findings indicate that oral administration of L.rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets is beneficial for intestinal health of pre-weaning piglets by improving the biological,physical,and immunologic barriers of intestinal mucosa.

Nano-sized alumina supported palladium catalysts for methane combustion with excellent thermal stability

Pd/Al_(2)O_(3)catalysts supported on Al_(2)O_(3)of different particle sizes were synthesized and applied in methane combustion.These catalysts were systematically characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET),X-ray diffraction (XRD),high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM),high-angle annular dark?eld-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM),H_(2)-temperature-programmed reduction (H_(2)-TPR),O_(2)-temperature-programmed oxidation (O_(2)-TPO),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),and X-ray absorption?ne structure (XAFS).The characterization results indicated that nanosized Al_(2)O_(3)enabled the uniform dispersion of palladium nanoparticles,thus contributing to the excellent catalytic performance of these nano-sized Pd/Al_(2)O_(3)catalysts.Among them,Pd/Al_(2)O_(3)-nano-10 (Pd/Al_(2)O_(3)supported by alumina with an average particle size of 10 nm)showed superior catalytic activity and stability for methane oxidation under harsh practical conditions.It maintained excellent catalytic performance for methane oxidation for50 hr and remained stable even after harsh hydrothermal aging in 10 vol.%steam at 800℃ for 16 hr.Characterization results revealed that the strong metal-support interactions and physical barriers provided by Al_(2)O_(3)-nano-10 suppressed the coalescence ripening of palladium species,and thus contributed to the superior sintering resistance of the Pd/Al_(2)O_(3)-nano-10 catalyst.