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Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder characterized by abnormal functioning of brain networks, making it a complex research topic. Recent advancements in neuroimaging technology offer an effective approach to unraveling the intricacies of the human brain. Within different types of epilepsy, there is growing recognition regarding ongoing changes in the default mode network (DMN). However, little is known about the shared and distinct alterations of static functional connectivity (sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) in DMN among epileptic subtypes, especially in children with epilepsy. Here, 110 children with epilepsy at a single center, including idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE), temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and parietal lobe epilepsy (PLE), as well as 84 healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. We investigated both sFC and dFC between groups of the DMN. Decreased static and dynamic connectivity within the DMN subsystem were shared by all subtypes. In each epilepsy subtype, children with epilepsy displayed significant and distinct patterns of DMN connectivity compared to the control group: the IGE group showed reduced interhemispheric connectivity, the FLE group consistently demonstrated disturbances in frontal region connectivity, the TLE group exhibited significant disruptions in hippocampal connectivity, and the PLE group displayed a notable decrease in parietal-temporal connectivity within the DMN. Some state-specific FC disruptions (decreased dFC) were observed in each epilepsy subtype that cannot detect by sFC. To determine their uniqueness within specific subtypes, bootstrapping methods were employed and found the significant results (IGE: between PCC and bilateral precuneus, FLE: between right middle frontal gyrus and bilateral middle temporal gyrus, TLE: between left Hippocampus and right fusiform, PLE: between left angular and cingulate cortex). Furthermore, only children with IGE exhibited dynamic features associated with clinical variables. Our findings highlight both shared and distinct FC alterations within the DMN in children with different types of epilepsy. Furthermore, our work provides a novel perspective on the functional alterations in the DMN of pediatric patients, suggesting that combined sFC and dFC analysis can provide valuable insights for deepening our understanding of the neuronal mechanism underlying epilepsy in children. • Decreased static and dynamic connectivity within the DMN subsystem were shared by all children with epilepsy • State-specific FC disruptions were observed in each patient group that were not detected by state FC • Epilepsy children in each subtype also showed unique connectivity patterns of the DMN that reflect their epilepsy types • The findings of static and dynamic functional abnormalities in DMN confirmed the essential role of DMN in children with epilepsy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangjing contains no starch but rich in health-promoting compounds. The effects of Huangjing flour (HJF) on the physicochemical properties and quality of cookies were investigated by partially replacing wheat flour with HJF. The addition of HJF increased water solubility of the mixed flour and improved the crispness of cookies. The starch was lower approximately 69%, but obtained 8% higher protein and fat content than the control. The resistant starch increased from 23.74 to 41.37 g 100 g−1, which significantly reduced the in vitro digestibility of the cookies and resulted in a much lower estimated glycemic index (eGI) 53.67 (eGI<55) compared with 61.81 wheat flower control when 40% HJF was included. The microstructure of the products indicated that the exposure area of starch particles was greatly reduced by the addition of HJF. The onset temperature of gelatinization increased from 60.75 °C to 61.75 °C, and the enthalpy of gelatinization decreased from 1.68 to 0.88 J g−1 with the presence of 40% HJF, suggesting that the HJF could retard the gelatinization of the cookies. The above results demonstrate that inclusion of HJF into cookies improves the quality of cookies and also provides a strategy for the production of low-GI foods. • The addition of Huangjing flour improved the appearance and taste of the cookies. • The starch was entrapped by Huangjing flour resulting in lower exposure area. • The addition of Huangjing flour retarded the gelatinization of the starch. • The starch digestibility of cookies was reduced by Huangjing flour incorporation. • The eGI of the cookies was reduced below 55 with the present of 30% Huangjing flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel spindle-like polypyrrole hollow nanocapsules containing Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs/PPy composite hollow nanospindles) were successfully prepared by using beta-akaganeite (β-Fe3+O(OH,Cl)) nanospindles as templates and methanoic acid as a reducing agent. The β-Fe3+O(OH,Cl) templates can be easily obtained in ethanol/water mixing solution in the presence of thiophene and FeCl3·6H2O, and after coating by PPy shell, they can be gradually and completely etched during the reduction of H2PtCl6 into Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) with the average size of 3.6nm on spindle-like polypyrrole hollow nanocapsules, which could still keep their integrality of morphologies with the thickness of PPy shell of 18–20nm. The investigation of Pt NPs/PPy composite hollow nanospindles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the application to detect nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry indicated good linearity and sensitivity of responses in the certain range of NADH concentration. The influence of Pt NPs content to the NADH oxidation current was also studied. This new kind of unique spindle-like noble metal/conducting polymer hollow nanostructured complex can be acted as a good steady electrode material for electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the micellization kinetics is influenced by polymer structure, the spherical three-dimensional topology of amphiphilic dendritic copolymers (ADPs) which hinders the phase separation during micellization is assumed to make the micellization kinetics different. In the literatures, most of the attention has been paid to the morphology transition or the morphology at equilibrium and the micellization kinetics of ADPs is rarely reported. In this study, the micellization processes of amphiphilic dendritic copolymers from unimers to the final equilibrium micelles were monitored by laser light scattering. Based on the closed association mechanism, the thermodynamics of micellization was analysed. The negative thermodynamic quantities indicate that the micellization of ADPs is driven by enthalpy. Based on the change of scattering intensity and hydrodynamic radius ( R h ) with time, the detailed micellization kinetics was analysed, which contains two steps. By controlling the temperature and type of solvent, a system in which the concentration has little influence on R h is obtained. The relaxation times of the two steps decrease with concentration, indicating that at higher concentration the rate of micellization is quicker. With the increasing mass fraction of the hydrophobic part, the relaxation times decrease and the driving force of micellization increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella can cause serious foodborne diseases, which is a major concern for global public health. The sensitive and fast analysis of Salmonella is of importance for food safety. Herein, we developed a fluorescence sensing array based on photonic crystals (PCs) and recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) for high-throughput and high-sensitive analysis of Salmonella in foods. In this assay, RAA was employed for powerful amplification of the target DNA of Salmonella , and the generated dsDNA amplicon was embedded with nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I (SGI), emitting fluorescence. Furthermore, the fluorescence signal was physically enhanced by PCs array; meanwhile, the high-throughput and sensitive detection was realized by microplate reader. Because of the isothermal reaction and lyophilized regent of RAA, the proposed array possessed gentle operation and stable amplification performance. Besides, a small volume of loading samples with 2 μL was required on the PCs array for powerful fluorescence enhancement. Due to the synergistic signal amplification effect of RAA and photonic crystals, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 10 CFU/mL was achieved. Besides, the proposed array exhibited excellent performance with 100% accuracy in 20 spiked food samples. Therefore, the proposed method with the advantages of sensitivity and high throughput showed great application potential. • A fluorescent biosensor based on RAA and PCs was engineered for sensitive detection of Salmonella. • RAA with SYBR Green I has rapid, isothermal and cheap features without need of complex instruments. • PC array was employed to achieve rapid, simultaneous and high-throughput detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 isolation from cold-chain food products confirms the possibility of outbreaks through cold-chain food products. RNA extraction combined with RT-PCR is the primary method currently utilized for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. However, the requirement of hours of analytical time and the high price of RT-PCR hinder its worldwide implementation in food supervision. Here, we report a fluorescence biosensor for detection of SARS-CoV-2 N protein. The fluorescence biosensor was fabricated by aptamer-based conformational entropy-driven circuit where molecular beacon strands were labeled with graphitic carbon nitrides quantum dots@Zn-metal-organic framework (g-CNQDs@Zn-MOF) and Dabcyl. The detection of the N protein was achieved via swabbing followed by competitive assay using a fixed amount of N-48 aptamers in the analytical system. A fluorescence emission spectrum was employed for the detection. The detection limit of our fluorescence biosensor was 1.0 pg/mL for SARS-CoV-2 N protein, indicating very excellent sensitivity. The fluorescence biosensor did not exhibit significant cross-reactivity with other N proteins. Finally, the biosensor was successfully applied for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in actual cold-chain food products showing same excellent accuracy as RT-PCR method. Thus, our fluorescence biosensor is a promising analytical tool for rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 N protein. • An aptamer-based sensor could detect of SARS-CoV-2 in food products within 30 min. • Conformational entropy-driven circuit was designed for signal amplification. • g-CNQDs@Zn-MOF was utilized to improve stability and reproducibility of biosensor. • This strategy unlocks a route for the development of sensitive analytical tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]