Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a live cell construct or a support, comprising: (a) providing a non-cellular organic polymer support having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an intermediate portion there between, and (b) contacting a cross-linking agent to one surface of said support for a time sufficient to generate a gradient of cross-linking of said polymer in said intermediate portion. Also provided are live cell constructs, supports, and methods of use of the supports and live cell constructs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support frame, wherein the support frame is provided with a hollow part; a drive frame, wherein the drive frame is elastically connected to the support frame, the drive frame is located in the hollow part, the drive frame and the support frame are spaced apart, and the drive frame is provided with a drive shaft connector for connecting a toothbrush head; and a motor, wherein the motor is provided on the drive frame, the motor is able to drive the drive frame to swing or vibrate relative to the support frame when running, so that the drive shaft connector can drive the toothbrush head to swing or vibrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support frame provided with a hollow part; a drive frame, wherein the drive frame is elastically connected to the support frame, the drive frame is located in the hollow part, the drive frame and the support frame are spaced apart, the drive frame has a drive shaft connector for connecting a toothbrush head; and a motor, wherein the motor is provided on the drive frame, the motor is able to drive the drive frame to swing or vibrate relative to the support frame during operation, so that the drive shaft connector can drive the toothbrush head to swing or vibrate.

Abstract: This presently disclosed subject matter relates to an in vitro cell culture comprising a cell monolayer comprising mucus producing cells and a mucus layer, and methods of making and using the same. The methods including culturing mucus producing cells on a cell support structure under conditions to establish a mucus layer on the luminal side of the cell monolayer, thereby producing a live cell construct comprising a cell monolayer comprising mucus producing cells and a mucus layer. The mucus layer can be substantially impenetrable to micro-objects, and have a thickness of about 1 micron to about 1 cm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control method of an electric toothbrush, an apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium, including: determining real-time monitoring data during a brushing process of a target user based on the electric toothbrush, and transmitting the real-time monitoring data to a base corresponding to the electric toothbrush based on a wireless communication network, wherein the real-time monitoring data is used to reflect a movement condition of a brush head of the electric toothbrush, and the base is configured to place the electric toothbrush and to charge the electric toothbrush; and determining the reminding message displayed on the base according to the real-time monitoring data, wherein the reminding message is used to indicate a cleanliness degree corresponding to each dental region of the target user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control method of an oral irrigator and an oral irrigator, wherein the oral irrigator includes a normal working mode and a spot spray working mode. The oral irrigator is capable of switching between the normal working mode and the spot spray working mode. In the normal working mode, the oral irrigator continuously sprays water. In the spot spray working mode, the oral irrigator sprays water in a pulsed manner, with a pause duration between two water sprays.

Abstract: A control method, a device, and a storage medium for oral cleaning equipment are provided. The oral cleaning equipment has at least two cleaning modes, and is provided with a mode control for selecting the cleaning mode. The oral cleaning equipment is start in response to a device startup command. The selection operation applied to the mode control is obtained. Under the condition that the operating state of the oral cleaning equipment meets a preset condition, the oral cleaning equipment is controlled to maintain the target cleaning mode selected before the operating state reaches the preset condition, enabling that the oral cleaning equipment, under the condition that the operating state meets the preset condition, no longer responds to the selection operation applied to the mode control.

Abstract: This presently disclosed subject matter relates to an in vitro cell culture comprising a cell monolayer comprising mucus producing cells and a mucus layer, and methods of making and using the same. The methods including culturing mucus producing cells on a cell support structure under conditions to establish a mucus layer on the luminal side of the cell monolayer, thereby producing a live cell construct comprising a cell monolayer comprising mucus producing cells and a mucus layer. The mucus layer can be substantially impenetrable to micro-objects, and have a thickness of about 1 micron to about 1 cm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a live cell construct or a support, comprising: (a) providing a non-cellular organic polymer support having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an intermediate portion there between, and (b) contacting a cross-linking agent to one surface of said support for a time sufficient to generate a gradient of cross-linking of said polymer in said intermediate portion. Also provided are live cell constructs, supports, and methods of use of the supports and live cell constructs.

Abstract: The invention relates to dispersant composition comprising a) 30 to 80% by weight of at least one first polymer b) 10 to 60% by weight of at least one amine having a molecular weight of at most 250 g/mol, and c) 5 to 20% by weight of at least one second polymer, which is different from the first polymer, wherein the % by weight are calculated on the total weight of a), b), and c).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses and methods for generating self-sustaining gaseous and non-gaseous gradients across a cell support structure and for culturing one or more cells or tissues under hypoxic conditions. Methods of generating one or more gas gradients across a cell support structure include providing a luminal container having a bottom wall that is a gas permeable membrane, positioning a cell support structure above the bottom wall, positioning one or more cells or tissues on the cell support structure, and generating one or more gas gradients between the bottom wall, across the cell support structure and into a luminal reservoir. An apparatus to produce hypoxic conditions for cell cultures includes a luminal container having a bottom wall, a cell support structure on the bottom wall, and a cover that sealably closes the open top, such that a hypoxic condition can be generated in the luminal reservoir.

Abstract: A method for producing tissue constructs comprising two or more distinct regions, each of which comprises a different cell population or lineage is described. The method involves providing a support substrate or substrate assembly comprising two or more physically distinct regions, wherein the two or more physically distinct regions of the support substrate or substrate assembly are different from each other; and depositing/positioning one or more cells on the support substrate or substrate assembly. The cells can form a continuous monolayer with at least two zones, e.g., a proliferative zone and a nonproliferative zone, that can act as in vitro intestinal models. The models are two-dimensional, thus facilitating rapid and facile imaging. Systems comprising the tissue constructs and methods of using the constructs to study the effects of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and metabolites on intestinal cells are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses and methods for generating self-sustaining gaseous and non-gaseous gradients across a cell support structure and for culturing one or more cells or tissues under hypoxic conditions. Methods of generating one or more gas gradients across a cell support structure include providing a luminal container having a bottom wall that is a gas permeable membrane, positioning a cell support structure above the bottom wall, positioning one or more cells or tissues on the cell support structure, and generating one or more gas gradients between the bottom wall, across the cell support structure and into a luminal reservoir. An apparatus to produce hypoxic conditions for cell cultures includes a luminal container having a bottom wall, a cell support structure on the bottom wall, and a cover that sealably closes the open top, such that a hypoxic condition can be generated in the luminal reservoir.

Abstract: Thin layer chromatography (TEC) devices for the analysis of pico-scale samples, methods for using the devices, and methods for fabricating the devices.

Abstract: An X-ray source including: a liquid target source configured to provide a liquid target moving along a flow axis; an electron source configured to provide an electron beam; and a liquid target shaper configured to shape the liquid target to include a non-circular cross section with respect to the flow axis, wherein the non-circular cross section has a first width along a first axis and a second width along a second axis, wherein the first width is shorter than the second width, and wherein the liquid target includes an impact portion being intersected by the first axis; wherein the x-ray source is configured to direct the electron beam towards the impact portion such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid target within the impact portion to generate X-ray radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies includes: a common substrate formed from a flexible resilient polymeric material and having a plurality of wells formed therein; and a plurality of rigid cell carriers releasably connected to said common substrate, with said carriers arranged in the form of an array, and with each of the carriers resiliently received in one of the wells. A method of collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies with such an apparatus is carried out by depositing a liquid media carrying cells on the apparatus so that said cells settle on or adhere to said the carriers; and then (c) releasing at least one selected carrier having said cells thereon by gradual application of release energy to each carrier from the cavity in which it is received (e.g., by pushing with a probe).

Abstract: An array of magnetic or paramagnetic micro-elements comprised of polysilsesquioxane is described having ultra-low-autofluorescence and other optical properties to improve microscopic imaging of cells or other objects present on the array. These materials are also amenable to chemical modification allowing surface attachment of affinity capture moieties or chemical reporters for selective binding or analysis of cells, macromolecules or other targets.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies includes: a common substrate formed from a flexible resilient polymeric material and having a plurality of wells formed therein; and a plurality of rigid cell carriers releasably connected to said common substrate, with said carriers arranged in the form of an array, and with each of the carriers resiliently received in one of the wells. A method of collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies with such an apparatus is carried out by depositing a liquid media carrying cells on the apparatus so that said cells settle on or adhere to said the carriers; and then (c) releasing at least one selected carrier having said cells thereon by gradual application of release energy to each carrier from the cavity in which it is received (e.g., by pushing with a probe).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a live cell construct or a support, comprising: (a) providing a non-cellular organic polymer support having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an intermediate portion there between, and (b) contacting a cross-linking agent to one surface of said support for a time sufficient to generate a gradient of cross-linking of said polymer in said intermediate portion. Also provided are live cell constructs, supports, and methods of use of the supports and live cell constructs.

Abstract: A method for producing tissue constructs comprising two or more distinct regions, each of which comprises a different cell population or lineage is described. The method involves providing a support substrate or substrate assembly comprising two or more physically distinct regions, wherein the two or more physically distinct regions of the support substrate or substrate assembly are different from each other; and depositing/positioning one or more cells on the support substrate or substrate assembly. The cells can form a continuous monolayer with at least two zones, e.g., a proliferative zone and a nonproliferative zone, that can act as in vitro intestinal models. The models are two-dimensional, thus facilitating rapid and facile imaging. Systems comprising the tissue constructs and methods of using the constructs to study the effects of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and metabolites on intestinal cells are also described.