Structure-based investigation of a DNA aptamer targeting PTK7 reveals an intricate 3D fold guiding functional optimization.

DNA aptamers have emerged as novel molecular tools in disease theranostics owing to their high binding affinity and specificity for protein targets, which rely on their ability to fold into distinctive three-dimensional (3D) structures. However, delicate atomic interactions that shape the 3D structures are often ignored when designing and modeling aptamers, leading to inefficient functional optimization. Challenges persist in determining high-resolution aptamer-protein complex structures.

Photoprotective energy quenching in the red alga Porphyridium purpureum occurs at the core antenna of the photosystem II but not at its reaction center.

Photosynthetic organisms have evolved light-harvesting antennae over time. In cyanobacteria, external phycobilisomes (PBSs) are the dominant antennae, whereas in green algae and higher plants, PBSs have been replaced by proteins of the Lhc family that are integrated in the membrane. Red algae represent an evolutionary intermediate between these two systems, as they employ both PBSs and membrane LHCR proteins as light-harvesting units.

An ultra-compact angstrom-scale displacement sensor with large measurement range based on wavelength modulation.

Optical displacement metrology is important in nanotechnology and used to identify positions and displacements of nanodevices. Although several methods have been proposed, a sensor with ultracompact size, angstrom-scale resolution, and large measurement range is still lacking. We propose an optical displacement sensor with wavelength modulation that can demonstrate subwavelength footprint and angstrom-level resolution with large measurement range in this study.

Molecular Engineering of Aptamer Self-Assemblies Increases Stability and Targeted Recognition.

Functionally modified aptamer conjugates are promising tools for targeted imaging or treatment of various diseases. However, broad applications of aptamer molecules are limited by their instability. To overcome this challenge, current strategies mostly rely on covalent chemical modification of aptamers, a complicated process that requires case-by-case sequence design, multiple-step synthesis, and purification.

Radiation properties of quantum emitters via a plasmonic waveguide integrated with a V-shaped traveling wave antenna.

We experimentally study the radiation direction and relaxation rate of quantum emitters (QEs) coupled with a plasmonic waveguide integrated with a V-shaped traveling wave antenna. The plasmonic waveguide couples the excitation energy of the nearby QEs into surface plasmons and the connected V-shaped traveling wave antenna converts them into highly directional radiation. The directivity of the radiation depends on the shape of the antenna.

Nanoscale Refractive Index Sensors with High Figures of Merit Optical Slot Antennas.

Nanoscale refractive index (RI) sensors based on a single nanorod or nanoantenna typically suffer from a low figure of merit (FOM) due to the large full width at half-maximum of the plasmonic dipole resonance. Here, we demonstrate nanosensors with a high FOM and a sensing volume that is much smaller than λ using slot antennas. Two configurations, one based on a bowtie slot antenna (BSA) and one based on a slot antenna pair (SAP), are proposed.

Prenatal hypoxia plus postnatal high-fat diet exacerbated vascular dysfunction via up-regulated vascular Cav1.2 channels in offspring rats.

Background: This study aimed to examine whether and how postnatal high-fat diet had additional impact on promoting vascular dysfunction in the offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia.

Methods And Results: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) or normoxia (21% O ) groups from gestation days 5-21.

Magnesium Sulfate-Mediated Vascular Relaxation and Calcium Channel Activity in Placental Vessels Different From Nonplacental Vessels.

Background: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO) has been used as a common therapy for preeclampsia and eclampsia for many years. MgSO decreases peripheral vascular resistance so as to reduce maternal blood pressure. Whether placental blood vessels react to MgSO in the same patterns as that in maternal vessels is largely unknown.

Methylation-reprogrammed Wnt/β-catenin signalling mediated prenatal hypoxia-induced brain injury in foetal and offspring rats.

Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is a common pregnancy complication, harmful to brain development. This study investigated whether and how PH affected Wnt pathway in the brain. Pregnant rats were exposed to hypoxia (10.

Prenatal high sucrose intake affected learning and memory of aged rat offspring with abnormal oxidative stress and NMDARs/Wnt signaling in the hippocampus.

Maternal over-nutrition may predispose offspring to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other adult diseases. The present study investigated long-term impact of prenatal high sucrose (HS) diets on cognitive capabilities in aged rat offspring. The fasting plasma glucose concentration did not differ between the control and HS groups.

Regulation of cerebral arterial BKCa channels by angiotensin II signaling in adult offspring exposed to prenatal high sucrose diets.

Prenatal insults have been shown to affect vascular functions, leading to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in offspring. The present study determined whether high sucrose (HS) intake in pregnancy affected central vascular functions in middle cerebral artery (MCA) of offspring. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard food and tap water with normal or high (20%) sucrose content during pregnancy.

Prenatal exposure to the Great Chinese Famine and mid-age hypertension.

Background: One of the most terrible famines last century was Great Chinese Famine (GCF) in 1959~1961 when millions of people died from starving. Under-nutrition during famine between the Western and Eastern (Dutch Hungry vs. GCF) was similar, while cardiovascular consequences might not be the same.

Maternal high-sucrose diets altered vascular large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels via reactive oxygen species in offspring rats.

Overnutrition during pregnancy could increase risks of cardiovascular diseases in late life. This study investigated whether and how reactive oxygen species (ROS) may influence functions of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa) in the offspring exposed to prenatal high sucrose (HS). We found that prenatal HS diets significantly increased phenylephrine (PE)-induced vessel contractions in mesenteric arteries of the adult offspring.

A novel mechanism of angiotensin II-regulated placental vascular tone in the development of hypertension in preeclampsia.

The present study tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II plays a role in the regulation of placental vascular tone, which contributes to hypertension in preeclampsia. Functional and molecular assays were performed in large and micro placental and non-placental vessels from humans and animals. In human placental vessels, angiotensin II induced vasoconstrictions in 78.

Maternal high salt diet altered Adenosine-mediated vasodilatation via PKA/BK channel pathway in offspring rats.

Scope: High salt (HS) diets are related to cardiovascular diseases, and prenatal HS was suggested to increase risks of coronary artery diseases in the offspring. This study tested the hypothesis that prenatal HS may influence Adenosine-induced vasodilatation via protein kinase A (PKA) pathway in coronary arteries.

Methods And Results: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 8% salt diet for gestation, the control was fed with 0.

Maternal high-salt diet altered PKC/MLC20 pathway and increased ANG II receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in adult male rat offspring.

Scope: High-salt diet (HSD) is associated with cardiovascular diseases. This study aims at ascertaining the influence of maternal HSD on offspring's angiotensin II (ANG II)-mediated vasoconstriction and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods And Results: In comparison to a normal-salt diet, HSD used in pregnancy in rats changed the ultrastructures of the coronary artery (CA) in 5-month-old male offspring, and increased ANG II-mediated CA contractility.

High-salt diets during pregnancy increases renal vascular reactivity due to altered soluble guanylyl cyclase-related pathways in rat offspring.

Adverse prenatal factors such as overtake of salt or fat food are potential risks for cardiovascular diseases in offspring. This study tested the hypothesis that prenatal high-salt (HS) diets may influence renal vascular tone and attenuates signaling pathways related to soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) or/and large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channels in the offspring. Pregnant rats were fed either normal salt (NS) (1% NaCl) or HS (8% NaCl) diet for the whole gestation.

Hippocampal NMDAR-Wnt-Catenin signaling disrupted with cognitive deficits in adolescent offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia.

Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is one of the most common stresses on fetuses, and might lead to abnormal brain development. This work investigates whether PH affects behavioral development of the learning/memory ability in the adolescent offspring rats and the underlying molecular basis in the brain. In this study, pregnant rats used to generate PH offspring were treated with hypoxia (10.