Publications by authors named "Chonghua Zhang"

The development of gel electrophoresis-based biodetection assays for point-of-care analysis are highly demanding. In this work, we proposed a ratiometric gel electrophoresis-based biosensing platform by employing catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) process functions as both the signal output and the signal amplification module. Two types of nucleic acids, DNA and miRNA, are chosen for demonstration.

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  • Nitroxyl (HNO) is important for biological functions and drug activities, making it essential to develop effective detection tools for studying its role in health and disease.
  • A new dual-modality probe called QL-HNO was created by modifying hemicyanine to improve sensitivity in near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging for detecting HNO both externally and internally.
  • QL-HNO demonstrated excellent performance in living cells and tumor models, suggesting it could be a valuable tool for advancing research on the physiological and pathological impacts of HNO.
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Photoswitchable fluorescent materials are desirable for many applications because their emission signals can be easily modulated on demand. In this study, novel photoswitchable multistate fluorescent supramolecular polymers (PMFSPs) were prepared via host-guest interactions under a facile ultrasonication strategy. In the system, photochromic fluorescent diarylethylene monomer (SDTE, donor) and adamantane-containing monomer (BAC) were covalently combined into the backbone of the guest polymer (P1) via radical copolymerization.

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It is highly desirable to develop high-performance ratiometric fluorescent probes for SO derivative detection and realize their application in biological imaging. In this study, we report the rational design of a novel negative photochromic spiropyran derivative, spiro[azahomoadamantane-pyran] (MAHD-SP), with notable orange fluorescence in its stable ring-opened state without UV regulation. The unsaturated double bond of MAHD-SP underwent the Michael addition reaction of the SO derivative, making the fluorescence quenching of MAHD-SP obvious.

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Rationally developing an intelligent tool for high-contrast fluorescence imaging of latent fingerprints (LFPs) is gaining much concern in many applications such as medical diagnostics and forensic investigations. Herein, the off-on fluorescent polymer micelles (PMs) have been rationally designed and synthesized for high-contrast fluorescence imaging of LFPs through the cross-linking reaction of hydrazine (NH) and aldehyde group of polymer. Excitingly, the cross-linking (NH) induced emission of PMs has the property of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), which could effectively address the notorious aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effects of conventional organic dyes.

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  • Researchers have created a new cancer nanotherapy that has high safety, stability, and minimal toxicity, activated by the tumor environment for selective imaging and treatment.
  • The nanoassembly features specially designed DNA components and targeted molecules that allow it to identify and attack tumor cells effectively, releasing drugs in response to the acidic conditions typical of tumors.
  • The study demonstrates that this innovative nanoprobe can detect pH changes and combine multiple therapeutic strategies, highlighting its potential for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Aggregation induced emission (AIE) dots have gained broad attention in fluorescence bioimaging and biosensors in virtue of their distinctive optical properties of splendid biocompatibility, high brightness and good photostability. However, the application of AIE dots in sensing and imaging of enzymes in cells remains at an early stage and needs to be further explored. In this report, we proposed a novel AIE-dot-based nanoprobe for hyaluronidase (HAase) detection using a simple electrostatic self-assembly of AIE dots with gold nanoparticles functionalized using hyaluronic acid (HA-AuNPs), named HA-AuNPs@AIEDs.

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Exploiting an intelligent fluorescent probe, which can precisely target to the lysosome of hepatoma cells and enable accurate molecular imaging, is a key challenge in hepatoma diagnoses. Herein, a single-dye-based polymer nanoprobe (named SPN) with dual-targeting and self-calibrating ratiometric characteristics is rationally fabricated via a simple self-assembly strategy for accurate hypochlorous acid (HClO) imaging in the lysosome of HepG2 cells. Of note, the covalent incorporation of self-calibrating ratiometric fluorophore (pyrene derivatives) into the core of polymer nanoparticles can not only validly avoid the leakage of fluorophores but also greatly enhance their brightness.

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To explore new practical means of alleviating the negative effect of heat stress on rice plants during the heading-flowering stage, a field experiment was conducted in Ji'an, Yugan, and Nanchang counties of Jiangxi Province from 2017 to 2018 with three indica hybrid rice varieties. Under ambient high temperature condition during the heading-flowering period, we sprayed five concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (SA-SA: 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 μmol·L) and five concentrations of KHPO (K-K: 7.35, 14.

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Efficient platforms for intracellular delivery of nucleic acids are essential for biomedical imaging and gene regulation. We develop a recombinant fusion streptavidin as a novel protein scaffold for DNA nanotetrads for highly efficient nucleic acid delivery and telomerase activity imaging in living cells via cross-linking hybridization chain reaction (cHCR). The recombinant streptavidin protein is designed to fuse with multiple SV40 NLS (nuclear localization signal) and NES (nuclear export signal) domains and prepared through expression.

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The development of simple and effective tools for selective ratiometric detection of hypochlorite (ClO) is one of the most important goals for elucidating the biofunction of ClO in associated diseases. However, most developmental probes suffer from the notorious aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect that greatly limits their applications. Herein, we report on novel aggregation-induced emission dots (AIED) for ratiometric detection of ClO via a co-precipitation strategy.

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We develop a novel amplified split aptamer sensor for highly sensitive detection and imaging of small molecules in living cells by using cationic block copolymer nanoparticles (BCNs) with entrapped fluorescent conjugated polymer as a delivery agent. The design of a split aptamer as the initiator of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) affords the possibility of enhancing the signal-to-background ratio and thus allows high-contrast imaging for small molecules with relatively weak interactions with their aptamers. The novel design of using fluorescent cationic BCNs as the nanocarrier enables efficient and self-tracking transfection of DNA probes.

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Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem that causes major illnesses and disabilities worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of AR has increased progressively over the last few decades in more developed countries and currently affects up to 40% of the population worldwide. Likewise, a rising trend of AR has also been observed over the last 2-3 decades in developing countries including China, with the prevalence of AR varying widely in these countries.

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Unique physicochemical characteristics of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) nanosheets suit them to be a useful tool for two-photon fluorescence bioimaging. Current g-CN nanosheets based imaging probes typically use the "always-on" design strategies, which may suffer from increased fluorescence background and limited contrast. To advance corresponding applications, g-CN nanosheets based activatable two-photon fluorescence probes remain to be explored.

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This work describes a simple and sensitive fluorescent method for detection of hydroquinone utilizing conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs). The CPNs serve both as a catalyst to accelerate the conversion of hydroquinone to benzoquinone and a fluorescent probe. In the presence of hydroquinone, the fluorescence of CPNs can be effectively quenched by benzoquinone.

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A cytotoxicity study was conducted with a primary culture of the nervous system cells, including brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and astrocytes, which are important components of the blood-brain barrier. The real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to determine the cytotoxicity of copper-oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). The IC values of CuO NPs in astrocytes and BMECs were determined by the RTCA at different exposure times and were used as base values for further research.

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1. Herbicide atrazine (ATR) poses harmful effects on human health. The purpose of this study is to study potential biomarkers used for monitoring the toxic effects after chronic exposure to ATR by studying urine metabolites.

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The widely used herbicide atrazine (ATR) can cause many adverse effects including immunotoxicity, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The current study investigated the role of oxidative stress and calcium homeostasis in ATR-induced immunotoxicity in mice. ATR at doses of 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg body weight was administered to Balb/c mice daily for 21 days by oral gavage.

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A novel isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology is developed by coupling catalytic hairpin assembly with enzymatic repairing amplification as a highly sensitive and selective platform for miRNA detection.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study introduces a new method called plasmon coupling enhanced Raman scattering (PCERS) nanobeacon for highly sensitive detection of cholera toxin (CT) in a single step.
  • The method utilizes specially designed plasmonic nanoparticles, which have a bilayer phospholipid coating containing Raman indicators and CT-binding ligands for optimal interaction with CT.
  • It shows significant enhancement of Raman signals during detection, indicating potential for practical use in rapid and accurate testing for cholera in various settings.
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We developed novel activatable probe using self-assembled peptide nanowires with low affinity and toxicity to tumor cells in the absence of matrix metalloproteinase that showed activated high affinity and toxicity and provided a highly selective and efficient platform for targeted therapy and tumor imaging.

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We have developed a novel concept for enzymatic control of plasmonic coupling as a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor for DNA demethylation. This nanosensor is constructed by decorating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with Raman reporters and hemimethylated DNA probes. Demethylation of DNA probes initiates a degradation reaction of the probes by methylation-sensitive endonuclease Bsh 1236I and single-strand selective exonuclease I.

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Objective: To study correlation between HPV infection and the etiology of human papilloma and uncover the effects of HPV57 infection on IP, in order to provide a new way for IP precaution and treatment.

Method: Sixty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of IP were definitely diagnosed by pathologists. They were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to amplify HPV DNA with HPV L1 consensus primer and HPV57 type-specific primer.

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  • The study investigates the role of apoptosis in regulating olfactory receptor neuron populations, shedding light on neurogenesis.
  • Using TUNEL and electron microscopy, the researchers analyzed apoptosis in the olfactory mucosa of both healthy and bulbectomized rats over varying time periods.
  • Findings suggest that apoptosis contributes to the turnover and regeneration of the olfactory epithelium, with evidence for additional types of neural death occurring through distinct mechanisms.
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Objective: Isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) is a relatively uncommon disease. In this study, we investigate the diagnosis and pathology of ISSD and compare endoscopic treatment with powered instrumentation with conventional surgical instruments for ISSD.

Methods: Ninety-six out of 2,263 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery were diagnosed with ISSD by nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scan.

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