Comprehensive exploration of the enzymes catalysing oxygen-involved reactions and COGs relevant to bacterial oxygen utilization.

To better understand the mechanisms of bacterial adaptation in oxygen environments, we explored the aerobic living-associated genes in bacteria by comparing Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins' (COGs) frequencies and gene expression analyses and 38 COGs were detected at significantly higher frequencies (p-value less than 1e-6) in aerobes than in anaerobes. Differential expression analyses between two conditions further narrowed the prediction to 27 aerobe-specific COGs. Then, we annotated the enzymes associated with these COGs.

Reduced carbon nanodots as a novel substrate for direct analysis of bisphenol analogs in surface assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted much attention in a variety of fields owing to the diversified properties. However, the control of the structure and surface function of CDs are still urgent issues to be addressed for using it in specific application. Herein, the reduced state of carbon nanodots (R-CDs) has been produced through a convenient strategy by reduction of the pure carbon dots products, which was utilized as a good candidate of matrix for direct analysis of bisphenol (BP) analogs in negative-ion surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF MS).

Effects of sub-chronic exposure to atmospheric PM on fibrosis, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in the livers of rats.

Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to PM is linked to liver cancer. However, the hepatic toxicity and relevant molecular mechanisms of PM have not yet been fully described. Herein, we report on our investigation of the fibrosis, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in the livers of rats, caused by exposure to PM during summer and winter in Taiyuan, China.

Facile preparation of bright orange fluorescent carbon dots and the constructed biosensing platform for the detection of pH in living cells.

Long wavelength (i.e., orange- to red-light) fluorescence emission and functionality are critically longing for the development and applications of carbon dots (CDs) toward biosensor and bioimaging analysis.

Highly sensitive photoelectrochemical sensing of bisphenol A based on zinc phthalocyanine/TiO nanorod arrays.

A facile and sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) sensitized TiO nanorodarrays (NRAs) was successfully fabricated for detection of bisphenol A (BPA). The vertically aligned TiO NRAs with one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure was synthesized in-situ on fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated glass (FTO) substrate by simple one-step hydrothermal method, and then the TiO NRAs/FTO surface was covered with ZnPc. 1D nanostructure of TiO NRAs could provide not only more spaces for the load of ZnPc, but direct pathways to reduce the recombination of electron-hole pairs, improving the photocatalytic efficiency.

Label-free fluorescent aptasensor berberine-based strategy for ultrasensitive detection of Hg ion.

A label-free fluorescent aptasensing platform was fabricated and a simple and rapid method to detect Hg ion in aqueous solution was put forward by means of berberine and Hg ion-aptamer are as the fluorescence probe and the recognition element, respectively. Various factors including the concentration of berberine, Hg ion and Hg ion-aptamer, pH effect and the reaction time were investigated in detail. Under the optimal experimental conditions, in the sensing system, the fluorescence intensity changes displayed a calibration response for Hg ion in the range of 0.

Substituent effect on the acid-induced isomerization of spiropyran compounds.

Spiropyran compounds are well known as an isomeric system, the closed spiropyran (SP) could be converted into the open merocyanine (MC) via acid-induced because stable protonated merocyanine (MCH) were formed by combination of MC and H. In order to understand how the substituent affect the isomerization of spiropyran. A series of the chromene 7-subsituted spiropyran compounds were designed and synthesized.

Nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped carbon dots as a label-free sensor for Curcumin determination in real sample and cellular imaging.

A nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped carbon dots (NP-Cdots) was fastly synthesized with glucose as the carbon source, 1,2-ethylenediamine as N-dopant and concentrated phosphoric acid as P-dopant. The as-synthesized NP-Cdots was utilized as a label-free sensor for determination of Curcumin (Cur). The proposed NP-Cdots-based fluorescence sensor was applied for sensitive detection of Cur in aqueous solution, achieving a linear range of 0.

Folic acid-conjugated green luminescent carbon dots as a nanoprobe for identifying folate receptor-positive cancer cells.

Early diagnosis is pivotal in subsequent prognosis and treatment of cancer. Herein, folic acid-conjugated carbon dots (FA-CDs) as a fluorescent nanoprobe were fabricated for identifying cancer cells visually. Green luminescent carbon dots (CDs) from active dry yeast (ADY) were readily prepared in scale-up to reach macroscopic production with a high yield of ~50% via a facile and rapid microwave approach.

Chemotherapy Induces Breast Cancer Stemness in Association with Dysregulated Monocytosis.

Preoperative or neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly used in patients with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer to allow optimal surgery and aim for pathologic response. However, many breast cancers are resistant or relapse after treatment. Here, we investigated conjunctive chemotherapy-triggered events occurring systemically and locally, potentially promoting a cancer stem-like cell (CSC) phenotype and contributing to tumor relapse.

Bright-green-emissive nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a nanoprobe for bifunctional sensing, its logic gate operation and cellular imaging.

A fluorescent nanoprobe based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with green fluorescent emission have been fabricated through a facile one-step hydrothermal treatment using catechol and triethylene tetramine as precursors. The obtained N-CDs with excellent luminescent properties and superior biocompatibility have been applied for the development of a bifunctional sensor for the detection of Fe and ascorbic acid (AA). Fe that are tightly chelating the surface of N-CDs can induce fluorescence (FL) quenching of N-CDs through photo-induced electron transfer (PET).

Modulation of TGF‑β activity by latent TGF‑β‑binding protein 1 in human osteoarthritis fibroblast‑like synoviocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease; however, its underlying pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Previous studies have demonstrated that the transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) signaling pathway has a role in the initiation and development of OA. Additionally, latent TGF‑β‑binding protein‑1 (LTBP‑1) modulates the activity of the TGF‑β‑mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) signaling pathway in numerous diseases, including malignant glioma.

An anthraquinone-based highly selective colorimetric and fluorometric sensor for sequential detection of Cu and S with intracellular application.

2-(1-Amino-2-anthraquinonyliminomethyl)phenol (L) was facilely prepared as a spectroscopic probe by one step condensation between 1,2-diaminoanthraquinone and salicylaldehyde. The complexation of Cu ions with L through 1 : 1 chelation resulted in a rapid pink-to-blue color change and significant quenching of the fluorescence at 604 nm in 1 : 1 THF : Tris-HCl buffer. The subsequent addition of S to this solution regenerated the initial spectrum of L as a result of L being released from the L-Cu complex through a displacement mechanism, which makes L a dual-channel sensor for the naked eye detection of Cu and S ions.

Internal Peptide Late-Stage Diversification: Peptide-Isosteric Triazoles for Primary and Secondary C(sp )-H Activation.

Secondary C(sp )-H arylations were accomplished by palladium catalysis with triazoles as peptide bond isosteres. The unique power of this approach is highlighted by the possibility of achieving secondary C(sp )-H functionalizations on terminal peptides as well as the unprecedented positional-selective C(sp )-H functionalization of internal peptide positions, setting the stage for modular peptide late-stage diversification.

Fine chalk dust induces inflammatory response via p38 and ERK MAPK pathway in rat lung.

Chalk teaching is widely used in the world due to low cost, especially in some developing countries. During teaching with chalks, a large amount of fine chalk dust is produced. Although exposure to chalk dust is associated with respiratory diseases, the mechanism underlying the correlation between chalk dust exposure and adverse effects has not fully been elucidated.

Anti-CRISPRdb: a comprehensive online resource for anti-CRISPR proteins.

CRISPR-Cas is a tool that is widely used for gene editing. However, unexpected off-target effects may occur as a result of long-term nuclease activity. Anti-CRISPR proteins, which are powerful molecules that inhibit the CRISPR-Cas system, may have the potential to promote better utilization of the CRISPR-Cas system in gene editing, especially for gene therapy.

N,S,P Co-Doped Carbon Nanodot Fabricated from Waste Microorganism and Its Application for Label-Free Recognition of Manganese(VII) and l-Ascorbic Acid and AND Logic Gate Operation.

A novel fluorescent probe based on N,S,P codoped carbon nanodots (N,S,P-CND) is very simple and quickly fabricated by a one-step hydrothermal pyrolysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and utilized for label-free and "on-off-on" sequential detection of manganese(VII) and l-ascorbic acid (l-AA). The fluorescence of N,S,P-CND can be effectively quenched by Mn(VII) based on an inner filter effect (IFE) and recovered upon the addition of l-AA due to the easy conversion of Mn(VII) to reduced states (i.e.

S-Nitrosothiols: chemistry and reactions.

The formation of S-nitrosothiols (SNO) in protein cysteine residues is an important post-translational modification elicited by nitric oxide (NO). This process is involved in virtually every class of cell signaling and has attracted considerable attention in redox biology. On the other hand, their unique structural characters make SNO potentially useful synthons.

Carbon nano-dots as a fluorescent and colorimetric dual-readout probe for the detection of arginine and Cu and its logic gate operation.

A new visual fluorescent probe based on carbon nano-dots (CNDs) has been facilely synthesized via one step microwave-assisted pyrolysis and utilized for sequential detection of arginine (Arg) and Cu by fluorescent and colorimetric dual-readout assay. The fluorescence of CNDs can be effectively quenched by Arg, and recovered upon addition of Cu due to the competitive binding of Arg and Cu that leads Arg to escape from the surface of CNDs. The probe displayed high sensitivity and selectivity toward Arg and Cu over other analytes with a low detection limit of 0.

Rapid one-pot synthesis of MMTA protected fluorescent gold nanoclusters for selective and sensitive detection of ferric ion.

Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), employing 2-Mercapto-4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid (MMTA) as a reducing and protecting agent by a rapid one-pot synthesis method with a short time of 20min. The as-synthesized MMTA-AuNCs exhibited bright blue emission with a strong peak centered at 430nm and the quantum yield (QY) was evaluated to be 4.0%.

DNA damage and repair, oxidative stress and metabolism biomarker responses in lungs of rats exposed to ambient atmospheric 1-nitropyrene.

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic pollutant very widespread in the environment. However, the relative investigations on genotoxicity, oxidative stress and metabolic enzymes in lungs of mammalian caused by 1-NP have not been fully established. In this study, the 1-NP solutions at 3 dosages (1.

The role of pro-/anti-inflammation imbalance in Aβ42 accumulation of rat brain co-exposed to fine particle matter and sulfur dioxide.

Taiyuan is a center of coal-based electricity production and many chemicals industries, where mixtures of sulfur dioxide (SO) and particulate matter may be more prominent. The focus of the present study was to determine if there is a link between adverse effects in the brain and the combined-exposure to SO and fine particulate matter (PM). Rats were exposed alternately to PM with different dosages (1.

Gold nanoclusters as fluorescent sensors for selective and sensitive hydrogen sulfide detection.

As a highly toxic environmental pollutant and also an important gasotransmitter in diverse physiological processes, the selective and sensitive detection of hydrogen sulfide (HS) is very significant. In this work, acetylcysteine stabilized gold nanoclusters (ACC@AuNCs)-based fluorescent sensors had been successfully constructed for HS perception. The sensing principle was that HS-induced fluorescence quenching of AuNCs which attributed to both the formation of AuS between Au(I) in the AuNCs and HS and the increased particle size.

Effects of ambient PM and 9-nitroanthracene on DNA damage and repair, oxidative stress and metabolic enzymes in the lungs of rats.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture associated with lung cancer risk. PM-bound nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) have been demonstrated to possess mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Previous studies showed that PM induced DNA damage, whereas there is little knowledge of whether 9-nitroanthracene (9-NA), a typical compound of NPAHs in PM, causes DNA damage.

SSER: Species specific essential reactions database.

Background: Essential reactions are vital components of cellular networks. They are the foundations of synthetic biology and are potential candidate targets for antimetabolic drug design. Especially if a single reaction is catalyzed by multiple enzymes, then inhibiting the reaction would be a better option than targeting the enzymes or the corresponding enzyme-encoding gene.