Metal enhanced fluorescence biosensing: from ultra-violet towards second near-infrared window.

To increase disease survival rates, there is a vital need for diagnosis at very preliminary stages. Then, low concentrations of biomarkers are present which must be effectively detected and quantified for reliable diagnosis. Fluorescent biosensing is commonly enabled through the labelling of these biomarkers with nanostructures and fluorophores.

Incomplete Ear Amputation.

Ear amputations are common in emergency departments as the auricle's protrusion from the lateral aspect of the head makes it particularly susceptible to trauma. Of the numerous approaches for auricle injuries, the classic methods include microsurgical replantation, primary reattachment, composite graft, retroauricular pocket principle, secondary reconstruction with rib cartilage, and methods using postauricular flap. The success of the operation depends largely on choosing the appropriate surgical procedure since many factors can influence surgical outcome.

Stereoselective Allylic Alkylation of 1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylic Esters via a Pd/Cu Dual Catalysis.

The asymmetric allylation of 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic esters has been accomplished through a synergistic Pd/Cu catalyst system under mild reaction conditions. The mechanistic studies suggested that (1) nucleophilic attack is the enantiodiscriminating step; (2) the cooperative action of two chiral reactive species, N-metalated azomethine ylides and π-allylpalladium, is most likely responsible for its high reactivity and excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee); and (3) the steric hindrance and electronic factors of the allylic electrophiles and imino ester substrates are crucial for the formation of the linear products. A series of 3,4-2 H-pyrrole derivatives bearing a quaternary stereogenic center were easily synthesized in high yields and with high to excellent regioselectivity and enantioselectivity.

NIN interacts with NLPs to mediate nitrate inhibition of nodulation in Medicago truncatula.

Legume plants can assimilate inorganic nitrogen and have access to fixed nitrogen through symbiotic interaction with diazotrophic bacteria called rhizobia. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is an energy-consuming process and is strongly inhibited when sufficient levels of fixed nitrogen are available, but the molecular mechanisms governing this regulation are largely unknown. The transcription factor nodule inception (NIN) is strictly required for nodulation and belongs to a family of NIN-like proteins (NLPs), which have been implicated in the regulation of nitrogen homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Identification, characterization, and functional investigation of circular RNAs in subventricular zone of adult rat brain.

Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) are able to self-renew and generate new neural cells. Identifying regulators of NSCs is significant for the development of NSC-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been characterized in various cell lines and brain tissues, and found to participate in multiple biological processes.

A Ferrocene-Based NH-Free Phosphine-Oxazoline Ligand for Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ketones.

A new type of ferrocene-based phosphine-oxazoline ligand has been prepared over a few simple steps. An iridium complex of this ligand is air stable and exhibits excellent performance for the asymmetric hydrogenation of simple ketones (up to 98% yield, up to 99% ee, and 20 000 S/C). Exo-α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketones could be regiospecifically hydrogenated to give chiral allylic alcohols with good results.

Application of the 3D digital ostectomy template (DOT) in mandibular angle ostectomy (MAO).

Background: Mandibular angle ostectomy (MAO) is a standard approach in reconstruction of facial contour that is commonly used in East Asian patients with prominent mandibular angles (PMA). MAO is commonly performed via an intraoral approach to reduce scar visibility and risk of facial nerve injury. Since this intraoral approach for MAO has limited visual guidance during the procedure, plastic surgeons often perform the operation based on personal clinical experience.

Expression of Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 (AIF-1) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a cytoplasmic protein cloned from activated macrophages in human and rat allografts. AIF-1 has been identified as a modulator of inflammatory response, and recently published studies have shown its increased expression in carcinogenesis. However, there are still limited data on the potential functional role of AIF-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Tuning the upconversion photoluminescence lifetimes of NaYF:Yb, Er through lanthanide Gd doping.

The multiplexing capacity of conventional fluorescence materials are significantly limited by spectral overlap and background interference, mainly due to their short-lived fluorescence lifetimes. Here, we adopt a novel Gd doping strategy in NaYF host materials, realized tuning of upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) lifetimes at selective emissions. Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), was applied to measure the photoluminescence lifetimes accurately.

Fluorescence enhancement from single gold nanostars: towards ultra-bright emission in the first and second near-infrared biological windows.

Gold nanostars (AuNSs) are promising agents for the development of high-performance diagnostic devices, by enabling metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) in the physiological near-infrared (NIR) and second near-infrared (NIR-II) windows. The local electric field near their sharp tips and between their branches can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude, holding great promise for large fluorescence enhancements from single AuNS particles, rather than relying on interparticle coupling in nanoparticle substrates. Here, guided by electric field simulations, two different types of AuNSs with controlled morphologies and plasmonic responses in the NIR and NIR-II regions are used to investigate the mechanism of MEF from colloidal AuNSs.

Cu-Catalyzed switchable synthesis of functionalized pyridines and pyrroles.

Herein, we describe a high yielding and switchable synthesis of a range of functionalized pyridines and pyrroles via Cu-catalyzed cascade reactions with alkynes and N-sulfonyl azadienes which are readily available from saccharin. Both unsymmetrical 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines and multi-substituted pyrroles could be transformed into some bioactive compounds and chiral ligands.

In vitro and in vivo apatinib inhibits vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma MUM-2B cells.

The effect of apatinib on the formation of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) was studied in a malignant melanoma cell line. MUM-2B cells cultured in three-dimensional Matrigel were treated with varying concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.

MSI2 knockdown represses extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma growth and invasion by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Purpose: To investigate the expression and functional role of Musashi2 (MSI2), an RNA-binding protein, in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA).

Patients And Methods: We measured MSI2 expression in human specimens and cell lines using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and we analyzed its association with clinicopathologic features in eCCA patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors correlated with overall survival and disease-free survival.

Anti-prostate cancer activity of 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde-thiosemicarbazide copper complexes in vivo by bioluminescence imaging.

Copper 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde-thiosemicarbazide complex (CuHQTS) is a copper complex with strong anticancer activity against cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma and prostate cancer cells in vitro by cell proliferation assay or fluorescent microscopic imaging. This study aimed to evaluate anti-prostate cancer activity of CuHQTS in vivo by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and tumor size measurement, using athymic nu/nu mice implanted with prostate cancer cells carrying luciferase reporter gene (Luc-PC3). Growth of Luc-PC3 cells (1 × 10 cells) implanted in athymic nu/nu mice treated with CuHQTS for 2 weeks was suppressed by measurement of luciferase signals (6.

An Efficient Protocol for Model Legume Root Protoplast Isolation and Transformation.

Transient gene expression systems using protoplasts have been widely used for rapid functional characterization of genes and high-throughput analysis in many model and crop species. Here, we describe a simplified and highly efficient root protoplast isolation and transient expression system in the model legumes and Firstly, we presented an efficient protocol for isolating protoplasts from and roots. We then established an efficient transient expression system in these legumes root protoplasts.

Papillomavirus E2 protein is regulated by specific fibroblast growth factor receptors.

The papillomavirus (PV) E2 protein activates transcription and replication by recruiting cellular proteins and the E1 DNA helicase to their binding sites in the viral genome. We recently demonstrated that phosphorylation of tyrosine 102 in the bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1) E2 protein restricts these activities and that fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3) tyrosine kinase binds PV E2. Expression of FGFR3 decreased viral replication with both wild-type and the phenylalanine substitution at position 102, inferring that another kinase targets Y102.

Real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) assessment of short- and long-term treatment outcome in Budd-Chiari syndrome: A pilot study.

Purpose: The first aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between liver stiffness measurement, hepatic venous pressure and liver fibrosis. The second aim was to demonstrate the utility of real-time shear wave elastography for evaluation of Budd-Chiari syndrome patients before and after balloon hepatic venous angioplasty.

Materials And Methods: A total of 32 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome slated for successful balloon angioplasty met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The BET inhibitor I-BET762 inhibits pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and enhances the therapeutic effect of gemcitabine.

As one of the most fatal malignancies, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has significant resistance to the currently available treatment approaches. Gemcitabine, the standard chemotherapeutic agent for locally advanced and metastatic PDAC, has limited efficacy, which is attributed to innate/acquired resistance and the activation of prosurvival pathways. Here, we investigated the in vitro efficacy of I-BET762, an inhibitor of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins, in treating PDAC cell lines alone and in combination with gemcitabine (GEM).

Bombesin functionalized Cu-copper sulfide nanoparticles for targeted imaging of orthotopic prostate cancer.

To synthesize and evaluate the imaging potential of Bom-PEG-[Cu]CuS nanoparticles (NPs) in orothotopic prostate tumor. [Cu]CuS NPs were synthesized in aqueous solution by CuCl and NaS reaction. Then PEG linker with or without bombesin peptide were conjugated to the surface of [Cu]CuS NPs to produce Bom-PEG-[Cu]CuS and PEG-[Cu]CuS NPs.

Using Single Molecule mRNA Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (RNA-FISH) to Quantify mRNAs in Individual Murine Oocytes and Embryos.

Changes in abundance of mRNAs during oocyte growth and maturation and during pre-implantation embryo development have been documented using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), microarray analyses, and whole genome sequencing. However, these techniques require amplification of mRNAs, normalization using housekeeping genes, can be biased for abundant transcripts, and/or require large numbers of oocytes and embryos which can be difficult to acquire from mammalian species. We optimized a single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) protocol, which amplifies fluorescence signal to detect candidate transcripts, for use with individual oocytes and embryos.

Effects of aging and text-stimulus quality on the word-frequency effect during Chinese reading.

Age-related reading difficulty is well established for alphabetic languages. Compared to young adults (18-30 years), older adults (65+ years) read more slowly, make more and longer fixations, make more regressions, and produce larger word-frequency effects. However, whether similar effects are observed for nonalphabetic languages like Chinese remains to be determined.

Tuneable fluorescence enhancement of nanostructured ZnO arrays with controlled morphology.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) have been demonstrated as a promising platform for enhanced fluorescence-based sensing. It is, however, desirable to achieve a tuneable fluorescence enhancement with these platforms so that the fluorescence output can be adjusted based on the real need. Here we show that the fluorescence enhancement can be tuned by changing the diameter of the ZnO nanorods, simply controlled by potassium chloride (KCl) concentration during synthesis, using arrays of previously developed aligned NRs (a.

Enhanced room-temperature catalytic decomposition of formaldehyde on magnesium-aluminum hydrotalcite/boehmite supported platinum nanoparticles catalyst.

Magnesium-aluminum hydrotalcite (Mg-Al HT)/boehmite (AlOOH) composite supported Pt catalysts were obtained via one-pot microemulsion synthesis of Mg-Al HT/AlOOH composite and NaBH-reduction of Pt precursor processes. The catalytic performances of the catalysts were evaluated for formaldehyde (HCHO) removal at room temperature. The performance tests showed that the catalyst obtained by immobilizing Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on Mg-Al HT/AlOOH support with Al/Mg molar ratio equivalent to 9:1 (Pt/AlMg) displayed a superior catalytic activity and stability for HCHO removal.

Cp*Co(iii)-catalyzed amidation of olefinic and aryl C-H bonds: highly selective synthesis of enamides and pyrimidones.

A highly efficient and selective synthesis of enamides via C-H amidation of N-methoxy acrylamides with dioxazolones is realized under [Cp*CoIII] catalysis. The resulting enamide can further selectively cyclize to form pyrimidones, which can also act as a directing group for a second C-H amidation. All these three classes of products were selectively delivered under controlled conditions.