Single-Molecular Poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) Nucleus-Guided Assembly for Hydrophobicity-Dependent Molecular Transport in the Nanopore.

By combining DNA nanotechnology and solid-phase nanopore technology, the aggregation behavior of polymer guided by a single-molecular poly(propylene) (PPO) nucleus in a 3D DNA network has been studied. At low temperature, the PPO chain is evenly dispersed in the rigid 3D DNA network; at higher temperature, the PPO chain self-collapses to a single-molecular nucleus; and upon addition of amphiphilic block copolymers below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the chains tend to aggregate on the isolated hydrophobic nucleus through intermolecular hydrophobic interactions. The process has been characterized by a rheological test and an electrochemical test.

A DNA-Schiff base functional nanopore sensing platform for the highly sensitive detection of Al and Zn ions.

The combination of DNA nanotechnology and nanopore sensing technology has greatly promoted research on target molecule or ion detection. The large solid-state nanopores/nanochannels show better mechanical stability and reproducibility, but metal ion detection in the large nanopores with diameters of hundreds of nanometers or several micrometers is rarely reported. Hence, it is meaningful and urgent to develop a large nanopore-based sensing platform for the detection of metal ions.

Recent advances in fluorescence sensors based on DNA-MOF hybrids.

In this review, the recent advances in the development of fluorescence sensors based on DNA and metal-organic framework hybrids have been reported for nucleic acid, metal ion and amino acid detection. The main detection mechanism depends on different adsorption capacities of MOFs towards different DNA structures (single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA), and consequently the fluorescence intensity of probe DNA is changed. These results might open up a way to study their potential application in material science and clinical diagnosis of some related diseases.

Construction and Characterization of a Mirror-Image l-DNA i-Motif.

The first thermally stable and pH-responsive quadruplex intercalated motif (i-motif) structure formed by l-DNA is presented. Although this l-type i-motif exhibits the same physiochemical properties as its d isomer, its inverted chirality and good enzymatic resistance potentially open the way to the development of new DNA materials of pharmaceutical and biological interest.

Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Semen Impatientis Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis of Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines through AKT/ERK Pathways.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate extracts of L. on prostate cancer cells. L.

miR-124/ATF-6, a novel lifespan extension pathway of Astragalus polysaccharide in Caenorhabditis elegans.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), especially evolutionarily conserved miRNAs play critical roles in regulating various biological process. However, the functions of conserved miRNAs in longevity are still largely unknown. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) was recently shown to extend lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, but its molecular mechanisms have not been fully understood.

Blockage of peripheral NPY Y1 and Y2 receptors modulates barorefex sensitivity of diabetic rats.

Background/aims: Abnormal baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) and elevated plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) are prevalent in diabetic patients. The present study was conducted to determine whether NPY Y1 receptor (Y1R) and NPY Y2 receptor (Y2R) contribute to the regulatin of BRS in diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats with hyperlipidemia were developed by an emulsion diet enriched with fat, sucrose and fructose followed by streptozocin (STZ).