Nanogel imprinting improving affinity and selectivity of domain-limited ssDNA aptamer to Pb: Interaction mechanisms revealed by molecular dynamics simulation.

Aptamer conformations are susceptible to environmental conditions, which makes it difficult to achieve stable targets detection in complex environments with aptasensors. Imprinting strategy was proposed to immobilize the specific conformation of aptamers, aiming to enhance their recognition anti-interference. However, it is mechanistically unclear how the imprinted polymers affect aptamers' recognition, which limits application of the strategy.

The hemodynamic responses to enhanced external counterpulsation therapy in post-PCI patients with a multi-dimension 0/1D-3D model.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is widely utilized in rehabilitating patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and has demonstrated efficacy in promoting cardiovascular function recovery. Although the precise mechanisms of the therapeutic effects remain elusive, it is widely postulated that the improvement of biomechanical environment induced by EECP plays a critical role. This study aimed to unravel the underlying mechanism through a numerical investigation of the in-stent biomechanical environment during EECP using an advanced multi-dimensional 0/1D-3D coupled model.

An inverted tetrahedron-mediated DNA walker for sulfadimethoxine detection.

An inverted DNA tetrahedron-mediated modular DNA walker was developed for the determination of sulfadimethoxine. The inverted DNA tetrahedron scaffold raises several advantages of recognition module including appropriate lateral space, multiple recognition domains, and cost-effectiveness. The proposed inverted DNA tetrahedron-based recognition module exhibited better binding affinity and kinetics toward target antibiotic than that of other DNA tetrahedron counterparts.

Evaluation of enhanced external counterpulsation for diabetic foot based on a patient-specific 0D-1D cardiovascular system model.

Background And Objective: Diabetic foot (DF) complications often lead to severe vascular issues. This study investigated the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and its derived innovative compression strategies in addressing poor perfusion in DF. Although developing non-invasive and efficient treatment methods for DF is critical, the hemodynamic alterations during EECP remain underexplored despite promising outcomes in microcirculation.

A novel strategy for enhancing the stability of aptamer conformations in heavy metal ion detection.

Background: Detection methods based on aptamer probes have great potential and progress in the field of rapid detection of heavy metal ions. However, the unstable conformation of aptamers often results in poor sensitivity due to the dissociation of aptamer-target complex in real environments.

Results: In this study, we developed a locking aptamer probe and combined it with AgInZnS quantum dots for the first time to detect cadmium ions.

A numerical study on the siphonic effect of enhanced external counterpulsation at lower extremities with a coupled 0D-1D closed-loop personalized hemodynamics model.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a treatment and rehabilitation approach for ischemic diseases, including coronary artery disease. Its therapeutic benefits are primarily attributed to the improved blood circulation achieved through sequential mechanical compression of the lower extremities. However, despite the crucial role that hemodynamic effects in the lower extremity arteries play in determining the effectiveness of EECP treatment, most studies have focused on the diastole phase and ignored the systolic phase.

Detection of Cadmium(II) in Aquatic Products Using a Rolling-Circle Amplification-Coupled Ratio Fluorescent Probe Based on an Aptamer-Peptide Conjugate.

The existing aptamers for cadmium (Cd), the common toxic heavy metal contaminant in food, cannot meet the requirements for detecting Cd in rapid detection methods. In previous work, we found that coupling aptamer-peptide conjugates (APCs) with peptides and aptamers can provide a less disruptive method with a significantly improved affinity. Moreover, we found that the spatial conformation of aptamers and peptides is crucial for obtaining proper affinity in APC.

A smartphone sensing platform for the sensitive and selective detection of clothianidin based on MIP-functionalized lanthanide MOF.

A novel molecularly imprinted nanomaterial (Eu (BTC)-MPS@MIP) was synthesized on the surface of silanized europium-based metal-organic frameworks (Eu (BTC)-MPS) using 1, 3, 5-benzotrioic acid (HBTC) as a ligand. The resulting Eu (BTC)-MPS@MIP was applied to constructing a smartphone sensing platform for the sensitive and selective detection of clothianidin (CLT) in vegetables. The synthesized Eu (BTC)-MPS@MIP demonstrated the successful formation of a typical core-shell structure featuring a shell thickness of approximately 70 - 80 nm.

A trivalent aptasensor by using DNA tetrahedron as scaffold for label-free determination of antibiotics.

Owing to advantage in high sensitivity and fast response, aptamer based electrochemical biosensors have attracted much more attention. However, inappropriate interfacial engineering strategy leads to poor recognition performance, which ascribe to the following factors of immobilized oligonucleotide strand including steric hindrance, interchain entanglement, and unfavorable conformation. In this work, we proposed a DNA tetrahedron based diblock aptamer immobilized strategy for the construction of label-free electrochemical biosensor.

A colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensor based on bifunctional G-quadruplex-hemin complex for the determination of Pb.

Due to the threat of lead pollution to health, environmental and food safety, developing simple and fast detection methods is highly required. Whereas, traditional single-mode probe suffers from limited application scenario. In this study, a colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode probe for Pb determination was constructed by using bifunctional G-quadruplex-hemin complex.

Temporal complexity in photoplethysmography and its influence on blood pressure.

The temporal complexity of photoplethysmography (PPG) provides valuable information about blood pressure (BP). In this study, we aim to interpret the stochastic PPG patterns with a model-based simulation, which may help optimize the BP estimation algorithms. The classic four-element Windkessel model is adapted in this study to incorporate BP-dependent compliance profiles.

A portable multi-channel fluorescent paper-based microfluidic chip based on smartphone imaging for simultaneous detection of four heavy metals.

Due to the excessive contamination of heavy metals pollution, it is very urgent and necessary to develop a real-time detection method for the heavy metals in food. As a target sensing device, a paper-based microfluidic device (μPAD) has the advantages of simplicity, low-cost, and portability. In this study, a self-driven microfluidic paper-based chip was first developed for the simultaneous detection of four targets.

Butanol accelerated entropy-driven DNA walking machine for rapid and ultrasensitive determination of alkaline phosphatase activity.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as an important biomarker as well as an index for the pasteurization degree of dairy food. However, there is a dilemma between the sensitivity and time-cost of ALP determination based on nucleic acid amplification approach. Herein, an ultrasensitive and rapid detection method for the ALP assay was developed based on entropy-driven DNA machine.

A novel fluorescent biosensor based on affinity-enhanced aptamer-peptide conjugate for sensitive detection of lead(II) in aquatic products.

Lead contamination is a major concern in food safety and, as such, many lead detection methods have been developed, especially aptamer-based biosensors. However, the sensitivity and environmental tolerance of these sensors require improvement. A combination of different types of recognition elements is an effective way to improve the detection sensitivity and environmental tolerance of biosensors.

Low-cost, portable, on-site fluorescent detection of As(III) by a paper-based microfluidic device based on aptamer and smartphone imaging.

A turn-on fluorescent aptasensor based on a paper-based microfluidic chip was developed to detect arsenite via aptamer competition strategy and smartphone imaging. The chip was prepared by wax-printing hydrophilic channels on filter paper. It is portable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly.

A Novel Aptamer-Imprinted Polymer-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Lead in Aquatic Products.

Lead contamination in aquatic products is one of the main hazard factors. The aptasensor is a promising detection method for lead ion (Pb(II)) because of its selectivity, but it is easily affected by pH. The combination of ion-imprinted polymers(IIP) with aptamers may improve their stability in different pH conditions.

A personalized 0D-1D model of cardiovascular system for the hemodynamic simulation of enhanced external counterpulsation.

Background And Objective: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment modality capable of treating a variety of ischemic diseases. Currently, no effective methods of predicting the patient-specific hemodynamic effects of EECP are available. In this study, a personalized 0D-1D model of the cardiovascular system was developed for hemodynamic simulation to simulate the changes in blood flow in the EECP state and develop the best treatment protocol for each individual.

A noninvasive method of estimating patient-specific left ventricular pressure waveform.

Background And Objective: The left ventricular pressure waveform is indispensable for the construction of the pressure strain loop when investigating coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. In previous studies by others, exclusion of CAD patients has not allowed a reliable estimation of the left ventricular pressure waveform from the pressure strain loop of these patients. To remedy this, we propose a patient-specific noninvasive method for the estimation of left ventricular pressure.

Spherical nucleic acids with tailored DNA conformation via bromide backfilling for the detection of kanamycin.

The improper conformation of oligonucleotides on gold nanoparticle surfaces is caused by unintended base adsorption, which hinders DNA hybridization and lowers colloidal stability. In this work, we treated spherical nucleic acids with Br , which serves as an efficient backfilling agent, to adjust the DNA conformation by displacing bases from the gold surface. To investigate the effect of DNA conformation on interfacial recognition, a kanamycin fluorescent aptasensor was constructed with bromide backfilled-treated spherical nucleic acids.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Aptasensor of Ochratoxin A Constructed Based on Gold Nanorods and DNA Tetrahedrons.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination of corn has received significant attention due to the wide distribution and high toxicity of OTA. The maximum residue limit standard of OTA in corn has been established by the Chinese Government and other unions. Nanoparticle-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays are promising methods for the sensitive and fast detection of OTA.

Thiourea derivatives acting as functional monomers of As(Ш) molecular imprinted polymers: A theoretical and experimental study on binding mechanisms.

Thiourea derivatives are expected to be potential monomers of As(Ш) molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) which are used to specifically recognize As(Ш). However, the specific recognition and binding mechanisms between template and monomers are unclear, which limits the practical applications of MIPs in As(Ш)detection. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimental methods were jointly applied to explore the binding interactions between HAsO and thiourea derivatives and environmental factors influences, aiming to find out the best monomer and optimal preparation conditions for HAsO MIPs.

A fast, sensitive, low-cost electrochemical paper-based chip for real-time simultaneous detection of cadmium (Ⅱ) and lead (Ⅱ) via aptamer.

A novel electrochemical paper-based microfluidic chip was firstly developed to simultaneously detect cadmium (Ⅱ) and lead (Ⅱ) in vegetable and fruit samples. The patterned filter paper was prepared through the printing of three-electrode patterns on filter paper using an automatic screen-printing machine. Portable and low-cost (less than $1) electrochemical paper-based chips are prepared by filling conductive ink and hot pressing.

A strategy to personalize a 1D pulse wave propagation model for estimating subject-specific central aortic pressure waveform.

The central aortic pressure (CAP) provides insights into the prediction, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease, but can't be directly measured non-invasively. Therefore, the development of a noninvasive CAP estimation method based on the non-invasively measured peripheral pressure waveform is critical for clinical decisions based on the CAP. Some existing widely applied methods, such as the generalized transfer function (GTF) method relating measured peripheral pressure to the CAP, do not or only partly account for inter-subject or intra-subject variability of the cardiovascular system.

Estimation of central pulse wave velocity from radial pulse wave analysis.

Background And Objective: Arterial stiffness, commonly assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), is an independent biomarker for cardiovascular disease. The measurement of cfPWV, however, has been considered impractical for routine clinical application. Pulse wave analysis using a single pulse wave measurement in the radial artery is a convenient alternative.

Improving the accuracy and robustness of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity measurement using a simplified tube-load model.

Arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse wave velocity, for the early non-invasive screening of cardiovascular disease is becoming ever more widely used and is an independent prognostic indicator for a variety of pathologies including arteriosclerosis. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is regarded as the gold standard for aortic stiffness. Existing algorithms for cfPWV estimation have been shown to have good repeatability and accuracy, however, further assessment is needed, especially when signal quality is compromised.