Mechanisms and treatment of atherosclerosis: focus on macrophages.

Macrophages are the basic mediators and coordinators of various types of chronic inflammation and play a crucial role in the formation and development of atherosclerosis (AS). In the complex microenvironment of atherosclerotic plaques, macrophages of different sources are exposed to different signal stimuli and thus polarized into various subpopulations. Various types of macrophages with predominantly M1 and M2 phenotypes also play different regulatory roles in the initiation and progression of AS.

Methionine-directed fabrication of gold nanoclusters with yellow fluorescent emission for Cu(2+) sensing.

In the past few years, fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have gained much attention in many areas of physics, chemistry, materials science, and biosciences due to their unique physical, electrical, and optical properties. Herein, we reported for the first time the synthesis of water soluble, monodispersed AuNCs by using methionine both as a reductant and a stabilizer. The synthetic process is green and simple, and the resulting AuNCs capped by methionine (Met-AuNCs) would be biocompatible with bioorganisms.

Colorimetric detection of sulfide based on target-induced shielding against the peroxidase-like activity of gold nanoparticles.

Colorimetric recognition and sensing of sulfide with high sensitivity was proposed based on target-induced shielding against the peroxidase-like activity of bare gold nanoparticles. Significant features of the new assay system are its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The recognition of sulfide by bare gold nanoparticles can be fulfilled in a few seconds and the assay can be accomplished in about 10 min.

In situ growth of porous platinum nanoparticles on graphene oxide for colorimetric detection of cancer cells.

A green approach is proposed for in situ growth of porous platinum nanoparticles on graphene oxide (PtNPs/GO). The resulting nanocomposite has been proven to function as peroxidase mimetics that can catalyze the reaction of peroxidase substrate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. On the basis of the peroxidase-like activity, we used the PtNPs/GO as a signal transducer to develop a colorimetric assay for the direct detection of cancer cells.