Pretreatment-free aptasensing of lactoferrin in complex biological samples by portable electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Aptamers are attractive recognition ligands for sensing proteins due to their favorable affinity, specificity, stability, and easy synthesis. However, it is difficult to detect proteins directly in complex biological samples without sophisticated equipment or tedious sample pretreatment. Herein, we developed a portable electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) platform for direct protein aptasensing in complex biological samples.

Aptamer melting biosensors for thousands of signaling and regenerating cycles.

Due to their recognition abilities and inherent regenerability, aptamers have great potential in biosensing applications. However, effective signal transduction and regeneration strategies are still required. Herein, we develop a melting-based aptamer sensing strategy capable of homogeneous signaling with over 1000 regenerating cycles without significant deterioration of performance.

Deep learning-accelerated T2WI: image quality, efficiency, and staging performance against BLADE T2WI for gastric cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to investigate image quality, efficiency, and diagnostic performance of a deep learning-accelerated single-shot breath-hold (DLSB) against BLADE for T-weighted MR imaging (TWI) for gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: 112 patients with GCs undergoing gastric MRI were prospectively enrolled between Aug 2022 and Dec 2022. Axial DLSB-TWI and BLADE-TWI of stomach were scanned with same spatial resolution.

A high-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry method for rapid detection of thermal stability and iron saturation in lactoferrin.

Thermal stability and iron saturation of lactoferrin (LF) are of great significance not only for the evaluation of the biological activities of LF but also for the optimization of the isolation and drying process parameters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a well-established and efficient method for thermal stability and iron saturation detection in LF. However, multiple DSC measurements are typically performed sequentially, thus time-consuming and low throughput.

Nomogram for preoperative estimation of histologic grade in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: The treatment strategies and prognosis for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors were associated with tumor grade. Preoperative predictive grading could be of great benefit in the selection of treatment options for patients. However, there is still a lack of effective non-invasive strategies to detect gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) grading preoperatively.

Early Prediction for Persistent Inflammation-Immunosuppression Catabolism Syndrome in Surgical Sepsis Patients.

Objective: To find the predictors for persistent inflammation-immunosuppression catabolism syndrome in ICU surgical septic patients.

Design: Single center observation study.

Participants: Inclusion: 1) patients ≥18, 2) admitted to the ICU after major surgery or transferred to the ICU within 48 hours after the diagnosis of sepsis following the definition of sepsis-3.

Macrophage exosomes transfer angiotensin II type 1 receptor to lung fibroblasts mediating bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, partially by activating lung fibroblasts. However, how macrophages communicate with lung fibroblasts is largely unexplored. Exosomes can mediate intercellular communication, whereas its role in lung fibrogenesis is unclear.

Author Correction: Mir-21 Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Ang (1-7) on AngII-induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Targeting Spry1 in lung fibroblasts.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Histogram analysis of DCE-MRI for chemoradiotherapy response evaluation in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: The aim of the study was to predict and assess treatment response by histogram analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Materials And Methods: Seventy-two patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent DCE-MRI before and after chemoradiotherapy were enrolled and divided into the complete response (CR) group and the non-CR group based on RECIST. The histogram parameters (10th percentile, 90th percentile, median, mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of pre-CRT and post-CRT were compared using a paired Student's t test in the CR and non-CR groups, respectively.

Hormetic Effects of Yttrium on Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.

To evaluate hormesis induced by Yttrium (Y) nitrate in male rats, Y was offered to F0 mother rats and F1 offspring at concentrations of 0, 20, 80, and 320 ppm daily from gestational day (GD) 0 through postnatal day 70 (PND 70). The F1 offspring were evaluated with respect to motor function, learning and memory, and histopathology. Administration of Y improved motor function in a dose dependent manner.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for advanced esophageal cancer response assessment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the treatment response of patients with esophageal cancer after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).

Methods: This retrospective study included 59 patients with histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The patients underwent DCE-MRI before and 4 weeks after CRT.

Subchronic Oral Toxicity of Silica Nanoparticles and Silica Microparticles in Rats.

Objective: To investigate the subchronic oral toxicity of silica nanoparticles (NPs) and silica microparticles (MPs) in rats and to compare the difference in toxicity between two particle sizes.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the control group; the silica NPs low-, middle-, and high-dose groups; and the silica MPs low-, middle-, and high-dose groups [166.7, 500, and 1,500 mg/(kg•bw•day)].

A fluorescent probe based on a Tb/Cu co-functionalized MOF for urinary sarcosine detection.

A novel luminescent probe based on a Tb3+/Cu2+ heterometallic metal-organic framework (MOF) was first designed for beamed monitoring of urinary sarcosine, a differential metabolite that can indicate the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). The fluorescent probe presented high selectivity towards sarcosine in urine. It also displayed good sensitivity with a comparatively low detection limit and a fast response to sarcosine within 5 min.

Mir-21 Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Ang (1-7) on AngII-induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Targeting Spry1 in lung fibroblasts.

MicroRNA-21 (mir-21) induced by angiotensin II (AngII) plays a vital role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome is known to be involved in fibrogenesis. However, whether there is a link between mir-21 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin(1-7) [ACE2/Ang(1-7)] has been shown to attenuate AngII-induced pulmonary fibrosis, but it is not clear whether ACE2/Ang(1-7) protects against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting AngII-induced mir-21 expression.

Congo red modulates ACh-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in single pancreatic acinar cells of mice.

Aim: Congo red, a secondary diazo dye, is usually used as an indicator for the presence of amyloid fibrils. Recent studies show that congo red exerts neuroprotective effects in a variety of models of neurodegenerative diseases. However, its pharmacological profile remains unknown.

[Laser scanning confocal microscopic imaging for Ca2 + oscillations of pancreatic acinar cells in mice].

Objective: To establish a simple but effective method of laser scanning confocal microscopic imaging for Ca2+ oscillations of pancreatic acinar cells in adult mice.

Methods: Pancreatic acinar cells from adult Kunming mice were isolated acutely with collagenase, and then loaded with fluo-4-AM, a Ca2+ indicator. A laser scanning confocal microscope armed with 488 nm laser was employed to record the dynamic fluorescent signals in-time and synchronously while acetylcholine (ACh) was added in the pancreatic acinar cells.

Anti-collagen XVII single-chain Fv antibody blocks the autoimmune reaction mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid.

Background: Pathogenic autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid (BP) recognize the non-collagenous 16A domain (NC16A) of collagen XVII (COL17), a hemidesmosomal component at the skin membrane. This immune inflammation involves activation of the complement cascade via the classical pathway. With similar antigen binding activity, Fab and single-chain variable fragments (scFv) of pathogenic anti-COL17 antibodies can interfere with COL17 binding of autoantibodies, blocking subsequent complement activation and granulocyte activation.