Plasmon-enhanced fluorescence and electrochemical aptasensor for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein detection.

In this work, we combined plasmon-enhanced fluorescence and electrochemical (PEF-EC) transduction mechanisms to realize a highly sensitive dual-transducer aptasensor. To implement two traducers in one biosensor, a novel large-scale nanoimprint lithography process was introduced to fabricate gold nanopit arrays (AuNpA) with unique fringe structures. Light transmitting through the AuNpA samples exhibited a surface plasmon polariton peak overlapping with the excitation peak of the C7 aptamer-associated fluorophore methylene blue (MB).

Adhesive Zwitterionic Poly(ionic liquid) with Unprecedented Organic Solvent Resistance.

The resistance of adhesives to organic solvents is of paramount importance in diverse industries. Unfortunately, many currently available adhesives exhibit either weak intermolecular chain interactions, resulting in insufficient resistance to organic solvents, or possess a permanent covalent crosslinked network, impeding recyclability. This study introduces an innovative approach to address this challenge by formulating zwitterionic poly(ionic liquid) (ZPIL) derivatives with robust dipole-dipole interactions, incorporating sulfonic anions and imidazolium cations.

Concentration-induced spontaneous polymerization of protic ionic liquids for efficient in situ adhesion.

The advancement of contemporary adhesives is often limited by the balancing act between cohesion and interfacial adhesion strength. This study explores an approach to overcome this trade-off by utilizing the spontaneous polymerization of a protic ionic liquid-based monomer obtained through the neutralization of 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid and hydroxylamine. The initiator-free polymerization process is carried out through a gradual increase in monomer concentration in aqueous solutions caused by solvent evaporation upon heating, which results in the in-situ formation of a tough and thin adhesive layer with a highly entangled polymeric network and an intimate interface contact between the adhesive and substrate.

A Strong and Highly Transparent Ionogel Electrolyte Enabled by In Situ Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation for High-Performance Electrochromic Devices.

Electrochromic devices built with ionogel electrolytes are seen as a pivotal step toward the future of quasi-solid electrochromic devices, due to their striking properties like exceptional safety and high ionic conductivity. Yet, the poor mechanical strength of electrolyte of these devices remains a constraint that hampers their advancement. As a resolution, this research explores the use of a robust, transparent ionogel electrolyte, which is designed using an in situ microphase separation strategy.

Predictive value of the preoperative prognostic nutritional index for postoperative progression in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Objective: The preoperative nutritional status of cancer patients is closely related to prognosis. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been shown to predict the prognosis of a variety of tumors, but its study in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) is lacking. The aim of the present study is to investigate the predictive value of the preoperative PNI for postoperative progression in patients with pNENs.

Gender differences in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A retrospective study based on the population of Hubei Province, China.

Objective: The aims of the present study were to investigate gender differences in the clinicopathological features, distant metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) in a Chinese population, and to identify any important gaps in the classification and management of pNENs relative to gender.

Methods: Retrospective collection of the clinicopathological data of 193 patients with pathologically confirmed pNENs were analyzed and follow up was extended to observe the prognosis of the disease. Differences between genders in basic characteristics, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, and tumor parameters were analyzed.

Src Activation Aggravates Podocyte Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy Suppression of FUNDC1-Mediated Mitophagy.

Mitophagy plays a significant role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), although the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, accumulating evidence demonstrated that impaired mitochondrial function and mitophagy are involved in DN. Here, we are aimed to explore the role of c-Src (Src) and FUNDC1-related mitophagy in the development of DN.

Precisely Detecting the Telomerase Activities by an AIEgen Probe with Dual Signal Outputs after Cell-Cycle Synchronization.

By maintaining the telomere lengths, telomerase can make the tumor cells avoid the apoptosis, thus, achieving the cell immortalization. In the past, a series of telomerase detection systems have been developed through utilizing the unique characteristic of telomerase extended primer. However, fluctuation of telomerase activity, along with the cell cycle progression, leads to ambiguous detection results.

Modular DNA-Incorporated Aggregation-Induced Emission Probe for Sensitive Detection and Imaging of DNA Methyltransferase.

DNA adenine methylation (Dam) MTase serves a very important epigenetic process that transfers a methyl group on an adenine residue including -methyladenosine (mA). A variety of evidence have demonstrated that mA methylation plays a significant role in modulating genes in human disease and development. Hence, a modular DNA-incorporated AIEgen probe (TPE-Py-DNA) was specifically developed for detection and imaging of Dam MTase.

Nanococktail Based on AIEgens and Semiconducting Polymers: A Single Laser Excited Image-Guided Dual Photothermal Therapy.

Semiconducting polymers (SPs)-based dual photothermal therapy (PTT) obtained better therapeutic effect than single PTT due to its higher photothermal conversion efficiency. However, most dual PTT need to use two lasers for heat generation, which brings about inconvenience and limitation to the experimental operations. Herein, we report the development of "nanococktail" nanomaterials (DTPR) with 808 nm-activated image-guided dual photothermal properties for optimized cancer therapy.

Anti-inflammatory and metabolic reprogramming effects of MENK produce antitumor response in CT26 tumor-bearing mice.

Methionine enkephalin (MENK), an endogenous opioid peptide, has a role in nervous system, immune system, and anticancer therapy. Inflammation, metabolism and cancer are closely intertwined with each other. This study is to identify the correlation of the antitumor effects of MENK with systemic inflammation, liver metabolism, and immune cells as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).

Modular Design of Peptide- or DNA-Modified AIEgen Probes for Biosensing Applications.

Fluorophore probes are widely used for bioimaging in cells, tissues, and animals as well as for monitoring of multiple biological processes in complex environments. Such imaging properties allow scientists to make direct visualizations of pathological events and cellular targets. Conventional fluorescent molecules have been developed for several decades and achieved great successes, but their emissions are often weakened or quenched at high concentrations that might suffer from the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect, which reduces the efficiencies of their applications.

MnO-DNAzyme-photosensitizer nanocomposite with AIE characteristic for cell imaging and photodynamic-gene therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was considered as an effective treatment. Whereas only PDT is not enough to achieve effective therapy on account of irradiation intensity decreases as depth increases as well as tumor hypoxia. Combination with gene therapy and photodynamic therapy have emerged as an effective strategy to improve therapeutic effectiveness.

Absorption Characteristics of Novel Compound Calcium Carbonate Granules: Effects of Gastric Acid Deficiency and Exogenous Weak Acids.

Calcium carbonates are commonly administered as supplements for conditions of calcium deficiency. We report here pharmacokinetic characteristics of a novel formulation, calcium carbonate compound granules (CCCGs), forming complexes of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate in water. CCCGs were compared to a kind of commonly-used calcium carbonate D3 preparation (CC) in the market in 5-week-old mice that had been treated with omeprazole, to suppress gastric acid secretion, and in untreated control mice.

Exploring the Mechanism of Dangguiliuhuang Decoction Against Hepatic Fibrosis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

Dangguiliuhuang decoction (DGLHD) has been demonstrated to be effective in treating inflammatory, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance. In the study, we tried to elucidate the pharmacological efficacy and mechanism of DGLHD against liver fibrosis and predicate potential active ingredients and targets via network analysis and experimental validation. In the formula, we totally discovered 76 potential active ingredients like baicalein, berberine, and wogonin, and 286 corresponding targets including PTGS (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase) 2, PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors) -γ, and NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB).