Immunosensing of neuron-specific enolase based on signal amplification strategies via catalysis of ascorbic acid by heteropolysate COF.

In view of the importance of quantification of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), an electrochemical NSE immunosensor was developed. The sandwich voltammetric immunosensor utilized vinyl-functionalized crystalline covalent organic framework (COFTAPT-Dva) modified electrode to load lots of Ab1 via thiol-ene "click" reaction as matrix. A crystalline cationic EB-COF:Br was used to load Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and H3[PMo12O40] (PMo12) as immunoprobe.

A Single Amino Acid Replacement Boosts the Analgesic Activity of α-Conotoxin AuIB through the Inhibition of the GABAR-Coupled N-Type Calcium Channel.

α-conotoxin AuIB is the only one of the 4/6 type α-conotoxins (α-CTxs) that inhibits the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABAR)-coupled N-type calcium channel (Ca2.2). To improve its inhibitory activity, a series of variants were synthesized and evaluated according to the structure-activity relationships of 4/7 type α-CTxs targeting GABAR-coupled Ca2.

A Paper-Based Electrochemical Sensor Based on PtNP/COF@rGO for Sensitive Detection of Furazolidone.

Herein, a paper-based electrochemical sensor based on PtNP/COF@rGO was developed for the sensitive detection of furazolidone. A cluster-like covalent organic framework (COF) was successfully grown on the surface of amino-functional reduced graphene oxide (rGO-NH) to avoid serious self-aggregation, which was further loaded with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) with high catalytic activity as nanozyme to obtain PtNP/COF@rGO nanocomposites. The morphology of PtNP/COF@rGO nanocomposites was characterized, and the results showed that the smooth rGO surface became extremely rough after the modification of COF.

A novel -conotoxin Bu8 inhibiting N-type voltage-gated calcium channels displays potent analgesic activity.

-Conotoxins inhibit N-type voltage-gated calcium (Ca2.2) channels and exhibit efficacy in attenuating neuropathic pain but have a low therapeutic index. Here, we synthesized and characterized a novel -conotoxin, Bu8 from , which consists of 25 amino acid residues and three disulfide bridges.

Competitive coordination of the dual roles of the Hedgehog co-receptor in homophilic adhesion and signal reception.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling patterns embryonic tissues and contributes to homeostasis in adults. In , Hh transport and signaling are thought to occur along a specialized class of actin-rich filopodia, termed cytonemes. Here, we report that Interference hedgehog (Ihog) not only forms a Hh receptor complex with Patched to mediate intracellular signaling, but Ihog also engages in -homophilic binding leading to cytoneme stabilization in a manner independent of its role as the Hh receptor.

A role of color vision in emmetropization in C57BL/6J mice.

Spectral composition affects emmetropization in both humans and animal models. Because color vision interacts the effects of chromatic defocus, we developed a method to bypass the effects of longitudinal chromatic aberration by placing a spectral filter behind the optics of the eye, using genetic tools. Newborn C57BL/6J (B6) mice were reared in quasi-monochromatic red (410-510 nm) or blue (585-660 nm) light beginning before eye-opening.

Effects of the Tyrosinase-Dependent Dopaminergic System on Refractive Error Development in Guinea Pigs.

Purpose: To determine if myopia in albino guinea pigs is linked to altered ocular dopamine (DA) levels in both the retinal and uveal dopaminergic systems.

Methods: Retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid were dissected from eyes of 2-week-old albino myopic (AM) and pigmented hyperopic (PH) guinea pigs. The levels of DA, dihydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) were determined.

Prostaglandin F2α Receptor Modulation Affects Eye Development in Guinea Pigs.

Retinal arachidonic acid (ARA) levels in form-deprived eyes decline in guinea pigs. As prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is an ARA metabolite and endogenous agonist of prostaglandin F receptor (FP), we have been suggested that down-regulation of PGF2α-FP receptor signalling pathway contributes to myopia onset. To test this hypothesis, this study determines whether: (i) retinal PGF2α levels decline during the development of form deprivation myopia (FDM) in guinea pigs; (ii) FP receptor agonism and antagonism alter emmetropization and myopia development.

Are gastric mucosal macrophages responsible for gastric injury in acute pancreatitis?

Aim: To investigate the protective effect of clodronate-containing liposomes against severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-triggered acute gastric mucosal injury (AGMI) in rats.

Methods: Clodronate- and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-containing liposomes were prepared by reverse-phase evaporation. The SAP rat model was established by injecting sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic subcapsular space.

Clodronate-superparamagnetic iron oxide-containing liposomes attenuate renal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Background And Objective: It has been shown that macrophages play an important role in the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and eventually lead to multiple organ failure (MOF). Clodronate-liposome selectively depleted macrophages. This study was to investigate the role of renal macrophage infiltration in acute renal injury in rats with SAP and to evaluate the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis.

Detection of serum autoantibodies against AT₁A-receptor during the development of the four types of hypertensive rat models.

Using two-kidney one-clip renal hypertensive (2K1C group), stress-induced hypertensive (neural group), DOCA-salt treated hypertensive (DOCA group) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR group), to investigate the change in AT(1A)-receptor autoantibodies (AT(1A)-AAs) during the development of the four types of hypertension. The biological activities of AT(1A)-AAs were examined. It was shown that the frequency of occurrence and titres of AT(1A)-AAs increased significantly during the development of hypertension.

[Molecular mechanism of cleft palate induced by retinoic acid].

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of cleft palate induced by chemicals.

Methods: Retinoic acid was used as a known teratogen to induce cleft palate in ICR mice and a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique was applied to identify differentially expressed genes that related to cleft palate of ICR mice.

Results: 14 reverse differently and 9 forward differentially expressed clones were obtained.

Comparative studies of vasodilating effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on the different vessels.

The purpose of this study was to compare the vasodilating effects of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] on the different vessels and to clarify its mechanisms by using relaxing responses of preconstricted vascular rings. The results showed: (1) Ang-(1-7) dose-dependently induced vasorelaxation in all the vessels studied. However, there is apparent heterogeneity in the responsiveness of vessels from different origin.

Changes in autoantibodies against beta1-adrenoceptor and M2-muscarinic receptor during development of renovascular hypertension in rats.

In an experimental rat's renovascular hypertension model, we studied the genesis of anti-cardiac beta1-adrenoceptor and M2-muscarinic receptor autoantibodies in relation to the changes in immunological function during the development of renal hypertension. The biological activities of these autoantibodies were also examined. It was shown that after two weeks of operation both the frequency of occurrence and the titre of autoantibodies to cardiac beta1-adrenoceptor and M2-muscarinic receptor were significantly increased as compared with the control of pre-treatment.