A universal two-step strategy for multiple DNA MTase activity: enhancing sensitivity through CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (CA-HRCA).

DNA methyltransferase (DNA MTase) is a valuable target of genetic diseases, and detection of related DNA MTase activity is very important for drug screening, clinical diagnosis and disease treatment. Herein, a universal two-step strategy based on CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (CA-HRCA) for DNA MTase activity detection is constructed, which successfully achieves the detection of Dam MTase and M.SssI MTase.

CRISPR/Cas12a-Powered Electrochemical Platform for Dual-miRNA Detection via an AND Logic Circuit.

The CRISPR/Cas technology shows great potential in molecular detection and diagnostics. However, it is still challenging to detect multiple targets simultaneously using the CRISPR-Cas system. Herein, we ingeniously leverage the synergistic effect of two short single-stranded DNA activators to construct a CRISPR/Cas12a-driven electrochemical sensing platform based on an AND logic circuit ("AND" LC-CRISPR) for the simultaneous detection of dual miRNAs.

Raspberry-Like Plasmonic Nanoaggregates with Programmable Hierarchical Structures for Reproducible SERS Detection of Wastewater Pollutants and Biomarkers.

Conventional solid-based SERS substrates often face challenges with inconsistent sample distribution, while liquid-based SERS substrates are prone to aggregation and precipitation, resulting in irreproducible signals in both cases. In this study, we tackled this dilemma by designing and synthesizing raspberry-like plasmonic nanoaggregates that exhibit a high density of hotspots and are colloidally stable at the same time. In particular, the nanoaggregates consist of a core made of functionalized polystyrene (PS) microspheres, which act as a template for rapid self-assembly of Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles to form raspberry-like hierarchical nanoaggregates within 5 min of mixing.

The balance between helper T 17 and regulatory T cells in osteoimmunology and relevant research progress on bone tissue engineering.

Background: Bone regeneration is a well-regulated dynamic process, of which the prominent role of the immune system on bone homeostasis is more and more revealed by recent research. Before fully activation of the bone remodeling cells, the immune system needs to clean up the microenvironment in facilitating the bone repair initiation. Furthermore, this microenvironment must be maintained properly by various mechanisms over the entire bone regeneration process.

A two-dimensional calibration for resolving nano-positioner pedestal micro-deformation crosstalk.

This paper proposes a two-dimensional calibration method for resolving the nano-positioner pedestal micro-deformation crosstalk errors during the auction process. This refinement aims to enhance the nano-positioner's accuracy and reduce coupling crosstalk errors. The reaction force exerted by the piezoelectric actuator can cause micro-deformation in the nano-positioner sensor pedestal, causing substantial errors in uncalibrated closed-loop control.

CRISPR/Cas12a-coupled multiplexed strand displacement amplification for miRNA155 one-tube detection: via a dual-cavity PCR tube.

A CRISPR/Cas12a-coupled multiplexed strand displacement amplification (CMSDA) for the detection of miR155 has been developed. Non-specific amplification was avoided by designing a single-stranded DNA template with a hairpin structure. The detection target miR155 was used as a primer to initiate a multiple-strand displacement reaction to produce abundant ssDNA.

Ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents extraction of polysaccharides from Loquat leaf: Process optimization and bioactivity study.

Loquat leaves are the by-product of loquat fruit production. Polysaccharides are one of the main active ingredients in loquat leaves. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from loquat leaves by ultrasonic-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DESs) extraction method.

Targeting ferroptosis as a potential strategy to overcome the resistance of cisplatin in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a crucial public health problem, accounting for approximately 2% of all cancers globally and 90% of oral malignancies over the world. Unfortunately, despite the achievements in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy techniques over the past decades, OSCC patients still low 5-year survival rate. Cisplatin, a platinum-containing drug, serves as one of the first-line chemotherapeutic agents of OSCC.

Target-mediated rolling circle transcription coupling with CRISPR/Cas12a-Cas13a for simultaneous detection of HPV16 and HPV18.

Simultaneous detection of multiple targets can provide important data support for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Here, we report a facile isothermal assay based on target-mediated rolling circle transcription coupling with CRISPR/Cas12a-Cas13a (TM-RCT/Cas12a-Cas13a). Through facile one-step amplification (TM-RCT), two target DNAs are converted to RNA amplified products.

Whole-brain imaging of freely-moving zebrafish.

One of the holy grails of neuroscience is to record the activity of every neuron in the brain while an animal moves freely and performs complex behavioral tasks. While important steps forward have been taken recently in large-scale neural recording in rodent models, single neuron resolution across the entire mammalian brain remains elusive. In contrast the larval zebrafish offers great promise in this regard.

From perception to behavior: The neural circuits underlying prey hunting in larval zebrafish.

A key challenge for neural systems is to extract relevant information from the environment and make appropriate behavioral responses. The larval zebrafish offers an exciting opportunity for studying these sensing processes and sensory-motor transformations. Prey hunting is an instinctual behavior of zebrafish that requires the brain to extract and combine different attributes of the sensory input and form appropriate motor outputs.

Mutation Alters the Early Development of Sensory Coding and Hunting and Social Behaviors in Larval Zebrafish.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental in origin; however, little is known about how they affect the early development of behavior and sensory coding. The most common inherited form of autism is Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by a mutation in Mutation of in zebrafish causes anxiety-like behavior, hyperactivity, and hypersensitivity in auditory and visual processing. Here, we show that zebrafish -/- mutant larvae of either sex also display changes in hunting behavior, tectal coding, and social interaction.

Role of magnesium-doped calcium sulfate and β-tricalcium phosphate composite ceramics in macrophage polarization and osteo-induction.

In the current study, we explored the role of Mg-doped CaSO/β-TCP composite biopolymer in regulating macrophage polarization and its relation with enhanced osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells. Furthermore, mechanism underling the regulation of macrophage polarization by CaSO/β-TCP was evaluated. Mg-doped CaSO/β-TCP composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Distribution, sources, and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the tidal creek water of coastal tidal flats in the Yellow River Delta, China.

The concentrations, distribution, sources and ecological risk levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tidal creek water from coastal tidal flats of the Yellow River Delta were investigated. The concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 0.113 to 1.

Spontaneous and evoked activity patterns diverge over development.

The immature brain is highly spontaneously active. Over development this activity must be integrated with emerging patterns of stimulus-evoked activity, but little is known about how this occurs. Here we investigated this question by recording spontaneous and evoked neural activity in the larval zebrafish tectum from 4 to 15 days post-fertilisation.

Behavioral Signatures of a Developing Neural Code.

During early life, neural codes must develop to appropriately transform sensory inputs into behavioral outputs. Here, we demonstrate a link between the maturity of neural coding in the visual brain and developmental changes in visually guided behavior. In zebrafish larvae, we show that visually driven hunting behavior improves from 4 to 15 days post-fertilization, becoming faster and more accurate.

A unique meadow of the marine angiosperm Zostera japonica, covering a large area in the turbid intertidal Yellow River Delta, China.

Marine submerged aquatic angiosperms (seagrasses) are declining globally. The species Zostera japonica Asch. & Graebn.

Sensitivity to Vocalization Pitch in the Caudal Auditory Cortex of the Marmoset: Comparison of Core and Belt Areas.

Based on anatomical connectivity and basic response characteristics, primate auditory cortex is divided into a central core surrounded by belt and parabelt regions. The encoding of pitch, a prototypical element of sound identity, has been studied in primary auditory cortex (A1) but little is known about how it is encoded and represented beyond A1. The caudal auditory belt and parabelt cortical fields process spatial information but also contain information on non-spatial aspects of sounds.

Distributed representation of vocalization pitch in marmoset primary auditory cortex.

The pitch of vocalizations is a key communication feature aiding recognition of individuals and separating sound sources in complex acoustic environments. The neural representation of the pitch of periodic sounds is well defined. However, many natural sounds, like complex vocalizations, contain rich, aperiodic or not strictly periodic frequency content and/or include high-frequency components, but still evoke a strong sense of pitch.

Tolerance of Seeds to Desiccation, Low Temperature, and High Salinity With Special Reference to Long-Term Seed Storage.

Seeds are important materials for the restoration of globally-threatened marine angiosperm (seagrass) populations. In this study, we investigated the differences between different seed types and developed two feasible long-term seed storage methods. The ability of seeds to tolerate the short-term desiccation and extreme cold had been investigated.

Habitat-dependent changes in vigilance behaviour of Red-crowned Crane influenced by wildlife tourism.

The Endangered Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) is one of the most culturally iconic and sought-after species by wildlife tourists. Here we investigate how the presence of tourists influence the vigilance behaviour of cranes foraging in Suaeda salsa salt marshes and S. salsa/Phragmites australis mosaic habitat in the Yellow River Delta, China.

Effects of temperature and salinity on Ruppia sinensis seed germination, seedling establishment, and seedling growth.

As typical submerged aquatic vegetation, Ruppia species are facing population reductions due to anthropogenic impacts. In this study, we investigated the effects of temperature and salinity on seed germination and seedling establishment of Ruppia sinensis seeds collected from northern China. The effects of seven salinities (0-50) and six water temperatures (0-30°C) on seed germination were investigated to identify the environmental conditions that could potentially limit survival and growth.

Expression, purification and characterization of a novel recombinant SVTLE, r-agkihpin-2, from Gloydius halys Pallas venom gland in Escherichia coli.

In our previous work, a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE), agkihpin, was successfully isolated, purified, cloned and named from the venom of Gloydius halys Pallas, having fibrinolytic, fibrinogenolytic and thrombosis-reduced activities, attenuating migration of liver cancer cell, and without bleeding risk. To explore the possibility of agkihpin as a thrombolytic and/or anti-metastasis agent in the future, in this study recombinant agkihpin was expressed and purified in Escherichia coli, and its biological activities investigated. Thus, r-agkihpin-2 was successfully expressed and purified and confirmed by Western blot and peptide mass fingerprinting.