A versatile multi-tone laser system for manipulating atomic qubits based on a fiber Mach-Zehnder modulator and second harmonic generation.

Stimulated Raman transition is a fundamental method to coherently manipulate quantum states in different physical systems. Phase-coherent dichromatic radiation fields matching the energy level splitting are the key to realizing stimulated Raman transition. Here we demonstrate a flexible-tuning, spectrum-clean and fiber-compatible method to generate a highly phase-coherent and high-power multi-tone laser.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein could be a potential indicator of bone mineral density in adolescents aged 10-20 years.

There was very limited evidence linking high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) and total bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents. The aim of this population-based study was to investigate the relationship between HS-CRP and total BMD in adolescents aged 10-20 years. A cross-sectional study was performed in the normal U.

Quantum frequency conversion from ultraviolet to visible band through waveguides in a period-poled MgO:LiTaO crystal.

In research on hybrid quantum networks, visible or near-infrared frequency conversion has been realized. However, technical limitations mean that there have been few studies involving the ultraviolet band, and unfortunately the wavelengths of the rare-earth or alkaline-earth metal atoms or ions that are used widely in research on quantum information are often in the UV band. Therefore, frequency conversion of the ultraviolet band is very important.

ROS-boosted photodynamic therapy against metastatic melanoma by inhibiting the activity of antioxidase and oxygen-producing nano-dopants.

The antioxidant effect weakens the ability of PDT to resist melanoma, and the hypoxic tumor environment further restricts the application of photosensitizers in tumors. Therefore, to enhance the ability of PDT to resist melanoma, we designed a sequential enhanced PDT theranostic platform (Au@MTM-HA). Firstly, the nanotherapeutic platform uses TiO as a photosensitizer, which is doped with MnO to form a mesoporous MTM.

Construction and evaluation of tumor nucleus-targeting nanocomposite for cancer dual-mode imaging - Guiding photodynamic therapy/photothermal therapy.

To tackle the barrier of the insufficient intra-cellular delivery of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heat, we designed a multifunctional nanoplatform to release ROS and heat directly in the cell nucleus for enhancing combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumors. As a photothermal agent, WS nanoparticles were adsorbed photosensitive Au(Captopril) (Au) nanoclusters via electrostatic interaction. And Dexamethasone (Dex), a glucocorticoid with nucleus targeting capability, played a key role in the intra-nuclear process of heat and ROS.

A sensitive detection assay based on signal amplification technology for Alzheimer's disease's early biomarker in exosome.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) considered as the third health "killer" has seriously threatened the health of the elderly. However, the modern diagnostic strategies of AD present several disadvantages: the low accuracy and specificity resulting in some false-negative diagnoses, and the poor sensitivity leading to a delayed treatment. In view of this situation, a enzyme-free and target-triggered signal amplification strategy, based on graphene oxide (GO) and entropy-driven strand displacement reaction (ESDR) principle, was proposed.

A "protective umbrella" nanoplatform for loading ICG and multi-modal imaging-guided phototherapy.

In order to prevent the aggregation of ICG and enhance its stability, a novel nanoplatform (TiO:Yb,Ho,F-β-CD@ICG/HA) was designed for NIR-induced phototherapy along with multi-mode imaging(UCL/MRI/Flu). In this nanosysytem: TiO:Yb,Ho,F was used as upconversion materials and applied in vivo for the first time; β-CD acted as a "protective umbrella" to load separated ICG and avoid the low phototherapy efficiency because of its aggregation; HA was the capping agent of β-CD to prevent ICG unexpected leaking and a target to recognize CD44 receptor. The nanosystem exhibited excellent size (~200 nm) and photo- and thermal-stability, preferable reactive oxygen yield and temperature response (50.

A new PPARγ/DNA origami biochromatography and offline high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for screening PPARγ receptor antagonists from ginsenosides.

To rapidly identify novel PPARγ ligands, a robust binding assay amenable to high-efficiency screening toward PPARγ would be desirable. In this study, a new PPARγ assembled on DNA origami (PPARγ/DNA origami) biochromatography drug screening model was constructed and evaluated. The method was used to screen active ingredients acted on PPARγ from the total ginsenosides.

Oxamate Enhances the Anti-Inflammatory and Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Metformin in Diabetic Mice.

Metformin (MET) is the first-line drug for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, MET increases blood lactate levels in patients with T2DM. Lactate possesses proinflammatory properties and causes insulin resistance (IR).

A Hollow NaGdF /AFn Nanosystem Based on "Relay Race" Release for Therapy.

To develop a multifunctional nanomaterial for dual-mode imaging and synergetic chemotherapy, curcumin (CUR) was physically entrapped into hollow upconversion NaGdF nanomaterial, then apoferritin (AFn) loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) was attached to the NaGdF surface. Subsequent modification with the targeting reagent folic acid (FA) led to generation of the CUR/NaGdF -DOX/AFn-FA conjugate for cancer treatment. X-ray diffraction, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated the successful preparation of hexagonal-phase NaGdF and NaGdF -AFn-FA.

A "win-win" nanoplatform: TiO:Yb,Ho,F for NIR light-induced synergistic therapy and imaging.

To avoid the defect of low energy transfer efficiency in core-shell UCNP-TiO NPs, doping rare earth into TiO and improving the photocatalytic activity of TiO itself under Vis-NIR light might be a more direct and efficient strategy for high O production. Here, we designed a TiO:Yb,Ho,F-β-CD@DTX/HA nanoplatform using TiO:Yb,Ho,F as the core, β-CD as the drug carrier, hyaluronic acid (HA) as the capping agent and target, and then applied it for 808 nm induced photodynamic-chemotherapy and 980 nm upconversion fluorescence/MR imaging. The results were as follows: (i) for TiO as a photosensitizer, after doping Yb, Ho, F into TiO, it could directly generate reactive oxygen species under an 808 nm laser; the dopants enhanced the absorption under the UV-Vis-NIR region and increased the electron-hole pair separation.

Paper-based FRET for the direct detection of collagen triple helix.

In order to develop improved diagnosis and therapies for the highly prevalent chronic fibroproliferative diseases, it is of utmost importance to construct efficient assays to detect collagen biomarkers. We have successfully created a paper-based FRET assay for the fast, inexpensive and direct detection of collagen triple helix. We have demonstrated that the adsorption of the dye-labeled probe peptide onto the GO-immobilized paper quenches the fluorescence of the dye, while the hybridization of the probe peptide with the target collagen peptide results in the desorption of the probe peptide from GO, thus restoring the fluorescence.

Oxamate Improves Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity via Inhibition of Tissue Lactate Production in db/db Mice.

Oxamate (OXA) is a pyruvate analogue that directly inhibits the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-catalyzed conversion process of pyruvate into lactate. Earlier and recent studies have shown elevated blood lactate levels among insulin-resistant and type 2 diabetes subjects and that blood lactate levels independently predicted the development of incident diabetes. To explore the potential of OXA in the treatment of diabetes, db/db mice were treated with OXA in vivo.

A highly specific graphene platform for sensing collagen triple helix.

The construction of simple and efficient assays to detect collagen biomarkers plays a critical role in developing novel diagnosis and therapies for the highly prevalent chronic fibroproliferative diseases. Inspired by the successful development of various GO-based biosensors for DNA utilizing its well-known double helix structure, we have for the first time created a highly specific GO platform for sensing the collagen triple helix. We have designed a dye-labeled single stranded collagen (ssCOL) peptide probe to target a complementary single stranded collagen peptide sequence.