Spherical nucleic acid enzyme programmed network to accelerate CRISPR assays for electrochemiluminescence biosensing applications.

Given the targeted binding ability and cleavage activity of the emerging CRISPR/Cas12a assay which transduces the target into its cleavage activity exhibited broadly prospective applications in integrated sensing and actuating system. Here, we elaborated a universal approach to quickly activate CRISPR/Cas12a for low-abundance biomarker detection based on the amplification strategy of a target-induced spherical nucleic acid enzyme (SNAzyme) network that could accelerate the output of activators. Specifically, multifunctional Y-shaped probes and hairpin probes (HPs, which contained the specific sequence of the activators of CRISPR/Cas12a and the substrate chain of DNAzyme) were rationally designed to construct SNAzyme.

Peritumoral Radiomics Strategy Based on Ensemble Learning for the Prediction of Gleason Grade Group of Prostate Cancer.

Rationale And Objectives: To develop and evaluate a peritumoral radiomic-based machine learning model to differentiate low-Gleason grade group (L-GGG) and high-GGG (H-GGG) prostate lesions.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 175 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) confirmed by puncture biopsy were recruited and included 59 patients with L-GGG and 116 patients with H-GGG. The original PCa regions of interest (ROIs) were delineated on T2-weighted (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and then centra-tumoral and peritumoral ROIs were defined.

A convenient and economical strategy for multiple-target electrochemiluminescence detection using peroxydisulfate solution.

As various aptasensors are adopted in clinical diagnosis, the development of convenient multiple-target determination is a field of ever-increasing interests. Herein, a label-free and amplified electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform was constructed to detect multiple targets of hemin, glucose and thrombin (TB) using peroxydisulfate (SO) solution, which was one of the most convenient and economical ECL systems. It was worth mentioning that the target-induced bi-enzyme cascade catalysis reaction was developed to increase the ECL response strongly of SO solution due to the production of (O)* from the inter-reaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sulfate radical (SO•-).

Radiomics-Based Machine Learning Models for Predicting P504s/P63 Immunohistochemical Expression: A Noninvasive Diagnostic Tool for Prostate Cancer.

Objective: To develop and validate a noninvasive radiomic-based machine learning (ML) model to identify P504s/P63 status and further achieve the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: A retrospective dataset of patients with preoperative prostate MRI examination and P504s/P63 pathological immunohistochemical results between June 2016 and February 2021 was conducted. As indicated by P504s/P63 expression, the patients were divided into label 0 (atypical prostatic hyperplasia), label 1 (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) and label 2 (PCa) groups.

Y-shaped DNA nanostructures assembled-spherical nucleic acids as target converters to activate CRISPR-Cas12a enabling sensitive ECL biosensing.

Considering the trans-cleavage capabilities, high-specificity and programmability, the CRISPR-Cas system has been recognized as a valuable platform to develop the next-generation diagnostic biosensors. However, due to the natural interaction with nucleic acids, current CRISPR-Cas-based detection mostly applies in nucleic acid analysis rather than non-nucleic acid analysis. By virtue of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) with programmability and specificity, the Y-shaped DNA nanostructures assembled-SNAs (Y-SNAs) were rationally designed as target converters to achieve the quantitative activation of CRISPR-Cas12a, enabling a highly specific and sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) determination of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), a high specific protein biomarker of prostate cancer.

Fire-needle acupuncture for upper limb spastic paralysis after stroke: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fire-needle acupuncture, an important kind of acupuncture therapy, has been clinically used to treat upper limb spastic paralysis (ULSP) after stroke. Clinical experience has indicated that fire-needle acupuncture treatment takes less time, requires fewer visits, and has more rapid results and fewer side effects compared to chemical medicine alternatives. This study will evaluate the effects of fire-needle acupuncture for ULSP in the context of standardized clinical research and provide high-quality data to inform clinical procedures and future study design.

Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Apoptosis by Estrogen Protects Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Through the PI3 Kinase-Akt Signaling Pathway.

We aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotective effect of estrogen is mediated by inhibiting the apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and to explore the underlying signaling pathway responsible for this effect. The effect of estrogen on ERS apoptosis, the mechanism responsible for that effect, and the ERS signaling pathways were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and measured using Western blot, Hoechst stains and caspase-3 activity assay. In vitro, 10 mol/l estrogen directly inhibited the up-regulation of the ERS marker glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and ERS apoptosis marker C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP).

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for determination of organophosphorous pesticides based on bimetallic Pt-Au/multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode.

A novel and highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing system was designed and developed for individual detection of different organophosphorous pesticides (OPs) in food samples. Bimetallic Pt-Au nanoparticles were electrodeposited on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) to increase the surface area of electrode and ECL signals of luminol. Biocomposites of enzymes from acetylcholinesterase and choline oxidase (AChE and ChOx) were immobilized onto the electrode surface to produce massive hydrogen peroxides (H2O2), thus amplifying ECL signals.

[An HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of trans-ferulic acid in human plasma].

In this study, we developed a sensitive and rapid HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of trans-ferulic acid(trans-FA) in plasma samples, and investigated the pharmacokinetics characteristics in healthy volunteers. The plasma samples were extracted with acetic ether, and then separated on a Hedera ODS-2 column with a mobile phase of methanol and 5 mmol·L(-1) ammonium acetate buffer solution containing 0.05% acetic acid(34∶66) at a flow rate of 0.

Association of ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA, and BAG6 polymorphisms with the risk of carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in Chinese Han patients with epilepsy.

Objective: This study explored the association between the risk of carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and CBZ dose, dose-adjusted concentration, and ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA, and BAG6 polymorphisms in patients of Han ethnicity with epilepsy who were living in northeastern China.

Materials And Methods: We determined the genotypes of patients with CBZ-SJS/TEN and CBZ-tolerant patients, who were used as controls, for ABCB1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, FAS, SCN1A, MICA, and BAG6 polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing. We measured the steady-state serum CBZ concentrations using fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the control patients.

Subregion-specific decreases in hippocampal serotonin transporter protein expression and function associated with endophenotypes of depression.

Stress influences the development of depression, and depression is associated with structural and functional changes in the hippocampus. The current study sought to determine whether chronic corticosteroid (CORT) treatment influences serotonin transporter (5-HTT) protein expression and function in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions of the hippocampus. Male CD-1 mice were subcutaneously injected with CORT at a dose of 20 mg/kg once daily for 3 weeks.

Association between the HLA-B*15:02 allele and carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in Han individuals of northeastern China.

Background: This study examined the significant association between carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and HLA-B*15:02 in epilepsy patients of Han ethnicity living in northeastern China.

Methods: CBZ-SJS/TEN patients and CBZ-tolerant control patients were genotyped for HLA-B*15:02 by PCR amplification using sequence-specific primers. Patients then were evaluated for HLA genotypes using PCR with sequence-based typing.

Strong association between HLA-B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in mainland Han Chinese patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the association of HLA-B*1502 allele with CBZ-induced SJS/TEN in the mainland Han Chinese population.

Methods: HLA-B*1502 genotyping with sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) and PCR-sequencing based typing (PCR-SBT) was performed on 17 CBZ-induced SJS/TEN patients, 21 CBZ-tolerant controls, and 185 healthy controls recruited during 2008-2010.

Results: HLA-B*1502 allele was present in 94.

Methotrexate ameliorates pristane-induced arthritis by decreasing IFN-γ and IL-17A expressions.

Objective: This study was carried out to test the effects of methotrexate (MTX) and black seed oil (BSO) on pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in rats.

Methods: Inbred dark agouti (DA) rats were induced by a single subcutaneous injection of pristane, and then treated with MTX or BSO. Arthritis severity was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically.

[Professor He Pu-ren: the founder of Santong method of acupuncture and moxibustion].

Professor He Pu-ren, the founder of Santong method of acupuncture and moxibustion, is a well known acupuncturist at home and abroad. His main contributions include combined martial arts and Chinese medicine, showing obvious therapeutic effect; taking part in establishment of The Department of Acupuncture, Beijing Chinese Medicine Hospital; creating Santong method of acupuncture and moxibustion; advocating fire needle therapy; writing medical books and teaching students; advocating the culture of acupuncture; making the metal model of acupuncture and moxibustion, and others. His achievements have become an important part of acupuncture and moxibustion science.

(S)-(-)-5,5'-Bis(diphenyl-phosphino)-4,4'-bi-1,3-benzodioxole.

In the chiral title compound, C(38)H(28)O(4)P(2), the intra-molecular P⋯P separation is 3.671 (2) Å and the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings in the biphenyl unit is 77.9 (2)°.

(E)-N'-(3,4-Dihydroxy-benzyl-idene)-4-nitro-benzohydrazide.

In the title Schiff base compound, C(14)H(11)N(3)O(5), the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 1.6 (1)°. The mol-ecule displays an E configuration about the C=N bond.

[Effects of ulinastatin on cerebral inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ulinastatin (UTI) on cerebral inflammatory response during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Twenty-four NYHA II-III patients (13 males and 11 females) aged 23-45 years, undergoing elective cardiac valve replacement under hypothermic CPB were randomly divided into 2 groups: ulinastatin group (Group U, n=12) and control group (Group C, n=12). In group U, UTI (1.

[Changes of cell adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines during cardiopulmonary bypass and the effect of intervention].

Objective: To investigate the changes of the cell adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines during cardiopulmonary bypass, and to observe the effect of intervention with ulinastatin.

Methods: Twenty-two ASA II-III patients (9 males, 13 females), aged 20-60 years, undergoing cardiac operation with CPB were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group (Group C, n=11) and the ulinastatin group (Group W, n=11). In Group W, patient received ulinastatin 1.

[Effects of ulinastatin on erythrocyte lipid peroxidation in patients undergoing open heart surgery].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on erythrocyte lipid peroxidation in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Methods: Twenty adult patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing elective value replacement were divided randomly into 2 groups of 10 patients each: a control group (group C) and an ulinastatin group (group W). The patients were premedicated with intramuscular morphine 0.

Preliminary x-ray crystallographic analysis of centrin from ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus.

Centrins are four-EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding proteins, which belong to the CaM super family. The centrin from ciliate Euplotes Octocarinatus has been expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop method. Rod-like crystals were grown and diffracted to 2.