Identification of Binding Sites in Copper(II)-Peptide Complexes Using Infrared Spectroscopy.

Complex formation of the copper(II) ion (Cu) with histidine (H) and H-containing peptides plays a crucial role in various metallo-enzymatic reactions. To elucidate the nature of coordinate bonding in Cu complexes, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 2D IR spectroscopy were employed to investigate the coordination geometries of Cu with diglycine, l-histidylglycine (HG), glycyl-l-histidine (GH), and glycylglycyl-l-histidine. The coordination of Cu to different peptide groups, including the peptide N- and C-termini, the amide group, and the imidazole of the H side chain, exhibits distinct spectral features.

A soil-inspired dynamically responsive chemical system for microbial modulation.

Interactions between the microbiota and their colonized environments mediate critical pathways from biogeochemical cycles to homeostasis in human health. Here we report a soil-inspired chemical system that consists of nanostructured minerals, starch granules and liquid metals. Fabricated via a bottom-up synthesis, the soil-inspired chemical system can enable chemical redistribution and modulation of microbial communities.

Coassembly of a New Insect Cuticular Protein and Chitosan via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.

Insect cuticle is a fiber-reinforced composite material that consists of polysaccharide chitin fibers and a protein matrix. The molecular interactions between insect cuticle proteins and chitin that govern the assembly and evolution of cuticles are still not well understood. Herein, we report that cuticular protein hypothetical-1 (CPH-1), a newly discovered and most abundant cuticular protein from Asian corn borer , can form coacervates in the presence of chitosan.

Sweat-Resistant Silk Fibroin-Based Double Network Hydrogel Adhesives.

The adhesion between flexible epidermal sensors and human skin is essential for maintaining the stable functionality of the sensors. However, it is still challenging for epidermal electronic devices to achieve durable adhesion to the surface of the skin, especially under sweaty or humid conditions. Here, we report a silk fibroin-polyacrylamide (SF-PAAm) double network (DN) hydrogel adhesive with excellent biocompatibility, strong and durable adhesion on wet surfaces, and tunable adhesive properties.

The expression and function of programmed death-ligand 1 and related cytokines in neutrophilic asthma.

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an important immune checkpoint inhibitor. Recent studies suggest that the PD-L1-mediated pathway may be a promising target in allergic asthma. However, the mechanism by which PD-L1 represses neutrophilic asthma (NA) remains unclear.

Applying immune-related lncRNA pairs to construct a prognostic signature and predict the immune landscape of stomach adenocarcinoma.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with the survival of cancer patients. We constructed an immune-related lncRNA (irlncRNA) pair signature for stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). irlncRNAs were identified via coexpression analysis with immune-related genes.

DNA minor-groove binder Hoechst 33258 destabilizes base-pairing adjacent to its binding site.

Understanding the dynamic interactions of ligands to DNA is important in DNA-based nanotechnologies. By structurally tracking the dissociation of Hoechst 33258-bound DNA (d(CGCAAATTTGCG)) complex (H-DNA) with T-jump 2D-IR spectroscopy, the ligand is found to strongly disturb the stability of the three C:G base pairs adjacent to A:T the binding site, with the broken base pairs being more than triple at 100 ns. The strong stabilization effect of the ligand on DNA duplex makes this observation quite striking, which dramatically increases the melting temperature and dissociation time.

Revealing the Dynamical Role of Co-solvents in the Coupled Folding and Dimerization of Insulin.

Solvent-protein interactions are important for protein biological functions, especially for a coupled folding and binding system such as insulin. By monitoring the change in the conformation of insulin dimers during dissociation with temperature-jump infrared spectroscopy, we show that co-solvents can significantly destabilize the dimers by perturbing their hydrophobic center. The transition from the native to intermediate dimer state is observed as the buried residues are exposed to solvents in the presence of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and with α-helices unfolding when ethanol is present, which reduces the dissociation time dramatically to 50% and 20% of the value in a DO solution, respectively.

The diagnostic value of serological tests and real-time polymerase chain reaction in children with acute infection.

Background: This study set out to evaluate the clinical significance and diagnostic effectiveness of serological tests and real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) in children of different age groups and disease durations infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).

Methods: Pediatric patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were enrolled and subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PCR (BALF-PCR) for MP infection. The diagnostic values of the serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, paired sera immunoglobulin G (IgG) test, RT PCR applied to nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA-PCR), and combined IgM and NPA-PCR test were evaluated.

The role of miR-29c/B7-H3/Th17 axis in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children. Recent studies demonstrated that the incidence of severe or fatal M.

Matter, energy and information network of a graphene-peptide-based fluorescent sensing system for molecular logic computing, detection and imaging of cancer stem cell marker CD133 in cells and tumor tissues.

Tumorigenesis, metastasis, and the recurrence of cancer, which may result from the abnormal presence or activation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), are involved in disorders of exchanged matter (biomarkers), energy and information in living organisms. Rapid and sensitive detection and imaging of CSC biomarkers (such as CD133) are helpful for early diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of tumors. Recently, a preliminary exploration of a few affinity molecules (like peptide-based probes) has just begun for chemical measurements and imaging of CSC biomarker CD133.

Graphene-Based Steganographically Aptasensing System for Information Computing, Encryption and Hiding, Fluorescence Sensing and in Vivo Imaging of Fish Pathogens.

Inspired by information processing and communication of life based on complex molecular interactions, some artificial (bio)chemical systems have been developed for applications in molecular information processing or chemo/biosensing and imaging. However, little attention has been paid to simultaneously and comprehensively utilize the information computing, encoding, and molecular recognition capabilities of molecular-level systems (such as DNA-based systems) for multifunctional applications. Herein, a graphene-based steganographically aptasensing system was constructed for multifunctional application, which relies on specific molecular recognition and information encoding abilities of DNA aptamers ( Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda-binding aptamers as models) and the selective adsorption and fluorescence quenching capacities of graphene oxide (GO).

The Boolean logic tree of molecular self-assembly system based on cobalt oxyhydroxide nanoflakes for three-state logic computation, sensing and imaging of pyrophosphate in living cells and in vivo.

Sensing of pyrophosphate (PPi) is helpful to better understand many life processes and diagnose various early-stage diseases. However, many traditional reported methods based on artificial receptors for sensing of PPi exhibit some disadvantages including difficulties in designing appropriate binding sites and complicated multi-step assembly/functionalization. Thus, it is significantly important and a big challenge to know how to use a simple molecular self-assembly or an interaction system to solve the above-mentioned limits to achieve the quantitative analysis of specific substances in the system.

Directly repurposing waste optical discs with prefabricated nanogrooves as a platform for investigation of cell-substrate interactions and guiding neuronal growth.

Due to rapid change in information technology, many consumer electronics become electronic waste which is the fastest-growing pollution problems worldwide. In fact, many discarded electronics with prefabricated micro/nanostructures may provide a good basis to fulfill special needs of other fields, such as tissue engineering, biosensors, and energy. Herein, to take waste optical discs as an example, we demonstrate that discarded electronics can be directly repurposed as highly anisotropic platforms for in vitro investigation of cell behaviors, such as cell adhesion, cell alignment, and cell-cell interactions.

Highly Tunable and Scalable Fabrication of 3D Flexible Graphene Micropatterns for Directing Cell Alignment.

Patterning graphene allows to precisely tune its properties to manufacture flexible functional materials or miniaturized devices for electronic and biomedical applications. However, conventional lithographic techniques are cumbersome for scalable production of time- and cost-effective graphene patterns, thus greatly impeding their practical applications. Here, we present a simple scalable fabrication of wafer-scale three-dimensional (3D) graphene micropatterns by direct laser tuning graphene oxide reduction and expansion using a LightScribe DVD writer.

Boolean Logic Tree of Label-Free Dual-Signal Electrochemical Aptasensor System for Biosensing, Three-State Logic Computation, and Keypad Lock Security Operation.

The most serious and yet unsolved problems of molecular logic computing consist in how to connect molecular events in complex systems into a usable device with specific functions and how to selectively control branchy logic processes from the cascading logic systems. This report demonstrates that a Boolean logic tree is utilized to organize and connect "plug and play" chemical events DNA, nanomaterials, organic dye, biomolecule, and denaturant for developing the dual-signal electrochemical evolution aptasensor system with good resettability for amplification detection of thrombin, controllable and selectable three-state logic computation, and keypad lock security operation. The aptasensor system combines the merits of DNA-functionalized nanoamplification architecture and simple dual-signal electroactive dye brilliant cresyl blue for sensitive and selective detection of thrombin with a wide linear response range of 0.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker for chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer ranks first both in morbidity and mortality in malignancies, but prognostic biological markers are lacking. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was proposed as a convenient biological marker. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of NLR in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Studying Protein-Protein Binding through T-Jump Induced Dissociation: Transient 2D IR Spectroscopy of Insulin Dimer.

Insulin homodimer associates through the coupled folding and binding of two partially disordered monomers. We aim to understand this dynamics by observing insulin dimer dissociation initiated with a nanosecond temperature jump using transient two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D IR) of amide I vibrations. With the help of equilibrium FTIR and 2D IR spectra, and through a systematic study of the dependence of dissociation kinetics on temperature and insulin concentration, we are able to decompose and analyze the spectral evolution associated with different secondary structures.

[Bacterial pathogenic characteristics of respiratory tract infection in children in Suzhou, China: an analysis of 14,994 cases].

Objective: To investigate the bacterial pathogenic characteristics of respiratory tract infection in children.

Methods: The medical data from 14,994 children with respiratory tract infection who were hospitalized in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University between November 2005 and October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Among the 14,994 sputum samples from the children with respiratory tract infection, 3,947 (26.

[Clinical significance of MP-DNA from endotracheal aspirates in diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children].

Objective: To compare the detection rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) from nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in children with pneumonia.

Methods: A total of 164 hospitalized children with pneumonia were enrolled. NPA and BALF of these children were collected within 24 hours of admission, and MP-DNA was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.

Observations of probe dependence of the solvation dynamics in ionic liquids.

Solvation and rotational dynamics of 4-aminophthalimide (4AP) in four ionic liquids (ILs) are measured using a combination of fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy and time-correlated single photon counting. These data are compared with previously reported data for coumarin 153 (C153) to investigate the probe dependence of solvation dynamics. No fast component (<15 ps) in the fluorescence anisotropy is observed with 4AP.

[Outcomes of treatment of 32 cases of advanced or relapsed post-surgery pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma].

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the third generation chemotherapy agents on relapsed post-surgery and advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC).

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 32 PSC patients. Their treatment modalities and survival rate, as well as risk factors associated with the survival rate including gender, age, location and size of tumor, relapse, initial diagnosis of stage, pathologic subtypes and smoking history were analysed.

Solvation dynamics in a prototypical ionic liquid + dipolar aprotic liquid mixture: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate + acetonitrile.

Solvation energies, rotation times, and 100 fs to 20 ns solvation response functions of the solute coumarin 153 (C153) in mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Im41][BF4]) + acetonitrile (CH3CN) at room temperature (20.5 °C) are reported. Available density, shear viscosity, and electrical conductivity data at 25 °C are also collected and parametrized, and new data on refractive indices and component diffusion coefficients presented.

Dielectric relaxation and solvation dynamics in a prototypical ionic liquid + dipolar protic liquid mixture: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate + water.

Dielectric and solvation data on mixtures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazilium tetrafluoroborate ([Im41][BF4]) + water are reported and used to examine the utility of dielectric solvation models. Dielectric permittivity and loss spectra (25 °C) were recorded over the frequency range 200 MHz to 89 GHz at 17 compositions and fit to a 4-Debye form. Dynamic Stokes shift measurements on the solute coumarin 153 (C153), made by combining fluorescence upconversion (80 fs resolution) and time-correlated single photon counting data (20 ns range), were used to determine the solvation response at 7 compositions (20.