Triphenylamine-Based Polythioacetal for Selective Sensing of Mercury(II) with High Specificity and Sensitivity.

Utilizing the mercury (Hg)-triggered deprotection of thioacetals to aldehyde groups, we constructed a water-soluble triphenylamine (TPA)-based polythioacetal PTA-TPA with thioacetal groups in the backbones for efficient sensing of Hg in aqueous solutions. PTA-TPA is conveniently prepared by polycondensation of 3, 6-dioxa-1,8-octanedithiol (DODT) with 4-(,-diphenylamino) benzaldehyde (TPA-CHO) using thiol-terminated mPEG2k-SH as a capping agent. The interaction of Hg with PTA-TPA activates the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) process of TPA-CHO molecules, which makes the emission enhanced, and the emission color changes to sky blue, while other metal ions do not interfere with the sensing process.

Pyrene-Based "Turn-On" Fluorescent Polymeric Probe with Thioacetal Units in the Main Chain for Mercury(II) Detection in Aqueous Solutions and Living Cells.

A water-soluble polymeric pyrene-based polythioacetal (PTA-Py) with thioacetal units in the main chain is simply synthesized by direct polycondensation of 3, 6-dioxa-1, 8-octanedithiol, 1-pyrene formaldehyde, and mPEG2k-SH. The probe PTA-Py shows a good fluorescence response to Hg ions due to the Hg-promoted deprotection reaction of thioacetal groups to regenerate the original 1-pyrene formaldehyde compound. After adding Hg to the PTA-Py solution, the fluorescence intensity (FI) gradually increases with increasing concentrations of Hg.

Single-cell spatial transcriptome reveals cell-type organization in the macaque cortex.

Elucidating the cellular organization of the cerebral cortex is critical for understanding brain structure and function. Using large-scale single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analysis of 143 macaque cortical regions, we obtained a comprehensive atlas of 264 transcriptome-defined cortical cell types and mapped their spatial distribution across the entire cortex. We characterized the cortical layer and region preferences of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and non-neuronal cell types, as well as regional differences in cell-type composition and neighborhood complexity.

Rab32 promotes glioblastoma migration and invasion via regulation of ERK/Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

The highly widespread and infiltrative nature of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) makes complete surgical resection hard, causing high recurrence rate and poor patients' prognosis. However, the mechanism underlying GBM migration and invasion is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of a Ras-related protein Rab32 on GBM and uncovered its underlying molecular and subcellular mechanisms that contributed to GBM aggressiveness.

Folic Acid-Derived Low-dimensional carbons for efficient oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene.

The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkane is one of the most attractive routes in alkane production because of its favourable thermodynamic characteristic. Nitrogen-doped nanocarbons have demonstrated great potential in this reaction due to its cost-effective, high catalytic activity and stability. However, the influence of nitrogen on the catalytic properties of carbon materials is poorly understood due to the complexities of surface oxygen and nitrogen functional groups.

Novel Molecular Aptamer Beacon for the Specific Simultaneous Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells and Exosomes of Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Liquid biopsy provides non-invasive and real-time detection for cancer diagnosis, but the lack of specific markers targeted to liquid biopsy components, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and exosomes, has impeded its effective utilization in clinical settings. W3 is an aptamer, and its target has been previously demonstrated to be a predictor of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis. Herein, we developed a W3-based molecular beacon (MAB-W3-3G) to specifically detect CTCs and exosomes derived from CRC patients by modifying the W3 sequence and adding a fluorescent group FAM at the 5' end and a quencher group BHQ1 at the 3' end, resulting in a detectable green fluorescence only in the presence of the target.

Dose-Effect Relationship of Chitosan and Danshen Combined Injection for Fallopian Tube Recanalization.

This study examined the dose-effect relationship of chitosan and danshen combined injections on the long-term prevention of fallopian tube re-obstructions, with increased pregnancy rates in infertile women. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the content changes of combined chitosan and danshen injection. Two hundred and eighty patients with fallopian tube obstructions were randomly assigned to four groups.

DNA-Engineered iron-based metal-organic framework bio-interface for rapid visual determination of exosomes.

In this study, a rapid, low-cost and facile method for detecting exosomes was developed by engineering DNA ligands on the surface of an iron-based metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF). Aptamers of exosomal transmembrane CD63 protein (CD63-aptamers) were utilized as both the optically active layer and the exosome-specific recognition element to engineer an Fe-MOF bio-interface for high-efficiency regulation of the catalytic behavior of Fe-MOF toward the chromogenic substrate. The effective enhancement of the intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic activity was confirmed via the self-assembly of CD63-aptamers on the surface of Fe-MOF.

Genome-wide association study reveals the genes associated with the leaf inclusion contents in Chinese medical tree Eucommia ulmoides.

Eucommia ulmoides is an economic tree that can biosynthesize secondary metabolites with pharmacological functions. Genetic basis of biosynthesis of these compounds is almost unknown. Therefore, genomic-wide association study was performed to exploit the genetic loci maybe involved in biosynthetic pathways of 5 leaf inclusions (aucubin, chlorogenic acid, gutta-percha, polyphenols, total flavonoids).

Accelerated polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides catalyzed by crown ether.

The recent advances in accelerated polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) enriched the toolbox to prepare well-defined polypeptide materials. Herein we report the use of crown ether (CE) to catalyze the polymerization of NCA initiated by conventional primary amine initiators in solvents with low polarity and low hydrogen-bonding ability. The cyclic structure of the CE played a crucial role in the catalysis, with 18-crown-6 enabling the fastest polymerization kinetics.

Lipase-Catalyzed Reactive Extrusion: Copolymerization of ε-Caprolactone and ω-Pentadecalactone.

This study assesses the use of immobilized lipase catalyst N435 during reactive extrusion (REX) versus magnetically stirred bulk and solution reaction conditions for the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone with ω-pentadecalactone (CL/PDL 1:1 molar). N435-catalyzed REX for reaction times from 1 to 3 h results in total %-monomer conversion, M , and Đ values increase from 92.7% to 98.

Preparation of ROS-responsive core crosslinked polycarbonate micelles with thioketal linkage.

Herein, we prepared novel reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive core crosslinked (CCL/TK) polycarbonate micelles conveniently by click reaction between amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(5-methyl-5-propargylxycar-bonyl-1,3-dioxane-2-one) (PEG-PMPC) with pendant alkynyl group and thioketal containing azide derivative bis (2-azidoethyl) 3, 3'- (propane-2, 2-diylbis (sulfanediyl)) dipropanoate (TK-N). The CCL/TK micelles were obtained with small size of 146.4 nm, showing excellent stability against dilution and high doxorubicin (DOX) loading.

Characterization of a Protease Hyper-Productive Mutant of Bacillus pumilus by Comparative Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis.

Bacillus pumilus BA06 has great potential for the production of alkaline proteases. To improve the protease yield, classical mutagenesis to combine the physical and chemical mutagens was performed to obtain a protease hyper-productive mutant SCU11. The full genome sequences of BA06 and SCU11 strains were assembled through DNA sequencing using the PacBio sequencing platform.

Construction of a High-Expression System in Bacillus through Transcriptomic Profiling and Promoter Engineering.

is an ideal host for secretion and expression of foreign proteins. The promoter is one of the most important elements to facilitate the high-level production of recombinant protein. To expand the repertoire of strong promoters for biotechnological applications in species, 14 highly transcribed genes based on transcriptome profiling of BA06 were selected and evaluated for their promoter strength in .

Sensitive Multicolor Visual Detection of Exosomes via Dual Signal Amplification Strategy of Enzyme-Catalyzed Metallization of Au Nanorods and Hybridization Chain Reaction.

Exosomes as nanosized vesicles have been recognized as potential noninvasive biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. Herein, we presented a sensitive multicolor visual method for exosome detection based on enzyme-induced silver deposition on gold nanorods (Au NRs). To achieve highly sensitive determination of exosomes, hybridization chain reaction (HCR) was employed to introduce more alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for signal amplification.

Ricocheting Droplets Moving on Super-Repellent Surfaces.

Droplet bouncing on repellent solid surfaces (e.g., the lotus leaf effect) is a common phenomenon that has aroused interest in various fields.

A FRET-based ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe for superoxide anion detection and imaging in living cells and tissues.

The superoxide anion (O2˙-) plays a crucial role in several physiological processes and many human diseases. Developing new methods for O2˙- detection in biological systems is very important. A FRET-based two-photon (TP) fluorescent probe with a ratiometric signal, TFR-O, was developed.

Polycarbonate-based core-crosslinked redox-responsive nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anticancer drug.

We reported a facile and efficient strategy for the construction of polycarbonate-based core-crosslinked redox-responsive nanoparticles (CC-RRNs), which can efficiently regulate the drug loading content and redox-responsive drug release. A series of CC-RRNs for delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) were synthesized by the click reaction between alkyne-bearing amphiphilic block copolymer PEG-b-poly(MPC) (PMPC) and azide-terminated α-lipoic acid derivative (LA) and 6-bromohexanoic acid derivative (AHE) at different ratios, followed by introduction of crosslinked networks under a catalytic amount of dithiothreitol (DTT). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments showed that the CC-RRNs presented more excellent stability over non-crosslinked unresponsive nanoparticles (NC-URNs) under physiological conditions.

Fucoidan inhibits lymphangiogenesis by downregulating the expression of VEGFR3 and PROX1 in human lymphatic endothelial cells.

Lymphangiogenesis is one of the promoters of tumor lymphatic metastasis. Fucoidan which is a fucose-enriched sulfated polysaccharide has effect on various pharmacological activities including anti-metastasis activity. However, the inhibitory effect of fucoidan on lymphangiogenesis remains unclear.

Hydroxyalkylation of phenol to bisphenol F over heteropolyacid catalysts: The effect of catalyst acid strength on isomer distribution and kinetics.

Hydroxyalkylation of phenol with formaldehyde to bisphenol F over heteropolyacid impregnated on clay was investigated. These catalysts displayed excellent catalytic performance for this reaction, especially that the effects of acid sites on the isomer distribution are obvious. Various solid catalysts were prepared by impregnating heteropolyacid on different kind of clay matrices, and their chemical compositions, textural properties, and acid strength of the heteropolyacid catalysts were characterized by EDX, BET, NH3-TPD, XRD, and FT-IR.

Responsiveness and Release Characteristic of Semi-IPN Hydrogels Consisting of Nano-Sized Clay Crosslinked Poly(Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate) and Linear Carboxymethyl Chitosan.

PH and temperature double responsive semi-IPN hydrogels consisting of poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) network crosslinked by nano-sized inorganic clay and linear carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) were synthesized by in situ, free radical polymerization in aqueous solution. The effect of the mass and carboxymethyl substitution of CMCS on the responsiveness, swelling/deswelling and drug release characteristic of gels were investigated. Comparing to the gels without CMCS, the resulting gels (named as C-NC gels) showed similar LCST and temperature response behavior.

Synthesis of water-soluble poly(α-hydroxy acids) from living ring-opening polymerization of O-benzyl-L-serine carboxyanhydrides.

O-benzyl-L-serine carboxyanhydrides were synthesized via diazotization of O-benzyl-L-serine with sodium nitrite in aqueous sulfuric acid solution followed by cyclization of the resulting serine-based α-hydroxy acid with phosgene. Degradable, water-soluble poly(α-hydroxy acids) bearing pendant hydroxyl groups were readily prepared under mild conditions via ring-opening polymerization of O-benzyl-L-serine carboxyanhydrides followed by removal of the benzyl group and showed excellent cell compatibility, suggesting their potential being used as novel materials in constructing drug delivery systems and as hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

Facile functionalization of polyesters through thiol-yne chemistry for the design of degradable, cell-penetrating and gene delivery dual-functional agents.

Synthesis of polyesters bearing pendant amine groups with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions was achieved through ring-opening polymerization of 5-(4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzyl)-1,3-dioxolane-2,4-dione, an O-carboxyanhydride derived from tyrosine, followed by thiol-yne "click" photochemistry with 2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride. This class of biodegradable polymers displayed excellent cell penetration and gene delivery properties with low toxicities.