Unravelling the mechanisms of PFAS toxicity to submerged macrophytes and epiphytic biofilms at metabolic and molecular levels.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging class of persistent organic pollutants that are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms. It is thus crucial to explore the toxicity mechanisms of PFAS to submerged macrophytes and biofilms. In this study, Vallisneria natans (V.

A preliminary metabolomics study of the database for biological samples of schizophrenia among Chinese ethnic minorities.

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a profound mental disorder with a multifactorial etiology, including genetics, environmental factors, and demographic influences such as ethnicity and geography. Among these, the studies of SCZ also shows racial and regional differences.

Methods: We first established a database of biological samples for SCZ in China's ethnic minorities, followed by a serum metabolomic analysis of SCZ patients from various ethnic groups within the same region using the LC-HRMS platform.

Effect of luminescent materials on the biochemistry, ultrastructure, and rhizobial microbiota of Spirodela polyrhiza.

Fluorescent materials and technologies have become widely used in scientific research, and due to the ability to convert light wavelengths, their application to photosynthetic organisms can affect their development by altering light quality. However, the impacts of fluorescent materials on aquatic plants and their environmental risks remain unclear. To assess the effects of luminescent materials on floating aquatic macrophytes and their rhizosphere microorganisms, 4-(di-p-tolylamino)benzaldehyde-A (DTB-A) and 4-(di-p-tolylamino)benzaldehyde-M (DTB-M) (emitting blue-green and orange-red light, respectively) were added individually and jointly to Spirodela polyrhiza cultures and set at different concentrations (1, 10, and 100 μM).

A Facile Strategy for Multiplex Protein Detection by a Fluorescent Microsphere-Based Digital Immunoassay.

The digital immunoassay is a highly sensitive detection technique based on single-molecule counting and is widely used in the ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers. Herein, we developed a fluorescent microsphere-based digital immunoassay (FMDIA) by employing fluorescent microspheres as both the carriers for immunoreaction and fluorescent reports for imaging. In this approach, the target protein in the sample was captured by fluorescent microspheres to form a biotin-labeled sandwich immunocomplex, and then, the fluorescent microspheres containing the target protein molecules were captured by adding streptavidin-coated magnetic beads (SA-MBs).

Amplification-free detection of Mpox virus DNA using Cas12a and multiple crRNAs.

Mpox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic DNA virus that caused human Mpox, leading to the 2022 global outbreak. MPXV infections can cause a number of clinical syndromes, which increases public health threats. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective and reliable method for infection prevention and control of epidemic.

Nucleic Acid Amplification-Free Digital Detection Method for SARS-CoV-2 RNA Based on Droplet Microfluidics and CRISPR-Cas13a.

Most of the methods currently developed for RNA detection based on CRISPR were combined with nucleic acid amplification. As a result, such methods inevitably led to certain disadvantages such as multiple operations, expensive reagents, and amplification bias. To solve the above problems, we developed a highly sensitive and specific nucleic acid amplification-free digital detection method for SARS-CoV-2 RNA based on droplet microfluidics and CRISPR-Cas13a.

Combined toxic effects of polypropylene and perfluorooctanoic acid on duckweed and periphytic microorganisms.

Microplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid coexist in the aquatic environment. Duckweed was exposed to a range of concentrations (0.1-1000 μg L) of solutions containing polypropylene (PP) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) for 14 days to measure their toxicity.

Combined toxic effects of perfluorooctanoic acid and microcystin-LR on submerged macrophytes and biofilms.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and microcystin-LR (MCLR) are pervasive pollutants in surface waters that induce significant toxic effects on aquatic organisms. However, the combined environmental risk of PFOA and MCLR remains unclear. To assess the toxic effects of PFOA and MCLR on submerged macrophytes and biofilms, Vallisneria natans was exposed to different concentrations of PFOA and MCLR (0.

Joint toxicity mechanisms of perfluorooctanoic acid and sulfadiazine on submerged macrophytes and periphytic biofilms.

Hazardous chemicals, such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and antibiotics, coexist in aquatic environments and pose a severe threat to aquatic organisms. However, research into the toxicity of these pollutants on submerged macrophytes and their periphyton is still limited. To assess their combined toxicity, Vallisneria natans (V.

CRISPR/Cas13a Trans-Cleavage-Triggered Catalytic Hairpin Assembly Assay for Specific and Ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection.

New coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has brought about a huge burden on global healthcare systems. Rapid and early detection is important to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Here, an assay based on CRISPR/Cas13a and catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), termed as Cas-CHA, was developed for ultrasensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Changes in the cervicovaginal microbiota composition of HPV16-infected patients after clinical treatment.

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is a key factor that alters cervicovaginal microbiota patterns and causes cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CINs) or even cervical cancer. Although local excisional treatment can clear hrHPV infection and restore the cervicovaginal microbiota, it is unclear which cervicovaginal microbiota represents recovery. Our objective was to describe the cervicovaginal microbiota before and after treatments and to assess the association between the microbiota and HPV persistence.

A dual-signal sensing strategy based on ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetry for determination of Cu and glyphosate.

Herein, a dual-signal sensing strategy based on ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetry for Cu and glyphosate determination was constructed. Fluorescence silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction, which has maximum fluorescence intensity under the excitation of 355 nm. o-Phenylenediamine (OPD) was oxidized through Cu to generate 2,3-diaminophenazine (oxOPD).

Early Diagnosis of Occult Blood of Colorectal Cancer Based on Nano-Colloidal Gold Sandwich Immunochromatography.

The development of science and technology has deepened people's understanding of cancer, changing the management of malignant tumors in the medical field. Given the common precancerous characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC), researchers studied early CRC screening. The complexity of traditional diagnostics forced medical staff to speed up CRC innovation early screening methods.

A turn-on fluorescence sensor based on Cu modulated DNA-templated silver nanoclusters for glyphosate detection and mechanism investigation.

The abuse application of glyphosate can result in a potential hazard for environment and human, however its ultrasensitive detection remains challenging. Herein, a Cu modulated DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) sensor was constructed to sensitively determine glyphosate based on the turn-on fluorescence strategy. The fluorescence quenching of DNA-AgNCs occurred with the existence of Cu.

Abnormally increased DNA methylation in chorionic tissue might play an important role in development of ectopic pregnancy.

Background: Human Ectopic Pregnancy (hEP) is the second most common cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the first trimester. Without timely detection, EPs can lead to an increased rate of infertility and an elevated risk for future tubal EPs. In addition, most studies in the field focus on the effect of the fallopian tube (maternal factors) and ignore epigenetic changes in genes and proteins of the embryo, which may also cause EPs.

gene polymorphisms are associated with the S100B level and Alzheimer's disease risk by altering the miRNA binding capacity.

To examine the role of in genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD), we conducted a case-control study to analyze four polymorphism loci (rs2839364, rs1051169, rs2300403, and rs9722) of the gene and AD risk. We found an independent increased risk of AD in ε4(-) subjects carrying the rs9722 AA-genotype (OR = 2.622, 95% CI = 1.

ART strategies in Klinefelter syndrome.

Purpose: Patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) who receive assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment often experience poor pregnancy rates due to decreased fertilization, cleavage, and implantation rates and even an increased miscarriage rate. Mounting evidence from recent studies has shown that various technological advances and approaches could facilitate the success of ART treatment for KS patients. In this review, we summarize the methods for guiding KS patients during ART and for developing optimal strategies for preserving fertility, improving pregnancy rate and live birth rate, and avoiding the birth of KS infants.

A turn-on fluorescent nanoprobe based on N-doped silicon quantum dots for rapid determination of glyphosate.

N-Doped silicon quantum dots (N-SiQD) were synthesized using N-[3-(trimethoxysily)propyl]-ethylenediamine and citric acid as silicon source and reduction agent, respectively. The N-SiQD shows a strong blue fluorescence with a high quantum yield of about 53%. It is found that a selective static quenching process occurs between N-SiQDs and Cu.

Green emitting carbon dots for sensitive fluorometric determination of cartap based on its aggregation effect on gold nanoparticles.

A fluorometric method was developed for the determination of the insecticide cartap. It is based on the use of green emitting carbon dots (CDs) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The CDs were prepared from phenol and ethylene diamine by a hydrothermal route.

Aberrant expression of oxidative stress related proteins affects the pregnancy outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

Gestational diabetemellitus (GDM) is a condition whereby a mother's glucose tolerance is impaired with onset or first recognition during pregnancy which is not either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in diabetes, however, whether it also includes in GDM has not been fully clarified. Therefore, we investigated the changes of oxidative stress biomarkers and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM.

An Ultrasensitive Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Carboxylated Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube/Molybdenum Disulfide Composites for KRAS Gene Detection.

In this paper, an ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor based on carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube/molybdenum disulfide composites (MWCNTs-COOH/MoS) for the detection of KRAS gene is described. An easy, low-cost method, named one-step hydrothermal, was used for the synthesize of MWCNTs-COOH/MoS nanocomposites, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterizing the prepared composites. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were employed for an electrochemical performance study of this biosensor.

Role of the Glyoxalase System in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an insidious and progressive neurodegenerative disease. The main pathological features of AD are the formation of amyloid-β deposits in the anterior cerebral cortex and hippocampus as well as the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Thus far, accumulating evidence shows that glycation is closely related to AD.

[Huangjing Zanyu Capsule enhances sperm mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients].

Objective: To observe the effect of Huangjing Zanyu Capsule (HZC) on sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in asthenozoospermia patients.

Methods: We assigned 70 asthenozoospermia patients to a treatment group (n = 39) and a control group (n = 31), the former treated with oral HZC at the dose of 4 capsules tid for 3 months while the latter left untreated. We obtained semen parameters from the patients and detected their sperm mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) by JC-1 staining and flow cytometry before and after medication, followed by comparison between the two groups.