A dual-switch fluorescence biosensor with an entropy-driven and DNA walker cascade amplification circuit for sensitive microRNA detection.

To achieve precise diagnosis of tumor cells, designing nucleic acid amplification circuits with intelligent multi-switch responsiveness for the specific and sensitive detection of miRNA within tumor cells is an important strategy. Here, we developed a dual-switch fluorescence biosensor that integrates a two-step cascade signal amplification circuit of an entropy-driven circuit (EDC) and DNA walkers onto gold nanoparticles for highly sensitive and quantitative detection of target miRNA in tumor cells. The dual switches that trigger the fluorescence signal are miRNA and the APE1 enzyme, both of which are upregulated in tumor cells.

[Age-related changes in differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and the activity of Notch signaling pathway].

Purpose: To explore the age-related changes in differentiation and proliferation of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and the activity of Notch signaling pathway in vitro.

Methods: BMSCs were harvested from the whole bone marrow of young, adult and aged C57BL/6 mice and were evaluated for cell-surface protein expression using flow cytometry. After osteogenic and adipogenic induction, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs was evaluated.

γ-Secretase inhibitor reverts the Notch signaling attenuation of osteogenic differentiation in aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

The age-related changes in cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play pivotal roles in the fracture healing process, especially in geriatric individuals. This study was designed to explore the age-related changes in murine BMSCs and the regulation of osteogenic differentiation in aged BMSCs in vitro. Notch signaling pathway took part in the regulation of osteogensis, while the relationship between Notch and the osteogenic differentiation in aged BMSCs has not been reported yet.

The management of naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) fractures.

The bony naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) complex is a 3-dimensional delicate anatomic structure. Damages to this region may result in severe facial dysfunction and malformation. The management and optimal surgical treatment strategies of NOE fractures remain controversial.