Multi-signal amplification electrochemical DNA biosensor based on exonuclease III and tetraferrocene.

Homogeneous electrochemical DNA biosensors' unique qualities have been of great interest to researchers, mainly due to their high recognition efficiency in solutions. However, the processes of introducing additional markers and extra operations to obtain a signal are tedious and time consuming, which limits their overall potential applications. Herein, a novel tetraferrocene was synthesized and used as a homogeneous electrochemical DNA biosensor probe label.

Clinical management of vascular lake during transarterial chemoembolization with CalliSpheres drug-eluting beads (DEBs) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: To summarize the incidence and management strategy of vascular lake (VL) during the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with CalliSpheres drug-eluting beads (DEBs), and to analyze its relationship with tumor response rate (RR). The etiology and clinical significance of VL were also analyzed based on the available literature.

Methods: The clinical data of 92 HCC patients who were treated with chemoembolization using CalliSpheres DEBs (DEB-TACE) in two centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Strategies for the prevention and management of coronavirus disease 2019.

Early protection, early identification, early diagnosis, and early isolation are crucial to combat with Covid-19 outbreaks

A Spectroscopic Study of Electrochemical Nitrogen and Nitrate Reduction on Rhodium Surfaces.

Rh is a promising electrocatalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) given its suitable nitrogen-adsorption energy and low overpotential. However, the NRR pathway on Rh surfaces remains unknown. In this study, we employ surface-enhanced infrared-absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) to study the reaction mechanism of NRR on Rh.

Structure guided maturation of a novel humanized anti-HBV antibody and its preclinical development.

We have reported that E6F6, a mouse monoclonal antibody, is a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A humanized E6F6 antibody B11 with affinity loss was obtained by CDR-grafting approach. To address this issue, in silico affinity maturation through scanning mutagenesis using CHARMM force field methods was performed on an predicted immune complex model of the B11:HBsAg.

Sustained IFN-I stimulation impairs MAIT cell responses to bacteria by inducing IL-10 during chronic HIV-1 infection.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in HIV-1-infected individuals are functionally impaired by poorly understood mechanisms. Single-cell transcriptional and surface protein analyses revealed that peripheral MAIT cells from HIV-1-infected subjects were highly activated with the up-regulation of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes as compared to healthy individuals. Sustained IFN-α treatment suppressed MAIT cell responses to by triggering high-level interleukin-10 (IL-10) production by monocytes, which subsequently inhibited the secretion of IL-12, a crucial costimulatory cytokine for MAIT cell activation.

Quantum chemical calculation to elucidate the biodegradation pathway of methylphenanthrene by green microalgae.

Alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (APAHs) are the main components of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in petroleum-contaminated waters. In our study, three kinds of green microalgae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus) were shown to degrade six kinds of methylphenanthrenes (1-methylphenanthren, 2-methylphenanthrenem, 3-nmmethylphenanthrene, 4-methylphenanthren, 9-methylphenanthrene and 3,6-dimethylphenanthrene) with different degrading abilities. Among the six methylphenanthrenes, 99.

Hydroiodic Acid Additive Enhanced the Performance and Stability of PbS-QDs Solar Cells via Suppressing Hydroxyl Ligand.

The recent emerging progress of quantum dot ink (QD-ink) has overcome the complexity of multiple-step colloidal QD (CQD) film preparation and pronouncedly promoted the device performance. However, the detrimental hydroxyl (OH) ligands induced from synthesis procedure have not been completely removed. Here, a halide ligand additive strategy was devised to optimize QD-ink process.

Metformin attenuates cartilage degeneration in an experimental osteoarthritis model by regulating AMPK/mTOR.

Background: It is generally thought that the occurrence and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) results from multiple causes, including degradation and destruction of the cartilage matrix and aging of chondrocytes. Metformin is a first-line drug for the treatment of diabetes, and has great potential for the treatment of other disorders. However, the role of metformin in OA is unknown.

Single Lithium-Ion Conducting Solid Polymer Electrolyte with Superior Electrochemical Stability and Interfacial Compatibility for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal batteries are being explored in meeting ever-increasing energy density needs. Because of serious dendritic lithium issues in liquid-state electrolytes, it is generally thought that solid-state electrolytes are potential alternatives for lithium metal batteries. Herein, we design a new single lithium-ion conducting lithium poly[(cyano)(4-styrenesulfonyl)imide] (LiPCSI) to replace the conventional dual-ion conducting salt for use in solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) that successfully suppress the growth of lithium dendrites.

MiR-204-3p Inhibited the Proliferation of Bladder Cancer Cells via Modulating Lactate Dehydrogenase-Mediated Glycolysis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate the expression of downstream targeted mRNAs. Increasing evidence has suggested that miRNAs act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes to interfere the progression of cancers. Here, we showed that miR-204-3p was decreased in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines.

A theranostic agent for cancer therapy and imaging in the second near-infrared window.

Theranostic nanoparticles are integrated systems useful for simultaneous diagnosis and imaging guided delivery of therapeutic drugs, with wide ranging potential applications in the clinic. Here we developed a theranostic nanoparticle (~ 24 nm size by dynamic light scattering) p-FE-PTX-FA based on polymeric micelle encapsulating an organic dye (FE) fluorescing in the 1,000-1,700 nm second near-infrared (NIR-II) window and an anti-cancer drug paclitaxel. Folic acid (FA) was conjugated to the nanoparticles to afford specific binding to molecular folate receptors on murine breast cancer 4T1 tumor cells.

Developing a Bright NIR-II Fluorophore with Fast Renal Excretion and Its Application in Molecular Imaging of Immune Checkpoint PD-L1.

Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window holds impressive advantages of enhanced penetration depth and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Bright NIR-II fluorophores with renal excretion ability and low tissue accumulation are favorable for in vivo molecular imaging applications as they can render the target-mediated molecular imaging process easily distinguishable. Here, a probe (anti-PD-L1-BGP6) comprising a fluorophore (IR-BGP6) covalently bonded to the programmed cell death ligand-1 monoclonal antibody (PD-L1 mAb) for molecular imaging of immune checkpoint PD-L1 (a targeting site upregulated in various tumors for cancer imaging) in the NIR-II window is reported.

Systematic genome editing of the genes on zebrafish Chromosome 1 by CRISPR/Cas9.

Genome editing by the well-established CRISPR/Cas9 technology has greatly facilitated our understanding of many biological processes. However, a complete whole-genome knockout for any species or model organism has rarely been achieved. Here, we performed a systematic knockout of all the genes (1333) on Chromosome 1 in zebrafish, successfully mutated 1029 genes, and generated 1039 germline-transmissible alleles corresponding to 636 genes.

Tetramethylpyrazine Analogue T-006 Exerts Neuroprotective Effects against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Parkinson's Disease and .

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and there is no cure for it at present. We have previously reported that the tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) derivative T-006 exhibited beneficial effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD) models. However, its effect on PD remains unclear.

Amine-Responsive Disassembly of Au -Cu Double Salts for Oxidative Carbonylation.

A sensitive amine-responsive disassembly of self-assembled Au -Cu double salts was observed and its utilization for the synergistic catalysis was enlightened. Investigation of the disassembly of [Au(NHC) ][CuI ] revealed the contribution of Cu-assisted ligand exchange of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) by amine in [Au(NHC) ] and the capacity of [CuI ] on the oxidative step. By integrating the implicative information coded in the responsive behavior and inherent catalytic functions of d metal complexes, a catalyst for the oxidative carbonylation of amines was developed.

Highly active oxygen evolution integrated with efficient CO to CO electroreduction.

Electrochemical reduction of CO to useful chemicals has been actively pursued for closing the carbon cycle and preventing further deterioration of the environment/climate. Since CO reduction reaction (CORR) at a cathode is always paired with the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at an anode, the overall efficiency of electrical energy to chemical fuel conversion must consider the large energy barrier and sluggish kinetics of OER, especially in widely used electrolytes, such as the pH-neutral CO-saturated 0.5 M KHCO OER in such electrolytes mostly relies on noble metal (Ir- and Ru-based) electrocatalysts in the anode.

RNF6 promotes myeloma cell proliferation and survival by inducing glucocorticoid receptor polyubiquitination.

RNF6, a RING-type ubiquitin ligase, has been identified as an oncogene in various cancers but its role in multiple myeloma (MM) remains elusive. In the present study we first showed that the expression levels of RNF6 in MM were significantly elevated compared with the bone marrow cells of healthy donors. Overexpression of RNF6 in LP1 and PRMI-8266 MM cell lines promoted cell proliferation, whereas knockdown of RNF6 led to apoptosis of MM cells.

Dual-Additive Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition for the Growth of Mn-Doped 2D MoS with Tunable Electronic Properties.

Doping of bulk silicon and III-V materials has paved the foundation of the current semiconductor industry. Controlled doping of 2D semiconductors, which can also be used to tune their bandgap and type of carrier thus changing their electronic, optical, and catalytic properties, remains challenging. Here the substitutional doping of nonlike element dopant (Mn) at the Mo sites of 2D MoS is reported to tune its electronic and catalytic properties.

Excellent Adsorptive Behaviors of ZnO Nanoparticle-Deposited Activated Carbon Covered with Nano-Graphene Oxide.

In the paper, ZnO-deposited activated carbon composite (ZnO-AC) was firstly prepared in a simple two-step preparation process, and then covered with nano-graphene oxide to give the NGO-ZnOAC composite. The successful deposition of ZnO and NGO on the AC surface was demonstrated by various experiments, and the ZnO nanoparticles showed a mean diameter size mainly within about 10 nm. The specific surface area of the NGO-AC and NGO-ZnO-AC decreased from 67.

Feedback of airborne bacterial consortia to haze pollution with different PM levels in typical mountainous terrain of Jinan, China.

Polluted air is as harmful as polluted water sources to public health. As air living organisms, the research on microbial consortia under haze stress with different PM levels in a mountainous environment remains very limited. This study investigated the dynamic changes in bacterial cell counts, apoptosis, human pathogens, consortia characteristics, metabolic pathways, and the biochemical functions under haze conditions with various degrees of pollution (leading pollutant PM) from August to December 2017 in a typical mountainous terrain of Jinan, China.

Nanoscale Architecture of the Cortical Actin Cytoskeleton in Embryonic Stem Cells.

Mechanical cues influence pluripotent stem cell differentiation, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) exhibit unusual cytomechanical properties, including low cell stiffness and attenuated responses to substrate rigidity, but the underlying structural basis remains obscure. Using super-resolution microscopy to investigate the actin cytoskeleton in mESCs, we observed that the actin cortex consists of a distinctively sparse and isotropic network.

Tetramethylpyrazine Analogue T-006 Promotes the Clearance of Alpha-synuclein by Enhancing Proteasome Activity in Parkinson's Disease Models.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is characterized in part by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The main pathological hallmark of PD is the intraneuronal accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates. Mutations in the SNCA gene (encoding α-syn) and variations in its copy number are associated with some forms of familial PD.

Kinetic modulation of graphene growth by fluorine through spatially confined decomposition of metal fluorides.

Two-dimensional materials show a variety of promising properties, and controlling their growth is an important aspect for practical applications. To this end, active species such as hydrogen and oxygen are commonly introduced into reactors to promote the synthesis of two-dimensional materials with specific characteristics. Here, we demonstrate that fluorine can play a crucial role in tuning the growth kinetics of three representative two-dimensional materials (graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and WS).