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Abstract The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-item Profile version 2.1 (PROMIS-29 V2.1) is a widely utilized self-reported instrument for assessing health outcomes from the patients’ perspectives. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PROMIS-29 V2.1 Chinese version among patients with hematological malignancy. Conducted as a cross-sectional, this research was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (registration number QTJC2022002-EC-1). We employed convenience sampling to enroll eligible patients with hematological malignancy from four tertiary hospitals in Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui province in China between June and August 2023. Participants were asked to complete a socio-demographic information questionnaire, the PROMIS-29 V2.1, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). We assessed the reliability, ceiling and floor effects, structural, convergent discriminant and criterion validity of the PROMIS-29 V2.1. A total of 354 patients with a mean age of 46.93 years was included in the final analysis. The reliability of the PROMIS-29 V2.1 was affirmed, with Cronbach’s α for the domains ranging from 0.787 to 0.968. Except sleep disturbance, the other six domains had ceiling effects, which were seen on physical function (26.0%), anxiety (37.0%), depression (40.4%), fatigue (18.4%), social roles (18.9%) and pain interference (43.2%), respectively. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between the PROMIS-29 V2.1 and FACT-G scores, as determined by the Spearman correlation test (P

Abstract Depression is a mood disorder mainly clinically characterized by significant and persistent low spirits. Chronic stress is the leading cause of depression. However, traditional medicine has severe side effects in treating depression, ineffective treatment, and easy recurrence. Therefore, it is of great significance to prevent depression in the environment of chronic stress. In this study, aromatherapy was used for the prevention of depression. To solve the defects of intense volatility and inconvenience in using essential oils, we designed bionic nano-aromatic drugs and adhered them to the wallpaper. Inspired by the moldy wallpaper, we successively prepared the morphology-bionic nano-aromatic drugs, the function-bionic nano-aromatic drugs, and the bionic plus nano-aromatic drugs by referring to the morphology of microorganisms and substances in bacterial biofilms. Bionic nano-aromatic drugs remarkably promoted their adhesion on wallpaper. Molecular dynamics simulation explored its molecular mechanism. The essential oils, which were slowly released from the bionic nano-aromatic drugs, showed excellent biosecurity and depression prevention. These sustainedly released essential oils could significantly increase monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain under a chronic stress environment and had excellent neuroprotection. Besides, the bionic nano-aromatic drugs with simple preparation process and low cost had excellent application potential.

The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is native to South America; however, its introduction to other countries has caused serious biodiversity, agricultural, and public health problems. As toxic bait is an effective method to control fire ant populations, the aim of this study was to determine the most effective concentration of sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, and triflumezopyrim as ingredients for baits against S. invicta under laboratory and field conditions. Sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, and triflumezopyrim had no effect on the feeding behavior of the fire ants. However, they significantly reduced the climbing, walking, and arrest abilities of the fire ant workers after 10 days of treatment, and insecticides were horizontally transferred from workers to alates or larvae. Specifically, sulfoxaflor and triflumezopyrim at 0.05% concentration were the most effective in exterminating fire ants. Sulfoxaflor and triflumezopyrim are nonrepellent and effective insecticides against S. invicta.

Abstract Background Aberrant expression of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) has been associated with human cancer growth and its suppression was identified as a potential target for anti-cancer drugs, particularly in colorectal cancer. However, the underlying mechanism by which SLPI affected the development of drug resistance in CRC remains unclear. Objective This study investigated the role of SLPI in the p53-up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)-mediated CRC cells’ apoptosis and their chemosensitivity to Cisplatin. Methods A series of qRT-PCR and western blot analyses were performed to characterize the expressions of SLPI, PUMA, and Akt in CRC lines. Tunel, transwell, and CCK-8 analyses were monitored to define the impacts of the siRNA-mediated knockdown of SLPI on CRC cell development. Furthermore, in vivo development of CRC was evaluated in nude mice infected with siSLPI or Cisplatin alone or both, and Ki67 and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry assay was monitored on multiple tissue microarray from the same cohort. Results Our results showed that SLPI inhibition strongly promoted the expressions of the pro-apoptotic protein PUMA, cleaved-caspase3 and Bax and reduced the cell viability of HT29 and HT116 cell lines in vitro. In addition, siSLPI knockdown effectively suppressed both Akt and FoxO3 proteins and improved the sensitivity to cisplatin chemotherapy. Xenograft tumor assay revealed a lowered growth in mice treated with Cisplatin, while combined treatment of siSLPI achieved more significant anticancer effects than Cisplatin alone. Conclusions Taken together, these findings demonstrated that suppression of SLPI might repress the growth of human colorectal cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested SLPI as a novel resistance factor to Cisplatin, and a combination of Cisplatin and SLPI inhibitor be beneficial for colorectal cancer therapy.

Key points Long-term survivors of HSCT recipients demonstrated longitudinal recovery in QoL which can be quantified with both SF-36 and FACT-BMT forms Recipients of HID-HSCT reported higher performance of QoL in both mental and physical dimensions. History of acute GVHD or CMV reactivation significantly was associated with inferior QoL. The SF-36 and FACT-BMT forms demonstrated different performance in the quantification of QoL recovery and combination of both may improve QoL evaluation system

Core body temperature (CBT) is increasingly attracting attention as crucial data during target temperature management (TTM). Accurate and continuous measurement of human CBT can effectively identify and monitor central high fever, and provide a basis for the effective implementation during TTM, which is therefore of great significance for human health care and disease monitoring. The reliable core measurement sites are nasopharynx, esophagus, bladder, rectum, pulmonary artery, etc., but the measurement methods in these sites are all invasive. At present, the medical field is more inclined to noninvasive data collection methods through monitoring an appropriate site (such as forehead, mouth, or axilla) depending on clinical circumstances, so as to ensure the comfort and security of patients to the greatest extent. This review will provide reference choosing more safe and accurate temperature measurement methods for patients during TTM by reviewing the sites and accuracy of invasive and noninvasive CBT measurements.

The concept of a public energy field is central to public administration discourse theory. Its main idea is the facilitation of dialog between government and the public, on the basis of equality, to construct a public policy consensus. In contemporary society, social media provides new and distinctive channels for such interactions. Social media can, therefore, be conceived as a novel type of public energy field. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, interactions between the Chinese government and the Chinese public (whether located in China or abroad) have been acutely reflected through WeChat official accounts. This article focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and, through social media text mining and processing, analyzes the text topics and emotions covered. Basic principles of discourse validity, regarding this public energy field and two guarantee conditions, are applied to analyze the information exchange and dialog between the government and the public on COVID-19 through WeChat official accounts. It was found that the government’s WeChat official accounts have not yet formed a harmonious dialog space to balance the public energy field, and that the interaction between the government and the public has to be improved. The government’s social discourse had a significant influence on the public’s social discourse. Using text analysis, the study found that the government has published information on 11 topics related to the prevention and control of the pandemic. It can be argued that the public energy field presented by both the government and the public effectively portrayed and reflected the actual situation of the pandemic in China.

Background and purpose: Evidence from the field of cognitive interventions indicates that nonpharmaceutical interventions seem more promising in enhancing cognition. The number of clinical trials that examine the cognitive benefits of combined physical exercise with cognitive intervention on older adults has recently increased. Tai Chi (TC) has been recommended as an effective and safe exercise for older adults aged 60 and over. However, there is a lack of conclusion about whether combined TC with cognitive interventions can show more benefits than a single intervention for older adults. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the effects of combined TC and cognitive interventions on older adults. Methods: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched for English peer-reviewed papers from inception until November 12, 2021. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Results: A total of 1524 records were generated and nine studies were included. The pooled results showed that combined TC and cognitive interventions showed significantly large gains on memory [standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.01, 1.74), P 0.05], moderate gains on cognition [SMD = 0.74, 95% CI:(0.19, 1.29), P 0.05], and small size effects on balance. No statistically significant difference was found in executive function, depression, risk of falls, or well-being. Conclusion: Combined TC and cognitive interventions have positive effects on improving cognition and balance in older adults, but their superiority over the single intervention, as well as their additional effects on the physical and psychological function, are required further investigation.

Pore and pore network evolution of shale is critical for the evaluation the pore system in shale gas reservoirs. Thermal maturation effect acts as an indispensable role in porosity evolution. In this paper, high-temperature and high-pressure in-situ thermal simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the process and controlling factors of pore evolution in marine-continental transitional shale. Multiple methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, helium porosimetry and low-pressure N2 and CO2 adsorption were used to investigate the evolution of mineral composition and pore structure at different stages of thermal maturity. The results showed that type III organic matter (OM) generated petroleum with the thermal maturity increasing. The total organic carbon (TOC) decreased by 13.3% when temperature reached 607°C. At the same time, it produced numerous organic and mineral pores during hydrocarbon generation. Besides, some changes in mineral composition have occurred, especially in illite (from 11% to 31%) and kaolinite (from 89% to 69%). In general, it can divide into 3 stages (maturity, high maturity and over maturity) for shale pore system evolution with the thermal maturity increasing. In the low maturity period, large amounts of pyrolytic bitumen and oil generated to fill the pores, causing the pore system to diminish; in the high maturity period, a large number of pores were generated when oil is cracked into gas, resulting in a rapid expansion of the pore system; in the over-maturity period, the cracking of pyrolysis and hydrocarbon slowed down, allowing the pore system to stabilize. Shale pore evolution is primarily controlled by the thermal evolution of OM, and the conversion of inorganic minerals contributes less to pore evolution compared to organic matter. The high maturity period (1.2% < Ro < 2.0%) was the period when extensive pyrolysis and hydrocarbon generated in the Shanxi Formation shale, which contributed mostly for the pores generation and accumulation of shale gas.

ObjectiveTo assess the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of perinatal stroke in Beijing.MethodsThis multicenter prospective study included all the live births from 17 representative maternal delivery hospitals in Beijing from March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020. Neonates with a stroke were assigned to the study group. Clinical data, including general information, clinical manifestations, and risk factors, were collected. Up until 18 months after birth, neonates were routinely assessed according to the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and/or the Bayley scale. Statistical analysis was done using the chi-squared, t-tests, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26.0.OutcomesIn total, 27 cases were identified and the incidence of perinatal stroke in Beijing was 1/2,660 live births, including 1/5,985 for ischemic stroke and 1/4,788 for hemorrhagic stroke. Seventeen cases (62.96%) of acute symptomatic stroke and convulsions within 72 h (10 cases, 37.04%) were the most common presentations. Ten patients showed no neurological symptoms and were found to have had a stroke through routine cranial ultrasonography after being hospitalized for non-neurological diseases. The risk factors include primiparity, placental or uterine abruption/acute chorioamnionitis, intrauterine distress, asphyxia, and severe infection. In the study group, 11.1% (3/27) of patients had adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The patients in the study group had lower scores for the ASQ than those in the control group in the communication, gross, and fine motor dimensions.ConclusionThe incidence of perinatal stroke in Beijing was consistent with that in other countries. Routine neuroimaging of infants with risk factors may enable identification of asymptomatic strokes in more patients. Patients who have suffered from a stroke may have neurological sequelae; therefore, early detection, treatment, and regular follow-ups are beneficial for improving their recovery outcomes.

Objective:To investigate post-traumatic growth (PTG) and analyze its correlation with professional self-identity and social support in Chinese nurses who faced the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. An online questionnaire was completed by 266 nurses who faced the COVID-19 emergency in Hubei Province, China. The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Professional Self-identity Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale were used to assess the level of PTG, professional self-identity, and social support. Descriptive, univariate analysis and multiple regression analyses were used in exploring related influencing factors.Results:Participants' mean scores were 96.26 (SD = 21.57) for PTG, 115.30 (SD = 20.82) for professional self-identification, and 66.27 (SD = 12.90) for social support. Multiple regression analysis showed that nurses from other provinces moving to support Hubei Province, professional self-identity, and social support were the main factors affecting nurse stress (p = 0.014, < 0.001, and 0.017, respectively). Professional self-identity and social support were positively correlated with PTG (r = 0.720 and 0.620, respectively).Conclusions:There was a phenomenon of PTG when the nurses faced COVID-19 in Hubei Province. Providing an active coping style helps to improve the level of PTG.

The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a serine protease inhibitor which plays important role in bacterial infection, inflammation, wound healing and epithelial proliferation. Dysregulation of SLPI has been reported in a variety of human cancers including glioblastoma, lung, breast, ovarian and colorectal carcinomas and is associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential. However, the pathogenic role of SLPI in colorectal cancer is still unclear. Here we showed that SLPI mRNA level was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal controls. Targeting SLPI by siRNA inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells lines HT29 and HT116 in vitro. Mechanistically, blockage of cancer cell growth and metastasis after SLPI knockdown was associated with down-regulation of AKT signaling. In conclusion, SLPI regulated colorectal cell growth and metastasis via AKT signaling. SLPI may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Targeting AKT signaling may be effective for colorectal cancer treatment.

Lethal autophagy is a pathway leading to neuronal death caused by transient global ischemia. In this study, we examined the effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) on ischemia/reperfusion-induced autophagic neuronal death and investigated the role of PI3K/Akt. Ischemic neuronal death in vitro was induced by using oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in SH-SY5Y cells, and transient global ischemia was produced by using two vessels occlusion in rats. Cellular viability of SH-SY5Y cells was assessed by MTT assay, and CA1 neuronal death was evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Autophagic vacuoles were detected by using both fluorescent microscopy in combination with acridine orange (AO) and Monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and transmission electronic microscopy. Protein levels of LC3II, Beclin1, total Akt and phosphor-Akt at Ser473 were examined by western blotting analysis. GRb1 inhibited both OGD and transient ischemia-induced neuronal death and mitigated OGD-induced autophagic vacuoles in SH-SY5Y cells. By contrast, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 counteracted the protection of GRb1 against neuronal death caused by either OGD or transient ischemia. LY294002 not only mitigated the up-regulated protein level of phosphor Akt at Ser473 caused by GRb1, but also reversed the inhibitory effect of GRb1 on OGD and transient ischemia-induced elevation in protein levels of LC3II and Beclin1.

Small molecules that can specifically bind to a DNA abasic site (AP site) have received much attention due to their importance in DNA lesion identification, drug discovery, and sensor design. Herein, the AP site binding behavior of sanguinarine (SG), a natural alkaloid, was investigated. In aqueous solution, SG has a short-wavelength alkanolamine emission band and a long-wavelength iminium emission band. At pH 8.3, SG experiences a fluorescence quenching for both bands upon binding to fully matched DNAs without the AP site, while the presence of the AP site induces a strong SG binding and the observed fluorescence enhancement for the iminium band are highly dependent on the nucleobases flanking the AP site, while the alkanolamine band is always quenched. The bases opposite the AP site also exert some modifications on the SG's emission behavior. It was found that the observed quenching for DNAs with Gs and Cs flanking the AP site is most likely caused by electron transfer between the AP site-bound excited-state SG and the nearby Gs. However, the flanking As and Ts that are not easily oxidized favor the enhanced emission. This AP site-selective enhancement of SG fluorescence accompanies a band conversion in the dominate emission from the alkanolamine to iminium band thus with a large emission shift of about 170 nm. Absorption spectra, steady-state and transient-state fluorescence, DNA melting, and electrolyte experiments confirm that the AP site binding of SG occurs and the stacking interaction with the nearby base pairs is likely to prevent the converted SG iminium form from contacting with water that is thus emissive when the AP site neighbors are bases other than guanines. We expect that this fluorophore would be developed as a promising AP site binder having a large emission shift.

Objective: The objective of this study was to construct an early warning system (EWS) to facilitate risk assessment, early identification, and appropriate treatment of enteral nutrition feeding intolerance (FI) in patients with stroke, so as to provide a reference for risk classification standards and interventions toward a complete EWSs for nursing care of stroke. Materials and Methods: Based on evidence and clinical nursing practice, a structured expert consultation method was adopted on nine experts over two rounds of consultation. Statistical analysis was used to determine the early warning index for FI in patients with stroke. Results: The expert authority coefficient was 0.89; the coefficients of variation for the two rounds of consultation were 0.088-0.312 and 0.096-0.214, respectively. There were significant differences in the Kendall's concordance coefficient (P < 0.05). Finally, 22 items in five dimensions of patient age, disease, treatment, biochemical, and enteral nutrition-related factors were identified. Conclusion: The early warning index for FI in patients with a history of stroke is valid and practical. It provides a reference for the early clinical identification of FI risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the compounding of three herbicides: clopyralid, picloram and benazolin, so as to improve the effectiveness of herbicides. [Methods] With Lapsana apogonoides Maxim, as the target and clopyralid, picloram and benazolin as the test agents, seven gradient concentrations were set up to determine the joint toxicity of the three agents. [Results] When the compounding ratio of picloram, clopyralid and benazolin was 2-1:6, the maximum co-toxicity coefficient was 290.0. [Conclusions] The compounding of picloram, clopyralid and benazolin has a significant synergistic effect on L. apogonoides, which reduces production costs and environmental pressure, providing technical support for the effective control of broad-leaved weeds such as L. apogonoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial morphology is regulated by fusion and fission machinery. Impaired mitochondria dynamics cause various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Appoptosin (encoded by SLC25A38) is a mitochondrial carrier protein that is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Appoptosin overexpression causes overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase-dependent apoptosis, whereas appoptosin downregulation abolishes β-amyloid-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and neuronal death during Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we found that overexpression of appoptosin resulted in mitochondrial fragmentation in a manner independent of its carrier function, ROS production or caspase activation. Although appoptosin did not affect levels of mitochondrial outer-membrane fusion (MFN1 and MFN2), inner-membrane fusion (OPA1) and fission [DRP1 (also known as DNM1L) and FIS1] proteins, appoptosin interacted with MFN1 and MFN2, as well as with the mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase MITOL (also known as MARCH5) but not OPA1, FIS1 or DRP1. Appoptosin overexpression impaired the interaction between MFN1 and MFN2, and mitochondrial fusion. By contrast, co-expression ofMFN1,MITOL and a dominant-negative form of DRP1, DRP1K38A, partially rescued appoptosin-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis, whereas co-expression of FIS1 aggravated appoptosin-induced apoptosis. Together, our results demonstrate that appoptosin can interact with mitochondrial outer-membrane fusion proteins and regulates mitochondrial morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The potential of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) as a biomarker for colorectal cancer was studied. A prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted in 2013 and 2014 to confirm whether the expression of SLPI correlates with prognosis and metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SLPI expression in colorectal cancer. The expression of SLPI was scored by two pathologists independently. Statistical analysis of the χ² data was performed using a ? test to investigate the influence of SLPI on the pathologic characteristics of colorectal cancer. Results Compared with normal tissue, SLPI was overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissue. Overexpression of SLPI correlated with different grades (moderate or good differentiation: 2.7% low expression versus 97.3% high expression, low differentiation: 41.7% low expression versus 58.3% high expression), TNM stage (I or II: 4.2% low expression versus 95.8% high expression; III or IV: 19.7% low expression versus 80.3% high expression), lymphatic metastasis (18.6% low expression versus 81.4% high expression) and distal metastasis (86.5% low expression versus 13.5% high expression), but not with patient age or sex (P = 0.613, P = 0.871). Conclusions Upregulated SLPI correlates with aggressive pathologic characteristics of colorectal cancer; SLPI could be used as an indicator of progression and metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coating superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) with dextran increases the stability of the magnetic nanoparticles during blood circulation, yet this is accompanied by an increase in the particle size and the vascular permeability efficiency of the SPIO nanoparticles into the joints decreases. In our study, the thickness of the dextran coated onto SPIO (dex-SPIO) was optimized without affecting the magnetic quality of iron oxide by adding a suitable amount of glucose into the crystal growth process. To further improve the signal enhancement effect of this glucose and dextran coated SPIO (glu-dex-SPIO) for the detection of the inflammatory site of arthritis, folic acid (FA) was conjugated to glu-dex-SPIO. This FA glu-dex-SPIO was used as a negative contrast agent for MRI to visualize the antigen induce arthritis (AIA) model in rats using a 7 T MR scans. MR imaging revealed more significant differences between the synovium and surrounding tissues with FA glu-dex SPIO than when using the non-targeting glu-dex-SPIO over a long period of time (24 h) after intravenous injection. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor treatment of the inflamed joints also could be confirmed by using FA glu-dex SPIO enhanced MRI, indicating that this type of nanoparticles could also have potential as a contrast agent for measuring the treatment response of rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes of spatial pattern in energy consumption have an impact on global climate change. Based on the spatial autocorrelation analysis and the auto-regression model of spatial statistics, this study has explored the spatial disparities and driving forces in energy consumption changes in China. The results show that the global spatial autocorrelation of energy consumption change in China is significant during the period 1990-2010, and the trend of spatial clustering of energy consumption change is weakened. The regions with higher energy consumption change are significantly distributed in the developed coastal areas in China, while those with lower energy consumption change are significantly distributed in the less developed western regions in China. Energy consumption change in China is mainly caused by transportation industry and non-labor intensive industry. Rapid economic development and higher industrialization rate are the main causes for faster changes in energy consumption in China. The results also indicate that spatial autoregressive model can reveal more influencing factors of energy consumption changes in China, in contrast with standard linear model. At last, this study has put forward the corresponding measures or policies for dealing with the growing trend of energy consumption in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-stranded DNAs (ds-DNAs) have been identified as efficient templates favoring the formation of fluorescent copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs). Herein, we have tried to synthesize fluorescent Cu NPs using single-stranded DNAs (ss-DNAs) as templates and to identify the critical DNA sequences. By comparing the results using homopolymer DNAs, hairpin DNAs, and pristine ss-DNAs as templates, we found that DNA thymine base plays a dominant role in producing red-emissive fluorescent Cu NPs on ss-DNA templates. The thymine-dependent growth of the fluorescent Cu NPs is confirmed by Hg2+ mediated T-T base pair in comparison with the other non-specific metal ions, which could be developed into a practical sensor for turn-on fluorescence detection of Hg2+ with a high selectivity. The mechanism is briefly discussed according the DNA sequence-dependent formation of fluorescent Cu NPs. This work demonstrates the sequence role in producing fluorescent Cu NPs that could serve as promising fluorescent nanoprobes in biosensing and DNA-hosted Cu nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various DNAs were employed as hosts to investigate the sequence-dependent formation of fluorescent Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) in aqueous solution. By comparison among hairpin DNAs (HP-DNAs) with a pristine stem segment and varied loop sequences, we found that the emission behavior of the HP-DNA-hosted Au NCs is dependent on the loop sequences. The most efficient host to produce fluorescent Au NCs is the cytosine loop. However, relative to the cytosine and guanine loops, the loop composed of thymine as well as adenine produces Au NCs with a much weaker emission. Additionally, the emission behavior of Au NCs hosted by the single-stranded DNAs (ss-DNAs) with an identical base composition to the corresponding HP-DNAs still exhibits a cytosine-rich dependence. The fully matched DNAs seem to be less efficient than the corresponding loop and ss-DNA structures. Furthermore, the emission properties of HP-DNA-hosted Au NCs can be modulated by the loop length. The sequence-dependent formation of fluorescent Au NCs is believed to be caused by differences in binding nucleophilicity of the DNA heterocyclic nitrogen and exocyclic keto groups to the hydrolyzed Au(III) species. This work demonstrates the role of sequence in producing Au NCs that could serve as promising fluorescent nanoprobes in biosensing and DNA-hosted Au nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection has attracted much attention due to mutation-related diseases. Various fluorescence methods for SNP detection have been proposed and many are already in use. However, fluorescence enhancement for signal-on SNP identification without label modification still remains a challenge. Here, we find that the abasic site (AP site) in a DNA duplex can be developed as a binding pocket favorable for the occurrence of the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of a 3-hydroxyflavone, fisetin, which is used as a proof of concept for effective SNP identification. Fisetin binding at the AP site is highly selective for target thymine or cytosine facing the AP site by observation of a drastic increase in the ESIPT emission band. In addition, the target recognition selectivity based on this ESIPT process is not affected by flanking bases of the AP site. The binding selectivity of fisetin at the AP site is also confirmed by measurements of fluorescence resonance energy transfer, emission lifetime and DNA melting. The fluorescent signal-on sensing for SNP based on this fluorophore is substantially advantageous over the previously used fluorophores such as the AP site-specific signal-off organic ligands with a similar fluorescing mechanism before and after binding to DNA with hydrogen bonding interaction. We expect that this approach will be employed to develop a practical SNP detection method by locating an AP site toward a target and employing an ESIPT probe as readout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new acetylated flavonoid, kaempferide-7- O-(4″- O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnoside, and six known flavonoids were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. et Maxim.) Planch. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by application of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. The new acetylated flavonoid was screened for its protective effect on human erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis, and it can slow the hemolysis induced by AAPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative analysis of aroma-active compounds in large-leaf yellow tea and rice crust was carried out via headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) to elucidate the material basis of the rice crust-like aroma of large-leaf yellow tea. The results revealed that 72 and 45 volatile compounds were identified in large-leaf yellow tea infusion and rice crust, respectively. In total, 15 aroma-active components were found in both large-leaf yellow tea and rice crust. Among them, five pyrazines responsible for a roasted aroma were common to both, which made a key contribution to the characteristic rice crust-like aroma of large-leaf yellow tea. 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine and 2,6-diethylpyrazine were the key aroma-active components of both large-leaf yellow tea and rice crust. 3,5-Diethyl-2-methylpyrazine was key to the formation of the rice crust-like aroma of large-leaf yellow tea, but contributed little to the characteristic aroma of rice crust. 3-Ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine was key to the formation of the characteristic aroma of rice crust, butt contributed little to the characteristic aroma of large-leaf yellow tea.