A pilot study on glutamate receptor and carrier gene variants and risk of childhood autism spectrum.

Imbalanced glutamate signaling has been implicated in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This case-control study was to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in glutamate receptor and carrier genes and determine their association with childhood ASD in a Chinese Han population. A total of 12 SNPs in genes encoding glutamate receptors (GRM7 and GRM8) and carriers (SLC1A1 and SLC25A12) were examined in 249 autistic children and 353 healthy controls. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and its verbal communication domain were applied to evaluate the severity of the disease and language impairment, respectively. The T allele of rs2292813 in the SLC25A12 gene was significantly associated with an increased risk of ASD (odds ratio (OD) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.6, P = 0.0107). Neither the genotypes nor allele distributions of other SNPs were associated with the risk of ASD. Notably, rs1800656 and rs2237731 in the GRM8 gene, but not other SNPs, were related to the severity of language impairment. All SNPs were not correlated with the overall severity of ASD. Our findings support associations between the SLC25A12 gene variant and the risk of childhood ASD, and between the GRM8 gene variant and the severity of language impairment in the Chinese Han population.

An electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on ABEI-GO-AgNPs as a double-amplified luminophore for the ultra-sensitive detection of prostate-specific antigen.

A sandwich electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor based on an N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol-graphene oxide-Ag nanoparticle (ABEI-GO-AgNPs) complex and cysteine silver nanowires (AgCysNWs) was prepared to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Our results showed that an ECL signal probe, ABEI-GO-AgNPs, with an ultrahigh specific surface area, favorable catalytic properties, and electrical conductivity was prepared by a one-step synthesis method. ABEI-GO-AgNPs with good biocompatibility immobilized secondary antibody (Ab2) via AgN bonds. Furthermore, AgCysNWs containing many -COOH groups were prepared and used to enrich primary antibody (Ab1), which could be used as an affinity probe for the selective capture of PSA. Lastly, through layer-by-layer assembly, we established an ECL immunosensing platform for the sensitive detection of PSA. Under the optimized conditions, the designed ECL immunosensor showed promising sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of PSA in the linear range of 5.5 × 10-7-5.5 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 1.2 × 10-7 ng/mL. The constructed ECL sensing platform possessed good specificity, reproducibility, and stability and could detect PSA in actual human serum samples.

EDTAD-modified cassava stalks loaded with Fe3O4: highly efficient removal of Pb2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solution.

In this study, a novel magnetic cassava stalk composite (M-EMCS) was prepared through modification with ethylenediamine tetraacetic anhydride (EDTAD) and loading of Fe3O4. The surface morphology, molecular structure, and magnetic characteristics of the composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was shown that EDTAD and Fe3O4 were successfully modified and loaded in cassava straw (CS), respectively. The capacity of M-EMCS to absorb heavy metals under different influencing factors was tested by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The adsorption processes of both Pb2+ and Zn2+ were suitably described by second-order kinetic models and Langmuir models, indicating monolayer chemisorption. M-EMCS had high adsorption rates and adsorption capacities for these two metal ions. The adsorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ reached a plateau after 10 min, and the adsorption capacity of Pb2+ (163.93 mg/g) was higher than that of Zn2+ (84.74 mg/g). Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of two metals by M-EMCS was spontaneous, endothermic, and irreversible. XPS analysis showed that M-EMCS mainly removes Pb2+ and Zn2+ through ion exchange, chelation, and redox. Graphical abstract.

Removal of Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) by adsorption onto banana stalk biochar: adsorption process and mechanisms.

Low-cost banana stalk (Musa nana Lour.) biochar was prepared using oxygen-limited pyrolysis (at 500 °C and used), to remove heavy metal ions (including Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II)) from aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments showed that the initial solution pH affected the ability of the biochar to adsorb heavy metal ions in single- and polymetal systems. Compared to Mn(II) and Zn(II), the biochar exhibited highly selective Cu(II) adsorption. The adsorption kinetics of all three metal ions followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The isotherm data demonstrated the Langmuir model fit for Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II). The results showed that the chemical adsorption of single molecules was the main heavy metal removal mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities (mg·g-1) were ranked as Cu(II) (134.88) > Mn(II) (109.10) > Zn(II) (108.10)) by the single-metal adsorption isotherms at 298 K. Moreover, characterization analysis was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results revealed that ion exchange was likely crucial in Mn(II) and Zn(II) removal, while C-O, O-H and C = O possibly were key to Cu(II) removal by complexing or other reactions.

A competitive immunoassay for electrochemical impedimetric determination of chlorpyrifos using a nanogold-modified glassy carbon electrode based on enzymatic biocatalytic precipitation.

A direct competitive impedimetric immunoassay for chlorpyrifos (CPF) was developed that is based on the specific affinity of immunoassay and the enzymatic biocatalytic precipitation amplification strategy. The CPF antibody (anti-CPF) was anchored onto an electro-deposited nanogold modified glassy carbon electrode surface by adsorption of the Au-NH2 bond and Au-SH bond. This improved the electrode reactivity and the loading amount of anti-CPF. Abundant horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and bovine serum albumin-CPF (BSA-CPF) were anchored onto spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 16 ± 2 nm) to form HRP-AuNP-BSA-CPF (analyte competitor). CPF determination was achieved when the competitive immunoassay occurred between CPF and analyte competitor with anti-CPF. In the presence of H2O2 and 4-chloro-1-naphthol, an enzyme-mediated biocatalytic precipitation process was triggered and produced an insoluble 4-chloro-1(4H)-naphthalenone. This insoluble substance increased the Faradaic impedance of the base electrode. The impedimetric signal was determined at the formal potential of 220 mV and alternating voltage of 10 mV. This signal decreased with increasing concentration of CPF over a linear range of 1.0 × 10-3 ng mL-1~10 ng mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.070 pg mL-1. The immunoassay has been tested for determination of chlorpyrifos in complex matrices such as artificially spiked vegetables with recoveries in the range 85 to 110%. The relative standard deviations were less than 7.5%. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of electrochemical impedimetric immunoassay for chlorpyrifos determination before enzymatic biocatalytic precipitation (BCP, red line) process and after BCP process (blue line).

Electrochemiluminescent immunoassay for neuron specific enolase by using amino-modified reduced graphene oxide loaded with N-doped carbon quantum dots.

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence based sandwich immunoassay is presented for determination of neuron specific enolase. The method uses silver-cysteine nanowires as the capture probe and a composite made of amino-modified reduced graphene oxide and nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as the signal probe. It was synthesized by covalent coupling of amino-modified reduced graphene oxide to the carboxy groups of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots. The nanowires possess a large specific surface and abundant functional groups which facilitate immobilizing the primary antibody (Ab1). The amino-modified reduced graphene oxide is employed as a carrier for loading a large number of the quantum dots and secondary antibody (Ab2). This increases the electrochemiluminescence intensity of quantum dots. Response to neuron specific enolase is linear in the 0.55 fg·mL-1 to 5.5 ng·mL-1 concentration range. It has a detection limit of 0.18 fg·mL-1 (at S/N = 3). The relative standard deviation (for n = 6) is less than 2.9%. The assay is highly sensitive, reproducible, selective and stable. Graphical abstractA novel electrochemiluminescence immunosensor is described that uses amino-modified reduced graphene oxide (amino-rGO), nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) and silver-cysteine nanowires (SCNWs). It was applied to the determination of neuron specific enolase (NSE). Bovine serum albumin: BSA;1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide: (EDC;, N-hydroxysuccinimide: NHS.

Based on reduced graphene oxide-copper sulfide-carbon nitride nanosheets composite electrochemiluminescence sensor for determination of gatifloxacin in mouse plasma.

A new method for determination of gatifloxacin hydrochloride (GAT) by reduced graphene oxide-copper sulfide (rGO-CuS) composite coupled with graphite-like carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4 NSs) modified glassy carbon electrode was developed. In this work, rGO-CuS composite was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method and used for enhancing sensitivity of GAT. g-C3N4 NSs were synthesized as radiant agent. The sensor characteristics of electrochemistry and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) were investigated. The ECL intensity has enhanced four-fold after modifying with rGO-CuS composite. The results can be ascribed to the presence of rGO-CuS composite on the electrode surface that facilitates the electron transfer rate between the electroactive center of g-C3N4 NSs and the electrode. Under the optimum experimental conditions (photomultiplier tuber for 800 V, scan rate for 0.1 V/s, 0.1 mol/L PBS (pH 7.5) and 1.0 × 10-2 mol/L K2S2O8), the linear range for GAT was from 1.0 × 10-4 to 1.0 × 10-8 mol/L (R2 = 0.9991) with detection limit of 3.5 × 10-9 mol/L (S/N = 3). RSD for ECL intensity was 4.8% (n = 10). The recoveries of GAT in mouse plasma samples were from 98.36 to 104.7%. The sensor showed the advantages of low cost, high sensitivity and wide application in drug analysis.

Ginkgo leaf-based synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots for highly sensitive detection of salazosulfapyridine in mouse plasma.

A simple, economical hydrothermal strategy for synthesizing nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) was developed using Ginko leaves as a carbon source. These N-CQDs have strong blue fluorescence, excitation-relevant emissions, high monodispersity, good stability, good water solubility, and a 22.8% fluorescence quantum yield. They average 3 nm in size, and have maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 350 and 436 nm, respectively. They are used as an effective fluorescent sensing platform for the label-free sensitive detection of salazosulfapyridine (SASP) due to the strong quenching effect of SASP. When SASP concentration is 0.1-80 µmol/L, there is a good linear relationship with a detection limit of 40 nmol/L. This method was successfully applied to detect SASP in mouse plasma. The results show that the SASP recovery range was 96%-101%. RSDs ranged from 2.6% to 3.1%.

A study of single nucleotide polymorphisms in CD157, AIM2 and JARID2 genes in Han Chinese children with autism spectrum disorder.

PURPOSE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental brain disorders caused by genetic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to immune function were associated with ASD in Chinese Han children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 201 children with ASD and 200 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited from September 2012 to June 2106. A TaqMan probe-based approach was used to genotype SNPs corresponding to rs28532698 and rs4301112 in CD157, rs855867 in AIM2, and rs2237126 in JARID2. Case-control and case-only studies were performed to determine the contribution of SNPs to the predisposition of disease and its severity, respectively. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the genotypes and allele frequencies of these SNPs were not significantly associated with childhood ASD and its severity in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study suggest that these SNPs are not predictors of childhood ASD in the Chinese Han population. The discrepant results suggest the predictor roles of SNPs have to be determined in different ethnic populations due to genetic heterogeneity of ASD.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in SLC19A1 and SLC25A9 Are Associated with Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Chinese Han Population.

Genetic variants have been implicated in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent studies suggest that solute carriers (SLCs) may play a role in the etiology of ASD. This purpose of this study was to determine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC19A1 and SLC25A12 genes with childhood ASD in a Chinese Han population. A total of 201 autistic children and 200 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. A TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR approach was used to determine genotypes of SNPs corresponding to rs1023159 and rs1051266 in SLC19A1, and rs2056202 and rs2292813 in SLC25A12. Our results showed that both the T/T genotype of rs1051266 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-3.23, P = 0.0301) and the T allele (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.07-2.90, P = 0.0249) of rs2292813 were significantly associated with an increased risk of childhood ASD. In addition, the G-C haplotype of rs1023159-rs1051266 in SCL19A1 (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51-0.98, P = 0.0389) and C-C haplotype of rs2056202-rs2292813 in SLC25A12 (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.96, P = 0.0325) were associated with decreased risks of childhood ASD. There was no significant association between genotypes and allele frequencies with the severity of the disease. Our study suggests that these genetic variants of SLC19A1 and SLC25A12 may be associated with risks for childhood ASD.

[Localization of gestational age reference table and its application in prenatal screening].

Objective: To establish a fetal biparietal diameter (BPD)-gestational age formula based on the data of pregnant women from Xiaoshan District of Hangzhou, and to evaluate its application in prenatal screening. Methods: Data of 3500 pregnant women with gestational age between 15 weeks and 19 weeks+6 receiving prenatal screening in Xiaoshan Hospital during May 2014 and May 2015 were collected. BPDs were used to establish a localized BPD-gestational age formula. The localized formula was used to evaluate the prenatal screening risks in 1759 pregnant women with irregular menstrual cycles or uncertain last menstrual period (LMP) in Xiaoshan District, and the results were compared with those calculated using formula in LifeCycle 4.0. Results: With localized formula, the total positive rate of Down syndrome, trisomy 18 syndrome and deformity of neural tube was decreased from 6.96% to 5.85% ( P<0.05), in which the positive rate of Down syndrome decreased ( P<0.05), that of deformity of neural tube increased ( P<0.05), and that of trisomy 18 syndrome remained the same ( P>0.05). The median MoMs of free-hCG ß and α-fetoprotein calculated using localized formula were significantly different from those calculated using the formula in LifeCycle 4.0 (all P<0.05), and the former ones were more closer to 1. For women of fetus diagnosed with the above diseases, the positive rate calculated using localized formula was almost the same as that calculated using the formula in LifeCycle 4.0. Conclusion: BPD-gestational age formula should be localized based on the statistical analysis of the local population, which will help to reduce the false positive rate, and make the results more accurate and reliable in prenatal screening.

[An analysis of laboratory results of parameters of organ function in patients with heat stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of parameters of organ function during heat stroke ( HS ) on the prognosis, and to form the treatment strategy through an analysis of parameters of organ function during HS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Thirty-seven patients with HS ( HS group ) and 54 patients with mild-to-moderate stroke ( stroke group ) admitted to Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital from 2011 to 2014 were enrolled. The experimental results of organs function indicators for patients were recorded including: (1) cardiac markers: troponin I ( TnI ); (2) myocardium zymogram: creatine kinase ( CK ), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase ( CK-MB ), lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ), and aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ); (3) renal function indexes: blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ), uric acid ( UA ), and serum creatinine ( SCr ); (4) electrolyte: serum K(+), Na(+), and Cl(-); (5)coagulation function: prothrombin time ( PT ), international normalized ratio ( INR ), activated partial thromboplastin time ( APTT ), thrombin time ( TT ), fibrinogen ( FIB ), and D-dimer; (6) blood gas analysis: pH value, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PaCO(2)), base excess ( BE ), standard bicarbonate ( SB ), and actual bicarbonate ( AB ); (7) routine blood test: blood platelet count ( PLT ); (8) hepatic function: alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ). Abnormal rates of laboratory parameters of 37 HS patients were statistically analyzed. Various laboratory parameters of organs function as well as the initial value and extreme value ( maximum or minimum value ) during treatment of CK and PLT in HS patients were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The abnormal rates of 37 HS patients were more than 70%, including incipient value of TnI, CK, LDH, AST, serum Na(+), ALT, D-dimer, PaCO(2), AB, maximum value of CK, and minimum value of PLT, the abnormal rates being 73.0%, 70.3%, 81.1%, 78.4%, 78.4%, 70.3%, 70.3%, 70.3%, 75.7%, 81.1%, 75.7%, respectively. The abnormal rates of other parameters were less than 70%. There were significant differences in incipient value of TnI, CK, LDH, AST, serum K(+), serum Na(+), D-dimer, and PLT between HS group and mild-to-moderate stroke group [ TnI ( µg/L ): 0.087 ( 0.026, 0.306 ) vs. 0.007 ( 0.004, 0.110 ), Z = -7.017, P = 0.000; CK ( U/L ): 392.30 ( 287.60, 524.10 ) vs. 137.10 ( 106.33, 607.80 ), Z = -7.930, P = 0.000; LDH ( U/L ): 317.98±122.74 vs. 207.85±57.71, t = 1.678, P = 0.000; AST ( U/L ): 94.90 ( 52.80, 155.80 ) vs. 26.10 ( 18.13, 317.40 ), Z = -6.157, P = 0.000; serum K(+) ( mmol/L ): 3.46±0.65 vs. 3.86±0.57, t = 1.662, P = 0.001; serum Na(+) ( mmol/L ): 129.75±7.34 vs. 138.79±4.26, t = 1.674, P = 0.000; D-dimer ( mg/L ): 2.53 ( 0.63, 6.00 ) vs. 0.30 ( 0.21, 9.71 ), Z = -5.084, P = 0.000; PLT ( ×10(9)/L ): 144.62±86.14 vs. 219.48±64.76, t = 1.669, P = 0.000 ]. There were also statistically significant differences in the initial value and extreme value of CK and PLT between HS group and mild-to-moderate stroke group [ CK ( U/L ): 392.30 ( 287.60, 524.10 ) vs. 721.50 ( 546.30, 964.10 ), Z = -6.351, P = 0.000; PLT ( ×10(9)/L ): 132.40±82.55 vs. 68.24±44.62, t = 1.688, P = 0.000 ]. CONCLUSIONS: HS can impair several organs and systems, having complications, and it is a heavy insult for body. Increasing of CK and decreasing of PLT has some value to assess illness changes. It is helpful of laboratory results for doctors to estimate complications on time.

Cold vapor generation interface for mercury speciation coupling capillary electrophoresis with electrothermal quartz tube furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: determination of mercury and methylmercury.

A novel on-line coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE) cold vapor generation (CVG) with electrothermal quartz tube furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (EQTF-AAS) system for mercury speciation has been developed. The mercury species (inorganic mercury and methylmercury) were completely separated by CE in a 80 cm length x 100 microm i.d. fused-silica capillary at 20 kV and using a buffer of 100 mM boric acid and 10% (v/v) methanol (pH 8.30). The effects of the inner diameter of quartz tube, the acidity of HCl, the NaBH(4) concentration and N(2) flow rate on Hg signal intensity were investigated. Speciation of mercury was highlighted using CE-CVG-EQTF-AAS. The detection limits of methylmercury and mercury were 0.035 and 0.027 microg mL(-1), respectively. The precisions (RSDs) of peak height for six replicate injections of a mixture of 10 microg mL(-1) (as Hg) were better than 4%. The interface was used for speciation analysis of mercury in dry goldfish muscle.

Solvation in gas-phase reactions of sulfonic group containing ionic liquids in electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry.

In electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry, certain fragment ions generated in the ion trap from a series of sulfonic group containing ionic liquids (ILs) are found to undergo ion-molecule reactions with ESI solvent molecules (water, acetonitrile and methanol) to form adduct species. These unexpected solvated fragment ions severely complicate the interpretation of mass spectrometric data. Multi-stage fragmentation mass spectra were used to ascertain the chemical structures of these adduct species. It is important that solvation must be taken into account in order to prevent erroneous data interpretation for sulfonic group containing ILs.