Predicting potential and quality distribution of Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher under different climatic conditions in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher, a distinctive medicinal plant native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, has garnered attention due to increasing market demand. This study explores the impact of environmental factors on the distribution and levels of active compounds namely anisodamine, anisodine, and atropine within A. tanguticus. Our goal was to identify suitable cultivation areas for this plant. This study employs the maximum entropy model to simulate the suitable area of A. tanguticus under current conditions and three climate change scenarios during the 2050s and 2070s. The finding revealed that altitude, precipitation in the warmest season (Bio 18), the average annual temperature (Bio 1) exerted significant influences on the distribution of A. tanguticus. Among the environmental factors considered, temperature difference between day and night (Bio 2) had the most substantial impact on the distribution of anisodamine, temperature seasonal variation variance (Bio 4) predominantly influenced anisodine distribution, and Bio 1 had the greatest effected on the distribution of atropine. The suitable areas primarily exist in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, encompassing a total area of 30.78 × 104 km2. Under the climate scenarios for the future, the suitable areas exhibit increasing trends of approximately 30.2%, 30.3%, and 39.8% by the 2050s, and 25.1%, 48.8%, and 60.1% by the 2070s. This research would provide theoretical suggestions for the protection, and cultivation management of A. tanguticus resources to face the challenge of global climate change.

The presence of predators constrains larval development process by influencing critical developmental windows in the endangered Chinhai spiny newt.

Predators significantly impact the development process and subsequently influence the metamorphic decisions of amphibian larvae. Larvae often exhibit induced growth and metamorphic plasticity in response to the presence of predators. However, growth and development rates are not always perfectly correlated, growth responses can vary throughout ontogeny. It is crucial to consider the stage-specific growth responses induced by predators. Here, we employ a critical windows experimental design and examine development-related growth and metamorphic responses to predators in the endangered Chinhai spiny newt (Echinotriton chinhaiensis). Our findings reveal that predators constrain the development process of spiny newt larvae and also impact survival to metamorphosis. Inducible plasticity predominantly exhibits in the early and middle stages of larval development. Our results also suggest that diverse developmental plasticity has been adopted by larvae in response to predators. The presence of predators during early stage induces larvae to exhibit a same size at metamorphosis but a prolonged time to metamorphosis, while predators present during middle stage induce larvae to exhibit a large size at metamorphosis but a same time to metamorphosis. The presence of predators at the late developmental stage does not induce any plasticity in larval growth and metamorphosis. Moreover, these results also suggest that several stages of larval development are likely critical developmental windows for spiny newt larvae. This study not only provides basic biological information on predator-induced developmental plasticity of the endangered Chinhai spiny newt but also likely provides biological insights for the implementation of in situ conservation and preservation efforts for endangered species.

The relationship between niche breadth and phylogenetic characteristics of eight species of rhubarb on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Asia.

The relationship between spatial distribution and phylogeny has been widely debated in recent decades. To understand biogeographic and evolutionary history relationships and to explore the interspecific similarities and phylogenetic correlations of niche characteristics, we collected and recorded all distribution points for eight species of rhubarb on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, used different methods to describe the ecological niche, and explored the relationship between phylogeny, ecological niche, and distribution range. The results reveal that: (1) the ranges of optimal environmental variables for species with close kinship are not exactly the same, ecologically similar species are not necessarily sister species, and the overlap of rhubarb has no significant correlation with phylogeny. Therefore, the impact of ecological dimensions on species formation is greater than that of geographical latitude for the eight species of rhubarb. (2) Among the eight species of rhubarb, the breadth of ecological niche is positively correlated with the current suitable habitat area and negatively correlated with fluctuations in future suitable habitat area. In the future, except for Rheum tanguticum and Rheum palmatum, the suitable planting areas for the other six species of rhubarb will decrease as greenhouse gas emissions concentrations and time increase. Therefore, species with smaller ecological niches are at a greater risk of habitat loss compared to species with larger ecological niches. (3) In both existing and future distribution prediction models of rhubarb, we observed that both the widely distributed Rheum spiciforme and the niche narrow Rheum nobile, all eight species of rhubarb are present in the Hengduan Mountains, based on our analysis, we propose that the Hengduan Mountains should be regarded as a priority conservation area for rhubarb, to preserve the species' biodiversity. Our study lays the groundwork for identifying evolutionary trends in ecological specialization.

Trophic relationships between protists and bacteria and fungi drive the biogeography of rhizosphere soil microbial community and impact plant physiological and ecological functions.

Rhizosphere microorganisms play a vital role in enhancing plant health, productivity, and the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Currently, there is a limited understanding of the ecological processes that control the assembly of community. To address the role of microbial interactions in assembly and for functioning of the rhizosphere soil microbiota, we collected rhizosphere soil samples from Anisodus tanguticus on the Tibetan Plateau spanning 1500 kilometers, and sequenced the bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protist communities. We observed a significant but weak distance-decay relationship in the microbial communities of rhizosphere soil. Our comprehensive analysis of spatial, abiotic, and biotic factors showed that trophic relationships between protists and bacteria and fungi predominantly influenced the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial, fungal, and protistan communities, while abiotic factors had a greater impact on archaeal communities, including soil pH, available phosphorus, total phosphorus and mean annual temperature. Importantly, microbial interactions had a more significant influence on Anisodus tanguticus physiological and ecological functions compared to individual microorganisms. Network analyses revealed that bacteria occupy a central position of the co-occurrence network and play a crucial role of connector within this community. The addition of protists increased the stability of bacterial, fungal, and archaeal networks. Overall, our findings indicate that trophic relationships play an important role in assembly and for functioning of the rhizosphere soil microbiota. Bacterial communities serve as a crucial link between different kingdoms of microorganisms in the rhizosphere community. These findings help us to fully harness the beneficial functions of rhizosphere microorganisms for plants and achieve sustainable use of biological resources.

A core root bacteria contribute to plant growth and anisodine accumulation of Anisodus tanguticus.

BACKGROUND: Although it is well recognized that core root microorganisms contribute to plant health and productivity, little is known about their role to the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The roots of Anisodus tanguticus, a traditional herbal medication utilized by Tibetan medicine, are rich in tropane alkaloids. We collected wild A. tanguticus populations throughout a 1500 km transect on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. RESULTS: Our results showed that despite sampling at a distance of 1500 km, the root of A. tanguticus selectively recruits core root bacteria. We obtained 102 root bacterial core OTUs, and although their number only accounted for 2.99% of the total, their relative abundance accounted for 73% of the total. Spearman correlation and random forest analyses revealed that the composition of core root microbiomes was related to anisodine contents, aboveground biomass and nitrogen contents of Anisodus tanguticus. Among them, the main role is played by Rhizobacter, Variovorax, Polaromonas, and Mycobacterium genus that are significantly enriched in roots. Functional prediction by FAPROTAX showed that nitrogen-cycling microorganisms and pathogenic bacteria are strongly associated with anisodine contents, aboveground biomass and nitrogen contents of Anisodus tanguticus. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the root selectively recruits core root bacteria and revealed that the core microbiomes and microbial functions potentially contributed to the anisodine contents, aboveground biomass and nitrogen contents of the plant. This work may increase our understanding of the interactions between microorganisms and plants and improve our ability to manage root microbiota to promote sustainable production of herbal medicines.

Long-Term Impact of N, P, K Fertilizers in Different Rates on Yield and Quality of Anisodus tanguticus (Maxinowicz) Pascher.

Anisodus tanguticus (Maxinowicz) Pascher (Solanaceae) is a traditional Chinese herb that is widely used in folklore and clinical practice. In recent years, wild populations have been severely impacted to the point of extinction due to over-harvesting and reclamation. Therefore, artificial cultivation is important to relieve the pressure of market demand and protect wild plant resources. Using a "3414" fertilization design, i.e., 3 factors (N, P, and K), 4 levels, and 14 fertilization treatments, with 3 replicates and a total of 42 experimental plots, A. tanguticus was harvested in October 2020, June 2021, August 2021, and October 2021, and the yield and alkaloid content were determined. The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the standardization of A. tanguticus cultivation. Biomass accumulation and alkaloid content showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing with the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and the biomass accumulation was the highest at the application levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in T6 and T9 and at the application levels of medium and low potassium. The alkaloid content showed an increasing trend between October of the first year and June of the second year and a decreasing trend in the second year with the increase in the harvesting period. Yield and alkaloid yield showed a decreasing trend between October of the first year and June of the second year and an increasing trend in the second year with the increase in the harvesting period. The recommended application rates are 225-300 kg/ha2 for nitrogen, 850-960 kg/ha2 for phosphorus, and 65-85 kg/ha2 for potassium.

Temperature thresholds drive the biogeographic pattern of root endophytic fungal diversity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Studying the diversity and distribution of host-associated fungi along the temperature gradient can help us detect the potential impact of global warming on host-microbe interactions. By investigating 55 samples along the temperature gradient, our results demonstrated that temperature thresholds controlled the biogeographic pattern of fungal diversity in the root endosphere. When the mean annual temperature crossed ∼1.40 °C, or the mean temperature of the coldest quarter was over ∼-8.26 °C, the root endophytic fungal OTU richness abruptly decreased. Shared OTU richness between the root endosphere and rhizosphere soil showed similar temperature thresholds. However, the OTU richness of the fungi in the rhizosphere soil had a nonsignificant positive linear relationship with temperature. The asynchrony of alpha diversity in the rhizosphere soil and root endosphere in response to increasing temperature indicated that temperature might regulate the microbial colonization process from the rhizoplane to interior tissue. When the temperature crosses the threshold, the rapid decrease in OTU richness from soil entry to root tissue colonization may lead to a rapid decrease in root OTU richness. We further found that root endophytic fungal OTU richness was more sensitive to temperature increases under drought than non-drought conditions. We also found similar temperature thresholds influencing the root endophytic fungal beta diversity. When the temperature difference between two sampling points crossed an ∼2.2 °C temperature threshold, species replacement sharply decreased, and the species richness difference sharply increased. This investigation highlights that temperature thresholds are very important in shaping variation in the diversity of root endophytic fungi, especially in alpine ecosystems. Furthermore, it provides a preliminary framework for studying host-microbe interactions under global warming.

Lactobacillus paracasei TK1501 fermented soybeans alleviate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by regulating intestinal cell function.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic food provide health benefits by regulating intestinal floras via live bacteria, but the shelf life is short and the preservation condition is demanding due to the bacteria being fragile. Owing to these problems, we have tried to find a fermented food that is helpful for inflammatory bowel disease treatment but independent of live bacteria. In addition, the mechanisms of fermented food were investigated. Dextran sulfate sodium was used to model inflammatory bowel disease in mice, and Lactobacillus paracasei TK1501 fermented soybeans and their metabolites were used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. RESULTS: In this study, TK1501 fermented soybean alleviated colitis. However, the efficacy was associated with bacterial metabolites but not live or dead bacteria. Compositional analysis of soybean before and after fermentation shows that soy carbohydrates were used for bacteria growth and produced functional substances. Further, we display the main active ingredient was lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan, because lipoteichoic acid reduced the colonic macrophage and peptidoglycan may increase the mucin-2 expression. A cell experiment displayed that lipoteichoic acid could enhance the phagocytosis of macrophages. CONCLUSION: In general, TK1501 fermented soybean alleviating colitis is dependent on metabolites of TK1501, particularly lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan. The fermented food may have a long shelf life and lax storage condition. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Housing market capitalization of environmental risk: evidence from the Tianjin explosion.

Do environmental risks affect housing prices in the vicinity of industrial plants? Prior studies concentrated on the capitalization effect of infrequent natural disasters instead of industry-related environmental risks caused by production accidents in our everyday lives. In this paper, we first use the 2015 Tianjin explosion in China as an exogenous shock, which led to serious casualties and property damage with nationwide concern, to estimate the effects of environmental risk on housing prices far away from the explosion site. Based on the housing transaction units and chemical plant datasets in Beijing with the difference-in-differences hedonic model, the results indicate that first, housing prices near chemical plants decreased significantly after the explosion and lasted for at least 2 years. Second, the mitigation effects of production and consumption amenities and regional demographic features were examined. The conclusions of this paper provide a policy basis for constantly implementing public sentiment management and safety supervision, balancing industrial and residential land layouts, and improving local amenities and demographics to ensure the stability of the land market.

Oligosaccharide and short-chain fatty acid: A double-edged sword in obese mice by regulating food intake and fat synthesis.

Dietary fiber has been used to prevent obesity by regulating the intestinal flora and promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, it is insufficient to conclude the decisive role of microbiota and SCFAs by adding oligosaccharides to foods without caloric balance. In this study, the effects of oligosaccharides and their regulated microflora on the development of obesity in mice were studied by designing a high-fat diet with equal calories but different contents of oligosaccharides. Isocaloric diets demonstrated that appropriate rather than excess oligosaccharides prevent obesity by regulating appetite. Such an appetite was inhibited by oligosaccharides but promoted by SCFAs. Furthermore, promoted appetite was tightly related to decreased insulin and increased acyl-CoA binding protein, which was correlated with SCFA-induced fat degradation. Interestingly, drinking butyrate alleviated obesity even with higher calorie intake. Molecular docking demonstrated that conversion of butyrate to butyryl-CoA converted from butyrate, as a structural analog of acetyl-CoA, inhibits the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Together, these findings demonstrate that fermentable fiber supplements may have limits in obesity treatment, and we provide possible obesity therapeutic targets that inhibit bacterial fermentation or increase the ratio of butyrate/acetate.

The global response: How cities and provinces around the globe tackled Covid-19 outbreaks in 2021.

Background: Tackling the spread of COVID-19 remains a crucial part of ending the pandemic. Its highly contagious nature and constant evolution coupled with a relative lack of immunity make the virus difficult to control. For this, various strategies have been proposed and adopted including limiting contact, social isolation, vaccination, contact tracing, etc. However, given the heterogeneity in the enforcement of these strategies and constant fluctuations in the strictness levels of these strategies, it becomes challenging to assess the true impact of these strategies in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Methods: In the present study, we evaluated various transmission control measures that were imposed in 10 global urban cities and provinces in 2021- Bangkok, Gauteng, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, Manila City, New Delhi, New York City, Singapore, and Tokyo. Findings: Based on our analysis, we herein propose the population-level Swiss cheese model for the failures and pitfalls in various strategies that each of these cities and provinces had. Furthermore, whilst all the evaluated cities and provinces took a different personalized approach to managing the pandemic, what remained common was dynamic enforcement and monitoring of breaches of each barrier of protection. The measures taken to reinforce the barriers were adjusted continuously based on the evolving epidemiological situation. Interpretation: How an individual city or province handled the pandemic profoundly affected and determined how the entire country handled the pandemic since the chain of transmission needs to be broken at the very grassroot level to achieve nationwide control. Funding: The present study did not receive any external funding.

Dysregulation of intestinal flora: excess prepackaged soluble fibers damage the mucus layer and induce intestinal inflammation.

Soluble fiber is commonly used as a dietary supplement to improve intestinal flora, and many prepackaged products are sold in the market. However, whether these prepared soluble fibers are harmless for intestinal flora has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we assessed the dose-effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) on obesity and intestinal flora using a mouse model. Gavage of low- and medium-dose FOS improved the microbiota in high-fat diet fed mice, but high-dose FOS leads to intestinal flatulence, diarrhea and flora disorders, including an increase in Akkermansia muciniphila and Clostridium difficile, which disrupt the mucus barrier and cause intestinal inflammation. Besides, a high dose of xylooligosaccharide by gavage induces symptoms similar to those of FOS in mice. These adverse effects can be alleviated by regulating intestinal flora. In addition, we experimentally proved that supplementary probiotics protect against the negative effects of FOS in obese mice. Therefore, prepackaged soluble fiber supplements need to be taken with caution, and excessive consumption of soluble fibers results in intestinal dysfunction and even induces intestinal inflammation. Combining probiotics and soluble fiber can be considered if necessary.

Dietary soybeans worsen dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by disrupting intestinal ecology.

Food mediates susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) associated with the microbiome. Existing studies suggest that a high-sugar and high-fat diet promotes IBDs, but whether a plant-based diet is fully harmless to IBD improvement remains unknown. In this study, for the first time, we assessed the effect of soybean and its carbohydrates on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. In a DSS-induced colitis mouse model (BALB/C WT), the oral administration of soybeans worsened colitis, which was associated with higher disease activity index, histology score and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and lower expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Here, 16S rRNA sequencing and elimination of gut bacteria by antibiotics showed that the exacerbating colitis caused by soybeans depends on the changes in the intestinal flora. Furthermore, the gavage of soybean carbohydrates such as sucrose and raffinose-family oligosaccharides altered the intestinal microbiota and worsened inflammation. When co-cultured with macrophages (RAW 264.7), the metabolites of the disordered intestinal flora, isolated Escherichia coli and purified LPS showed high macrophage toxicity to inhibit pathogen clearance. These results indicate that the intake of soybeans and soybean carbohydrates is not conducive to recovery from IBDs based on changes in gut microbiota and metabolites affecting the activities of macrophages.

MaxEnt Modeling to Predict the Current and Future Distribution of Pomatosace filicula under Climate Change Scenarios on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

As an important Tibetan medicine and a secondary protected plant in China, Pomatosace filicula is endemic to the country and is mainly distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). However, global climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions might lead to the extinction of P. filicula. To understand the potential spatial distribution of P. filicula in future global warming scenarios, we used the MaxEnt model to simulate changes in its suitable habitat that would occur by 2050 and 2070 using four representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios and five global climate models. The results showed that the QTP currently contains a suitable habitat for P. filicula and will continue to do so in the future. Under the RCP2.6 scenario, the suitable habitat area would increase by 2050 but shrink slightly by 2070, with an average reduction of 2.7%. However, under the RCP8.5 scenario, the area of unsuitable habitat would expand by an average of 54.65% and 68.20% by 2050 and 2070, respectively. The changes in the area of suitable habitat under the RCP4.5 and RCP6.0 scenarios were similar, with the unsuitable area increasing by approximately 20% by 2050 and 2070. Under these two moderate RCPs, the total suitable area in 2070 would be greater than that in 2050. The top three environmental factors impacting the habitat distribution were altitude, annual precipitation (BIO12) and annual temperature range (BIO7). The cumulative contribution rate of these three factors was as high as 82.8%, indicating that they were the key factors affecting the distribution and adaptability of P. filicula, P. filicula grows well in damp and cold environments. Due to global warming, the QTP will become warmer and drier; thus, the growing area of P. filicula will move toward higher elevations and areas that are humid and cold. These areas are mainly found near the Three-River Region. Future climate change will aggravate the deterioration of the P. filicula habitat and increase the species' survival risk. This study describes the distribution of P. filicula and provides a basis for the protection of endangered plants in the QTP.

Unraveling Catalytic Mechanisms for CO Oxidation on Boron-Doped Fullerene: A Computational Study.

By means of spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) computations, we unravel the reaction mechanisms of catalytic CO oxidation on B-doped fullerene. It is shown that O2 species favors to be chemically adsorbed via side-on configuration at the hex-C-B site with an adsorption energy of -1.07 eV. Two traditional pathways, Eley-Rideal (ER) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) mechanisms, are considered for the CO oxidation starting from O2 adsorption. CO species is able to bind at the B-top site of the B-doped fullerene with an adsorption energy of -0.78 eV. Therefore, CO oxidation that occurs starting from CO adsorption is also taken into account. Second reaction of CO oxidation occurs by the reaction of CO + O → CO2 with a very high energy barrier of 1.56 eV. A trimolecular Eley-Rideal (TER) pathway is proposed to avoid leaving the O atom on the B-doped fullerene after the first CO oxidation. These predictions manifest that boron-doped fullerene is a potential metal-free catalyst for CO oxidation.

Co-fermentation of lentils using lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus subtilis natto increases functional and antioxidant components.

We identified lentil products with both nutritional value and antioxidant capacity by studying the changes of probiotics and functional substances during single fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or co-fermentation using LAB and Bacillus subtilis natto. After fermentation, the best growth of LAB was observed in anaerobic solid-state co-fermentation, whereby the viable counts of Lactobacillus plantarum TK9 and Lactobacillus paracasei TK1501 reached 2.77 × 109 and 2.78 × 109 CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, the total phenol and genistin content produced by the two mixed groups, respectively, increased by 0.52- and 0.66-fold, as well as 0.63- and 0.64-fold, compared with unfermented samples. Similarly, the free amino acid content increased by 0.53- and 0.49-fold, respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for the radical-scavenging against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were lower following anaerobic co-fermentation. Consistently, products of anaerobic mixed solid-state fermentation had higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Therefore, anaerobic solid-state co-fermentation of lentils using B. subtilis natto may promote the multiplication of LAB and enhance the antioxidant activity of fermented lentil products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Simple and efficient food handling is more suitable for industrial production. Co-fermentation is a good method to optimize the fermentation process. Co-culture technology has high potential in terms of functionality and antioxidant capacity.

Facile Preparation of WO3-x Dots with Remarkably Low Toxicity and Uncompromised Activity as Co-reactants for Clinical Diagnosis by Electrochemiluminescence.

The exceptional nature of WO3-x dots has inspired widespread interest, but it is still a significant challenge to synthesize high-quality WO3-x dots without using unstable reactants, expensive equipment, and complex synthetic processes. Herein, the synthesis of ligand-free WO3-x dots is reported that are highly dispersible and rich in oxygen vacancies by a simple but straightforward exfoliation of bulk WS2 and a mild follow-up chemical conversion. Surprisingly, the WO3-x dots emerged as co-reactants for the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)32+ with a comparable ECL efficiency to the well-known Ru(bpy)32+ /tripropylamine (TPrA) system. Moreover, compared to TPrA, whose toxicity remains a critical issue of concern, the WO3-x dots were ca. 300-fold less toxic. The potency of WO3-x dots was further explored in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with the most competitive limit of detection so far.

Coupling metal-organic framework nanosphere and nanobody for boosted photoelectrochemical immunoassay of Human Epididymis Protein 4.

A "signal-on" photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor for highly sensitive detection of Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4), a new serum biomarker of ovarian cancer with small molecular weight, was fabricated by coupling the porphyrin-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosphere (nPCN-224) and Nanobody (Nb). To label the Nb, the nPCN-224 with an average size of 160-200 nm was prepared by solvothermal method. The mechanism for the photocurrent generation of nPCN-224 was systematically investigated, showing that the dissolved O2 in aqueous solution participated in the charge separation and transport during the photoelectric conversion by generating O2˙-, which resulted in a 6-fold enhanced photocurrent by using ascorbic acid as the O2 ˙- scavenger. Moreover, the inherent structural porosity of nPCN-224 demonstrated advantage for reactant accessibility. Due to the superior properties of nPCN-224, and the high specificity and affinity of Nbs, the immunosensor exhibited a broad detection range from 1.00 pg mL-1 to 10.0 ng mL-1 and a detection limit of 0.560 pg mL-1, lower than most methods reported before. The immunosensor could clearly distinguish ovarian cancer patients in different stages from healthy individuals, and the as-obtained results matched well with those by traditional electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method from the hospital. This work would open a new avenue for PEC immunosensors in clinical diagnostics and evaluation of potential clinical efficacy.

Simultaneous Unlocking Optoelectronic and Interfacial Properties of C60 for Ultrasensitive Immunosensing by Coupling to Metal-Organic Framework.

Due to exceptional electron-accepting ability, light-absorption, and a delocalized conjugated structure, buckminsterfullerene (C60) has attracted fascinating interest in the field of organic solar cells. However, poor delocalization and accumulation of electrons for pristine C60 in physiological aqueous solution and difficulties in conjugation with biomolecules limit its extended photovoltaic applications in bioassay. Herein, we reported the noncovalent coupling of C60 to an electronically complementary porphyrin-derived metal-organic framework (PCN-224) with carboxyl-group terminals. Such assembly not only offered a friendly interface for bioconjugation but also resulted in a long-range ordering C60@PCN-224 donor-acceptor system that demonstrated an unprecedented photocurrent enhancement up to 10 times with respect to each component. As an example, by further cooperating with Nanobodies, the as-prepared C60@PCN-224 was applied to a photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor for S100 calcium-binding protein B with by far the most promising detection activities. This work may open a new venue to unlock the great potential of C60 in PEC biosensing with excellent performances.