Multi-CSAR: a web server for scaffolding contigs using multiple reference genomes.

Multi-CSAR is a web server that can efficiently and more accurately order and orient the contigs in the assembly of a target genome into larger scaffolds based on multiple reference genomes. Given a target genome and multiple reference genomes, Multi-CSAR first identifies sequence markers shared between the target genome and each reference genome, then utilizes these sequence markers to compute a scaffold for the target genome based on each single reference genome, and finally combines all the single reference-derived scaffolds into a multiple reference-derived scaffold. To run Multi-CSAR, the users need to upload a target genome to be scaffolded and one or more reference genomes in multi-FASTA format. The users can also choose to use the 'weighting scheme of reference genomes' for Multi-CSAR to automatically calculate different weights for the reference genomes and choose either 'NUCmer on nucleotides' or 'PROmer on translated amino acids' for Multi-CSAR to identify sequence markers. In the output page, Multi-CSAR displays its multiple reference-derived scaffold in two graphical representations (i.e. Circos plot and dotplot) for the users to visually validate the correctness of scaffolded contigs and in a tabular representation to further validate the scaffold in detail. Multi-CSAR is available online at http://genome.cs.nthu.edu.tw/Multi-CSAR/.

SCARA5 as a downstream factor of PCAT29, inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer.

Scavenger receptor class A, member 5 (SCARA5) has been identified a novel tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, the functional and underlying mechanism of SCARA5 in bladder cancer (BC) need investigation. Here, we found SCARA5 expression was downregulated in both BC tissues and cell lines. Low SCARA5 in BC tissues was associated with a shorter overall survival. Moreover, SCARA5 overexpression reduced BC cell viability, colony formation, invasion, and migration. Further investigation demonstrated that the expression of SCARA5 was negatively regulated by miR-141. Furthermore, the long non-coding RNA prostate cancer associated transcript 29 (PCAT29) inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of BC cells by sponging miR-141. Luciferase activity assays revealed that PCAT29 targeted miR-141 and miR-141 targeted SCARA5. In conclusion, SCARA5, as a downstream factor of the PCAT29/miR-141 axis, inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells. These findings provide novel insights into the detailed molecular mechanisms of BC development.

Cryoprotective effect of epigallocatechin gallate replacing sucrose on Hypophythalmichthys molitrix surimi during frozen storage.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the cryoprotective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) replacing sucrose on surimi during frozen storage. Substitution or partial substitution of 0.1% EGCG for sucrose (1.5%) was added to surimi, and the surimi samples without and with commercial cryoprotectants (4% sucrose and 4% sorbitol) were used as the control group. RESULTS: The results obtained suggest that, with the increase in frozen storage time, the structural performance of surimi protein gradually weakened (e.g. the decrease in the surface hydrophobicity, the increase in the total sulfhydryl and solubility, and the protein myosin heavy chain bands became shallow) and surimi gel quality gradually deteriorated (e.g. the decrease in water-holding capacity, gel strength and all texture profile attributes). However, compared with the other three group surimi samples during the frozen period, the surimi proteins with partial replacement of sucrose by EGCG had a higher total sulfhydryl group content and solubility of proteins, as well as lower surface hydrophobicity of protein, suggesting that the addition of EGCG as a partial substitute for sucrose can enhance the antifreeze ability of surimi. Meanwhile, the surimi gel with the partial replacement of sucrose by EGCG had a higher water retention capacity, gel strength and texture attributes (e.g. hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience), indicating that the addition of EGCG as a partial substitute for sucrose can inhibit the deterioration of surimi gel quality. CONCLUSION: Overall, EGCG partially replacing sucrose can play an alternative cryoprotectant with a lower sweetness to prevent the quality of surimi from deteriorating. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A review of oil and water retention in emulsified meat products: The mechanisms of gelation and emulsification, the application of multi-layer hydrogels.

Emulsified meat products are key deep-processing products due to unique flavor and high nutritional value. Myosin dissolves, and protein aggregation and heat-induced gelation occur after myosin unfolds and hydrophobic groups are exposed. Myosin could form interfacial protein membranes and wrap fat globules. Emulsified fat globules may be filled in heat-induced gel networks. Therefore, this review intends to discuss the influences of heat-induced gelation and interfacial adsorption behavior on oil and water retention. Firstly, the mechanism of heat-induced gelation was clarified from the perspective of protein conformation and micro-structure. Secondly, the mechanism of emulsification stability and its factors affecting interfacial adsorption were demonstrated as well as limitations and challenges. Finally, the structure characteristics and application of multi-layer hydrogels in the gelation and emulsification were clarified. It could conclude that the characteristic morphology, spatial conformation and structure adjustment affected heat-induced gelation and interfacial adsorption behavior. Spatial conformation and microstructure were adjusted to improve the oil and water retention by pH, ionic strength, amino acid, oil phase characteristic and protein interaction. Multi-layer hydrogels facilitated oil and water retention. The comprehensive review of gelation and emulsification mechanisms could promote the development of meat products and improvement of meat processing technology.

The Preventive Mechanism of Anserine on Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Liver Injury in L-02 Cells via Regulating the Keap1-Nrf2 and JNK-Caspase-3 Signaling Pathways.

Anserine is a naturally occurring histidine dipeptide with significant antioxidant activities. This study aimed to investigate the preventive mechanism of anserine on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced liver damage in a normal human liver cell line (L-02 cells). The L-02 cells were pretreated with anserine (10, 20, and 40 mmol/L) and then induced with 400 µmol/L of TBHP for 4 h. The results showed that the survival rates of L-02 cells and the contents of GSH were significantly increased with the pretreatment of anserine; the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the extracellular fluid were sharply decreased; and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear fragmentation, and apoptosis were significantly inhibited. In addition, anserine could bind to the Kelch domain of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) with a binding force of -7.2 kcal/mol; the protein expressions of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and Bcl-2 were upregulated by anserine in TBHP-induced L-02 cells, with the downregulation of p-JNK and caspase-3. In conclusion, anserine might alleviated liver injury in L-02 cells via regulating related proteins in the Keap1-Nrf2 and JNK-Caspase-3 signaling pathways.

A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Lignin-Based Nanomaterials for Food Applications: Systemic Advancement and Future Trends.

The shift to an environmentally friendly material economy requires renewable resource exploration. This shift may depend on lignin valorization. Lignin is an aromatic polymer that makes up one-third of total lingo-cellulosic biomass and is separated into large amounts for biofuel and paper manufacture. This renewable polymer is readily available at a very low cost as nearly all the lignin that is produced each year (90-100 million tons) is simply burned as a low-value fuel. Lignin offers potential qualities for many applications, and yet it is underutilized. This Perspective highlights lignin-based material prospects and problems in food packaging, antimicrobial, and agricultural applications. The first half will discuss the present and future studies on exploiting lignin as an addition to improve food packaging's mechanical, gas, UV, bioactive molecules, polyphenols, and antioxidant qualities. Second, lignin's antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed. In conclusion, lignin agriculture will be discussed in the food industries.

Effects of magnetic nanoscale combined radio frequency or microwave thawing on conformation of sea bass myosin heavy chain: a molecular dynamics study.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of frozen foods inevitably involves a thawing process. Protein conformation changes during a short thawing process and the quantification of their effects remains challenging. Molecular dynamics simulations can be used to evaluate the conformational changes of protein occurring in food processing. RESULTS: In the present study, four different thawing methods were used [i.e. magnetic nanometer combined with microwave thawing (MT-Mag), magnetic nanometer combined with radio frequency thawing (RT-Mag), radio frequency thawing (RT) and microwave thawing (MT)] to change the conformation of myosin heavy chain (MHC). The results obtained showed that, compared with the fresh sample, the hydrogen bond number and radius of gyration of the RT-Mag and RT groups were less decreased. Visual molecular dynamics STRIDE analysis showed that the content of the α helix was relatively high in the RT-Mag and MT-Mag groups. CONCLUSION: These simulation results indicate that RT-Mag can be used as an effective method for promoting the thawing process of fish and better stabilizing the protein structure. These conclusions provide a theoretical realization for understanding the protein conformational transition during the thawing process and the realization of quantification and also provide guidance for choosing better thawing conditions without loss of nutritional properties. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Laminin-integrin a6b4 interaction activates notch signaling to facilitate bladder cancer development.

BACKGROUND: Laminins are high-molecular weight (400 ~ 900 kDa) proteins in extracellular matrix, which serve as major component of the basal lamina, and play a crucial role in promoting tumor cell migration. This study aimed at characterizing the role of laminin in promoting cancer development, and elucidating the mechanism of tumor progression driven by laminin-Notch signaling in bladder cancer. METHODS: 2D collagen/laminin culture system was established and CCK-8/transwell assay was conducted to evaluate the proliferation/migration ability of Biu-87 and MB49 cells cultured on 2D gels. Activation of integrins-Notch1 signaling was determined by western blotting. Orthotopic bladder cancer mice model was established to assess the therapeutic effects of Notch inhibitor. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that extracellular laminin can trigger tumor cell proliferation/migration through integrin α6ß4/Notch1 signaling in bladder cancer. Inhibition of Telomere repeat-binding factor 3 (TRB3)/Jagged Canonical Notch Ligand 1 (JAG1) signaling suppressed Notch signals activation induced by laminin-integrin axis. In MB49 orthotopic bladder cancer mice model, Notch inhibitor SAHM1 efficiently improved tumor suppressive effects of chemotherapy and prolonged survival time of tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we show that, in bladder cancer, extracellular laminin induced the activation of Notch pathway through integrin α6ß4/TRB3/JAG3, and disclosed a novel role of laminin in bladder cancer cells proliferation or migration.

Antioxidant Activity of Gracilaria lemaneiformis Polysaccharide Degradation Based on Nrf-2/Keap-1 Signaling Pathway in HepG2 Cells with Oxidative Stress Induced by H2O2.

The objective of this research was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Gracilarialemaneiformis polysaccharide degradation and its underlying mechanism involved in the Nrf-2/Keap-1 signaling pathway in HepG2 cells with oxidative stress induced by H2O2. The result of the scavenging ability of free radicals showed that GLP-HV (polysaccharide degraded by H2O2-vitamin C (Vc)) performed a better scavenging ability than GLP (G.lemaneiformis polysaccharide). Moreover, the scavenging ability of polysaccharide to these free radicals from strong to weak was as follows: superoxide radical, ferric ion, ABTS+, and DPPH radical, and their IC50 values were 3.56 ± 0.0028, 4.97 ± 0.18, 9.62 ± 0.35, and 23.85 ± 1.78 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, GLP-HV obviously relieved oxidative stress in HepG2 cells, which strengthened the activity of T-AOC, CAT, GSH-PX, and SOD, and diminished the intensity of MDA, intracellular ROS, and calcium ion based on the Nrf-2/Keap-1 signaling pathway. The PCR result revealed that polysaccharide upregulated the expression of the genes Nrf-2, HO-1, NQO-1, and ZO-1 and downregulated Keap-1. The correlation between chemical properties and antioxidant mechanism of GLP-HV was evaluated via a heat map. The results illustrated that reducing sugar and active groups presented a positive correlation, and molecular weight and viscosity exhibited a negative relation with antioxidant activity.

Preparation of chitosan grafted caffeic acid coating and its effect on pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) preservation.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the preservative effect of chitosan-caffeic acid grafts coating (CS-g-CA) on the quality and microbial characteristics of pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) during iced storage. CS-g-CA was prepared by a 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimidehydro/N-hydroxysuccinimide coupling reaction. The grafting of CS-g-CA was confirmed by UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Samples were treated with distilled water (control), chitosan (CS), caffeic acid (CA) and CS-g-CA for 10 min, respectively. Microbiological [total viable count (TVC), H2 S-producing bacteria count, Pseudomonas bacteria count], physicochemical indicators [water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), texture profile analysis, free amino acids] and sensory evaluation were investigated during ice storage at 4 °C for up to 27 days. RESULTS: The results showed that the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of CS could be improved by grafting CA onto CS. CS-g-CA coating could greatly slow down the speed of water loss and maintain WHC. Furthermore, CS-g-CA coating showed superior antibacterial activities by inhibiting the growth of TVC, delayed the decline of flavor amino acids and reduced sensory change. In addition, CS-g-CA coating reduced lipid oxidation and protein degradation as indicated by the decrease in TBA and TVB-N, possibly as a result of the addition of CA into CS membrane significantly improving the antioxidant activity of CS. CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, CS-g-CA coating had the optimal effect and could enhance the shelf-life of Trachinotus ovatus for at least another 9 days. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bimetallic oxygen electrocatalyst derived from metallocenes doped MOFs.

Herein, metallocens (ferrocene, ruthenocene and cobaltocene) werein situhybridized with two dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) via an improved inter-diffusion approach. The metallocens@MOFs hybrids were direct carbonized and transformed to Fe(Ru,Co)-Co@C composites. These bimetallic electrocatalysts show remarkable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity by taking advantage of the synergetic effect between the binary metals. Among of them, the obtained Fe-Co@C exhibits lower overpotential (320 mV at 10 mA cm-2) and satisfactory stability toward OER. The study presents a novel and facile strategy to synthesize low-cost bimetallic catalyst, showing great promise in electrocatalysis of oxygen.

Optimized Degradation and Inhibition of α-glucosidase Activity by Gracilaria lemaneiformis Polysaccharide and Its Production In Vitro.

Gracilaria lemaneiformis polysaccharide (GLP) exhibits good physiological activities, and it is more beneficial as it is degraded. After its degradation by hydrogen peroxide combined with vitamin C (H2O2-Vc) and optimized by Box-Behnken Design (BBD), a new product of GLP-HV will be generated. While using GLP as control, two products of GLP-H (H2O2-treated) and GLP-V (Vc-treated) were also produced. These products chemical characteristics (total sugar content, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, UV spectrum, morphological structure, and hypolipidemic activity in vitro) were assessed. The results showed that the optimal conditions for H2O2-Vc degradation were as follows: H2O2-Vc concentration was 18.7 mM, reaction time was 0.5 h, and reaction temperature was 56 °C. The total sugar content of GLP and its degradation products (GLP-HV, GLP-H and GLP-V) were more than 97%, and their monosaccharides are mainly glucose and galactose. The SEM analysis demonstrated that H2O2-Vc made the structure loose and broken. Moreover, GLP, GLP-HV, GLP-H, and GLP-V had significantly inhibition effect on α-glucosidase, and their IC50 value were 3.957, 0.265, 1.651, and 1.923 mg/mL, respectively. GLP-HV had the best inhibition effect on α-glucosidase in a dose-dependent manner, which was the mixed type of competitive and non-competitive. It had a certain quenching effect on fluorescence of α-glucosidase, which may be dynamic quenching.

Enhanced proton conduction of imidazole localized in one-dimensional Ni-metal-organic framework nanofibers.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show possibilities to be potential candidates for proton exchange membranes (PEMs). However, the poor flexibility and processability of MOFs due to their crystalline nature limit their applications significantly. An efficient approach to overcome this limitation is to combine MOFs with polymers. In this work, novel lightweight and flexible Ni-MOFs/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning. The nanofibers consisted of one-dimensional proton conduction channels for imidazole and show enhanced proton conductivity. A proton conductivity of 6.04 × 10-5 Scm-1 was achieved at 363 K and 90% RH. Furthermore, the proton transport dynamics of the fibers were investigated using the AC impedance technique.

Nickel nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon nanofibers and its electrochemical properties.

Flexible porous carbon nanofibers containing nickel nanoparticles were synthesized by direct carbonization of electrospun Ni-MOFs/polyacrylonitrile fibers. The as-synthesized composite nanofibers were employed as binder-free electrodes, and exhibit high specific capacitance (up 672 F g-1 at current density of 2 A g-1) and superior rate capability (57% capacitance retention from current density of 2-10 A g-1), which may be attributed to their binder-free nature, unique one-dimensional (1D) structure and highly dispersed electrochemically active nickel nanoparticles. Furthermore, a symmetric supercapacitor was assembled using the fiber electrodes in 6 M KOH, and the energy density of 17.8 Wh kg-1 was achieved in a potential window of 1.5 V. This self-standing fiber with abundant mesopores and macropores is expected to become a promising electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.

Clinical efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, applied value and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for PCNL for the treatment of renal calculi. Although the ERAS is applied for many urological diseases, its application in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) is still limited. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients admitted to hospital January and December 2018 and who were only diagnosed with renal calculi and excepted for serious or uncontrollable basic diseases and patients with multiple operation history and medication history. Patients were randomized 1:1 to the ERAS and traditional operation groups starting on the day before operation and end on the day of discharge. Each group was 118 cases. The stone clearance rate, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, the occurrence of perirenal hematoma and effusion, the incidence of extravasation of urine, the incidence of fever, bleeding and blood transfusion, and postoperative hospital stay were observed. RESULTS: The stone clearance rates were similar between the two groups (ERAS: 93.2% (109/117) vs. traditional: 89.8% (106/118), P = 0.800). The operation time was similar in the two groups (ERAS: 54 ± 12 vs. traditional: 58 ± 11 min, P = 0.656). VAS pain score that was 0.79 ± 0.76 in the ERAS group at 4 h after surgery and was significantly lower than 2.79 ± 0.98 in the traditional group (P < 0.0001). The total complication rate was 15 cases in the ERAS group and 22 cases in the traditional group (P = 0.573). There were no difference in costs (21,348 ± 2404 vs. 21,597 ± 2293 RMB, P = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: ERAS perioperative management in PCNL was feasible, was without additional complications, and had well economic and social benefits. It is worth of clinical promotion and application.

Digital halftoning method with simultaneously optimized perceptual image quality and drive current for multi-tonal electrophoretic displays.

While using digital halftoning to achieve multi-tones in a 1 bit electrophoretic display (EPD), e.g., a three-pigment chromatic EPD, the drive current is significantly increased because of frequently reversed pixel values. Aimed at this issue, this study first establishes a model that can accurately predict the drive current from image content. Next, based on the direct binary search method, a new halftoning method is proposed by constructing a combined merit function that incorporates both the perceptual image quality and the drive current. As a result, in experiments using a 13.5 in. three-pigment EPD and several test images, compared with the well-developed error-diffusion method, the proposed method produces little image quality degradation, whereas the drive current increase with respect to the minimum current of the EPD is reduced from 71.8 to 33.0 mA, for a significant reduction of 54.0%.

ε-Polylysine Inhibits Shewanella putrefaciens with Membrane Disruption and Cell Damage.

ε-Polylysine (ε-PL) was studied for the growth inhibition of Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ε-PL against S. putrefaciens was measured by the broth dilution method, while the membrane permeability and metabolism of S. putrefaciens were assessed after ε-PL treatment. Additionally, growth curves, the content of alkaline phosphatase (AKP), the electrical conductivity (EC), the UV absorbance and scanning electron microscope (SEM) data were used to study cellular morphology. The impact of ε-PL on cell metabolism was also investigated by different methods, such as enzyme activity (peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], succinodehydrogenase [SDH] and malic dehydrogenase [MDH]) and cell metabolic activity. The results showed that the MIC of ε-PL against S. putrefaciens was 1.0 mg/mL. When S. putrefaciens was treated with ε-PL, the growth of the bacteria was inhibited and the AKP content, electrical conductivity and UV absorbance were increased, which demonstrated that ε-PL could damage the cell structure. The enzyme activities of POD, CAT, SDH, and MDH in the bacterial solution with ε-PL were decreased compared to those in the ordinary bacterial solution. As the concentration of ε-PL was increased, the enzyme activity decreased further. The respiratory activity of S. putrefaciens was also inhibited by ε-PL. The results suggest that ε-PL acts on the cell membrane of S. putrefaciens, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inhibiting enzyme activity in relation to respiratory metabolism and cell metabolism. This leads to inhibition of cell growth, and eventually cell death.

Dynamically PEGylated and Borate-Coordination-Polymer-Coated Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergetic Tumor-Targeted, Chemo-Photothermal Combination Therapy.

Multifunctional nanomaterials with efficient tumor-targeting and high antitumor activity are highly anticipated in the field of cancer therapy. In this work, a synergetic tumor-targeted, chemo-photothermal combined therapeutic nanoplatform based on a dynamically PEGylated, borate-coordination-polymer-coated polydopamine nanoparticle (PDA@CP-PEG) is developed. PEGylation on the multifunctional nanoparticles is dynamically achieved via the reversible covalent interaction between the surface phenylboronic acid (PBA) group and a catechol-containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecule. Due to the acid-labile PBA/catechol complex and the weak-acid-stable PBA/sialic acid (SA) complex, the nanoparticles can exhibit a synergetic targeting property for the SA-overexpressed tumor cells, i.e., the PEG-caused "passive targeting" and PBA-triggered "active targeting" under the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment. In addition, the photothermal effect of the polydopamine core and the doxorubicin-loading capacity of the porous coordination polymer layer endow the nanoparticles with the potential for chemo-photothermal combination therapy. As expected, the in vitro and in vivo studies both verify that the multifunctional nanoparticles possess relatively lower systematic toxicity, efficient tumor targeting ability, and excellent chemo-photothermal activity for tumor inhibition. It is believed that these multifunctional nanoparticles with synergetic tumor targeting property and combined therapeutic strategies would provide an insight into the design of a high-efficiency antitumor nanoplatform for potential clinical applications.

A versatile ratiometric nanosensing approach for sensitive and accurate detection of Hg2+ and biological thiols based on new fluorescent carbon quantum dots.

Herein, we first reported a facile synthesis method for fabrication of highly photoluminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) using sodium alginate as the carbon source and histidine as both the nitrogen source and functional monomer by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. The as-prepared CQDs gave a high quantum yield of 32%. By employing the new CQDs and rhodamine B (RhB), we demonstrated a simple, facile, sensitive, and accurate ratiometric sensor for detection of Hg2+ and biological thiols. The photoluminescence of CQDs in the ratiometric sensor can be selectively and intensively suppressed by Hg2+ due to strong electrostatic interaction between the surface functional groups of the CQDs and Hg2+. When glutathione (GSH) was introduced into the "Turn Off" CQDs-RhB-Hg2+ sensing system, the fluorescence of the CQDs can be recovered rapidly due to the stronger affinity between thiol and Hg2+, while the fluorescence of the RhB remained constant in this sensing process. Based on the above principle, the ratiometric strategy for detecting Hg2+ and GSH can be achieved readily, and gives satisfactory limit of detections (LODs) of 30 and 20 nM for Hg2+ and GSH, respectively. The dual-emission fluorescent CQDs-RhB sensor does not need the complicated molecular design and the synthesis of dual-emission fluorophores. Meanwhile, the feasibility of the proposed method for analysis of water samples, food samples, and biological samples (plasma from mice oxidative stress study) was investigated. The developed ratiometric nanosensor is proven to be facile, with less sample consumption, rapid, lost cost, highly sensitive, and very selective for Hg2+ and biological thiol detection, which offers a new approach for environmental, food, and biological analysis. Graphical abstract Ratiometric nanosensing approach detection of Hg2+ and biological thiols.

Doxazosin oral intake therapy to relieve stent - related urinary symptoms and pain: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Doxazosin Oral Intake Therapy on urinary symptoms and pain in patients with indwelling ureteral stents Patients and Methods: A total of 239 patients with ureteral stone-related hydronephrosis who underwent a double-J stent insertion after ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive doxazosin cotrolled release 4 mg once daily for 4 weeks or matching placebo. Patients completed the brief-form Chinese version Ureteric Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) and quality of life (QoL) score 2 weeks and 4 weeks after stent placement and 4 weeks after stent withdrawal. The analgesic use was also recorded during the stenting period. RESULTS: Patients in Doxazosin Oral Intake Therapy group, in the first 2 weeks and second 2 weeks with the stent in situ, expressed significant lower daytime frequency (p=0.028 and p=0.038), nocturia (p=0.021 and p=0.008) and urgency (p=0.012 and p=0.014), respectively. Similarly, flank pain score, QoL score and analgesic use were also significant less in the stenting period. There was no significant difference in scores of urinary symptoms, pain and QoL during the post-stent period between two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Doxazosin Oral Intake Therapy reduced stent-related urinary symptoms, pain and the negative impact on QoL.