Graphene oxide and Lambda exonuclease assisted screening of L-carnitine aptamers and the site-directed mutagenesis design of C-rich structure aptamer.

In this study, Graphene Oxide (GO) was used to screen the binding with the aptamers of L-carnitine chiral enantiomers. The ssDNA library was prepared by the method of Lambda exonuclease. In addition, a simple casing device was designed to improve the purification and recovery efficiency of the small ssDNA fragments in the process of screening. Finally, more than 160,000 aptamer sequences were obtained by high-throughput sequencing. We determined the strongest affinity aptamer sequence, CA04, by the Resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) technology. We also analyzed the key binding sites (in the 16th position case) of the truncated aptamer sequence CAD10. Interestingly, we found that aptamer CA10 and CA06 were both C-rich bases through sequence alignment and analysis, and the aptamer CA10 was confirmed that the CA10 and CA06 were formed under acidic conditions (pH 4.5) by CD spectrum and ESI-MS analysis. The interaction between gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and functionalized aptamer CA10 was analyzed. We used Site-directed mutagenesis design and QGRS Mapper to optimize aptamer CA10, where an optimal aptamer CA10-03 were obtained after affinity analysis. It is also proved to be an effective method to obtain stronger affinity aptamer. Meanwhile, Native-PAGE and UV spectrum analysis were performed on the mutation sequences, and the interaction with ThT was analyzed. Finally, it is hoped that my study can provide help for later identification and detection of L-carnitine.

Rapid detection of chiral drug ephedrine using erythrosin B for the resonance Rayleigh scattering probe.

Ephedrine (EH) and pseudoephedrine (PEH), which are chiral enantiomers commonly used clinically, have different pharmacological actions and treatment effects due to their chiral nature. In the presence of Pd2+ , the reaction system of Ery B (erythrosin B)-Pd2+ has a strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensity. Adding EH into this system reduced the RRS intensity, but PEH could not produce this phenomenon. The chiral recognition of these enantiomers could be achieved according to this spectral difference. At the same time, reduction in RRS strength of the reaction system is proportional to the concentration of EH. Under optimized conditions, the linear range is 40-960 ng/ml, and the detection limit is 3.9 ng/ml. A new method for the rapid detection of EH enantiomers can be established. Based on this assay, a new method for the determination of the chiral enantiomers of EH and PEH can be developed.

Graphene oxide-assisted non-immobilized SELEX of chiral drug ephedrine aptamers and the analytical binding mechanism.

Here, we describe a study of screen characterization of aptamers targeting the chiral drug ephedrine using the non-immobilized graphene oxide (GO) SELEX. The improved method of long and short chains was here used to prepare the ssDNA library. The Resonance Rayleigh Scattering (RRS) method was first used to monitor the screening process. Through high-throughput sequencing, the genetic sequence data of 90,487 aptamers were obtained. Through the analysis of the parameters of free energy value and secondary structure prediction model of high repeatability sequence, the 10 candidate sequences were identified. Finally, a best-fit aptamer named EP08 was identified by combining the dissociation experiment. The binding affinity and binding mechanism of the aptamer and target were analyzed using an isothermal titration colorimetry (ITC) experiment and circular dichromatic (CD) experiment. The binding affinity (Kd) of the EP08 aptamer to ephedrine is approximately 2.86 ±â€¯0.24 µM. This novel DNA aptamer will help in the future development of a new method for the identification and detection of chiral drug ephedrine.

Fluorescent Carbon Dots as Cost-Effective and Facile Probes for Caffeic Acid Sensing via a Fluorescence Quenching Process.

Caffeic acid (CA), a familiar color stabilizing reagent, has aroused general concern due to its uncontrolled addition, and thus the detection of CA is increasingly important. In our report, the bright carbon dots (CDs) were prepared via hydrothermal treatment with urea and citric acid act as raw material and their characteristics were discussed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and so on. Impressively, the strong emission of the as-prepared CDs (Quantum Yield: 24.3%) decreased sharply upon a full reaction with the added CA. Hence, we first present an improved strategy for determining CA based upon the quenching of the strong emission of CDs. In this strategy, 0.79-100.0 µmol L- 1 caffeic acid could be simply detected, and a detection limit of 0.24 µmol L- 1 was allowed. Additionally, CA in red wine samples can be successfully detected by this method and the exploration of the quenching mechanism of the CA-CDs system was done.

Chiral recognition of the carnitine enantiomers using rhodamine B as a resonance Rayleigh scattering probe.

A novel and simple method for simultaneous determination of chiral carnitine (CA) enantiomers was proposed. In this work, the rhodamine B (RhB) could react with D-CA and L-CA, and new resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peaks were generated. According to the polarization experiments, it could be testified that scattering peak of this system was composed of resonance fluorescence and scattering light. The RRS intensity of the RhB could be enhanced with the addition of D- or L-CA. However, The RRS signal with L-CA had greater degree increased. So a useful assay program for the selective and simultaneous determination of CA enantiomers was built via the RRS signal differences of the two CA enantiomers responding to RhB. The results showing a good linear relationship and high correlation coefficient were obtained, and the detection limit was calculated as 0.086 µg·mL-1 (D-CA) and 0.042 µg·mL-1 (CA). Here, new built RRS method with RhB as chiral probe could be applied to achieve selective analysis through this work. The applicability of the chiral recognition of CA enantiomers mixtures in samples had been demonstrated by its low cost, sensitivity, enantioselectivity, simplicity, and good availability of the materials.

Carbon dot-based fluorescent probes for sensitive and selective detection of luteolin through the inner filter effect.

As a flavonoid, luteolin (LTL) has been universally studied due to its many advantages. Luteolin is a component in drugs and accurate detection is important to determine their LTL content and estimate their disposal effects. In our study, we found that the strong fluorescence of CDs made using ammonium citrate with the quantum yield (QY) of 8.8%, could be quenched sharply by LTL through the inner filter effect (IFE), and therefore a fluorescence assay for LTL detection using CDs as probes was devised. In this fluorescence assay, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.07 µmol L-1 with a dynamic range of 0.23-50.0 µmol L-1 . The CDs also possessed excellent selectivity and achieved acceptable recovery and relative standard deviation (RSD). Importantly, for use of environmentally friendly and nontoxic CDs as fluorescent probes to detect LTL, its operation, instruments and materials are cheap and easy. Therefore, this study improved the ease of LTL detection, and can be used widely.

A highly sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering and colorimetric assay for the recognition of propranolol in ß-adrenergic blocker.

In this work, a highly sensitive, citrate anion-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based assay for the determination of propranolol in real samples with resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and colorimetry was developed. When AuNPs were prepared by the sodium citrate reduction method, citrate anions self-assembled on the surface of AuNPs to form supramolecular complex anions. In BR 4.6 buffer solution, propranolol was positively charged and could bind with AuNPs to form larger aggregates through electrostatic force and hydrophobic effects. This results in remarkable enhancement of the RRS intensity and a color change in the AuNPs solution from red to blue via purple. Thus, a highly sensitive RRS and colorimetric assay the for detection of propranolol was developed with a linear range of 0.2-5.2 and 8-112 ng/ml, respectively. In addition, no difference was seen when comparing R-propranolol with S-propranolol, therefore, this method could not be used in the recognition of chiral propranolol. However, upon addition of other ß-adrenergic blockers, no phenomenon like that seen with propranolol was observed, meaning that this method can be used for determining the presence of propranolol in a mixture ß-adrenergic blockers. Finally, the optimum conditions, factors influencing the reaction, its mechanism and the reasons for enhancement of the RRS were discussed.

Measurement analysis of two radials with a common-origin point and its application.

In spectral analysis, a chemical component is usually identified by its characteristic spectra, especially the peaks. If two components have overlapping spectral peaks, they are generally considered to be indiscriminate in current analytical chemistry textbooks and related literature. However, if the intensities of the overlapping major spectral peaks are additive, and have different rates of change with respect to variations in the concentration of the individual components, a simple method, named the 'common-origin ray', for the simultaneous determination of two components can be established. Several case studies highlighting its applications are presented.

Determination of norfloxacin in food by an enhanced spectrofluorimetric method.

BACKGROUND: Using a norfloxacin (NFLX)-Nd3+ -cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) system for the detection of NFLX, a simple and sensitive method based on fluorescence enhancement was developed. RESULTS: In pH 7.0 buffer solution, NFLX reacted with Nd3+ to form a complex, which resulted in fluorescence enhancement of NFLX, and the maximum emission peak shifted from 415 nm for NFLX to 450 nm for NFLX-Nd3+ . Moreover, the fluorescence intensity increased further when the surfactant CTAB was added to NFLX-Nd3+ . Under the optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity of the NFLX-Nd3+ -CTAB system was linearly correlated with the NFLX concentration in the range 0.038-10 µmol L-1 , with a correlation coefficient (R2 ) of 0.9997. The detection limit (3σ/k) was 0.021 µmol L-1 , indicating that this method can be applied to detect trace NFLX levels. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement is discussed. The method was used to detect NFLX in fish and chicken samples with satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that this method has the potential for fast and real-time determination of NFLX in food samples © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensitive determination of enoxacin in pharmaceutical formulations by its quench effect on the fluorescence of glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots.

A sensitive and simple method for the determination of enoxacin (ENX) was developed based on the fluorescence quenching effect of ENX for glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs). Under optimum conditions, a good linear relationship was obtained from 4.333 × 10(-9) mol⋅L(-1) to 1.4 × 10(-5) mol⋅L(-1) with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9987, and the detection limit (3σ/K) was 1.313 × 10(-9) mol⋅L(-1). The corresponding mechanism has been proposed on the basis of electron transfer supported by ultraviolet-visible (UV) light absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and the measurement of fluorescence lifetime. The method has been applied to the determination of ENX in pharmaceutical formulations (enoxacin gluconate injections and commercial tablets) with satisfactory results. The proposed method manifested several advantages such as high sensitivity, short analysis time, low cost and ease of operation.

A simple and rapid resonance Rayleigh scattering method for detection of indigo carmine in soft drink.

A novel method that uses acridine orange (AO) to detect indigo carmine (IC) in soft drinks was developed. The method is highly sensitive and is based on a resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) technique. In Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution, pH 4.3, the weak RRS intensity of AO was greatly enhanced by the addition of IC, with the maximum peak located at 332 nm. Under optimum conditions, it was found that the enhanced RRS intensity was proportional to the concentration of IC over a range of 2-32 × 10(-6)  mol/L. A low detection limit of 2.4 × 10(-8)  mol/L was achieved. The sensitivity and selectivity of the method are high enough to permit the determination of trace amounts of IC without any significant interference from high levels of other components such as common anions and other amino acids. Finally, the concentration of IC in three different soft drinks was determined with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Detection of glutathione with an "off-on" fluorescent biosensor based on N-acetyl-L-cysteine capped CdTe quantum dots.

This paper reports a quantum dot (QD)-based "off-on" fluorescent biosensor specifically for the determination of glutathione (GSH) with high sensitivity. The biosensor was based on the following two properties. Firstly, the high fluorescence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) capped CdTe QDs could be effectively quenched by Hg(2+) due to the binding of Hg(2+) to the NALC on the surface of the QDs and the electron transfer from the photoexcited NALC-capped CdTe QDs to Hg(2+). Secondly, in the presence of GSH, the fluorescence intensity of NALC-capped CdTe QDs was found to be efficiently recovered. Under some optimized conditions, the relatively restored fluorescence intensity was proportional to the concentration of GSH in the range of 4-64 µg mL(-1), with a correlation coefficient of 0.9980 and a limit of detection of 2.49 ng mL(-1). In addition, the established method shows a high selectivity for some amino acids except cysteine. Moreover, to further investigate its performance, the biosensor was applied to the determination of GSH in human serum samples through a standard addition method and determination of normal GSH concentration in original human serum samples with satisfactory results.

Chiral recognition of tyrosine enantiomers based on decreased resonance scattering signals with silver nanoparticles as optical sensor.

A novel chiral sensing platform, employing silver nanoparticles capped with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC-Ag NPs), was utilized for the discrimination of L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine. This nanosensor, which could be used as an optical sensing unit and chiral probe, was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectroscopy. After the proposed sensing platform interacted with L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine, a decreased resonance scattering signal was only obtained from L-tyrosine. This phenomenon offered a useful assay for the selectivity and determination of L-tyrosine with the RRS method. The linear range and detection limit of L-tyrosine were 0.2838-20.0 µg⋅mL(-1) and 0.0860 µg⋅mL(-1) , respectively. In addition, experimental factors such as acidity, interaction time, and the concentration of enantiomers were investigated with regard to the effect on enantioselective interaction.

Sensitive detection of sodium cromoglycate with glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots as a novel fluorescence probe.

A sensitive and simple analytical strategy for the detection of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) has been established based on a readily detectable fluorescence quenching effect of SCG for glutathione-capped (GSH-capped) CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The fluorescence of GSH-capped CdTe QDs could be efficiently quenched by SCG through electron transfer from GSH-capped CdTe QDs to SCG. Under optimum conditions, the response was linearly proportional to the concentration of SCG between 0.6419 and 100 µg/mL, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9964; the detection limit (3δ/K) was 0.1926 µg/mL. The optimum conditions and the influence of coexisting foreign substances on the reaction were also investigated. The very effective and simple method reported here has been successfully applied to the determination of SCG in synthetic and real samples. It is believed that the established approach could have good prospects for application in the fields of clinical diseases diagnosis and treatment.

Molecular spectroscopic studies on the interactions of rhein and emodin with thioglycolic acid-capped core/shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots and their analytical applications.

Water-soluble thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped core/shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized. The interactions of rhein and emodin with TGA-CdTe/CdS QDs were evaluated by fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. Experimental results showed that the high fluorescence intensity of TGA-CdTe/CdS QDs could be effectively quenched in the presence of rhein (or emodin) at 570 nm, which may have resulted from an electron transfer process from excited TGA-CdTe/CdS QDs to rhein (or emodin). The quenching intensity was in proportion to the concentration of both rhein and emodin in a certain range. Under optimized conditions, the linear ranges of TGA-CdTe/CdS QDs fluorescence intensity versus the concentration of rhein and emodin were 0.09650-60 µg/mL and 0.1175-70 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9984 and 0.9965, respectively. The corresponding detection limits (3σ/S) of rhein and emodin were 28.9 and 35.2 ng/mL, respectively. This proposed method was applied to determine rhein and emodin in human urine samples successfully with remarkable advantages such as high sensitivity, short analysis time, low cost and easy operation. Based on this, a simple, rapid and highly sensitive method to determine rhein (or emodin) was proposed.

A rapid and sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra method for the determination of quinolones in human urine and pharmaceutical preparation.

A new method based on resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) was proposed for the determination of quinolones (QNS) at the nanogram level. In pH 3.3-4.4 Britton-Robinson buffer medium, quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, pipemidic acid (PIP), lomefloxacin (LOM), norfloxacin (NOR) and sarafloxacin (SAR) were protonated and reacted with methyl orange (MO) to form an ion-pair complex, which then further formed a six-membered ring chelate with Pd(II). As a result, new RRS spectra appeared and the RRS intensities were enhanced greatly. RRS spectral characteristics of the MO-QNS-Pd(II) systems, the optimum conditions for the reaction, and the influencing factors were investigated. Under optimum conditions, the scattering intensity (∆I) increments were directly proportional to the concentration of QNS with in certain ranges. The method had high sensitivity, and the detection limits (3σ) ranged from 6.8 to 12.6 ng/mL. The proposed method had been successfully applied for the determination of QNS in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples. In addition, the mechanism of the reaction system was discussed based on IR, absorption and fluorescence spectral studies. The reasons for the enhancement of scattering spectra were discussed in terms of fluorescence-scattering resonance energy transfer, hydrophobicity and molecular size.

Triple-wavelength overlapping resonance Rayleigh scattering method for facile and rapid assay of perfluorooctane sulfonate.

In the present study, a novel triple-wavelength overlapping resonance Rayleigh scattering (TWO-RRS) method had been well established to detect perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). We found that crystal violet (CV) could react with PFOS to form 1:1 ion-association complex by electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic effect over a wide pH range (5.0∼11.0) in less than 60 s. The complexes would further self-aggregated into nanoparticles [CV-PFOS]n. Based on this phenomenon, not only the absorption and Raman spectra were changed but also the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensities were significantly enhanced. And three new RRS peaks located at 327, 492, and 654 nm were clearly observed, respectively. At the same time, it was found that both the enhanced single-wavelength resonance Rayleigh scattering (SW-RRS) and TWO-RRS intensities against the concentration of PFOS showed an excellent correlation. The detection limits for the three single peaks were 27.4 nmol L(-1) (13.7 µg L(-1), 327 nm), 27.5 nmol L(-1) (13.8 µg L(-1), 492 nm), and 31.4 nmol L(-1) (15.7 µg L(-1), 654 nm), and for TWO-RRS method was 5.9 nmol L(-1) (3.0 µg L(-1)). Moreover, it could be applied to determine PFOS water samples successfully.

Detection of DNA using an "off-on" switch of a regenerating biosensor based on an electron transfer mechanism from glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots to nile blue.

Although various strategies have been reported for double-stranded DNA (DNA) detection, development of a time-saving, specific, and regeneratable fluorescence sensing platform still remains a desired goal. In this study, we proposed a new DNA detection method that relies on an "off-on" switch of a regenerated fluorescence biosensor based on an electron transfer mechanism from glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) to nile blue (NB). Initially, the high fluorescence of GSH-capped CdTe QDs could be effectively quenched by NB due to the binding of NB to the GSH on the surface of the QDs and the electron transfer from the photoexcited GSH-capped CdTe QDs to NB. Then, the high affinity of DNA to NB enabled the NB to be dissociated from the surface of GSH-capped CdTe QDs to form a more stable complex with DNA and suppress the electron transfer process between GSH-capped CdTe QDs and NB, thereby restoring the fluorescence of NB surface modified GSH-capped CdTe QDs (QDs-NB). In addition, we have testified the regenerability of the proposed DNA senor. The corresponding result shows that this DNA sensor is stable for two reuses. This fluorescence "off-on" signal was sensitive to the concentration of DNA in the range from 0.0092 to 25.0 µg mL(-1) with a good correlation coefficient of 0.9989, and the detection limit (3σ/S) was 2.78 ng mL(-1). To further investigate for perfect analysis performance, the developed biosensor was applied for the determination of DNA in human fresh serum samples with satisfactory results.

[Determination of metal elements in PM2. 5 by ICP-OES with microwave digestion].

In the present work, a method was developed for determining lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, znd chromium in PM2. 5 by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis with microwave digestion and glass fibre filter collection of samples. The microwave digestion systems were investigated and the experimental conditions were optimized. The results show that (1) HNO3-H2O02 digestion system is more stable and complete than HNO3-HCl and HNO3-H2 SO4 digestion systems; (2) The most sensitive emission wave length of lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, and chromium are 220.353, 213.857, 327.393, 228.802, and 267.716 nm, respectively; (3) The highest signal-to-noise ratios were observed under the conditions: RF power of 1 300 W, peristaltic pump flow rate of 1.5 mL x min(-1), cooling gas flow rate of 15 L x min(-1), and carrier gas flow rate of 0.8 L x min(-1). In addition, the detection limit for these elements ranged between 2.02 x 10(-3) and 8.20 x 10(-3(µg x mL(-1), the relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 6) for the samples were in the range of 1.86%-2.82%, and the recovery for the elements determined was from 91.6% to 103.7%. The proposed method was used for determination of the above five elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter at Wanzhou Monitoring Site of Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology. The results revealed that the atmospheric fine particulate matter at this monitoring site was not polluted by cadmium and chromium, lead was at the level of potential contamination, while zinc and copper were at the level of slight pollution.

Asymmetric magma plumbing system beneath Axial Seamount based on full waveform inversion of seismic data.

The architecture of magma plumbing systems plays a fundamental role in volcano eruption and evolution. However, the precise configuration of crustal magma reservoirs and conduits responsible for supplying eruptions are difficult to explore across most active volcanic systems. Consequently, our understanding of their correlation with eruption dynamics is limited. Axial Seamount is an active submarine volcano located along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, with known eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Here we present high-resolution images of P-wave velocity, attenuation, and estimates of temperature and partial melt beneath the summit of Axial Seamount, derived from multi-parameter full waveform inversion of a 2D multi-channel seismic line. Multiple magma reservoirs, including a newly discovered western magma reservoir, are identified in the upper crust, with the maximum melt fraction of ~15-32% in the upper main magma reservoir (MMR) and lower fractions of 10% to 26% in other satellite reservoirs. In addition, a feeding conduit below the MMR with a melt fraction of ~4-11% and a low-velocity throat beneath the eastern caldera wall connecting the MMR roof with eruptive fissures are imaged. These findings delineate an asymmetric shallow plumbing system beneath Axial Seamount, providing insights into the magma pathways that fed recent eruptions.