Non-traditional lipid parameters as potential predictors of carotid plaque vulnerability and stenosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Lipid abnormalities are important risk factors in patients with large atherosclerotic strokes. Recent studies have shown that non-traditional lipid parameters are crucial to the development of atherosclerosis and are closely related to the clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between non-traditional lipid parameters and carotid plaque stability and stenosis degree in patients with large atherosclerotic stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 336 patients with AIS. All patients were divided into the non-plaque group, stable plaque group, and vulnerable plaque group according to ultrasound examination. At the same time, the patients were divided into non-stenosis, mild stenosis, moderate stenosis, and severe stenosis groups according to the degree of stenosis. Non-traditional lipid parameters, including residual lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), non-HDL-C to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (non-HDL-C/HDL-C), triglyceride to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C), Castelli's risk index (CRI), and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between the non-traditional lipid parameters and carotid plaque vulnerability. Spearman linear correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between variables and the degree of carotid plaque stenosis. RESULTS: This study population included 336 patients with AIS, of whom 294 had a carotid plaque. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that RLP-C (OR, 3.361; 95%CI, 1.311-8.617), non-HDL-C/HDL-C (OR, 1.699; 95%CI, 1.279-2.258), non-HDL-C (OR, 1.704; 95%CI, 1.143-2.540), CRI-I (OR, 1.573; 95%CI, 1.196-2.068), and CRI-II (OR, 2.022; 95%CI, 1.369-2.985) were independent risk factors for carotid plaque vulnerability. In addition, Spearman correlation analysis showed that the values of RLP-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, CRI-I, CRI-II, and AIP on admission were positively correlated with the degree of carotid plaque stenosis (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that non-traditional lipid parameters (LP-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, CRI-I, and CRI-II) were potential predictors of carotid plaque vulnerability in patients with AIS. However, no significant correlation was observed between TG/HDL-C and AIP. RLP-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, CRI-I, CRI-II, and AIP were closely related to the degree of carotid plaque stenosis. Non-traditional lipid parameters can be used as novel biomarkers of carotid plaque vulnerability and stenosis.

Molecularly imprinted 3D SERS sensor with inorganic frameworks for specific and recyclable SERS sensing application.

Poor selectivity and reusability of Au/Ag nanostructures are the main challenges for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in real sample detection. Herein, a novel specific and reusable three-dimensional (3D) SERS sensor with dual functions of selective trapping and photocatalytic degradation was designed. Firstly, Au-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles decorated silicon nanowires array (SiNWs-AuAg) were prepared as 3D SERS substrate. Then, silicon-based inorganic-framework molecularly imprinted TiO2 (TiO2@SiMIP) was synthesized and immobilized on SiNWs-AuAg by using rhodamine 6G (R6G) as template molecule. Owing to the excellent SERS performance of SiNWs-AuAg and the specific affinity of TiO2@SiMIP to template molecule, the prepared SERS sensor enables sensitive and selective detection of R6G in food samples with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 nM. In addition, due to the photocatalysis of TiO2 and the stability of silicon-based inorganic framework, the residual templates in TiO2@SiMIP can be completely removed by UV irradiation, and the imprinted cavity of regenerated sensors still maintained good selectivity after regeneration by UV irradiation.

Simple and sensitive nitric oxide biosensor based on the electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase on AuNPs@metal-organic framework composite-modified electrode.

Fe-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101(Fe)) was synthesized through a simple solvothermal synthesis and then used to prepare the AuNPs-decorated MIL-101(Fe) nanocomposite (APPPM(Fe)) by a multi-step layer-by-layer assembly process. Benefited from the porous structure of MIL-101(Fe) and the multilayer assemble process, the loading amount of AuNPs on APPPM(Fe) was enhanced and exhibited a fine biocompatible interface and high conductivity. Through the intense Au-S bond, high loading amount of horseradish peroxidase was immobilized on APPPM(Fe) and the native bioactivity of HRP was kept to realize its direct electrochemistry. From the electrochemical kinetics, the constructed biosensor displayed fast electron transfer and good electrocatalysis activity for the detection of nitric oxide (NO) with wide linear range from 0.033 to 5370 µM and a low detection limit of 0.01 µM (3 σ) as well as fine stability, reproducibility and specificity. According to results of real sample analysis, the proposed electrochemical biosensor offers fast and simple detection of NO in real serum. Therefore, the present strategy definitely provided a potential application prospect in NO clinic detection and disease therapy.

A capillary-based SERS sensor for ultrasensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ by amalgamation with Au@4-MBA@Ag core-shell nanoparticles.

A capillary-based SERS sensor was fabricated for ultrasensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ in water. Au@Ag core-shell NPs embedded with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) (Au@4-MBA@Ag) were prepared by a seed growth method and fixed on the inner wall of the glass capillary to obtain the sensor. Owing to the amalgamation between Ag and Hg, the capillary-based SERS sensor can specifically recognize the reduced Hg2+ without any recognition element, and the resulted Ag/Hg amalgam can weaken the SERS activity of Ag shell; thus, the SERS intensity of the embedded 4-MBA at 1075 cm-1 gradually decreased with the increase of Hg2+ concentration. Under the optimum condition, the fabricated sensor can sensitively determine Hg2+ in water with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.03 nM. The capillary-based SERS sensor offers the advantages of simple preparation, superior stability, and high selectivity, which is promising for rapid and on-site detection of Hg2+ in water combined with a portable Raman device.

An accuracy improved ratiometric SERS sensor for rhodamine 6G in chili powder using a metal-organic framework support.

Internal standard molecule 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) embedded Au core-Ag shell nanorods (Au-MBA@Ag NRs) were prepared by a seed-mediated growth method, then loaded on octahedral MIL-88B-NH2 to obtain a novel ratiometric SERS substrate of Au-MBA@Ag NRs/PSS/MIL-88B-NH2 (AMAPM) for detecting rhodamine 6G (R6G) in chili powder. The porous structure and excellent adsorption ability of MIL-88B-NH2, allowed for increased loading of Au-MBA@Ag NRs, thereby shortening the distance between adsorbed R6G and the "hot spot" resulting from local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au-MBA@Ag NRs. Based on the SERS characteristic peak ratio of R6G to 4-MBA, the ratiometric SERS substrate displayed improved accuracy and excellent performance for R6G detection, with a wide linear range of 5-320 nM and a low detection limit of 2.29 nM as well as fine stability, reproducibility and specificity. The proposed ratiometric SERS substrate offered a simple, fast and sensitive sensing strategy for R6G detection in chili powder, which demonstrated potential applications in food safety and the analysis of trace analytes in complex matrices.