Programming of a Portable Digital Monitoring System-Integrated DNA Aptamer Reversely Regulated Oxidase-Like Nanozyme for Real-Time Dynamic Analysis of Atmospheric Perfluorooctanoic Acid.

Timely and efficient analysis of the fluorinated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an atmospheric environment is critical to environmental pollution traceability, early warnings, and governance. Here, a portable, reliable, and intelligent digital monitoring device for onsite real-time dynamic analysis of atmospheric perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is proposed. The sensing mechanism is attributed to the oxidase-like activity of PtCoNPs@g-C3N4 that is reversely regulated by the surface modification of a PFOA-recognizable DNA aptamer, engineering a PFOA-activated oxidase-like activity of nanozyme (Apt-PtCoNPs@g-C3N4) to combine the nonfluorescence o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as the dual-modality response system. The present PFOA interacts with its DNA aptamer and dissociates from the surface of Apt-PtCoNPs@g-C3N4, restoring the oxidase-like activity of PtCoNPs@g-C3N4 to oxidize OPD into yellow fluorescence 2,3-diphenylaniline (DAP), thereby observing a PFOA-triggered colorimetric as well as fluorescence dual-modality change. Then, a hydrogel kit-programmed Apt-PtCoNPs@g-C3N4 + OPD system is used as the sensitive element to incorporate into this homemade portable device, automatically gathering and processing the PFOA-triggered hydrogel colorimetric and fluorescence image gray values by our self-weaving software, ultimately realizing the onsite real-time dynamic analysis of atmospheric PFOA surrounding a fluorochemical production plant. This work provides a direction and theoretical foundation for designing portable onsite screening devices that cater to other atmospheric contaminants detection requirements.

A Versatile Visual Molecular Imprinting-Driven Switchable Nanozyme Activity-Based Trimodal Assay and Logic Gate Circuits of Ethyl Carbamate.

Concerns regarding the hazard of the carcinogenic ethyl carbamate (EC) have driven attempts to exploit efficient, timely, straightforward, and economic assays for warning early food safety. Here, we proposed a novel molecularly imprinted polymer Co@MOF-MIP, with a high peroxidase (POD)-like activity and a bright blue fluorescence emission, to develop a versatile visual assay for colorimetric, fluorescent, and photothermal trimodal detection and logic gate outputting of EC. Briefly, the POD-like activity of Co@MOF-MIP made it to decompose H2O2 into ·OH for oxidizing colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into a blue oxTMB, resulting in a 660 nm irradiated photothermal effect and bursting the blue fluorescence of Co@MOF-MIP via inner filter effect, observing a decreased fluorescence signal together with an increased colorimetric and 660 nm irradiated photothermal signals. However, EC could specifically fill the imprinted cavities of Co@MOF-MIP to block the catalytic substrates TMB and H2O2 out of Co@MOF-MIP for further reacting with the inside catalytic center of Co2+, resulting in the transformation suppressing of TMB into oxTMB, yielding an EC concentration-dependent trimodal responses in fluorescence signal enhancement, colorimetric, and 660 nm irradiated photothermal signal decreases. Assisted by the portable devices such as smartphones and hand-held thermal imagers, a visual onsite portable trimodal analytical platform was proposed for EC fast and accurate detection with the low detection limits of 1.64, 1.24, and 1.78 µg/L in colorimetric, fluorescent, and photothermal modes, respectively. Interestingly, these reactive events could be programmed by the classical Boolean logic gate analysis to offer a novel promising avenue for the big data Internet of Things monitoring and warning early residual EC in a more intelligent, dynamical, fast, and accurate manner, safeguarding food safety.

Advances in Metabolism and Metabolic Toxicology of Quinoxaline 1,4-Di-N-oxides.

Quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-Oxides (QdNOs) have been used as synthetic antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry and aquaculture. The metabolism and potential toxicity have been also concerns in recently years. The metabolism investigations showed that there were 8 metabolites of Carbadox (CBX), 34 metabolites of Cyadox (CYA), 33 metabolites of Mequindox (MEQ), 35 metabolites of Olaquindox (OLA), and 56 metabolites of Quinocetone (QCT) in different animals. Among them, Cb3 and Cb8, M6, and O9 are metabolic residual markers of CBX, MEQ and OLA, which are associated with N → O reduction. Toxicity studies revealed that QdNOs exhibited severe tumorigenicity, cytotoxicity, and adrenal toxicity. Metabolic toxicology showed that toxicity of QdNOs metabolites might be related to the N → O group reduction, and some metabolites exhibited higher toxic effects than the precursor, which could provide guidance for further research on the metabolic toxicology of QdNOs and provide a wealth of information for food safety evaluation.

Recent advances of nanopore technique in single cell analysis.

Single cells and their dynamic behavior are closely related to biological research. Monitoring their dynamic behavior is of great significance for disease prevention. How to achieve rapid and non-destructive monitoring of single cells is a major issue that needs to be solved urgently. As an emerging technology, nanopores have been proven to enable non-destructive and label-free detection of single cells. The structural properties of nanopores enable a high degree of sensitivity and accuracy during analysis. In this article, we summarize and classify the different types of solid-state nanopores that can be used for single-cell detection and illustrate their specific applications depending on the size of the analyte. In addition, their research progress in material transport and microenvironment monitoring is also highlighted. Finally, a brief summary of existing research challenges and future trends in nanopore single-cell analysis is tentatively provided.

Identification and Prioritization of Organic Pollutants in Human Milk from the Yangtze River Delta, China.

Pollutants in human milk are critical for evaluating maternal internal exposure and infant external exposure. However, most studies have focused on a limited range of pollutants. Here, 15 pooled samples (prepared from 467 individual samples) of human milk from three areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China were analyzed by gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In total, 171 compounds of nine types were preliminarily identified. Among these, 16 compounds, including 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone and 2-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone, were detected in human milk for the first time. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis identified ten area-specific pollutants, including 2-naphthylamine, 9-fluorenone, 2-isopropylthianthrone, and benzo[a]pyrene, among pooled human milk samples from Shanghai (n = 3), Jiangsu Province (n = 6), and Zhejiang Province (n = 6). Risk index (RI) values were calculated and indicated that legacy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contributed only 20% of the total RIs for the identified PAHs and derivatives, indicating that more attention should be paid to PAHs with various functional groups. Nine priority pollutants in human milk from the YRD were identified. The most important were 4-tert-amylphenol, caffeine, and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone, which are associated with apoptosis, oxidative stress, and other health hazards. The results improve our ability to assess the health risks posed by pollutants in human milk.

Correlations of IL-1 and IL-6 Gene polymorphisms with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to explore the correlations of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 gene polymorphisms with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A total of 200 patients with HCM were enrolled as disease group, and 200 healthy individuals were included as control group. Peripheral blood was collected from all subjects in both disease and control groups. Gene polymorphisms and serum expression levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were detected, and conjoint analysis was performed based on results of cardiac color Doppler ultrasound examination. The allele distribution of IL-1 rs1878320 showed a difference between disease and control groups (P=0.000). The frequency of the allele T was lower in disease group. The genotype distribution of IL-1 rs1878320 (P=0.001) and IL-6 rs1474347 (P=0.000) in disease group was different from that in control. The frequency of TC genotype of IL-1 rs1878320 was lower in disease group, and that of CA genotype of IL-6 rs1474347 was higher in disease group. There was a difference in the distribution of the dominant model of IL-6 rs1474347 between disease and control groups (P=0.021), and the frequency of CC + CA in the dominant model was 171 (0.855). The frequency of AC haplotype of IL-1 gene was overtly higher in disease group (P=0.000), while the frequency of AT haplotype was lower in disease group (P=0.000). The IL-1 rs1516792 polymorphism had an association with serum IL-1 level (P<0.05), the IL-1 level was notably increased in the patients with the genotype AA, and it was higher in disease group. The polymorphism of rs1878320 locus in IL-1 gene was correlated with interventricular septal (IVS) (P=0.047), and IVS was reduced in the patients with TC genotype. The polymorphism of rs1516792 locus in IL-1 gene was distinctly related to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) (P=0.041), and LVOT was lowered in the patients with GG genotype. The IL-6 rs2069831 polymorphism was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P=0.035), and LVEF declined in the patients with TT genotype. The IL-1 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms are correlated with the susceptibility and progression of HCM.

Pyrococcus furiosus argonaute based Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestrsis detection in fruit juice.

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is the major threat to fruit juice for its off-odor producing characteristic. In this study, Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute (PfAgo), a novel endonuclease with precise DNA cleavage activity, was used for A. acidoterrestrisdetection, termed as PAD. The partially amplified 16 S rRNA gene of A. acidoterrestris can be cleaved by PfAgo activated by a short 5'-phosphorylated single strand DNA, producing a new guide DNA (gDNA). Then, PfAgo was activated by the new gDNA to cut a molecular beacon (MB) with fluorophore-quencher reporter, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence. The fluorescent intensity is positively related with the concentration of A. acidoterrestris. The PAD assay showed excellent specificity and sensitivity as low as 101 CFU/mL, which can be a powerful tool for on-site detection of A. acidoterrestris in fruit juice industry in the future, reducing the economic loss.

Dual-Loading of Fe3O4 and Pd Nanoparticles on g-C3N4 Nanosheets Toward a Magnetic Nanoplatform with Enhanced Peroxidase-like Activity for Loading Various Enzymes for Visual Detection of Small Molecules.

Enzyme mimics now play a significant role in biochemistry. Especially, peroxidase mimics have been widely used for developing colorimetric sensors of blood glucose. The peroxidase mimics previously reported could not be recycled for reusing and may generate scattering to cause unwanted optical interference when it was used for fabricating colorimetric sensors. We herein prepared a broad-applicable and reusable magnetic enzyme-loading nanoplatform with enhanced peroxidase-like activity by simultaneously loading Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets (Fe3O4NPs/PdNPs/g-C3N4). The prepared Fe3O4NPs/PdNPs/g-C3N4 possesses stable and enhanced peroxidase-like activity and good enzyme-loading capacity and can be used to load various natural enzymes to form highly-efficient and stable double-active nanozyme for fabricating colorimetric sensors for the visual detection of small molecules. Especially, the magnetic feature facilitates the magnetic separation of Fe3O4NPs/PdNPs/g-C3N4 from sample solution, which is in favor of recycling and eliminating the optical interference caused by nanozyme in colorimetric sensors. The prepared Fe3O4NPs/PdNPs/g-C3N4 has been successfully used to load glucose oxidase (GOx) and cholesterol oxidase (Chox) to form magnetic peroxidase-GOx and peroxidase-Chox double-active nanozymes, which can be used to fabricate colorimetric methods for the detection of glucose and cholesterol, respectively, with a visual detection limit of 15 µM and a spectrometry detection limit of 1.0 µM. With the developed glucose and cholesterol detection methods, we have successfully detected glucose and cholesterol in serum with a recovery of 98-104% and a RSD (n = 5) < 5%. With high peroxidase-like activity, good stability, reusable features, and broad applicability of loading enzyme, the developed magnetic Fe3O4NPs/PdNPs/g-C3N4 provided a promising approach for fabricating cost-effective, sensitive, and simple colorimetric sensors for the visual detection of various small molecules.

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Food Allergy in Global Context: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of food allergy (FA) in different regions and populations. METHODS: The studies from January 2011 to December 2021 were searched through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The prevalence of FA was evaluated by calculating the pooled effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The odds ratio (OR) value was used to investigate the influencing factors of FA. Heterogeneity analysis among studies was performed using I2 analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the stability of the results, and Begg's test was used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 105 published articles, including 3,318,608 participants, were involved in this study. The result indicated that the overall FA prevalence was 4.3% (95% CI: 0.038-0.047). The prevalence of FA was 4.2% in Asia (95% CI: 0.033-0.051), 3.2% in America (95% CI: 0.024-0.041), 4.8% in Europe (95% CI: 0.037-0.060), 1.6% in Africa (95% CI: 0.008-0.026), and 7.5% in Oceania (95% CI: 0.052-0.102). Milk (prevalence: 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.009-0.013) and egg (prevalence: 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.008-0.014) were the most common type of FAs. Male (OR: 1.289, 95% CI: 1.001-1.659), antibiotics exposure during pregnancy (OR: 1.221, 95% CI: 1.162-1.284), breastfeeding (OR: 1.349, 95% CI: 1.011-1.799), asthma (OR: 1.794, 95% CI: 1.443-2.230), eczema (OR: 5.121, 95% CI: 3.575-7.334), family history of atopic disease (OR: 1.893, 95% CI: 1.313-2.730), family history of FAs (OR: 2.096, 95% CI: 1.686-2.594), family history of atopic dermatitis (OR: 1.954, 95% CI: 1.645-2.322), family history of asthma (OR: 1.516, 95% CI: 1.370-1.678), and family history of allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (OR: 1.287, 95% CI: 1.191-1.392) increased the risk of FA. CONCLUSION: There were geographical differences in the prevalence of FA. Identification and nursing of FA high-risk populations should be strengthened to improve the quality of life.

Engineering an Enzymatic Cascade Catalytic Smartphone-Based Sensor for Onsite Visual Ratiometric Fluorescence-Colorimetric Dual-Mode Detection of Methyl Mercaptan.

Precise and reliable onsite detection of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is of great significance for environmental surveillance. Here, we synthesized a novel blue fluorescence nanozyme CeO2@TPE with high peroxidase-like activity by employing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) tetraphenylethene (TPE) to embed into hollow CeO2 nanospheres. In the presence of ethanol oxidase (AOX) and o-phenylenediamine (OPD), we engineered an enzymatic cascade activation ratiometric fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode system AOX/CeO2@TPE + OPD toward CH3SH. In this design, CH3SH initiated AOX catalytic activity to convert it into H2O2 for activating the peroxidase-like activity of CeO2@TPE, producing •OH for oxidizing the naked-eye colorless OPD into deep yellow 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP) with an absorption enhancement at ∼425 nm, companied by a new emission peak at ∼550 nm to match with the intrinsic emission at ∼441 nm for observing ratiometric fluorescence response, enabling a ratiometric fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode analysis. Interestingly, both the ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetric signals could be gathered for being converted into the hue parameter on a smartphone-based sensor, achieving the onsite visual fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode detection of CH3SH in real environmental media with acceptable results. This study gave a novel insight into designing target-responsive enzymatic cascade activation system-based efficient and reliable dual-mode point-of-care sensors for safeguarding environmental health.