Molecularly imprinted polymer-based SERS sensing of transferrin in human serum.

Specific detection of glycoproteins such as transferrin (TRF) related to neurological diseases, hepatoma and other diseases always plays an important role in the field of disease diagnosis. We designed an antibody-free immunoassay sensing method based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) formed by the polymerization of multiple functional monomers for the sensitive and selective detection of TRF in human serum. In the sandwich surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor, the TRF-oriented magnetic MIP nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs) served as capture units to specifically recognize TRF and 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid-functionalized gold nanorods (MPBA-Au NRs) served as SERS probes to label the targets. In order to achieve stronger interaction between the recognition cavities of the prepared MIPs and the different amino acid fragments that make up TRF, Fe3O4@SiO2-MIPs were obtained through polycondensation reactions between more silylating reagents, enhancing the specific recognition of the entire TRF protein and achieving high IF. This sensing method exhibited a good linear response to TRF within the TRF concentration range of 0.01 ng mL-1 to 1 mg mL-1 (R2 = 0.9974), and the LOD was 0.00407 ng mL-1 (S/N = 3). The good stability, reproducibility and specificity of the resulting MIP based SERS sensor were demonstrated. The determination of TRF in human serum confirmed the feasibility of the method in practical applications.

Controlling Solution-State Aggregation and Solid-State Microstructures of Conjugated Polymers by Tuning Backbone Conformation.

Molecular ordering of conjugated polymers both in solution-state aggregates and in solid-state microstructures is a determining factor of the charge transport properties in optoelectronic devices. However, the effect of backbone conformation in conjugated polymers on assembly structures is still unclear. Herein, to understand such backbone conformation effect, three novel chlorinated benzodifurandionge-based oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) (BDOPV) polymers are systematically developed. These BDOPV-based polymers exhibit significantly twisted backbone conformation (near 90° interunit torsion angle) between conjugated units, which can prevent polymer chains from forming ordered assembly structures by increasing conformational energy penalty in closely packed chains. A higher rotational barrier of the torsion angle would further prevent polymer chains from assembling, finally resulting in nonaggregated chains in solution and highly disordered solid-state packing structures. This work will deepen the understanding of the relationship between polymer backbone conformation and assembly structures, contributing to the exploration of the structure-property relationship of polymers.

Efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloon in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the main causes of death in the world, and the incidence of AMI is increasing in the young population. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) has become an effective concept for the treatment of in-stent restenosis, small vessel disease, bifurcation lesions, high blood risk conditions, and even de novo large vessel disease. To ensure whether DCB can play an alternative role in AMI, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCB in the treatment of AMI. Electronic databases were searched for RCTs that compared DCB with stent for AMI. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), the secondary outcome was late lumen loss (LLL). RevMan 5.3 software and RStudio software were used for data analysis. Five RCTs involving 528 patients with 6-12 months of follow-up were included. There was no significant difference in the incidence of MACEs between DCB group and stent group (RR, 0.85; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.74; P = 0.66). Lower LLL was shown in DCB group (WMD, - 0.29; 95% CI - 0.46 to - 0.12; P < 0.001). This meta-analysis of RCT showed that DCB might provide a promising way on AMI compared with stents. Rigorous patients' selection and adequate predilation of culprit lesions are necessary to optimize results and prevent bailout stent implantation.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020214333.