Study on the Formation and Properties of Trapped Nanobubbles and Surface Nanobubbles by Spontaneous and Temperature Difference Methods.

Trapped nanobubbles are gas domains trapped at nanopits on the solid-liquid interface. This is different from surface nanobubbles that usually form at the smooth surface. Herein, both trapped nanobubbles and surface nanobubbles formed on the nanopitted polystyrene film were studied by a spontaneous formation method and a temperature difference method. Trapped nanobubbles behave more flexibly than surface nanobubbles under different scanning loads. The nanopits under trapped nanobubbles appear after being subjected to large force scanning, and both trapped nanobubbles and surface nanobubbles can recover after reducing the scan load. The contact angles of the two kinds of nanobubbles were calculated and were found to be approximately constant. Configurations of trapped nanobubbles including under the pit mouth, protruding out but pinning at the pit mouth, and protruding out and extending around the pit mouth were experimentally observed. Gas oversaturation in the liquid after replacing the low-temperature water with high-temperature water was evaluated and was found to be a key factor for nanobubble formation and led to trapped nanobubbles protruding out and extending. Our study should be helpful in understanding the formation mechanism and properties of trapped nanobubbles and surface nanobubbles, and it will also be useful for further research on the control of nanobubble distribution.

SERS Assay for Copper(II) Ions Based on Dual Hot-Spot Model Coupling with MarR Protein: New Cu2+-Specific Biorecognition Element.

We have developed a rapid and ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay for Cu2+ detection using the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) as specific bridging molecules in a SERS hot-spot model. In the assay, Cu2+ induces formation of MarR tetramers, which provide Au nanoparticle (NP)-AuNP bridges, resulting in the formation of SERS hot spots. 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) was used as a Raman reporter. The addition of Cu2+ increased the Raman intensity of 4-MBA. Use of a dual hot-spot signal-amplification strategy based on AuNP-AgNP heterodimers combined through antigen-antibody reactions increased the sensitivity of the sensing platform by 50-fold. The proposed method gave a linear response for Cu2+ detection in the range of 0.5-1000 nM, with a detection limit of 0.18 nM, which is 5 orders of magnitude lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limit for Cu2+ in drinking water (20 µM). In addition, all analyses can be completed in less than 15 min. The high sensitivity, high specificity, and rapid detection capacity of the SERS assay therefore provide a combined advantage over current assays.

Multipath colourimetric assay for copper(II) ions utilizing MarR functionalized gold nanoparticles.

We use the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR), as a highly selective biorecognition elements in a multipath colourimetric sensing strategy for the fast detection of Cu2+ in water samples. The colourimetric assay is based on the aggregation of MarR-coated gold nanoparticles in the presence of Cu2+ ions, which induces a red-to-purple colour change of the solution. The colour variation in the gold nanoparticle aggregation process can be used for qualitative and quantitative detection of Cu2+ by the naked eye, and with UV-vis and smartphone-based approaches. The three analysis techniques used in the multipath colourimetric assay complement each other and provide greater flexibility for differing requirements and conditions, making the assay highly applicable for Cu2+ detection. Under optimal conditions, the Cu2+ concentration was quantified in less than 5 min with limits of detection for the naked eye, UV-vis and smartphone-based approaches of 1 µM, 405 nM and 61 nM, respectively. Moreover, the sensing system exhibited excellent selectivity and practical application for Cu2+ detection in real water samples. Thus, our strategy has great potential for application in on-site monitoring of Cu2+, and the unique response of MarR towards copper ions may provide a new approach to Cu2+ sensing.

Signal-Amplified Lateral Flow Test Strip for Visual Detection of Cu2.

A signal-amplified lateral flow test strip (SA-LFTS) for the detection of Cu2+ in aqueous solution was constructed based on Cu+-catalyzed click chemistry and hybridization of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Alkyne and azide modified ssDNA acted as specific elements for Cu2+ recognition, and a chemical ligation product formed through Cu+-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition. Hybridization of ssDNA-labeled gold nanoparticles resulted in high sensitivity, and the output signal could be observed directly by the naked eye. Using the developed SA-LFTS under optimal conditions, Cu2+ could be detected rapidly with limit of detections of 5 nM and 4.2 nM by visual observation and quantitative analysis, respectively. The sensitivity (i.e. the visual limit of detection) of the SA-LFTS was 80-times higher than that of traditional LFTS. The SA-LFTS was applied to the determination of Cu2+ in municipal water and river water samples with the results showing good recovery and accuracy. The developed test strip is promising for point-of-care applications and detection of Cu2+ in the field.

N-cadherin restrains PTH repressive effects on sclerostin/SOST by regulating LRP6-PTH1R interaction.

Sclerostin/SOST is a robust negative regulator of bone formation. Loss-of-function mutations of the sclerostin gene (SOST) cause sclerosteosis and Van Buchem disease characterized by bone overgrowth. Mediated by myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors, parathyroid hormone (PTH) suppresses SOST expression through formation of complexes of parathyroid hormone-parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor 1 (PTH1R) and lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6). N-cadherin has been shown to negatively regulate Wnt/ß-catenin and PTH induced, protein kinase-dependent ß-catenin signaling. Here, we investigated whether N-cadherin mediates the inhibitory effects of PTH on sclerostin/SOST. In vitro, overexpression of N-cadherin resulted in blunted PTH suppressive effects on sclerostin/SOST expression, as detected by immunoblot and qPCR analysis; PTH-induced downregulation of MEF2A, C, and D was impaired by N-cadherin; and N-cadherin reduced LRP6-PTHR1 interaction and endocytosis in response to PTH. In vivo, intermittent PTH (iPTH)-induced suppression of sclerostin/SOST was accentuated in Dmp1-cre; Cdh2f/f (Cdh2ΔDmp1 ) mice, compared with Cdh2f/f mice. Additionally, iPTH had greater bone anabolic effects in Cdh2ΔDmp1 mice compared to Cdh2f/f mice. These data indicate that N-cadherin negatively mediates PTH suppressive effects on sclerostin/SOST by regulating LRP6-PTHR1 interaction, ultimately influencing PTH anabolic effects on bone.

Novel Signal-Amplified Fenitrothion Electrochemical Assay, Based on Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Dispersed Graphene Oxide.

A novel signal-amplified electrochemical assay for the determination of fenitrothion was developed, based on the redox behaviour of organophosphorus pesticides on a glassy carbon working electrode. The electrode was modified using graphene oxide dispersion. The electrochemical response of fenitrothion at the modified electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, current-time curves, and square-wave voltammetry. Experimental parameters, namely the accumulation conditions, pH value, and volume of dispersed material, were optimised. Under the optimum conditions, a good linear relationship was obtained between the oxidation peak current and the fenitrothion concentration. The linear range was 1-400 ng·mL(-1), with a detection limit of 0.1 ng·mL(-1) (signal-to-nose ratio = 3). The high sensitivity of the sensor was demonstrated by determining fenitrothion in pakchoi samples.

[EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON OSTEOGENIC ACTIVITY OF RABBIT BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS INDUCED BY KLD-12 POLYPEPTIDE/RECOMBINANT HUMAN BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN 2 GEL].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of KLD-12 polypeptide complexed with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) on osteogenic activity of rabbit bone marrow mesechymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Bone marrow was harvested from 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbit, and density gradient method was used to isolate and culture BMSCs. The third generation BMSCs were used for three-dimensional culture of KLD-12 polypetide/rhBMP-2 in vitro (experimental group) and KLD-12 polypeptide (control group). The morphology of the cells in the gel was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope at 7 days; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin protein content were dectected at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days; collagen type I immunofluorescence staining was done and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was performed to detect the relative expression of collagen type I and osteocalcin gene at 14 days. RESULTS: Under the inverted phase contrast microscope, the BMSCs in the gel of the experimental group and the control group showed circular growth, and the distribution was uniform at 7 days. There was no significant difference in the expressions of ALP and osteocalcin protein content between 2 groups at 3 and 7 days (P>0.05); the above indexes in experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 10-21 days (P<0.05). Laser scanning confocal microscope observation showed that immunofluorescence staining for collagen type I was positive in the experimental group, and the expression was higher than that in the control group at 14 days. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection showed that the collagen type I and osteocalcin gene expressions were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=15.902, P=0.000; t=12.998, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: BMSCs can normally grow and proliferate in the KLD-12 polypeptide, and KLD-12 polypeptide/rhBMP-2 has good biological activity to induce BMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts.