Comprehensive Review of the Determination and Reduction of the Minimum Miscibility Pressure during CO2 Flooding.

With the increasing oil demand, more attention has been paid to enhancing oil recovery in old oil fields. CO2 flooding is popular due to its high oil displacement efficiency and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Laboratory experiments and on-site application cases have shown that the minimum miscibility pressure has a greater impact on CO2 flooding than other factors. If the reservoir pressure is below the minimum miscible pressure, then there is CO2 immiscible flooding. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the recovery rate of CO2 miscible flooding is 2-5 times higher than that of immiscible flooding. If the reservoir pressure is increased by water flooding before CO2 injection, it is easily limited by the physical property parameters. Therefore, accurately determining and effectively reducing the minimum mixing pressure has become the focus of research. Currently, there are two types of methods for determining the minimum miscible pressure: experimental and theoretical methods. The experimental method is generally considered more accurate, including the slim tube test, rising bubble apparatus, and vanishing interfacial tension, etc. However, it is worth noting that the minimum miscibility pressure is dynamically changing, and there will be high economic costs if measured repeatedly through experimental methods during reservoir development. Therefore, it is recognized that the minimum mixing pressure can be determined at any time using theoretical calculation of initial data, which will reduce economic and time costs to a high degree. In this paper, the theoretical calculation method is divided into empirical correlation, state equation, and artificial intelligence algorithm. The techniques for reducing the minimum miscibility pressure can be classified into two categories: miscible solvents and surfactant methods. The miscible solvent method can be further divided into monocomponent and polycomponent methods. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of the existing techniques for measuring and reducing MMP and selects the best method.

Emerging Non-Noble-Metal Atomic Layer Deposited Copper as Seeds for Electroless Copper Deposition.

Copper metal catalyst seeds have recently triggered much research interest for the development of low-cost and high-performance metallic catalysts with industrial applications. Herein, we present metallic Cu catalyst seeds deposited by an atomic layer deposition method on polymer substrates. The atomic layer deposited Cu (ALD-Cu) can ideally substitute noble metals Ag, Au, and Pd to catalyze Cu electroless deposition. The optimized deposition temperature and growth cycles of an ALD-Cu catalyzed seed layer have been obtained to achieve a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with a high performance electroless plating deposited Cu (ELD-Cu) film. The ELD-Cu films on the ALD-Cu catalyst seeds grown display a uniform and dense deposition with a low resistivity of 1.74 µΩ·cm, even in the through via and trench of substates. Furthermore, the ALD-Cu-catalyzed ELD-Cu circuits and LED devices fabricated on treated PI also demonstrate excellent conductive and mechanical features. The remarkable conductive and mechanical characteristics of the ALD-Cu seed catalyzed ELD-Cu process demonstrate its tremendous potential in high-density integrated FPC applications.

Homogeneous and Nanogranular Prussian Blue to Enable Long-Term-Stable Electrochromic Devices.

The increasing demand for the state-of-the-art electrochromic devices has received great interest in synthesizing Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with a uniform diameter that exhibit excellent electrochromism, electrochemistry, and cyclability. Herein, we report the controllable synthesis of sub-100 nm PB nanoparticles via the coprecipitation method. The diameter of PB nanoparticles can be modulated by adjusting the reactant concentration, the selection of a chelator, and their purification. The self-assembled nanogranular thin films, homogeneously fabricated by using optimized PB nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm as building blocks via the blade coating technique enable excellent performance with a large optical modulation of 80% and a high coloration efficiency of 417.79 cm2 C-1. It is also demonstrated by in situ and ex situ observations that the nanogranular PB thin films possess outstanding structural and electrochemical reversibility. Furthermore, such nanogranular PB thin films can enjoy the enhanced long-term cycling stability of the PB-WO3 complementary electrochromic devices having a 91.4% optical contrast retention after 16,000 consecutive cycles. This work provides a newly and industrially compatible approach to producing a complementary electrochromic device with extraordinary durability for various practical applications.

Effect of serum inflammatory factors in predicting co-infection with influenza viruses and Omicron.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the key differences in laboratory indicators between mono-infection and co-infection by influenza viruses and Omicron to facilitate timely adjustments in patient treatment strategies. METHODS: Prealbumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were analyzed in 161 COVID-19 cases infected by SARS-CoV-2 (wild type), 299 cases infected by Omicron, 95 cases infected by influenza virus A/B (Flu A/B) and 133 co-infection cases infected with Flu A/B and Omicron. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression equation were used to analyze the clinical predictive capacity of prealbumin and CRP in coinfected patients. RESULTS: The co-infected and wild-type infected patients had significantly different CRP and prealbumin levels compared to mono-infected patients with Omicron or Flu A/B (p < .001). The ROC curve results indicated that prealbumin was more efficient than CRP in identifying co-infection from Omicron (AUC: 0.867 vs. 0.724) or Flu A/B (AUC: 0.797 vs. 0.730), and joint prediction significantly improved the diagnostic ability to discriminate co-infection from mono-infection (AUC: 0.934 and 0.887). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that prealbumin is a valuable indicator that can warn of co-infection and guide timely treatment decisions. Joint prediction may offer an even more effective diagnostic tool for discriminating co-infection from mono-infection.

Mass cytometry and transcriptomic profiling reveal PD1 blockade induced alterations in oral carcinogenesis.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the predominant subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, characterized by a challenging prognosis. In this study, we established a murine model of oral carcinogenesis using 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) induction to investigate the impact of immunotherapy on microenvironmental alterations. Mice in the precancerous condition were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving programmed death-1 (PD1) monoclonal antibody treatment and the other, control immunoglobulin G. Our observations showed that while PD1 blockade effectively delayed the progression of carcinogenesis, it did not completely impede or reverse it. To unravel the underlying reasons for the limited effectiveness of PD1 blockade, we collected tongue lesions and applied mass cytometry (CyTOF) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to characterize the microenvironment. CyTOF analysis revealed an increased macrophage subset (expressing high levels of IFNγ and iNOS) alongside a diminished Th1-like subset (exhibiting low expression of TCF7) and three myeloid-derived suppressor cell subsets (displaying low expression of MHC Class II or IFNγ) following anti-PD1 treatment. Notably, we observed an increased presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) expressing collagen-related genes after PD1 blockade. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between the infiltration levels of CAFs and CD8+ T cells. These findings were validated in murine tongue tissue slides, and publicly available multi-omics datasets. Our results suggest that CAFs may impair the therapeutic efficacy of PD1 blockade in oral carcinogenesis by the remodeling of the extracellular matrix.

Improved Electrical Resistivity of Atomic-Layer-Deposited Copper Thin Films on Polyimide Substrates by an In Situ ZnO Interlayer.

The low-temperature atomic layer deposition of metal on polymer surfaces is often challenging owing to the deficiency of functional groups and reactivity. Here, the deposition of ALD-Cu employing Cu(hfac)2 and Et2Zn at a low temperature (120 °C) on polyimide (PI) substrates is improved by the utilization of an in situ ultrathin ALD-ZnO buffer layer. A conformal and continuous ALD-Cu thin film with low resistivity (6.07 µΩ cm) is fabricated on an ALD-ZnO/PI substrate. The findings demonstrate that the ALD-ZnO buffer layer provides chemisorption and a nucleation site for the initial growth of ALD-Cu. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis reveal that the ALD-ZnO layer plays a buffer role in the fitness of ALD-Cu on PI substrates and its ability to elicit the formation of an ALD-ZnO nanocluster and polar surface. ALD-ZnO can be effectively utilized as a buffer layer for polymer-based ALD-metal processes, showing potential in flexible electronic applications.

Hydroxychloroquine is effective in oral lichen planus: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to evaluate the safety and benefit of short-term application of hydroxychloroquine in the management of atrophic/erosive/ulcerative oral lichen planus (OLP). METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded, prospective clinical trial was performed from October 1, 2019, to September 1, 2022. A total of 99 patients were randomized to receive systemic use of hydroxychloroquine (n = 50), or topical use of 0.05% dexamethasone (n = 49) for 4 weeks. The response to both treatment modalities was evaluated according to reticulation, hyperemic, and ulceration (RHU) score and visual analog scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of medication, both groups showed substantial reduction in RHU and VAS score (p < 0.05). In hydroxychloroquine group, the average of RHU score was reduced from 10.60 to 7.68 (dropped 27.49%), and the average of VAS score was reduced from 3.74 to 2.47 (dropped 34.09%). There were no differences between the two groups in reduction of RHU score and VAS score (p > 0.05). Single factor analysis found hyperemic area (p = 0.019) and erosive/ulcerative area (p = 0.024) had impacts on drug efficacy of hydroxychloroquine, and logistic regression revealed that no factors (p > 0.05) influenced its efficacy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate hydroxychloroquine is a safe and effective agent in treating atrophic/erosive/ulcerative OLP.

Exploring the prognostic function of TMB-related prognostic signature in patients with colon cancer.

Tumor mutation burden (TMB) level is identified as a useful predictor in multiple tumors including colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). However, the function of TMB related genes has not been explored previously. In this study, we obtained patients' expression and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). TMB genes were screened and subjected to differential expression analysis. Univariate Cox and LASSO analyses were utilized to construct the prognostic signature. The efficiency of the signature was tested by using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A nomogram was further plotted to assess the overall survival (OS) time of patients with COAD. In addition, we compared the predictive performance of our signature with other four published signatures. Functional analyses indicated that patients in the low-risk group have obviously different enrichment of tumor related pathways and tumor infiltrating immune cells from that of high-risk patients. Our findings suggested that the ten genes' prognostic signature could exert undeniable prognostic functions in patients with COAD, which might provide significant clues for the development of personalized management of these patients.

The risk factors associated with geographic tongue in a southwestern Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to look into age, genetics,sex, oral mucosa diseases, and systemic diseases as potential risk factors for the geographic tongue (GT) in a Chinese population. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cross-sectional study used the demographic and medical data of 3400 patients between March 2021 and August 2021 from the Department of Oral Medicine at West China Hospital of Stomatology. Binary logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association of GT and age, fissured tongue (FT), burning mouth syndrome (BMS), oral lichen planus (OLP), gastrointestinal disorders, and hematologic disorders and to acquire the adjusted odds ratio (AOR). RESULTS: GT occurred in 3.6% of patients, with 15 out of 123 (12.2%) patients with GT having a family history. Binary logistic regression found age <30 years (AOR: 4.4; [95% CI: 2.8-6.9]), FT (28.8 [17.1-48.4]), BMS (0.3 [0.1-0.6]), OLP (0.2 [0.0-0.5]), and gastrointestinal disorders (4.3 [2.7-6.7]) were significantly associated with GT, and GT was unrelated to recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) or systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: In the Chinese population, GT was more prevalent in patients with <30 years of age, FT, and gastrointestinal disorders, and it was less prevalent in BMS and OLP.

Sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar IBI305 and chemotherapy for patients with EGFR-mutated non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer who progressed on EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy (ORIENT-31): first interim results from a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: VEGF inhibitors can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, despite high initial response rates, almost all patients eventually develop treatment resistance to EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sintilimab with or without IBI305 plus pemetrexed and cisplatin, compared with pemetrexed and cisplatin alone, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had disease progression after receiving EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial was conducted at 52 hospitals in China. Eligible participants were adults aged 18-75 years with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC and EGFRmut who progressed after receiving a EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 with at least one measurable lesion, and an estimated life expectancy of at least 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive sintilimab (200 mg) plus IBI305 (15 mg/kg) plus pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2), sintilimab plus pemetrexed and cisplatin, or pemetrexed and cisplatin (chemotherapy alone) using block randomisation with stratification according to sex and presence or absence of brain metastases. All study drugs were administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle, once every 3 weeks. Except for cisplatin, which was only given in the first four cycles, treatment was given for 24 months or until disease progression, intolerable toxic effects, withdrawal of consent, death, or other protocol-specified conditions, whichever occurred first. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. We herein report the first planned interim analysis, with progression-free survival results for the comparison between sintilimab plus IBI305 plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. The progression-free survival results for the sintilimab plus pemetrexed and cisplatin group are immature and not reported here. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03802240 (recruiting). FINDINGS: Between July 11, 2019, and July 31, 2021, 936 patients were screened and 444 were randomly assigned (148 to the sintilimab plus IBI305 plus chemotherapy group, 145 to the sintilimab plus chemotherapy group, and 151 to the chemotherapy alone group). Data cutoff for this interim analysis was July 31, 2021. After a median follow-up of 9·8 months (IQR 4·4-13·3), progression-free survival was significantly longer in the sintilimab plus IBI305 plus chemotherapy group versus the chemotherapy alone group (median 6·9 months [95% CI 6·0-9.3] vs 4·3 months [4·1-5·4]; hazard ratio 0·46 [0·34-0·64]; p<0·0001). The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were decreased neutrophil count (30 [20%] in the sintilimab plus IBI305 plus chemotherapy group vs 26 [18%] in the sintilimab plus chemotherapy group vs 27 [18%] in the chemotherapy alone group), decreased white blood cell count (17 [11%] vs 12 [8%] vs 13 [9%]), and anaemia (18 [12%] vs ten [7%] vs 15 [10%]). Potentially treatment-related deaths occurred in six patients (intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and myelosuppression in one patient each, and three deaths of unknown cause) in the sintilimab plus IBI305 plus chemotherapy group, and in one patient in the chemotherapy alone group (unknown cause). INTERPRETATION: In this interim analysis, sintilimab plus IBI305 plus cisplatin and pemetrexed was generally efficacious and well tolerated in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who progressed after receiving EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy. FUNDING: Innovent Biologics and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Direct immunofluorescence and immune function in patients with oral lichen planus.

Background/Purpose: Direct immunofluorescence and immune function and patients with oral lichen planusThe etiology of oral lichen planus (OLP) is unknown, our purpose was to evaluate the diagnostic value of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and to investigate the immune functions in OLP. Materials and methods: We enrolled 65 patients with suspected lesions of OLP and 47 controls. In all participants, clinical and serologic testing were conducted. The histopathologic and DIF tests were conducted in 65 patients. The severity of OLP was evaluated by reticular/hyperkeratotic, erosive/erythematous, ulcerative (REU) scoring system. Results: By hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and DIF examination, 71.2% (42/59) were diagnosed as OLP, 28.8% (17/59) were diagnosed as non-OLP. DIF demonstrated 64.3% positive reactivity with 2 distinct distribution patterns and 8 staining patterns. Compared to the controls, serum IgA in OLP was higher (P < 0.01), and serum CD3+ cells, IgM, IgE, C3 and C4 were lower (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis in OLP revealed correlations between REU score and IgM, IgA of DIF (r = 0.54, P = 0.026; and r = 0.56, P = 0.020, respectively), between serum IgG and IgG of DIF (r = 0.51, P = 0.038), between serum CD4+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, IgM in DIF (r = -0.50, P = 0.048; and r = -0.54, P = 0.031, respectively), between serum CD8+ and IgM, IgA in DIF (r = 0.52, P = 0.038; and r = -0.50, P = 0.047, respectively). Conclusion: A combination of H&E test and DIF is useful for the diagnosis of OLP. Compared to controls, immune changes happen to patients with OLP. There are significant associations between the OLP lesions and general cellular and humoral immune status, localized humoral immune response.

Photodynamic treatment as a promising strategy applied in lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis with moderate-to-severe dysplasia: A case report.

Lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis represents a class of mucocutaneous inflammatory diseases which share common histopathological manifestations. One patient presented to our clinic whose oral lesions could not categorized into a definitely clinical or pathological diagnosis, but could be ascribed to lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis with moderate-to-severe dysplasia. Photodynamic treatment was applied in this case and a satisfactory result was eventually achieved. Signs of recurrence were not revealed at the follow-up of the tenth month.

A generic and non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensor integrated molecular beacon-like catalyzed hairpin assembly circuit with MOF@Au@G-triplex/hemin nanozyme for ultrasensitive detection of miR-721.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively studied as circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of many human diseases. However, it has been found challenging to accurately detect and quantify the trace amounts of miRNAs in biological samples. Herein, we propose a generic and non-enzymatic electrochemical strategy integrated molecular beacon-like catalyzed hairpin assembly (mCHA) circuit with MOF@Au@G-triplex/hemin nanozyme for ultrasensitive detection of miR-721 (a novel diagnostic biomarker of acute myocarditis). Nitro-functionalized MIL-101 functions as an ideal nanocatalyst and nanocarrier to facilitate efficient immobilization of G-triplex/hemin DNAzyme, to form signal probes. Tetrahedral nanostructured DNA probes self-assemble onto the Au nanoparticles/proton-functionalized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets films, to fabricate a coordinated sensing interface. A mCHA circuit is designed to convert and amplify each target to DNA duplexes, which cause signal probes anchored on the sensing interface and produce an enhanced electrochemical signal. With the assistance of the mCHA circuit, double-amplified nanozymes and sensing interface for signal amplification, this biosensor had a low detection limit of 0.25 fM and high specificity. The proposed biosensor has been successfully used in miR-721 detection in real biological samples, which provided a promising potential method for acute myocarditis early diagnosis.

Sorption of organochlorine pesticides on polyethylene microplastics in soil suspension.

As a new type of environmental pollutant, microplastics (MPs) can adsorb residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the soil and pose a severe threat to the soil ecosystems. To understand the interaction between soil MPs and OCPs, the sorption of two kinds of OCPs, including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), on polyethylene (PE) microplastics in soil suspension was studied through sorption kinetics and isotherm models. The effects of solution/soil ratio and MPs diameter on sorption were examined. The kinetic experiment results show that the sorption equilibrium was 12 h， and the sorption process of OCPs on MPs can be well described by a pseudo-second-order model. The Freundlich model (R2 = 0.942-0.997) provides a better fit to the sorption isotherm data than the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.062-0.634), indicating that the sorption process takes place on the nonuniform surface of MPs. The MPs had a good sorption effect on OCPs when the solution/soil ratio was from 75:1 to 100:1. As the diameter of MPs increases, the sorption capacity decreases. These results provide support for further research on microplastic pollution in soil.

Unmatched Virus Preservation Solution may Impede One-Step Reagent for Detection of 2019-nCoV RNA.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: 2019 Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is still pandemic now. RT-qPCR detection was the most common method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, facilitated by amounts of nucleic acid testing kits. However, the accuracy of nucleic acid detection is affected by various factors such as specimen collection, specimen preparation, reagents deficiency, and personnel quality. RESULTS: In this study, we found that unmatched virus preservation solution will inhibit N gene and OFR-1ab gene (two independent genes of SARS-CoV-2) amplification in one-step detection reagent. CONCLUSIONS: Despite just being a particular phenomenon we found in our work to fight 2019-nCoV, we concluded that unmatched virus preservation solution may have an inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection which may lead to incorrect clinical diagnosis.

Au@BSA microspheres-luminol and a novel luminescent Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework were used for potential-resolved electrochemiluminescence to detect dual targets.

Here, a novel electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on potential-resolved strategy was firstly prepared for the detection of dual targets α2,3-sialylated glycans and α2,6-sialylated glycans. This is the first time that Au@BSA microsphere was used to connect with luminol to enhance its ECL intensity, and it can generate ECL signals at positive potential. Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) and Meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) were linked using a one-pot method to synthesize a novel luminescent ZIF (L-ZIF) named TZZ, which can emit ECL signals at negative potential. Moreover, magnetite microspheres were used to construct a sandwich-type biosensor to obtain higher sensitivity and reduce background signals. In addition, the biosensor manufactured directly in solution have a wider linear range than constructed on electrode because it has more available space than the electrode surface. Due to the above advantages, the prepared ECL biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, stability and broader linear range, even for practical analysis. Therefore, the prepared ECL biosensor will become a promising method for determination of α2,3-sialylated glycans and α2,6-sialylated glycans in clinical applications in the future. What is more, it provides a potential method for detection of other multi-targets.

Functionalized Ag/Fe-MOFs nanocomposite as a novel endogenous redox mediator for determination of α2,6-sialylated glycans in serum.

The development of a novel signal amplification system is described for sensitive determination of α2,6-sialylated glycans (α2,6-sial-Gs), an important prognostic tumor biomarker. First, Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated onto the outer surface were designed and synthesized with controlled octahedron structures. The new Ag/Fe-MOFs nanocomposite possessed strong conductivity and a large surface area to carry more nanoprobes. To connect the Ag/Fe-MOFs nanocomposite with more groups, the nanocomposite was functionalized by -COOH with SH-PEG-COOH to bind with an α2,6-sial-Gs catcher, M-APBA, via -CONH- bonds. More importantly, the Ag/Fe-MOFs also exhibited an excellent endogenous redox mediator property to produce electrons, which is the fundamental mechanism underlying amplification of an electronic signal. A gold electrode was used to accelerate electron transfer and immobilize the α2,6-sial-Gs lectin (SNA). After the sandwich-type catcher recognition (SNA/α2,6-sial-Gs/M-APBA), the current peak response was provoked in the process of oxidizing AgNPs to Ag+ in the forward anodic potential sweep, while Cl- in a PBS solution was transferred into Ag+ to maintain charge neutrality. Optimized particles were employed for direct fabrication of the sandwich-type affinity biosensor, which was found to show a linear detection range from 1 fg mL-1 to 1 ng mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.09 fg mL-1. Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited excellent specificity and stability, indicating that such a novel nanobiotechnology platform can be used to initiate potential utility for monitoring biomarkers in serum. (A)Schematic presentation of synthesis and surface modification of Ag/Fe-MOFs. The new Ag/Fe-MOFs nanocomposite possessed commendable conductivity and large surface area to carry more nanoprobe; after functionalizing the Ag/MOFs with SH-PEG-COOH, the functionalized endogenous redox mediator (c-Ag/MOFs) realized the possibility that can connect with the biological catcher. (B) Schematic diagram of electrode construction for detecting α2,6-sialylated glycans (α2,6-sial-Gs). By using the c-Ag/Fe-MOFs functional endogenous redox mediator, we successfully implemented the electrochemical detection of α2,6-sial-Gs.

Human follicular fluid proteome reveals association between overweight status and oocyte maturation abnormality.

BACKGROUND: Human follicular fluid (HFF), which is composed by essential proteins required for the follicle development, provides an important microenvironment for oocyte maturation. Recently, overweight status has been considered as a detrimental impact factor on oocyte maturation, but whether HFF proteome could provide protein markers for assessing overweight-based oocyte maturation deficiency is still unknown. METHODS: To reveal the HFF-based molecular characteristics associated with abnormal oocyte maturation, an iTRAQ-based comparative proteomic analysis was performed to investigate different HFF protein expression profiles from normal weight women and overweight status women. RESULTS: Two hundred HFF proteins were quantified in our data, of which 43% have not been overlapped by two previous publications. Compared with the HFF proteins of normal weight women, 22 up-regulated HFF proteins and 21 down-regulated HFF proteins were found in the overweight status women. PANTHER database showed these altered HFF proteins participated in development, metabolism, immunity, and coagulation, and STRING database demonstrated their complicated interaction networks. The confidence of proteomic outcome was verified by Western blot analysis of WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2 (WFDC2), lactotransferrin (LTF), prostate-specific antigen (KLK3), fibronectin (FN1), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Further, ELISA assay indicated WFDC2 might be a potentially useful candidate HFF marker for the diagnosis of oocyte maturation arrest caused by overweight status. CONCLUSIONS: Our work provided a new complementary high-confidence HFF dataset involved in oocyte maturation, and these altered HFF proteins might have clinical relevance and diagnostic and prognostic value for abnormal oocyte maturation in overweight status women.