A Highly Sensitive and Group-Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of AFB1 in Agriculture and Aquiculture Products.

Aflatoxins (AFs) including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 are widely found in agriculture products, and AFB1 is considered one of the most toxic and harmful mycotoxins. Herein, a highly sensitive (at the pg mL-1 level) and group-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of AFB1 in agricultural and aquiculture products was developed. The AFB1 derivative containing a carboxylic group was synthesized and covalently linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The AFB1-BSA conjugate was used as an immunogen to immunize mice. A high-quality monoclonal antibody (mAb) against AFB1 was produced by hybridoma technology, and the mAb-based ELISA for AFB1 was established. IC50 and limit of detection (LOD) of the ELISA for AFB1 were 90 pg mL-1 and 18 pg mL-1, respectively. The cross-reactivities (CRs) of the assay with AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 were 23.6%, 42.5%, and 1.9%, respectively, revealing some degree of group specificity. Corn flour, wheat flour, and crab roe samples spiked with different contents of AFB1 were subjected to ELISA procedures. The recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) of the ELISA for AFB1 in spiked samples were 78.3-116.6% and 1.49-13.21% (n = 3), respectively. Wheat flour samples spiked with the mixed AF (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) standard solution were measured by ELISA and LC-MS/MS simultaneously. It was demonstrated that the proposed ELISA can be used as a screening method for evaluation of AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) in wheat flour samples.

Tanshinol alleviates ischemia-induced myocardial fibrosis via targeting ERK2 and disturbing the intermolecular autophosphorylation of ERK2Thr188.

Myocardial fibrosis is the fundamental remodeling process in myocardial ischemia (MI) and also the major contributor of heart failure and death. Tanshinol (Danshensu in Chinese, DSS), a major ingredient of salvia mitiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) root, exerted significant cardio protection effects. In this study, we aimed to identify the action target and then uncover the mechanism of DSS alleviating myocardial fibrosis. The pharmacological activities of DSS protecting ischemic cardiac was assessed and the myocardial proteomics was carried out. To identify the target of DSS, a cellular thermal shift assay combined with LC-MS identification was conducted. Surface plasmon resonance assay, molecular dynamics simulation and pharmacological and molecular biology approaches were adopted to explore the action mechanisms of DSS. Our results revealed that DSS effectively alleviated MI-induced left ventricle dysfunctions and the increasements of circulating myocardial markers. Besides, DSS significantly reversed the proteomic profile related to myocardial fibrotic processes and the ERK2 was identified as a crucial cellular target of DSS. DSS abated the temperature-dependent denaturation of ERK2 in a dose-dependent manner and the KD value of DSS and ERK2 was 60.19 µM. After Ang II stimulation, DSS suppressed the phosphorylation of Thr188 rather than the classic residues in TEY motif. DSS interfered the ERK2 homo-dimerization and then blocked the intermolecular autophosphorylation at Thr188 site. Thereout, DSS inhibited the nuclear translocation of ERK2 and the expression of downstream fibrotic biomolecules. Collectively, our results demonstrated that DSS targeted ERK2 and suppressed the intermolecular autophosphorylation at Thr188 residue, thus protecting ischemic myocardia from fibrosis remodeling.

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions of COVID-19 patients in China: A multicenter study.

Introduction: With the spread of the epidemic worldwide, an increasing number of doctors abroad have observed the following atypical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): olfactory or taste disorders. Therefore, clarifying the incidence and clinical characteristics of olfactory and taste disorders in Chinese COVID-19 patients is of great significance and urgency. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, which included 229 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 confirmed patients, through face-to-face interviews and telephone follow-up. Following the completion of questionnaires, the patients participating in the study, were categorized according to the degree of olfactory and taste disorders experienced, and the proportion of each clinical type of patient with olfactory and taste disorders and the time when symptoms appeared were recorded. Results: Among the 229 patients, 31 (13.54%) had olfactory dysfunction, and 44 (19.21%) had gustatory dysfunction. For the patients with olfactory dysfunction, 6 (19.35%) developed severe disease and became critically ill. Olfactory dysfunction appeared before the other symptoms in 21.43% of cases. The proportion of females with olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was higher than that of males (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was much lower than that reported abroad; the prognosis of patients with olfactory dysfunction is relatively favorable; olfactory and gustatory dysfunction can be used as a sign for early screening; females are more prone to olfactory and gustatory dysfunction.

Overexpression of XIAP inhibits cisplatin-induced hair cell loss.

Cisplatin is a platinum-containing drug with ototoxicity commonly used clinically and has significant efficacy against a variety of solid tumors. One of the most important mechanisms of ototoxicity is that cisplatin induces apoptosis of hair cells. According to relevant literature, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP, anti-apoptotic protein) could inhibit the apoptotic pathway. We hypothesized that this protein might protect cochlear hair cells from cisplatin-induced injury. To figure it out, we treated cochlea of normal mice with various concentrations of cisplatin to observe the response and morphology of hair cells and determine a reasonable concentration. Next, Western Blot and quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments were conducted to make an investigation about the expression of XIAP protein and mRNA. In addition, we constructed and identified XIAP overexpressing mice. Finally, we treated cochlear tissues of normal and overexpressing mice with cisplatin to investigate the cyto-protection of XIAP on hair cells, respectively. It was found that 50 µmol/L cisplatin resulted in significant loss and disorganization of hair cells, while simultaneously downregulating the protein and mRNA of XIAP. In XIAP overexpressing mice, the loss and disorganization of hair cells were significantly lessened. These results showed that XIAP can lessen cisplatin-induced hair cell loss and play a role in otoprotection.

A cross-sectional study of olfactory and taste disorders among COVID-19 patients in China.

To determine the prevalence and clinical features of olfactory and taste disorders among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in China. A cross-sectional study was performed in Wuhan from April 3, 2020 to April 15, 2020. A total of 187 patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) completed face-to-face interviews or telephone follow-ups. We found that the prevalence of olfactory and taste disorders was significantly lower in the Chinese cohort than in foreign COVID-19 cohorts. Females were more prone to olfactory and taste disorders. In some patients, olfactory and taste disorders precede other symptoms and can be used as early screening and warning signs.

Design of an efficient photocatalyst: a type II heterojunction for enhanced hydrogen production driven by visible light.

Solar hydrogen production, which is an eco-friendly method to obtain energy, is still far away from wide commercialization due to the lack of an efficient catalyst. Effective calculations can reduce trial and error costs and provide mechanistic explanations while exploring efficient catalysts. Herein, a type II heterojunction Mg-containing-porphyrin/g-C3N4 is proven to be an efficient photocatalyst by using a combination of DFT and many-body Green's function theory. Our results show that the heterojunction can significantly enhance the absorption of visible light and realize the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes after excitation. Subsequently, water absorbing on the excited surface decomposes into H+ and OH- easily, and then produces H2 and O2 with reduced free energy. Our investigation and explanation can provide theoretical support for designing photonic devices based on porphyrin and g-C3N4, and deepen the understanding of how H2O splits into H2.

miR21 is Associated with the Cognitive Improvement Following Voluntary Running Wheel Exercise in TBI Mice.

Recent evidences revealed that the alteration of microRNAs (miRNAs) might be associated with neuroplasticity induced by voluntary running wheel (RW) exercise in mice suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the present study, we explored the possible role of miR21 involved in the cognitive improvement following voluntary RW in TBI mice. Firstly, in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were employed to determine the hippocampal expression and location of miR21 in TBI mice with or without spontaneous RW. Either miR21-mimics/plenti-miR21 or miR21-agomir/miR21-sponge was employed to regulate the miR21 expression in vivo and in vitro. Acquisition of spatial learning and memory retention was assessed by Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. Golgi stain was also performed to evaluate the alteration of hippocampal dendrite. Our finding confirmed that the elevated miR21 level in hippocampal post-TBI was significantly reduced by spontaneous RW. Overexpression of miR21 in TBI mice with spontaneous RW induced deteriorations in spatial learning and memory retention by significant decreases in the somata size and branch points of the hippocampus neurons. In vitro transduction with miR21 also reduced the neurite extension and the area of cultured hippocampal neuron. However, miR21 down-regulation reversed these effects. The present data strongly suggest that miR21 is an important molecule that has been involved in neuroprotection induced by voluntary RW exercise post-TBI.

[Investigation of the relationship between chronic diseases and residual symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognosis-related influence factors of the residual symptoms after the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) for the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in the second affiliated hospital of dalian medical university. METHOD: Among patients who were diagnosed with BPPV and treated by CRP, the one that still show residual symptoms were enrolled in our study, then make a follow-up irregularly about the tendency of their residual symptoms' self-healing,and respectively record in their gender, age and chronic diseases and so on. Single-factor analysis and multi-factors analysis was utilized to investigate the residual symptoms' related influencing factors. RESULT: In this study, 149 cases of patients were in record, for the residual symptoms, 71 patients can go to self-healing, 78 patients can not; age is 23-88, 30 cases in the young group, 46 cases in the middle aged group, 47 cases in the young elderly group, 26 cases in the elderly group; patients suffering from high blood pressure are 76 cases, 76 cases had diabetes, 47 cases had hyperlipidemia, 110 cases had heart disease, 43 cases had ischemic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: The residual symptoms in the elderly females patients and patients suffering from the hypertension, diabetes, heart disease patients and ischemic encephalopathy are not easy to heal by itself, in which, the older and the fact suffering from the hypertension and diabetes are the risk factors influencing the prognosis of the residual symptoms.