A Tumor-Targeting Dual-Modal imaging probe for nitroreductase in vivo.

Nitroreductase (NTR) overexpression often occurs in tumors, highlighting the significance of effective NTR detection. Despite the utilization of various optical methods for this purpose, the absence of an efficient tumor-targeting optical probe for NTR detection remains a challenge. In this research, a novel tumor-targeting probe (Cy-Bio-NO2) is developed to perform dual-modal NTR detection using near-infrared fluorescence and photoacoustic techniques. This probe exhibits exceptional sensitivity and selectivity to NTR. Upon the reaction with NTR, Cy-Bio-NO2 demonstrates a distinct fluorescence "off-on" response at 800 nm, with an impressive detection limit of 12 ng/mL. Furthermore, the probe shows on-off photoacoustic signal with NTR. Cy-Bio-NO2 has been successfully employed for dual-modal NTR detection in living cells, specifically targeting biotin receptor-positive cancer cells for imaging purposes. Notably, this probe effectively detects tumor hypoxia through dual-modal imaging in tumor-bearing mice. The strategy of biotin incorporation markedly enhances the probe's tumor-targeting capability, facilitating its engagement in dual-modal imaging at tumor sites. This imaging capacity holds substantial promise as an accurate tool for cancer diagnosis.

Photocatalytic Umpolung Strategy for the Synthesis of α-Amino Phosphine Oxides and Deuterated Derivatives.

Direct, economical, and green synthesis of deuterated α-amino phosphine oxides remains an elusive challenge in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report a visible-light-driven umpolung strategy for synthesizing deuterated α-amino phosphine oxides from isocyanide using 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene as the photocatalyst and D2O as the deuterium source. Moreover, the streamlined and sustainable methodology can be applied in the modification of amino acids, natural products, and drugs. The strong antiproliferative activity of the desired products indicates that the method could provide a novel privileged scaffold for antitumor drug development.

[Effect of Porous Fillers Properties on Biofilm Growth].

As an important part of biological aerated filters (BAFs), porous fillers are key to the effectiveness of BAF wastewater treatment. At present, there are many types of fillers, but the influence of the surface physical and chemical properties on biofilm formation is unclear, and how to compare and select the best biological filler remains a difficult problem in BAF engineering applications. In this study, the physical and chemical characteristics of several porous biological fillers that are commonly used in BAFs were studied, and the correlation between their physical/chemical properties and the biofilm attachment and enzyme activity of the biofilm on the filler was investigated. The results showed that the sponge filler could easily absorb sludge, but also clogged easily and the overall biofilm activity was not high. The three-dimensional hollow filler had a low surface-adsorbed biomass, but the specific surface area was large and the surface attachment growth biofilm activity was relatively strong. Ceramsite had a good hydrophilicity and high surface roughness, and the zeta potential was the most positive. Moreover, microorganisms easily attached and grew, it had the strongest sludge adhesion performance, and the best biofilm activity. According to a redundancy analysis (RDA), the main factor affecting the biomass on the surface of the fillers was the zeta potential, whereas the main factors affecting the surface sludge activity of the fillers was the clearance rate. According to the removal load of NH4+-N by six groups of reactors, the removal load of NH4+-N by ceramsite was the largest [68 g·(m3·d)-1], and was followed by volcanic rocks [67 g·(m3·d)-1]. Combined with the above factors, ceramsite was determined to be the most suitable filler for BAF.

A dual-responsive hyperbranched supramolecular polymer constructed by cooperative host-guest recognition and hydrogen-bond interactions.

A homotritopic pillar[5]arene (H3) containing adenine units was synthesized and employed to interact with a uracil derivative (6-(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)hexanenitrile, G) to form a hyperbranched supramolecular polymer. The hyperbranched supramolecular polymer showed a dual stimulus response both to heat and acid/base. The cooperative host-guest binding and hydrogen-bond interactions play a key role in the supramolecular polymerization.

Application of lamina replantation with ARCH plate fixation in thoracic and lumbar intraspinal tumors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical effects of lamina replantation with ARCH plate fixation on patients with thoracic and lumbar intraspinal tumors, following laminectomy. Thirteen patients with thoracic and lumbar intraspinal tumors underwent total lamina replantation with ARCH plate fixation and repair of the supraspinous ligaments, following laminectomy and tumor enucleation. To investigate the clinical effect of lamina replantation with ARCH plate fixation, pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were determined, and pre- and postoperative X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were conducted. Computed tomography (CT) examinations were also included in the follow-up. No complications were observed pre- or postoperatively. The VAS and ODI results 2 weeks following surgery and at the final follow-up examination demonstrated a significant improvement compared with the corresponding preoperative results. The X-ray examination results indicated a satisfactory internal fixation location, without any characteristics of a fracture, lumbar scoliosis, kyphosis or instability. Following the surgery, the CT and MRI examination results demonstrated that healing of the lamina bone and repair of the supraspinous ligament had occurred without tumor recurrence or spinal epidural scar recompression. Two of the 13 cases were lost to follow-up. The results indicated that in patients with thoracic and lumbar intraspinal tumors, lamina replantation with ARCH plate fixation following total laminectomy is effective and provides thoracolumbar stability. Furthermore, this has been identified to be an effective technique for preventing intraspinal scar proliferation.

Expression of Slit2 and Robo1 after traumatic lesions of the rat spinal cord.

We have used semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence imaging approaches to detect the expression levels of Slit2 and its receptor Robo1 in the rat spinal cord after traumatic lesions. Our results revealed that both the mRNA and protein levels of Slit2 were up-regulated in the injured spinal cord. The Slit2 expression level was increased at day 7 until day 14, and then returned to normal level at day 21 after injury. A double-immunolabelling study showed that Slit2 and neurofilament (NF) proteins were both localized in neurons of spinal corda cinerea. Slit2 immunopositivity was detected in neuronal plasma membranes but not in the axonal fibers. In contrast, the immunolabelling of Robo1 in the normal spinal cord was at a low level, mostly in the neurons of spinal corda cinerea, and remained unchanged at all time points following spinal cord injury (SCI). The regulation levels of Slit2 and Robo1 after traumatic lesions in the rat spinal cord are different. Our results indicate that Slit2-Robo1 might not be involved in the inhibitory environment after SCI.