Highly Emissive and Robust Cd-Based MOF with an Unprecedented Topology for Tetracycline Sensing.

Herein, an unprecedented cadmium-based metal-organic framework (JNU-106) fabricated by utilizing pyrazole-functionalized tetraphenylethylene ligands (Py-TPE) and rod-shaped secondary building units is reported, possessing a new (3,3,3,6,6,8)-connected topological network. Thanks to the ingeniously designed intramolecular charge transfer behavior, which originates from the congruent coplanarity between Py and TPE, JNU-106 exhibits intense green luminescence with a quantum yield increased by 1.5 times. The phenomenon of remarkable fluorescence quenching of JNU-106 reveals that it possesses extremely high anti-interference performance, superior sensitivity, and dedicated selectivity toward tetracycline antibiotics (TCAs) in aqueous solutions, which are comparable to those of the state-of-the-art porous sensing compounds. Taking the theoretical calculations and experimental results into account, the luminescence quenching is mainly attributed to the internal filtration effect and the static quenching effect. Considering the portable and rapid performance of JNU-106-based testing strips for sensing TCAs, the fabricated JNU-106 provides an alternative for ecological monitoring and environmental governance.

Photoswitchable Enantioselective and Helix-Sense Controlled Living Polymerization.

A pair of enantiomeric photoswitchable PdII catalysts, alkyne-PdII /LR-azo and alkyne-PdII /LS-azo , were prepared via the coordination of alkyne-PdII and azobenzene-modified phosphine ligands LR-azo and LS-azo . Owing to the cis-trans photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety, alkyne-PdII /LR-azo and alkyne-PdII /LS-azo exhibited different polymerization activities, helix-sense selectivities, and enantioselectivities during the polymerization of isocyanide monomers under irradiation of different wavelength lights. Furthermore, the achiral isocyanide monomer A-1 could be polymerized efficiently using alkyne-PdII /LR-azo under dark condition in a living/controlled manner. Further, it generated single right-handed helical poly-A-1m (LR-azo ), confirmed by the circular dichroism spectra and atomic force microscopy images. However, the polymerization of A-1 almost could not be initiated under 420 nm light in identical conditions of dark condition. Moreover, the photoswitchable catalyst alkyne-PdII /LR-azo exhibited high enantioselectivity for the polymerization of the racemates of L-1 and D-1, respectively. D-1 was polymerized preferentially under dark condition with a D-1/L-1 rate ratio of 70, yielding single right-handed polyisocyanides. Additionally, reversible enantioselectivity was observed under 420 nm light using alkyne-PdII /LR-azo , and the calculated polymerization rate ratio of L-1/D-1 was 57 because of the isomerization of the azobenzene moiety of the catalyst. Furthermore, alkyne-PdII /LS-azo showed opposite enantioselectivity and helix-sense selectivity during the polymerization of the racemates of L-1 and D-1.

Preservative effect of gelatin/chitosan-based films incorporated with lemon essential oil on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) fillets during storage.

The present study investigated the effect of fish gelatin/chitosan-based (FG/CS-based) films incorporated with lemon essential oil (LEO) on grass carp fillets in terms of moisture status, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and microbial community succession during chilled (4 °C) and iced (0 °C) storage. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) revealed that the active films remarkably inhibited moisture transformation from being the immobilized to free water in grass carp fillets, accompanied with the reduced T22 relaxation time. Besides, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a higher density of proton in the treated fish samples, indicating that the active films could improve the water-holding capacity of fish samples. Moreover, high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing suggested that the FG/CS-based films loaded with LEO efficiently decreased the relative abundance of the bacterial genera Shewanella and Aeromonas in grass carp fillets, with minimal accumulation of TVB-N during storage. Additionally, the low storage temperature (0 °C) could further enhance the preservative effect of the active films on the fish samples, which together prolonged their shelf-life to 18 days. Overall, the combination of the active films and iced storage could provide a promising strategy to preserve grass carp fillets.

Evaluation of neurovascular coupling during neuroprotective therapies: A single site HEAL ancillary study.

BACKGROUND: There is a critical need for development of physiological biomarkers in infants with birth asphyxia to identify the physiologic response to therapies in real time. This is an ancillary single site study of the High-Dose Erythropoietin for Asphyxia and Encephalopathy (Wu et al., 2022 [1]) to measure neurovascular coupling (NVC) non-invasively during an ongoing blinded randomized trial. METHODS: Neonates who randomized in the HEAL enrolled at a single-center Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were recruited between 2017 and 2019. Neurodevelopmental impairment was blinded and defined as any of the following: cognitive score <90 on Bayley Scales of Infant Toddler Development, third edition (BSID-III), Gross Motor Function Classification Score (GMFCS) ≥1. RESULTS: All twenty-seven neonates enrolled in HEAL were recruited and 3 died before complete recording. The rank-based analysis of covariance models demonstrated lack of difference in NVC between the two groups (Epo versus Placebo) that was consistent with the observed lack of effect on neurodevelopmental outcomes. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate no difference in neurovascular coupling after Epo administration. These findings are consistent with overall negative trial results. Physiological biomarkers can help elucidate mechanisms of neuroprotective therapies in real time in future trials.

Site-specific effects of 800- and 850-nm forehead transcranial photobiomodulation on prefrontal bilateral connectivity and unilateral coupling in young adults.

Significance: Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a noninvasive neuromodulation method that facilitates the improvement of human cognition. However, limited information is available in the literature on the wavelength- and site-specific effects of prefrontal tPBM. Moreover, 2-channel broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (2-bbNIRS) is a new approach for quantifying infra-slow oscillations (ISO; 0.005 to 0.2 Hz) of neurophysiological networks in the resting human brain in vivo. Aim: We aim to prove the hypothesis that the hemodynamic and metabolic activities of the resting prefrontal cortex are significantly modulated by tPBM and that the modulation is wavelength- and site-specific in different ISO bands. Approach: Noninvasive 8-min tPBM with an 800- or 850-nm laser or sham was delivered to either side of the forehead of 26 healthy young adults. A 2-bbNIRS unit was used to record prefrontal ISO activity 7 min before and after tPBM/sham. The measured time series were analyzed in the frequency domain to determine the coherence of hemodynamic and metabolic activities at each of the three ISO frequency bands. Sham-controlled coherence values represent tPBM-induced effects on neurophysiological networks. Results: Prefrontal tPBM by either wavelength and on either lateral side of the forehead (1) increased ipsilateral metabolic-hemodynamic coupling in the endogenic band and (2) desynchronized bilateral activity of metabolism in the neurogenic band and vascular smooth-muscle hemodynamics in the myogenic band. Site-specific effects of laser tPBM were also observed with significant enhancement of bilateral hemodynamic and metabolic connectivity by the right prefrontal 800-nm tPBM. Conclusions: Prefrontal tPBM can significantly modulate neurophysiological networks bilaterally and coupling unilaterally in the human prefrontal cortex. Such modulation effects are site- and wavelength-specific for each ISO band.

Precise Synthesis of Optically Active and Thermo-degradable Poly(trifluoromethyl methylene) with Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

Developing high performance and environment-friendly fluoropolymers is greatly desired. In this work, we found that 2-diazo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane can be polymerized by air-stable alkyne-palladium(II) catalysts following a living polymerization mechanism, affording a fluoropolymer, poly(trifluoromethyl methylene) in high yield with controlled molar mass and low dispersity. This polymer bears trifluoromethyl on every main chain atom and thus has good resistance to chemical corrosion, high hydrophobicity, and excellent dielectric constant with low dielectric loss. Due to the steric hindrance between the trifluoromethyl pendants, the synthetic poly(trifluoromethyl methylene) can twist into a stable helix. The one-handed preferred helices synthesized using chiral PdII -catalysts exhibit high optical activity and circularly polarized luminescence. Remarkably, such polymer can be completely degraded to (E)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene at high temperatures (>280 °C). Additionally, taking advantage of the living chain end, the polymer can be further modified.

CdSe/ZnS QDs embedded polyethersulfone fluorescence composite membrane for sensitive detection of copper ions in various drinks.

The copper ion was detected rapidly by a novel sensing membrane in this paper for its damage to health and the environment. CdSe/ZnS QDs modified polyethersulfone membrane (QDs@PESM) was made by phase-inversion method using a membrane separation technique and quantum dots (QDs). When the sample passed through the membrane, the copper ions in the sample caused the membrane's fluorescence to be quenched. The fluorescence quenching value of the membrane is used to calculate the concentration of copper ions. With R2= 0.9964, Cu2+could be quantitatively detected over a wide concentration range (10-1000 µg/L). The method's LOD and LOQ were 4.27 and 14.23 µg/L, respectively. When the CdSe/ZnS QDs@PESM was used to analyze Cu2+ in various real drinks, including well water, baijiu, orange juice, beer, and milk, the recovery ranged from 79.1 to 123.9%, indicating that the CdSe/ZnS QDs@PESM can be used as a rapid, simple and reliable method to determine Cu2+ in various matrices.

Assessment of the biotoxicity of lanthanides (La, Ce, Gd, and Ho) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) in different water environments.

The expanding applications of lanthanides (Ln) in various aspects have raised concerns about their biosafety. Slight changes in the chemical composition of environmental media can significantly affect the biological effectiveness of poorly water-soluble Ln; however, the knowledge of the effects of environmental factors on Ln toxicity remains limited. Here, the effects of pH, HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, and SO42- on the bioefficacy and biotoxicity of Ln (La, Ce, Gd, and Ho) were comparatively studied using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as the test organism. In the standard water, the toxicity of Ln in zebrafish was significantly correlated with pH, HCO3-, and Ca2+-Mg2+ levels in the medium but not with the levels of Cl-, Na+, K+, and SO42-. At the beginning of the test, the four Ln were complexed with HCO3- in the medium to form precipitates. A decrease in pH or HCO3- concentration can promote the conversion of granular Ln to a soluble state, thus enhancing their bioavailability, biotoxicity, and bioaccumulation. At a pH of 5.0 and 0.2 mmol·L-1 HCO3-, where Ln precipitates were not found, the four Ln showed a consistent trend of 96 h-LC50 in zebrafish. These data indicate that the differences in the toxicities of the four Ln in the standard water may be due to differences in the effective states of the individual elements rather than the different toxicities of the elements. Overall, in biological toxicity assessments, Ln can be regarded as a group of elements with additive patterns of toxicity until the differences in their biological toxicity mechanisms are revealed, and the effects of pH and carbonate should be considered.

Effect of Ligand Structures on Ligand-Protected Gold Clusters: [Au-(p-/m-/o-MBT)]1-8 Clusters.

The controllable preparation of ligand-protected clusters is still an unresolved problem, which may be due to that their formation mechanism is unclear. We propose that the ligand is the key to solve the above problems. Here, by using p-, m-, and o-methylbenzenethiol ligand protected gold clusters as examples, we try to explore the effect of ligand structures on ligand-protected gold clusters. The geometrical structures, relative stabilities and surface properties of small-sized ligand-protected gold clusters [Au-SR]1-8 (SR = p-/m-/o-MBT) have been systematically studied based on the density functional theory. The results show that the ground state structures of [Au-SR]1-8 clusters tend to form closed rings except for [Au-SR]1,2. The different structures of ligand have significant effect on the structures and stabilities of ligand-protected clusters. By analyzing their surface properties and possible growth patterns, it is found that [Au-SR]1,2 clusters serve as the basic building blocks, and the larger clusters can be regarded as the combinations of them. This study provides some insights into the effect of ligands on ligand-protected clusters, which is useful for understanding the formation mechanism of ligand-protected clusters.

Prefrontal cortical connectivity and coupling of infraslow oscillation in the resting human brain: a 2-channel broadband NIRS study.

The resting-state infraslow oscillation (ISO) of the cerebral cortex reflects the neurophysiological state of the human brain. ISO results from distinct vasomotion with endogenic (E), neurogenic (N), and myogenic (M) frequency bands. Quantification of prefrontal ISO in cortical hemodynamics and metabolism in the resting human brain may facilitate the identification of objective features that are characteristic of certain brain disorders. The goal of this study was to explore and quantify the prefrontal ISO of the cortical concentration changes of oxygenated hemoglobin (Δ[HbO]) and redox-state cytochrome c oxidase (Δ[CCO]) as hemodynamic and metabolic activity metrics in all 3 E/N/M bands. Two-channel broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (2-bbNIRS) enabled measurements of the forehead of 26 healthy young participants in a resting state once a week for 5 weeks. After quantifying the ISO spectral amplitude (SA) and coherence at each E/N/M band, several key and statistically reliable metrics were obtained as features: (i) SA of Δ[HbO] at all E/N/M bands, (ii) SA of Δ[CCO] in the M band, (iii) bilateral connectivity of hemodynamics and metabolism across the E and N bands, and (iv) unilateral hemodynamic-metabolic coupling in each of the E and M bands. These features have promising potential to be developed as objective biomarkers for clinical applications in the future.

Toxic Effects of Two Representative Rare Earth Elements (La and Gd) on Danio rerio Based on Transcriptome Analysis.

The expanding applications of rare earth elements (REEs) in various fields have raised concerns about their biosafety. However, previous studies are insufficient to elucidate their toxic effects and mechanisms of action and whether there are uniform or predictable toxicity patterns among REEs. Herein, we investigated the toxic effects of two representative REEs (lanthanum (La) and gadolinium (Gd)) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) through toxicity experiments and transcriptome analysis. The results of the toxicity experiments showed that the two REEs have similar lethality, with half-lethal concentrations (LC50) at micromolar levels and mixed toxicity showing additive effects. Differential expression gene screening and functional group enrichment analysis showed that La and Gd might affect the growth and development of Danio rerio by interfering with some biological molecules. The two REEs showed significant effects on the metabolic pathways of exogenous or endogenous substances, including glutathione sulfotransferase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Moreover, some basic biological processes, such as DNA replication, the insulin signaling pathway, and the p53 signaling pathway, were significantly enriched. Overall, the toxicity patterns of La and Gd may affect some biological processes with different intensities; however, there are many similarities in their toxicity mechanisms and modes of action. The concentrations investigated in this study were comparable to those of REE residues at highly contaminated sites, thus mimicking the ecotoxicological effects at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Impact of air pollutants on hospital visits for pediatric asthma in Fuzhou city, southeast China.

Rapid social development in China has resulted in severe air pollution and adverse impacts on people's health. Although studies have been conducted on the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and asthma exacerbation, most studies were performed in relatively heavily polluted areas, while little is known about the effect of air pollutants in less polluted areas. We assessed the effects of air pollutants on the risk of asthma-related outpatient and emergency visits of infants and children aged from 0 to 13 years during 2018 to 2020 in Fuzhou city, southeast China. Data of six air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-h average ozone (O3-8 h), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), were obtained from the Environmental Protection Administration of Fuzhou. Data of temperature, humidity, and wind speed were provided by the Meteorological Bureau of Fuzhou. Results revealed that on lag day 6, NO2, SO2, and CO were positively associated with the number of outpatient and emergency visits. Among the pollutants, SO2 had the highest effects on both outpatient visits (RR = 1.672, 95%CI 1.545, 1.809) and emergency visits (RR = 1.495, 95%CI 1.241, 1.800), and its effect on outpatient visits was stronger in children aged 0-4 years than in those aged 5-13 years (RR = 2.331 vs. 1.439). In conclusion, SO2 contributes substantially to the adverse effects of air pollutants on pediatric respiratory health in Fuzhou. Younger children were more affected by air pollution than their older counterparts.

Prediction of the mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction treating colorectal cancer based on the analysis method of " into serum components -action target-key pathway".

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common digestive tract malignant tumor that its morbidity and mortality seriously affect human health. At present, Dachengqi Decoction (DCQ), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been clinically used as an adjuvant therapy for CRC. However, pharmacodynamic substance basis and therapeutic mechanism are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The main constituents absorbed in the blood and possible active targets after DCQ administration were explored based on the analysis method of "into serum components, action target and key pathway", which may provide reference for the study of the pharmacodynamic material basis and action mechanism of Dachengqi Decoction in the treatment of CRC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on the serum pharmacochemistry of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the prescription prototype ingredients of DCQ in mice serum samples were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology (UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE). Taking the prototype ingredients absorbed into serum as the research object, the possible targets and key pathways of DCQ in vivo were demonstrated by network pharmacology. Finally, using molecular docking verified the binding activity of prototype components and potential action targets. RESULTS: A total of 46 prototype components of DCQ were identified in mice serum, most of which were derived from flavonoids and anthraquinones in Citrus aurantium L. and Rheum palmatum L. Network pharmacology prediction results indicated that the drug prototype components entering the serum may mainly regulate targets including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), etc. and main pathways such as (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B) PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, advanced glycation end products-receptor for AGE (AGE-RAGE) signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway, etc. Molecular docking showed that the prototype active components had strong binding activity to VEGF, Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (HRAS) and MAPK1. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidated that most of the direct acting substances of DCQ in vivo were flavonoids and anthraquinones, which may play a role in regulating cell reproduction and apoptosis and inhibiting inflammation, providing a reference for the research of pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of DCQ in the treatment of CRC.

Nickel(II)-catalyzed living polymerization of diazoacetates toward polycarbene homopolymer and polythiophene-block-polycarbene copolymers.

Diazoacetate polymerization has attracted considerable research attention because it is an effective approach for fabricating carbon-carbon (C-C) main chain polymers. However, diazoacetate polymerization based on inexpensive catalysts has been a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report a Ni(II) catalyst that can promote the living polymerization of various diazoacetates, yielding well-defined C-C main chain polymers, polycarbenes, with a predictable molecular weight (Mn) and low dispersity (Mw/Mn). Moreover, the Ni(II)-catalyzed sequential living polymerization of thiophene and diazoacetate monomers affords interesting π-conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-polycarbene copolymers in high yields with a controlled Mn, variable compositions, and low Mw/Mn, although the structure and polymerization mechanism of the two monomers differ. Using this strategy, amphiphilic block copolymers comprising hydrophobic poly(3-hexylthiophene) and hydrophilic polycarbene blocks are facilely prepared, which were self-assembled into well-defined supramolecular architectures with tunable photoluminescence.

Community-based intervention via WeChat official account to improve parental health literacy among primary caregivers of children aged 0 to 3 years: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Parental health literacy is an important determinant of children's health, especially during the critical window of early development in the first 3 years. As the information communication technology develops, health education via social media is widely used to deliver health information. However, few studies have explored the effect of intervention via social media on parental health literacy. Objective: This study aims to determine whether a WeChat official account-based health intervention can improve parental health literacy of primary caregivers of children aged 0 to 3 years in Minhang District, Shanghai, China. Methods: The cluster randomized controlled trial includes all 13 community health centers (CHCs) in Minhang District, Shanghai. We take each CHCs as a cluster in the randomization. The CHCs are randomly allocated to the intervention or the control group through random sequence generation. Ninety primary caregivers of children aged 0 to 2 years will be recruited from each CHC, 1170 in total. Caregivers in the intervention group will be provided with a series of video clips and online reading material links on scientific parenting via a WeChat account. Caregivers in the control group will receive printed educational materials with similar contents to the intervention group. All the participants will access routine child health care and be followed up for 9 months. Online assessment of health literacy will be conducted for both groups before and after the intervention. The primary outcome is the change in the total scores of parental health literacy using a validated instrument. The data of secondary outcomes, such as exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, anthropometric measurements, and disease conditions, will be extracted from routine health care records. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) will be used for data analyses. Discussion: Compared with traditional health education, health intervention via WeChat official account could be a feasible and effective solution to improve parental health literacy. Trial registration: This trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): (#ChiCTR2000031711) on April 07, 2020.

Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular or All-Cause Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Studies have shown inconsistent associations between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether SUA levels were associated with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Database, and trial registry databases were systematically searched up to April 11, 2021. Cohort studies of SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients were obtained. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the pooled results. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots, Begg's tests, and Egger's tests were conducted to evaluate potential publication bias. The GRADE approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021268739. Results: Seven studies covering 18,113 PD patients were included. Compared with the middle SUA levels, high SUA levels increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.26-2.40, I 2 = 34.8%, τ2 = 0.03), low SUA levels were not statistically significant with the risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.84-1.29, I 2 = 43.8%, τ2 = 0.03; HR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.65-1.23, I 2 = 36.3%, τ2 = 0.04; respectively). Compared with the low SUA levels, high SUA levels were not statistically associated with an increased risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.59-2.40, I 2 = 88.2%, τ2 = 0.44; HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.39-3.85, I 2 = 89.3%, τ2 = 0.92; respectively). Conclusion: Compared with middle SUA levels, high SUA levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in PD patients. SUA levels may not be associated with cardiovascular mortality. More high-level studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are needed to determine the association between SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021268739, identifier: CRD42021268739.

Comparison and recent progress of molecular imprinting technology and dummy template molecular imprinting technology.

Molecular imprinting technology for the preparation of polymers with specific molecular recognition function had become one of the current research hotspots. It has been widely applied in chromatographic separation, antibody and receptor mimetics, solid-phase extraction, bio-sensors, and other fields in the last decades. In this study, molecular imprinting technology was summarized from the points of templates and dummy templates, and four typical target analytes were selected to compare the differences between templates and dummy templates. The current status and prospects of molecular imprinting technology were also proposed.

Helicity- and Molecular-Weight-Driven Self-Sorting and Assembly of Helical Polymers towards Two-Dimensional Smectic Architectures and Selectively Adhesive Gels.

Self-sorting plays a crucial role in living systems such as the selective assembly of DNA and specific folding of proteins. However, the self-sorting of artificial helical polymers such as biomacromolecules has rarely been achieved. In this work, single-handed helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s bearing pyrene (Py) and naphthalene (Np) probes were prepared, which exhibited interesting self-sorting properties driven by both helicity and molecular weight (Mn ) in solution, solid state, gel, and on the gel surface as well. The polymers with the same helix sense and similar Mn can self-sort and assemble into well-defined two-dimensional smectic architectures and form stable gels in organic solvents. In contrast, mixed polymers with opposite handedness or different Mn were repulsive to each other and did not aggregate. Moreover, the gels of helical polymers with the same handedness and similar Mn can recognize themselves and adhere together to form a gel.

GINS2 was regulated by lncRNA XIST/miR-23a-3p to mediate proliferation and apoptosis in A375 cells.

Melanoma ranks second in aggressive tumors, and the occurrence of metastasis in melanoma results in a persistent drop in the survival rate of patients. Therefore, it is very necessary to find a novel therapeutic method for treating melanoma. It has been reported that lncRNA XIST could promote the tumorigenesis of melanoma. However, the mechanism by which lncRNA XIST regulates the progression of melanoma remains unclear. The proliferation of A375 cells was measured by clonal formation. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis and cycle. The level of GINS2, miR-23a-3p, and lncRNA XIST was investigated by qRT-PCR. Protein level was detected by Western blot, and the correctness of prediction results was confirmed by Dual luciferase. In present study, GINS2 and lncRNA XIST were overexpressed in melanoma, while miR-23a-3p was downregulated. Silencing of GINS2 or overexpression of miR-23a-3p reversed cell growth and promoted apoptosis in A375 cells. Mechanically, miR-23a-3p directly targeted GINS2, and XIST regulated GINS2 level though mediated miR-23a-3p. Moreover, XIST exerted its function on cell proliferation, cell viability, and promoted the cell apoptosis of A375 cells though miR-23a-3p/GINS2 axis. LncRNA XIST significantly promoted the tumorigenesis of melanoma via sponging miR-23a-3p and indirectly targeting GINS2, which can be a potential new target for treating melanoma.

Controlled Synthesis of Shell Cross-Linked Helical Poly(phenylborate isocyanide) Nanoparticles with H2O2/Redox Dual Responsiveness and Their Application in Antitumor Drug Delivery.

To mimic the helical structure and function of biopolymers, shell cross-linked nanoparticle (P4) composed of left-handed helical poly(phenylborate isocyanide) in core and hydrophilic polyisocyanide in shell was prepared. The phenylborate in the core and the disulfide bonds in the cross-linkage render the nanoparticle with excellent dual stimuli-responsiveness to glutathione (GSH) and H2O2. Nevertheless, it has good stability in normal physiological conditions. Because of the helicity and borate pendants of the core, such nanoparticle has high capacity for anticancer drug loading, for example, the loading capacity of doxorubicin (DOX) was up to 68%. Moreover, the DOX-loaded DOX@P4 showed excellent tumor cell penetration potency and fast drug release. More than 78% of murine breast cancer cell (4T1) can be killed within 48 h, supporting this material with great potential in antitumor drug nanocarriers.