Plasmonic biochips with enhanced stability in harsh environments for the sensitive detection of prostate-specific antigen.

Hollow and porous plasmonic nanomaterials have been demonstrated for highly sensitive biosensing applications due to their distinctive optical properties. Immunosensors, which rely on antibody-antigen interactions, are essential constituents of diverse biosensing platforms owing to their exceptional binding affinity and selectivity. The majority of immunosensors and conventional bioassays needs special storage conditions and cold chain systems for transportation. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a serine protease, is widely employed in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. In this study, we present the successful utilization of a biopolymer-preserved plasmonic biosensor with improved environmental stability for the sensitive detection of PSA. The preserved plasmonic biosensors exhibited sustained sensitivity in the detection of PSA, achieving a limit of detection of 10 pg mL-1. Furthermore, these biosensors exhibited remarkable stability at elevated temperatures for one week.

Probiotic fermentation modifies the structures of pectic polysaccharides from carrot pulp.

Previous studies have suggested that water-soluble polysaccharides from fermented carrot pulp (WSP-p) have stronger anti-diabetic effects than those from un-fermented carrot pulp (WSP-n). This study aimed to improve understanding of these functional differences by comparing their molecular structures. Weight-average molecular weights of WSP-p fractions were lower than those of the corresponding WSP-n fractions. While both WSPs had similar functional groups, more fragmented particles were observed on the surface of large particles of WSP-n than WSP-p. Monosaccharide composition and methylation analysis confirmed that both WSP-p and WSP-n were pectic polysaccharides, containing rhamnogalacturonan-I-type polysaccharides with 1,4-linked α-d-galacturonic acid residues and homogalacturonan regions with 1,4-GalpA linkages. 1H and 13C NMR showed that they had similar linkage patterns. These findings suggested that probiotic fermentation of WSP mainly cleaved the linkages between repeating units, and resulted in less polydisperse molecular size distributions.

Origin of Hypoglycemic Benefits of Probiotic-Fermented Carrot Pulp.

It has been found that probiotic-fermented carrot pulp has a beneficial effect in reducing blood glucose, more so than unfermented pulp. This paper explores the reason for this by looking at fermentation-induced changes in nutritional components and hypoglycemic effects of its polysaccharides. Micronutrient content showed minor changes, except for titratable acidity. Fat and protein decreased, while total carbohydrates increased. These polysaccharides are pectinic, and the number of total polysaccharides rose after fermentation. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the morphology changed from filamentous solid to spiral. The molecular weight of water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) diminished after fermentation, while those of acid- and alkali-soluble polysaccharides increased. WSP had stronger hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in vitro, and WSP from probiotic-fermented carrot pulps showed better hypoglycemic effects than WSP from non-fermented carrot pulps in animal experiments. Thus, the fermentation-induced improvement in diabetes control from fermented carrot pulp probably arises from its WSP.

Metal-organic frameworks based on rigid ligands as separator membranes in supercapacitor.

Two thermally stable MOFs formulated as CoL(1,4-bdc)·2DMF (L = 3,5-bis(5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine), 1,4-H2bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid) (1) and CdL(4,4'-bpc)·3DMF (4,4'-H2bpc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid) (2) have been solvothermally synthesized and exhibit a similar uninodal 6-connected 3D architecture with {4(12)·6(3)}-pcu topology. MOF1 shows a non-interpenetrated network with larger channel, whereas MOF 2 exhibits a 3-fold interpenetrating framework with smaller pore size. When the two MOFs are used as separator membranes in a supercapacitor, the equivalent series resistance (Res) is larger than the Res in the blank supercapacitor, and the smaller the current density, the more the Res. After being charged and discharged at the low current density, the supercapacitor with MOF 1 as separator membrane (denoted as 1a) possesses a much larger specific capacitance (SC) than the blank supercapacitor, and the amorphous separator membrane 1a shows a more porous morphology than the original MOF membrane 1.

An acid-stable Zn(II) complex: electrodeposition in sulfuric acid and the effect on the zinc-lead dioxide battery.

An acid-stable Zn(II) complex formulated as Zn2(HL)2(SO4)·H2O (1) and an acid-unstable complex formulated as Zn2L2·12H2O (2) were hydro(solvo)thermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 features a uninodal 6-connected 2-fold interpenetrating three-dimensional (3D) dense architecture with {4(12)·6(3)}-pcu topology, and complex 2 exhibits a 2-nodal (3, 6)-connected 3D open architecture with (4·6(2))2(4(2)·6(10)·8(3))-rtl topology. The results indicate that the stability of complex 1 in sulfuric acid is probably associated with the coordinated SO4(2-) in the quite dense structure, and complex 1 can also be synthesized via electrodeposition in sulfuric acid; it can improve the discharging characteristics of the zinc-lead dioxide battery at room temperature.

Metal-organic frameworks built from achiral 3-(5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzoic acid: syntheses and structures of metal(II) complexes.

Using a novel flexible achiral ligand, 3-(5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (HL), four metal(II)-complexes formulated as ZnL2·2H2O (1), CdL2(H2O)2·8H2O (2) and ML2(H2O)·H2O (M = Co 3 and Ni 4) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 all feature a uninodal 2D layer with a 4(4)-sql topology, and two such (4,4) nets interpenetrate in a parallel manner. Complex 2 exhibits a similar 4(4)-sql topology, but no interpenetration is observed in complex 2. Among the four complexes, only complex 1 is a homochiral network, which is evidenced by the CD spectrum. In complex 1, packing of the 2D layers generates a 41 screw axis along the c direction, and two-fold axes along the a and b directions, respectively. In complex 2, the Zn(II) center lies about an inversion center, giving rise to the centrosymmetric structure of complex 2. In complexes 3 and 4, packing of the 2D units generates a 21 screw axis along the c direction in the two complexes, and an inversion center is found between two neighboring 2-fold interpenetrated layers. The work indicates that the chirality of the space group for the homochiral complex 1 comes from the supramolecular packing of the 2D layers.

Metal(II) complexes based on 1,4-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene: structures, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties.

Using a novel ditopic N-donor ligand, 1,4-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (L), four metal(II)-complexes formulated as CdL(SO4)(H2O)2 (1), CdL(1,3-bdc) (1,3-H2bdc = 1,3-benzene dicarboxylic acid) (2), PbL(1,3-bdc) (3) and ZnL(1/2)(2,5-tdc) (2,5-H2tdc = 2,5-thiophene dicarboxylic acid) (4) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 3 feature uninodal 4-connected non-interpenetrated sql/Shubnikov tetragonal plane nets with {4(4).6(2)} topology. Complex 2 exhibits a 2-nodal (3,4)-connected 2D V2O5-type net with (4(2).6(3).8) (4(2).6) topology. Complex 4 exhibits a uninodal 6-connected hxl/Shubnikov plane net (3,6) with {3(6).4(6).5(3)} topology. The hemi-rigid L ligand possesses similar conformation in complexes 1, 3 and 4: the two pyridine rings of L are parallel, and the phenyl moiety is almost perpendicular to the two terminal pyridine rings. Complexes 1-4 show different thermal stabilities, UV-vis absorption, emission spectra, photoluminescence lifetimes and they are photocatalytically active for the decomposition of methyl orange under UV light irradiation.

Two novel Co(II) coordination polymers based on 1,4-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution from water.

Based on the L (1,4-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene) ligand, two MOFs formulated as Co(L)0.5(adip) (H2adip = adipic acid) (1) and Co2(L)2(5-bdc)2(H2O)2·H2O (2) (5-H2bdc = 5-nitroisophthalic acid) (2) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 features a uninodal 4-connected non-interpenetrated sql/Shubnikov tetragonal plane net with {4(4).6(2)} topology. In complex 2, two L link two Co(II) centers into a quadrangular cage, and different cages are further connected by two strands of 5-bdc(2-) into a 1D chain. The two complexes both exhibit electrocatalytic activities toward generating O2 from water with lowered overpotentials and enhanced currents, and they show different UV-vis absorption spectra and thermal stabilities.

Hexaaqua-cobalt(II) 2,2'-[naphthalene-1,8-diylbis(-oxy)]diacetate dihydrate.

In the title compound, [Co(H(2)O)(6)](C(14)H(10)O(6))·2H(2)O, the 2,2'-[naphthalene-1,8-diylbis(-oxy)]diacetate dianion L is not coordinated to the Co(II) ion. The asymmetric unit contains half of the L dianion, half of a [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+) cation (both molecules being completed by inversion symmetry), and one water mol-ecule. The crystal packing features O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl-ate groups, the aqua ligands and the hydrate water mol-ecules.

Exceptional blueshifted and enhanced aggregation-induced emission of conjugated asymmetric triazines and their applications in superamplified detection of explosives.

A novel conjugated asymmetric donor-acceptor (CADA) strategy for preventing the redshift in photoluminescence, as well as preserving the merits of donor-acceptor architectures, was proposed and demonstrated for two triazine derivatives, which showed highly efficient, narrow, and blueshifted ultraviolet light emission in solid films along with special aggregation-induced emission behavior. A mechanism of aggregation-induced locally excited-state emission by suppressing the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer emission for the spectacular optoelectronic phenomena of these CADA molecules was suggested on the basis of both experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. By taking advantage of this special CADA architecture, fluorescent probes based on aggregates of conjugated asymmetric triazines in THF/water for the detection of explosives show superamplified detection of picric acid with high quenching constants (>1.0 × 10(7) M(-1)) and a low detection limit of 15 ppb.

An epidemiology study of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma in the Li ethnic group in Hainan, China. METHODS: This study employed a stratified random sample design using custom-designed questionnaires. Subjects with asthma-like symptoms were first identified by two rounds of surveys and then confirmed by respiratory physicians using pulmonary function test, bronchial dilation test and challenge test. Demographic data, information on family history of asthma, history of allergies, smoking habits, domestic cooking fuel and other potential risk factors were collected. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate risk factors for asthma. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group was 3.38%, much higher than the national average level in China. Aging, agriculture industry (the rubber industry in particular), rural residence, family history of asthma, history of allergies, cold air, inhalation of dust and irritant gases, smoking, domestic cooking fuel and living environment were associated with increased risk of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of asthma in the Li ethnic group highlights the importance of asthma prevention and treatment in this population. Risk factors indentified in this study warrant special attention. Elevating public awareness about asthma in local communities will benefit the prevention of the disease.

Conjugated asymmetric donor-substituted 1,3,5-triazines: new host materials for blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes.

Conjugated asymmetric donor-substituted 1,3,5-triazines (ADTs) have been synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of organolithium catalyzed by [Pd(PPh(3))(4)]. Theoretical and experimental investigations show that ADTs possess high solubility and thermostability, high fluorescent quantum yield (35%), low HOMO (-6.0 eV) and LUMO (-2.8 eV), and high triplet energy (E(T), 3.0 eV) according to the different substitution pattern of triazine. The application as host materials for blue PHOLEDs yielded a maximum current efficiency of 20.9 cd A(-1), a maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.8%, and a brightness of 9671 cd m(-2) at 5.4 V, making ADTs good candidates for optoelectronic devices.

[Effect of TXA2 inhibitor on the proliferation and apoptosis of hypoxic pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells of porcines].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) inhibitor on the proliferation of hypoxic pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) of porcines. METHODS: The methods of 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), immunohistochemistry of Ki67 and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were employed to measure the proliferation, inhibition rate and apoptosis of PASMC. RESULTS: U46619, a thromboxane A2 agonist, could promote the proliferation and expression of Ki67 in PASMC under hypoxic and normal conditions. It could also inhibit the apoptosis of PASMC. Ozagrel, a thromboxane A2 inhibitor, inhibited the proliferation and the expression of Ki67 in PASMC under hypoxia. The inhibition rate was 71.4%, but it had no effect on the proliferation and expression of Ki67 in PASMC under normal conditions. It promoted the apoptosis of PASMC. Ozagrel could inhibit the action of U46619 in promoting the proliferation and expression of Ki67 in PASMC and inhibit the apoptosis of PASMC. CONCLUSION: Ozagrel may be used in treating the pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting the proliferation of PASMC, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and promote the apoptosis of PASMC.

[Prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma among Li nationality in Hainan province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors of bronchial asthma of Li nationality in Hainan. METHODS: A total of 13 050 subjects of Li nationality were selected by random unequal ratio stratified cluster sampling method from southern, central and western part of Hainan and investigated with Hainan Epidemiological Asthma Survey Questionnaire of Li Nationality. There were 441 cases of bronchial asthma, and 1296 cases of control that were sampled by random number table method. The logistic regression method was used to analyze risk factors. RESULTS: The asthma prevalence of Li nationality in Hainan was 3.38%(441/13 050). The main risk factors of asthma were family asthma (OR = 4.323, 95%CI = 3.259 - 5.735), hypersensitiveness (OR = 7.775, 95%CI = 5.686 - 10.632), smoking (OR = 1.494, 95%CI = 1.174 - 1.902), cooking fuels and living environment. Cold air change (OR = 1.604, 95%CI = 1.286 - 2.001) and respirable dust or irritant gas (OR = 2.123, 95%CI = 1.702 - 2.648) were the important incentives. CONCLUSION: The main risk factors of asthma among Li nationality were family asthma, hypersensitiveness, smoking, cooking fuels by means of fuel oil, hay or wood, living environment by means of couch grass room and human-livestock mix live, cold air change, respirable dust or irritant gas.

Simple conjugated polymers with on-chain phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes: toward ratiometric chemodosimeters for detecting trace amounts of mercury(II).

For the development of excellent optical probes for mercury(II), a series of simple conjugated polymers that contain phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes as receptors for mercury(II) were designed and synthesized. These conjugated polymers showed energy transfer from the polymer host to iridium(III) complex guest in both solution and the solid state. Unexpectedly, they can work as excellent polymer chemodosimeters for mercury(II) by utilizing the mercury(II)-induced decomposition of iridium(III) complex. They exhibit a pronounced optical signal change with switchable phosphorescence and fluorescence, even when the concentration of a solution of mercury(II) in THF was as low as 0.5 ppb. With the addition of mercury(II), the phosphorescent emission intensity of iridium(III) complexes was quenched completely. As the emission from polymer backbones increased, the emission wavelength was redshifted simultaneously, thereby realizing ratiometric detection. Excellent selectivity toward mercury(II) over other potentially interfering cations was also realized. In addition, an obvious emission color change of polymer solution from red to yellow-green was observed, thus realizing a "naked-eye" detection of mercury(II). More importantly, the solid films of these polymer chemodosimeters also exhibited high sensitivity and rapid response to mercury(II), thereby demonstrating the possibility of the fabrication of sensing devices with fast and convenient detection of mercury(II). The sensing mechanism was also investigated in detail. This is the first report on chemodosimeters based on conjugated polymers with phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes.

[Prevalence survey on bronchial asthma of Li nationality in Hainan from 2003 to 2007].

OBJECTIVE: To learn the prevalence rate and distribution of bronchial asthma of Li nationality in Hainan by epidemiological survey so as to provide rationales for preventing and treating asthma. METHODS: A total of 13 050 subjects of Li nationality in Hainan were investigated by random sampling of stratified cluster method with an unequal ratio according to the medical records, physical signs and symptoms and pulmonary function tests. Then the prevalence was analyzed according to different population characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of asthma was 3.38% for Li nationality in Hainan. And it increased with an advancing age. It was much higher in agricultural population (4.08%) than that in cultivation and commercial populations (2.52% and 1.97%, P < 0.01). The asthma prevalence rate was in the highest at 4.62% in rubber workers. And it was much higher in rural areas than that in urban areas (3.85% vs 2.63%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological distribution of asthma of Li nationality in Hainan has been determined. And asthma remains a severe problem locally. The efforts of preventing and treating asthma and its education should be strengthened.

[Serum adiponectin level in patients of chronic pulmonary heart disease with cardiac failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of the concentration of serum adiponectin in patients of chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) with cardiac failure. METHODS: Thirty-eight CPHD patients with cardiac failure underwent conventional treatment, and were divided into 2 subgroups: remission subgroup (n = 32) and non-remission subgroup (n = 6) according to the therapeutic effects 2 weeks later. Peripheral blood samples were collected from these 38 CPHD patients (CPHD group), including the remission subgroup and non-remission subgroup, and 30 healthy persons (as normal control group). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha before and 2 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The serum adiponectin of the CPHD group was (9.5 +/- 7.1) ng/L in general, significantly lower than that of the normal control group [(21.5 +/- 9.0) ng/L, P < 0.01]. The serum adiponectin of the remission group was (17.0 +/- 6.3) ng/L, significantly higher than that of the non-remission group [(8.1 +/- 4.8) ng/L, P < 0.01], but still significantly lower than that of the normal control group (P < 0.05). The IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels of the CPHD group were (50.0 +/- 17.6) and (53.8 +/- 16.2) ng/L respectively, both significantly higher than those of normal control group [(24.4 +/- 9.1) and (28.4 +/- 11.4) ng/L respectively, both P < 0.01]. The IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels of the remission group were (29.0 +/- 12.1) ng/L and (32.3 +/- 13.5) ng/L respectively, both significantly lower than those of the non-remission group [(56.0 +/- 16.0) and (59.3 +/- 19.1) ng/L respectively, both P < 0.01], but not significantly different from those of the normal control group. There were no significant differences in the adiponectin, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels between the non-remission group and the CPHD group. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin is involved in the pathophysiological process of heart failure in the CPHD patients. It may be a useful index to guide treatment and judge prognosis by dynamically determining the serum adiponectin.

[ICP-AES method for the determination of active components Mo and Bi in catalyst for acrylonitrile production].

An ICP-AES method for the determination of active components Mo and Bi in catalyst for acrylonitrile production was established and reported in this paper. 0.2 g of the sample was dissolved with 5 mL of aqua regia and 8 mL of HF at 75 degrees C on a water bath and evaporated till dry to expel SiF4. The residue was dissolved and made volume with 3% HCL up to 100 mL. The solution was prepared for Bi determnination. Successively diluted with 3% HCL for 10 times the solution was used for Mo determination. Spectral interferences were investigated in detail by means of profiling the analytical lines with wavelength scanning of the blank and coexisting elements in the vicinity of the lines. Three Mo lines, MoII 202.030, MoII 203.844 and MoII 204.598, and two Bi lines, BiII 190.241 and BiI 223.061 were selected as the analytical lines considered free of spectral interferences. Utilizing multiple lines in a full spectrum for simultaneous determination of one element is of benefit to the improvement of accuracy and precision of the analysis. The method has been successfully used for monitoring the activity of the catalyst in acrylonitrile production.