"Five birds one stone" tri-modal monitoring driven lab-on-magnetic aptasensor for accurate pathogen detection and enhanced germicidal application.

The effective combination of ultra-precise detection and on-demand sterilization stands out as one of the most valuable antifouling methods to combat pathogenic bacteria source and ensure the environment and food safety. Herein, an innovative "five birds one stone" aptasensor has been reported. It integrates magnetic separation, tri-modal precision detection, and efficient sterilization for monitoring of Staphylococcus aureus. Firstly, as a switch of the aptasensor, aptamer-modified potassium chloride-doped carbon dots (apt/KCl@CDs) could be adsorbed onto the surface of magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube composites (M-MWCNTs) through π-π stacking, which could be replaced by the specific binding of the target bacteria to the aptamer. The mutual interference between the nanomaterials could be eliminated by this reverse magnetosorption strategy, enhancing the test sensitivity. In addition to the fluorescence properties, the peroxidase activity possessed by apt/KCl@CDs enables the conversion of the (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine) TMB-H2O2 colorimetric system to a photothermal modal. Then, the ultra-precision detection in the assay was achieved by the fluorescence-colorimetric-photothermal tri-modal sensing from the formation of S. aureus-apt/KCl@CDs in the supernatant. Besides, the efficient sterilization could be ensured by adsorbing the apt/KCl@CDs on the surface of S. aureus, generating toxic •OH for direct attacking cells. This was the first report that was more beneficial for bacterial eradication. The detection limits of fluorescence, colorimetric and photothermal modals were 4.81 cfu/mL, 3.40 cfu/mL and 6.74 cfu/mL, respectively. The magnetic nanoplatform integrating tri-modal detection-sterilization meets the demand for highly sensitive and precise detection in different scenarios, providing immediate control for pathogens and broad application prospects.

qGL3.4 controls kernel size and plant architecture in rice.

Kernel size and plant architecture play important roles in kernel yield in rice. Cloning and functional study of genes related to kernel size and plant architecture are of great significance for breeding high-yield rice. Using the single-segment substitution lines which developed with Oryza barthii as a donor parent and an elite indica cultivar Huajingxian74 (HJX74) as a recipient parent, we identified a novel QTL (quantitative trait locus), named qGL3.4, which controls kernel size and plant architecture. Compared with HJX74, the kernel length, kernel width, 1000-kernel weight, panicle length, kernels per plant, primary branches, yield per plant, and plant height of near isogenic line-qGL3.4 (NIL-qGL3.4) are increased, whereas the panicles per plant and secondary branches per panicle of NIL-qGL3.4 are comparable to those of HJX74. qGL3.4 was narrowed to a 239.18 kb interval on chromosome 3. Cell analysis showed that NIL-qGL3.4 controlled kernel size by regulating cell growth. qGL3.4 controls kernel size at least in part through regulating the transcription levels of EXPANSINS, GS3, GL3.1, PGL1, GL7, OsSPL13 and GS5. These results indicate that qGL3.4 might be beneficial for improving kernel yield and plant architecture in rice breeding.

Structures and electronic properties of VSin- (n = 14-20) clusters: a combined experimental and density functional theory study.

We present a systematic study of the structures and electronic properties of vanadium-doped silicon cluster anions, VSin- (n = 14-20), by combining photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) based theoretical calculations. High resolution PES of low temperature (10 K) clusters are acquired at a photon wavelength of 248 nm. Low-lying structures of VSi14-20- are obtained by a genetic algorithm based global minimum search code combined with DFT calculations. Excellent agreement is found between the measured PES and the simulated electron density of states of the putative ground-state structures. We conclude that clusters with sizes n = 14 and n = 15 prefer cage-like structures, with the encapsulated vanadium atom bonding with all silicon atoms, while a fullerene-like motif is more favorable for n ≥ 16. For the sizes n = 16 to 19, the structures consist of a V@Si14 with two, three, four, and five Si atoms on the surface of the cage. For n = 20 the structure consists of a V@Si15 with five Si atoms on the surface of the cage. VSi14- has the highest stability and stands out as a simultaneous closing of electronic and geometrical shells.

Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Investigation of the Structural Evolution, Electronic, and Magnetic Properties of CrSin- (n = 14-18) Clusters.

CrSin- (n = 14-18) cluster anions have been investigated by a combination of photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and first-principles calculations. The lowest-lying structures of the clusters have been determined by a global minimum search based on the genetic algorithm, combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The simulated PES spectra of the lowest-energy isomers are in agreement with the experimental results, which gives strong evidence that the correct structures have been found. While sizes n = 14 and n = 15 prefer cage-like structures based on multi-center bonding within the cage, the larger sizes adopt structures based on fullerene-type cages around the Cr atom, with the additional atoms attached to the cage surface. A Hirshfeld analysis shows that the Cr atoms act as electron donors in all clusters, thus enhancing the electron count in the cage. It also reveals that the magnetic moment of 1µB shown by all clusters is mainly contributed by the Cr atom. One interesting exception is size 17, where the Cr atom contributes a small moment antiparallel to that of the silicon cage.

Multiple oncogenic mutations related to targeted therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of targeted drugs have been tested for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, targeted therapy-related oncogenic mutations have not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to detect targeted therapy-related oncogenic mutations in NPC and to determine which targeted therapy might be potentially effective in treating NPC. METHODS: By using the SNaPshot assay, a rapid detection method, 19 mutation hotspots in 6 targeted therapy-related oncogenes were examined in 70 NPC patients. The associations between oncogenic mutations and clinicopathologic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 70 patients, 12 (17.1%) had mutations in 5 oncogenes: 7 (10.0%) had v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT) mutation, 2 (2.8%) had epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, 1 (1.4%) had phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutation, 1 (1.4%) had Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation, and 1 (1.4%) had simultaneous EGFR and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) mutations. No significant differences were observed between oncogenic mutations and clinicopathologic characteristics. Additionally, these oncogenic mutations were not associated with tumor recurrence and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Oncogenic mutations are present in NPC patients. The efficacy of targeted drugs on patients with the related oncogenic mutations requires further validation.

Characterization of two novel porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus isolates with deletions in the GP2 gene.

Two newly emerged, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains (Henan-A10 and A11) were isolated from the sera of aborting sows. Interestingly, both of the isolates could replicate in primary porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells but not in MARC-145 cells. A phylogenetic tree based on the complete genome was constructed and the results showed that Henan-A10 and A11 were most closely related to other highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) strains. However, genomic sequence analysis showed that Henan-A10 and A11 shared only 96.8-97.8% nucleotide identity with the representative HP-PRRSV strain JXA1. Notably, a 10 amino acids deletion in the GP2 endodomain was identified for the first time. A full-length, infectious cDNA clone of HuN4-F112 (attenuated strain from a HP-PRRSV) was used to construct a chimeric clone with the corresponding deletion in GP2. We found that the deletion did not affect viral growth in MARC-145 cells, indicating that the endodomain of PRRSV GP2 may be variable.

Identification of two dominant linear epitopes on the GP3 protein of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV).

Glycosylated protein 3 (GP3) of PRRSV is variable between different PRRSV strains, so it is helpful for subtype classifying by using distinct epitopes. In this study, two dominant linear GP3 epitopes that were recognized by highly dilute serum in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were identified. Sequence alignments of 36 North American (NA) PRRSV isolates revealed that the epitope H(87)DELGFMV(94) is well conserved, whereas the epitope T(59)RQAAAEILE(68) differs in other low-virulence NA-type strains, which have at least one amino acid mutation in this region. A mutational analysis revealed that none of these mutations could be recognized by the purified antibodies directed against the corresponding epitope, indicating that the genetic variations altered the antigenicity of the antigenic region. Using ELISA, we also found that antibodies directed against the two epitopes were present in more than 45 of 50 HP-PRRS-positive pig sera, suggesting that their antigenicity is excellent in vivo.

Characterization of two newly emerged isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from Northeast China in 2013.

A newly emerged porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) that has caused severe reproductive losses in sows appeared in some regions of China in 2013. To explore the biology of this new PRRSV and understand more fully genetic diversity in PRRSV isolates from China, the complete genome of the two 2013 Chinese isolates, designated HLJA1 and HLJB1, were analyzed. Genomic sequence analysis showed that HLJA1 and HLJB1 shared 88.6-98.3% nucleotide identity with genotype 2 (North American type, NA-type) isolates, but only 61.1% with the genotype 1 (European type, EU-type) isolate of Lelystad virus, indicating that both these isolates belong to the NA-type PRRSV genotype. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the NA-type PRRSV isolates formed three subgroups (1, 2 and 3); representatives of these subgroups are VR-2332, CH-1a and HUN4, respectively. HLJA1 and HLJB1 belong to subgroup 2. Analysis of NSP2 revealed that HLJA1 has a 48-amino acid deletion at positions 473-480 and 482-521, unlike other HP-PRRSV isolates, while HLJB1 has only a 1-amino acid deletion at position 481 compared with CH-1a. Interestingly, HLJA1 replicated in PAM cells but not in MARC-145 cells, whereas HLJB1 replicated in both cell types. The neutralizing antibody titer of pig hyperimmune sera against HUN4 was significantly higher than that of HLJA1 or HLJB1. Additionally, genetic variability in GP5 and GP3 proteins and in the novel ORF5a protein was evident. In addition to elucidating the genetic relationships between PRRSV isolates, our results suggest that Chinese PRRSV will remain a pandemic virus.

Pseudorabies virus variant in Bartha-K61-vaccinated pigs, China, 2012.

The widely used pseudorabies virus (PRV) Bartha-K61 vaccine has played a key role in the eradication of PRV. Since late 2011, however, a disease characterized by neurologic symptoms and a high number of deaths among newborn piglets has occurred among Bartha-K61-vaccinated pigs on many farms in China. Clinical samples from pigs on 15 farms in 6 provinces were examined. The PRV gE gene was detectable by PCR in all samples, and sequence analysis of the gE gene showed that all isolates belonged to a relatively independent cluster and contained 2 amino acid insertions. A PRV (named HeN1) was isolated and caused transitional fever in pigs. In protection assays, Bartha-K61 vaccine provided 100% protection against lethal challenge with SC (a classical PRV) but only 50% protection against 4 challenges with strain HeN1. The findings suggest that Bartha-K61 vaccine does not provide effective protection against PRV HeN1 infection.

Sequence analysis of the lactoferrin gene and variation of g.7605C→T in 10 Chinese indigenous goat breeds.

Much attention has been focused on the study of lactoferrin at the protein or nucleotide level in mice, humans, and cattle, but little is known about it in goats. The goat LF gene from 5' UTR to exon 17 was amplified, and the variation of g.7605C→T in 10 Chinese indigenous goat breeds was analyzed. Among the three ruminant species (cattle, sheep, and goats), the intron-exon distribution pattern was similar, and all the exons had the same length, but the length of introns varied greatly due to insertions or deletions. The frequency of allele T at g.7605C→T (50.12%) was a little higher than that of allele C (49.88%), and the genotype distribution differed greatly between goat populations. The g.7605C→T site showed higher genetic diversity in goat populations. The genetic differentiation was 0.0783, and gene flow was 2.9433 among the 10 Chinese indigenous goat populations.

Significance of Expression of Soluble L-Selectin in Children Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid with Viral Encephalitis / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the changes of soluble L-selectin(sL-selectin) concentrations in children with viral encephalitis(VE) and probe its significance in pathogenesy and clinic.Methods Selecting 30 children with VE,including 14 mild case and 16 severe case.Collecting their venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) in acute and recovery stage.Using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method to measure sL-selectin concentrations of serum and CSF and comparing with control group,respectively.Results SL-selectin concentrations from serum and CSF in the acute stage were significantly higher than those of control group(all P0.05).Conclusions L-selectin may participate in the pathologic course in VE.The concentrations of sL-selectin from serum and CSF are related with the patients′ condition and it has important reference value in judging patients′ condition,assessing their prognose and guiding clinical treatment.