The NLRP3 inflammasome: contributions to inflammation-related diseases.

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a protein complex that regulates innate immune responses by activating caspase-1 and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of immune and inflammation-related diseases, including arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. This review first explains the activation and regulatory mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Secondly, we focus on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in various inflammation-related diseases. Finally, we look forward to new methods for targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome to treat inflammation-related diseases, and provide new ideas for clinical treatment.

Pentraxin 3: A promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary global cause of death, and inflammation is a crucial factor in the development of CVDs. The acute phase inflammatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a biomarker reflecting the immune response. Recent research indicates that PTX3 plays a vital role in CVDs and has been investigated as a possible biomarker for CVD in clinical trials. PTX3 is implicated in the progression of CVDs through mechanisms such as exacerbating vascular endothelial dysfunction, affecting angiogenesis, and regulating inflammation and oxidative stress. This review summarized the structure and function of PTX3, focusing on its multifaceted effects on CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. This may help in explaining the varying PTX3 functions and usage, as well as in utilizing target organs to manage diseases. Moreover, elucidating the opposite role of PTX3 in the cardiovascular system will demonstrate the therapeutic and predictive potential in human diseases.

Colorimetric aptasensor for sensitive detection of quinclorac based on exonuclease III-assisted cyclic release of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer mimic enzyme strategy.

Here, a colorimetric aptasensor was constructed for sensitively detecting quinclorac (QNC), a common herbicide. The aptasensor involved a novel amplification strategy and a classical strand displacement strategy. The amplification strategy, termed exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted cyclic release of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) mimic enzyme strategy, was developed based on two new findings on PMO: 1) DNA hybridized with PMO could resist Exo III digestion; 2) a designed G-rich PMO (named P2) could bind to hemin to form a G-quadruplex PMOzyme with peroxidase-like activity. In this strategy, a designed DNA-PMO duplex (D1-P1) completely hybridized with DNA2 (D2) in the other designed DNA-PMO duplex (D2-P2) to trigger D2 degradation by Exo III and cyclic release of P2. After that, the hemin-binding P2 catalyzed colorless tetra-methyl benzidine (TMB) to blue TMB+. The cycle process was performed at high Exo III concentrations without strict control and with constant background signals. In that case, the developed strategy was sensitive, efficient, easy to operate, reliable, and ultralow background. Meanwhile, a QNC aptamer was used to develop the strand displacement strategy based on magnetic beads. The colorimetric aptasensor was sensitive and selective for QNC detection with a detection limit of 7.1 ng mL-1. It was successfully applied to detect QNC in soil and river water with good recovery rates (92-98%) and a relative standard deviation (n = 3) <5%. The success of this study could provide a general reference strategy for developing sensitive aptasensors and other nucleic acid-related sensors.

Paper-based multicolor sensor for on-site quantitative detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid based on alkaline phosphatase-mediated gold nanobipyramids growth and colorimeter-assisted method for quantifying color.

On-site quantitative analysis of pesticides is important for food safety. Colorimetric gold nanobipyramids (AuNBPs) sensors are powerful methods for on-site detection. However, a single quantitative method and the instability of AuNBPs in solution limit the practicability of those sensors. Here, a paper-based multicolor AuNBPs sensor involved a colorimeter-assisted method for quantifying color was developed for quantitative detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a common herbicide. The novelty of this study lies in developing a general paper-based quantitative on-site method (PQOM) for colorimetric AuNBPs sensors. Firstly, a paper-based analytical device (PAD) consisting of a nylon membrane, absorbent cotton layers, and two acrylic plates was fabricated to deposit AuNBPs. We demonstrated the PAD could improve the stability of AuNBPs and the detection sensitivity of AuNBPs sensors. Then, a handheld colorimeter was first used to quantify the color change of AuNBPs on the PAD based on the CIELab color space. Finally, as proof of concept, the PQOM was successfully employed to quantify 2,4-D by combining with an alkaline phosphatase-mediated AuNBPs growth method. In this method, 2,4-D specifically inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity to suppress the generation of l-ascorbic acid, thereby mediating AuNBPs growth. The developed sensor exhibited seven 2,4-D concentration-related colors and detected as low as 50 ng mL-1 2,4-D by naked-eye observation and 18 ng mL-1 2,4-D by a colorimeter. It was applied to detect 2,4-D in the spiked rice and apple samples with good recovery rates (91.8-112.0%) and a relative standard deviation (n = 5) < 5%. The success of this study provides a sensing platform for quantifying 2,4-D on site.

Multicolor visual screening of total dithiocarbamate pesticides in foods based on sulfydryl-mediated growth of gold nanobipyramids.

Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) pesticides were extensively used as fungicides in a variety of crops during their growth, storage and shipment. The DTCs residue in foods will seriously harm human health. In this study, a novel multicolor colorimetric sensor was developed for visual screening of total DTCs (total of ziram, thiram and zineb) based on sulfhydryl-mediated growth of gold nanobipyramids (AuNBPs). We demonstrated that DTCs can absorb on AuNBPs seed's surface via the formation of Au-S bonds and thus impede the 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ)-promoted AuNBPs growth, which generates DTCs concentration-corresponding color changes. The developed sensor has vivid color changes, short analysis time, higher sensitivity and excellent specificity. It can be used to detect as low as 50 nM of total DTCs by bare eye observation and 17-18 nM of total DTCs by UV-visible spectrometry. By using the multicolor sensor, we have successfully screened total DTCs in apple and black tea by bare eye observation, and detected total DTCs in apple and black tea by UV-visible spectrometry with a recovery of 90%-104% and a relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 5) < 5%. The results obtained with our method consisted well with those obtained with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), verifying that our method had good accuracy and reliability. Especially, the visual detection limit of our method is much lower than the maximum residue limit of total DTCs in vegetable and fruits. All above features make our sensor a promising method for rapid on-site screening of total DTCs in vegetable and fruits by only bare eye observation.