Rhodopsin-Like Ionic Gate Fabricated with Graphene Oxide and Isomeric DNA Switch for Efficient Photocontrol of Ion Transport.

Rhodopsin, composed of opsin and isomeric retinal, acts as the primary photoreceptor by converting light into electric signals. Inspired by rhodopsin, we have fabricated a light-regulated ionic gate on the basis of the design of a graphene oxide (GO)-biomimetic DNA-nanochannel architecture. In this design, photoswitchable azobenzene (Azo)-DNA is introduced to the surface of porous anodic alumina (PAA) membrane. With modulation of the interaction between the GO blocker and Azo-DNA via flexibly regulating trans and cis states of Azo under the irradiation of visible and ultraviolet light, alternatively, the ionic gate is switched between ON and OFF states. This newly constructed ionic gate can possess high efficiency for the control of ion transport because of the high blocking property of GO and the rather tiny path within the barrier layer which are both first employed to fabricate ionic gate. We anticipate that this rhodopsin-like ionic gate may provide a new model and method for the investigation of ion channel, ion function, and ion quantity. In addition, because of the advantages of simple fabrication, good biocompatibility, and universality, this bioinspired system may have potential applications as optical sensors, in photoelectric transformation, and in controllable drug delivery.

A new colorimetric assay method for the detection of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody with high sensitivity.

The early detection of low abundance anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV Ab) is critical for efficient diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection. In this work, a new colorimetric assay method has been proposed for the sensitive detection of anti-HCV Ab. In this method, the antibody-induced DNA strand displacement and the resulting rolling circle amplification (RCA) are integrated to generate a large amount of tandemly repeated G-quadruplex DNAzymes on the arm of the "Y"-shaped antibody. Consequently, oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine can be extensively catalyzed by the peroxidase-mimicking DNAzymes. Therefore, the readout signal can be greatly amplified. Further studies reveal that 0.998 pM anti-HCV Ab can be detected by this newly developed assay method. Moreover, the strategy proposed in this method can be adapted for the detection of other antibodies or bivalent targets.

Coating a DNA self-assembled monolayer with a metal organic framework-based exoskeleton for improved sensing performance.

The formation of DNA self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is one of the most popular ways to attach DNA molecules onto Au surfaces and is extensively used in many fields, especially in biosensing. However, the relatively poor stability of DNA SAMs (e.g., after long-term storage or under harsh environmental conditions) greatly limits their use in real applications. Herein, a new strategy is reported to protect the DNA SAMs by using a metal organic framework (MOF)-based exoskeleton. Taking electrochemical DNA (E-DNA) sensors as an example, we have systematically studied the stability of various DNA probes from the simple single-stranded DNA to a complex DNA nanostructure on the Au electrode surface. We have found that different DNA probes lead to various MOF profiles and the formed MOFs can be conveniently removed by simple acidic water rinse. Thanks to the exoskeleton, the stability of DNA SAMs is significantly enhanced and the DNA probes can be insulated from heat, nuclease, and varying ionic strengths, greatly extending the shelf-life of E-DNA sensors and indirectly improving their sensing performance. More importantly, the secondary structures of DNA probes can also be well preserved. The longstanding stability is of particular importance to biosensors; thus they can be facilely handled, transported, and stored in a resource-limited setting without compromising the analytical performance of biosensors.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a WHO-5A model based comprehensive tobacco control program among migrant workers in Guangdong, China: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: As a vulnerable population in China, migrant workers have a higher smoking rate than the general population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a WHO-5A based comprehensive tobacco control program in workplaces aggregated with migrants. METHODS: Using a controlled before and after design, four purposely selected manufacturing factories were assigned to either intervention or control groups. Participants in the intervention arm received adapted 5A group counseling regularly supported by social-media and traditional health education approaches. The primary outcome was the change of smoking rate based on salivary cotinine concentration at three-month follow-up as compared to the control arm. Secondary outcomes were changes in smoking-related knowledge and attitudes assessed using questionnaires. Difference-in-differences approach (DID) and generalized estimating equations (GEE) models were used to conduct the effectiveness analysis. RESULTS: 149 and 166 workers were enrolled in the intervention and control arm respectively. The multiple imputed and adjusted GEE models demonstrated that, compared to those in the control arm, participants in the intervention arm had nearly 2.4 times odds of improving smoking-related knowledge (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.32-4.36, P = 0.02) and three times the odds of improving smoking-related attitude (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.28-7.41, P = 0.03). However, no significant difference was found regarding the change of smoking rate between the two arms (P > 0.05). The regression analysis showed that attendance at the 5A group counseling sections was an important determinant of stopping smoking or improving smoking-related knowledge and attitudes in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: This WHO-5A comprehensive intervention was effective in improving migrant workers' knowledge of smoking and anti-smoking attitudes. A large-scale, long-term trial is recommended to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-OPC-17011637 at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Retrospectively registered on 12th June 2017.

The incidence, risk factors and in-hospital mortality of acute kidney injury in patients after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. In this study, we evaluated the incidence, risk factors and in-hospital mortality of AKI in patients after the AAA repair surgery. METHODS: A total of 314 Chinese AAA patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open aneurysm repair (OPEN) were enrolled in this study. AKI was diagnosed according to the 2012 KDIGO criteria. Logistic regression modeling was used to explore risk factors of AKI, while risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in AKI patients were investigated using Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier analysis, respectively. Multicollinearity analysis was performed to identify the collinearity between the variables before logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: Among 314 patients, 94 (29.9%) developed AKI after AAA repair surgery. Severity of AKI and ruptured AAA were independently associated with an increase in in-hospital mortality in AKI patients after AAA repair. Kaplan-Meier analysis identified severity of AKI as being negatively associated with hospital survival in AKI patients. Risk factors associated with AKI included cardiovascular disease (OR 3.169, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.538 to 6.527, P = 0.002), decreased eGFR (OR 0.965, 95%CI 0.954 to 0.977, P < 0.001), ruptured AAA (OR 2.717, 95%CI 1.320 to 5.592, P = 0.007), renal artery involvement (OR 2.903, 95%CI 1.219 to 6.912, P = 0.016) and OPEN (OR 2.094, 95%CI 1.048 to 4.183, P = 0.036). Further subgroup analysis identified OPEN as an important risk factor of AKI in ruptured AAA patients but not in ruptured AAA patients. The incidence of AKI was significantly lower in EVAR than in OPEN (27.1% vs. 42.8%) and, similarly lower in nonruptured AAA than in ruptured AAA (26.2% vs. 48.1%). CONCLUSION: One-third of AAA patients developed AKI after repair surgery. Severity of AKI was associated with reduced survival rate in AAA patients who developed postoperative AKI. Decreased preoperative creatinine clearance, cardiovascular disease, ruptured AAA and OPEN were independent risk factors for postoperative AKI in all 314 AAA patients. Although a lower rate of incident AKI was observed in EVAR compared with OPEN, subgroup analysis of ruptured AAA versus nonruptured AAA showed that EVAR was an independent protective factor for AKI only in ruptured AAA patients but not in nonruptured AAA patients.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Pain Responses and Inflammation in a Rat Model of Acute Gout Arthritis.

Acute gout arthritis is one of the most painful inflammatory conditions. Treatments for gout pain are limited to colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids, which oftentimes result in severe adverse effects. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proved to be effective in relieving many inflammatory pain conditions with few side effects. Here, we aim to investigate the therapeutic potentials of EA on pain and inflammation of a rat model of acute gout arthritis and underlying mechanisms. We found that 2/100 Hz EA produced the most robust analgesic effect on mechanical hyperalgesia of acute gout arthritis rat model compared with 2 and 100 Hz. EA produced similar analgesic effect compared with indomethacin. 2/100 Hz EA also significantly alleviates the ongoing pain behavior, thermal hyperalgesia, and ankle edema. Locally applied µ and κ-opioid receptor antagonists but not adenosine A1 receptor antagonist significantly abolished the analgesic effect of EA. Locally applied µ and κ-opioid receptor agonists produced significant antiallodynia on acute gout arthritis rats, mimicking EA. Furthermore, 2/100 Hz EA upregulated ß-endorphin expression in inflamed ankle skin tissue. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that EA can be used for relieving acute gout arthritis with effect dependent on peripheral opioid system and comparable with the one obtained with indomethacin.