Label-Free, Reusable, Equipment-Free, and Visual Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide Using a Colorimetric and Fluorescent Dual-Mode Sensing Platform.

In this work, we have found for the first time that the fluorescence of rhodamine B (RhB) would be dramatically reduced after it bound to hemin/G-quadruplex and reacted with •OH. Based on this finding, we have designed a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode sensing platform for visual detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The constructed sensor is based on the formation of dsDNA and the G-quadruplex structure by the cytosine-Ag+-cytosine mismatch, causing H2O2-mediated catalysis to oxidize ABTS or RhB to induce a colorimetric or fluorescent change. In the presence of H2S, the solution color for colorimetric and fluorescent assays would change from dark green to pink and from green (fluorescence off) to bright yellow (fluorescence on), respectively. This dual-mode assay showed high selectivity toward H2S over other interference materials with a low measurable detection limit value (below than 2.5 µM), and it has been successfully applied to H2S visual detection in real samples. Moreover, the dual-mode sensing strategy presented an excellent reutilization character both in colorimetric and fluorescent assays. This method was employed as a label-free, simple, fast, and equipment-free platform for H2S detection with high selectivity and reusability. This work realized naked-eye detection both in colorimetric and fluorescent analysis at a lower concentration of H2S, demonstrating a promising strategy for on-site visual detection of H2S.

DLM-GelMA/tumor slice sandwich structured tumor on a chip for drug efficacy testing.

The in vitro recapitulation of tumor microenvironment is of great interest to preclinical screening of drugs. Compared with culture of cell lines, tumor organ slices can better preserve the complex tumor architecture and phenotypic activity of native cells, but are limited by their exposure to fluid shear and gradual degradation under perfusion culture. Here, we established a decellularized liver matrix (DLM)-GelMA "sandwich" structure and a perfusion-based microfluidic platform to support long-term culture of tumor slices with excellent structural integrity and cell viability over 7 days. The DLM-GelMA was able to secrete cytokines and growth factors while providing shear protection to the tumor slice via the sandwich structure, leading to the preservation of the tumor microenvironment where immune cells (CD3, CD8, CD68), tumor-associated fibroblasts (α-SMA), and extracellular matrix components (collagen I, fibronectin) were well maintained. Furthermore, this chip presented anti-tumor efficacy at cisplatin (20 µM) on tumor patients, demonstrating our platform's efficacy to design patient-specific treatment regimens. Taken together, the successful development of this DLM-GelMA sandwich structure on the chip could faithfully reflect the tumor microenvironment and immune response, accelerating the screening process of drug molecules and providing insights for practical medicine.

Visual detection of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone via activating a new catalytic reaction of "naked" DNAzyme.

Here, we have found for the first time that the catalytic activity of "naked" DNAzyme, a single-stranded G-quadruplex DNAzyme (S.DNAzyme), can be modulated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN). In fact, S.DNAzyme can mimic the activity of horseradish peroxidase to perform oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) to colored ABTS˙+ (dark green). This catalytic activity can be inhibited upon addition of AFB1, leading to color fade of the solution. But with ZEN, the solution color will change to a yellowish-brown or yellow color. Thus, we have exploited this finding to achieve label-free, naked-eye detection of AFB1 or ZEN, and have explored the possible detection mechanisms. This approach is able to detect AFB1 and ZEN concentrations as low as 0.18 µM and 0.29 µM, respectively. Even in real samples, the limit of detection values of these two analytes are lower than 3 µM. Notably, S.DNAzyme cross-reacted with three other tested aflatoxins, including aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin M1, revealing the potential for a broadly applicable method to identify the family of aflatoxins. The AFB1- or ZEN-triggered new catalytic reaction between "naked" DNAzyme and ABTS may offer new opportunities for on-site visual detection of mycotoxins.

Multidisciplinary team management of 46,XY 17α-hydroxylase deficiency: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: We report here a case study of 17α-hydroxylase deficiency in a phenotypic girl with male karyotype (46,XY). We also review the relevant literature to deepen our understanding of the disease, reduce the rate of missed diagnosis, and emphasize that holistic management of this disease requires collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old patient with a female phenotype visited the endocrinology department because of hypertension. The patient had primary amenorrhea and lacked secondary sexual characteristics. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed normal levels of electrolytes, a hypergonadotropic hypogonadal state with high progesterone and low testosterone levels, and a 46,XY karyotype. She was referred to the urology department for gonadectomy and transferred to the gynecological endocrine clinic. On the basis of the patient's medical history and genetic testing results, a diagnosis of 46,XY 17α-hydroxylase deficiency was made. The patient was provided with glucocorticoids, estrogens, metformin, and psychological support. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with 17α-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, should be treated by a multidisciplinary team. Relevant experts from different disciplines should set up a systematic and comprehensive individualized management plan to optimize the physical and mental health and quality of life of affected patients.

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues.

The theory of a "sterile" female upper reproductive tract has been encountering increasing opposition due to advancements in bacterial detection. However, whether ovaries contain bacteria has not yet been confirmed yet. Herein, an experiment to detect bacteria in ovarian tissues was introduced. We chose ovarian cancer patients in the cancer group and noncancerous patients in the control group. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to differentiate bacteria in ovarian tissues from the cancer and control groups. Furthermore, we predicted the functional composition of the identified bacteria by using BugBase and PICRUSt. This method can also be used in other viscera and tissues since many organs have been proven to harbor bacteria in recent years. The presence of bacteria in viscera and tissues may help scientists evaluate cancerous and normal tissues and may be aid in the treatment of cancer.

Two-Pronged Treatment of Hemoperitoneum and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in an Adolescent Girl With Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency.

Introduction: If a woman suffers from congenital fibrinogen deficiency (CFD), she might undergo hypermenorrhea monthly and possibly to suffer from hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured follicle or corpus luteal cyst every month, which seriously threaten her health and quality of life. Here, we creatively used a combination of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and the combined oral contraceptives (COC) for a girl with CFD. Case presentation: A 14-year-old girl presented with no obvious cause of persistent and severe lower abdominal pain that began 8 h prior. After examination, she was diagnosed as hemoperitoneum. CFD was diagnosed when she was 2 years old and she had two hospitalizations due to hemorrhagic anemia caused by menorrhagia. Therefore, after successful conservative treatment of hemoperitoneum, a combination of LNG-IUS and COC was used for the long-term conservative management of hypermenorrhea and hemoperitoneum. During the half-year of follow-up, she had hypomenorrhea without hemoperitoneum. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first patient treated with such a procedure in the literature, and we recommend every woman with CFD at puberty or reproductive age receives this two-pronged treatment.

Secondary pregnancy by an implant in a laparoscopic trocar site: A case report.

RATIONALE: For nearly 20 years, laparoscopy has been generally regarded as the gold standard for the surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy and its application is very widespread. According to our knowledge, secondary pregnancy at the laparoscopic trocar site has not yet been reported until now. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 24-year-old Chinese female patient is reported herein. Her left fallopian tube was removed via laparoscopy due to a first ectopic pregnancy. Her postoperative blood ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was increasing with irregular vaginal bleeding. The patient was initially regarded as having an old ectopic pregnancy. DIAGNOSES: Secondary pregnancy by an implant in a laparoscopic trocar Site. INTERVENTIONS: Because of secondary pregnancy at the laparoscopic port site, laparoscopic surgery was performed again 32 days after the first operation. Approximately 1000 milliliters (mL) of free intraperitoneal hemorrhage and active bleeding of the lesion were detected. Histopathologic examination confirmed the lesion was the result of pregnancy with visible villous tissue. OUTCOMES: Her blood ß-hCG gradually declined to a normal range in 28 days after the second operation. Menstruation occurred on day 20 after the second operation, and the duration and quantity were normal. LESSONS: Although laparoscopy has many advantages, secondary pregnancy at the laparoscopic trocar port wound caused the patient enormous physical and mental pain and increased the medical costs. The etiology of secondary ectopic pregnancy at the laparoscopic puncture site was mainly an iatrogenic factor. Therefore, the procedure should be standardized to avoid its occurrence.