Integrated Antibody with Catalytic Metal–Organic Framework for Colorimetric Immunoassay

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been widely used as a gold standard in biomedical field, but some inevitable drawbacks still exist in its practical applications, especially the laborious preparation of enzyme–antibody conjugates by a covalent linkage. In this work, we proposed a new strategy to prepare enzyme–antibody conjugate by integrating antibody with catalytic metal–organic framework (MOF) to form dual-functional MOF/antibody composite. As models, rabbit antimouse immunoglobulin G antibody (RIgG) and Cu-MOF with peroxidase-like activity were used to fabricate RIgG@Cu-MOF composite for colorimetric immunoassay. It was found that Cu-MOF as a host not only has no influence on the original capture ability of RIgG to its corresponding antigen (mIgG), but also can shield RIgG against long-term storage, high temperature, and biological degradation. More importantly, upon the formation of sandwiched immunocomplex between RIgG@Cu-MOF and capture antibody, Cu-MOF can serve as a signal amplification unit to perform colorimetric immunoassay. The detection limit of RIgG@Cu-MOF toward mIgG was obtained at 0.34 ng/mL, which is 3-fold lower than that of horseradish peroxidase labeled RIgG. Furthermore, the successful determination of mIgG in serum sample demonstrates the applicability of RIgG@Cu-MOF in detecting real sample. Therefore, it is highly anticipated that this study can offer a new way to prepare enzyme–antibody conjugates, facilitating the exploration of MOF composites in biomedical field

Biocompatible, Functional Spheres Based on Oxidative Coupling Assembly of Green Tea Polyphenols

Green luminescent, monodisperse, smooth, porous and hollow spheres were simply prepared by Cu²⁺ and temperature mediated oxidative coupling assembly of green tea polyphenols in water. These polymeric tea polyphenol spheres are GSH responsive, acid resistant but alkali-responsive, ideally used as platform for controlled delivery of functional guests

Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Profiling Ketolic and Phenolic Sex Steroids Using an Automated Injection Program Combined with Diverter Valve Switch and Step Analysis

Sex steroids are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. The determination of sex steroids is essential to understand the mechanisms of human health and diseases. Derivatization techniques could specifically enhance the sensitivities for sex steroids with a given functional group. However, no derivatization reagents are available for profiling multifunctional sex steroids, including phenolic estrogens, ketolic androgens, and ketolic progestogens, in a single analytical run. In the present study, a novel method involving ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was developed for profiling both ketolic and phenolic sex steroids in human serum using an automated injection program combined with diverter valve switch and step analysis (AIDSA). The human serum, prepared through liquid–liquid extraction and subsequently derivatized using Girard P offline, was automatically injected twice under the automated injection program. For the first injection, Girard P-derivatized ketolic sex steroids were loaded onto the column, and subsequently, the second injection and online derivatization of the same sample using dansyl chloride were performed in the injector needle for 15 min. The dansyl-labeled phenolic sex steroids were then loaded onto the column. The diverter valve worked in coordination with the injection program to import the derivatized sex steroids and remove excess derivatization reagents. The two types of derivatives were individually analyzed in a step-by-step manner. In addition, online dansyl derivatization and Girard P derivative analyses were simultaneously implemented to shorten the total analysis time. This method was well validated and applied to determine the sex steroid levels in human serum

Micellization/Demicellization Self-Assembly Change of ABA Triblock Copolymers Induced by a Photoswitchable Ionic Liquid with a Small Molecular Trigger

To date, the demonstration of photoinduced micellization/demicellization of ABA-type triblock copolymers in ionic liquids (ILs) has been based on photoresponsive polymers. Herein, rather than the photoresponsive polymers, a small molecular trigger, an azobenzene-based IL, is employed for the first time to achieve a photocontrollable micellization. ABA-type triblock copolymers were synthesized in which the A block (either poly­(2-phenylethyl methacrylate) or poly­(benzyl methacrylate)) has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in imidazolium-based ILs, while the B block (poly­(methyl methacrylate)) is compatible with ILs; these triblock copolymers are denoted as PMP and BMB, respectively. Solutions of the azobenzene-based IL containing the copolymers exhibited different micellization temperatures in the dark and under UV irradiation. For PMP, at a temperature between the two micellization temperatures, UV irradiation induced a “unimer-to-micelle” transition, while for BMB, UV irradiation induced a “micelle-to-unimer” transition. The main difference in the chemical structures of the copolymers is the number of methylene spacers (1 or 2) between the aromatic ring and ester of the A blocks. NMR analysis showed that the chemical shifts of the ILs were shifted in opposite directions on UV irradiation, indicating that azobenzene isomerization can affect the solvation interactions between the polymers and the ILs

Table_1_Decreased absolute number of peripheral regulatory T cells in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.docx

ObjectiveIn order to determine whether the immune balance of T helper 17(Th17)/regulatory T(Treg) is related to the pathogenesis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF), we analyzed the differences in peripheral blood lymphocytes, CD4+T cell subsets and cytokines between patients with IRPF and healthy people to clarify the CD4+T cell subsets, especially Treg cell subsets, and the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of IRPF.MethodsThis study included 22 patients with IRPF, 36 patients with IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RD) without retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF), and 28 healthy controls. The absolute numbers and percentage of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and CD4+T cell subsets in each group were detected by flow cytometry, and the serum cytokine level was detected by flow cytometric bead array (CBA).ResultsCompared with the healthy group, the absolute value of B cells in peripheral blood of IRPF patients was significantly decreased, and T, natural killer (NK), CD4+ and CD8+ were not significantly abnormal. The absolute numbers of Th2 cells were lower than healthy group(p=0.043). In particular, the absolute numbers of Treg cells were significantly lower than healthy group(pConclusionsOur study showed that IRPF patients had reduced Treg cells and indeed had Th17/Treg imbalance, which may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease. The levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α appear to be associated with the progression of IRPF.</p

Occurrence of the sequence analysis and microsatellites in the genome survey.

<p>Occurrence of the sequence analysis and microsatellites in the genome survey.</p

Frequencies of different classes of nucleotide repeats.

<p>(A) 14508 primer pairs; (B) 600 selected primer pairs.</p

Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Inducing Liquid–Fluid Lamellar Conducting Highways as Superior Electrolytes toward Electrochemical Energy Devices

Fast charge transport and high stability are desirable for high-performance electrolytes. However, the two characters typically conflict with each other in conventional electrolytes. Herein, lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) were demonstrated for the first time as potential ideal ion conductors to supersede traditional liquid electrolytes toward energy devices. LLC electrolytes consisting of an alkylimidazolium compound and proper amount of organic liquid electrolytes were designed and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells. Nano-segregation in LLC electrolytes induced nanoscale lamellar liquid regions as conducting highways. The layered regulation of liquids highly accelerated ion conduction and improved stability. The lamellar nanostructured LLC electrolyte consuming only 40% liquid electrolytes showed superior ion conduction and device efficiency even at ambient temperatures, which overwhelmed to the pure liquid electrolytes. Also, the LLC electrolytes showed robust stability in energy devices. The present work sheds new light on developing next-generation electrolytes for various efficient and sustainable energy devices

Neighbor-Joining tree of 48 accessions based on <i>Nei</i>'s unbiased genetic distance from 495 SSR markers.

<p>Bootstrap values (out of 100) are indicated at the branch points.</p

Details of 46 and 5 microsatellites specific to <i>Oryza minuta</i> and <i>Oryza punctata</i>, respectively.

<p>Details of 46 and 5 microsatellites specific to <i>Oryza minuta</i> and <i>Oryza punctata</i>, respectively.</p