Diketopyrrolopyrrole Amphiphile-Based Micelle-Like Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Mercury(II) Ions in Water

A technique for encapsulating fluorescent organic probes in a micelle system offers an important alternative method to manufacture water-soluble organic nanoparticles (ONPs) for use in sensing Hg²⁺. This article reports on a study of a surfactant-free micelle-like ONPs based on a 3,6-di­(2-thienyl)-2,5-dihydro­pyrrolo­[3,4-<i>c</i>]­pyrrole-1,4-dione (TDPP) amphiphile, (2-(2-(2-methoxy­ethoxy)­ethyl)-3,6-di­(2-thiophyl)-2,5-dihydro­pyrrolo­[3,4-<i>c</i>]­pyrrole-1,4-dione (NDPP) fabricated to monitor Hg²⁺ in water. NDPP was synthesized through a simple one-step modification of a commercially available dye TDPP with a flexible and hydrophilic alkoxy. This study reports, for the first time, that TDPP dyes can respond reversibly, sensitively, and selectively to Hg²⁺ through TDPP–Hg–TDPP complexation, similar to the well-known thymine­(T)–Hg–thymine­(T) model and the accompanying molecular aggregation. Interestingly, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirmed that, in water, NDPP forms loose micelle-like fluorescent ONPs with a hydrohobic TDPP portion encapsulated inside. These micelle-like nanoparticles offer an ideal location for TDPP–Hg complexation with a modest molecular aggregation, thereby providing both clear visual and spectroscopic signals for Hg²⁺ sensing. An estimated detection limit of 11 nM for Hg²⁺ sensing with this NDPP nanoparticle was obtained. In addition, NDPP ONPs show good water solubility and high selectivity to Hg²⁺ in neutral or alkalescent water. It was superior to most micelle-based nanosensors, which require a complicated process in the selection or synthesis of suitable surfactants. The determinations in real samples (river water) were made and satisfactory results were achieved. This study provides a low-cost strategy for fabricating small molecule-based fluorescent nanomaterials for use in sensing Hg²⁺. Moreover, the NDPP nanoparticles show potential ability in Hg²⁺ ion adsorption and recognization of cysteine using NDPP-Hg composite particle

Electrochemical Probing through a Redox Capacitor To Acquire Chemical Information on Biothiols

The acquisition of chemical information is a critical need for medical diagnostics, food/environmental monitoring, and national security. Here, we report an electrochemical information processing approach that integrates (i) complex electrical inputs/outputs, (ii) mediators to transduce the electrical I/O into redox signals that can actively probe the chemical environment, and (iii) a redox capacitor that manipulates signals for information extraction. We demonstrate the capabilities of this chemical information processing strategy using biothiols because of the emerging importance of these molecules in medicine and because their distinct chemical properties allow evaluation of hypothesis-driven information probing. We show that input sequences can be tailored to probe for chemical information both qualitatively (step inputs probe for thiol-specific signatures) and quantitatively. Specifically, we observed picomolar limits of detection and linear responses to concentrations over 5 orders of magnitude (1 pM–0.1 μM). This approach allows the capabilities of signal processing to be extended for rapid, robust, and on-site analysis of chemical information

Image_1_Intravenous metastasis of unexpected uterine sarcoma in the context of uterine fibroids: case report and literature review.tif

ObjectiveEndometrial stromal tumors are rare and complex mesenchymal tumors that often present with clinical symptoms similar to uterine leiomyomas. Due to their atypical nature, they are prone to be misdiagnosed or overlooked by healthcare professionals. This study presents a case report of an incidentally discovered endometrial stromal sarcoma with venous metastasis, which was initially misdiagnosed as a uterine leiomyoma. In addition, this study reviews previously documented cases of similar tumors.Case reportDuring a routine medical examination in 2016, a 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. In June 2020, she began experiencing moderate, irregular vaginal bleeding. Nevertheless, a histopathological examination indicated an endometrial stromal sarcoma with a striking amalgamation of both low-grade and high-grade features. Molecular analysis identified a rare MED12 gene mutation. The patient underwent total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and resection of the metastatic lesions. Postoperative management included radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. After completion of chemotherapy, the patient was followed up for 27 months with no evidence of tumor recurrence.ConclusionThis case report highlights the importance of pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects of this rare tumor involving the inferior vena cava and showing the presence of atypical gene mutations. The successful treatment outcome further emphasizes the importance of advances in diagnostic modalities for managing rare tumors like this.</p

Image_2_Intravenous metastasis of unexpected uterine sarcoma in the context of uterine fibroids: case report and literature review.tif

ObjectiveEndometrial stromal tumors are rare and complex mesenchymal tumors that often present with clinical symptoms similar to uterine leiomyomas. Due to their atypical nature, they are prone to be misdiagnosed or overlooked by healthcare professionals. This study presents a case report of an incidentally discovered endometrial stromal sarcoma with venous metastasis, which was initially misdiagnosed as a uterine leiomyoma. In addition, this study reviews previously documented cases of similar tumors.Case reportDuring a routine medical examination in 2016, a 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. In June 2020, she began experiencing moderate, irregular vaginal bleeding. Nevertheless, a histopathological examination indicated an endometrial stromal sarcoma with a striking amalgamation of both low-grade and high-grade features. Molecular analysis identified a rare MED12 gene mutation. The patient underwent total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and resection of the metastatic lesions. Postoperative management included radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. After completion of chemotherapy, the patient was followed up for 27 months with no evidence of tumor recurrence.ConclusionThis case report highlights the importance of pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects of this rare tumor involving the inferior vena cava and showing the presence of atypical gene mutations. The successful treatment outcome further emphasizes the importance of advances in diagnostic modalities for managing rare tumors like this.</p

Light-Directed Synthesis of High-Density Peptide Nucleic Acid Microarrays

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are a class of nucleic acid mimics that can bind to the complementary DNA or RNA with high specificity and sensitivity. PNA-based microarrays have distinct characteristics and have improved performance in many aspects compared to DNA microarrays. A new set of PNA monomers has been synthesized and used as the building blocks for the preparation of high density PNA microarrays. These monomers have their backbones protected by the photolabile group 2-(2-nitrophenyl)­propyloxy carbonyl (NPPOC), and their exocyclic amino groups protected by amide carbonyl groups. A light-directed synthesis system was designed and applied to the in situ synthesis of a PNA microarray with a density of over 10 000 probes per square centimeter. This PNA microarray was able to detect single and multiple base-mismatches correctly with a high discrimination ratio

Additional file 1: of Prognostic value of phosphorylated Raf kinase inhibitory protein at serine 153 and its predictive effect on the clinical response to radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Original data from 733 of the enrolled patients. (RAR 11 kb