Highly Sensitive Simultaneous Detection of Lead(II) and Barium(II) with G‑Quadruplex DNA in α‑Hemolysin Nanopore

Both Pb²⁺ and Ba²⁺ can bind with high affinity to some specific DNA sequences, inducing the formation of unimolecular G-quadruplex structures. Translocation of a DNA probe containing such sequences through an α-hemolysin nanopore in the presence of Pb²⁺ or Ba²⁺ would result in much prolonged DNA translocation events. Quantification of these events can reveal the concentrations of Pb²⁺ or Ba²⁺ at as low as 0.8 nM. Besides, Pb²⁺ and Ba²⁺ in the solution can be simultaneously detected and individually identified. Furthermore, the probe is highly selective for Pb²⁺ and Ba²⁺ detection without interference from other metal ions. This sensing strategy can be extended to many other analytes which can bind to DNA molecules with high affinity

Intramyocardial Injection of Pig Pluripotent Stem Cells Improves Left Ventricular Function and Perfusion: A Study in a Porcine Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction

<div><p>Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have the potential to differentiate to various types of cardiovascular cells to repair an injured heart. The potential therapeutic benefits of iPS cell based treatment have been established in small-animal models of myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesize that porcine iPS (piPS) cell transplantation may be an effective treatment for MI. After a 90-minute occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in a porcine model, undifferentiated piPS cells or PBS were injected into the ischemic myocardium. Cardiac function, myocardial perfusion and cell differentiation were investigated. One week after piPS cell delivery, global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) significantly decreased in both the iPS group and the PBS group compared to the Sham group (<i>p</i><0.05, respectively). Six weeks after piPS cell delivery, LVEF of the iPS group significantly improved compared to the PBS group (56.68% vs. 50.93%, <i>p</i> = 0.04) but was still lower than the Sham group. Likewise, the piPS cell transplantation improved the regional perfusion compared to the PBS injection (19.67% vs. 13.67%, <i>p</i> = 0.02). The infarct area was significantly smaller in the iPS group than the PBS group (12.04% vs. 15.98% <i>p</i> = 0.01). PiPS cells engrafted into the myocardium can differentiate into vessel cells, which result in increased formation of new vessels in the infarcted heart. Direct intramyocardial injection of piPS cells can decrease infarct size and improve left ventricular function and perfusion for an immunosuppressed porcine AMI model.</p></div

Assessment of global LV parameters and cardiac anatomy by DSCT.

<p>The tracing procedure for the left ventricle was automatically performed in the end-diastolic phase (<b>A</b>) and in the systolic phase (<b>B</b>) of the RR interval. A three-dimensional volume-rendered image of the LAD was constructed by DSCT. The LAD and LCX anatomy can be observed clearly (<b>C</b>). MI can be detected by DSCT in the PBS group and the iPS group both by long-axis and short-axis imaging (<b>D, E).</b> Enlarged left ventricle and aneurysms induced by MI can also be detected (<b>D).</b> The red arrow points to the site of MI, which was defined as a perfusion defect. MI = myocardial infarction.</p

Lithium-based 3D coordination polymer with hydrophilic structure for sensing of solvent molecules

A lithium-based coordination polymer is synthesized from 1,3-benzene dicarboxylate acid with lithium perchlorate through a solvothermal way. The complex features a 3D hydrophilic structure. The adsorption of water and organic solvents on this coordination polymer was investigated in situ by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), which indicated that this framework is highly sensitive to water and methanol

Intramyocardial transplantation of piPS cells improves cardiac function.

<p>(<b>A</b>) LVEF for each animal was shown on the 1st week and 6th week. The LVEF of the iPS group was equivalent to the PBS group but lower when compared to the Sham group on the 1st week. Six weeks later, LVEF of the iPS group significantly increased. (<b>B</b>) The LVEF on the 1st week did not differ between the iPS group and the PBS group (<i>p</i> = 0.82); however, LVEF of the iPS group significantly improved over the PBS group (<i>p</i> = 0.04) by the 6th week. (<b>C</b> and <b>D</b>) The LVEDV and LVESV were equivalent on the 1st week in three groups. Six weeks later, LVESV of the iPS group and PBS group increased (<i>p</i> = 0.01; however, there was no difference between the iPS and the PBS group (<i>p</i> = 0.28). (<b>E</b>) Demonstrated delta LVESV in the iPS group was significantly lower than the PBS group (<i>p</i> = 0.02). LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; LVEDV = left ventricular end-diastolic volume; LVESV = left ventricular end-systolic volume.</p