A resonance Rayleigh scattering sensor for sensitive differentiation of telomere DNA length and monitoring special motifs (G-quadruplex and i-motif) based on the Ag nanoclusters and NAND logic gate responding to chemical input signals

Abstract Background Differentiation of telomere length is of vital importance because telomere length is closely related with several deadly diseases such as cancer. Additionally, G-quadruplex and i-motif formation in telomeric DNA have been shown to act as a negative regulator of telomere elongation by telomerase in vivo and are considered as an attractive drug target for cancer chemotherapy. Results In this assay, Ag nanoclusters templated by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI–Ag NCs) are designed as a new novel resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) probe for sensitive differentiation of telomere length and monitoring special motifs (G-quadruplex and i-motif). In this assay, free PEI–Ag NC probe or DNA sequence alone emits low intensities of RRS, while the formation of PEI–Ag NCs/DNA complexes yields greatly enhanced RRS signals; however, when PEI–Ag NCs react with G-quadruplex or i-motif, the intensities of RRS exhibit slight changes. At the same concentration, the enhancement of RRS signal is directly proportional to the length of telomere, and the sensitivity of 64 bases is the highest with the linear range of 0.3–50 nM (limit of detection 0.12 nM). On the other hand, due to the conversion of telomere DNA molecules among multiple surrounding conditions, a DNA logic gate is developed on the basis of two chemical input signals (K+ and H+) and a change in RRS intensity as the output signal. Conclusion Our results indicate that PEI–Ag NCs can serve as a novel RRS probe to identify DNA length and monitor G-quadruplex/i-motif through the different increasing degrees of RRS intensity. Meanwhile, the novel attributes of the nanoprobe stand superior to those involving dyes or labeled DNA because of no chemical modification, low cost, green, and high efficiency

Ratiometric Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Synergistic Detection of Monoamine Oxidase B and Its Contribution to Oxidative Stress in Cell and Mice Aging Models

As new biomarkers, monoamine oxidases (MAOs) play important roles in maintaining the homeostasis of biogenic amines via catalyzing the oxidation of biogenic amines to corresponding aldehydes with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MAOs have two isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A is considered to be a major factor of neuropsychiatric and depressive disorders. However, MAO-B is thought to be involved in several neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, to explore their distinct roles in different diseases, the selective detection of MAOs is essential. Herein, two new types of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes, MitoCy-NH2 and MitoHCy-NH2, are provided for synergistic imaging of MAO-B and its contribution to oxidative stress in cells and in mice aging models. These probes are composed of three moieties: heptamethine cyanine as fluorophore, propanamide as recognition group, and triphenylphosphonium cation as mitochondrial targeting group. The amine oxidation and beta-elimination reaction can lead to obvious fluorescence increase and color changes from green to blue. The probe MitoHCy-NH2 can be used to synergistically detect MAO-B and its contribution to oxidative stress in the replicative senescence model. And the probe MitoCy-NH2 can offer ratiometric near-infrared fluorescence for the selective detection of MAO-B in the H2O2-induced cell aging model and in mice aging models. The results reveal that there are different MAO-B levels in different ages of mice models. MitoCy-NH2 also can evaluate therapeutic effects of pargyline and selegiline in mice models. The desirable analytical behaviors of our probes make them useful chemical tools for the selective detection of MAO-B and its contribution to oxidative stress in biosystems

Simultaneous Detection of Adenosine Triphosphate and Glucose Based on the Cu-Fenton Reaction

Both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glucose are important to human health, and their abnormal levels are closely related to angiocardiopathy and hypoglycaemia. Therefore, the simultaneous determination of ATP and glucose with a single test mode is highly desirable for disease diagnostics and early recognition. Herein, a new fluorescence on/off switch sensing platform is developed by carbon nanodots (CNDs) to detect ATP and glucose simultaneously. The fluorescence of CNDs can be quenched by Cu2+ and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), due to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) produced in the Cu-Fenton reaction. Based on the high affinity of Cu2+ with ATP, the fluorescence of CNDs will recover effectively after adding ATP. Additionally, glucose can be efficiently catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx) to generate H2O2, so the platform can also be utilized to analyze glucose. Under optimum conditions, this sensing platform displays excellent sensitivity and the linear ranges are from 0.1 to 7 μM for ATP with a limit of detection (LOD) of 30.2 nM, and from 0.1 to 7 mM for glucose with a LOD 39.8 μM, respectively. Benefiting from the high sensitivity and selectivity, this sensing platform is successfully applied for simultaneous detection of ATP and glucose in human serum samples with satisfactory recoveries

A novel and sensitive method for determining vitamin B3 and B7 by pre-column derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection - Fig 5

<p>The 3D response surface of peak area affected by varying derivatization temperature and time(a), varying derivatization temperature and EDC dosage (b), derivatization time and EDC dosage (c).</p

Box-Behnken design and observed response.

<p>Box-Behnken design and observed response.</p