A Coumarin–Hemicyanine Deep Red Dye with a Large Stokes Shift for the Fluorescence Detection and Naked-Eye Recognition of Cyanide

In this study, we synthesized a coumarin–hemicyanine-based deep red fluorescent dye that exhibits an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The probe had a large Stokes shift of 287 nm and a large molar absorption coefficient (ε = 7.5 × 105 L·mol−1·cm−1) and is best described as a deep red luminescent fluorescent probe with λem = 667 nm. The color of probe W changed significantly when it encountered cyanide ions (CN−). The absorption peak (585 nm) decreased gradually, and the absorption peak (428 nm) increased gradually, so that cyanide (CN−) could be identified by the naked eye. Moreover, an obvious fluorescence change was evident before and after the reaction under irradiation using 365 nm UV light. The maximum emission peak (667 nm) decreased gradually, whilst the emission peak (495 nm) increased gradually, which allowed for the proportional fluorescence detection of cyanide (CN−). Using fluorescence spectrometry, the fluorescent probe W could linearly detect CN− over the concentration range of 1–9 μM (R2 = 9913, RSD = 0.534) with a detection limit of 0.24 μM. Using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the linear detection range for CN− was found to be 1–27 μM (R2 = 0.99583, RSD = 0.675) with a detection limit of 0.13 μM. The sensing mechanism was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations, 13C NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallographic analysis and HRMS. The recognition and detection of CN− by probe W was characterized by a rapid response, high selectivity, and high sensitivity. Therefore, this probe provides a convenient, effective and economical method for synthesizing and detecting cyanide efficiently and sensitively

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the functions of H2S as a gasotransmitter independently of Cys in Arabidopsis

Numerous studies have revealed the gasotransmitter functions of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in various biological processes. However, the involvement of H2S in sulfur metabolism and/or Cys synthesis makes its role as a signaling molecule ambiguous. The generation of endogenous H2S in plants is closely related to the metabolism of Cys, which play roles in a variety of signaling pathway occurring in various cellular processes. Here, we found that exogenous H2S fumigation and Cys treatment modulated the production rate and content of endogenous H2S and Cys to various degrees. Furthermore, we provided comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to support the gasotransmitter role of H2S besides as a substrate for Cys synthesis. Comparison of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between H2S and Cys treated seedlings indicated that H2S fumigation and Cys treatment caused different influences on gene profiles during seedlings development. A total of 261 genes were identified to respond to H2S fumigation, among which 72 genes were co-regulated by Cys treatment. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the 189 genes, H2S but not Cys regulated DEGs, indicated that these genes mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and MAPK signaling pathway. Most of these genes encoded proteins having DNA binding and transcription factor activities that play roles in a variety of plant developmental and environmental responses. Many stress-responsive genes and some Ca2+ signal associated genes were also included. Consequently, H2S regulated gene expression through its role as a gasotransmitter, rather than just as a substrate for Cys biogenesis, and these 189 genes were far more likely to function in H2S signal transduction independently of Cys. Our data will provide insights for revealing and enriching H2S signaling networks

A Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cyanide Ion Detection in Real Water Samples

We have designed and synthesized a novel simple colorimetric fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Probe 5-(4-(diphenylamine)phenyl) thiophen-2-formaldehyde W exhibited a turn-on fluorescent response to cyanide ion (CN−), which induces distinct visual color changes. Probe W exhibited a highly selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescence response for the detection of CN− over a wide pH range (4–11) and in the presence of common interferents. The linear detection of CN− over the concentration range of 4.00–38.00 µM (R2 = 0.9916, RSD = 0.02) was monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry (UV-Vis) with the limit of detection determined to be 0.48 µM. The linear detection of CN− over the concentration range of 8.00–38.00 µM was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometry (R2 = 0.99086, RSD = 0.031), and the detection limit was found to be 68.00 nM. The sensing mechanisms were confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and HRMS. Importantly, probe W was found to show rapid response, high selectivity, and sensitivity for cyanide anions in real water samples, over the range of 100.17∼100.86% in artificial lake water and 100.54∼101.64% in running water by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry, and over the range of 99.42∼100.71% in artificial lake water and 100.59∼101.17% in running water by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Importantly, this work provides a simple and effective approach which uses an economically cheap and uncomplicated synthetic route for the selective, sensitive, and quantitative detection of CN− ions in systems relevant to the environment and health

Incorporation and evolution of ZrO2 nano-particles in Pt-modified aluminide coating for high temperature applications

ZrO2 nano-particles were incorporated into electro-deposited PtAl coatings in an attempt to enhance their performance by exploiting the effect of reactive element oxides. PtAl coatings with and without ZrO2 particles were deposited onto three commercially available Ni-based superalloys: Mar-M247, Mar-M246 and Inconel 718. After aluminising and annealing, thermal cycling oxidation tests were carried out to evaluate the influence of ZrO2 addition and substrate composition. Cross-sectional SEM images were obtained to characterise the coatings after deposition, after heat treatment and after 200 thermal cycles. The addition of ZrO2 particles to PtAl coatings on Mar-M-246 and Inconel 718 appeared to increase the growth of thermally grown oxide and reduce its rumpling. However, such effects were not observed for the addition of ZrO2 particles to the PtAl coatings on Mar-M247. The analysis of the coatings on different substrates revealed and elucidated the interactions between Hf, Al and ZrO2, providing better understanding of reactions of ZrO2 and the influence of the substrate on bond coat behaviour

Haemagglutination inhibition and virus microneutralisation serology assays: use of harmonised protocols and biological standards in seasonal influenza serology testing and their impact on inter-laboratory variation and assay correlation: A FLUCOP collaborative study

Introduction: The haemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) and the virus microneutralisation assay (MN) are long-established methods for quantifying antibodies against influenza viruses. Despite their widespread use, both assays require standardisation to improve inter-laboratory agreement in testing. The FLUCOP consortium aims to develop a toolbox of standardised serology assays for seasonal influenza. Building upon previous collaborative studies to harmonise the HAI, in this study the FLUCOP consortium carried out a head-to-head comparison of harmonised HAI and MN protocols to better understand the relationship between HAI and MN titres, and the impact of assay harmonisation and standardisation on inter-laboratory variability and agreement between these methods. Methods: In this paper, we present two large international collaborative studies testing harmonised HAI and MN protocols across 10 participating laboratories. In the first, we expanded on previously published work, carrying out HAI testing using egg and cell isolated and propagated wild-type (WT) viruses in addition to high-growth reassortants typically used influenza vaccines strains using HAI. In the second we tested two MN protocols: an overnight ELISA-based format and a 3-5 day format, using reassortant viruses and a WT H3N2 cell isolated virus. As serum panels tested in both studies included many overlapping samples, we were able to look at the correlation of HAI and MN titres across different methods and for different influenza subtypes. Results: We showed that the overnight ELISA and 3-5 day MN formats are not comparable, with titre ratios varying across the dynamic range of the assay. However, the ELISA MN and HAI are comparable, and a conversion factor could possibly be calculated. In both studies, the impact of normalising using a study standard was investigated, and we showed that for almost every strain and assay format tested, normalisation significantly reduced inter-laboratory variation, supporting the continued development of antibody standards for seasonal influenza viruses. Normalisation had no impact on the correlation between overnight ELISA and 3-5 day MN formats.publishedVersio

Common variants at 2q11.2, 8q21.3, and 11q13.2 are associated with major mood disorders

Bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are primary major mood disorders. Recent studies suggest that they share certain psychopathological features and common risk genes, but unraveling the full genetic architecture underlying the risk of major mood disorders remains an important scientific task. The public genome-wide association study (GWAS) data sets offer the opportunity to examine this topic by utilizing large amounts of combined genetic data, which should ultimately allow a better understanding of the onset and development of these illnesses. Genome-wide meta-analysis was performed by combining two GWAS data sets on BPD and MDD (19,637 cases and 18,083 controls), followed by replication analyses for the loci of interest in independent 12,364 cases and 76,633 controls from additional samples that were not included in the two GWAS data sets. The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10791889 at 11q13.2 was significant in both discovery and replication samples. When combining all samples, this SNP and multiple other SNPs at 2q11.2 (rs717454), 8q21.3 (rs10103191), and 11q13.2 (rs2167457) exhibited genome-wide significant association with major mood disorders. The SNPs in 2q11.2 and 8q21.3 were novel risk SNPs that were not previously reported, and SNPs at 11q13.2 were in high LD with potential BPD risk SNPs implicated in a previous GWAS. The genome-wide significant loci at 2q11.2 and 11q13.2 exhibited strong effects on the mRNA expression of certain nearby genes in cerebellum. In conclusion, we have identified several novel loci associated with major mood disorders, adding further support for shared genetic risk between BPD and MDD. Our study highlights the necessity and importance of mining public data sets to explore risk genes for complex diseases such as mood disorders

Common variants at 2q11.2, 8q21.3, and 11q13.2 are associated with major mood disorders

Bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are primary major mood disorders. Recent studies suggest that they share certain psychopathological features and common risk genes, but unraveling the full genetic architecture underlying the risk of major mood disorders remains an important scientific task. The public genome-wide association study (GWAS) data sets offer the opportunity to examine this topic by utilizing large amounts of combined genetic data, which should ultimately allow a better understanding of the onset and development of these illnesses. Genome-wide meta-analysis was performed by combining two GWAS data sets on BPD and MDD (19,637 cases and 18,083 controls), followed by replication analyses for the loci of interest in independent 12,364 cases and 76,633 controls from additional samples that were not included in the two GWAS data sets. The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10791889 at 11q13.2 was significant in both discovery and replication samples. When combining all samples, this SNP and multiple other SNPs at 2q11.2 (rs717454), 8q21.3 (rs10103191), and 11q13.2 (rs2167457) exhibited genome-wide significant association with major mood disorders. The SNPs in 2q11.2 and 8q21.3 were novel risk SNPs that were not previously reported, and SNPs at 11q13.2 were in high LD with potential BPD risk SNPs implicated in a previous GWAS. The genome-wide significant loci at 2q11.2 and 11q13.2 exhibited strong effects on the mRNA expression of certain nearby genes in cerebellum. In conclusion, we have identified several novel loci associated with major mood disorders, adding further support for shared genetic risk between BPD and MDD. Our study highlights the necessity and importance of mining public data sets to explore risk genes for complex diseases such as mood disorders

How Smog Awareness Influences Public Acceptance of Congestion Charge Policies

Although various studies have investigated public acceptance of congestion charge policies, most of them have focused on behavioral and policy-related factors, and did not consider the moderating influence that individual concern about smog and perceived smog risk may have on public acceptance. This paper takes the congestion charge policy in China, targeted at smog and traffic control, and checks how smog awareness—including smog concerns and perceived smog risks, besides behavioral and policy-related factors—might influence public acceptance of the policy. In this paper, we found both a direct and moderating causal relationship between smog awareness and public acceptance. Based on a sample of 574 valid questionnaires in Beijing and Shanghai in 2016, an ordered logistic regression modeling approach was used to delineate the causality between smog awareness and public acceptance. We found that both smog concerns, such as perceived smog risk, and willingness to pay (WTP) were both directly and indirectly positively correlated with public acceptance. These findings imply that policymakers should increase policy fairness with environmental-oriented policy design and should express potential policy effectiveness of the smog controlling policy to citizens to increase their acceptance level