Multiple and High-Throughput Droplet Reactions via Combination of Microsampling Technique and Microfluidic Chip

Microdroplets offer unique compartments for accommodating a large number of chemical and biological reactions in tiny volume with precise control. A major concern in droplet-based microfluidics is the difficulty to address droplets individually and achieve high throughput at the same time. Here, we have combined an improved cartridge sampling technique with a microfluidic chip to perform droplet screenings and aggressive reaction with minimal (nanoliter-scale) reagent consumption. The droplet composition, distance, volume (nanoliter to subnanoliter scale), number, and sequence could be precisely and digitally programmed through the improved sampling technique, while sample evaporation and cross-contamination are effectively eliminated. Our combined device provides a simple model to utilize multiple droplets for various reactions with low reagent consumption and high throughput

Dual-Modal Colorimetric/Fluorescence Molecular Probe for Ratiometric Sensing of pH and Its Application

As traditional pH meters cannot work well for minute regions (such as subcellular organelles) and in harsh media, molecular pH-sensitive devices for monitoring pH changes in diverse local heterogeneous environments are urgently needed. Here, we report a new dual-modal colorimetric/fluorescence merocyanine-based molecular probe (CPH) for ratiometric sensing of pH. Compared with previously reported pH probes, CPH bearing the benzyl group at the nitrogen position of the indolium group and the phenol, which is used as the acceptor for proton, could respond to pH changes immediately through both the ratiometric fluorescence signal readout and naked-eye colorimetric observation. The sensing process was highly stable and reversible. Most importantly, the suitable p<i>K</i>_a value (6.44) allows CPH to presumably accumulate in lysosomes and become a lysosome-target fluorescent probe. By using CPH, the intralysosomal pH fluctuation stimulated by antimalaria drug chloroquine was successfully tracked in live cells through the ratiometric fluorescence images. Additionally, CPH could be immobilized on test papers, which exhibited a rapid and reversible colorimetric response to acid/base vapor through the naked-eye colorimetric analysis. This proof-of-concept study presents the potential application of CPH as a molecular tool for monitoring intralysosomal pH fluctuation in live cells, as well as paves the way for developing the economic, reusable, and fast-response optical pH meters for colorimetric sensing acid/base vapor with direct naked-eye observation

Relationships between family functioning and loneliness (n = 264).

***<p><i>P</i> < 0.001</p

Rapid Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks MIL-101(Cr) Without the Addition of Solvent and Hydrofluoric Acid

Metal–organic frameworks MIL-101­(Cr) have been rapidly synthesized by solid-phase reaction without the addition of solvent and hydrofluoric acid at 220 °C in 4 h. The obtained MIL-101­(Cr) material exhibited superior catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclohexene

Morpholine Derivative-Functionalized Carbon Dots-Based Fluorescent Probe for Highly Selective Lysosomal Imaging in Living Cells

The development of a suitable fluorescent probe for the specific labeling and imaging of lysosomes through the direct visual fluorescent signal is extremely important for understanding the dysfunction of lysosomes, which might induce various pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Herein, a new carbon dot-based fluorescent probe (<b>CDs-PEI-ML</b>) was designed and synthesized for highly selective imaging of lysosomes in live cells. In this probe, PEI (polyethylenimine) is introduced to improve water solubility and provide abundant amine groups for the as-prepared <b>CDs-PEI</b>, and the morpholine group (<b>ML</b>) serves as a targeting unit for lysosomes. More importantly, passivation with PEI could dramatically increase the fluorescence quantum yield of <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> as well as their stability in fluorescence emission under different excitation wavelength. Consequently, experimental data demonstrated that the target probe <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> has low cytotoxicity and excellent photostability. Additionally, further live cell imaging experiment indicated that <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> is a highly selective fluorescent probe for lysosomes. We speculate the mechanism for selective staining of lysosomes that <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> was initially taken up by lysosomes through the endocytic pathway and then accumulated in acidic lysosomes. It is notable that there was less diffusion of <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> into cytoplasm, which could be ascribed to the presence of lysosome target group morpholine on surface of <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b>. The blue emission wavelength combined with the high photo stability and ability of long-lasting cell imaging makes <b>CDs-PEI-ML</b> become an alternative fluorescent probe for multicolor labeling and long-term tracking of lysosomes in live cells and the potential application in super-resolution imaging. To best of our knowledge, there are still limited carbon dots-based fluorescent probes that have been studied for specific lysosomal imaging in live cells. The concept of surface functionality of carbon dots will also pave a new avenue for developing carbon dots-based fluorescent probes for subcellular labeling

Multivariate regression analysis of predictors for family functioning (n = 264).

*<p>Standardized regression coefficients derived from multivariate linear regression</p

Table_3_Metagenomic evidence for antibiotic-associated actinomycetes in the Karamay Gobi region.XLS

Due to the misuse of antibiotics, there is an increasing emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, leading to a human health crisis. To address clinical antibiotic resistance and prevent/control pathogenic microorganisms, the development of novel antibiotics is essential. This also offers a new approach to discovering valuable actinobacterial flora capable of producing natural bioactive products. In this study, we employed bioinformatics and macro-genome sequencing to collect 15 soil samples from three different locations in the Karamay Gobi region. First, we assessed the diversity of microorganisms in soil samples from different locations, analyzing the content of bacteria, archaea, actinomycetes, and fungi. The biodiversity of soil samples from outside the Gobi was found to be higher than that of soil samples from within and in the center of the Gobi. Second, through microbial interaction network analysis, we identified actinomycetes as the dominant group in the system. We have identified the top four antibiotic genes, such as Ecol_fabG_TRC, Efac_liaR_DAP, tetA (58), and macB, by CARD. These genes are associated with peptide antibiotics, disinfecting agents and antiseptics, tetracycline antibiotics, and macrolide antibiotics. In addition, we also obtained 40 other antibiotic-related genes through CARD alignment. Through in-depth analysis of desert soil samples, we identified several unstudied microbial species belonging to different families, including Erythrobacteriaceae, Solirubrobacterales, Thermoleophilaceae, Gaiellaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Actinomycetia, Egibacteraceae, and Acidimicrobiales. These species have the capability to produce peptide antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics, as well as disinfectants and preservatives. This study provides valuable theoretical support for future in-depth research.</p

Table_2_Metagenomic evidence for antibiotic-associated actinomycetes in the Karamay Gobi region.XLS

Due to the misuse of antibiotics, there is an increasing emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, leading to a human health crisis. To address clinical antibiotic resistance and prevent/control pathogenic microorganisms, the development of novel antibiotics is essential. This also offers a new approach to discovering valuable actinobacterial flora capable of producing natural bioactive products. In this study, we employed bioinformatics and macro-genome sequencing to collect 15 soil samples from three different locations in the Karamay Gobi region. First, we assessed the diversity of microorganisms in soil samples from different locations, analyzing the content of bacteria, archaea, actinomycetes, and fungi. The biodiversity of soil samples from outside the Gobi was found to be higher than that of soil samples from within and in the center of the Gobi. Second, through microbial interaction network analysis, we identified actinomycetes as the dominant group in the system. We have identified the top four antibiotic genes, such as Ecol_fabG_TRC, Efac_liaR_DAP, tetA (58), and macB, by CARD. These genes are associated with peptide antibiotics, disinfecting agents and antiseptics, tetracycline antibiotics, and macrolide antibiotics. In addition, we also obtained 40 other antibiotic-related genes through CARD alignment. Through in-depth analysis of desert soil samples, we identified several unstudied microbial species belonging to different families, including Erythrobacteriaceae, Solirubrobacterales, Thermoleophilaceae, Gaiellaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Actinomycetia, Egibacteraceae, and Acidimicrobiales. These species have the capability to produce peptide antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics, as well as disinfectants and preservatives. This study provides valuable theoretical support for future in-depth research.</p

Table_4_Metagenomic evidence for antibiotic-associated actinomycetes in the Karamay Gobi region.XLS

Due to the misuse of antibiotics, there is an increasing emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, leading to a human health crisis. To address clinical antibiotic resistance and prevent/control pathogenic microorganisms, the development of novel antibiotics is essential. This also offers a new approach to discovering valuable actinobacterial flora capable of producing natural bioactive products. In this study, we employed bioinformatics and macro-genome sequencing to collect 15 soil samples from three different locations in the Karamay Gobi region. First, we assessed the diversity of microorganisms in soil samples from different locations, analyzing the content of bacteria, archaea, actinomycetes, and fungi. The biodiversity of soil samples from outside the Gobi was found to be higher than that of soil samples from within and in the center of the Gobi. Second, through microbial interaction network analysis, we identified actinomycetes as the dominant group in the system. We have identified the top four antibiotic genes, such as Ecol_fabG_TRC, Efac_liaR_DAP, tetA (58), and macB, by CARD. These genes are associated with peptide antibiotics, disinfecting agents and antiseptics, tetracycline antibiotics, and macrolide antibiotics. In addition, we also obtained 40 other antibiotic-related genes through CARD alignment. Through in-depth analysis of desert soil samples, we identified several unstudied microbial species belonging to different families, including Erythrobacteriaceae, Solirubrobacterales, Thermoleophilaceae, Gaiellaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Actinomycetia, Egibacteraceae, and Acidimicrobiales. These species have the capability to produce peptide antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics, as well as disinfectants and preservatives. This study provides valuable theoretical support for future in-depth research.</p

Table_1_Metagenomic evidence for antibiotic-associated actinomycetes in the Karamay Gobi region.XLS

Due to the misuse of antibiotics, there is an increasing emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, leading to a human health crisis. To address clinical antibiotic resistance and prevent/control pathogenic microorganisms, the development of novel antibiotics is essential. This also offers a new approach to discovering valuable actinobacterial flora capable of producing natural bioactive products. In this study, we employed bioinformatics and macro-genome sequencing to collect 15 soil samples from three different locations in the Karamay Gobi region. First, we assessed the diversity of microorganisms in soil samples from different locations, analyzing the content of bacteria, archaea, actinomycetes, and fungi. The biodiversity of soil samples from outside the Gobi was found to be higher than that of soil samples from within and in the center of the Gobi. Second, through microbial interaction network analysis, we identified actinomycetes as the dominant group in the system. We have identified the top four antibiotic genes, such as Ecol_fabG_TRC, Efac_liaR_DAP, tetA (58), and macB, by CARD. These genes are associated with peptide antibiotics, disinfecting agents and antiseptics, tetracycline antibiotics, and macrolide antibiotics. In addition, we also obtained 40 other antibiotic-related genes through CARD alignment. Through in-depth analysis of desert soil samples, we identified several unstudied microbial species belonging to different families, including Erythrobacteriaceae, Solirubrobacterales, Thermoleophilaceae, Gaiellaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Actinomycetia, Egibacteraceae, and Acidimicrobiales. These species have the capability to produce peptide antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics, as well as disinfectants and preservatives. This study provides valuable theoretical support for future in-depth research.</p