Integrated Sandwich-Paper 3D Cell Sensing Device to <i>In Situ</i> Wirelessly Monitor H₂O₂ Released from Living Cells

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has attracted great interest because of its prominent advantages of rapidness, precision, portability, and real-time monitoring, thus becoming a powerful biomedical device in early clinical diagnosis and convenient medical treatments. However, its complicated manufacturing process and high expense severely impede mass production and broad applications. Herein, an innovative but inexpensive integrated sandwich-paper three-dimensional (3D) cell sensing device is fabricated to in situ wirelessly detect H2O2 released from living cells. The paper-based electrochemical sensing device was constructed by a sealed sandwiched bottom plastic film/fiber paper/top hole-centered plastic film that was printed with patterned electrodes. A new (Fe, Mn)3(PO4)2/N-doped carbon nanorod was developed and immobilized on the sensing carbon electrode while cell culture solution filled the exposed fiber paper, allowing living cells to grow on the fiber paper surrounding the electrode. Due to the significantly shortening diffusion distance to access the sensing sites by such a unique device and a rationally tuned ratio of Fe2+/Mn2+, the device exhibits a fast response time (0.2 s), a low detection limit (0.4 μM), and a wide detection range (2–3200 μM). This work offers great promise for a low-cost and highly sensitive POCT device for practical clinic diagnosis and broad POCT biomedical applications

Transition-Metal-Free Trifluoromethylation of Aldehyde Derivatives with Sodium Trifluoromethanesulfinate

A metal-free and cost-effective synthetic protocol for the trifluoromethylation of <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-disubstituted hydrazones with Langlois’s reagent (CF₃SO₂Na) to afford the corresponding functionalized trifluoromethyl ketone hydrazones has been established. It is proposed that a radical/SET mechanism proceeding via a trifluoroalkyl radical may be involved in the reaction. Applications of the methodology in industry will be found and the development of new methods for trifluoromethylation with Langlois’s reagent will be continued in our laboratory

Grey correlation degree between spring wheat yield and key climatic factors from sowing to maturity in Inner Mongolia.

<p>(1) X1 is the average daily temperature; (2) X2 is the average daily maximum temperature; (3) X3 is the average daily minimum temperature; (4) X4 is the average wind speed; (5) X5 is the average daily sunshine from sowing to maturity; (6) X6 is the total rainfall; (7) X7 is the average relative humidity; (8) X8 is the average daily soil surface temperature; (9) X9 is the total radiation; and (10) X10 is the total reference evapotranspiration.</p

Average spatial distribution of spring wheat yield from 1981 to 2014 in Inner Mongolia (Kg·ha^-1).

<p>Average spatial distribution of spring wheat yield from 1981 to 2014 in Inner Mongolia (Kg·ha^-1).</p

Combined effects of key climatic factors on the maturity and yield in the different regions of Inner Mongolia.

<p>Combined effects of key climatic factors on the maturity and yield in the different regions of Inner Mongolia.</p

Chelation of the Optimal Antifungal Pogostone Analogue with Copper(II) to Explore the Dual Antifungal and Antibacterial Agent

In an ongoing effort to explore more potent antifungal pogostone (Po) analogues, we maintained the previously identified 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-pyrone core motif while synthesizing a series of Po analogues with variations in the alkyl side chain. The in vitro bioassay results revealed that compound 21 was the most potent antifungal analogue with an EC50 value of 1.1 μg/mL against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. Meanwhile, its Cu(II) complex 34 manifested significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 300 μg/mL compared with 21 (MIC = 700 μg/mL). Complex 34 exhibited a striking preventive effect against S. sclerotiorum and Xcc in rape leaves, with control efficacies of 98.8% (50 μg/mL) and 80.7% (1000 μg/mL), respectively. The 3D-QSAR models generated using Topomer comparative molecular field analysis indicated that a shorter alkyl chain (carbon atom number <8), terminal rings, or electron-deficient groups on the alkyl side chain are beneficial for antifungal potency. Further, bioassay results revealed that the component of 21 in complex 34 dominated the antifungal activity, but the introduction of Cu(II) significantly enhanced its antibacterial activity. The toxicological observations demonstrated that 21 could induce abnormal mitochondrial morphology, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in S. sclerotiorum. The enzyme assay results showed that 21 is a moderate promiscuous inhibitor of mitochondrial complexes II and III. Besides, the introduction of Cu(II) to 34 could promote the disruption of the cell membrane and intracellular proteins and the ROS level in Xcc compared with 21. In summary, these results highlight the potential of 34 as a dual antifungal and antibacterial biocide for controlling rape diseases or as a promising candidate for further optimization

Climate change during the growth season of spring wheat from 1981 to 2014 in Inner Mongolia.

<p>Climate change during the growth season of spring wheat from 1981 to 2014 in Inner Mongolia.</p

Validation results between the simulated and observed emergence DOY, maturity DOY and yields of spring wheat in Inner Mongolia.

<p>Validation results between the simulated and observed emergence DOY, maturity DOY and yields of spring wheat in Inner Mongolia.</p

Study area location of Inner Mongolia.

<p>Study area location of Inner Mongolia.</p

Chelation of the Optimal Antifungal Pogostone Analogue with Copper(II) to Explore the Dual Antifungal and Antibacterial Agent

In an ongoing effort to explore more potent antifungal pogostone (Po) analogues, we maintained the previously identified 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-pyrone core motif while synthesizing a series of Po analogues with variations in the alkyl side chain. The in vitro bioassay results revealed that compound 21 was the most potent antifungal analogue with an EC50 value of 1.1 μg/mL against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. Meanwhile, its Cu(II) complex 34 manifested significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 300 μg/mL compared with 21 (MIC = 700 μg/mL). Complex 34 exhibited a striking preventive effect against S. sclerotiorum and Xcc in rape leaves, with control efficacies of 98.8% (50 μg/mL) and 80.7% (1000 μg/mL), respectively. The 3D-QSAR models generated using Topomer comparative molecular field analysis indicated that a shorter alkyl chain (carbon atom number <8), terminal rings, or electron-deficient groups on the alkyl side chain are beneficial for antifungal potency. Further, bioassay results revealed that the component of 21 in complex 34 dominated the antifungal activity, but the introduction of Cu(II) significantly enhanced its antibacterial activity. The toxicological observations demonstrated that 21 could induce abnormal mitochondrial morphology, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in S. sclerotiorum. The enzyme assay results showed that 21 is a moderate promiscuous inhibitor of mitochondrial complexes II and III. Besides, the introduction of Cu(II) to 34 could promote the disruption of the cell membrane and intracellular proteins and the ROS level in Xcc compared with 21. In summary, these results highlight the potential of 34 as a dual antifungal and antibacterial biocide for controlling rape diseases or as a promising candidate for further optimization