A microfluidic ExoSearch chip for multiplexed exosome detection towards blood-based ovarian cancer diagnosis

Citation: Zhao, Z., Yang, Y., Zeng, Y., & He, M. (2016). A microfluidic ExoSearch chip for multiplexed exosome detection towards blood-based ovarian cancer diagnosis. Lab on a Chip, 16(3), 489-496. doi:10.1039/c5lc01117eTumor-derived circulating exosomes, enriched with a group of tumor antigens, have been recognized as a promising biomarker source for cancer diagnosis via a less invasive procedure. Quantitatively pinpointing exosome tumor markers is appealing, yet challenging. In this study, we developed a simple microfluidic approach (ExoSearch) which provides enriched preparation of blood plasma exosomes for in situ, multiplexed detection using immunomagnetic beads. The ExoSearch chip offers a robust, continuous-flow design for quantitative isolation and release of blood plasma exosomes in a wide range of preparation volumes (10 mu L to 10 mL). We employed the ExoSearch chip for blood-based diagnosis of ovarian cancer by multiplexed measurement of three exosomal tumor markers (CA-125, EpCAM, CD24) using a training set of ovarian cancer patient plasma, which showed significant diagnostic power (a. u. c. = 1.0, p = 0.001) and was comparable with the standard Bradford assay. This work provides an essentially needed platform for utilization of exosomes in clinical cancer diagnosis, as well as fundamental exosome research

Elective caesarean section versus vaginal delivery for preventing mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus – a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caesarean section before labor or before ruptured membranes ("elective caesarean section", or ECS) has been introduced as an intervention for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Currently, no evidence that ECS versus vaginal delivery reduces the rate of MTCT of HBV has been generally provided. The aim of this review is to assess, from randomized control trails (RCTs), the efficacy and safety of ECS versus vaginal delivery in preventing mother-to-child HBV transmission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January, 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (the Cochrane Library 2008, issue 1), PubMed (1950 to 2008), EMBASE (1974 to 2008), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) (1975 to 2008), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1979 to 2008), VIP database (1989 to 2008), as well as reference lists of relevant studies. Finally, four randomized trails involving 789 people were included. Based on meta-analysis, There was strong evidence that ECS versus vaginal delivery could effectively reduce the rate of MTCT of HBV (ECS: 10.5%; vaginal delivery: 28.0%). The difference between the two groups (ECS <it>versus </it>vaginal delivery) had statistical significance (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.60, P < 0.000001). No data regarding maternal morbidity or infant morbidity according to mode of delivery were available.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ECS appears to be effective in preventing MTCT of HBV and no postpartum morbidity (PPM) was reported. However, the conclusions of this review must be considered with great caution due to high risk of bias in each included study (graded C).</p

Rapid Regeneration Offsets Losses from Warming-Induced Tree Mortality in an Aspen-Dominated Broad-Leaved Forest in Northern China

Worldwide tree mortality as induced by climate change presents a challenge to forest managers. To successfully manage vulnerable forests requires the capacity of regeneration to compensate for losses from tree mortality. We observed rapid regeneration and the growth release of young trees after warming-induced mortality in a David aspen-dominated (Populus davidiana) broad-leaved forest in Inner Mongolia, China, as based on individual tree measurements taken in 2012 and 2015 from a 6-ha permanent plot. Warming and drought stress killed large trees 10–15 m tall with a total number of 2881 trees during 2011–2012, and also thinned the upper crowns. David aspen recruitment increased 2 times during 2012–2015 and resulted in a high transition probability of David aspen replacing the same or other species, whereas the recruitment of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) was much lower: it decreased from 2012 to 2015, indicating that rapid regeneration represented a regrowth phase for David aspen, and not succession to Mongolian oak. Further, we found that the recruitment density increased with canopy openness, thus implying that warming-induced mortality enhanced regeneration. Our results suggest that David aspen has a high regrowth ability to offset individual losses from warming-induced mortality. This important insight has implications for managing this vulnerable forest in the semi-arid region of northern China

3-Benzyl-6-butyl-5-propyl-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-one

In the title compound, C18H23N5O2, the triazolopyrimidine ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum displacement of 0.032 (2) Å, and forms a dihedral angle of 87.59 (15)° with the phenyl ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π inter­actions into chains parallel to the c axis

Biodegradation behavior of micro-arc oxidation coating on magnesium alloy-from a protein perspective

Protein exerts a critical influence on the degradation behavior of absorbable magnesium (Mg)-based implants. However, the interaction mechanism between protein and a micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on Mg alloys remains unclear. Hereby, a MAO coating was fabricated on AZ31 Mg alloy. And its degradation behavior in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated and compared with that of the uncoated alloy. Surface morphologies and chemical compositions were studied using Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The degradation behavior of the bare Mg alloy and its MAO coating was studied through electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Cytotoxicity assay was applied to evaluate the biocompatibility of Mg alloy substrate and MAO coating. Results indicated that the presence of BSA decreased the degradation rate of Mg alloy substrate because BSA (RCH(NH2)COO‾) molecules combined with Mg2+ ions to form (RCH(NH2)COO)2Mg and thus inhibited the dissolution of Mg(OH)2 by impeding the attack of Cl‾ ions. In the case of MAO coated Mg alloy, the adsorption of BSA on MAO coating and the formation of (RCH(NH2)COO)2Mg exhibited a synergistic effect and enhanced the corrosion resistance of the coated alloy significantly. Furthermore, cell bioactive assay suggested that the MAO coating had good viability for MG63 cells due to its high surface area

Ethyl 1-benzyl-5-{[(isopropyl­amino)(3-nitro­phen­oxy)methyl­idene]amino}-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C22H24N6O5, the triazole ring is essentially planar with a maximum deviation of 0.005 (2) Å and forms dihedral angles of 79.78 (11) and 86.22 (11)° with the phenyl and benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯N, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions into a three-dimensional network

Poly[hexa­aqua­tri-μ-malonato-didysprosium(III)]

The title compound, [Dy2(C3H2O4)3(H2O)6]n, forms a coordination polymeric structure comprising hydrated dysprosium ions and malonate ligands. In the asymmetric unit, there are one dysprosium ion, one and a half malonate ligands, and three water mol­ecules. Each DyIII atom is coordinated by six O atoms from four malonate ligands and by three water mol­ecules, and displays a tricapped trigonal–prismatic coordination geometry. The malonate ligands adopt two types of coordination mode, linking dysprosium centres to form a three-dimensional coordination polymer. The extensive network of hydrogen bonds in this polymer enhances the structural stability

Coronavirus disease 2019: Repeated immersion of chlorine-containing disinfectants has adverse effects on goggles

IntroductionDuring COVID-19, some front-line personnel experienced varying degrees of eye discomfort due to the use of goggles repeatedly disinfected with chlorine-containing disinfectant.MethodsThe eye damage information of 276 front-line personnel who used goggles in a hospital from October 1, 2021, to December 1, 2021, was collected by filling out a questionnaire. To study the effect of chlorinated disinfectants on goggles, we immersed the goggles in the same volume of water and chlorinated disinfectant buckets. We tested the light transmittance, color and texture, and airtightness of the goggles at different times (1, 3, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216, 240, and 268 h). In addition, we detected where chlorinated disinfectant remained in the goggles by using disinfectant concentration test paper.Results60 (21.82%) people experienced dry eyes, stinging pain, photophobia and tearing, conjunctival congestion, eyelid redness, and swelling. After treatment or rest, the patient's ocular symptoms were significantly relieved within 3 days. With the extension of disinfection time, the light transmission of the lenses gradually decreased, and the light transmission reduced when immersion occurred at 216 h. After 72 h of disinfection, the color of the goggle frame began to change to light yellow, the texture gradually became hard and brittle, and the color became significantly darker at 268 h of disinfection. The airtightness of the goggles began to decrease after 168 h of disinfection, the airtightness decreased substantially at 268 h, and the shape changed significantly. In addition, the concentration test paper results show that the disinfection solution mainly resides in the goggle frame seam and goggles' elastic bands' bundle.ConclusionsRepeated chlorine disinfectant disinfection will reduce the effectiveness of goggles protection and damage front-line personnel's eye health

Characteristics, causes, and prevention measures of coal mine water hazard accidents in China

As one of the top “five major hazards” in coal mines, water hazards have become the second leading cause of danger for coal mine safety and worker lives, next only to gas accidents. Between 2000 and 2022, a total of 1206 water hazard accidents occurred in coal mines in China, resulting in 5018 deaths, among which 103 larger-scale events resulted in 2039 deaths. In order to identify accident patterns, summarize lessons learned, and promote prevention of water hazard accidents, various aspects were analyzed statistically, including geographical regions, years, seasons, hydrogeological types, water sources, and ownership of coal mines. Analyses revealed that the complexity of hydrogeological conditions highly correlated with the frequency of water-related accidents. Southern China recorded the highest number of incidents and casualties, and the peak incidence periods throughout the year mainly concentrated in March to May and July to August. Goaf water was identified as the primary source of water filling, which presented strong concealment and harm, mainly occurring in township-owned coal mines with weaker technical exploration and management capabilities. As for the causes of accidents, complex mining environments and insufficient attention subjectively, i.e., improper management and illegal mining, were the main reasons for accidents. Hidden water-bearing structures such as point-like collapse columns and linear fault structures, as well as goaf water that were not explored and placed in accordance with regulations, were identified as the main technical causes of accidents. By analyzing bibliometrics, it was found that current research themes focusing on coal mine water disasters align well with the principles of “predicting and forecasting, exploring if in doubt, exploring before mining, treating before mining”. To address the problems of “unclear risk assessment, inaccurate risk identification, and incapability to cope with accidents” in coal mine water disasters, corresponding countermeasures were proposed in three aspects: surveying filling factors and hidden geological factors causing disasters, analyzing three-dimensional hydrogeological conditions of filling water, and implementing an accurate classification source prevention. In response to the trend of informationization and intelligent development of water disaster prevention and control, technical measures such as transparent mines, water disaster monitoring and early warning, and emergency rescue were proposed

Advances in bioorganic molecules inspired degradation and surface modifications on Mg and its alloys

Mg alloys possess biodegradability, suitable mechanical properties, and biocompatibility, which make them possible to be used as biodegradable implants. However, the uncontrollable degradation of Mg alloys limits their general applications. In addition to the factors from the metallic materials themselves, like alloy compositions, heat treatment process and microstructure, some external factors, relating to the test/service environment, also affect the degradation rate of Mg alloys, such as inorganic salts, bioorganic small molecules, bioorganic macromolecules. The influence of bioorganic molecules on Mg corrosion and its protection has attracted more and more attentions. In this work, the cutting-edge advances in the influence of bioorganic molecules (i.e., protein, glucose, amino acids, vitamins and polypeptide) and their coupling effect on Mg degradation and the formation of protection coatings were reviewed. The research orientations of biomedical Mg alloys in exploring degradation mechanisms in vitro were proposed, and the impact of bioorganic molecules on the protective approaches were also explored