Programmable mismatch-fueled high-efficiency DNA signal amplifier

Herein, by introducing mismatches, a high-efficiency mismatch-fueled catalytic multiple-arm DNA junction assembly (M-CMDJA) with high-reactivity and a high-threshold is developed as a programmable DNA signal amplifier for rapid detection and ultrasensitive intracellular imaging of miRNA. Compared with traditional nucleic acid signal amplification (NASA) with a perfect complement, the M-CMDJA possesses larger kinetic and thermodynamic favorability owing to the more negative reaction standard free energy (ΔG) as driving force, resulting in much higher efficiency and rates. Once traces of the input initiator react with the mismatched substrate DNA, it could be converted into amounts of output multiple-arm DNA junctions via the M-CMDJA as the functional DNA conversion nanodevice. Impressively, the mismatch-fueled catalytic four-arm DNA junction assembly (M-CFDJA) exhibits high conversion efficiency up to 1.05 × 10⁸ in 30 min, which is almost ten times more than those of conventional methods. Therefore, the M-CMDJA could easily address the challenges of traditional methods: slow rates and low efficiency. In application, the M-CFDJA as a DNA signal amplifier was successfully used to develop a biosensing platform for rapid miRNA detection with a LOD of 6.11 aM and the ultrasensitive intracellular imaging of miRNA, providing a basis for the next-generation of versatile DNA signal amplification methods for ultimate applications in DNA nanobiotechnology, biosensing assay, and clinical diagnoses.

We proposed an ingenious mismatch-enhanced catalytic multiple-arm DNA junction assembly (M-CMDJA) which possesses more negative reaction standard free energy (ΔG) as the driving force, resulting in quite high conversion efficiency and much faster reaction speed.     

Gaussian-Based Adaptive Fish Migration Optimization Applied to Optimization Localization Error of Mobile Sensor Networks

Location information is the primary feature of wireless sensor networks, and it is more critical for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks (MWSN) to monitor specific targets. How to improve the localization accuracy is a challenging problem for researchers. In this paper, the Gaussian probability distribution model is applied to randomize the individual during the migration of the Adaptive Fish Migration Optimization (AFMO) algorithm. The performance of the novel algorithm is verified by the CEC 2013 test suit, and the result is compared with other famous heuristic algorithms. Compared to other well-known heuristics, the new algorithm achieves the best results in almost 21 of all 28 test functions. In addition, the novel algorithm significantly reduces the localization error of MWSN, the simulation results show that the accuracy of the new algorithm is more than 5% higher than that of other heuristic algorithms in terms of mobile sensor node positioning, and more than 100% higher than that without the heuristic algorithm.     

Insights into the Allosteric Effect of SENP1 Q597A Mutation on the Hydrolytic Reaction of SUMO1 via an Integrated Computational Study

Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-specific protease 1 (SENP1) is a cysteine protease that catalyzes the cleavage of the C-terminus of SUMO1 for the processing of SUMO precursors and deSUMOylation of target proteins. SENP1 is considered to be a promising target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and prostate cancer. SENP1 Gln597 is located at the unstructured loop connecting the helices α4 to α5. The Q597A mutation of SENP1 allosterically disrupts the hydrolytic reaction of SUMO1 through an unknown mechanism. Here, extensive multiple replicates of microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, coupled with principal component analysis, dynamic cross-correlation analysis, community network analysis, and binding free energy calculations, were performed to elucidate the detailed mechanism. Our MD simulations showed that the Q597A mutation induced marked dynamic conformational changes in SENP1, especially in the unstructured loop connecting the helices α4 to α5 which the mutation site occupies. Moreover, the Q597A mutation caused conformational changes to catalytic Cys603 and His533 at the active site, which might impair the catalytic activity of SENP1 in processing SUMO1. Moreover, binding free energy calculations revealed that the Q597A mutation had a minor effect on the binding affinity of SUMO1 to SENP1. Together, these results may broaden our understanding of the allosteric modulation of the SENP1−SUMO1 complex.     

最小二乘法在铜电阻测量实验数据处理中的应用

文介绍了最小二乘法的原理,给出了用最小二乘法对铜电阻测量数据处理的实例。     

声光调制实验的一种CCD成像改进方法

提出了声光调制实验的一种CCD成像改进的实验方法,即声光调制的入射光和衍射光成像于CCD上,对光斑图像进行编程处理,计算机给出光斑的位置。给出了实验步骤、图像处理算法和实验结果。     

Luminescence interference-free lifetime nanothermometry pinpoints in vivo temperature

Luminescence nanothermometry makes non-invasive and real-time temperature readings possible in living animals. However,the spectral fluctuation in tissues and fluids, as well as the interaction between fluorophores and environment hinders accuracy of the thermometry. Here, we report a luminescence lifetime-based nanothermometry which specifically addresses this problem. A temporal based calibration(lifetime sensing) in the NIR range, an endogenous thermal response as well as a polymer encapsulation evading environmental factors, altogether help to pinpoint temperature in vivo. Thanks to the highly condensed NdYb ions in a well-protected tiny core-shell nanocrystal(overall 11 nm), a temperature sensitivity about 2.07% K~(-1)(with 5% Yb~(3+) doped nanoparticles) and an accuracy of 0.27 K(with 25% Yb~(3+) doped nanoparticles) in biological fluids are achieved.Hopefully, combining thermally activated energy transfer nanothermometer with anti-interference lifetime thermometry would provide a more accurate temperature measurement for biological and preclinical studies.     

Nano-Structured Ridged Micro-Filaments (≥100 µm Diameter) Produced Using a Single Step Strategy for Improved Bone Cell Adhesion and Proliferation in Textile Scaffolds

Textile scaffolds that are either 2D or 3D with tunable shapes and pore sizes can be made through textile processing (weaving, knitting, braiding, nonwovens) using microfilaments. However, these filaments lack nano-topographical features to improve bone cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the diameter of such filaments should be higher than that used for classical textiles (10–30 µm) to enable adhesion and the efficient spreading of the osteoblast cell (>30 µm diameter). We report, for the first time, the fabrication of biodegradable nanostructured cylindrical PLLA (poly-L-Lactic acid) microfilaments of diameters 100 µm and 230 µm, using a single step melt-spinning process for straightforward integration of nano-scale ridge-like structures oriented in the fiber length direction. Appropriate drawing speed and temperature used during the filament spinning allowed for the creation of instabilities giving rise to nanofibrillar ridges, as observed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). These micro-filaments were hydrophobic, and had reduced crystallinity and mechanical strength, but could still be processed into 2D/3D textile scaffolds of various shapes. Biological tests carried out on the woven scaffolds made from these nano-structured micro filaments showed excellent human bone cell MG 63 adhesion and proliferation, better than on smooth 30 µm- diameter fibers. Elongated filopodia of the osteoblast, intimately anchored to the nano-structured filaments, was observed. The filaments also induced in vitro osteogenic expression, as shown by the expression of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein after 21 days of culture. This work deals with the fabrication of a new generation of nano-structured micro-filament for use as scaffolds of different shapes suited for bone cell engineering.     

Si-rhodamine based water-soluble fluorescent probe for bioimaging of Cu+

A Si-substituted rhodamine based water-soluble fluorescent probe bearing a tetrathia-azacrown was designed for fluorescence imaging of Cu⁺ with substantial affinity and selectivity.In physiological condition,the developed probe with outstanding water-solubility exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity to Cu⁺,ensuring the reliable fluorescence imaging in vivo.     

Competitive Coordination of Chloride and Fluoride Anions Towards Trivalent Lanthanide Cations (La3+ and Nd3+) in Molten Salts

Molten salt electrolysis is a vital technique to produce high-purity lanthanide metals and alloys. However, the coordination environments of lanthanides in molten salts, which heavily affect the related redox potential and electrochemical properties, have not been well elucidated. Here, the competitive coordination of chloride and fluoride anions towards lanthanide cations (La³⁺ and Nd³⁺) is explored in molten LiCl-KCl-LiF-LnCl₃ salts using electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational approaches. Electrochemical analyses show that significant negative shifts in the reduction potential of Ln³⁺ occur when F⁻ concentration increases, indicating that the F⁻ anions interact with Ln³⁺ via substituting the coordinated Cl⁻ anions, and confirm [LnCl_xF_y]^3−x−y (y_max=3) complexes are prevailing in molten salts. Spectroscopic and computational results on solution structures further reveal the competition between Cl⁻ and F⁻ anions, which leads to the formation of four distinct Ln(III) species: [LnCl₆]³⁻, [LnCl₅F]³⁻, [LnCl₄F₂]³⁻ and [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻. Among them, the seven-coordinated [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻ complex possesses a low-symmetry structure evidenced by the pattern change of Raman spectra. After comparing the polarizing power (Z/r) among different metal cations, it was concluded that Ln−F interaction is weaker than that between transition metal and F⁻ ions.     

Synthesis and Biological Activities of Diosgenin-Triazole Conjugates with a 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A novel series of diosgenin-triazole conjugates (10a–d, 11a–c, 12a–c, 13a–c) was designed and synthesized as antifungal agents by using a...