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To specifically and sensitively identify bisphenol A (BPA) with a simple and rapid method is very important for food safety. Using an anti-BPA aptamer and Mo2C nanotubes, we developed a label-free and low-background signal biosensor for BPA detection. The anti-BPA aptamer drastically increased the fluorescence signal of N-methylmesoporphyrin IX under an assistance of Help-DNA. Additionally, BPA can interact with the anti-BPA aptamer and switch its conformation to prevent the formation of a G-quadruplex, resulting in fluorescence quenching. Simultaneously, Mo2C nanotubes can reduce the background signals due to the adsorption of Help-DNA on their surface. This method shows a linear range of 2–20 nM with a detection limit of 2 nM for detecting BPA. This label-free BPA aptasensor with low background signal is inexpensive, easy to use, and can be applied to determine BPA in real water samples.

Background Evidence has suggested a potential link exists between trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived metabolite produced by gut microbiota, and some cancers, but little is known for primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods A case-control study was designed including 671 newly diagnosed PLC patients and 671 control subjects frequency-matched by age (±5 years) and sex, in Guangdong province, China. High-performance liquid chromatography with online electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to measure serum TMAO and choline. The associations between these biomarkers and PLC risk were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results Serum TMAO concentrations were greater in the PLC group than the control group (P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that the sex- and age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 3.43 (2.42–4.86) when comparing the top and bottom quartiles (Q4 vs Q1). After further adjusting for more selected confounders, the OR (95% CI) remained significant but was attenuated to 2.85 (1.59–5.11) (Q4 vs Q1). The multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) across quartiles of choline were 0.35–0.15 (P -trend

Flower-like In2S3 porous films composed of connected ultra-thin curved nanoflakes were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by a solvothermal process. The structure and morphology of the In2S3 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The optical properties of the In2S3 films were characterized by UV–vis absorption. The obtained In2S3 films showed n-type semiconductive characteristics and exhibited high anodic photocurrent under visible light illumination. By properly monitoring the experimental conditions, we find that the amount of thiourea, volume ratio of diethylene glycol and deionized water, and reaction time affect the morphology and the photoelectrochemical properties of the In2S3 films. The photocurrent density was achieved from the In2S3 thin film prepared using 3 h, with a transient photocurrent of ca. 1.3 mA cm−2 at the bias potential of +0.2 V vs. RHE.

Ionic liquids have attracted much attention in the analysis of a variety of species. The functional groups in ionic liquids can result in highly efficient separation and enrichment and, because of their typical lack of volatility, they are environmentally benign. We grafted imidazole cations onto the surface of chloromethyl polystyrene, denoted PS-CH2-[MIM](+)Cl(-), and this modified polymer was used to selectively extract the protein hemoglobin (Hb). The prepared extractant PS-CH2-[MIM](+)Cl(-), containing 2 mmol immobilized imidazole groups per gram polymer, was characterized by FT-IR, surface charge analysis, and elemental analysis. The adsorption efficiency was 91%. The adsorption capacity of the PS-CH2-[MIM](+)Cl(-) for Hb was 23.6 μg mg(-1), and 80% of the retained Hb could be readily recovered by use of 0.5% (m/v) aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution as eluate. The activity of the eluted Hb was approximately 90%. The prepared imidazole-containing solid phase polymer was used for direct adsorption of Hb without use of any other solid matrix as support of the ionic liquid. The material was used in practice to isolate Hb from human whole blood.

To identify patients with highly elevated serum CA-125 levels and analyze their clinical characteristics.Patients with non-malignant gynecologic disease (NMGDs, n = 41), in whom serum CA-125 levels were over 1,000 IU/ml were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Seventy-one patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), in whom, serum CA-125 levels were over 1,000 IU/ml were included as the comparison group. Clinical parameters were compared between the two groups.In NMGDs group, 43.90% of the patients had endometriosis. The median of serum CA-125 level in NMGDs was much lower than that of EOC subjects (P0.001). Compared to EOC group, the patients in NMGDs group were much younger (P0.001) and had fewer histories of pelvic masses (P0.001) but had more clinical complaints such as acute abdominal symptoms (P0.001) and/or abnormal vaginal bleeding (P = 0.022). Clinical progresses of these two groups were correlated with changes of serum CA-125 levels by follow-up for up to 386 days.High levels of serum CA-125 were found not only in the EOC, but also in some NMGDs, especially in the reproductive patients with complaints of acute abdomen symptoms or abnormal vaginal bleeding.