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The emission of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) could cause environmental pollution, low-grade products and human health risks. Accordingly, it is of great significance to establish some sensitive and convenient analytical methods for their identification and determination. With the advantages of fast response, high sensitivity and simple instrument, chemiluminescence (CL) and cataluminescence (CTL) are promising for the detection of VSCs. So far, CL analysis of VSCs has been widely applied in various fields based on auxiliary CL methods and sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD), while CTL detection is prosperous in the construction of gas sensors, including the exploration of sensing materials and detection modes. Herein, this mini review briefly summarized the progresses, difficulties and future developments of CL analysis and CTL sensor in the detection of VSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oldenlandia diffusa is an important Chinese traditional medicine with various biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibacterial, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. During our course of finding novel compounds from O. diffusa, two new alternariol derivatives named 9-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-alternariol (1), 9-O-(trans-caffeoyl)-alternariol (2), together with six known compounds (3-8) were isolated. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical analysis. All isolates were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities on MCF-7, HepG2, A549 and A2780 cancer cells. As a result, new compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities on A2780 cancer cells with IC50 values of 3.1 and 9.4 μM, respectively. And a conclusion was deduced that the p-coumaroyl or caffeoyl moiety could greatly increased the cytotoxic activity of alternariol on cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in multiplex bioassay around the theme of precision diagnostics have gained great focus. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is emerging as a powerful platform for multiplex bioassay due to its high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, particularly its reliable multiplex sensing ability. This review discusses the progress being made in the multiplex bioassay applicating ICPMS, mainly emphasizes on varieties of biomarkers and methodological innovations. Also, we summarized limitations and proposed prospects to shed new light on the emergence of more powerful and application-oriented analytical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3,4-ethylenedioxyethiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H2L1) and 4-chloropyridine-2, 6-dicarboxylic acid (H2L2) were used as the main ligands and 4,4' -bipyridine (L3) as the auxiliary ligand and the complexes {[Ni(L1)2(L3)(H2O)]·[(DMF)2(H2O)]}n(I), {[Cu(L2)(L3)H2O]·H2O}(II) were synthesized by solvent thermal reaction. The structure and properties of the complexes were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (IR), fluorescence spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that complex I is a three-dimensional network structure. Complex II is formed with Cu(II) ions as the metal nodes and ligands as connecters, and a one-dimensional chain structure is further formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic localization of gastrointestinal tumors has long been an important objective. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of a magnetic tracer technique during laparoscopic-assisted surgery. Fifty-seven patients with gastrointestinal tumors, who voluntarily underwent endoscopic marking between May 2019 and May 2020, were enrolled. A magnetic ring was clamped onto tissues adjacent to the lesion and released during preoperative endoscopy. Then, another magnet ring or laparoscopic instrument was delivered to the wall of the digestive tract contralateral to the lesion and attracted, thus achieving accurate intraoperative localization. Observational evaluation included data regarding preoperative marking, intraoperative localization, operation, and safety. Fifty-six of the 57 (98.2%) patients with gastric tumors (n = 35), duodenal tumors (n = 1), and colorectal tumors (n = 20), successfully underwent marking, localization, and resection. The mean margins of proximal and distal resection of colorectal tumors were 106 and 78 mm, respectively. The mean (± SD) duration of endoscopic marking and laparoscopic localization for gastric/duodenal and colorectal tumors were 5.3 ± 0.3, 1.0 ± 0.1, 5.5 ± 0.4, and 1.0 ± 0.1 min, respectively. No complications occurred in 56 of the 57 patients. The magnetic tracer technique demonstrated promising potential as a localization method for gastrointestinal tumors, with superior safety, effectiveness, rapidity, and convenience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ratiometric luminescent sensors have been of considerable interest to the chemo/biosensor with the ability of providing a precisely quantitative and qualitative analysis. The main strategies for generating dual emissions from single-fluorophore and double-fluorophore are summarized and categorized in detail. Typically, dual emission can be obtained either with fluorescence resonance energy transfer or intramolecular charge transfer. The discovery of aggregation induced emission offers new opportunities for ratiometric sensing. Ratiometric phosphorescence and chemiluminescence analysis are also promising for sensing. The recent progress for applications of ratiometric luminescent method is addressed and summarized here, which shows that ratiometric luminescent method can be used not only to selectively quantify one substance, but also to qualitatively recognize different substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a crucial target for lung cancer immunotherapy. In lung cancer patients with high PD-L1 expression, blocking or reducing its expression can inhibit tumor growth. PD-L1 is regulated by signaling pathways, transcription factors and epigenetic factors, such as the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, P53 protein and EMT. In our previous study, succinate dehydrogenase 5 (SDH5) was reported to regulate ZEB1 expression, induce EMT and lead to lung cancer metastasis via the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. It is possible that SDH5 is involved in the mechanisms of PD-L1 regulation.In the present study, we observed a negative correlation between the expression of PD-L1 and SDH5 in vivo and in vitro. The examination of patient tissues also confirmed our results. Furthermore, we also found that SDH5 could reverse PD-L1 expression by the GSK3β/β-catenin/ZEB1 pathways. All these results reveal that SDH5 regulates PD-L1 expression and suggest that SDH5 can be used as a marker to predict tumor immune micro-states and provide guidance for clinical immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the identification of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) as a molecule involved in the activated autophagy machinery during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocarcinogenesis, the consequences of ATG5 mutation carriage for patients with chronic HBV infection remain unclear. This study examined the association of ATG5 polymorphisms with HBV-related diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and Methods: Two functionally relevant polymorphisms ATG5 rs573775 and rs510432 were genotyped by ligase detection reaction-polymerase chain reaction in 403 patients with chronic HBV infection (171 chronic hepatitis, 119 cirrhosis and 113 HCC) and 196 healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate factors associated with HCC. Results: The rs573775 genotype and allele frequencies had no significant differences between patients with different clinical diseases. However, HCC patients had significantly higher frequency of rs510432 genotype AA (odds ratio [OR] 2.185, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.042–4.581, P = 0.037, P value by Bonferroni correction [Pc] = 0.074) and allele A (OR 1.435, 95% CI 1.023–2.013, Pc = 0.036) than chronic hepatitis patients. In multivariate analyses, rs510432 allele A-containing genotypes (AA+GA) were independently associated with cirrhosis in comparison to chronic hepatitis (OR 1.927, 95%CI 1.011–3.017, P = 0.032). The rs510432 genotypes AA+GA were also independently associated with HCC in comparison to chronic hepatitis (OR 2.583, 95% CI 1.025–3.911, P = 0.006) or chronic HBV infection without HCC (OR 2.632, 95% CI 1.067–3.482, P = 0.032). Conclusion: These results indicate that rs510432 genotypes AA+GA are associated with disease progression and HCC risk in chronic HBV infection, providing novel evidence for a role of ATG5 in the pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC. Abbreviations: HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCC hepatocellular carcinoma; TNFSF10: tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 10; ATG5: autophagy-related protein 5; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; LDR-PCR: ligase detection reactions-polymerase chain reaction; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; BD: Behçet's disease; IL-10: interlukin-10; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; CWP: coal workers' pneumoconiosis; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataluminescence (CTL), one kind of the chemiluminescence, generates on the surface of solid catalyst during a heterogeneous catalytic oxidation reaction with the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response, simple instrument and longtime stability. This review provides the advances in CTL, mainly discussed the developments of sensing materials, detection technologies and application of CTL in recent 3 years. Also, we proposed various prospects and expectations of CTL-based sensor system at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black phosphorus (BP), one of new ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) materials, has drawn considerable attention in various applications such as in gas sensing, photoelectric devices, cancer therapy, drug deliver and so on. Owing to its unique structure, excellent optical and electronic properties and good biocompatibility, BP in the field of optical sensors is a rising star and has been intensively investigated in the recent years. In this mini-review, we aim to describe recent development of BP-based optical sensors including colorimetric, fluorescent, electrogenerated chemiluminescent and chemiluminescent sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice model was used to establish the fatty liver superimposed model by feeding the methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks, with or without the gavage of 2 mg/kg zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) three times per week. Both wild-type and HBV transgenic mice, with MCD diet, gained typical non-obese non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and HBV symptoms. Coadministration with ZD exhibited evident therapeutic effects through alleviating those pathological events. Moreover, long-term vehicle-ZD treatment was found to be safe. Thus, ZD is a promising and safe hepato-protective agent against hepatic injury induced by superimposed HBV and NASH in non-obese mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:The concept of magnetic compression technique (MCT) has been accepted by surgeons to solve a variety of surgical problems. In this study, we attempted to explore the feasibility of a splenorenal shunt using MCT in canine and cadaver. Material and methods:The diameters of the splenic vein (SV), the left renal vein (LRV), and the vertical interval between them, were measured in computer tomography (CT) images obtained from 30 patients with portal hypertension and in 20 adult cadavers. The magnetic devices used for the splenorenal shunt were then manufactured based on the anatomic parameters measured above. The observation of the anatomical structure showed there were no special structural tissues or any important organs between SV and LRV. Then the magnetic compression splenorenal shunt procedure was performed in three dogs and five cadavers. Seven days later, the necrotic tissue between the two magnets was shed and the magnets were removed with the anchor wire. Results:The feasibility of splenorenal shunt via MCT was successfully shown in both canine and cadaver, thus providing a theoretical support for future clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Aims: Decellularized liver matrix (DLM) hold great potential for reconstructing functional hepatic-like tissue (HLT) based on reseeding of hepatocytes or stem cells, but the shortage of liver donors is still an obstacle for potential application. Therefore, an appropriate alternative scaffold is needed to expand the donor pool. In this study, we explored the effectiveness of decellularized spleen matrix (DSM) for culturing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and promoting differentiation into hepatic-like cells. Methods: Rats' spleen were harvested for DSM preparation by freezing/thawing and perfusion procedure. Then the mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat bone marrow were reseeded into DSM for dynamic culture and hepatic differentiation by a defined induction protocol. Results: The research found that DSM preserved a 3-dimensional porous architecture, with native extracellular matrix and vascular network which was similar to DLM. The reseeded BMSCs in DSM differentiated into functional hepatocyte-like cells, evidenced by cytomorphology change, expression of hepatic-associated genes and protein markers, glycogen storage, and indocyanine green uptake. The albumin production (2.74±0.42vs. 2.07±0.28 pg/cell/day) and urea concentration (75.92±15.64vs. 52.07±11.46 pg/cell/day) in DSM group were remarkably higher than tissue culture flasks (TCF) group over the same differentiation period,P< 0.05. Conclusion: This present study demonstrated that DSM might have considerable potential in fabricating hepatic-like tissue, particularly because it can facilitate hepatic differentiation of BMSCs which exhibited higher level and more stable functions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Aims:Using decellularized scaffold to reengineer liver tissue is a promising alternative therapy for end-stage liver diseases. Though the decellularized human liver matrix is the ideal scaffold for reconstruction of the liver theoretically, the shortage of liver donors is still an obstacle for potential clinical application. Therefore, an appropriate alternative scaffold is needed. In the present study, we used a tissue engineering approach to prepare a rat decellularized spleen matrix (DSM) and evaluate the effectiveness of this DSM for primary rat hepatocytes culture.Methods:Rat decellularized spleen matrix (DSM) was prepared by perfusion of a series of detergents through spleen vasculature. DSM was characterized by residual DNA and specific extracellular matrix distribution. Thereafter, primary rat hepatocytes were cultured in the DSM in a 3-dimensional dynamic culture system, and liver cell survival and biological functions were evaluated by comparison with 3-dimensional sandwich culture and also with cultured in decellularized liver matrix (DLM).Results:Our research found that DSM did not exhibit any cellular components, but preserved the main extracellular matrix and the intact vasculature evaluated by DNA detection, histology, immunohistochemical staining, vessel corrosion cast and upright metallurgical microscope. Moreover, the method of DSM preparation procedure was relatively simple with high success rate (100%). After seeding primary hepatocytes in DSM, the cultured hepatocytes survived inside DSM with albumin synthesis and urea secretion within 10 d. Additionally, hepatocytes in dynamic culture medium had better biological functions at day 10 than that in sandwich culture. Albumin synthesis was 85.67 ± 6.34 μg/107cell/24h in dynamic culture in DSM compared to 62.43 ± 4.59 μg/107cell/24h in sandwich culture (P< 0.01) and to 87.54 ± 5.25 μg/107cell/24h in DLM culture (P> 0.05); urea release was 32.14 ± 8.62 μg/107cell/24h in dynamic culture in DSM compared to 20.47 ± 4.98 μg/107cell/24h in sandwich culture (P< 0.05) and to 37.38 ± 7.29 μg/107cell/24h cultured in DLM (P> 0.05).Conclusion:The present study demonstrates that DSM can be prepared successfully using a tissue engineering approach. The DSM is an appropriate scaffold for primary hepatocytes culture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In recent years, many nanomaterials-assisted chemiluminescence (CL) systems have been developed to improve the sensitivity and to expand the scope of their analytical applications. In these new systems, nanomaterials participate in CL reactions as catalysts, labels, reductants, luminophors, or energy acceptors. This review mainly focuses on the recent analytical applications of metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), and carbon-based nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes and graphene) in liquid-phase CL systems. Recent advances in electrochemiluminescence based on nanotechnology and its analytical applications, especially in immunoassay, DNA analysis, and other biological analyses, are also summarized. Finally, we discuss some critical challenges in this field and speculate about their solutions. A total of 177 references mainly in the last 5 years are included in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The enzymatic spectrophotometric analysis of uric acid based on BSA-stabilized Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) as peroxidase mimetics was first developed. Compared with natural enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which was used widely to detect H2O2 generated by uric acid, the BSA-stabilized Au NCs as peroxidase mimetics are easy to prepare, low cost, and stable. Kinetic analysis indicates that the BSA-stabilized Au NCs have even higher catalytic activity than HRP. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit for uric acid is 3.6 × 10−7 mol L−1. The feasibility of the developed method for uric acid analysis in human serum was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Spontaneous rupture is an uncommon but the most fatal complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is recognized as a risk factor for tumor recurrence. The present study is to investigate the short- and long-term survival of the patients with HCC rupture and evaluate the influence of tumor rupture on patient's survival after hepatic resection. Patients and methods. The clinical data of 101 patients with HCC rupture from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The management of tumor rupture and clinicopathological parameters affecting 30-day mortality of the patients were recorded and evaluated. Long-term survival of the 41 patients undergoing hepatic resection was compared with 446 patients with non-ruptured HCC at the same time period. Results. The 30-day mortality rate of the 101 patients with HCC rupture was 35.6% and median survival was 79 days. The independent risk factors affecting 30-day mortality were tumor size and blood transfusion quantity. Compared with 446 non-ruptured HCC patients, 41 patients with ruptured HCC undergoing hepatic resection had a similar overall and disease-free survival to 446 without rupture (Log-rank test, p = 0.704 and 0.084, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, and tumor size were independently significant factors in differentiating tumor rupture from non-rupture. Conclusion. Early mortality of spontaneous rupture of HCC was dependent on preoperational liver function, tumor status, and severity of bleeding. Prolonged survival can be achieved in patients with ruptured HCC after hepatic resection as those without the complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemiluminescence is frequently used as a powerful analytical tool for gas analysis. In this mini-review with 102 references, we summarize the recent advances in chemiluminescence-based analytical methodologies and their application in gas/volatile species analysis, mainly including applications of ozone-induced chemiluminescence, cataluminescence-based gas sensors and arrays, and dielectric barrier discharge-induced chemiluminescence for gas analysis. Efforts in the innovation of the methodologies, the exploration of new sensing materials, and the mechanism studies are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A saturated PbSO4 aqueous solution, which was prepared by dissolving commercially available solid PbSO4 in doubly distilled water, was employed as a standard stock solution of lead for the visual colorimetric determination of lead in water and atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of lead in whole Usnea longissima (i.e., Methuselah's beard lichen). The concentration of lead in this saturated solution is theoretically calculated to 27.8 mg/L by using the solubility product constant of PbSO4 at 25°C. The standard solution series is by further dilution of the saturated solution. A validation experiment proved the feasibility of using the saturated solution as the standard stock solution of lead. The experimental conditions, mainly the temperature, that affect the equilibrium of precipitation-dissolution in the saturated solution were investigated. The saturated PbSO4 solution was proved to be accurate enough for the purpose of screening analysis of lead in these samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]