Search

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome ofSphaeniscus atiliuswas characterized and annotated in this study. The mitogenome was 16,854 bp in length and encoded 37 typical mitochondrial genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. The total length of the 13 PCGs was 11,140 bp, and the AT content was 79.8%. There were five types of start codons, ATT (nad2,nad3,nad5, andnad6), ATG (cox2,cox3,atp6, nad4,nad4l, andcob), CGA (cox1), as well as ATC (atp8) and ATA (nad1). Most of the PCGs had typical TAA stop codons, exceptnad5which terminated with incomplete forms T-. Ile, Phe, Leu and Asn were the most frequently used amino acids in mitochondrial PCGs. Most tRNA genes could be folded into the typical cloverleaf structure, excepttrnS1andtrnTwhich lacked the dihydrouridine (DHU) and TΨC arms, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 protein-coding genes among the available sequenced species of family Tephritidae by maximum likelihood methods suggested the genus relationship of Tephritidae: ((Bactrocera,Dacus,Zeugodacus),Felderimyia,Anastrepha), (Acrotaeniostola, (Neoceratitis,Ceratitis),Euleia,Rivellia), (Procecidochares, (Tephritis,Sphaenisscus))))). Our results presented the first mitogenome fromSphaeniscusand offer insights into the identification, taxonomy, and phylogeny ofSphaeniscus atilius.

Background Breast cancer is the most frequent and lethal malignancy among females worldwide. Metastasis crucially affects breast cancer-related deaths. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to perform a crucial function in the regulation of biological processes in a variety of malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the unidentified function played by the lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 and the relevant mechanism in the modulation of breast cancer-related metastasis. Methods Techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence (IF) were applied to evaluate RNA and protein expression profiles. In vitro Transwell and wound healing tests, as well as in vivo lung metastasis experiments, were conducted to validate the cell's ability to invade and migrate. To identify the transcription factors that are involved in lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 interactions, the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation(ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out. Finally, the role of lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 was evaluated in patients with breast cancer. Results lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 and miR-200c showed low levels of expression in breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the overexpression of lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 or miR-200c in the cell lines decreased the tumor cell invasion. Mechanistically, miR-200c induced the overexpression of the lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 via the mechanism of causing zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox members 1 (ZEB1) to bind directly to the promoter DNA of the lncRNA SPINT1-AS1. The miR-200c mediated upregulation of the lncRNA SPINT1-AS1 suppressed breast cancer cell metastasis via the STAT3 signaling pathway. Conclusion lncRNA SPINT1-AS1, which was up-regulated by the miR-200c/ZEB1 axis, performs a crucial function in inhibiting metastasis of breast cancer cells via the Phosphorylation-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3) pathway and can be a novel prognostic and treatment target for the disease.

The efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is severely constrained due to the innate hypoxic environment, besides the elevated level of glutathione (GSH). To get rid of the hypoxic environment and higher concentrations of GSH in the solid tumors, we propose an approach of oxygen self-sufficient multimodal imaging-guided nanocomposite CaO2-MnO2-UCNPs-Ce6/DOX (abbreviated as CaMn-NUC), in which CaO2 nanoparticles in the hydrophobic layer were seated on the hydrophilic MnO2 sheet and conjugated with chlorin e6 (Ce6) loaded upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs-Ce6) via the click chemistry approach. CaMn-NUC was presented to overcome hypoxia and GSH-associated photodynamic resistance due to in situ oxygen generation and GSH reduction of MnO2 upon endocytosis, and a bulk amount of Mn2+ ions generated in the process under acidic tumor environment acts as the MRI contrast agent. Moreover, the MnO2 sheet protects Ce6 from self-degradation under irradiation; thus, it can be used to switch control of cellular imaging. Afterwards, in a regulated and targeted manner, the chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOX) can be released with the degradation of CaMn-NUC in the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, we testify a competent nanoplatform employing 808 nm-excited UCNPs-Ce6 for concurrent imaging and PDT in consideration of the large anti-Stokes shifts, deep penetration into biological tissues, narrow emission bands, and high spatial-temporal resolution of the UCNPs. Thus, our proposed nanoplatform postulates a strategy to efficiently kill cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner via the in situ oxygenation of solid tumor hypoxia to enhance the efficiency of multimodal imaging-guided chemo-photodynamic therapy.

Hypoxia in tumor cells is regarded as the most crucial cause of clinical drug resistance and radio-resistance; thus, relieving hypoxia of tumor cells is the key to enhancing the efficacy of anticancer therapy. As a gas signal molecule of vasodilatation factors, nitric oxide (NO) can relieve the hypoxia status of tumor cells, thereby, enhancing the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy. However, considering complications of vascular activity, the level of NO required for radiotherapy sensitization cannot be obtained in vivo. In view of this, we design and fabricate a multifunctional bismuth-based nanotheranostic agent, which is functionalized with S-nitrosothiol and termed Bi-SNO NPs. X-rays break down the S-N bond and simultaneously trigger large amount of NO-releasing (over 60 μM). Moreover, the as-prepared Bi-SNO NPs not only possess the capability of absorbing and converting 808 nm NIR photons into heat for photothermal therapy, but also have the ability to increase X-ray absorption and CT imaging sensitivity. In addition, the collaborative radio-, photothermal-, and gas-therapy of Bi-SNO in vivo was further investigated and remarkable synergistic tumor inhibition was realized. Finally, no obvious toxicity of Bi-SNO NPs was observed in the treated mice within 14 days. Therefore, the Bi-SNO developed in this work is an effective nano-agent for cancer theranostics with well-controlled morphology and uniform size (36 nm), which could serve as a versatile CT imaging-guided combined radio-, photothermal- and gas-therapy nanocomposite with negligible side effects.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based modality for tumor treatment that involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the combination of light, a photosensitizer, and molecular oxygen. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effects of PDT are limited by hypoxic conditions that worsen with oxygen consumption during the PDT process. Photo/chemodynamic therapy (PCDT) based on the Fenton reaction is one strategy to improve ROS generation, provided a highly effective Fenton reagent is developed. In this research, SiO2@Cu7S4 nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized as a PCDT agent. This double-valence metal-sulfide composite material can react with H2O2 at the tumor site. SiO2@Cu7S4 NTs can produce more ROS than the traditional PDT agents, and besides, they can also be used as a photothermal therapy (PTT) agent. SiO2@Cu7S4 NTs will trigger the PTT effect under 808 nm irradiation and generate a large amount of heat to eradicate cancer cells. This heat will also promote the PCDT effect by increasing the reaction rate. Thus, the SiO2@Cu7S4 NT is a suitable material for PCDT and PTT synergistic oncotherapy. The 808 nm laser is selected as the appropriate excitation source, providing adequate penetration and minimal harm to normal cells. The experimental data presented herein demonstrate the promising photosensitive, Fenton-like, and photothermal performance of SiO2@Cu7S4 NTs. Furthermore, the findings could promote the development of PCDT and PTT synergistic therapy. Thus, this research provides a feasible method to design a single, multifunctional material for cancer treatment.

In this study, a fluorescence strategy based on MPA-AgInZnS quantum dots (AIZS QDs) for the sensitive, effective detection of protamine and trypsin was developed. Protamine as a cationic peptide exhibited electrostatic interactions with AIZS QDs, leading to the aggregation of QDs and subsequent enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. The added trypsin catalyzed the hydrolysis of protamine and led to less formation of AIZS QDs/protamine complex, thereby decreasing the fluorescence intensity. Thus, a method for direct determination of protamine and indirect measurement of trypsin using protamine as a tool was developed. The protamine and trypsin concentrations were determined by the detection of the change in fluorescence intensity. Under the optimized conditions, the fluorescence intensity exhibited a good linear response to the protamine concentration, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.13 μg mL−1, and trypsin exhibited a linear relationship, with an LOD of 0.04 μg mL−1. The probe exhibited good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity according to the MTT assay. Moreover, the application of this probe for intracellular imaging and lysosome localization demonstrates potential development in the biomedical and clinical fields.

Gasotransmitters with high therapeutic efficacy and biosafety have been drawing the attention of researchers. Nevertheless, how to effectively deliver gases to and precisely control their generation at the lesion as well as integrate them with other therapies to realize precision therapy have remained elusive. Herein, we report a versatile Cu2+-initiated nitric oxide (NO) nanocomposite for multimodal imaging-guided synergistic chemodynamic/photodynamic/gas therapy. After the nanomedicine was ingested by tumor cells, the acidic tumor microenvironment accelerated the decomposition of CuO2 and simultaneously triggered the Fenton-like catalytic reaction of Cu2+ and H2O2 to produce highly toxic ˙OH. By virtue of the NO generation and glutathione depletion, UMNOCC-PEG can relieve the antioxidant capacity and hypoxia of the tumor to improve the efficiency of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Importantly, NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS) can generate reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which can result in DNA damage, further improving the therapeutic effect (cell apoptosis rate up to 93.4%). Moreover, the inherent properties of lanthanide ions endow UMNOCC-PEG with upconversion luminescence (UCL), CT and MRI trimodal imaging capability, achieving precise cancer treatment. By taking advantage of these features, the strategy developed here may provide a promising application foreground to conquer malignant tumors.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are well-developed light therapy methods for cancer; however, both have a few areas that need improvement. A sustained PDT effect depends on the sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); therefore, adjusting the type of photosensitizer or the reaction mechanism to prolong the duration of the oxidation-reduction reaction is a possible solution for the continuation of the PDT effect. Further, if PTT could be combined with other treatments, it would bring about a more satisfactory therapeutic effect. To increase the treatment effect of the above two therapeutic methods, a collaborative treatment model of photo/chemodynamic therapy (PCDT) and PTT is needed and is the focus of this study. On the one hand, PCDT is a therapy that integrates PDT with Fenton-like reactions, and Fenton-like reactions can help PDT to produce more ROS by making better use of H2O2 in the tumor microenvironment. On the other hand, the PTT effect can also promote PCDT effects to some extent because rising temperature can elevate the redox reaction rate. Therefore, a copper oxide semiconductor photosensitizer was selected in this research to realize the abovementioned therapeutic purposes and experimental concepts. A porous silica carrier can facilitate the uniform attachment of the copper oxide photosensitizer to the SiO2 surface to form a relatively uniform nanostructure, and the nanoporous structure can increase the performance of the whole material to a certain extent. Based on these perspectives, SiO2@CuO nanotube (NT), an agent of both Fenton-like photosensitization and photothermal reagent, is synthesized by the hydrothermal co-precipitation template approach to shrink the tumor through the combined effect of PCDT and PTT. In this system, copper ions can participate in the Fenton-like reactions and make better use of H2O2 to generate more ROS. Herein, 808 nm light was chosen for irradiation because of its suitable excitation ability, applicable penetration and low intrinsic damage. The experimental results show that SiO2@CuO NT is a promising agent that combines PCDT and PTT for cancer treatment. This work provides guidance for the synthesis of Fenton-like photosensitizers for the PCDT effect.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based modality for tumor treatment that involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the combination of light, a photosensitizer, and molecular oxygen. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effects of PDT are limited by hypoxic conditions that worsen with oxygen consumption during the PDT process. Photo/chemodynamic therapy (PCDT) based on the Fenton reaction is one strategy to improve ROS generation, provided a highly effective Fenton reagent is developed. In this research, SiO

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is commonly employed in clinics to treat the cancer, but because of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment prevalent inside tumors, PDT therapeutic efficiency is not adequate hence limiting the effectiveness of PDT. Therefore, we designed a nanocomposite consisting of reduced nanographene oxide (rGO) modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG), manganese dioxide (MnO2), upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), and Chlorin e6 (Ce6) to spark oxygen production from H2O2 with the aim of relieving the tumor hypoxic microenvironments. For in vivo tumor PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT), UCNPs-Ce6-labeled rGO-MnO2-PEG nanocomposites were used as a therapeutic agent, augmenting the therapeutic efficiency of PDT via redox progression through the catalytic H2O2 decomposition pathway and further achieving excellent tumor inhibition. It is important to mention that degradation of MnO2 in an acidic cellular microenvironment leads to the creation of a massive volume of Mn2+ which was employed as a contrast mediator for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our research postulates an approach to spark O2 formation through an internal stimulus to augment the efficiency of MRI- and computerized tomography (CT)-imaging-guided PDT and PTT.

Molecular mechanisms underlying wing evolution and development have been a point of scientific inquiry for decades. Phloem-feeding aphids are one of the most devastating global insect pests, where dispersal of winged morphs lead to annual movements, migrations, and range expansions. Aphids show a polyphenic wing dimorphism trait, and offer a model to study the role of environment in determining morphological plasticity of a single genotype. Despite recent progresses in the genetic understanding of wing polyphenism, the influence of environmental cues remains unclear. To investigate the involvement of miRNAs in wing development, we sequenced small RNA libraries of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.), across six different developmental stages. As a result, we identified 113 conserved and 193 S. avenae-specific miRNAs. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses of putative target mRNAs for the six differentially expressed miRNAs are enriched for wing development processes. Dietary uptake of miR-263a, miR-316, and miR-184a agomirs and antagomirs led to significantly higher mortality (>70%) and a lower proportion of winged morphs (

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an essential enzyme in various tissues, which has been reported to be extensively involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Fluorescent probe assays carried out in vivo are desirable for monitoring the ALP activity. In this study, a novel red-light fluorescent DHP probe, which exhibited good selectivity and high sensitivity, for monitoring the ALP activity in real time was described. The DHP probe exhibited good water solubility, and the detection limit of ALP was determined as 0.031 U/L; this value is almost less than those of the other probes reported previously. The probe exhibited high selectivity, which will not interfere with various enzymes and amino acids. Moreover, the sensing and luminescence mechanisms of ALP to DHP was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. Furthermore, the DHP probe was applied for the detection of endogenous ALP in BEL-7402 cells, and the fluctuation of the ALP levels in BEL-7402 and HEK 293 T cells was successfully tracked by fluorescence microscopy.

Herein we propose a fluorescence turn-on strategy for the sensitive and selective detection of trypsin based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and amino-functionalized carbon dots (C-dots). In this assay, C-dots were treated as fluorometric reporter, while AuNPs were treated as fluorescence quencher. A specially designed negatively charged short peptide chain with one functioned cysteine group as the substrate for trypsin. The sensor works as follows: the negatively charged part of the peptide can be hydrolyzed by trypsin, resulting in the releasing of shorter and positively charged peptides. These shorter peptides then induces AuNPs aggregation due to the strong electrostatic interaction between positively charged peptides and the negatively charged AuNPs, thus leading to the restoration of the FRET-quenched fluorescence emission of C-dots. Measuring the changes in the fluorescence of C-dots, the concentrations of trypsin can be determined. Under the optimized conditions, we achieved quantitative evaluation of trypsin in a range of 2.5–80 ng mL−1 with the detection limit of 0.84 ng mL−1. Meanwhile, this sensing system also exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity for trypsin, and we successfully applied it for the detection of trypsin in human serum samples. Based on the above findings, we conclude that this new FRET based sensor might be significant in disease diagnosis in the future.

Early diagnosis of chronic, critical diseases improves clinical outcomes, and biomarkers play an important role as an indicator of severity or presence of a disease. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is one such vital biomarker in the diagnosis of several diseases. Herein we introduce a facile, sensitive fluorescent assay, based on the inner filter effect (IFE), for ALP activity determination in serum and in living cells. It is well known that the key to maximize the sensitivity of an IFE-based fluorescence assays is to broaden the overlap between the absorption of an absorber and the excitation/emission of a fluorophore. We employed CuInS/ZnS quantum dots (CIS/ZnS QDs) and p-nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP) as the fluorescent indicator and the substrate, respectively, for ALP activity assessment. Due to the CIS/ZnS QDs have an efficient excitation at 405 nm, meanwhile with a large Stokes shift emission at 588 nm, p-nitrophenol (PNP) with absorption peak at 405 nm, the hydrolyzed produce of PNPP and ALP, can act as a competitive absorber to absorb the excitation light of CIS/ZnS QDs, resulting in noticeable quenching of CIS/ZnS QDs. The proposed sensor detects ALP activity in human serum samples (sample consumption: 20 μL) with detection limit of 0.01 U L-1. Excellent biocompatibility of CIS/ZnS QDs enables the sensor to monitor endogenous ALP in living cells. Furthermore, because the surface modification or the linking between the receptor and the fluorophore is no longer required, this fluorescent sensing system has the potential to simplify ALP clinical measurement, thereby improving diagnostics of relevant diseases.

Tyrosinase (TYR) plays vital roles in melanin biosynthesis and function as an important biomarker for melanoma cancer; and thus has made rapid and sensitive detections for its activity to be on urgent demands. In this study, a facile aqueous fluorescence probe based on dopamine-functionalized-Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (Dopa-Mn:ZnS QDs) was developed to detect TYR activity. When dopamine moiety in Dopa-Mn:ZnS QDs was oxidized to dopaquinone derivative by TYR, an intra-particle phot o- induced electron transfer (PET) process between Dopa-Mn:ZnS QDs and dopaquinone moiety takes place, and as a result, the fluorescence is quenched. Quantitative evaluation of TYR activity was studied in terms of the relationship between fluorescence quenching efficiency and TYR activity. The probe could detect TYR in a broad linear range of up to 1620 U L −1 with a low detection limit of 1.82 U L −1 . It was then applied to detect TYR in chicken serum samples, in which, TYR could be recovered by 88.3–100.7%. Finally, the probe demonstrated low cytotoxicity as evaluated by MTT assay and successfully applied to intracellular imaging of A549 cells. This study has indicated potential applications of Dopa-Mn:ZnS QDs probe in monitoring TYR-associated diseases, clinical diagnostics, and drug discovery.

Protease is an important physiological enzyme that can catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds at specific sites and trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme present in the pancreas, the fluctuation of whom reflect dysfunction of body. Thus, it is necessary to develop sensitivity detections for protamine and trypsin. Herein, an "off-on-off" fluorescent sensor based on the inner filter effect was established for individually quantification of protamine and trypsin by using silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) and triangular silver nanoprisms (TSNPRs) based on the inner filter effect (IFE). The maximum absorption peak position of TSNPRs is 550 nm, which completely overlaps the emission peak (536 nm) of SiQDs and considerably improves sensitivity of the sensor. The proposed IFE-based sensor proved a good linearity from 0–30 ng/mL for protamine determination with detection limit of 5 ng/mL. For trypsin detection, the constructed sensor displayed a liner detection range from 0 to 40 ng/mL with a detection limit of 8 ng/mL. Besides, the SiQDs have equipped with the excellent capability for subcellular colocalization, providing a promising potential for practical applications.

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Paederus fuscipes (GenBank accession no. MG581161) is 17,644 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and a partial control region. The gene order is similar to the typical insect mitochondrial genome. Maximum likelihood tree recovered the monophyly of Staphylininae, Pselaphinae, Paederinae and Aleocharinae. Additionally, Staphylininae is a sister group to Paederinae.

In the present study, a novel ratiometric fluorescence probe based on dual-emitting Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (Mn:ZnS QDs) was established for detection of Pb2+ and methyl parathion (MP). The dual-emitting Mn:ZnS QDs was aqueous synthesised in one pot and played as a ratiometric fluorescence probe for the detection of Pb2+ with high sensitivity. The fluorescence intensity ratio (F450nm/F585nm) of the probe against the concentration of Pb2+ showed a good linear relationship from 10 nM to 60 nM with a detection limit of 0.5 nM. Furthermore, the Mn:ZnS QDs/Pb2+ system was established as a turn-on fluorescence sensing system to quantitative measure the MP concentration. The fluorescence intensity at 450 nm exhibited a good linear relationship in the MP concentration range from 0.19 to 0.95 μM with a detection limit of about 0.02 μM. It also had a satisfying performance in fruit and environmental water samples. Therefore, the prepared Mn:ZnS QDs-based sensor has been established as a ratiometric fluorescence probe and turn-on method for quantitative detection of lead ion and MP, respectively.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) combined treatment guided by imaging diagnosis has brought the cancer treatment into a new stage. But simple nanoplatforms with multifunctional therapeutic performance are rarely designed. Herein, we adopt ball-milling method to fabricate spherical BiAgOS nanoparticles as photosensitizer to apply for 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light triggered PDT and PTT co-therapy. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified BiAgOS NPs show a great absorption in the range of visible light to near-infrared region. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, BiAgOS-PEG NPs have obvious photothermal and photosensitive effects together with excellent X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging function. The in vitro and in vivo experiments exhibit that the BiAgOS-PEG NPs have good biocompatibility, excellent tumor cells inhibition effects simultaneously. Our finding described the first use of BiAgOS-PEG NPs as a semiconductor photosensitizer for anti-cancer treatment, providing a promising strategy to fabricate this kind of material for imaging guided NIR light induced combined tumor treatment.

Synergistic therapy with different treatment mechanisms is an emerging strategy to improve antitumor efficiency. Here, a diversified nanoplatform (Ag2S@MSN-TGF) is synthesized by coating mesoporous silica on Ag2S nanoparticles (NPs), followed by loading hypoxia-active prodrug (tirapazamine) insides the mesoporous silica and coating glucose oxidase (GOx) on the surface. Considering that the degree of hypoxia in tumors is not high enough, GOx is combined with hypoxia-active tirapazamine prodrug, and two important functions are realized. One is the consumption of oxygen to enhance the hypoxic environment and promote the curative effect of tirapazamine, and the other is the consumption of glucose to achieve starvation treatment. Additionally, we take the lead in using Ag2S NPs for second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1064 nm) excited photothermal therapy (PTT). The photothermal conversion efficiency (44.7%) of Ag2S@MSN-TGF is even better than that under 808 nm laser irradiation (38.2%). Finally, in vivo NIR-II fluorescence imaging well demonstrated that Ag2S@MSN-TGF can offer an obvious tracking effect for the therapeutic process. Therefore, superior to any single therapeutic mode, our designed Ag2S@MSN-TGF demonstrates an excellent tumor inhibition effect in vitro and in vivo due to synergistic starvation, hypoxia-active prodrug treatment and PTT effect, suggesting the significant prospect of NIR-II imaging guided antitumor therapy.

Multimodal synergistic therapy based on photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has attracted increasing attention in cancer therapy. However, the scant therapeutic efficiency is always a barrier for further application. Herein, a smart tumor microenvironment (TME) responsive nanocatalysts are developed by adopting Fe-Mn layered double hydroxides (FeMn-LDH) as an effective photothermal nanocarrier to load mesoporous silica and chlorin e6 (Ce6)-covalently coated upconversion nanoparticles (UCSP) for multimodal imaging for directed therapy. Under acidic TME, FeMn-LDH degrades into Fe3+ and Mn2+ ions to initiate a Fenton-like reaction inducing CDT and enhancing magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, Fe3+ can decompose H2 O2 to oxygen (O2 ), enhancing PDT guided by UCSP. As a representative noninvasive imaging probe, the upconversion luminescence will recover after decomposition of FeMn-LDH, and provide high-resolution upconversion luminescent imaging guidance for pinpointed PDT. Moreover, the photothermal properties of FeMn-LDH can further enhance CDT effects. The synergistic therapy and multifunctional imaging can realize the integration of diagnosis and treatment.

Typically, sialic acids (SA) with a nine-carbon backbone are found at the glycan chain termini on the cell membranes, which play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes. The expression level of SA in the blood serum has been reported to correlate with various disease states among cancer. In this study, a novel approach for preparing fluorescent boronic-acid-modified carbon dots (C-dots) for the detection of SA was developed. The functionalized C-dots were synthesized by a facile, one-step hydrothermal method using 3-pyridineboronic acid as the sole carbon source. The added SA selectively recognized the C-dots, leading to the fluorescence quenching of the C-dots in a linear range of 80–4000 μM with a detection limit of 54 μM. The as-developed boronic-acid nanoprobe was successfully applied for the detection of SA in human serum samples with satisfactory results. In addition, this method afforded results within 4 min. Compared to other methods, this new proposed approach was simpler and exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity, demonstrating immense potential as an alternative for SA detection.

A novel fluorescence detection method based on competitive immunoassay and magnetic bioseparation technique was developed and applied to the determination of pig immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum samples. Core-shell structured Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation, followed by functionalization with amino groups and immobilization of pig IgG antibodies. The synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2-antibody nanoparticles were employed as the probe for the competitive immune recognition of the target antigens in samples and the antigens labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). After the magnetic separation of probes binding with these two types of antigens, fluorescence of the free FITC-labeled antigens was measured for the quantification of the target antigens, since the ratio of the FITC-labeled antigens in supernatant before and after the competitive immune recognition depends on the amount of the target antigens in sample, due to the competitive nature of the binding of the antibody for these two types of antigens. Under the optimal conditions, a linear relationship was obtained between the change of fluorescence intensity and the concentration of pig IgG in a range from 0.75 to 23.50 µg L−1, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.031 µg L−1. With the facile-prepared probes, this fluorescence competitive method can provide a rapid, specific and highly sensitive immunoassay protocol for the determination of target proteins in complex matrix samples.

Glutathione-capped water-soluble CuInS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by a microwave-assisted method. Their fluorescence, with excitation/emission peaks at 380/570 nm, is found to be quenched by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is produced by the uricase catalyzed oxidation of uric acid (UA) and oxygen. The findings are used in a quenchometric method for the determination of UA. The effects of different ligands on the QDs, of pH value, buffers, enzyme ratio and reaction time were optimized. The detection limit for UA is 50 nM which is lower than other QD-based method, and the detection ranges extends from 0.25–4.0 μM. The assay is simple and sensitive, and no further modification of the QDs is required.

The vector leafhopper Psammotettix striatus (L.) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is an important economic pest that is a serious threat to wheat in Northwest China, causing great losses to agricultural production by transmitting wheat blue dwarf (WBD) in a persistent circulative manner. Studies on morphology and ultrastructure of the digestive system were made using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The gross morphology of the alimentary canal consists of esophagus (foregut), midgut, hindgut, and special filter chamber. The esophagus, a narrow and slender tube, runs through the whole thorax extending into the filter chamber and connecting with the anterior midgut. The midgut consists of three major regions, anterior, middle and posterior midgut. The anterior midgut is composed of exceptionally thick epithelial cells surrounding a large lumen. Numerous well-developed microvilli occur at the basal region of the epithelium. A large number of electron-lucent and lipid-like vesicles are observed under the microvilli. The posterior midgut is smaller than the anterior midgut in diameter. Numerous different concentric circular bodies are characteristic of the posterior midgut. The hindgut arises from the posterior midgut at the boundary of the filter chamber. It extends downward toward the anus where the hindgut enlarges to form the rectum. The rectum is formed by various cells typical of epithelium, whose nuclei are relatively smaller than those of the midgut. Relatively large muscle cells are present at the well-defined and thick basement membrane. There are two pairs of Malpighian tubules. Numerous mitochondria and lamellar rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cells of the anterior segment of the Malpighian tubules; the sub-anterior segment of the tubules resemble the distal segment which are wave-like, amount vesicles in the cells; numerous tightly packed large vesicles contain two types of brochosomes in the inflated segment of the Malpighian tubules. The salivary system of P. striatus contains one pair of salivary glands, which are made up of the principal and accessory gland. The principal glands are divided into anterior, mid- and posterior lobes. About nineteen acini are observed in the principal glands of P. striatus, and vary in structure and colour. Five cellular types are found in the principal glands by transmission electron microscopy, which are rich in secretory granules, modified in size, electron-dense and shape. Rough endoplasmic reticulum in the shape of vesicular and lamellar, mitochondria and Golgi complexes are observed. The accessory gland has only an oval or a rod-shaped acinus.

Wing dimorphism in aphids can be affected by multiple cues, including both biotic (nutrition, crowding, interspecific interactions, the presence of natural enemies, maternal and transgenerational effects, and alarm pheromone) and abiotic factors (temperature, humidity, and photoperiod). The majority of the phloem-feeding aphids carry Buchnera, an obligate symbiotic proteobacteria. Buchnera has a highly reduced genome size, but encode key enzymes in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway and is crucial for nutritional balance, development and reproduction in aphids. In this study, we investigated the impact of two nutritional-based biotic factors, symbionts and starvation, on the wing dimorphism in the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, a devastating insect pest of cereal crops (e.g., wheat) worldwide. Elimination of Buchnera using the antibiotic rifampicin significantly reduced the formation of winged morphs, body mass, and fecundity in S. avenae. Furthermore, the absence of this primary endosymbiont may disrupt the nutrient acquisition in aphids and alter transgenerational phenotypic expression. Similarly, both survival rate and the formation of winged morphs were substantially reduced after neonatal (