Facile one-step solvothermal synthesis of a luminescent europium metal-organic framework for rapid and selective sensing of uranyl ions

A simple, cost-effective, and portable uranium sensory material with adequate selectivity is increasingly urgent and would be of great importance in environmental monitoring of radionuclides. Herein, we report a novel luminescent europium metal-organic framework (Eu-MOF) with plenty of Lewis basic sites for binding uranyl ions (UO2 (2+)), the most common form of uranium in solution, through a facile one-step solvothermal synthetic route. The mesoporous structure consists of europium nodes and flexible nitrogen-containing ligands with a 29.2 x 20.5 (2) channel along the c-axis. Furthermore, the obtained material displays characteristic fluorescence of trivalent Eu3+ and could be applied as a turn-off sensory probe targeting UO2 (2+) in solution. Differential fluorescent quenching occurred upon a series of potential interfering ions compared to UO2 (2+) and the detection limit as low as 0.9 mu M was achieved with a rapid response

Genetic research and clinical analysis of deletional Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0 -thalassemia and Southeast Asian HPFH in South China

AbstractChinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia and SEA-HPFH are the most common types of β-globin gene cluster deletion in Chinese population. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical features of deletional Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia and Southeast Asian hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (SEA-HPFH) in South China. A total of 930 subjects with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) level ≥ 2% were selected on genetic research of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia and SEA-HPFH. The gap polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify the deletions. One hundred cases of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia were detected, including 90 cases of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0/βN-thalassemia, 7 cases of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0 /βN-thalassemia combined with α-thalassemia, 2 cases of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia combined with β-thalassemia, and 1 case of Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia combined with β-gene mutation. One hundred nine cases of SEA-HPFH were detected, including 97 cases of SEA-HPFH/βN, 9 cases of SEA-HPFH/βN combined with α-thalassemia, 2 cases of SEA-HPFH combined with β-thalassemia, and 1 case of SEA-HPFH combined with β-gene mutation. Statistical analysis indicates significant differences in MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), and HbA2 and HbF levels between Chinese Gγ+(Aγδβ)0-thalassemia heterozygotes and SEA-HPFH heterozygotes (P &lt; 0.001). There are statistical differences in hematological parameters between them. Clinical phenotypic analysis can provide guidance for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.</jats:p

Antioxidant and anti-aging effects of a sea cucumber protein hydrolyzate and bioinformatic characterization of its composing peptides

C. elegans-based activity guided and size-based isolation of antioxidant peptide fractions from a sea cucumber protein hydrolyzate and their bioinformatic characterization.</p

Novel Bioactive Peptides from <i>Meretrix meretrix</i> Protect <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> against Free Radical-Induced Oxidative Stress through the Stress Response Factor DAF-16/FOXO

The hard clam Meretrix meretrix, which has been traditionally used as medicine and seafood, was used in this study to isolate antioxidant peptides. First, a peptide-rich extract was tested for its protective effect against paraquat-induced oxidative stress using the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans. Then, three novel antioxidant peptides; MmP4 (LSDRLEETGGASS), MmP11 (KEGCREPETEKGHR) and MmP19 (IVTNWDDMEK), were identified and were found to increase the resistance of nematodes against paraquat. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that MmP4 was predominantly in beta-sheet conformation, while MmP11 and MmP19 were primarily in random coil conformation. Using transgenic nematode models, the peptides were shown to promote nuclear translocation of the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor, a pivotal regulator of stress response and lifespan, and induce the expression of superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD-3), an antioxidant enzyme. Analysis of DAF-16 target genes by real-time PCR reveals that sod-3 was up-regulated by MmP4, MmP11 and MmP19 while ctl-1 and ctl-2 were also up-regulated by MmP4. Further examination of daf-16 using RNA interference suggests that the peptide-increased resistance of C. elegans to oxidative stress was DAF-16 dependent. Taken together, these data demonstrate the antioxidant activity of M. meretrix peptides, which are associated with activation of the stress response factor DAF-16 and regulation of the antioxidant enzyme genes

Physicochemical Characterization and Functional Analysis of the Polysaccharide from the Edible Microalga Nostoc sphaeroides

Nostoc colonies have been used as food and medicine for centuries, and their main supporting matrix is polysaccharides, which help Nostoc cells resist various environmental stresses including oxidative stress. Here we isolated a polysaccharide, nostoglycan, from cultured Nostoc sphaeroides colonies and determined its physicochemical properties, which revealed a characteristic infrared absorption spectrum typical of polysaccharides and an amorphous morphology with rough surfaces. We also show that nostoglycan has strong moisture absorption and retention capacities and a high relative viscosity. Using Caenorhabditis elegans models, we then demonstrate that nostoglycan is capable of improving overall survival rate of the animals under increased oxidative stress caused by paraquat. Nostoglycan also reduces reactive oxygen species level, inhibits protein carbonyl formation and lipid peroxidation, and increases activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in paraquat-exposed nematodes. As oxidative stress may drive tumor progression, we further demonstrate that nostoglycan can suppress the proliferation of several types of tumor cells and induce apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via caspase-3 activation. Together, our results yield important information on the physicochemical characteristics and demonstrate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative functions of nostoglycan, and thus provide an insight into its potential in food and health industries

Do Liquidity and Capital Structure Predict Firms’ Financial Sustainability? A Panel Data Analysis on Quoted Non-Financial Establishments in Ghana

This study examined the connection between liquidity, capital structure, and the financial sustainability of 28 quoted non-financial establishments in Ghana. Panel data for the period from 2008 to 2019 was used for the analysis. In the study, liquidity was proxied by the current ratio, while the debt ratio was used as a surrogate of capital structure. Additionally, return on equity (ROE) was employed as a measure of sustainability. This indicator was used because of its flexibility as it can be applied to any line of business or product. From the results, the studied panel was cross-sectionally independent. Furthermore, the series were first differenced stationary and cointegrated in the long-run. The elasticities of the predictors were determined through the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, and from the results, liquidity proxied by the current ratio improved the entities’ financial sustainability. In addition, capital structure surrogated by the debt ratio promoted the financial sustainability of the establishments. Moreover, the interaction between capital structure and liquidity advanced the corporates’ financial sustainability. Size, growth, and operational efficiency were significantly positive determinants of the sustainability of firms, but asset tangibility had a trivial effect on the entities’ sustainability. On the causal relations among the variables, there was a bilateral connection amidst current ratio and return on equity; between cash flow ratio and return on equity; between debt ratio and return on equity; between size and return on equity; between operational efficiency and return on equity. Additionally, a single-headed causality moving from growth to return on equity was uncovered. Finally, there was no causal liaison amidst tangibility and return on equity. Based on the findings, it was recommended, amongst other suggestions, that an optimal liquidity level that is capable of supplying the firms with sufficient liquid resources should be maintained. Furthermore, the firms should use more internal funds to back their activities because that choice is safer than the alternatives. The corporates should also prefer that option because it has no associated costs that could adversely impact their sustainability.</jats:p