Cross-reactive sensor arrays, known as "chemical noses", offer an alternative to time-consuming analytical methods. Here, we report a sensor array based on nanomaterial-assisted chemiluminescence (CL) for protein sensing and cell discrimination. We have found that the CL efficiencies are improved to varied degrees for a given protein or cell line on catalytic nanomaterials. Distinct CL response patterns as "fingerprints" can be obtained on the array and then identified through linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The sensing of 12 kinds of proteins at three concentrations, as well as 12 types of human cell lines among normal, cancerous, and metastatic, has been performed. Compared with most fluorescent or colorimetric approaches which rely on the strong interaction between analytes and sensing elements, our array offers the advantage of both sensitivity and reversibility.

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Background/AimsPlatelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the strongest stimulator of the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). PDGF receptor β subunit (PDGFR-β) is acquired on HSCs proliferation induced by PDGF. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of PDGFR-β small interference RNA (siRNA) on experimental hepatic fibrosis.MethodsWe constructed a PDGFR-β siRNA expression plasmid and investigated its effect on the activation of HSCs. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was performed to investigate the effect of PDGFR-β siRNA on HSCs proliferation. A hydrodynamics-based transfection method was used to deliver PDGFR-β siRNA to rats with hepatic fibrosis. The distribution of transgenes in the liver was observed by immunofluorescence. The antifibrogenic effect of PDGFR-β siRNA was investigated pathologically.ResultsPlatelet-derived growth factor receptor-β subunit siRNA could significantly downregulate PDGFR-β expression, suppress HSCs activation, block the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway and inhibit HSCs proliferation in vitro. PDGFR-β siRNA expression plasmid could be delivered into activated HSCs by the hydrodynamics-based transfection method, and remarkably improve the liver function of the rat model induced by dimethylnitrosamine and bile duct ligation. Furthermore, the progression of fibrosis in the liver was significantly suppressed by PDGFR-β siRNA in both animal models.ConclusionsPlatelet-derived growth factor receptor-β subunit siRNA may be presented as an effective antifibrogenic gene therapeutic method for hepatic fibrosis.

A glucose-based solid acid catalyst (GSA) was synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization and its physicochemical properties were explored by various characterization techniques including IR, TG and SEM. In addition, its catalytic performance towards D-glucosamine formation from the hydrolysis of chitosan was extensively investigated to determine the effects of reaction parameters, such as reaction temperature, time and mass ratio of catalyst and reactants. The experimental results revealed that the yield of targeted product D-glucosamine could reach as high as 98.1% under optimal conditions (temperature: 110 C; time: 6 h). After six catalytic cycles, no evident deactivation was observed,suggesting the satisfactory stability of the investigated solid acid catalyst. This might provide insight on the development of suitable catalyst systems for D-glucosamine formation to replace homogeneous catalysts.

A pH-responsive amphoteric starch derivative (PRAS) bearing dual functional groups (amino and carboxyl groups) was prepared through etherification of starch with 2-chloro-4,6-diglycino-[1,3,5]-triazine. PRAS exhibits a reversible pH-response property in aqueous solution. The attractive property of PRAS is that it could be used as an effective flocculant for heavy metal-ion (e.g. Cu(II) and Zn(II)) removal from wastewater by changing pH. The transition of hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity would produce shrinkage of the polymer matrix, facilitating the release of heavy-metal ions from the saturated flocculant. As an ideal flocculant PRAS displayed outstanding stability and reproducibility, whose remove rate for Cu(II) and Zn(II) remained at 93% and 91% after three flocculation/regeneration cycles.