Activity

Histidine can trigger bimetallic gold/copper nanoclusters to turn on strong red fluoresence, which is capable of sensing nanomolar levels of histidine selectively.Herein we describe a method for inducing cancer cell death, which relies on the use of a H2O2-responsive glycan metabolic precursor in conjunction with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or photodynamic therapy (PDT).Here we report that incorporation of an abasic site to DNA minidumbbells formed by natural sequences can lead to significant enhancements in their thermodynamic stability. Based on these stable minidumbbells, the first metal ion-controlled molecular switch which can regulate instant and reversible DNA duplex formation and dissociation has been constructed.A ZnII complex based on a luminescent organic radical was doped into host molecular crystals. The 5, 10, and 20 wt%-doped crystals showed excimer emissions and their luminescent behaviours were significantly modulated by an external magnetic field. These are the first examples showing excimer emissions and magnetic-field-sensitive luminescent properties for complexes based on luminescent radicals. The excimer species contributing to magnetoluminescence was determined by analyzing the emission spectra and their magnetic-field dependencies. These results suggest the general nature of magnetic field effects on the luminescence of radicals as well as the importance of the type of interaction between radicals.As a class of ideal fluorescent nanomaterials, self-assembled copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) have attracted increasing interest. Unfortunately, most of these CuNCs only possessed bright luminescence in acidic solution, which limited their practical applications in a physiological environment. Retaining the strong fluorescence of these CuNCs in neutral or alkaline solution is still a challenging task. In this strategy, self-assembled CuNCs were prepared by using 4-methylthiophenol as the protecting ligand. The self-assembled CuNCs display stable and bright luminescence with excitation/emission maxima at 330/605 nm even in neutral and alkaline environments. Interestingly, with the addition of glutathione (GSH), the fluorescence intensity of CuNCs is enhanced strongly through the GSH-controlled aggregation-induced emission enhancement of self-assembled CuNCs. The turn-on fluorescence strategy can determine the GSH concentration in the range from 1 to 100 μM with a limit of detection of 300 nM. In addition, the method is employed for the determination of GSH levels in cells. Therefore, the turn-on fluorescence strategy is reliable, sensitive and suitable for the determination of cellular GSH levels.We presented a novel red-emission fluorescent probe (MSO) for selectively monitoring lysosomal pH fluctuation in living cells. The probe was designed by employing rhodamine B as the off-on pH sensitive moiety owing to the unique spirocycle group and morpholine as the lysosome targetable unit. Based on the H+-induced spirocyclic ring opening process, MSO displayed significant pH sensing properties around 590 nm, with a pKa value of 5.42 and a good linear pH response ranging from 5.00 to 6.00. Berzosertib inhibitor Besides, the probe possessed other prominent photophysical properties such as good selectivity and excellent photostability as well as low cytotoxicity, together making the red-emission probe more favorable for long-time and real-time imaging in live cells. Furthermore, MSO selectively accumulated into lysosomes and successfully visualized the mitophagy, cell apoptosis and heat shock processes by monitoring the rise of lysosomal pH.Due to the inner filter effect (IFE) between Brilliant Blue (BB) and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), a simple and rapid approach for BB detection was developed. Since the absorption spectrum of BB has a good overlap with the emission spectrum of the AuNCs, the fluorescence of the AuNC solution was quenched after adding BB. Under optimal conditions, a good linear relationship for detection of BB was obtained from 0.05 to 7.5 μM, and the detection limit was 0.0167 μM. More importantly, the assay was successfully applied to assess BB in food samples such as hard candy, chocolate and dried blueberries, showing its potential in food quality control in the future.

Reaching an appropriate physical activity level (PAL) in adolescence is an important public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with PAL and changes in PAL in late adolescence.

The sample involved 411 adolescents (201 girls) who were 16 years of age at study baseline; the participants completed a structured validated questionnaire at baseline (the beginning of the third grade of high school) and again at follow-up (the end of the fourth grade; when they were 18 years of age). Variables were obtained at both testing waves and included the following predictors sociodemographic indices (sex, socioeconomic status, parental education), sports factors (participation in individual and team sports, competitive sports achievement, experience in sports), and PAL (the primary outcome), which was measured using the <i>Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents</i>.

A significant decrease in PAL between baseline and follow-up testing was evidenced (t-test = 6.17, p < 0.001). A logistic regression model calculated with a dichotomized outcome (normal PAL vs. low PAL), and sex as a covariate, showed a significant influence of participation in team sports and maternal education on PAL, both at baseline (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.11-1.87; OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.02-1.90) and at follow-up (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-1.90; OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.70, for team sports and maternal education, respectively).

The study confirmed certain associations between the studied variables and PAL, but there was no significant influence of the observed indicators on changes in PAL in late adolescence. Further studies evaluating other predictors of changes in PAL are warranted. Med Pr. 2020;71(6)637-47.

The study confirmed certain associations between the studied variables and PAL, but there was no significant influence of the observed indicators on changes in PAL in late adolescence. Further studies evaluating other predictors of changes in PAL are warranted. Med Pr. 2020;71(6)637-47.