A dual-RPA based lateral flow strip for sensitive,on-site detection of CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac genes in genetically modified crops

Traditional transgenic detection methods require high test conditions and struggle to be both sensitive and efficient.In this study,a one-tube dual recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)reaction system for CP4-EPSPS and Cry1Ab/Ac was proposed and combined with a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay,named“Dual-RPA-LFD”,to visualize the dual detection of genetically modified(GM)crops.In which,the herbicide tolerance gene CP4-EPSPS and the insect resistance gene Cry1Ab/Ac were selected as targets taking into account the current status of the most widespread application of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits and their stacked traits.Gradient diluted plasmids,transgenic standards,and actual samples were used as templates to conduct sensitivity,specificity,and practicality assays,respectively.The constructed method achieved the visual detection of plasmid at levels as low as 100 copies,demonstrating its high sensitivity.In addition,good applicability to transgenic samples was observed,with no cross-interference between two test lines and no influence from other genes.In conclusion,this strategy achieved the expected purpose of simultaneous detection of the two popular targets in GM crops within 20 min at 37°C in a rapid,equipmentfree field manner,providing a new alternative for rapid screening for transgenic assays in the field.

Liver as a new target organ in Alzheimer's disease:insight from cholesterol metabolism and its role in amyloid-beta clearance

Alzheimer's disease,the primary cause of dementia,is characterized by neuropathologies,such as amyloid plaques,synaptic and neuronal degeneration,and neurofibrillary tangles.Although amyloid plaques are the primary characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in the central nervous system and peripheral organs,targeting amyloid-beta clearance in the central nervous system has shown limited clinical efficacy in Alzheimer's disease treatment.Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease.The liver is the primary peripheral organ involved in amyloid-beta metabolism,playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.Notably,impaired cholesterol metabolism in the liver may exacerbate the development of Alzheimer's disease.In this review,we explore the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and elucidate the role of the liver in amyloid-beta clearance and cholesterol metabolism.Furthermore,we propose that restoring normal cholesterol metabolism in the liver could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing Alzheimer's disease.

Copper carbonate nanoparticles as an effective biomineralized carrier to load macromolecular drugs for multimodal therapy

Macromolecular drugs have attracted great interest as biotherapy to cure previously untreatable diseases.For clinical translation,biomacromolecules encounter several common druggability difficulties,such as in vivo instability and poor penetration to cross physiologic barriers,thus requiring sophisticated systems for drug delivery.Inspired by the natural biomineralization via interaction between inorganic ions and biomacromolecules,herein we rationally screened biocompatible transition metals to biomineralize with carbonate for macromolecules loading.Among the metal ions,Cu^(2+)was found to be the best candidate,and its superiority over the widely studied Ca^(2+)minerals was also demonstrated.Capitalized on this finding,copper carbonate nanoparticles were prepared via a simple mixing process to co-load glucose oxidase(GOx)and a HIF-αDNAzyme(DZ),achieving ultra-high loading capacity of 61%.Upon encapsulation into nanoparticles,enzymatic activity of both drugs was passivated to avoid potential side-effects during circulation,while the drugs could be rapidly released within 1 h in response to acidic p H to fully recover their activities.The nanoparticles could accumulate into tumor via intravenous injection,facilitate the cell membrane penetration,and release the payloads of GOx,DZ and Cu^(2+)inside cells to exert a series of anti-tumor effects.GOx caused tumor starvation by catalytic glucose consumption,and the concomitantly generated H_(2)O_(2)byproduct boosted the Cu^(2+)-mediated chemodynamic therapy(CDT).Meanwhile,the DZ silenced HIF-αexpression to sensitize both starvation therapy and CDT.As a result,a synergistic tumor growth inhibition was achieved.This work provides a simple method to prepare biomineralized nanoparticles,and offers a general approach for macromolecular drugs delivery via Cu^(2+)-based biomineralization.

Longitudinal assessment of peripheral organ metabolism and the gut microbiota in an APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease not only affects the brain,but also induces metabolic dysfunction in peripheral organs and alters the gut microbiota.The aim of this study was to investigate systemic changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease,in particular the association between changes in peripheral organ metabolism,changes in gut microbial composition,and Alzheimer’s disease development.To do this,we analyzed peripheral organ metabolism and the gut microbiota in amyloid precursor protein-presenilin 1(APP/PS1)transgenic and control mice at 3,6,9,and 12 months of age.Twelve-month-old APP/PS1 mice exhibited cognitive impairment,Alzheimer’s disease-related brain changes,distinctive metabolic disturbances in peripheral organs and fecal samples(as detected by untargeted metabolomics sequencing),and substantial changes in gut microbial composition compared with younger APP/PS1 mice.Notably,a strong correlation emerged between the gut microbiota and kidney metabolism in APP/PS1 mice.These findings suggest that alterations in peripheral organ metabolism and the gut microbiota are closely related to Alzheimer’s disease development,indicating potential new directions for therapeutic strategies.