Explosive synchronization of multi-layer complex networks based on inter-layer star network connection

Explosive synchronization(ES)is a first-order transition phenomenon that is ubiquitous in various physical and biological systems.In recent years,researchers have focused on explosive synchronization in a single-layer network,but few in multi-layer networks.This paper proposes a frequency-weighted Kuramoto model in multi-layer complex networks with star connection between layers and analyzes the factors affecting the backward critical coupling strength by both theoretical analysis and numerical validation.Our results show that the backward critical coupling strength of each layer network is influenced by the inter-layer interaction strength and the average degree.The number of network layers,the number of nodes,and the network topology can not directly affect the synchronization of the network.Enhancing the inter-layer interaction strength can prevent the emergence of explosive synchronization and increasing the average degree can promote the generation of explosive synchronization.

A highly selective fluorescent probe for visualizing dry eye disease-associated viscosity variations

Dry eye disease(DED) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface with complex and unclear etiology. The development of reliable detection tools for the pathology of DED will benefit its treatment, but it is still lacking. In parallel, it has been discovered recently that viscosity changes are involved in inflammation processes. In this regard, we constructed a fluorescent probe V5with an asymmetric donor-acceptor-donor(D-A-D) feature after rational structural modulation for viscosity detection during DED progression. The probe manifested a remarkable fluorescence enhancement(110 folds) in highly viscous conditions without interferences from polarity and reactive species. Specifically, no aggregation effect of the probe was found in glycerol. Moreover, viscosity increment in human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs) induced by hyperosmosis and inflammation was monitored, and ferroptosis in HCECs also led to the viscosity elevation. A reactive oxygen species(ROS)-dependent viscosity changes during DED progression is demonstrated. Finally, viscosity change in corneal epithelial cell layer from mice treated by scopolamine was also visualized for the first time. We anticipate this work can provide a new lens to the pathogenesis study and diagnosis of DED and other ophthalmic diseases using fluorescence methods.

Hydrogen-bond locked purine chromophores with high photostability for lipid droplets imaging in cells and tissues

Recently, hydrogen-bonding has attracted extensive attention in the design of chromophores. Here, a new class of hydrogen-bond locked purine chromophores(HOPs) were reported by introducing a hydroxyphenyl group into the C(6) position of purine. The intramolecular hydrogen bond plays a dominant role to light up these probes. As a bonus, HOPs show high photostability. Moreover, HOPs exhibit remarkable capability for the specific lipid droplets imaging in living cells with excellent biocompatibility and are also potential for diagnosing fatty liver diseases. These results bring important new insights into the photophysics of the purine-based chromophores and provide a new scaffold with high photostability for bioimaging.

Qualitative and quantitative detection of aldehydes in DNA with 2-amino benzamidoxime derivative

An aldehyde-reactive probe based on 2-amino benzamidoxime(ABAO)framework was introduced,which can selectively label aldehydes in DNA through intramolecular ring closure under mild aqueous solutions.We screened ABAO derivatives that can undergo a cyclization with the formylated nucleobases to generate a fluorescence nucleoside,and of these derivatives 5–methoxy-ABAO(PMA)emerged as the optimal choice.PMA can sensitively and selectively react with 5f U,5f C and AP to form fluorogenic dihydroquinazoline derivatives,which also can quantify DNA damages induced byγ-irradiation.PMA-initiated labeling strategy provides great convenience for qualitative and quantitative detection of aldehydes in DNA.

Brusatol:A potential anti-tumor quassinoid from Brucea javanica

Brusatol,a triterpene lactone compound mainly from Brucea javanica,sensitizes a broad spectrum of cancer cells.It is known as a specific inhibitor of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway.In this review,we provide a comprehensive overview on the antitumor effect and molecular mechanisms of brusatol in vitro and in vivo.This review also covers pharmacokinetics studies,modification of dosages forms of brusatol.Increasing evidences have validated the value of brusatol as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancers,which may contribute to drug development and clinical application.

A novel coumarin-based water-soluble fluorescent probe for endogenously generated SO2 in living cells

A novel coumarin-based "turn-on" fluorescent probe SS-1 was developed for selective detection of SO_2 derivatives in 100% water solution among reactive sulfur species(RSS). The detection limit of the method was 91.7 nM. Moreover, the probe exhibited low cytotoxicity and was successfully applied in the imaging of endogenously generated SO_2 in HeLa cells.

Research progress in host immune response during hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a global health problem that can cause serious life-threatening liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.111 Under most circumstances,HBV is a non-cytopathic virus(does not directly kill hepatocytes);thus,the liver inflammation and fibrosis have been shown to be predominately mediated by the infiltration of immune cells.121 Even through long term anti・viral therapy,patients can rarely achieve functional cure.However,spontaneous resolution of acute and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)has indicated the possibility of immune control of the HBV infection.Patients with CHB have been shown to have defects in immune response,which results in persistent viral replication and liver inflammation.

Quassinoids from the Root Barks of Ailanthus altissima:Isolation,Configurational Assignment,and Cytotoxic Activities

Main observation and conclusion Quassinoids,a class of highly oxygenated triterpenes,have been isolated as bitter principles from the plants of Simaroubaceae family.Five new quassinoids,chouchunlactone A-E(1-5),and two known ones were identified from the root barks of Ailanthus altissima Swingle(Simaroubaceae).The chemical structures of the new compounds were deduced by spectroscopic data analyses,NMR calculations and DP4+probability analysis.The absolute configurations were defined by comparison of their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism(ECD)spectra data,and compounds 1-2 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.Biologically,compound 5 showed potencies equivalent to sorafenib(IC50 value,9.70μmol·L–1)against HepG2 cells.The Hoechst 33342 staining,JC-1 fluorescent dye and Annexin V/PI analysis studies demonstrated that 5 can induce apoptosis and attenuate mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)in HepG2 cells.

Pyridine-Si-xanthene: A novel near-infrared fluorescent platform for biological imaging

Pyridine-Si-xanthene,a novel near-infrared fluorescent dye,dispalys better photophysical properties compared with Si-rhodamines including improved modifiability and red-shifted emission wavelength.The application is exemplified through the development of a lysosomes-targeting probe capable of imaging cysteine in cells and in vivo.

Tetraphenylethene based zinc complexes as fluorescent chemosensors for pyrophosphate sensing

We described a serious of zinc complexes that exhibit characteristic fluorescence responses toward pyrophosphate （PPi） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in aqueous media. These novel probes exploited tetraphenylethene （TPE） as fluorophore and macrocycle-polyamine （including 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclo- dodecane and 1,4,7-triazacyclononane） Zn（ll） complexes as binding group. These ＂OFF-ON＂ type probes exhibited promising selectivity and sensitivity to PPi and ATP via a restriction ofintramolecular rotation （RIR） mechanism. The detection limit for PPi was found within nmol/L range.