We present a new method for specific detection of oxytetracycline (OTC) at nanomolar concentrations based on a microfabricated cantilever array. The sensing cantilevers in the array are functionalized with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of OTC-specific aptamer, which acts as a recognition molecule for OTC. While the reference cantilevers in the array are functionalized with 6-mercapto-1-hexanol SAMs to eliminate the influence of environmental disturbances. The cantilever sensor shows a good linear relationship between the deflection amplitude and the OTC concentration in the range of 1.0-100 nM. The detection limit of the cantilever array sensor is as low as 0.2 nM, which is comparable to some traditional methods. Other antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline do not cause significant deflection of the cantilevers. It is demonstrated that the cantilever array sensors can be used as a powerful tool to detect drugs with high sensitivity and selectivity.

The capability of Bacillus subtilis spores to withstand extreme environmental conditions is thought to be conferred especially by their outermost proteinaceous protective layer, called the spore coat. Of the over 70 proteins that form the spore coat, only a small subset of them affect its morphogenesis, they are referred to as morphogenetic proteins. In this study we investigated the interaction between two spore coat morphogenetic proteins SpoVID and CotE. SpoVID is involved in the process of spore surface encirclement by individual coat proteins, these include CotE, which controls the assembly of the outer coat layer. Both proteins were proposed to be recruited to a common protein scaffold, but their direct association has not been previously shown. Here we studied the interactions between CotE and SpoVID in vitro for the first time by using molecule recognition force spectroscopy, which allows the detection of piconewton forces between conjugated biological pairs and also facilitates the investigation of dynamic processes. The most probable CotE–CotE unbinding force was 49.4 ± 0.1 pN at a loading rate of 3.16 × 103 pN/s while that of SpoVID–CotE was 26.5 ± 0.6 pN at a loading rate of 7.8 × 102 pN/s. We further analyzed the interactions with the bacterial two hybrid system and pull-down experiments, which also indicate that SpoVID interacts directly with CotE. In combination with the previously identified direct contacts among SpoIVA, SpoVID and SafA, our data imply that the physical association of key morphogenetic proteins forms a basic skeleton where other coat proteins could be attached.

We report a simple and sensitive method for label-free detection of single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSBP) based on an array of microfabricated cantilevers. The single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was immobilized on the surface of the sensing cantilevers to detect SSBP, while the reference cantilevers were modified with 6-mercapto-1-hexanol to detect any unwanted cantilever deflection. The differential deflection signals that reveal specific SSBP–ssDNA binding have been found to depend on the SSBP concentration. Using the cantilever array sensor we can detect SSBP in the concentration range from 0.01 to 7μgmL−1. Other proteins, such as thrombin or bovine serum albumin induced no significant deflection of the cantilevers. Our results show the potential for the application of cantilever array sensor system as a powerful tool to detect proteins with high sensitivity and specificity.

The self-assembled structures possess superior stability, biocompatibility and mechanical strength, and their study can provide insight into the use of creating novel biomaterials. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) nanostructures show that well-ordered organization, high homogeneity, and molecular dimensions fractal-shaped fibers formed on a gold substrate covered with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 1-hexadecanethiol (HDT). The nanoscaled architectures of ssDNA on HDT/Au changed remarkably following the process of diffusion-limited cluster aggregation (DLA) over time. The ssDNA fibers prefer to form on hydrophobic SAMs instead of hydrophilic SAMs, and the ssDNA has to have complementary regions in their sequences. This method might not be used only for the construction of fractal patterns, but also for the design and fabrication of functional DNA-based, self-assembled materials that exhibit self-similarity at multiple length scales.

This Letter describes a novel approach in fabricating poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) concave microlens arrays (MLAs) by using a combination of microcontact printing (mu CP), selective wetting/dewetting and replica moulding. mu CP is used to generate a chemical pattern utilising hexadecanethiol (HDT) as an ink on gold substrate. When polyethylene glycol (PEG) is dip-coated on the chemical pattern, the PEG solution selectively dewets the HDT patterned regions and wets the remaining bare gold regions, resulting in the formation of a PEG dot array. Then, PDMS concave MLAs were fabricated by replica moulding of the PEG dot array. The fabricated microlenses have a diameter of 39.9 mu m and a sag height of 2.9 mu m as were revealed by a scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy. This method provides a simple and low-cost approach to prepare large-area PDMS concave MLAs, which has potential application in many optoelectronic devices.

Molecular recognition force spectroscopy (MR‐FS) was applied to investigate the dynamic interaction between aptamer GBI‐10 and tenascin‐C (TN‐C) on human glioblastoma cell surface at single‐molecule level. The unbinding force between aptamer GBI‐10 and TN‐C was 39 pN at the loading rate of 0.3 nN sec−1. A series of kinetic parameters concerning interaction process such as the unbinding force fu, the association rate constant kon, dissociation rate constant at zero force koff, and dissociation constant KD for aptamer GBI‐10/TN‐C complexes were acquired. In addition, the interaction of aptamer GBI‐10 with TN‐C depended on the presence of Mg2+. This work demonstrates that MR‐FS can be used as an attractive tool for exploring the interaction forces and dynamic process of aptamer and ligand at the single‐molecule level. As a future perspective, MR‐FS may be used as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic tool by combining with other techniques. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Scatter me: A fast and cost-effective approach for the fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) arrays is developed. The method applied combines microcontact printing, electrodeposition, and galvanic replacement without the need for expensive instruments and intricate processing. The as-prepared arrays show excellent SERS activity and high reproducibility for Rhodamine 6G.

To investigate the complex appearance of vascularity of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in ankylosing spondylitis. Sixty-eight patients and 35 controls were included in the study. Blood flow was examined at the SIJ by using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS). The location of color flow signs and flow pattern were observed. Arteries do not present reversed phase in diastolic phase on pulse Doppler sonography, and if they were found inside and around the SIJ, the resistive index (RI) was measured. In active AS patients, the region of SIJ presented increased vascularization greater than those in inactive AS (P = 0.001) and the controls (P = 0.001). There are three different spectral Doppler tracings: arterial flow (RI < 1), arterial flow representing reversed phase in diastolic phase on spectral Doppler sonography and venous flow. Besides arterial flow signs, most of color flow signs presented venous flow in active AS. Significant increases in a number of venous flow signs in active AS cases (P < 0.001) were observed. In most cases, two or more different flow patterns presented in a region very close to the location of SIJ. In addition, a different vascularization was observed. Abnormal vascularization at the sacroiliac joints can be detected by CDUS. The vascularization in SIJ presented complex appearance, which increases the difficulties of CDUS examination. Venous blood flow in the assessment of active AS merits further study.

Carbohydrates are involved in many essential biological recognition processes in physiological and pathological states. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanism of protein-carbohydrate interactions at molecular level. In the present study, molecular recognition force spectroscopy was applied to investigate the interactions between RCA₁₂₀, a lectin from Ricinus communis, and galactose (Gal) and asialofetuin (ASF) at the single-molecule level. RCA₁₂₀ coupled to the AFM tip could specifically recognize Gal and ASF, respectively. The unbinding forces of RCA₁₂₀-Gal and RCA₁₂₀-ASF increase linearly with the logarithm of loading rate. The results reveal that the binding capability of RCA₁₂₀ toward Gal is weaker than that of ASF, implicating a multivalent effect in the RCA₁₂₀-ASF interaction.

Molecular recognition force spectroscopy is used to study the specific interaction between RCA120 and Gal on living HeLa cells at the single-molecule level (see picture). The results indicate that this technique can be used to explore the force and dynamics of lectin–carbohydrate interaction in living cells in their native environments.

Well-assisted nanopatterns: A new route to fabricate multicomponent protein nanopatterns by combining bias-assisted atomic force microscopy nanolithography and aptamer–protein recognition is presented. Two types of aptamer arrays for anchoring platelet-derived growth-factor-BB and thrombin (see picture) are introduced [Eg3-SH: 11-mercaptoundecyl-tri(ethylene glycol)].

A facile method is proposed for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (RGONS) and Au nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide nanosheet (Au-RGONS) hybrid materials, using graphene oxide (GO) as precursor and sodium citrate as reductant and stabilizer. The resulting RGONS and Au-RGONS hybrid materials were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. It was found that the RGONS and Au-RGONS hybrid materials formed stable colloidal dispersions through hydrogen bonds between the residual oxygen-containing functionalities on the surface of RGONS and the hydroxyl/carboxyl groups of sodium citrate. The electrochemical responses of RGONS and Au-RGONS hybrid material-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) to three kinds of biomolecules were investigated, and all of them showed a remarkable increase in electrochemical performance relative to a bare GCE.

We report a case of iatrogenic common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury during a straight-leg raising test. Significant swelling in the CPN was observed on ultrasound, most likely due to the loss of the normal fascicular pattern. A postoperative pathological diagnosis indicated a sheath ganglion and high degree of mucinous degeneration of the CPN. A follow-up 3 months after the operation showed marked improvement in the patient's symptoms, corroborated by an electromyogram.

Objective To evaluate real-time tissue elastography(RTE)on skeletal muscle inflammation induced by injection prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in rabbits.Methods New Zealand white rabbits (n=20)were injected in right hind with PGE2 to establish inflammation models.Intramuscular injections were received weekly five times altogether.The contralateral was used as the control.The scanning was performed 1 week,2 weeks,5 weeks after injection.Images were in contrast with pathological results.Results 1 week,2 weeks and 5 weeks later,the differences between injection side and normal side were statistically significant(P<0.05).The difference between 1st and 5th week,2nd and 5th week were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significantly statistical difference between 1st and 2nd week(P<0.05).Conclusions RTE can find changes earlier than two-dimensional ultrasound in detection lesions,and provide help for improving the early diagnosis of skeletal muscle inflammation.

目的 研究周围神经术后吻合处超声形态学特征.方法 高频超声检查周围神经术后功能不佳的46例患者,观察吻合处神经束、神经束膜和疤痕等表现并分型.结果 吻合处主要表现为疤痕型(创伤性神经瘤13条、神经周围疤痕牵拉5条和神经膜下疤痕3条)、神经束走行异常型(神经束迂曲4条和神经束对接不良6条)和吻合处增粗型(15条)等3种类型.结论 超声可较为精细地显示周围神经术后吻合处的形态,可为疗效评价和临床进一步处理提供重要的信息.

Nowadays, Ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) is not only a good contrast agent for ultrasonic imaging, but also an important tool for drug delivery. As a kind of UCA, lipofectamine has the shell with positive charge. It can encapsulate genes and also be adhered to cells because genes and cells are all with negative charge. With this feature, it plays an important role in transfection. Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I(SR-BI) is a HDL receptor thought to be the first step in the progress of cholesterol transport. In this way, SR-BI loaded UCA has great possibility to cure atherosclerosis plaque.

Objective To evaluate the dynamic ultrasonography of the hand tendon tears in the differential diagnosis of tendon diseases. Methods One hundred and eighty-two patients suspected the hand tendon injuries clinically were examined by dynamic ultrasonography.The sonographic presence of tendon continuity and abnonnal echogenicity of tendon were observed in tendon movement,especially in the passive or active movement of flexor tendon and extensor tendon.Results According to the sonographic presence for hand tendon injuries,121 cases were tendon tear(86 complete tear and 35 incomplete tear),30 cases were local tumefaction in tendon and 31 cases were conglutination in suture.One hundred and thirty-two cases were confirmed by operation and 50 were confirmed by follow-up of ultrasonography and clinical relief.Conclusion Ultrasonography has its predominance in dynamic examination,which provides important information for the differential diagnosis of tendon injuries of hand.

For the ability to carry drugs and release them at target areas, Ultrasound Contrast Agent (UCA) can be a new vector for drug delivery. Ultrasound makes UCA ruptured so that the drugs it carried can be released. The intensity of medical ultrasound varies wildly. Although low-intensity ultrasound is often used in vitro studies, we think in vivo, the application of high-intensity ultrasound will have better future prospects for drug delivery than low-intensity ultrasonic.

INTRODUCTION:This report evaluates the efficacy of percutaneous needle puncture under sonographic guidance in treating lateral epicondylitis (tennis-elbow).METHODS:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle puncture was performed on 76 patients who presented with persistent elbow pain. Under a local anesthetic and sonographic guidance, a needle was advanced into the calcification foci and the calcifications were mechanically fragmented. This was followed by a local injection of 25 mg prednisone acetate and 1% lidocaine. If no calcification was found then multiple punctures were performed followed by local injection of 25 mg prednisone acetate and 1% lidocaine. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain pre-and posttreatment at 1 week to 24 weeks. Elbow function improvement and degree of self-satisfaction were also evaluated.RESULTS:Of the 76 patients, 55% were rated with excellent treatment outcome, 32% good, 11% average, and 3% poor. From 3 weeks posttreatment, VAS scores were significantly reduced compared with the pretreatment score (P<0.05) and continued to gradually decline up to 24 weeks posttreatment. Sonography demonstrated that the calcified lesions disappeared completely in 13% of the patients, were reduced in 61% of the patients, and did not change in 26% of the patients. Color Doppler flow signal used to assess hemodynamic changes showed a significant improvement after treatment in most patients.CONCLUSION:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle puncture is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for tennis elbow. Sonography can be used to accurately identify the puncture location and monitor changes.

INTRODUCTION:The aim of this study was to evaluate whether aspiration affects patient outcome during ultrasound-guided needle puncture treatment for calcifying supraspinatus tendinitis.METHODS:Eighty-one patients with calcifying supraspinatus tendinitis received needle puncture therapy under ultrasonography guidance. Group A received ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle punctures and aspiration of calcareous deposits, while Group B received ultrasound-guided punctures only. Patients were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, shoulder function, and satisfaction 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after treatment. The different VAS parameters were combined and the differences between groups were analyzed.RESULTS:In both groups, VAS scores significantly decreased over the 36 weeks following treatment (P<0.05). Overall, the majority (6/7) of the VAS scores were not statistically different between groups.CONCLUSION:The results of the study suggest that aspirating calcified deposits do not affect patient outcome. Puncturing the calcified deposits (without aspiration) appears to be an effective treatment method for calcifying supraspinatus tendinitis.