Browse Articles

A “turn-on” CRISPR-mediated method using enhanced fluorescent bimetallic DNA nanoclusters for EGFR mutation detection in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract An affordable, precise detection of mutations is critical for guiding targeted cancer therapies and improving patient outcomes. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein on the surface of cells that regulates growth and division, is frequently mutated in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Early identification of these mutations enables clinicians to select the most effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, thereby enhancing treatment response and survival rates. Recent studies have focused on developing CRISPR-based detection strategies incorporating nanomaterials to achieve more accurate results. In this study, we present a CRISPR-based “turn-on” detection platform that leverages the cleavage of a novel enhanced bimetallic DNA nanocluster to measure EGFR exon 19 deletion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The system is innovatively designed using guide RNAs (gRNAs) rationally derived from the normal EGFR gene, enabling the determination of exon 19 deletion through CRISPR-Cas activation in samples containing the normal and mutant. Upon recognition of the normal EGFR gene, the Cas12a enzyme induces cleavage of the Spermiform-designed Ag/Au DNA nanocluster and fluorescence quenching. At the same time, fluorescence signal retention depends on mutation frequency, with higher mutation frequencies resulting in greater or “turn-on” fluorescence signals. This approach achieves a detection limit (LOD) of approximately 0.35 nM, which is capable of detecting about 1.5% mutation, offering a cost-effective, label-free diagnostic tool and a promising strategy for future detection of deletion-related subtypes in PCR products by targeting normal sequences. The integration of bimetallic nanocluster-based reporters with CRISPR precision provides an emerging platform for next-generation molecular diagnostics targeting EGFR and other clinically relevant mutations.

Multi-method synergistic determination of the development height of the water-conducting fractured zone in the 82,209 working face

Caregiver-reported barriers and facilitators in home-based aural habilitation for children with hearing impairment in Malaysia

Volatile composition of essential oils from major Egyptian Citrus cultivars: a multivariate chemometric approach

Abstract The essential oils extracted from the rind of Citrus spp. (F. Rutaceae) is abundant in chemical components of importance for the food and perfume industries, and therefore has been thoroughly researched during the past few decades. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive study of the volatile composition of this oils for the 12 most cultivated Citrus in Egypt: Citrus sinensis varieties: “Washington Navel (Navelina)”, “Balady Seeded Orange”, “Blood Orange”, and “Sweet Orange Sukkari”, Citrus reticulata Blanco varieties: “Yousfy Balady”, “Ponkan Chinese Honey Mandarin”, “Murcott Mandarin”, “Clementine Mandarin”, and “Dancy Tangerine”, Citrus aurantifolia Swingle: “Key Lime”, Citrus limettioides : “Sweet Lime”, and Citrus paradisi Macf.: “Tangelo Seminole”. All 12 varieties have been shown to contain 49 volatile chemical compounds, the majority of which are terpenoid (90–100%). However, some of the volatile compounds found in Citrus peel are non-terpenoid, and some of them may be helpful as species biomarkers. Multivariate data analysis was applied including unsupervised (PCA) and supervised multivariate approaches (PLS-DA, sPLS-DA) to profile volatile compounds across three Citrus groups ( C. reticulate varieties, C. sinensis varieties, and other Citrus species). PCA revealed partial overlap between C. reticulata and C. sinensis , while C. paradisi and C. aurantifolia were clearly separated. PLS-DA and sPLS-DA confirmed these distinctions, with sPLS-DA achieving stronger discrimination. Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) analysis identified key discriminant metabolites, including α-ocimene, neryl acetate, and germacrene B, as primary contributors to varietal separation. These findings reveal distinct volatile profiles among Citrus groups and demonstrate the applicability of multivariate analysis for Citrus differentiation.

Polysubstance use: delay discounting in relationship to remission

FTDRL-HGSO: an efficient terrain-adaptive DRL-driven gait and path control framework for hexapod robots

miR-27b-3p promotes thyroid cancer cell aggressiveness via ATF3 suppression

Synergistic Tuning of Structure and Active Phases in Zn–Mn Loaded Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel for High–Efficiency Desulfurization

ABSTRACT Hydrogen sulfide removal under mid–to–high temperature is one of the key technologies for the clean development of coal–based syngas, and its core lies in the design and development of sorbents with high active component utilization. Thus, a novel zinc–manganese composite sorbent supported on three–dimensional carbon nanofiber aerogels (Zn–MnCAs) is proposed to synergistically enhance the desulfurization efficiency through structural design and active phase regulation. The carbon nanofiber aerogel supporter possesses a dual–interpenetrating network structure, high porosity (>99%), and excellent anti–shrinkage properties. Its three–dimensional and open–pore structure significantly promotes gas mass transfer, with a permeability 28 times higher than that of traditional nanofiber membranes. Meanwhile, the loading content of MnO 2 and its desulfurization performance are remarkably improved after redox reaction. On this basis, by further optimizing the zinc salt concentration in the hydrothermal solution, the Zn–MnCAs sorbent exhibits outstanding performance in desulfurization evaluation, achieving a sulfur capacity of 10.3 g S/100 g sorbent and a zinc utilization rate as high as 91.1%. In situ XRD, EXAFS, and DFT calculations reveal that the presence of highly dispersed and abundant ZnO is the main reason for the enhanced performance. This work provides a new material design concept for developing desulfurization sorbents with high performance.

Urban public green spaces in semi-arid cities: integrating vegetation health, water sustainability, and environmental justice in Mashhad, Iran

Mechanical properties and elevated temperature performance of structural lightweight geopolymer concrete

Precise three-dimensional borehole pressure relief technology for surrounding rock control of large deformation roadways in high-stress coal seams

Plutonium Gets a Cage

ABSTRACT Fellhauer et al. report the first plutonyl cage cluster, {Pu60}, marking a major advance in plutonium chemistry (DOI: 10.1002/anov.70018 ). Its unique distorted truncated dodecahedral topology expands the known library of aqueous actinide species and points toward nanoscale control of plutonium through tunable cage structures, counter‐cations, and ligand substitutions.

Sustainable and trust-aware multi-tier fog–cloud infrastructure for energy-optimal IIoT operations: adaptive resource management and blockchain-assured security

Integrated chemical and genomic analysis of lipopeptides produced by Bacillus velezensis CMRP4489 with antifungal activity

Abstract Biological control by microorganisms is an increasingly interesting alternative for reducing crop losses caused by phytopathogens. The strain Bacillus velezensis CMRP4489 (LABIM40) stands out for its strong biotechnological potential for controlling fungal phytopathogens, and, according to in silico analyses, 12 significant gene clusters in its genome encode secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. The present study aimed to produce, extract, identify, and evaluate in vitro and in silico the antifungal metabolites produced by B. velezensis CMRP4489 with activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , a fungus responsible for white mold. The compound with the highest activity was identified by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) analyses and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as bacillopeptin, a molecule of the iturin family. As a result, we included comparative genomics of the iturin family and related cyclic lipopeptides and found at least three biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) associated with these compounds. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the antifungal activity of bacillopeptins against S. sclerotiorum .

Nonlinear effect and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of urban resilience on surface urban heat Island in the Guanzhong urban agglomeration

Whole blood and tissue miRNA expression profiles in children with congenital heart disease–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension

Blockchain-based IoT integration for VAT photopolymerization additive manufacturing process security and transparency

Identification and validation of KASP markers for the non-parchment trait in edible podded pea

Industrial optimization of vacuum disk filter dewatering in an iron ore beneficiation plant

Effect of utilizing a Bacillus sp bacteria consortium for biofilter inoculum in a lab-scale tilapia RAS to enhance production and fish health

Abstract For the success of recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs), effective biological filtration is essential. This study examined the biofiltration efficiency of four moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR; abbreviated BF) configurations inoculated with a Bacillus spp . consortium (BC) and their effects on tilapia performance and health. Four treatments were tested: (1) BF 120 BC 0 : Biofiltration process lasted 120 days, 60 days before and 60 days during the experiment, without Bacillus spp. consortium addition. (2) BF 67 BC 67 : Biofiltration process lasted 67 days;7 before and 60 during the experiment. The MBBR received 1 g BC/m 3 media every 15 days. (3) BF 120 BC 60 : Biofiltration process lasted 120 days, with 60 days without Bacillus spp. Consortium addition before the experiment. Then, the MBBR received 1 g BC/m 3 media every 15 days for 60 days. (4) BF 120 BC 67 : From day 60 to day 7 before the experiment, the MBBR’s media was half (2.5 L) and then full (5 L). The MBBR was given 1 g BC/m 3 media every 15 days for 67 days, starting from day 7 before the experiment. Using 12 RAS units, 120 tilapia weighing 72.41 g were stocked at 10 fish per tank, totaling 12 kg/m 3 , in four groups of three replicates. The first month’s water exchange was 1%, the second 2%. The results showed that adding Bacillus spp. consortium to the longer MBBR configuration period improved water quality, fish performance, and tilapia health. Compared with the other treatments, the BF 120 BC 60 treatment showed enhanced performance in tilapia growth, feed utilization, and body composition. It also had a significant ( P  ≤ 0.05) effect on serum digestive enzymes, lipid profiles, liver and kidney enzymes, immunity, stress levels, antioxidants, immune/growth-related hormones, and health indicators in the gills, intestines, and liver.