Colorimetric and Fluorometric Paper-Based Assay for Cu2+ Detection Based on Green Synthesis of 2-Aminoterephthalic Acid-Derived Pigments.

In this study, we developed a simple and economical method for the green synthesis of Cu2+ sensors based on betaxanthin pigments. Aminoisophthalic acid-betaxanthin was synthesized by coupling 2-aminoisophthalic acid and betalamic acid produced from DOPA-extradiol-4,5-dioxygenase in situ and in vitro. The resulting 2-aminoterephthalic acid-betaxanthin (2-AIPA-BX) presented a satisfying fluorescence quantum yield in water and a high degree of selectivity for Cu2+ over interfering metal ions. The bioproduction process of 2-AIPA-BX was scaled up from test tubes to 1 L-flasks, indicating the robustness and reproducibility of this method. Additionally, we successfully incorporated 2-AIPA-BX into paper-based analytical devices to facilitate simple, inexpensive, and portable setup with lower sample consumption for onsite monitoring of environmental and biological samples.

Transcription factor-based biosensor for detection of phenylalanine and tyrosine in urine for diagnosis of phenylketonuria.

Clinicians require a simple quantitative method for the detection of both phenylalanine and tyrosine to facilitate the diagnosis of phenylketonuria, a common inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism. In this study, we developed a novel whole-cell biosensor for the quantification of phenylalanine and tyrosine through the expression of red and green fluorescent proteins. The proposed system responds specifically and sensitively to phenylalanine/tyrosine without interferences from other amino acids. Furthermore, the precision of the biosensor was evaluated using specimens of normal human urine by LC-MS.

Development of erlotinib derivatives as CIP2A-ablating agents independent of EGFR activity.

Cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A) is a novel human oncoprotein that inhibits PP2A, contributing to tumor aggressiveness in various cancers. Several studies have shown that downregulation of CIP2A by small molecules reduces PP2A-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and induces cell death. Here, a series of mono- and di-substituted quinazoline and pyrimidine derivatives based on the skeleton of erlotinib (an EGFR inhibitor) were synthesized and their bioactivities against hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated. The di-substituted quinazoline and pyrimidine derivatives were more potent inhibitors of cancer-cell proliferation than the mono-substituted derivatives. In particular, compound 1 with chloride at position 2 of quinazoline was as potent as erlotinib in inducing cell death but no inhibition for EGFR activity. Further assays confirmed a correlation between cell death, and CIP2A and Akt inhibition by these derivatives. Among all the derivatives, compounds 19 and 22 showed the most potent antiproliferative activities and the strongest inhibition of CIP2A and p-Akt expression.

Relationship between quality of life and aerobic capacity of patients entering phase II cardiac rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between patients' aerobic fitness and general health perceptions and how they correspond with functional aerobic impairment (%FAI) and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: One hundred and two patients were administered a version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief form questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Then, each patient underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tests to determine their aerobic fitness and %FAI. We performed Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses to assess the association between variables on the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and the each patient's aerobic fitness. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant association between WHOQOL-BREF scores and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO(2)) in the physical domain (p = 0.006) and environment domain (p = 0.011). Spearman's correlation coefficient also demonstrated a significant association between WHOQOL-BREF scores and the %FAI in the environmental domain (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: QOL of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery is influenced not only by impaired aerobic fitness but also by poor physical and psychological well-being. The implementation of proper lifestyle modifications and the strengthening of social support networks following CABG surgery are very important for maximizing cardiovascular fitness and improving the QOL of these patients.