Southwest University

About: Southwest University is a education organization based out in Chongqing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Bombyx mori. The organization has 29772 authors who have published 27755 publications receiving 409441 citations. The organization is also known as: Southwest University in Chongqing & SWU.

“Off” to “On” Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Platform with Padlock Probe-Based Exponential Rolling Circle Amplification for Ultrasensitive Detection of MicroRNA 155

Abstract: In this work, an “off” to “on” surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platform was constructed for ultrasensitive detection of microRNA (miRNA) by using a magnetic SERS substrate (Co@C/PEI/Ag) and padlock probe-based exponential rolling circle amplification (P-ERCA) strategy. Herein, miRNA 155 could act as primers to initiate rolling circle amplification (RCA) for producing a long repeat sequence, and then the obtained DNA would be cleaved into two kinds of single-stranded DNAs in the presence of nickase. One of the DNAs can be a new primer to initiate new cycle reactions for obtaining large numbers of the other one (trigger DNA), consequently leading to an exponential amplification. On the other hand, the hairpin DNA (H1), with a Raman label (Cy5) at one end, would form a hairpin structure to make the Cy5 closer to the SERS substrates, which could produce a strong SERS signal (“on” status). Then placeholder DNA (P2) partly hybridized with H1 to open the hairpin structure making Cy5 far away from subs...

Cinnamaldehyde inhibits fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by modulating the oxidative stress response of Aspergillus flavus

Abstract: Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is a promising natural preservative and generally recognized as safe for commodities as well as consumers. In this work, the antifungal effects of CIN on Aspergillus flavus were evaluated both in solid and in liquid culture conditions. Our results indicated that CIN effectively inhibited radial growth, spore production, mycelium formation, and aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by A. flavus in a dose-dependent manner. At the concentration of 104 mg L(-1), CIN exposure was able to completely inhibit fungal growth as well as aflatoxin B1 production. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of CIN were closely connected with the treatment period and the tested fungal species. Compared with the control strains, CIN dose dependently changed the morphology and ultrastructure of mycelium in different degree. Especially, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide was considered to follow the destruction of mitochondrial. Meanwhile, CIN significantly cut the levels of lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione. The activity of total superoxide dismutase was significantly inhibited after CIN treatment at the end of incubation, whereas the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were opposite. These results indicated that the inhibitory effect of CIN could attribute to oxidative stress alleviation possibly induced by modifications of cellular structure as well as redox status.