Energy Transfer between Size-Controlled CsPbI Quantum Dots for Light-Emitting Diode Application.

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are applicable in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) owing to their color tunability, high color purity, and excellent photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in the solution state. However, a PQD film obtained through nonradiative recombination by concentration quenching and the formation of surface defects exhibited a low PLQY. In this study, we focused on the energy transfer between PQDs with different energy gaps () to reduce nonradiative recombination in the film state and consequently achieve high device performance.

Gel permeation chromatography process for highly oriented CsCuI nanocrystal film.

The emergence of green materials has attracted considerable attention in the field of optoelectronics. Copper-based lead-free metal halide (with a near-unity quantum yield) obtained from CsCuI nanocrystals (NCs) can exhibit blue emission with a wavelength of 440 nm and provide outstanding stability for various applications. However, in practical applications, colloidal dispersion purity and film quality are inadequate toward a high-performance device.

Two-Step Crystallization for Low-Oxidation Tin-Based Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Metal halide perovskites attract significant attention because of their excellent optoelectronic and semiconducting properties. However, there are environmental concerns related to the toxicity of the lead metal that is mainly used in these perovskites. PEASnI perovskite is a potential candidate for lead-free perovskites because of its pure red emission.

Combining MALDI-MS with machine learning for metabolomic characterization of lung cancer patient sera.

An increasing amount of evidence has proven that serum metabolites can instantly reflect disease states. Therefore, sensitive and reproducible detection of serum metabolites in a high-throughput manner is urgently needed for clinical diagnosis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a high-throughput platform for metabolite detection, but it is hindered by significant signal fluctuations because of the "sweet spot" effect of organic matrices.

Comparison of IOL-Master 700 and IOL-Master 500 biometers in ocular biological parameters of adolescents.

Aim: To compare the differences and consistency of IOL-Master 700 biometers applying swept optical coherence tomography with the conventional IOL-Master 500 applying partial coherence interference in terms of the ocular biological parameters in adolescents with ametropia.

Methods: A total of 110 adolescents (110 eyes) with ametropia were collected, including 55 males and 55 females; age 10.69±2.

Temperature abetted synthesis of novel magnesium stannate nanoparticles assisted for nanomolar level detection of hazardous flavonoid in biological samples.

Fabrication of temperature-influenced nanoparticles over the superficial region of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) stimulates the electrocatalytic activity owing to their morphology, defective sites, and higher active surface area, etc. In this regard, we have fabricated annealed magnesium stannate nanoparticles (MgSnO NPs) on GCE for nanomolar level detection of hazardous flavoring and pharmaceutical compound Rutin (RT). To analyze the impact of temperature, we have compared annealed MgSnO NPs with unannealed magnesium stannate hydrate (MgSnO·3HO) particles.

Harvesting More Energetic Photoexcited Electrons from Closely Packed Gold Nanoparticles.

The characterization of photoexcited electrons on the surface of nanomaterial remains challenging. Herein, laser excitation mass spectrometry combined with a chemical thermometer and electron acceptor has been developed to characterize the energetics and population density of photoexcited electrons transferred from gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In contrast to laser fluence and bias voltage, the hot spots of closely packed AuNPs play a more significant role in enhancing the average energetics of photoexcited electrons, which can be harvested effectively by the electron acceptor.

Parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous blood cover in the management of giant, persistent or recurrent macular holes.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous whole blood cover in the treatment of refractory macular holes (MHs) and present the surgical procedure.

Methods: Patients with giant (minimum diameter ≥800 µm), recurrent or persistent MHs who underwent PPV combined with parafoveal retinal massage and autologous whole blood cover using C3F8 as tamponade agent from February 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. After surgery, all patients were informed to maintain a prone position for at least 7d.

Enzyme-free electrochemical biosensor based on amplification of proximity-dependent surface hybridization chain reaction for ultrasensitive mRNA detection.

The ability to recognize mRNA with high efficiency in cells would greatly facilitate the elucidation of mRNA-mediated cellular cascades and their disease associations. However, most traditional electrochemical strategies targeting nucleotides are always confronted with cumbersome interface operation and washing procedures, as well as the high cost of labeling and the strict reaction conditions of tool enzymes, limiting their potential applications. To address these issues, herein we reported, for the first time, a simple label-free, isothermal, non-enzymatic, and ultrasensitive homogeneous electrochemical biosensor based on autonomous proximity-dependent surface hybridization chain reaction (HCR), for sensitive signal amplification and highly specific detection of target survivin mRNA with a detection limit of 3 fM.

Vitrectomy with air tamponade for surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by eye position guided fluid-air exchange.

Aim: To observe the efficacy and safety of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with eye position guided fluid-air exchange (FAX) and air tamponade in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods: RRD patients without severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) C1 or more were enrolled. All patients underwent PPV combining with air tamponade.

Surface optimization of gold nanoparticle mass tags for the sensitive detection of protein biomarkers immuno-capture LI-MS.

HPV-induced cervical cancer is one of the most lethal cancers. Therefore, the development of a reliable and accurate method for the early diagnosis of HPV infections is highly important. Here, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were utilized as mass tags in an immuno-capture LI-MS assay for the detection of HPV marker proteins.

Sensitive Detection of Separated Charges in Nanohybrids by Laser Excitation Mass Spectrometry with Tetrabutylammonium Cationic Probe.

Charge separation lays the foundation for photocatalysis and photovoltaics, in which the catalytic/voltaic efficiency is primarily related to the amount of separated charges generated. Yet, direct experimental approaches for the quantification of separated charges are very limited, especially for nanostructures in small quantities. Here, by laser excitation mass spectrometry with tetrabutylammonium as a sensitive probe, the separated charges in gold-metal sulfide core-shell nanostructures are determined and correlated with the bandgap of the semiconductor shell.

Zwitterionic Polymer Conjugated Glucagon-like Peptide-1 for Prolonged Glycemic Control.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is of particular interest for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as it induces insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent fashion and has the potential to facilitate weight control. However, native GLP-1 is a short incretin peptide that is susceptible to fast proteolytic inactivation and rapid clearance from the circulation. Various GLP-1 analogs and bioconjugation of GLP-1 analogs have been developed to counter these issues, but these modifications are frequently accompanied by the sacrifice of potency and the induction of immunogenicity.

DNA-Programmed plasmonic ELISA for the ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers.

We report a novel DNA-programmed plasmonic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers with the naked eye. The DNA-programmed plasmonic assay was based on two enzyme-free and isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods: hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA). In this study, a biotin-labeled DNA probe was utilized insteand of an enzyme-label probe in well-developed ELISA method.

The Hidden Heroes: Holes in Charge-Driven Desorption Mass Spectrometry.

Photoexcited hot carriers have high impacts on various fields. However, in contrast to the attention attracted by the hot-electrons, the contributions of holes are seldom recognized. Yet, by simply removing the hot-electrons but retaining the holes on the surface of photoexcited plasmonic gold nanoparticles, a 60-fold ion intensity amplification could be achieved in laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

Plasmonic metal nanoparticles as efficient mass tags for ion signal amplification and ultrasensitive detection of protein markers.

The development of sensitive and specific analytical methods is critical for the discovery of molecular biomarkers, which assists disease diagnosis and understanding biological processes. Herein, a highly sensitive method is developed using antibody-conjugated plasmonic metal nanoparticles for the detection of targeted biomarkers down to low attomole level via coupling of immunoassay techniques with laser ionization mass spectrometry (LI-MS). The conjugated antibodies target specific antigens, while the metal nanoparticles act as mass tags and ion reservoirs for the signal amplification.

Plasmonic gold nanoparticles as multifaceted probe for tissue imaging.

The localized surface plasmon resonance property of gold nanoparticles enables their application as a versatile and sensitive imaging probe, with intense colour, enhanced fluorescence and strong MS ion intensity for biological tissue imaging.

Exploring the effects of methylene blue on amyloid fibrillogenesis of lysozyme.

The 129-residue lysozyme has been shown to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. While methylene blue (MB), a compound in the phenothiazinium family, has been shown to dissemble tau fibril formation, its anti-fibrillogenic effect has not been thoroughly characterized in other proteins/peptides. This study examines the effects of MB on the in vitro fibrillogenesis of lysozyme at pH 2.

Chemical Printing of Biological Tissue by Gold Nanoparticle-Assisted Laser Ablation.

A chemical printing method based on gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-assisted laser ablation has been developed. By rastering a thin layer of AuNPs coated on a rat kidney tissue section with a UV laser, biomolecules are extracted and immediately transferred/printed onto a supporting glass substrate. The integrity of the printed sample is preserved, as revealed by imaging mass spectrometric analysis.

Fenugreek Compound (N55) Lowers Plasma Glucose through the Enhancement of Response of Physiological Glucagon-like peptide-1.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1R) analogues are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, but are known to activate GLP-1R signaling globally and constitutively. Active compound N55, previously isolated from fenugreek, enhances the potency of GLP-1 without activating GLP-1R. Here we investigated if N55 lowers plasma glucose base on physiological levels of GLP-1.

Silver-gold alloy nanoparticles as tunable substrates for systematic control of ion-desorption efficiency and heat transfer in surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization.

Systematically controlling heat transfer in the surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) process and thus enhancing the analytical performance of SALDI-MS remains a challenging task. In the current study, by tuning the metal contents of Ag-Au alloy nanoparticle substrates (AgNPs, Ag55Au45NPs, Ag15Au85NPs and AuNPs, ∅: ∼2.0 nm), it was found that both SALDI ion-desorption efficiency and heat transfer can be controlled in a wide range of laser fluence (21.

Nrf2 mediates the protective effects of homocysteine by increasing the levels of GSH content in HepG2 cells.

Homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH) are crucial reduction‑oxidation mediators. The underlying mechanisms governing the effects of Hcy on GSH generation in the progression of alcoholic liver disease has so far received little attention. The present study hypothesized that the antioxidant transcriptional factor nuclear factor (erythroid‑derived 2)‑like 2 (Nrf2) may participate in Hcy‑mediated regulation of GSH production in HepG2 human liver cancer cells.

Effect on proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma cell by RNA inhibiting high mobility group protein box-1 expression.

Aim: To investigate the effect of high mobility group protein box-1 (HMGB1) siRNA on proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma (Rb) cells.

Methods: The expression of HMGB1 in Rb cells were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Chemically synthesized HMGB1 siRNA was transfected into Y79 cells.

Investigating the effects of erythrosine B on amyloid fibril formation derived from lysozyme.

Formation of amyloid fibrils has been associated with at least 30 different protein aggregation diseases. The 129-residue polypeptide hen lysozyme, which is structurally homologous to human lysozyme, has been demonstrated to exhibit amyloid fibril-forming propensity in vitro. This study is aimed at exploring the influence of erythrosine B on the in vitro amyloid fibril formation of hen lysozyme at pH 2.

Effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on the structure and activity of lysozyme.

We investigated the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the structure and activity of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) using CeO and ZnO NPs. Our results showed that CeO NPs triggered the transition of lysozyme secondary structure from α-helix to β-sheet. CeO NPs also induced the hydrophobic region of lysozyme to become exposed to the solvent.