Bioinspired Spatial Compartment of Substrate Molecules and Catalytic Counting Entities in Hierarchical MOFs Initiated for a Dual-Mode Glycoprotein Assay.

Living cell systems possess multiple isolated compartments that can spatially confine complex substances and shield them from each other to allow for feedback reactions. In this work, a bioinspired design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with well-defined multishelled matrices was fabricated as a hierarchical host for multiple guest substances including fluorogenic molecules and catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) at the separated locations for the development of a dual-mode glycoprotein assay. The multispatial-compartmental zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) constituents were synthesized via epitaxial shell-by-shell overgrowth to guide the integration and spatial organization of host guests.

Recent advances in photonic crystal-based chemical sensors.

The increasing attention towards environmental quality, food safety, public security and medical diagnosis demands high requirements and standards for chemical sensors with merits of rapid response, high precision, long-term stability and reusability. In this case, a prominent innovation in sensory materials holds potential to realize new generations of chemical sensor technologies. Specifically, photonic crystals (PCs) as structured dielectric materials with spatially periodic ordered arrangements offer unique advantages in improving the sensing performance of chemical sensors.

Textural Precursor Compositions Harvested for Independent Signal Generators: Scaling Micron-Sized Flower-Like Metal-Organic Frameworks as Amplifying Units for Dual-Mode Glycoprotein Assay.

In this work, a micron-sized flower-like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based boronate-affinity sandwich-type immunoassay was fabricated for the dual-mode glycoprotein assay. For proof of concept, the flower-like MOFs were synthesized from transition Cu nodes and tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) ligands by spontaneous standing assembly. In addition, the specificity toward glycoprotein involved the antigen recognition as well as covalent bonding via the boronate-glycan affinity, and the immediate signal responses were initiated by textural decomposition of the flower-like MOFs.

A self-calibrating ratiometric fluorescence sensor with photonic crystal-based signal amplification for the detection of tetracycline in food.

A dual-color ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on photonic crystals (PCs) was developed to detect tetracycline (TC) in food. PC was fabricated via self-assembly of carbon dots (CDs)-loaded SiO nanoparticles. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and copper ions (Cu) were then adsorbed onto the PC for sensor fabrication.

Machine learning guided tuning charge distribution by composition in MOFs for oxygen evolution reaction.

Traditional design/optimization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we utilize machine learning (ML) to accelerate the synthesis of MOFs. We have built a library of over 900 MOFs with different metal salts, solvent ratios, reaction durations and temperatures, and utilize zeta potentials as target variables for ML training.

Tandem-Parallel Electrochemical Cells to Produce Hydrogen Peroxide at Reduced Energy Consumption.

Large-scale industrialization of oxygen electroreduction requires producing hydrogen peroxide (HO) at large yield rates (current density >1 A cm, Faradic efficiency >95%). Under such vigorous reaction conditions, however, serious electric energy consumption (EEC) has been caused. According to the formula (), a linear relationship can be identified between HO yield rates () and EEC, and therefore, achieving high yield rates () while reducing EEC is very challenging in common electrochemical systems.

An aptamer-functionalized photonic crystal sensor for ultrasensitive and label-free detection of aflatoxin B1.

As a novel optical responsive material, photonic crystal is a promising sensing material in the recognition and detection of small molecules. Herein, a label-free composite sensor for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) based on aptamer-functionalized photonic crystal arrays was successfully developed. Three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D PhCs) with a controllable number of layers were produced by a layer-by-layer (LBL) approach, and the introduction of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) facilitated the immobilization procedure of recognition element aptamers, thus creating the AFB1 sensing detection system (AFB1-Apt 3D PhCs).

Bioinspired inhibition of aggregation in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Different from traditional procedures of using solid stabilizers like polymers and surfactants, here we demonstrate that water, as a very "soft" matter, could function as a "spacer" to prevent the aggregation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in aqueous dispersions. Our theoretical calculations reveal in case of an excess of positively charged metal nodes of MOFs, where water molecules are ligated to metal nodes that greatly enhance MOFs' solution dispersibility through electrostatic stabilization. This discovery has motivated us to develop a facile experimental approach for producing a category of "clean" MOF dispersions without foreign additives.

An ultrasensitive label-free biosensor based on aptamer functionalized two-dimensional photonic crystal for kanamycin detection in milk.

A novel photonic crystal aptamer biosensor SiO-Au-ssDNA two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PC), allowing label-free and highly sensitive to kanamycin (KANA), is successfully manufactured. This 2D PC biosensor was prepared via a needle tip flow method, using electrostatic adsorption to introduce negatively charged gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) into the 2D PC, combined with sulfhydryl-modified ssDNA for the rapid measurement. Benefiting from the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Au NPs and optical response capability of PC, the biosensor has an excellent performance on quantitative analysis of KANA ranging from 5 pg∙mL to 5 μg∙mL, with a limit of detection of 1.

Construction of magnetic covalent organic frameworks functionalized by benzoboroxole for efficient enrichment of glycoproteins in the physiological environment.

To date, the development of highly selective and efficient glycoproteins/peptides enrichment is still a challenge for mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. In this work, we reported a novel strategy to prepare a magnetic amide-linked covalent organic framework functionalized by benzoboroxole (denoted as FeO@COF-ABB), which was then used as an adsorbent for the enrichment of glycoproteins. The physical and adsorption properties of FeO@COF-ABB were fully investigated.

An oxidation responsive nano-radiosensitizer increases radiotherapy efficacy by remolding tumor vasculature.

As an excellent candidate material for nano-sensitizers, gold nanostructures have shown great potential in radiotherapy. Nevertheless, severe hypoxia and low accumulation of nanomedicine caused by poor perfusion at the tumor site have significantly reduced radiotherapy efficacy. Vascular normalization has gained attention owing to its ability to relieve hypoxia and increase perfusion.

A pH-responsive Pt-based nanoradiosensitizer for enhanced radiotherapy via oxidative stress amplification.

Tumor radioresistance is a major issue in radiotherapy. To address it, a pH-responsive nanoradiosensitizer was synthesized employing a simple method. Initially, chloroplatinic acid was reduced by human serum albumin (HSA) to form HSA-wrapped Pt@HSA nanoparticles (NPs).

Tumor acid microenvironment-activated self-targeting & splitting gold nanoassembly for tumor chemo-radiotherapy.

Low accumulation and penetration of nanomedicines in tumor severely reduce therapeutic efficacy. Herein, a pH-responsive gold nanoassembly is designed to overcome these problems. Polyethylene glycol linked raltitrexed (RTX, target ligand and chemotherapy drug) and two tertiary amine molecules (1-(2-aminoethyl) pyrrolidine and -dibutylethylenediamine) are modified on the surface of the 6-nm gold nanoparticles by lipoic acid to form gold nanoassembly defined as Au-NNP(RTX).

Construction of a pH/TGase "Dual Key"-Responsive Gold Nano-radiosensitizer with Liver Tumor-Targeting Ability.

The method of tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive aggregation has become a promising approach to enhance treatment effect by improving the accumulation of nanoparticles in tumors. The enzymatic cross-linking strategy has widely attracted attention owing to its good aggregation stability and biocompatibility. However, the enzymes in nontumor tissue can also catalyze the cross-linking reaction and reduce accumulation of nanoparticles in tumor.

In situ self-assembled biosupramolecular porphyrin nanofibers for enhancing photodynamic therapy in tumors.

Due to the complicated environment and high tissue hydraulic pressure in tumors that easily pumps the nanomedicines back to the systemic circulation, the concentration of released photosensitizers (PSs) retained in a tumor by a traditional nano-delivery system is very low, causing an unsatisfactory photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect. Therefore, we prepared a pH/HO-responsive nano-system (ZnP-OC-M) through modified porphyrin PS units with a long-unsaturated oleoyl chloride chain, and by the further introduction of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and MnO through a cis-addition reaction between the unsaturated double bonds of oleoyl chloride and dilute KMnO solution. Making use of the sensitivity of MnO to the HO in the acid environment of tumor cells, ZnP-OC-M selectively realized responsive disintegration and O generation.

Single NIR Laser-Activated Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cascaded Photothermal and Oxygen-Independent Photodynamic Therapy.

Inconvenient dual-laser irradiation and tumor hypoxic environment as well as limited judgment of treating region have impeded the development of combined photothermal and photodynamic therapies (PTT and PDT). Herein, BiSe@AIPH nanoparticles (NPs) are facilely developed to overcome these problems. Through a one-step method, free radical generator (AIPH) and phase transition material (lauric acid, LA, 44-46 °C) are encapsulated in hollow bismuth selenide nanoparticles (BiSe NPs).

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy with Amlodipine and Olmesartan or an Olmesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Compound for Hypertension: A Prospective, Open-Label, and Multicenter Clinical Trial in China.

Background: Amlodipine (AML) is the initial therapy most commonly prescribed for patients with hypertension in China. However, AML monotherapy is often less effective in achieving blood pressure (BP) control than other agents.

Objective: We performed a clinical study to evaluate efficacy and safety of a combination therapy with AML, olmesartan (OLM), or an OLM/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) compound for Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Vector sparse representation of color image using quaternion matrix analysis.

Traditional sparse image models treat color image pixel as a scalar, which represents color channels separately or concatenate color channels as a monochrome image. In this paper, we propose a vector sparse representation model for color images using quaternion matrix analysis. As a new tool for color image representation, its potential applications in several image-processing tasks are presented, including color image reconstruction, denoising, inpainting, and super-resolution.