Food-borne bacteria analysis using a diatomite bioinspired SERS platform.

Rapid and sensitive detection of food-borne bacteria has remained challenging over the past few decades. We propose a surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing strategy based on a novel bioinspired surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate, which can directly detect dye molecular residues and food-borne pathogen microorganisms in the environment. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering platform consists of a natural diatomite microporous array decorated with a metal-phenolic network that enables the reduction of gold nanoparticles.

"Afterglow" Photodynamic Therapy Based on Carbon Dots Embedded Silica Nanoparticles for Nondestructive Teeth Whitening.

Teeth staining is a common dental health challenge in many parts of the world. Traditional teeth whitening techniques often lead to enamel damage and soft tissue toxicity due to the use of bioincompatible whitening reagents and continuous strong light irradiation. Herein, an "afterglow" photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for teeth whitening is proposed, which is realized by energy transition pathways of intersystem crossing.

Silver@Prussian Blue Core-Satellite Nanostructures as Multimetal Ions Switch for Potent Zero-Background SERS Bioimaging-Guided Chronic Wound Healing.

Metal-organic framework-based metal ion therapy has attracted increasing attention to promote the cascade wound-healing process. However, multimetal ion synergistic administration and accurately controlled ion release are still the challenges. Herein, an aptamer-functionalized silver@cupriferous Prussian blue (ACPA) is established as a metal-based theranostic nanoagent for a chronic nonhealing diabetic wound treatment.

Label-Free Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Bioanalysis Based on Au@Carbon Dot Nanoprobes.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology has attracted more and more attention in the biomedical field due to its ability to provide molecular fingerprint information of biological samples, as well as its potential in single-cell analysis. This work aims to establish a simple strategy for label-free SERS bioanalysis based on Au@carbon dot nanoprobes (Au@CDs). Here, polyphenol-derived CDs are utilized as the reductant to rapidly synthesize core-shell Au@CD nanostructures, which allows powerful SERS performance even when the concentration of methylene blue (MB) is as low as 10 M, due to the cooperative Raman enhancement mechanism.

Fluorescein-derived carbon dots with chitin-targeting for ultrafast and superstable fluorescent imaging of fungi.

Fluorescence microscopy based on fluorochrome has been rapidly developed as the candidate for morphological identification of pathogenic fungi over recent years, offering superior rapidity and efficacy over traditional culture methods. However, the intrinsic quenching properties of fluorescein limit the clinical application of fluorescence imaging. Herein, we report a nano-strategy by converting a commercial fluorescein dye, fluorescent brightener-33 (FB-33), into carbon dots (FB-CDs) through a one-pot hydrothermal method.

In situ photothermal nano-vaccine based on tumor cell membrane-coated black phosphorus-Au for photo-immunotherapy of metastatic breast tumors.

Cancer vaccines which can activate antitumor immune response have great potential for metastatic tumors treatment. However, clinical translation of cancer vaccines remained challenging due to weak tumor antigen immunogenicity, inefficient in vivo delivery, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Nanomaterials-based photothermal treatment (PTT) triggers immunogenic cell death while providing in situ tumor-associated antigens for subsequent anti-tumor immunity.

Mussel-inspired hydrogels for fast fabrication of flexible SERS tape for point-of-care testing of β-blockers.

The flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform has ceaselessly propelled the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) in diverse fields. Herein, we report a facile strategy for the SERS-chemometric analysis of four β-blockers (bisoprolol, metoprolol, acebutolol and esmolol) based on a super-sticky mussel-inspired hydrogel SERS tape. The surface morphology and mechanical properties of the hydrogel tape can be easily controlled by adjusting the compositional ratio.

NIR-II Responsive Molybdenum Dioxide Nanosystem Manipulating Cellular Immunogenicity for Enhanced Tumor Photoimmunotherapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window has emerged as a better candidate for deep-tissue tumor elimination. More interestingly, the photothermal ablated tumor cells also manifest somewhat immunostimulation potency to elicit antitumor immunity, although most dying cells are undergoing apoptosis that is commonly considered as immunologically silent. Here, a NIR-II responsive nanosystem is established for tumor photoimmunotherapy using molybdenum dioxide (MoO) nanodumbbells as the nanoconverter.

Carbon Dots with Intrinsic Bioactivities for Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography, Tumor-Specific Therapy and Postoperative Wound Management.

Carbon dots (CDs) are considered as promising candidates with superior biocompatibilities for multimodel cancer theranostics. However, incorporation of exogenous components, such as targeting molecules and chemo/photo therapeutic drugs, is often required to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, an "all-in-one" CDs that exhibit intrinsic bioactivities for bioimaging, potent tumor therapy, and postoperative management is proposed.

Dual-responsive ultrathin 1T-phase niobium telluride nanosheet-based delivery systems for enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy.

1T-phase niobium telluride (NbTe) nanosheets are becoming increasingly important in emerging fields, such as spintronics, sensors and magneto-optoelectronics, due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. However, exploration on their biomedical applications are limited. Herein, ultrathin 1T-phase NbTe single-crystalline nanosheets with excellent photothermal performance, high drug-loading rate, near-infrared (NIR) light/acidic pH-triggered drug release, and low toxicity were developed for potentiated photothermal therapy.

Quantitative label-free optical technique to analyze the ultrastructure changes and spatiotemporal relationship of enamel induced by Msx2 deletion.

New advances in the molecular mechanism of enamel mineralization reveal the practical significance of regenerative medicine in clinical transformation. Muscle segment homeobox 2 (MSX2), a transcription factor, is recently reported to be closely associated with the amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). To elucidate the biomineralization framework of AI enamel, herein, Msx2 gene mutant mice are investigated by dual-mode noninvasive spectroscopic analytical techniques for the first time.

Redox responsive nanoparticle encapsulating black phosphorus quantum dots for cancer theranostics.

Effective cancer treatment puts high demands for cancer theranostics. For cancer diagnostics, optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology (including photothermal optical coherence tomography (PT-OCT)) has been widely investigated since it induces changes in optical phase transitions in tissue through environmental changes (such as temperature change for PT-OCT). In this report, redox responsive nanoparticle encapsulating black phosphorus quantum dots was developed as a robust PT-OCT agent.

Strontium-substituted sub-micron bioactive glasses inhibit ostoclastogenesis through suppression of RANKL-induced signaling pathway.

Strontium-substituted bioactive glass (Sr-BG) has shown superior performance in bone regeneration. Sr-BG-induced osteogenesis has been extensively studied; however, Sr-BG-mediated osteoclastogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unclear. It is recognized that the balance of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis is closely related to bone repair, and the receptor activators of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway plays a key role of in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis.

Photo-induced synthesis of molybdenum oxide quantum dots for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and photothermal therapy.

By means of a simple and photo-induced method, four colors of molybdenum oxide quantum dots (MoO QDs) have been synthesized, using Mo(CO) as the structural guiding agent and molybdenum source. The as-prepared MoO QDs display diverse optical properties due to the different configurations of oxygen vacancies in various nanostructures. Among them, crystalline molybdenum dioxide (MoO) with a deep blue color shows the most intense localized surface plasmon resonance effect in the near-infrared (NIR) region.

SERS analysis of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts in a tumor microenvironment based on targeted 2D nanosheets.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the most important components of a tumor microenvironment (TME), play a significant role in the complex tumorigenesis process. Herein, the evolution of CAFs in TME is elaborately investigated by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a molecular fingerprint technique. Two-dimensional (2D) nanocomposites consisting of gold nanoparticles and a supramolecular "PCsheet" self-assembled between 2D nanosheets and oxidized phosphatidylcholine (PC) are fabricated as SERS-active probes to specifically recognize the CD36 receptor on the cytomembrane of the fibroblasts, a reliable landmark of CAF development.

Hydrophobic carbon dots with blue dispersed emission and red aggregation-induced emission.

Carbon dots (CDs) have been studied for years as one of the most promising fluorescent nanomaterials. However, CDs with red or solid-state fluorescence are rarely reported. Herein, through a one-pot solvothermal treatment, hydrophobic CDs (H-CDs) with blue dispersed emission and red aggregation-induced emission are obtained.

A two-dimensional fingerprint nanoprobe based on black phosphorus for bio-SERS analysis and chemo-photothermal therapy.

Flake-shaped nanohybrids based on black phosphorus (BP) have been developed as multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms for drug delivery, phototherapy and bioimaging. In this work, we report a facile strategy for fabrication of black phosphorus-Au nanoparticle hybrids (BP-AuNPs), which reveal an extraordinary near-infrared (NIR) photothermal transduction efficiency and drug delivery capacity. The applications of the nanocomposites as therapeutic agents for high-performance chemo-photothermal tumor therapy are accomplished in vitro and in vivo.

Investigating the autophagy pathway in silver@gold core-shell nanoparticles-treated cells using surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Previous studies have shown that nanoparticles can induce autophagy, and the main approach for investigating autophagy induced by nanoparticles is via traditional methods such as TEM and biochemical assay. These methods measurements suffer from the disadvantages of complicated experimental processes, cell destruction, as well as lack of characterization of individual stages of the autophagy pathway. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been extensively used in biological applications.

Changes in Nitric Oxide Releases of the Contralateral Acupoint during and after Laser Acupuncture at Bilateral Same-Name Acupoints in Human.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of laser acupuncture (LA) at right Neiguan (RPC6)/left Neiguan (LPC6) acupoints on the releases of nitric oxide (NO) in the treated and contralateral/nontreated PC6, compared to the nonacupoint control area.

Methods: 24 mW LA at RPC6, LPC6, and nonacupoint in 22 healthy subjects for 40 min: sterilized dialysis tube was taped to the nontreated PC6/nonacupoint during the treatment and immediately taped to the treated and nontreated PC6/nonacupoint after LA removal. NO-scavenging compound was injected into the tube for 40 min to absorb the molecular which was tested by spectrophotometry in a blinded fashion.

Effect of Red Light-Emitting Diodes Irradiation on Hemoglobin for Potential Hypertension Treatment Based on Confocal Micro-Raman Spectroscopy.

Red light-emitting diodes (LED) were used to irradiate the isolated hypertension hemoglobin (Hb) and Raman spectra difference was recorded using confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy. Differences were observed between the controlled and irradiated Hb by comparing the spectra records. The Raman spectrum at the 1399 cm band decreased following prolonged LED irradiation.

Biodegradable Black Phosphorus-based Nanomaterials in Biomedicine: Theranostic Applications.

Ascribe to the unique two-dimensional planar nanostructure with exceptional physical and chemical properties, black phosphorous (BP) as the emerging inorganic twodimensional nanomaterial with high biocompatibility and degradability has been becoming one of the most promising materials of great potentials in biomedicine. The exfoliated BP sheets possess ultra-high surface area available for valid bio-conjugation and molecular loading for chemotherapy. Utilizing the intrinsic near-infrared optical absorbance, BPbased photothermal therapy in vivo, photodynamic therapy and biomedical imaging has been realized, achieving unprecedented anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy in animal experiments.

Synthesis of Au NP@MoS₂ Quantum Dots Core@Shell Nanocomposites for SERS Bio-Analysis and Label-Free Bio-Imaging.

In this work, we report a facile method using MoS₂ quantum dots (QDs) as reducers to directly react with HAuCl₄ for the synthesis of Au nanoparticle@MoS₂ quantum dots (Au NP@MoS₂ QDs) core@shell nanocomposites with an ultrathin shell of ca. 1 nm. The prepared Au NP@MoS₂ QDs reveal high surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance regarding sensitivity as well as the satisfactory SERS reproducibility and stability.

Facile synthesis of black phosphorus-Au nanocomposites for enhanced photothermal cancer therapy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering analysis.

Black phosphorus (BP), a new type of two-dimensional nanomaterial, has attracted crucial attention in recent years owing to its excellent properties and great potential in various chemical, physical, and biological fields. In this study, BP nanosheets loaded with Au nanoparticles (BP-Au NSs) are obtained by a one-step facile synthetic method. The Au nanostructures can not only enhance the photothermal efficiency of the nanocomposites, but also endow BP-Au NSs with the potential to act as effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for Raman biodetection.

Multifunctional Nanoplatform Based on Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots for Bioimaging and Photodynamic/Photothermal Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

A multifunctional nanoplatform based on black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) was developed for cancer bioimaging and combined photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). BPQDs were functionalized with PEG chains to achieve improved biocompatibility and physiological stability. The as-prepared nanoparticles exhibite prominent near-infrared (NIR) photothermal and red-light-triggered photodynamic properties.

Effects of different-intensity laser acupuncture at two adjacent same-meridian acupoints on nitric oxide and soluble guanylate cyclase releases in human.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect the influences of LA at nonacupoint and two adjacent acupoints of pericardium meridian on the releases of NO and sGC in 20 healthy subjects.

Methods: Different intensities (12, 24, 48 mW) of infrared laser were used for irradiating Jianshi (PC5), Ximen (PC4) acupoints and nonacupoint for 20, 40 minutes, respectively. Semi-circular tubes were taped to the skin surface and filled with NO-scavenging compound for 20 minutes to capture NO and sGC, which were measured using spectrophotometry in a blinded fashion.