New Type Annihilator of π-Expanded Diketopyrrolopyrrole for Robust Photostable NIR-Excitable Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion.

Near-infrared light excitable triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (NIR TTA-UC) materials have attracted interest in a variety of emerging applications such as photoredox catalysis, optogenetics, and stereoscopic 3D printing. Currently, the practical application of NIR TTA-UC materials requires substantial improvement in photostability. Here, we found that the new annihilator of π-expanded diketopyrrolopyrrole (π-DPP) cannot activate oxygen to generate superoxide anion via photoinduced electron transfer, and its electron-deficient characteristics prevent the singlet oxygen-mediated [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction; thus, π-DPP exhibited superior resistance to photobleaching.

Sulfur vacancy-enhanced InS hollow microtubes for photocatalytic Cr (VI) and tetracycline removal.

Morphological regulation and defect engineering are efficient methods for photocatalytic technology by improving photon absorption and electron dissociation. Herein, InS hollow microtubes with S-vacancies (MIS) were fabricated via a simple solvothermal reaction using In-based metal-organic frameworks (In-MOFs) as a precursor. Experimental results demonstrate that the hollow structure and optimal S-vacancies can jointly accelerate the photocatalytic reaction, attributed to a larger specific surface area, more active sites, and faster electron transfer efficiency.

Real-Time Dissection of the Exosome Pathway for Influenza Virus Infection.

Exosomes play an important role in the spread of viral infections and immune escape. However, the exact ability and mechanisms by which exosomes produced during viral infections (vExos) infect host cells are still not fully understood. In this study, we developed a dual-color exosome labeling strategy that simultaneously labels the external and internal structures of exosomes with quantum dots to enable in situ monitoring of the transport process of vExos in live cells using the single-particle tracking technique.

Accurate Cancer Screening and Prediction of PD-L1-Guided Immunotherapy Efficacy Using Quantum Dot Nanosphere Self-Assembly and Machine Learning.

Accurate quantification of exosomal PD-L1 protein in tumors is closely linked to the response to immunotherapy, but robust methods to achieve high-precision quantitative detection of PD-L1 expression on the surface of circulating exosomes are still lacking. In this work, we developed a signal amplification approach based on aptamer recognition and DNA scaffold hybridization-triggered assembly of quantum dot nanospheres, which enables bicolor phenotyping of exosomes to accurately screen for cancers and predict PD-L1-guided immunotherapeutic effects through machine learning. Through DNA-mediated assembly, we utilized two aptamers for simultaneous ultrasensitive detection of exosomal antigens, which have synergistic roles in tumor diagnosis and treatment prediction, and thus, we achieved better sample classification and prediction through machine-learning algorithms.

Aggregation, structure and water permeability of membrane-embedded helical Aβ oligomers.

It is widely recognized that membranes can facilitate the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, while Aβ can in turn cause membrane damage. Many studies focus on the peptide-membrane interactions of Aβ oligomers with β-rich structures. However, the exact aggregation and toxicity mechanism of the membrane-embedded helical Aβ oligomers remain ambiguous.

Intercalating of AIEgens into MoS nanosheets to induce crystal phase transform for enhanced photothermal and photodynamic synergetic anti-tumor therapy.

A MoS-based nanotherapeutic platform was developed for synergetic photothermal and photodynamic anti-tumor therapy. AIEgens TFPy-SH molecules were intercalated into MoS nanosheets (MoS NSs) with S-deficiencies to give the nanocomposite MoS-TFPy. The AIEgens intercalation expanded the interlayer spacing of MoS NSs and induced the transform of MoS crystal phase from 2H to 1T, offering MoS-TFPy nanocomposite high molar absorption coefficient (5.

The Latest Sensor Detection Methods for per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have emerged as a prominent environmental pollutant in recent years, primarily due to their tendency to accumulate and magnify in both the environment and living organisms. The entry of PFASs into the environment can have detrimental effects on human health. Hence, it is crucial to actively monitor and detect the presence of PFASs.

Urine Self-Sampling Kit Combined with an Automated Preparation-Sampler Device for Convenient and Reliable Analysis of Arsenic Metabolites by HPLC-ICPMS.

Speciation analysis of arsenic in urine is essential for the studies of arsenic metabolism and biological effects, but the unstable arsenic species represented by MMA and DMA pose a huge challenge to analytical accuracy. Herein, a novel urine self-sampling (USS) kit combined with an automated preparation-sampler (APS) device is rationally designed and used for convenient analysis of arsenic metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICPMS). The subject can collect urine into a sampling vial at home and use a homemade syringe to pump argon to displace oxygen in the vial, thereby inhibiting the oxidation of MMA and DMA.

Analyzing Molecular Dynamics Trajectories Thermodynamically through Artificial Intelligence.

Molecular dynamics simulations produce trajectories that correspond to vast amounts of structure when exploring biochemical processes. Extracting valuable information, e.g.

Phosphorescence approach based on silica protected carbon dots for autofluorescence interference-free and highly selective detection of fluoride.

Background: Fluoride (F), an anion with the smallest ionic radius and highest charge density, plays an important role in biomedical and environmental processes, making the development of accurate F detection methods of great importance. Fluorometric methods with simplicity and sensitivity have gained considerable attention in F detection. However, their accuracy faces challenges due to issues like autofluorescence interference during real-time light excitation and limited selectivity.

Solar-powered simultaneous highly efficient seawater desalination and highly specific target extraction with smart DNA hydrogels.

Obtaining freshwater and important minerals from seawater with solar power facilitates the sustainable development of human society. Hydrogels have demonstrated great solar-powered water evaporation potential, but highly efficient and specific target extraction remains to be expanded. Here, we report the simultaneous highly efficient seawater desalination and specific extraction of uranium with smart DNA hydrogels.

Application of Ion Mobility Spectrometry and the Derived Collision Cross Section in the Analysis of Environmental Organic Micropollutants.

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a rapid gas-phase separation technique, which can distinguish ions on the basis of their size, shape, and charge. The IMS-derived collision cross section (CCS) can serve as additional identification evidence for the screening of environmental organic micropollutants (OMPs). In this work, we summarize the published experimental CCS values of environmental OMPs, introduce the current CCS prediction tools, summarize the use of IMS and CCS in the analysis of environmental OMPs, and finally discussed the benefits of IMS and CCS in environmental analysis.

Binding Thermodynamics of Fourth-Generation EGFR Inhibitors Revealed by Absolute Binding Free Energy Calculations.

The overexpression or mutation of the kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is strongly associated with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have proven to be effective in treating NSCLC patients. However, EGFR mutations can result in drug resistance.

Tracking and imaging nano-plastics in fresh plant using cryogenic laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Tracking and imaging of nano-plastics are extremely challenging, especially in fresh biological samples. Here, we propose a new strategy in which polystyrene (PS) was doped with the europium chelate Eu (DBM)bpy to quantify, track, and in situ image nano-plastics in fresh cucumber based on inherent metals using cryogenic laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (cryo-LA-ICP-MS). The cryogenic conditions provide a stable condition for imaging fresh cucumber, suppressing the evaporation of water in fresh plants, and maintaining the original structure of plants with respect to room temperature imaging in LA-ICP-MS.

Quantitative single-virus tracking for revealing the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 fusion with plasma membrane.

Viral envelope fusion with the host plasma membrane (PM) for genome release is a hallmark step in the life cycle of many enveloped viruses. This process is regulated by a complex network of biomolecules on the PM, but robust tools to precisely elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of virus-PM fusion events are still lacking. Here, we developed a quantitative single-virus tracking approach based on highly efficient dual-color labelling of viruses and batch trajectory analysis to achieve the spatiotemporal quantification of fusion events.

Liquid Metal Nanocores Initiated Construction of Smart DNA-Polymer Microgels with Programmable and Regulable Functions and Near-Infrared Light-Driven Locomotion.

Due to their sequence-directed functions and excellent biocompatibility, smart DNA microgels have attracted considerable research interest, and the combination of DNA microgels with functional nanostructures can further expand their applications in biosensing and biomedicine. Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) exhibiting both fluidic and metallic properties hold great promise for the development of smart soft materials; in particular, LM particles upon sonication can mediate radical-initiated polymerization reactions, thus allowing the combination of LMs and polymeric matrix to construct "soft-soft" materials. Herein, by forming active surfaces under sonication, LM nanoparticles (LM NPs) initiated localized radical polymerization reactions allow the combination of functional DNA units and different polymeric backbones to yield multifunctional core/shell microgels.

Precursor-oriented design of nano-alumina for efficient removal of antibiotics.

Rapid and efficient removal of environmental antibiotics is vital to curb bacterial resistance. Through rational precursors-oriented design, we attain the best AlO absorbent by 500 °C calcination of ammonium aluminium carbonate hydroxide (AACH) precursor from NHHCO route (AACH-NHHCO-500) for fast and efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) and other antibiotics from environmental waters including high-salinity wastewater. AACH-NHHCO-500 (0.

Composite materials based on covalent organic frameworks for multiple advanced applications.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) stand for a class of emerging crystalline porous organic materials, which are ingeniously constructed with organic units through strong covalent bonds. Their excellent design capabilities, and uniform and tunable pore structure make them potential materials for various applications. With the continuous development of synthesis technique and nanoscience, COFs have been successfully combined with a variety of functional materials to form COFs-based composites with superior performance than individual components.

Cell Membrane-Anchored SERS Biosensor for the Monitoring of Cell-Secreted MMP-9 during Cell-Cell Communication.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a proteolytic enzyme, degrades the extracellular matrix and plays a key role in cell communication. However, the real-time monitoring of cell-secreted MMP-9 during cell-cell communication remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a cell-based membrane-anchored surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor using a Au@4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN) @Ag@peptide nanoprobe for the monitoring of cell-secreted MMP-9 during cell communication.

Enhancing Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Quantum Dots through Chiral Coordination-Mediated Growth at the Liquid/Liquid Interface.

Here, we develop a novel methodology for synthesizing chiral CdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with enhanced circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) by incorporating l-/d-histidine (l-/d-His) ligands during ZnS shell growth at the water/oil interface. The resulting chiral QDs exhibit exceptional absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 67.2%, surpassing the reported limits of 40.

Interaction of Cellular Uptake of Nanosilver and Metallothionein Stress Expression Elucidated by 2D Single-Cell Analyses Based on LIF and ICP-MS.

The exploration of cytology mechanisms of nanosilver uptake, toxicity, and detoxification has become an important issue due to its widespread applications. Previous studies have shown differences in the toxic response of mammalian cells to nanosilver. However, the analysis results based on cell populations ignore the impact of cell uptake heterogeneity on the expression of associated stress proteins and cellular physiological activities.

Real-Time Imaging of Single Viral mRNA Translation in Live Cells Using CRISPR/dCas13.

Translation is one of the many critical cellular activities regulated by viruses following host-cell invasion, and studies of viral mRNA translation kinetics and subcellular localization require techniques for the dynamic, real-time visualization of translation. However, conventional tools for imaging mRNA translation often require coding region modifications that may affect native translation. Here, we achieve dynamic imaging of translation with a tool that labels target mRNAs with unmodified coding regions using a CRISPR/dCas13 system with specific complementary paired guide RNAs.