Metabolic reprogramming of astrocytes: Emerging roles of lactate

Lactate serves as a key energy metabolite in the central nervous system, facilitating essential brain functions, including energy supply, signaling, and epigenetic modulation. Moreover, it links epigenetic modifications with metabolic reprogramming. Nonetheless, the specific mechanisms and roles of this connection in astrocytes remain unclear. Therefore, this review aims to explore the role and specific mechanisms of lactate in the metabolic reprogramming of astrocytes in the central nervous system. The close relationship between epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming was discussed. Therapeutic strategies for targeting metabolic reprogramming in astrocytes in the central nervous system were also outlined to guide future research in central nervous system diseases. In the nervous system, lactate plays an essential role. However, its mechanism of action as a bridge between metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modifications in the nervous system requires future investigation. The involvement of lactate in epigenetic modifications is currently a hot research topic, especially in lactylation modification, a key determinant in this process. Lactate also indirectly regulates various epigenetic modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine, acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation modifications, which are closely linked to several neurological disorders. In addition, exploring the clinical applications and potential therapeutic strategies of lactic acid provides new insights for future neurological disease treatments.

Combination of exhaled volatile organic compounds with serum biomarkers predicts respiratory infection severity

OBJECTIVE

During respiratory infections, host-pathogen interaction alters metabolism, leading to changes in the composition of expired volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and soluble immunomodulators. This study aims to identify VOC and blood biomarker signatures to develop machine learning-based prognostic models capable of distinguishing infections with similar symptoms.

METHODS

Twenty-one VOCs and fifteen serum biomarkers were quantified in samples from 86 COVID-19 patients, 75 patients with non-COVID-19 respiratory infections, and 72 healthy donors. The populations were categorized into severity subgroups based on their oxygen support requirements. Descriptive and statistical analyses were conducted to assess group differentiation. Additionally, machine learning classifiers were developed to predict disease severity in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.

RESULTS

VOC and biomarker profiles differed significantly among groups. Random Forest models demonstrated the best performance for severity prediction. The COVID-19 model achieved 93% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 89% specificity, identifying IL-6, IL-8, thrombomodulin, and toluene as key severity predictors. In non-COVID-19 patients, the model reached 89% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 67% specificity, with CXCL10 and methyl-isobutyl-ketone as key markers.

CONCLUSION

VOCs and serum biomarkers differentiated HD, COVID-19, and non-COVID-19 patients, and enabled the development of high-performance severity prediction models. While promising, these findings require validation in larger independent cohorts.

External stimuli-responsive drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye

Posterior segment eye diseases represent the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness globally. Current therapies still have notable drawbacks, including the need for frequent invasive injections and the associated risks of severe ocular complications. Recently, the utility of external stimuli, such as light, ultrasound, magnetic field, and electric field, has been noted as a promising strategy to enhance drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. In this review, we briefly summarize the main physiological barriers against ocular drug delivery, focusing primarily on the recent advancements that utilize external stimuli to improve treatment outcomes for posterior segment eye diseases. The advantages of these external stimuli-responsive drug delivery strategies are discussed, with illustrative examples highlighting improved tissue penetration, enhanced control over drug release, and targeted drug delivery to ocular lesions through minimally invasive routes. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives in the translational research of external stimuli-responsive drug delivery platforms, aiming to bridge existing gaps toward clinical use.

Protein nanocages: A new frontier in mucosal vaccine delivery and immune activation

Mucosal infectious diseases represent a significant global health burden, impacting millions of people worldwide through pathogens that invade the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts. Mucosal vaccines provide a promising strategy to combat these diseases by preventing pathogens from entering through the portals as well as within the systemic response compartment. However, challenges such as antigen instability, inefficient delivery, suboptimal immune activation, and the complex biology of mucosal barriers hinder their development. These limitations require integrating specialized adjuvants and delivery systems. Protein nanocages, self-assembling nanoscale structures that can be engineered, may provide an innovative solution for co-delivering antigens and adjuvants. With their remarkable stability, biocompatibility, and design versatility, protein nanocages can potentially overcome existing challenges in mucosal vaccine delivery and enhance protective immune responses. This review highlights the potential of protein nanocages to revolutionize mucosal vaccine development by addressing these challenges.

Electrochemical biosensing in oncology: a review advancements and prospects for cancer diagnosis

Early and precise diagnosis of cancer is pivotal for effective therapeutic intervention. Traditional diagnostic methods, despite their reliability, often face limitations such as invasiveness, high costs, labor-intensive procedures, extended processing times, and reduced sensitivity for early-stage detection. Electrochemical biosensing is a revolutionary method that provides rapid, cost-effective, and highly sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers. This review discusses the use of electrochemical detection in biosensors to provide real-time insights into disease-specific molecular interactions, focusing on target recognition and signal generation mechanisms. Furthermore, the superior efficacy of electrochemical biosensors compared to conventional techniques is explored, particularly in their ability to detect cancer biomarkers with enhanced specificity and sensitivity. Advancements in electrode materials and nanostructured designs, integrating nanotechnology, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence, have the potential to overcome biological interferences and scale for clinical use. Research and innovation in oncology diagnostics hold potential for personalized medicine, despite challenges in commercial viability and real-world application.

Light-triggered nanocarriers for nucleic acid delivery

Gene therapy has evolved into a clinically viable strategy, with several approved products demonstrating its therapeutic potential for genetic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases, and it has ample applications in regenerative medicine. Its success depends on the ability to efficiently and specifically deliver therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) into target cells. Although viral or chemical carriers have been used in pioneering applications, safety concerns, and variable delivery efficiencies have prompted the search for alternative delivery vehicles. Light-mediated strategies have gained particular interest due to their biocompatibility and ability to improve the intracellular delivery efficiency. In this review, we focus on recent advancements in the development of light-triggered NA delivery carriers and discuss how they can be designed to overcome specific intracellular barriers. Additionally, we discuss notable therapeutic applications and highlight challenges and opportunities for translating this technology to a clinical setting.

Quantifying antibody binding: techniques and therapeutic implications

The binding kinetics of an antibody for its target antigen represent key determinants of its biological function and success as a novel biotherapeutic. Defining these interactions and kinetics is critical for understanding the pharmacological and pharmacodynamic profiles of antibodies in therapeutic applications, with line of sight to clinical translation. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in approaches to measure and modulate antibody-antigen interactions, including antibody engineering, novel antibody formats, current, and emerging technologies for measuring antibody-antigen binding interactions, and emerging perspectives within the field. We also explore how emerging computational methods are set to become powerful tools for modeling antibody-binding interactions under physiologically relevant conditions. Finally, we consider the therapeutic implications of modulating target engagement in terms of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Multifaceted role of nitric oxide in vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is a highly heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder induced by a variety of factors. Currently, there are no definitive treatments for the cognitive dysfunction associated with vascular dementia. However, early detection and preventive measures have proven effective in reducing the risk of onset and improving patient prognosis. Nitric oxide plays an integral role in various physiological and pathological processes within the central nervous system. In recent years, nitric oxide has been implicated in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and has emerged as a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of vascular dementia. At different stages of vascular dementia, nitric oxide levels and bioavailability undergo dynamic alterations, with a marked reduction in the later stages, which significantly contributes to the cognitive deficits associated with the disease. This review provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of nitric oxide in the physiological and pathological processes underlying vascular dementia, focusing on its effects on synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and blood‒brain barrier integrity. Furthermore, we suggest that targeting the nitric oxide soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway through specific therapeutic strategies may offer a novel approach for treating vascular dementia, potentially improving both cognitive function and patient prognosis. The review contributes to a better understanding of the multifaceted role of nitric oxide in vascular dementia and to offering insights into future therapeutic interventions.

The role of cisplatin in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and its combination therapy strategies: a new approach to enhance anti-tumor efficacy

Cisplatin is a platinum-based drug that is frequently used to treat multiple tumors. The anti-tumor effect of cisplatin is closely related to the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which includes several immune cell types, such as the tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), dendritic cells (DCs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and natural killer (NK) cells. The interaction between these immune cells can promote tumor survival and chemoresistance, and decrease the efficacy of cisplatin monotherapy. Therefore, various combination treatment strategies have been devised to enhance patient responsiveness to cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin can augment anti-tumor immune responses in combination with immune checkpoint blockers (such as PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA4 inhibitors), lipid metabolism disruptors (like FASN inhibitors and SCD inhibitors) and nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in better outcomes. Exploring the interaction between cisplatin and the TIME will help identify potential therapeutic targets for improving the treatment outcomes in cancer patients.

Leveraging deep learning for epigenetic protein prediction: a novel approach for early lung cancer diagnosis and drug discovery

Epigenetic protein (EP) plays a crucial role in influencing disease development, controlling gene expression, and shaping cell identity. They hold potential as targets for future therapies, and studying their mechanisms can lead to improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for various diseases. Anticipating EP is imperative, yet conventional experimental approaches for prediction prove time-intensive and expensive. This work constructed CNN-BiLSTM, computational method for identification of EP prediction. Utilizing primary sequences, two datasets were constructed, and an amphiphilic pseudo amino acid, group dipeptide composition and group amino acid composition were devised to extract numerical features. Model training incorporated a suite of deep learning architectures, including BiLSTM, GRU, and CNN. Notably, an ensemble model combining CNN and BiLSTM, trained using AmpPseAAC features, demonstrated superior performance across both training and testing datasets compared to other predictors. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to revolutionize therapeutic approaches by facilitating the identification of novel drug targets and improving disease treatment outcomes.

Alpha-linolenic acid-mediated epigenetic reprogramming of cervical cancer cell lines

Cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer globally and the second most prevalent cancer among women in India, is primarily caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The association of diet with cancer etiology and prevention has been well established and nutrition has been shown to regulate cancer through modulation of epigenetic markers. Dietary fatty acids, especially omega-3, reduce the risk of cancer by preventing or reversing the progression through a variety of cellular targets, including epigenetic regulation. In this work, we have evaluated the potential of ALA (α linolenic acid), an ω-3 fatty acid, to regulate cervical cancer through epigenetic mechanisms. The effect of ALA was evaluated on the regulation of histone deacetylases1, DNA methyltransferases 1, and 3b, and global DNA methylation by ELISA. RT-PCR was utilized to assess the expression of tumor regulatory genes (hTERT, DAPK, RARβ, and CDH1) and their promoter methylation in HeLa (HPV18-positive), SiHa (HPV16-positive) and C33a (HPV-negative) cervical cancer cell lines. ALA increased DNA demethylase, HMTs, and HATs while decreasing global DNA methylation, DNMT, HDMs, and HDACs mRNA expression/activity in all cervical cancer cell lines. ALA downregulated hTERT oncogene while upregulating the mRNA expression of TSGs (Tumor Suppressor Genes) CDH1, RARβ, and DAPK in all the cell lines. ALA reduced methylation in the 5' CpG island of CDH1, RARβ, and DAPK1 promoters and reduced global DNA methylation in cervical cancer cell lines. These results suggest that ALA regulates the growth of cervical cancer cells by targeting epigenetic markers, shedding light on its potential therapeutic role in cervical cancer management.

Homogeneous antibody-drug conjugates with dual payloads: potential, methods and considerations

The development of site-specific dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represents a potential advancement in targeted cancer therapy, enabling the simultaneous delivery of two distinct drugs into the same cancer cells to overcome payload resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Here, we examine various methodologies for achieving site-specific dual-payload conjugation, including the use of multi-functional linkers, canonical amino acids, non-canonical amino acids, and enzyme-mediated methods, all of which facilitate precise control over payload attachment while ensuring homogeneity. We explore the implications of different conjugation techniques on drug-to-antibody ratios and the ratios of the two payloads, as well as their impact on process complexity and manufacturability. Additionally, we address the potential advantages of dual-payload ADCs compared to ADCs combined with traditional chemotherapy or single-payload ADC/ADC combinations. By evaluating these innovative methods, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape in dual-payload ADC development and outline emerging directions necessary for further advancement of this promising therapeutic strategy.

Exploring the efficacy and constraints of platinum nanoparticles as adjuvant therapy in silicosis management

Silicosis represents a formidable occupational lung pathology precipitated by the pulmonary assimilation of respirable crystalline silica particulates. This condition engenders a cascade of cellular oxidative stress via the activation of bioavailable silica, culminating in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such oxidative mechanisms lead to irrevocable pulmonary impairment. Contemporary scholarly examinations have underscored the substantial antioxidative efficacy of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), postulating their utility as an adjunct therapeutic modality in silicosis management. The physicochemical interaction between PtNPs and silica demonstrates a propensity for adsorption, thereby facilitating the amelioration and subsequent pulmonary clearance of silica aggregates. In addition to their detoxifying attributes, PtNPs exhibit pronounced anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities, which can neutralize ROS and inhibit macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes. Such attributes are instrumental in attenuating inflammatory responses and forestalling subsequent lung tissue damage. This discourse delineates the interplay between ROS and PtNPs, the pathogenesis of silicosis and its progression to pulmonary fibrosis, and critically evaluates the potential adjunct role of PtNPs in the therapeutic landscape of silicosis, alongside a contemplation of the inherent limitations associated with PtNPs application in this context.

Tryptanthrin incorporated spiropiperidine derivative as a fluorescent chemosensor for picric acid detection

The photophysical properties of a previously synthesized tryptanthrin incorporated spiropiperidine molecule (CTSP) is described. Studies revealed that the fluorescence of the compound gets significantly quenched by addition of picric acid (PA). The selectivity, anti-interference and quenching mechanistic studies are also described. The quenching mechanism was largely attributed to photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process facilitated by a strong electrostatic interaction between the protonated NH2 group of CTSP and PA. Additionally, pH variations significantly influenced the quenching efficiency, with the highest response observed at neutral pH. These findings demonstrate that CTSP is a promising candidate for PA detection, with potential applications in environmental monitoring and security fields.

A triple-chromophore based NIR fluorescent chemodosimeter with configurable opto-chemical logic gate functions for multi-analyte recognition of N2H4, CN-, and ClO- in real samples

Developing structurally simple, near-infrared (NIR)-emitting organic fluorescent probes capable of simultaneously detecting multiple analytes remains challenging. Herein, we reported a dual donor-π-acceptor (D'-D-π-A) type NIR-chemodosimeter, TPB with a large stokes shift (ca. 250 nm) based on a novel triphenylamine-phenothiazine-benzothiazole multichromophoric system. With its dual reactive sites i.e. an electrophilic β-vinylic carbon and an oxidizable sulfur atom, TPB demonstrated multi-analyte responsiveness towards N2H4, CN-, and ClO- through distinct fluorescence read-outs. Photophysical analysis revealed ratiometric sensing for N2H4 and CN- with emission colors shifting from faint red to turquoise and light blue, respectively. In contrast, ClO- triggered fluorescence quenching, resulting in complete disappearance of emission color. TPB displayed high sensitivity with minimal interference and exhibited low limit of detection (LOD) values of 0.065 μM, 0.117 μM, and 0.63 μM and rapid response times of 5 min, 2 min, and 12 min, for N2H4, CN- and ClO-, respectively. Comprehensive 1H/13C NMR, HRMS analyses, and TD-DFT studies were conducted to support the proposed mechanistic pathways. The optical responses acquired by sequential analyte interactions ensued us to devise multifunctional molecular logic circuits (YES, NOT, PASS 0, NOR) on a unimolecular platform. To enhance practicality, TPB was incorporated into test strips, allowing solid-phase real-time detection of these analytes. Furthermore, TPB successfully detected N2H4 in various soil-samples, demonstrating its effectiveness in environmental monitoring.

Antenna effect-modulated luminescent lanthanide complexes for biological sensing

With the discovery and further exploitation of the antenna effect, the optical properties of luminescent lanthanide complexes (LLCs) have been greatly improved. Antenna effect-modulated LLCs exhibit long luminescence lifetimes, large Stokes shifts, narrow emission spectra, pure chromaticity, and high photostability. Meanwhile, LLCs have garnered considerable attention in recent years and are widely used as biosensors in the fields of food safety, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnosis, and drug analysis. In this review, we first systematically review the design of antenna effect-modulated LLC sensors, including the construction principle of antenna effect in LLCs and the selection of antenna ligands. Secondly, the classification of antenna ligands was discussed in detail. Thirdly, biological sensing applications of antenna effect-modulated LLCs in the past three years are described in terms of the role of LLCs in fluorescence sensors and electrochemiluminescence sensors. Finally, we also discussed the challenges and emerging opportunities of antenna effect-modulated LLCs in future sensing applications.

Enhanced near-infrared Ru (II) complex fluorescence sensor for sensitive sensing of Al3+ and cell imaging

A near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent sensor (λem = 790 nm), [Ru ((CH3O)2bipy)2 (BIMPY)]2+, was synthesized and thoroughly characterized, which can selectively recognize Al3+ ions in THF. The [Ru ((CH3O)2bipy)2 (BIMPY)]2+ has excellent sensitivity (LOD = 3.48 × 10-8 mol/L) towards Al3+ with a 2:1 (Ru complex/Al3+) complex ratio and opportune binding constant (K = 606.82 mol/L). The change mechanism of photophysical properties was determined by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method, which illustrates fluorescence enhancement sensing to Al3+ ions. The [Ru ((CH3O)2bipy)2 (BIMPY)]2+ was used as a field-deployable sensor, achieving on-site Al3+ monitoring via the RGB analysis. Furthermore, the [Ru ((CH3O)2bipy)2 (BIMPY)]2+ succeed in imaging Al3+ in living HepG2 cells.

Tri-emissive red-green dye-encapsulated UiO-66-Ph as a white-light emission fluorescence sensor for Fe3+ and Cr2O72- detection in environmental water samples

Excessive inorganic ions in water sources can accumulate abnormally or be deficient in the human body, leading to serious health risks, such as liver and kidney damage or even cancer. Therefore, efficient and accurate detection of excessive inorganic ions in water is urgently needed. Using an in situ encapsulation method under solvothermal conditions, we develop a series of triple-emission fluorescent sensors, C6&RhB@UiO-66-Ph (C&R@U), by encapsulating green-emitting Coumarin 6 (C6) and red-emitting Rhodamine B (RhB) into a blue-emitting UiO-66-Ph MOF with 1,4-H2NDC as the ligand. Among them, C&R@U3 exhibits white-light emission with a CIE coordinate of (0.32, 0.32) and is used for the detection of Fe3+ ions and Cr2O72- ions in water. When the C&R@U3 fluorescent probe interacts with target ions, the three emission peaks of the probe are quenched due to the resonance energy transfer effect, resulting in significant shifts in its CIE coordinates compared to other ions. The fluorescence intensity of the C&R@U3 probe demonstrates excellent linearity with Fe3+ ion concentrations (0-0.6 mM) and Cr2O72- ion concentrations (0-0.1 mM), with detection limits of 0.71 μM and 16.9 nM, respectively. Experiments with real-world water samples and portable fluorescence test papers validate the practical applicability of C&R@U3, revealing its great potential in on-site inorganic ion detection. This work provides experimental basis and theoretical foundation for the development of new multifunctional fluorescent sensors, promoting the application of MOFs in environmental monitoring.

Design of lanthanide-doped carbon dots Nanochemosensor for Paper-strip based as well as in-vitro Turn-off-on detection of Fe2+ ions and hydrogen peroxide

Shifting emission wavelengths through different excitation methods can provide valuable insights; however, the reduced intensity of the shifted peaks often presents challenges in practical applications. In this work, we report the exceptional enhancement of optical and chemical properties of carbon dots (CDs) by simple doping of erbium ions (Er3+ ions). Doping carbon dots (CDs) with Er3+ ions can significantly enhance their photoluminescence properties and emission wavelengths are tunable across the entire visible region. The increase in quantum yield from 24.7 % to 30.2 % could enhance the performance of these materials in practical applications. The Er3+ ions-doped carbon dots (Er@CDs) are designed via a single-step hydrothermal method and used as a fluorescence probe for signal turn-off-on detections of Fe2+ ions and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The fluorescence signal of Er@CDs is turn-off by the addition of Fe2+ ions and turn-on after addition of H2O2 with the detection of limits are 51.7 nM & 55 µM, respectively. The fluorescence intensity of Er@CDs turn-off by Fe2+ ions may be due to the cation exchange of Er3+ ions with Fe2+ ions and turn-on via Fenton's process. This sensing probe follows both dynamic and static quenching mechanism and described by fluorescence lifetime decay and zeta potentials analysis. The synthesized Er@CDs is utilized for paper-based turn-off-on detection of Fe2+ ions and H2O2. Additionally, the low cytotoxicity and small particle size of the Er@CDs make them ideal for in-vitro turn-off-on detection of Fe2+ ions and H2O2 in Hep G2 cancer cells.

Carbazole-disulfonamide-containing macrocycles as powerful anion receptors with tunable selectivity

The design of synthetic anion receptors with potent anion binding and customizable anion selectivity under competitive solvent conditions remains challenging. Herein, we report easily-synthesized 1,8-disulfonamidocarbazole- and 3,5-diamidopyridine-based hybrid macrocycles 1-3 and reveal their strong anion recognition properties as determined by 1H NMR/UV-vis titration studies, X-ray diffraction measurements, and DFT calculations. While the dithioamidopyridine-based macrocycle 2 displayed strong and selective binding of AcO- in DMSO, modification of the selectivity pattern towards the more basic F- anion was achieved by replacing the thioamides moieties to amides (macrocycle 1). For macrocycle 3 (bearing pyridine N-oxide core), no selectivity was observed among F-, AcO-, and H2PO4- ions. The demonstration of tunable anion selectivity by slight structural modifications in our macrocycles is informative for developing structurally simple anion receptors with the desired selectivity for transmembrane anion transport, anion sensing, and anion sequestration applications.

Development of a selective fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of HSO3- in biological and environmental samples

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a significant atmospheric pollutant and food additive, with excessive sulfite (HSO3-) consumption linked to health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Reliable, sensitive detection of HSO3- is essential for food safety and environmental monitoring. Here, we present a novel fluorescent probe (HMQ) for the selective detection of HSO3- in biological and environmental samples. The probe exhibits a distinct "ON-OFF" fluorescence response due to a nucleophilic addition mechanism, enabling high selectivity for HSO3- over other anions. HMQ was successfully applied for detecting exogenous HSO3- in living cells and for monitoring sulfite contamination in food samples. Additionally, test strips impregnated with HMQ provide a simple and rapid method for detecting HSO3- (SO2) in aqueous solutions and gaseous environments. The probe demonstrates excellent sensitivity, with linear fluorescence responses and high recovery rates in both food and serum samples. This work provides a versatile tool for sulfite detection, with potential applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and disease research.

Emerging biomedical applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy integrated with artificial intelligence and microfluidic technologies

The integration of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), artificial intelligence (AI), and microfluidics represent a transformative approach for biomedical applications. By combining the molecular sensitivity of SERS, AI-driven spectral analysis, and the precise sample handling of microfluidics, these novel integrated systems enable ultrasensitive, label-free diagnostics with minimal sample processing. The development of portable, cost-effective platforms could democratize advanced diagnostics for resource-limited settings. However, challenges such as reproducibility, clinical validation, and system integration hinder widespread adoption. This review explores these new integrated platforms, beginning with a discussion of SERS principles, their biomedical applications, and the critical roles of AI and microfluidics in enhancing analytical performance. We evaluate recent advances in the application of these integrated systems, while addressing key challenges such as substrate scalability, biocompatibility, and point-of-care translation, with a focus on nanomaterials, AI models, and lab-on-chip designs. Finally, we outline future directions, including multimodal sensing, sustainable materials, and embedded AI for real-time diagnostics, to bridge the gap between technological innovation and clinical implementation.

Revolutionizing Escherichia coli detection in real samples with digital SERS aptamer sensor technology

Aptamer sensors based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology have demonstrated great potential in the ultrasensitive and rapid detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Herein, this paper presents a digital SERS aptamer sensor. This sensor integrates ordered nanoscale array synthesis technology and digital analysis technology, enabling highly sensitive and rapid bacterial quantification. The ordered monolayer gold nanosphere arrays (Au NS) can form uniform and dense "hot spots" on the silicon wafer due to their uniform spherical structures and narrow gaps. Moreover, digital SERS is adopted to further optimize the signal uniformity so as to achieve precise quantification. The sensor modules are combined together through base pairing. The aptamers labeled with Raman tags are detached from the complementary DNA due to the competition of the target substance, thus realizing the detection of E. coli. The digital SERS aptamer sensor has been verified to possess excellent selectivity and reproducibility. It has a wide dynamic linear detection range from 1.0 * 101 to 1.0 * 109 CFU/ml and a detection limit of 0.657 CFU/ml, maintaining excellent specificity even in the presence of mixed bacterial interference. The spiked recoveries in actual samples range from 98.80 % to 99.81 %. Leveraging different aptamers and digital analysis, the sensor holds promise for food safety and environmental monitoring applications.

Fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticles with dual-emission for sensing metal ions under various pH environments

Reactive dye alizarin red and ortho-phenylenediamine as raw materials, a novel carbon-based nanoparticle with dual-emission at 419 nm and 550 nm (DE-CNPs) was successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal process. The DE-CNPs exhibited distinct anti-quenching against extreme pH environments, and the integrated fluorescence color performed obvious pH dependence due to the alternating dominating of duel emissions. Besides qualified as a pH probe, the DE-CNPs were found further with high sensitivity and certain specificity for detecting metal ions in acid, base, or salt solutions. Typically, in a neutral aqueous solution, the initial yellow fluorescence transferred to blue for Cu2+/Pb2+/Cr3+, to white for Ag+/Fe3+, and to red for Al3+. Furthermore, gelatin was used as a restrictive matrix, and the DE-CNPs were embedded into the hydrogel network through physical cross-linking technology. Compared with nanoparticles, the hydrogel assembly (DE-CNPs@Gel) not only reserved original responding characteristics for detecting pH and metal ions, but also possessed better dispersity and processability as a practical candidate for the quality monitoring of water and soil.

Advancing fluoride ion sensing with a fluorene-derived fluorophore: A comprehensive experimental and computational study

This paper discusses the detailed sensing studies of a fluorene-based fluorophore for the sensitive and selective detection of fluoride ions in the solution state. The fluorophore FOPD has been synthesised from 9H-fluoren-9-one and o-phenylene diamine by simple reaction set-up, which was then structurally characterised by various spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, NMR, and HRMS analyses. Further, the sensing potential of the fluorophore was carried out by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Various parameters including sensitivity, selectivity, interference, the influence of pH, and limit of detection were successfully validated experimentally, thereby confirming the excellent ability of FOPD in detecting fluoride ions. Computational studies, including Density Functional Theory (DFT), were employed to optimise the molecular structure of FOPD, explore its Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs), and identify the plausible interaction between fluoride ions. Further, topological analyses such as ELF, LOL, RDG and QTAIM provide valuable insights into the non-bonding and intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, enabling a clearer understanding of the sensing mechanism. Finally, the toxicity analysis of FOPD revealed that it is relatively non-toxic with an excellent LOD of 0.125 µM, underscoring its potential as a safe and environmentally friendly fluorophore for the selective detection of fluoride ions.

Ultrasensitive chemiluminescence detection based on titanium-doped spinel-structured nanoparticles with abundant oxygen vacancies

We successfully synthesized spinel-structured ternary nanocatalyst Ti-Co3O4/Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) for the first time. Ti-Co3O4/Fe3O4 NPs exhibited superior catalytic performance compared to the synthesized binary catalysts Co3O4/Fe3O4. Moreover, Ti-Co3O4/Fe3O4 NPs can enhance the chemiluminescence (CL) intensity of the luminol/H2O2 system by over 3800-fold, attributed to the high density of oxygen vacancies (OVs) within the structure. OVs contribute to electron delocalization, improve conductivity, and are recognized as crucial active sites in the catalytic decomposition of H2O2. Based on the inhibitory effect of L-ascorbic acid (AA) on the luminol/H2O2 CL system, we developed a sensitive, rapid, effective, and highly selective AA CL assay with a linear range of 0.1 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L and a limit of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) of 0.044 μmol/L. The method was successfully applied to quantify AA in vitamin C tablets with recoveries ranging from 99.7 % to 106.3 %. This research provides a promising prospect for the application of spinel-structured nanoparticles in CL detection platforms and offers valuable insights into nanoparticle size modulation and OV engineering for catalytic optimization.

Regulation on the excited state of anthracene-bridged fluorophores for highly efficient blue non-doped OLEDs with ultra-low efficiency roll-off

Blue hot exciton fluorophores are deemed as promising candidates towards high-efficiency organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with negligible efficiency roll-off, which can break through the bottleneck on the accumulation of the lowest triplet state excitons rooting in OLEDs with phosphorescent/thermally activated delayed fluorescence light-emitting materials. Herein, two novel blue D-π-A fluorophores 4-(10-(4-(phenanthro[9,10-d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl)anthracen-9-yl)-N,N- diphenylaniline (POANTP) and 2-(4-(10-(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)anthracen-9-yl)phenyl)phenanthro[9,10-d]oxazole (POANCZ) were designed and synthesized by changing the electron-donating capacity to establish a molecular design strategy for manipulation on excited state from charge transfer (CT) state to local excitation (LE) state. By integrating the photophysical experiments and theoretical calculations of POANTP and POANCZ, it was validated that both POANTP and POANCZ exhibited high fluorescence luminous efficiency (74 ∼ 79 %) and possessed the "hot exciton" channels with T2 → S1, respectively. It was demonstrated that the excited states of two fluorophores were a HLCT excited state. The cyclic voltammetry experiment and ground-state calculation showed that the design strategy achieved fine-modulation of the highest occupied molecular orbitals energy levels. Furthermore, both non-doped OLEDs exhibited high efficiencies, especially the POANCZ-based blue non-doped OLED reached the maximum external quantum efficiency of 8.72 % associated with negligible efficiency roll-off of only 0.34 % at 1000 cd m-2. These results provide a simple and effective method for designing hot exciton fluorophores towards high-performance blue non-doped OLEDs.

A novel FRET-based fluorescent probe capable of simultaneously imaging lipid droplets and the endoplasmic reticulum with two distinct fluorescence signals in HeLa cells

Inter-organellar interactions play indispensable roles in regulating cellular homeostasis, necessitating advanced methodologies for their simultaneous and discriminative visualization. Fluorescent probes, prized for their sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution, are pivotal tools for elucidating organelle dynamics in live-cell studies. However, current technologies remain limited in achieving robust dual-color imaging of multiple organelles with minimal crosstalk. To address this gap, we developed a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ratiometric probe leveraging the pH-responsive spiro-pyran motif, which undergoes reversible ring-opening/closing transitions. This probe enables concurrent dual-color visualization of lipid droplets (LDs) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in HeLa cells under single-excitation conditions, achieving high Pearson's correlation coefficients and minimal spectral overlap. Our work advances the design of multifunctional probes for decoding inter-organelle communication in live systems.

A fluorescent probe for progressive tracking glyoxal and sulfite and its application in food analysis and biological imaging

In this work, a mitochondrial-targeted fluorescent probe (AATC) for the progressive detection of glyoxal and SO32-via the formation of a dihydroquinoxaline derivative with glyoxal was developed. The probe exhibited a robust "turn-on" fluorescence response toward glyoxal with high selectivity and sensitivity (0.25 μM) in aqueous solution, and showed potential applications in real samples with high recoveries ranging from 98.12 % to 100.88 %. Furthermore, the probe can monitor both endogenous and exogenous glyoxal, as well as dynamic fluctuations in glyoxal levels during glycolysis and carbonyl stress processes stimulated by acrolein. Importantly, through a red-shifted fluorescence decrease change elicited by the addition reaction on the imine bond of the formed dihydroquinoxaline derivative, the product of the probe with glyoxal can serve as a secondary sensor for sulfite detection, demonstrating effective monitoring capabilities in both aqueous environments and cellular systems.

Substituent-induced modulation of competing dual-acceptor hydrogen bond in ESIPT-type HBT derivatives

The 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazole derivatives (HBT-R) featuring a dual-acceptor hydrogen bond (H-bond) have attracted our attention due to their unique structure and potential applications. There are two distinct acceptor sites located on either side of the central H-bond donor, thereby giving rise to the formation of inter-acceptor competition. In this study, quantum chemical calculations are employed to elucidate that substituents possessing distinct electronic properties modulate H-bond orientations, photophysical characteristics, and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in a dual-acceptor H-bond system. The origins of the competition in H-bonds and their effect on the distinct photophysical phenomena were revealed. The relaxed potential energy curves and molecular dynamics conducted for HBT-R indicate that electron-donating groups improve the efficiency of the ESIPT process in molecules with O-H···N H-bond. However, these groups hinder the ESIPT process in molecules with an opposite H-bond orientation. This work is expected to provide comprehensive insights into the mechanisms of substituent-induced modulation of competing dual-acceptor H-bond to inspire the design of more advanced luminescent materials.

Highly sensitive surface plasmon resonance-based sensor using green synthesized Fe3O4/rGO interface layer utilizing plant leaf extracts for alcohol compound detection

In this study, a fast response, real time, accurate, and non destructive alcohol detection method using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique was purposed. The SPR measurement was performed using 5-layers Krestchmann configuration with a layer structure of prism/Au thin film/Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite/alcohol compounds/air. The Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite was successfully synthesized using the green route utilizing Moringa oleifera and Amaranthus viridis leaf extract. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the nanocomposite has a face-centered cubic with an inverse spinel structure with a crystallite size of 5.6-5.8 nm. The size of Fe3O4 NPs in the Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite was variated from 10.6-13.0 nm and showed that there is no impurities in the sample. Fourier transform infra-red analysis also validates the existence of Fe3O4 and rGO indicated by the FeO and CC bond, respectively. The interaction between Fe3O4 and rGO can also be observed through the coordinational bonding FeOC, which is validated by the presence of FeO and CO bonds. The optical properties were studied using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, which shows an energy gap of 2.36 eV. Magnetic properties of Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite show a superparamagnetic characteristic with the saturation magnetization of 40.53 emu/g, magnetic susceptibility of 3.62 × 10-2, and the domain size is 6.22 nm. The SPR angle shifts when applied with Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite. The addition of alcohol compound further shifted the SPR angle by 0.22°, 0.61°, and 1.19° for methanol, ethanol, and IPA, respectively. This noticeable shift shows a possibility for early detection to differentiate these 3 compounds. The presence of a magnetic field further shifts the SPR angle by 0.08°, 0.08°, and 0.10° for 40, 60, and 80 Oe, which indicates an increase in sensitivity. Therefore, the combination of applied magnetic field and green synthesized Fe3O4/rGO nanocomposite as an eco-friendly interface layer are potential to enhance the sensitivity of SPR to detect the alcohol compounds.

Smooth muscle extracellular matrix modified small intestinal submucosa conduits promote peripheral nerve repair

Challenges still exist to develop an ideal cell-free nerve guidance conduit (NGC) providing a favorable microenvironment for rapid and successful nerve regeneration. Proteomic analysis revealed that extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was abundant in nerve-related active proteins and significantly enriched signaling pathways involved in nerve regeneration. However, whether NGCs based on SMCs-derived ECM modification strategy promote nerve regeneration remains unclear. In the study, we investigated the neuroregenerative effect of SMCs-derived ECM and developed a novel NGC (MyoNerve) by coating small intestinal submucosa (SIS) with SMCs-derived ECM. The SMCs-ECM was rich in neurotrophic factors, which endowed MyoNerve with remarkable neuroregenerative capabilities by promoting the expression of genes implicated in aspects of neuronal maintenance and activating signaling pathways involved in nerve regeneration. In vitro, MyoNerve exhibited excellent bioactivity for accelerating angiogenesis, regulating macrophages polarization, promoting the proliferation, migration and elongation of Schwann cells, enhancing differentiation of PC12 cells, and inducing the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia. In the model of rat sciatic nerve 10 mm defect, MyoNerve showed great potential for functional nerve regeneration by promoting angiogenesis, proliferation and migration of Schwann cells and neuron, axonal regeneration, remyelination, and neurological functional recovery.

MRI-responsive nanoprobes for visualizing hydrogen peroxide in diabetic liver injury

Diabetic liver injury has emerged as a significant complication associated with diabetes, warranting increased attention. The generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) due to oxidative stress plays a critical role in the onset and progression of this condition. Despite this, there is a scarcity of probes capable of non-invasively, accurately, and reliably visualizing H2O2 levels in deep-seated liver in diabetes-induced liver injury. In this study, we introduce a novel H2O2-responsive magnetic probe (H2O2-RMP), designed for the sensitive imaging of H2O2 in the liver injury caused by diabetes. H2O2-RMP is synthesized through the co-precipitation of a H2O2-responsive amphiphilic polymer, manganese(III) porphyrin (Mn-porphyrin), and iron oxide nanoparticles. When exposed to H2O2, the released iron oxide nanoparticles aggregate, resulting in an increased T2-weighted MR signal intensity. H2O2-RMP not only demonstrates a wide dynamic response range (initial r2 = 9.87 mM-1s-1, Δr2 = 7.69 mM-1s-1), but also exhibits superior selectivity for H2O2 compared to other reactive oxygen species. Importantly, H2O2-RMP exhibits high sensitivity, with a detection limit for hydrogen peroxide as low as 0.56 μM. Moreover, H2O2-RMP has been effectively applied for real-time imaging of H2O2 levels in the livers of diabetic model mice with varying degrees of severity, highlighting its potential for visual diagnosis and monitoring the progression of diabetic liver injury.

Core-shell MOF@COFs with hierarchical pores for synergistic extraction of Cl/Br-substituted organic pollutants

Functionalized metal organic framework (MOF) and covalent organic framework (COF) composites (MOF@COFs) with complementary advantages, hierarchical pores, pre-designable and tunable structures, are expected for remarkable adsorption of organic pollutants, yet to be explored. Herein, a kind of MOF@COF composite was synthesized by combining the parent MIL-68(In) and COF-V (10 %-MIL-68@COF-V), characterized with well-retained crystallinity and hierarchical pores. The parent materials and as-prepared MIL-68@COF-Vs were further fabricated as solid phase microextraction (SPME) coatings to study their extraction performance for Cl/Br-substituted organic pollutants. The 10 %-MIL-68@COF-V coated fiber exhibited the most outstanding enrichment performance for Cl/Br-substituted organic pollutants mainly due to the synthetic advantages, which was 1.1-196.5 times superior than that of the commercial PDMS coating. By combining it with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), an ultrasensitive method was established, exhibiting wide linear ranges (1-5000 ng L-1), low LODs (0.17-0.29 ng L-1), and good reproducibility. The trace Cl/Br-substituted organic pollutants in marine water samples were successfully detected, verifying the practicability of the developed method in environmental monitoring.

Three-dimensional AuNRs/MXene/NFs -based SERS platform for determination of quetiapine in urine

Determination of antipsychotic drugs in humans is meaningful for both individualized therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring. Quetiapine (QTP), as one of the newly developed antipsychotic drugs, may pose risks to human health if used improperly. In this work, we synthesized a three-dimensional (3D) Au nanorods/MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/nickel foams (named as AuNRs/MXene/NFs) composite material for detecting the antipsychotic drugs QTP. The prepared negatively charged MXene was first assembled on the surface of the NFs through electrostatic interaction to form MXene/NFs, and then the prepared AuNRs were anchored on the MXene/NFs to obtain the final 3D AuNRs/MXene/NFs. By integrating the porous structure and magnetic properties of NFs, large specific surface area of MXene, and the plasmonic hot spots of Au nanorods, the AuNRs/MXene/NFs-based SERS platform can easily and sensitively detect QTP in human urine with the limit of detection of 1.71 × 10-9 mol/L. The linearity was distinguished over the concentration range of QTP from 1 × 10-7 to 1 × 10-4 mol/L (calculated at 1030 cm-1), with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.9955. The presented AuNRs/MXene/NFs-based SERS strategy realizes QTP detection using SERS technology and provides a novel protocol for the therapeutic drug monitoring.

Rhodamine/Cucurbit[8]uril Co-assembled supramolecular aggregates realize the precise and enhancive bioimaging of plant active signals

Fluorescent molecular probes are commonly used to detect active substances. However, in variable living microenvironmental systems, most of conventional aromatic fluorescent probes often suffer from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) due to π-π stacking, which severely limit their selective recognition and bioimaging functions. To tackle this challenge, we devise an structurally novel small-molecule-adamantane-modified Rhodamine probe (RAA) and employ a predictable cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8])-involved host-guest supramolecular strategy to optimize molecular aggregation behaviors at the molecular level, thereby creating supramolecular aggregates (RAA@Q[8]) as an innovative fluorescent probe. This encouraging result is important for precise and efficient detection of plant signaling molecules such as salicylic acid (SA) in various environments. Experimental investigations found that RAA@Q[8] was 2.2-fold more sensitive than RAA for detecting SA, with high selectivity and anti-interference, and a low detection limit of 3.0 × 10-8 M. Importantly, RAA@Q[8] realizes the enhanced, precise recognition and bioimaging of SA on pea sprouts and HEK-293 cells. This study offers a guidance for developing efficient chemosensors from small-molecule conception to ultrasensitive supramolecular fluorescent probes that are opposite to the intractable ACQ obstacle.

Dummy molecularly imprinted polymer nanochannel sensor for ultrasensitive detection of aniline compounds

Aniline pollutants can cause great harm to human health and the ecosystem, while rapid and selective quantification of aniline compounds in environment samples at trace levels is a highly complex target. In this study, a novel, efficient nanochannel sensor based on dummy molecularly imprinted polymer (DMIP) was fabricated. The sensor works on the principle of the ion current rectification across the asymmetric charged nanoporous capillary. With the help of the electric-concentration multi-field coupling model and controlled experiments, the ion distribution and transport in the nanoporous capillary. and the key influencing factors were examined for optimization of the sensor. At the concentration of 1 nmol/L ∼0.1 mmol/L, the rectification ratio of the nanosensor and logarithm aniline concentration exhibited a good linear relationship with the limit of detection of 0.2 nmol/L. The concentration of anilines in the real seawater sample was tested with the DMIP nanochannel sensor, and the average recovery rate was 88.31 %. The prepared DMIP nanochannel based sensor has established itself a promising method for trace aniline detection in real environmental samples, with the advantages of low cost, small size, simple operation, high accuracy and excellent reproducibility.

Chitosan-platinum nanozyme-mediated ratiometric fluorescent immunosensor with dual catalytic cascades for sensitive detection of fenitrothion

Organophosphorus pesticide residues pose significant threats to food safety and environmental health, and their monitoring methods demand sensitivity and anti-interference capability. In this study, we developed a novel ratiometric fluorescent immunosensor for fenitrothion (FN) detection by employing chitosan-modified platinum nanoparticles (Ch-Pt NPs) as catalytic nanozymes. Ch-Pt NPs exhibit oxidase-mimicking activity, enabling the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) to produce dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) and 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP, Em = 568 nm), respectively. Then, DHAA further reacted with the remaining OPD to generate quinoxaline derivatives (DFQ, Em = 430 nm). These two products further form ratiometric fluorescent signals. Taking AA as a breakthrough point, the dual-catalytic cascade of natural enzymes and nanozymes was achieved by the combination with the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) -based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ALP-ELISA). Compared with the conventional colorimetric ELISA, the proposed sensor demonstrated a nearly 20-fold enhancement in sensitivity (detection limit: 0.48 ng/mL) and achieved satisfactory recoveries of 80.0-108.3 % in spiked samples. The ratiometric fluorescent immunosensor demonstrates outstanding performance and holds great potential for extensive applications in the field of pesticide monitoring.

A remotely controlled nanotherapeutic with immunomodulatory property for MRSA-induced bone infection

Osteomyelitis is a deep bone tissue infection caused by pathogenic microorganisms, with the primary pathogen being methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Due to the tendency of the infection site to form biofilms that shield drugs and immune cells to kill bacteria, combined with the severe local inflammatory response causing bone tissue destruction, the treatment of osteomyelitis poses a significant challenge. Herein, we developed a remotely controlled nanotherapeutic (TLBA) with immunomodulatory to treat MRSA-induced osteomyelitis. TLBA, combined with baicalin and gold nanorods, is positively charged to actively target and penetrate biofilms. Near-infrared light (808 nm) triggers spatiotemporal, controllable drug release, while bacteria are eliminated through synergistic interaction of non-antibiotic drugs and photothermal therapy, enhancing bactericidal efficiency and minimizing drug resistance. TLBA eliminated nearly 100 % of planktonic bacteria and dispersed 90 % of biofilms under NIR light stimulation. In MRSA-induced osteomyelitis rat models, laser irradiation raised the infection site temperature to 50 °C, effectively eradicating bacteria, promoting M2 macrophage transformation, inhibiting bone inflammation, curbing bone destruction, and fostering bone tissue repair. In summary, TLBA proposes a more comprehensive treatment strategy for the two characteristic pathological changes of bacterial infection and bone tissue damage in osteomyelitis.

Living therapeutics: Precision diagnosis and therapy with engineered bacteria

Bacteria-based therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, offering the potential for targeted tumor delivery, immune activation, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. However, the unpredictable behavior, safety concerns, and limited efficacy of wild-type bacteria pose significant challenges to their clinical translation. Recent advancements in synthetic biology and chemical engineering have enabled the development of precisely engineered bacterial platforms with enhanced controllability, targeted delivery, and reduced toxicity. This review summarize the current progress of engineered bacteria in cancer therapy. We first introduce the theoretical underpinnings and key advantages of bacterial therapies in cancer. Subsequently, we delve into the applications of genetic engineering and chemical modification techniques to enhance their therapeutic potential. Finally, we address critical challenges and future prospects, with a focus on improving safety and efficacy. This review aims to stimulate further research and provide valuable insights into the development of engineered bacterial therapies for precision oncology.

Encapsulation strategy based on aggregation-induced emission effect for the dual-emission ratiometric fluorescence detection of tetracycline

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) materials are highly porous and easily modified, and can have great potential for application in rapid fluorescence analysis of pollutants in materials with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Herein, a dual-emission ratiometric fluorescence nanosensor was constructed based on the copper nanoclusters encapsulated in zeolite imidazole framework-8 (CuNCs@ZIF-8) for visual detection of tetracycline (TC). Obviously, the fluorescence properties of CuNCs@ZIF-8 were highly enhanced by AIE effect under restriction of ZIF-8. After further TC molecule entered the ZIF-8 pores, its own green fluorescence was significantly enhanced through AIE, while the CuNCs in the original aggregated state were continuously dispersed, resulting in diminished red fluorescence of CuNCs@ZIF-8. Based on the sensing principle and benefiting from the efficient dual-emission inverse response, the CuNCs@ZIF-8 nanosensor exhibited excellent linearity in the range of 0.1-50 μM with a low detection limit down to 0.034 μM. Moreover, the distinct color transformation (red to green) made it ideal for high sensitivity visual detection of TC. Simultaneously, the CuNCs@ZIF-8 nanosensor was highly selective and has exhibited reliable quantitative TC analysis with satisfactory recoveries in real sample assays. Importantly, a visual sensing platform was designed by integrating CuNCs@ZIF-8 with smartphone assistance, and the visual sensing of TC was achieved by capturing and digitizing fluorescence images. Therefore, this work provides the possibility of meeting the requirements for convenient, sensitive and reliable rapid analysis of antibiotics, which has potential applications for pollutant detection in environmental and food safety.

SERS fingerprinting detection of ochratoxin A on molecularly imprinted magnetic inverse photonic crystals

Raman Fingerprinting spectra detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in food still meets serious challenge because of uncontrolled signal heterogeneity and poor reproducibility at low analyte concentrations. Here, OTA molecularly imprinted three-dimensional (3D) porous SERS substrate was prepared on the surfaces of magnetic inverse photonic crystal microspheres (MIPCMs) @AuNPs, and its Raman analytical enhancement factor can reach to 2.67 × 107. The OTA imprinted polymer was synthesized using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and phenyltriethoxysilane as the dual-functional monomers and Fmoc-d-Phenylalanine as the template molecule on the surfaces of MIPCMs. The functional microspheres can specifically enrich OTA and remarkably enhance the fingerprint Raman spectrum of OTA. The label-free 3D SERS substrate can rapidly quantitatively detect OTA by its fingerprint Raman spectrum, which shows a linear detection range of 10-1 to 103 ng/mL, a limit of detection of 0.078 ng/mL, good recovery rates of 76-97 % and regeneration property. The developed SERS method can integrate enrichment and detection of OTA in one system, which has a great application prospect in simple, rapid and high sensitivity detection of OTA.

A triple-helix molecular switch-based fluorescent aptasensor using Klenow fragment-assisted target recycling and Ribonuclease H-powered DNA walker cascade amplification for detection of MRSA

MRSA is an antibiotic resistant bacterium that poses a significant threat to the environment and human health due to its bioaccumulation and potential widespread contamination. The prompt and accurate identification of MRSA is essential for enhancing environmental monitoring and clinical management. Here, we develop a triple-helix molecular switch (THMS) fluorescent aptasensor for the determination of MRSA using Klenow fragment (KF)-assisted target recycling and Ribonuclease H (Rnase H)-powered DNA walker cascade amplification. In this method, the target opens the THMS by specifically binding with the aptamer, resulting in the release of target/aptamer complex and DNA walker. KF then initiates the target recycling process via strand-displacement polymerization reaction under the assistance of carboxyfluorescein (FAM)-labeled primer and dNTPs, creating plenty of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) products. These dsDNA products show low affinity to graphene oxide (GO) and generate strong fluorescence. This fluorescence is considerably significantly amplified in the presence of SYBR Green I (SGI), attributable to the synergistic interaction between dsDNA and SGI. In the interim, Rnase H drives the released DNA walker to automatically walk on the carboxylated graphene oxide surface by cleaving FAM-labeled RNA signal probe (SP), causing the FAMs to dissociate from the carboxylated graphene oxide (CGO). Therefore, fluorescent signal originating from the two reaction pathways can be detected at excitation/emission wavelengths of 480/514 nm. The target measured by this strategy demonstrates a broad linear working range from 102 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL to 107 CFU/mL, with a detection limit (LOD) of 15 CFU/mL. Moreover, this method performs well in milk and pus sample analysis. These results reveal that this aptasensor is highly specific and sensitive for detecting MRSA and is endowed with good potential for food monitoring and clinical diagnosis applications.

Single molecular profile of proteins sensing by nanopore technology

The characterization of biological macromolecules such as proteins and their interactions are crucial to understanding biological processes, disease diagnosis, and drug design. With the rapid development of proteomics, nanopore technology has emerged potentially as a single-molecule profile for huge amounts of peptides and proteins defined in the biological system, particularly for protein sequencing. This review focuses on recent advances in nanopore sensing of proteins and peptides, involving protein dynamic interactions, protein fingerprinting, and protein sequencing. These progresses will provide new perspectives to decipher the mechanisms of protein structure and function, and serve much more possible applications.

Engineered gold nanoparticles for accurate and full-scale tumor treatment via pH-dependent sequential charge-reversal and copper triggered photothermal-chemodynamic-immunotherapy

Current anti-tumor strategies majorly rely on the targeted delivery of functional nanomedicines to tumor region, neglecting the importance of effective infiltration of these nanomedicines in whole tumor tissue. This process normally causes the quick endocytosis by the tumor cells at surface layer of tumor tissue, resulting in the restriction of the penetration of these nanomedicines and limited therapeutic region, which would not be able to treat the entire tumor tissue. Herein, we prepared a series of engineered gold nanoparticles (Au-MBP NPs) with step-wise charge reversal in different acid environments that could entirely infiltrate into the whole tumor tissue and then perform tumor-specific photothermal-chemodynamic-immunotherapy to achieve the complete and accurate tumor treatment. These Au-MBP NPs consisted of AuNPs, thiol modified piperidine (SH-PD, charge reversal group), thiol modified benzoyl thiourea (SH-BTU, copper chelator) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) with different proportions. Once these Au-MBP NPs arrived tumor tissue, the decreasing pH values from shallow to deep region of tumor tissue separately induced the charge reversal of these nanoparticles from negative to positive, allowing them to bind with negatively charged tumor cells at designed area to occupy the whole tumor for further therapy. Following with the internalization by tumor cells, these Au-MBP NPs would selectively capture the excessive Cu2+ to decrease the available copper in tumor cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor metastasis via the copper metabolism blockade. On one hand, the captured Cu2+ also induced the aggregation of Au-MBP NPs, which in situ generated the photothermal agents in tumor cells for tumor-specific photothermal therapy (PTT). On the other hand, the chelated Cu2+ ions were reduced to Cu+, which catalyzed the high concentration of intracellular H2O2 to produce cytotoxic hydroxyl radical (•OH), exerting tumor-specific chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Furthermore, the immune-associated tumor antigens were also generated during PTT and CDT processes via immunogenic cell death (ICD), which further matured the dendritic cells (DCs) and then activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to turn on the immunotherapy, resulting in additional anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effects. Both in vitro and in vivo results indicated that these Au-MBP NPs possessed enormous potential for effectively suppressing primary and metastatic tumors.

Glucose-triggered NO-evolving coating bestows orthopedic implants with enhanced anti-bacteria and angiectasis for safeguarding diabetic osseointegration

As a common chronic metabolic disease, diabetes mellitus (DM) features a hyperglycemic micromilieu around implants, resulting in the critical implantation failure and high complications such as peri-implantitis and angiectasis disorder. To address the plaguing issue, we devise and develop a glucose-unlocked NO-evolving orthopedic implant consisted of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), glucose oxidase (GOx) and l-arginine (Arg) with enhanced angiogenesis for boosting diabetic osseointegration. Upon hyperglycemic niche, GOx on implants catalytically exhaust glucose to H2O2, which immediately reacts with Arg to in situ liberate nitric oxide (NO), resulting in enhanced angiogenesis and angiectasis around PEEK implant. Besides, the engineered implant exhibits great anti-bacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fortifies osteogenicity of osteoblasts in terms of cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium matrix mineralization. Intriguingly, in vivo evaluations utilizing diabetic infectious bone defect models of rat further authenticate that the engineered implants substantially augment bone remodeling and osseointegration at weeks 4 and 8 through dampening pathogens, anti-inflammatory as well as promoting angiectasis. Altogether, this work proposed a new tactic to remedy stalled diabetic osseointegration with hyperglycemic micromilieu-responsive therapeutic gas-evolving orthopedic implants.

Ultrasound-activated sonothermal-catalytic synergistic therapy via asymmetric electron distribution for bacterial wound infections

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections present a growing global health challenge, requiring innovative therapeutic solutions to overcome current limitations. We introduce boron-integrated bismuth oxide (B-BiO2) nanosheets with an asymmetrically distributed electronic structure for ultrasound-activated synergistic sonothermal and catalytic therapy. Boron incorporation enhances local electron density distribution, optimizing charge separation and significantly improving sonothermal and catalytic efficiency, as validated by density functional theory calculations. These nanosheets exhibit dual functionality, effectively generating localized heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound, leading to 99.999 % antibacterial efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens by disrupting bacterial membranes, as demonstrated through all-atom simulations and in vitro experiments. The simulations further reveal that sonothermal conversion effects enhance bacterial membrane fluidity and induce structural defects, amplifying ROS-induced oxidative damage and membrane destabilization. In vivo, B-BiO2 nanosheets accelerate wound healing in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected murine models, achieving 99.8 % closure by day 14 by reducing inflammation and promoting angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. Transcriptomic analysis highlights the activation of extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and autophagy pathways, underscoring the nanosheets' therapeutic potential. This study establishes ultrasound-activated B-BiO2 nanosheets as a novel nanotherapeutic platform, leveraging asymmetric electron distribution to synergistically combat drug-resistant infections and promote effective wound healing.

Target-initiated autocatalytic and concatenated DNAzyme/CHA amplification cascades for highly sensitive fluorescent detection of TET1 dioxygenase

The sensitive detection of the dysregulated expression of ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) dioxygenase, a key DNA 5-methylcytosine (5 mC) oxidation regulator in the expression of developmental genes, is of significant importance for the diagnosis of various genetic diseases and cancers. This study describes the establishment of a highly sensitive fluorescent TET1 bioassay based on the 5 mC-modified/Zn2+-dependent DNAzyme-containing hairpin probe and the autocatalytic and concatenated DNAzyme/catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) signal amplification cascades. TET1 target molecules specifically recognize and cut the 5 mC sites in the hairpin probes to release active DNAzyme sequences, which bind and cleave the double-stem-loop substrate strands to trigger multiple concatenated signal amplification recycling cycles with the presence of the fuel strands and two fluorescently quenched signal hairpins. These DNA reaction cascades thus result in the unfolding of lots of signal hairpins to substantially recover fluorescence for highly sensitive TET1 assay with a calculated detection limit of 6.9 fM. Additionally, such bioassay shows high selectivity toward TET1 and its real applicability has been successfully demonstrated for cancer cell lysate and human serum samples.

A critical review of pesticides in aquatic environment: Current trends, environmental impacts, and advances in analytical extraction techniques

Pesticides are applied in agricultural fields to manage pests and diseases that threaten crop health and productivity. However, their presence in natural water systems is a significant concern due to their persistent composition and complex molecular structures. Additionally, their toxic and recalcitrant nature poses potential risks, leading to chronic health effects in humans. Typically detected in trace concentrations, pesticides present analytical challenges owing to their intricate chemical structures and diverse physical properties. Recent research highlights notable advancements in conventional pesticide extraction methods, aiming to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective techniques with high enrichment and recovery rates. This review begins by exploring the latest trends and ongoing research related to the occurrence and extraction of pesticides from various aquatic environments. The study then discusses the innovative extraction techniques currently employed for pesticide removal. Among liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) techniques, methods such as ionic liquid-based extraction (IL-LPME), deep eutectic solvent-based extraction (DES-LPME), air-assisted extraction, solidification of a floating organic drop (SFO), and ultrasound-assisted LPME are gaining attention due to their ease of handling, operational simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. In the, solid-phase extraction (SPE) field, researchers have increasingly utilized approaches like magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE), green sorbents, metal-organic framework (MOF) based extraction, cartridge-based SPE, and carbon nanotube-based SPE as the most widely adopted methods. These methods are preferred for their benefits, including efficient separation, rapid analysis, and environmentally sustainable practices. The latter sections of this review present a detailed comparative analysis of these extraction methods, evaluating critical parameters such as operational time, cost, chemical and energy consumption, and analytical accuracy.