Actively tumor-targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) has been regarded as an attractive strategy for tumor treatment. Unfortunately, invasive damage caused by hyperthermia, irrepressible heating ...transfer and self-heating from in-organism water is always a real ‘hot potato’ in existing PTT modes. Herein, molecularly imprinted upconversion nanoparticles (UCPs@MIPs) were innovatively reported as an artificial antibody for active tumor targeting and microinvasive PTT. UCPs@MIPs were prepared using boronic acid-functionalized upconversion nanoparticles as a substrate, in-water polymerizable dopamine and
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-aminophenylboronic acid as a functional co-monomer and photothermal couplant, and sialic acid, a monosaccharide overexpressed on most cancer cells, as a template to create tumor-targeted imprinting cavities. Uniquely, the as-designed UCPs@MIPs were of three-in-one traits, i.e., active tumor targetability, bright upconversion luminescence and superb photothermal properties, enabling to achieve tumor-targeted microinvasive PTT by virtue of semi-accurate hyperthermia tumor ablation while protecting the normal tissue from overheating. Finally, as a proof of concept, such a molecular imprinting technique (MIT)-based PTT mode was successfully applied to real biosystems using HepG2 tumor-bearing mice as tumor models. Since MIT has good versatility in the selection of imprinting methods, substrate materials and template molecules, it will find its wider applications in the fields of biosensing and nanomedicine.
Secale strictum subsp. kuprijanovii is a perennial, hermaphrodite wild rye species and a progenitor of the modern cultivated rye, Secale cereale. With high adaptive capacity in stress conditions, it ...is valuable for enriching the germplasm resources of rye. Therefore, to elucidate its genetic and phylogenetic relationship is of great importance. We hereby sequenced, assembled and presented for the first time the complete chloroplast genome of this less studied species. The whole genome is 137,079 bp in size, including a large single copy region of 81,099 bp, a small single copy region of 12,820 bp and two separated inverted repeat regions of 43,160 bp. A total of 109 unique genes were annotated, including 67 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Secale strictum subsp. kuprijanovii clustered most closely with Secale cereal. A remarkably close evolutionary relationship of S.strictum subsp. kuprijanovii with various wheat varieties may indicate its usage as a genetic resource for the breeding of both the cultivated rye and wheat.
Flat plate solar air collectors can further increase their overall thermal conductivity and heat storage capacity by using phase change materials (PCM) and refining their structural design, which ...will increase their stability and effectiveness of heat collection. Based on sodium sulfate decahydrate (SSD, Na2SO4·10H2O) and sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT, CH3COONa·3H2O), this research proposes a novel manufacturing procedure to manufacture a new binary mixed hydrated salt (SSD/SAT), which addresses phase separation and undercooling difficulties.The latent heat of phase transition hits 229 J/g−1 when the material's phase transition temperature is 61.71 °C. Furthermore, the numerical modeling of the SSD/SAT material's heat collection performance was conducted when it was integrated into a V-corrugated flat plate solar collector (VC-FPSC). The collector has been found to be able to extend the heat and boost the efficiency.
•A preparation method has been proposed that can reduce the phase separation of binary mixed hydrated salts.•The manufactured SSD/SAT can efficiently lessen sodium sulfate decahydrate's phase separation and significant subcooling.•The V-corrugated flat plate collector with SSD/SAT can increase the effectiveness of heat collecting and lengthen the heating time.
Myoglobin (Mb) is an ideal biochemical marker for the diagnosis of certain diseases caused by damage to heart muscle or skeletal muscle. Nevertheless, serum myoglobin levels are usually very low ...while the interference components in real sample are extremely abundent. Hence, it is of great clinical significance to establish an effective method for Mb targeting. To obtain desired selectivity, targeting biomolecules like antibody and aptamer are essential to ‘the state of the art’. However, such biomolecules suffer from many disadvantages, such as hard to prepare, susceptible to protease degradation, and high cost. Thus, novel alternatives that can overcome these issues are highly desirable. Herein, we pioneered a template-anchored controllable surface imprinting strategy for selective extraction of Mb from human serum via combining with facile magnetic separation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Mb-imprinted MNPs, as antibody-biomimetic materials, were prepared using amino group-modified MNPs as substrates and water-soluble self-polymerizable dopamine as imprinting monomer. The optimized imprinting time was 70 min, giving an optimal performance with high practical imprinting efficiency (up to 41%), high imprinting factor (4.2), high binding affinity (Kd=(2.05 ± 0.09) × 10−5 M), as well as excellent recognition selectivity. Moreover, compared to bare MNPs, Mb-imprinted MNPs possessed markedly better pH tolerance. Finally, the selective extraction of Mb from human serum sample by Mb-imprinted MNPs was experimentally confirmed and the recoveries of Mb in spiked serum ranged from (91.12 ± 6.81)% to (107.99 ± 7.76)%, indicating that the Mb-imprinted MNPs could be competent for the selective analysis of Mb in real bio-samples like human serum with high precision and reliability
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•Antibody-biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles were prepared via noncovalent template-anchored surface imprinting strategy.•Conditions for myoglobin imprinting were optimized and the imprinting performance were validated.•Antibody-biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles integrated the merits of molecular imprinting and magnetic materials.•Myoglobin was selectively extracted from human serum sample by antibody-biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles.
•An instrument-free strategy for semiquantitative naked-eye determination of food colorants (FCs) was developed.•Filter paper-based colorimetric analysis was applied to naked-eye detection of ...FCs.•FCs indicator papers could be facilely prepared via one-step polycondensation of silane coupling agents onto filter papers.•Visual colorimetric determination of FCs in real-world beverages was achieved with high reliability.
A filter paper-based colorimetric strategy for instrument-independent visual detection of artificial food colorants (FCs) was developed in this study. Indicator papers were prepared via the one-step polycondensation of silane coupling agents onto glass microfiber filter papers, and colorimetric cards with a fine one-to-one correspondence between their colors and FCs concentrations were straightforward obtained by the extraction of FCs with indicator papers by virtue of electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect. Filter papers post-modified via such a simple way were proved to be of improved binding class selectivity and colorimetric sensitivity, allowing for in-situ colorimetric assay of FCs in an unprecedently wide range of applicable pH (1.0–12.0) with high reliability and fine versatility. Finally, the semiquantitative naked-eye determination of FCs (Allura red, brilliant blue and sunset yellow) in real-world drink samples was experimentally confirmed to be feasible by comparison with the findings of UV–vis absorption spectra, HPLC and mass spectra.
Herein, a multi-mode visualization platform was initiated for in-situ detection of food dyes (FDs) by combining colorimetry, fluorometry and smartphone‑based digital image analysis, in which ...water-dispersible quantum dots (QDs) were served as nanoprobes. Colorimetry was achieved by color comparison, while both fluorometry and fluorescence quantification were performed through inner filter effect (IFE)-induced fluorescence quenching, then color information (RGB & gray-scale values) of colorimetry and fluorometry was picked by a smartphone to reconstruct digitized alignments. Since IFE mechanism was concentration-dependent but did not rely on the interaction between fluorophore and quencher, the whole process of fluorescence response could be finished within 10 s, and both color gradients and fluorescence changes showed fine mappings to FDs concentrations in the range of 1.0 × 10−3∼0.035 mg/mL for brilliant blue, and 1.0 × 10−4∼0.1 mg/mL for Allura red and sunset yellow. As a proof-of-concept, the in-situ multi-mode visualization of these FDs in real beverages was experimentally proved to be highly feasible and reliable as compared with instrumental techniques like UV–vis/fluorescence spectrometry, along with HPLC. Finally, this strategy was extended to the multi-mode visualization of non-food dyes in three simulated wastewater samples with high credibility by contrast with the true additive amounts of model dyes.
Oxidation diagram of the Fe-Mn-Cr-O system was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer and X-ray power diffraction. The 1000 °C isothermal ...section of the Fe-Mn-Cr-O system was investigated experimentally. The oxide phases, Spinel, Monoxide and Corundum can equilibrate with the Fe-Mn-Cr alloys. Two three-phase equilibrium regions (two oxide phases coexist with alloy phase), Corundum + Spinel + Bcc and Monoxide + Spinel + Fcc, have been detected. The oxide phase boundary of Spinel and Monoxide was obtained. Thermodynamic computations of the Fe-Mn-Cr-O oxidation diagram at 1000 °C and 800 °C were performed. In comparison with the calculated phase diagram, the experimental oxide phase boundary of Spinel and Monoxide turns towards the Fe-Cr side partially. The phase diagram can be used to predict the oxidation of high-strength steel.
•The phase relations of the Fe-Mn-Cr-O system at 1000 °C were experimentally investigated.•The oxide phase boundary of different oxides, Spinel and MnO, was obtained.•Thermodynamic calculations of the Fe-Mn-Cr-O oxidation diagram at 1000 °C and 800 °C were performed.•The phase diagram can be used to predict the oxidation of high-strength steels.
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•Apigenin nanoparticles were prepared by antisolvent crystallization technology.•Antisolvent technology optimization models were obtained using RSM design.•The crystal form of ...apigenin transforms into an amorphous form after the SEDS process.•The bioactivity of apigenin was improved.
Flavonoids have many positive pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, factors such as low water solubility and low dissolution rate limit their use. To overcome their poor solubility, carrier-free apigenin (API) microparticles and nanoparticles were prepared using three types of antisolvent precipitation technologies: supercritical antisolvent (SCF) technology, ultrasonic-assisted liquid antisolvent (UAL) technology, and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) technology. All three technologies can produce uniform tiny particles. However, the API particles obtained using these different techniques show subtle differences in terms of physical and chemical properties and biological activity. The preparation, characterization, and potential use of API microparticles and nanoparticles to improve in vitro release were studied. The resulting API particles were investigated and compared using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. We determined the optimum conditions for SCF, UAL, and HPH technologies to produce API microparticles and nanoparticles. The antioxidant and antitumor properties of the API particles were also investigated. The results demonstrated that the reduced particle size of the APIs prepared via SCF, UAL, and HPH technologies contributed to the enhanced dissolution rate, which in turn enhanced API bioactivity.
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•A filter paper- and smartphone-based POCTs strategy has been proposed for food colorants (FCs) detection.•Indicator papers could be handily prepared by the one-step polycondensation ...of UPTES.•Indicator papers own superb stainability with low colorable concentration of FCs and wide applicable pH range.•The whole POCTs processes can be finished within 1 min.•Filter paper- and smartphone-based POCTs strategy is of high feasibility and reliability.
Herein, a robust instrument-free point-of-care tests (POCTs) strategy was proposed for rapid naked-eye detection of artificial food colorants (AFCs) using filter paper as a sampling and response device. Indicator papers were prepared by one-step polycondensation of silane coupling agents onto glass microfiber filter papers, then colorimetric cards with fine color mappings to AFCs concentration gradients were handily fabricated by AFCs extraction with indicator papers via electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect. The lowest concentration for AFCs visual detection was as low as 10−6 M and the whole POCTs process could be finished within 1 min. Furtherly, color information (RGB and gray-scale values) of AFCs-stained indicator papers and colorimetric cards from smartphone APP was used to reconstruct digitized colorimetry and reinforce its validity by mitigating the possible errors from subjective judgement on colors. Finally, such a dual-mode POCTs strategy was experimentally proved to be highly reliable for rapid visual detection of three AFCs (brilliant blue, Allura red, and sunset yellow) in real drinks by contrast with several instrumental methods like spectrophotometry, HPLC and MS. Due to its fine portability, speediness, low cost and user-friendliness, this strategy paves a promising way for AFCs-related food safety control.
Herein, a strategy combining colorimetry and inner filter effect (IFE)-based fluorometry was developed for multimode visualization of food dyes (FDs) using CdTe quantum-dots-doped fluorescent ...indicator papers as a sample-to-answer device. Colorimetry was straightforwardly achieved by FDs extraction through electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect while fluorometry was implemented by IFE-induced fluorescence quenching. RGB/gray-scale values of colorimetry and fluorometry were furtherly picked by a smartphone application and applied to reconstruct color information-based digital image analysis for both direct alignments and linear regression analysis. The apparent color and fluorescence of FDs-bound indicator papers, together with their digitized color information, showed a good mapping to FDs concentrations in the range of 0–0.5 mg/mL for Sunset Yellow, 0–0.2 mg/mL for Allura Red, and 0–0.08 mg/mL for Brilliant Blue. As a proof of concept, the dosages of these FDs in real beverages and simulated dye effluents were deduced and cross-validated by different visualization modes, and finally double-checked by instrumental techniques such as spectrometric methods, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectroscopy (MS). The above findings concluded that (i) IFE mechanism is generally applicable to build fluorometric systems and (ii) cross validation of different visualization modes can markedly improve detection accuracy, which may provide references for design and fabrication of novel “lab-on-paper” devices for visualization applications with high reliability.
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