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Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) is an emerging method for the analysis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in single cells. However, two main obstacles, low analytical throughput and lack of commercial reference materials, need to be overcome. In this work, we demonstrated the principles of a new approach termed “single-cell isotope dilution analysis” (SCIDA) to remove the two obstacles. For a proof of concept, macrophage cells were chosen as a model to study the uptake of silver NPs (AgNPs) at a single-cell level. Single cells exposed to AgNPs were placed in an array by a microfluidic technique; each cell in the array was precisely dispensed with a known picoliter droplet of an enriched isotope solution with a commercial inkjet printer; accurate quantification of AgNPs in single cells was done by using isotope dilution LA–ICP–MS. The average Ag mass of 1100 single cells, 396 ± 219 fg Ag per cell, was in good accord with the average of the population of cells determined by solution ICP–MS analysis. The detection limit was 0.2 fg Ag per cell. The SCIDA approach is expected to be widely applied for the study of cell–NP interactions and biological effects of NPs at the single-cell level.

Fingerprint analysis is of great significance in forensic sciences. Compared with existing fingerprint analytical methods, mass spectrometry-based methods can not only identify chemical components in fingerprints, but also obtain fingerprint imaging. In this study four kinds of fingerprints, including sweat, inkpad, sunscreen, and liquid foundation, were analyzed by air-flow assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). AFADESI was employed with air flow of 45 L min−1, and 5 μL min−1acetonitrile was used as spray solvent at spray voltage of 7000 V. Positive ion full scan mode (100−1000 Da) was chosen. The results showed that AFADESI-MSI method could not only obtain chemical information of various endogenous and exogenous substances in fingerprints, but also obtain high resolution images of fingerprints. In addition, overlapped fingerprints were distinguished according to the typical chemical information in fingerprints. As a new fingerprint analysis method, AFADESI-MSI would be widely used in forensic scientific research and practical applications.

Objective To demonstrate the correlation between nuclear and cytoplasmic G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPR30) expression and clinicopathological features and outcome in patients with ovarian cancer.Methods Nuclear and cytoplasmic GPR30 expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry to identify the intracellular location in tissues from patients with ovarian cancer. Data were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes.Results Tissue samples were obtained from 110 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer between 2005 and 2010. Nuclear GPR30 was significantly more frequent in the group of patients with recurrence. The presence of nuclear GPR30 predicted lower overall survival) and 5-year progression-free survival in all patients with ovarian cancer and overall survival in patients with high grade ovarian cancer. Cytoplasmic GPR30 was observed significantly more often in advanced ovarian cancer and did not predict survival.Conclusion This study showed that nuclear GPR30 is an independent negative prognostic indicator in patients with ovarian cancer, especially in those with a high grade malignancy.

Storing and hydrogenating CO2to CH4is an efficient solution to alleviate the greenhouse effect and energy shortage. This work demonstrated that the CaO-captured CO2could be selectively converted to CH4by Ni- and hydrogen-assisted calcium looping (CaL) processes in a batch reactor. The Ni/CaO composite was first synthesized in one step at room temperature by calcium-induced hydrogenation of Ni-mixed calcium carbonate without the use of any solvent and CO2emission. The CO2capture properties over the Ni/CaO composite and the methanation properties of the Ni/CaCO3composite produced after CO2capture were then studied in a batch reactor. It was proved that the CO2capture properties of CaO can be improved, the CaO recovering temperature can be significantly lowered, and valuable CH4can be selectively produced by Ni- and hydrogen-assisted calcium looping processes at moderate/high temperature. The 68.58% methane yield and 100% methane selectivity were achieved under relatively mild conditions. After five Ni- and hydrogen-assisted CaL processes, the methane yield still reaches 45%. This study offers a novel energy-saving CaL process, which can be utilized for facile and selective conversion of the CaO-captured CO2to CH4.

The quest for interesting properties and phenomena in liquid crystals toward their employment in nondisplay application is an intense and vibrant endeavor. Remarkable progress has recently been achieved with regard to liquid crystals in curved confined geometries, typically represented as enclosed spherical geometries and cylindrical geometries with an infinitely extended axial-symmetrical space. Liquid-crystal emulsion droplets and fibers are intriguing examples from these fields and have attracted considerable attention. It is especially noteworthy that the rapid development of microfluidics brings about new capabilities to generate complex soft microstructures composed of both thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals. This review attempts to outline the recent developments related to the liquid crystals in curved confined geometries by focusing on microfluidics-mediated approaches. We highlight a wealth of novel photonic applications and beyond and also offer perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and new directions for future development in this emerging research area.