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As a potent detection method for cancer biomarkers in physiological fluid, a colorimetric and electrochemical dual-mode sensing platform for breast cancer biomarker thioredoxin 1 (TRX1) was developed based on the excellent peroxidase-mimicking and electrocatalytic property of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs). PBNPs were hydrothermally synthesized using K3[Fe(CN)6] as a precursor and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. The synthesized spherical PBNPs showed a significant peroxidase-like activity, having approximately 20 and 60% lower Km values for 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2, respectively, compared to those of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The PBNPs also enhanced the electron transfer on the electrode surface. Based on the beneficial features, PBNPs were used to detect target TRX1 via sandwich-type immunoassay procedures. Using the strategies, TRX1 was selectively and sensitively detected, yielding limit of detection (LOD) values as low as 9.0 and 6.5 ng mL−1 via colorimetric and electrochemical approaches, respectively, with a linear range of 10–50 ng mL−1 in both strategies. The PBNP-based TRX1 immunoassays also exhibited a high degree of precision when applied to real human serum samples, demonstrating significant potentials to replace conventional HRP-based immunoassay systems into rapid, robust, reliable, and convenient dual-mode assay systems which can be widely utilized for the identification of important target molecules including cancer biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate and simultaneous detection of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine (DA) and epinephrine (EP), is of paramount importance in clinical diagnostic fields. Herein, we developed cerium–molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers (Ce-MoS2 NFs) using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method and demonstrated that they are highly conductive and exhibit significant peroxidase-mimicking activity, which was applied for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of DA and EP. Ce-MoS2 NFs showed a unique structure, comprising MoS2 NFs with divalent Ce ions. This structural design imparted a significantly enlarged surface area of 220.5 m2 g−1 with abundant active sites as well as enhanced redox properties, facilitating electron transfer and peroxidase-like catalytic action compared with bare MoS2 NFs without Ce incorporation. Based on these beneficial features, Ce-MoS2 NFs were incorporated onto a screen-printed electrode (Ce-MoS2 NFs/SPE), enabling the electrochemical detection of H2O2 based on their peroxidase-like activity. Ce-MoS2 NFs/SPE biosensors also showed distinct electrocatalytic oxidation characteristics for DA and EP, consequently yielding the highly selective, sensitive, and simultaneous detection of target DA and EP. Dynamic linear ranges for both DA and EP were determined to be 0.05~100 μM, with detection limits (S/N = 3) of 28 nM and 44 nM, respectively. This study shows the potential of hierarchically structured Ce-incorporated MoS2 NFs to enhance the detection performances of electrochemical biosensors, thus enabling extensive applications in healthcare, diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a fluorescent assay for the determination of vitamin B12 (VB12) based on the inner filter effect (IFE) of 1,3-propanedithiol-functionalized silver nanoparticles (PDT-AgNPs). PDT was simply functionalized on the surface of AgNPs through Ag–thiol interaction, which leads to significantly enhanced fluorescence, with excitation and emission at 360 and 410 nm, respectively, via their thiol-mediated aggregation. Since target VB12 has strong absorption centered at 360 nm, which is almost completely overlapping with the excitation spectra of PDT-AgNPs, the VB12 induced strong quenching of the fluorescence of PDT-AgNPs via IFE. The IFE-based mechanism for the fluorescence quenching of PDT-AgNPs in the presence of VB12 was confirmed by the analyses of Stern–Volmer plots at different temperatures and fluorescence decay curves. The fluorescence-quenching efficiency of PDT-AgNPs was linearly proportional to the concentration of VB12 in a wide range of 1 to 50 μM, with a lower detection limit of 0.5 μM, while preserving excellent selectivity toward target VB12 among possible interfering molecules. Furthermore, the PDT-AgNPs-mediated assay succeeded in quantitatively detecting VB12 in drug tablets, indicating that PDT-AgNPs can serve as an IFE-based fluorescent probe in pharmaceutical preparations by taking advantages of its ease of use, rapidity, and affordability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a convenient detection method for dopamine holds a significant incentive due to its high clinical significance. Herein, we synthesize crystalline MnOOH nanowires (MNWs) via a simple solvothermal treatment of KMnO4 and demonstrate that they possess excellent oxidase-like activity owing to the presence of pure Mn3+ sites on the MNWs. Particularly, MNWs catalyze the rapid oxidation of dopamine into aminochromes, which show a vivid brown color. The dopamine oxidase-like activity of MNWs follows the typical Michaelis–Mentenkinetics with excellent storage stability. Based on the affirmative catalytic features, a paper dipstick incorporating MNWs in the detection zone is constructed for the one-step colorimetric detection of target dopamine. By immersing the dipstick into the sample solution for 30 min, the sample spontaneously moves to the detection zone due to capillary force, yielding a brown color proportional to the amount of dopamine, which is quantified from an image acquired using a smartphone. With the MNW-containing solution-based assay and MNW-incorporated paper dipstick, dopamine is successfully determined with high selectivity, sensitivity, and detection precision when using spiked human serum and pharmaceutical dopamine injection samples, respectively. Successful analytical values such as the dynamic linear ranges of 3–60 μM and 0.05–7 mM are achieved with the solution-based assay and paper dipstick, respectively, along with excellent detection accuracy (95–99%) and precision (1.0–3.1%). Hence, we developed a simple and efficient nanozyme-based paper dipstick biosensor for dopamine that can be used in point-of-care testing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a hepatotoxin generated by the excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria, which is a threat to humans and wildlife. Therefore, rapid detection of MC-LR is an important challenge. This study describes a rapid electrochemical biosensor comprising nanozymes and aptamers. Alternating current electrothermal flow (ACEF) significantly reduced the MC-LR detection period to 10 min. We also used MnO2/MC-LR aptamer conjugates to improve the sensitivity to MC-LR detection. Here, MnO2 amplified the electrochemical signal and the aptamer showed high selectivity for MC-LR. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and selectivity in freshwater were detected using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. As a result, an LOD of 3.36 pg mL−1 was observed in the linear concentration range of 10 pg mL−1 to 1 μg mL−1. This study quickly and sensitively detected MC-LR in a situation where it causes serious damage worldwide. In addition, the ACEF technology introduction is the first example of MC-LR detection, suggesting a wide range of possibilities for MC-LR biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]