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Fangqing Wang,1,* Nianlu Li,2,* Wenbo Wang,1 Long Ma,3 Yaru Sun,4 Hong Wang,1 Jinhua Zhan,5 Dexin Yu1 1Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China; 2Physical and Chemical Laboratory, Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250002, People’s Republic of China; 3The Testing Center of Shandong Bureau of China Metallurgical Geology Bureau, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jinhua Zhan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, People’s Republic of China, Email jhzhan@sdu.edu.cn Dexin Yu, Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-18560081629, Fax +86-531-86927544, Email yudexin0330@sina.comPurpose: Owing to lack of specific molecular targets, the current clinical therapeutic strategy for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still limited. In recent years, some nanosystems for malignancy treatment have received considerable attention. In this study, we prepared caramelized nanospheres (CNSs) loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and Fe3O4 to achieve the synergistic effect of combined therapy and real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring, so as to improve the diagnosis and therapeutic effect of TNBC.Methods: CNSs with biocompatibility and unique optical properties were prepared by hydrothermal method, DOX and Fe3O4 were loaded on it to obtain Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs nanosystem. Characteristics including morphology, hydrodynamic size, zeta potentials and magnetic properties of Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs were evaluated. The DOX release was evaluated by different pH/near-infrared (NIR) light energy. Biosafety, pharmacokinetics, MRI and therapeutic treatment of Fe3O4@CNSs, DOX and Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs were examined in vitro or in vivo.Results: Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs has an average particle size of 160 nm and a zeta potential of 27.5mV, it demonstrated that Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs is a stable and homogeneous dispersed system. The hemolysis experiment of Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs proved that it can be used in vivo. Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs displayed high photothermal conversion efficiency, extensive pH/heat-induced DOX release. 70.3% DOX release is observed under the 808 nm laser in the pH = 5 PBS solution, obviously higher than pH = 5 (50.9%) and pH = 7.4 (less than 10%). Pharmacokinetic experiments indicated the t1/2β, and AUC0–t of Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs were 1.96 and 1.31 -fold higher than those of DOX solution, respectively. Additionally, Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs with NIR had the greatest tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, this nanosystem demonstrated distinct contrast enhancement on T2 MRI to achieve real-time imaging monitoring during treatment.Conclusion: Fe3O4/DOX@CNSs is a highly biocompatible, double-triggering and improved DOX bioavailability nanosystem that combines chemo-PTT and real-time MRI monitoring to achieve integration of diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.Keywords: caramelized nanotheranostic system, combining chemo-photothermal therapy, magnetic resonance imaging monitoring, double-triggering, triple negative breast cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, and it is resistant to most conventional antineoplastic therapies. To address this challenge, gemcitabine (Gem)-loaded carbonaceous nanoparticles (MFC-Gem) as nanozymes and a theranostic platform were fabricated and used for MR-guided ferroptosis-chemo synergetic therapy of PDAC. As a biocompatible carrier, MFC-Gem nanoparticles are regarded as peroxidase-like and glutathione peroxidase-like nanozymes that promote ferroptosis therapy by effectively generating ROS and consuming GSH. Meanwhile, the combination of MnFe

The use of Chinese herbs containing aristolochic acid can induce the exchange of adenine and thymine in gene mutations and even cause liver cancer. To eliminate the harm of aristolochic acids (AAs) to humans, a rapid and robust method of AAs screening is a prerequisite. In this work, a facile and robust Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method was used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of AAs in Chinese medicinal herbal preparations based on the mandelic acid modified Ag nanoparticles SERS substrate. Qualitative and quantitative SERS detection of Aristolochic acid I (AAI) was achieved with a good linear relationship ranging from 0.2 - 120.0 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 μM. The proposed method demonstrates a refined strategy for sensitivity analysis of AAs with the advantages of easy operation, time-saving, high sensitivity, and molecular specificity, making it a preferred platform for the screening of AAI in regular inspections of herbal products and regulatory supervision of the supply chain.

Background Traditional intravesical instillation treatment in bladder cancer has limited efficacy, which results in a high frequency of recurrence. Purpose The aim of this study was to report on an epirubicin (EPI)-loaded magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube (mMWCNTs-EPI) system for intravesical instillation in place of the current formulation. Methods The mMWCNTs-EPI system was formulated with carboxylated MWCNTs, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, and EPI. Features and antitumor activity of the system were investigated. Results Under the effect of external magnets, the mMWCNTs-EPI system showed sustained release and prolonged retention behavior and better antitumor activity than free EPI. The mMWCNTs-EPI system had higher efficiency in enhancing cytotoxicity and inhibiting proliferation in vitro and in vivo than free EPI. Our studies also revealed the atoxic nature of mMWCNTs. Conclusion These findings suggested that mMWCNTs are effective intravesical instillation agents with great potential for clinical application.

In this work, cystine-glucose Maillard conjugates were composited with Cu

The carbon catalyst has been widely used as a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator to degrade organic contaminants. The biomass carbon aerogel (CA) derived from poplar powder was synthesized in this study. CA with three-dimensional structure exhibited an excellent degradation performance of PMS activation for different types of organic contaminants including bisphenol A (BPA), rhodamine 6 G, phenol, and p-chlorophenol with the removal efficiencies up to 91%, 100%, 100%, and 60% within 60 min, respectively. It was found that singlet oxygen (1O2) dominated the non-radical pathway worked for BPA removal in CA/PMS system. The possible mechanism for PMS activation was discussed. A portion of 1O2 was produced through the transformation of superoxide radical (O2•-) in CA/PMS system. Electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) proved that the hierarchical structure of CA contributed to the electron transfer process for PMS activation. The ketonic/carbonyl groups (C˭O) on the surface of CA could serve as a possible active site to facilitate the generation of 1O2. In addition, CA showed superior degradation performance in actual water bodies and reusability with high-temperature regeneration treatment. This study developed an efficient and environmentally benign catalyst for water remediation of organic pollutants.

Novel SERS substrates is urgently in demand for rapid and sensitive analysis of toxic agrochemicals from food. In this work, a monodispersed tungsten disulfide quantum dots modified silver nanosphere (Ag@WS

Carbonaceous shell-coated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@CNM) were synthesized from glucose caramelization and used as a novel magnetic solid-phase extraction medium for malachite green and crystal violet in environmental water. Malachite green and crystal violet were absorbed on to γ-Fe2O3@CNM by electrostatic and π-interactions. The morphologies, pore structures, surface functional groups, and magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3@CNM were characterized by TEM, FTIR, hysteresis regression, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller analysis, zeta potential, XPS, and XRD. The magnetic solid-phase extraction procedure was optimized by extraction pH, absorption time, desorption solvent, and desorption time. The absorption capacities (qmax values) for malachite green and crystal violet were 34.2 and 27.9 mg g−1, respectively. After magnetic solid-phase extraction, malachite green and crystal violet were determined by LC-MS/MS. The analytical method was validated with a linear range of 0.02–20 ng mL−1, enrichment factor of 25.8 and 25.4, method detection limit of 0.004 ng mL−1, and intra-day precisions of 2.1% and 2.6% for malachite green and crystal violet, respectively. The relative recovery was found to be 73.4–101.5% for malachite green and 83.1–102.7% for crystal violet upon the application of the magnetic solid-phase extraction method to real water samples from lake, spring, sea, fishpond, and industrial waste.

Integrated theranostic agents can provide multifunctional platforms for synergetic cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, the efficiency and safety of agents are of great concern. In this work, we prepared biocompatible and pH-sensitive MnO-loaded carbonaceous nanospheres (MnO@CNSs) for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photothermal therapy (PTT). Carbonaceous nanospheres (CNSs) with biocompatibility and unique optical properties were prepared by hydrothermal method for photothermal absorption and released Mn2+ were used for MRI. In vitro the results of MRI T1 relaxivity test showed r1 value in the acidic environment with an increase by 5-fold (from 5.42 mM−1s−1 to 0.18 mM−1s−1), due to excellent pH responsiveness. In addition, MRI and photothermal effect for mouse model showed enhanced T1 signal and temperature elevation in tumor site with photoirradiation. All the aforementioned results embodied that MnO@CNSs can be used as a fine biocompatible and pH-sensitive contrast for combining targeted MRI with accurate photothermal therapy, showing important value and potential in the integration of theranostics of cancer.

Carbonaceous shell-coated γ-Fe

Background Traditional intravesical instillation treatment in bladder cancer has limited efficacy, which results in a high frequency of recurrence. Purpose The aim of this study was to report on an epirubicin (EPI)-loaded magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube (mMWCNTs-EPI) system for intravesical instillation in place of the current formulation. Methods The mMWCNTs-EPI system was formulated with carboxylated MWCNTs, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, and EPI. Features and antitumor activity of the system were investigated. Results Under the effect of external magnets, the mMWCNTs-EPI system showed sustained release and prolonged retention behavior and better antitumor activity than free EPI. The mMWCNTs-EPI system had higher efficiency in enhancing cytotoxicity and inhibiting proliferation in vitro and in vivo than free EPI. Our studies also revealed the atoxic nature of mMWCNTs. Conclusion These findings suggested that mMWCNTs are effective intravesical instillation agents with great potential for clinical application.

Novel SERS substrates is urgently in demand for rapid and sensitive analysis of toxic agrochemicals from food. In this work, a monodispersed tungsten disulfide quantum dots modified silver nanosphere (Ag@WS2QD) was prepared and used as SERS substrate. Ag@WS2QD generated uniform and stable SERS signals within 2 min, displaying great promise in “mixing and reading” detection. Compared to unmodified colloidal silver nanoparticles, 4 times higher analytical enhancement factor was found in Ag@WS2QD. Density functional theory calculation verified the enhanced charge transfer within the coupling systems of molecule-Ag@WS2QD. Besides, the unique surface properties are beneficial for the enrichment of specific molecule. Both the chemical extraction and enhanced charge transfer contributes to rapid and sensitive SERS detection of Ag@WS2QD. A “mixing and reading” SERS method for thiram from honey and four kinds of juice was developed from Ag@WS2QD, showing great promise for rapid and direct SERS detection for toxic agrochemicals and further applications.

Transition metal oxides nanoparticles have shown enzyme-mimetic performance. It was demonstrated that the Co3O4@β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles (Co3O4@β-CD NPs) showed a higher peroxidase-mimicking catalytic activity than pure Co3O4 NPs. β-CD molecules were coated onto the surface of Co3O4 NPs via a one-pot synthesis method. Co3O4@β-CD NPs displayed higher affinity to 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) through Michaelis-Menten mechanism after modification with β-CD. The catalytic efficiency of Co3O4@β-CD NPs for TMB oxidation was 9.5-fold higher than that of the pure Co3O4 NPs because of the effective host-guest interactions between Co3O4@β-CD NPs and TMB. Further, the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD while hosting TMB could reduce the transfer distance of electrons between TMB and Co3O4 catalyst, which could lead to faster oxidation of TMB. The synergistic effects between Co3O4 and β-CD enhanced the peroxidase-mimicking property. The efficient and visual colorimetric determination of Ascorbic Acid (AA) assay was achieved. The limit of detection was 1.09 μM (S/N = 3) and the linear range was 10–60 μM based on the Co3O4@β-CD NPs peroxidase-mimicking-mediated 3.0-fold signal magnification strategy. Moreover, the outstanding selectivity toward the detection of AA was achieved, which could exhibit prospects in biomedical analysis.