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High-performance SERS chips via self-assembled hollow Ag octahedra on PDMS were employed to achieve the sensitive identification and detection of antibiotic residues. The developed SERS chips were successfully applied in the detection of ciprofloxacin (CIP), amoxicillin (AMX) and cefazolin (CZL) in wastewater and tap water samples, as well as enrofloxacin (ENR) in milk, demonstrating the sensitive determination of antibiotics in the real environment. From this perspective, these SERS chips are expected to expand the on spot sensitive detection and identification field of antibiotic residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acid-driven separable nanodevice was designed for multilayer imaging of diverse biomarkers with different spatial distributions in living cells. The proposed nanodevice can simultaneously perform in situ imaging of the intracellular microRNAs and extracellular pH, affording a new approach to develop a precise imaging system for disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a DNA origami cipher disk (DOCD) allowing random, continuous and reversible switchover between six visibly different patterns in response to the input DNA strands. A DOCD-enabled tandem-in-time cryptographic protocol was thereby established by using a string of DNA strands as a carrier for accurate information encoding and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrazone compounds could be highly emissive in the solid state. However, most hydrazone-linking COFs are poorly luminescent. Here we report the enhancement of fluorescence in a 2D hydrazone-linking COF by side chain engineering. Stacking of the bulky and semi-rigid crown ether side chains restricts intramolecular rotation of the backbone around the hydrazone linkers, reducing the thermal dissipation and achieving 20-fold improved emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fluorogenic RNA aptamer nanodevice integrating an entropy-driven RNA amplifier with near-infrared (NIR) light control was developed, affording high contrast and sensitivity for imaging low-abundance mRNA in living cells. The design principle offers a new approach for developing low-background imaging systems for live-cell studies and manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the straightforward synthesis of ATP-responsive nanoscale metal azolate framework-7 (MAF-7) for gene/drug codelivery. The MAF-7 functions as (i) the armour to preserve DNAzymes, (ii) an ATP scavenger to lower the intracellular ATP level, and (iii) a built-in Zn2+ arsenal to initiate the biocatalysis of DNAzymes, ultimately inhibiting P-gp expression to enhance chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Zintl cluster containing a distorted Bi6 triangular prism, [Bi6Mo3(CO)9]4−, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Quantum chemical calculations indicated that the distorted cage cluster features multiple local σ-aromaticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic route electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy enables imaging upper cell membranes with freely diffusing Ru(bpy)32+ as the emitter and nitrogen-doped carbon dots as the nano-coreactants and labels. This strategy provides a vertical resolution when studying the ECL profiles at different heights and realizes the ECL imaging of the externalized phosphatidylserine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baird's rule has been applied to a large scope of organic molecular systems for rationalizing the aromaticity reversal in the lowest-lying triplet state. In this study, we demonstrate that Baird's rule can also be extended to all-metal systems with σ- and π-aromaticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisotropic films composed of aligned CsPbBr3 nanowires (NWs) have been successfully fabricated using a mechanical rubbing method. The films with a dense and uniform morphology show polarization photoluminescence (PL) behavior. Combined with an optimal device structure, a polarized light-emitting diode (LED) with a turn-on voltage as low as 6.5 V was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective electrophilic annulation reaction of azacyclic ynones was reported, divergently affording various functionalized 3-iodo-2H-quinolizin-2-ones and 1,3-diiodo-2H-quinolizin-2-ones in moderate to excellent yields with different iodide reagents. This reaction shows high regioselectivity and broad substrate scope under metal-free, room temperature conditions in air. In addition, the products with highly active C–I bonds have an opportunity for further functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifunctional supramolecular prodrug vesicles have been successfully constructed based on the complexation between a glutathione (GSH)-responsive prodrug guest molecule (DNS-CPT) and a water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Under the microenvironment of cancer cells with high GSH concentration, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) with strong yellow fluorescence can be efficiently released from the prodrug DNS-CPT for drug location and cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, the preparation of novel small-molecule fluorescent probes for specific detection and imaging of chemical species inside lysosomes has attracted considerable attention because of their wide applications in chemistry, biology, and medical science. This feature article summarizes the recent advances in the design and preparation of small-molecule fluorescent probes for specific detection of chemical species inside lysosomes. In addition, their properties and applications for the detection and imaging of pH, H2O2, HOCl, O2Ṗ−, lipid peroxidation, H2S, HSO3−, thiols, NO, ONOO−, HNO, Zn2+, Cu2+, enzymes, etc. in lysosomes are discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microRNA (miRNA) fluorescence (FL) nanoprobe based on PDA-UCNPs@FAM-LLD@AuNPs was developed, which exhibited an enhanced signal for imaging intracellular miRNA by combining double-channel exciting single colour FL (DCESCF) with the target cycling amplification reaction. Through this strategy, normal cells and cancer cells could be successfully discriminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic effect of two anticancer drugs can significantly overcome the multidrug resistance of tumor cells and improve the drug bioavailability. Herein, two different anticancer drugs, camptothecin and chlorambucil, are successfully connected together by a disulfide linkage to get a novel drug–drug conjugated prodrug (G). Using water-soluble pillar[6]arene (WP6) as a host molecule, a supramolecular host–guest complex WP6⊃G is formed, which can further self-assemble into supramolecular vesicles in aqueous solution. In the specific microenvironment of cancer cells, the disulfide linkage is destroyed and the two anticancer drugs can be released efficiently to achieve a better synergistic effect than a single anticancer drug. Notably, these prodrug nanocarriers can not only effectively kill the cancer cells but also obviously reduce the undesirable side effects on normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ten times enhanced H2 evolution from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane was realized through bilateral-like plasmonic WO3−x nanorods coupled with Ni2P nanoparticles compared to Ni2P, which provides a new strategy to develop non-noble metal based plasmonic configurations for diverse energy and environment related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cancer cell-specific, endogenous H+/H2O2-activated, and O2 self-sufficient nanocomposite is engineered and characterized. Such NPs, with good biocompatibility and rapid response to intracellular H+/H2O2, have demonstrated improved therapeutic effects in targeted cancer cells and activated MR signals in vitro, providing a promising strategy for effective PDT against tumor hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new visible-light-assisted microbial fuel cell composed of a three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene self-standing sponge anode and a photoresponsive cathode has been developed for achieving multiple energy conversion and a higher power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-heterocyclic ylide-like germylene effectively promotes the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones under mild conditions with broad substrate tolerance, operational simplicity of procedure and excellent yields. A key intermediate in this catalytic system featuring a bicyclo[2,2,2]octane-like core has been successfully isolated and characterized, suggesting a new type of mechanism that involves the activation mode that mimics that of transition metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart nanocarriers with switchable surfaces consisting of thermo-sensitive polymers and aptamers have been developed, through which the cellular uptake and photothermal therapy in five different cells could be spatial-temporally controlled on command, which is beneficial in maximizing therapy efficacy and minimizing side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two newly discovered linear compounds tetraboronate and boroxine stabilized by digermylene are reported, which feature a B4O5 chain and a B3O3 ring, respectively. DFT calculations reveal that not only can digermylene stabilize the electron-deficient boron centers, but also increase the energies of the LUMOs of the boron moiety. Our results provide a hint for the development of boronate covalent organic frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to investigate the stability and aromaticity of metallapentalocyclobutadienes. The results reveal unexpected higher stabilisation achieved with a 3d ruthenium fragment compared to the 4d osmium counterpart. Moreover, direct 1–3 metal–carbon bonding in the metallabutadiene unit of these two complexes is negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient self-assembled methanoproline–thiourea organocatalyst for the synthesis of optically active 6-isopropyl-3,4-dihydro-pyrimidines via an asymmetric Biginelli reaction was developed, which is superior to the individual precatalyst. A wide range of optically active 6-isopropyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidines with remarkable pharmacological interest was obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). A plausible transition state has been proposed to explain the origin of the activation and the asymmetric induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exogenous redox-free, membrane-less enzyme biofuel cell-based ultrasensitive self-powered cytosensing platform was fabricated. With the ultrahigh sensitivity and the merits of not requiring external power sources or exogenous reagents, the device has great potential as a point-of-care tool for early diagnosis of cancer in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ternary hybrid of carbon nanotubes/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets/gold nanoparticles was prepared and used as robust substrate electrodes for fabricating membrane-less glucose/O2 enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs), and a remarkably improved power output was observed for the prepared EBFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient method to prepare the 18F-labeled tetrazine-derivative [18F]-SiFA-OTz for bioorthogonal radiochemistry was developed. [18F]-SiFA-OTz can be synthesized with a radiochemical yield of 78 ± 5% within 25 min and can quantitatively react with a model strained dienophile, trans-cyclooctenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile one-pot approach was developed for the synthesis of colloidal stable, monodisperse, highly PEGylated mesoporous silica coated copper sulfide nanocomposites for the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. The proposed method can also be extended to the synthesis of other metal sulfide nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution-deposited SnSe and SnS thin films demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the triiodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), even better than that of the conventional noble Pt electrode used in DSCs. An enhanced photovoltaic efficiency with the maximum value of 9.4% was thus achieved, higher than that with Pt (9.0%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-efficient exciton energy transfer between CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots and SiO2@Au nanocomposites was applied to develop an enhanced photoelectrochemical aptasensing platform with ultrahigh sensitivity, good selectivity, reproducibility and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Visible-light-enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells coupling with 3D nitrogen-doped graphene’ by Dan Guo et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, DOI: URL10.1039/c7cc04666a/URL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘A highly enantioselective Biginelli reaction using self-assembled methanoproline–thiourea organocatalysts: asymmetric synthesis of 6-isopropyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidines’ by Zhijun Hang et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 80–83. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Unexpected higher stabilisation of two classical antiaromatic frameworks with a ruthenium fragment compared to the osmium counterpart: origin probed by DFT calculations’ by Jingjing Wu et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 272–275. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]