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High-throughput detection of large-scale samples is the foundation for rapidly accessing massive metabolic data in precision medicine. Machine learning is a powerful tool for uncovering valuable information hidden within massive data. In this work, we achieved the extraction of a single fingerprinting of 1 μL serum within 5 s through a high-throughput detection platform based on functionalized nanoparticles. We quickly obtained over a thousand serum metabolic fingerprintings (SMFs) including those of individuals with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. Combining four classical machine learning models and enrichment analysis, we attempted to extract and confirm useful information behind these SMFs. Based on all fingerprint signals, all four models achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.983–1. In particular, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model obtained value of 1 in both the discovery and validation sets. Fortunately, we identified six significant metabolic features, all of which can greatly contribute to the monitoring of HP infection, with AUC values ranging from 0.906 to 0.985. The combination of these six significant metabolic features can enable the precise monitoring of HP infection in serum, with over 95 % of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity. The OPLS-DA model displayed optimal performance and the corresponding scatter plot visualized the clear distinction between HP and HC. Interestingly, they exhibit a consistent reduction trend compared to healthy controls, prompting us to explore the possible metabolic pathways and potential mechanism. This work demonstrates the potential alliance between high-throughput detection and machine learning, advancing their application in precision medicine. We realize the extraction of thousand serum metabolic fingerprints (SMFs) through a high-throughput detection platform based on functionalized nanoparticles. We identify six significant metabolic features which can achieve the precise monitoring of HP infection with over 95 % of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity. [Display omitted] • High-throughput metabolic fingerprints extraction by functionalized nanoparticle-assisted LDI-MS. • Machine learning was applied to reveal metabolite differences for disease monitoring. • Six potential metabolites were identified for HP infection monitoring with >95 % accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all electrospraying processes are carried out under an air-solution interface, thereby overlooking the potential influence of an additional solvent surface modification between air and the working solution. A pure solvent was explored to temporarily and dynamically surround the solutions utilized for blending electrospraying, which contained a guest drug meletin and a protein drug carrier gliadin. The new modified processes created protein-based medicated nanoparticles (P2) with higher quality than their counterparts (P1) from blending processes, as demonstrated by the SEM and TEM images. Although the particles from the two processes were similar (nanocomposites), and the particles P1 were larger than P2, the later provided a better meletin sustained-release profile than the former. This finding was verified by the smaller initial burst release, longer sustained-release time period, and shorter late leveling-off stage. These unanticipated results were attributed to the rounder surface, the more uniform size distribution, and the smaller total surface area of particles P2 than P1. The microformation mechanism of the modified coaxial process was suggested. The protocols reported here paved a new way for the development of new kinds of functional nanoparticles by modifying the interfaces of working fluids during electrospraying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work tested a new remediation technology for in-situ degradation of estrogens by delivering a new class of stabilized manganese oxide (MnO 2 ) nanoparticles in contaminated soils. The nanoparticles were prepared using a food-grade carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a stabilizer, which was able to facilitate particle delivery into soil. The effectiveness of the technology was tested using 17β-estradiol (E2) as a model estrogen and three sandy loams (SL1, SL2, and SL3) as model soils. Column transport tests showed that the nanoparticles can be delivered in the three soils, though retention of the nanoparticles varied. The nanoparticle retention is strongly dependent on the injection pore velocity. The treatment effectiveness is highly dependent upon the mass transfer rates of both the nanoparticles and contaminants. When the E2-laden soils were treated with 22–130 pore volumes of a 0.174 g/L MnO 2 nanoparticle suspension, up to 88% of water leachable E2 was degraded. The nanoparticles were more effective for soils that offer moderate desorption rates of E2. Decreasing injection velocity or increasing MnO 2 concentration facilitate E2 degradation. The nanoparticles-based technology appears promising for in-situ oxidation of endocrine disruptors in groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites are fabricated via a simple one-step solvothermal method. The Sn and SnO x nanoparticles are uniformly embedded in the sheet-like nanocarbon membranes. As the anode of lithium-ion battery, the pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites exhibit ultrafast-charging and long-life performance. At super high current rate of 10 C, 15 C and 20 C (the charging process is shortened to merely 6, 4 and 3 min, respectively), the reversible capacity of pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites is 545, 467 and 421 mAh g −1 , respectively. After 2000 cycles, the capacity can still maintain at 192, 139 and 101 mAh g −1 at 10 C, 15 C and 20 C rate, respectively. Even after 5000 cycles at 15 C rate, the discharge capacity can still keep at 135 mAh g −1 . Such superior performance can be attributed to the unique structure, good electronic conductivity, short paths for lithium diffusion and interfacial charging mechanism. The present results indicate a new way to produce pomegranate-shaped metal/metal-oxide/nanocarbon composites with ultrafast-charging/long-life lithium-storage performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth (Bi) have attracted attentions as promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high capacity and suitable working potential. Nevertheless, poor ion diffusion kinetics and huge volume expansion, lead to irreparable particle pulverization and re-agglomeration in the discharge/charge process, which is not conducive to the rapid and ultra-long-period storage of Li+. Herein, ultra-small Bi nanoparticles encapsulated in double carbon microrods (Bi/C@C MRs) are synthesized via using Bi-based MOFs precursor coupled with polymerization coating process and followed calcination. The MOF-derived inner cross-linked carbon encapsulated ultra-small Bi nanoparticles, and the polymeric layer of resorcinol- formaldehyde transformed into outer carbon shell was coated on the outer surface of Bi/C microrods. The inner cross-linked carbon can suppress the severe volume change and re-agglomeration of Bi nanoparticles during the repeated alloying/de-alloying process, as well as accelerate the Li+ and electron transition. Furthermore, outer carbon layer can not only further buffer the volume change, but also avoid directly contact between Bi nanoparticles and electrolyte during the cycling process. As a result, the Bi/C@C MRs exhibits excellent structural stability and highly reversible alloying/dealloying behavior during the long-term cycling process. Bi/C@C MRs sustain a ultra-long cycle life of ∼ 506 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 up to 3000 loops, and an excellent rate performance of 279 mA h g−1 at an ultrahigh rate of 10000 mA g−1. Above results provided new insight to achieve ultra-long cycle life and excellent rate performance anodes for practical LIBs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) enter cells via multiple pathways, all of which are NP size dependent. Previous studies indicated that the clathrin-mediated endocytosis has different selectivity for the NP size, but the regulatory mechanism remains unclear and difficult to study at the molecular scale in vivo. By means of computer simulation, here we design membrane wrapping on differently sized NPs with mimic clathrin assembly at the opposite membrane side. With relatively large NPs readily wrapped by a pure membrane as manifested, clathrin modulates the process and tunes the size selectivity. Although finite curvature can be generated by cage-like clathrin assembly to facilitate membrane wrapping on relatively small NPs, the clathrin assemblage has a certain range of size, which is mismatched with larger NPs. Besides, the local membrane patch is rigidified by clathrin to increase the barrier of membrane wrapping on larger NPs. Competition of these items determines whether membrane wrapping on NPs is promoted or suppressed, and can be tuned by the NP-membrane adhesion strength, clathrin concentration, and inter-NP distance. Our results highlight the significance of complex environment in altering the nature of NP interaction with cell membranes, and are expected to help design NPs for biomedical applications requiring precise control of NP uptake or cell membrane attachment. [Display omitted] • Size-dependent membrane wrapping on NPs is tuned by clathrin assembly. • Mismatch between clathrin assemblage and NP size determines whether membrane wrapping is promoted or suppressed. • Clathrin assembly generates local curvature to facilitate membrane wrapping on smaller NPs. • The local membrane patch is rigidified by clathrin to inhibit wrapping on larger NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, we developed and tested a new class of supported Pd catalysts by immobilizing CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) stabilized Pd nanoparticles onto alumina support. The alumina supported Pd nanoparticles were able to facilitate rapid and complete hydrodechlorination of TCE (trichloroethylene) without intermediate by-products detected. With a Pd mass loading of 0.33 wt% of the alumina mass, the observed pseudo first order reaction rate constant, k obs, for the catalyst was increased from 28 to 109 L/min/g when CMC concentration was raised from 0.005 to 0.15 wt%. The activity increase was in accord with an increase of the Pd dispersion (measured via CO chemisorption) from 30.4% to 45.1%. Compared to the commercial alumina supported Pd, which has a lower Pd dispersion of 21%, our CMC-stabilized Pd nanoparticles offered more than 7 times greater activity. Pre-calcination treatment of the supported catalyst resulted in minor drop in activity, yet greatly reduced bleeding (<6%) of the Pd nanoparticles from the support during multiple cycles of applications. The presence of DOM (dissolved organic matter) at up to 10 mg/L as TOC had negligible effect on the catalytic activity. The alumina supported CMC-stabilized Pd nanoparticles may serve as a class of more effective catalysts for water treatment uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Zero valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles have been studied extensively for degradation of chlorinated solvents in the aqueous phase, and have been tested for in-situ remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. However, little is known about its effectiveness for degrading soil-sorbed contaminants. This work studied reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) sorbed in two model soils (a potting soil and Smith Farm soil) using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) stabilized Fe–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles. Effects of sorption, surfactants and dissolved organic matter (DOC) were determined through batch kinetic experiments. While the nanoparticles can effectively degrade soil-sorbed TCE, the TCE degradation rate was strongly limited by desorption kinetics, especially for the potting soil which has a higher organic matter content of 8.2%. Under otherwise identical conditions, ∼44% of TCE sorbed in the potting soil was degraded in 30 h, compared to ∼82% for Smith Farm soil (organic matter content = 0.7%). DOC from the potting soil was found to inhibit TCE degradation. The presence of the extracted SOM at 40 ppm and 350 ppm as TOC reduced the degradation rate by 34% and 67%, respectively. Four prototype surfactants were tested for their effects on TCE desorption and degradation rates, including two anionic surfactants known as SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate), a cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) bromide, and a non-ionic surfactant Tween 80. All four surfactants were observed to enhance TCE desorption at concentrations below or above the critical micelle concentration (cmc), with the anionic surfactant SDS being most effective. Based on the pseudo-first-order reaction rate law, the presence of 1×cmc SDS increased the reaction rate by a factor of 2.5 when the nanoparticles were used for degrading TCE in a water solution. SDS was effective for enhancing degradation of TCE sorbed in Smith Farm soil, the presence of SDS at sub-cmc increased TCE degraded by ∼10%. However, effect of SDS on degradation of TCE in the potting soil was more complex. The presence of SDS at sub-cmc decreased TCE degradation by 5%, but increased degradation by 5% when SDS dosage was raised to 5×cmc. The opposing effects were attributed to combined effects of SDS on TCE desorption and degradation, release of soil organic matter and nanoparticle aggregation. The findings strongly suggest that effect of soil sorption on the effectiveness of Fe–Pd nanoparticles must be taken into account in process design, and soil organic content plays an important role in the overall degradation rate and in the effectiveness of surfactant uses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this review, the development of fluorescent sensors for hydroxyl radical detection since 2010 is described as well as their applications in bioimaging. • The general significance of ·OH detection. • Various design strategies and platforms for functional ·OH sensors. • The diverse biological applications of fluorescent ·OH sensors. Among various reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyl radical (·OH) has the strongest oxidizability, which causes damage to a wide array of biomacromolecules in the cells, including DNA, lipid, and proteins. Therefore, the over-produced ·OH is verified to be implicated in various oxidative-stress related pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular disorder. However, the precise pathogenic roles played by this substance have been far from being clearly understood due to its high reactivity, short lifetime, and low concentration in biosystems. Thus, developing highly sensitive and selective detecting tools for monitoring ·OH is of significant importance. This review summarizes the advances that have been made in the last decade in the development of fluorescent sensors for ·OH detection based on small molecules and nanoparticles as well as their diverse biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The heterostructured binary sulfides (FeS 2 /SnS 2) coated with N -doped carbon and wrapped with graphene (FSS@NC/rGO) were synthesized by a facile process as anode for LIBs/SIBs. • Reduced graphene oxide serves as a flexible matrix and conductive material. • The heterojunctions and nano-engineering co-construct a new anode material for advanced LIBs/SIBs. • The FSS@NC/rGO composite exhibits stable cycle performance and superior rate capability. SnS 2 is intensively investigated as a prospective anode for lithium and sodium-ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs), owing to its high capacity, large interlayer distance, and low redox potentials. Nevertheless, the dramatic volume variation, and inferior electrical conductivity upon discharge/charge process, resulted in poor cycling and rate performance. Herein, a heterostructured binary sulfide (FeS 2 /SnS 2) nanoparticles coated with N -doped carbon and further wrapped with graphene (FSS@NC/rGO) is synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method coupled with PDA coating and in-situ sulfidation process. The heterostructure FeS 2 /SnS 2 greatly accelerates the ion/electron transport, as well as keeps a stable structure during the cycling process. Meanwhile, the N -doped carbon and graphene matrix enable good electrical conductivity, as well as accommodate the volume variation during the cycling process. Accordingly, the FSS@NC/rGO displays a fantastic capacity (1192.2 mAh/g at 0.2 A/g), outstanding rate performance (499.5 mAh/g at 5.0 A/g), and long-cycle stability (724.9 mAh/g at 2 A/g after 500 loops) in LIBs. Meanwhile, the FSS@NC/rGO delivers a high Na-storage capacity of 451.8 mAh/g after 200 loops at 0.2 A/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modulation of microwave radiation enhanced by gold nanoparticles in graphene antenna is proposed in this paper. In the graphene antenna, the microwave is modulated directly by optical wave based on wideband interaction in the graphene. With the localized optical field absorption enhanced in graphene layer excited by gold nanoparticles, the microwave radiation is enhanced. As gold nanoparticles with the diameter of 200 nm is introduced in the device, the optical absorption is enlarged and the measured modulation of microwave radiation is enhanced about 7.5 times when the optical wave with the wavelength of 532 nm is utilized as the modulating light. • The optical doping of graphene changes the microwave radiation, light signal transfer to microwave signal directly. • Graphene is placed at the radiation region of antenna, strong interaction between microwaves. • Gold nanoparticles enhance the optical doping of graphene by localized resonance, higher modulation depth. • Microwave modulation by optical wave is nonlinear when gold nanoparticle introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite is synthesized by a facile and scalable method. • Heterostructured SnS-ZnS@C nanoparticles are embedded in EG nanosheets. • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite delivers high specific capacity. • ZnS-SnS@C/EG composite shows outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. In this study, ZnS-SnS@C/expanded graphite (ZnS-SnS@C/EG) composite was synthesized by a simple one-step method. In this constructed architecture, the ZnS-SnS heterostructures can not only enhance the charge transfer driving force, but also avoid the agglomeration of ZnS-SnS nanoparticles during the repeated lithiation/delithiation process. Furthermore, the expanded graphite can further enhance the conductivity of electrode and buffer the seriously volume expansion of ZnS-SnS as well as maintained the integrity of the electrode during cycling process. Thus, the ZnS-SnS@C/EG exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability and outstanding rate performance when evaluated as anode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abuse of antibiotics leads to an increase in resistant strains, which in turn leads to the development of superbugs that pose great difficulties for the treatment of human diseases. A high-throughput and highly sensitive avidin biotin complex immunosorbent assay based on upconversion nanoparticles controllable assembly (ABC-ULISA) for the detection of antibiotics was developed, which enabled accurate quantitative detection in a shorter period of time. Streptavidin and biotin-labeled upconversion nanoparticles form avidin-biotin-upconversion complex, which was then combined with biotinylated antibody to achieve double amplification of the signal, further improving detection sensitivity. Upconversion nanoparticles with 808 nm excitation provide better penetration without the need for an external source. The 96-well enzyme-linked plate was used as a detection platform to meet the high-throughput needs. ABC-ULISA was used to simultaneously detect three antibiotics with a limit of detection of 0.15 ng/mL for sulfamethazine, 0.03 ng/mL for sarafloxacin, and 0.05 ng/mL for tetracycline. The detection limit of ABC-ULISA was much lower than the traditional ELISA and ordinary ULISA. Moreover, ABC-ULISA was also versatile, and the corresponding target can be detected by changing different antibodies. The results were stable and reliable, and the equipment could be miniaturized, which was expected to be commercialized and on-site. ga1 • Nd3+ doped UCNPs were used instead of ordinary HRP to further improve the amplification capability of ABC. • ABC-ULISA enables simultaneous detection of SMZ, SAR, TC from samples in one run with good reproducibility. • ABC-ULISA is more sensitive than ELISA and ULISA and can be successfully applied to the detection of pork, honey and eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib, was loaded into chitosan/sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles (NPs). NPs have gained high loading efficiency for the hydrophobic drug due to the inclusion of cyclodextrin. Ibrutinib-loaded NPs with an average diameter of 277.9 nm and ζ-potential of +19.1 mV were obtained after regulating several influencing factors. Electrostatic reaction between mucin and NPs indicated that the NPs had a mucoadhesive property. Kinase catalytic phosphorylation was monitored by capillary zone electrophoresis and found that chitosan/sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin NPs did not weaken ibrutinib activity on the target kinase. In vitro drug release studies revealed that ibrutinib-loaded NPs exhibited a significantly slower gastric-release rate. This study applied a feasible nanocarrier for ibrutinib delivery, and the potential nanoformulation maintains drug activity and shows a sustained release property. These outcomes are helpful for the formulation exploitation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a highly sensitive ochratoxin A (OTA) detection strategy was developed based on a bio-barcode immunoassay with catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA). Two nanoprobes were designed for the assay: one was a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) harbouring numerous bio-barcode DNA and antibodies, and the other was an antigen-functionalized magnetic nanoparticle (MNP). In the presence of target OTA, the antigens of the MNPs competed with OTA for binding to the antibodies on the AuNPs. After magnetic separation, the unbound AuNPs and target OTA were washed away. Dithiothreitol (DTT) was then added to the MNP-bound AuNPs to elute the bio-barcode DNAs of AuNPs, which triggered the CHA reaction. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method could sensitively detect target OTA ranging from 0.001 to 10000 ng/mL. The limit of detection (LOD, 3 N/S) and limit of quantification (LOQ, 10 N/S) for OTA were 0.54 pg/mL and 1.80 pg/mL, respectively. The bio-barcode immunoassay was used to analyse food samples (corn, wheat, and peanut), and the recovery and relative standard deviations (RSD) ranged from 93.30% to 108.80% and from 3.2% to 6.9%, respectively. The total assay time was 6 h. Therefore, the proposed strategy will provide a new approach for the detection of mycotoxins and other small molecule analytes and can be applied for quality control to ensure food safety. Image 1 • In this study, we developed a highly sensitive OTA detection system. • The detection system combined a bio-barcode immunoassay and CHA. • The method detected 0.001–10000 ng/mL OTA, with minimum LOD and LOQ of 0.54 pg/mL and 1.80 pg/mL, respectively. • The recovery ranged from 93.30 to 108.80% when food samples were assayed. • RSD ranged from 3.2 to 6.9% when food samples were assayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]