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Photocaging is an emerging protocol for precisely manipulating spatial and temporal behaviors over biological activity. However, the red/near‐infrared light‐triggered photolysis process of current photocage is largely singlet oxygen (1O2)‐dependent and lack of compatibility with other reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐activated techniques, which has proven to be the major bottleneck in achieving efficient and precise treatment. Herein, we reported a lactosylated photocage BT‐LRC by covalently incorporating camptothecin (CPT) into hybrid BODIPY‐TPE fluorophore via the superoxide anion radical (O2−⋅)‐cleavable thioketal bond for type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) and anticancer drug release. Amphiphilic BT‐LRC could be self‐assembled into aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active nanoparticles (BT‐LRCs) owing to the regulation of carbohydrate‐carbohydrate interactions (CCIs) among neighboring lactose units in the nanoaggregates. BT‐LRCs could simultaneously generate abundant O2−⋅ through the aggregation modulated by lactose interactions, and DNA‐damaging agent CPT was subsequently and effectively released. Notably, the type I PDT and CPT chemotherapy collaboratively amplified the therapeutic efficacy in HepG2 cells and tumor‐bearing mice. Furthermore, the inherent AIE property of BT‐LRCs endowed the photocaged prodrug with superior bioimaging capability, which provided a powerful tool for real‐time tracking and finely tuning the PDT and photoactivated drug release behavior in tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel 2p-3d-4f compounds, {Ln-(hfac)3[Cu(hfec)2]3(NITPhP)Tim)2} [Ln = Gd (l), Dy (2)], have been obtained by reacting phenyl pyrimidyl nitronyl nitroxide with Cu(hfac)2 and Ln(hfac)3. These two compounds are the first examples of two-dimensional 3d--4f complexes bridged by nitronyl nitroxide radicals. Overall ferromagnetic behaviors were observed in both compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is on group decision making (GDM) problems with interval-valued Atanassov intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations (IV-AIFPRs). A new consistency index of an AIFPR is introduced to check the additive consistency degree of an AIFPR. Then, an additive consistency definition and an acceptable additive consistency definition of an IV-AIFPR are respectively defined by splitting an IV-AIFPR into two AIFPRs. For several IV-AIFPRs with unacceptably additive consistency, a goal program-based approach is proposed to improve their consistency simultaneously. Employing consistency degrees of individual IV-AIFPRs, decision makers' (DMs') weights are determined objectively and applied to integrate individual IV-AIFPRs into a collective one. Further, it is proved that the collective IV-AIFPR is acceptably additive consistent if all individual IV-AIFPRs are acceptably additive consistent. To derive priority weights of alternatives, an Atanassov intuitionistic fuzzy programming model is established and solved by three approaches considering DMs' different risk attitudes. Thus, a novel method is put forward for GDM with IV-AIFPRs. A material selection example is analyzed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. • Define a new additive consistency of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy preference relation. • A new goal program-based approach to improving the additive consistency of IV-IFPRs. • A new approach is presented to derive experts' weights objectively. • An intuitionistic fuzzy program is constructed to derive alternatives' priority weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most fluorogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics are hydrophobic and most common sugars are hydrophilic and naturally nontoxic. The combination of AIEgens and sugars can construct glycosyl AIEgens with the advantages of good water-solubility, low fluorescent background and satisfactory biocompatibility. Based on the specific reaction or binding with analytes to change the conjugate system or restrict intramolecular motions, glycosyl AIEgens can be used as powerful tools for detecting bioactive molecules or imaging living cells. In this feature article, we summarize recent advances in sugar-based AIE luminogens and their applications in biosensing and imaging. The sugar units could significantly increase the solubility, biocompatibility, target activity, and chemical modifying capacity and often decrease the background fluorescence of the AIE probes. Corresponding studies not only expand the application fields of AIEgens but also provide effective tools for broad carbohydrate research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) often have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of GDM in Xi’an from 2015 to 2021 since the implementation of China’s “Two-Child policy” and to provide a clinical basis for the management of GDM. Methods We analyzed the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results of 152,836 pregnant women who underwent routine prenatal examination at the Northwest Women and Children’s Hospital from 2015 to 2021. Additionally, we analyzed the GDM prevalence and characteristics. Results The prevalence of GDM in the Xi’an urban area was 24.66% and exhibited an increasing trend annually (χ2 for trend = 43.922, p

The in situ self‐assembly of exogenous molecules is a powerful strategy for manipulating cellular behavior. However, the direct self‐assembly of photochemically inert constituents into supramolecular nano‐photosensitizers (PSs) within cancer cells for precise photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains a challenge. Herein, we developed a glycosylated Aza‐BODIPY compound (LMBP) capable of self‐assembling into J‐aggregate nanofibers in situ for cell membrane destruction and type I PDT. LMBP selectively entered human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and subsequently self‐assembled into intracellular J‐aggregate nanovesicles and nanofibers through supramolecular interactions. Detailed studies revealed that these J‐aggregate nanostructures generated superoxide radicals (O2−⋅) exclusively through photoinduced electron transfer, thus enabling effective PDT. Furthermore, the intracellular nanofibers exhibited an aggregation‐induced retention effect, which resulted in selective toxicity to HepG2 cells by disrupting their cellular membranes and synergizing with PDT for powerful tumor suppression efficacy in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a water-soluble AIEgen (TPAL) that can self-assemble into fluorescent organic nanoparticles for the ratiometric detection of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) parallel G-quadruplexes (G4s) with high selectivity, a low detection limit and photodynamic therapy (PDT) potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the age-stratified normal levels and age-related changes in the risk predictors of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) progression. A total of 4706 male participants aged 40 years or older in Zhengzhou (China) were enrolled. The values of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) significantly increased with age. Nonlinear relationships between age and IPSS scores ≥8 (P for nonlinearity = 0.046), PSA level ≥1.6 ng ml–1, PV ≥31 ml, or PVR ≥39 ml (all P for nonlinearity 1), regardless of the predictors of the IPSS score, PSA level, PV, or PVR; and the OR values increased gradually. Therefore, after the age of 61 years, the risk predictors related to BPH progression were positively correlated with age.

Abstract Background Many studies have shown that occupational exposure to indium and its compounds could induce lung disease. Although animal toxicological studies and human epidemiological studies suggest indium exposure may cause lung injury, inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and even lung cancer, related data collected from humans is currently limited and confined to single workplaces, and the early effects of exposure on the lungs are not well understood. Objectives This study combined population studies and animal experiments to examine the links of indium with pulmonary injury, as well as its mechanism of action. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of indium-exposed workers from China was conducted to evaluate associations between occupational indium exposure and serum biomarkers of early effect. This study also compares and analyzes the causal perspectives of changes in human serum biomarkers induced by indium compound exposure and indium exposure-related rat lung pathobiology, and discusses possible avenues for their recognition and prevention. Methods This is a study of 57 exposed (at least 6 h per day for one year) workers from an indium ingot production plant, and 63 controls. Indium concentration in serum, urine, and airborne as exposure indices were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Sixteen serum biomarkers of pulmonary injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured using ELISA. The associations between serum indium and 16 serum biomarkers were analyzed to explore the mechanism of action of indium on pulmonary injury in indium-exposed workers. Animal experiments were conducted to measure inflammatory factors levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue protein expressions in rats. Four different forms of indium compound-exposed rat models were established (intratracheal instillation twice per week, 8 week exposure, 8 week recovery). Model I: 0, 1.2, 3, and 6 mg/kg bw indium tin oxide group; Model II: 0, 1.2, 3, and 6 mg/kg bw indium oxide (In2O3) group; Model III: 0, 0.523, 1.046, and 2.614 mg/kg bw indium sulfate (In2(SO4)3) group; Model IV: 0, 0.065, 0.65, and 1.3 mg/kg bw indium trichloride (InCl3) group. Lung pathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin & eosin, periodic acid Schiff, and Masson’s staining, transmission electron microscopy, and the protein changes were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results In the production workshop, the airborne indium concentration was 78.4 μg/m3. The levels of serum indium and urine indium in indium-exposed workers were 39.3 μg/L and 11.0 ng/g creatinine. Increased lung damage markers, oxidative stress markers, and inflammation markers were found in indium-exposed workers. Serum indium levels were statistically and positively associated with the serum levels of SP-A, IL-1β, IL-6 in indium-exposed workers. Among them, SP-A showed a duration-response pattern. The results of animal experiments showed that, with an increase in dosage, indium exposure significantly increased the levels of serum indium and lung indium, as well as the BALF levels of IL‑1β, IL‑6, IL‑10, and TNF‑α and up-regulated the protein expression of SP-A, SP-D, KL-6, GM-CSF, NF-κB p65, and HO-1 in all rat models groups. TEM revealed that In2(SO4)3 and InCl3 are soluble and that no particles were found in lung tissue, in contrast to the non-soluble compounds (ITO and In2O3). No PAS-staining positive substance was found in the lung tissue of In2(SO4)3 and InCl3 exposure groups, whereas ITO and In2O3 rat models supported findings of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and interstitial fibrosis seen in human indium lung disease. ITO and InCl3 can accelerate interstitial fibrosis. Findings from our in vivo studies demonstrated that intra-alveolar accumulation of surfactant (immunohistochemistry) and characteristic cholesterol clefts granulomas of indium lung disease (PAS staining) were triggered by a specific form of indium (ITO and In2O3). Conclusions In indium-exposed workers, biomarker findings indicated lung damage, oxidative stress and an inflammatory response. In rat models of the four forms of indium encountered in a workplace, the biomarkers response to all compounds overall corresponded to that in humans. In addition, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was found following exposure to indium tin oxide and indium oxide in the rat models, and interstitial fibrosis was found following exposure to indium tin oxide and indium trichloride, supporting previous report of human disease. Serum SP-A levels were positively associated with indium exposure and may be considered a potential biomarker of exposure and effect in exposed workers.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding Bacillis natto on growth performance, immune function and intestinal flora of broilers. A total of 180 one-day-old Kebao broilers were randomly divided into two groups, with six replicates in each group and 15 broilers in each replicate. The broilers in control group were fed with a basal diet, and broilers in experimental group were fed with a basal diet +300 mg/kg Bacillus natto. The experiment lasted for 42 d. The results showed that compared with control group, the average daily gain of experimental group at 1~42 d of age was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the body weight at 42 d of age was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with control group, serum IgM content of broilers in experimental group was increased by 37.63% and 38.85% at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively (P<0.01). Compared with control group, the content of IL-1β in jejunal mucosa of broilers in experimental group at 42 d of age was extremely decreased (P<0.01). The results of PCoA analysis showed that the flora structure of the experimental group was changed, and the proportion of Alistipes in experimental group was increased compared with control group (P>0.05). Enorma, norank&lowbar;f&lowbar;Flavobacteriaceae and Paludicola in experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The study indicates that Bacillus natto can improve the structure of intestinal flora, enhance the richness and diversity of intestinal flora, enhance the immune function, thus improve the growth performance of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two kinds of AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles were designed and constructed as anti-counterfeiting photoresponsive materials. One is fluorescent organic nanoparticles (TPELs) based on a self-assembly strategy, which were self-assembled from novel amphiphilic tetraphenylethylene (TPE) molecules decorated with a lactose moiety and different photoresponsive tags. The other is polymeric fluorescent organic nanoparticles (F-TPEs) derived from the nanoprecipitation strategy, which utilized pluronic copolymer F127 to encapsulate hydrophobic TPEs without lactosyl modifications. Upon UV light irradiation, these AIE-active materials exhibit different photooxidation behaviors in an aqueous solution to give cyan, orange and green fluorescence emissions, and they were successfully used as an anti-counterfeiting fluorescent hydrogel and ink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium-tin oxide (ITO) was previously found to have a toxic effect on lung tissues, and oxidative stress and the inflammatory response are two important mechanisms of ITO‑induced lung injury. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been found to exhibit antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties. The current study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effects of NAC against ITO nanoparticle (Nano-ITO)-induced pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, especially via modulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. For this purpose, 50 rats were randomly allocated into five groups (10 rats each) as follows: (1) control group; (2) saline group; (3) NAC (200 mg/kg) group; (4) PAP model group receiving a repeated intratracheal dose of Nano-ITO (6 mg/kg); and (5) PAP model+NF-κB inhibitor (NAC) group pre-treated intraperitoneally with NAC (200 mg/kg) twice per week before the administration of an intratracheal dose of Nano-ITO (6 mg/kg). Rats were then euthanized under anesthesia, and their lungs were removed for histopathological and biochemical investigations. A 6 mg/kg dose of Nano-ITO markedly altered the levels of some oxidative stress biomarkers. The histological examination of Nano-ITO-exposed rats demonstrated diffused alveolar damage that involved PAP, cholesterol crystals, alveolar fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and alveolar emphysema. The immunohistochemical results of Nano-ITO-exposed rats revealed strongly positive NF-κB p65 and inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK)-β and weakly positive inhibitor of kappa-B subunit alpha (IκB-α) staining reactivity in the nuclei of cells lining the epithelium of the bronchioles and alveoli. Moreover, Nano-ITO activated the NF-κB pathway. However, pre-treatment with NAC significantly attenuated Nano-ITO-evoked alterations in the previously mentioned parameters, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potential. The results indicated that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and proteinosis in the NAC‑treated group was improved compared with that in the Nano-ITO-induced PAP model group. The level of malondialdehyde was also decreased overall in the NAC-treated group compared with that in the Nano-ITO-induced model group, indicating that the pulmonary fibrosis degree and oxidation levels were decreased. The present study also demonstrated that NAC increased the activity of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, indicating that it could alleviate oxidative stress in the lung tissue of Nano-ITO‑exposed rats. In addition, NAC reduced the production of pro‑inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α, and increased the levels of anti‑inflammatory factor IL‑10. The current study demonstrated that NAC can effectively attenuate Nano-ITO‑induced lung injury by reducing oxidative damage and the inflammatory response.

Oxidative stress is a crucial pathological process that contributes to secondary injury following intracerebral hemorrhage. P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), which is activated by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular ATP, plays an important role in the regulation of oxidative stress in the central nervous system, although the effects of activated P2X7R-associated oxidative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage remain unclear. Mouse models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established through the stereotactic injection of 0.075 U VII collagenase into the right basal ganglia. The results revealed that P2X7R expression peaked 24 hours after intracerebral hemorrhage, and P2X7R expressed primarily in neurons. The inhibition of P2X7R, using A438079 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) expression and malondialdehyde generation, increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione/oxidized glutathione levels, and alleviated neurological damage, brain edema, and apoptosis after intracellular hemorrhage. The P2X7R inhibitor A438079 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) after intracerebral hemorrhage. Blocking ERK1/2 activation, using the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (2 µg, intraventricular injection), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation after intracellular hemorrhage. Similarly, the inhibition of NF-κB, using the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23 (3.5 µg, intraventricular), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation. Finally, GSK2795039 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), a NOX2 antagonist, attenuated P2X7R-mediated oxidative stress, neurological damage, and brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. The results indicated that P2X7R activation aggravated NOX2-induced oxidative stress through the activation of the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways following intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (approval No. TJ-A20160805) on August 26, 2016.

Developing highly efficient electrocatalysts is yet an important challenge for water electrolysis. Herein, the in-situ growth of Co-doped NiSe2 on nickel foam (Co-NiSe2/NF) has been synthesized. Co-NiSe2/NF exhibited an overpotential of 136 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 80.9 mV dec−1. In addition, the stability testing showed 92.4% of its initial HER activity after 60 h at 10 mA cm−2. The results showed that the introduction of Co tunes the electronic structure of Co-NiSe2/NF, resulting in fast reaction kinetics, and an enhanced stability due to the in situ growth of NiSe2 on the NF surface.

Noble metal-based catalytic material with maximum utilization is of prime attraction for conserving rare metal resources. Herein, highly dispersion Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-modified N-doped mesoporous carbon material (Ni-N@C) was fabricated by pyrolysis of Ni2+/Histidine cross-linked alginate hydrogels. In a step forward, the obtained Ni-N@C nanocatalyst was treated by the solution of Pd2+, and tiny amount of Pd NPs were deposited on the surface of Ni via the reducibility of Ni to achieve the high dispersion of precious metals material. In the degradation of highly-concentration p-nitrophenol, the catalyst presents excellent performance which could completely degrade pollutants within a very short period. It was demonstrated that pre-embedded Ni NPs could not only increase the efficiency of Pd NPs but also endow the facile separation characteristic to the catalyst. Besides, the catalyst maintained favorable catalytic capacity even after five reaction cycles. In brief, this work may provide novel guidance for the maximum utilization of noble metal-modified mesoporous N-doped carbon-supported catalysts in practical applications of industrial and the treatment highly-concentration p-nitrophenol. Unlabelled Image • Preparing highly dispersion Pd NPs catalyst by spontaneous reduction with Ni • Demonstrating excellent catalytic capacity toward p-NP under high-concentration conditions • Enhanced mechanism over catalytic performance was discussed in detail. • Pre-embedded Ni NPs toward enhanced stability and recyclability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and animal studies have found that prenatal stress can lead to pathological changes in embryos and fetuses. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs have not been made clear. In the present study, pregnant rats were subjected to chronic psychological stress during gestational days using an improved communication box system, and the changes in behavioral performance and proteins in the hippocampus of offspring were analyzed. It was found that prenatal stress caused postnatal growth retardation and impairment in spatial learning and memory. Furthermore, in isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-based proteomics analyses, 158 significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found between the two groups. Further analyses showed that these DEPs are involved in different molecular function categories and participate in several biological processes, such as energy metabolism, learning or memory, and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, the enrichment of pathways showed that the learning and memory impairment was primarily connected with the cyclic guanosine monophosphate–protein kinase G (cGMP–PKG) pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. At the same time, the cGMP level and the expression of PKG protein were significantly decreased, and the neuronal mitochondria appeared to have a swollen and irregular shape in the hippocampus of offspring of stressed rats. These results suggest that the chronic psychological stress that pregnant rats were subjected to during gestational days may have impaired the spatial learning and memory of offspring. This affected the hippocampal oxidative phosphorylation and inhibited the cGMP–PKG pathway.

Background: In recent years, the phenomenon of coexisting systemic autoimmune diseases (ADs) in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) has been increasingly found, while its clinical significance remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the types and potential clinical associations of autoimmune comorbidities in patients with antibody-positive AE.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with antibody-positive AE was conducted from 2011 to 2018. The demographics, clinical characteristics, and follow-up data were reviewed.Results: We enrolled 517 patients, among whom 45 were affected by one or more types of ADs, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (n = 28), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 3), anaphylactoid purpura (n = 3), vitiligo (n = 3), Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (n = 2), chronic urticaria (n = 2), bullous pemphigoid (n = 1), uveitis (n = 1), myasthenia gravis (MG) (n = 1), and the coexistence of SLE and anaphylactoid purpura (n = 1). The proportion of patients with coexisting ADs was higher in those with anti–leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis than in those with anti–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (13/111 vs. 16/307) (P = 0.021). In anti-NMDAR and anti-LGI1 encephalitis patients, there were no significant differences in the age at onset, sex ratio, proportion of patients with tumors, disease severity, or recurrence between the groups with and without ADs.Conclusions: One or more types of ADs developed in AE patients, and patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis had a higher frequency of autoimmune comorbidities than those with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. And we found that autoimmune comorbidities did not affect the clinical course of AE.

Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) is a vital proteolytic enzyme, and its overexpression is often associated with many physiological diseases. Stimuli-activatable photosensitizer (PS) has invigorated photodynamic therapy (PDT) by selectively demolishing cancer cells. LAP can be utilized as a facile promoter for specifically activating PS to generate reactive oxygen (ROS) in cancer cells. Herein, we construct multifunctional amphiphilic AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles BTL-Leus for imaging of endogenous LAP and precise PDT towards cancer cells. BTL-Leus enable sensitive, rapid and specific detection of LAP in aqueous solution, and can also serve as an efficient tool for high-throughput screening of LAP inhibitors. In addition, BTL-Leus were successfully applied to detect the real activities of endogenous LAP in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). BTL-Leus mainly accumulate in lysosomes by asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)-mediated endocytosis, then a large amount of ROS is generated under LAP stimuli and light exposure, which induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) followed by cancer cell apoptosis. This research provides a novel and effective strategy for LAP-activatable fluorescent imaging and precision PDT potienal in living cancer cells. [Display omitted] • Amphiphilic AIE-active fluorescent nanoparticles for sensitive, rapid and specific detection to leucine aminopeptidase. • LAP-activated enhanced fluorescence and photodynamic therapy. • Lysosome-targeting by asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated recognition and endocytosis. • Precise cancer cells ablation by LAP stimuli and lysosomal membrane permeabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensing of carboxylesterases (CESs) activity in living systems is of great importance for drug design and biomedical research. Herein, water-soluble AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles (2B3OTs) containing hydrophilic lactose and hydrophobic BODIPY-conjugated tetraphenylethene moieties were rationally designed for ratiometrically fluorescent sensing of CESs with the meso -ester BODIPY as the recognition unit. 2B3OTs were cell membrane permeable and successfully applied to detect the real activities of endogenous CESs in living cells. More importantly, 2B3OTs could preferentially recognize hepatoma cells rather than normal liver cells, since the lactose is an efficient ligand for asialoglycoprotein receptors which are over expressed in tumor liver cells. It is first time that water-soluble AIE-active fluorescence organic nanoparticle were designed and utilized for real-time sensing of CESs activities in living cells. [Display omitted] • Water-soluble AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles (2B3OTs) were designed and utilized for real-time sensing of CESs activities in vivo and in vitro. •In contrast to the single-signal " off-on " fluorescent probes, dual-signal ratiometric fluorescent sensor (2B3OT) could effectively eliminate the signal volatility from probe concentrations or external instrumental parameters. • 2B3OTs could preferentially recognize hepatoma cells rather than normal liver cells, since the lactose is an efficient ligand for asialoglycoprotein receptors which are over expressed in tumor liver cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is considered as a potential water purification technology for electrochemical removal of the salt from aqueous solutions. However, the development of an electrode material with adequate electro adsorption rate and capacity is still a major challenge. In this study, a N and P-doped three-dimensional (3D) structure of graphene with high conductivity and capacitance for high performance CDI was synthesized and possessed tunable pore size through phosphoric acid activation. It had a large specific surface area of 567.14 m2 g−1 due to the 3D hierarchical porous structure and highly crosslinked networks of graphene sheets. This novel material also had a high specific capacitance (177.19 F g−1). High specific capacitance and interaction of micropores with mesopores improved the desalination capacity up to 20.93 mg g−1. Consequently, the materials with high specific surface area, better specific capacitance and tunable pore size can have a great potential for efficient and practical desalination applications. Image 1 • High performance capacitive deionization with N-doped three-dimensional graphene electrode was achieved. • The electrode materials have high specific area, specific capacitance, and hierarchical pores structures. • Capacitive deionization performance possessed electrosorption capacity of 20.93 mg g−1 and maximum capacity of 30.92 mg g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]