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Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is a promising solution to energy and environmental crises. The aim is to design an effective and strong photocatalyst that makes perfect use of solar energy. This is possible when catalysts have a good visible absorption ability, wide band gap, slow electron–hole pair recombination rate, and a large amount of active surface area. Considering the important properties of an excellent photocatalyst, in this work, by mixing variable amounts of chlorophyll-assisted exfoliated WS2 nanosheets with the COOH and SH functional group polymer dots named P-dots-COOH and P-dots-SH, respectively, we have developed P-dots-COOH/WS2 and P-dots-SH/WS2 heterostructure composites. The P-dots-COOH/WS2 80% heterostructure composite demonstrated a slightly higher current density (∼2.6 mA/cm2) than the individual P-dots (∼1.8 mA/cm2) and exfoliated WS2 nanosheets (∼2.0 mA/cm2). However, the P-dots-SH/WS2 80% heterostructure composite demonstrated almost 200% (∼4.6 mA/cm2) enhanced photocurrent density and low charge transfer resistance compared to P-dots-SH (∼2.0 mA/cm2) and WS2 nanosheet (∼2.0 mA/cm2) materials. This was due to the coordination of the thiol functional group of P-dots-SH with the defect interface site of the chlorophyll-assisted exfoliated WS2 nanosheets that reduced the charge transfer resistance, increased the number of electron–hole pairs, and reduced the electron–hole pair recombination rate. We discussed the possible photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanism in which the P-dots-SH valence band position was lower than the WS2 valence band position. These results indicate that photogenerated electrons can be transferred from the conduction band of WS2 to the conduction band of P-dots-SH, which reduces the possibility of recombination of electrons and holes and is more conducive to the transfer of electrons resulting in the hydrogen reduction potential, that is, the hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence imaging, particularly in the NIR‐II region (1000–1700 nm), has become an unprecedented tool for deep‐tissue in vivo imaging. Among the fluorescent nanoprobes, semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) appear to be a promising agent because of their tunable optical and photophysical properties, ultrahigh brightness, minimal autofluorescence, narrow‐size distribution, and low cytotoxicity. This review elucidates the recent advances in Pdots for deep‐tissue fluorescence imaging and the facing future translation to clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep‐penetration fluorescence imaging in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window heralds a new era of clinical surgery, in which high‐resolution vascular/lymphatic anatomy and detailed cancerous tissues can be visualized in real time. Described here is a series of polymethine‐based semiconducting polymers with intrinsic emission maxima in the NIR‐IIa (1300–1400 nm) window and absorption maxima ranging from 1082 to 1290 nm. These polymers were prepared as semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) in aqueous solutions with fluorescence quantum yields of 0.05–0.18 %, and they demonstrate promising applications in noninvasive through‐skull brain imaging in live mice with remarkable spatial resolution as well as signal‐to‐background contrast. This study offers a platform for future design of NIR‐IIa or even NIR‐IIb emitting Pdots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) b are a new type of NIR-II nanoprobes with unique properties, including tunable photophysical property, exceptional brightness, minimal autofluorescence, high spatial-temporal resolution, deep-organ/tissue penetration capability, and non-toxicity. This review highlights recent advances in deep-tissue fluorescence imaging using Pdots as fluorescence agents and provides an outlook of the challenges that need to be addressed for future clinical translation. More information can be found in the Minireview by Yang-Hsiang Chan, Sampa Saha et al. GLO:BDBM/15feb21:asia202100061-toc-0001.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): . gl GLO:BDBM/15feb21:asia202100061-toc-0001.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): . gl. [Extracted from the article]

Fluorescence imaging, particularly in the NIR-II region (1000-1700 nm), has become an unprecedented tool for deep-tissue in vivo imaging. Among the fluorescent nanoprobes, semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) appear to be a promising agent because of their tunable optical and photophysical properties, ultrahigh brightness, minimal autofluorescence, narrow-size distribution, and low cytotoxicity. This review elucidates the recent advances in Pdots for deep-tissue fluorescence imaging and the facing future translation to clinical use., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A 28-year-old offshore worker attended accident and emergency department with a tender benign-feeling lump inferior to the left testis. He was previously investigated abroad with an ultrasound scan showing a homogenous mass posterior to the left testis. Subsequent CT was unremarkable. As there was no clinical suspicion of malignancy, a scrotal exploration was performed. During scrotal exploration, the left testicular mass appeared to be a supernumerary testis, which shared the same tunica albuginea. Histology has confirmed the diagnosis. Polyorchidism is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, and can be associated with hydrocele, testicular torsion or rarely malignancy. Leung has classified polyorchidism in four types. This case has been described as type 2; the supernumerary testis shares the epididymis and the vas deferens of the other testis. Treatment can either be conservative or surgical excision. However, if the supernumerary testis is asymptomatic, with negative tumour markers and radiological findings, surgery can be avoided.