In Situ Self-Assembled J-Aggregate Nanofibers of Glycosylated Aza-BODIPY for Synergetic Cell Membrane Disruption and Type†I Photodynamic Therapy.

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.

A water-soluble fluorescent organic nano-photosensitizer for the ratiometric detection of mitochondrial G-quadruplexes with photodynamic therapy potential.

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.

Design and assembly of AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles for anti-counterfeiting fluorescent hydrogels and inks.

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.

Water-soluble AIE-active fluorescent organic nanoparticles for ratiometric detection of SO2 in the mitochondria of living cells.

We report a water-soluble AIEgen (TYDL) to be self-assembled into fluorescent organic nanoparticles (TYDLs) for specific sensing of SO2 in living hepatoma cells. It is demonstrated that the TYDLs were suitable for ratiometrically detecting endogenous and exogenous SO2 in mitochondria with good selectivity, low detection limit (75 nM) and excellent photostability (>30 min). These findings imply the great potential applications of TYDLs for the diagnosis of SO2-related diseases in cell biology.

[Effects of environmental conditions on absorption and distribution of silicon and formation of bloom on fruit surface of cucumber]. / çŽ¯å¢ƒæ¡ä»¶å¯¹é»„ç“œç¡ å¸æ”¶åˆ†é å’Œæžœé¢èœ¡ç²‰å½¢æˆçš„å½±å“.

To elucidate the mechanism of bloom formation on fruit surface of cucumber, we investigated silicon absorption and bloom formation on fruit surface of cucumber with 'Shannong No. 5' (Cucumis sativus) as scion, 'Yunnan figleaf gourd' (Cucurbita ficifolia, weak de-blooming ability) and 'Huangchenggen No. 2' (C. moschata, strong de-blooming ability) as rootstocks in solar greenhouse at winter-spring and autumn-winter growing seasons. Experimental conditions inclu-ded: T1 with temperature 28 ℃/18 ℃ (day/night), relative humidity 55%/65%, photosynthetic photon flux density 600 µmol·m-2·s-1, and T2 with temperature 22 ℃/12 ℃ (day/night), relative humidity 85%/95%, photosynthetic photon flux density 300 µmol·m-2·s-1. We examined environmental effects on silicon absorption and expression of silicon transporter genes in. The amount of bloom on cucumber fruit surface at winter-spring growing season dramatically increased compared with autumn-winter season. 'Yunnan figleaf gourd' grafted cucumber was more heavily affected by the cultivation season than self-rooted and 'Huangchenggen No. 2' grafted cucumber. In the same cultivation season, 'Yunnan figleaf gourd' grafted cucumber had the highest amount of bloom on fruit surface and silicon content, while own-rooted and 'Huangchenggen No. 2' grafted cucumber had the medium and least amount of bloom and silicon content. Silicon content in each organ and expression of silicon transporter genes in cucumber leaves and roots under T1 environment were significantly increased compared with T2. 'Yunnan figleaf gourd' grafted cucumber had the highest contents of silicon in each organ and expression of silicon transporter genes in leaves in the same environment, followed by own-rooted and 'Huangchenggen No. 2' grafted cucumber. In conclusion, environmental conditions affect absorption and allocation of silicon in cucumber plants, with conseuqnece on bloom formation on fruit surface. Suitable environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity and light, are beneficial to reduce the bloom formation on cucumber fruit surface. High temperature, strong light, and low humidity will increase bloom amount on cucumber fruit. Rootstocks have significant effects on silicon absorption and fruit bloom formation of grafted cucumber.