An Overview of Flexible Sensors: Development, Application, and Challenges.

The emergence and advancement of flexible electronics have great potential to lead development trends in many fields, such as "smart electronic skin" and wearable electronics. By acting as intermediates to detect a variety of external stimuli or physiological parameters, flexible sensors are regarded as a core component of flexible electronic systems and have been extensively studied. Unlike conventional rigid sensors requiring costly instruments and complicated fabrication processes, flexible sensors can be manufactured by simple procedures with excellent production efficiency, reliable output performance, and superior adaptability to the irregular surface of the surroundings where they are applied. Here, recent studies on flexible sensors for sensing humidity and strain/pressure are outlined, emphasizing their sensory materials, working mechanisms, structures, fabrication methods, and particular applications. Furthermore, a conclusion, including future perspectives and a short overview of the market share in this field, is given for further advancing this field of research.

Electrochemiluminescence detection of methamphetamine based on a Ru(bpy)3(2+)-doped silica nanoparticles/Nafion composite film modified electrode.

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) approach for methamphetamine determination was developed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a Ru(bpy)3 (2+)-doped silica nanoparticles/Nafion composite film. The monodispersed nanoparticles, which were about 50 nm in size, were synthesized using the water-in-oil microemulsion method. The ECL results revealed that Ru(bpy)3 (2+) doped in silica nanoparticles retained its original photo- and electrochemical properties. The ECL intensity was found to be proportional to methamphetamine concentration over the range from 1.0 × 10(-7) to 1.0 × 10(-5) mol L(-1), and the detection limit was found to be 2.6 × 10(-8) mol L(-1). The proposed ECL approach was used to analyze the methamphetamine content in drugs.

A graphene oxide-molybdenum disulfide composite used as stationary phase for determination of sulfonamides in open-tubular capillary electrochromatography.

A graphene oxide-molybdenum disulfide (GO-MoS2) composite was synthesized and utilized as the highly efficient stationary phase of open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC). The characterization results indicated that GO-MoS2 composite was successfully synthesized. The GO-MoS2-coated capillary column was prepared by covalent immobilization method for the determination of seven sulfonamides. The baseline separation of seven sulfonamides was achieved by GO-MoS2-coated capillary column. The linear range was 0.05-100 µg/mL for sulfisomidine, sulfathiazole, sulfamerazine, phthalylsulfathiazole and sulfacetamide, 0.1-100 µg/mL for sulfamonomethoxine and sulfachloropyridazine with a satisfactory correlation coefficients (R2) > 0.9994. This developed OT-CEC method was successfully applied to determinate of seven sulfonamides in environmental water and milk samples with good recoveries of 85.77% - 109.10% and 80.03% - 109.97%, respectively. These results indicated that GO-MoS2-coated capillary column possessed good stability and repeatability.

Fire Needle Acupuncture Regulates Wnt/ERK Multiple Pathways to Promote Neural Stem Cells to Differentiate into Neurons in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: NSCs therapy is considered one of the most potential methods for spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: We build the SCI model rats to investigate the therapeutic effect of fire needle acupuncture in improving the locomotor function of SCI rats and its possible mechanism. BBB scale was used for the motor ability of rats. The expression of Nestin, NSE, Gal-C, and GFAP was detected by immunohistochemistry. Wnt, GSK3ß, ß-catenin, ERK1/2, CyclinD1, and ngn1 were detected by western blot and PCR. The BBB score of both model group (1.20±0.94, 3.12±0.67, 5.34±1.57, 7.12±1.49) and fire needle group (1.70±0.58, 4.50±1.63, 7.53±2.41, 9.24±0.63) gradually increased after SCI. Furthermore, at d10 and d14, the fire needle group showed a significantly high score compared with that in model group at the same time (P<0.05). Fire needle increased Nestin, NSE, and Gal-C expression inhibited GFAP expression after SCI. Also, fire needle could up-regulate Wnt3a, GSK3ß, ß-catenin, and ngn1, and down-regulate ERK1/2, cyclinD1 gene and protein expression. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, fire needle could improve lower limb locomotor function of SCI rats. Also, fire needles could promote endogenous NSCs proliferation differentiating into neurons, and the mechanism might be mediated by promoting the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin and inhibiting the overexpression of ERK.

Fast and simple determination of moroxydine residues in pig and chicken samples by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A general solid-phase extraction (SPE) method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of moroxydine residues in pig and chicken samples has been developed. After extraction and purification of real samples, moroxydine residues were detected using a hydrophobic interaction liquid chromatography column with an optimised mobile phase composition. The extraction reagents, the kind of SPE columns and the type of eluents were optimised to achieve the maximum extraction efficiency. The matrix effects from the animal tissue influenced the quality of the quantitative data obtained. Under the optimised conditions, the moroxydine residues in pig and chicken samples spiked at three levels (1.0 µg/kg, 5.0 µg/kg and 10.0 µg/kg) were determined with good recoveries (61.5%-105.4%) and adequate relative standard deviations (3.2%-13.0%). In pig and chicken samples, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.3 µg/kg, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1.0 µg/kg. A sufficiently linear relationship in the range of 1.0 µg/kg-20.0 µg/kg was achieved with a good correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.99).

[EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE ON ENDOTHELIALIZATION OF VASCULAR PROSTHESES].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) can promote endothelialization, inhibit vascular intimal hyperplasia, and improve long-term patency rate by the treatment of rhGH after vascular prostheses bypass. METHODS: Between August 2007 and January 2009, 94 patients with lower extremity arteriosclerotic occlusive disease were treated. Among them, 32 patients (34 limbs) who met the selection criteria were enrolled in this study. All cases were randomly divided into study group (16 cases, 18 limbs) and control group (16 cases, 16 limbs). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in gender, age, disease time, location of lesions, the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) grade, and basic diseases between 2 groups. The patients with superficial femoral artery disease received above-knee femoro-popliteal prostheses bypass. The patients who had combined abdominal-iliac artery disease received concurrent abdominal-femoral and femoro-popliteal prostheses bypass. Subcutaneous injection of 9 U rhGH was given every night for 7 days in study group, and saline was applied in control group. Ultrasonography was taken after 2 weeks and 3 months of operation to observe the patency and measure the wall thickness of vascular prostheses. RESULTS: After operation, 1 patient of control group died of renal failure caused by acute thrombosis. After 2 weeks, ultrasonography showed no obvious intimal hyperplasia in 2 groups; the wall thickness was (0.13 ± 0.02) cm in study group and (0.15 ± 0.03) cm in control group, showing no significant difference (t = -1.720, P = 0.108). After 3 months, the wall thickness was (0.17 ± 0.06) cm in study group and was (0.26 ± 0.09) cm in control group, showing significant difference (t = -2.240, P = 0.045). All cases were followed up 36-60 months (mean, 56.4 months). The 5-year primary patency rate was 52.5% in study group and 35.7% in control group, showing no significant difference (χ2 = 1.470, P = 0.225). CONCLUSION: The rhGH can improve endothelialization in vascular prostheses and can inhibit postoperative vascular intimal hyperplasia in clinical application.

Musashi-2 Silencing Exerts Potent Activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Enhances Chemosensitivity to Daunorubicin.

RNA-binding protein Musashi-2 (Msi2) is known to play a critical role in leukemogenesis and contributes to poor clinical prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the effect of Msi2 silencing on treatment for AML still remains poorly understood. In this study, we used lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting Msi2 to investigate the resulting changes in cellular processes and the underlying mechanisms in AML cell lines as well as primary AML cells isolated from AML patients. We found that Msi2 was highly expressed in AML cells, and its depletion inhibited Ki-67 expression and resulted in decreased in vitro and in vivo proliferation. Msi2 silencing induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, with decreased Cyclin D1 and increased p21 expression. Msi2 silencing induced apoptosis through down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax expression. Suppression of Akt, Erk1/2 and p38 phosphorylation also contributed to apoptosis mediated by Msi2 silencing. Finally, Msi2 silencing in AML cells also enhanced their chemosensitivity to daunorubicin. Conclusively, our data suggest that Msi2 is a promising target for gene therapy to optimize conventional chemotherapeutics in AML treatment.

[Long-term clinical results after highly selective vagotomy plus pylorus-preserved mucosal antrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term clinical results of 34 chronic duodenal ulcer patients treated with high selective vagotomy plus pylorus-preserved mucosal antrectomy (HSV + PPMA). METHODS: Clinical follow-up results of the patients from 8 approximately 14 years were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-tow patients (94.1%) followed-up for 8 approximately 14 years after operation achieved Visick grades I-II. No patient died. Gastric acid secretion and infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in the antral mucosa were significantly reduced after operation. No significant difference was found in bile acids, total bacterial counts in gastric juice, and the level of serum gastrin after operation. Gastric emptying was normal. No ulcer recurrence was found by barium meal and endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: HSV + PPMA is a better operative treatment for duodenal ulcer, which not only can decrease acid secretion and ulcer recurrence rate but also can preserve the function of antrum and pylorus and prevent post-operation bile reflux and intragastric bacterial overgrowth.

A dual-signal amplification method for the DNA detection based on exonuclease III.

A dual-signal amplification method based on two molecular beacons was designed for human hemochromatosis (HFE) gene detection. The two probes, P1 and P2, could resist the exonuclease III (Exo III) digestion due to the 3'-termini protrusion, and could coexist stably with Exo III. In the presence of HFE targets, P1 hybridized with a HFE target to form a duplex DNA with a recessed 3'-hydroxyl termini and then partially digested by Exo III, releasing the HFE target and a residual sequence (X). This X sequence could trigger the digestion of P2 probes with 6-carboxy-fluoresceins and Black Hole Quenchers and then result in the increase of fluorescence intensity. The X sequences were more stable than HFE targets and could cyclically trigger the P2 digestion for a long time even though the HFE targets were digested by Exo III. This method improved the sensitivity and reached 4 orders of magnitude in detection limit, and showed excellent selectivity to discriminate single base mismatched targets well.

An electrochemical sensor based on label-free functional allosteric molecular beacons for detection target DNA/miRNA.

We report two novel electrochemical sensors (E-sensors) for the detection of target DNA and miRNA. The E-sensors were fabricated using label-free functional allosteric molecular beacons (aMBs), which can form streptavidin aptamers to bind to streptavidin peroxidase polymer and so generate catalytic currents in the presence of the targets. These E-sensors eliminate the antigen antibody interactions which require sophisticated DNA modification. During the experiment, we found a pair of CV peaks located at around 0.17 V. These peaks contributed to the redox reaction between TMB and TMB(+), and the adsorption-desorption process of TMB(+) to the negative aMB backbone. When the E-sensor was hybridized with the complement of the aMB sequence, a pair of CV peaks were found at around 0.47 V which were related to the redox reaction between TMB(+) and TMB(2+), and the process of intercalation of the planar structure of TMB(2+) to dsDNA. The RSV-aMB E-sensor could detect 44 amol RSV DNA in the 4 µL sample and performed well in complicated biological environments. The let-7a-aMB E-sensor reached a detection limit of 13.6 amol let-7a miRNA in the 4 µL sample and showed good selectivity for one base mismatched miRNA.

Sonochemical synthesis of highly fluorescent glutathione-stabilized Ag nanoclusters and S2- sensing.

A facile one-pot sonochemical approach is presented to prepare highly blue-emitting Ag nanoclusters (AgNCs) using glutathione as a stabilizing agent in aqueous solution. The as-prepared AgNCs can be applied in the selective detection of S(2-) with a limit of detection of 2 nM based on fluorescence quenching.

Facile synthesis of red-emitting lysozyme-stabilized Ag nanoclusters.

A facile approach was developed to prepare positively charged and red-emitting lysozyme-stabilized Ag nanoclusters (Lys-AgNCs) using NaBH4 as a reducing agent at room temperature. The Lys-AgNCs can be applied in the highly selective detection of Hg²âº.

An electrochemiluminescence sensor based on a Ru(bpy)3(2+)-silica-chitosan/nanogold composite film.

Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide containing amino and hydroxyl groups, was used to fabricate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. In the sensor construction, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was first coated by a chitosan film which embedded gold nanoparticles, and then the film was modified by introducing carboxyl groups on the surface, which were used to immobilize tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) doped amino-functional silica nanoparticles (NH(2)-RuSiNPs) through amido links. The successful modification was confirmed by scanning electronic microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. A binding model between the chitosan/nanogold composite film and NH(2)-RuSiNPs was also proposed, in which the amido link was the dominant bonding, accompanied with hydrogen bond interaction. ECL studies revealed that the sensor had very good response to different concentrations of 2-(dibutylamino) ethanol. This sensor was also applied in methamphetamine determination.

Encoding electrochemiluminescence using Ru(bpy)3(2+) and fluorescein isothiocyanate co-doped silica nanoparticles.

In this paper, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) encoding method was developed for the first time, based on a dual-dye system including Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) as an ECL emitter and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as a coding dye.

Nonenzymatic amperometric sensing of glucose by using palladium nanoparticles supported on functional carbon nanotubes.

A nonenzymatic electrochemical method was developed for glucose detection using an electrode modified with palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs)-functional carbon nanotubes (FCNTs). PdNPs were homogeneously modified on FCNTs through a facile spontaneous redox reaction and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Based on the voltammetric and amperometric results, PdNPs efficiently catalyzed the oxidation of glucose at 0.40 V in the presence of 0.2M NaCl and showed excellent resistance towards poisoning from such interfering species as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and p-acetamidophenol. This anti-poisoning ability was investigated using analysis of the electrocatalytic products by in situ subtractively normalized interfacial Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy, and the results indicated that no strongly adsorbed CO(ad) species could be found in the oxidation products, which was obviously different from the results obtained using Pt-based electrodes. In order to verify the sensor reliability, it was applied to the determination of glucose in urine samples. The results indicated that the proposed approach provided a highly sensitive, wide linear range, more facile method with good reproducibility for glucose determination, promising the development of Pd-based material in nonenzymatic glucose sensing.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence ethanol biosensor based on alcohol dehydrogenase functionalized Ru(bpy)3(2+) doped silica nanoparticles.

An ethanol biosensor, based on the electrogenerated chemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)-doped silica nanoparticles (RuSiNPs), was investigated in this study. The biosensor was a modified glassy carbon electrode, where alcohol dehydrogenase was crosslinked to RuSiNPs, and then immobilized on the electrode surface using chitosan. The results indicated that the biosensor exhibited excellent performance during ethanol determination with a wide linear range (10(-7) to 10(-2) M), low detection limit (5.0x10(-8) M) and good stability.

A facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticles supported on functional carbon nanotubes and its novel catalysis for ethanol electrooxidation.

In this study, a novel material, palladium nanoparticles-carboxylic functional carbon nanotubes (PdNPs-CFCNTs), based on PdNPs supported on CFCNTs was synthesized by a facile spontaneous redox method. The material reveals high electrochemical activity and excellent catalytic characteristic for alcohol electrooxidation on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in an alkaline medium. The preparation mechanism was studied by the galvanic cell effect between PdCl(4)(2-) and functional defect sites on CFCNTs. Results from UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the reduction of PdCl(4)(2-) to metallic Pd was successfully achieved. Morphologies of PdNPs supporting on CFCNTs (PdNPs-CFCNTs) were also characterized by transmission electron micrograph. PdNPs-CFCNTs with the best electrocatalytic characteristics were obtained under the condition as: the weight ratio of Pd to CFCNTs was kept at 2:1, the temperature was kept at 70 degrees C in the synthesis, and the scan rate of the applied potential was selected at 60 mV s(-1). The results indicate that PdNPs-CFCNTs could be a great potential material in direct ethanol fuel cells and ethanol sensors.

A novel non-enzymatic ECL sensor for glucose using palladium nanoparticles supported on functional carbon nanotubes.

A novel non-enzymatic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs)-functional carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) was discovered for glucose detection. PdNPs were homogeneously modified on FCNTs using a facile spontaneous redox reaction method. Their morphologies were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on ECL experimental results, the PdNPs-FCNTs-Nafion film modified electrode displayed high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. The free radicals generated by the glucose oxidation reacted with the luminol anion (LH(-)), and enhanced the ECL signal. Under the optimized conditions, the linear response of ECL intensity to glucose concentration was valid in the range from 0.5 to 40 micromol L(-1) (r(2)=0.9974) with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.09 micromol L(-1). In addition, the modified electrode presented high resistance towards the poisoning of chloride ion, high selectivity and long-term stability. In order to verify the sensor reliability, it was applied to the determination of glucose in glucose injection samples. The results indicated that the proposed approach provided a highly sensitive, more facile method with good reproducibility for glucose determination, promising the development of a non-enzymatic ECL glucose sensor.

Chemiluminescence of tryptophan and histidine in Ru(bpy)3(2+)-KMnO4 aqueous solution.

Amino acids with different chemical structures have different abilities in terms of increasing the intensity of chemiluminescence (CL) of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)3(2+)]. In a flow system, CL caused by the reaction between Ru(bpy)3(3+) and 15 amino acids was observed, but only tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) enhanced the intensity obviously, and so the CL of Trp and His and their molecular groups was studied. A calculation of the ionization potentials (IPs) of their N atom indicated that the CL intensities of these compounds depended on their IPs. In addition, the flow system was used for the determination of Trp and His, and the detection limits were 3 x 10(-8) mol L(-1) for His and 2.5 x 10(-9) mol L(-1) for Trp. The calibration curves for the two amino acids were 1.0 x 10(-7) to 5.0 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) for His and 1.0 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) for Trp. The proposed approach was applied to the determination of His in Ganoderma.

Electrochemiluminescence detection of dichlorvos pesticide in luminol-CTAB medium.

A simple, novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method for the detection of dichlorvos pesticide (DDVP) with high sensitivity was discovered. Detection was carried out in a static ECL system, in which a glassy carbon electrode was selected as the working electrode. ECL parameters, including the concentrations of cetyrltrimethylammonium bromide and luminol, the solution pH, and the scan rate of the applied potential, were optimized. Under these optimal conditions, the linear response of ECL-emission versus DDVP concentration was valid in the range 5-8000 ng/L (r(2)=0.9982) with a relative standard deviation of 4.3% at 2000 ng/L (n=10), yielding a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.42 ng/L. The ECL emission was caused by a radical reaction process, in which the dissolved oxygen in the luminol solution reacted with the DDVP and generated free radicals. The free radicals reacted with the luminol anion and yielded the luminol radical. The approach presented was successfully applied to the determination of DDVP residues in vegetable samples.