Self-terminating, heterogeneous solid-electrolyte interphase enables reversible Li-ether cointercalation in graphite anodes.

Ether solvents are suitable for formulating solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI)-less ion-solvent cointercalation electrolytes in graphite for Na-ion and K-ion batteries. However, ether-based electrolytes have been historically perceived to cause exfoliation of graphite and cell failure in Li-ion batteries. In this study, we develop strategies to achieve reversible Li-solvent cointercalation in graphite through combining appropriate Li salts and ether solvents. Specifically, we design 1M LiBF4 1,2-dimethoxyethane (G1), which enables natural graphite to deliver ~91% initial Coulombic efficiency and >88% capacity retention after 400 cycles. We captured the spatial distribution of LiF at various length scales and quantified its heterogeneity. The electrolyte shows self-terminated reactivity on graphite edge planes and results in a grainy, fluorinated pseudo-SEI. The molecular origin of the pseudo-SEI is elucidated by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The operando synchrotron analyses further demonstrate the reversible and monotonous phase transformation of cointercalated graphite. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of Li cointercalation chemistry in graphite for extreme-condition batteries. The work also paves the foundation for understanding and modulating the interphase generated by ether electrolytes in a broad range of electrodes and batteries.

Nonvolatile Multistate Manipulation of Topological Magnetism in Monolayer CrI3 through Quadruple-Well Ferroelectric Materials.

Nonvolatile multistate manipulation of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials holds promise for low dissipation, highly integrated, and versatile spintronic devices. Here, utilizing density functional theory calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we report the realization of nonvolatile and multistate control of topological magnetism in monolayer CrI3 by constructing multiferroic heterojunctions with quadruple-well ferroelectric (FE) materials. The Pt2Sn2Te6/CrI3 heterojunction exhibits multiple magnetic phases upon modulating FE polarization states of FE layers and interlayer sliding. These magnetic phases include Bloch-type skyrmions and ferromagnetism, as well as a newly discovered topological magnetic structure. We reveal that the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) induced by interfacial coupling plays a crucial role in magnetic skyrmion manipulation, which aligns with the Fert-Levy mechanism. Moreover, a regular magnetic skyrmion lattice survives when removing a magnetic field, demonstrating its robustness. The work sheds light on an effective approach to nonvolatile and multistate control of 2D magnetic materials.

Complete chloroplast genome structural characterization of two Aerides (Orchidaceae) species with a focus on phylogenetic position of Aerides flabellata.

BACKGROUND: The disputed phylogenetic position of Aerides flabellata Rolfe ex Downie, due to morphological overlaps with related species, was investigated based on evidence of complete chloroplast (cp) genomes. The structural characterization of complete cp genomes of A. flabellata and A. rosea Lodd. ex Lindl. & Paxton were analyzed and compared with those of six related species in "Vanda-Aerides alliance" to provide genomic information on taxonomy and phylogeny. RESULTS: The cp genomes of A. flabellata and A. rosea exhibited conserved quadripartite structures, 148,145 bp and 147,925 bp in length, with similar GC content (36.7 ~ 36.8%). Gene annotations revealed 110 single-copy genes, 18 duplicated in inverted regions, and ten with introns. Comparative analysis across related species confirmed stable sequence identity and higher variation in single-copy regions. However, there are notable differences in the IR regions between two Aerides Lour. species and the other six related species. The phylogenetic analysis based on CDS from complete cp genomes indicated that Aerides species except A. flabellata formed a monophyletic clade nested in the subtribe Aeridinae, being a sister group to Renanthera Lour., consistent with previous studies. Meanwhile, a separate clade consisted of A. flabellata and six Vanda R. Br. species was formed, as a sister taxon to Holcoglossum Schltr. CONCLUSIONS: This research was the first report on the complete cp genomes of A. flabellata. The results provided insights into understanding of plastome evolution and phylogenetic relationships of Aerides. The phylogenetic analysis based on complete cp genomes showed that A. flabellata should be placed in Vanda rather than in Aerides.

Solvent-Mediated, Reversible Ternary Graphite Intercalation Compounds for Extreme-Condition Li-Ion Batteries.

Traditional Li-ion intercalation chemistry into graphite anodes exclusively utilizes the cointercalation-free or cointercalation mechanism. The latter mechanism is based on ternary graphite intercalation compounds (t-GICs), where glyme solvents were explored and proved to deliver unsatisfactory cyclability in LIBs. Herein, we report a novel intercalation mechanism, that is, in situ synthesis of t-GIC in the tetrahydrofuran (THF) electrolyte via a spontaneous, controllable reaction between binary-GIC (b-GIC) and free THF molecules during initial graphite lithiation. The spontaneous transformation from b-GIC to t-GIC, which is different from conventional cointercalation chemistry, is characterized and quantified via operando synchrotron X-ray and electrochemical analyses. The resulting t-GIC chemistry obviates the necessity for complete Li-ion desolvation, facilitating rapid kinetics and synchronous charge/discharge of graphite particles, even under high current densities. Consequently, the graphite anode demonstrates unprecedented fast charging (1 min), dendrite-free low-temperature performance, and ultralong lifetimes exceeding 10 000 cycles. Full cells coupled with a layered cathode display remarkable cycling stability upon a 15 min charging and excellent rate capability even at -40 °C. Furthermore, our chemical strategies are shown to extend beyond Li-ion batteries to encompass Na-ion and K-ion batteries, underscoring their broad applicability. Our work contributes to the advancement of graphite intercalation chemistry and presents a low-cost, adaptable approach for achieving fast-charging and low-temperature batteries.

Recent Advances in Flexible Wearable Technology: From Textile Fibers to Devices.

Smart textile fabrics have been widely investigated and used in flexible wearable electronics because of their unique structure, flexibility and breathability, which are highly desirable with integrated multifunctionality. Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of textile fiber-based flexible wearable devices. However, the pristine textile fibers still can't meet the high standards for practical flexible wearable devices, which calls for the development of some effective modification strategies. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the flexible wearable devices based on the textile fibers, putting special emphasis on the design and modifications of textile fibers. In addition, the applications of textile fibers in various fields and the critical role of textile fibers are also systematically discussed, which include the supercapacitors, sensors, triboelectric nanogenerators, thermoelectrics, and other self-powered electronic devices. Finally, the main challenges that should be overcome and some effective solutions are also manifested, which will guide the future development of more effective textile fiber-based flexible wearable devices.

Patterns of cervical lymph node involvement in mono-focal papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with different capsular status: A multi-center analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The characteristics of cervical lymph node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with different degree of capsular invasion remains unclear, especially for those with mono-focal lesion who have traditionally been considered as low neck metastasis risk subgroup. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Three academic teaching hospital. METHODS: A total of 1276 mono-focal PTC patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Mono-focal PTC patients with extrathyroidal extension (ETE) showed significantly higher central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) rate than those without. For patients with no gross ETE (gETE), those with minimal ETE (mETE) also showed more commonly CLNM than those with encapsulated lesions. However, the lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) rates of patients with mETE and encapsulated tumors were comparable, both lower than that of patients with gETE. Age ≥40, male, and MTD ≥0.5 cm were identified as independent risk factors of CLNM for those with encapsulated tumors and were enrolled for creating a prediction model. In terms of LLNM, only MTD ≥1.0 cm was confirmed as independent risk factors of LLNM for patients with positive gETE. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and degree of ETE may have different effects on the risk of central and lateral lymph node metastasis. gETE demonstrates a strong correlation with both CLNM and LLNM while mETE is only associated with CLNM in mono-focal PTC patients. A comprehensive model is established in the aim of predicting neck involvement according to the capsular status and the corresponding stratified risk factors, which may aid clinical decision-making for the management of neck regions.

PgDDS Changes the Plant Growth of Transgenic Aralia elata and Improves the Production of Re and Rg3 in Its Leaves.

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem is a medicinal plant that shares a common pathway for the biosynthesis of triterpenoid saponins with Panax ginseng. Here, we transferred the dammarenediol-II synthase gene from P. ginseng (PgDDS; GenBank: AB122080.1) to A. elata. The growth of 2-year-old transgenic plants (L27; 9.63 cm) was significantly decreased compared with wild-type plants (WT; 74.97 cm), and the leaflet shapes and sizes of the transgenic plants differed from those of the WT plants. Based on a terpene metabolome analysis of leaf extracts from WT, L13, and L27 plants, a new structural skeleton for ursane-type triterpenoid saponins was identified. Six upregulated differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were detected, and the average levels of Rg3 and Re in the leaves of the L27 plants were 42.64 and 386.81 µg/g, respectively, increased significantly compared with the WT plants (15.48 and 316.96 µg/g, respectively). Thus, the expression of PgDDS in A. elata improved its medicinal value.

Recent Developments in Functional Polymers via the Kabachnik-Fields Reaction: The State of the Art.

Recently, multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have attracted much attention in polymer synthesis. As one of the most well-known MCRs, the Kabachnik-Fields (KF) reaction has been widely used in the development of new functional polymers. The KF reaction can efficiently introduce functional groups into polymer structures; thus, polymers prepared via the KF reaction have unique α-aminophosphonates and show important bioactivity, metal chelating abilities, and flame-retardant properties. In this mini-review, we mainly summarize the latest advances in the KF reaction to synthesize functional polymers for the preparation of heavy metal adsorbents, multifunctional hydrogels, flame retardants, and bioimaging probes. We also discuss some emerging applications of functional polymers prepared by means of the KF reaction. Finally, we put forward our perspectives on the further development of the KF reaction in polymer chemistry.

Peripheral lymphocyte count as an indicator of radiotherapy effectiveness in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the predictive significance of baseline absolute peripheral lymphocyte counts (ALC) in the effectiveness of radiation in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective study of pathologically confirmed HPSCC patients who had definitive radiation between January 2020 and January 2022 at Fudan University Eye and ENT Hospital. The routine blood results of patients were obtained to determine if the baseline ALC was connected with the response to radiation. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and LASSO-based Cox regression were employed to assess the predictive value of ALC for the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: RT induced a considerable drop in ALC and the level of ALC did not revert to the baseline values 1 year after radiation. The baseline level of ALC was higher in patients who met complete response after RT. The baseline ALC and monocyte counts demonstrated the predictive value of radiation effectiveness and ALC was an independent predictor. CONCLUSION: In HPSCC, lymphocytes were sensitive to radiation and reduced significantly during RT. The baseline ALC might be regarded as a predictive indicator of the effectiveness of RT.

A Best-Fitting B-Spline Neural Network Approach to the Prediction of Advection-Diffusion Physical Fields with Absorption and Source Terms.

This paper proposed a two-dimensional steady-state field prediction approach that combines B-spline functions and a fully connected neural network. In this approach, field data, which are determined by corresponding control vectors, are fitted by a selected B-spline function set, yielding the corresponding best-fitting weight vectors, and then a fully connected neural network is trained using those weight vectors and control vectors. The trained neural network first predicts a weight vector using a given control vector, and then the corresponding field can be restored via the selected B-spline set. This method was applied to learn and predict two-dimensional steady advection-diffusion physical fields with absorption and source terms, and its accuracy and performance were tested and verified by a series of numerical experiments with different B-spline sets, boundary conditions, field gradients, and field states. The proposed method was finally compared with a generative adversarial network (GAN) and a physics-informed neural network (PINN). The results indicated that the B-spline neural network could predict the tested physical fields well; the overall error can be reduced by expanding the selected B-spline set. Compared with GAN and PINN, the proposed method also presented the advantages of a high prediction accuracy, less demand for training data, and high training efficiency.

Supervised Manifold Learning Based on Multi-Feature Information Discriminative Fusion within an Adaptive Nearest Neighbor Strategy Applied to Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis.

Rolling bearings are a key component for ensuring the safe and smooth operation of rotating machinery and are very prone to failure. Therefore, intelligent fault diagnosis research on rolling bearings has become a crucial task in the field of mechanical fault diagnosis. This paper proposes research on the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings based on an adaptive nearest neighbor strategy and the discriminative fusion of multi-feature information using supervised manifold learning (AN-MFIDFS-Isomap). Firstly, an adaptive nearest neighbor strategy is proposed using the Euclidean distance and cosine similarity to optimize the selection of neighboring points. Secondly, three feature space transformation and feature information extraction methods are proposed, among which an innovative exponential linear kernel function is introduced to provide new feature information descriptions for the data, enhancing feature sensitivity. Finally, under the adaptive nearest neighbor strategy, a novel AN-MFIDFS-Isomap algorithm is proposed for rolling bearing fault diagnosis by fusing various feature information and classifiers through discriminative fusion with label information. The proposed AN-MFIDFS-Isomap algorithm is validated on the CWRU open dataset and our experimental dataset. The experiments show that the proposed method outperforms other traditional manifold learning methods in terms of data clustering and fault diagnosis.

An Improved Seeker Optimization Algorithm for Phase Sensitivity Enhancement of a Franckeite- and WS2-Based SPR Biosensor for Waterborne Bacteria Detection.

For the purpose of detecting waterborne bacteria, a high-phase-sensitivity SPR sensor with an Ag-TiO2-Franckeite-WS2 hybrid structure is designed using an improved seeker optimization algorithm (ISOA). By optimizing each layer of sensor construction simultaneously, the ISOA guarantees a minimum reflectance of less than 0.01 by Ag (20.36 nm)-TiO2 (6.08 nm)-Franckeite (monolayer)-WS2 (bilayer) after 30 iterations for E. coli. And the optimal phase sensitivity is 2.378 × 106 deg/RIU. Sensor performance and computing efficiency have been greatly enhanced using the ISOA in comparison to the traditional layer-by-layer technique and the SOA method. This will enable sensors to detect a wider range of bacteria with more efficacy. As a result, the ISOA-based design idea could provide SPR biosensors with new applications in environmental monitoring.

PGC-1α participates in regulating mitochondrial function in aged sarcopenia through effects on the Sestrin2-mediated mTORC1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysregulation in skeletal myocytes is considered a major factor in aged sarcopenia. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) on Sestrin2-mediated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in aged skeletal muscles. METHODS: C2C12 myoblasts were stimulated by 50 µM 7ß-hydroxycholesterol (7ß-OHC) to observe the changes of DNA damage, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), mitochondrial ROS and PGC-1α protein. The PGC-1α silence in the C2C12 cells was established by siRNA transfection. The levels of DNA damage, Δψm, mitochondrial ROS, Sestrin2 and p-S6K1/S6K1 proteins were observed after the PGC-1α silence in the C2C12 cells. Recombinant Sestrin2 treatment was used to observe the changes of DNA damage, Δψm, mitochondrial ROS and p-S6K1/S6K1 protein in the 7ß-OHC-treated or PGC-1α siRNA-transfected C2C12 cells. Wild-type (WT) mice and muscle-specific PGC-1α conditional knockout (MKO) mice, including young and old, were used to analyse the effects of PGC-1α on muscle function and the levels of Sestrin2 and p-S6K1 in the white gastrocnemius muscles. Recombinant Sestrin2 was administrated to analyse its effects on muscle function in the old WT mice and old MKO mice. RESULTS: 7ß-OHC treatment induced DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and decrease of PGC-1α protein in the C2C12 cells. PGC-1α silence also induced DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in the C2C12 cells. Additionally, PGC-1α silence or 7ß-OHC treatment decreased the levels of Sestrin2 and p-S6K1/S6K1 protein in the C2C12 cells. Recombinant Sestrin2 treatment significantly improved the DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in the 7ß-OHC-treated or PGC-1α siRNA-transfected C2C12 cells. At the same age, muscle-specific PGC-1α deficiency aggravated aged sarcopenia and decreased the levels of Sestrin2 and p-S6K1 in the white gastrocnemius muscles when compared to the WT mice. Recombinant Sestrin2 treatment improved muscle function and increased p-S6K1 levels in the old two genotypes. CONCLUSION: This research demonstrates that PGC-1α participates in regulating mitochondrial function in aged sarcopenia through effects on the Sestrin2-mediated mTORC1 pathway.

Establishment and characterization of a novel hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line CZH1 with genetic abnormalities.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) has the worst prognosis among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The lack of available tumor cell lines poses a significant obstacle to the development of efficient treatments for HPSCC. In this study, we successfully established a novel cell line, named CZH1, from the postcricoid region of a Chinese male patient with a T3N0M0 HPSCC. Short tandem repeat analysis confirmed the uniqueness of CZH1. The cell line was characterized by its phenotypes, biomarkers, and genetics. Importantly, CZH1 cells retained the typical features of epithelial malignancy, similar to the primary tumor tissue. Furthermore, CZH1 demonstrated a greater capacity for invasion and increased susceptibility to irradiation in comparison to FaDu, which is the most commonly used HPSCC cell line. Whole-exome sequencing analysis revealed that CZH1 cells had typical genomic features of HNSCC, including mutations of TP53 and amplifications of multiple transcripts. Therefore, our newly developed CZH1 cell line could serve as an efficient tool for the in vitro investigation of the etiology, pathogenesis, and preclinical treatment of HPSCC.

Delayed pericarditis following ethanol ablation of the vein of Marshall in the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a case report.

In this case report, we will discuss a 74-year-old female who presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain, bloating, anorexia, and nausea for four days which preceded after catheter ablation and anhydrous ethanol infusion vein of Marshall (VOM) one month prior. She was admitted and treated as a general patient in the general ward. After hospital admission, a pericardiocentesis was guided by B-scan ultrasonography, resulting in the extraction of 20ml of pericardial effusion, followed by catheterization for drainage. The key takeaway in this report is that anhydrous ethanol infusion VOM may not always be without risks. Hence, during the procedure, it is imperative to carefully administer the appropriate volume of anhydrous ethanol into the VOM to prevent vessel damage and associated complications.

Hydrothermally Assisted Conversion of Switchgrass into Hard Carbon as Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, reducing the reliance on scarce transition metals. Converting agricultural biomass into SIB anodes can remarkably enhance sustainability in both the agriculture and battery industries. However, the complex and costly synthesis and unsatisfactory electrochemical performance of biomass-derived hard carbon have hindered its further development. Herein, we employed a hydrothermally assisted carbonization process that converts switchgrass to battery-grade hard carbon capable of efficient Na-ion storage. The hydrothermal pretreatment effectively removed hemicellulose and impurities (e.g., lipids and ashes), creating thermally stable precursors suitable to produce hard carbon via carbonization. The elimination of hemicellulose and impurities contributes to a reduced surface area and lower oxygen content. With the modifications, the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and cycling stability are improved concurrently. The optimized hard carbon showcased a high reversible specific capacity of 313.4 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1, a commendable ICE of 84.8%, and excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 308.4 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles. In short, this research introduces a cost-effective method for producing anode materials for SIBs and highlights a sustainable pathway for biomass utilization, underscoring mutual benefits for the energy and agricultural sectors.

Pollination Syndrome, Florivory, and Breeding System of Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Orchidaceae) in Central Yunnan, China.

Research on Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Lindl.) Hook. f. has primarily focused on populations in Northwestern Yunnan, with limited studies on pollination syndromes and insect behavior. In addition, it is geographically limited in its breeding system studies. Here, pollination syndromes, florivory, and breeding systems of S. nepalense var. ciliatum from Liangwang Mountain (Central Yunnan, China) were investigated through field work, microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and parafin section. It was revealed that the pollination syndrome was possessing out-crossing, such as bright color, a developed rostellum, nectar glands in the spur, and food hairs at the lip base. The color and nectar attracted flower visitors, and florivory was observed. Some flower visitors pollinated their companion species. Ants were identified as floral visitors for the first time in Satyrium, although substantial pollination was not observed. Ants might be potential pollinators. S. nepalense var. ciliatum possessed a mixed breeding system, including selfing, out-crossing, and apomixis, with apomixis being predominant in nature. It is suggested that the pollination syndrome, florivory, and pollination competition would contribute to its mixed breeding systems, particularly leading to the occurrence of apomixis.

Erratum: [Corrigendum] Survival outcomes in patients with T3­4aN0M0 glottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and evaluation of postoperative radiotherapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13554.].

A systematic review and Bayesian analysis of the adverse effects of dienogest.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two common diseases that impair women's health, and dienogest is one of the pharmacologic treatments which is the first-line therapeutic option for patients with pelvic pain and individuals who have no desire for immediate pregnancy. The goal of this study was to summarize the current evidence of adverse events associated with dienogest as well as the prevalence of these adverse events during treatment with dienogest. METHODS: Several databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central and Clinicaltrials.gov, etc.) and the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Public Dashboard were searched on May 31, 2023, using the topic words alongside free words of dienogest and "adverse reaction". Studies were incorporated into this research if they reported or assessed safety issues or adverse reactions of dienogest during the period of endometriosis treatment or adenomyosis therapy. The extracted information comprised trial design, dienogest and control group demographics, as well as reported side effects. RESULTS: This systematic review comprehended 39 publications in total. The mean age of patients in the included studies was 34.43 years. The follow-up duration varied from 3 to 60 months. Most adverse reactions were common and not serious, and the most common adverse reactions during dienogest medication were abnormal uterine bleeding (55%, 95% CI 37-73%), amenorrhea (17%, 95% CI 2-42%) and swelling (13%, 95% CI 3-28%). Uncommon adverse reactions included dysmenorrhea (0.2%, n = 1), dyspepsia (0.4%, n = 1), and (lower) abdominal pain (1%, 95% CI 0-3%), urticaria (1%, 95% CI 0-3%) and peritonitis (1%, n = 1). Serious adverse reactions including decreased lumbar spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD), depression, peritonitis and so on have been reported. Heterogeneity assessment revealed that patient number and study design are influencing factors to adverse reaction prevalence. Moreover, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, back pain and anemia are side effects reported both in the FAERS database and in the systematic review. CONCLUSIONS: Dienogest's most frequent side effects were not severe. Dienogest is generally safe for treating endometriosis and adenomyosis. Nevertheless, people should be aware of serious adverse reactions, such as decreased lumbar spine BMD and hemorrhagic shock.

Synthesis of an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dye with pH-sensitivity based on tetraphenylethylene-pyridine for fluorescent nanoparticles and its applications in bioimaging and in vitro anti-tumor effect.

In this contribution, a novel AIE monomers 2-(4-styrylphenyl)- 1,2-diphenylvinyl)styryl)pyridine (SDVPY) with smart fluorescent pH-sensitivity basing on tetraphenylethylene-pyridine were successfully synthesized for the first time, subsequently, a series of amphiphilic copolymers PEG-PY were achieved by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of SDVPY and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), which would self-assemble in water solution to form core-shell nanoparticles (PEG-PY FONs) with about 150 nm diameter. The PEG-PY FONs showed obvious fluorescence response to Fe3+, HCO3- and CO32- ions in aqueous solution owing to their smart pH-sensitivity and AIE characteristics, and their maximum emission wavelength could reversibly change from 525 nm to 624 nm. The as-prepared PEG-PY FONs showed also prospective application in cells imaging with the variable fluorescence for different pH cells micro-environment. When PEG-PY copolymers self-assembled with the anti-tumor drug paclitaxel (PTX), the obtained PY-PTX FONs could effectively deliver and release PTX with pH-sensitivity, and could be easily internalized by A549 cells and located at the cytoplasm with high cytotoxicity, which was further confirmed by the Calcein-AM/PI staining of dead and alive A549 cells. Moreover, the flow cytometry results indicated that the PY-PTX FONs could obviously induce the apoptosis of A549 cells, which further showed the great potential of PY-PTX FONs in the application of tumors therapy.