Enhanced immunochromatographic assay using multifunctional gold@iridium nanoflower with colorimetric photothermal catalytic activity for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

The development of a rapid, sensitive, and accurate screening method for staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in food is urgently needed because trace amounts of SEB can pose a serious threat to human health. Here, we developed a ultrasensitive triple-modal immunochromatographic assay (ICA) for SEB detection. The AuNFs@Ir nanoflowers exhibited enhanced colorimetric, photothermal, and catalytic performance by modulating the sharp branching structure of the gold nanoflowers and depositing high-density Ir atoms. Subsequently, the combination of AuNFs@Ir and ICA promoted colorimetric, catalytic amplified colorimetric, and photothermal-assisted quantitative detection. The results showed detection limits of 0.175, 0.0188, and 0.043 ng mL-1 in the colorimetric/photothermal/catalytic mode, which increased the sensitivity by 16.5-fold, 153.7-fold, and 67.2-fold, respectively, compared with the AuNPs-ICA. Furthermore, the proposed strategy was verified in milk, milk powder, pork, and beef successfully. This strategy improves significantly the sensitivity, accuracy, flexibility and offers an effective insight for foodborne bacterial toxin monitoring.

Research Progress and Application of Multimodal Flexible Sensors for Electronic Skin.

In recent years, wearable electronic skin has garnered significant attention due to its broad range of applications in various fields, including personal health monitoring, human motion perception, human-computer interaction, and flexible display. The flexible multimodal sensor, as the core component of electronic skin, can mimic the multistimulus sensing ability of human skin, which is highly significant for the development of the next generation of electronic devices. This paper provides a summary of the latest advancements in multimodal sensors that possess two or more response capabilities (such as force, temperature, humidity, etc.) simultaneously. It explores the relationship between materials and multiple sensing capabilities, focusing on both active materials that are the same and different. The paper also discusses the preparation methods, device structures, and sensing properties of these sensors. Furthermore, it introduces the applications of multimodal sensors in human motion and health monitoring, as well as intelligent robots. Finally, the current limitations and future challenges of multimodal sensors will be presented.

Retrospective analysis of preoperative application of triple-modal pre-rehabilitation on postoperative recovery of colorectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze the difference between triple-modal pre-rehabilitation and common treatment in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A total of 145 patients with CRC diagnosed by pathology and admitted to our hospital for surgery between June 2020 and June 2022 were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups: the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation group (pre-rehabilitation group) and the common treatment group. The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy included exercise (3-5 times per week, with each session lasting more than 50 min), nutritional support, and psychological support. The study was designed to assess the potential of the pre-rehabilitation intervention to accelerate postoperative recovery by assessing the 6-min walk test, nutritional indicators, and HADS score before and after surgery. RESULTS: The pre-rehabilitation intervention did not reduce the duration of initial postoperative recovery or the incidence of postoperative complications, but it did increase the patients' exercise capacity (as determined by the 6-min walk test), with the pre-rehabilitation group performing significantly better than the common group (433.0 (105.0) vs. 389.0 (103.5), P < 0.001). The study also found that triple-modal pre-rehabilitation was beneficial for the early recovery of nutritional status in surgical patients and improved anxiety and depression in patients after surgery, especially in those who had not received neoadjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy is of significant importance for reducing stress and improving the functional reserve of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) during the perioperative period. The results of our study provide further support for the integration of the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy into the treatment and care of CRC patients.

Directed self-assembly of Ag+-deposited MoS2 quantum dots for colorimetric, fluorescent and fluorescence-lifetime sensing of alkaline phosphatase.

We developed a triple-readout probe for colorimetric, fluorescent, and fluorescence-lifetime sensing of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) through the hydrolyzed ascorbic acid phosphate (AAP)-mediated formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Ag+-deposited MoS2 quantum dots (QDs). Ag+ ions were self-assembled on a monolayer MoS2 QD surface through the formation of Ag-S bonds. When ALP hydrolyzed AAP in an alkaline buffer, the resultant ascorbic acid (AA) triggered the reduction of the bound Ag+ ions into AgNPs on the MoS2 QD surface. The resultant AgNPs induced an efficient fluorescence quenching of the MoS2 QDs through simultaneous static and dynamic quenching processes, generated an intense surface plasmon resonance peak, and triggered a reduction in the fluorescence lifetime of the MoS2 QDs. Electron microscopy and spectroscopic techniques revealed the successful fabrication of Ag+-deposited MoS2 QDs and the ALP-mediated formation of AgNPs on the MoS2 QD surface. The linear quantification ranges for ALP were 0.05-2.5, 0.1-4, and 1-4 units L-1 in the fluorescent, colorimetric, and fluorescence-lifetime detection modes, respectively. In addition, the proposed probe integrated with an ALP-linked sandwich immunoassay exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for the fluorescence sensing of rabbit immunoglobulin G with a detection limit of 8 pg mL-1 and linear range of 25-1000 pg mL-1. The sensitivity of the probe is comparable to those of previously reported immunoassays involving ultrasensitive electrochemical detection, hydrogen evolution reactions, or electron spin resonance. The probe integrated with the sandwich assay serves as a promising platform for the detection of target proteins in clinical samples.

Triple-Modal Imaging-Guided Chemo-Photothermal Synergistic Therapy for Breast Cancer with Magnetically Targeted Phase-Shifted Nanoparticles.

Current nanodrug-based cancer therapy is susceptible to the problems of rapid clearance from circulation and limited therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report a magnetically targeted and photothermal-triggered drug release nanotheranostics system based on superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), IR780, doxorubicin (DOX), and perfluoropentane (PFP) entrapped poly-lactide- co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles (IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs) for triple-modal imaging-guided synergistic therapy of breast cancer. In this work, IR780 and Fe3O4 convert light into heat, which triggers DOX release from IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs and a phase-shift thermoelastic expansion of PFP; this procedure further accelerates the DOX release and tissue extrusion deformation. Fe3O4 NPs also serve as the target moiety by an external magnet directed to the tumor. Specifically, the IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs can be used for triple-modal imaging, including near infrared fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound. Furthermore, the antitumor therapy studies reveal the extraordinary performance of IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs in magnetically targeted synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer. Therefore, the multifunctional IR780/Fe3O4@PLGA/PFP/DOX NPs guided by the magnetic field show a great potential for cancer theranostics.

One-Pot Synthesis of a Bismuth Selenide Hexagon Nanodish Complex for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Combined Antitumor Phototherapy.

For integrating therapy and diagnosis into a single nanoparticle for higher antitumor efficiency and lower toxicity, our group designed a smart theranostic nanoplatform based on a hyaluronic acid-doped polypyrrole-coated bismuth selenide loading with a zinc phthalocyanine nanodish complex (Bi2Se3@HA-doped PPy/ZnPc) for multimodal imaging-guided combined phototherapy. Moreover, we expect that the HA-doped PPy smart shell for the surface functionalization will also be applied to a variety of 2D nanomaterials sharing a similar structure with Bi2Se3 to broaden their applications in biomedicine. The Bi2Se3 hexagon nanodish was synthesized via a simple and safe solution-based method compared to the commonly adopted ones. A one-pot synthesis of the naoncomplex was carried out by adding HA during the polypyrrole coating on the Bi2Se3 process, and then it was further loaded with ZnPc. Besides the good ability for infrared thermal, photoacoustic, fluorescence, and X-ray computed tomography imaging, the nanodish complex has its own high photoheat conversion efficiency for photothermal therapy, and it has remarkable optical absorption of the coefficient for photodynamic therapy. With the EPR effect of nanoparticles and the CD44-targeted effect of HA, the tumor-growth inhibition ratio of Bi2Se3@HA-doped PPy/ZnPc for PTT/PDT was as high as 96.4%, compared with that of the PTT (68.0%) or PDT (24.3%) alone, showing an excellent combined therapeutic effect. Moreover, no obvious toxicity in vivo was caused by the nanoparticles. Thus, such a Bi2Se3@HA-doped PPy/ZnPc nanodish complex has promise for real-time monitoring and precise, high-efficiency antitumor treatment.

Polymer-based gadolinium oxide nanocomposites for FL/MR/PA imaging guided and photothermal/photodynamic combined anti-tumor therapy.

Recently, ultrasmall gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles with high longitudinal relaxation rate have received enormous attention. However, it can't be concentrated in tumor site through intravenous administration due to its ultrasmall size. In this project, we coated ultrasmall Gd2O3 nanoparticles with a near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing polymer polypyrrole (PPy), modifying with hyaluronic acid (HA) and loaded aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPc), the Gd2O3@PPy/AlPc-HA nanoparticles could be used for fluorescence (FL)/magnetic resonance (MR)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging guided as well as remotely controlled PTT/PDT combined anti-tumor therapy. Polymerized PPy with high photothermal conversion efficiency was introduced to assemble the ultrasmall Gd2O3 nanoparticles which have high longitudinal relaxation rate and signal-to-noise ratio, thus obtaining Gd2O3@PPy nanoparticles which possess a larger particle size and can be more suitable for tumor targeting based on the EPR effect. HA and AlPc were adsorbed on PPy for HA-mediated tumor targeting and photodynamic therapy respectively. The in vivo triple-modal imaging revealed that Gd2O3@PPy/AlPc-HA nanoparticles possess enhanced tumor uptake effect after intravenous injection. More importantly, the nanoparticles exhibited an obvious photothermal effect, which can trigger the release and de-quench of AlPc. The anti-tumor efficiency further corroborated that the combined therapy achieved an excellent tumor inhibition therapeutic effect which was much better than any other mono-therapy. Consequently, our work encouraged further exploration of polymer-based multifunctional theranostic nanoparticles for cancer combination therapy under remote near-infrared (NIR) light controls.

All-in-One Theranostic Nanoplatform Based on Hollow MoSx for Photothermally-maneuvered Oxygen Self-enriched Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills cancer cells by converting tumor-dissolved oxygen into reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) using a photosensitizer under laser irradiation. However, pre-existing hypoxia in tumors and oxygen consumption during PDT can result in an inadequate oxygen supply, which in turn hampers PDT efficacy. Herein, an O2 self-sufficient nanotheranostic platform based on hollow MoSx nanoparticles (HMoSx) with oxygen-saturated perfluorohexane (O2@PFH) and surface-modified human serum albumin (HSA)/chloride aluminium phthalocyanine (AlPc) (O2@PFH@HMoSx-HSA/AlPc), has been designed for the imaging and oxygen self-enriched photodynamic therapy (Oxy-PDT) of cancer. METHODS: The in vitro anti-cancer activity and intracellular 1O2 generation performance of the nanoparticles were examined using 4T1 cells. We also evaluated the multimodal imaging capabilities and anti-tumor efficiency of the prepared nanoparticles in vivo using a 4T1 tumor-bearing nude mouse model. RESULTS: This nanoplatform could achieve the distinct in vivo fluorescence (FL)/photoacoustic (PA)/X-ray computed tomography (CT) triple-model imaging-guided photothermally-maneuvered Oxy-PDT. Interestingly, the fluorescence and Oxy-PDT properties of O2@PFH@HMoSx-HSA/AlPc were considerably quenched; however, photothermal activation by 670 nm laser irradiation induced a significant increase in temperature, which empowered the Oxy-PDT effect of the nanoparticles. In this study, O2@PFH@HMoSx-HSA/AlPc demonstrated a great potential to image and treat tumors both in vitro and in vivo, showing complete tumor-inhibition over 16 days after treatment in the 4T1 tumor model. CONCLUSION: O2@PFH@HMoSx-HSA/AlPc is promising to be used as novel multifunctional theranostic nanoagent for triple-modal imaging as well as single wavelength NIR laser triggered PTT/Oxy-PDT synergistic therapy.

Theranostic Nanoplatform: Triple-Modal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Cancer Therapy Based on Liposome-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have long since been investigated to provide a versatile drug-delivery platform due to their multitudinous merits. Presently, gadolinium (Gd), a T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, was doped into MSNs as a newly emerging theranostic nanocomposite, which has received much research attention. However, it is still concerned about the dispersibility and drug leakage of MSNs. Hence, in this project, we constructed an near-infrared (NIR) irradiation-triggered, triple-modal imaging-guided nanoplatform based on doxorubicin (DOX)@Gd-doped MSNs, conjugating with indocyanine green (ICG)-loaded thermosensitive liposomes (designated as DOX@GdMSNs-ICG-TSLs). In this platform, ICG could contribute to both photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy effects; meanwhile, it could also give play to near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) as well as photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Consequently, NIRFI and PAI from ICG combined with the MRI function of Gd, devoted to triple-modal imaging with success. At the same time, folic acid-modified thermosensitive liposomes were explored to be coated onto the surface of DOX@GdMSNs, to solve the DOX leakage as well as improve cellular uptake. Under NIR irradiation, ICG could generate heat, thus leading to the rupture of ICG-TSLs and the release of DOX. Accordingly, the multifunctional nanocomposite appeared to be a promising meritorious theranostic nanoplatform to pave a way for treating cancer.