A novel near-infrared optical and redox-active receptor for the multi-model detection of Hg2+ in water and living cells.

A key issue for constructing optical and redox-active receptors is how to conjugate a specific sensing kernel with a multi-signal-responsive system to carry out multi-feature analysis. Mercury is considered to be highly toxic to human health and ecological security. In this work, we present a novel near-infrared optical and redox-active receptor that can sense Hg2+ at ppb level in aqueous media via multi-model monitors with a low detection limit of 8.4 × 10-9 M (1.68 ppb). This receptor features a visible detection, 'off-on' fluorescence response, and efficient electrochemistry assessment, as well as pH-insensitivity to Hg2+ with high sensitivity. In view of its marked near-infrared emission and fluorescence enhancement, we successfully applied this receptor to visualize Hg2+ in live cells. Furthermore, a possible sensing model was established and rationalized with theoretical studies.

Meta-analysis of the association of the CYP2J2 G-50T polymorphism with coronary artery disease.

The association of the CYP2J2 G-50T polymorphism with coronary artery disease has been explored, but the results remain controversial. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to provide a comprehensive estimate of this association. We selected ten articles encompassing 12 independent case-control studies with 7063 cases and 10,453 controls for this meta-analysis. Overall, we found significant associations between the CYP2J2 G-50T polymorphism and coronary artery disease risk in three genetic models (allele model: odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.34; homozygote model: OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.27-4.01; recessive model: OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.22-3.86). In these three genetic models, a significant association was observed in Caucasians but not in Asians when the data were stratified by ethnicity. However, no significant associations were found between the CYP2J2 polymorphism G-50T and coronary artery disease risk in heterozygote model and dominant model. In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggested that the CYP2J2 G-50T polymorphism was associated with coronary artery disease risk in the allele, homozygote and recessive models in Caucasians.

Antifouling coatings based on covalently cross-linked agarose film via thermal azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

Coatings based on thin films of agarose-poly(ethylene glycol) (Agr-PEG) cross-linked systems are developed as environmentally-friendly and fouling-resistant marine coatings. The Agr-PEG cross-linked systems were prepared via thermal azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) using azido-functionalized Agr (AgrAz) and activated alkynyl-containing poly(2-propiolamidoethyl methacrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) P(PEMA-co-PEGMEMA) random copolymers as the precursors. The Agr-PEG cross-linked systems were further deposited onto a SS surface, pre-functionalized with an alkynyl-containing biomimetic anchor, dopamine propiolamide, to form a thin film after thermal treatment. The thin film-coated SS surfaces can effectively reduce the adhesion of marine algae and the settlement of barnacle cyprids. Upon covalent cross-linking, the covalently cross-linked Agr-PEG films coated SS surfaces exhibit good stability in flowing artificial seawater, and enhanced resistance to the settlement of barnacle cyprids, in comparison to that of the surfaces coated with physically cross-linked AgrAz films.

Reactive graphene oxide nanosheets: a versatile platform for the fabrication of graphene oxide-biomolecule/polymer nanohybrids.

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets can be functionalized with reactive pentafluorophenyl ester via esterification of the carboxylic groups. The resulting reactive GO nanosheets provide a versatile platform for grafting of amino-containing polymers or biomolecules via ester-amine coupling. Coupling of poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-(4-amino-phenylcarbazole)] (PFCz-NH(2) ), amino-terminated hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG-NH(2) ), and lysozyme (Lyz) was illustrated. The Al/GO-g-PFCz/ITO sandwich thin-film device exhibits bistable electrical switching and rewritable memory effects. The GO-g-Lyz nanohybrids exhibit high bactericidal efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli, while the GO-g-HPG nanohybrids exhibit reduced cytotoxicity toward 3T3 fibroblasts.

Electrospinning-directed one-dimensional alignment of core-shell silica/polymer nanoparticles in nanofibers.

Nanofibers with ordered inorganic nanoparticles inside are great interesting for their potential applications in biomedical and photonics. In this work, yardlong-bean shaped nanofibers were fabricated by the combined technology of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and coaxial electrospinning process. Initially, the core-shell nanospheres were prepared by surface-initiated ATRP of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) from silica nanoparticles with ATRP initiators on surface. Subsequent coaxial electrospinning allows prepare cross-linked nanofibers with a linear-single-particle-array structure. Removal of the inorganic cores gave rise to nanofibers with uniformly dispersed-close-pore structure, which would be useful to drug delivery and catalyst carrying.

Preparation of fluorescent organometallic porphyrin complex nanogels of controlled molecular structure via reverse-emulsion click chemistry.

Here, we are the first to report a novel approach to preparing well-defined poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) fluorescent nanogels, with well-defined molecular structures and desired functionalities via reverse (mini)emulsion copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (REM-CuAAC). Nanogels with hydroxyl groups and Ga-porphyrin complex (Ga-porphyrin-OH nanogels), as well as with Ga-porphyrin complex and folate functional groups (Ga-porphyrin-FA), are successfully prepared. Nanogels of 30 and 120 nm in diameter are obtained and they exhibit an emission maxima within the wavelength range 700-800 nm. The nanogels could find uses in near infrared (NIR) imaging attributable to their fluorescence and their functionality for cell affinity.

Reduction of graphene oxide by aniline with its concomitant oxidative polymerization.

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are readily reduced by aniline above room temperature in an aqueous acid medium, with the aniline simultaneously undergoing oxidative polymerization to produce the reduced graphene oxide-polyaniline nanofiber (RGO-PANi) composites. The resulting RGO-PANi composites and RGO (after dissolution of PANi) were characterized by XPS, XRD analysis, TGA, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and TEM. It was also found that the RGO-PANi composites exhibit good specific capacitance during galvanostatic charging-discharging when used as capacitor electrodes.

One-pot preparation of ferrocene-functionalized polymer brushes on gold substrates by combined surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and "click chemistry".

A gold substrate with surface-grafted ferrocene functional polymer brushes, or Au-g-PFTMA surface [PFTMA = poly(5-ferrocene-triazolyl methacrylate)], was prepared by a combination of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and "click chemistry" in one pot, in the presence of 2-azidoethyl methacrylate (AzEMA), ethynyl ferrocene, CuBr catalyst, CuBr(2) deactivator, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ligand. Thus, SI-ATRP of AzEMA from the Au substrate (the "grafting from" process) and click chemistry of the ethynyl ferrocene to the azide functional group of AzEMA (the "grafting to" process) proceeded simultaneously to produce the functional PFTMA brushes on the Au surface. Kinetic studies suggest that the reaction involving simultaneous SI-ATRP and click chemistry is still consistent with a controlled/"living" process. The composition and physical properties of the modified gold surface were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, and cyclic voltammetry. The redox-responsive properties of the ferrocene-functionalized polymer brushes on the Au-g-PFTMA surface were demonstrated in the reversible loading-unloading step of the ß-cyclodextrin polymer via host-guest interaction.

Preparation and applications of functional nanofibers based on the combination of electrospinning, controlled radical polymerization and 'Click Chemistry'.

This feature article provides an overview of the preparation of functional nanofibers by combined electrospinning, controlled radical polymerization and 'Click Chemistry'. A combination of the powerful capability of controlled radical polymerization and 'Click Chemistry' for the synthesis of functional macromolecules and on surface modification as well as their wide applicability to electrospinning materials, functional nanofibers with a crosslinked structure, core-shell structures, and switchable surface properties etc. were prepared. In addition, the applications of the functional nanofibers in antibacterial fields and controlled release are also explored.

Functional polymeric nanofibers from electrospinning.

Electrospinning has been recognized as a feasible process for fabrication of continuous fibers with diameters ranging from several micrometers down to a few nanometers. This article presents an overview of recent progress in functional polymeric nanofibers prepared by electrospinning. Except of functional nanofibers fabricated from electrospinning of functional polymers, nanofibers from a combined technology such as coaxial electrospinning, electrospinning with living radical polymerization, and electrospinning with surface modification, would also be introduced in this review. Furthermore, the functionality and application of nanofibers would also be highlighted.

Smart nanofibers with a photoresponsive surface for controlled release.

A novel photocontrolled "ON-OFF" release system for the alpha-cyclodextrin-5-fluorouracial (alpha-CD-5FU) prodrug, based on host-guest interaction on the photoresponsive and cross-linked nanofiber surface, was demonstrated. The nanofibers with a stimuli-responsive surface were electrospun from the block copolymer prepared via controlled radical polymerization, followed by surface modification via "Click Chemistry", and loading of the prodrug via host-guest interaction.