Electrochemiluminescence enhanced by molecular engineering linear π-conjugated polymer: An ingenious ECL emitter for the construction of exosome sensing platform.

Linear π-conjugated polymers (LCPs) with π-electron conjugation system have many remarkable optical characteristics such as fluorescence and electrochemiluminescence (ECL). However, the extremely strong interchain interaction and π-π stacking limit the luminescence efficiency. In this work, 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diamine was chosen as the polymer monomer and reacted with terephthalaldehyde via simple Schiff base condensation to synthesize LCPs. Subsequently, molecular engineering strategy was adopted to construct zirconium-based LCPs (MLCPs), which not only prevented π-π stacking but also ensured that extended π-coupling was maintained in the LCPs, thus effectively promoting charge transport and achieving strong luminescence. Second, the coreactant polyethyleneimine (PEI) was assembled onto the MLCPs (MLCPs@PEI) to further promote the emission of ECL. To further explore the potential of the obtained MLCPs@PEI as emerging ECL emitter, colorectal cancer exosome was chosen as model biomarker, and an innovative ECL ratiometric system based on MLCPs@PEI and luminol was designed to improve the validity and accuracy of the sensors. This research provides a fresh nanoplatform for exosome detection and broadens the application of LCPs in ECL immunoassay.

A photoelectrochemical biosensor based on self-calibration platform of carbon-rich plasmonic probe with near-infrared driving signal amplification.

Exploring the photochemical (PEC) method induced by low-energy light source makes great significance to achieve high stability and accurate analysis. A sensing platform driven by near-infrared (NIR) light was designed by making the biochemically encoded carbon rich plasmonic hybrid (CPH) probe, the peptide@C-Mo2C. The inherent plasmonic effect of C-Mo2C CPH can directly absorb NIR light, thus starting effective electronic-hole pairs separation. Moreover, the photothermal effect of C-Mo2C CPH also promoted the reaction yield of photothermal catalyst reaction on sensing interface to assist the PEC signal amplification. In the presence of target trypsin, it cleaves the peptides, resulting in the release of peptide@C-Mo2C probe from interface, which leads to a relative decrease in PEC signal. More importantly, a self-calibration system consisting of two independent PEC test channels attempted to eliminate the influence of background signal and baseline drift. The test channel was used to specify the recognition target, while the blank channel was used as a reference. Therefore, the signal difference between two channels was recorded, so as to obtain results with less error and higher stability. In this NIR driven PEC sensor, the carbon rich probe with direct and efficient NIR light conversion promoted the sensitivity and a self-calibration system guaranteed the stability which provided innovative thoughts for developing ingenious PEC sensor.

Self-reduced MXene-Metal interaction electrochemiluminescence support with synergistic electrocatalytic and photothermal effects for the bimodal detection of ovarian cancer biomarkers.

Novel two-dimensional MXene with unique optical and electrical properties has become a new focus in the field of sensing. In particular, their metallic conductivity, good biocompatibility and high anchoring ability to biomaterials make them attractive candidates. Despite such remarkable properties, there are certain limitations, such as low oxidative stability. MXene-Metal interactions are an effective strategy to maintain the long-term stability of MXene, while also improving the electrochemical activity and optical properties. Herein, a series of MXene/Ag nanocomposites including Ti3C2/Ag, Nb2C/Ag and V2C/Ag were designed based on the surface chemistry characteristics of MXene, where MXene served as the substrate for in-situ growth of silver nanoparticles via self-reduction of Ag(NH3)2+. The results showed that V2C MXene has the strongest self-reducing ability due to its multiple variable valence states, larger interlayer space and more reactive groups. Moreover, V2C/Ag exhibited unexpected oxygen reduction reaction catalytic activity and photothermal performance. In view of which, an electrochemiluminescence-photothermal (ECL-photothermal) immunosensor was developed using V2C/Ag as ECL anchor and photothermal reagent for ultrasensitive detection of Lipolysis stimulated lipoprotein receptor. This work not only provides a simple and effective synthesis method of MXene supported metal nanocomposites, but also provides more inspirations for exploring the efficient biosensing strategies.

[Application of endoscopic surgical repair through bracing laryngoscope in children with type â ¢ laryngeal clefts].

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of endoscopic surgical repair in the treatment of type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts and to explore the feasibility of the treatment for type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts. Methods:The clinical data of 6 children with type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts who underwent endoscopic surgical repair in our department from June 2018 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The operation was performed under combined intravenous and general anesthesia,preserving the spontaneous breathing of the children. With the assistance of 4 mm/0° endoscope, radiofrequency knife or laryngeal scissors were used to make fresh wounds along the edge of laryngeal clefts,and cotton pads infiltrated with adrenaline （1:10 000） were used to compress the wound. 6-0 PDP suture was used to suture 3-6 stitches according to the extent of laryngeal clefts. Modified barium swallowing test （MBS） was performed 3 months after operation. Results:All the children were successfully treated with endoscopic surgical repair. After surgery, 2 cases were transferred to pediatric intensive care unit （ICU） for 7 days of monitoring, and the rest were transferred back to the general ward. There were no postoperative complications. The symptoms of dysphagia, laryngitis and recurrent pneumonia were improved in all children. According to the follow-up results of postoperative MBS,no aspiration was found in all children, and 2 children had intermittent cough when drinking large amounts of water. During the follow-up, there were 2 cases of recurrence, and the cracks were completely repaired after the second endoscopic surgical repair treatment,and no recurrence has been observed so far. Conclusion:Endoscopic surgical repair can be applied to some children with type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts with less intraoperative bleeding and fewer operative complications. It can significantly improve the symptoms such as swallowing dysfunction and recurrent pneumonia. It is a safe and effective surgical treatment.

[Present situation and progress of surgical treatment for laryngeal clefts].

At present, there is no unified gold standard for the treatment of laryngeal clefts. Type Ⅰ laryngeal clefts with mild symptoms can be treated conservatively, such as thick diet feeding and using proton pump inhibitor to control reflux, while Ⅱ-Ⅳ laryngeal clefts mostly requires surgical intervention.There are many different surgical methods for the treatment of laryngeal clefts, including injection laryngoplasty, endoscopic surgical repair of laryngeal clefts and open laryngoplasty through anterior cervical approach. How to choose a more suitable surgical plan for children is a problem worth discussing. This article will review the literature on the surgical treatment of laryngeal clefts both domestically and internationally, and summarize the current situation and challenges of surgical treatment of laryngeal clefts.

Versatile MXene composite probe-mediated homogeneous electrochemiluminescence biosensor with integrated signal transduction and near-infrared modulation strategy for concanavalin A detection.

Based on the highly specific interaction between concanavalin A (Con A) and glucose (Glu), a competitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor was constructed for ultrasensitive detection of Con A. Nanocomposites with excellent electrocatalytic and photothermal properties were obtained by covalently bonding zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) to vanadium carbide MXene (V2C MXene) surfaces. The modification of ZnO QDs hinders the aggregation of V2C MXene and increases the catalytic activity of oxygen reduction reaction, thus amplifying the luminol cathodic emission. In addition, the excellent photothermal performance of the V2C MXene-ZnO QDs can convert light energy into heat energy under the irradiation of 808 nm near infrared laser, thus increasing the temperature of the reaction system and accelerating the electron transfer process to realize the synergistic amplified homogeneous ECL system. This innovative work not only enriches the fundamental research on multifunctional MXene nanomaterials for biosensing, but also provides an effective strategy for ECL signal amplification.

Designing Multimodal Informative Sensing with an Exosome-Mediated Signal Coupling Transduction Strategy Based on a Single-Stimulus Multiresponse Recognition Interface.

Given that exosomes released from cancer cells carry various tumor-specific proteins on their surface, they have emerged as a source of biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. However, developing accurate and reliable assays to detect exosomes in the early stages of disease with low abundance and complex systems remains challenging. Here, the prepared PDIG film has the ability to sense multiple signals from a single stimulus, in which the presence of cobalt(II) chloride and deep eutectic solvents (DES) endows PDIG with thermochromic and thermosensitive properties. Concretely, the PDIG served as the recognition interface in series with a bipolar electrode (BPE) that exhibits a highly sensitive color and conductivity response to temperature stimuli triggered by the light-harvesting probe TiO2@CNOs introduced via proximity hybridization assay triggering a rolling circle amplification strategy, resulting in the output of colorimetric, photoacoustic, and electrochemiluminescent signals for the detection of colorectal cancer exosomes. This work is expected to provide a new direction for exploring the multisignal amplification strategy of BPE, broaden the application of BPE in biological analysis, and provide new insights for developing highly information-sensing elements to ensure the multimodal coupling for cancer-specific exosome detection.

Two-phase dual-signal-readout immunosensing platform based on multifunctional carbon nano-onions for ovarian cancer biomarker detection.

In order to detect early tumor markers and gain valuable time for treatment, there is an urgent need to develop a fast, cheap, and ultrasensitive multi-reading sensing platform. Herein, a solid/liquid two-phase dual-output biosensor was explored based on a sensitized sonochemiluminescence (SCL) strategy and a multifunctional carbon nano-onion (CNO) probe. It is clear that ultrasonic radiation caused the formation of hydroxyl radicals (˙OH), triggering the SCL signal of the emitter lucigenin (Luc2+). Meanwhile, titanium carbide nanodots and ethanol were used to enhance the SCL signal, and an astonishingly linear enhancement of the SCL intensity was produced with increasing ethanol concentration. More importantly, the CNOs, with their excellent photothermal properties and adsorption capacity, can output both the temperature signal and an enhanced SCL strength from the solid-liquid phase. Through inter-calibration of the signals from the two-phases, this biosensor shows excellent analytical performance for the detection of the ovarian cancer biomarker, human epididymis-specific protein 4, from 10-5 to 10 ng mL-1 with a low detection limit of 3.3 fg mL-1. This work not only provides a novel two-phase signal-output mode that broadens the scope of multiperformance joint applications of CNOs, but also enriches the quantitative detection of point-of-care testing.

A pressure-colorimetric multimode system with photothermal activated multiple rolling signal amplification for ovarian cancer biomarker detection.

Utilizing the photothermal effect to activate enzyme activity, realize signal conversion and amplification show promising prospects in biosensing. Herein, a pressure-colorimetric multi-mode bio-sensor was proposed through the multiple rolling signal amplification strategy of photothermal control. Under NIR light radiation, the Nb2C MXene labeled photothermal probe caused notable temperature elevation on a multi-functional signal conversion paper (MSCP), leading to decomposition of thermal responsive element and in-situ formation of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx hybrid. The generation of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx hybrid accompanied with valid color change from pale yellow to dark brown on MSCP. Moreover, the Ag-Sx as a signal amplification element enhanced the NIR light absorption to further improve the photothermal effect of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx thereby induce cyclic in situ production of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx hybrid with rolling enhanced photothermal effect. Subsequently, the continuously enhanced photothermal effect rolling activated catalase-like activity of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx, which accelerated the decomposition of H2O2 and promoted the pressure elevation. Therefore, the rolling-enhanced photothermal effect and rolling activated catalase-like activity of Nb2C MXene/Ag-Sx considerately amplified the pressure and color change. Making full use of multi-signal readout conversion and rolling signal amplification, accurate results can be obtained in a short time, whether in the laboratory or in the patient's homes.

Optical and Acoustic Synergetic Sensing Platform Enabled by a Pyrene-Based Conjugated Polymer Self-Circulating Amplified System for Lung Cancer Detection.

A stable and reusable electrochemiluminescent (ECL) signal amplification strategy was proposed through a pyrene-based conjugated polymer (Py-CP) triggered self-circulating enhancement system. Specifically, the delocalized conjugated π-electrons of Py-CPs made it an excellent coreactant to arouse the initial ECL signal improvement of Ru(phen)32+, but the subsequent signal reduction was attributed to the consumption of Py-CPs, in which this stage was called the signal sensitization evoking phase (SSEP). Then, the maximum use of ECL luminescence of Ru(phen)32+ produced in the SSEP was made to irradiate the photosensitizer Py-CPs for in situ producing numerous ·OH, and a stronger and more stable ECL response stage defined as the signal sensitization stabilize phase was reached. Encouragingly, the incorporation of Nb2C MXene quantum dots with an exceptional physicochemical property not only foreshortens the SSEP for quickly acquiring a stable ECL signal but also introduces the photoacoustic (PA) transduce mechanism for achieving dual-signal outputting. Ultimately, the portable and miniaturized ECL-PA synergetic sensing platform based on the closed-bipolar electrode realized sensitive let-7a detection in a wide linear range from 10-9 to 10-2 nM with a low detection limit of 3.3 × 10-10 nM and also demonstrated good selectivity, excellent stability, and high reliability. The successful application of an innovative signal transduction mechanism and dexterous coupling modality will provide new insights for advancing the development of flexible analytical devices.

Facile and portable multimodal sensing platform driven by photothermal-controlled release system for biomarker detection.

Portable, maneuverable and reliable versatile-integrated analytical devices are urgently demanded but still extremely challenging to meet the requirements of point-of-care testing in resource-limited areas. Herein, a multifunctional sensing platform with excellent photothermal performance was implanted into the miniature zone of a paper-based electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor for accurate detection of interleukin-6, which could flexibly interconnect the visualized distance and temperature readout with ultrasensitive ECL response. Concretely, the multipurpose MBene and TaSe2 composites (MBene@TaSe2) prepared via self-assembly approach as target-associated photothermal element was introduced in the paper-based analytical device (PAD) and served as multi-signals trigger. Under the laser irradiation, MBene@TaSe2 probe not only generated heat for rapid temperature output, but also triggered the phase transition behavior of thermoresponsive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) hydrogel to release loaded malachite green (MG) dye for distance-based visual readout. Simultaneously, the released MG was also utilized as effective quencher to decrease the ECL signal of luminol. Benefitting from this dexterous architecture, the speedy preliminary screening and precise quantitative analysis could be subsequently obtained in single-drop sample through one-step sandwich immunoreaction, which avoids additional separation operations and greatly simplifies the analysis procedure. Undeniably, this work provides ingenious insights for advancing the development of convenient and fast multifunction-integrated PAD in family surveillance and intelligent diagnosis.

Photothermal enhanced fluorescence quenching of Tb-norfloxacin for ultrasensitive human epididymal 4 detection.

A fluorescence quenching enhanced immunoassay has been developed to achieve ultrasensitive recognition of human epididymal 4 (HE4) modifying the fluorescence quencher. The carboxymethyl cellulose sodium-functionalized Nb2C MXene nanocomposite (CMC@MXene) was firstly introduced to quench the fluorescence signal of the luminophore Tb-Norfloxacin coordination polymer nanoparticles (Tb-NFX CPNPs). The Nb2C MXene nanocomposite as fluorescent nanoquencher inhibits the electron transfer between Tb and NFX to quench the fluorescent signal by coordinating the strongly electronegative carboxyl group on CMC with Tb (III) of Tb-NFX complex. Simultaneously, due to the superior photothermal conversion capability of CMC@MXene, the fluorescence signal has been further weakened by the photothermal effect driven non-radiative decay of the excited state under near-infrared laser irradiation. The constructed fluorescent biosensor based on CMC@MXene probe finally realized the enhanced fluorescence quenching effect, and achieved ultra-high sensitivity and selective detection of HE4, exhibiting a wide linear relationship with HE4 concentration on the logarithmic axis in the range of 10-5 to 10 ng/mL and a low detection limit of 3.3 fg/mL (S/N = 3). This work not only provides an enhanced fluorescent signal quenching method for the detection of HE4, but also provides novel insights for the design of fluorescent sensor toward different biomolecules.

Modular and Noncontact Wireless Detection Platform for Ovarian Cancer Markers: Electrochemiluminescent and Photoacoustic Dual-Signal Output Based on Multiresponse Carbon Nano-Onions.

An electrochemiluminescent (ECL)-photoacoustic (PA) dual-signal output biosensor based on the modular optimization and wireless nature of a bipolar electrode (BPE) was constructed. To further simplify the detection process, the BPE structure was designed as three separate units: anode ECL collection, cathode catalytic amplification, and intermediate functional sensing units. Specifically, the anode unit was placed with Eosin Yellow, a cheap and effective ECL reagent, and the cathode unit was a laser-induced polyoxometalate-graphene electrode, which was helpful to enhance the anode ECL signal. The intermediate functional sensing unit consisted of a temperature-sensitive conductive film. Further, using a carbon nano-onion nanocomposite with excellent absorption performance in the near-infrared region as a signal tag not only leads to changes in the electrical conductivity of the film through heat transfer and thus affects the ECL signal but also produces a strong PA response. With this design, PA and ECL signals can be output simultaneously. This work not only realizes multiple modularization processes in the design of sensors but also implements the diversification of signal output modes, which will enrich the joint research field of ECL detection technology and other new detection methods.

Dual-readout immunosensor based on multifunctional MXene probe triggers the signal amplification for detection of autoimmune hepatitis marker.

A dual-readout immunosensor coupled with electrochemical impedance and temperature signal was successfully proposed to detect autoimmune hepatitis markers (ASGPR). Nb2C MXene with excellent conductivity, abundant surface functional groups, and extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency, was designed to be a multifunctional biological probe, whose specific binding with antigen enhanced steric hindrance to generate electrochemical impedance signal, and at the same time, it had a strong optical response in the near-infrared band to achieve temperature output. In addition, poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) was a temperature-sensitive polymer, which was adopted as the sensing matrix. When the multifunctional probe was specifically bound to the antigen, under 808-nm laser irradiation, the captured Nb2C MXene achieved photothermal conversion to increase the electrode surface temperature, and the conformation of PNIPAM changed from a free spiral to a spherical shape, further realizing double amplification of the EIS signal. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the impedance values and the temperature changes increased proportionally with the increase of the ASGPR concentration from 10-5 to 1 ng/mL, and the detection limit of the immunosensor was 3.3 × 10-6 ng/mL. The established dual-readout immunosensor exhibited good selectivity and acceptable stability and provided an effective detection method for autoimmune hepatitis marker detection.

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA): Early diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and summarize the early diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA). METHODS: Data from patients with OHVIRA treated at the study centre over the last decade were analysed retrospectively, including demographic characteristics, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Relevant published literature was also reviewed in this study. RESULTS: In total, 11 cases were diagnosed with OHVIRA over the study period, ranging in age from 3 to 14 years (median 11 years). Four cases were asymptomatic, four had abdominal pain and three had urinary symptoms. All 11 cases underwent vaginoplasty. Ureteral bladder re-implantation (n = 1), dysplastic nephrectomy (n = 1), separation of labia minora adhesions (n = 1), perineoplasty (n = 1) and urethroplasty (n = 1) were performed. Cases were followed up for 2 months to 8 years (median 5 years) with good follow-up outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the cases in this study and the relevant literature, ultrasound appears to be an effective method for the diagnosis of OHVIRA. Experienced ultrasonographers are able to achieve a high corrected diagnosis rate. The differential diagnosis of OHVIRA should be considered by paediatric surgeons, urologists, emergency physicians and gynaecologists when they identify patients with didelphys uterus or renal agenesis. Early surgery can reduce the risk of potential genital tract infection and gynaecological complications.

Dual-readout proximity hybridization-regulated and photothermally amplified protein analysis based on MXene nanosheets.

Herein, an ingenious dual-readout sensing platform based on a proximity hybridization-regulated strategy is proposed for protein detection. For the first time, Ti3C2 MXene@thionine composites (MXene@Thi) with an excellent photothermal effect not only acted as an amplifier to enhance the electrochemical signal, but were also used as a converter to achieve the temperature readout.

A bio-bar-code photothermal probe triggered multi-signal readout sensing system for nontoxic detection of mycotoxins.

Herein, a photothermal triggered multi-signal readout (MSR) system was innovatively established with great convenience for low-cost and sensitive point-of-care testing (POCT). In this sensing system, an intelligent multi-signal readout interface (MSRI) with multidimensional response-ability to thermal stimulus was developed and utilized as a sensing element. A bio-bar-code photothermal probe peptides@H2N-HCNTs acted as a target associated photothermal agent anchored on MSRI via competitive reaction. The multi-signal assay of target was realized under the driven of 808 nm laser, photo-to-thermal conversion effect of photothermal probe caused dramatically thermal energy increase on MSRI. As a result, the competitive recognition events were translated into several detectable signals on MSRI, including a local temperature elevation, a visual color change from blue to green as well as weight loss on MSRI, all of these signals were proportional to the target concentration. This assay has been successfully applied in field work for detecting zearalenone (ZEN), a common mycotoxin in grain food, with linear ranger from 10-7 ng/mL to 10-1 ng/mL and detection limits of 1.06 × 10-7 ng/mL. Combination of the different signal principles was expected to result in more reliable and precise results. Accordingly, this creatively designed MSR-system not only provided a platform for sensitive monitor of mycotoxin but also offered new method for reliable and affordable personal assays in daily life and low-resource setting.

Design and application of proximity hybridization-based multiple stimuli-responsive immunosensing platform for ovarian cancer biomarker detection.

The development of convenient and sensitive multi-readout immunoassay is crucial but highly challenged for meeting the demand of exactness and diversity in early clinical diagnosis. Herein, a split-type multiple stimuli-responsive biosensor was outlined combined with the outstanding superiority of luminol probe-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) strategy, mimicking enzyme-mediated colorimetric system and portable photothermal effect-induced temperature sensing. Especially, versatile MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) with distinguished property not only acted as dual-promoter to improve the cathodic ECL of luminol because of its good electrocatalytic activity for dissolved O2 and favorable photothermal effect for elevating electrode temperature, but also used as nanozyme to regulate subsequent split-type visual colorimetric sensing due to its peroxidase-like activity for the generation of oxidized 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) in ABTS-H2O2 colorimetric system. More importantly, the green oxidized ABTS (ABTS•+) also exhibited strong near-infrared (NIR) laser-triggered photothermal performance, which can be innovatively employed as sensitive photothermal agent for converting biological signals into temperature under the irradiation of NIR laser, accomplishing more simpler temperature quantitative detection by a portable thermometer. Furthermore, on account of the affinity discrepancy of MoS2 NSs to single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids, a label-free proximity hybridization-based multifunctional assay platform was proposed for target detection with human epididymis-specific protein 4 (HE4) as model protein, demonstrating good analytical performances. Significantly, this innovative work not only enriches the foundational study of multi-model biosensing based on the unitary material but also provides an unambiguous guideline for exploring more accurate and simpler point-of-care diagnosis.