An Activatable Polymeric Reporter for Near-Infrared Fluorescent and Photoacoustic Imaging of Invasive Cancer

Discriminative detection of invasive and noninvasive breast cancers is crucial for their effective treatment and prognosis. However, activatable probes able to do so in vivo are rare. Herein, we report an activatable polymeric reporter (P-Dex) that specifically turns on near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent and photoacoustic (PA) signals in response to the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) overexpressed in invasive breast cancer. P-Dex has a renal-clearable dextran backbone that is linked with a NIR dye caged with an uPA-cleavable peptide substrate. Such a molecular design allows P-Dex to passively target tumors, activate NIR fluorescence and PA signals to effectively distinguish invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer from noninvasive MCF-7 breast cancer, and ultimately undergo renal clearance to minimize the toxicity potential. Thus, this polymeric reporter holds great promise for the early detection of malignant breast cancer.     

溶剂诱导翻转Pickering乳液用于原位循环使用酶催化剂

Separation and recycling of catalysts are crucial for realizing the objectives of sustainable and green chemistry but remain a great challenge, especially for enzyme biocatalysts. In this work, we report a new solvent-induced reversible inversion of Pickering emulsions stabilized by Janus mesosilica nanosheets (JMSNs), which is then utilized as a strategy for the in situ separation and recycling of enzymes. The interfacial active solid particle JMSNs is carefully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen sorption experiments, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).The JMSNs are demonstrated to show order-oriented mesochannels with a large specific surface area, and the hydrophobic octylgroup is selectively modified on one side of the nanosheets. Furthermore, the inversion is found to be a fast process that is strongly dependent on the interfacial activity of the solid emulsifier JMSNs. Such a phase inversion is also a general process that can be realized in various oil/water phasic systems, including ethyl acetate-water, octane-water, and cyclohexane-water systems. By carefully analyzing the capacity of JMSNs with different surface wettabilities for phase inversion, a triphase contact angle (θ) close to 90° and a critical oil-water ratio of 1 : 2 are identified as the key factors to achieve solvent-induced phase inversion via a catastrophic phase inversion mechanism. Importantly, this reversible phase inversion is suitable for the separation and recycling of enzyme biocatalysts that are sensitive to changes in the reaction medium. Specifically, during the reaction, the organic substrates are dissolved in the oil droplets and the water-soluble catalysts are dispersed in the water phase, while a majority of the product is released into the upper oil phase and the enzyme catalyst is confined inside the water droplets in the bottom layer after phase inversion. The perpendicular mesochannels of JMSNs provide a highly accessible reaction interface, and their excellent interfacial activity allows for more than 10 rounds of consecutive phase inversions by simply adjusting the ratio of oil to water in the system. Using the enzymatic hydrolysis kinetic resolution of racemic acetate as an example, our Pickering emulsion system shows not only a 3-fold enhanced activity but also excellent recyclability. Because no sensitive chemical reagents are used in this phase inversion process, the intrinsic activities of the catalysts can be preserved even after seven cycles. The current study provides an alternative strategy for the separation and recycling of enzymes, in addition to revealing a new innovative application for Janus-type nanoparticles.     

具有优异甲醇耐受性的Rh掺杂PdCu有序金属间化合物纳米粒子增强氧还原电催化

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), as one of the important energy conversion devices, are of great interest in the fields of energy, catalysis and materials. However, the application of DMFCs is presently challenged because of the limited activity and durability of cathode catalysts as well as the poisoning issues caused by methanol permeation to the cathode during operation. Herein, we report a new class of Rh-doped PdCu nanoparticles (NPs) with ordered intermetallic structure for enhancing the activity and durability of the cathode for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and achieving superior methanol tolerance. The disordered Rh-doped PdCu NPs can be prepared via a simple wet-chemical method, followed by annealing to convert it to ordered phases. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), power X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis and high resolution TEM (HRTEM) successfully demonstrate the formation of near-spherical NPs with an average size of 6.5 ± 0.5 nm and the conversion of the phase structure. The complete phase transition temperatures of Rh-doped PdCu NPs and PdCu are 500 and 400 ℃, respectively. The molar ratio of Rh/Pd/Cu in the as-synthesized Rh-doped PdCu NPs is 5/48/47. Benefitting from Rh doping and the presence of the ordered intermetallic structure, the Rh-doped PdCu intermetallic electrocatalyst achieves the maximum ORR mass activity of 0.96 A·mg^-1 at 0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under alkaline conditions—a 7.4-fold enhancement compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. For different electrocatalysts, the ORR activities follow the sequence, ordered Rh-doped PdCu intermetallics > ordered PdCu intermetallics > disordered Rh-doped PdCu NPs > disordered PdCu NPs > commercial Pt/C catalyst. In addition, the distinct structure endows the Rh-doped PdCu intermetallics with highly stable ORR durability with unaltered half-wave potential (E_1/2) and mass activity after continuous 20000 cycles, which are higher than those of other electrocatalysts. Furthermore, the E_1/2 of the Rh-doped PdCu intermetallics decreases by only 5 mV after adding 0.5 mol·L^-1 methanol to the electrolyte, while the commercial Pt/C catalyst negatively shifts by 235 mV and a distinct oxidation peak can be observed. The results indicate that the ORR activity of the Rh-doped PdCu intermetallic electrocatalyst can be well maintained even in the presence of poisoning environment. Our results have demonstrated that Rh-doped PdCu NPs with ordered intermetallic structures is a potential electrocatalyst toward the next-generation high-performance DMFCs.     

通过赝反伽伐尼反应实现金纳米粒子模块替换

通过可控的方式精确调控纳米粒子的结构仍是一个富有挑战性和鼓舞人心的课题.尽管单原子或两、三个金属原子的精细调控已经在金纳米粒子中实现,涉及三个以上金属原子的取代（模块取代）还没有报道.本工作报道了环己硫醇配体保护的Au₄₈（CHT）₂₆的合成及其通过赝反伽伐尼过程的模块取代.单晶结构揭示模块取代的产物与母体团簇共用一个相似的Au₃₁（CHT）₁₂主体,但剩余部分不同（Au₆（CHT）₁₁ vs.Au₁₆（CHT）₁₄）.一个有趣的发现是模块取代抑制了Au₄₈（CHT）₂₆的光热过程,却增强了它的发射,赋予了所合成团簇更好的双（多）功能应用潜力.光热效应的减弱和发射的增强也暗示了这两种作用能够彼此至少部分转化,对于研究这两种效应之间的相互影响也具有重要的启示.     

Co9S8/MoS2异质结构的构筑及电催化析氢性能研究

利用前驱物形貌导向法,成功制备了Co₉S₈/MoS₂异质结构催化剂,该催化剂在碱性析氢反应（HER）中表现出优异的催化活性及稳定性,其在10 mA·cm^-2处的过电势仅为84 mV.通过X射线粉末衍射（XRD）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、电子自旋共振（ESR）、拉曼光谱（Raman）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和同步辐射（XAFS）等表征,证明了CoS₂/MoS₂在H₂氛围下煅烧形成Co₉S₈/MoS₂的过程中,CoS₂中Co的配位模式从部分八面体向Co₉S₈中的四面体转变,这种转变可活化MoS₂的惰性平面,从而使其更有利于吸附H^*.除此之外,接触角数据表明：该催化剂具有良好的亲水性,有利于电解液渗透及气体分子的迅速扩散,从而促进HER反应速率.由于异质结构间具有强烈的相互作用,该催化剂可表现出良好的结构稳定性.本工作基于Co₉S₈/MoS₂异质结构的成功构筑及对其HER催化机理的充分探讨,为后续硫化物异质结及其在电催化中的应用提供了良好的思路和研究基础.     

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of aloe-emodin,rhein, and emodin in qi yin granules by high-performance thin-layer chromatography

The aim of this study was to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of aloe-emodin, rhein, and emodin in three prepared samples of compound qi yin granules by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and to establish an analytical method. TLC was used to qualitatively analyze the three major components of the compound: aloe-emodin, rhein, and emodin. HPTLC was performed to determine the contents of the three components. HPTLC analysis showed that using Anhui Liangchen high-efficiency silica gel G plate was the optimal stationary phase and the upper layer solution of a petroleum ether–ethyl acetate–formic acid (15.5:5:1, V/V) mixed solution was the optimal developing agent. The composition of the samples for testing was basically the same, but the content was different. In summary, this study used HPTLC to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze aloe-emodin, rhein, and emodin in compound qi yin granules. It can lay the foundation for improving the quality control and standards of compound qi yin granules.

     

丙烯直接环氧化Cu基催化剂的研究进展与挑战

作为一种重要的化工原料,环氧丙烷年产量近千万吨,然而目前工业上制备环氧丙烷的方法仍然面临着成本高、副产物多以及污染严重等问题。直接氧气氧化法进行丙烯环氧化因为具有原子经济、环保等优点受到了越来越多的关注。但是,催化过程中丙烯的α-H和环氧丙烷都具有很高的活性,使得在高转化率的条件下提升环氧丙烷选择性成为一个巨大的挑战。研究者们发现相较于其他币族金属,Cu基催化剂表现出更优异的丙烯直接环氧化反应性能。本综述总结梳理了近年来关于Cu基催化剂催化丙烯直接环氧化反应的研究成果,聚焦于Cu基催化剂改性方法,并对Cu基催化剂依然存在的问题和挑战进行深入探讨。     

Structurally Interesting Diarymethane Derivatives from Securidaca inappendiculata

Securines A—E, three dimeric diarymethane derivatives ( 1 — 3 ) and two enantiomeric diarymethane derivative monomers ( 4 and 5 ), were isolated and characterized from the medicinal plant Securidaca inappendiculata. Compounds 1 and 2 are a pair of enantiomeric diarymethane derivative dimers, and compound 3 is a mesomeric diarymethane derivative dimer. Their structures were determined by a combination of spectroscopic data, X‐ray crystallography, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis, and computational ECD calculations. Dimeric compounds 1 — 3 showed moderate antiplasmodial activities with IC₅₀ values of 0.9, 1.4, and 1.5 μM, respectively.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of 3D amphiphilic discrete organoplatinum(Ⅱ)metallacage in water

Here we described the design and synthesis of a discrete 3D amphiphilic metallacage 4,in which the tetragonal prismatic frameworks act as the hydrophobic cores and the poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)chains as the hydrophilic tails.The structure of 4 was characterized by 1H NMR,31P NMR and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(ESI-TOF-MS).Notably,4 with its Iong PEG tails was subsequently ordered into micelles at a low concentration(1.20×10^-6 mol/L)in water.As the concentration and cultivation time increased,the micelles can further self-assembly into nanofibers and nanoribbons.Considering the dynamic property of the coordination bond,these structures show reversible transformation under external stimuli.     

功能高分子材料综合实验设计:荧光稀土液晶高分子防伪膜的制备

设计了一个综合性实验,将荧光稀土液晶高分子防伪膜的制备和现代分析测试技术应用于高分子专业的教学实验中,以提高学生的综合实践能力。实验包括荧光稀土液晶高分子的制备、表征、防伪性能评价3大部分。采用FTIR、荧光光谱仪、POM、XRD、TG表征荧光稀土液晶高分子的结构与性能;制备荧光稀土液晶高分子防伪膜对其防伪性能进行评价,给整个实验增添趣味性与实用性。通过开设该实验,可让学生了解功能高分子的前沿知识及现代分析测试技术的基本原理和用途,掌握专业的实验操作与数据处理方法,提高学生的综合实践能力和专业素质。学生实验证明该综合实验适用于本科实验教学。