Calcium Carbonate Mineralized Nanoparticles as an Intracellular Transporter of Cytochrome c for Cancer Therapy

A new intracellular delivery system based on an apoptotic protein‐loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) mineralized nanoparticle (MNP) is described. Apoptosis‐inducing cytochrome c (Cyt c) loaded CaCO₃ MNPs (Cyt c MNPs) were prepared by block copolymer mediated in situ CaCO₃ mineralization in the presence of Cyt c. The resulting Cyt c MNPs had a vaterite polymorph of CaCO₃ with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 360.5 nm and exhibited 60 % efficiency for Cyt c loading. The Cyt c MNPs were stable at physiological pH (pH 7.4) and effectively prohibited the release of Cyt c, whereas, at intracellular endosomal pH (pH 5.0), Cyt c release was facilitated. The MNPs enable the endosomal escape of Cyt c for effective localization of Cyt c in the cytosols of MCF‐7 cells. Flow cytometry showed that the Cyt c MNPs effectively induced apoptosis of MCF‐7 cells. These findings indicate that the CaCO₃ MNPs can meet the prerequisites for delivery of cell‐impermeable therapeutic proteins for cancer therapy.     

Characterization of the Cytochrome c Membrane‐Binding Site Using Cardiolipin‐Containing Bicelles with NMR

Cytochrome (cyt) c transports electrons from Complex III to Complex IV in mitochondria. Cyt c is ordinarily anchored to the mitochondrial membrane through interaction with cardiolipin (CL), however its release into the cytosol initiates apoptosis. The cyt c interaction site with CL‐containing bicelles was characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift perturbations in cyt c signals upon interaction with bicelles revealed that a relatively wide region, which includes the A‐site, the CXXCH motif, and the N‐ and C‐terminal helices, and contains multiple Lys residues, interacts cooperatively with CL. The specific cyt c–CL interaction increased with increasing CL molecules in the bicelles. The location of the cyt c interaction site for CL was similar to those for Complex III and Complex IV, thus indicating that cyt c recognizes lipids and partner proteins in a similar way. In addition to elucidating the cyt c membrane‐binding site, these results provide insight into the dynamic aspect of cyt c interactions in mitochondria.     

High‐Quality Covalently Grafting Hemoglobin on Gold Electrodes: Characterization,Redox Thermodynamics and Bio‐electrocatalysis

Herein, we report a versatile surface chemistry methodology to covalently immobilize ligands and proteins to self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode. The strategy is based on two steps: 1) the coupling of soluble azido‐PEG‐amimo ligand with an alkynyl‐terminated monolayer via click reaction and 2) covalent immobilization hemoglobin (Hb) to the amine‐terminated ligand via carbodiimide reaction. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR) and cyclic voltammetry are used to characterize the model interfacial reactions. We also demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of the interface for Hb immobilization and reliable application of the proposed method for H₂O₂ biosensing. Moreover, the redox thermodynamics of the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ couple in Hb is also investigated.     

A Non‐Heme Iron Photocatalyst for Light‐Driven Aerobic Oxidation of Methanol

Non‐heme (L)Fe^III and (L)Fe^III‐O‐Fe^III(L) complexes (L=1,1‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethan‐1‐amine) underwent reduction under irradiation to the Fe^II state with concomitant oxidation of methanol to methanal, without the need for a secondary photosensitizer. Spectroscopic and DFT studies support a mechanism in which irradiation results in charge‐transfer excitation of a Fe^III?μ‐O?Fe^III complex to generate [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ (observed transiently during irradiation in acetonitrile), and an equivalent of (L)Fe^II. Under aerobic conditions, irradiation accelerates reoxidation from the Fe^II to the Fe^III state with O₂, thus closing the cycle of methanol oxidation to methanal.     

Chemiluminescent Logic Gates Based on Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

Label‐free logic gates (AND, OR, and INHIBIT) based on chemiluminescence (CL) as new optical readout signal have been developed by taking advantage of the unique CL activity of luminol‐ and lucigenin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide (luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO) nanocomposites. It was found that Fe²⁺ ions could induce the CL emission of luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites in alkaline solution. On this basis, by using Fe²⁺ ions and NaOH as the inputs and the CL signal as the output, an AND logic gate was fabricated. When the initial reaction system contained luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites and NaOH, either Fe²⁺ ions or Ag⁺ ions could react with the luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites to produce a strong CL emission. This result was used to design an OR logic gate using Fe²⁺ ions and Ag⁺ ions as the inputs and CL signal as the output. Moreover, two INHIBIT logic gates for Fe²⁺ and Ag⁺ were also developed using by NaClO and L ‐cysteine as their CL inhibitors, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed logic gates were successfully used to detect Fe²⁺, Ag⁺, and L ‐cysteine, respectively. The developed logic gates may find future applications in sensing, clinical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.     

Mixed‐Metal MIL‐100(Sc,M) (M=Al,Cr, Fe) for Lewis Acid Catalysis and Tandem CC Bond Formation and Alcohol Oxidation

The trivalent metal cations Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, and Fe³⁺ were each introduced, together with Sc³⁺, into MIL‐100(Sc,M) solid solutions (M=Al, Cr, Fe) by direct synthesis. The substitution has been confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and solid‐state NMR, UV/Vis, and X‐ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy. Mixed Sc/Fe MIL‐100 samples were prepared in which part of the Fe is present as α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles within the mesoporous cages of the MOF, as shown by XAS, TGA, and PXRD. The catalytic activity of the mixed‐metal catalysts in Lewis acid catalysed Friedel–Crafts additions increases with the amount of Sc present, with the attenuating effect of the second metal decreasing in the order Al>Fe>Cr. Mixed‐metal Sc,Fe materials give acceptable activity: 40 % Fe incorporation only results in a 20 % decrease in activity over the same reaction time and pure product can still be obtained and filtered off after extended reaction times. Supported α‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were also active Lewis acid species, although less active than Sc³⁺ in trimer sites. The incorporation of Fe³⁺ into MIL‐100(Sc) imparts activity for oxidation catalysis and tandem catalytic processes (Lewis acid+oxidation) that make use of both catalytically active framework Sc³⁺ and Fe³⁺. A procedure for using these mixed‐metal heterogeneous catalysts has been developed for making ketones from (hetero)aromatics and a hemiacetal.     

Tris[3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinonato]‐Komplexe von Al3+, Cr3+ und Fe3+ – Kristall‐ und Molekülstrukturen von 3‐Hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinon und Tris[3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinonato]chrom(III)

Tris[3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinonato] Complexes of Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, and Fe³⁺ – Crystal and Molecular Structures of 3‐Hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinone and Tris[3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinonato]chromium(III) Tris[3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinonato] complexes of Al³⁺, Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ are obtained by reactions of 3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)pyridinone with the hydrates of AlCl₃, CrCl₃ or Fe(NO₃) in aqueous alkaline solutions as polycrystalline precipitates. The compounds are isotypic. X‐ray structure determinations were performed on single crystals of the uncoordinated 3‐hydroxy‐2(1 H)‐pyridinone ( 1 ) (orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 405.4(1), b = 683.0(1), c = 1770.3(3) pm, Z = 4) and of the chromium compound 3 (rhombohedral with hexagonal setting, space group R3c, a = 978.1(1), c = 2954.0(1) pm, Z = 6).     

A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion Based on 2‐[2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine‐Fe3+ Ensemble

A long wavelength emission fluorescent (612 nm) chemosensor with high selectivity for H₂PO₄^? ions was designed and synthesized according to the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The sensor can exist in two tautomeric forms ('keto' and 'enol') in the presence of Fe³⁺ ion, Fe³⁺ may bind with the 'keto' form of the sensor. Furthermore, the in situ generated GY‐Fe³⁺ ensemble could recover the quenched fluorescence upon the addition of H₂PO₄^? anion resulting in an off‐on‐type sensing with a detection limit of micromolar range in the same medium, and other anions, including F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^?, HSO₄^?, ClO₄^? and CN^? had nearly no influence on the probing behavior. The test strips based on 2‐[2‐hydroxy‐4‐(diethylamino) phenyl]‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazine and Fe³⁺ metal complex ( GY‐Fe³⁺ ) were fabricated, which could act as convenient and efficient H₂PO₄^? test kits.     

Construction of a Graphene/Au‐Nanoparticles/Cucurbit[7]uril‐Based Sensor for Pb2+ Sensing

The development of highly sensitive and selective methods for the detection of lead ion (Pb²⁺) is of great scientific importance. In this work, we develop a new surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐based sensor for the selective trace measurement of Pb²⁺. The SERS‐based sensor is assembled from gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and graphene using cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) as a precise molecular glue and a local SERS reporter. Upon the addition of Pb²⁺, CB[7] forms stronger complexes with Pb²⁺ and desorbs from AuNPs, resulting in a sensitive “turn‐off” of SERS signals. This SERS‐based assay shows a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 nm and a linear detection range from 1 nm to 0.3 μm for Pb²⁺. The feasibility of the assay is further demonstrated by probing Pb²⁺ in real water samples. This SERS‐based analytical method is highly sensitive and selective, and therefore holds promising applications in environmental analysis.     

Carboxyphenyl Covalent Immobilization of Heme Proteins and its Favorable Biocompatible Electrochemical and Electrocatalytic Characteristics

A novel carboxyphenyl covalent immobilization technique has been successfully developed to realize the effective attachment of two typical heme proteins, hemoglobin (Hb) and cytochrome c (Cyt‐c), onto underlying glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Primarily, the GCE surface is functionalized with aromatic 4‐carboxyphenyl (4‐CP) group by the electrochemical reduction of diazonium cations, producing covalently linked carboxyl‐terminated active GCE surface to work as a ‘bridge’. Then, Hb and Cyt‐c are readily attached to GCE through the ‘bridge’ by functional covalently combination between ? NH₂ terminal groups of proteins and ? COOH terminal groups of 4‐CP, obtaining Hb/4‐CP/GCE and Cyt‐c/4‐CP/GCE. On both electrodes, well‐defined peaks attributing to the Fe^III/Fe^II couple of heme group of Hb and Cyt‐c are clearly observed with the electron transfer rate constant (k_s) evaluated to be 2.48±0.05 s^?1 and 2.73±0.05 s^?1, respectively. It is attractive that the formal potential (E°') of the immobilized Hb and Cyt‐c are estimated to be 50 and 100 mV (vs. SCE), respectively, which are closer to the standard redox potential of native Hb and Cyt‐c in solution, owing to the good biocompatibility of 4‐CP groups. The electrodes also exhibit fast response, high sensitivity and well stability for the amperometric detection of H₂O₂ at a fairly mild potential of 0 V without any mediators, obtaining rather small apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (K_M^app) values of 113 μM for Hb/4‐CP/GCE and 101 μM for Cyt‐c/4‐CP/GCE. All the experimental results indicated that the covalent graft 4‐carboxyphenyl group plays an important role in constructing a “biocompatible bridge” to help the direct electron transfer of Hb and Cyt‐c with favorable biocompatibility and good bio‐ electrocatalytic affinity in virtue of the substituted aryl group only consisting of C, H and O elements, which is similar with the constitutes of organics. It makes the system of functionalized covalent immobilization of proteins onto carbon electrode a promising platform for fabricating the third‐generation biosensors. A new approach for realizing direct electrochemistry of proteins, as well as design of novel bioelectronic devices has been accordingly provided.     

Applications of iron and nickel immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe2O3 as a nanomagnetic catalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under solvent‐free conditions

In the present study, Fe²⁺ and Ni²⁺ immobilized on hydroxyapatite‐core‐shell γ‐Fe₂O₃ (γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺) with a high surface area has been synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Then, γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Fe²⁺ and γ‐Fe₂O₃@HAp‐Ni²⁺ were used as a new and magnetically recoverable nano catalyst for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with 33% aqueous H₂O₂ (0.5 mL) as an oxidant at room temperature in good to excellent yields and short reaction time. Nontoxicity of reagent, mild reaction condition, inexpensive and high catalytic activity, simple experimental procedure, short period of conversion and excellent yields, and ease of recovery from the reaction mixture using an external magnet are the advantages of the present method.     

Redox‐Inert Fe3+ Ions in Octahedral Sites of Co‐Fe Spinel Oxides with Enhanced Oxygen Catalytic Activity for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries

Bimetallic cobalt‐based spinel is sparking much interest, most notably for its excellent bifunctional performance. However, the effect of Fe³⁺ doping in Co₃O₄ spinel remains poorly understood, mainly because the surface state of a catalyst is difficult to characterize. Herein, a bifunctional oxygen electrode composed of spinel Co₂FeO₄/(Co_0.72Fe_0.28)_Td(Co_1.28Fe_0.72)_OctO₄ nanoparticles grown on N‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) is designed, which exhibits superior performance to state‐of‐the‐art noble metal catalysts. Theoretical calculations and magnetic measurements reveal that the introduction of Fe³⁺ ions into the Co₃O₄ network causes delocalization of the Co 3d electrons and spin‐state transition. Fe³⁺ ions can effectively activate adjacent Co³⁺ ions under the action of both spin and charge effect, resulting in the enhanced intrinsic oxygen catalytic activity of the hybrid spinel Co₂FeO₄. This work provides not only a promising bifunctional electrode for zinc–air batteries, but also offers a new insight to understand the Co‐Fe spinel oxides for oxygen electrocatalysis.     

Hysteretic Spin Crossover above Room Temperature and Magnetic Coupling in Trinuclear Transition‐Metal Complexes with Anionic 1,2,4‐Triazole Ligands

The reaction of 4‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)ethanesulfonate ( L ) with Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe²⁺ gave a series of analogous neutral trinuclear complexes with the formula [M₃(μ‐ L )₆(H₂O)₆] ( 1 – 5 ). These compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The magnetic properties of compounds 2 – 5 were studied. Complexes 2 – 4 show weak antiferromagnetic superexchange, with J values of ?0.33 ( 2 ), ?9.56 ( 3 ), and ?4.50 cm^?1 ( 4 ) (exchange Hamiltonian H=?2 J (S₁S₂+S₂S₃)). Compound 5 shows two additional crystallographic phases ( 5 b and 5 c ) that can be obtained by dehydration and/or thermal treatment. These three phases exhibit distinct magnetic behavior. The Fe²⁺ centers in 5 are in high‐spin (HS) configuration at room temperature, with the central one exhibiting a non‐cooperative gradual spin transition below 250 K with T_1/2=150 K. In 5 b , the central Fe²⁺ stays in its low‐spin (LS) state at room temperature, and cooperative spin transition occurs at higher temperatures and with the appearance of memory effect (T_1/2↑=357 K and T_1/2↓=343 K). In the case of 5 c , all iron centers remain in their HS configuration down to very low temperatures, with weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J=?1.16 cm^?1). Compound 5 b exhibits spin transition with memory effect at the highest temperature reported, which matches the remarkable features of coordination polymers.     

Zn‐ and Cd‐based Coordination Polymers Offering H‐Bonding Cavities: Highly Selective Sensing of S2O72− and Fe3+ Ions

We present two Zn^II‐ and Cd^II‐based coordination polymers (CPs), L ‐Zn and L ‐Cd , offering H‐bonding‐based cavities of varying dimensions. Both CPs were used for the highly selective detection of S₂O₇^2? and Fe³⁺ ions where H‐bonding based cavities played an important role. Fluorescence quenching, competitive binding studies and binding parameters substantiated significant recognition of S₂O₇^2? and Fe³⁺ ions by both CPs.     

Structural studies on Helicobacter pylori 3‐deoxy‐D‐manno‐2‐octulosonate‐8‐phosphate synthase using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: a tetrameric complex composed of dimeric dimers

Helicobacter pylori 3‐deoxy‐D ‐manno‐2‐octulosonate‐8‐phosphate (KDO8P) synthase catalyzes the conversion of D ‐arabinose‐5‐phosphate (A5P) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to produce KDO8P and inorganic phosphate. Since this protein is absent in mammals, it might therefore be an attractive target for the development of new antibiotics. Unlike E. coli KDO8P synthase (class I), the H. pylori counterpart is a class II enzyme, where it requires a divalent transition metal ion for catalysis. Although the metal ions have been shown to be important for catalysis, their role in the structure is not understood. Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), the role of the metal ions in H. pylori KDO8P synthase has been investigated. This protein is found to be a tetramer in the gas phase but dissociates into the dimer with increasing declustering potential (DP2) suggesting an existence of a ‘structurally specific’ tetramer. An examination of mass spectra revealed that the tetrameric state of the Cd²⁺‐reconstituted enzyme is less stable than those of the Zn²⁺‐, Co²⁺‐ and Cu²⁺‐enzymes. The stoichiometry of metal binding to the protein depends on the nature of the metal ion. Taken together, our data suggest that divalent metal ions play an important role in the quaternary structure of the protein and the tetrameric state may be primarily responsible for catalysis. This study demonstrates the first structural characterization and stoichiometry of metal binding in class II KDO8P synthase using electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry under nondenaturing conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydroxylation of Aromatics with the Help of a Non‐Haem FeOOH: A Mechanistic Study under Single‐Turnover and Catalytic Conditions

Ferric–hydroperoxo complexes have been identified as intermediates in the catalytic cycle of biological oxidants, but their role as key oxidants is still a matter of debate. Among the numerous synthetic low‐spin Fe^III(OOH) complexes characterized to date, [(L₅²)Fe(OOH)]²⁺ is the only one that has been isolated in the solid state at low temperature, which has provided a unique opportunity for inspecting its oxidizing properties under single‐turnover conditions. In this report we show that [(L₅²)Fe(OOH)]²⁺ decays in the presence of aromatic substrates, such as anisole and benzene in acetonitrile, with first‐order kinetics. In addition, the phenol products are formed from the aromatic substrates with similar first‐order rate constants. Combining the kinetic data obtained at different temperatures and under different single‐turnover experimental conditions with experiments performed under catalytic conditions by using the substrate [1,3,5‐D₃]benzene, which showed normal kinetic isotope effects (KIE>1) and a notable hydride shift (NIH shift), has allowed us to clarify the role played by Fe^III(OOH) in aromatic oxidation. Several lines of experimental evidence in support of the previously postulated mechanism for the formation of two caged Fe^IV(O) and OH ^. species from the Fe^III(OOH) complex have been obtained for the first time. After homolytic O? O cleavage, a caged pair of oxidants [Fe^IVO+HO ^. ] is generated that act in unison to hydroxylate the aromatic ring: HO ^. attacks the ring to give a hydroxycyclohexadienyl radical, which is further oxidized by Fe^IVO to give a cationic intermediate that gives rise to a NIH shift upon ketonization before the final re‐aromatization step. Spin‐trapping experiments in the presence of 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide and GC‐MS analyses of the intermediate products further support the proposed mechanism.     

All Solid State Chromium(III) Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on 2‐(1‐(2‐((3‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrozol‐1‐yl)methyl)benzyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenol

Highly selective all solid state electrochemical sensor based on a synthesized compound i.e. 2‐(1‐(2‐((3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrozol‐1‐yl)methyl)benzyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenol (I) as an ionophore has been prepared and investigated for the selective quantification of chromium(III) ions. The effect of various plasticizers, viz. dibutyl phosphonate (DBP), dibutyl(butyl) phosphonate (DBBP), nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), tris‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphonate (TEP), tri‐butyl phosphonate (TBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), dioctyl sebacate (DOS), benzyl acetate (BA) and acetophenone (AP) along with anion excluders NaTPB (sodium tetraphenyl borate) and KClTPB (potassium(tetrakis‐4‐chlorophenyl)borate was also studied. The optimum composition of the best performing membrane contained (I):KClTPB:NPOE:PVC in the ratio 15 : 3 : 40 : 42 w/w. The sensor exhibited near Nernstian slope of 20.1±0.2 mV/decade of activity in the working concentration range of 1.2×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 M, and in a pH range of 3.8–4.5. The sensor exhibited a fast response time of 10 s and could be used for about 5 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor showed very good selectivity over most of the common cations including Na⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Cu²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Ba²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺and La³⁺. The activity of Cr(III) ions was successfully determined in the industrial waste samples by using this sensor.     

Low‐Voltage Gaseous HCl Electrolysis with an Iron Redox‐Mediated Cathode for Chlorine Regeneration

Gaseous HCl as a by‐product is often produced from chlorination processes using Cl₂ gas. Onsite Cl₂ regeneration from HCl is highly desirable as it eliminates the need to buy new Cl₂ and dispose HCl waste. A gaseous HCl electrolysis with Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ redox‐mediated cathode is demonstrated for Cl₂ regeneration. HCl is oxidized to generate Cl₂ and protons in the anode while Fe³⁺ is reduced to Fe²⁺ in the cathode. Simultaneously Fe³⁺ is regenerated by chemical oxidation of Fe²⁺ by oxygen (air) that also produces water. A low operational voltage and high coulombic efficiency are achieved by using a novel composite porous membrane and hydrophobic anode. Specifically, a cell voltage of only 0.64 V is needed at the typical current density of 4 kA m⁻², leading to a low energy consumption of 483 kWh per ton of Cl₂ (124 kJ mol ⁻¹) which is about 50–55 % of state‐of‐the‐art HCl electrolysis processes.     

Iron(III)‐Selective Chelation‐Enhanced Fluorescence Sensing for In Vivo Imaging Applications

A “turn‐on” pattern Fe³⁺‐selective fluorescent sensor was synthesized and characterized that showed high fluorescence discrimination of Fe³⁺ over Fe²⁺ and other tested ions. With a 62‐fold fluorescence enhancement towards Fe³⁺, the probe was employed to detect Fe³⁺ in vivo in HeLa cells and Caenorhabditis elegans, and it was also successfully used to elucidate Fe³⁺ enrichment and exchange infected by innexin3 (Inx3) in hemichannel‐closed Sf9 cells.     

Aqueous-phase synthesis of upconversion metal-organic frameworks for ATP-responsive in situ imaging and targeted combinational cancer therapy

Herein, the nanoscaled ATP-responsive upconversion metal-organic frameworks（UCMOFs） are aqueousphase synthesized for co-delivery of therapeutic protein cytochrome c（Cyt c） and chemodrugs doxorubicin（DOX）, achieving targeted combinational therapy of human cervical cancer. The UCMOFs are rationally fabricated by growing ZIF-90 on mesoporous silica-coated upconversion nanoparticles（UCNPs）,in which the ZIF-90 layer attenuates the upconversion luminescence（UCL） and the rigid frameworks increase the s...