A novel fluorescence sensor for milk clotting enzyme chymosin using peptide as substrate and covalent organic framework nanosheet as fluorescence quencher

Chymosin is one of the critical enzymes in cheese making.Herein,we proposed a novel fluorometric assay for chymosin determination.Firstly,covalent organic frameworks(COF)were synthesized and exfoliated to 2-dimensional COF nanosheets(COF NS)by ultrasound treatment.Gold nanoparticles(Au NPs)were loaded with COF NS to prepare AuNPs/COF NS(Au@COF NS).Secondly,rhodamine B(RhB)modified substrate peptide(Pep)for chymosin was linked with Au@COF NS to construct a Pep-Au@COF NS nanocomposite.For the sensing principle,fluorescence of RhB was quenched by Au@COF NS and the fluorescence intensity was weak due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between COF NS and RhB of Pep.However,in the presence of chymosin,the RhB was released by specific cleavage of the substrate peptide by chymosin and resulted in the recovery of fluorescence.The increased fluorescence intensity was proportional to the increase of chymosin concentration and thus a“turn on”fluorescent sensor for chymosin was constructed.The sensor showed a linear range in the concentration of 0.05-60.00μg/mL for the detection of chymosin with a detection limit of 20 ng/mL.The sensor was used to quantify chymosin in rennet product with good selectivity,which has the potential applications in cheese manufacturing.

Isomeric fluorescence sensors for wide range detection of ionizing radiations

In order to achieve a wider range of ionizing radiations detection,novel fluorescence sensing materials have been developed that utilize the fluorescence enhancement phenomenon caused by the intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer(PET)effect.Two perylene diimide isomers PDI-P and PDI-B were designed and synthesized,and their molecular structures were characterized by high-resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry(HRMS),nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen and carbon spectroscopy(~1H and~(13)C NMR).The interaction between ionizing radiation and fluorescent molecules was simulated by HCl titration.The results show that combining PDIs and HCl can improve fluorescence through the retro-PET process.Despite the similarities in chemical structures,the fluorescent enhancement multiple of PDI-B with aromatic amine as electron donor is much higher than that of PDI-P with alkyl amine.In the direct irradiation experiments of ionizing radiation,the emission enhancement multiples of PDI-P and PDI-B are 2.01 and 45.4,respectively.Furthermore,density functional theory(DFT)and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT)calculations indicate that the HOMO and HOMO-1 energy ranges of PDI-P and PDI-B are 0.54 e V and 1.13 e V,respectively.A wider energy range has a stronger driving force on electrons,which is conducive to fluorescence quenching.Both femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy(fs-TAS)and transient fluorescence spectroscopy(TFS)tests show that PDI-B has shorter charge separation lifetime and higher electron transfer rate constant.Although both isomers can significantly reduce LOD during PET process,PDI-B with aromatic amine has a wider detection range of 0.118—240 Gy due to its larger emission enhancement,which is a leap of three orders of magnitude.It breaks through the detection range of gamma radiation reported in existing studies,and provides theoretical support for the further study of sensitive and effective new materials for ionizing radiation detection.

Multi-branched carbazole derivatives for two-photon absorption and two-photon excited fluorescence

Carbazole-core multi-branched chromophores 9-ethyl- 3, 6-bis （ 2- { 4- [ 5- （4-tert-butyl-phenyl） - [ 1, 3, 4 ] oxadiazol-2-yl ] - phenyl }-vinyl） -carbazole（3） and 9-ethyl-3-（ 2- {4-[ 5-（4-tert-butyl- phenyl） -[ 1, 3, 4 ] oxadiazol-2-yl ] -phenyl }-vinyl ） -carbazole （ 2 ） are synthesized through Wittig reaction and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR）and infrared（IR）. The two- photon absorption properties of chromophores are investigated. These chromophores exhibit large two-photon absorption crosssections and strong blue two-photon excited fluorescence. The cooperative enhancement of two-photon absorption（TPA） in the multi-branched structures is observed. This enhancement is partly attributed to the electronic coupling between the branches. The electronic push-pull structures in the arm and their cooperative effects help the extended charge transfer for TPA.

From static to dynamic:live observation of the support system after ischemic stroke by two photon-excited fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of mortality and disability worldwide.However,treatment efficacy and the progress of research remain unsatisfactory.As the critical support system and essential components in neurovascular units,glial cells and blood vessels(including the bloodbrain barrier)together maintain an optimal microenvironment for neuronal function.They provide nutrients,regulate neuronal excitability,and prevent harmful substances from entering brain tissue.The highly dynamic networks of this support system play an essential role in ischemic stroke through processes including brain homeostasis,supporting neuronal function,and reacting to injuries.However,most studies have focused on postmortem animals,which inevitably lack critical information about the dynamic changes that occur after ischemic stroke.Therefore,a high-precision technique for research in living animals is urgently needed.Two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy is a powerful imaging technique that can facilitate live imaging at high spatiotemporal resolutions.Twophoton fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy can provide images of the whole-cortex vascular 3D structure,information on multicellular component interactions,and provide images of structure and function in the cranial window.This technique shifts the existing research paradigm from static to dynamic,from flat to stereoscopic,and from single-cell function to multicellular intercommunication,thus providing direct and reliable evidence to identify the pathophysiological mechanisms following ischemic stroke in an intact brain.In this review,we discuss exciting findings from research on the support system after ischemic stroke using two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy,highlighting the importance of dynamic observations of cellular behavior and interactions in the networks of the brain’s support systems.We show the excellent application prospects and advantages of two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy and predict future research developments and directions in the study of ischemic stroke.

CdTe quantum dots as fluorescence sensor for the determination of vitamin B6 in aqueous solution

A novel, rapid and simple CdTe quantum dots （QDs） based technology platform was established for selective and sensitive determination of vitamin B6 in aqueous solution. It can perform accurate and reproducible quantification of vitamin B6 in pharmaceutical with satisfactory results.

Highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescent fiber matrices for oxygen sensing with micrometer spatial resolution

Oxygen(O_(2))-sensing matrices are promising tools for the live monitoring of extracellular O_(2) consumption levels in long-term cell cultures.In this study,ratiometric O_(2)-sensing membranes were prepared by electrospinning,an easy,low-cost,scalable,and robust method for fabricating nanofibers.Poly(ε-caprolactone)and poly(dimethyl)siloxane polymers were blended with tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)dichloride,which was used as the O_(2)-sensing probe,and rhodamine B isothiocyanate,which was used as the reference dye.The functionalized scaffolds were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy,and their physicochemical profiles were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,and water contact angle measurement.The sensing capabilities were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy,performing photobleaching,reversibility,and calibration curve studies toward different dissolved O_(2)(DO)concentrations.Electrospun sensing nanofibers showed a high response to changes in DO concentrations in the physiological-pathological range from 0.5%to 20%and good stability under ratiometric imaging.In addition,the sensing systems were highly biocompatible for cell growth promoting adhesiveness and growth of three cancer cell lines,namely metastatic melanoma cell line SK-MEL2,breast cancer cell line MCF-7,and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line Panc-1,thus recreating a suitable biological environment in vitro.These O_(2)-sensing biomaterials can potentially measure alterations in cell metabolism caused by changes in ambient O_(2)content during drug testing/validation and tissue regeneration processes.

Two-photon Excited Fluorescence of Bithiophene Derivatives

Two new bithiophene derivatives named as 5, 5-bis(p-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)-2, 2 -bithiophene (BMSBT), and 5, 5-bis(p-N,N-diethylaminostyryl)-2, 2-bithiophene (BESBT) have been synthesized. Both compounds can emit strong single-photon excited fluorescence (SPEF) and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) with the emission peaks around ~560 nm and with the lifetime of ~1ns.

Elemental composition x-ray fluorescence analysis with a TES-based high-resolution x-ray spectrometer

The accurate analysis of the elemental composition plays a crucial role in the research of functional materials.The emitting characteristic x-ray fluorescence(XRF)photons can be used for precisely discriminating the specified element.The detection accuracy of conventional XRF methodology using semiconductor detector is limited by the energy resolution,thus posing a challenge in accurately scaling the actual energy of each XRF photon.We adopt a novel high-resolution x-ray spectrometer based on the superconducting transition-edge sensor(TES)for the XRF spectroscopy measurement of different elements.Properties including high energy resolution,high detection efficiency and precise linearity of the new spectrometer will bring significant benefits in analyzing elemental composition via XRF.In this paper,we study the Ledge emission line profiles of three adjacent rare earth elements with the evenly mixed sample of their oxide components:terbium,dysprosium and holmium.Two orders of magnitude better energy resolution are obtained compared to a commercial silicon drift detector.With this TES-based spectrometer,the spectral lines overlapped or interfered by background can be clearly distinguished,thus making the chemical component analysis more accurate and quantitative.A database of coefficient values for the line strength of the spectrum can then be constructed thereafter.Equipped with the novel XRF spectrometer and an established coefficient database,a direct analysis of the composition proportion of a certain element in an unknown sample can be achieved with high accuracy.

Monitoring microenvironment of Hep G2 cell apoptosis using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

Apoptosis is very important for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and is closely related to the occurrence and treatment of many diseases.Mitochondria in cells play a crucial role in programmed cell death and redox processes.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD(P)H)is the primary producer of energy in mitochondria,changing NAD(P)H can directly reflect the physiological state of mitochondria.Therefore,NAD(P)H can be used to evaluate metabolic response.In this paper,we propose a noninvasive detection method that uses two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy(TP-FLIM)to characterize apoptosis by observing the binding kinetics of cellular endogenous NAD(P)H.The result shows that the average fluorescence lifetime of NAD(P)H and the fluorescence lifetime of protein-bound NAD(P)H will be affected by the changing pH,serum content,and oxygen concentration in the cell culture environment,and by the treatment with reagents such as H2O2 and paclitaxel.Taxol(PTX).This noninvasive detection method realized the dynamic detection of cellular endogenous substances and the assessment of apoptosis.

Crystal Structure, One-and Two-photon Excited Fluorescence and Bioimaging of a D-π-A Structural Triphenylamine Derivative

An electron donor-π-bridge-electron acceptor(D-π-A) optical functional organic compound comprising a triphenylamine moiety as the electron donor and pyridine moiety as the electron acceptor was synthesized. The structure of the compound was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21, with a = 9.753(5), b = 8.815(5), c = 25.554(5) ?, β = 96.315(5)°, V = 2184(2) ?~3, Z = 2, D_c = 1.136 g/m^3, F(000) = 792, Μr = 746.92, μ = 0.069 mm^(-1), the final R = 0.0658 and wR = 0.1730 for 6790 observed reflections with I > 2(I). Study of nonlinear optical properties shows that the compound exhibits excellent two-photon excited fluorescence with the two-photon absorption cross-section value of 116 GM. The structure-property relationship was researched in detail through X-ray crystallography and quantum chemical calculation. Result of living cell imaging experiment shows its potential in fluorescence microscopy bioimaging.

Synthesis, Structure of a Symmetrically Substituted Stilbene with Strong Two-photon Absorption and Up-converted Blue Fluorescence

Efficient Ti-catalyzed reductive coupling methodology was first employed to synthesize the symmetrical bis-donor stilbene, trans-4, 4'-bis[diphenyl amino] stilbene (BDPAS). X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that this new crystal belongs to the triclinic crystal system of centro-symmetric P-1 space group. The DBPAS solution, with the linear transmission at wavelength of greater than or equal to 450 nm, possesses large two-photon absorption cross section as high as 39.4x10(-48) cm(4).s/photon resulting in strong two-photon induced blue fluorescence of 460 nm, pumped by 740 nm laser irradiation.

Anthracylmethyl Benzoazacrown Ether as Selective Fluorescence Sensors for Zn^(2+)

A new benzoazacrown ether fluorescence sensor was synthesized with 9-anthrylmethyl chloride and benzoaza-15-crown-5 in CH3CN, which particularly shows a strong affinity for Zn2+. Its fluorescence quantum yield increase more than one order of magnitude and a red shift could be noticed when passing from the apolar to the polar solvent.

Terpyridine-derived Zn^(2+) Selective Fluorescence Sensor: Ratiometric Fluoroionophoric Behavior Study

A sensitive and selective zinc ion ratiometric fluorescence sensor has been synthesized and characterized. This material displays dual fluorescence. After the material was bonded to a closed-shell metal ion, such as Zn2＋, the recovery of the local excited fluorescence of the material-Zn2＋ complex, largely at the expense of the intramolecular charge transfer fluorescence, is consistent with the difference between selected orbital transitions of the free dye and the metal-chelated complex. For instance, the contribution of the πtpy→πtpy, transition becomes more prominent. This is also consistent with the results of the fluorescence decay behavior, measured via a time-correlated single photon counting setup. In contrast, the corresponding open shell Ni2＋ -bound complex quenches both kinds of photoluminescence, due to spin-orbit coupling.

New Thiophene Derivatives with Two-photon Excited Fluorescence

Two new compounds involving a thiophene moiety named as 2,5-bis[4-(N,N- diphenyl- amino)styryl]thiophene (BPST) and 2,5-bis[4-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]thiophene (BEST) have been synthesized. The two-photon absorption cross section of BPST was measured as large as 256 × 10-50 cm4·s/photon, when it was excited by 800 nm femtosecond laser.

Single & Two-photon Excited Fluorescence of Two New Compounds with 2-Benzothiazolyl as Electron Acceptor

Two new D--A type compounds, where electron-donor D is tertiary amino group, electron-acceptor A is 2-benzothiazolyl and ?is two conjugated styryl units, have been synthesized. They are named as trans, trans-2-{4-[4-(N, N-diethylamino)styryl]styryl}-1, 3-benzothiazole and trans, trans-2-{4-[4-(N, N-diphenylamino)styryl]styryl}-1, 3-benzothiazole. Both compounds show strong two-photon excited fluorescence in yellow-orange region when excited by a femtosecond laser at 800 nm.

A Fluorescence Optical Fiber Sensor for Amrinon Using a New Oxazole Compound

A new oxazole compound, 1,4 bis(naphtho[1,2 d][1,3]oxazol 2 yl)benzene(BNOB) was synthesized and incorporated into a thin plasticized polymeric membrane for sensing Amrinon. The sensor exhibits a linear response to Amrinon in the range of 7 98×10 -7 —1 52×10 -4 mol/L at pH 3 28—4 04. The response mainly originates from the Primary Inner Filter Effect, which causes a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the sensor membrane. The distinct advantages of the proposed sensor are of full reversibility, high sensitivity and selectivity as well as short response time(<1 min), indicating that the sensor can be used to monitor Amrinon in serum samples.

Synthesis and Study of Two-Photon Induced Fluorescence of Novel Dyes

The synthesis and upconverted fluorescent properties of three novel organic compoundswith the structure: donor/bridge/acceptor are reported. The dyes show strong upconvertedfluorescence.

Two-Photon Fluorescence Properties and Ultrafast Responses of a Hyperbranched Diketo-Pyrrolo-Pyrrole Polymer with Triphenylamine as the Core

The two-photon fluorescence properties and ultrafast responses of a hyperbranched polyyne （hb-DPP-J2） with triphenylamine as the central core, Diketo-Pyrrolo-Pyrrole as the connecting unit and electron acceptor are studied. The polymer has a D-π-A-π-D conjugated structure along the extended polyyne w-bridge systems, and the effective condugated unit repeats itself in the whole hyperbranehed polymer chain. The polymer exhibits a large two-photon absorption cross section and high fluorescence quantum yields. The ultrafast dynamic results give a deep understanding of the excited energy transfer processes under excitation, and reveal a long relaxation lifetime of the intramolecular charge transfer （ICT） state.

A selective optical chemical sensor for the determination of iodine based on fluorescence quenching of LiTOE

An optical chemical sensor has been developed for the determination of iodine based on the reversible fluorescence quenching of 2, 2, 7, 7, 12, 12, 17, 17-octamethyl-21, 22, 23, 24-tetraoxaquaterene-Li （LiTOE） immobilized in a plasticized poly（vinyl chloride） （PVC） membrane. The optimum membrane of the sensor consists of 100 mg of PVC, 200 mg of bis （2-ethytbexyl） sebacate （BOS） and 3.0 mg of LiTOE. The maximum response of the optode membrane for iodine is obtained in Tris-HCl buffer solutlon （pH 8.0）. With the optimum conditions described, the proposed sensor responds linearly in the measuring range of 3.90×10^-2 to 3.90×10^-4 mol/L, and has a detection limit of 6.0×10^-8 mol/L. The response time of the sensor is less than I rain. In addition to high reproducibility and reversibility of the fluorescence signal, the sensor also exhibits good selectivity. It is not interfered by some common anions and cations. It is applied for the determination of iodine in table salt samples. The results agree with those obtained by another method.