Ai-Jun Wang

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) bioassays are essential for rapid intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) diagnosis, while conventional approaches require bulky instrumentation and complex readout electronics that hinder point-of-care (POC) use. To address this limitation, we developed a battery-driven catalysis-initiated ECL imaging platform for multiplexed detection of ICH-associated microRNAs. The device integrated a gold film-modified copper microneedle array (Au film/Cu MNA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dual-chamber microcells, and button-battery excitation. Heterogeneous catalysis at the Au film/Cu MNA generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) that amplified ECL and sustained luminescence propagation across 168 μm. A competitive hybridization assay using ferrocene-modified linker DNA (Fc-LDNA) on microneedle tips enabled simultaneous miRNA-126 and miRNA-21 detection with detection limits of 4.6 and 0.8 pM, respectively. A hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) model decoded spatial emission patterns, extending the linear ranges to 1.28 ∼ 32 fM and 0.59 ∼ 32 fM, beyond those achieved by pixel averaging. Preliminary clinical validation (n = 35 ICH, n = 25 healthy controls) revealed an inverse miRNA expression correlation and dual-target diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.993), exceeding single-biomarker performance (miRNA-126: AUC = 0.945; miRNA-21: AUC = 0.964). This strategy advances ECL bioanalysis toward portable, multiplexed biomarker quantification in neurological and inflammatory diseases.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) therapy faces a paradox: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating nanozyme depletes oxygen (O2) and triggers glutathione (GSH) defense, reducing efficacy in hypoxic tumors. To resolve this problem, we developed an enzyme by coupling glucose oxidase (GOx)-mediated glucose depletion with ROS generation and GSH consumption. Dendritic core−shell PtFe@RuRhMo nanocrystals were synthesized, integrating catalase-, peroxidase-, and glutathione oxidase-like activities, accompanied by functionalization with GOx and doxorubicin (DOX). The nanozyme exhibited a threefold lower Michaelis constant for H2O2 than horseradish peroxidase (Km = 0.186 mM), depleted 95.87% of GSH in a cell-free solution within 15 min, and induced 62.3% apoptosis in 4T1 cells under high-glucose conditions. In vivo, the nanodrug achieved marked tumor suppression in all treated mice while exhibiting minimal toxicity. This design precisely modulates the tumor microenvironment in aggressive cancers. The cascade informs multienzyme-based cancer therapy. Future work will optimize the PEGylation density and evaluate long-term biodistribution in larger animal models.

Penicillin G (PG) residues in animal-derived foods accelerate antimicrobial resistance and threaten human health. Conventional metal sulfide photoelectrodes suffer from rapid carrier recombination limiting photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor performance for antibiotic monitoring. To address this, we report a metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived hollow In2S3@ZnIn2S4 coaxial heterojunction with type-II band alignment, fabricated via a one-pot oil-bath method. The intimate coaxial heterojunction between the ZnIn2S4 shell and the In2S3 core facilitates spatial separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, with electrons migrating toward the inner core and holes toward the outer shell. This spatial charge separation suppresses recombination and decouples optical absorption from carrier collection, greatly enhancing PEC performance. The platform integrates a regenerable DNA conformational transition, wherein Ag+-induced folding of C-rich DNA is reversed by l-cysteine (l-Cys) chelation of Ag+, restoring the single-stranded state for repeatable PG quantification. The sensor exhibits a wide linear range (1.0 pg·mL–1 to 1.0 μg·mL–1) and a low limit of detection (0.88 pg·mL–1). Standard addition assays in milk and human serum samples show recoveries of 104.68–113.31% and 96.44–111.29%, respectively, confirming reliable practical applicability. This study provides a simple strategy for synthesis of high-efficiency chalcogenide photoactive materials and demonstrates regenerable heterojunction-based PEC biosensors for antibiotic residue monitoring.

To develop electrocatalysts that are both highly active and cost-effective is essential for advancing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water splitting applications. Herein, we report Ni@PtIrRhCo nanodendrites (NDs), synthesized through a simple oil bath method. The obtained Ni@PtIrRhCo NDs exhibit a dendritic structure composed of assembled branched nanocrystals. Benefiting from their multielement composition and structural features, the catalyst demonstrates superior HER activity in both alkaline and acidic condition. Specifically, in 1.0 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4, the overpotential required to reach 10 mA cm-2 is merely 24 mV and 51 mV, respectively, outperforming most previously reported similar electrocatalysts. Moreover, the Ni@PtIrRhCo NDs exhibit outstanding catalytic stability under prolonged operation. This study offers a straightforward yet effective route toward the development of advanced HER electrocatalysts featuring both high activity and robust stability.

The hollow PtPdRhRuCoNi exhibits superior activity and stability in 1 M KOH electrolytes containing ethanol, ethylene glycol, or glycerol, resulting from the synergistic effect between its unique hollow architecture and its multi-element composition.