Single Molecule with Dual Function on Nanogold: Biofunctionalized Construct for In Vivo Photoacoustic Imaging and SERS Biosensing

Multimodal imaging provides complimentary information that is advantageous in studying both cellular and molecular mechanisms in vivo, which has tremendous potential in pre‐clinical research and clinical translational imaging. It is desirable to design probes for multimodal imaging that can be administered minimally but provides multifaceted information. Herein, we demonstrate the complementary dual functional ability of a nanoconstruct for molecular imaging in both photoacoustic (PA) and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensing simultaneously in tandem. To realize this, a group of NIR active organic molecules are designed and synthesized that possess both SERS and PA activity. Nanoconstructs realized by anchoring such molecules onto gold nanoparticles are demonstrated for targeting cancer biomarkers in vivo while providing complimentary information about biodistribution and targeting efficiency. In future, such nanoconstructs could play a major role in identifying surgical margins and also for disease monitoring in translational medicine.     

Nanoporous Silver Thin Films: Multifunctional Platforms for Influencing Chain Morphology and Optical Properties of Conjugated Polymers

Disordered nanoporous silver (NPAg) thin films fabricated by a thermally assisted dewetting method are employed as a platform to influence chain alignment, morphology, and optical properties of three well‐known conjugated polymers. Grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements show that the porous structure of the metal induces close π–π stacking of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) chains and extended, planar chain conformations of poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl) (PFO) and poly[(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazol‐4,8‐diyl)] (F8BT). A greater degree of vertically‐oriented P3HT chains are found on NPAg compared with planar Ag. However, PFO and F8BT chain alignment is only affected when pore size is large. The optical properties of NPAg films are investigated by transmission and back‐scattering spectroscopies. Strong back‐scattering is observed for all NPAg morphologies, especially for NPAg with small pore sizes. Photoluminescence spectroscopy of conjugated polymer layers on NPAg showed pronounced emission enhancements (up to factors of 26) relative to layers on glass. The enhancements are attributed primarily to: 1) redistribution of conjugated polymer emission by Ag; 2) redirection of emission by polymer‐filled nanopores; and 3) local electromagnetic field effects. This work demonstrates the potential of NPAg‐thin films to influence molecular chain morphology and to improve light‐extraction in organic optoelectronic devices.     

同步辐射X射线小角散射溶液样品蠕动实验装置的研制

研制了用于同步辐射X射线小角散射实验的溶液样品蠕动实验装置,其主要特点为可有效抑制X射线对溶液样品的辐射损伤、密封性能好、操作简便,且背景散射低、消耗样品量小,还可根据实验要求实现对样品温度的控制,进行变温原位测量。此外,通过实验对该装置的进样量和蠕动速度进行了标定,对防辐射损伤效果进行了验证。结果表明,该装置控制精度高,并可有效减小X射线在测量过程中对样品的辐射损伤。     

羧甲基壳聚糖共振散射法测定铁(Ⅲ)

在pH 4.5的盐酸-醋酸钠(Walpole)缓冲介质中和阴离子表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)存在下,铁(Ⅲ)与羧甲基壳聚糖(CMCS)发生配位而形成吸附络合物,使得体系的共振散射信号增强,且在282和368nm处产生2个较显著的共振散射峰,据此,建立了共振散射法测定铁含量的分析方法。在比色管中依次加入0.80mL 1.0mg/mL CMCS溶液、适量2.5μg/mL铁(Ⅲ)标准工作液、1.0mL 1.0×10-4 mol/L SDBS溶液和1.2mL pH 4.5Walpole缓冲溶液,定容至5mL,室温下反应14min,于1cm石英比色皿中,在最大散射峰282nm处分别测定试液和空白液的共振散射信号I和I0,结果表明,铁(Ⅲ)质量浓度在0.050~1.0μg/mL范围内与体系的共振散射强度增强值呈较好的线性关系。方法用于测定布袋灰和矿渣中铁(Ⅲ)含量,测得结果的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)分别是2.7%和3.1%,回收率分别为96%和108%。     

Transverse depth-dependent changes in corneal collagen lamellar orientation and distribution

It is thought that corneal surface topography may be stabilized by the angular orientation of out-of plane lamellae that insert into the anterior limiting membrane. In this study, micro-focus X-ray scattering data were used to obtain quantitative information about lamellar inclination (with respect to the corneal surface) and the X-ray scatter intensity throughout the depth of the cornea from the centre to the temporal limbus. The average collagen inclination remained predominantly parallel to the tissue surface at all depths. However, in the central cornea, the spread of inclination angles was greatest in the anterior-most stroma (reflecting the increased lamellar interweaving in this region), and decreased with tissue depth; in the peripheral cornea inclination angles showed less variation throughout the tissue thickness. Inclination angles in the deeper stroma were generally higher in the peripheral cornea, suggesting the presence of more interweaving in the posterior stroma away from the central cornea. An increase in collagen X-ray scatter was identified in a region extending from the sclera anteriorly until about 2 mm from the corneal centre. This could arise from the presence of larger diameter fibrils, probably of scleral origin, which are known to exist in this region. Incorporation of this quantitative information into finite-element models will further improve the accuracy with which they can predict the biomechanical response of the cornea to pathology and refractive procedures.