In this paper, nanofibers containing poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), chitosan and polypyrrole (PPy) were fabricated using electrospinning to combine advantages of electrospun nanofibers topography with versatile advantages of chitosan and PPy. Various compositions of the PCL/chitosan/PPy polymeric scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning and were analyzed for their surface topography, hydrophilicity and bioactivity. The results illustrated that chitosan in the scaffold imposed significant advancement in the hydrophilicity of the scaffold as confirmed by a decrease in contact angle up to 66% (123 ± 2.3 for PCL to 41.37 ± 3.51 for PCL/chitosan). The average diameter of the fibers was within the range of 30-180 nm, which influenced by the concentration of the chitosan as the increase up to 30% in chitosan content decreased fiber diameter from 124 nm to 36 nm. In-vitro studies using PC12 cells revealed that the PCL/chitosan/PPy nanofibrous scaffold supports cell attachment, spreading and revealed significant increase in proliferation up to 356% in comparison to Pure PCL and neurite extension of PC12. The results indicated the PCL/chitosan/PPy nanofibrous scaffolds support the adhesion, spreading and proliferation of the PC12 cells. Therefore, this scaffold could serve as promising neural tissue substitutes.

We focused our study on the olfactory cells growth on biocompatible polymer films electrodeposited on a silicon microsystem. Several substrates such as polyethyleneimine (PEI), polypropyleneimine (PPI), and polypyrrole (PPy), acting as potentially good candidates for cell culture, were tested in order to allow cells to adhere and proliferate. During their growth, the evolution of their morphology was monitored using both confocal microscope and immunohistochemistry, leading to the conclusion of a normal development. An estimation of the adhesion and proliferation rates of rat neuronal cell cultures indicated that PEI and PPI were the best substrates for cultivating olfactory cells.

Steroidal saponins in Rhizoma Paridis attract scientific attentions for their structural diversity and significant bioactivities. In this work, an ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) was used to rapidly separate and identify steroidal saponins from the extract of the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPY). The fragment ions from glycosidic and cross-ring cleavages offered a wealth of structural information that is indicative to the aglycones, sugar types and the connecting sequence of sugar units. Based on the exact mass information, the fragmentation characteristics, and the LC retention times of 21 reference steroidal saponin standards, 98 constituents were tentatively identified with their structures proposed, which covered more than 30 types of steroidal aglycones. The 98 constituents consist of 22 pairs of structural isomers, and 40 steroidal glycosides that are identified for the first time from the nature.

Due to rapid advances in technology which have contributed to the development of portable equipment, highly sensitive and selective sensor technology is in demand. In particular, many approaches to the modification of wireless sensor systems have been studied. Wireless systems have many advantages, including unobtrusive installation, high nodal densities, low cost, and potential commercial applications. In this study, we fabricated radio frequency identification (RFID)-based wireless sensor systems using carboxyl group functionalized polypyrrole (C-PPy) nanoparticles (NPs). The C-PPy NPs were synthesized via chemical oxidation copolymerization, and then their electrical and chemical properties were characterized by a variety of methods. The sensor system was composed of an RFID reader antenna and a sensor tag made from a commercially available ultrahigh frequency RFID tag coated with C-PPy NPs. The C-PPy NPs were covalently bonded to the tag to form a passive sensor. This type of sensor can be produced at a very low cost and exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity to ammonia, detecting concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm. These sensors operated wirelessly and maintained their sensing performance as they were deformed by bending and twisting. Due to their flexibility, these sensors may be used in wearable technologies for sensing gases.

We report a novel micro-potentiometric hemoglobin (Hb) immunosensor based on electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPy)-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) composite. PPy-AuNPs film with AuNPs uniformly distributed in it was deposited on gold electrode surface by a simple and direct procedure, without the addition of any nanoparticles or reducing agent. And this generic method makes it possible to deposite different polymers on miniaturized electrodes. With the existence of AuNPs, the antibody immobilization onto the electrode surface was facilitated. Morphology study by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) confirms the presence of AuNPs in PPy. Based on an ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFETs) integrated chip, a micro-potentiometric immunosensor for Hb and hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c) has been constructed. The sensor response was linear over the concentration range 60-180 microg/ml Hb and 4-18 microg/ml HbA1c. The Hb concentration in whole blood samples has also been analysed, with a linear dose-response behavior between 125 and 197 microg/ml and a sensitivity of 0.20 mV microg(-1)ml. The measuring ranges of the developed Hb and HbA1c immunosensors meet the clinical demand for measuring the HbA1c/Hb ratio of 5-20%. This sensor results in simple and rapid differential measurement of Hb and HbA1c, and has great potential to become an inexpensive and portable device for monitoring of diabetes.

Progress toward the development of functional models of the carboxylate-bridged diiron active site in soluble methane monooxygenase is described in which potential substrates are introduced as substituents on bound pyridine ligands. Pyridine ligands incorporating a thiol, sulfide, sulfoxide, or phosphine moiety were allowed to react with the preassembled diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(R))(2)(O(2)CAr(R))(2)(THF)(2)], where (-)O(2)CAr(R) is a sterically hindered 2,6-di(p-tolyl)- or 2,6-di(p-fluorophenyl)benzoate (R = Tol or 4-FPh). The resulting diiron(II) complexes were characterized crystallographically. Triply and doubly bridged compounds [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-MeSpy)] (4) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-MeS(O)py)(2)] (5) resulted when 2-methylthiopyridine (2-MeSpy) and 2-pyridylmethylsulfoxide (2-MeS(O)py), respectively, were employed. Another triply bridged diiron(II) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(3)-(O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(2-Ph(2)Ppy)] (3), was obtained containing 2-diphenylphosphinopyridine (2-Ph(2)Ppy). The use of 2-mercaptopyridine (2-HSpy) produced the mononuclear complex [Fe(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2)(2-HSpy)(2)] (6a). Together with that of previously reported [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-PhSpy)] (2) and [Fe(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(Tol))(3)(O(2)CAr(Tol))(2-Ph(2)Ppy)] (1), the dioxygen reactivity of these iron(II) complexes was investigated. A dioxygen-dependent intermediate (6b) formed upon exposure of 6a to O(2), the electronic structure of which was probed by various spectroscopic methods. Exposure of 4 and 5 to dioxygen revealed both sulfide and sulfoxide oxidation. Oxidation of 3 in CH(2)Cl(2) yields [Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CAr(4)(-)(FPh))(O(2)CAr(4)(-FPh))(3)(OH(2))(2-Ph(2)P(O)py)] (8), which contains the biologically relevant {Fe(2)(mu-OH)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)}(3+) core. This reaction is sensitive to the choice of carboxylate ligands, however, since the p-tolyl analogue 1 yielded a hexanuclear species, 7, upon oxidation.

The Rowett nude gene (RONU) has been mapped on rat chromosome (Chr) 10 by linkage analysis using (ACI x F344/N-RONU/RONU)F1 x F344/N-RONU/RONU backcross progeny. The gene order on the chromosome was RR92- (16.1 cM) - RR24 - (17.9 cM) - MYHSE (myosin heavy chain, embryonic) - (1.0 cM) - SYB2 (synaptobrevin 2) - (1.0 cM) - SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) - (4.0 cM) - RONU (Rowett nude) - (29.0 cM) - AEP (anion exchange protein), PPY (pancreatic polypeptide) - (3.0 cM) - ACE (angiotensin I converting enzyme), GH (growth hormone). The RONU locus was localized to 10q24->>q32 by fluorescence in situ hybridization of the closely linked SYB2 and loosely linked GH loci on the opposite side. Conserved linkage of homologous loci mapped to rat Chr 10 and mouse Chr 11 supports the hypothesis that the RONU locus is a rat homolog of the mouse nu locus.

Long-term neuroprostheses for functional electrical stimulation must efficiently stimulate tissue without electrolyzing water and raising the extracellular pH to toxic levels. Comparison of the stimulation efficiency of tungsten wire electrodes (W wires), platinum microelectrode arrays (PtMEA), as-grown vertically aligned carbon nanofiber microbrush arrays (VACNF MBAs), and polypyrrole coated (PPy-coated) VACNF MBAs in eliciting field potentials in the hippocampus slice indicates that, at low stimulating voltages that preclude the electrolysis of water, only the PPy-coated VACNF MBA is able to stimulate the CA3 to CA1 pathway. Unlike the W wires, PtMEA, as-grown VACNF MBA, and the PPy-coated VACNF MBA elicit only excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). Furthermore, the PPy-coated VACNF MBA evokes somatic action potentials in addition to EPSPs. These results highlight the PPy-coated VACNF's advantages in lower electrode impedance, ability to stimulate tissue through a biocompatible chloride flux, and stable vertical alignment in liquid that enables access to spatially confined regions of neuronal cells.

Here, we propose an integrated multifunctional system constructed by conductive disulfide-biotin-doped polypyrrole nanowires (SS-biotin-Ppy NWs) for capture, release, and in situ quantification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). A well-ordered three-dimensional nanowire structure equipped with a monoclonal antibody offers a significant impact on the cell-capture efficiency, as well as on electrical- or glutathione (GSH)-mediated release of the captured cells. In addition, the electrochemical identification/detection of the captured cancer cells can be directly conducted on the same Ppy NW platform by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled and anti-EpCAM-conjugated nanoparticles (HRP/anti-EpCAM Ppy NPs), showing very high sensitivity and specificity. The signal amplification can be clearly attributed to the catalytic response resulting from enzymatic reduction of hydrogen peroxide on Ppy NWs, consequently generating a greatly increased amperometric response with a detection range of 10 to 1 × 10(4) cells and a detection limit of as low as 10 cells. Overall, the proposed Ppy NWs not only present a promising platform for effective cell capture and release but also permit cytosensing capability for on-site analysis.

We report the discovery of a tandem catalytic process to reduce energy demanding substrates, using the [Ir(<em>ppy</em>)₂(dtb-bpy)]⁺ (<b>1⁺</b>) photocatalyst. The immediate products of photoinitiated electron transfer (PET) between <b>1⁺</b> and triethylamine (TEA) undergo subsequent reactions to generate a previously unknown, highly reducing species (<b>2</b>). Formation of <b>2</b> occurs <i>via</i> reduction and semi-saturation of the ancillary dtb-bpy ligand, where the TEA radical cation serves as an effective hydrogen atom donor, confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and deuterium labelling experiments. Steady-state and time-resolved luminescence and absorption studies reveal that upon irradiation, <b>2</b> undergoes electron transfer or proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) with a representative acceptor (<i>N</i>-(diphenylmethylene)-1-phenylmethanamine; <b>S</b>). Turnover of this new photocatalytic cycle occurs along with the reformation of <b>1⁺</b>. We rationalize our observations by proposing the first example of a mechanistic pathway where two distinct yet interconnected photoredox cycles provide access to an extended reduction potential window capable of engaging a wide range of energy demanding and synthetically relevant organic substrates including aryl halides.

It is demonstrated that 3D nanostructured polypyrrole (3D PPy) nanocomposites can be reinforced with PPy covered nanocellulose (PPy@nanocellulose) fibres to yield freestanding, mechanically strong and porosity optimised electrodes with large surface areas. Such PPy@nanocellulose reinforced 3D PPy materials can be employed as free-standing paper-like electrodes in symmetric energy storage devices exhibiting cell capacitances of 46 F g(-1), corresponding to specific electrode capacitances of up to ∼185 F g(-1) based on the weight of the electrode, and 5.5 F cm(-2) at a current density of 2 mA cm(-2). After 3000 charge/discharge cycles at 30 mA cm(-2), the reinforced 3D PPy electrode material also showed a cell capacitance corresponding to 92% of that initially obtained. The present findings open up new possibilities for the fabrication of high performance, low-cost and environmentally friendly energy-storage devices based on nanostructured paper-like materials.

A modified electrode sensor for the detection of thiols is described. The sensor was constructed by incorporation of the coenzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) into a polypyrrole (PPy) film on a glassy carbon electrode substrate by the electropolymerization of pyrrole in the presence of PQQ. The electrochemical properties of entrapped PQQ in the PPy film were influenced by the applied potential during electropolymerization and by film thickness, both of which were optimized to yield a stable and reproducible response for entrapped PQQ. The PQQ/ PPy sensor was utilized for the amperometric detection of cysteine, homocysteine, penicillamine, N-acetylcysteine, and glutathione. The response for each thiol in pH 8.42 borate buffer was found to be linear with detection limits (S/N = 3) ranging from 13.2 microM for glutathione to 63.7 nM for cysteine with sensitivities of 0.023 nA/microM and 4.71 nA/microM, respectively. The response and detection limits were found to be sensitive to the nature of the thiol and the solution pH. Furthermore, in the presence of dopamine, ascorbic acid, or uric acid, the pH-dependent redox potential of the PQQ catalyst allows tuning of the detection potential to enhance the selectivity for thiols over these potential electroactive interferences.

Nanometric field-effect-transistor (FET) sensors are made on the tip of spear-shaped dual carbon nanoelectrodes derived from carbon deposition inside double-barrel nanopipettes. The easy fabrication route allows deposition of semiconductors or conducting polymers to comprise the transistor channel. A channel from electrodeposited poly pyrrole (PPy) exhibits high sensitivity toward pH changes. This property is exploited by immobilizing hexokinase on PPy nano-FETs to give rise to a selective ATP biosensor. Extracellular pH and ATP gradients are key biochemical constituents in the microenvironment of living cells; we monitor their real-time changes in relation to cancer cells and cardiomyocytes. The highly localized detection is possible because of the high aspect ratio and the spear-like design of the nano-FET probes. The accurately positioned nano-FET sensors can detect concentration gradients in three-dimensional space, identify biochemical properties of a single living cell, and after cell membrane penetration perform intracellular measurements.

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia and fear of hypoglycemia threaten individuals' ability to work and drive. We studied the effect of hypoglycemia on the individual and society, with a focus on possible implications of new European union legislation on patients' continued ability to drive.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of Danish Diabetes Association members was conducted to investigate individual and societal consequences of hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

A total of 3117/9951 individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) (32.2%) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (67.8%) completed the survey. The calculated incidence rates of self-reported severe and mild hypoglycemia were 2.9, 0.6 and 0.1 events per patient year (ppy) in patients with T1DM, insulin using T2DM and non-insulin using T2DM, respectively; and incidence rates of self-reported mild hypoglycemia were 99.0, 23.2 and 10.9 events ppy, respectively. Self-care strategies to avoid hypoglycemia include maintaining higher blood glucose levels (45.7%) and reducing physical activity (15.7%). Few people take sick leave as a result of hypoglycemia, but prolonged mental recovery ≥4 h following an episode of mild or severe hypoglycemia was reported by 8.7 and 31.0%, respectively. 26.5% of patients holding a valid driving license reported having ever had at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia. Patients considering underreporting of hypoglycemia to maintain their driving license were more likely to have experienced severe hypoglycemia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.03; 95% CI: 2.42-3.79; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of insulin-treated patients experience hypoglycemia resulting in fear of hypoglycemia and changes in self-care behavior that may compromise glycemic control. Many patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia consider underreporting hypoglycemic events through concern over retaining their driving license.

A series of nine luminescent cyclometalated octahedral iridium(III) tris(2-phenylpyridine) complexes has been synthesized, functionalized with three different amino acids (glycine, alanine, and lysine), on one, two, or all three of the phenylpyridine ligands. All starting complexes and final compounds have been fully analyzed by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy, and photophysical data have been obtained for all the mono-, bis-, and tri- substituted iridium(III) complexes. Cellular uptake and localization have been studied with flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, respectively. Confocal experiments demonstrate that all nine substituted iridium(III) complexes show variable uptake in the tumor cells. The monosubstituted iridium(III) complexes give the highest cellular uptake, and the series substituted with lysines shows the highest toxicity. This systematic study of amino acid-functionalized Ir(ppy)(3) complexes provides guidelines for further functionalization and possible implementation of luminescent iridium complexes, for example, in (automated) peptide synthesis or biomarker specific targeting.

A very simple, environmentally friendly, one-step oxidative polymerization route to fabricate polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoparticles of fixed size and morphology was developed and investigated. The herein proposed method is based on the application of sodium dodecyl sulfate and hydrogen peroxide, both easily degradable and cheap materials. The polymerization reaction is performed on 24 h time scale under standard conditions. We monitored a polaronic peak at 465 nm and estimated nanoparticle concentration during various stages of the reaction. Using this data we proposed a mechanism for Ppy nanoparticle formation in accordance with earlier emulsion polymerization mechanisms. Rates of various steps in the polymerization mechanism were accounted for and the resulting particles identified using atomic force microscopy. Application of Ppy nanoparticles prepared by the route presented here seems very promising for biomedical applications where biocompatibility is paramount. In addition, this kind of synthesis could be suitable for the development of solar cells, where very pure and low-cost conducting polymers are required.

Design and fabrication of structurally optimized electrode materials are important for many energy applications such as supercapacitors and batteries. Here, we report a three-component, hierarchical, bulk electrode with tailored microstructure and electrochemical properties. Our supercapacitor electrode consists of a three-dimensional carbon nanotube (CNT) network (also called sponge) as a flexible and conductive skeleton, an intermediate polymer layer (polypyrrole, PPy) with good interface, and a metal oxide layer outside providing more surface area. These three components form a well-defined core-double-shell configuration that is distinct from simple core-shell or hybrid structures, and the synergistic effect leads to enhanced supercapacitor performance including high specific capacitance (even under severe compression) and excellent cycling stability. The mechanism study reveals that the shell sequence is a key factor; in our system, the CNT-PPy-MnO2 structure shows higher capacitance than the CNT-MnO2-PPy sequence. Our porous core-double-shell sponges can serve as freestanding, compressible electrodes for various energy devices.

This study reports a new approach of improving performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) by using a polypyrrole/anthraquinone-2,6-disulphonic disodium salt (PPy/AQDS)-modified anode. The immobilization of AQDS on a carbon felt anode was accomplished by electropolymerization of pyrrole while using AQDS as the dopant. The dual-chamber MFC operated with this modified anode in the presence of Shewanella decolorationis S12 showed the maximum power density of 1303 mW m(-2), which was 13 times larger than that obtained from the MFC equipped with an unmodified anode. Evidence from cyclic voltammerty (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the increase in power generation was assigned to the increased surface area of anode, the enhanced electron-transfer efficiency from the bacteria to the anode via immobilized AQDS, and an increase in the number of bacteria attached to anode.

Heteroleptic (C(^)N)(2)Ir(acac) (C(^)N = 4-CBppy (1); 5-CBppy (2), 4-fppy (4) CB = ortho-methylcarborane; ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato-C(2),N, 4-fppy = 2-(4-fluorophenyl)pyridinato-C(2),N, acac = acetylacetonate) complexes were prepared and characterized. While 1 exhibits a phosphorescence band centered at 531 nm, which is red-shifted compared to that of unsubstituted (ppy)(2)Ir(acac) (3) (λ(em) = 516 nm), the emission spectrum of 2 shows a blue-shifted band at 503 nm. Comparison with the emission band for the 4-fluoro-substituted 4 (λ(em) = 493 nm) indicates a substantial bathochromic shift in 1. Electrochemical and theoretical studies suggest that while carborane substitution on the 4-position of the phenyl ring lowers the (3)MLCT energy by a large contribution to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) delocalization, which in turn assigns the lowest triplet state of 1 as [d(π)(Ir)→π*(C(^)N)] (3)MLCT in character, the substitution on the 5-position raises the (3)MLCT energy by the effective stabilization of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level because of the strong inductive effect of carborane. An electroluminescent device incorporating 1 as an emitter displayed overall good performance in terms of external quantum efficiency (6.6%) and power efficiency (10.7 lm/W) with green phosphorescence.

Lysine-doped polypyrrole (PPy)/regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP)/poly(l-lactic) acid (PLLA)/nerve growth factor (NGF) (L-PRPN) composite scaffold was fabricated by co-axial electrospraying and electrospinning. This L-PRPN composite scaffold had a structure of microfibers with a core-shell structure as the stems and nanofibers as branches. Assessment in vitro demonstrated that the L-PRPN composite micro/nano-fibrous scaffold could maintain integrated structure for at least 4months and the pH value of PBS at about 7.28. It had good biocompatibility and cell adhesion and relatively stable conductivity. PC 12 cells cultured on this scaffold, anisotropic cell-neurite-cell-neurite or neurite-neurite sheets were formed after being cultured for 6days. Evaluations in vivo also showed that L-PRPN composite fibrous conduit was effective at bridging 2.0cm sciatic nerve gap in adult rat within 10months. This conduit and electrical stimulation (ES) through it promoted Schwann cell migration and axonal regrowth.

OBJECTIVE

Real-world medical cost avoidances from a US payer perspective were estimated when new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are used instead of warfarin for the treatment of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODS

Reductions in real-world event rates of recurrent VTE and MB were obtained by applying rate reductions from the NOACs versus warfarin trials to the Worcester population. Incremental annual medical costs among patients with VTE and MB from a US payer perspective were obtained from the literature or claims databases. Differences in total medical costs for patients treated with NOACs versus warfarin were then estimated. Univariate and Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses were additionally carried out.

RESULTS

The annual total medical cost avoidances versus warfarin were greatest for VTE patients treated with apixaban (-US$4440 per patient-year [ppy]), followed by those treated with rivaroxaban (-US$2971 ppy), edoxaban (-US$1957 ppy), and dabigatran (-US$572 ppy). The medical cost avoidances remained consistent under sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on real-world data, when any of the evaluated NOACs are used instead of warfarin for treatment of patients with acute VTE, annual medical costs are reduced. Of the NOACs, apixaban has the greatest real-world medical cost avoidance, as its use is associated with substantial reductions in both VTE and MB event rates.

A new contrast agent for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging is presented. It has a liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) core of about 250 nm diameter coated by a 30 nm thin polypyrrole (PPy) doped polymer shell emulsion that represents a broadband absorber covering the visible and near-infrared ranges (peak optical extinction at 1050 nm). When exposed to a sufficiently high intensity optical or acoustic pulse, the droplets vaporize to form microbubbles providing a strong increase in imaging sensitivity and specificity. The threshold for contrast agent activation can further drastically be reduced by up to 2 orders of magnitude if simultaneously exposing them with optical and acoustic pulses. The selection of PFC core liquids with low boiling points (i.e., perfluorohexane (56 °C), perfluoropentane (29 °C), and perfluorobutane (-2 °C)) facilitates activation and reduces the activation threshold of PPy-coated emulsion contrast agents to levels well within clinical safety limits (as low as 0.2 MPa at 1 mJ/cm2). Finally, the potential use of these nanoemulsions as a contrast agent is demonstrated in a series of phantom imaging studies.

A catalytic cycle initiated by the oxidative quenching of the excited photosensitizer (Ir*(ppy)3) is established for the enantioselective coupling between (N-arylamino)methanes and (N-methanesulfonyl)aldimines catalyzed by Ir-based photosensitizer and a chiral (arylamino)phosphonium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate under visible light irradiation. This achievement clearly demonstrates the insensitivity of this redox-neutral asymmetric reaction to the sequence of the key redox events involved in the synergistic catalysis.

Construction of multifunctional nanocomposites as theranostic platforms has received considerable biomedical attention. In this study, a triple-functional theranostic agent based on the cointegration of gold nanorods (Au NRs) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) into polypyrrole was developed. Such a theranostic agent (referred to as Au/PPY@Fe3O4) not only exhibits strong magnetic property and high near-infrared (NIR) optical absorbance but also produces high contrast for magnetic resonance (MR) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. Importantly, under the irradiation of the NIR 808 nm laser at the power density of 2 W/cm(2) for 10 min, the temperature of the solution containing Au/PPY@Fe3O4 (1.4 mg/mL) increased by about 35 °C. Cell viability assay showed that these nanocomposites had low cytotoxicity. Furthermore, an in vitro photothermal treatment test demonstrates that the cancer cells can be efficiently killed by the photothermal effects of the Au/PPY@Fe3O4 nanocomposites. In summary, this study demonstrates that the highly versatile multifunctional Au/PPY@Fe3O4 nanocomposites have great potential in simultaneous multimodal imaging-guided cancer theranostic applications.