Transition metal chelators and ionophores have shown promise as alternative chemotherapeutic strategies by selectively altering the concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc in cancer cells.

Deferasirox, ExJade, is an FDA-approved iron chelator used for the treatment of iron overload. In this work, we report several fluorescent deferasirox derivatives that display unique photophysical properties, i.e., aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited state intramolecular proton transfer, charge transfer, and through-bond and through-space conjugation characteristics in aqueous media. Functionalization of the phenol units on the deferasirox scaffold afforded the fluorescent responsive pro-chelator ExPhos, which enabled the detection of the disease-based biomarker alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The diagnostic potential of these deferasirox derivatives was supported by bacterial biofilm studies.

Summary: Two types of spherulites, extinction‐ring and Maltese‐cross, in poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) were identified, isolated, and separately characterized using DSC and polarized‐light optical microscopy (POM). Ring‐band spherulites in PEA occurred only in a very narrow temperature range roughly between 25 and 30 °C, while Maltese‐cross spherulites at 35 °C and above or at 20 °C and below. Thermal behavior of ring‐spherulites is interpreted, analyzed, and compared to that of Maltese‐cross spherulites. The thermal behavior, like the morphology, was found to be significantly different between these two types of spherulites. Among the three multiple melting peaks in PEA, the highest P3 is proven to be related to melting of lamellae in the ring‐band spherulites; P1 and P2, whose relative extent of overlapping is dependent on the temperature of crystallization, are related to melting of lamellae in the regular ringless spherulites. This study has provided urgent and timely evidence for one major step further in the interpretation of relationships between the thermal behavior, melting, and extinction‐ring versus Maltese‐cross spherulites in semi‐crystalline polymers.DSC curves (10 °C · min−1, scanned from where the trace begins) for: (a) ring‐spherulites in PEA crystallized at 30 °C for 90 min, (b) sample‐(a) heated to 50 °C for 1 min, and (c) sample‐(a) heated to 50 °C, then quenched to 20 °C.magnified imageDSC curves (10 °C · min−1, scanned from where the trace begins) for: (a) ring‐spherulites in PEA crystallized at 30 °C for 90 min, (b) sample‐(a) heated to 50 °C for 1 min, and (c) sample‐(a) heated to 50 °C, then quenched to 20 °C.

Fluorescent glycoconjugates are discussed for their applications in biology in vitro, in cell assays and in animal models. Advantages and limitations are presented for each design using a fluorescent core conjugated with glycosides, or vice versa.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) consist of a diverse range of oxidative small molecular ions and free radicals that are produced throughout the body during certain biological processes. Due to their high reactivity, these molecules result in the damage of tissues and cells. Therefore, ROS have been implicated in an array of diseases including cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Owing to the simplicity, sensitivity, and selectivity of fluorescence‐based strategies, many small‐molecular sensors or imaging agents have been developed to sense and visualize ROS both in vitro and in vivo. Likewise, activatable drug delivery and prodrug systems that can be triggered by ROS for disease theranostics (diagnostic and therapeutic combined) have been developed. Herein, recently developed fluorescence‐based sensing and imaging agents for the detection of ROS both intracellularly and in vivo are summarized. In addition, drug delivery, which require activation by ROS to achieve disease theranostics is also discussed.

Human beings are “machines” that use endogenously produced biomolecules as “components” in signaling and for the maintenance of the body. These biomolecules consist of proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, which can either be extracted from biological substrates or synthesized by chemical/biochemical methods. These biomolecules have the ability to recognize/interact with other biomolecules that are overexpressed in disease cells. For targeted theranostics, strategies to chemically incorporate these natural biomolecules with advanced materials to treat human diseases by imaging‐guided drug delivery or photodynamic/photothermal therapy are proposed, with improved biocompatibility. Herein, recent research on construction of quantum dots, nanoparticles, and 2D material platforms decorated with antibodies, peptides, nucleic acid aptamers, carbohydrates, and folic acid for targeted diagnosis and treatment are summarized and discussed. In addition, the various strategies required to construct effective functional materials for targeted cancer therapy are highlighted. The hope is that this review can inspire and guide those that are interested in the field of biomedicine to rationally design and develop new target‐based theranostic materials.

The excessive use of antibiotics has led to a rise in drug resistant bacteria. These “superbugs” are continously emerging and becoming increasingly harder to treat. As a result, new and...

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an important enzyme-based biomarker present in several bacterial species; however, it is currently undervalued as a strategy to detect pathogenic bacteria. Here, we explore our ALP-responsive...