The rapid advancement of thermal materials and fluorescence spectroscopy has extensively promoted the development of micro-scale fluorescence thermometry in recent years. Based on their advantages of fast response, high sensitivity, simple operation, high spatial resolution, and non-destructive detection, fluorescence thermometers have become powerful analysis tools used to sense temperature fluctuations through fluorescent signals, especially to accurately capture living cells via fluorescent signals and local temperature variations in living bodies, thus providing the most direct means for the in-depth understanding of biological processes in cells. Herein, we systematically categorize the currently reported fluorescence thermometers based on the aspects of fluorescence intensity and wavelength, reveal the intrinsic relationship between fluorescence (intensity and wavelength) and temperature response, expound the applications of fluorescence thermometers in the fields of chemical sensing and biomedicine, and analyze the challenges faced by current fluorescence thermometers based on fundamental problems and practical applications simultaneously, thus highlighting the future directions of fluorescence thermometers.

With characters of low cost, portability, easy disposal, and high accuracy, as well as bulky reduced laboratory equipment, paper-based sensors are getting increasing attention for reliable indoor/outdoor onsite detection with nonexpert operation. They have become powerful analysis tools in trace detection with ultra-low detection limits and extremely high accuracy, resulting in their great popularity in medical detection, environmental inspection, and other applications. Herein, we summarize and generalize the recently reported paper-based sensors based on their application for mechanics, biomolecules, food safety, and environmental inspection. Based on the biological, physical, and chemical analytes-sensitive electrical or optical signals, extensive detections of a large number of factors such as humidity, pressure, nucleic acid, protein, sugar, biomarkers, metal ions, and organic/inorganic chemical substances have been reported via paper-based sensors. Challenges faced by the current paper-based sensors from the fundamental problems and practical applications are subsequently analyzed; thus, the future directions of paper-based sensors are specified for their rapid handheld testing.

Rational regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a vital importance in maintaining homeostasis of living biological systems. For ROS-related pathologies, chemotherapy technology derived from metal nanomaterials currently occupies a pivotal position. However, they suffer from inherent issues such as complicated synthesis, batch-to-batch variability, high cost, and potential biological toxicity caused by metal elements. Here, we reported for the first time that dual-action 3,5-dihydroxy-1-ketonaphthalene-structured small-molecule enzyme imitator (DHKNase) exhibited 2-edged ROS regulation, catering to the execution of physiology-beneficial ROS destiny among diverse pathologies in living systems. Based on this, DHKNase is validated to enable remarkable therapeutic effects in 2 classic disease models, including the pathogen-infected wound-healing model and the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-caused inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This work provides a guiding landmark for developing novel natural small-molecule enzyme imitator and significantly expands their application potential in the biomedical field.

Applications of AIEgens in biosensing, disease diagnosis, and drug release.

A schematic of the colorimetric CPF assay using peroxidase-mimetic FeS₂ NSs. FeS₂ NSs catalyze H₂O₂ to produce ˙OH, converting colorless TMB to blue oxTMB. CPF inhibits ALP, halting AA conversion and thereby restoring oxTMB’s colorimetric signal.