Analytica Chimica Acta最新文献

{"title":"Lab-made open-source controlled robotic workstation for sorbent-based dispersive microextraction of low-volume samples","authors":"Guillem Peris-Pastor ,&nbsp;Jose Grau ,&nbsp;Luis Arruza ,&nbsp;Juan L. Benedé ,&nbsp;Alberto Chisvert","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite microextraction techniques have gained prominence over traditional extraction ones, they usually involve repetitive and tedious manual procedures. Full or partial automation could help alleviate this drawback. Even though commercial systems are available to automate sample preparation, they are very expensive and not affordable for a high number of laboratories.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>With the aim of contributing to automation on sample preparation, and more specifically, on microextraction techniques, a lab-made open-source robotic workstation is presented. It allows to carry out sorbent-based dispersive microextraction in low-volume samples in a semiautomated way. The robotic system is made from low-cost hardware electronic gadgets conveniently assembled in a 3D-printed casing, and it is controlled by the open-source Arduino software. To demonstrate the potential of the developed robotic workstation, it was employed for the determination of three long-chain acylcarnitines in serum of newborns by flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS). The method was validated in terms of sensitivity, precision and accuracy and it was successfully applied to the analysis of samples from 5 newborns.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The presented robotic workstation is the first non-commercial one dedicated to sorbent-based dispersive microextraction. It is in line with the trends on sample preparation field focused on the development of automated procedures due to their huge advantages over manual procedures. Moreover, the use of open-source and low-cost elements alleviates the high cost of commercially-available systems, which are not affordable for all laboratories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344033"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design of radionuclide separations based on MD simulations","authors":"I. Giménez ,&nbsp;G. Sormani ,&nbsp;A. Rodríguez ,&nbsp;A. Hassanali ,&nbsp;H. Bagán ,&nbsp;A. Tarancón","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The development of selective materials for radionuclide separation is often a long and costly process, requiring labor-intensive chemical separations and extensive optimization. To streamline the development of selective materials, this study explores MD simulations to accelerate the identification of optimal separation conditions, extractant-radionuclide affinity, reducing the need for extensive experimental trials.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We assessed the effectiveness of MD simulations using the challenging system of Sr²⁺ and Pb²⁺ with 18-crown-6 crown ether, focusing on the influence of different working media, including nitric, hydrochloric, formic, acetic, and perchloric acids, as well as potassium thiocyanate. The simulation results were validated experimentally by measuring the distribution weight ratios (D_w) of Sr²⁺ and Pb²⁺ using crown ether immobilized on a polymeric surface. Our findings demonstrate a strong correlation between MD predictions and experimental data, particularly highlighting acetic acid as a medium where Sr²⁺ forms stable complexes, while Pb²⁺ does not.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study confirms the suitability of MD simulations as a reliable tool for predicting the selectivity of extractants, enabling faster development of new scintillating and non-scintillating resins. By reducing the time and resources needed for experimental optimization, this approach offers a more efficient pathway for the development of advanced materials for radionuclide separation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344047"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-assembled TMB-CuO2 nanosheets for dual-mode colorimetric and NIR-II photothermal detection of uranyl ion","authors":"Yingying Wu ,&nbsp;Xiaofeng Tan ,&nbsp;Hongyu Gong ,&nbsp;Minghui Wang ,&nbsp;Gui-long Wu ,&nbsp;Na Li ,&nbsp;Fen Liu ,&nbsp;Hong Xia ,&nbsp;Li Tang ,&nbsp;Qinglai Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The development of highly sensitive and selective point-of-care testing (POCT) techniques using optical methods for uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) is essential for the effective monitoring of acidic uranium contamination. colorimetric methods have gained significant attention for their rapid response times, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness in the quantitative analysis of uranyl ions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Herein, this study presents a self-assembled nanosheet composed of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and CuO₂, designed for the dual-mode colorimetric and photothermal detection of UO₂²⁺. The CuO₂ nanodots could be incorporated into TMB nanosheets by the nanoprecipitation method. The TMB-CuO₂ nanosheets exhibited spontaneous decomposition in acidic environments, leading to the production of Cu²⁺, H₂O₂, and TMB, which facilitated in situ TMB oxidation through a Fenton reaction. The UO₂²⁺ can form coordination complexes with imines derived from the oxidation products of TMB, leading to significant accumulation and discoloration, thereby enabling the detection of UO₂²⁺ with naked eyes and handheld thermometers conveniently. The constructed UO₂²⁺ sensor demonstrates acceptable sensitivity and stability, with a linear range of 2.6–78.12 μM and a low detection limit (1.78 μM).</div></div><div><h3>Significance and novelty</h3><div>This study provides a method for synthesizing self-carried signal tag nanomaterials with enhanced loading capacity, further expanding the application of straightforward colorimetric and thermometric techniques for the sensitive and selective detection of acidic uranium contamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344041"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D printed microtissue cassettes enabling high throughput proton radiobiological assays","authors":"Chih-Tsung Yang ,&nbsp;I-Chun Cho ,&nbsp;Ching-Fang Yu ,&nbsp;Edward Cheah ,&nbsp;Tesi Liu ,&nbsp;Yi-Ping Lin ,&nbsp;Sing-Yu Hu ,&nbsp;Jyun-Wei Jheng ,&nbsp;Ivan Kempson ,&nbsp;Tsi-Chian Chao ,&nbsp;Sen-Hao Lee ,&nbsp;Eva Bezak ,&nbsp;Benjamin Thierry","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The concept of Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) enables to translate the clinical experience for photon treatments to proton beam therapy. However, uncertainties in the proton RBE across the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) (typically assumed to be 1.1) may lead to suboptimal treatment plans and unwarranted toxicity to organs-at-risk. Herein, we report a reliable analytical method to determine the proton RBE in vitro along the SOBP and distal fall-off region. The 3D microtissue cassette enables the high throughput assessment of biological assays including clonogenic assay and γ-H2AX assay following a single proton irradiation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Proton RBE values determined using the standard clonogenic assay at 90 %, 50 % and 10 % of cell survival were calculated to be 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6, respectively. This was found to be consistent with the RBE determined using the γ-H2AX for double-strand DNA break repair (1.58 for 10 % cell survival). In addition, we also observed that the high spatial resolution of the cassette can distinguish the minute but significant γ-H2AX foci changes (number, area) in response to small differences in proton radiation dose fraction.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The results validate the reliability of the 3D printed cassette in addressing critical radiobiological issues. This methodology enables high throughput irradiation workflow and consequently reduce the time and resource burden for clinical facilities. This approach could be readily extended to investigate the radiobiological unknown of other emerging radiation therapy modalities based on charged particles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344027"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143798229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultrasensitive detection of methamphetamine in environmental water bodies by an Au@carbon dots/chitosan nanocomposite modified electrochemical aptasensor","authors":"Chunying Yuan ,&nbsp;Mushui Shu ,&nbsp;Caini Yang ,&nbsp;Ding Ding ,&nbsp;Zhizhen Xu ,&nbsp;Jingyi Wang ,&nbsp;Dongsheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The robust analytical methods for methamphetamine (METH), the second most widely used illicit drug globally, in aqueous environments are essential for on-site detection of regional drug abuse and pollution, and then timely control its threat to ecological environment and public health.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A simple and label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on aptamer/Au@carbon dots/chitosan nanocomposite modified gold electrode (Apt/Au@CDs/CS/AuE) was firstly developed for measuring trace METH in environmental water bodies. The aptamer was immobilized on Au nanoparticles through Au–N bond, where carbon dots provided large surface area for good dispersion of nanomaterials. Under optimal conditions, the aptasensor could detect METH from 10⁻³–10³ ng L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.87 pg L⁻¹ and present satisfactory reproducibility, stability and specificity. The developed aptasensor was applicable to common pH and wide temperature and ionic strength range, free from the interference of organic matters, such as humic acid, polysaccharides-like and protein-like substances, whereas suspended particle was a significant influencing factor during METH detection. The aptasensor showed feasibility for METH detection in four kinds of real waters (drinking water, river water, lake water and untreated wastewater) with recoveries of 92.4–104.6 %.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The developed aptasensor provides a promising sensing platform for quick testing of illicit drug in aqueous environments. The water quality indicators are crucial influencing elements to be considered in the design and application of the electrochemical biosensors for trace pollutants detection in environmental water bodies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344032"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143789717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construction of CuNCs/AgNPs based fluorescent platform for specific enzyme-free detection of trichlorfon","authors":"Songrui Li ,&nbsp;Fubin Yang ,&nbsp;Junying Li ,&nbsp;Yongcun Zou ,&nbsp;Qiong Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As a common organophosphorus pesticide, trichlorfon (TC) is being extensively used in agriculture due to its high efficiency in plant diseases and insect pest control. However, TC should be monitored in a timely manner due to its severe threat to public health. Currently reported fluorescence methods for TC detection largely depend on enzyme inhibition effect, which suffers from their intrinsic defects such as poor selectivity, complexity, or high cost. Hence, it is of essential value to develop a facile and low-cost fluorescence approach to achieve specific enzyme-free detection of TC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In this work, L-cysteine protected copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) with good stability were prepared as the fluorescence sensing probe. Under alkaline conditions, TC tends to be hydrolyzed to produce dichloroacetaldehyde, which was directly employed as an effective reducing agent to <em>in-situ</em> synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The fluorescence of L-cys-CuNCs was quenched by AgNPs through the inner filter effect (IFE), realizing specific enzyme-free determination of TC. Besides, portable and visual detection of TC was achieved depending on a smartphone sensing platform. This method was further employed to monitor TC in cherry tomatoes, potatoes, and cultivated soil samples with satisfying results, illustrating its high potential in monitoring TC in real samples. Overall, this method possesses the attractive superiorities of simplicity, cost efficiency, and specificity for the detection of TC.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The strategy has the following advantages. (i) Specific enzyme-free detection of TC was achieved based on CuNCs/AgNPs fluorescent platform. (ii) AgNPs, as CuNCs fluorescence quencher, was directly <em>in-situ</em> synthesized using the hydrolysis products of TC, which avoids adding extra reducing agent and provides a possibility for the waste utilization of TC. (iii) A portable and low-cost smartphone sensing platform was constructed for visually specific determination of TC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344030"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143789721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation of a 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane sulfonate betaine zwitterionic stationary phase and comparative evaluation of its separation performance in hydrophilic interaction chromatography","authors":"Yongxing Hu ,&nbsp;Pengcheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Ashraf Ali ,&nbsp;Haokun Tang ,&nbsp;Lijun He ,&nbsp;Renyong Zhao ,&nbsp;Wenfen Zhang ,&nbsp;Shusheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenjie Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) offers an alternative approach for efficient separation of polar molecules on polar stationary phases. The development of hydrophilic stationary phases with novel zwitterionic structures represents a promising approach to improving the efficiency of separations and accommodating the analysis of polar compounds in complex samples.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This work details the preparation and thorough evaluation of the novel zwitterionic stationary phase, Sil-DBO-PS, composed of a 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane cation and a sulfonate anion. The chromatographic behavior of Sil-DBO-PS was investigated under varying eluent conditions, including water phase ratio, salt concentration, and pH, while interaction mechanisms of Sil-DBO-PS were explored through Van't Hoff plots, Tanaka HILIC tests, and modified linear solvation energy relationships. These studies revealed that the zwitterionic group introduced a range of interactions, including hydrophilic partitioning, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. The Sil-DBO-PS column outperformed two commercial columns in terms of separation efficiency for polar analytes, such as nucleosides, vitamins, and benzoic acids, highlighting its enhanced capability for polar compound separation. Furthermore, Sil-DBO-PS stationary phase demonstrated satisfactory reproducibility in the separation of hydrophilic compounds.</div></div><div><h3>Significance and novelty</h3><div>The development of the Sil-DBO-PS zwitterionic stationary phase significantly enhances the separation efficiency and selectivity for polar compounds in HILIC, offering superior performance over commercial columns for challenging analytes. This novel stationary phase, with its diverse interactions, provides a promising tool for the analysis of hydrophilic and complex samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344028"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143789715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"REVIEW: THE ROLE OF AUTOMATION IN IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE AND THROUGHPUT OF MICROSAMPLE BIOANALYSIS","authors":"Michele Protti, Laura Mercolini, Roberto Mandrioli","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2025.344018","url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Background</h3>Microsampling is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving topics in bioanalysis. It can provide numerous advantages in comparison to traditional biological fluid sampling (safety and analyte stability, feasible shipping, lower storage expenses and increased environmental friendliness). All these advantages can be put to ideal use if microsampling is coupled to advanced automation. Most modern microsampling techniques are designed for optimal automatability of the sampling procedure, or of any of the subsequent analytical workflow steps, so that the usual advantages of the former can be enhanced by increased throughput, better safety and lower per-analysis expenses. However, finding relevant information on recent advances in automation for the bioanalysis of microsamples is still a challenging task.<h3>Results</h3>In this review paper with 92 references, the most recent and relevant applications of full automation and semi-automation in biological microsample analysis are presented, with notes on the advantages and limitations of each approach. Some less recent examples are also presented, providing context or insight into the evolution of subsequent developments. This unique approach allows a better understanding of the close intertwining and complementarity of microsampling, automation and miniaturised sample preparation, an integration that is essential to ensure optimal and reliable results. Differences between classical and advanced microsampling techniques regarding their performance related to overall process automation are clearly laid out. Ample space is reserved for discussion on the most recent trends and what the authors believe will be the most important future developments.<h3>Significance</h3>This review paper shows for the first time how coupling microsampling to analytical workflow automation could be the tipping point that will help microsampling become fully established in routine bioanalysis. Most disadvantages of microsampling can be either alleviated, outright solved or made irrelevant by automation, and this unprecedented development has the potential to revolutionise an entire research and application field. This is true in most use cases, including TDM, forensics, anti-doping and preclinical, clinical and toxicological studies.","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual optically responsive paper-membrane for simple, portable, and versatile control of total and volatile acidity in wines","authors":"Melany G. López Aveiga ,&nbsp;María Dolores Fernández Ramos ,&nbsp;Vanesa Martos Núnez ,&nbsp;Antonio González Casado ,&nbsp;Antonio L. Medina Castillo","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The high consumption of expensive and polluting reagents and the use of tedious reactions with long analysis times are key problems in the quantification of total (TA) and volatile acidity (VA) in wine by official methods (titration with sodium hydroxide and enzymatic method).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We have exploited the advantages and versatility of our optically responsive paper-membrane (Paper-FM) to perform the dual simultaneous determination (fluorescent and colorimetric) of TA and VA in wine. The technology was tested by performing the simultaneous double quantification (fluorescence and colorimetry) of TA and VA of wine samples from different origins, obtaining an excellent correlation between the results obtained by colorimetry and those obtained by fluorescence. Furthermore, the results were successfully validated using official reference methods (titration with sodium hydroxide and enzymatic method) in an accredited laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>We have developed the first optical sensing method that allows the quantification of the TA and VA in wine. The results presented in this work demonstrate that our optical sensing technology enables direct, simple, reversible, reusable, fast, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly simultaneous dual quantification (fluorescent and colorimetric) of TA and VA in wine samples without the use of additional reagents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344016"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for the thyroid cancer biomarker miRNA-146b-5p detection using Zr-based metal-organic framework","authors":"Meng-Yuan Lu ,&nbsp;Ling Wang ,&nbsp;Yu-Ping Wei ,&nbsp;Xing-Pei Liu ,&nbsp;Jing-Shuai Chen ,&nbsp;Chang-Jie Mao ,&nbsp;Bao-Kang Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aca.2025.344025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer cell-derived exosomes serve as crucial biomarkers for thyroid cancer, which has emerged as the fourth most prevalent malignancy among urban Chinese women. However, achieving high sensitivity and precision in their in vitro detection remains challenging. Traditional diagnostic methods for thyroid cancer, including tumor-associated marker detection and imaging examinations, are limited by high costs and poor sensitivity. Among various biomarkers, miRNA-146b-5p has been identified as a key marker associated with the progression of thyroid cancer, which poses a formidable challenge in achieving exquisite sensitivity and precision in vitro detection. Herein, we developed an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the sensitive detection of the thyroid cancer marker miRNA-146b-5p, based on Zr-PTC and combining an ECL resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) system with a toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (TSDR) signal amplification strategy. Initially, Zr-PTC was employed as the ECL signal label, with miRNA-146b-5p as the model target to initiate the TSDR cycle, resulting in the release of the output chain (output). The output chain assisted the unfolding of hairpin DNA H1 (H1), which exposed its complementary sequence that hybridizes with the ECL quenching material (AgCl NPs-S1), thereby resulting in a significant reduction of the ECL signal. The combination of target cyclic amplification and metal-organic framework-based signal labeling significantly enhanced the sensitivity of the proposed biosensor, achieving limit of detection (LOD) for miRNA-146b-5p as low as 0.69 fM (S/N = 3). This innovative analytical methodology presents a promising strategy for detecting exosomal RNA biomarkers associated with thyroid malignancies. The integration of RET system with TSDR signal amplification not only enhanced detection sensitivity but also demonstrated robust reproducibility and stability, offering broad applicability for sensitive nucleic acid detection in human serum samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":240,"journal":{"name":"Analytica Chimica Acta","volume":"1356 ","pages":"Article 344025"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}