Described herein are compositions that are suitable for use in analyte sensing in biological samples and in medical diagnostics. The compositions include an oxidase capable of oxidizing the analyte of interest to produce hydrogen peroxide, a peroxidase, and a chemical compound, such as a near-infrared fluorescent compound, that is a substrate for the peroxidase. The oxidase, the peroxidase, and the chemical compound are encapsulated by vesicle that includes a lipid or polymeric bilayer, such as liposome and polymersome. The peroxidase catalyzes the oxidation of the chemical compound by hydrogen peroxide. Methods of analyte sensing in biological samples using these compositions, and methods of preparing the compositions are also described.

Described herein are compositions that are suitable for use in analyte sensing in biological samples and in medical diagnostics. The compositions include an oxidase capable of oxidizing the analyte of interest to produce hydrogen peroxide, a peroxidase, and a chemical compound, such as a near-infrared fluorescent compound, that is a substrate for the peroxidase. The oxidase, the peroxidase, and the chemical compound are encapsulated by vesicle that includes a lipid or polymeric bilayer, such as liposome and polymersome. The peroxidase catalyzes the oxidation of the chemical compound by hydrogen peroxide. Methods of analyte sensing in biological samples using these compositions, and methods of preparing the compositions are also described.

A biological toxicity test method for evaluating an ecological safety of an advanced oxidation process comprising the following steps: (1) collecting (preparing) a waste water to be determined; (2) collecting the waste water and a tap water after the advanced oxidation process treatment; (3) subjecting Koi (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) to the water after treatment for exposure to poison; (4) Determining an anti-oxidation enzyme activity of a liver of the Koi after exposure; (5) Data analyzing. By comparing the changes of liver enzyme activities in different water, the present method evaluates the toxicity changes of micro-pollutant containing water before and after treatment, which fills in the gap of the ecological risk assessment for advanced oxidation technology.

A biological toxicity test method for evaluating an ecological safety of an advanced oxidation process comprising the following steps: (1) collecting (preparing) a waste water to be determined; (2) collecting the waste water and a tap water after the advanced oxidation process treatment; (3) subjecting Koi (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) to the water after treatment for exposure to poison; (4) Determining an anti-oxidation enzyme activity of a liver of the Koi after exposure; (5) Data analyzing. By comparing the changes of liver enzyme activities in different water, the present method evaluates the toxicity changes of micro-pollutant containing water before and after treatment, which fills in the gap of the ecological risk assessment for advanced oxidation technology.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescence imaging probe capable of selectively visualizing target cells such as cells expressing β-galactosidase (lacZ expressing cells) at a single-cell level in a red fluorescence region, and of performing co-staining together with GFP. An intracellularly-retainable red fluorescent probe comprising a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof: ##STR00001## wherein: A represents a monovalent group cleaved by an enzyme; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, or one to four of the same or different substituents bonded to a benzene ring; R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 each independently represent —CFR.sup.10R.sup.11, —CF.sub.2R.sup.12, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom, wherein at least one of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 is —CFR.sup.10R.sup.11 or —CF.sub.2R.sup.12; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an alkenyl group; X represents Si(R.sup.a) (R.sup.b), wherein R.sup.a and R.sup.b each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and Y is —C(═O)— or —R.sup.cC(═O)—, wherein R.sup.c is an alkylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescence imaging probe capable of selectively visualizing target cells such as cells expressing β-galactosidase (lacZ expressing cells) at a single-cell level in a red fluorescence region, and of performing co-staining together with GFP. An intracellularly-retainable red fluorescent probe comprising a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof: ##STR00001## wherein: A represents a monovalent group cleaved by an enzyme; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, or one to four of the same or different substituents bonded to a benzene ring; R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 each independently represent —CFR.sup.10R.sup.11, —CF.sub.2R.sup.12, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom, wherein at least one of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 is —CFR.sup.10R.sup.11 or —CF.sub.2R.sup.12; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an alkenyl group; X represents Si(R.sup.a) (R.sup.b), wherein R.sup.a and R.sup.b each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and Y is —C(═O)— or —R.sup.cC(═O)—, wherein R.sup.c is an alkylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms.

Nanozymes capped with a radical-scavenging capping agent are disclosed for use in biosensing assays with improved sensitivity. The radical-scavenging capping agent facilitates the capture and retention of one or more radicals for enhancing a catalytic reaction. In some example embodiments, the nanozyme capped by the radical-scavenging capping agent is capable of catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide or molecular oxygen. The capped nanozymes may be incorporated with an electrode, such as the working electrode of an electrochemical sensor, for achieving enhanced catalytic activity and a lower limit of detection. In some example embodiments, the radical-scavenging capping agent is or includes thiocyanate. A rapid ethanol detection device and associated method are described in which the working electrode of an electrochemical sensor is modified by a peroxidase-mimetic nanozyme capped with a radical-scavenging capping agent for the enhanced generation of a reduction current associated with the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Nanozymes capped with a radical-scavenging capping agent are disclosed for use in biosensing assays with improved sensitivity. The radical-scavenging capping agent facilitates the capture and retention of one or more radicals for enhancing a catalytic reaction. In some example embodiments, the nanozyme capped by the radical-scavenging capping agent is capable of catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide or molecular oxygen. The capped nanozymes may be incorporated with an electrode, such as the working electrode of an electrochemical sensor, for achieving enhanced catalytic activity and a lower limit of detection. In some example embodiments, the radical-scavenging capping agent is or includes thiocyanate. A rapid ethanol detection device and associated method are described in which the working electrode of an electrochemical sensor is modified by a peroxidase-mimetic nanozyme capped with a radical-scavenging capping agent for the enhanced generation of a reduction current associated with the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

The present invention relates to bacteria and metabolites thereof that are capable of binding to vaginal cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, their use in probiotic compositions and food products and methods for their selection. The invention also relates to the use of said bacteria, metabolites and probiotic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of urogenital disorders.

The present invention relates to bacteria and metabolites thereof that are capable of binding to vaginal cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, their use in probiotic compositions and food products and methods for their selection. The invention also relates to the use of said bacteria, metabolites and probiotic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of urogenital disorders.