Lipidomics has emerged as an important approach for biomarker discovery, elucidation of molecular mechanisms, and translational research. However, conventional lipidomics workflow which combines lab-based biospecimen collection and liquid-liquid extraction remains solvent-intensive, laborious, and poorly suited to patient-centric workflows. This review surveys emerging microextraction and microsampling strategies that address these limitations and open new opportunities for lipid analysis across clinical, preclinical and biomedical studies. First, we highlight solid-phase microextraction (SPME), including in vivo SPME, as a solvent-efficient technique that merges sampling and analyte extraction, minimizes contamination, and preserves labile lipid species while opening up new opportunities for direct sampling of flowing blood or tissue without a need to collect a defined biospecimen. Next, SPME is compared to low-volume, minimally invasive sampling using dried blood/plasma spots (DBS/DPS), volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS), and push-button/vacuum-assisted devices which facilitate decentralized self-collection, longitudinal designs, improved logistics, and broader population reach. SPME and microsampling have been successfully applied in both targeted and untargeted lipidomics assays spanning applications from exercise physiology and pediatric cohorts to toxicological and pharmacological monitoring, where traditional blood collection is logistically challenging or ethically constrained. Finally, key implementation challenges common to microextraction and microsampling are critically evaluated, including hematocrit effects, device-dependent recovery, analyte stability, and the development of fit-for-purpose quality-control strategies. In conclusion, novel microextraction and microsampling approaches facilitate longitudinal metabolic phenotyping with minimal invasiveness, enabling dynamic studies of lipid metabolism in real-world settings. They can make lipidomics more scalable, sustainable, and physiologically accurate, provided that strong analytical and clinical validation are in place.

Both the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene (SIPr) and its corresponding hydrochloride salt (SIPrHCl) were each reacted with either GeCl 2 ·dioxane or SnCl 2 , resulting in the isolation of SIPr–ECl 2 or [SIPrH][ECl 3 ], respectively (where E = Ge, Sn). Two procedures to isolate group 14 trihalide salts have been done, one allowing for manipulation in air without concern for moisture in its preparation. Attempts have been made to isolate the corresponding carbene adducts of reduced, zero-oxidation state germanium and tin dimeric compounds ((SIPrE 0 ) 2 ). The target compounds appear considerably unstable, and the only indication of the formation of this type of compound is for (SIPrGe 0 ) 2 which could be identified using single crystal X-ray crystallography on one of the few small red crystals that were isolated alongside free SIPr carbene, which was the single product isolated from the analgous reduction of SIPrSnCl 2 .

The properties of guests bound to sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) gels were compared to the properties NaDC self-assemblies in solution to determine the extent of the similarities of these properties in the solution and gel phases. Bile salts, such as NaDC, form self-assemblies with two binding sites with different properties and guests that bind to the self-assemblies were chosen to determine these different properties. Pyrene and perylene were used as fluorescent probes that reside in the primary aggregates of NaDC self-assemblies, while the photochromism of 1′,3′,3′-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1]-benzopyran-2,2′-indoline was used to probe the binding site in the larger secondary aggregates. The properties reported by all three guests showed that the properties for the two different binding sites were the same for NaDC self-assemblies in solution and in the gel. These results will be instrumental for the design of gel systems containing bile salts since the properties observed for guests in the self-assemblies in solution are directly transferable to the immobile phase of the gel.

This study investigates the structural, energetic, and reactivity profiles of copper-imidazole (Cu-Im) clusters within superfluid helium nanodroplets HNDs, focusing on the formation of stable "magic-number" clusters. Combining time-of-flight mass spectrometry and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, the research reveals insights into the coordination interactions between Cu ions and Im ligands, shedding light on the clusters' geometry and electronic structure. The influence of ligand-to-metal ratio on cluster stability and geometry is also explored, showing that controlling this ratio can fine-tune the clusters’ properties. This approach offers a pathway to creating novel Cu(I)-NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) clusters with potential applications in catalysis and luminescence. The findings advance the design of stable, reactive metal-organic frameworks and the development of next-generation nanomaterials for various technological applications.

Radiolabelled amino acids offer a broad spectrum of applications in clinical care and pharmaceutical development. Traditional methods of labelling are limited in their availability, requiring specialized equipment and reagents, and in their scope, addressing only select amino acids. We discovered a simple and efficient approach using aldehyde-catalysed carboxylate exchange to 11 C-amino acids. Seeking enrichment of the carbon-11 methodology and the preparation of radiotracers suitable for animal imaging, we explored further optimization and probe development. We detail herein method development, including evaluations of aldehyde catalysts, discovering optimal reaction conditions, and the production of enantiopure radiolabelled amino acids.

Azedra is the name given to high specific activity/ high molar activity MIBG (m-[131I]-(iodobenzylguanindinium); iobenguane (131I) produced commercially for the treatment of adrenal carcinoma: neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Azedra was patented in 2007; human clinical testing began in 2009 and the drug was approved by the FDA in 2018 and discontinued in 2024. Herein, we describe the lifeline of Azedra from concept to its discontinuation as an example of the challenges involved in the development, production and distribution of a radiopharmaceutical.

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties and absolute quantum efficiencies (ΦECL) of octabutoxy-substituted metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc(α-OC4H9)8) and unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were systematically investigated using spectroelectrochemical and photoelectrochemical techniques. H2Pc(α-OC4H9)8 exhibited negligible ECL in the annihilation pathway but showed a substantial increase in emission with the addition of benzoyl peroxide (BPO), resulting in an ΦECL of 0.00075 ± 0.00003%. Spectroscopy revealed Q-band transitions at 635 and 780 nm along with the formation of an exciplex at 880 nm in the coreactant ECL system, and an excimer emission at 900 nm were observed via PL. ZnPc demonstrated enhanced ECL with BPO, producing an exciplex emission at 775 nm and an ΦECL of 0.0099 ± 0.0001%, which is lower than that of Ru(bpy)32+ but exceeds that of related porphyrin derivatives. These results highlight the ECL behaviours of phthalocyanines and provide insight into their use as ECL luminophores.

In this work, to develop new advanced energetic composites with better safety performance, composites with different proportions and sizes including TATB@C 18 , TNT@C 18 , 2TATB@C 18 , 2TNT@C 18 , TATB@2C 18 , and TNT@2C 18 were designed and constructed by an all carbon compound named cyclo[18]carbon (C 18 ) and two famous and widely used energetic compounds 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Then, the molecular and electronic structures, binding mechanism, and properties of them were investigated theoretically. The results showed that both TATB and TNT can form stable hollow layered and sandwiched composites with C 18 through the C…O, C…N, and C…C interactions, while the binding strength of former composites is much better than that of later one. When compared to TATB and TNT, the safety performance of composites was much better. On the one hand, their impact sensitivity is lower to that of TATB or TNT slightly. On the other hand, the energy gap of TATB and TNT can be significantly reduced about 30% by C 18 . The safety performance could be flexibly adjusted by changing the proportion of TATB, TNT, or C 18 . In addition, the short recovery time and the big difference in the UV–Vis spectrum between sole TATB or TNT and composites may indicate the high potential to use C 18 as a new sensor for the explosive trace detection.

Avocado seed oil, a natural ingredient rich in nutrients with the ability to moisturize and protect the skin, was studied. Various factors affecting the extraction efficiency of avocado seed oil were investigated, including the ratio of raw material/solvent, temperature, and extraction time. As a result, the raw material/solvent ratio of 1/20, at 60 °C, and 60 min were determined to be the optimal conditions for avocado oil extraction. Besides, the chemical compositions of the oil were analyzed by GC-MS, showing that avocado seed oil contains fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid, palmitic acid, etc.), hydrocarbon compounds, and esters, which exhibit antioxidant and moisturizing effects on the skin. Moreover, the extracted avocado oil was used to make the foundation combined with rice bran oil to evaluate the impact on the color and stability of the product. The results showed that the ratio of rice bran and avocado seed oils primarily affects the stability and color of the cream. The product was sensory evaluated by 20 customers and received satisfaction with smoothness and adhesion.