Criteria | |||||
Data | Mentioned but not shown | Do not support the conclusions | |||
Figures | Values or units | Similarity | Duplication | Resolution | Label |
Mechanisms of detection | Calibration | Limit of detection | Endosomal escape | ||
Methodology | Materials preparation | Characterization | |||
Nanoparticles size | DLS | TEM | |||
References | Miscitation | No citation | Primary sources | Citation error |
Specification of the evaluation criteria
Data
Mentioned but not shown Some techniques are mentioned in the methodology or results, but the data are not shown in the full text, nor in the supporting information.
Do not support the conclusions
Figures
Values or units The units or values of X-axis and Y-axis are not shown. The values in the axis do not match the ticks.
Similarity Data from different samples or conditions are more similar than would be expected.
Magnification and resolution The magnification or resolution is too low to draw conclusions, e.g. on precise intracellular localisation of nanoparticles.
Label Errors in the text of the labels or confusing definitions.
Mechanisms of detection
Calibration Lack of calibration or calibration that raises questions (e.g. binding equilibrium does not follow what would be expected from thermodynamics).
Limit of detection LOD is not calculated; or the experiments or calculations raise questions.
Endosomal escape There is no proof of nanomaterials endosomal escape.
Methodology
Materials preparation Reproducing the experiments would be difficult because specifications are missing regarding the preparation or procurement of materials.
Characterization Characterization of materials is incomplete or lacking.
Nanoparticles size
DLS
When claiming the nanoparticles hydrodynamic diameter, for more precise conclusions we suggest the following issues to be corrected:
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- The size distribution is not shown.
- The average size of multimodal data is reported. In such cases, the discussion should make clear that different size populations were observed, and state the average of each population, not of the sample.
- It is not clear whether the distribution represents the intensity of light, number or volume of particles. (For more precise claiming of the nanomaterials size, this should be indicated, because many times only one population of particles is seen in the number or volume data, but actually the intensity shows a multimodal distribution. Further, number and volume can only be considered when the quality of the data are adequate, which means good correlation function and low PdI. For more information, please check Intensity-Volume-Number: Which size is correct?. Please note this comes from a company, and additional references will be provided as soon as possible).
TEM The physical size is given, but the distribution is not provided and there is no detail about the statistics. The physical size is given but only a few nanoparticles can be seen in the micrographs. The stability of the nanomaterials is claimed but aggregates are present in the micrographs.
References
Miscitation The citation is not related to or does not support the claim. In some cases the citation supports an idea or fact opposite to what it is stated in the publication we are analysing.
No citation An important claim is made mentioning sentences as “previous works” or “it is discussed” but no reference is cited at the end of the sentence.
Primary sources Reviews or other secondary sources are cited instead of the original work.
Citation error The cited work is from an author different from the one mentioned in the text.
Other remarks The concerns which are not classified in the grid, but still relevant according to us.