Hierarchical protein nano-crystalline hydrogel with extracellular vesicles for ectopic lymphoid structure formation

Among cancer therapies, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a prominent approach, substantially enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. However, the efficacy of ICB is often limited in the absence of a pre-existing immune response within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we introduce a novel hierarchical protein hydrogel platform designed to facilitate the formation of artificial tertiary lymphoid structures (aTLS), thereby improving ICB efficacy. Through the integration of self-assembling ferritin protein nanocages, rec1-resilin protein, and CP05 peptide, our hierarchical hydrogels provide a structurally supportive and functionally adaptive scaffold capable of on-demand self-repair in response to mild thermal treatments. The effective encapsulation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) via the CP05 peptide ensures the formation of aTLS with germinal center-like structures within the hierarchical hydrogel. We demonstrate that, combined with ICB therapy, EV-loaded hierarchical hydrogels also induce the TLS within the tumor, markedly promoting immune responses against ICB-resistant tumor. This bioactive hydrogel platform offers a versatile tool for enhancing a broad range of immunotherapies, with potential applications extending beyond TLS to other frameworks that support complex tissue architectures.

Large-scale synthesis of non-ionic bismuth chelate for computed tomography imaging in vivo

High atomic number elements-based X-ray computed tomography (CT) contrast agents offer a promising solution to address the inherent deficiencies of FDA-approved iodine contrast agents. However, they face substantial challenges in balancing imaging performance, safety, and large-scale production for clinical translation. Herein, inspired by the history of clinical gadolinium- and iodine-based contrast agents, we report a large-scale approach for synthesizing non-ionic bismuth (Bi) chelate for high-performance CT imaging in vivo. Bi-HPDO3A can be easily obtained from low-cost precursor within 4 steps at 6 g-scale. The non-ionic macrocyclic structure endows it with low osmolality, low viscosity, high stability, good renal clearable capability and biocompatibility. Additionally, Bi-HPDO3A realizes superior imaging performance across various in vivo applications, including gastrointestinal imaging, renal imaging, and computed tomography angiography (CTA). Especially, Bi-HPDO3A exhibits superior spectral imaging capability owing to the high K-edge of element Bi, achieving metal artifact-free CTA in vivo. The proposed Bi-HPDO3A that balances overall performance can serve as a high-performance CT contrast agent with potential for clinical translation.

Near-infrared light triggered bio-inspired enhanced natural silk fibroin nanofiber composite scaffold for photothermal therapy of periodontitis

Periodontitis is one of the major oral health issues worldwide, with significant impacts on oral health and patients's quality of life, but current therapies have not achieved optimal regeneration of periodontal tissue. This study developed scaffolds using natural tussah silk fibroin (TSF) cross-linked with regenerated silk fibroin (SF) nanofibers to improve mechanical properties and wet-state stability. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and polydopamine (PDA) composite nanoparticles were loaded into scaffold to impart its antibacterial and photothermal properties to construct a photo-responsive composite scaffold (ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF). After characterization, ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF demonstrated excellent antibacterial ability, biocompatibility, and photothermal stability. In vitro cell evaluations under 635 nm red light irradiation-mediated photo-biomodulation (PBM) demonstrated that ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF promoted fibroblast proliferation and enhanced expression of proteins and genes associated with tissue repair, such as collagen I (Col I), fibronectin (FN), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). A rat model of periodontitis developed for evaluations of antibacterial and tissue repair effects showed that ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF improved alveolar bone and reversed bone loss. ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF improved inflammation significantly through reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels in serum and gingival tissues of modeled rats. Also, the scaffold markedly increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and elevated protein and mRNA expression levels of tissue repair-related proteins and endothelial cell markers. ZnO/PDA/TSF-SF scaffold exhibited good biocompatibility, osteogenesis, and photo-responsive antibacterial properties, thereby demonstrating therapeutic potential in treating periodontitis.

The halo of future bio-industry based on engineering Halomonas

The utilization of microorganisms to transform biomass into biofuels and biochemicals presents a viable and competitive alternative to conventional petroleum refining processes. Halomonas species are salt-tolerant and alkaliphilic, endowed with various beneficial properties rendering them as contamination resistant platforms for industrial biotechnology, facilitating the commercial-scale production of valuable bioproducts. Here we summarized the metabolic and genomic engineering approaches, as well as the biochemical products synthesized by Halomonas. Methods were presented for expanding substrates utilization in Halomonas to enhance its capabilities as a robust workhorse for bioproducts. In addition, we briefly reviewed the Next Generation Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB) based on Halomonas for open and continuous fermentation. In particular, we proposed the industrial attempts from Halomonas chassis and the rising prospects and essential strategies to enable the successful development of Halomonas as microbial NGIB manufacturing platforms.

Construction of CeO2/Ti3C2Tx heterojunction with antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities for diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds are highly prone to persistent pathogenic infections due to the complex nature of their microenvironment, which significantly hinders the healing process under hyperglycemic conditions. In this study, we developed a bio-heterojunction enzyme system consisting of hollow CeO2/Ti3C2Tx MXene quantum dots (CeO2@MQD) integrated with glucose oxidase (GOx-CeO2@MQD). The GOx-CeO2@MQD system exhibits multifunctional enzymatic activities, including peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)-like activity, resulting in the production of •OH and O2, alongside the consumption of glucose and glutathione (GSH). The incorporation of GOx effectively mitigates the hyperglycemic microenvironment by catalyzing glucose, leading to a significant increase in H2O2 production, which is subsequently converted into bactericidal •OH through POD activity. Furthermore, H2O2 can be catalyzed into H2O and O2 via the CAT pathway, thereby alleviating inflammation caused by the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that the GOx-CeO2@MQD system achieved remarkable bactericidal efficiencies of 99.99% against E. coli and S. aureus at concentrations of 12.5 ppm and 2.0 ppm, respectively. In vivo experiments further revealed that GOx-CeO2@MQD significantly promoted angiogenesis, accelerated wound epithelialization, and induced a strong anti-inflammatory response, thus facilitating the regeneration of infected diabetic skin. This study proposes a novel approach for diabetic wound treatment by harnessing the synergistic effects of multiple enzyme-like activities.

Printable ADA-GEL-based composite inks containing Zn-doped bioactive inorganic fillers for skeletal muscle biofabrication

Bioprinting shows significant promise in advancing medical treatments by offering patient-specific solutions for repairing skeletal muscle tissues. Zinc (Zn) is one of the key ions in the human body involved in the development of myogenic cells. This study investigates the integration of Zn-doped bioactive inorganic fillers (BIFs) into alginate-dialdehyde-gelatin (ADA-GEL) as composite ink for bioprinting applications. BIFs were mesoporous calcium-silicate-based bioactive glass nanoparticles with nominal composition: 80% SiO2-X% CaO-Y% ZnO (X = 20, 18, 15, or 10; Y = 0, 2, 5, or 10; mol%). Ion release profiles confirmed that the addition of Zn ions prevented the burst release of Si and Ca ions. The incorporation of BIFs, particularly at higher dopant concentrations, significantly affected the hydrogel swelling and mechanical properties. With increasing concentration of Zn ions (to 5 mol%), the hydrogels exhibited greater dimensional swelling after 24 h of incubation in aqueous solutions, while all compositions lost weight over time after the initial swelling phase. Indirect cell studies demonstrated that 0.1 wt% BIFs extracts, obtained after 24 h-incubation in a cell culture medium, were cytocompatible with C2C12 cells. Furthermore, bioprinted C2C12 cells encapsulated in the bioinks showed a clear increase in cell number after seven days of culture. In particular, cells in the composite inks containing Zn-BIFs exhibited higher spreading, elongation, and alignment than those in pure ADA-GEL, indicating the biological activity provided by the Zn-BIF particles. This study introduces therefore an effective formulation of ADA-GEL-based composite bioinks enriched with Zn-containing nanoparticles for skeletal muscle tissue engineering applications.

Comparison of the ACE2 receptor and monoclonal antibodies immobilisation strategies for the sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Investigation of antibody or receptor immobilisation and binding to the target analyte is essential for the development of effective immunoassays. In our research, we applied the combination of two surface-sensitive methods: spectroscopic ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. It enabled quantitative investigation of optical and mechanical properties of formed biomolecule layers consisting of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors coupled with the Fc fragment, in complex with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike Omicron variant (SCoV2-oS). Random and site-directed immobilisation of ACE2 receptor gave 1.8 and 2.4 times higher dry surface mass density compared to random and site-direct mAbs immobilisation, respectively. Therefore, ACE2 had better potential for more sensitive detection of the target analyte SCoV2-oS. However, the binding of SCoV2-oS to site-directed ACE2 resulted in a low 80 ng/cm2 surface mass compared to other samples. Moreover, ΔD/ΔF data revealed two-step binding of SCoV2-oS to ACE2 and mAbs. Furthermore, calculated affinity constants (KD) showed that both ACE2 and mAb have high affinity to SCoV2-oS (in the range of 10-10 to 10-11 M), and their orientation on the surface had only a minor impact on KD values. Our findings in this investigation indicated that ACE2 coupled with the Fc fragment is as effective in the recognition of SARS-CoV-2 as mAbs and it can be successfully applied for the development of immunoassays. Considering SARS-CoV-2 mutates for a better S protein binding to the ACE2 receptor, using ACE2 as a biorecognition element is useful.

The role of green synthesis metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in oral cancer therapy: a review

There are 275,000 new cases of oral cancer (OC) per year, making it the sixth most common cancer in the world. Severe adverse effects, including loss of function, deformity, and systemic toxicity, are familiar with traditional therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery; due to their unique properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a superior alternative over chemo/radiotherapy and surgery due to their targeting capability, bioavailability, compatibility, and high solubility. Due to their unique properties, metallic NPs have garnered significant attention in OC control. In addition to the fact that metal NPs may be harmful to human cells, the reactive chemicals used to make them pose the same risk, which limits their use in medicine. Green synthesis (GS) is a novel strategy that uses biological materials like yeast, bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts. Compared to more traditional chemical synthesis processes, these are more environmentally benign and manageable for living organisms. This article summarises the GS of NPs made of metals and metal oxides and their anticancer effects on OC. The method's potential benefits and drawbacks in advancing metallic NPs' GS and shaping OC therapy's future were also discussed.

Luteolin: A novel approach to fight bacterial infection

Diseases caused by bacteria significantly impact public health, causing both acute and chronic issues, sequelae, and death. The problems get even more significant, considering the antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial resistance occurs when antibacterial drugs fail to kill the microbes, leading to the persistence of infection and pathogen spread in the host. Thus, the search for new molecules with antibacterial activity dramatically impacts human health. Natural products have proven to be a prosperous source of these agents. Among them, the flavonoids deserve to be highlighted. They are secondary metabolites, primarily involved in plant signaling and protection. Thus, they play an essential role in plant adaptation to the environment. Herein, we will focus on luteolin because it is commonly found in edible plants and has diverse pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. We will further explore the luteolin antibacterial activity, mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationship, and toxicity of luteolin. Thus, we have included reports of luteolin with antibacterial activity recently published, as well as focused on nanotechnology as a pivotal and helpful approach for the clinical use of luteolin. This review aims to foster future research on luteolin as a therapeutic agent for treating bacterial infection.

It takes Two: Advancing cancer treatment with two-step nanoparticle delivery

The rapid advancement of nanobiotechnology has resulted in the development of numerous targeted nanoformulations and sophisticated nanobiorobots for biomedical applications. Despite the potential of nanostructures to improve drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy, their clinical application is still constrained by insufficient accumulation in tumor tissues. Current methodologies result in only an average of 0.6 % of administered nanoparticles reaching tumors, prompting the development of innovative strategies to improve targeting and influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. One such approach is two-step targeting, which includes either the concept of tumor pre-targeting with specific recognizing elements or the stimuli-sensitive activation of nanostructures. This review critically evaluates advancements in two-step drug delivery systems utilizing nanobiotechnology for targeted cancer therapy. For instance, two-step delivery based on the pre-targeting concept involves an initial injection of targeting molecules that bind to tumor-specific antigens, followed by the administration of drug-loaded nanocarriers modified with complementary adaptors. This approach enhances nanoparticle accumulation in tumors and improves therapeutic outcomes by increasing interaction avidity and overcoming steric hindrances. We critically assess existing adaptor systems for two-step drug delivery and synthesize findings from various studies demonstrating their efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo settings, while addressing challenges in clinical translation. We also explore future directions for developing novel adaptor systems to enhance two-step delivery mechanisms. This review aims to contribute to optimizing nanobiotechnology in oncology for more effective cancer therapies.

Oxidation kinetics of fats from meat and meat products by isothermal calorimetry

Lipid oxidation significantly affects the nutritional value and sensory properties of processed meat products. This study aimed to apply isothermal calorimetry to analyze the oxidation kinetics of fats from chicken, pork, lamb and speck at 40 °C in presence of 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) radical initiator. Isothermal calorimetry allowed for continuous monitoring of the heat flow developed during the oxidation reaction determining key kinetic parameters such as the induction time (τ), rates of inhibited (Rinh) and uninhibited (Runi) periods, and oxidizability index (O.I.). The calorimetric data were validated using oximetry and peroxide value measurements (R2 = 0.99). Chicken fat exhibited longest τ followed by pork > speck > lamb. The results correlated with the concentration of antioxidants, mainly tocopherols, present in the samples. Furthermore, the O.I. of the fat samples varied significantly (p < 0.05) due to the different fatty acid compositions. Overall, isothermal calorimetry provided valuable kinetic insights while enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples.

Amphiphilic food polypeptides via moderate enzymatic hydrolysis of chickpea proteins: Bioprocessing, properties, and molecular mechanism

Plant proteins are a promising source for producing amphiphilic polypeptides with tailored techno-functional properties to be used in various food applications, such as fat replacers. This study investigated the effects of moderate enzymatic hydrolysis on amphiphilic polypeptide generation, by understanding the relationship of bioprocess - protein structure - functionality - amphiphilicity mechanism. Compared to non-specific protease alcalase, the specific protease trypsin catalyzed the production of polypeptides with higher surface hydrophobicity and relatively high molecular weight. Trypsin-produced polypeptides exhibited significantly higher water and oil holding capacities, foaming capacities, and emulsification than alcalase-produced counterparts. Furthermore, polypeptide sequences were obtained from proteomics and used to analyze amphiphilicity using Grand Average of Hydropathy (GRAVY) scores and hydropathy plots. Trypsin produced high number of amphiphilic polypeptides with balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of selected amphiphilic polypeptides in water-oleic acid systems suggested strong hydrophobic interactions with oleic acid and stable conformations in the interface.

Point-of-care colorimetric biosensor for H2O2 and glucose detection utilizing the peroxidase-like activity of 2D bimetallic metal organic framework nanosheets

BACKGROUND

The applications of natural enzymes are vast, limited only by their protein nature. Therefore, the development of artificial enzyme mimetics, nanozymes, which are stable and have improved activity, has become indispensable for biomedical and diagnostic purposes. Nanozymes have developed into an emergent topic combining nanotechnology and biology due to their vast range of potential uses. In comparison to natural peroxidase, peroxidase-imitating nanozymes have distinct benefits in terms of high stability and low cost for applications in bioanalysis and environmental remediation. The use of metal-organic framework nanoparticles has exhibited enhanced catalytic and enzymatic performance.

RESULTS

In the current work, we present a strategy for synthesizing 2D Ni/Co MOF nanoparticles that have been anchored onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The resulting composite (Ni/Co-MOF@CMC) 2D nanosheets exhibit a high surface area and abundant catalytic sites, greatly amplifying their peroxidase-like catalytic performance. Additionally, these 2D bimetallic MOFs mimic the peroxidase activity, demonstrated by the distinctive yellow colour upon the oxidation of o-Phenylenediamine (OPD) by hydrogen peroxide. This newly synthesized 2D bimetallic MOF provides a straightforward, simple, selective, and sensitive colorimetric analysis technique for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. H2O2 could be efficiently detected with a linear range of 10 μM-800 μM and a lower detection limit of 3.28 μM. With the potential to detect minute glucose concentrations as low as 200 μM within a linear range of 200 μM-600 μM.

SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY

This work demonstrates the significant novelty of applying an RGB colour sensor (TCS34725) for the quantitative measurement of H2O2 and glucose which holds great potential as a point-of-care platform for diabetic patients. Consequently, our approach broadens the use of MOFs in biosensing and presents a viable substitute for affordable, and easily accessible diabetes monitoring. These 2D bimetallic MOFs are promising materials for glucose detection applications, expanding the utility of MOFs to include biosensor applications.

Exploring toxicological pathways of microplastics and nanoplastics: Insights from animal and cellular models

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) represent an emerging issue for human and animal health. This review critically examines in vitro and in vivo studies to elucidate their mechanisms of action and toxicological effects. Key objectives included: providing a comprehensive overview of MP-NPs studies in literature, assessing experimental conditions relative to real environmental scenarios, and identifying toxicological pathways at the molecular level. The findings revealed significant progress in understanding MP-NPs impacts. In particular, it has been observed the promotion of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via specific signaling axes. Reproductive toxicity emerged as the primary research focus, particularly in male models, whereas effects on gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular systems were insufficiently studied, especially for the molecular pathways affected. Most studies disproportionately focused on polystyrene particles, neglecting other prevalent polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Furthermore, reliance on synthetic microspheres and non-realistic experimental concentrations limits relevance to real-world conditions. Limited long-term exposure studies further constrain the understanding of MP-NPs persistence and risks. In view of this, future research should integrate environmentally relevant conditions for particles doses, size and composition, long-term exposure assessments, and advanced methodologies such as omics and computational modeling. In addition, therapeutic interventions targeting oxidative and ER stress, inflammation and apoptosis may be an excellent solution to mitigate MP-NPs toxicity. At the same time, a standardized global approach is needed to fully understand the risks posed by MP-NPs, attempting to safeguard public and environmental health.

A novel photoactivatable coumarin-based fluorescent "turn-on" probe: Synthesis and applications for H2S detection in living cells and zebrafish models

A new photoactivatable "TURN-ON" fluorescent probe for H₂S detection was designed based on a tribromocoumarin scaffold, and successfully implemented through O-sulfonylation between a 3,6,8-tribromo-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (TBC) fluorophore and a dabsyl quencher. The H₂S-responsive strategy of the dabsyltribromocoumarin (Dab-TBC) probe is initiated via light-induced thiolysis of a sulfonate ester. This probe demonstrated excellent sensitivity and great stability towards H₂S detection under UV light irradiation, with no interference from other analytes, achieving a detection limit (LoD) of 1.61 μM. Importantly, Dab-TBC exhibited superb membrane permeability and showed great potential for visualizing H₂S levels in HeLa cells and zebrafish models, with no toxicity confirmed by in vivo toxicity studies in zebrafish embryos.

Enhancing lithium recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries: Techno-economic analysis comparison with and without extractant recovery process

The recovery of Lithium (Li) from Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) via solvent extraction faces challenges due to the significant dissolution of extractants into the aqueous phase, leading to considerable economic losses and environmental concerns. To address this issue and support a sustainable LiBs industry, this study proposes a breakthrough for recovering and recycling extractants during the Li extraction process. The process includes three key stages: Extraction, Stripping, and Extractant Recovery. Experimental results demonstrated that approximately 89 % of the extractant loss can be recovered to the organic phase at pH 1. Based on experimental data, a comprehensive mass balance and techno-economic analysis were conducted for the entire process. Using the Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H2O) production process as a case study, economic indices were compared for processes with and without extractant recovery. At a processing capacity of 0.165 t/h of Li, the implementation of extractant recovery resulted in a 14.5 % Return on Investment (ROI) and 6.03 years Payback Period (PBP), compared to an ROI of 12.3 % and a PBP of 7.03 years for the conventional process without recovery. This approach not only significantly reduces economic losses but also enhances the sustainability and scalability of Li recycling operations, offering a viable pathway for the commercialization of advanced Li extraction technologies.

Development of a ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on blue- and orange-emissive carbon dots for the determination of tartrazine in food products

Determination of tartrazine in food products is crucial due to its detrimental impacts on human health if it exceeds the maximum allowed intake limit. It was hypothesized that a ratiometric fluorescence sensor using blue- and orange-emissive carbon dots (B-O-CDs) would outperform single-emission-based sensors in sensitivity and reproducibility. A ratiometric probe was developed by mixing B-CDs and O-CDs, exhibiting emission peaks at 420 and 565 nm, differentially influenced by tartrazine. The fluorescence intensity ratio was used to quantify tartrazine with a detection limit of 64 nM, a linear range of 0.2-60 μM, recovery rates of 97.2-104.4 % and low relative standard deviation values (< 3.5 %) in food samples. The results confirm that the ratiometric approach enhances performance over single-emission-based sensors. The novel use of dual-emissive carbon dots and the inner filter effect offers a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable method for routine tartrazine monitoring in food products.

Electrochemical reduction-induced oxygen vacancies and in-situ selenization strategies synergistically construct high-performance supercapacitors

Supercapacitors encounter difficulties in terms of slow kinetics. The development of supercapacitors with fast reaction kinetics is a significant challenge. This work presents the synthesis ofnickel foam (NF)-supported CoMn layered double hydroxides (CoMn-LDH) and CoSe2 composites (OV-CoMn-LDH@CoSe2/NF) were synthesized using electrochemical reduction-induced oxygen vacancy (OV) and in situ selenization strategies. The resultant electrode materials exhibited a core-shell heterostructure encapsulated by defective nanosheets, and the abundant oxygen defects and heterostructures provided a substantial number of active sites while facilitating electron transfer during electrochemical processes. The capacitance of the prepared electrode materials was found to be 2673.3F g-1 (1 A g-1), with a capacity retention of 89.03 % (10 A g-1, 10,000 cycles). This represents a substantial enhancement in electrochemical performance when compared to other materials. Furthermore, the hybrid supercapacitor consisting of OV-CM@CS/NF and activated carbon (OV-CM@CS/NF//AC) has a capacitance retention of 86 % (10 A g-1, 10,000 cycles) and an energy density of 95 Wh kg-1 (750 W kg-1). Morphological characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that heterogeneous interfaces and defect structures can fundamentally alter the electronic structure of the materials and rationally explain the affinity relationship between OV-CoMn-LDH@CoSe2/NF and OH- adsorption energy. This suggests that the material facilitates the reversible adsorption and desorption processes during electrode reactions. This study proposes a method to improve the electrochemical performance of cathode materials for supercapacitors.

BiVO4/Bi4V2O10 isometallic heterojunction coupled with FeOOH/NiOOH cocatalysts for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation

The four-electron water oxidation reaction in photoelectrochemical systems poses a major challenge to efficiently converting solar energy into chemical energy amid the global energy crisis. Herein, we report a strategy to develop a photoelectrochemical system using BiVO4/Bi4V2O10 isometallic heterojunction photoanodes paired with FeOOH/NiOOH cocatalysts to enhance water oxidation in neutral electrolytes. The results demonstrate that the BiVO4/Bi4V2O10/FeOOH/NiOOH photoanode achieves a photocurrent density of 4.48 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode and an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 1.69 % at 0.63 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode-significantly outperforming bare BiVO4. This enhanced photoelectrochemical performance is attributed to the identical elemental composition and well-aligned energy band positions of Bi4V2O10 and BiVO4, which minimize charge recombination at the interface. Additionally, the FeOOH/NiOOH double-layer cocatalyst facilitates rapid transfer of photogenerated carriers, as confirmed by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and transient photovoltage measurements. This approach provides a novel and effective pathway for advancing high-efficiency photoelectrochemical cells.

Development of an electrochemical sensor utilizing MWCNs-poly(2-aminothiophenol) @AgNPs nanocomposite for the simultaneous determination of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in food samples

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of the Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes-Poly(2-aminothiophenol) @silver nanoparticles nanocomposite (MWCNTs-PATP@AgNPs) using different analytical methods. The synthesized MWCNTs-PATP@AgNPs served as an electrocatalytic modifier, enabling the highly selective and sensitive detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions at nanomolar levels using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The concentration of MWCNTs- PATP @AgNPs, the type and concentration of the electrolyte, the solution's pH, and the preconcentration conditions, were systematically optimized. A linear response was observed for Pb2+ and Cd2+ within the ranges of 0.5-60.0 nmolL-1 and 8.0-50.0 nmol L-1, respectively, with detection limits of 0.125 nmol L-1 for Pb2+ and 1.47 nmol L-1 for Cd2+. Furthermore, the MWCNTs-PATP@AgNPs sensor demonstrated the capability to selectively detect these target metals in the presence of various common interfering species. The sensor was effectively utilized for the detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions across various real samples.

In vivo monitoring of endogenous hydrogen sulfide and evaluation of natural protectants in liver injury mice using a highly selective bioluminescent probe

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an essential endogenous gasotransmitter that can regulate a wide range of physiological processes. However, overproduction of H2S is toxic to humans and causes liver injury, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system-related disease, diabetes, even cancer. Hence, designing efficient imaging probes for real-time monitoring of the alterations in endogenous H2S is a viable tactic for accurate diagnosis of these diseases. In this work, a bioluminescence (BL) probe, namely Luc-H2S, has been developed to achieve H2S detection in vitro and in vivo. This sensing probe enables a selective BL turn-on response to H2S, and showcases excellent sensitivity with a low detection limit (LOD = 0.337 μM). Furthermore, Luc-H2S has been successfully applied in BL imaging of endogenous H2S in cells, tumor-bearing mice and drug-induced liver injury mice. More importantly, Luc-H2S is utilized to accurately evaluate the protective effects of natural products against alcohol-induced liver injury through monitoring of the H2S fluctuations. We envision that Luc-H2S holds promise as a powerful imaging tool for diagnosis of H2S-mediated diseases and evaluation of drug therapy.

Modulation of the electronic structure of nitrogen-carbon sites by sp3-hybridized carbon coupled to chloride ions improves electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction performance

The challenges remain to develop cost-effective carbon-based catalysts with high activity and selectivity. Here, we synergistically modulate carbon-based electrocatalysts through Cl doping with intrinsic defects in sp3-hybridized carbon and apply them to the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The designed electrocatalyst achieved high selectivity over a wide potential range (-0.7 to -1.0 V), with a faraday efficiency of 96.3 % at -0.8 V for CO. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and analytical studies show pyrrole N to be the active site of CO2RR, and doping Cl increases the content of sp3-hybridized carbon in the carbon substrate, which synergistically accelerates the supply of hydrolysis dissociated protons and facilitates the protonation process of the intermediate products from *CO2 to *COOH. Density functional theory calculations show that Cl coupled sp3-hybridized carbon inhibits the adsorption of H* in the pyrrole N site and facilitates the desorption of *CO, thus promoting the whole process of CO2RR.

Complex release dynamics of microplastic additives: An interplay of additive degradation and microplastic aging

This study investigates the complex dynamics of additive release from microplastics in aquatic environments under natural ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is critical for assessing ecotoxicological impacts and developing pollution remediation strategies. We focused on release kinetics of additives (Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA) and Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209)) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) microplastics exposed to UV light, exploring the interplay between additive release, photodegradation, and microplastic aging. Initial results showed a consistent release pattern, but under UV exposure, the release became more complex due to additive degradation and changes in the microplastics' structure. Factors such as polymer type, microplastic size, additive content, and environmental conditions (UV or darkness) significantly influenced the release quantity and kinetics. UV-induced additive degradation altered the concentration gradient between the microplastic and water, while aging, marked by changes in surface chemistry and internal polymer breakdown, accelerated additive release. By applying Inner Particle Diffusion (IPD) and Aqueous Boundary Layer Diffusion (ABLD) models, we demonstrated how UV-induced degradation and aging affected key parameters like the diffusion and partition coefficients, impacting the overall release process. These insights lay the foundation for understanding the environmental risks posed by microplastic additives and developing strategies to mitigate their impact in aquatic ecosystems.

Sensitive amperometric immunosensor for pathogen antigen based on MoS2@AuNPs assembling dual-peptide as bioprobes with significant dual signal amplification

It is crucial to timely and accurately identify the causative virus for early treatment and urgent prevention. Viral antigen detection can identify those people who are most likely at risk of spreading the disease, but most based on antibodies with limited stability and sensitivity. Peptides offer several advantages over antibodies, such as low cost, smaller size and good stability. The development of electrochemical immunoassay using specific peptide probes have the merits of good sensitivity and selectivity as well as good stability. Herein we report an amperometric immunosensor using peptides as capture probe and recognition probe. The molecular docking suggests that the two peptides of Pi (sequence: NFWISPKLAFALGGGKKKSC) and FK11 (sequence: WFLNDSELISML), bioscreened from phage display, bind to N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP). The peptide Pi is assembled on MoS2@AuNPs modified electrode to capture SARS-CoV-2 SP, which is recognized by peptide FK11-displayed phage to form Pi/SARS-CoV-2 SP/FK11-phage sandwich. Then anti-M13 phage conjugated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (anti M13-HRP) was introduced to recognize the phage capsid protein pVIII to form M13 phage/anti M13-HRP to enrich thousands of HRP, which can further electrochemically catalyze H2O2 reduction at highly conductive MoS2@AuNPs at - 0.35 V. Then amperometric immunosensor was constructed with linear range of 0.1-5000 pg/mL SARS-CoV-2 SP and detection limit of 0.074 pg/mL. The sensor also has good selectivity, batch reproducibility and stability, capable of detecting down to 10 transducing units/mL SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses. This work represents the first example of dual-peptide probes based sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor integrated with dual signal amplification, which may provide a cost-effective assay platform in detecting real SARS-CoV-2 viruses for early diagnosis. The flexible and modular strategy can be extended to develop other type biosensors for a wide range of applications.

Recent advances in PROTAC-based antiviral and antibacterial therapeutics

By harnessing the ubiquitin proteasome system, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a highly promising strategy in drug design for degrading pathogenic proteins. The extensive benefits of PROTAC technology have facilitated its swift and extensive adoption, resulting in numerous PROTACs advancing to clinical trials, and most of them was used for cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune disorders in clinical trials. A number of antiviral PROTACs and antibacterial PROTACs have been developed, exhibiting encouraging bioactivities against various pathogenic viruses and bacterial. Herein, this review summarizes recent advances in PROTAC technology for antiviral and antibacterial drugs, we also provided an overview of the current state of PROTAC clinical trials and detailed the crystal structures of PROTAC in complex with its target protein. Hopefully, this review will contribute to the development of novel antiviral and antibacterial drugs through the utilization of PROTAC technology.

Regulating the Cu+ distribution by the controllable metal-support interaction via thermal treatment for boosting reverse water-gas shift reaction

Metal-support interaction (MSI) is an efficient strategy to modulate the distribution of active metal with different electronic states over the oxide-supported metal catalysts. However, the intrinsic correlation between the intensity of MSI and the electronic structure of supported metals remains inadequate. In this work, the intensity of MSI over the Cu/Y2O3 catalyst was tuned by the calcination temperature, which regulated the distribution of Cu0, Cu+ and Cu2+ species. The Cu/Y2O3 catalyst with the highest amount of Cu+ exhibits the superior performance of reverse water-gas shift reaction. Due to the enhanced H2 activation and promoted charge transfer at the interfacial Cu+/Y2O3 site based on the experimental characterizations, the CO formation rate reached 220 mmolCOgcat-1 h-1 at 500 °C. The present work provides an efficient way to regulate the supported metal species with the specific electronic state.

In situ ligand passivated organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite quantum dots for photocatalytic antibacterial applications

The photoelectric properties of perovskite quantum dots make them have great potential in photocatalytic antibacterial applications. However, commonly used long-chain ligands are not conducive to the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers in perovskite quantum dots. In this work, we used short chain ligands with higher conjugated systems (BODIPY-OH) for surface regulated synthesis of MAPbBr3 quantum dots (BDP/QDs). We found that there is a photogenerated carrier transfer process between BODIPY-OH and MAPbBr3 quantum dots. BODIPY-OH can effectively separate the photogenerated carriers in MAPbBr3 quantum dots. Due to this property, BDP/QDs have great application prospects in the field of photocatalysis. Using the specific chemical trapping techniques, we show that the binding of BODIPY-OH successfully enhances the singlet oxygen generation ability of MAPbBr3 quantum dots through the process of photogenerated carrier transfer. Based on the excellent waterproof performance of SiO2, we further improved the water stability of BDP/QDs using SiO2 (SiO2@BDP/QDs). The photogenerated singlet oxygen generated by SiO2@BDP/QDs has an effective antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli. This work provides new ideas and understanding for designing halide perovskite photocatalytic antibacterial materials for efficient antibacterial effects.

A novel dual-mode biosensing platform based on Au@luminol and CdSe QDs for detection of trace heavy metal ions in PM2.5

Multi-component analysis of PM2.5, especially heavy metal ions, is very important for the study of air pollution. In this work, a novel dual-mode biosensing platform based on Au@luminol and CdSe QDs luminophores was constructed to achieve simultaneous detection of trace Mn2+ and Cd2+ in PM2.5. Interestingly, Au@luminol and CdSe QDs both had excellent fluorescence (FL) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) performance, which provided feasibility for dual-mode detection. Based on this characteristic, this platform adopted a classical magnetic bead-assisted enzyme cleavage amplification strategy to convert trace Mn2+ and Cd2+ into a large number of Au@luminol and CdSe QDs probes, respectively, producing excellent positive and negative potential ECL signals in the presence of the only co-reactant H2O2. The above two probes were introduced into a and b regions of ITO electrode by DNA hybridization to realize the ECL-spatial-potential resolution and simultaneous detection of Mn2+ and Cd2+. In addition, the above two probes could also be directly used for FL detection of Mn2+ and Cd2+, further improving the detection accuracy. In general, this work focused on heavy metal pollution in atmospheric particulates by using a cleverly designed dual-mode biosensor, which provided a new idea for simultaneous detection of multi-component samples.

Copper-based hollow mesoporous nanogenerator with reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species storm generation for self-augmented immunogenic cell death-mediated triple-negative breast cancer immunotherapy

Although nanotheranostics have great potential in tumor immunotherapy, their effectiveness is often hindered by low immunogenic cell death (ICD) and inactivated immune responses in the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Such vulnerability may lead to metastasis or recurrence, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Addressing this challenge, the study presents a multimodal immunotherapeutic approach using a self-enhanced ICD copper (Cu)-based hollow nanogenerator. This nanogenerator is activated by a near-infrared (NIR) laser to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) storms. Specifically, the nitric oxide (NO) donor l-Arginine (l-Arg) is loaded into hollow mesoporous Cu sulfide nanoparticles (HCuSNPs) with inherent NIR absorption and coated with tumor-targeting peptides (RGD), forming l-Arg@HCuSNPs-PEG-RGD (AHPR). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that AHPR can induce tumor thermal ablation, cuproptosis, and the generation of peroxynitrite anions (ONOO-) under NIR laser irradiation, resulting in multiple antitumor effects. Additionally, the nanogenerator enhances ICD through mechanisms such as mild-photothermal therapy (mPTT), cuproptosis, and ONOO- production, promoting immune cell infiltration and activation, and converting 'cold' tumors into 'hot' ones. By combining AHPR with the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed cell death protein ligand-1 antibody (αPD-L1), the study significantly improves the immunotherapy response rate in TNBC, offering a promising strategy to enhance TNBC immunotherapy efficacy.

Enhanced electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over a ZIF-67@β-Ni(OH)2/NF heterostructure catalyst: Synergistic effects and mechanistic insights

The electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a crucial step in biomass valorization. While Ni(OH)2 exhibits promise as an electrocatalyst due to its dynamic Ni2+/Ni3+ redox transitions, its limited HMF adsorption capacity and high onset potential hinder its widespread application. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a ZIF-67@β-Ni(OH)2/NF heterostructure electrocatalyst featuring a non-homogeneous interface, resulting in an advanced onset-potential of the HMF oxidation reaction (HMFOR), a higher current density than β-Ni(OH)2 and significantly enhances HMF adsorption. Consequently, the optimized catalyst achieves 100 % HMF conversion and a remarkable 98.97 % FDCA yield with a high Faraday efficiency of 95.21 % at 1.45 VRHE. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), open-circuit potential (OCP) and in-situ electrochemical impedance (in-situ EIS) tests confirm the synergistic effect of ZIF-67, demonstrating its crucial role in optimizing the β-Ni(OH)2 catalytic interface and facilitating enhanced adsorption and conversion of both HMF and OH-. This work provides a valuable strategy for engineering high-performance non-homogeneous nickel-based electrocatalysts for efficient HMF oxidation.

A fluorometric and naked eye readable neuraminidase probe for influenza virus detection

Rapid diagnostic methods are crucial for effective influenza therapy and the prevention of flu pandemics. Neuraminidase (NA), a key protein on the surface of influenza virions, plays a vital role in the replication of the influenza virus (IV). Herein, we present SANP, a multimode NA-activatable fluorescent probe designed for rapid influenza detection and live-cell imaging. This probe demonstrated a high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15.4 mU/mL for NA and 2-2 hemagglutination units (0.25 HAU) for influenza virus samples. SANP also exhibited a LOD of 20 HAU (1 HAU) when detected influenza virus samples by the naked eye without the aid of equipment. Moreover, SANP facilitated real-time visualization of NA activity in influenza-infected cells through fluorescence imaging.

Ultrasensitive and multiplex SERS immunoassay for stroke subtype-specific biomarkers based on graphene oxide-supported nanofilms coated by roughened nanoboxes with extensive high-density hotspots

Herein, we fabricate the graphene oxide-supported nanofilms coated by roughened nanoboxes (GO@AuAgRNB) for the ultrasensitive and simultaneous determination of multiple stroke subtype-specific biomarkers. Initially, Au-Ag roughened nanobox (AuAgRNB) with abundant coupling and tip hotspots is prepared by the partial surface passivation strategy. AuAgRNB is uniformly, densely and firmly assembled onto graphene oxide (GO) by metal-sulfur bonds, generating extensive high-density hotspots. Owing to electromagnetic and chemical enhancement, the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of GO@AuAgRNB is greatly improved with the enhancement factor of 5.78 × 107. Combined with magnetic bead, GO@AuAgRNB was employed to develop a SERS-based immunoassay platform for the simultaneous detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4). The platform demonstrates ultra-sensitivity with detection ranges of 0.1 pg/mL-0.1 μg/mL and limits of detection of 0.16 pg/mL for GFAP and 0.10 pg/mL for RBP4. Furthermore, the platform provides superior anti-interference properties, accuracy, and capability for simultaneous detection and practical application. In the detection of clinical patient samples, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis shows that cut-off values (RBP4 = 13.51 μg/mL and GFAP = 2.07 ng/mL) can reliably differentiate patients with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Overall, the ultrasensitive and multiplex immunoassay platform based on GO@AuAgRNB demonstrates high potential in the clinical diagnosis of stroke subtypes.

A high-performance photonic-ionic E-skin with synergistic electronic/optical sensing for motion tracking

The integration of visualization and electrical feedback in biomimetic electronic skin (E-skin) for real-time motion tracking has attracted significant attention in wearable electronics. To facilitate human-readable interactive feedback and improve the overall performance of E-skin, particularly regarding mechanical compliance, sensitivity, and stability, we propose a novel high-performance photonic-ionic skin (PI-skin) based on mechanochromic photonic ionogel. The PI-skin, prepared by incorporating aligned magnetic colloids into an ionogel matrix, integrates interactive structural coloration and electrical responses to external stimuli, achieving dual-mode precise motion recognition. Due to the enhanced hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions within the ionogel matrix, the PI-skin exhibits excellent mechanical properties (tensile strain >1000%), remarkable adhesive strength (peeling force >7 kPa), high sensitivity (gauge factor = 1.42 at straining 0%-300% and 2.71 at straining 300%-500%), rapid response time (120 ms), and exceptional mechanical compliance (>500 continuous cycles). More importantly, such PI-skin demonstrates ultrafast and highly accurate optical/electrical dual-signal motion detection, thereby facilitating posture correction during sitting and encoding of vocal cord vibrations during speech. We anticipate that this versatile PI-skin will possess substantial potential in the field of wearable electronics, and may inspire the design of next-generation E-skin for human-computer interaction and personalized healthcare applications.

Recent advances in dynamic single-molecule analysis platforms for diagnostics: Advantages over bulk assays and miniaturization approaches

Single-molecule science is a unique technique for unraveling molecular biophysical processes. Sensitivity to single molecules provides the capacity for the early diagnosis of low biomarker amounts. Furthermore, the miniaturization of instruments for portable diagnostic tools toward point-of-care testing (POCT) is a crucial development in this field. Herein, we discuss recent developments in single-molecule sensing platforms and their advantages for diagnostics over bulk measurements including molecular size measurements, interaction dynamics, and fast biomarker sensing and sequencing at low concentrations. We highlight the capabilities of dynamic optical and electrical sensing platforms for single-biomolecule and single-vesicle monitoring associated with neurodegenerative disorders, viral diseases, cancers, and more. Current approaches to instrument miniaturization have brought technology closer to portable diagnostics settings via smartphone-based devices, multifunctional portable microscopes, handheld electrical circuit devices, and remote single-molecule assays. Finally, we provide an overview of the clinical applications of single-molecule sensors in POCT assays. Altogether, single-molecule analyses platforms exhibit significant potential for the development of novel portable healthcare devices.

Biomimetic ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on perovskite quantum dots and carbon dots for ultrasensitive ciprofloxacin detection

The development of high-performance fluorescence (FL) sensing platform for sensitive and selective monitoring ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic residues is crucial for food safety and environmental protection. Herein, we present an innovative dual-response ratiometric FL sensor, fabricated from perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) and carbon dots (CDs) embedded within a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) (PQDs/CDs@MIP) via an efficient one-pot sol-gel method. The constructed PQDs/CDs@MIP sensor combines the specific recognition of MIPs with dual FL emission at 460 nm (CDs) and 518 nm (PQDs). Upon exposure to CIP, the blue FL can be enhanced while the green FL is quenched, and the FL intensity ratio (F460/F518) is linearly dependent on the CIP concentration. Benefiting from the biomimetic molecular recognition and the dual-signaling transduction, the developed sensor demonstrates excellent selectivity and ultra-high sensitivity, achieving a remarkably low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.005 μmol L-1 in a wide concentration range of 0.01-30.0 μmol L-1. The proposed sensor has been successfully applied to the quantitative determination of CIP in real aquatic products, with satisfactory recovery rates of 90.0 %-106.7 %. This work offers a promising new strategy for the development of ratiometric sensing system with dual-signaling modes for monitoring antibiotic residue.

Comparative immobilization of 30 PFAS mixtures onto biochar, clay, nanoparticle, and polymer derived engineered adsorbents: Machine learning insights into carbon chain length and removal mechanism

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of fluorinated chemicals that cause potential risk in PFAS-impacted soil and water. The adsorption efficiency of 30 PFAS mixtures using different adsorbents in environmentally relevant concentrations was investigated. Different meso/microporous designed adsorbents (n = 7) were used for PFAS adsorption and their interfacial interactions. The adsorbents were tested for their ability to remove PFAS mixtures, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs, n = 7, C4-C10), perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, n = 11, C4-C14), fluorotelomer sulfonic acids (FTSs, n = 4), perfluoroalkane sulfonamido acetic acids (FASAAs, n = 3, C8), perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs, n = 3, C8) and perfluoroalkane sulfonamidoethanols (FASEs, n = 2, C8). The overall removal rate of 30 PFAS was recorded as 86.20-89.29 %, 87.63-90.33 %, and 67.07-93.61 % for microporous biochar/modified biochar, halloysite nanoclays, and mesoporous polymer composites-based adsorbents, respectively. The presence of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar, iron nanoparticles, and β-cyclodextrin in the composite adsorbents enhances the sorption of PFAS. Higher adsorption efficiency was observed for long-chain PFCAs, PFSAs, FTSs, FASAAs, FASAs, and FASEs, whereas, complete removal of short-chain PFCAs, PFSAs, and FTSs is still challenging by using all the studied adsorbents. The carbon chain length and head groups of PFAS play a vital role in removing PFAS. The correlation coefficient (R2) values between removal rate and carbon chain length, for PFCAs (n = 11), and PFSAs (n = 7) were found as 0.73, and 0.31 respectively. Appropriate machine learning tools including efficient linear least squares, Gaussian process regression, and stepwise linear regression, were applied to fit experimental data and assess model accuracy.

Recent advances in synthesis and applications of hyper-crosslinked porous organic polymers for sample pretreatment: A review

Hyper-crosslinked porous organic polymers (HCPs) are nanoporous materials synthesized through Friedel-Crafts reactions, which covalently crosslink monomeric units to integrate the high porosity, large surface area, and tunable pore architecture of porous networks with the structural diversity, lightweight nature, and compositional flexibility inherent to polymeric systems. These materials exhibit excellent thermal/chemical stability, facile surface functionalization, and scalable synthesis protocols, enabling versatile applications in drug delivery, chromatography, catalysis, and gas storage. In recent years, HCPs have gained prominence as advanced sorbents in sample pretreatment, owing to their inherent physicochemical characteristics that align closely with the critical requirements for high-performance extraction or purification adsorbents. This review aims to present recent advancements in HCPs preparation, with a primary focus on their applications in analytical sample preparation. A systematic investigation of HCP-based adsorption mechanisms, structural design principles, and fabrication methodologies was conducted to establish robust structure-function correlations through performance evaluation across diverse extraction techniques, including column solid-phase extraction (SPE), magnetic SPE (MSPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and other miniaturized SPE formats, for the pre-concentration of target analytes in food, environmental, and biological samples. Finally, we delineate current challenges and future research directions, proposing innovative engineering strategies to advance HCPs for addressing complex analytical matrix challenges.

A comprehensive review on anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer and antifungal properties of several bivalent transition metal complexes

Transition metal complexes have been recognized as possible therapeutic agents, attributed to their special biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer. The pharmacological perspective connected with Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Palladium (Pd), Zinc (Zn), and Platinum (Pt) metal(II) complexes is comprehensively explored in-depth in this research. The complexes show unique coordination chemistry and modes of action that help interactions with biological targets, including DNA binding, enzyme inhibition, and the formation of reactive oxygen species. All the metal(II) complexes showed notable potential impact in their perspective activity. Conspicuously, Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes show better antibacterial and antifungal action, while Cu(II) and Zn(II) combinations show higher anti-inflammatory activity. While research is constantly investigating alternative metal-based anticancer drugs like Pd(II), which seem to have lowered side effects, Pt(II) complexes especially cisplatin continue to be the benchmark in cancer treatment. Although the possible pharmacological actions are motivating, problems with toxicity and biocompatibility still provide major difficulties, especially in relation to Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes. Strategies like ligand modification, nanoparticle-based delivery, and prodrug methods are used to increase selectivity and reduce side effects related to metal complexes. This review compiles the most recent developments and continuous research, thereby shedding light on the potential revolutionary power of metal(II) complexes in medical therapy. Understanding their mechanisms and enhancing their safety profiles will help us open the path to creative ideas for addressing some of the most urgent medical issues of today.

Sulfur dioxide capture by deep eutectic solvents: Proposing purely predictive absorption models

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the hazardous gases during coal or hydrogen sulfide combustion in petrochemical and coal-related industries. Unfortunately, SO2 is released into the atmosphere in most SO2-involved industries. The high concentration of SO2 in the atmosphere leads to acid rain, which leads to various damage and destruction of the environment. Therefore, preventing SO2 emissions into the atmosphere is vital. Considering environmental guidelines, Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs), as the recent category of green solvents because of their eco-friendly characteristics are interesting. Considering the huge number of introduced DESs and also the costly and time-consuming process for experimental measurement of SO2 absorption by DESs, it is vital to have predictive thermodynamic models for predicting SO2 solubilities in DESs. In this study, for the first time in open literature, two general, accurate, and predictive models of atomic and group contributions were developed for SO2 absorption by various nature DESs based on a comprehensive data bank over wide ranges of temperatures and pressures. The gathered data bank includes 997 SO2 absorption data points for 65 various nature DESs. Both developed GC and AC models showed reliable and predictive performances by presenting the AARD% values of 10.3 and 11.7, respectively.

A photothermal-responsive multi-enzyme nanoprobe for ROS amplification and glutathione depletion to enhance ferroptosis

Ferroptosis therapy employs reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated via Fenton or Fenton-like reactions. However, the antioxidant system associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits high levels of glutathione (GSH) that significantly restrict the therapeutic efficacy of ferroptosis. In this study, we propose a near-infrared (NIR)-responsive hollow mesoporous manganese dioxide (HM-MnO2) nanoprobe with multi-enzyme-like activity for enhanced ROS generation and GSH depletion that can efficiently promote ferroptosis. The ferroptosis inducer RSL3 is encapsulated within HM-MnO2 with a loading capacity of 67 %, while iron-doped dopamine (Fe-PDA) and cRGD tumor-targeting peptides are conjugated on the surface. The resultant MnO2R@FePDA-cRGD nanocomposite delivers a photothermal conversion efficiency of 39.1 % under 808 nm irradiation, which can effectively trigger structural degradation of the nanoplatform and the rapid release of RSL3. The photothermal effects significantly augment catalytic activity, enabling a multi-enzyme mimicking that includes peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), GSH peroxidase (GPx), and NADH oxidase (NOx) functions, generating significant ROS radicals and an efficient depletion of intracellular GSH. These cascade reactions contribute to an optimal TME for inducing "explosive" ferroptosis with a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. The proposed strategy represents a potent approach to amplifying ferroptosis through the photothermal-driven rapid release of RSL3 and enhanced multi-enzyme mimetic activities with significant potential in nanomedicine-based cancer therapy.

Active capture-directed bimetallic nanosubstrate for enhanced SERS detection of Staphylococcus aureus by combining strand exchange amplification and wavelength-selective machine learning

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the leading risk factor for food safety and human health. Herein, a novel wavelength-selective machine learning -driven adaptive strand exchange amplification (SEA)/SERS biosensor was developed for rapid detection of S. aureus. The study operates via three innovative routes: i) the exceptional specificity triggered through SEA of the nuc target gene (nuc T') from S. aureus, ii) anodic aluminum oxide filter membrane-supported gold and silver bimetallic nanoflowers modified with 4-ATP (Au/Ag FL@AAO-4-ATP) were prepared as SERS nanosubstrate for actively capturing the nuc T' through a nucleophilic addition reaction, and for SERS signal enhancement, and finally iii) the integration of a wavelength-selective machine learning tool for further refinement and accuracy of the S. aureus detection process. The proposed wavelength-selective machine learning-driven adaptive Au/Ag FL@AAO-4-ATP nanosubstrate administers prediction performance for the quantitative detection of S. aureus using interval combined population analysis-partial least squares (ICPA-PLS) with root mean square error of prediction and residual predictive deviation values of 0.9626 and 3.56, respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed ICPA-PLS method in real milk samples was validated by a standard fluorescent quantitative PCR method in terms of t-test with no significant differences at P = 0.05. This study offers a new avenue for rapid and straightforward detection of S. aureus, focusing on key genes. The proposed SERS/SEA/machine learning integrated platform can be adapted to other bacterial species via engineering appropriate amplification primers, thus, inspiring potential applications in food safety and biomedical research.

Synergistic regulation of different coordination shells of iron centers by sulfur and phosphorus enables efficient oxygen reduction in zinc-air batteries

The modulation of the coordination environment of Fe-N4 active sites is crucial for enhancing the oxygen reduction catalytic activity of FeNC. However, comprehensively investigating the synergistic regulation of diverse coordination shells of Fe centers by various non-metallic heteroatoms poses a significant challenge. In this study, iron/sulfur/phosphorus/nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (FeNCSP) were synthesized through a two-step process that includes a solvothermal method followed by one-step calcination. The introduction of sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) atoms facilitates the synergistic regulation of the first and second coordination shells of the Fe site, leading to the formation of an asymmetric coordination structure. This structural modification optimizes the electronic configuration of Fe sites and improves the adsorption energies of oxygen intermediates. Additionally, the uniformly thin-walled carbon nanotubes enhance the accessibility of active sites and improve the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The FeNCSP exhibits outstanding ORR catalytic activity, with a half-wave potential of 0.875 V, surpassing that of commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, the FeNCSPbased zinc-air battery (ZAB) shows a remarkable peak power density (158 mW cm-2) and a high discharge specific capacity (817 mAh g-1@50 mA cm-2). This work elucidates the structure-activity relationship between the coordination environment of Fe-N4 active sites and ORR catalytic performance, providing a novel perspective for designing and optimizing transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts.

High-performance sodium-ion batteries using Na5PV2Mo10O40 modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite materials induced by imidazole ionic liquids

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have gained increasing attention as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, owing to the abundance and low cost of sodium. However, despite these advantages, the performance of SIBs is hindered by the larger ionic radius of sodium, which not only reduces ion migration rates but also significantly decreases the specific capacity. To address this challenge, the present study explores the synthesis of Na5PV2Mo10O40 (PV2Mo10)-modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites by employing imidazole ionic liquid (IL) as electrostatic attraction agent, this approach not only prevents the aggregation of polyoxometalates (POMs) but also increases the interlayer distance of rGO, improving the battery's specific capacity and enhancing the diffusion rate of Na+ ions. Experimental results indicate that the PV2Mo10-rGO-IL hybrid material exhibits exceptional electrochemical properties, characterized by significantly improved conductivity and an impressive specific capacity of 290mAh g-1 while achieving nearly 100 % Coulombic efficiency over 900 cycles. Furthermore, theoretical calculations reveal that the incorporation of POMs effectively reduces the electrode impedance of rGO and enhances the structural stability of POMs during cycling. This study opens up new avenues for the design of high-performance sodium ion batteries based on POMs.

Enhanced phosphate recovery in R-MCDI systems: Synergistic effects of modified electrodes and membrane-electrode-current collector assembly

Efficient phosphorus (P) recovery is critical for sustainable wastewater management and resource reuse. This study optimized a reservoir of membrane capacitive deionization (R-MCDI) system by integrating acid-modified activated carbon cloth (ACC) electrodes and a membrane-electrode-current collector assembly (MECA) configuration. Acid modification enhanced the electrode's specific surface area, microporosity, and carboxyl group content, while reducing charge transfer resistance, significantly improving P recovery and selectivity. The ACC-42 electrode achieved optimal performance, achieving a 52% P recovery efficiency and low energy consumption of 8.8 kWh/kg P. The MECA configuration further amplified P recovery by optimizing electric field distribution and maximizing electrode utilization, achieving a fourfold higher recovery rate (0.081 μmol·cm-2·min-1) while reducing energy consumption by 59% compared to alternative setups. Multi-cycle operations validated the system's robustness, with P concentrations reaching 397 mg/L in the electrode chamber and a nearly 15-fold increase in selectivity for P over sulfate. This study highlights the synergistic effects of electrode modification and assembly configuration in enhancing R-MCDI performance, providing a scalable and energy-efficient solution for nutrient recovery in wastewater treatment.

Peptidomimetics based on thiacalixarene with L-tyrosine moieties: Antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and degradation induced by binding to α-chymotrypsin

The design of new antimicrobial agents is an important challenge due to the growing resistance of microorganisms to existing antibiotics. In recent years, the trend towards the development of compounds and materials with (bio)degradable properties has emerged. In this work, we propose and develop a method for the synthesis of new peptidomimetics, i.e., water-soluble macrocyclic quaternary ammonium salts containing L-tyrosine fragments based on p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene in various stereoisomeric forms (cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate). These compounds have low cytotoxicity (IC50 = 80-267 μM) and high antibacterial activity (MIC = 0.5-15.6 μM) against Gram-positive bacterial strains including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The obtained peptidomimetics can bind α-chymotrypsin with the formation of supramolecular systems and their subsequent degradation. Our results demonstrate the first example of multi-action thiacalixarene derivatives with antibacterial activity, protein binding ability and degradation induced by binding to α-chymotrypsin. The obtained results open the possibility of creating multi-action peptidomimetic systems with antimicrobial and biodegradable effect.

Few-layer MoS2 co-assembly with GO to optimize defect channels and stability of GO membranes for high-performance organic-inorganic separation

The selective separation of organic compounds and inorganic salts is essential for wastewater recycling in fine chemical industries such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Membrane separation technology offers a promising solution. However, conventional organic membranes often face challenges related to precise separation and solvent resistance. While graphene oxide (GO) membranes exhibit excellent solvent resistance, their separation performance and structural stability require further improvement. In this study, we developed a GO/few-layer molybdenum disulfide (FLMoS2) membrane via co-assembly. The optimized GO/FLMoS2 membrane demonstrated a water permeability of 28.4 LMH/bar, approximately four times higher than conventional GO membranes, and achieved a separation factor exceeding 900 for organic/inorganic mixtures-among the highest reported for two-dimensional (2D) membranes. Comprehensive characterization, including low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), revealed that this superior performance was attributed to controlled defect channels, enhanced interlayer cross-linking, and the intrinsic rigidity of FLMoS2, which provided high structural stability and minimal swelling. Moreover, mechanical strength assessments, including critical destructive load force and nanoindentation tests, confirmed significant improvement in structural robustness. As a result, the GO/FLMoS2 membrane maintained stable water permeability and separation efficiency over 100 hours of continuous operation and six chemical cleaning cycles, demonstrating its potential for sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

Redox dyshomeostasis-driven prodrug strategy for enhancing camptothecin-based chemotherapy: Selenization of SN38 as a case study

Harnessing the modulation of redox homeostasis represents a promising anticancer strategy. Here, we design and evaluate Se-SN38, a prodrug of the camptothecin (CPT) derivative 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) with a cyclic five-membered diselenide moiety for redox-triggered activation. We demonstrate that Se-SN38 exhibits superior cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines over the parent drug SN38 or the control prodrug S-SN38, a sulfur analogue of Se-SN38. This increased potency is attributed to the efficient release of SN38 and induction of oxidative stress, as demonstrated by a significant rise in reactive oxygen species production, along with a marked depletion of cellular total thiols and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio. Furthermore, Se-SN38 treatment leads to inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and induction of DNA damage, culminating in apoptosis. These findings suggest that Se-SN38 represents a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CPT derivatives by exploiting the unique redox-active properties of cyclic five-membered diselenide to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Construction of nanozyme based with mixed valence manganese oxide loaded on defective metal-organic frameworks for sensitive detection of biomarker procalcitonin

Nanozymes possess the advantages of high stability, adjustable catalytic activity and simple preparation processes, which position them as a promising alternative to natural enzymes. In this work, an oxidase-like nanozyme has been prepared by loading mixed valence manganese oxides (MnxOy) on defective PCN-224 MOFs (dPCN). Dodecanoic acid was utilized to introduce abundant mesoporous defects into the dPCN, allowing manganese oxide to grow in situ on the surface and within the pores. The mixed valence state of manganese oxides endowed the MnxOy@dPCN nanozyme (MdP) with redox and catalytic properties, and the high oxidase-like catalytic performance of MdP for TMB substrate also originated from its favorable electrical conductivity and affinity to the substrate. The reactive oxygen species of the catalytic reaction were mainly singlet oxygen (1O2) and peroxyl radicals (·O2-). Without the existence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the nanozyme can rapidly and efficiently oxidize TMB substrate into blue oxidation state, which has strong absorbance at 650 nm. An immunosensor for detecting biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) in human serum samples has been established based on the high catalytic property of MdP nanozyme. The immunoassay for PCT has satisfactory accuracy and repeatability, and its linear detection range can reach to be 0.05-100 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.011 ng mL-1. The result affords a promising idea to construct oxidase-like nanozyme, and provides a method for sensitive determination of PCT in complex matrices.

Iodine crystallization-promoted efficient capture of iodine by nonporous covalent organic polymer

The development of efficient iodine capture methods is essential for the safe utilization of nuclear energy. Here, a nonporous triazine-phenylenediamine covalent organic polymer (TA-PDA COP) with abundant nitrogen atoms and a π-conjugated system was used to capture iodine. The as-prepared adsorbent exhibited an iodine uptake of 5.65 g g-1 for I2 vapor and 3.78 g g-1 for I3- (KI/I2) aqueous solution. It also showed a high K80% of 8.94 g g-1 h-1 for I2 vapor and 3.16 g g-1 h-1 for I3- solution. Due to its high thermal stability in I2 vapor leading to good reusability, it still exhibited an iodine uptake of 4.23 g g-1 and was able to release 97.2 % of this iodine in the seventh cycle. Interestingly, after the saturated adsorption of I3-, TA-PDA COP displayed an ultra-high adsorption capacity for I2 vapor (8.89 g g-1), with the total adsorption capacity reaching up to 12.67 g g-1. The ultra-high adsorption capacity of TA-PDA COP was ascribed to the formation of iodine crystals as well as the interactions between N-rich groups and π-conjugated systems with iodine. This study reveals a new phenomenon that can be utilized to promote iodine capture, offering a strategy for the efficient adsorption of iodine.