New molecular mechanism of nanoplastics affecting cadmium protein toxicity: Conformational response and differential binding of human serum albumin

The significant health risks of nanoplastics (NPs) and cadmium (Cd) are currently attracting a great deal of attention and research. At present, the effects and mechanisms of NPs and Cd on human serum albumin (HSA), a key functional protein in the organism on transportation, remain unknown. Here, the differences in the effects and mechanisms of action of Cd alone and composite systems (NPsCd) were explored by enzyme activity assay, multi-spectroscopy analysis and molecular docking. The results showed that HSA activity was inhibited and decreased to 80 % and 69.55 % (Cd = 30 mg/L) by Cd alone and NPs-Cd exposure, respectively. Exposure to Cd induced backbone disruption and protein defolding of HSA, and secondary structure disruption was manifested by the reduction of α-helix. Cd exposure also induces fluorescence sensitization of HSA. Notably, the addition of NPs further exacerbated the effects associated with Cd exposure, which was consistent with the changes in HSA activity. Thus, the above conformational changes may be responsible for inducing the loss of enzyme activity. Moreover, it was determined by RLS spectroscopy that NPs-Cd bound to HSA in the form of protein crowns. Molecular docking has further shown that Cd binds to the surface of Sudlow site II of HSA, suggesting that Cd impairs the function of HSA by affecting the protein structure. More importantly, the addition of NPs further exacerbated the disruption of the protein structure by the adherent binding of HSA on the surface of the plastic particles, which induced a greater change in the enzyme activity. This study provides useful perspectives for investigating the impact of composite pollution on HSA of human functional proteins.

Alkali metal cations enhance CO2 reduction by a Co molecular complex in a bipolar membrane electrolyzer

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising pathway for converting CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals. The local environment at the cathode of CO2 electrolyzers plays a key role in determining activity and selectivity, but currently some mechanisms are still under debate. In particular, alkali metal cations have been shown to enhance the selectivity of metal catalysts, but their role remains less explored for molecular catalysts especially in high-current electrolyzers. Here, we investigated the enhancement effects of cations (Na+, K+, Cs+) on Co phthalocyanine (CoPc) in a state-of-the-art reverse-biased bipolar membrane electrolyzer. When added to the anolyte, these cations increased the Faradaic efficiency for CO, except in the case of Na+ in which the effect was transient, but the effects are convoluted with the transport process through the membrane. Alternatively, these cations can also be added directly to the cathode as chloride salts, allowing the use of a pure H2O anolyte feed, leading to sustained improved CO selectivity (61% at 100 mA cm-2 after 24 h). Our results show that cation addition is a simple yet effective strategy for improving the product selectivity of molecular electrocatalysts, opening up new avenues for tuning their local environment for CO2 reduction.This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Green carbon for the chemical industry of the future'.

Visible-light-sensitive microrobots using H2O as fuel for highly efficient capture and precise detection of nanoplastics

Nanoplastics, which are small plastic particles resulting from the decomposition of plastic waste, can accumulate and adsorb toxic chemicals in aquatic environments, leading to detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for the development of an efficient method to accurately quantify and effectively remove nanoplastics. Here, we prepared a novel "cage-like" microrobot for effective dynamic capture and highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of nanoplastics in situ. The microrobot utilizes water as fuel under visible light and achieves efficient capture of nanoplastics within 2 min on the basis of the stacking structure between layers and electrostatic action. The microrobot could be recovered by an external magnetic field, and the SERS activity was greatly enhanced through the coupling of multilayer hot spots, with a detection limit of 1.27 μg/mL. We built a simple device to demonstrate the feasibility of the microrobot strategy of capturing plastic in real wastewater and further extended this technology to single-use plastic cups in everyday life. Moreover, many different types of plastic spectra can also be quickly distinguished when combined with machine learning. This work provides new ideas for improving the dynamic capture and effective monitoring of nanoplastics.

Simple preparation of nitenpyram-intercalated clay nanosheets with reduced leaching risk and improved safety to insect pollinators

Neonicotinoids, highly toxic to insects, are among the world's most used insecticides. However, their harmful effects on pollinators like honeybees and potential to contaminate water bodies have drawn significant criticism. Herein, a nanopesticide, NTP@LDH, was developed by intercalating the model neonicotinoid insecticide nitenpyram (NTP) within layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials using a simple one-pot method. The NTP@LDH showed a nano-sized sheet structure, with an average particle size of 206.2 nm and a loading capacity of 14.6 %. The release rate of NTP@LDH under acidic conditions was higher than that under alkaline or neutral conditions. The photodegradation capacity and insecticidal activity of NTP were unaffected by intercalation in LDH. Importantly, NTP@LDH could significantly enhance the foliar adhesive properties of NTP, retard its leaching through the soil, and improve its safety for honeybees. Moreover, LDH was safe for crops and can improve their growth. This work provides a promising strategy with a simple procedure that could reduce leaching risks of neonicotinoids while concurrently enhancing their safety to pollinating creatures.

The bifunctional impact of polylactic acid microplastics on composting processes and soil-plant systems: Dynamics of microbial communities and ecological niche competition

Although extensive research has been conducted on the environmental impact of microplastics (MPs), their effects on microorganisms during the composting process and on the compost-soil system remain unclear. Our research investigates the microbial response to polylactic acid microplastics (PLAMPs) during aerobic composting and examines how compost enriched with PLAMPs affects plants. Our findings reveal that PLAMPs play a dual role in the composting process, influencing microorganisms differently depending on the composting phase. PLAMPs reduce the relative abundance of sensitive bacterial ASVs, specifically those belonging to Limnochordaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, during composting, while increasing the relative abundance of ASVs belonging to Steroidobacteriaceae and Bacillaceae. The impact of PLAMPs on microbial community assembly and niche width was found to be phase-dependent. In the stabilization phase (S5), the presence of PLAMPs caused a shift in the core microbial network from bacterial dominance to fungal dominance, accompanied by heightened microbial antagonism. Additionally, these intricate microbial interactions can be transferred to the soil ecosystem. Our study indicates that composting, as a method of managing PLAMPs, is also influenced by PLAMPs. This influence is transferred to the soil through the use of compost, resulting in severe oxidative stress in plants. Our research is pivotal for devising future strategies for PLAMPs management and predicting the subsequent changes in compost quality and environmental equilibrium.

The effect of lambda-cyhalothrin nanocapsules on the gut microbial communities and immune response of the bee elucidates the potential environmental impact of emerging nanopesticides

Emerging nanopesticides are gradually gaining widespread application in agriculture due to their excellent properties, but their potential risks to pollinating insects are not fully understood. In this study, lambda-cyhalothrin nanocapsules (LC-NCs) were constructed by electrostatic self-assembly method with iron mineralization optimization, and their effects on bee gut microbial communities and host immune-related factors were investigated. Microbiome sequencing revealed that LC-NCs increase the diversity of gut microbial communities and reduce the complexity of network features, disrupting the overall structure of the microbial communities. In addition, LC-NCs also had systemic effects on the immune response of bees, including increased activity of SOD and CAT enzymes and expression of their genes, as well as downregulation of Defensin1. Furthermore, we noticed that the immune system of the host was activated simultaneously with a rise in the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Our research emphasizes the importance of both the host and gut microbiota of holobiont in revealing the potential risks of LC-NCs to environmental indicators of honey bees, and provides references for exploring the interactions between host-microbiota systems under exogenous stress. At the same time, we hope that more research can focus on the potential impacts of nanopesticides on the ecological environment.

Effect of shape on the transport and retention of nanoplastics in saturated quartz sand

Nanoplastics (NPs) pose great challenges to soil-groundwater systems. This study investigated the transport and retention of self-synthesized 0.5-μm polystyrene NPs with different shapes using column experiments. The regular NPs were with spherical shapes, while the irregular NPs were with toroid-like shapes. The toroid-like shapes were the irregular shapes (with low aspect ratio) which have not been studied yet. The explorations were carried out in both 5-25 mM NaNO3 and 1-10 mM Ca(NO3)2 solutions. Both breakthrough curves (BTCs) and retained profiles (RPs) were monitored. Our findings uncovered a clear disparity in the transport of irregular and regular NPs, with irregular particles exhibiting lower transport ability compared to the regular ones. For example, the average breakthrough plateaus of the regular and irregular NPs were ∼0.9 and ∼0.5, respectively, in 10 mM NaNO3. In-depth theoretical analysis indicated that the lower XDLVO interaction energy barrier between the irregular NPs and quartz sand was one factor, and the greater margination of irregular NPs on quartz sand, as verified by the numerical simulation, was another factor leading to the decreased transport and increased retention of the irregular NPs. The obtained results highlighted the significance of considering particle shape in future modelling and predicting the fate of NPs in real environmental circumstances.

Toxicological effects, absorption and biodegradation of bisphenols with different functional groups in Chromochloris zofingiensis

Bisphenols (BPs) are recognized as endocrine disrupting compounds and have garnered increasing attention due to their widespread utilization. However, the varying biological toxicities and underlying mechanisms of BPs with different functional groups remain unknown. In the present study, the toxic effects of four BPs (BPA, BPS, BPAF, and TBBPA) on a photosynthetic microalgae Chromochloris zofingiensis were compared. Results showed that halogen-containing BPs exhibited higher cellular uptake, leading to more severe oxidative stress, lower photosynthetic efficiency, and greater accumulation of starch and lipids. Specifically, TBBPA with bromine groups showed a greater toxicity than BPAF with fluorine groups, possibly due to the incomplete debromination in C. zofingiensis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that halogen-containing BPs triggered greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and only 64 common DEGs were found among different BPs, indicating that the effects of BPs with different functional groups varied greatly. Genes involved in endocytosis, peroxisomes, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing pathways were mostly upregulated across different BPs, while photosynthesis-related genes showed varied expression, possibly due to their distinct functional groups. Additionally, SIN3A, ZFP36L, CHMP, and ATF2 emerged as potential key regulatory genes. Overall, this study thoroughly explained how functional groups impact the toxicity and biodegradation of BPs in C. zofingiensis.

Rapid, sensitive, and non-destructive on-site quantitative detection of nanoplastics in aquatic environments using laser-backscattered fiber-embedded optofluidic chip

A definitive link between the micro- and nano-plastics (NPLs) and human health has been firmly established, emphasizing the higher risks posed by NPLs. The urgent need for a rapid, non-destructive, and reliable method to quantify NPLs remains unmet with current detection techniques. To address this gap, a novel laser-backscattered fiber-embedded optofluidic chip (LFOC) was constructed for the rapid, sensitive, and non-destructive on-site quantitation of NPLs based on 180º laser-backscattered mechanism. Our theoretical and experimental findings reveal that the 180º laser-backscattered intensities of NPLs were directly proportional to their mass and particle number concentration. Using the LFOC, we have successfully detected polystyrene (PS) NPLSs of varying sizes, with a minimum detection limit of 0.23 μg/mL (equivalent to 5.23 ×107 particles/mL). Moreover, PS NPLs of different sizes can be readily differentiated through a simple membrane-filtering method. The LFOC also demonstrates high sensitivity in detecting other NPLs, such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polymethylmethacrylate. To validate its practical application, the LFOC was used to detect PS NPLs in various aquatic environments, exhibiting excellent accuracy, reproducibility, and reliability. The LFOC provides a simple, versatile, and efficient tool for direct, on-site, quantitative detection of NPLs in aquatic environments.

Migrasomes: Biogenesis, physiological roles, and therapeutic potentials

Migrasomes, vesicular structures discovered in migrating cells, arise from the junctions or tips of retraction fibers, and gradually grow to microscale vesicles. Migrasomes have garnered attention for their role in intercellular communication and potential therapeutic implications. This review presents an overview of recent advances in migrasome biology, covering the mechanisms of migrasome biogenesis, essential physiological roles, and their association with various diseases, alongside potential therapeutic applications. Furthermore, we share our perspectives on potential future directions in the study of migrasomes and highlight the challenges that remain in this developing area of research.

Atomically dispersed copper-zinc dual sites anchored on nitrogen-doped porous carbon toward peroxymonosulfate activation for degradation of various organic contaminants

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been widely studied in Fenton-like reactions, wherein their catalytic performance could be further enhanced by adjusting electronic structure and regulating coordination environment, although relevant research is rarely reported. This text elucidates fabrication of dual atom catalyst systems aimed at augmenting their catalytic efficiency. Herein, atomically dispersed copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) dual sites anchored on nitrogen (N)-doped porous carbon (NC), referred to as CuZn-NC, were synthesized using cage-encapsulated pyrolysis and host-guest strategies. The CuZn-NC catalyst exhibited high activity in activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degradation of organic pollutants. Based on synergistic effects of adjacent Cu and Zn atom pairs, CuZn-NC (PMS) system achieved 94.44 % bisphenol A (BPA) degradation in 24 min. The radical pathway predominated, and coexistence of non-radical species was demonstrated for BPA degradation in CuZn-NC/PMS system. More importantly, CuZn-NC/PMS system showed generality for degradation of various refractory contaminants. Our experiments indicate that CuZn-N sites on CuZn-NC act as active sites for bonding PMS molecules with optimal binding energy, while pyrrolic N sites are considered as adsorption sites for organic molecules. Overall, this research designs diatomic site catalysts (DACs), with promising implications for wastewater treatment.

Tailoring the covalent organic frameworks based polymer materials for solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting

Atmospheric water harvesting through reticular materials is an innovation that has the potential to change the world. Here, this study offers a technique for creating a solar-powered hygroscopic polymer material for atmospheric water harvesting with the reticular materials. The results show that the porous hygroscopic polymer materials can achieve high performance with high vapor capture (up to ac. 28.8-49.7 mg/g at 28-38 %RH and 25  ℃), rapid photothermal conversion efficiency (up to 32.2 ℃ within 15 min under 1000 W/m-2 light at 25 ℃), a low desorption temperature (lower than 40 ℃), and an effective water release rate. Besides, the material also has excellent water-retention properties, which can effectively store desorbed liquid water in polymer networks for use by vegetation during water demand periods. The strategy opens new avenues for atmospheric water-harvesting materials, which will hopefully solve the global crisis of freshwater shortages.

Enhancing the Lewis acidity of single atom Tb via introduction of boron to achieve efficient photothermal synergistic CO2 cycloaddition

Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly urgent to lower the escalating carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce greenhouse effect. Fortunately, it is an ideal strategy by using the inexhaustible solar energy as the driving force to manipulate the cycloaddition reaction, the atomic efficiency of which is 100 %. This work represents the first attempt on utilization of rare-earth metal Tb with atomic dispersion, and the structure of Tb coordinated with 4 N-atoms and 2B-atoms was constructed on interconnected carbon hollow spheres. The introduction of electron-deficient B reduces the electron density of Tb, thereby boosting Lewis acidity and promoting the occurrence of ring-opening reaction. The mechanism exploration enunciates that TbN4B2/C is a photothermal synergistic catalyst, the combined action of photogenerated electrons and strong Lewis acidic site of Tb reduces the free energy of the rate-determining step, and then improving the yield of cyclic carbonate up to 739 mmol g-1h-1.

The Mn-doped CeO2 nanoparticles with enhanced peroxidase-like activity for one-pot analysis of glucose at neutral pH based on bio-inorganic cascade reactions

Enzyme catalytic cascade reactions based on peroxidase nanozymes and natural enzymes have aroused extensive attention in analytical fields. However, a majority of peroxidase nanozymes perform well only in acidic environments, resulting in their optimal pH mismatch with a neutral pH of natural enzymes, further restricting their application in biochemical sensing. Herein, Mn-doped CeO2 (Mn/CeO2) performing enhanced peroxidase-like activity at neutral conditions was prepared via a facile and feasible strategy. An effective enzyme cascade catalysis system via integrating glucose oxidase (GOx) with Mn/CeO2 was developed for one-pot detection of glucose in serum at neutral conditions. Using one-pot multistep catalytic reactions, this work provided a detection platform that allows for faster detection and easier operations than traditional methods. Under optimized conditions, our assay performed a sensitive detection of glucose ranging from 2.0 μΜ to 300 μΜ and a low detection limit of 0.279 μΜ. Notably, favorable analytical outcomes for glucose detection in serum samples were obtained, exhibiting potential applications in clinical diagnosis.

Targeted immunotherapy and nanomedicine for rhabdomyosarcoma: The way of the future

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Histology separates two main subtypes: embryonal RMS (eRMS; 60%-70%) and alveolar RMS (aRMS; 20%-30%). The aggressive aRMS carry one of two characteristic chromosomal translocations that result in the expression of a PAX3::FOXO1 or PAX7::FOXO1 fusion transcription factor; therefore, aRMS are now classified as fusion-positive (FP) RMS. Embryonal RMS have a better prognosis and are clinically indistinguishable from fusion-negative (FN) RMS. Next to histology and molecular characteristics, RMS risk groupings are now available defining low risk tumors with excellent outcomes and advanced stage disease with poor prognosis, with an overall survival of about only 20% despite intensified multimodal treatment. Therefore, development of novel effective targeted strategies to increase survival and to decrease long-term side effects is urgently needed. Recently, immunotherapies and nanomedicine have been emerging for potent and effective tumor treatments with minimal side effects, raising hopes for effective and safe cures for RMS patients. This review aims to describe the most relevant preclinical and clinical studies in immunotherapy and targeted nanomedicine performed so far in RMS and to provide an insight in future developments.

A target-triggered colorimetric sensor for ultrasensitive detection of miRNAs based on self-powered three-dimensional DNA walker

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the process of heart failure (HF) and are emerging biomarkers that can be used for the auxiliary diagnosis of HF. However, it is very challenging to accurately analyze the expression levels of trace miRNAs in complex clinical samples. Here, we developed an enzyme-free colorimetric sensor for the ultrasensitive detection of miRNA-423-5p (HF-associated miRNA) based on three-dimensional DNA walkers constructed from functional nucleic acids and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). DNAzyme with cleavage activity was specifically activated by miRNA-423-5p to sustainably cleave the substrate, thereby releasing the trigger sequence to initiate the subsequent mismatched catalytic hairpin assembly (MCHA) cycle. Then, as the MCHA cycle proceeded to continuously expose the G-quadruplex (GQ) sequence, the sequence bound with hemin to form a large amount of GQ/hemin DNAzyme on the surface of the AuNPs, which rapidly catalyzed the chromogenic oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine to yield an amplified colorimetric signal readout. The colorimetric sensor exhibited an ultralow detection limit (32 fM), showed excellent specificity and performed well in serum samples. The sensor was applied to detect miRNA-423-5p in clinical plasma samples from healthy individuals and HF patients, and the results revealed its good clinical application in HF diagnosis. Thus, the developed colorimetric sensor provides a convenient detection tool for early screening and diagnosis of HF, as well as for pathophysiological studies.

A high-flux, photocatalytic wood-derived filter for high-efficiency water purification

Wastewater purification has evolved into a global problem in the face of increasing scarcity of freshwater resources. Photocatalysis technology possesses prominent advantages in treating pollutants in water because of its low cost and mild reaction conditions, which provides an effective way to treat multiple pollutants and reduce membrane fouling. Herein, we combine photocatalysis technology with filtration technology via in situ reduction Bi0 with Bi2SiO5 strategy incorporating a carbonized wood filter to synthesize carbon/Bi2SiO5@Bi bi-functional composite. Thus, simultaneous filtration and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and tetracycline were achieved. After filtrating for 30 min, the degradation rate of RhB and TC were 94.23 % and 81.39 %, respectively. Especially, the flux of RhB and TC were up to 2162.16 L m-2 h-1 and 1811.32 L m-2 h-1. In addition, the composite filter also has good recyclability and reusability, after 5 cycles, the degradation efficiency of RhB remains at 91 %. This study utilized photocatalytic technology combined with membrane filtration technology to successfully solve the contradiction between catalytic efficiency and water flux, which realized rapid and dynamic removal of organic pollutants from water. Besides, the use of carbonized wood-based materials provides a potential biomass technology for the preparation of bifunctional photocatalytic filters.

Recent advances in moisture-induced electricity generation based on wood lignocellulose: Preparation, properties, and applications

Moisture-induced electricity generation (MEG), which can directly harvest electricity from moisture, is considered as an effective strategy for alleviating the growing energy crisis. Recently, tremendous efforts have been devoted to developing MEG active materials from wood lignocellulose (WLC) due to its excellent properties including environmental friendliness, sustainability, and biodegradability. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances in MEG based on WLC (wood, cellulose, lignin, and woody biochar), covering its principles, preparation, performances, and applications. In detail, the basic working mechanisms of MEG are discussed, and the natural features of WLC and their significant advantages in the fabrication of MEG active materials are emphasized. Furthermore, the recent advances in WLC-based MEG for harvesting electrical energy from moisture are specifically discussed, together with their potential applications (sensors and power sources). Finally, the main challenges of current WLC-based MEG are presented, as well as the potential solutions or directions to develop highly efficient MEG from WLC.

Peptide PaDBS1R6 has potent antibacterial activity on clinical bacterial isolates and integrates an immunomodulatory peptide fragment within its sequence

BACKGROUND

Resistant infectious diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria are among the most serious worldwide health problems. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been explored as promising antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-infective candidates to address these health challenges.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Here we report the potent antibacterial effect of the peptide PaDBS1R6 on clinical bacterial isolates and identify an immunomodulatory peptide fragment incorporated within it. PaDBS1R6 was evaluated against Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli clinical isolates and had minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 8 to 32 μmol L-1. It had a rapid bactericidal effect, with eradication showing within 3 min of incubation, depending on the bacterial strain tested. In addition, PaDBS1R6 inhibited biofilm formation for A. baumannii and E. coli and was non-toxic toward healthy mammalian cells. These findings are explained by the preference of PaDBS1R6 for anionic membranes over neutral membranes, as assessed by surface plasmon resonance assays and molecular dynamics simulations. Considering its potent antibacterial activity, PaDBS1R6 was used as a template for sliding-window fr agmentation studies (window size = 10 residues). Among the sliding-window fragments, PaDBS1R6F8, PaDBS1R6F9, and PaDBS1R6F10 were ineffective against any of the bacterial strains tested. Additional biological assays were conducted, including nitric oxide (NO) modulation and wound scratch assays, and the R6F8 peptide fragment was found to be active in modulating NO levels, as well as having strong wound healing properties.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study proposes a new concept whereby peptides with different biological properties can be derived by the screening of fragments from within potent AMPs.

Fractionated photoimmunotherapy stimulates an anti-tumour immune response: an integrated mathematical and in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has high recurrence rates due to disseminated initial disease presentation. Cytotoxic phototherapies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photoimmunotherapy (PIT, cell-targeted PDT), have the potential to treat disseminated malignancies due to safe intraperitoneal delivery.

METHODS

We use in vitro measurements of EOC tumour cell and T cell responses to chemotherapy, PDT, and epidermal growth factor receptor targeted PIT as inputs to a mathematical model of non-linear tumour and immune effector cell interaction. The model outputs were used to calculate how photoimmunotherapy could be utilised for tumour control.

RESULTS

In vitro measurements of PIT dose responses revealed that although low light doses (<10 J/cm2) lead to limited tumour cell killing they also increased proliferation of anti-tumour immune effector cells. Model simulations demonstrated that breaking up a larger light dose into multiple lower dose fractions (vis-à-vis fractionated radiotherapy) could be utilised to effect tumour control via stimulation of an anti-tumour immune response.

CONCLUSIONS

There is promise for applying fractionated PIT in the setting of EOC. However, recommending specific fractionated PIT dosimetry and timing will require appropriate model calibration on tumour-immune interaction data in human patients and subsequent validation of model predictions in prospective clinical trials.

Strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in environmental catalysis: Mechanisms, application, regulation strategies, and breakthroughs

The strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in supported catalysts plays a dominant role in catalytic degradation, upgrading, and remanufacturing of environmental pollutants. Previous studies have shown that SMSI is crucial in supported catalysts' activity and stability. However, for redox reactions catalyzed in environmental catalysis, the enhancement mechanism of SMSI-induced oxygen vacancy and electron transfer needs to be clarified. Additionally, the precise control of SMSI interface sites remains to be fully understood. Here we provide a systematic review of SMSI's catalytic mechanisms and control strategies in purifying gaseous pollutants, treating organic wastewater, and valorizing biomass solid waste. We explore the adsorption and activation mechanisms of SMSI in redox reactions by examining interfacial electron transfer, interfacial oxygen vacancy, and interfacial acidic sites. Furthermore, we develop a precise regulation strategy of SMSI from systematical perspectives of interface effect, crystal facet effect, size effect, guest ion doping, and modification effect. Importantly, we point out the drawbacks and breakthrough directions for SMSI regulation in environmental catalysis, including partial encapsulation strategy, size optimization strategy, interface oxygen vacancy strategy, and multi-component strategy. This review article provides the potential applications of SMSI and offers guidance for its controlled regulation in environmental catalysis.

Patterned graphene: An effective platform for adsorption, immobilization, and destruction of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro

To address the ongoing challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 and potentially stronger viruses in the future, the development of effective methods to fabricate patterned graphene (PG) and other precisely functional products has become a new research frontier. Herein, we modeled the "checkerboard" graphene (CG) and stripped graphene (SG) as representatives of PG, and studied their interaction mechanism with the target protein (Mpro) by molecular dynamics simulation. The calculation results on the binding strength and the root mean square deviation values of the active pocket revealed that PG is an effective platform for adsorption, immobilization, and destruction of Mpro. Specifically, CG is found to promote disruption of the active pocket for Mpro, but the presence of "checkerboard" oxidized regions inhibits the adsorption of Mpro. Meanwhile, the SG can effectively confine Mpro within the non-oxidized strips and enhances their binding strength, but doesn't play well on disrupting the active pocket. Our work not only elucidates the biological effects of PGs, but also provides guidance for their targeted and precise utilization in combating the SARS-CoV-2.

A persistent mineralization process in alveolar bone throughout the postnatal growth stage in rats

OBJECTIVE

Alveolar bone quality is essential for the maxillofacial integrity and function, and depends on alveolar bone mineralization. This study aims to investigate the in vivo changes in alveolar bone mineralization, from the perspective of mineral deposition and crystal transition in postnatal rats.

DESIGN

Nine postnatal time points of Wistar rats, ranging from day 1 to 56, were set to obtain the maxillary alveolar bone samples. Each time point consisted of ninety rats, with 45 females and 45 males. Macromorphology of alveolar bone was reconducted by Micro-Computed Tomography and the mineral content was quantified via Thermogravimetric analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. Furthermore, the crystallinity and composition were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Selected Area Electron Diffraction.

RESULTS

The progressive increase of mineral deposition was accompanied by substantial growth in alveolar bone mass and volume in postnatal rats. Whereas the mineral percentage initially decreased and then increased, reaching a nadir on postnatal day 14 (P14) when tooth eruption was first observed. Besides, localized mineralization was initiated by the formation of amorphous precursors and then converted into mineral crystals, while there was no statistically significant change in the average crystallinity of the bone during growth.

CONCLUSION

Mineralization of alveolar bone is ongoing throughout the early growth in postnatal rats. Mineral deposition increases with age, whereas the crystallinity remains stable within a certain range. Besides, the mineral percentage reaches its lowest point on P14, which may be attributed to tooth eruption.

Diving into the metabolic interactions of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in "Sparus aurata" and "Ruditapes philippinarum"

The biological response to nanomaterials exposure depends on their properties, route of exposure, or model organism. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are among the most used nanomaterials; however, concerns related to oxidative stress and metabolic effects resulting from their ingestion are rising. Therefore, in the present work, we addressed the metabolic effects of citrate-coated 45 nm TiO2 NPs combining bioaccumulation, tissue ultrastructure, and proteomics approaches on gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata and Japanese carpet shell, Ruditapes philippinarum. Sparus aurata was exposed through artificially contaminated feeds, while R. philippinarum was exposed using TiO2 NPs-doped microalgae solutions. The accumulation of titanium and TiO2 NPs in fish liver is associated with alterations in hepatic tissue structure, and alteration to the expression of proteins related to lipid and fatty acid metabolism, lipid breakdown for energy, lipid transport, and homeostasis. While cellular structure alterations and the expression of proteins were less affected than in gilthead seabream, atypical gill cilia and microvilli and alterations in metabolic-related proteins were also observed in the bivalve. Overall, the effects of TiO2 NPs exposure through feeding appear to stem from various interactions with cells, involving alterations in key metabolic proteins, and changes in cell membranes, their structures, and organelles. The possible appearance of metabolic disorders and the environmental risks to aquatic organisms posed by TiO2 NPs deserve further study.

On the possibility of implementing a quantum entanglement distribution in a biosystem: Microtubules

The paper considers the possibility of implementing a quantum entanglement distribution in the cell microtubule. It has been shown that a quantum entanglement distribution proposed in the paper determines the process of quantum state teleportation through microtubule tryptophan chain. The work shows that the system of tryptophans in a microtubule essentially is a quantum network that consists of: spatially spaced nodes - tryptophans, quantum communication channels connecting tryptophans and qubits transmitted through these communication channels. The connection between the process of quantum teleportation in living nature and its classical analogue is discussed. The quantum protocol established in the work determines the possible principle of quantum information transmission in biosystems and also in the similar nanostructures.

Identification of ferroptosis-associated tumor antigens as the potential targets to prevent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) represents nearly 90% of all head and neck tumors. The current treatment modality for HNSC patients primarily involves surgical intervention and radiotherapy, but its therapeutic efficacy remains limited. The mRNA vaccine based on tumor antigens seems promising for cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death, is linked to tumor progression and cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of ferroptosis-associated tumor antigens in treating HNSC remains uncertain. In this study, we identified three ferroptosis-associated tumor antigens, namely caveolin1 (CAV1), ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), and solute carrier 3A2 (SLC3A2), as being overexpressed and mutated based on data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. These antigens were strongly associated with poor prognosis and infiltration of antigen-presenting cells in HNSC. We further identified two ferroptosis subtypes (FS1 and FS2) with distinct molecular, cellular, and clinical properties to identify antigen-sensitive individuals. Our findings indicate that FS1 exhibits an immune "hot" phenotype, whereas FS2 displays an immune "cold" phenotype. Additionally, differential expression of immunogenic cell death modulators and immune checkpoints was observed between these two immune subtypes. Further exploration of the HNSC's immune landscape revealed significant heterogeneity among individual patients. Our findings suggest that CAV1, FTH1, and SLC3A2 are potential targets to prevent HNSC in FS2 patients. Overall, our research reveals the potential of ferroptosis-associated mRNA vaccines for HNSC and identifies an effective patient population for vaccine treatment.

3D printed biopolymer/black phosphorus nanoscaffolds for bone implants: A review

Bone implantation is one of the recognized and effective means of treating bone defects, but osteoporosis and bone tumor-related bone abnormalities have a series of problems such as susceptibility to infection, difficulty in healing, and poor therapeutic effect, which poses a great challenge to clinical medicine. Three-dimensional things may be printed using 3D printing. Researchers can feed materials through the printer layer by layer to create the desired shape for a 3D structure. It is widely employed in the healing of bone defects, and it is an improved form of additive manufacturing technology with prospective future applications. This review's objective is to provide an overview of the findings reports pertaining to 3D printing biopolymers in recent years, provide an overview of biopolymer materials and their composites with black phosphorus for 3D printing bone implants, and the characterization methods of composite materials are also summarized. In addition, summarizes 3D printing methods based on ink printing and laser printing, pointing out their special features and advantages, and provide a combination strategy of photothermal therapy and bone regeneration materials for black phosphorus-based materials. Finally, the associations between bone implant materials and immune cells, the bio-environment, as well as the 3D printing bone implants prospects are outlined.

Multifunctional coating with hydrophobicity, antibacterial and flame-retardant properties on cotton fabrics by layer-by-layer self-assembly curing of phytic acid and a tyrosine-derived hyperbranched benzoxazine

The inherent hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of cotton fabrics facilitated bacterial proliferation and safety concerns, limiting their applications. To address these issues, tyrosine-derived polyetherimide, bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane), and paraformaldehyde were used to synthesize hyperbranched benzoxazine THB-BOZs-PDMS with potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. The protonated amino groups of benzoxazine facilitated electrostatic interactions with negatively charged bacteria, and hydrophobic interactions disrupted the cell membrane, leading to bacteria death. Notably, phytic acid interacts with benzoxazines through intermolecular forces, with its phosphoric acid groups facilitating the curing of benzoxazines, thereby imparting flame-retardant properties to the material. Consequently, a multifunctional coating was developed via LBL self-assembly and in-situ curing of benzoxazines and phytic acid on the fabric surfaces. The successful deposition of the coating was confirmed through compositional analysis and morphological characterization. After 4 cycles of LBL modification, the fabrics TBP + PA-CF-4 displayed outstanding antibacterial efficacy, bacterial anti-adhesion properties, and heat resistance. Furthermore, TBP + PA-CF-4 exhibited notable washing and mechanical durability, attributed to the stability conferred by in-situ cured of layers. Compared with other reported modified fabrics, TBP + PA-CF-4 displayed more comprehensive overall performances. These multifunctional fabrics provided a sustainable approach for advancing personal protective materials and public decoration, particularly suited for use in high-humidity environments or military settings.

Spatially sequential co-immobilization of phosphorylases in tiny environments and its application in the synthesis of glucosyl glycerol

2-O-(α-d-glucopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (2-αGG) has been applied in the food industry due to its numerous physiological benefits. The synthesis of 2-αGG can be achieved through a cascade catalytic reaction involving sucrose phosphorylase (SP) and 2-O-α-glucosylglycerol phosphorylase (GGP). However, the low substrate transfer rates between free enzymes have hindered the efficiency of 2-αGG synthesis. To address this issue, a novel technology was developed to prepare sequential multi-enzyme nanoflowers via chemical crosslinking and protein assembly, thus overcoming diffusion limitations. Specifically, spatially sequential co-immobilized enzymes, referred to as SP-GGP@Cap, were created through the targeted assembly of Bifidobacterium adolescentis SP and Marinobacter adhaerens GGP on Ca2+. This assembly was facilitated by the spontaneous protein reaction between SpyTag and SpyCatcher. Compared to free SP-GGP, SP-GGP@Cap demonstrated improved thermal and pH stability. Moreover, SP-GGP@Cap enhanced the biosynthesis of 2-αGG, achieving a relative concentration of 98 %. Additionally, it retained the ability to catalyze the substrate to yield 61 % relative concentration of 2-αGG even after ten cycles of recycling. This study presents a strategy for the spatially sequential co-immobilization of multiple enzymes in a confined environment and provides an exceptional biocatalyst for the potential industrial production of 2-αGG.

Efferocytosis in atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and it commonly results from atherosclerotic plaque progression. One of the increasingly recognized drivers of atherosclerosis is dysfunctional efferocytosis, a homeostatic mechanism responsible for the clearance of dead cells and the resolution of inflammation. In atherosclerosis, the capacity of phagocytes to participate in efferocytosis is hampered, leading to the accumulation of apoptotic and necrotic tissue within the plaque, which results in enlargement of the necrotic core, increased luminal stenosis and plaque inflammation, and predisposition to plaque rupture or erosion. In this Review, we describe the different forms of programmed cell death that can occur in the atherosclerotic plaque and highlight the efferocytic machinery that is normally implicated in cardiovascular physiology. We then discuss the mechanisms by which efferocytosis fails in atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, including myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus, and discuss therapeutic approaches that might reverse this pathological process.

Near-infrared and ultrasound triggered Pt/Pd-engineered cluster bombs for the treatment of solid tumors

Owing to the dense extracellular matrix and high interstitial fluid pressure in the tumor microenvironment, methods which enhance the permeation and retention of nano drugs into liver tumors remain unsatisfactory for successful tumor treatment. We designed a near-infrared (NIR)- and ultrasound (US)-triggered Pt/Pd-engineered "cluster bomb" (Pt/Pd-CB) which actively penetrates liver cancer cell membranes and achieves photothermal and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). The physical forces generated by the fast expansion and collapse of perfluoropentane nanodroplets eject "sub bombs" (Pt/Pd nanoalloys) into liver cancer cells upon activation by NIR and US. Pt/Pd nanoalloys can then convert H2O2 into O2 to alleviate hypoxia and boost SDT efficiency while exhibiting a highly efficient photothermal response under NIR irradiation. Our findings might especially be promising for the treatment of solid tumors.

Immunomodulatory metal-based biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy, as an emerging cancer treatment approach, harnesses the patient's own immune system to effectively prevent tumor recurrence or metastasis. However, its clinical application has been significantly hindered by relatively low immune response rates. In recent years, metal-based biomaterials have been extensively studied as effective immunomodulators and potential tools for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, enabling the reversal of immune suppression without inducing toxic side effects. This review introduces the classification of bioactive metal elements and summarizes their immune regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the immunomodulatory roles of biomaterials constructed from various metals, including aluminum, manganese, gold, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and copper. More importantly, a systematic overview of their applications in enhancing immunotherapy is provided. Finally, the prospects and challenges of metal-based biomaterials with immunomodulatory functions in cancer immunotherapy are outlined.

The advance of ultrasound-enabled diagnostics and therapeutics

Point-of-care ultrasound demonstrates significant potential in biomedical research due to its noninvasive, real-time visualization, cost-effectiveness, and other biological benefits. Ultrasound irradiation can precisely control the mechanical and physicochemical effects on pathogenic lesions, enabling real-time visualization, tunable tissue penetration depth, and therapeutic applications. This review summarizes recent advancements in ultrasound-enabled diagnostics and therapeutics, focusing on mechanochemical effects that can be directly integrated into biomedical applications. Additionally, the structure-functionality relationships of sonotheranostic nanoplatforms are systematically discussed, providing insights into the underlying biological effects. Finally, the limitations of current ultrasonic medicine are discussed, along with potential expansions to facilitate patient-centered translations.

Amyloid-β-targeting immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease

Recent advances in clinical passive immunotherapy have provided compelling evidence that eliminating amyloid-β (Aβ) slows cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the modest benefits and side effects observed in clinical trials indicate that current immunotherapy therapy is not a panacea, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of AD mechanisms and the significance of early intervention through optimized immunotherapy or immunoprevention. This review focuses on the centrality of Aβ pathology in AD and summarizes recent clinical progress in passive and active immunotherapies targeting Aβ, discussing their lessons and failures to inform future anti-Aβ biotherapeutics design. Various delivery strategies to optimize Aβ-targeting immunotherapies are outlined, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks in overcoming challenges such as poor stability and limited tissue accessibility of anti-Aβ biotherapeutics. Additionally, the perspectives and challenges of immunotherapy and immunoprevention targeting Aβ are concluded in the end, aiming to guide the development of next-generation anti-Aβ immunotherapeutic agents towards improved efficacy and safety.

Dual osmotic controlled release platform for antibiotics to overcome antimicrobial-resistant infections and promote wound healing

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus forming into biofilms can trigger chronic inflammation and disrupt skin wound healing processes. Prolonged and excessive use of antibiotics can expedite the development of resistance, primarily because of their limited ability to penetrate microbial membranes and biofilms, especially antibiotics with intracellular drug targets. Herein, we devise a strategy in which virus-inspired nanoparticles control the release of antibiotics through rapid penetration into both bacterial cells and biofilms, thereby combating antimicrobial-resistant infections and promoting skin wound healing. Lipid-based nanoparticles based on stearamine and cholesterol were designed to mimic viral highly ordered nanostructures. To mimic the arginine-rich fragments in viral protein transduction domains, the primary amines on the surface of the lipid-based nanoparticles were exchanged by guanidine segments. Levofloxacin, an antibiotic that inhibits DNA replication, was chosen as the model drug to be incorporated into nanoparticles. Hyaluronic acid was coated on the surface of nanoparticles acting as a capping agent to achieve bacterial-specific degradation and guanidine explosion in the bacterial microenvironment. Our virus-inspired nanoparticles displayed long-acting antibacterial effects and powerful biofilm elimination to overcome antimicrobial-resistant infections and promote skin wound healing. This work demonstrates the ability of virus-inspired nanoparticles to achieve a dual penetration of microbial cell membranes and biofilm structures to address antimicrobial-resistant infections and trigger skin wound healing.

Recent advances in fluorescent probes for ATP imaging

Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a critical biological molecule that functions as the primary energy currency within cells. ATP synthesis occurs in the mitochondria, and variations in its concentration can significantly influence mitochondrial and cellular performance. Prior studies have established a link between ATP levels and a variety of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, ischemia, and hypoglycemia. Consequently, researchers have developed many fluorescent probes for ATP detection, recognizing the importance of monitoring intracellular ATP levels to understand cellular processes. These probes have been effectively utilized for visualizing ATP in living cells and biological samples. In this comprehensive review, we categorize fluorescent sensors developed in the last five years for ATP detection. We base our classification on fluorophores, structure, multi-response channels, and application. We also evaluate the challenges and potential for advancing new generations of fluorescence imaging probes for monitoring ATP in living cells. We hope this summary motivates researchers to design innovative and effective probes tailored to ATP sensing. We foresee imminent progress in the development of highly sophisticated ATP probes.

2-Methylbenzimidazole-copper nanozyme with high laccase activity for colorimetric differentiation and detection of aminophenol isomers

Laccase is well-known for its eco-friendly applications in environmental remediation and biotechnology, but its high cost and low stability have limited its practical use. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient laccase mimetics. In this study, a novel laccase-mimicking nanozyme (MBI-Cu) was successfully synthesized using 2-methylbenzimidazole (MBI) coordinated with Cu2+ by mimicking the copper active site and electron transfer pathway of natural laccase. MBI-Cu nanozyme exhibited excellent catalytic activity and higher stability than laccase, and was utilized to oxidize a series of phenolic compounds. Environmental pollutant aminophenol isomers were found to display different color in solution when catalytically oxidized by MBI-Cu, which provided a simple and feasible method to identify them by the naked eye. Based on the distinct absorption spectra of the oxidized aminophenol isomers, a colorimetric method for quantitatively detecting o-AP, m-AP, and p-AP was established, with detection limits of 0.06 μM, 0.27 μM, and 0.18 μM, respectively. Furthermore, by integrating MBI-Cu-based cotton pad colorimetric strips with smartphone and utilizing color recognition software to identify and analyze the RGB values of the images, a portable colorimetric sensing platform was designed for rapid detection of aminophenol isomers without the need for any analytical instrument. This work provides an effective reference for the design of laccase nanozymes and holds significant potential for applications in the field of environmental pollutant monitoring.

Multifunctional long afterglow nanoparticles with enhanced photothermal effects for in vivo imaging and tumor-targeting therapy

Considering the excellent properties such as deep tissue penetration, high signal-to-noise ratio, and in-situ recharge and reactivation, near-infrared luminescence long afterglow nanoparticles show considerable promise for biological application, especially in multifunctional imaging, targeting, and synergistic therapeutic. In this paper, Zn3Ga4GeO11: 0.1 % Cr3+, 1 % Yb3+, 0.1 % Tm3+@Ag-FA (ZGGO@Ag-FA, ZGA-FA) nanoparticles were synthesized by in-situ growth of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of long afterglow nanoparticles, and further modified with folic acid. Through precise adjustments, the luminescent properties of ZnGa2O4 were enhanced and notably boosted the photothermal effect of Ag by leveraging the upconversion emission of ZGGO, with a photothermal conversion efficiency reaching about 59.9 %. The ZGA-FA nanoparticles are ultra-small, measuring less than 50 nm. The modification with folic acid provides the ZGA-FA nanoparticles with excellent tumor-targeting capabilities, demonstrating effective enrichment and retention in tumor tissues, thus enabling long-term imaging and therapy through in vivo re-excitation. Due to its stable photothermal effect, outstanding near-infrared (NIR) afterglow imaging, and red-light charged characteristics, combined with effective tumor-targeting abilities, the therapeutic strategy proposed by this study has significant potential for clinical applications.

Nanoparticles in drinking water: Assessing health risks and regulatory challenges

Nanoparticles (NPs) pose a significant concern in drinking water due to their potential health risks and environmental impact. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of NP sources and contamination in drinking water, focusing on health concerns, mitigation strategies, regulatory frameworks, and future perspectives. This review highlights the importance of nano-specific pathways, fate processes, health risks & toxicity, and the need for realistic toxicity assessments. Different NPs like titanium dioxide, silver, nanoplastics, nanoscale liquid crystal monomers, copper oxide, and others pose potential health risks through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure, impacting organs and potentially leading to oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, DNA damage, cytotoxicity, disrupt intracellular energetic mechanisms, reactive oxygen species generation, respiratory and immune toxicity, and genotoxicity in humans. Utilizing case studies and literature reviews, we investigate the health risks associated with NPs in freshwater environments, emphasizing their relevance to drinking water quality. Various mitigation and treatment strategies, including filtration systems (e.g., reverse osmosis, and ultra/nano-filtration), adsorption processes, coagulation/flocculation, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation processes, membrane distillation, and ultraviolet treatment, all of which demonstrate high removal efficiencies for NPs from drinking water. Regulatory frameworks and challenges for the production, applications, and disposal of NPs at both national and international levels are discussed, emphasizing the need for tailored regulations to address NP contamination and standardize safety testing and risk assessment practices. Looking ahead, this review underscores the necessity of advancing detection methods and nanomaterial-based treatment technologies while stressing the pivotal role of public awareness and tailored regulatory guidelines in upholding drinking water quality standards. This review emphasizes the urgency of addressing NP contamination in drinking water and provides insights into potential solutions and future research directions. Lastly, this review worth concluded with future recommendations on advanced analytical techniques and sensitive sensors for NP detection for safeguarding public health and policy implementations.

Recent advances in the construction strategy, functional properties, and biosensing application of self-assembled triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures

Research on self-assembled deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanostructures with different shapes, sizes, and functions has recently made rapid progress owing to its biocompatibility, programmability, and stability. Among these, triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures, which are typically multi-arm DNA tiles, have been widely applied because of their unique structural rigidity, spatial flexibility, and cell permeability. Triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures are folded from multiple single-stranded DNA using the principle of complementary base pairing. Its shape and size can be determined using pre-set scaffold strands, segmented base complementary regions, and sequence lengths. The resulting DNA nanostructures retain the desired sequence length to serve as binding sites for other molecules and obtain satisfactory results in molecular recognition, spatial orientation, and target acquisition. Therefore, extensive research on triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures has shown that they can be used as powerful tools in the biosensing field to improve specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy. Over the past few decades, various design strategies and assembly techniques have been established to improve the stability, complexity, functionality, and practical applications of triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures in biosensing. In this review, we introduce the structural design strategies and principles of typical triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures, including triangular, tetrahedral, star, and net-shaped DNA. We then summarize the functional properties of triangular unit-based DNA nanostructures and their applications in biosensing. Finally, we critically discuss the existing challenges and future trends.

How scanning probe microscopy can be supported by artificial intelligence and quantum computing?

The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding, revolutionizing both science and society. It is applied to practically all areas of life, science, and technology, including materials science, which continuously requires novel tools for effective materials characterization. One of the widely used techniques is scanning probe microscopy (SPM). SPM has fundamentally changed materials engineering, biology, and chemistry by providing tools for atomic-precision surface mapping. Despite its many advantages, it also has some drawbacks, such as long scanning times or the possibility of damaging soft-surface materials. In this paper, we focus on the potential for supporting SPM-based measurements, with an emphasis on the application of AI-based algorithms, especially Machine Learning-based algorithms, as well as quantum computing (QC). It has been found that AI can be helpful in automating experimental processes in routine operations, algorithmically searching for optimal sample regions, and elucidating structure-property relationships. Thus, it contributes to increasing the efficiency and accuracy of optical nanoscopy scanning probes. Moreover, the combination of AI-based algorithms and QC may have enormous potential to enhance the practical application of SPM. The limitations of the AI-QC-based approach were also discussed. Finally, we outline a research path for improving AI-QC-powered SPM. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Artificial intelligence and quantum computing as support for scanning probe microscopy. The analysis indicates a research gap in the field of scanning probe microscopy. The research aims to shed light into ai-qc-powered scanning probe microscopy.

Functional consequences of spatial, temporal and ligand bias of G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate every aspect of kidney function by mediating the effects of various endogenous and exogenous substances. A key concept in GPCR function is biased signalling, whereby certain ligands may selectively activate specific pathways within the receptor's signalling repertoire. For example, different agonists may induce biased signalling by stabilizing distinct active receptor conformations - a concept that is supported by advances in structural biology. However, the processes underlying functional selectivity in receptor signalling are extremely complex, involving differences in subcellular compartmentalization and signalling dynamics. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms of spatiotemporal bias, particularly its connection to ligand binding kinetics, have been detailed for GPCRs critical to kidney function, such as the AT1 angiotensin receptor (AT1R), V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) and the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R). This expanding insight into the multifaceted nature of biased signalling paves the way for innovative strategies for targeting GPCR functions; the development of novel biased agonists may represent advanced pharmacotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of kidney diseases and related systemic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes and heart failure.

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes immune damage, oxidative stress and intestinal flora disruption in salamander (Andrias davidianus) larvae

The toxic effects of nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated, but there has been limited research on amphibians, especially those of conservation value. This study examined the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.04, 0.2, 1, 5 mg/L) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 80 nm) on the short-term exposure (7 d) of Andrias davidianus. Results demonstrated the concentration-dependent enrichment of PS-NPs in the intestine. Histological lesions displayed increased hepatic macrophages with cellular rupture, broken intestinal villi, decreased cuprocytes and crypt depression. Antioxidant- and inflammation-related enzyme activities were analysed, and it was found that hepatic and intestinal MDA content and CAT activity were highest in the N-1 group and SOD activity was highest in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). AKP activity continued to decline, and iNOS activity was highest in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). il-10, tgf-β, bcl-w and txnl1 were significantly downregulated in the N-0.2 group, while il-6 and il-8 were markedly upregulated in the N-0.2 group (p < 0.05). Exposing to PS-NPs decreased probiotic bacteria (Cetobacterium, Akkermansia) and increased pathogenic bacteria (Lachnoclostridium). Our results suggest that NPs exposure can have deleterious effects on salamanders, which predicts that NPs contamination may lead to continued amphibian declines. Therefore, we strongly recommend that attention be paid to amphibians, especially endangered species, in the field of NPs.

Light-activated nanoclusters with tunable ROS for wound infection treatment

Infected wounds pose a significant clinical challenge due to bacterial resistance, recurrent infections, and impaired healing. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based strategies have shown promise in eradicating bacterial infections. However, the excess ROS in the infection site after treatments may cause irreversible damage to healthy tissues. To address this issue, we developed bovine serum albumin-iridium oxide nanoclusters (BSA-IrOx NCs) which enable photo-regulated ROS generation and scavenging using near infrared (NIR) laser. Upon NIR laser irradiation, BSA-IrOx NCs exhibit enhanced photodynamic therapy, destroying biofilms and killing bacteria. When the NIR laser is off, the nanoclusters' antioxidant enzyme-like activities prevent inflammation and repair damaged tissue through ROS clearance. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that BSA-IrOx NCs inhibit bacterial nitric oxide synthase, blocking bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Furthermore, the nanoclusters repair impaired skin by strengthening cell junctions and reducing mitochondrial damage in a fibroblast model. In vivo studies using rat infected wound models confirmed the efficacy of BSA-IrOx NCs. This study presents a promising strategy for treating biofilm-induced infected wounds by regulating the ROS microenvironment, addressing the challenges associated with current ROS-based antibacterial approaches.

Membrane electrolysis distillation for volatile fatty acids extraction from pH-neutral fermented wastewater

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) serve as building blocks for a wide range of chemicals, but it is difficult to extract VFAs from pH-neutral wastewater using evaporation methods because of the ionized form. This study presents a new membrane electrolysis distillation (MED) process that extracts VFAs from such fermentation solutions. MED uniquely integrates pH regulation and joule heating to facilitate the efficient evaporation of VFAs. This integration occurs alongside a hydrophobic membrane that ensures effective gas-liquid phase separation. Operating solely on electricity, MED achieved an acid flux rate of 12.03 g/m2/h at 6V. In contrast, the control results without the joule heating or pH swing only obtained a 0.23 g/m2/h and 0.32 g/m2/h flux, respectively. In addition, a physicochemical model was developed to assess the impacts of temperature on membrane surface pH. This system enhances resource recovery from waste streams and helps achieve a circular carbon economy.

Machine learning-driven QSAR models for predicting the cytotoxicity of five common microplastics

In the field of microplastics (MPs) toxicity prediction, machine learning (ML) computer simulation techniques are showing great potential. In this study, six ML algorithms were utilized to predict the toxicity of MPs on BEAS-2B cells based on quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Comparing the models of different algorithms, the extreme gradient boosting model showed the best fit and prediction performance (R2tra = 0.9876, R2test = 0.9286). Additionally, Williams plot analysis showed that the six models developed were able to predict stably within their applicability domain, with few outliers. Finally, the three feature importance methods-Embedded Feature Importance (EFI), Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-consistently identified particle size as the most critical feature affecting toxicity prediction. The proposed QSAR model can be utilized for preliminary environmental exposure assessments of MPs and to better understand the associated health risks.

Molecular insights reveal how the glycolipids in cell membrane mitigates nanomaterial's invasion

Nanomaterial-cellular membrane interaction is crucial for the cytotoxicity of such materials in theoretical investigations. However, previous research often used cellular membrane models with one or few lipid types, which deviates significantly from realistic membrane compositions. Here, employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we investigate the impact of a typical nanomaterial, boron nitride (BN), on a cellular membrane model based on the realistic small intestinal epithelial cell (SIEC) membrane. This membrane contains a complex composition, including abundant glycolipids. Our MD simulations reveal that BN nanosheet can partially insert into the SIEC membrane, maintaining a stable binding conformation without causing obvious structural changes. Dynamic analyses suggest that van der Waals (vdW) interactions drive the binding process between BN and the SIEC membrane. Further simulation of the interaction between BN nanosheet and deglycosylated SIEC membrane confirms that BN nanosheet cause significant structural damage to deglycosylated SIEC membranes, completely inserting into the membrane, extracting lipids, and burying some lipid hydrophilic heads within the membrane interior. Quantitative analyses of mean squared displacements (MSD) of membranes, membrane thicknesses, area per lipid, and order parameters indicate that BN nanosheet causes more substantial damage to deglycosylated SIEC membrane than to intact SIEC membrane. This comparison suggests the molecular mechanism involved in mitigating BN invasion by SIEC membrane that the polysaccharide heads of glycolipids in the SIEC membrane form a significant steric hindrance on membrane surface, not only hindering the insertion of BN, but also resisting the lipid extraction by BN. Free energy calculations further support this conclusion. Overall, our MD simulations not only shed new light into the reduced impact of BN nanosheet on the realistic SIEC membrane but also highlight the importance of glycolipids in protecting cell membranes from nanomaterial invasion, contributing to a deeper understanding of nanomaterial-realistic cell membrane interactions.

Coaxial electrospun nanofiber accelerates infected wound healing via engineered probiotic biofilm

Bacterial infection is the primary cause of delayed wound healing. Infected wounds suffer from a series of harmful factors in the harsh wound microenvironment (WME), greatly damaging their potential for tissue regeneration. Herein, a novel probiotic biofilm-based antibacterial strategy is proposed through experimentation. Firstly, a series of coaxial polycaprolactone (PCL) / silk fibroin (SF) nanofiber films (termed as PSN-n, n = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, respectively) are prepared by coaxial electrospinning and their physiochemical properties are comprehensively characterized. Afterward, the PSN-1.5 is selected and co-cultured with L. paracasei to allow the formation of probiotic biofilm. The probiotic biofilm-loaded PSN-1.5 nanofiber film (termed as PSNL-1.5) exhibits relatively good broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and enhanced pro-regenerative capability by immunoregulation of M2 macrophage. A wound healing assay is performed using an S. aureus-infected skin defect model. The application effect of PSNL-1.5 is significantly better than that of a commercial nano‑silver burn & scald dressing (Anson®), revealing huge potential for clinical translation. This study is of significant novelty in demonstrating the antibacterial and pro-regenerative abilities of probiotic biofilms. The product of this study will be extensively used for treating infected wounds or other wounds.

Hydrogelation of peptides and carnosic acid as regulators of adaptive immunity against postoperative recurrence of cutaneous melanoma

The in-situ activation of adaptive immunity at the surgical site has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in inhibiting various forms of tumour recurrence and even holds the promise of a potential cure. However, extensive research and bioinformatic analysis conducted in this study have unveiled the formidable challenge posed by melanoma-intrinsic β-catenin signaling, which hinders the infiltration of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and their subsequent anti-tumour action. To overcome this obstacle, a β-catenin antagonist called carnosic acid (CA) was co-assembled with a RADA-rich peptide to create a nanonet-derived hydrogel known as Supra-gelδCA. This injectable hydrogel is designed to be retained at the surgical site while simultaneously promoting hemostasis. Importantly, Supra-gelδCA directly releases CA to the site of residual tumour lesions, thereby enhancing infiltration of CTLs and subsequently activating adaptive immunity. Consequently, it effectively suppresses postoperative recurrence of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) in vivo. Collectively, the presented Supra-gelδCA not only provides an efficacious immunotherapy strategy for regulating adaptive immunity by overcoming the obstacle posed by melanoma-intrinsic β-catenin signaling-induced absence of CTLs but also offers a clinically translatable hydrogel that revolutionizes post-surgical management of SKCM.

An in-depth review: Unraveling the extraction, structure, bio-functionalities, target molecules, and applications of pectic polysaccharides

Pectic polysaccharides have long been a challenging subject of research in the field of macromolecular science, given their complex structures and wide range of biological effects. However, the extensive exploration of pectic polysaccharides has been limited due to the intricacy of their structures. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide a thorough summary of the existing knowledge on pectic polysaccharides, with a particular focus on aspects such as classification, extraction methodologies, structural analysis, elucidation of biological activities, and exploration of target molecules and signaling pathways. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and research achievements, we strive to establish a comprehensive and systematic framework that can serve as a reference and guide for further investigations into pectic polysaccharides. Furthermore, this review delves into the applications of pectic polysaccharides beyond their fundamental attributes and characteristics, exploring their potential in fields such as materials, food, and pharmaceuticals. We pay special attention to the promising opportunities for pectic polysaccharides in the pharmaceutical domain and provide an overview of related drug development research. The aim of this review is to facilitate a holistic understanding of pectic polysaccharides by incorporating multifaceted research, providing valuable insights for further in-depth investigations into this significant polymer.