Simultaneous electrochemical determination of persistent petrogenic organic pollutants based on AgNPs synthesized using carbon dots derived from mushroom

Single-cell RNA sequencing of estrual mice reveals PM2.5-induced uterine cell heterogeneity and reproductive toxicity

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been extensively linked to reproductive and developmental dysfunctions, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate PM2.5-induced changes in uterine cell populations and gene expression profiles in mice during estrus and early pregnancy. Methodologically, we intranasally inoculated mice with 20 μL of 4.0 mg/mL PM2.5 suspension during their estrus and early pregnancy periods. Utilizing scRNA-seq analysis, we revealed significant alterations in cell type composition following PM2.5 exposure. Notably, we observed a marked decrease in the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells in PM2.5-exposed mice (2.00 % vs. 8.97 % in controls). Further functional enrichment analysis identified suppression of the IL-17 signaling pathway in NK cells as a key mechanism of PM2.5-induced toxicity. GSEA analysis showed in-depth details of the downregulated genes in this pathway, including Fosb, S100a8, Tnfaip3, IL-17a, and S100a9. PM2.5 exposure also disrupted intercellular communication within the uterine microenvironment, with the number of cell interactions decreasing from 483 to 315 and interaction strength reducing from 12.43 to 6.78 compared to controls. Histological examination revealed that PM2.5 exposure led to thinning of the endometrium and less prominent main branches in uterine tissues, and immunofluorescence assays corroborated the altered expression of IL-17 pathway components, showing enhanced Hsp90ab1 expression and reduced FOSB, S100A8, and S100A9 expression in PM2.5-exposed uterine tissues. These findings provide novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of PM2.5-induced reproductive toxicity, highlighting the IL-17 signaling pathway in uterine NK cells as a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Our results underscore the need for air quality regulations and open new avenues for developing biomarkers and targeted therapies to mitigate the reproductive risks associated with PM2.5 exposure.

Luminescent TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized from Mollugo Oppositifolia and Trianthema Portulacastrum for dye degradation, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

In modern times, nanoparticles have materialized as indispensable things in contemporary medicine, with a variety of uses in clinical, drug and gene conveyance. In the present study, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from the leaf extracts of Mollugooppositifolia and Trianthema portulacastrum were compared with the chemical TiO2-NPs for antibacterial and antioxidant activities and environment-friendly nature through various tools like the UV-visible, X-ray diffraction with the aid of other analytical techniques like HR-TEM, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The morphology of green TiO2-NPs is found to be spherical, which is supported by HR-TEM images. FT-IR analyses and X-ray diffraction data ensure that the polycrystalline characters of TiO2-NPs alike to the presence of metal oxide. TiO2-NPs showed a possible photocatalytic activity for the ruin of acid black 1 dye after disclosure to sunlight. The chemical and green methods of TiO2-NPs have acid black 1 dye decomposition rates of 86.66% and 94.33%, respectively. The synthesized TiO2-NPs are also assessed for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Green TiO2-NPs exhibit antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 + 0.56 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (16 + 0.24 mm) at concentrations as low as 100 μL. The green TiO2-NPs showed high inhibition of DPPH I radical (50 μg/m) at 95.17 ± 21. Therefore, TiO2-NPs represent eco-friendly properties that aid in the degradation of dyes due to their antioxidant activity.

Comprehensive Overview of Controlled Fabrication of Multifunctional Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots and Exploring Applications

In recent years, carbon dots (CDs) have garnered increasing attention due to their simple preparation methods, versatile performances, and wide-ranging applications. CDs can manifest various optical, physical, and chemical properties including quantum yield (QY), emission wavelength (Em), solid-state fluorescence (SSF), room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP), material-specific responsivity, pH sensitivity, anti-oxidation and oxidation, and biocompatibility. These properties can be effectively regulated through precise control of the CD preparation process, rendering them suitable for diverse applications. However, the lack of consideration given to the precise control of each feature of CDs during the preparation process poses a challenge in obtaining the requisite features for various applications. This paper is to analyze existing research and present novel concepts and ideas for creating CDs with different distinct features and applications. The synthesis methods of CDs are discussed in the first section, followed by a comprehensive overview of the important properties of CDs and the modification strategy. Subsequently, the application of CDs and their requisite properties are reviewed. Finally, the paper outlines the current challenges in controlling CDs properties and their applications, discusses potential solutions, and offers suggestions for future research.

Exploring the potential of CoMoO4-modified graphitic carbon nitride to boost oxidation of amoxicillin micropollutants in hospital wastewater

This study investigates the removal of amoxicillin micropollutants (AM) from hospital wastewater using CoMoO4-modified graphitic carbon nitride (CMO/gCN). Consequently, CMO/gCN exhibits notable improvements in visible light absorption and electron-hole separation rates compared to unmodified gCN. Besides, CMO/gCN significantly enhances the removal efficiency of AM, attaining an impressive 96.5%, far surpassing the performance of gCN at 48.6%. Moreover, CMO/gCN showcases outstanding reusability, with AM degradation performance exceeding 70% even after undergoing six cycles of reuse. The removal mechanism of AM employing CMO/gCN involves various photoreactions of radicals (•OH, •O2-) and amoxicillin molecules under light assistance. Furthermore, CMO/gCN demonstrates a noteworthy photodegradation efficiency of AM from hospital wastewater, reaching 92.8%, with a near-complete reduction in total organic carbon levels. Detailed discussions on the practical applications of the CMO/gCN photocatalyst for removal of micropollutants from hospital wastewater are provided. These findings underline the considerable potential of CMO/gCN for effectively removing various pollutants in environmental remediation strategies.

A multifunctional Ag NPs/guar gum hydrogel as versatile platform for catalysts, antibacterial agents, and construction of oil-water separation interfaces

The frequently encountered wastewater contaminations, including soluble aromatic compound and dye pollutants, pathogenic bacteria, and insoluble oils, have resulted in significant environmental and human health issues. It poses a challenge to utilize identical materials for the treatment of complex wastewater. Herein, in this research, multifunctional Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogels were fabricated using a facile in situ reduction and self-crosslinking method for efficient remediation of complex wastewater. The Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogel showed remarkable remodeling, adhesive, and self-healing characteristics, which was favorable for its versatile applications. The combination of Ag NPs with the guar gum skeleton endowed the hybrid hydrogel with exceptional catalytic activity for reducing aromatic compounds and dye pollutants, as well as remarkable antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogel could be employed to coat a variety of substrates, including cotton fabrics and stainless steel meshes. The hydrogel coated cotton fabrics and meshes presented superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity, excellent antifouling capacity, and outstanding recyclability, which could be successfully applied for efficient separation of oil-water mixtures. The findings of this work provide a feasible and cost-effective approach for the remediation of intricate wastewater.

Using the Photo-Piezoelectric Effect of AuPt@BaTiO3 Oxidase Mimetics for Colorimetric Detection of GSH in Serum

Nanozymes possess major advantages in catalysis and biosensing compared with natural nanozymes. In this study, the AuPt@BaTiO3 bimetallic alloy Schottky junction is prepared to act as oxidase mimetics, and its photo-piezoelectric effect is investigated. The synergy between the photo-piezoelectric effect and the local surface plasmon resonance enhances the directional migration and separation of photogenerated electrons, as well as hot electrons induced by the AuPt bimetallic alloy. This synergy significantly improves the oxidase-like activity. A GSH colorimetric detection platform is developed based on this fading principle. Leveraging the photo-piezoelectric effect allows for highly sensitive detection with a low detection limit (0.225 μM) and reduces the detection time from 10 min to 3 min. The high recovery rate (ranging from 99.91% to 101.8%) in actual serum detection suggests promising potential for practical applications. The development of bimetallic alloy heterojunctions presents new opportunities for creating efficient nanozymes.

Characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal by nanofiltration with and without coexisting organics

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants of great concern owing to their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation in aquatic environments. In this study, nanofiltration (NF) was used to investigate the removal of naphthalene (NAP) and phenanthrene (PHE) using three membranes of NF270, NF90, and DK. Subsequently, we examined the effects of coexisting organics on PAHs removal. Based on the results, DK was determined to be the optimal membrane for removing PAHs by comparing the membrane flux and pollutant rejection. The membrane flux reached 34.32 L/m2·h, and the NAP and PHE rejections were 92.21% and 97.85%, respectively, at transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 5 bar using DK. Coexisting organics decreased the membrane fluxes of NF270 and DK in the following order: protein > glucose > humic acid. The NAP and PHE rejections were obviously improved using NF270 in the following order: humic acid > protein > glucose. The PHE rejection was slightly improved using DK. A low concentration of organics could reduce the NAP rejection using DK; however, the NAP rejection could be restored at high concentrations of organics, except for humic acid. Coexisting organics could cause severe membrane fouling. The order of the effect of different coexisting organics on membrane fouling was protein > humic acid > glucose. The total investment and operating costs were about 1.47 and 0.187 million dollars, respectively, for treating PAHs solution using DK when the feed flow was 300 m3/d.

A review on the chemical and biological sensing applications of silver/carbon dots nanocomposites with their interaction mechanisms

The development of new nanocomposites has a significant impact on modern instrumentation and analytical methods for chemical analysis. Due to their unique properties, carbon dots (CDs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), distinguished by their unique physical, electrochemical, and optical properties, have captivated significant attention. Thus, combining AgNPs and CDs may produce Ag/CDs nanocomposites with improved performances than the individual material. This comprehensive review offers an in-depth exploration of the synthesis, formation mechanism, properties, and the recent surge in chemical and biological sensing applications of Ag/CDs with their sensing mechanisms. Detailed insights into synthesis methods to produce Ag/CDs are unveiled, followed by information on their physicochemical and optical properties. The crux of this review lies in its spotlight on the diverse landscape of chemical and biological sensing applications of Ag/CDs, with a particular focus on fluorescence, electrochemical, colorimetric, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance sensing techniques. The elucidation of sensing mechanisms of the nanocomposites with various target analytes adds depth to the discussion. Finally, this review culminates with a concise summary and a glimpse into future perspectives of Ag/CDs aiming to achieve highly efficient and enduring Ag/CDs for various applications.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Nanoplatform for Effective Management of Infected Wounds

Burn wound healing continues to pose significant challenges due to excessive inflammation, the risk of infection, and impaired tissue regeneration. In this regard, an antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory nanocomposite (called HPA) that combines a nanosystem using hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and the natural polyphenol of Phloretin with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is developed. HPA effectively disperses AgNPs to mitigate any toxicity caused by aggregation while also showing the pharmacological activities of Phloretin. During the initial stage of wound healing, HPA rapidly releases silver ions from its surface to suppress bacterial activity. Moreover, these nanoparticles are pH-sensitive and degrade efficiently in the acidic infection microenvironment, gradually releasing Phloretin. This sustained release of Phloretin helps scavenge overexpressed reactive oxygen species in the infected microenvironment area, thus reducing the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The antibacterial activity, free radical clearance, and regulation of inflammatory factors of HPA through in vitro experiments are validated. Additionally, its effects using an infectious burn mouse model in vivo are evaluated. HPA is found to promote collagen deposition and epithelialization in the wound area. With its synergistic antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as favorable biocompatibilities, HPA shows great promise as a safe and effective multifunctional nanoplatform for burn injury wound dressings.

Adsorption and photodegradation of micropollutant in wastewater by photocatalyst TiO2/rice husk biochar

With the acceleration of global industrialization, organic pollutants have become a threat to ecological safety and human health. This work prepared TiO2/rice husk biochar (TiO2/BC) for removal of bisphenol A (BA) micropollutant in wastewater. Experiment results revealed a low BA removal efficiency by TiO2/BC was observed at 34.5% under the dark environment. However, the removal rate of BA by UV light-assisted TiO2/BC significantly increased to 97.6% in 1 h. The results also demonstrated that the removal performance of BA using TiO2/BC was 2.1times higher than that of commercial TiO2 (46.4%). Besides, the removal efficiency of BA by reused TiO2/BC after eight cycles slightly decreased by 12.8%, demonstrating the excellent properties of the prepared composite. TiO2/BC also exhibited high removal efficiency of BA (over 89%) from the synthetic wastewater sample, indicating the potential utilization of composite for removing BA in wastewater. This work provides a new way to turn biomass waste into useful material and effective method to remove micropollutant BA.

Synthesis and characterization of Hypsizygus ulmarius extract mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and test their potentiality on antimicrobial and anticancer effects

The prime aim of this research is to discover new, eco-friendly approaches to reducing agents for manufacturing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from fresh fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Hypsizygus ulmarius (Hu). The confirmation of Hu-mediated AgNPs has been characterized by UV visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM with EDX, HRTEM, AFM, PSA, Zeta poetical and GCMS analysis. The absorption peak of Hu-AgNPs at 430 nm has been confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy analysis. The findings of the particle size study show that AgNPs have a size distribution with an average of 20 nm. The Zeta potential of NPs reveals a significant build-up of negative charges on their surface. The additional hydrate layers that occurred at the surface of AgNPs are shown in the HR-TEM morphology images. The antibacterial activity results showed that Hu-AgNPs were highly effective against both bacterial pathogens, with gram-positive (+) and gram-negative (-) pathogens having a moderate inhibition effect on K. pneumoniae (5.3 ± 0.3 mm), E. coli (5.3 ± 0.1), and S. aureus (5.2 ± 0.3 mm). Hu-AgNPs (IC50 of 50.78 μg/mL) were found to have dose-dependent cytotoxic action against human lung cancer cell lines (A549). Inhibited cell viability by up to 64.31% after 24 h of treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the hand information on the myco-synthesis of AgNPs from the H. ulmarius mushroom extract and the results suggest that it can an excellent source for developing a multipurpose and eco-friendly nano product in future.

Synthetic strategies, properties and sensing application of multicolor carbon dots: recent advances and future challenges

Recently, carbon dots (CDs) as newly developed carbon-based nanomaterials due to advantages such as excellent photostability and easy surface functionalization have generated wide application prospects in fields such as biological imaging and chemical sensing. The multicolor emission carbon dots (M-CDs) were acquired through the selection of different carbon source precursors, change of synthesis conditions and synthesis environment. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the latest research progress in polychromatic CDs from the perspectives of synthesis strategies, luminescent mechanisms, luminescent properties and applications. This review focuses on how to prepare MCDs by changing raw materials and synthesis conditions such as reaction temperature, synthesis time, synthesis pH, and synthesis solvent. This review also presents the optical properties of MCDs, concentration effects, solvent effects, pH effects, elemental doping, and surface passivation on them, as well as their creative applications in the field of sensing applications. It is anticipated that this review will serve as a guide for the development of multifunctional M-CDs and inspire future research on controllable design and preparation of M-CDs.