Materials for the Simultaneous Entrapment and Catalytic Aerobic Oxidative Removal of Sulfur Mustard Simulants

Recent nanoengineered therapeutic advancements in sepsis management

Sepsis (defined as sepsis 3.0) is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Characterized by high morbidity and mortality, sepsis has become a global public health problem. However, there is a lack of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for sepsis and current management rely on the limited treatment strategies. Recently, nanomedicines targeting and controlling the release of bio-active agents have shown excellent potency in sepsis management, with improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced adverse effects. In this review, we have summarized the advantages of nanomaterials. Also, the preparation and efficacy of the main categories of anti-sepsis nanomedicines applied in sepsis management are described in detail, including antibiotic-coated nanomaterials, antimicrobial peptides-coated nanomaterials, biomimetic nanomaterials, nanomaterials targeting macrophages and natural products loaded nanomaterials. These advances in nanomedicines establish the huge potential for nanomaterials-based sepsis management, especially in the improved pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, controllable drug-targeting and reduced side effects. To further facilitate clinical translation of anti-sepsis nanomedicines, we propose that the issues involving safety, regulatory laws and cost-effectiveness should receive much more attention in the future.

Nanofibrous Porous Organic Polymers and Their Derivatives: From Synthesis to Applications

Engineering porous organic polymers (POPs) into 1D morphology holds significant promise for diverse applications due to their exceptional processability and increased surface contact for enhanced interactions with guest molecules. This article reviews the latest developments in nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives, encompassing porous organic polymer nanofibers, their composites, and POPs-derived carbon nanofibers. The review delves into the design and fabrication strategies, elucidates the formation mechanisms, explores their functional attributes, and highlights promising applications. The first section systematically outlines two primary fabrication approaches of nanofibrous POPs, i.e., direct bulk synthesis and electrospinning technology. Both routes are discussed and compared in terms of template utilization and post-treatments. Next, performance of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are reviewed for applications including water treatment, water/oil separation, gas adsorption, energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis, microwave absorption, and biomedical systems. Finally, highlighting existent challenges and offering future prospects of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are concluded.

Role of Multiple Vanadium Centers on Redox Buffering and Rates of Polyvanadomolybdate-Cu(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidations

A recent report established that the tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salt of hexavanadopolymolybdate TBA₄H₅[PMo₆V₆O₄₀] (PV₆Mo₆) serves as the redox buffer with Cu(II) as a co-catalyst for aerobic deodorization of thiols in acetonitrile. Here, we document the profound impact of vanadium atom number (x = 0-4 and 6) in TBA salts of PV_xMo_12-xO₄₀^(3+x)- (PVMo) on this multicomponent catalytic system. The PVMo cyclic voltammetric peaks from 0 to -2000 mV vs Fc/Fc⁺ under catalytic conditions (acetonitrile, ambient T) are assigned and clarify that the redox buffering capability of the PVMo/Cu catalytic system derives from the number of steps, the number of electrons transferred each step, and the potential ranges of each step. All PVMo are reduced by varying numbers of electrons, from 1 to 6, in different reaction conditions. Significantly, PVMo with x ≤ 3 not only has much lower activity than when x > 3 (for example, the turnover frequencies (TOF) of PV₃Mo₉ and PV₄Mo₈ are 8.9 and 48 s^-1, respectively) but also, unlike the latter, cannot maintain steady reduction states when the Mo atoms in these polyoxometalate (POMs) are also reduced. Stopped-flow kinetics measurements reveal that Mo atoms in Keggin PVMo exhibit much slower electron transfer rates than V atoms. There are two kinetic arguments: (a) In acetonitrile, the first formal potential of PMo₁₂ is more positive than that of PVMo₁₁ (-236 and -405 mV vs Fc/Fc⁺); however, the initial reduction rates are 1.06 × 10^-4 s^-1 and 0.036 s^-1 for PMo₁₂ and PVMo₁₁, respectively. (b) In aqueous sulfate buffer (pH = 2), a two-step kinetics is observed for PVMo₁₁ and PV₂Mo₁₀, where the first and second steps are assigned to reduction of the V and Mo centers, respectively. Since fast and reversible electron transfers are key for the redox buffering behavior, the slower electron transfer kinetics of Mo preclude these centers functioning in redox buffering that maintains the solution potential. We conclude that PVMo with more vanadium atoms allows the POM to undergo more and faster redox changes, which enables the POM to function as a redox buffer dictating far higher catalytic activity.

Functionalized reactive polymers for the removal of chemical warfare agents: A review

Protection from and removal of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from the environment remains a global goal. Activated charcoal, metal oxides, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), polyoxometalates (POMs) and reactive polymers have all been investigated for CWA removal. Composite polymeric materials are rapidly gaining traction as versatile building blocks for personal protective equipment (PPE) and catalytic devices. Polymers are inexpensive to produce and easily engineered into a wide range of materials including films, electro-spun fibers, mixed-matrix membranes/reactors, and other forms. When containing reactive side-chains, hydrolysis catalysts, and/or oxidative catalysts polymeric devices are primed for CWA decontamination. In this review, recent advances in reactive polymeric materials for CWA removal are summarized. To aid in comparing the effectiveness of the different solid catalysts, particular attention is paid to the stoichiometric ratio of reactive species to toxic substrate (CWA or CWA simulant).

Porous organic polymers for drug delivery: hierarchical pore structures, variable morphologies, and biological properties

Porous organic polymers have received considerable attention in recent years because of their applicability as biomaterials. In particular, their hierarchical pore structures, variable morphologies, and tunable biological properties make them suitable as drug-delivery systems. In this review, the synthetic and post forming/control methods including templated methods, template-free methods, mechanical methods, electrospun methods, and 3D printing methods for controlling the hierarchical structures and morphologies of porous organic polymers are discussed, and the different methods affecting their specific surface areas, hierarchical structures, and unique morphologies are highlighted in detail. In addition, we discuss their applications in drug encapsulation and the development of stimuli (pH, heat, light, and dual-stimuli)-responsive materials, focusing on their use for targeted drug release and as therapeutic agents. Finally, we present an outlook concerning the research directions and applications of porous polymer-based drug delivery systems.