TME-triggered MnSiO3@Met@GOx nanosystem for ATP dual-inhibited starvation/chemodynamic synergistic therapy

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an essential substance for maintaining tumor cell survival and proliferation. Inhibiting the ATP-producing pathways has emerged as a promising cancer treatment strategy. However, the antitumor efficiency of ATP inhibitors is compromised by the inter-compensation of multiple ATP-producing pathways in tumor cells and biological barriers in the complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed metformin (Met) and glucose oxidase (GOx) co-loaded manganese silicon nanoplatform MnSiO3@Met@GOx (MMG) for TME-responsive ATP dual inhibited starvation/chemodynamic synergistic therapy. Under the mildly acidic conditions in TME, MMG was decomposed, releasing Met and GOx for effective ATP suppression by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and aerobic glycolysis pathways, respectively. Meanwhile, GOx-catalyzed glucose oxidation increased tumor acidity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration in tumors, which not only accelerated MMG decomposition and drug release but also promoted manganese ions-mediated Fenton-like reaction. In vitro and in vivo experiments further demonstrated the effectiveness and biosafety of MMG-based synergistic therapy. This study provides a novel strategy for tumor treatment based on tumor metabolism regulation.

An All-Ceramic, Anisotropic, and Flexible Aerogel Insulation Material

To exploit the high-temperature superinsulation potential of anisotropic thermal management materials, the incorporation of ceramic aerogel into the aligned structural networks is indispensable. However, the long-standing obstacle to exploring ultralight superinsulation ceramic aerogels is the inaccessibility of its mechanical elasticity, stability, and anisotropic thermal insulation. In this study, we report a recoverable, flexible ceramic fiber-aerogel composite with anisotropic lamellar structure, where the interfacial cross-linking between ceramic fiber and aerogel is important in its superinsulation performance. The resulting ultralight aerogel composite exhibits a density of 0.05 g/cm³, large strain recovery (over 50%), and low thermal conductivity (0.0224 W m^-1 K^-1), while its hydrophobicity is achieved by in situ trichlorosilane coating with the water contact angle of 135°. The hygroscopic tests of such aerogel composites demonstrate a reversible thermal insulation. The mechanical elasticity and stability of the anisotropic composites, with its soundproof performance, shed light on the low-cost superelastic aerogel manufacturing with scalability for energy saving building applications.

A Hierarchical Mesoporous Insulation Ceramic

Light-weight ceramic aerogels hold promise for superinsulation. However, its mechanical instability and complex manufacturing hampered its technical applications. In this study, we demonstrate lightweight pore-gradient ceramic aerogel-like foam monoliths (PGAFoams) through one-pot and in situ bubble supported pore gradient formation. The mechanically strong PGAFoams exhibit a low thermal conductivity of 0.036 W m^-1 K^-1 and a compressive strength of 89.85 MPa. The pore gradient and integral ceramic monolith nature provides such hydrophobic PGAFoams with thermal management, robust soundproof, and fire-resistance performance. Highly machinable PGAFoams can be adapted into a variety of shapes and dimensions to accommodate complex geometry applications. The scalable manufacturing of lightweight PGAFoams opens up building insulation with remarkable thermal management, high mechanical strength, low mass density, superior soundproofing, and fire-retardant performances.

Tunable Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Particles with Unique Radially Oriented Pore Structures from Tetramethyl Orthosilicate via Oil-Water Emulsion Process

Numerous studies of the synthesis of mesoporous silica (MPS) particles with tailored properties have been published. Among those studies, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is commonly used as a silica source, but tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) is rarely used because its reaction is fast and difficult to control. In this study, MPS particles were synthesized via one-step controlled polymerization of styrene and hydrolysis of TMOS, followed by the addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and n-octane. The MPS particles obtained from TMOS generally have small inner pores, but the MPS particles obtained in this study had a unique radially oriented structure, a high surface area up to 800 m² g^-1, and large pores, of size 20 nm. The content of styrene in the emulsion system played a key role in increasing pore sizes of the MPS particles. A plausible mechanism for particle formation based on the phase behavior and type of the emulsion system is proposed. For further research, this material is expected to be useful for various applications, such as in drug delivery, filtration, and catalyst supports.

Self-encapsulation of a drug-containing ionic liquid into mesoporous silica monoliths or nanoparticles by a sol–gel process

Mesoporous silica monoliths and nanospheres were obtained using the same ionic liquid acting as a templating agent and catalyst.