Stimuli-responsive nanobubbles for biomedical applications

Nanobubble technology to enhance energy recovery from anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes: Potential mechanisms and recent advancements

Nanobubble (NB) technology has gained popularity in the environmental field owing to its distinctive characteristics and ecological safety. More recently, the application of NB technology in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems has been proven to promote substrate degradation and boost the production of biogas (H2 and/or CH4). This review presents the recent advancements in the application of NB technology in AD systems. Meanwhile, it also sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of NB technology that contribute to the enhanced biogas production from AD of organic solid wastes. Specifically, the working principles of the NB generator are first summarized, and then the structure of the NB generator is optimized to accommodate the demand for NB characteristics in the AD system. Subsequently, it delves into a detailed discussion of how the addition of nanobubble water (NBW) affects AD performance and the different factors that NB can potentially contribute. As a simple and environmentally friendly additive, NBW was commonly used in the AD process to enhance the fluidity and mass transfer characteristics of digestate. Additionally, NB has the potential to enhance the functionality of different types of microbial enzymes that play crucial roles in the AD process. This includes boosting extracellular hydrolase activities, optimizing coenzyme F420, and improving cellulase function. Finally, it is proposed that NBW has development potential for the pretreatment of substrate and inoculum, with future development being directed towards this aim.

Single-Digit Nanobubble Sensing via Nanopore Technology

Nanobubbles play an important role in diverse fields, including engineering, medicine, and agriculture. Understanding the characteristics of individual nanobubbles is essential for comprehending fluid dynamics behaviors and advancing nanoscale science across various fields. Here, we report a strategy based on nanopore sensors for characterizing single-digit nanobubbles. We investigated the sizes and diffusion coefficients of nanobubbles at different voltages. Additionally, the finite element simulation and molecular dynamics simulation were introduced to account for counterion concentration variation around nanobubbles in the nanopore. In particular, the differences in stability and surface charge density of nanobubbles under various solution environments have been studied by the ion-stabilized model and the DLVO theory. Additionally, a straightforward method to mitigate nanobubble generation in the bulk for reducing current noise in nanopore sensing was suggested. The results hold significant implications for enhancing the understanding of individual nanobubble characterizations, especially in the nanofluid field.

Epigallocatechin gallate alleviated the in vivo toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles to mouse intestine

To evaluate the oral toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs), it is necessary to consider the interactions between NPs and nutrient molecules. Recently, we reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a healthy component in green tea, alleviated the toxicity of ZnO NPs to 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro. The present study investigated the combined effects of EGCG and ZnO NPs to mice in vivo. Mice were administrated with 35 or 105 mg/kg bodyweight ZnO NPs with or without the presence of 80 mg/kg bodyweight EGCG via gastric route, once a day, for 21 days, and the influences of EGCG on the toxicity of ZnO NPs to intestine were investigated. We found that EGCG altered the colloidal properties of ZnO NPs both in water and artificial intestine juice. As expected, ZnO NPs induced toxicological effects, such as decreased bodyweight, higher Chiu's scores, and ultrastructural changes in intestine, whereas EGCG alleviated these effects. Combined exposure to EGCG and ZnO NPs also changed trace element levels in mouse intestine. For example, the levels of Ti, Co, and Ni were only significantly elevated after co-exposure to EGCG and ZnO NPs, and Fe levels were only significantly decreased by ZnO NPs. Western blot analysis suggested that tight junction (TJ) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins were elevated by ZnO NPs, but EGCG inhibited this trend. Combined, these data suggested that gastric exposure to ZnO NPs induced intestinal damage, trace element imbalance, and TJ/ER protein expression in mouse intestine, whereas EGCG alleviated these effects of ZnO NPs.

Life at the interface: Engineering bio-nanomaterials through interfacial molecular self-assembly

Interfacial self-assembly describes the directed organization of molecules and colloids at phase boundaries. Believed to be fundamental to the inception of primordial life, interfacial assembly is exploited by a myriad of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms to execute physiologic activities and maintain homeostasis. Inspired by these natural systems, chemists, engineers, and materials scientists have sought to harness the thermodynamic equilibria at phase boundaries to create multi-dimensional, highly ordered, and functional nanomaterials. Recent advances in our understanding of the biophysical principles guiding molecular assembly at gas-solid, gas-liquid, solid-liquid, and liquid-liquid interphases have enhanced the rational design of functional bio-nanomaterials, particularly in the fields of biosensing, bioimaging and biotherapy. Continued development of non-canonical building blocks, paired with deeper mechanistic insights into interphase self-assembly, holds promise to yield next generation interfacial bio-nanomaterials with unique, and perhaps yet unrealized, properties. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Synthesis and characterization of pH-sensitive nanocarrier based chitosan-g-poly(itaconic acid) for ciprofloxacin delivery for anti-bacterial application

This study aims to develop pH-sensitive and controlled release of ciprofloxacin from ciprofloxacin-loaded grafted chitosan-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles (Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs) for the treatment of bacterial infections in the human colon. For this aim, first, the chitosan-g-poly(itaconic acid) [Chit-g-poly (Itac)] was synthesized via grafting of itaconic acid onto chitosan in the presence of cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) under an inert atmosphere using conventional methods, while zinc oxide nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) were prepared via sol-gel technique. Characterization of the synthesized Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs was analyzed using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TGA, and zeta potential analysis. The antibacterial efficacy of Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs against three pathogenic bacteria, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, was superior to that of tetracycline reference drugs, as evidenced by larger inhibition zones. Cytotoxicity assessment of Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs on the human chondrocyte cell line C28/I2 via MTT assay revealed 100 % cell viability at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. The loading efficiency of ciprofloxacin into Gchit/Zn-NPs was evaluated at various ratios, demonstrating lower loading efficiency; however, sustained release of ciprofloxacin from Cip@Gchit/Zn-NPs was excellent, with 98.13 % release observed at pH 7.2 over 10 h. Kinetic analysis of ciprofloxacin release followed the first-order kinetic models.

Enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy through silica nanoparticle-mediated delivery of temoporfin for targeted in vitro breast cancer treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an approach to cancer treatment, relies fundamentally on two key elements: a light source and a photosensitizing agent. A primary challenge in PDT is the efficient delivery of photosensitizers to the target tissue, hindered by the body's reticuloendothelial system (RES). Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), known for their unique properties, emerge as ideal carriers in this context. In this study, SiNPs are utilized to encapsulate Temoporfin, a photosensitizer, aiming to enhance its delivery and reduce toxicity, particularly for treating MCF-7 cancer cells in vitro. The synthesized SiNPs were meticulously characterized by their size and shape using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The study also involved evaluating the cytotoxicity of both encapsulated and naked Temoporfin across various concentrations. The objective was to determine the ideal concentration and exposure duration using red laser light (intensity approximately 110 mW/cm2) to effectively eradicate MCF-7 cells. The findings revealed that Temoporfin, when encapsulated in SiNPs, demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness compared to its naked form, with notable improvements in concentration efficiency (50 %) and exposure time efficiency (76.6 %). This research not only confirms the superior effectiveness of encapsulated Temoporfin in eliminating cancer cells but also highlights the potential of SiNPs as an efficient drug delivery system in photodynamic therapy. This sets the groundwork for more advanced strategies in cancer treatment.

Development of a 10-litre pilot scale micro-nano bubble (MNB)-enhanced photocatalytic system for wastewater treatment

A 10-litre pilot scale micro-nano bubble (MNB)-enhanced photocatalytic degradation system was developed using ZnO as the photocatalyst and salicylic acid (SA) as the model pollutant. The effectiveness of the MNB/ZnO/UV system was systematically compared with those of MNB, UV, MNB/UV, MNB/ZnO and ZnO/UV degradation systems. The effects of process parameters, including catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration, air-intake rate, pH and salt content on the degradation of SA, were comprehensively investigated. Optimum performance was obtained at neutral conditions with a catalyst dosage of 0.3 g/L and an air-intake rate of 0.1 L/min. For the degradation of SA, a kinetic constant of 0.04126/min was achieved in the MNB/ZnO/UV system, which is 4.5 times greater than that obtained in the conventional ZnO/UV system. The substantial increase in the degradation rate can be attributed to that the air MNB not only enhanced the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency but also elevated the concentration of dissolved oxygen. A 10-litre pilot scale MNB/ZnO/UV system was successfully applied to the purification of lake water and river water, demonstrating great application potential for wastewater treatment.

Biodegradable Electrospun Membranes for Sustainable Industrial Applications

The escalating demand for sustainable industrial practices has driven the exploration of innovative materials, prominently exemplified by biodegradable electrospun membranes (BEMs). This review elucidates the pivotal role of these membranes across diverse industrial applications, addressing the imperative for sustainability. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of biodegradable materials underscores their significance in electrospinning and their role in minimizing the environmental impact through biodegradability. The application of BEMs in various industrial sectors, including water treatment, food packaging, and biomedical applications, are extensively discussed. The environmental impact and sustainability analysis traverse the lifecycle of BEMs, evaluating their production to disposal and emphasizing reduced waste and resource conservation. This review demonstrates the research about BEMs toward an eco-conscious industrial landscape for a sustainable future.

Polyethylenimine-modified graphene quantum dots promote endothelial cell proliferation

Endothelial cell proliferation plays an important role in angiogenesis and treatment of related diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified graphene quantum dots (GQDs) gene vectors on endothelial cell proliferation. The GQDs-cationic polymer gene vectors were synthesized by amidation reaction, and used to deliver pZNF580 gene to Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for promoting their proliferation. The chemical modification of GQDs can adjust gene vectors' surface properties and charge distribution, thereby enhancing their interaction with gene molecules, which could effectively compress the pZNF580 gene. The CCK-8 assay showed that the cell viability was higher than 80% at higher vector concentration (40 μg/mL), demonstrating that the GQDs-cationic polymer gene vectors and their gene complex nanoparticles (NPs) having low cytotoxicity. The results of the live/dead cell double staining assay were consistent with those of the CCK-8 assay, in which the cell viability of the A-GQDs/pZNF580 (94.38 ± 6.39%), C-GQDs-PEI- polylactic acid-co-polyacetic acid (PLGA)/pZNF580 (98.65 ± 6.60%) and N-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 (90.08 ± 1.60%) groups was significantly higher than that of the Lipofectamine 2000/pZNF580 (71.98 ± 3.53%) positive treatment group. The results of transfection and western blot experiments showed that the vector significantly enhanced the delivery of plasmid to HUVECs and increased the expression of pZNF580 in HUVECs. In addition, the gene NPs better promote endothelial cell migration and proliferation. The cell migration rate and proliferation ability of C-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 and N-GQDs-PEI-PLGA/pZNF580 treatment groups were higher than those of Lipofectamine 2000/pDNA treatment group. Modified GQDs possess the potential to serve as efficient gene carriers. They tightly bind gene molecules through charge and other non-covalent interactions, significantly improving the efficiency of gene delivery and ensuring the smooth release of genes within the cell. This innovative strategy provides a powerful means to promote endothelial cell proliferation.

ICG-based laser treatments for ophthalmic diseases: Toward their safe and rapid strategy

The eye is a very important organ, and keratitis, corneal neovascularization, floaters, age-related macular degeneration, and other vision problems have seriously affected people's quality of life. Among the ophthalmic treatments, laser photocoagulations have been proposed and have shown therapeutic effects in clinical settings. However, corneal thinning and bleeding lesions induced by laser damage have led to limit its applications. To treat the issues of traditional hyperthermia treatments, photosensitizers [e.g., indocyanine green (ICG)] have been investigated to increase the therapeutic effects of corneal neovascularization and choroidal neovascularization. In the recent study, with the help of ICG, laser-induced nanobubble was proposed to treat vitreous opacities. The developed strategies could enlarge the effect of laser irradiation and reduce the side effects, so as to expand the scope of laser treatments in clinical ophthalmic diseases.

Vapor Nanobubbles around Heated Nanoparticles: Wetting Dependence of the Local Fluid Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Nucleation

Plasmonic nanobubbles are composite objects resulting from the interaction between light and metallic nanoparticles immersed in a fluid. Plasmonic nanobubbles have applications in photothermal therapies, drug delivery, microfluidic manipulations, and solar energy conversion. Their early formation is, however, barely characterized due to the short time and length scales relevant to the process. Here, we investigate, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the effect of nanoparticle wettability on both the local fluid thermodynamics and the kinetics of nanobubble generation in water. We first show that the local onset temperature of vapor nucleation decreases with the nanoparticle/water interfacial energy and may be 100 K below the water spinodal temperature in the case of weak nanoparticle/water interactions. Second, we demonstrate that vapor nucleation may be slower in the case of weak water/nanoparticle interactions. This result, which is qualitatively at odds with the predictions of isothermal classical nucleation theory, may be explained by the competition between two antagonist effects: while, classically, hydrophobicity increases the vapor nucleation rate, it also penalizes interfacial thermal transfer, slowing down kinetics. The kinetics of heat transfer from the nanoparticle to water is controlled by the interfacial thermal conductance. This quantity turns out not only to decrease with the nanoparticle hydrophobicity but also drops down prior to phase change, yielding even longer nucleation times. Such conclusions were reached by considering the comparison between MD and continuous heat transfer models. These results put forward the role of nanoparticle wettability in the generation of plasmonic nanobubbles observed experimentally and open the path to the control of boiling using nanopatterned surfaces.

Influence of photothermal and plasma-mediated nano-processes on fluence thresholds for ultrafast laser-induced cavitation around gold nanoparticles

Laser fluence thresholds of ultrafast excitation of vapor bubbles around gold nanoparticles are determined experimentally. An optical scattering technique of limited minimum bubble size resolution is employed and analyzed for that purpose. Measurements were performed for spherical gold nanoparticles of varying sizes (40-200 nm) and for laser pulses of varying pulse width (55 fs to 4.3 ps) to estimate the limits where the evaluated thresholds are attributed to either plasma-mediated or photothermal cavitation. Furthermore, thresholds were obtained by double 55 fs pulsed excitation (varying delay 0.0-4.3 ps), providing insights into the dynamics of the excited plasma. A relationship is established between particle properties, (size, near-field amplification factor, and absorption efficiency) and the crossover pulse width of the transition from plasma-mediated to photothermal cavitation. Further, by comparing theory and experiments, we examine the approximative optical breakdown density of ∼10-21 cm-3 at a distance of 1-2 nm from the particle surface as a criterion of plasma-mediated cavitation around gold nanoparticles in analogy to the spinodal criterion for photothermal cavitation. For a given pulse width, the breakdown density appears to be nearly size-independent, establishing the aforesaid criterion applicable. However, a small pulse width dependence of the breakdown density is still observed. Based on these criteria, a comparison is further provided between theoretical thresholds of cavitation and the ones of detectable bubbles. An increasing discrepancy is observed between them with decreasing size for the case of photothermal cavitation. For plasma-mediated cavitation, the latter discrepancy is seemingly smaller, presumably due to the highly nonlinear nature of the process.

From Nanovesicles to Nanobubbles Based on Repeated Compression Method

Nanobubbles have been increasingly applied in biomedicine, which is attributed to their ability to work as ultrasound imaging contrast agents and powerful gene/drug carriers. Different production techniques or approaches have been developed to generate uniform and stable shelled nanobubbles. However, these shelled nanobubbles are usually prepared based on disordered shell materials, such as free phospholipids and polymers. In recent years, the continuous repeated compression method for a gas-liquid mixture has been developed to produce free and lipid-shelled nanobubbles. In this study, to explore the response of well-organized nanostructures to this method, the repeated compression method was used to treat preprepared liposomes and polymeric nanovesicles. Size distribution, morphologies, and ultrasound image contrast enhancement of these nanovesicles were determined before and after repeated compression. Results demonstrate that the presence of a phospholipid bilayer is vital to form liposome-based nanobubbles. And the low elastic modulus of the polymeric membrane is key to encapsulate gases into polymeric nanovesicles. Overall, it demonstrated the advantages of well-organized nanostructures to produce nanobubble structures, giving new insights into the preparation and understanding of nanobubbles.

Evolution of Bulk Nanobubbles under Different Freezing Conditions

The freezing process of aqueous solutions plays a crucial role in various applications including cryopreservation, glaciers, and frozen materials. However, less research has focused on the influence of nanoscale gas bubble formation or collapse in water during freezing, which may significantly impact the formation of ice crystals. Herein, we report for the first time that the freezing process can produce nanobubbles in aqueous solutions, and their size and number concentration could be changed by different cooling rates, i.e., the size would decrease as the cooling rate increased, and the maximum number concentration was found at the -80 °C system. Furthermore, increasing the dissolved gas content in the solution enhanced the production of nanobubbles, whereas for preexisting nanobubbles, the freezing resulted in a decrease in their number concentration, which was negatively correlated with the cooling rate. Our results indicated that a moderate cooling rate of -80 °C favored nanobubble generation, whereas a higher cooling rate was preferable for maintaining preexisting nanobubbles. Conversely, a lower cooling rate could be employed to eliminate preexisting nanobubbles. This study explored the evolution and stability of nanobubbles during the freezing process, providing valuable insights into the application or elimination of nanobubbles.

Multi-Responsive Molecular Encapsulation and Release Based on Hydrogen-Bonded Azo-Macrocycle

Research on stimuli-responsive host-guest systems is at the cutting edge of supramolecular chemistry, owing to their numerous potential applications such as catalysis, molecular machines, and drug delivery. Herein, we present a multi-responsive host-guest system comprising azo-macrocycle 1 and 4,4'-bipyridinium salt G1 for pH-, photo-, and cation- responsiveness. Previously, we reported a novel hydrogen-bonded azo-macrocycle 1. The size of this host can be controlled through light-induced E↔Z photo-isomerization of the constituent azo-benzenes. The host is found in this work to be capable of forming stable complexes with bipyridinium/pyridinium salts, and implementing guest capture and release with G1 under light in a controlled manner. The binding and release of the guest in the complexes can also be easily controlled reversibly by using acid and base. Moreover, the cation competition-induced dissociation of the complex 1a₂⊃G1 is achieved. These findings are expected to be useful in regulating encapsulation for sophisticated supramolecular systems.

Advanced stimuli-responsive membranes for smart separation

Membranes have been extensively studied and applied in various fields owing to their high energy efficiency and small environmental impact. Further conferring membranes with stimuli responsiveness can allow them to dynamically tune their pore structure and/or surface properties for efficient separation performance. This review summarizes and discusses important developments and achievements in stimuli-responsive membranes. The most commonly utilized stimuli, including light, pH, temperature, ions, and electric and magnetic fields, are discussed in detail. Special attention is given to stimuli-responsive control of membrane pore structure (pore size and porosity/connectivity) and surface properties (wettability, surface topology, and surface charge), from the perspective of determining the appropriate membrane properties and microstructures. This review also focuses on strategies to prepare stimuli-responsive membranes, including blending, casting, polymerization, self-assembly, and electrospinning. Smart applications for separations are also reviewed as well as a discussion of remaining challenges and future prospects in this exciting field. This review offers critical insights for the membrane and broader materials science communities regarding the on-demand and dynamic control of membrane structures and properties. We hope that this review will inspire the design of novel stimuli-responsive membranes to promote sustainable development and make progress toward commercialization.

Multiple responses of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene to mechanical stimulation: emission enhancement, piezochromism and negative linear compressibility

The properties of mechanoresponsive materials are mainly affected by intermolecular interaction, in which anisotropic grinding and hydrostatic high-pressure compression are the powerful tools used for modulation. Upon applying high pressure to 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), the reduced molecular symmetry results in the originally forbidden S₀ → S₁ transition to become allowed that then leads to a 13-times emission enhancement, and π-π interactions result in piezochromism (red-shifted up to 100 nm). With increasing pressure, high-pressure-stiffened H⋯C/C⋯H and H⋯H interactions enable the DPH molecules to generate a NLC mechanical response (9-15 GPa) with K_b = -5.8764 TPa^-1 along the b-axis. As a contrast, upon destroying the intermolecular interactions by grinding, the DPH luminescence blue-shifts from cyan to blue. Based on this research, we investigate a new pressure-induced emission enhancement (PIEE) mechanism and enabled NLC phenomena by controlling weak intermolecular interactions. In-depth research of the evolution of intermolecular interactions has important reference value for developing new fluorescence materials and structural materials.

Exposure to MoS2 nanosheets or bulk activated Kruppel-like factor 4 in 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo

MoS₂ nanosheets (NSs) are novel 2D nanomaterials (NMs) being used in many important fields. Recently, we proposed the need to evaluate the influences of NMs on Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) even if these materials are relatively biocompatible. In this study, we investigated the influences of MoS₂ NSs or bulk on KLF4 signaling pathway in 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo. Through the analysis of our previous RNA-sequencing data, we found that exposure to MoS₂ NSs or bulk activated KLF4 expression in 3D Caco-2 spheroids. Consistently, these materials also activated KLF4-related gene ontology (GO) terms and down-regulated a panel of KLF4-downstream genes. To verify these findings, we repeatedly exposed mice to MoS₂ NSs or bulk materials via intragastrical administration (1 mg/kg bodyweight, once a day, for 4 days). It was shown that oral exposure to these materials decreased bodyweight, leading to relatively higher organ coefficients. As expected, exposure to both types of materials increased Mo elements as well as other trace elements, such as Zn, Fe, and Mn in mouse intestines. The exposure also induced morphological changes of intestines, such as shortening of intestinal villi and decreased crypt depth, which may result in decreased intestinal lipid staining. Consistent with RNA-sequencing data, we found that material exposure increased KLF4 protein staining in mouse intestines and decreased two KLF4 downstream proteins, namely extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and serine/threonine kinase (AKT). We concluded that MoS₂ materials were capable to activate KLF4-signaling pathway in intestines both in vivo and in vitro.

Light-Triggered Mechanical Disruption of Extracellular Barriers by Swarms of Enzyme-Powered Nanomotors for Enhanced Delivery

Targeted drug delivery depends on the ability of nanocarriers to reach the target site, which requires the penetration of different biological barriers. Penetration is usually low and slow because of passive diffusion and steric hindrance. Nanomotors (NMs) have been suggested as the next generation of nanocarriers in drug delivery due to their autonomous motion and associated mixing hydrodynamics, especially when acting collectively as a swarm. Here, we explore the concept of enzyme-powered NMs designed as such that they can exert disruptive mechanical forces upon laser irradiation. The urease-powered motion and swarm behavior improve translational movement compared to passive diffusion of state-of-the-art nanocarriers, while optically triggered vapor nanobubbles can destroy biological barriers and reduce steric hindrance. We show that these motors, named Swarm 1, collectively displace through a microchannel blocked with type 1 collagen protein fibers (barrier model), accumulate onto the fibers, and disrupt them completely upon laser irradiation. We evaluate the disruption of the microenvironment induced by these NMs (Swarm 1) by quantifying the efficiency by which a second type of fluorescent NMs (Swarm 2) can move through the cleared microchannel and be taken up by HeLa cells at the other side of the channel. Experiments showed that the delivery efficiency of Swarm 2 NMs in a clean path was increased 12-fold in the presence of urea as fuel compared to when no fuel was added. When the path was blocked with the collagen fibers, delivery efficiency dropped considerably and only depicted a 10-fold enhancement after pretreatment of the collagen-filled channel with Swarm 1 NMs and laser irradiation. The synergistic effect of active motion (chemically propelled) and mechanical disruption (light-triggered nanobubbles) of a biological barrier represents a clear advantage for the improvement of therapies which currently fail due to inadequate passage of drug delivery carriers through biological barriers.

Biomimetic mineralization of nacre-inspired multiple crosslinked PVA/CaAlg/SiO2 membrane with simultaneously enhanced mechanical and separation properties

Inspired by the natural nacre structure, we propose a new strategy to fabricate mineralized, multiple crosslinked hydrogel membranes with the "rigid silica in soft polymer" nacre-like structure. In-situ SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/NaAlg) are used to simulate the rigid "bricks" and soft "mortar" compositions of nacre, respectively. The nacre-like mineralized (PVA/CaAlg/SiO₂) membrane showed a higher tensile strength of 4.1 ± 0.08 MPa, excellent pure water flux of 170 ± 3 L/m²h, and an oil/water rejection rate of 99 %. The interwoven hierarchal structure, similar to nacre, was determined by SEM analysis. In addition, incorporating SiO₂ NPs increases the anti-swelling, roughness, and hydrophilicity of the membranes. PVA/CaAlg/SiO₂ membrane exhibited excellent superhydrophilicity (WCA value was 0°) and superoleophobicity underwater (OCA value was 162°). PVA/CaAlg/SiO₂ membrane also showed excellent separation performance for water-soluble organic pollutants and can be used for dye separation with rejection efficiencies of 99.5 %, 99.1 %, and 98.3 % for Congo red (CR), Alizarin red (AR), and Sunset yellow (SY), respectively. Moreover, PVA/CaAlg/SiO₂ membrane had outstanding long-term filtration and antifouling performance. The biomineralization-inspired structure provides a promising technique that can be used to prepare high-performance organic-inorganic membranes with great promise for wastewater separation application.

Fluorosensing of benzaldehydes by CuI-graphene: A spectroscopy, thermodynamics and docking supported phenomenon

Benzaldehyde and 4-methyl benzaldehyde constitute a major part of the harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the environment. Hence, rapid and selective detection of benzaldehyde derivatives are required to minimize the environmental degradation as well as the potential hazards on human health. In this study, the surface of the graphene nanoplatelets were functionalized with CuI nanoparticles for specific and selective detection of benzaldehyde derivatives by fluorescence spectroscopy. CuI-Gr nanoparticles exhibited higher efficiency towards the detection of benzaldehyde derivatives as compared to pristine CuI nanoparticles with detection limit (LOD) 2 ppm and 6 ppm for benzaldehyde and 4-methyl benzaldehyde respectively in aqueous medium. The LOD values for the detection of benzaldehyde and 4-methyl benzaldehyde by pristine CuI nanoparticles were poor and found to be 11 ppm and 15 ppm respectively. Fluorescence intensity of CuI-Gr nanoparticles were found to be quenched with increasing concentration (0-0.01 mg/mL) of the benzaldehyde and 4-methyl benzaldehyde. This novel graphene-based sensor was also found to be highly selective for the benzaldehyde derivatives as no changes in signal were detected in presence of other VOCs like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

New insights from nanotechnology in SARS-CoV-2 detection, treatment strategy, and prevention

The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 resulted into the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which has made a profound impact on mankind and the world health care system. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted within the population via symptomatic carriers, enters the host cell via ACE2 and TMPSSR2 receptors and damages the organs. The standard diagnostic tests and treatment methods implemented lack required efficiency to beat SARS-CoV-2 in the race of its spreading. The most prominently used diagnostic test,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (a nucleic acid-based method), has limitations including a prolonged time taken to reveal results, limited sensitivity, a high rate of false negative results, and lacking specificity due to a homology with other viruses. Furthermore, as part of the treatment, antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, daclatasvir, atazanavir, and many more have been tested clinically to check their potency for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 but none of these antiviral drugs are the definitive cure or suitable prophylaxis. Thus, it is always required to combat SARS-CoV-2 spread and infection for a better and precise prognosis. This review answers the above mentioned challenges by employing nanomedicine for the development of improved detection, treatment, and prevention strategies for SARS-CoV-2. In this review, nanotechnology-based detection methods such as colorimetric assays, photothermal biosensors, molecularly imprinted nanoparticles sensors, electrochemical nanoimmunosensors, aptamer-based biosensors have been discussed. Furthermore, nanotechnology-based treatment strategies involving polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, and nanocarrier-based antiviral siRNA delivery have been depicted. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 prevention strategies, which include the nanotechnology for upgrading personal protective equipment, facemasks, ocular protection gears, and nanopolymer-based disinfectants, have been also reviewed. This review will provide a one-site informative platform for researchers to explore the crucial role of nanomedicine in managing the COVID-19 curse more effectively.

A susceptible coordination hybrid based terbium sensibilization coupled ESIPT effects for pattern discrimination of analogues

Multianalyte detection and analogue discrimination are extremely valuable frontier areas for their wide applications in environmental, medical, clinical and industrial analyses. Nowadays, researchers rack their brains on how to develop excellent multianalyte chemosensors that have presented huge challenges in designing high-efficient fluorescent sensing materials and constructing high-throughput detection methods. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy to utilize the dual-emission fluorescent detection platform as a lab-on-a-molecule, arising from the disalicylaldehyde-coordinated hybrid H₂Q_j3/Tb based terbium sensibilization coupled excited-state intramolecular proton transfer effects. Using the statistical analysis (PCA and HCA) for sensing signals of three fluorescence channels (431, 543 and 583 nm), we demonstrate this elaborate chemosensor with multianalyte detection of three species (solvents, anions and cations) and pattern discrimination of analogues. As a result, the H₂Q_j3/Tb shows great lab-on-a-molecule characters for each set of species, resulting in the easier identification of many critical analytes (e.g., H₂O, NO₂^- and Fe³⁺) and discrimination of analogues. In addition, it is also proven to be able to provide reliable content determination for an analyte, especially the NO₂^- (LOD = 0.37 μM), and discrimination for mixed analogues. A combination of easy-to-implement preparation procedure and data analysis technique makes this work promising for not only designing similar lanthanide-based materials but also realizing more high-efficient multianalyte sensing systems towards various potential applications.

Photothermal Nanomaterial-Mediated Photoporation

ConspectusDelivering biological effector molecules in cultured cells is of fundamental importance to any study or application in which the modulation of gene expression is required. Examples range from generating engineered cell lines for studying gene function to the engineering of cells for cell-based therapies such as CAR-T cells and gene-corrected stem cells for regenerative medicine. It remains a great challenge, however, to deliver biological effector molecules across the cell membrane with minimal adverse effects on cell viability and functionality. While viral vectors have been frequently used to introduce foreign nucleic acids into cells, their use is associated with safety concerns such as immunogenicity, high manufacturing cost, and limited cargo capacity.For photoporation, depending on the laser energy, membrane permeabilization happens either by local heating or by laser-induced water vapor nanobubbles (VNB). In our first study on this topic, we demonstrated that the physical force exerted by suddenly formed VNB leads to more efficient intracellular delivery as compared to mere heating. Next, we explored the use of different photothermal nanomaterials, finding that graphene quantum dots display enhanced thermal stability compared to the more traditionally used gold nanoparticles, hence providing the possibility to increase the delivery efficiency by repeated laser activation. To enable its use for the production of engineered therapeutic cells, it would be better if contact with cells with nondegradable nanoparticles is avoided as it poses toxicity and regulatory concerns. Therefore, we recently demonstrated that photoporation can be performed with biodegradable polydopamine nanoparticles as well. Alternatively, we demonstrated that nanoparticle contact can be avoided by embedding the photothermal nanoparticles in a substrate made from biocompatible electrospun nanofibers. With this variety of photoporation approaches, over the years we demonstrated the successful delivery of a broad variety of biologics (mRNA, siRNA, Cas9 ribonucleoproteins, nanobodies, etc.) in many different cell types, including hard-to-transfect cells such as T cells, embryonic stem cells, neurons, and macrophages.In this Account, we will first start with a brief introduction of the general concept and a historical development of photoporation. In the next two sections, we will extensively discuss the various types of photothermal nanomaterials which have been used for photoporation. We discriminate two types of photothermal nanomaterials: single nanostructures and composite nanostructures. The first one includes examples such as gold nanoparticles, graphene quantum dots, and polydopamine nanoparticles. The second type includes polymeric films and nanofibers containing photothermal nanoparticles as well as composite nanoscale biolistic nanostructures. A thorough discussion will be given for each type of photothermal nanomaterial, from its synthesis and characterization to its application in photoporation, with its advantages and disadvantages. In the final section, we will provide an overall discussion and elaborate on future perspectives.

Nanobubble size distribution measurement by interactive force apparatus under an electric field

Nanobubbles have been applied in many fields, such as environmental cleaning, material production, agriculture, and medicine. However, the measured nanobubble sizes differed among the measurement methods, such as dynamic light scattering, particle trajectory, and resonance mass methods. Additionally, the measurement methods were limited with respect to the bubble concentration, refractive index of liquid, and liquid color. Here, a novel interactive force measurement method for bulk nanobubble size measurement was developed by measuring the force between two electrodes filled with bulk nanobubble-containing liquid under an electric field when the electrode distance was changed in the nm scale with piezoelectric equipment. The nanobubble size was measured with a bubble gas diameter and also an effective water thin film layer covered with a gas bubble that was estimated to be approximately 10 nm based on the difference between the median diameter of the particle trajectory method and this method. This method could also be applied to the solid particle size distribution measurement in a solution.

Electrospun fibers with blank surface and inner drug gradient for improving sustained release

New engineering methods and advanced strategies are highly desired for creating novel drug sustained release nanomaterials. In this study, a trilayer concentric spinneret was explored to implement several multifluid electrospinning processes. A trilayer core-shell nanofiber was successfully fabricated, which comprise a drug-free polymeric coating and an inner drug gradient distribution, and then compared with bilayer core-shell and monolithic medicated nanofibers. All the electrospun nanofibers similarly consisted of two components (guest drug acetaminophen and host polymer cellulose acetate) and presented a linear morphology. Due to the secondary interactions within nanofibers, loaded drug with amorphous state was detected, as demonstrated by SEM, DSC, XRD, and FTIR determinations. In vitro and in vivo gavage treatments to rats tests were carried out, the trilayer nanofiber with an elaborate structure design were demonstrated to provide better drug sustained release profile than the bilayer core-shell nanofibers in term of initial burst release, later tail-off release and long sustained release time period. The synergistic mechanism for improving the drug sustained release behaviors is disclosed. By breaking the traditional concepts about the implementation of multifluid electrospinning and the strategy of combining surface properties and inner structural characteristics, the present protocols open a new way for developing material processing methods and generating novel functional nanomaterials.

Nanosized drug delivery strategies in osteosarcoma chemotherapy

Despite recent developments worldwide in the therapeutic care of osteosarcoma (OS), the ongoing challenges in overcoming limitations and side effects of chemotherapy drugs warrant new strategies to improve overall patient survival. Spurred by rapid progress in biomedicine, nanobiotechnology, and materials chemistry, chemotherapeutic drug delivery in treatment of OS has become possible in recent years. Here, we review recent advances in the design of drug delivery system, especially for chemotherapeutic drugs in OS, and discuss the relative merits in trials along with future therapeutic options. These advances may pave the way for novel therapies requisite for patients with OS.

Supplementation of CO2-nanobubble water to enhance the methane production from anaerobic digestion of corn straw

Nanobubble water (NBW) could improve methane production from anaerobic digestion (AD) of corn straw without secondary contamination. In this study, the effect of carbon dioxide nanobubble water (CO₂-NBW) volumes (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) on methane production from corn straw was investigated. The results showed that addition of CO₂-NBW could improve methane production and promote substrate degradation in AD process. The highest cumulative methane production of 132.16 mL g^-1VS_added was obtained in the 100% CO₂-NBW added reactor, which was 17% higher than that in the control group. Additionally, the addition of CO₂-NBW could mitigate the sharp decrease in pH by acting as a buffer. CO₂-NBW could also enhance microorganism activity throughout the AD process. The electron transport system (ETS) activity was increased by 23%, while the β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase (DHA), and coenzyme F₄₂₀ activities were increased by 15%, 23%, and 11%, respectively, at optimum addition of CO₂-NBW. Meanwhile, addition of CO₂-NBW accelerated the production and consumption of reducing sugar and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), promoting the reduction rates of TS (Total solid) and VS (Volatile solid).

Biomaterials based on hyaluronic acid, collagen and peptides for three-dimensional cell culture and their application in stem cell differentiation

In recent decades, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies have been developed rapidly in the field of tissue engineering and regeneration, and have shown unique advantages and great prospects in the differentiation of stem cells. Herein, the article reviews the progress and advantages of 3D cell culture technologies in the field of stem cell differentiation. Firstly, 3D cell culture technologies are divided into two main categories: scaffoldless and scaffolds. Secondly, the effects of hydrogels scaffolds and porous scaffolds on stem cell differentiation in the scaffold category were mainly reviewed. Among them, hydrogels scaffolds are divided into natural hydrogels and synthetic hydrogels. Natural materials include polysaccharides, proteins, and their derivatives, focusing on hyaluronic acid, collagen and polypeptides. Synthetic materials mainly include polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), etc. In addition, since the preparation techniques have a large impact on the properties of porous scaffolds, several techniques for preparing porous scaffolds based on different macromolecular materials are reviewed. Finally, the future prospects and challenges of 3D cell culture in the field of stem cell differentiation are reviewed. This review will provide a useful guideline for the selection of materials and techniques for 3D cell culture in stem cell differentiation.

Hemicellulose-based hydrogels for advanced applications

Hemicellulose-based hydrogels are three-dimensional networked hydrophilic polymer with high water retention, good biocompatibility, and mechanical properties, which have attracted much attention in the field of soft materials. Herein, recent advances and developments in hemicellulose-based hydrogels were reviewed. The preparation method, formation mechanism and properties of hemicellulose-based hydrogels were introduced from the aspects of chemical cross-linking and physical cross-linking. The differences of different initiation systems such as light, enzymes, microwave radiation, and glow discharge electrolytic plasma were summarized. The advanced applications and developments of hemicellulose-based hydrogels in the fields of controlled drug release, wound dressings, high-efficiency adsorption, and sensors were summarized. Finally, the challenges faced in the field of hemicellulose-based hydrogels were summarized and prospected.

Mechanical stimuli-driven cancer therapeutics

Mechanical stimulation utilizing deep tissue-penetrating and focusable energy sources, such as ultrasound and magnetic fields, is regarded as an emerging patient-friendly and effective therapeutic strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional cancer therapies based on fundamental external stimuli such as light, heat, electricity, radiation, or microwaves. Recent efforts have suggested that mechanical stimuli-driven cancer therapy (henceforth referred to as "mechanical cancer therapy") could provide a direct therapeutic effect and intelligent control to augment other anti-cancer systems as a synergistic combinational cancer treatment. This review article highlights the latest advances in mechanical cancer therapy to present a novel perspective on the fundamental principles of ultrasound- and magnetic field-mediated mechanical forces, including compression, tension, shear force, and torque, that can be generated in a cellular microenvironment using mechanical stimuli-activated functional materials. Additionally, this article will shed light on mechanical cancer therapy and inspire future research to pursue the development of ultrasound- and magnetic-field-activated materials and their applications in this field.

Smart Multistage "Trojan Horse"-Inspired Bovine Serum Albumin-Coated Liposomes for Enhancing Tumor Penetration and Antitumor Efficacy

Poor antitumor drug penetration into tumor tissues is a global challenge in clinical cancer treatment. Here, we reported a smart multistage "Trojan Horse"-inspired bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated liposome (HBM), including the mimics of capsid and secondary BSA-coated polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for enhancing tumor penetration and antitumor efficacy. These drug-loaded polymeric NPs possess a capsid-like component, a well-distributed nanostructure (size: 190.1 ± 4.98 nm, PDI: 0.259), and an excellent drug loading content (15.85 ± 1.36%). Meaningfully, after the smart multistage BSA-coated liposome targeted the tumor tissue, the mimics of capsid were "taken off" under the condition of tumor-specific enzymes, releasing "Heart" BSA-modified secondary NPs to increase the ability to penetrate tumor cells for enhancing antitumor efficacy. As expected, the HBM efficiently achieves high drug penetration into PAN02 tumor cells. Moreover, compared to free DOX and HM (HBM without BSA) NPs, DOX/HBM NPs exhibited the strongest tumor penetration and the highest cytotoxicity against PAN02 tumor cells both in vitro (IC50 = 0.141 μg/mL) and in vivo. This smart multistage "Trojan Horse"-inspired BSA-coated liposome should provide a new hathpace for further development of polymeric NPs in clinical treatment.

Fabrication of FA/HA-functionalized carbon dots for human breast cancer cell targeted imaging

Green fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method and then modified into folic acid functionalized carbon dots (FA-CDs) and hyaluronic acid functionalized carbon dots (HA-CDs) with targeted function to study their application in breast cancer cells imaging. The microstructure of the CDs observed through TEM showed the CDs with a scale of 2.69 nm. FT-IR and XPS showed the changes of bonds and functional groups that confirmed the transformation of COOH and NH₂ to amide bonds. FA-CDs and HA-CDs had good water solubility and cytocompatibility, which laid a foundation for their application in human breast cancer cells imaging. At the same time, FA-CDs and HA-CDs had strong fluorescence excitation, and the optimal emission wavelength was about 450 nm. In fluorescence imaging of cells, carbon dots had bright green fluorescence in both breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) and normal cells (EC cells). After targeted endocytosis, FA-CDs and HA-CDs could emit bright green fluorescence in cancer cells but could not in normal cells, which proved that the synthesized FA-CDs and HA-CDs had targeting properties. FA-CDs and HA-CDs could be used to accurately identify breast cancer cells and normal cells as cancer diagnosis material, which had the potential application in early cancer diagnosis.

Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Carbon as a Photoacoustic Modulator of Alzheimer's β-Amyloid Aggregate Structure

Photoacoustic materials emit acoustic waves into the surrounding by absorbing photon energy. In an aqueous environment, light-induced acoustic waves form cavitation bubbles by altering the localized pressure to trigger the phase transition of liquid water into vapor. In this study, we report photoacoustic dissociation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregates, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, by metal-organic framework-derived carbon (MOFC). MOFC exhibits a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive photoacoustic characteristic that possesses defect-rich and entangled graphitic layers that generate intense cavitation bubbles by absorbing tissue-penetrable NIR light. According to our video analysis, the photoacoustic cavitation by MOFC occurs within milliseconds in the water, which was controllable by NIR light dose. The photoacoustic cavitation successfully transforms robust, β-sheet-dominant neurotoxic Aβ aggregates into nontoxic debris by changing the asymmetric distribution of water molecules around the Aβ's amino acid residues. This work unveils the therapeutic potential of NIR-triggered photoacoustic cavitation as a modulator of the Aβ aggregate structure.

The ecological impact of liquid chromatographic methods reported for bioanalysis of COVID-19 drug, hydroxychloroquine: Insights on greenness assessment

Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that has been widely used during the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic. Different liquid chromatographic methods have been reported for the analysis of hydroxychloroquine in various biological matrices such as human plasma, serum, whole blood, oral fluid, rat plasma and tissues . In this comparative study, the most popular tools used for assessing the greenness profile: National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), Eco-Scale Assessment (ESA), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical Greenness metric (AGREE) were utilized to evaluate the ecological impact of eighteen liquid chromatographic methods developed for the bioanalysis of COVID-19 drug; hydroxychloroquine.

NEMI is the simplest tool for evaluating the greenness profile of developed methods, but it is the least informative approach as all the reported methods had the same NEMI pictograms. On the other hand, GAPI is a dependable tool providing a complete picture about the method greenness starting from sampling until the final determination. ESA and AGREE tools are digitally presented and more easily applied. Therefore, their utilization for greenness assessment is highly recommended. Selection of the highest eco-friendly analytical procedure is of a paramount importance for protecting human health and the environment. Considering the greenness of the analytical procedures is highly recommended before proceeding to routine use in order to minimize the chemical hazards to the environment. The most eco-friendly analytical procedures for the analysis of hydroxychloroquine in biological samples according to ESA, GAPI and AGREE tools will be highlighted and discussed.

Continuous release of mefloquine featured in electrospun fiber membranes alleviates epidural fibrosis and aids in sensory neurological function after lumbar laminectomy

Recurrent low back pain after spinal surgeries, such as lumbar laminectomy, is a major complication of excessive epidural fibrosis. Although multiple preclinical and clinical methods have been aimed at ameliorating epidural fibrosis, their safety and efficacy remain largely unclear. Single implanted electrospun fibrous membranes provide physical barriers that can decrease tissue fibrosis after surgery; however, they also trigger local inflammation due to the implantation of a foreign body, thus subsequently attenuating their anti-fibrosis properties. Here, we designed a strategy that permits easy incorporation of mefloquine into polylactic acid membranes, and stable long-term mefloquine release, to potentially improve anti-fibrosis effects and relieve or prevent low back pain.

The electrospun fibrous membranes grafted with mefloquine showed a well-controlled early temporary peak release, and secondary drug release occurred smoothly over several weeks. Histopathological and histomorphometric results indicated that the drug-loaded membranes had excellent anti-fibrosis effects after laminectomy in rats. Inflammation and neovascularization at the surgical site indicated that the mefloquine-grafted electrospun fibrous membranes provided sustained anti-inflammatory outcomes while effectively alleviating associated neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. In summary, our study indicated that polylactic acid-mefloquine grafted electrospun fibrous membranes may be a potential local agent to mitigate epidural fibrosis and support sensory neurological function after laminectomy, thereby potentially improving patients’ postoperative outcomes.

Strong, flexible, and highly conductive cellulose nanofibril/PEDOT:PSS/MXene nanocomposite films for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding

Flexible and light weight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with high electromagnetic shielding efficiency (SE) and excellent mechanical strength are highly demanded for wearable and portable electronics. In this work, for the first time, a freestanding and flexible cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/PEDOT:PSS/MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) nanocomposite film with a ternary heterostructure was manufactured using a vacuum-assisted filtration process. The results show that compared with pure MXene films, the tensile strength of the optimized nanocomposite film increases from 8.88 MPa to 59.99 MPa, and the corresponding fracture strain increases from 0.87% to 4.60%. Intriguingly, the optimized nanocomposite film exhibited an impressive conductivity of 1903.2 S cm^-1, which is among the highest values reported for MXene and cellulose-based nanocomposites. Owing to the superior conductivity and unique heterostructure, the nanocomposite film exhibits a high EMI SE value of 76.99 dB at a thickness of only 58.0 μm. Taking into account the robust mechanical properties and remarkable EMI shielding performance, the CNF/PEDOT:PSS/MXene nanocomposite film could be a prospective EMI shielding material for a variety of high-end applications.

Nanotechnology Transition Roadmap toward Multifunctional Stimuli-Responsive Face Masks

In recent times, the use of personal protective equipment, such as face masks or respirators, is becoming more and more critically important because of common pollution; furthermore, face masks have become a necessary element in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the main mission of scientists has become the development of face masks with exceptional properties that will enhance their performance. The versatility of electrospun polymer nanofibers has determined their suitability as a material for constructing "smart" filter media. This paper provides an overview of the research carried out on nanofibrous filters obtained by electrospinning. The progressive development of the next generation of face masks whose unique properties can be activated in response to a specific external stimulus is highlighted. Thanks to additional components incorporated into the fiber structure, filters can, for example, acquire antibacterial or antiviral properties, self-sterilize the structure, and store the energy generated by users. Despite the discovery of several fascinating possibilities, some of them remain unexplored. Stimuli-responsive filters have the potential to become products of large-scale availability and great importance to society as a whole.

Nanocellulose/two dimensional nanomaterials composites for advanced supercapacitor electrodes

With the emerging of the problems of environmental pollution and energy crisis, the development of high-efficiency energy storage technology and green renewable energy is imminent. Supercapacitors have drawn great attention in wearable electronics because of their good performance and portability. Electrodes are the key to fabricate high-performance supercapacitors with good electrochemical properties and flexibility. As a biomass based derived material, nanocellulose has potential application prospects in supercapacitor electrode materials due to its biodegradability, high mechanical strength, strong chemical reactivity, and good mechanical flexibility. In this review, the research progress of nanocellulose/two dimensional nanomaterials composites is summarized for supercapacitors in recent years. First, nanocellulose/MXene composites for supercapacitors are reviewed. Then, nanocellulose/graphene composites for supercapacitors are comprehensively elaborated. Finally, we also introduce the current challenges and development potential of nanocellulose/two dimensional nanomaterials composites in supercapacitors.

Chiral Luminescent Sensor Eu-BTB@d-Carnitine Applied in the Highly Effective Ratiometric Sensing of Curing Drugs and Biomarkers for Diabetes and Hypertension

Chiral drugs are of great significance in drug development and life science because one pair of enantiomers has a different combination mode with target biological active sites, leading to a vast difference in physical activity. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based chiral hybrid materials with specific chiral sites have excellent applications in the highly effective sensing of drug enantiomers. Sitagliptin and clonidine are effective curing drugs for controlling diabetes and hypertension, while insulin and norepinephrine are the biomarkers of these two diseases. Excessive use of sitagliptin and clonidine can cause side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, and headaches. Herein, through post-synthetic strategy, MOF-based chiral hybrid material Eu-BTB@d-carnitine (H₃BTB = 1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoic acid) was synthesized. Eu-BTB@d-carnitine has dual emission peaks at 417 and 616 nm when excited at 330 nm. Eu-BTB@d-carnitine can be applied in luminescent recognition toward sitagliptin and clonidine with high sensitivity and low detection limit (for sitagliptin detection, K_sv is 7.43 × 10⁶ [M^-1]; for clonidine detection, K_sv is 9.09 × 10⁶ [M^-1]; limit of detection (LOD) for sitagliptin is 10.21 nM, and LOD of clonidine is 8.34 nM). In addition, Eu-BTB@d-carnitine can further realize highly sensitive detection of insulin in human fluids with a high K_sv (2.08 × 10⁶ [M^-1]) and a low LOD (15.48 nM). On the other hand, norepinephrine also can be successfully discriminated by the hybrid luminescent platform of Eu-BTB@d-carnitine and clonidine with a high K_sv value of 4.79 × 10⁶ [M^-1] and a low LOD of 8.37 nM. As a result, the chiral hybrid material Eu-BTB@d-carnitine can be successfully applied in the highly effective ratiometric sensing of curing drugs and biomarkers for diabetes and hypertension.

Pharmacokinetics and Anti-Diabetic Studies of Gliclazide Nanosuspension

Gliclazide (GCZ), an antidiabetic medication, has poor solubility and limited oral bioavailability due to substantial first-pass metabolism. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to optimize and formulate a GCZ nanosuspension (NS) employing the antisolvent precipitation technique. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to examine the impact of the primary formulation factors (drug concentration, stabilizer, and surfactant %) on particle size. The optimized NS contains 29.6 mg/mL drug, 0.739% lecithin, and 0.216% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Under scanning microscopy, the topography of NS revealed spherical particles. Furthermore, NS had a much better saturation solubility than the pure material, which resulted in a rapid dissolving rate, which was attributed to the amorphous structure and smaller particle size of the NS particles. Studies on intestinal permeability using the in vitro noneverted intestinal sac gut method (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and single-pass intestinal permeability (SPIP) techniques showed that the effective permeability was also increased by more than 3 fold. In the pharmacokinetic study, the C_max and AUC_0–t values of NS were approximately 3.35- and 1.9-fold higher than those of the raw medication and marketed formulation (MF). When compared to plain drug and commercial formulations, the antidiabetic efficacy of NS demonstrated that it had a significant impact on lowering glucose levels.