The key factors of solid nanodispersion for promoting the bioactivity of abamectin

Solid nanodispersion (SND) is an important variety of nanopesticides which have been extensively studied in recent years. However, the key influencing factors for bioactivity enhancement of nanopesticides remain unclear, which not only limits the exploration of relevant mechanisms, but also hinders the precise design and development of nanopesticides. In this study, we explored the potential of SND in enhancing the bioactivity of nanopesticides, specifically focusing on abamectin SND prepared using a self-emulsifying-carrier solidifying technique combined with parameter optimization. Our formulation, consisting of 8% abamectin, 1% antioxidant BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 12% complex surfactants, and 79% sodium benzoate, significantly increased the pseudo-solubility of abamectin by at least 3300 times and reduced its particle size to a mere 15 nm, much smaller than traditional emulsion in water (EW) and water-dispersible granule (WDG) forms. This reduction in particle size and increase in surface activity resulted in improved foliar adhesion and retention, enabling a more efficient application without the need for organic solvents. The inclusion of antioxidants also enhanced photostability compared to EW, and overall stability tests confirmed SND's resilience under various storage conditions. Bioactivity tests demonstrated a marked increase in toxicity against diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella L.) with abamectin SND, which exhibited 3.7 and 7.6 times greater efficacy compared to EW and WDG, respectively. These findings underscore the critical role of small particle size, high surface activity, and strong antioxidant properties in improving the performance and bioactivity of abamectin SND, highlighting its significance in the design and development of high-efficiency, eco-friendly nanopesticides and contributing valuably to sustainable agricultural practices.

Size-dependent Effect on Foliar Utilization and Biocontrol Efficacy of Emamectin Benzoate Delivery Systems

The development of nanopesticides provides new avenues for pesticide reduction and efficiency improvement. However, the size effect of nanopesticides remains unclear, and its underlying mechanisms of influence have become a major obstacle in the design and application of pesticide nanoformulations. In this research, the noncarrier-coated emamectin benzoate (EB) solid dispersions (Micro-EB and Nano-EB) were produced under a constant surfactant-to-active ingredient ratio by a self-emulsifying-carrier solidification technique. The particle size of Micro-EB was 162 times that of spherical Nano-EB. The small size and large specific surface area of Nano-EB facilitated the adsorption of surfactants on the surface of the particles, thereby improving its dispersibility, suspensibility, and stability. The pinning effect of nanoparticles significantly suppressed droplet retraction and rebounding. Moreover, Nano-EB exhibited a 25% higher retention of the active ingredient on cabbage leaves and a 70% higher washing resistance than Micro-EB, and both were significantly different. The improvement of abilities in wetting, spreading, and retention of Nano-EB on crop leaves contributed to the increase in foliar utilization, which further resulted in a 1.6-fold enhancement of bioactivity against target Spodoptera exigua compared to Micro-EB. Especially, Nano-EB did not exacerbate the safety risk to the nontarget organism zebrafish with no significant difference. This study elaborates the size effect on the effectiveness and safety of pesticide formulations and lays a theoretical foundation for the development and rational utilization of efficient and environmentally friendly nanopesticides.

Exhalomics as a noninvasive method for assessing rumen fermentation in dairy cows: Can exhaled-breath metabolomics replace rumen sampling?

Previously, we used secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) to investigate the diurnal patterns and signal intensities of exhaled (EX) volatile fatty acids (VFA) of dairy cows. The current study aimed to validate the potential of an exhalomics approach for evaluating rumen fermentation. The experiment was conducted in a switchback design, with 3 periods of 9 d each, including 7 d for adaptation and 2 d for sampling. Four rumen-cannulated original Swiss Brown (Braunvieh) cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diet sequences (ABA or BAB): (A) low starch (LS; 6.31% starch on a dry matter basis) and (B) high starch (HS; 16.2% starch on a dry matter basis). Feeding was once per day at 0830 h. Exhalome (with the GreenFeed System), and rumen samples were collected 8 times to represent every 3 h of a day, and EX-VFA and ruminal (RM)-VFA were analyzed using SESI-MS and HPLC, respectively. Furthermore, the VFA concentration in the gas phase (HR-VFA) was predicted based on RM-VFA and Henry's Law (HR) constants. No interactions were identified between the types of diets (HS vs. LS) and the measurement methods on daily average VFA profiles (RM vs. EX or HR vs. EX), suggesting a consistent performance among the methods. Additionally, when the 3-h interval VFA data from HS and LS diets were analyzed separately, no interactions were observed between methods and time of day, indicating that the relative daily pattern of VFA molar proportions was similar regardless of the VFA measurement method used. The results revealed that the levels of acetate sharply increased immediately after feeding, trailed by an increase in the acetate:propionate ratio and a steady increase for propionate (2 h after feeding the HS diet, 4 h for LS), and butyrate. This change was more pronounced for the HS diet than the LS diet. However, there was no overall diet effect on the VFA molar proportions, although the measurement methods affected the molar proportions. Furthermore, we observed a strong positive correlation between the levels of RM and EX acetate for both diets (HS: r = 0.84; LS: r = 0.85), RM and EX propionate (r = 0.74), and RM and EX acetate:propionate ratio (r = 0.80). Both EX-VFA and RM-VFA exhibited similar responses to feeding and dietary treatments, suggesting that EX-VFA could serve as a useful proxy for characterizing RM-VFA molar proportions to evaluate rumen fermentation. Similar relationships were observed between RM-VFA and HR-VFA. In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of exhalomics as a reliable approach for assessing rumen fermentation. Moving forward, research should further explore the depth of exhalomics in ruminant studies to provide a comprehensive insight into rumen fermentation metabolites, especially across diverse dietary conditions.

[A real-world study on the features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of postpartum hepatitis flares in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Patients who met the enrollment criteria were included. Liver function and HBV virology tests were collected from pregnant women with chronic HBV infection at delivery, 6, 24, 36, and 48 weeks after delivery through the hospital information and test system. Additionally, antiviral therapy types and drug withdrawal times were collected. Statistical analysis was performed on all the resulting data. Results: A total of 533 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included, with all patients aged (29.5±3.7) years old. A total of 408 cases received antiviral drugs during pregnancy to interrupt mother-to-child transmission. There was no significant difference in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, z = -1.981, P = 0.048), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, z = -3.956, P < 0.001), HBV load (z = -15.292, P < 0.001), and HBeAg (z = -4.77, P < 0.001) at delivery in patients who received medication and those who did not. All patients ALT, AST, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and albumin showed an upward trend within six weeks after delivery. A total of 231 cases developed hepatitis within 48 weeks after delivery. Among them, 173 cases first showed ALT abnormalities within six weeks postpartum. Conclusion: Hepatitis flare incidence peaked six weeks after delivery or six weeks after drug withdrawal in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection.

[Serum hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B on long-term antiviral therapy]

Objective: To explore the clinical changes in levels of the new clinical marker serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with long-term antiviral therapy. Methods: 100 CHB cases who were initially treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) at Peking University First Hospital were included. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the follow-up period were measured. The TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to detect serum HBV pgRNA levels. The independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous variables between groups, while Pearson's χ (2) test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare categorical variables. Results: HBV pgRNA levels decreased significantly in patients who developed virological responses at 48 weeks (n = 54) during subsequent treatment compared to those who did not (n = 46). The HBV pgRNA level was lower in HBeAg-positive patients than in HBeAg-negative patients (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Patients with higher HBV DNA and HBeAg-positivity levels at baseline had a higher HBV pgRNA level following antiviral therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in HBV pgRNA levels in patients with different HBV pgRNA levels at baseline after antiviral therapy. There was no correlation between serum HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at baseline, but there was a correlation after long-term antiviral therapy, while there was a weak correlation between HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at the fifth and ninth years of antiviral therapy (r = 0.262, P = 0.031; r = 0.288, P = 0.008). Conclusion: HBV pgRNA levels were higher with higher HBV activity in CHB patients with long-term antiviral therapy.

Preparation and Comprehensive Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Chlorantraniliprole Nanosuspension

Chlorantraniliprole is a broad-spectrum insecticide that has been widely used to control pests in rice fields. Limited by its low solubility in both water and organic solvents, the development of highly efficient and environmentally friendly chlorantraniliprole formulations remains challenging. In this study, a low-cost and scalable wet media milling technique was successfully employed to prepare a chlorantraniliprole nanosuspension. The average particle size of the extremely stable nanosuspension was 56 nm. Compared to a commercial suspension concentrate (SC), the nanosuspension exhibited superior dispersibility, as well as superior foliar wetting and retention performances, which further enhanced its bioavailability against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis. The nanosuspension dosage could be reduced by about 40% while maintaining a comparable efficacy to that of the SC. In addition, the chlorantraniliprole nanosuspension showed lower residual properties, a lower toxicity to non-target zebrafish, and a smaller effect on rice quality, which is conducive to improving food safety and the ecological safety of pesticide formulations. In this work, a novel pesticide-reduction strategy is proposed, and theoretical and data-based support is provided for the efficient and safe application of nanopesticides.

Design and Synthesis of a Water-Based Nanodelivery Pesticide System for Improved Efficacy and Safety

Developing an environmentally friendly and safe nanodelivery system is crucial to improve the efficacy of pesticides and minimize environmental and health risks. However, preparing a completely water-based nanopesticide without using harmful solvents is a technical challenge. In this study, a water-based nanodelivery pesticide system was constructed to improve the efficacy and safety of Emamectin Benzoate (EB). A specific surfactant, 29-(4-(5-hydroxynonan-5-yl)phenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol (SurEB) was designed and synthesized to form a water-based nanodelivery system (EBWNS) with EB. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the self-assembly and interaction forces between SurEB and EB in water, providing insights into the formation mechanism of EBWNS nanoparticles. The nanodelivery system showed the prolonged effectivity of EB with reduced degradation and demonstrated a good control efficacy for multiple target pests, such as red spider mite, beet armyworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and rice stem borers (Chilo suppressalis). Toxicology tests on various objects demonstrated that the EBWNS has low toxicity for seeds, HaCaT cells, zebrafish, earthworm, and E. coli. This study provides a distinctive perspective for developing environmentally friendly nanopesticide formulations, which clarified a water-based treatment method for specific lipid-soluble pesticides. The water-based nanodelivery pesticide system has the potential to improve the efficacy and safety of pesticides in the process of field applications.

The association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection: a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the NHANES database (2003-2018)

OBJECTIVES

Periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection significantly impact individuals' well-being and are prevalent public health concerns globally. Given the current scarcity of large-scale cross-sectional epidemiological studies, this study seeks to enrich the evidence base by examining the link between these two conditions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2003-2018. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection, adjusting for the potential confounding factors. Subsequently, a stratified analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection based on age, gender, race, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and the presence of chronic diseases.

RESULTS

In this study, which included 5755 participants, there was a positive association between hepatitis virus infection and periodontitis (odds ratio [OR]: 2.609 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.513, 4.499]). Furthermore, a significant association was observed between moderate periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection (OR: 2.136 [95% CI: 1.194, 3.822]), and this association was even stronger for severe periodontitis (OR: 3.583 [95% CI: 1.779, 7.217]). Importantly, this positive association between hepatitis virus infection and periodontitis was consistent across different subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents evidence of a significant association between periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection. These findings highlight the crucial importance of integrating periodontal health and liver health considerations into public health interventions. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for effectively managing periodontitis and hepatitis virus infection.

Pyridostigmine ameliorates pristane-induced arthritis symptoms in Dark Agouti rats

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Pyridostigmine (PYR), an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in several animal models for inflammation-associated conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PYR on pristane-induced (PIA) in Dark Agouti (DA) rats.

METHOD

DA rats were intradermally infused with pristane to establish the PIA model, which was treated with PYR (10 mg/kg/day) for 27 days. The effects of PYR on synovial inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota were evaluated by determining arthritis scores, H&E staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and biochemical assays, as well as 16S rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Pristane induced arthritis, with swollen paws and body weight loss, increased arthritis scores, synovium hyperplasia, and bone or cartilage erosion. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in synovium was higher in the PIA group than in the control group. PIA rats also displayed elevated levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in plasma. Moreover, sequencing results showed that the richness, diversity, and composition of the gut microbiota dramatically changed in PIA rats. PYR abolished pristane-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and corrected the gut microbiota dysbiosis.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the protective role of PYR in PIA in DA rats, associated with the attenuation of inflammation and correction of gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings open new perspectives for pharmacological interventions in animal models of RA.

The influence of residual plural scattering after deconvolution in electron magnetic chiral dichroism

This work investigated the existence and influence of residual plural scattering in electron magnetic chiral dichroism (EMCD) spectra. A series of low-loss, conventional core-loss, and q-resolved core-loss spectra at Fe-L2,3 edges were detected from areas of different thicknesses in a plane-view sample of Fe/MgO (001) thin film. It reveals by comparison that there remains noticeable plural scattering in q-resolved spectra acquired at two particular chiral positions after deconvolution, and the residual scattering is more significant in thicker areas than thinner ones. Accordingly, the orbital-to-spin moment ratio extracted from EMCD spectra, which is the difference between the two q-resolved spectra after deconvolution, would be in principle increased with increasing sample thickness. The randomly fluctuated moment ratios displayed in our experiments are greatly attributed to a slight and irregular variation of local diffraction conditions due to the bending effect and imperfect epitaxy in detected areas. We suggest EMCD spectra should be acquired from sufficiently thin samples to minimize the plural scattering effect in originally detected spectra before any deconvolution. In addition, great care should be taken for slight misorientation and imperfect epitaxy when performing EMCD investigation on epitaxial thin films using a nano beam.

STING-Dependent Sensing of Self-DNA Driving Pyroptosis Contributes to Radiation-Induced Lung Injury

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation therapy (RT) is indispensable for managing thoracic carcinomas. However, its application is limited by radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), one of the most common and fatal complications of thoracic RT. Nonetheless, the exact molecular mechanisms of RILI remain poorly understood.

MATERIALS/METHODS

To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, various knockout (KO) mouse strains were subjected to 16 Gy whole-thoracic RT. RILI was assessed by qRT-PCR, ELISA, histology, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and CT examination. To perform further mechanistic studies on the signaling cascade during the RILI process, pulldown, CHIP, and rescue assays were conducted.

RESULTS

We found that the cGAS-STING pathway was significantly upregulated after irradiation exposure in both the mouse models and clinical lung tissues. Knocking down either cGAS or STING led to attenuated inflammation and fibrosis in mouse lung tissues. NLRP3 is hardwired to the upstream DNA-sensing cGAS-STING pathway to trigger of the inflammasome and amplification of the inflammatory response. STING deficiency suppressed the expressions of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis-pertinent components containing IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved caspase-1. Mechanistically, interferon regulatory factor 3, the essential transcription factor downstream of cGAS-STING, promoted the pyroptosis by transcriptionally activating NLRP3. Moreover, we found that RT triggered the release of self-dsDNA in the bronchoalveolar space, which is essential for the activation of cGAS-STING and the downstream NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. Of note, Pulmozyme, an old drug for the management of cystic fibrosis, was revealed to have the potential to mitigate RILI by degrading extracellular dsDNA and then inhibiting the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

These results delineated the crucial function of cGAS-STING as a key mediator of RILI, and described a mechanism of pyroptosis linking cGAS-STING activation with the amplification of initial RILI. These findings indicate that the dsDNA-cGAS-STING-NLRP3 axis might be potentially amenable to therapeutic targeting for RILI.

Optimal Cisplatin Cycles in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To analyze the effect of cisplatin cycles on the clinical outcomes of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

MATERIALS/METHODS

This study included 749 patients with LACC treated with CCRT between January 2011 and December 2015. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the optimal cut-off of cisplatin cycles in predicting clinical outcomes. Clinicopathological features of the patients were compared using the Chi-square test. Prognosis was assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models. Toxicities were compared among different cisplatin cycle groups.

RESULTS

Based on the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off of the cisplatin cycles was 4.5 (sensitivity, 64.3%; specificity, 54.3%). The 3-year overall, disease-free, loco-regional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival for patients with low-cycles (cisplatin cycles < 5) and high-cycles (≥ 5) were 81.5% and 89.0% (P < 0.001), 73.4% and 80.1% (P = 0.024), 83.0% and 90.8% (P = 0.005), and 84.9% and 86.8% (P = 0.271), respectively. In multivariate analysis, cisplatin cycles were an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. In the subgroup analysis of high-cycle patients, patients who received over five cisplatin cycles had similar overall, disease-free, loco-regional relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free survival to patients treated with five cycles. Acute and late toxicities were not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin cycles were associated with overall, disease-free, and loco-regional relapse-free survival in LACC patients who received CCRT. Five cycles appeared to be the optimal number of cisplatin cycles during CCRT.

[Research advances of sepsis biomarkers]

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition for patients. Biomarkers can be used for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment of sepsis. In recent years, new biomarkers for sepsis have been discovered, and more than 250 biomarkers have been identified so far. The complexity of the sepsis process and the increased sensitivity of various detection techniques will lead to the emergence of new biomarkers. However, there is still a lack of specific diagnostic biomarkers and effective therapeutic approaches for sepsis in clinical practice. Therefore, the search for reliable biomarkers and the evaluation of the role of biomarkers in sepsis will undoubtedly aid in clinical decision-making. This article reviews the advances on research of sepsis biomarkers in order to improve understanding of current biomarkers of sepsis, and provide reference for the application of biomarkers in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of sepsis.

Early strategy vs. late initiation of renal replacement therapy in adult patients with acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The optimal time to start renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. We aim to compare the effects of early vs. delayed RRT initiation on clinical outcomes in adult patients with AKI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trial registry platform were systematically searched from inception to 7 August 2022. The review included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing early and delayed initiation of RRT in AKI patients. The selected primary outcomes were short-term and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes included RRT dependency, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilator-free days, vasoactive agents-free days, RRT-free days, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Overall, 15 RCTs, including 5,625 patients, were analyzed. Early RRT showed no survival benefit when compared to the delayed therapy (28-or 30-day mortality: RR, 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.08, p = 0.87; 60-day mortality: RR, 0.87, 95% CI: 0.71-1.06, p = 0.16; 90-day mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88-1.13, p = 0.97; in-hospital mortality: RR, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.88-1.24, p = 0.58; ICU mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10, p = 0.98). The delayed RRT did not lead to a higher risk of RRT dependency, ICU, or hospital length of stay than the early RRT. Similarly, early initiation of RRT did not lead to longer ventilator-free, vasoactive agent-free, and RRT-free days. However, early RRT initiation was associated with more adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that early RRT initiation was not associated with survival benefits or better clinical outcomes and increased the risk of RRT-associated adverse events. Current evidence does not support the use of early RRT for AKI patients without urgent indications.

Modeling the charge collection efficiency in the Li-diffused inactive layer of P-type high purity germanium detector

A model of the Li-diffused inactive layer in P-type high purity germanium detectors is built to describe the transportation of charge carriers and calculate the charge collection efficiency therein. The model is applied to calculate charge collection efficiency of a P-type point-contact germanium detector used in rare event physics experiments and validated in another P-type semi-planar germanium detector. The calculated charge collection efficiency curves are well consistent with measurements for both detectors. Effects of the Li doping processes on the charge collection efficiency are discussed based on the model. This model can be easily extended to other P-type germanium detectors, for instance, the P-type broad-energy Ge detector, and the P-type inverted-coaxial point-contact detector.

Effect of surface gallium termination on the formation and emission energy of an InGaAs wetting layer during the growth of InGaAs quantum dots by droplet epitaxy

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) based on III-V semiconductors have excellent properties for applications in quantum optics. However, the presence of a 2D wetting layer (WL) which forms during the Stranski-Krastanov growth of QDs can limit their performance. Here, we investigate WL formation during QD growth by the droplet epitaxy technique. We use a combination of photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, lifetime measurements, and transmission electron microscopy to identify the presence of an InGaAs WL in these droplet epitaxy QDs, even in the absence of distinguishable WL luminescence. We observe that increasing the amount of Ga deposited on a GaAs (100) surface prior to the growth of InGaAs QDs leads to a significant reduction in the emission wavelength of the WL to the point where it can no longer be distinguished from the GaAs acceptor peak emission in photoluminescence measurements. However increasing the amount of Ga deposited does not suppress the formation of a WL under the growth conditions used here.

Nano Functional Food: Opportunities, Development, and Future Perspectives

A functional food is a kind of food with special physiological effects that can improve health status or reduce illness. However, the active ingredients in functional foods are usually very low due to the instability and easy degradation of some nutrients. Therefore, improving the utilization rate of the effective ingredients in functional food has become the key problem. Nanomaterials have been widely used and studied in many fields due to their small size effect, high specific surface area, high target activity, and other characteristics. Therefore, it is a feasible method to process and modify functional food using nanotechnology. In this review, we summarize the nanoparticle delivery system and the food nanotechnology in the field of functional food. We also summarize and prospect the application, basic principle, and latest development of nano-functional food and put forward corresponding views.

Development of emamectin benzoate-loaded liposome nano-vesicles with thermo-responsive behavior for intelligent pest control

Pesticides play an important role in agricultural disease and pest control. However, the low utilization efficiency and environmentally unfriendly disadvantages of conventional pesticide formulations cause substantial environmental and ecological damage. Constructing intelligent controlled-release pesticide systems via nanotechnology is a feasible way to overcome these defects. In this research, an emamectin benzoate-loaded liposome nano-vesicle (EB-Lip-NV) with a multicompartment structure and thermo-responsive characteristics was developed to accurately control nocturnal pests and improve insecticidal activity. EB-Lip-NV is an unusual low-temperature rapid-release system based on phase transitions of the liposome membrane. Compared with the conventional water-soluble granule (SG), the EB-Lip-NV exhibited higher control activity on Spodoptera exigua. More importantly, the control efficacy of Spodoptera exigua at 20 °C was around 1.4 times that at 40 °C because of low temperature-induced rapid release. This controlled-release behavior of EB-Lip-NV in response to temperature change could effectively control the population of nocturnal pests. In addition, the toxicity of the EB-Lip-NV towards zebrafish was lower than that of SG by above 50%. This study provides a new strategy for constructing intelligent controlled-release pesticide systems with improving utilization rate and reducing harm to the environment and non-target organisms.

Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from the CDEX-10 Experiment

We present improved germanium-based constraints on sub-GeV dark matter via dark matter-electron (χ-e) scattering using the 205.4  kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. Using a novel calculation technique, we attain predicted χ-e scattering spectra observable in high-purity germanium detectors. In the heavy mediator scenario, our results achieve 3 orders of magnitude of improvement for m_{χ} larger than 80  MeV/c^{2} compared to previous germanium-based χ-e results. We also present the most stringent χ-e cross-section limit to date among experiments using solid-state detectors for m_{χ} larger than 90  MeV/c^{2} with heavy mediators and m_{χ} larger than 100  MeV/c^{2} with electric dipole coupling. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of a new χ-e detection method with high-purity germanium detectors in ultralow radioactive background.

Exotic Dark Matter Search with the CDEX-10 Experiment at China's Jinping Underground Laboratory

A search for exotic dark matter (DM) in the sub-GeV mass range has been conducted using 205 kg day data taken from a p-type point contact germanium detector of the CDEX-10 experiment at China's Jinping underground laboratory. New low-mass dark matter searching channels, neutral current fermionic DM absorption (χ+A→ν+A) and DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering (χ+χ+A→ϕ+A), have been analyzed with an energy threshold of 160 eVee. No significant signal was found; thus new limits on the DM-nucleon interaction cross section are set for both models at the sub-GeV DM mass region. A cross section limit for the fermionic DM absorption is set to be 2.5×10^{-46}  cm^{2} (90% C.L.) at DM mass of 10  MeV/c^{2}. For the DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering scenario, limits are extended to DM mass of 5 and 14  MeV/c^{2} for the massless dark photon and bound DM final state, respectively.

[Research advances on the interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and the host]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen of burn wound infection. It can encode a variety of virulence factors and is highly pathogenic, which can lead to poor prognosis and high mortality. In order to research a new method to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, researchers have observed a wide range of interactions between the bacteriophages and the host. Bacteriophages influence and even dominate the structure, movement, and metabolism of host bacteria through a variety of mechanisms, catalyze the evolution of the host, and are also an important factor in host environmental adaptability and pathogenicity. In this paper, the interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages and the host is reviewed from the single cell level and the population level. Understanding these interactions could provide new idea for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical infections, provides a basis for future development of antimicrobial agents and guides the treatment of burn infections.

[Cold stress reduces lifespan and mobility of C. elegans by mediating lipid metabolism disorder and abnormal stress]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of lipid metabolism and stress response of adult C.elegans exposed to non-freezing low temperature and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS

The survival rate and activity of adult C.elegans cultured at 20℃ or 4℃ were observed.Lipid metabolism of the cultured adult C.elegans was evaluated using oil red O staining and by detecting the expressions of the genes related with lipid metabolism.The effects of low temperature exposure on stress level of adult C.elegans were evaluated using mitochondrial fluorescence staining and by detecting the expression levels of stress-related genes and antioxidant genes at both the mRNA and protein levels.

RESULTS

The lifespan and activity of adult C.elegans exposed to low temperature were significantly reduced with decreased lipid accumulation (P < 0.05) and decreased expressions of genes related with fatty acid synthesis and metabolism (fat-5, fat-6, fat-7, fasn-1, nhr-49, acs-2 and aco-1;P < 0.01).Cold stress significantly increased the expressions of heat shock proteins hsp-70 and hsp16.2(P < 0.05) but lowered the number of mitochondria (P < 0.0001) and the expressions of atfs-1, sod-2, sod-3 and gpx-1(P < 0.05).Knockout of fat-5, nhr-49 or both fat-5 and fat-6 obviously enhanced the sensitivity of C.elegans to cold stress as shown by further reduced activity (P < 0.05) and reduced survival rate at 24 h (P < 0.0001) under cold stress.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to a low temperature at 4℃ results in lowered lipid metabolism of adult C.elegans accompanied by a decreased mitochondrial number and quality control ability, which triggers high expressions of stress-related genes and causes reduction of antioxidant capacity, thus callsing lowered activity and reduced lifespan of C.elegans.

Nano-EMB-SP improves the solubility, foliar affinity, photostability and bioactivity of emamectin benzoate

BACKGROUND

Emamectin benzoate (EMB), a frequently used biopesticide, is poorly soluble in water, making it difficult to wet the leaf surface, is prone to degrade in sunlight and readily loses its bioactivity. Traditional methods such as organic solvent application, pH adjustment and addition of photoprotectants either increase the economic and environmental costs or barely achieve the desired goal. We hypothesized that nanotechnology could improve the solubility, foliar affinity, photostability and bioactivity of EMB. This research set out to prepare a nano-EMB solid powder (nano-EMB-SP) and test this hypothesis.

RESULTS

Nano-EMB-SP was prepared using a self-emulsifying method combined with carrier solidification. The mean particle size and Polydispersity index (PDI) of nano-EMB-SP were 14.64 nm and 0.24, respectively. A scanning electron microscopy image showed that EMB nanoparticles were mainly spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. Without organic solvent, the aqueous solubility of EMB in nano-EMB-SP was 4500 mg L^-1 , at least 14-fold that of the EMB soluble granule (EMB-SG), which is solubilized by pH adjustment. Excellent foliar affinity of EMB was achieved by nano-EMB-SP, which completely wet and penetrated the superhydrophobic surface of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) leaf. Without photoprotectants, up to 82% of EMB content can be protected from ultraviolet (UV) damage in nano-EMB-SP. The combined effects of excellent photostability and foliar affinity of nano-EMB-SP led to the bioactivity of EMB being almost unchanged before and after UV radiation.

CONCLUSION

Nano-EMB-SP is an eco-friendly and efficient way to improve the solubility, foliar affinity, photostability and bioactivity of EMB. This research provides a good approach to improving the efficacy of poorly soluble and UV-sensitive pesticides. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Promising Nanovectors for Gene Delivery in Plant Genome Engineering

Highly efficient gene delivery systems are essential for genetic engineering in plants. Traditional delivery methods have been widely used, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated delivery, biolistic particle bombardment, and viral transfection. However, genotype dependence and other drawbacks of these techniques limit the application of genetic engineering, particularly genome editing in many crop plants. There is a great need to develop newer gene delivery vectors or methods. Recently, nanomaterials such as mesoporous silica particles (MSNs), AuNPs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and layer double hydroxides (LDHs), have emerged as promising vectors for the delivery of genome engineering tools (DNA, RNA, proteins, and RNPs) to plants in a species-independent manner with high efficiency. Some exciting results have been reported, such as the successful delivery of cargo genes into plants and the generation of genome stable transgenic cotton and maize plants, which have provided some new routines for genome engineering in plants. Thus, in this review, we summarized recent progress in the utilization of nanomaterials for plant genetic transformation and discussed the advantages and limitations of different methods. Furthermore, we emphasized the advantages and potential broad applications of nanomaterials in plant genome editing, which provides guidance for future applications of nanomaterials in plant genetic engineering and crop breeding.

Thermo-Responsive Quaternary Ammonium Chitosan Nanocapsules with On-Demand Controlled Pesticide Release and Maximally Synergistic Biological Activity

Pesticides play an important role in pest control. However, they can be limited due to low utilization efficiency, causing substantial losses to the environment and ecological damage. Nanotechnology is an active area of research regarding encapsulation of pesticides for sustainable pest control. Here, we developed intelligent formulations of avermectin (Av) quaternary ammonium chitosan surfactant (QACS) nanocapsules (i.e., Av-Th@QACS) with on-demand controlled release properties, toward ambient temperature and maximal synergistic biological activity of Av and QACS. The Av-Th@QACS regulated the quantity of pesticide release in accordance with the ambient temperature changes and, insofar as this release is a means of responding to variations in pest populations, maximized the synergistic activity. In addition, the Av-Th@QACS were highly adhesive to crop leaves as a result of the prolonged retention time on the crop leaves. Therefore, Av-Th@QACS exhibited greater control against aphids at 35 °C than at 15 and 25 °C. Compared with commercial formulations, Av-Th@QACS was more toxic at 35 °C and less toxic at 15 °C. Thus, researchers can apply Av-Th@QACS as intelligent nanopesticides with an on-demand, controlled release and synergistic biological activity and, in so doing, prolong pesticide duration and improve the utilization efficiency.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar NiTi and 304 stainless steel joints produced by ultrasonic welding

Superelastic NiTi alloy and 304 stainless steel (304 SS) were joined with a Cu interlayer by ultrasonic spot welding (USW) using different welding energy inputs. The surface morphology, interfacial microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanisms of the dissimilar NiTi/304 SS USWed joints were studied. The results showed that the surface oxidation intensified with increasing ultrasonic welding energy due to mutual rubbing between tools and sheets. The weld interface microstructure exhibited voids or unbonded zones at low energy inputs, while an intimate contact was established at the joining interface when applying a higher energy input of 750 J. With increasing energy input to 750 J, the weld interface shows two interfaces due to the behavior of plastic flow of Cu interlayer. The lap-shear load of the joints first increased, achieving a maximum value of ∼690 N at an energy input of 750 J, and then decreased with further increase in welding energy. Interfacial failure was observed at NiTi/Cu interface at all energy inputs, and no intermetallic compounds were found on the fracture surfaces of both the NiTi/Cu and Cu/304 SS interfaces.

Versatile Oral Insulin Delivery Nanosystems: From Materials to Nanostructures

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by lack of insulin in the body leading to failure of blood glucose regulation. Diabetes patients usually need frequent insulin injections to maintain normal blood glucose levels, which is a painful administration manner. Long-term drug injection brings great physical and psychological burden to diabetic patients. In order to improve the adaptability of patients to use insulin and reduce the pain caused by injection, the development of oral insulin formulations is currently a hot and difficult topic in the field of medicine and pharmacy. Thus, oral insulin delivery is a promising and convenient administration method to relieve the patients. However, insulin as a peptide drug is prone to be degraded by digestive enzymes. In addition, insulin has strong hydrophilicity and large molecular weight and extremely low oral bioavailability. To solve these problems in clinical practice, the oral insulin delivery nanosystems were designed and constructed by rational combination of various nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Such oral nanosystems have the advantages of strong adaptability, small size, convenient processing, long-lasting pharmaceutical activity, and drug controlled-release, so it can effectively improve the oral bioavailability and efficacy of insulin. This review summarizes the basic principles and recent progress in oral delivery nanosystems for insulin, including physiological absorption barrier of oral insulin and the development of materials to nanostructures for oral insulin delivery nanosystems.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pyraclostrobin Nanocapsules by In Situ Polymerization

In this study, pyraclostrobin nanocapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization with urea-formaldehyde resin as a wall material. The effects of different emulsifiers, emulsifier concentrations, and solvents on the physicochemical properties of pyraclostrobin nanocapsules were investigated. Solvesso™ 100 was selected as the solvent, and Emulsifier 600# was used as the emulsifier, which accounted for 5% of the aqueous phase system, to prepare pyraclostrobin nanocapsules with excellent physical and chemical properties. The particle size, ζ potential, and morphology of the nanocapsules were characterized by a particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscope. The nanocapsules were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the loading content and sustained release properties of the nanocapsules were measured. The results show that the size of the prepared nanocapsules was 261.87 nm, and the polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.12, presenting a uniform spherical appearance. The loading content of the pyraclostrobin nanocapsules was 14.3%, and their cumulative release rate was 70.99% at 250 h, providing better efficacy and sustainability compared with the pyraclostrobin commercial formulation.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnology for the delivery of agrochemicals: strategies towards sustainable agriculture

Nanomaterials (NMs) have received considerable attention in the field of agrochemicals due to their special properties, such as small particle size, surface structure, solubility and chemical composition. The application of NMs and nanotechnology in agrochemicals dramatically overcomes the defects of conventional agrochemicals, including low bioavailability, easy photolysis, and organic solvent pollution, etc. In this review, we describe advances in the application of NMs in chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which are the two earliest and most researched areas of NMs in agrochemicals. Besides, this article concerns with the new applications of NMs in other agrochemicals, such as bio-pesticides, nucleic acid pesticides, plant growth regulators (PGRs), and pheromone. We also discuss challenges and the industrialization trend of NMs in the field of agrochemicals. Constructing nano-agrochemical delivery system via NMs and nanotechnology facilitates the improvement of the stability and dispersion of active ingredients, promotes the precise delivery of agrochemicals, reduces residual pollution and decreases labor cost in different application scenarios, which is potential to maintain the sustainability of agricultural systems and improve food security by increasing the efficacy of agricultural inputs.

Advances in Controlled-Release Pesticide Formulations with Improved Efficacy and Targetability

Pesticides are commonly used in modern agriculture and are important for global food security. However, postapplication losses due to degradation, photolysis, evaporation, leaching, surface runoff, and other processes may substantially reduce their efficacy. Controlled-release formulations can achieve the permeation-regulated transfer of an active ingredient from a reservoir to a target surface. Thus, they can maintain an active ingredient at a predetermined concentration for a specified period. This can reduce degradation and dissipation and other losses and has the potential to improve efficacy. Recent developments in controlled-release technology have adapted the concepts of intelligence and precision from the pharmaceutical industry. In this review, we present recent advances in the development of controlled-release formulations and discuss details of the preparation methods, material improvements, and application technologies.

Development of Chlorantraniliprole and Lambda Cyhalothrin Double-Loaded Nano-Microcapsules for Synergistical Pest Control

Nanotechnology could greatly improve global agricultural food production. Chlorantraniliprole and lambda cyhalothrin double-loaded nano-microcapsules were fabricated to enhance the control of pests by pesticides and improve the pesticide utilization efficiency. The nano-microcapsules were synthesized using a method involving the solid in oil in water encapsulation technique and solvent evaporation. The nano-microcapsules slowly and simultaneously released lambda cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole. The cumulative lambda cyhalothrin and chlorantraniliprole release rates at 40 h were 80% and 70%, respectively. Indoor Spodoptera frugiperda control tests indicated that the double-loaded nano-microcapsules were more toxic than lambda cyhalothrin water-dispersible granules, chlorantraniliprole water-dispersible granules, and a mixture of lambda cyhalothrin water-dispersible granules and chlorantraniliprole water-dispersible granules, indicating that the pesticides in the nano-microcapsules synergistically controlled Spodoptera frugiperda. The results indicated that pesticide nano-microcapsules with synergistic effects can be developed that can improve the effective pesticide utilization efficiency and pesticide bioavailability. This is a new idea for achieving environmentally intelligent pesticide delivery.