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An ultralow cathodic potential electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was designed, employing DNA nanoribbon template self-assembly copper nanoclusters (DNR-CuNCs) as a novel coreaction accelerator within the luminol-H 2 O 2 system for the sensitive detection of kanamycin (KANA). Mechanistic investigations revealed that the DNR-CuNCs preferred to generate highly active hydroxyl radicals by facilitating the reduction of the coreactant H 2 O 2 under neutral pH conditions, consequently enhancing cathodic luminescence. By the strong π-π stacking effect of KANA aptamer and graphene as a signal modulation switch, DNR-CuNCs were displaced from the electrode surface due to the affinity of KANA and its aptamer, resulting in the inhibition of the luminol-H 2 O 2 system and a decrease in the ECL signal. Under optimal experiments, the aptasensor demonstrated exceptional sensitivity in detecting KANA within the concentration range from 1 × 10 -2 to 5 × 10 5 pg/mL, with the detection limit as low as 0.18 fg/mL. This innovative strategy provided a novel approach to designing effective ECL emitters for monitoring food safety.

Plectin, a scaffolding protein overexpressed in tumor cells, plays a significant role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation, invasion, and migration. However, the use of L-type peptides for targeting plectin is hindered by their limited stability and retention. We designed a D-type plectin-targeting peptide ( D PTP) and developed a novel single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) probe for HCC imaging. The D PTP targeting ability was evaluated in vitro using flow cytometry and ex vivo fluorescence imaging. 99m Tc radiolabeling was performed using tricine and ethylenediamine- N , N '-diacetic acid (EDDA) as coligands after modification with 6-hydrazino nicotinamide (HYNIC) at the N termini of D PTP. The radiochemical purity (RCP), in vitro stability, and binding affinity of the prepared 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP were analyzed. Tumor uptake, metabolic stability, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP were investigated and compared with those of 99m Tc-labeled L-type PTP ( 99m Tc-HYNIC-PTP) in HCC tumor-bearing mice. D PTP could be efficiently radiolabeled with 99m Tc using the HYNIC/tricine/EDDA system with a high RCP and good in vitro stability. Compared with the L-type PTP, D PTP exhibited improved targeting ability, and 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP displayed higher tumor uptake, better metabolic stability, longer blood circulation time, and lower kidney retention, resulting in superior imaging performance and biodistribution in vivo . 99m Tc-HYNIC- D PTP has great potential as a novel SPECT probe for diagnosing HCC.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), one of the common complications of sepsis, is associated with higher ICU mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and long-term cognitive decline. Sepsis can induce neuroinflammation, which negatively affects hippocampal neurogenesis. Dexmedetomidine has been shown to protect against SAE. However, the potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we added lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated astrocytes-conditioned media (LPS-CM) to neural stem cells (NSCs) culture, which were pretreated with dexmedetomidine in the presence or absence of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine or the α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist BRL-44408. LPS-CM impaired the neurogenesis of NSCs, characterized by decreased proliferation, enhanced gliogenesis, and declined viability. Dexmedetomidine alleviated LPS-CM-induced impairment of neurogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Yohimbine, as well as BRL-44408, reversed the effects of dexmedetomidine. We established a mouse model of SAE via cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). CLP-induced astrocyte-related neuroinflammation and hippocampal neurogenesis deficits, accompanied by learning and memory decline, which were reversed by dexmedetomidine. The effect of dexmedetomidine was blocked by BRL-44408. Collectively, our findings support the conclusion that dexmedetomidine can protect against SAE, likely mediated by the combination of inhibiting neuroinflammation via the astrocytic α2A-adrenoceptor with attenuating neuroinflammation-induced hippocampal neurogenesis deficits via NSCs α2A-adrenoceptor.

Noninvasive fluorescence detection of tumor-associated biomarker dynamics provides immediate insights into tumor biology, which are essential for assessing the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, adapting treatment strategies, and achieving personalized diagnosis and therapy evaluation. However, due to the absence of a single biomarker that effectively reflects tumor development and progression, the currently available optical diagnostic agents that rely on "always-on" or single pathological activation frequently show nonspecific fluorescence responses and limited tumor accumulation, which inevitably compromises the accuracy and reliability of tumor imaging. Herein, based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) hybrid mechanisms, we report a tandem-locked probe, NTVI-Biotin , for simultaneously specific imaging-guided tumor resection and ferroptosis-mediated tumor ablation evaluation under the coactivation of nitro reductase (NTR)/viscosity. The dual-stimulus-responsive design strategy ensures that NTVI-Biotin exclusively activates near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence signals upon interaction with both NTR and elevated viscosity levels through triggering ICT on while inhibiting the TICT process. Meanwhile, functionalization with a tumor-targeting hydrophilic biotin-poly(ethylene glycol) moiety enhances tumor accumulation. The probe's dual-response and tumor-targeting design minimizes nonspecific tissue activation, allowing for precise tumor identification and lesion removal with a superior tumor-to-normal tissue (T/N > 6) ratio. More importantly, NTVI-Biotin was capable of evaluating ferroptosis-mediated chemotherapeutics by real-time monitoring of the alternations of NTR/viscosity levels. The results reveal that the increased tumor signals of NTVI-Biotin following the combination of ferroptosis and chemotherapy correlate well with the tumor growth inhibition, demonstrating the potential of NTVI-Biotin to assess therapeutic efficacy.

Heat shock seriously affects the normal functioning of an organism and can lead to damage and even death in severe cases. To prevent or treat heat shock-related diseases, we require a better understanding of the mechanism of thermocytotoxicity. Here, we designed a functionalized dual-response fluorescent probe ( HCy-SO 2 -HClO ) that could individually or simultaneously detect hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) without interfering with each other and achieved the simultaneous tracing of both during the heat shock process for the first time. The introduction of the sulfonate group greatly increased the water solubility of the probe. Furthermore, the probe could effectively accumulate in the mitochondrial region. HCy-SO 2 -HClO could respond to HClO and SO 2 within 10 s and 20 min, respectively, realizing a double whammy detection of both on the time scale. HCy-SO 2 -HClO exhibited high specificity and sensitivity for HClO and SO 2 . The highly biocompatible probe HCy-SO 2 -HClO successfully achieved the detection of endogenous and exogenous SO 2 and HClO in living cells and in zebrafish. Moreover, the simultaneous detection of HClO and SO 2 in heat shock cells and mouse intestines was realized for the first time. This probe has achieved the detection of dual markers, which enhanced the accuracy and precision of disease detection and could serve as an effective research tool to prevent heat stroke-related diseases.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials with atomic-scale thickness and smooth interfaces promise the possibility of developing high-density, energy-efficient spintronic devices. However, it remains a challenge to effectively control the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of 2D vdW ferromagnetic materials, as well as the integration of multiple memory cells. Here, we report highly efficient magneto-optical memory arrays by utilizing the huge spin-orbit torques (SOT) induced by the in-plane current in Fe 3 GeTe 2 (FGT) flake. The device is constructed from individual FGT flakes without heavy metal assistance and allows for a low current density. The magneto-optical memory arrays implement nonvolatile memories for three bits and can be repeatedly scrubbed for "writing" and "reading". Besides, we show that FGT nanoflakes possess current-controlled volatile switching behavior at zero magnetic field. These results provide a solution for the next generation of all-vdW-scalable, high-performance spintronic logic devices and SOT-Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM).

Precise neuromodulation is critical for interrogating cellular communication and treating neurological diseases. Nanoscale transducers have emerged as effective interfaces to exert photothermal effects and modulate neural activities with a high spatiotemporal resolution. Ideal materials for this application should possess strong light absorption, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and great biocompatibility for clinical translation. Here, we show that the structurally designed 3D Au superparticles with a highly branched morphology can be promising candidates for nongenetic and remote neuromodulation. The structure-induced blackbody-like absorption endows Au superparticles with photothermal conversion efficiency over 90%, much higher than that of conventional Au nanorods. With the biocompatible polydopamine ligands, Au superparticles can be readily interfaced with primary mouse hippocampal neurons and other cells and can photostimulate or inhibit their activities in both cell networks or with a single-cell resolution. These findings highlight the importance of structural designs as powerful tools to promote the performance of plasmonic materials in neuromodulation and related research of neuroscience and neuroengineering.

Low-foaming nonionic gemini surfactants have a wide range of applications in industrial cleaning and photoresist development. In this study, three low-foaming nonionic gemini surfactants (S1, S2, and S3) with different poly(oxyethylene) chain lengths have been synthesized by using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and 2,5-di- tert -pentylhydroquinone. The chemical structures of the novel surfactants are confirmed by 1 H NMR, Fourier transform infrared, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and their properties such as surface tension, wetting properties, emulsifying properties, and foaming properties are investigated. The surface tension values of S1, S2, and S3 at the critical micelle concentration are 40.29, 37.14, and 41.64 mN/m, exhibiting good surface activity. When the surfactant concentration is higher than 2 mM, the contact angles of S1 and S2 no longer change and can maintain 62 and 64°, showing good wetting properties. In addition, S3 can keep an emulsion state for 2 months at high concentrations, exhibiting good emulsion stability. Furthermore, all the prepared surfactants show good low-foaming properties. The initial foaming volumes of S1 are very low, less than 0.1 mL at various concentrations, less than 2% of the conventional surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate. For S2, the initial foaming volumes at the concentration of 0.1, 1, 2, and 3 g/L are 1, 0.5, 0.55, and 0.45 mL, respectively. For S3, the initial foaming volumes show a general trend of increasing with concentration. The surfactants with longer poly(oxyethylene) chains possess more initial foaming volumes at the same concentration, which is because the greater cohesion between the surfactant molecules can increase the elasticity of the bubble film. Our study enriches the design rationales for low-foaming surfactants and motivates researchers to develop more advanced surfactants for industrial cleaning and photoresist development.

Recently, efforts have been made to address the environmental damage caused by fossil-fuel-based primary energy sources. Interest in efficient technologies for converting and storing energy using renewable sources, especially sunlight, has increased, with the aim of replicating the natural photosynthesis process. However, artificial photosynthesis faces challenges with unfavorable kinetics and thermodynamics, requiring the use of stable catalysts for the hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions to generate H 2 and O 2 , respectively. OER is the most prohibitive of the half-reactions by the highly sluggish kinetics. Mixed oxides, particularly those based on first-row transition metals, have shown promising results as catalysts for the OER. This work reports the synthesis of CoNiMn oxide via electrodeposition on fluoride tin oxide followed by electrochemical activation. This approach seeks to explore the synergistic effect between the elements and to produce a catalyst with superior efficiency and stability for the electrocatalysis of the OER compared to the monometallic and bimetallic oxides. The CoNiMn film was structurally and electrochemically characterized. The electrodeposited CoNiMn hybrid films demonstrated low overpotentials compared with standard OER electrocatalysts, with CoNiMn films outperforming all single and bimetallic oxide films. The activated CoNiMn film required an overpotential of 100 mV at 10 mA cm -2 (430 mV at 25 mA cm -2 ) and Tafel slope of 58 mV dec -1 . The film was active for 15 h at 100 mA cm -2 and showed no significant change in morphology and structure after the chronopotentiometry, indicating that it is a promising and cost-effective alternative to enhance the OER activity using abundant elements., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Endovascular treatment (EVT) using stents has become the primary option for severe cerebrovascular stenosis. However, considerable challenges remain to be addressed, such as in-stent restenosis (ISR) and late thrombosis. Many modified stents have been developed to inhibit the hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and protect vascular endothelial cells (VECs), thereby reducing such complications. Some modified stents, such as those infused with rapamycin, have improved in preventing acute thrombosis. However, ISR and late thrombosis, which are long-term complications, remain unavoidable. Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS), a traditional Chinese medicine consisting of various compounds, is beneficial in promoting the proliferation and migration of VECs and inhibiting the proliferation of SMCs. Herein, a 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) stent loaded with PNS (PNS-PCL stent) was developed based on a previous study. In vitro studies confirmed that PNS promotes the migration and proliferation of VECs, which were damaged, by increasing the expression levels of microRNA-126, p-AKT, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In vivo , the PNS-PCL stents maintained the patency of the carotid artery in rabbits for up to three months, outperforming the PCL stents. The PNS-PCL stents may present a new solution for the EVT of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic stenosis in the future.

Hydrogels have shown promise as quasi-solid-state electrolytes for flexible supercapacitors but face challenges such as poor self-repair, unstable electrode adhesion, limited temperature range, and flammability. Herein, an all-round green hydrogel electrolyte (silk nanofibers (SNFs)/peach gum polysaccharide (PGP)/borax/glycerol (SPBG)-ZnSO 4 ) addresses these issues through dynamic cross-linking of peach gum polysaccharide and silk nanofibers with borax, integrating varieties of key property including high water retention, broad temperature tolerance (-20 to 90 °C), excellent self-adhesion (60.7 kPa for carbon cloth electrodes), satisfactory flame retardancy (limited oxygen index of 51%), low-temperature self-healing (-20 °C), and good ionic conductivity (7.68 mS cm -1 ). The resulting supercapacitor exhibits excellent cycling stability with 98.2% capacitance retention after 40,000 long cycles at 25 °C. The specific capacitance retention remains above 90% even after 15,000 cycles at high/low temperatures (50 °C/-20 °C). Furthermore, the flexible supercapacitor demonstrates stable performance under mechanical stimuli (180° bending and perforation), highlighting the potential of biomass hydrogels in flexible energy storage devices.

Mild photothermal therapy (M-PTT) can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) to reverse the immune tolerance caused by low-dose chemotherapy. However, it still needs convenient strategies to control temperature during M-PTT. In this work, the phase change material lauric acid (LA, melting point 43 °C) was introduced to construct nanoparticles loaded with deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) and cisplatin (CDDP), which were mixed into a supramolecular hydrogel formed by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/tannic acid (TA)/Fe 3+ to obtain FeTP@DLD/DLC. When the temperature reached 43 °C under laser irradiation, DFO was released from melted LA and destroyed the interaction between Fe 3+ and TA to cut off the temperature increase, achieving a "photothermal fusing effect". Meanwhile, CDDP was released for low-dose chemotherapy, while the resulting immune tolerance was reversed by M-PTT-induced ICD. Finally, through a single administration, FeTP@DLD/DLC-mediated M-PTT synergized with chemotherapy achieved a potent antitumor effect. This work provided a convenient solution for the revitalization of these traditional antitumor therapies.

In the process of tumor metastasis, tumor cells can acquire invasion by excessive uptake of nutrients and energy and interact with the host microenvironment to shape a premetastatic niche (PMN) that facilitates their colonization and progression in the distal sites. Pyruvate is an essential nutrient that engages in both energy metabolism and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lungs for PMN formation, thus providing a target for tumor metastasis treatment. There is a paucity of strategies focusing on PMN prevention, which is key to metastasis inhibition. Here, we design a bioresponsive nanoparticle (HP/GU) based on a disulfide-cross-linked hyperbranched polyethylenimine (D-PEI) core and a hyaluronic acid (HA) shell with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive cross-linker between them to encapsulate glucose oxidase (GOX) and a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) inhibitor via electrostatic interaction, which reinforces starvation therapy and reduces PMN formation in the lungs via inhibiting pyruvate metabolism. In tumor cells, GOX and MPC inhibitors can be rapidly released and synergistically reduce the energy supply of tumor cells by consuming glucose and inhibiting pyruvate uptake to decrease tumor cell invasion. MPC inhibitors can also reduce ECM remodeling by blocking cellular pyruvate metabolism to prevent PMN formation. Consequently, HP/GU achieves an efficient inhibition of both primary and metastatic tumors and provides an innovative strategy for the treatment of tumor metastases.

Parthenolide is a germacrane sesquiterpene lactone separated from the traditional medicinal plant feverfew. Previous studies have shown that parthenolide possesses many pharmacological activities, involving anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, the antitumor mechanism of parthenolide has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we investigate the potential antitumor mechanisms of parthenolactone. We predicted through network pharmacology that parthenolide may target HIF-1α to interfere with the occurrence and development of cancer. We found that parthenolide inhibited PD-L1 protein synthesis through mTOR/p70S6 K /4EBP1/eIF4E and RAS/RAF/MEK/MAPK signaling pathways and promoted PD-L1 protein degradation through the lysosomal pathway, thereby inhibiting PD-L1 expression. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting results demonstrated that parthenolide inhibited PD-L1 expression by suppressing HIF-1α and RAS cooperatively. We further proved that parthenolide inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation via down-regulating PD-L1. Moreover, parthenolide increased the effect of T cells to kill tumor cells. In vivo xenograft assays further demonstrated that parthenolide suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts. Collectively, we report for the first time that parthenolide enhanced T cell tumor-killing activity and suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation by PD-L1. The current study provides new insight for the development of parthenolide as a novel anticancer drug targeting PD-L1.

Cyromazine, a triazine insecticide, raises food safety concerns due to residues in vegetables like cowpeas. Microbial metabolism is key for pesticide elimination, but bacteria efficient in cyromazine degradation are limited, with uncharacterized enzymes. This study isolated a highly efficient cyromazine-degrading bacterium, Mycobacterium sp. M15, from a cowpea field. M15 utilized cyromazine as the sole carbon source for its growth and completely degraded 0.5 mM cyromazine within 24 h. The degradation pathway involved hydrolyzing cyromazine to N -cyclopropylammeline and further to N -cyclopropylammelide, with amino groups removed sequentially. The cyclopropylamine group in N-cyclopropionamide continued to hydrolyze to cyanuric acid. A protein, CriA, identified as an aminohydrolase in M15, degraded cyromazine to N -cyclopropylammeline. Using CriA reduced cyromazine residues on cowpea surfaces and completely degraded them in immersion solutions. These findings offer insights into cyromazine's microbial degradation mechanism and highlight the potential of cyromazine-degrading enzymes in enhancing food safety.

In nature, selective interactions between chiral amino acids and crystals are important for the formation of chiral biominerals and provide insight into the mysterious origin of homochirality. Here, we show that chiral amino acids with different hydrophilicities/hydrophobicities exhibit different chiral selectivity preferences in the dynamically growing gypsum [001] steps. Hydrophilic amino acids show a chiral selectivity preference for their d-isomers, whereas hydrophobic amino acids prefer their l-isomers. These differences in chiral recognition can be attributed to the different stereochemical matching between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids on the [001] steps of growing gypsum. These different chiral selectivities resulting from the amino acid hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity are confirmed by the experimental crystallization investigations from nano regulation on dynamic steps, to microscopic modification of gypsum morphology, and to macroscopic precipitation. Furthermore, as the hydrophilicity of amino acids increases, the disparity in chiral selection rises; conversely, the increase in the hydrophobicity of amino acids results in a decline in chiral selection. These insights improve our understanding of the interaction mechanism between amino acids and crystals and provide insights into the formation process of chiral biominerals and the origin of homochirality in nature.

There remains a lack of small-caliber tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) with wide clinical use. Biotubes were developed by electrospinning and in-body tissue architecture (iBTA) technology to prepare small-caliber TEBVs with promising applications. Different ratios of hybrid fibers of poly(l-lactic- co -ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and polyurethane (PU) were obtained by electrospinning, and the electrospun tubes were then implanted subcutaneously in the abdominal area of a rabbit (as an in vivo bioreactor). The biotubes were harvested after 4 weeks. They were then decellularized and cross-linked with heparin. PLCL/PU electrospun vascular tubes, decellularized biotubes (D-biotubes), and heparinized combined decellularized biotubes (H + D-biotubes) underwent carotid artery allograft transplantation in a rabbit model. Vascular ultrasound follow-up and histological observation revealed that the biotubes developed based on electrospinning and iBTA technology, after decellularization and heparinization cross-linking, showed a better patency rate, adequate mechanical properties, and remodeling ability in the rabbit model. IBTA technology caused a higher patency, and the heparinization cross-linking process gave the biotubes stronger mechanical properties.

Skyrmions in two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials are considered as ideal candidates for information carriers in next-generation spintronic devices. However, conventional methods for elucidating the physical properties of skyrmions have limited the development of skyrmions in diverse 2D magnetic material systems due to their requirements for electrical conductivity. To overcome this limitation, we propose to utilize an optical method (magneto-optical Kerr technique) to detect the skyrmions in 2D magnetic materials. Herein, the graphene/Fe 3 GeTe 2 /graphene vertical van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure devices are fabricated to generate stabilized skyrmions by applying out-of-plane current. In combination with magnetic circular dichroism measurements, we observe topological-reflective magnetic circular dichroism (T-RMCD) effects in Fe 3 GeTe 2 flakes and attribute the peak-shaped component in T-RMCD to the annihilation of skyrmion magnetic domains. Notably, the T-RMCD signal can maintain up to a temperature as high as the Curie temperature of Fe 3 GeTe 2 flakes (∼200 K). Our work provides a universal, contactless, and nondestructive approach for studying the physical properties of skyrmions in 2D vdW magnetic materials while adding another degree of freedom to the modulation of skyrmions.

Rechargeable aqueous batteries adopting Fe-based materials are attracting widespread attention by virtue of high-safety and low-cost. However, the present Fe-based anodes suffer from low electronic/ionic conductivity and unsatisfactory comprehensive performance, which greatly restrict their practicability. Concerning the principle of physical chemistry, fabricating electrodes that could simultaneously achieve ideal thermodynamics and fast kinetics is a promising issue. Herein, hierarchical Fe 3 O 4 @Fe foam electrode with enhanced interface/grain boundary engineering is fabricated through an in situ self-regulated strategy. The electrode achieves ultrahigh areal capacity of 31.45 mA h cm -2 (50 mA cm -2 ), good scale application potential (742.54 mA h for 25 cm 2 electrode), satisfied antifluctuation capability, and excellent cycling stability. In/ex situ characterizations further validate the desired thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the electrode endowed with accurate interface regulation, which accounts for salient electrochemical reversibility in a two-stage phase transition and slight energy loss. This work offers a suitable strategy in designing high-performance Fe-based electrodes with comprehensive inherent characteristics for high-safety large-scale energy storage.

PROTAC (Proteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) is a promising therapeutic approach for targeted protein degradation that recruits an E3 ubiquitin ligase to a specific protein of interest (POI), leading to its degradation by the proteasome. Recently, we developed a novel split-and-mix PROTAC system based on liposome self-assembly (LipoSM-PROTAC) which could achieve target protein degradation at comparable concentrations comparable to small molecules. In this study, we expanded protein targets based on the LipoSM-PROTAC platform and further examined its therapeutic effects in vivo . Notably, this platform could efficiently degrade the protein level of MEK1/2 in A375 cells or Alk in NCI-H2228 cells and display obvious tumor inhibition (60-70% inhibition rate) with negligible toxicity. This study further proved the LipoSM-PROTAC's application potentials., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Air-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with high photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) can not only further reduce the production cost but also promote its industrialization. During the preparation of the PSCs in ambient air, the contact of the buried interface not only affects the crystallization of the perovskite film but also affects the interface carrier transport, which is directly related to the performance of the device. Here, we optimize the buried interface by introducing 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS, (CH 3 O) 3 Si(CH 2 ) 3 SH) on the nickel oxide (NiO x ) surface. The crystallization of the perovskite film is improved by enhancing surface hydrophobicity; besides, the SH-based functional group of MPTMS passivates the uncoordinated lead at the interface, which effectively reduces the defects at the bottom interface of perovskite and inhibits the nonradiative recombination at the interface. Moreover, the energy level between the NiO x layer and the perovskite layer is better matched. Based on multiple functions of MPTMS modification, the open circuit voltage of the device is obviously improved, and efficient air-processed methylamine-free (MA-free) PSCs are realized with PCE reaching 21.0%. The device still maintains the initial PCE of 85% after 1000 h aging in the glovebox. This work highlights interface modification in air-processed MA-free PSCs to promote the industrialization of PSCs.

Microglia phagocytose synapses have an important effect on the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of the walnut-derived peptide, TWLPLPR(TW-7), against LPS-induced cognitive deficits in mice and explored the underlying C1q-mediated microglia phagocytose synapses mechanisms in LPS-treated HT22 cells. The MWM showed that TW-7 improved the learning and memory capacity of the LPS-injured mice. Both transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analysis illustrated that synaptic density and morphology were increased while associated with the decreased colocalized synapses with C1q. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence demonstrated that TW-7 effectively reduced the microglia phagocytosis of synapses. Subsequently, overexpression of C1q gene plasmid was used to verify the contribution of the TW-7 via the classical complement pathway-regulated mitochondrial function-mediated microglia phagocytose synapses in LPS-treated HT22 cells. These data suggested that TW-7 improved the learning and memory capability of LPS-induced cognitively impaired mice through a mechanism associated with the classical complement pathway-mediated microglia phagocytose synapse.

Electrocatalytic reduction (ECR) of CO 2 to chemical products is an important carbon emission reduction method. This work uses DFT to study the stability of N-doped graphene-supported four metal single-atom catalysts (M-N-C) and the effects of the coordination environment and metal centers on the selectivity of CO 2 ECR to C 1 products. The results show that Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu have good stability. The coordination environment has a significant modulating effect on product selectivity, and the change of the number of ligand nitrogen atoms will affect the size of the potential-limiting step of each product. When the number of nitrogen ligands is the same, the different metal centers of the M-N-C catalyst have a significant effect on the selectivity of different products. In addition, the introduction of nitrogen atom ligands can adjust the electronic structure of the graphene-supported metal center, increase the d-band center of most metals, and improve the reaction activity.

Targeted protein degradation is becoming more and more important in the field of drug development. Compared with proteasomal-based degraders, lysosomal-based degraders have a broader target spectrum of targets, which have been demonstrated to have great potential, especially in degrading undruggable proteins. Recently, we developed a programmable and facile screening PROTAC development platform based on peptide self-assembly termed split-and-mix PROTAC (SM-PROTAC). In this study, we applied this technology for the development of lysosome-based degraders, named a split-and-mix chaperone-mediated autophagy-based degrader (SM-CMAD). We successfully demonstrated SM-CMAD as a universal platform by degrading several targets, including ERα, AR, MEK1/2, and BCR-ABL. Different from other lysosomal-based degraders, SM-CMAD was capable of facile screening with programmable ligand ratios. We believe that our work will promote the development of other multifunctional molecules and clinical translation for lysosomal-based degraders.

As an alternative plasticizer to conventional phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) has attracted considerable concerns, given its widespread detection in the environment and humans. However, the potential toxicity, especially liver toxicity, posed by DEHTP remains unclear. In this study, based on the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, two metabolites of DEHTP, i.e., mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) terephthalate (MEHHTP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) terephthalate (MECPTP), were found to be present in the urine samples of nearly all representative U.S. adults. Moreover, a positive linear correlation was observed between the concentrations of the two metabolites and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the population. Results of weighted quantile sum and Bayesian kernel machine regression indicated that MEHHTP contributed a greater weight to the risk of NAFLD in comparison with 12 conventional phthalate metabolites. In vitro experiments with hepatocyte HepG2 revealed that MEHHTP exposure could increase lipogenic gene programs, thereby promoting a dose-dependent hepatic lipid accumulation. Activation of liver X receptor α may be an important regulator of MEHHTP-induced hepatic lipid disorders. These findings provide new insights into the liver lipid metabolism toxicity potential of DEHTP exposure in the population.

Over decades of development, while phosphoramidite chemistry has been known as the leading method in commercial synthesis of oligonucleotides, it has also revolutionized the fabrication of sequence-defined polymers (SDPs), offering novel functional materials in polymer science and clinical medicine. This review has introduced the evolution of phosphoramidite chemistry, emphasizing its development from the synthesis of oligonucleotides to the creation of universal SDPs, which have unlocked the potential for designing programmable smart biomaterials with applications in diverse areas including data storage, regenerative medicine and drug delivery. The key methodologies, functions, biomedical applications, and future challenges in SDPs, have also been summarized in this review, underscoring the significance of breakthroughs in precisely synthesized materials.

Stroke often results in long-term and severe limb dysfunction for a majority of patients, significantly limiting their activities and social participation. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a rehabilitation approach aimed explicitly at enhancing upper limb motor function following a stroke. However, the precise mechanism remains unknown. This study explores how CIMT may alleviate forelimb paralysis in ischemic mice, potentially through structural and functional remodeling of brain regions beyond the infarct area, especially the contralateral cortex. We demonstrated that CIMT recruits neurons from the contralesional cortex into the network that innervates the affected forelimb, as evidenced by PRV retrograde nerve tracing. Additionally, we investigated how CIMT influences synaptic plasticity in the contralateral cortex by evaluating synaptic growth marker levels and neurotransmission's homeostatic regulation. Our findings uncover a rehabilitative mechanism by which CIMT treats ischemic stroke, characterized by increased recruitment of neurons from the contralateral cortex into the network that innervates the affected forelimb, facilitated by homeostatic regulation of neurotransmission., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The practical application of high-energy density lithium-oxygen (Li-O 2 ) batteries is severely impeded by the notorious cycling stability and safety, which mainly comes from slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at cathodes, causing inferior redox overpotentials and reactive lithium metal in flammable liquid electrolyte. Herein, a bifunctional electrode, a safe gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), and a robust lithium anode are proposed to alleviate above problems. The bifunctional electrode is composed of N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) and Co 4 N by in situ chemical vapor deposition self-catalyzed growth on carbon cloth (N-CNTs@Co 4 N@CC). The self-supporting, binder-free N-CNTs@Co 4 N@CC electrode has a strong and stable three-dimensional (3D) interconnected conductive structure, which provides interconnectivity between the active sites and the electrode to promote the transfer of electrons. Furthermore, the N-CNT-intertwined Co 4 N ensures efficient catalytic activity. Hence, the electrode demonstrates improved electrochemical properties even under a large current density (2000 mA g -1 ) and long cycling operation (250 cycles). Moreover, a highly safe and flexible rechargeable cell using the 3D N-CNTs@Co 4 N@CC electrode, GPE, and robust lithium anode design has been explored. The open circuit voltage is stable at ∼3.0 V even after 9800 cycles, which proves the mechanical durability of the integrated GPE cell. The stable cable-type Li-air battery was demonstrated to stably drive the light-emitting diodes (LEDs), highlighting the reliability for practical use.

While the shape-dependent quantum confinement (QC) effect in anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystals has been extensively studied, the QC in facet-specified polyhedral quantum dots (QDs) remains underexplored. Recently, tetrahedral nanocrystals have gained prominence in III-V nanocrystal synthesis. In our study, we successfully synthesized well-faceted tetrahedral InAs QDs with a first excitonic absorption extending up to 1700 nm. We observed an unconventional sizing curve, indicating weaker confinement than for equivalently volumed spherical QDs. The (111) surface states of InAs QDs persist at the conduction band minimum state even after ligand passivation with a significantly reduced band gap, which places tetrahedral QDs at lower energies in the sizing curve. Consequently, films composed of tetrahedral QDs demonstrate an extended photoresponse into the short-wave infrared region, compared to isovolume spherical QD films.

It is a promising research direction to develop catalysts with high stability and ozone utilization for low-temperature ozone catalytic oxidation of VOCs. While bimetallic catalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity compared with conventional single noble metal catalysts, limited success has been achieved in the influence of the bimetallic effect on the stability and ozone utilization of metal catalysts. Herein, it is necessary to systematically study the enhancement effect in the ozone catalytic reaction induced by the second metal. With a simple continuous impregnation method, a platinum-cerium bimetallic catalyst is prepared. Also highlighted are studies from several aspects of the contribution of the second metal (Ce) to the stability and ozone utilization of the catalysts, including the "electronic effect" and "geometric effect". The synergistic removal rate of toluene and ozone is nearly 100% at 30 °C, and it still shows positive stability after high humidity and a long reaction time. More importantly, the instructive significance, which is the in-depth knowledge of enhanced catalytic mechanism of bimetallic catalysts resulting from a second metal, is provided by this work.

Dopamine (DA), an essential neurotransmitter, is closely associated with various neurological disorders, whose real-time dynamic monitoring is significant for evaluating the physiological activities of neurons. Electrochemical sensing methods are commonly used to determine DA, but they mostly rely on the redox reaction of its o -phenolic hydroxyl group, which makes it difficult to distinguish it from substances with this group. Here, we design a biomimetic nanozyme inspired by the coordination structure of the copper-based active site of dopamine β-hydroxylase, which was successfully synthesized via a urea-mediated MOF pyrolysis reconstruction strategy. Experimental studies and theoretical calculations revealed that the nanozyme with Cu-N 3 coordination could hydroxylate the carbon atom of the DA β-site at a suitable potential and that the active sites of this Cu-N 3 structure have the lowest binding energy for the DA β-site. With this property, the new oxidation peak achieves the specific detection of DA rather than the traditional electrochemical signal of o -phenol hydroxyl redox, which would effectively differentiate it from neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine. The sensor exhibited good monitoring capability in DA concentrations from 0.05 to 16.7 μM, and its limit of detection was 0.03 μM. Finally, the sensor enables the monitoring of DA released from living cells and can be used to quantitatively analyze the effect of polystyrene microplastics on the amount of DA released. The research provides a method for highly specific monitoring of DA and technical support for initial screening for neurocytotoxicity of pollutants.

Mitochondrial therapy is a promising new strategy that offers the potential to achieve precise disease diagnosis or maximum therapeutic response. However, versatile mitochondrial theranostic platforms that integrate biomarker detection and therapy have rarely been exploited. Here, we report a charge-reversal nanomedicine activated by an acidic microenvironment for mitochondrial microRNA (mitomiR) detection and ion-interference therapy. The transporter liposome (DD-DC) was constructed from a pH-responsive polymer and a positively charged phospholipid, encapsulating NaCl nanoparticles with coloading of the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorogens AIEgen-DNA/G-quadruplexes precursor and brequinar (NAB@DD-DC). The negatively charged nanomedicine ensured good blood stability and high tumor accumulation, while the charge-reversal to positive in response to the acidic pH in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and lysosomes enhanced the uptake by tumor cells and lysosome escape, achieving accumulation in mitochondria. The subsequently released Na + in mitochondria not only contributed to the formation of mitomiR-494 induced G-quadruplexes for AIE imaging diagnosis but also led to an osmolarity surge that was enhanced by brequinar to achieve effective ion-interference therapy.

The hybridizations of two-dimensional (2D) metallic materials with semiconducting transition metal oxides (TMOs) register attractive heterojunctions, which can find various applications in photostimulated circumstances. In this work, we developed an ambient-pressure chemical vapor deposition method to directly grow T-VS 2 on atomically smooth rutile TiO 2 single crystals with different terminations and thus successfully constructed a heterojunction model of VS 2 /TiO 2 with a well-defined clean interface. Detailed measurements with Kelvin probe force microscopy revealed the facet-dependent charge transfer occurring at the VS 2 /TiO 2 interfaces, seeing variations not only in the amount and direction of the transferred electrons but also in the photoinduced surface potential changes and the dynamics of photogenerated charge carriers under ultraviolet irradiation. Interestingly, ultrathin T-VS 2 was found with considerable magnetism at room temperature, disregarding the charge exchange with the TiO 2 substrates. These results may bring deep insights into the photoinspired functionalities of the hybridized system combining metallic transition metal dichalcogenides and TMO materials.

Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is inevitable among pregnant women. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of research investigating the connections between prenatal PFAS exposure and the placental structure and efficiency. Based on 712 maternal-fetal dyads in the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, we analyzed associations between individual and mixed PFAS exposure and placental measures. We repeatedly measured 12 PFAS in the maternal serum during pregnancy. Placental weight, scaling exponent, chorionic disc area, and disc eccentricity were used as the outcome variables. Upon adjusting for confounders and implementing corrections for multiple comparisons, we identified positive associations between branched perfluorohexane sulfonate (br-PFHxS) and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) with placental weight. Additionally, a positive association was observed between br-PFHxS and the scaling exponent, where a higher scaling exponent signified reduced placental efficiency. Based on neonatal sex stratification, female infants were found to be more susceptible to the adverse effects of PFAS exposure. Mixed exposure modeling revealed that mixed PFAS exposure was positively associated with placental weight and scaling exponent, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Furthermore, br-PFHxS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA played major roles in the placental measures. This study provides the first epidemiological evidence of the relationship between prenatal PFAS exposure and placental measures.

Ferroptosis holds great potential as a therapeutic approach for gastric cancer (GC), a prevalent and deadly malignant tumor associated with high rates of incidence and mortality. Myricetin, well-known for its multifaceted biomedical attributes, particularly its anticancer properties, has yet to be thoroughly investigated regarding its involvement in ferroptosis. The aim of this research was to elucidate the impact of myricetin on ferroptosis in GC progression. The present study observed that myricetin could trigger ferroptosis in GC cells by enhancing malondialdehyde production and Fe 2+ accumulation while suppressing glutathione levels. Mechanistically, myricetin directly interacted with NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), influencing its stability by inhibiting its ubiquitin degradation. Moreover, myricetin regulated the inhibition of ferroptosis induced by Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) through the NOX4/NRF2/GPX4 pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that myricetin treatment significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in BALB/c nude mice. It was accompanied by increased NOX4 expression in tumor tissue and suppression of the NRF2/GPX4 antioxidant pathway. Therefore, this research underscores myricetin as a novel inducer of ferroptosis in GC cells through its interaction with NOX4. It is a promising candidate for GC treatment.

Coal gangue (CG), an industrial solid waste with high contents of Li and Ga, has attracted the attention of researchers. However, the utilization of CG remains an economic challenge. Pre-enrichment of Li and Ga by flotation was carried out with a view to improving the comprehensive utilization of CG. Mineral composition, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and elemental composition were used to investigate the embeddedness of each mineral and the mode of elemental occurrence in the CG. The results showed that the main mineral compositions of the CG were kaolinite, quartz, and pyrite. Li and Ga were mainly associated with kaolinite and other clay minerals. Li and Ga had a high correlation with Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 , while Li and Ga were highly correlated with SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 , indicating that Li and Ga may be associated with one or more high-alumina minerals. In addition, flotation tests proved that synergistic sorting of ash impurities and valuable components from the CG was a cost-effective method. The ash content of the final product was increased by 3% under the process of prediscarding concentrate-dissociation-secondary flotation, and the contents of Li and Ga in the final product were also slightly enriched, and the recovery rate of the carrier minerals of Li and Ga can reach 66.1%., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Aqueous rechargeable magnesium batteries hold immense potential for intrinsically safe, cost-effective, and sustainable energy storage. However, their viability is constrained by a narrow voltage range and suboptimal compatibility between the electrolyte and electrodes. Herein, we introduce an innovative ternary deep eutectic Mg-ion electrolyte composed of MgCl 2 ·6H 2 O, acetamide, and urea in a precisely balanced 1:1:7 molar ratio. This formulation was optimized by leveraging competitive solvation effects between Mg 2+ ions and two organic components. The full batteries based on this ternary eutectic electrolyte, Mn-doped sodium vanadate (Mn-NVO) anode, and copper hexacyanoferrate cathode exhibited an elevated voltage plateau and high rate capability and showcased stable cycling performance. Ex-situ characterizations unveiled the Mg 2+ storage mechanism of Mn-NVO involving initial extraction of Na + followed by subsequent Mg 2+ intercalation/deintercalation. Detailed spectroscopic analyses illuminated the formation of a pivotal solid-electrolyte interphase on the anode surface. Moreover, the solid-electrolyte interphase demonstrated a dynamic adsorption/desorption behavior, referred to as the "breathing effect", which substantially mitigated undesired dissolution and side reactions of electrode materials. These findings underscore the crucial role of rational electrolyte design in fostering the development of a favorable solid-electrolyte interphase that can significantly enhance compatibility between electrode materials and electrolytes, thus propelling advancements in aqueous multivalent-ion batteries.

In biomedical testing, artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced analysis has gradually been applied to the diagnosis of certain diseases. This research employs AI algorithms to refine the precision of integrative detection, encompassing both visual results and fluorescence spectra from lateral flow assays (LFAs), which signal the presence of cancer-linked miRNAs. Specifically, the color shift of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) is paired with the red fluorescence from nitrogen vacancy color centers (NV-centers) in fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) and is integrated into LFA strips. While GNPs amplify the fluorescence of FNDs, in turn, FNDs enhance the color intensity of GNPs. This reciprocal intensification of fluorescence and color can be synergistically augmented with AI algorithms, thereby improving the detection sensitivity for early diagnosis. Supported by the detection platform based on this strategy, the fastest detection results with a limit of detection (LOD) at the fM level and the R 2 value of ∼0.9916 for miRNA can be obtained within 5 min. Meanwhile, by labeling the capture probes for miRNA-21 and miRNA-96 (both of which are early indicators of breast cancer) on separate T-lines, simultaneous detection of them can be achieved. The miRNA detection methods employed in this study may potentially be applied in the future for the early detection of breast cancer.

The matrix metalloprotease ADAMTS7 has been identified by multiple genome-wide association studies as being involved in the development of coronary artery disease. Subsequent research revealed the proteolytic function of the enzyme to be relevant for atherogenesis and restenosis after vessel injury. Based on a publicly known dual ADAMTS4/ADAMTS5 inhibitor, we have in silico designed an ADAMTS7 inhibitor of the catalytic domain, which served as a starting point for an optimization campaign. Initially our inhibitors suffered from low selectivity vs MMP12. An X-ray cocrystal structure inspired us to exploit amino acid differences in the binding site of MMP12 and ADAMTS7 to improve selectivity. Further optimization composed of employing 5-membered heteroaromatic groups as hydantoin substituents to become more potent on ADAMTS7. Finally, fine-tuning of DMPK properties yielded BAY-9835, the first orally bioavailable ADAMTS7 inhibitor. Further optimization to improve selectivity vs ADAMTS12 seems possible, and a respective starting point could be identified.

A nickel-catalyzed reductive anti -arylative cyclization of alkynyl enones with aryl halides has been developed. The reaction avoids the use of stoichiometric organometallic reagents and has a broad reaction scope and high functional group tolerance. This method offers an efficient way to access a variety of synthetically useful carbocycles that are widely found in many natural products and biologically active molecules.

Microdevices that offer hyperglycemia monitoring and controllable drug delivery are urgently needed for daily diabetes management. Herein, a theranostic separable double-layer microneedle (DLMN) patch consisting of a swellable GelMA supporting base layer for glycemia sensing and a phase-change material (PCM) arrowhead layer for hyperglycemia regulation has been fabricated. The Cu-TCPP(Fe)/glucose oxidase composite and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine coembedded in the supporting base layer permit a visible color shift at the base surface in the presence of glucose via a cascade reaction, allowing for the in situ detection of glucose in interstitial fluid. The PCM arrowhead layer is encapsulated with water monodispersity melanin nanoparticles from Sepia officinalis and metformin that is imparted with a near-infrared ray photothermal response feature, which is beneficial to the controllable release of metformin for suppression of hyperglycemia. By applying the DLMN patch to the streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic Sprague-Dawley rat model, the results demonstrated that it can effectively extract dermal interstitial fluid, read out glucose levels, and regulate hyperglycemia. This DLMN-integrated portable colorimetric sensor and self-regulated glucose level hold great promise for daily diabetes management.

Herein, we report a versatile reaction platform for tracelessly cleavable cysteine-selective peptide/protein modification. This platform offers highly tunable and predictable conjugation and cleavage by rationally estimating the electron effect on the nucleophilic halopyridiniums. Cleavable peptide stapling, antibody conjugation, enzyme masking/de-masking, and proteome labeling were achieved based on this facile pyridinium-thiol-exchange protocol.

The slurry phase, foam phase, and slurry-foam phase interfaces are the typical locations for bubble-particle detachment, and significant advancements have been achieved in the detachment theory of the slurry phase and foam phase. However, the microscopic detachment mechanism of particles at the slurry-foam phase interface is still unclear. Specifically, there is still debate concerning the collision detachment mechanism of bubble-particle aggregates. Thus, this work investigated the effects of particle size and hydrophobicity on bubble-particle collision detachment. First, a tensiometer detected the detachment force between particles and bubbles. Next, using a high-speed dynamic camera, the collision detachment probability and detachment behavior of bubble-particle aggregates at the interface (solid surface) were statistically recorded and captured. Last, MATLAB software was used to analyze the trajectory and velocity of the particles and the velocity and projected area of the bubbles in the process of bubble-particle collision detachment. This allows for a deeper investigation of the mechanism underlying the detachment of particles of various sizes and hydrophobicity. It is discovered that as particle hydrophobicity increases, the probability of bubble-particle collision detachment reduces. This is because when particle hydrophobicity increases, so does the interaction force between particles and bubbles, improving the stability of the bubble-particle aggregates. Simultaneously, it is discovered that there are notable differences in the collision detachment mechanisms of various particle sizes. Due to their low gravity, the fine particles in the bubble-particle aggregate will slide down the bubble's surface when it collides with the solid surface. This differential velocity motion between the particle and the bubble plays a significant role in the fine particles' detachment. However, the gravity of the coarse particles is strong enough to squeeze the bubbles vertically, and bubble oscillation is an important reason for the detachment of the bubble-particle aggregates. The study's findings advance our understanding of the bubble-particle collision detachment mechanism and offer a theoretical direction for investigating collision detachment behavior at the real slurry-foam phase interface., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The synchronous production of high-quality unburned carbon concentrate and cleaned ash from high LOI (loss on ignition) fly ash without yielding secondary solid waste is a dilemma issue. In this study, a viable flotation process with one rougher and two cleaners is developed for simultaneously obtaining carbon concentrate with a yield of 18.00% and an ash content of 17.49% and cleaned ash with a yield of 82.00% and a LOI of 4.63% from fly ash, reaching 84.72% of combustible substance recovery and 80.66% of flotation perfection index. The characteristic analyses of the stage by stage releasing products using laser particle size analysis, XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS demonstrate that the inevitable factors that lead to a remaining higher ash content in the one-step flotation carbon concentrate are the random entrainment of mineral particles in the size range of 0-20 μm, especially the quasi-colloidal parts within 0-12.5 μm and the weak selective collection of fine-grained conjoined granules in the size range of 0-40 μm. Consequently, at least two cleaning steps are required for the effective separation of unburned carbon and ash. Furthermore, batch flotation test results show that diesel is superior to kerosene in the collection of unburned carbon, with an optimum dosage of 800 g/t; no. 2 oil acts more positively than MIBC for the separation of unburned carbon and ash, with an optimal dosing amount of 600 g/t; the optimum pulp concentration and flotation time are as follows: 100 g/L and 3.5 min for the rougher, 45 g/L and 2 min for the first cleaning, and 30 g/L and 3 min for the second cleaning. This study provides an economically feasible technological solution for the full-scale recovery of high-LOI fly ash in one step and avoids the problem of secondary solid waste that would have been generated in previous studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

We investigated the absorption mechanism of the shrimp peptide QMDDQ in small intestines, explored its physiological function in inhibiting neuronal hyperactivity, and verified its entry into the brain in vivo to display functional activity. The everted rat sac model and a Caco-2 paracellular absorption monolayer model were used, indicating that QMDDQ has a good absorption capacity with an apparent permeability coefficient ( P app ) > 1 × 10 -6 cm/s and the absorption of QMDDQ was concentration-dependent. When the concentration of QMDDQ was 1 mM and the transport time was 180 min, the highest absorption concentration of QMDDQ was 41.17 ± 3.48 μM ( P < 0.05). The myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK)-specific inhibitor ML-7 and activator MPA, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence results showed that QMDDQ absorption takes place by mediating the MLCK-p-MLCK-MLC signaling pathway, reversibly opening the zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin in tight junctions (TJs), upregulating claudin-2 expression, and reaching targets through blood to inhibit neuronal overactivity. Results of fluorescence imaging in vivo verified that QMDDQ could enter the brain 4 h after oral administration. The results provide a theoretical foundation for the mechanism of paracellular absorption of active peptides and a starting point for the development of functional foods for Alzheimer's disease intervention.

The coal structure is extensively used for studying the properties of coal, and the construction of accurate and reliable coal structure models can promote these researches. In this study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the changes in the coal structure as a function of the coalification degree, and a semiquantitative model construction method based on FTIR, XRD, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses was proposed. With an increase in the coalification degree, the size of the aromatic cores in the coal increased. During the conversion from lignite to bituminous coal, the content of aliphatic structures increased, while the content of oxygen-containing functional groups (OFGs) significantly decreased. Conversely, during the conversion from bituminous coal to anthracite, the content of aliphatic structures decreased while the content of OFGs slightly increased. The calculated FTIR spectra of the coal structure models were consistent with the experimental FTIR spectra, which confirmed the accuracy of the models. Furthermore, the models successfully explained the microscopic mechanism underlying the differences in the wettability of the coal samples with varying coalification degrees. The construction method and coal structure models in this study will be more widely applied in future research., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Deciphering the facet-dependent surface properties of clay minerals holds vital significance in both fundamental research and practical engineering applications. To date, the anisotropic local charge density of serpentine surfaces still remains elusive, and thus, the interaction energies and associated aggregate structures between different crystal planes of serpentine cannot be quantitatively determined. In this work, different crystal planes of serpentine (i.e., SiO basal, MgOH basal, and edge) were selectively exposed, and their surface potentials and charge densities were determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force measurements coupled with Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory fitting. The SiO and edge planes consistently exhibited a permanently negative surface charge, whereas the point of zero charge (PZC) on the MgOH plane was estimated to be pH 9.0-11.0. Based on the interaction energy calculation between different serpentine planes, the aggregation structures of serpentine were predicted. Combined with scanning electron microscopy observation of freeze-dried samples, SiO-MgOH and MgOH-edge associations were found to dominate the aggregate structures at pH ≤ 9.0, thereby resulting in a stacking or "card-houses" structures. In contrast, all of the plane associations exhibited the repulsive interaction energy at pH 11.0, which led to a completely dispersed system, ultimately causing the most severe fine particle entrainment during froth flotation. Our work provides quantitative clarification of facet-dependent surface properties and aggregate structures of serpentine under different pH conditions, which will help improve the fundamental understanding of colloidal behaviors of clay minerals.

Calcium phosphate-based biomineralized biomaterials have broad application prospects. However, the immune response and foreign body reactions elicited by biomineralized materials have drawn substantial attention recently, contrary to the immune microenvironment optimization concept. Therefore, it is important to clarify the immunomodulation properties of biomineralized materials. Herein, we prepared the biomineralized collagen matrix (BCM) and screened the key immunomodulation factor carboxymethyl chitosan/amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC/ACP) nanocomplex. The immunomodulation effect of the BCM was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The BCM triggered evident inflammatory responses and cascade foreign body reactions by releasing the CMC/ACP nanocomplex, which activated the potential TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB pathway, compromising the collagen matrix biocompatibility. By contrast, blocking the CMC/ACP nanocomplex release via the blood assimilation process of the BCM mitigated the inflammation and foreign body reactions, enhancing biocompatibility. Hence, the immunomodulation of the BCM was orchestrated by the balance between the CMC/ACP nanocomplex and the blood assimilation process. Controlling the release of the CMC/ACP nanocomplex to accord the biological effects of ACP with the temporal regenerative demands is key to developing advanced biomineralized materials.