Search

Ancientino, a complex dietary fiber supplement mimicking the ancient diet, has improved chronic heart failure, kidney function, and constipation. However, its effect on ulcerative colitis is unknown. This study explores the impact of Ancientino on colitis caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and its mechanisms. Data analyses showed that Ancientino alleviated bodyweight loss, colon shortening and injury, and disease activity index (DAI) score, regulated levels of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), reduced intestinal permeability (d-lactate and endotoxin), fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran (FITC-dextran), and diamine oxidase (DAO), repaired colonic function (ZO-1 and occludin), and suppressed oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in vivo and in vitro. In short, this study demonstrated that Ancientino alleviates colitis and exerts an anticolitis effect by reducing inflammatory response, suppressing oxidative stress, and repairing intestinal barrier function. Thus, Ancientino may be an effective therapeutic dietary resource for ulcerative colitis.

Nanomaterial-based nanozymes with the activities of different natural enzymes have been applied in tumor therapy and multiple imaging tools to monitor the catalytic activities.

Ferroptosis exhibits potential to damage drug-resistant cancer cells. However, it is still restricted with the "off-target" toxicity from the undesirable leakage of metal ions from ferroptosis agents, and the lack of reliable imaging for monitoring the ferroptosis process in living systems. Herein, we develop a novel ternary alloy PtWMn nanocube as a Mn reservoir, and further design a microenvironment-triggered nanoplatform that can accurately release Mn ions within the tumor to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, produce O

The greatest bottleneck for photothermal antibacterial therapy could be the difficulty in heating the infection site directly and specifically to evade the unwanted damage for surrounding healthy tissues. In recent years, infectious microenvironments (IMEs) have been increasingly recognized as a crucial contributor to bacterial infections. Here, based on the unique IMEs and rhenium trioxide (ReO3) nanocubes (NCs), a new specific photothermal antibacterial strategy is reported. These NCs synthesized by a rapid and straightforward space-confined on-substrate approach have good biocompatibility and exhibit efficient photothermal antibacterial ability. Especially when they are utilized in antibiofilm, the expression levels of biofilm-related genes (icaA, fnbA, atlE, and sarA for Staphylococcus aureus) can be effectively inhibited to block bacterial adhesion and formation of biofilm. Importantly, the ReO3 NCs can transform into hydrogen rhenium bronze (HxReO3) in an aqueous environment, making them relatively stable within the low pH of IMEs for photothermal therapy, while rapidly degradable within the surrounding healthy tissues to decrease photothermal damage. Note that under phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 without assistant conditions, these ReO3 NCs have the highest degradation rate among all known degradable inorganic photothermal nanoagents. This special and IME-sensitive selective degradability of the ReO3 NCs not only facilitates safe, efficient, and specific elimination of implant-related infections, but also enables effective body clearance after therapy. Solely containing the element (Re) whose atomic number is higher than clinic-applied iodine in all reported degradable inorganic photothermal nanoagents under the PBS (pH 7.4) without any assistant condition, the ReO3 NCs with high X-ray attenuation ability could be further applied to X-ray computed tomography imaging-guided therapy against implant-related infections. The present work described here is the first to adopt degradable inorganic photothermal nanoagents to achieve specific antibacterial therapy and inspires other therapies on this concept.

Saponins possess a variety of pharmacological effects and exhibit great potential in the food industry as bioactive substances. In this study, extracellular saponin production via the liquid fermentation of Tuber melanosporum occurred with the addition of rutin. For this purpose, medium composition and culture conditions were optimized using single-factor experiments and an orthogonal experiment design. The optimal medium consisted of glucose (43.5 g/L), peptone (6 g/L), KH2PO4 (1.15 g/L), NaCl (0.2 g/L), vitamin B2 (0.082 g/L), vitamin B6 (0.1 g/L), vitamin C (0.02 g/L), and rutin (4.8 g/L). The culture conditions were as follows: 12.5% (v/v) inoculation, medium volume of 50 mL/250 mL flask, culture temperature of 24 °C, shaker speed of 190 rpm, initial pH of 5.7, and culture time of 96 h. Finally, a maximal extracellular saponin content of 0.413 g/L was obtained, which was 134.7% higher than that in the base medium. Rutin proved to be an excellent promoter, because the saponin production was increased by 50.2% compared to that in the optimized medium without rutin. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of truffle saponins reached 94.13%, 79.26%, and 42.22 mM, respectively. This study provides a useful strategy for fungal bioactive saponin production by liquid fermentation with the addition of flavonoid compounds.

Membrane distillation is emerging as a promising alternative in zero liquid discharge and brine mining. However, the MD operation with hypersaline solutions is often interrupted by severe scaling formation on the membrane surface. This study aimed to establish a thermodynamic framework to achieve sustainable MD performance in hypersaline processing, enabling the prediction of an operational threshold, above which membrane scaling would not occur. With sodium chloride as the model solute, 2-dimensional temperature and concentration profiles were obtained in CFD to calculate the distribution of supersaturation ratio S in the DCMD flow channel. Through a comprehensive investigation on the effects of temperature and flow dynamics, a preliminary and conservative hydrodynamic threshold represented by a critical Reynolds number Re⁎ at S = 1 was identified, below which scaling formation was inevitable. The relationship between Re⁎ and dimensionless membrane flux (JM/ρvF1) collapsed into one decreasing line, resulting in a semi-empirical correlation and indicating that the operational window can be widened at an elevated feed temperature. Another empirical correlation of Re⁎ was derived based on temperature inputs, providing fast and simple approaches to predict scaling-free operation zone. The hydrodynamic criterion proposed are essential towards establishing the general guideline for achieving sustainable operation in MD hypersaline processing.

Although various photothermal therapy (PTT) nanoagents have been developed in recent years, the rational design and easy synthesis of a PTT nanoplatform with improved near-infrared (NIR) absorption have remained challenging. Herein, via a facile one-pot solvothermal strategy, hydrophilic nanosheet-assembled flower-like Fe7S8/Bi2S3 superstructures were fabricated successfully. Such nanoflowers exhibit improved NIR absorption, which is 1.54 times higher than that of pure Bi2S3 nanosheets at a wavelength of 808 nm. Attractively, these nanoflowers could serve as a drug delivery carrier with controlled release under pH/NIR stimuli and display a fascinating chemo-photothermal synergetic therapeutic effect both in vitro and vivo. The resulting nanoflowers may open up a way for the design of other nanoagents with an improved NIR absorption and chemo-photothermal cancer therapy effect.

Janus heterostructural materials as photothermal agents with enhanced optical conversion capability are promising for artery inflammation treatment by the hyperthermia of macrophages, a primordial part in the artery inflammation response that can deteriorate into atherosclerosis and even break the vessels. Herein, a synthesis route of Janus Ag/Ag2S beads with hydrophilic ligands has been developed with a precise control over concentration, time and surface functionalization. These Ag/Ag2S heterodimers show desirable sizes of around 90 nm in diameter, in which Ag nanocrystals have a diameter of around 25 nm, and they exhibit a photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 50.0% as well as relatively low biotoxicity and good biocompatibility. Importantly, the as-prepared Janus Ag/Ag2S beads with a high biological safety can be effectively swallowed by macrophages and have a remarkable benefit of eliminating these cells from the original state of artery inflammation through the excellent photothermal effect of this material, without causing any further damage to the arteries and major organs in vivo. This study further promotes the development of treatment for vascular inflammation by the photothermal melting of macrophage cells in intima environments.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a critical process in the electrolysis of water. Recently, much effort has been dedicated to developing low‐cost, highly efficient, and stable electrocatalysts. Transition metal phosphides are investigated intensively due to their high electronic conductivity and optimized absorption energy of intermediates in acid electrolytes. However, the low stability of metal phosphide materials in air and during electrocatalytic processes causes a decay of performance and hinders the discovery of specific active sites. The HER in alkaline media is more intricate, which requires further delicate design due to the Volmer steps. In this work, phosphorus‐modified monoclinic β‐CoMoO4 is developed as a low‐cost, efficient, and stable HER electrocatalyst for the electrolysis of water in alkaline media. The optimized catalyst shows a small overpotential of 94 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for the HER with high stability in KOH electrolyte, and an overpotential of 197 mV to reach a current density of 100 mA cm−2. Combined computational and in situ spectroscopic techniques show P is present as a surface phosphate ion; that electron holes localize on the surface ions and both (P—O1−) and Co3+—OH− are prospective surface active sites for the HER., A P‐doped Ni foam/CoMoO4 electrocatalyst is successfully prepared by a facile hydrothermal‐annealing method. Optimized P‐doped Ni foam/CoMoO4 shows excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity (94 mV@10 mA cm−2) and remarkable stability in 1 M KOH. A combined in situ spectroscopic and computational study shows the mechanism of P doping and active sites for the catalyst.

Heat therapy is a promising therapeutic modality for cancer treatment due to the minimum adverse effects of selective local hyperthermia; however, the low heating efficiency of heat therapy under safe conditions is an issue for its bioapplication. Here, we report the synthesis of water-dispersible sulfur doped iron oxides (SDIOs) with different phase structures and the exploration of the relationships between the different SDIOs and their induction heating capacities as a guideline to obtain a photo-magnetic hyperthermia agent. The agent exhibits good biocompatibility, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (55.8%) and great T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (63.7 mM-1 s-1). Significantly, the SDIOs effectively eliminate tumours in a biologically safe AC magnetic field range (H·f = 4.3 < 5.0 × 106 kA m-1 s-1) and with 808 nm laser irradiation at a safe density of 0.33 W cm-2; also, they can be mostly metabolized from the body after one month. The work presented here adopts anion-doped iron oxides to dramatically improve photo-magnetic hyperthermia effects and may enable further exploration in thermotherapeutic research.

This study aims to explore the role of brine salinity in achieving sustainable operation of membrane distillation (MD), particularly in hypersaline applications where highly concentrated or saturated solutions are treated. Given the state-of-the-art MD modeling work mainly focused on the mass and heat transfer phenomena for dilute systems, our simulation work predicts the trends of permeation flux in direct contact MD (DCMD) with elevated feed concentrations up to saturation, by a newly-developed exponential decay function. Also, a semi-empirical equation of the solute transport coefficient Sherwood number (Sh) is derived as Sh = (α1ωF + α2) Reβ Sc0.33, which for the first time incorporates the influence of feed concentration into the concentration polarization calculation in MD. Numerical analysis on the supersaturation ratio, concentration factor and concentration polarization effect showed that low to modest membrane permeability, reasonably high feed temperature and modest hydrodynamics (500

Crystallization is one of the most important unit operations in the quality control of pharmaceutical products. For this study, a polymer-induced heteronucleation method was selected to investigate the effect of nylon 66 (PA66), polyester (PET), and polypropylene (PP) films on the crystal growth of paracetamol by coupling experiments with modeling. The result of induction time indicated that the order of induced effect was PA66 > PET > PP > no template. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated the different functional groups on the surface of films. The crystal habits and powder X-ray diffraction results indicated that preferential orientation along certain facets occurred for PA66 and PET, and the results of in situ Raman microscopy verified the different concentration trends near different films, which is consistent with the preferential orientation effect of films. The results of molecular simulation indicated that the difference in van der Waals and electrostatic interaction, as well as H-bo...

Membrane distillation (MD) is emerging as a promising technology for treating the reverse osmosis brines. However, limited cases were reported on the design of a large-scale direct contact MD (DCMD) system. The practical scale-up options for modular matrix design in a multi-element MD system and a multi-subsystem MD train were explored by commercial flowsheet simulator Aspen Plus. Compared to the benchmark single module system, which showed drastically deteriorating membrane performance with increasing membrane area, the multi-element DCMD system with modules in parallel matrix was found to perform better with water production improved slightly but specific power consumption (SPC) greatly reduced down to 0.5% of the single module system. The optimal matrix was obtained at module number of eight for a 20 m2 module due to trade-off relationship between module specifications and effective process driving force in MD. Supported by theoretical analysis, it was found that the matrix array pattern had no influence on the performance of the multi-subsystem DCMD train. Further investigation showed that an 18-subsystem MD train with a membrane area of 200 m2 achieved a 16 times water production rate with only 10% of the SPC, as compared to that of single system with the same membrane area.

Transition-metal chalcogenides with an imaging element and tunable optical property are strongly desired as ideal high-efficiency photothermal theranostic agents to diagnose and eliminate tumors. Herein, we report on a one-pot solvothermal strategy to synthesize various porous cobalt sulfide hollow nanospheres (PCSH NSs) and elucidate the relation between PCSH NSs and their optical absorption as a guide to obtain optimal photothermal therapy (PTT) agents. After PEG modification, PEG-PCSH NSs show superexcellent photothermal conversion efficiency (∼70.1%) which is higher than that of binary transition-metal chalcogenides materials reported to date. A low dose (100 μL, 25 ppm) could completely ablate tumors under an 808 nm laser power of 0.7 W cm-2, reducing in vivo long-term residual agent content and thus lowering the possibility of side effects. Additionally, they also exhibit excellent biocompatibility, good photostability and utility for magnetic resonance imaging. Our results indicate that PCSH NSs can be considered as an outstanding PTT agent and give guidance towards the design of other photothermal theranostic agents.

To retain the agents in tumors for cancer diagnosis and therapy, and then to remove them from the body, are key for the clinical applications of ideal inorganic theranostic agents. To meet these needs, we have developed a transformed theranostic platform, employing PVP coated Fe3S4 tetragonal nanosheets (TNSs), which could effectively accumulate in the tumor under magnetic targeting, whilst gradually transforming to small particles (∼5 nm) over three weeks. These were then effectively excreted from the body in normal physiological conditions after exerting their therapeutic effect. The aqueous dispersion of PVP coated Fe3S4 TNSs had an intense near-infrared absorption, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (64.3%) and great T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging properties (71.3 mM−1 S−1). In addition, Fe3S4 TNSs could realize a synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT)/chemodynamic therapy (CDT), because the localized heat produced by PTT from the defect-rich structure could enhance the Fenton process by utilizing the overproduced H2O2 in the tumor microenvironment, and in return, the produced ˙OH could inhibit tumor growth and recurrence after PPT. We thus developed a high-efficiency inorganic theranostic platform which was effectively cleared from the body. This will open up a new avenue for the design of inorganic agents for clinical applications in the future.

Achieving cancer diagnosis and treatment simultaneously, multifunctional nanomaterials lead the trend in the development of nanomedicine. Manganese-based compounds have been well developed as excellent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agents, while they have not been demonstrated as photothermal agents (PTAs) due to their unsatisfactory near-infrared photoabsorption. Herein, we report a hydrophilic flower-like K2Mn4O8 superstructure self-assembled by ultrathin nanosheets that can work simultaneously as a PTA and an ultrasensitive T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1-MRI) enhancing agent. These K2Mn4O8 nanoflowers are efficient vehicles transforming 808 nm laser energy into thermal energy and then leading to the effective ablation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, with a high longitudinal relaxivity (r1) of 4.6 mM−1 s−1, they also act as quite impressive T1-MRI enhancing agents. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed their great biocompatibility, low toxicity and high photothermal conversion capability. This is the first application of K2Mn4O8 as a PTA and would hopefully promote other Mn-based theranostics.

Despite drug delivery systems (DDSs) receiving ever-increasing attention, development of a simple, effective, sensitive and clearable drug delivery and multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform for cancer therapy is still highly desirable and remains a challenge. Herein, using a one-step solvothermal method, hollow acanthosphere-like CuS superstructures assembled from ∼10 nm nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully obtained and used as an efficient drug delivery and theranostic platform for photoacoustic (PA) and infrared (IR) thermal imaging-guided cancer combination therapy. The special hollow characteristic of CuS superstructures with mesoporous shells and large cavities grants them high drug loading capacity; they demonstrate near-infrared (NIR)/pH stimuli-sensitive drug release and pronounced synergetic effects of chemo-photothermal therapy both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, our as-fabricated hollow loose CuS superstructures, with easily breakable characteristic, are biodegradable and able to be cleared from the body when their therapy task is completed. This CuS-superstructure-based clearable drug delivery and "all-in-one" cancer theranostic platform might provide possibilities for improving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects.

Site-specific drug delivery is an effective approach to decreasing drug toxicity and enhancing therapeutic effects. In this study, zein was decorated with folic acid (FA) for targeted delivery of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT). The reaction process was monitored using an online ATR-UV spectrophotometer, and the conjugation degree was quantified using a UV–vis spectrophotometer. Successful conjugation was evidenced using FT-IR and 1H NMR. The influence of FA conjugation on the self-assembly of zein molecules and cellular uptake was investigated in detail. FA conjugation facilitates the formation of small nanoparticles with good dispersity and stability and improves the cellular uptake in folate receptor positive cells. HCPT nanocrystals (NC) were prepared and incorporated into FA-zein. The drug release behavior of HCPT NC/FA-zein nanoparticles is more consistent with a diffusion mechanism than a matrix swelling/erosion mechanism of HCPT NC/zein particles; and HCPT NC/FA-zein nanoparticles induce higher anti...

In this study, methyl paraben (MP) was selected as the model component, and acetaminophen (APAP), p-methyl acetanilide (PMAA) and acetanilide (ACET), which share the similar molecular structure as MP, were selected as the three tailor-made additives to study the effect of tailor-made additives on the crystal growth of MP. HPLC results indicated that the MP crystals induced by the three additives contained MP only. Photographs of the single crystals prepared indicated that the morphology of the MP crystals was greatly changed by the additives, but PXRD and single crystal diffraction results illustrated that the MP crystals were the same polymorph only with different crystal habits, and no new crystal form was found compared with other references. To investigate the effect of the additives on the crystal growth, the interaction between additives and facets was discussed in detail using the DFT methods and MD simulations. The results showed that APAP, PMAA and ACET would be selectively adsorbed on the growth surfaces of the crystal facets, which induced the change in MP crystal habits.

Janus heterostructural materials as photothermal agents with enhanced optical conversion capability are promising for artery inflammation treatment by the hyperthermia of macrophages, a primordial part in the artery inflammation response that can deteriorate into atherosclerosis and even break the vessels. Herein, a synthesis route of Janus Ag/Ag

Near-infrared (NIR) light has been widely applied in the field of photothermal therapy (PTT). Recent advances in the light wavelength for efficient cancer PTT have gradually shifted from the first NIR (NIR-I) biowindow (700-1000 nm) to the second NIR (NIR-II) biowindow (1000-1350 nm) owing to its intrinsic deeper tissue penetration ability and a higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE) value. Herein, we have prepared nickel sulphide (Ni9S8) nanoparticles (NPs) with a full-spectrum-absorption (400 nm-1100 nm) in the NIR region. By a fair comparison, it is found that the PTT using the NPs upon irradiation from an NIR-II (i.e., 1064 nm) laser is more efficient than that from an NIR-I (i.e., 808, 915, and 976 nm) laser. The large mass extinction coefficient value (22.18 L g-1 cm-1) and high photothermal conversion efficiency (46%) at 1064 nm make these NPs promising candidates for NIR-II photo-thermal therapy. This study will benefit future exploration and optimization of nickel-based photoabsorbers utilizing NIR-II light for photothermal applications.

Direct observation of the nanostructural evolution of electrode materials is critical to understanding lithiation and delithiation processes during cycling of batteries. Due to its real-time monitoring and high spatial resolution, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) plays an important role in understanding the reaction mechanism and dynamic processes in battery materials. This paper reviews the recent progress in using in situ TEM to study individual nanostructures in battery materials using an open-cell design, including for anode materials and cathode materials in lithium ion batteries, and Li–S batteries. Through in situ TEM, the fundamental science and reaction mechanisms, including phase transformations, electrode degradation, size effects, evolution of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and nanostructures, and electrolyte decomposition of nanomaterial-based electrodes were observed during lithiation and delithiation processes. These characteristics will be very useful to the development of basic guidelines for the rational design of high-performance batteries. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of observing individual nanostructures using in situ TEM during electrochemical processes still need to be discussed and addressed.

A self-powered high-performance broadband photodetector was fabricated, based on n-Si(111)/p-NiO heterojunctions consisting of single-crystal NiO nanosheets, via a facile hydrothermal method. The device exhibited broadband detection capabilities (350–600 nm) and excellent self-powered performance, with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) as high as ∼20% under zero bias. Under a low reverse bias of −0.2 V, the highest photosensitivity (photo-dark current ratio) values of 938% and 2249% were achieved under illumination from 350 nm and 600 nm light (0.5 mW cm−2), respectively, which was several orders of magnitude higher than for previously reported Si/NiO heterojunction photodetectors. Under a high reverse bias of −2 V, the excellent EQE of the device was found to be between 62.5% and 89.5% upon illumination from 350–600 nm light. In addition, the fast response speed of the as-fabricated device was less than 30 ms. The results indicate that n-Si(111)/p-NiO heterojunction photodetectors made of single-crystal NiO nanosheets have obvious advantages for application in high-performance and energy-saving optoelectronic devices.

Herein, a simple and an environmentally friendly approach is developed to fabricate the novel MnO@C hierarchical structure, derived from Mn-based metal organic frameworks, which is explored as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. Remarkably, the MnO@C microsphere electrode delivers an outstanding, long cycling capacity of 596.3 mA h g−1 at 5C (1C = 765 mA g−1) after 1000 cycles, and an excellent rate performance of 380.1 mA h g−1 at 10C. The overall outstanding properties of the hierarchical MnO@C composite can be attributed to the success of a new strategy for dual structure design, which provides two pathways for effectively alleviating volume changes and enhancing conductivity based on in situ TEM electrochemical experiments and electrochemical impedance spectra. Both the poor conductivity and great volume changes of the MnO electrode material can be effectively improved in two ways: the porous carbon matrix confining the MnO nanoparticles, and the hierarchical nanorod-assembled architecture. The structures herein suggest new design concepts for metal oxide nanoarchitectures for high performance electrode materials in lithium ion batteries.

In article number 1903674, Guanjie He, Ivan P. Parkin, and co‐workers fabricate self‐standing P‐modified CoMoO(4) materials supported on Ni foam electrocatalyst via a facile hydrothermalannealing method for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The enhanced HER performance and structure‐performance relationship are carefully investigated. [Image: see text]

Although various photothermal therapy (PTT) nanoagents have been developed in recent years, the rational design and easy synthesis of a PTT nanoplatform with improved near-infrared (NIR) absorption have remained challenging. Herein, via a facile one-pot solvothermal strategy, hydrophilic nanosheet-assembled flower-like Fe7S8/Bi2S3 superstructures were fabricated successfully. Such nanoflowers exhibit improved NIR absorption, which is 1.54 times higher than that of pure Bi2S3 nanosheets at a wavelength of 808 nm. Attractively, these nanoflowers could serve as a drug delivery carrier with controlled release under pH/NIR stimuli and display a fascinating chemo-photothermal synergetic therapeutic effect both in vitro and vivo. The resulting nanoflowers may open up a way for the design of other nanoagents with an improved NIR absorption and chemo-photothermal cancer therapy effect.

To retain the agents in tumors for cancer diagnosis and therapy, and then to remove them from the body, are key for the clinical applications of ideal inorganic theranostic agents. To meet these needs, we have developed a transformed theranostic platform, employing PVP coated Fe3S4 tetragonal nanosheets (TNSs), which could effectively accumulate in the tumor under magnetic targeting, whilst gradually transforming to small particles (∼5 nm) over three weeks. These were then effectively excreted from the body in normal physiological conditions after exerting their therapeutic effect. The aqueous dispersion of PVP coated Fe3S4 TNSs had an intense near-infrared absorption, excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (64.3%) and great T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging properties (71.3 mM-1 S-1). In addition, Fe3S4 TNSs could realize a synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT)/chemodynamic therapy (CDT), because the localized heat produced by PTT from the defect-rich structure could enhance the Fenton process by utilizing the overproduced H2O2 in the tumor microenvironment, and in return, the produced ˙OH could inhibit tumor growth and recurrence after PPT. We thus developed a high-efficiency inorganic theranostic platform which was effectively cleared from the body. This will open up a new avenue for the design of inorganic agents for clinical applications in the future.

Correction for ‘Porous cobalt sulfide hollow nanospheres with tunable optical property for magnetic resonance imaging-guided photothermal therapy’ by Guoqiang Guan et al., Nanoscale, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8nr01926f.

A versatile nanoplatform of FeWO4@Polypyrrole (PPy) core/shell nanocomposites, which was facilely fabricated by first hydrothermal synthesis of FeWO4 nanoparticles and subsequent surface-coating of polypyrrole shell, was developed as an effective nanotheranostic agent of cancer. The as-prepared nanocomposites demonstrated excellent dispersion in saline, long-term colloidal storage, outstanding photo-stability and high photothermal efficiency in solution. In particular, FeWO4@PPy exhibited efficient performance for hyperthermia-killing of cancer cells under the irradiation of an 808 nm laser, accompanied with multimodal contrast capabilities for magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computed tomography and infrared thermal imaging in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the nanocomposites presented impactful tumor growth inhibition and good biocompability in animal experiments. Blood circulation and biodistribution of the nanocomposites were also investigated to understand their in vivo behaviours. Our results verified the platform of FeWO4@PPy nanocomposites as a promising photothermal agent for imaging-guided cancer theranostics.

A novel photothermal agent based on PEGylated SnS nanosheets is developed via a simple solvothermal route and the subsequent exfoliation is carried out using an ultrasonication method. The PEGylated SnS nanosheets exhibit much higher extinction coefficient and photothermal conversion efficiency than bulk SnS. With the irradiation of the NIR light, cancer cells in vitro can be efficiently killed by the photothermal effects of the SnS nanosheets. The findings reported here show promising potential for further exploration of 2D nanomaterials as a nanoplatform for cancer therapy.

To shorten the time of corn stalk pretreatment and increase the degradation of lignin, solid state fermentation (SSF) with Aspegillus oryzae CGMCC5992 in the presence of H 2 O 2 was carried out to degrade lignin in stalk. In this study, the conditions for lignin hydrolysis catalyzed by enzymes produced in SSF for 10 days were optimized by mono-factor-at-a-time design and response surface method (RSM). The removal rate of lignin increased from 30% (before hydrolysis) to 80.3% (after hydrolysis) under the temperature of 55 ° C, pH 6.0, water/stalk ratio of 40, and the concentration of H 2 O 2 at 4% (w/w). In comparison, the removal rate of lignin after 50 days of SSF only reached 57.8%. Proteomic analysis provided support for the increased lignin hydrolysis. Fermentation with A. oryzae CGMCC5992 in the presence of H 2 O 2 increased the amount of peroxidase and intracellular catalase and decreased the amount of extracellular catalase. Therefore, the method introduced in this study can significantly shorten the time of SSF and increase the removal rate of lignin.

Aiming to optimize the system-level heat utilization, a pilot-scale direct contact membrane distillation desalination system integrated with heat recovery (DCMD–HX) was studied using Aspen Plus. An implicit expression of gain output ratio (GOR) was derived to reveal the interplay of heat utilization and process parameters including operating conditions, module specifications as well as membrane properties in the DCMD–HX desalination system. Compared to operating temperatures, the feed/permeate recirculating flowrates were identified as the most influential operational factors affecting the GOR. In the current settings, the maximal GOR of 6.0 was observed at low and equivalent feed- and permeate-side flowrates regardless of module specifications. Low flowrates, however, resulted in undesirable low water productivity, which was consistent with the trade-off relationship observed between the heat utilization efficiency and water recovery rate in MD. Employing membranes with high heat-transfer resistance (low conductivity and thicker membrane wall) helped to improve the GOR up to 32%. Simulated results also showed that the GOR value increased by 1.3-fold with the preheater parameter ΔTHX varying from 5 to 0 °C. The non-linear scale-up relationship existed between the membrane area and heat utilization (i.e., GOR) was also observed, indicating the possible uncertainty in accurately predicting the GOR value for industrial-scale desalination systems based on lab-scale module testing.

Spatiotemporal expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) in epithelial and mesenchymal cells is critical for the development of many organs including teeth. Since Bmp4 has a complex and widespread regulatory area in mammals, the tissue-specific enhancers that are responsible for mesenchymal expression of Bmp4 are difficult to identify in mammals. TakiFugu rubripes (Fugu, pufferfish) has a highly compact genome size and is widely used in comparative genomics studies of gene regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we used the Fugu genome to evaluate the 15kb promoter region upstream of the Fugu bmp4 gene. By DNA segmental cloning and luciferase assay with two dental odontoblast-like cell lines, a dental ameloblast-like cell line, and a kidney fibroblast cell line, we identified a 485bp cis-regulatory enhancer between -4213 and -3728bp of the Fugu bmp4 gene. This enhancer showed strong transcriptional activity in all three dental cell lines and, to a lesser extent, also in kidney fibroblast cells. Though not located in an evolutionary conserved region, the enhancer activity for the DNA segment is intense. This is the first time a bmp4 enhancer sequence with activity in both mesenchymal and epithelial cells has been identified, which will help to decode the mechanism of tooth development in vertebrates.

Disparities in cancer care have been a long-standing challenge. We estimated the genetic ancestry of The Cancer Genome Atlas patients, and performed a pan-cancer analysis on the influence of genetic ancestry on genomic alterations. Compared with European Americans, African Americans (AA) with breast, head and neck, and endometrial cancers exhibit a higher level of chromosomal instability, while a lower level of chromosomal instability was observed in AAs with kidney cancers. The frequencies of TP53 mutations and amplification of CCNE1 were increased in AAs in the cancer types showing higher levels of chromosomal instability. We observed lower frequencies of genomic alterations affecting genes in the PI3K pathway in AA patients across cancers. Our result provides insight into genomic contribution to cancer disparities.

The applications of inorganic theranostic agents in clinical trials are generally limited to their innate non-biodegradability and potential long-term biotoxicity. To address this problem, herein via a straightforward and tailored space-confined on-substrate route, we obtained rhenium trioxide (ReO3) nanocubes (NCs) that display a good biocompatibility and biosafety. Importantly, their aqueous dispersion has high localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorbance in near-infrared (NIR) region different from previous report, which possibly associates with the charge transfer and structural distortion in hydrogen rhenium bronze (HxReO3), as well as ReO3's cubic shape. Such a high LSPR absorbance in the NIR region endows them with photoacoustic (PA)/infrared (IR) thermal imaging, and high photothermal conversion efficiency (∼57.0%) for efficient ablation of cancer cells. Also, ReO3 NCs show X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging derived from the high-Z element Re. More attractively, those ReO3 NCs, with pH-dependent oxidized degradation behaviors, are revealed to be relatively stable in hypoxic and weakly acidic microenvironment of tumor for imaging and treatment whilst degradable in normal physiological environments of organs to enable effective clearance. In spite of their degradability, ReO3 NCs still possess tumor targeting capabilities. We thus develop a simple but powerful, safe and biodegradable inorganic theranostic platform to achieve PA/CT/IR imaging-guided cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) for improved therapeutic efficacy and decreased toxic side effects.