Hidden route of protein damage through oxygen-confined photooxidation.

Oxidative modifications can disrupt protein folds and functions, and are strongly associated with human aging and diseases. Conventional oxidation pathways typically involve the free diffusion of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which primarily attack the protein surface. Yet, it remains unclear whether and how internal protein folds capable of trapping oxygen (O) contribute to oxidative damage.

Deeply Implantable, Shape-Morphing, 3D MicroLEDs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.

Controlled photooxidation-mediated disruption of collagens in the tumor microenvironment can reduce desmoplasia and enhance immune responsiveness. However, achieving effective light delivery to solid tumors, particularly those with dynamic volumetric changes like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), remains challenging and limits the repeated and sustained photoactivation of drugs. Here, 3D, shape-morphing, implantable photonic devices (IPDs) are introduced that enable tumor-specific and continuous light irradiation for effective metronomic photodynamic therapy (mPDT).

Rational Design of Biocompatible Ir(III) Photosensitizer to Overcome Drug-Resistant Cancer via Oxidative Autophagy Inhibition.

Autophagy is a crucial quality control mechanism that degrades damaged cellular components through lysosomal fusion with autophagosomes. However, elevated autophagy levels can promote drug resistance in cancer cells, enhancing their survival. Downregulation of autophagy through oxidative stress is a clinically promising strategy to counteract drug resistance, yet precise control of oxidative stress in autophagic proteins remains challenging.

Unveiling the Power of Cloaking Metal-Organic Framework Platforms via Supramolecular Antibody Conjugation.

Targeted drug delivery systems based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have progressed tremendously since inception and are now widely applicable in diverse scientific fields. However, translating MOF agents directly to targeted drug delivery systems remains a challenge due to the biomolecular corona phenomenon. Here, we observed that supramolecular conjugation of antibodies to the surface of MOF particles (MOF-808) via electrostatic interactions and coordination bonding can reduce protein adhesion in biological environments and show stealth shields.

Multi-source remote sensing-based landslide investigation: the case of the August 7, 2020, Gokseong landslide in South Korea.

Landslides pose a growing concern worldwide, emphasizing the need for accurate prediction and assessment to mitigate their impact. Recent advancements in remote sensing technology offer unprecedented datasets at various scales, yet practical applications demand further case studies to fully integrate these technologies into landslide analysis. This study presents a case study approach to fully leverage variety of multi-source remote sensing technologies for analyzing the characteristics of a landslide.

Oxidative photocatalysis on membranes triggers non-canonical pyroptosis.

Intracellular membranes composing organelles of eukaryotes include membrane proteins playing crucial roles in physiological functions. However, a comprehensive understanding of the cellular responses triggered by intracellular membrane-focused oxidative stress remains elusive. Herein, we report an amphiphilic photocatalyst localised in intracellular membranes to damage membrane proteins oxidatively, resulting in non-canonical pyroptosis.

Amine-Rich Hydrogels for Molecular Nanoarchitectonics of Photosystem II and Inverse Opal TiO toward Solar Water Oxidation.

Solar water oxidation is a crucial process in light-driven reductive synthesis, providing electrons and protons for various chemical reductions. Despite advances in light-harvesting materials and cocatalysts, achieving high efficiency and stability remains challenging. In this study, we present a simple yet effective strategy for immobilizing natural photosystems (PS) made of abundant and inexpensive elements, using amine-rich polyethylenimine (PEI) hydrogels, to fabricate organic/inorganic hybrid photoanodes.

Acquisition of high-resolution topographic information in forest environments using integrated UAV-LiDAR system: System development and field demonstration.

High-resolution topographic information of landslide-prone areas plays an important role in accurate prediction and characterization of potential landslides and mitigation of landslides-associated hazards. This study presents an advanced geomorphological surveying system that integrates the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a multi-rotor aerial vehicle in specific, for prediction, monitoring and forensic analysis of landslides, and for maintenance of debris-flow barriers. The test-flight over a vegetated area demonstrates that the integrated UAV-LiDAR system can provide high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) LiDAR point clouds below canopy and vegetation in forest environments, overcoming the limitation of aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR platforms.

Ionic Ir(III) complex-interfacial layer for efficient carrier collection induced electric dipole.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar cells (PSCs) has recently reached >19% through the development of photoactive materials, particularly non-fullerene acceptors. Interfacial layers (ILs) have been another essential factor in optimizing device charge extraction. In this study, we propose a series of ILs, in which ionic iridium(III) (Ir(III)) complexes of different alkali metal cations (Li, Na, and K) enhance the charge collection efficiency between zinc oxide and active layers through an induced internal electric field.

Controlling Morphologies of Redox-Responsive Polymeric Nanocarriers for a Smart Drug Delivery System.

Redox-responsive nanocarriers using disulfides or thiols have received considerable attention owing to the higher levels of glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells than those in extracellular fluids. Nevertheless, the normal-to-cancer-cell selectivity of these nanocarriers has not yet been clarified. Nanocarriers exhibit different cytotoxicities depending on the morphologies they adopt under the redox-active conditions typically existing in cancerous cells.

Dual-Modulated Release of a Cytotoxic Photosensitizer Using Photogenerated Reactive Oxygen Species and Glutathione.

Reversible thiol-disulfide exchange chemistry is of particular interest in drug delivery systems. However, high levels of glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells are hard to distinguish from GSH in normal cells, resulting in unmanageable cytotoxic drug release. This study investigates the spatiotemporally-controlled irreversible degradation of Ir-based photosensitizer (TIr3)-encapsulating nanogels (IrNG) through the hyperoxidation of resulting intracellular thiols using reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Singlet Oxygen Generation from Polyaminoglycerol by Spin-Flip-Based Electron Transfer.

Reactive oxygen species have drawn attention owing to their strong oxidation ability. In particular, the singlet oxygen (O) produced by energy transfer is the predominant species for controlling oxidation reactions efficiently. However, conventional O generators, which rely on enhanced energy transfer, frequently suffer from poor solubility, low stability, and low biocompatibility.

Non-destructive Monitoring of Dye Depth Profile in Mesoporous TiO Electrodes of Solar Cells with Micro-SORS.

The dye distribution within a photo-electrode is a key parameter in determining the performances of dye-sensitized photon-to-electron conversion devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A traditional, depth profiling investigation by destructive means including cross-sectional sampling is unsuitable for large quality control applications in manufacturing processes. Therefore, a non-destructive monitoring of the dye depth profile is required, which is the first step toward a non-destructive evaluation of the internal degradation of the device in the field.

Sono-Cavitation and Nebulization-Based Synthesis of Conjugated Microporous Polymers for Energy Storage Applications.

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are promising energy storage materials owing to their rigid and cross-linked microporous structures. However, the fabrication of nano- and microstructured CMP films for practical applications is currently limited by processing challenges. Herein, we report that combined sono-cavitation and nebulization synthesis (SNS) is an effective method for the synthesis of CMP films from a monomer precursor solution.

Selective photocatalytic production of CH using Zn-based polyoxometalate as a nonconventional CO reduction catalyst.

Efficient and selective production of CH through the CO reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a challenging task due to the high amount of energy consumption and various reaction pathways. Here, we report the synthesis of Zn-based polyoxometalate (ZnPOM) and its application in the photocatalytic CO2RR. Unlike conventional Zn-based catalysts that produce CO, ZnPOM can selectively catalyze the production of CH in the presence of an Ir-based photosensitizer (TIr3) through the photocatalytic CO2RR.

Analysing the mechanism of mitochondrial oxidation-induced cell death using a multifunctional iridium(III) photosensitiser.

Mitochondrial oxidation-induced cell death, a physiological process triggered by various cancer therapeutics to induce oxidative stress on tumours, has been challenging to investigate owing to the difficulties in generating mitochondria-specific oxidative stress and monitoring mitochondrial responses simultaneously. Accordingly, to the best of our knowledge, the relationship between mitochondrial protein oxidation via oxidative stress and the subsequent cell death-related biological phenomena has not been defined. Here, we developed a multifunctional iridium(III) photosensitiser, Ir-OA, capable of inducing substantial mitochondrial oxidative stress and monitoring the corresponding change in viscosity, polarity, and morphology.

Effect of Fluid-Rock Interactions on In Situ Bacterial Alteration of Interfacial Properties and Wettability of CO-Brine-Mineral Systems for Geologic Carbon Storage.

This study explored the feasibility of biosurfactant amendment in modifying the interfacial characteristics of carbon dioxide (CO) with rock minerals under high-pressure conditions for GCS. In particular, while varying the CO phase and the rock mineral, we quantitatively examined the production of biosurfactants by and their effects on interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability in CO-brine-mineral systems. The results demonstrated that surfactin produced by caused the reduction of CO-brine IFT and modified the wettability of both quartz and calcite minerals to be more CO-wet.

Contact-ID, a tool for profiling organelle contact sites, reveals regulatory proteins of mitochondrial-associated membrane formation.

The mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) has emerged as a cellular signaling hub regulating various cellular processes. However, its molecular components remain unclear owing to lack of reliable methods to purify the intact MAM proteome in a physiological context. Here, we introduce Contact-ID, a split-pair system of BioID with strong activity, for identification of the MAM proteome in live cells.

Dual-Functional Electrolyte Additives toward Long-Cycling Lithium-Ion Batteries: Ecofriendly Designed Carbonate Derivatives.

Long-term stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) layers formed on anodes and cathodes is imperative to mitigate the interfacial degradation of electrodes and enhance the cycle life of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the SEI on the anode and CEI on the cathode are vulnerable to the reactive species of PF and HF produced by the decomposition and hydrolysis of the conventional LiPF electrolyte in a battery inevitably containing a trace amount of water. Here, we report a new class of cyclic carbonate-based electrolyte additives to preserve the integrity of SEI and CEI in LIBs.

Bioinspired, High-Sensitivity Mechanical Sensors Realized with Hexagonal Microcolumnar Arrays Coated with Ultrasonic-Sprayed Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The development of a flexible electronic skin (e-skin) highly sensitive to multimodal vibrations and a specialized sensing ability is of great interest for a plethora of applications, such as tactile sensors for robots, seismology, healthcare, and wearable electronics. Here, we present an e-skin design characterized by a bioinspired, microhexagonal structure coated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using an ultrasonic spray method. We have demonstrated the outstanding performances of the device in terms of the capability to detect both static and dynamic mechanical stimuli including pressure, shear displacement, and bending using the principles of piezoresistivity.

Chemical strategies to modify amyloidogenic peptides using iridium(iii) complexes: coordination and photo-induced oxidation.

Amyloidogenic peptides are considered central pathological contributors towards neurodegeneration as observed in neurodegenerative disorders [, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in Alzheimer's disease (AD)]; however, their roles in the pathologies of such diseases have not been fully elucidated since they are challenging targets to be studied due to their heterogeneous nature and intrinsically disordered structure. Chemical approaches to modify amyloidogenic peptides would be valuable in advancing our molecular-level understanding of their involvement in neurodegeneration. Herein, we report effective chemical strategies for modification of Aβ peptides (, coordination and coordination-/photo-mediated oxidation) implemented by a single Ir(iii) complex in a photo-dependent manner.

Video data of hydraulic fracture propagation in two-dimensionally confined gelatin plates.

This data article presents 36 raw and unprocessed video files which were obtained during hydraulic fracture experiments in two-dimensionally confined gelatin plates. Initiation and propagation of bi-wing fractures were recorded at 50 frames per second with the resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. The gelatin stiffness, the fluid viscosity, and the flow rate were controlled.

MOF × Biopolymer: Collaborative Combination of Metal-Organic Framework and Biopolymer for Advanced Anticancer Therapy.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles with high porosity and greater tunability have emerged as new drug delivery vehicles. However, premature drug release still remains a challenge in the MOF delivery system. Here, we report an enzyme-responsive, polymer-coated MOF gatekeeper system using hyaluronic acid (HA) and PCN-224 nanoMOF.

Phosphorescent Energy Downshifting for Diminishing Surface Recombination in Silicon Nanowire Solar Cells.

Molecularly engineered Ir(III) complexes can transfer energy from short-wavelength photons (λ < 450 nm) to photons of longer wavelength (λ > 500 nm), which can enhance the otherwise low internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of crystalline Si (c-Si) nanowire solar cells (NWSCs) in the short-wavelength region. Herein, we demonstrate a phosphorescent energy downshifting system using Ir(III) complexes at short wavelengths (300-450 nm) to diminish the severe surface recombination that occurs in c-Si NWSCs. The developed Ir(III) complexes can be considered promising energy converters because they exhibit superior intrinsic properties such as a high quantum yield, a large Stokes shift, a long exciton diffusion length in crystalline film, and a reproducible synthetic procedure.