Cellulose Elementary Fibrils as Deagglomerated Binder for High-Mass-Loading Lithium Battery Electrodes.

Amidst the ever-growing interest in high-mass-loading Li battery electrodes, a persistent challenge has been the insufficient continuity of their ion/electron conduction pathways. Here, we propose cellulose elementary fibrils (CEFs) as a class of deagglomerated binder for high-mass-loading electrodes. Derived from natural wood, CEF represents the most fundamental unit of cellulose with nanoscale diameter.

Fibroblast activation protein peptide-targeted NIR-I/II fluorescence imaging for stable and functional detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the primary stromal component of the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), affecting tumor progression and post-resection recurrence. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a key biomarker of CAFs. However, there is limited evidence on using FAP as a target in near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging for HCC.

Inhibiting Lattice Distortion of Ultrahigh Nickel Co-Free Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Ultrahigh nickel cathode materials are widely utilized due to their outstanding energy and power densities. However, the presence of cobalt can cause significant lattice distortion during charge and discharge cycles, leading to the loss of active lithium, the formation of lattice cracks, and the emergence of a rock salt phase that hinders lithium-ion transport. Herein, we developed a novel cobalt-free, aluminum-doped cathode material, LiNiMnAlO (NMA), which effectively delays the harmful H2-H3 phase transition, reduces lattice distortion, alleviates stress release, and significantly enhances structural stability.

Thermal- and Rate-Regulated Fast Switchable Adhesion within Glass Transition Zone of an Epoxy Polymer.

Thermoresponsive shape memory polymer (SMP) adhesives have demonstrated a high adhesion strength and large switching ratios on different substrates. However, a long response time to switch adhesion on or off is generally encountered. This study provides a fast adhesion switching method based on the temperature and rate dependence of adhesion within the glass-transition zone of an epoxy polymer.

State-of-the-art advances in homogeneous molecular catalysis for the Guerbet upgrading of bio-ethanol to fuel-grade bio-butanol.

The upgrading of ethanol to -butanol marks a major breakthrough in the field of biofuel technology, offering the advantages of compatibility with existing infrastructure while simultaneously offering potential benefits in terms of transport efficiency and energy density. With its lower vapour pressure and reduced corrosiveness compared to ethanol, -butanol is easier not only to manage but also to transport, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure changes. This leads to improved fuel efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.

Ganglioside-incorporating lipid nanoparticles as a polyethylene glycol-free mRNA delivery platform.

Incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation in order to achieve adequate stability due to its stealth properties. However, studies have detected the presence of anti-PEG neutralizing antibodies after PEGylated LNP treatment, which are associated with anaphylaxis, accelerated LNP clearance and premature release of cargo. Here, we report the development of LNPs incorporating ganglioside, a naturally occurring stealth lipid, as a PEG-free alternative.

Characterization of the ligand-binding properties of odorant-binding protein 38 from when interacting with soybean volatiles.

Background: (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is a major soybean pest throughout East Asia that relies on its advanced olfactory system for the perception of plant-derived volatile compounds and aggregation pheromones for conspecific and host plant localization. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) facilitate the transport of odorant compounds across the sensillum lymph within the insect olfactory system, enabling their interaction with odorant receptors (ORs).

Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses, fluorescence-based competitive binding assays, and molecular docking analyses were applied to assess the expression and ligand-binding properties of OBP38 from .

Unleashing the Power of Covalent Drugs for Protein Degradation.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a significant therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Advances in TPD techniques, such as molecular glue (MG) and lysosome-dependent strategies, have shown substantial progress since the inception of the first PROTAC in 2001. The PROTAC methodology represents the forefront of TPD technology, with ongoing evaluation in more than 20 clinical trials for the treatment of diverse medical conditions.

The enhancement of Li-ion conductivity in 2D metalloid organic frameworks nodal element substitution.

The development of solid-state electrolytes has become crucial for promoting the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, the substitution of nodal elements from Si to Ge significantly improved the lithium ionic conductivity in 2D metalloid organic frameworks, resulting in an enhancement of approximately one order of magnitude.

The addition of vitamin E could reduce femoral head penetration of the polyethylene liners.

Background: Vitamin E-diffused highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE/Vit E) is a relatively advanced material used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) but whether it shows superiority is unclear.

Objective: This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effect of HXLPE/Vit E liners in THA.

Methods: Medline/PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched to retrieve studies assessing the efficacy of HXLPE/Vit E liners in THA with the design of a randomized, controlled trial.

GLUT1 as a generic biomarker enables near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging guided precise intraoperative tumor detection in breast cancer.

Purpose: Precise tumor excision is important but challenging in breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Tumor-specific fluorescence imaging may be used for intraoperative tumor detection and, therefore, to guide precise tumor excision. The aims of this study are to develop a glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1)-targeted near-infrared fluorescence tracer and evaluate its accuracy for breast cancer detection using fresh surgical breast specimens.

Fluorescent CdTe/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots for Sensitive Metabolite Detection in Real Samples.

This study highlights the aqueous synthesis of CdTe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) and their application as fluorescence sensors for detecting critical metabolites, including folic acid, glucose, and vitamin C, in real biological samples. The synthesized QDs exhibit excellent quantum efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility, enhanced by mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) ligands, enabling eco-friendly and accurate sensing. Detection limits of 0.

Circulating tumour DNA in early stage and locally advanced NSCLC: ready for clinical implementation?

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can be released by cancer cells into biological fluids through apoptosis, necrosis or active release. In patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ctDNA levels correlate with clinical and pathological factors, including histology, tumour size and proliferative status. Currently, ctDNA analysis is recommended for molecular profiling in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.

Apaf-1 is an evolutionarily conserved DNA sensor that switches the cell fate between apoptosis and inflammation.

Apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was traditionally defined as a scaffold protein in mammalian cells for assembling a caspase activation platform known as the 'apoptosome' after its binding to cytochrome c. Although Apaf-1 structurally resembles animal NOD-like receptor (NLR) and plant resistance (R) proteins, whether it is directly involved in innate immunity is still largely unknown. Here, we found that Apaf-1-like molecules from lancelets, fruit flies, mice, and humans have conserved DNA sensing functionality.

Comparison of TPF and PF induction chemotherapy combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The standard of care for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) is induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT). However, the ideal ICT regimen for LA-NPC remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the survival outcomes, responses, and incidences of toxicities between taxane, cisplatin and fluorouracil (TPF) and cisplatin and fluorouracil (PF) ICT regimens plus CCRT in LA-NPC.

Enhancing biobutanol production by optimizing acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation from sorghum grains through strategic immobilization of amylolytic enzymes.

Tannin-containing sorghum grains, suitable for acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) production by Clostridium acetobutylicum, have required pretreatment to eliminate tannins inhibiting the strain's amylolytic activity. This study investigates biobutanol production enhancement by immobilizing enzymes on polydopamine-functionalized polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with magnetic nanoparticles for Separated Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF) and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) processes. After multi-stage hot water treatment, TG3 sorghum (from the third stage) was used, where the enzyme-immobilized PES membrane produced 4.

Influence of diabetes mellitus on metabolic networks in lung cancer patients: an analysis using dynamic total-body PET/CT imaging.

Introduction: The intricate interplay between organs can give rise to a multitude of physiological conditions. Disruptions such as inflammation or tissue damage can precipitate the development of chronic diseases such as tumors or diabetes mellitus (DM). While both lung cancer and DM are the consequences of disruptions in homeostasis, the relationship between them is intricate.

Bioactive Silk Cryogel Dressing with Multiple Physical Cues to Control Cell Migration and Wound Regeneration.

Introducing multiple physical cues to control cell behaviors effectively is considered as a promising strategy in developing bioactive wound dressings. Silk nanofiber-based cryogels are developed to favor angiogenesis and tissue regeneration through tuning hydrated state, microporous structure, and mechanical property, but remained a challenge to endow with more physical cues. Here, β-sheet rich silk nanofibers are used to develop cryogels with nanopore structure.

Recent Advances in Structural Design of Carbon/Magnetic Composites and their Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Applications.

Electromagnetic pollution protection and military stealth technologies underscore the urgent need to develop efficient electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials (EWAMs). Traditional EWAMs suffer from single absorption loss mechanisms, poor impedance matching, and weak reflection loss. To date, combining dielectric loss with magnetic loss in EWAMs have proven to be an effective approach to enhancing electromagnetic absorption performance.

Multi-Vortex Regulation in a Simple Semicircular Microchannel with Ordered Micro-Obstacles for High-Throughput Buffer Exchange.

Microfluidics is an emerging technology for buffer exchange in bioprocessing applications. However, achieving buffer exchange with simplicity of operation and high throughput in a straightforward channel design remains a challenge. This study presents a novel semicircular microchannel design that allows for the deterministic regulation of helical and Dean vortices through geometric confinement.

Sprayable Hydrogel for pH-Responsive Nanozyme-Derived Bacteria-Infected Wound Healing.

Long-term inflammation and persistent bacterial infection are primary contributors to unhealed chronic wounds. The use of conventional antibiotics often leads to bacteria drug resistance, diminishing wound healing effectiveness. Nanozymes have become a promising alternative to antimicrobial materials due to their low cost, easy synthesis, and good stability.

Efficient and accurate tobacco leaf maturity detection: an improved YOLOv10 model with DCNv3 and efficient local attention integration.

The precise determination of tobacco leaf maturity is pivotal for safeguarding the taste and quality of tobacco products, augmenting the financial gains of tobacco growers, and propelling the industry's sustainable progression. This research addresses the inherent subjectivity and variability in conventional maturity evaluation techniques reliant on human expertise by introducing an innovative YOLOv10-based method for tobacco leaf maturity detection. This technique facilitates a rapid and non-invasive assessment of leaf maturity, significantly elevating the accuracy and efficiency of tobacco leaf quality evaluation.

The current landscape and prospects of antibody-drug conjugates for lung cancer brain metastases: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: As the most common cancer to progress to brain metastases (BMs), lung cancer presents with intracranial involvement in approximately 20% of patients at the time of diagnosis and lung cancer BMs constitute approximately half of all BMs. The current clinical strategy for managing lung cancer BMs involves a combination of systemic anticancer therapies with local radiation or surgical interventions. The efficacy of systemic treatments is often constrained by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the poor inhibition effect of the drug itself.

Recent Advances in Indocyanine Green-Based Probes for Second Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Therapy.

Fluorescence imaging, a highly sensitive molecular imaging modality, is being increasingly integrated into clinical practice. Imaging within the second near-infrared biological window (NIR-II; 1,000 to 1,700 nm), also referred to as shortwave infrared, has received substantial attention because of its markedly reduced autofluorescence, deeper tissue penetration, and enhanced spatiotemporal resolution as compared to traditional near-infrared (NIR) imaging. Indocyanine green (ICG), a US Food and Drug Administration-approved NIR fluorophore, has long been used in clinical applications, including blood vessel angiography, vascular perfusion monitoring, and tumor detection.