Resolving spatiotemporal dynamics in bacterial multicellular populations: approaches and challenges.

SUMMARYThe development of multicellularity represents a key evolutionary transition that is crucial for the emergence of complex life forms. Although multicellularity has traditionally been studied in eukaryotes, it originates in prokaryotes. Coordinated aggregation of individual cells within the confines of a colony results in emerging, higher-level functions that benefit the population as a whole.

Phonon Involved Photoluminescence of Mn Ions Doped CsPbCl Micro-Size Perovskite Assembled Crystals.

Mn ions doped CsPbCl perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit superiority of spin-associated optical and electrical properties. However, precisely controlling the doping concentration, doping location, and the mono-distribution of Mn ions in the large-micro-size CsPbCl perovskite host is a formidable challenge. Here, the micro size CsPbCl perovskite crystals (MCs) are reported with uniform Mn ions doping by self-assembly of Mn ions doped CsPbCl perovskite NCs.

Harnessing Adsorbate-adsorbate Interaction to Activate C-N Bond for Exceptional Photoelectrochemical Urea Oxidation.

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) urea oxidation reaction (UOR) presents a promising half-reaction for green hydrogen production, but the stable resonance structure of the urea molecule results in sluggish kinetics for breaking the C-N bond. Herein, we realize the record PEC UOR performance on a NiO-modified n-Si photoanode (NiO@Ni/n-Si) by harnessing the adsorbate-adsorbate interaction. We quantificationally unveil a dependence of the UOR activation barrier on the coverage of photogenerated surface high-valent Ni-oxo species (NiIV=O) by employing operando PEC spectroscopic measurements and theoretical simulations.

Chiral Metal Coating to Enhance Water Electrolysis.

Producing hydrogen through water splitting often faces challenges of overpotential, stability, and expensive catalysts, which limit its efficiency and hinder the advancement of hydrogen production technologies. Nickel foam and nickel meshes have emerged as promising materials for electrolyzer electrodes due to their high surface area and the ability to produce electrolyzers with a very small gap between the anode and cathode. This study presents a simple method for coating Ni-based electrodes with a chiral Ni-Au film, using electroplating, thus enhancing its efficiency dramatically.

Voices of Nanomedicine: Blueprint Guidelines for Collaboration in Addressing Global Unmet Medical Needs.

The "" under this Perspective underline the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across several disciplines, such as medical science and technology, medicine, bioengineering, and computational approaches, in bridging the gap between research, manufacturing, and clinical applications. Effective communication is key to bridging team gaps, enhancing trust, and resolving conflicts, thereby fostering teamwork and individual growth toward shared goals. Drawing from the success of the COVID-19 vaccine development, we advocate the application of similar collaborative models in other complex health areas such as nanomedicine and biomedical engineering.

Digital light processing printing of non-modified protein-only compositions.

This study explores the utilization of digital light processing (DLP) printing to fabricate complex structures using native gelatin as the sole structural component for applications in biological implants. Unlike approaches relying on synthetic materials or chemically modified biopolymers, this research harnesses the inherent properties of gelatin to create biocompatible structures. The printing process is based on a crosslinking mechanism using a di-tyrosine formation initiated by visible light irradiation.

Shell Dependence of Highly Tunable Circular Dichroism in Chiral Hybrid Plasmonic Nanomaterials for Chiroptical Applications.

Chiral plasmonic nanomaterials with fascinating physical and chemical properties show emerging chirality-dependent applications in photonics, catalysis, and sensing. The capability to precisely manipulate the plasmonic chirality in a broad spectral range plays a crucial role in enabling the applications of chiral nanomaterials in diverse and complex scenarios; however, it remains a challenge yet to be addressed. Here we demonstrate a strategy to significantly enhance the tunability of circular dichroism (CD) spectra of chiral nanomaterials by constructing core-shell hybrid metal-semiconductor structures with tailored shells.

Thymidine Phosphodiester Chemiluminescent Probe for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase 1.

ENPP-1 is a transmembrane enzyme involved in nucleotide metabolism, and its overexpression is associated with various cancers, making it a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for early tumor diagnosis. Current detection methods for ENPP-1 utilize a colorimetric probe, , which has significant limitations in sensitivity. Here, we present probe , the first nucleic acid-based chemiluminescent probe designed for rapid and highly sensitive detection of ENPP-1 activity.

Self-association of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes in a deep eutectic solvent enhances guest solubility.

Cyclodextrins are widely used pharmaceutical excipients known to increase the solubility of drug compounds through formation of inclusion complexes. A prominent limitation of common cyclodextrins is their own scarce solubility in water, which renders them unsuitable for many drug formulations. Cyclodextrin solubility can be enhanced in appropriate media such as Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs).

Bioconversion of bread waste into high-quality proteins and biopolymers by fermentation of archaea .

The valorization of bread waste into high-quality protein and biopolymers using the halophilic microorganism presents a sustainable approach to food waste management and resource optimization. This study successfully coproduced protein and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biopolymer with a biomass content of 8.0 ± 0.

Highly Fluorescent Bio-Synthesized Carbon Quantum Dots for Latent Fingerprint Detection.

This study introduces an innovative approach to high-resolution latent fingerprint detection using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) biosynthesized from spent coffee grounds, enhanced with nitrogen doping. Conventional fingerprinting methods frequently use hazardous chemicals and are costly, highlighting the need for eco-friendly, affordable alternatives that preserve detection quality. The biosynthesized nitrogen-doped CQDs exhibit strong photoluminescence and high stability, offering a sustainable, effective alternative for fingerprint imaging.

Non-Invasive Nanometer Resolution Assessment of Cell-Soft Hydrogel System Mechanical Properties by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy.

Biomimetic hydrogels have garnered increased interest due to their considerable potential for use in various fields, such as tissue engineering, 3D cell cultivation, and drug delivery. The primary challenge for applying hydrogels in tissue engineering is accurately evaluating their mechanical characteristics. In this context, we propose a method using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) to determine the rigidity of living human breast cancer cells MCF-7 cells grown on a soft, self-assembled Fmoc-FF peptide hydrogel.

Delivery of genetic medicines for muscular dystrophies.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of heterogenic disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness, the most common of them being Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Muscular dystrophies are caused by mutations in over 50 distinct genes, and many of them are caused by different genetic mechanisms. Currently, none of these diseases have a cure.

Photocatalytic Semiconductor-Metal Hybrid Nanoparticles: Single-Atom Catalyst Regime Surpasses Metal Tips.

Semiconductor-metal hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) are promising materials for photocatalytic applications, such as water splitting for green hydrogen generation. While most studies have focused on Cd containing HNPs, the realization of actual applications will require environmentally compatible systems. Using heavy-metal free ZnSe-Au HNPs as a model, we investigate the dependence of their functionality and efficiency on the cocatalyst metal domain characteristics ranging from the single-atom catalyst (SAC) regime to metal-tipped systems.

Chiral-induced unidirectional spin-to-charge conversion.

The observation of spin-dependent transmission of electrons through chiral molecules has led to the discovery of chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS). The remarkably high efficiency of the spin polarizing effect has recently gained substantial interest due to the high potential for future sustainable hybrid chiral molecule magnetic applications. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying the chiral-induced phenomena remain to be understood fully.

High-fat diet mouse model receiving L-glucose supplementations propagates liver injury.

Background And Aims: Limited data link manufactured sweeteners impact on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aimed to evaluate the effects of manufactured sugars (L-glucose) compared to natural sugars (D-glucose) on phenotype, molecular and metabolic changes in mice models fed with either regular diet (RD) or high fat diet (HFD).

Methods: C57BL/6 mice fed 16-weeks with either RD; 70% carbohydrate or HFD; 60% fat, with or without additional glucose (Glu, at 18% w/v) to drinking tap water at weeks 8-16; of either natural (D-Glu) or manufactured (L-Glu) sugars.

Targeted CRISPR/Cas9 Lipid Nanoparticles Elicits Therapeutic Genome Editing in Head and Neck Cancer.

Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) originate in the upper aerodigestive tract, including the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Current treatments of locally advanced HNSCC often lead to high treatment failure, and disease recurrence, resulting in poor survival rates. Advances in mRNA technologies and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems led to several clinical trials involving LNP-CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA-based therapeutics.

Collective Interactions of Quantum-Confined Excitons in Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Superlattices.

Collective optical properties can emerge from an ordered ensemble of emitters due to interactions between the individual units. Superlattices of halide perovskite nanocrystals exhibit collective light emission, influenced by dipole-dipole interactions between simultaneously excited nanocrystals. This coupling changes both the emission energy and rate compared to the emission of uncoupled nanocrystals.

Superabsorbent Capped Truncated Silica Microcone Arrays: Fabrication and Extended Laplace Pressure and Gibbs Free Energy Study.

The ability of a surface to completely absorb a liquid droplet is an important property that can be controlled by geometrical structure and chemical composition of the surface. Here, using Laplace pressure and Gibbs free energy (GFE) considerations, a capped truncated microcone array geometry is proposed to obtain a near zero degree for contact angle (θ) of a water droplet. Our results showed that two essential conditions must be met to achieve a superabsorbent surface.

Rapid Stiffness Mapping in Soft Biologic Tissues With Micrometer Resolution Using Optical Multifrequency Time-Harmonic Elastography.

Rapid mapping of the mechanical properties of soft biological tissues from light microscopy to macroscopic imaging can transform fundamental biophysical research by providing clinical biomarkers to complement in vivo elastography. This work introduces superfast optical multifrequency time-harmonic elastography (OMTHE) to remotely encode surface and subsurface shear wave fields for generating maps of tissue stiffness with unprecedented detail resolution. OMTHE rigorously exploits the space-time propagation characteristics of multifrequency time-harmonic waves to address current limitations of biomechanical imaging and elastography.

Nanobiotechnology for efficient plum pox virus elimination from apricot plants.

Metallic nanoparticles have antimicrobial, virucidal, and anticancer activities and have been widely applied in medicine. In plants, silver nanoparticles have been used as preventive treatments in the greenhouse to reduce viral titers and symptoms. This work investigates the effect of Argovit™ AgNP formulation on apricot plants infected with Plum pox virus or with Hop stunt viroid.

Two-in-one nanoparticle platform induces a strong therapeutic effect of targeted therapies in P-selectin-expressing cancers.

Combined therapies in cancer treatment aim to enhance antitumor activity. However, delivering multiple small molecules imposes challenges, as different drugs have distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and tumor penetration abilities, affecting their therapeutic efficacy. To circumvent this, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based nanoparticles were developed as a platform for the codelivery of synergistic drug ratios, improving therapeutic efficacy by increasing the percentage of injected dose reaching the tumor.

Green Synthesis of Curcumin-Loaded Bacterial Nanocellulose for Topical Application: Preparation and In vivo Study.

Background: Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is typically produced through fermentation using Hestrin Schramm (HS) médium. However, its high cost limits its use in industry. Moreover, curcumin, as a model substance, is a potential bioactive compound but has low bioavailability.