GABA-Decorated Nanocarrier for Smart Delivery of Fludioxonil for Targeted Control of Banana Wilt Disease.

Developing a targeted nanopesticide to control the vascular disease of banana in agriculture is crucial to improve pesticide utilization. In this study, according to the degree of functionalization, three γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-decorated nanocarriers (PSI-GABA, PSI-GABA, and PSI-GABA) were constructed for smart delivery of nonsystemic fungicide in banana phloem tissues. Fludioxonil (Flu) was loaded in nanocarriers to form Flu@PSI-GABA nanoparticles with a core/shell structure for control of banana wilt disease.

Towards novel small-molecule inhibitors blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway: From explainable machine learning models to molecular dynamics simulation.

Molecular design of small-molecule inhibitors targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway has been recognized as an active research area by the clinical success of cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, using machine learning (ML) methods to accelerate drug design have been confirmed. However, the black box character of ML methods makes model interpretation and ligands optimization obscured.

A novel multifunctional PEEK internal fixation plate regulated by Gentamicin/chitosan coating.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been broadly used in orthopedic implant devices. Nevertheless, the bioinert tended to cause implant loosening and bacterial infection in orthopedic and trauma surgery. In this study, a drug-laden chitosan coating (CS) was constructed and deposited on the porous surface of PEEK (CG-SPEEK) internal fixation plate for multi-functionalization.

Synergistic Pd/Ni Dual-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Azaaryl Acetates with -Difluorinated Cyclopropanes.

We herein report the development of a novel Pd/Ni dual-catalyzed ring-opening functionalization of -difluorinated cyclopropanes (-FCPs) with azaaryl acetates. This bimetallic catalytic strategy streamlines the diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) of α-quaternary 2-fluoroallylic azaaryl acetates with features of a broad scope and excellent functional group tolerance, which enables the efficient late-stage transformation of natural product-derived -FCPs. The resulting α-quaternary azaaryl acetates could serve as a valuable platform to prepare other different fluoroallylic azaaryl scaffolds.

Optimized nanopesticide delivery of thiamethoxam to cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) controls thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) and reduces toxicity to non-target worker bees (Apis mellifera).

Thrips [Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall)] (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a pest that poses a serious challenge to global crop production and food supply, especially to the cowpea industry. Nano-delivery systems have broad application prospects in the prevention and control of pests in agriculture. Herein, three types of amino acid (AA) modified polysuccinimide nano-delivery carriers (PSI-GABA, PSI-ASP and PSI-GLU) were constructed with a diameter of approximately 150 nm to load thiamethoxam (THX), which enhanced THX effective distribution and use with cowpea plants.

Cobalt-zinc carbides embedded in N-doped porous carbon nanospheres as polysulfide mediators for efficient lithium-sulfur batteries.

Developing high-efficiency interlayer catalysts is a promising tactic for improving the cycling performance of rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, using the Prussian blue analogue as the precursor, cobalt-zinc carbide nanocrystal-embedded N-doped porous carbon (CoZnC@NC) is synthesized simple post-carbonization. The obtained CoZnC@NC nanospheres exhibit a robust core-shell structure showing good conductivity, high porosity and available metal active sites, favoring the interfacial charge transfer and the electron transport upon electrochemical reactions.

Bimetallic FeCo-MOFs mediated Au nanorods etching for the multi-colorimetric and photothermal immunosensing of illegal additive.

With the rapid expansion of the health food industry, the scope of safety supervision has also increased. However, traditional instrument detection methods cannot meet the requirements for the rapid on-site detection. Hence, the development of a rapid, precise, and simple method for the analysis of illegal additives in health foods is of great importance.

Monoclonal antibody based colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for the visual and rapid screening of profenofos.

Profenofos (PFF) is a commonly used organophosphorus insecticide that requires strict monitoring due to its potential environmental, ecological, and human health risks originating from residues in soil and water systems, as well as accumulation in crops. In this study, a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to PFF was prepared for the first time and the recognition mechanism was investigated through molecular simulation. Subsequently, a mAb-based colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) was developed for the rapid screening of PFF in fruit and vegetable samples.

Delivery of luminescent particles to plants for information encoding and storage.

In the era of smart agriculture, the precise labeling and recording of growth information in plants pose challenges for modern agricultural production. This study introduces strontium aluminate particles coated with HPO as luminescent labels capable of spatial embedding within plants for information encoding and storage during growth. The encapsulation with HPO imparts stability and enhanced luminescence to SrAlO:Eu,Dy (SAO).

Dual cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogel for dendrites-inhibited flexible zinc-ion energy storage devices with ultra-long cycles and high energy density.

Hydrogel electrolytes, renowned for their mechanical robustness and versatility, are crucial in ensuring stable energy output in flexible energy storage devices. This work presents a dual cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogel electrolyte with chemical cross-linking from covalent bonding and physical cross-linking from hydrogen bonding. This electrolyte demonstrated outstanding mechanical strength and porous structure with abundant hydroxyl groups, which facilitates the migration of Zn and suppresses the formation of undesirable zinc dendrite, thereby enhancing the ion conductivity (18.

Self-separating core-shell spheres with a carboxymethyl chitosan/acrylic acid/FeO composite core for soil Cd removal.

Cadmium (Cd) removal from soil is crucial as Cd enters the food chain and affect food safety, thus impose severe threaten to human health. We developed PPC@PC-Fe, a dual-functional core-shell sphere for efficient soil Cd reduction. The shell (PPC) was composed of encapsulated citric acid (CA) in a polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) network, which endows a function of activating Cd; and the core (PC-Fe) consisted of a polyacrylic acid/carboxymethyl chitosan (PAA/CMC) hydrogel with FeO nanoparticles to adsorb adjacent activated Cd.

Assessment of the potential risks in SD rats gavaged with genetically modified yeast containing the gene.

Introduction: Despite the absence of definitive evidence indicating that the cp4-epsps gene and its resultant recombinant proteins have significant harmful effects on either human or animal health, the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops expressing the CP4-EPSPS proteins has been controversial. This study endeavor was aimed at evaluating the potential risks posed by the CP4-EPSPS protein in transgenic crops, thereby contributing to the advancement of risk assessment methodologies in the context of genetically engineered crops.

Methods: To ascertain the appropriate daily dosages for oral gavage administration, the expression levels of the CP4-EPSPS protein in a recombinant yeast were quantified.

Quantitative analysis of intermolecular forces in cellulose microfibrils and hemicellulose with AFM nano-colloidal probes.

It is an interesting research topic to study the interfacial interactions between hemicellulose and cellulose, specifically how hemicellulose's structure affects its binding to cellulose nanofibers. Our research proposes that dispersion interaction play an important role in this interfacial interaction, more so than electrostatic forces when considering the adherence of cellulose to xylan. To quantify these interactions, the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) colloidal probe technique is applied to measure the intermolecular forces between cellulose nanofibers, which are attached to the probe and xylan.

Reasonable Design and Deep Insight of Efficient Integrated Photorechargeable Li-Ion Batteries by Using a Cu/CuO/CuS Electrode.

Herein, Cu-foam-supported CuO nanowire arrays covered with CuS nanosheet substrates (Cu/CuO/CuS) are adopted as efficient photoelectrodes for photorechargeable lithium-ion batteries (PR-LIBs). The assembled PR-LIB exhibits remarkable solar energy conversion efficiency alongside superior lithium storage capabilities. Without an electrical power supply, the photocharged PR-LIB sustained a discharge process for 63.

Molecular insight into binding affinities and blockade effects of selected flavonoid compounds on the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

This study investigated the binding mechanisms of the flavonoids apigenin (Api), kaempferol (Kmp), and quercetin (Que) to the PD-L1 dimer using a combination of molecular modeling and experimental techniques. The binding free energy results demonstrated that the flavonoids could tightly bind to the PD-L1 dimer, with the binding abilities following the trend Que > Kmp > Api. Key residues Ile54, Tyr56, Met115, Ala121, and Tyr123 were identified as important for binding.

Endoplasmic reticulum-targeted iridium(III) photosensitizer induces pyroptosis for augmented tumor immunotherapy.

An ideal tumor treatment strategy involves therapeutic approaches that can enhance the immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment while simultaneously eliminating the primary tumor. A cholic acid-modified iridium(III) (Ir3) photosensitizer, targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), has been reported to exhibit potent type I and type II photodynamic therapeutic effects against triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231). This photosensitizer induces pyroptotic cell death mediated by gasdermin E (GSDME) through photodynamic means and enhances tumor immunotherapy.

In-situ electrospinning PVB/Camellia oil/ZnO-TiO nanofibrous membranes with synergistic antibacterial and degradation of ethylene applied in fruit preservation.

This work utilizes a handheld electrospinning device to prepare a novel nanofibrous composite membrane in situ for packaging freshness. It can realize pick-and-pack and is easy to operate. The nanofibrous membrane is based on PVB as the matrix material, adding Camellia oil (CO) and ZnO-TiO composite nanoparticles (ZT) as the active material.

Interfacial electronic modulation of NiCo decorated nano-flowered MoS on carbonized wood as a remarkable bifunctional electrocatalyst for boosting overall water splitting.

The development of a cost-effective and efficient bifunctional electrode for overall water splitting holds significant importance in accelerating the sustainable advancement of hydrogen energy. The present study involved a bifunctional catalytic electrode was prepared by loading NiCo-modified 1T/2H MoS onto carbonized wood (NiCo-MoS-CW) using the hydrothermal and electrodeposition techniques. The XPS analysis revealed that NiCo-modified MoS exhibited a weak electron characteristic, which facilitated the ionization of HO and significantly enhanced the Volmer step.

A ribonuclease T2 protein FocRnt2 contributes to the virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4.

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), is a major disease of banana plants worldwide.

LSPR-enhanced photoresponsive antibacterial efficiency of Bi/MoS-loaded fibrin gel for management of diabetic wounds.

Chronic diabetic wounds present formidable challenges, marked by uncontrolled bacterial infections, prolonged inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis. The evolving landscape of photo-responsive antibacterial therapy holds great promise in addressing these multifaceted issues, with a particular focus on leveraging the distinctive properties of 2D heterojunction materials. In this investigation, we engineered composite sprayed hydrogels, seamlessly integrating Bi/MoS nano-heterojunctions.

Expanded Properties and Applications of Porous Flame-Retardant Polymers Containing Graphene and Its Derivatives.

With the integration and miniaturization of modern equipment and devices, porous polymers, containing graphene and its derivatives, with flame-retardancy have become a research hotspot. In this paper, the expanded properties and high-end applications of flame-retardant porous materials containing graphene and its derivatives were discussed. The research progress regarding graphene-based porous materials with multiple energy conversion, thermal insulation, an electromagnetic shielding property, and a high adsorption capacity were elucidated in detail.

Progress in Polyurethane and Composites.

Polyurethane materials have received increasing attention as daily materials due to their unique structures and properties [...

Design and Synthesis of Aryl Amide Derivatives Containing Thiazole as Type III Secretion System Inhibitors against .

To identify potent inhibitors of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in the foodborne pathogen , we synthesized 35 thiazole-containing aryl amides by merging salicylic acid with various heterocycles through active splicing. Screening for promoter activity led to the discovery of a highly effective T3SS inhibitor from these 35 compounds. Through subsequent experiments, it was confirmed that compound specifically targeted the T3SS of .

Hematite enhances microbial autotrophic nitrate removal in carbonate and phosphate-rich environments by increasing Fe(II) activity.

Groundwater contamination by nitrates presents significant risks to both human health and the environment. In groundwater characterized as oligotrophic-low in organic carbon, but abundant in carbonate and phosphate-chemolithoautotrophic bacteria, including nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (NRFeOB), play a vital role in denitrification. The chemoautotrophic nitrate reduction is sensitive to environmental factors, including widespread iron oxides like hematite in nature.