Hot Nanogap Networks-In-Triangular Nanoframes: A Strategy for Positioning Adsorbates Near Hot Spots.

This study reports the synthesis of plasmonic hot nanogap networks-in-triangular nanoframes (NITNFs), featuring narrow intraparticle nanogap networks embedded within triangular nanoframes. Starting from Au nanotriangles, Pt NITNFs are synthesized through a cascade reaction involving simultaneous Pt deposition and Au etching in a one-pot process. The Pt NITNFs are then transformed into plasmonically active Au NITNFs via Au coating.

A length-band fluorescence-based paper analytical device for detecting dipicolinic acid ofloxacin complexation with Cu.

Dipicolinic acid (DPA) is a key biomarker of bacterial spores. In this study, we present a novel distance-based paper analytical device (d-PAD) for the fluorescence sensing of DPA. The detection mechanism relies on the complexation of ofloxacin (OFL) with Cu ions, where Cu quenches the fluorescence of OFL static quenching.

Sequential Energy and Electron Transfer in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

This study presents the design and characterization of a triad metal-organic framework (MOF) system composed of pyrene, porphyrin, and phenyl-C-butyric acid (PCBA) for efficient energy and electron transfer processes mimicking natural photosynthesis. The triad MOF, synthesized through a mixed-ligand approach followed by postsynthetic modification, demonstrates sequential energy transfer from pyrene to porphyrin, followed by electron transfer to the PCBA acceptor. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy was employed to investigate the dynamics of energy and charge transfer, revealing fast interligand energy transfer and subsequent charge separation in the MOF structure.

Positional effects of electron-donating and withdrawing groups on the photophysical properties of single benzene fluorophores.

We investigated how the positional arrangement of electron-donating (amino) and electron-withdrawing (ester) groups in single benzene-based fluorophores influences their emission properties. By synthesizing 26 regioisomeric fluorophores, we achieved wavelength modulation from 322 to 539 nm, revealing key correlations between functional group positioning and photophysical behavior.

Efficacy and Mechanism of Fructus Water Extract in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from Network Pharmacology and Validation in an Amyloid-β Infused Animal Model.

Background/objectives: Fructus (SCF) is a traditional medicinal herb containing lignans that improves glucose metabolism by mitigating insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and action mechanism of SCF for Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a network pharmacology analysis, followed by experimental validation in an AD rat model.

Methods: The biological activities of SCF's bioactive compounds were assessed through a network pharmacology analysis.

Pressure enabled organic reactions via confinement between layers of 2D materials.

Confinement of reactants within nanoscale spaces of low-dimensional materials has been shown to provide reorientation of strained reactants or stabilization of unstable reactants for synthesis of molecules and tuning of chemical reactivity. While few studies have reported chemistry within zero-dimensional pores and one-dimensional nanotubes, organic reactions in confined spaces between two-dimensional materials have yet to be explored. Here, we demonstrate that reactants confined between atomically thin sheets of graphene or hexagonal boron nitride experience pressures as high as 7 gigapascal, which allows the propagation of solvent-free organic reactions that ordinarily do not occur under standard conditions.

Autophagy-dependent splicing control directs translation toward inflammation during senescence.

The cellular proteome determines the functional state of cells and is often skewed to direct pathological conditions. Autophagy shapes cellular proteomes primarily through lysosomal degradation of either damaged or unnecessary proteins. Here, we show that autophagy directs the senescence-specific translatome to fuel inflammation by coupling selective protein degradation with alternative splicing.

Propanil impairs organ development in zebrafish by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting mitochondrial respiration.

Propanil, an anilide herbicide, has frequently been detected in surface waters in Europe and the United States, largely due to its use in paddy cultivation areas. Particularly in specific regions like Sri Lanka, propanil is considered a potential cause of certain diseases and toxicities due to its high environmental runoff; however, there has been little research on its developmental toxicity. In the present study, we confirmed the developmental toxicity of propanil in zebrafish embryos exposed to 0, 2, 5, and 6 mg/L based on the LC value.

Triggering Reversible Intercalation-Conversion Combined Chemistry for High-Energy-Density Lithium Battery Cathodes.

Combining intercalation and conversion reactions maximizes the utilization of redox-active elements in electrodes, providing a means for overcoming the current capacity ceiling. However, integrating both mechanisms within a single electrode material presents significant challenges owing to their contrasting structural requirements. Intercalation requires a well-defined host structure for efficient lithium-ion diffusion, whereas conversion reactions entail structural reorganization, which can undermine intercalation capabilities.

Two- and Three-Dimensional Ag-Au Nanoalloying: Heterogeneous Building Blocks Enhancing Near-Field Focusing.

In this study, we report a strategy for fabricating binary surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates composed of plasmonic Pt@Ag and Pt@Au truncated-octahedral (TOh) dual-rim nanoframes (DNFs) functioning as a "nanoalloy." Pt TOh frameworks act as a scaffold to develop nanoarchitectures with surface decoration using plasmonically active materials (i.e.

Clinicopathological characteristics of SMAD4 gene expressions in colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. SMAD4 gene acts as the central mediator of the signaling pathway for transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) with a significant effect on colorectal cancer. Previous research has confirmed a relationship between the presence of the SMAD4 gene and the survival and progression of colorectal cancer in patients.

A transparent p-type semiconductor designed a polarizability-enhanced strongly correlated insulator oxide matrix.

Electron-transporting transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are a commercial reality, however, hole-transporting counterparts are far more challenging because of limited material design. Here, we propose a strategy for enhancing the hole conductivity without deteriorating the band gap () and workfunction () by Cu incorporation in a strongly correlated NiWO insulator. The optimal Cu-doped NiWO (CuNiWO) exhibits a resistivity reduction of ∼10 times NiWO as well as band-like charge transport with the hole mobility approaching 7 cm V s at 200 K, a deep of 5.

Atomic-Scale Friction and Adhesion at Ambient Pressure.

In this Perspective, we present the recent advancement and the prospects of atomic-scale friction and adhesion measurements across the between ultrahigh vacuum and ambient pressure environments using variable-pressure atomic force microscopy (VP-AFM). We introduce the VP-AFM that enables nanotribological studies under various gas conditions with partial pressure ranging from UHV (1.0 × 10 mbar) to 1 bar.

Optimal time-dependent SUC model for COVID-19 pandemic in India.

In this paper, we propose a numerical algorithm to obtain the optimal epidemic parameters for a time-dependent Susceptible-Unidentified infected-Confirmed (tSUC) model. The tSUC model was developed to investigate the epidemiology of unconfirmed infection cases over an extended period. Among the epidemic parameters, the transmission rate can fluctuate significantly or remain stable due to various factors.

Rational Design of Pyrido[3,2-]indolizine as a Tunable Fluorescent Scaffold for Fluorogenic Bioimaging.

Novel fluorescent scaffolds are highly demanding for a wide range of applications in biomedical investigation. To meet this demand, the pyrido[3,2-]indolizine scaffold was designed as a versatile organic fluorophore. With the aid of computational modeling, fluorophores offering tunable emission colors (blue to red) were constructed.

Confinement of excited states in two-dimensional, in-plane, quantum heterostructures.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are promising candidates for optoelectronic application and quantum information processes due to their inherent out-of-plane 2D confinement. In addition, they offer the possibility of achieving low-dimensional in-plane exciton confinement, similar to zero-dimensional quantum dots, with intriguing optical and electronic properties via strain or composition engineering. However, realizing such laterally confined 2D monolayers and systematically controlling size-dependent optical properties remain significant challenges.

ROS-responsive charge reversal mesoporous silica nanoparticles as promising drug delivery system for neovascular retinal diseases.

Intravitreal injection of biodegradable implant drug carriers shows promise in reducing the injection frequency for neovascular retinal diseases. However, current intravitreal ocular devices have limitations in adjusting drug release rates for individual patients, thereby affecting treatment effectiveness. Accordingly, we developed mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) featuring a surface that reverse its charge in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) for efficient delivery of humanin peptide (HN) to retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19).