Peptide-Based Complex Coacervates Stabilized by Cation-π Interactions for Cell Engineering.

Complex coacervation is a form of liquid-liquid phase separation, whereby two types of macromolecules, usually bearing opposite net charges, self-assemble into dense microdroplets driven by weak molecular interactions. Peptide-based coacervates have recently emerged as promising carriers to deliver large macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins and complex thereof) inside cells. Thus, it is essential to understand their assembly/disassembly mechanisms at the molecular level in order to tune the thermodynamics of coacervates formation and the kinetics of cargo release upon entering the cell.

Adhesion-driven vesicle translocation through membrane-covered pores.

Translocation across barriers and through constrictions is a mechanism that is often used in vivo for transporting material between compartments. A specific example is apicomplexan parasites invading host cells through the tight junction that acts as a pore, and a similar barrier crossing is involved in drug delivery using lipid vesicles penetrating intact skin. Here, we use triangulated membranes and energy minimization to study the translocation of vesicles through pores with fixed radii.

Optimizing skull base defect repair: leveraging the reused nasoseptal flap as a reliable material.

Purpose: The escalating number of endoscopic skull base procedures necessitates exploring additional materials to reduce postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in revision or staged surgeries. This study evaluates the effectiveness of reused nasoseptal flaps (NSFs) in such clinical scenarios.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who previously underwent surgery involving NSFs and later had revision or secondary skull base surgeries via endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) at a tertiary medical center.

Circulating HPVDNA in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer: liquid biopsy could identify molecular residual disease.

Objectives: we evaluated the hypothesis that level of ctHPVDNA on the first postoperative day (POD-1); and at 15 days (POD-15) could be associated with the need for adjuvant therapy and the presence of recurrence.

Materials And Methods: this is a prospective observational study on biomarkers, focusing on the longitudinal monitoring of ctHPVDNA in a cohort of HPV-OPSCC patients undergoing TORS. Blood samples were collected according to the following schema: (1) pretreatment; (2) on first postoperative day (POD 1); and (3) at 15 days (POD 15).

Atmospheric air plasma pre-activation and customizable covalent functionalization of PVDF-membranes of microtiter filter plates.

Microtiter-plate-based systems are unified platforms of high-throughput experimentation (HTE). These polymeric devices are used worldwide on a daily basis-mainly in the pharmaceutical industry-for parallel syntheses, reaction optimization, various preclinical studies and high-throughput screening methods. Accordingly, laboratory automation today aims to handle these commercially available multiwell plates, making developments focused on their modifications a priority area of modern applied research.

Liquid-based encapsulation for implantable bioelectronics across broad pH environments.

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics that can interface for extended periods with highly mobile organs and tissues across a broad pH range would be useful for various applications in basic biomedical research and clinical medicine. The encapsulation of these systems, however, presents a major challenge, as such devices require superior barrier performance against water and ion penetration in challenging pH environments while also maintaining flexibility and stretchability to match the physical properties of the surrounding tissue. Current encapsulation materials are often limited to near-neutral pH conditions, restricting their application range.

High-temperature structural disorders stabilize hydrous aluminosilicates in the mantle transition zone.

Hydrous aluminosilicates are important deep water-carriers in sediments subducting into the deep mantle. To date, it remains enigmatic how hydrous aluminosilicates withstand extremely high temperatures in the mantle transition zone. Here we systematically investigate the crystal structures and chemical compositions of typical hydrous aluminosilicates using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalyzer, and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Solvent-dripping modulated 3D/2D heterostructures for high-performance perovskite solar cells.

The controlled growth of two-dimensional (2D) perovskite atop three-dimensional (3D) perovskite films reduces interfacial recombination and impedes ion migration, thus improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Unfortunately, the random orientation of the spontaneously formed 2D phase atop the pre-deposited 3D perovskite film can deteriorate charge extraction owing to energetic disorder, limiting the maximum attainable efficiency and long-term stability of the PSCs. Here, we introduce a meta-amidinopyridine ligand and the solvent post-dripping step to generate a highly ordered 2D perovskite phase on the surface of a 3D perovskite film.

Atomically thin high-entropy oxides via naked metal ion self-assembly for proton exchange membrane electrolysis.

Designing efficient Ruthenium-based catalysts as practical anodes is of critical importance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis. Here, we develop a self-assembly technique to synthesize 1 nm-thick rutile-structured high-entropy oxides (RuIrFeCoCrO) from naked metal ions assembly and oxidation at air-molten salt interface. The RuIrFeCoCrO requires an overpotential of 185 mV at 10 m A cm and maintains the high activity for over 1000 h in an acidic electrolyte via the adsorption evolution mechanism.

Highly printable, strong, and ductile ordered intermetallic alloy.

Ordered intermetallic alloys are renowned for their impressive mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, making them appealing for various fields. However, practical applications of them have long been severely hindered due to their severe brittleness and poor fabricability. It is difficult to fabricate such materials into components with complex geometries through traditional subtractive manufacturing methods.

Supramolecular discrimination and diagnosis-guided treatment of intracellular bacteria.

Pathogenic intracellular bacteria pose a significant threat to global public health due to the barriers presented by host cells hindering the timely detection of hidden bacteria and the effective delivery of therapeutic agents. To address these challenges, we propose a tandem diagnosis-guided treatment paradigm. A supramolecular sensor array is developed for simple, rapid, accurate, and high-throughput identification of intracellular bacteria.

Tailored large-particle quantum dots with high color purity and excellent electroluminescent efficiency.

High-quality quantum dots (QDs) possess superior electroluminescent efficiencies and ultra-narrow emission linewidths are essential for realizing ultra-high definition QD light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). However, the synthesis of such QDs remains challenging. In this study, we present a facile high-temperature successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (HT-SILAR) strategy for the growth of precisely tailored ZnCdSe/ZnSe shells, and the consequent production of high-quality, large-particle, alloyed red CdZnSe/ZnCdSe/ZnSe/ZnS/CdZnS QDs.

Enhancement of mechanical properties in reactive polyurethane film via in-situ assembly of embedded cellulose nanocrystals.

Comparing to the solvent-based and waterborne polyurethanes (PU), the solvent-free reactive PU (RPU) is prepared via in-situ polymerization and film-formation of isocyanate-capped prepolymers and macromolecular polyols in solvent-free system. Thus, the carbon emissions and environmental pollutions are significantly reduced. However, the rapid polymerization also challenges the well control of structure and properties, especially the ordered microstructures.

Structure and properties of chitosan plasticized with hydrophobic short-chain fatty acid cosolvent.

The application of chitosan in packaging has always been limited due to its brittle and hygroscopic nature. In this study, hydrophobic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were utilized to modify chitosan to overcome this issue. For the first time, hydrophobic SCFAs, typically hexanoic acid and its homologs, were found to be able to dissolve chitosan in water as well as its hydrophilic analog.

Novel Hsp90α inhibitor inhibits HSV-1 infection by suppressing the Akt/β-catenin pathway.

The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection and the emergence of drug-resistant HSV-1 strains posts a significant global health challenge, necessitating the urgent development of effective anti-HSV-1 drugs. As one of the most prevalent molecular chaperones, heat shock protein 90 α (Hsp90α) has been extensively demonstrated to regulate a range of viral infections, thus representing a promising antiviral target. In this study, we identified JD-13 as a novel Hsp90α inhibitor and explored its capability in inhibiting HSV-1 infection.

Eco-friendly decolorization of synthetic dyes using radiation-induced whole cell biocatalyst with enhanced copper resistance.

Toxic and carcinogenic compounds, such as synthetic dyes and polyphenols, were widely employed and released as pollutants in a variety of industries, including textiles, food, and cosmetics. Biological oxidation process that used oxidizing enzymes to breakdown pollutant compounds were environmentally favorable. However, due to the cell toxicity of metal ions supplements used for the biosynthesis of oxidizing enzymes like laccase, their efficient application for biological degradation is limited.

In-situ conversion of BiOBr to Br-doped BiOCl nanosheets for "rocking chair" zinc-ion battery.

Developing insertion-type anodes is essential for designing high-performance "rocking chair" zinc-ion batteries. BiOCl shows great potential as an insertion-type anode material for Zn storage due to its high specific capacity and unique layered structure. However, the development of BiOCl has been significantly hampered by its poor stability and kinetics during cycling.

Characterisation and anaerobic digestion of fat, oil and grease (FOG) waste from wastewater treatment plants.

The materials removed in the oil separation units of wastewater treatment plants can be referred to as fat, oil and grease (FOG) waste. FOG waste accumulation in treatment plants can cause clogging of pipes, production of excessive scums and foams, and negatively affect air/liquid oxygen transfer. While conventional disposal routes of this material can be limited by its water and organic content, FOG can represent a source of bio-energy other than bio-diesel production.

Advancements in functional adsorbents for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from wastewater: A comprehensive review of performance, mechanisms, and applications.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial metallic resources that play an essential role in national economies and industrial production. The reclaimation of REEs from wastewater stands as a significant supplementary strategy to bolster the REEs supply. Adsorption techniques are widely recognized as environmentally friendly and sustainable methods for the separation of REEs from wastewater.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in microorganisms and their indications for the nitrogen/sulfur cycle in the East China Sea sediments.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging environmental pollutants, posing an escalating threat to public health and environmental security worldwide. However, the relationship between ARGs and microbial communities in the environment, as well as their ecological effects on the microbe-mediated materials cycle remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution pattern, influence mechanism, relationship with microorganisms, and their effects on the elemental cycling of ARGs in East China Sea sediments.

Anticancer diiron aminocarbyne complexes with labile N-donor ligands.

The novel diiron amine complexes [FeCp(CO)(NHR')(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(Cy)}]CFSO [R' = H, 3; Cy, 4; CHCHNH, 5; CHCHNMe, 6; CHCH(4-CHOMe), 7; CHCH(4-CHOH), 8; Cp = η-CH, Cy = CH = cyclohexyl] were synthesized in 49-92 % yields from [FeCp(CO)(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(Cy)}]CFSO, 1a, using a straightforward two-step procedure. They were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structure of 7 was confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3-8 and the acetonitrile adducts [FeCp(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(R)}]CFSO (R = Cy, 2a; Me, 2b; Xyl = 2,6-CHMe, 2c) were assessed for their water solubility, octanol-water partition coefficient and stability in physiological-like solutions.

Dual-mode, regenerated DNA motor for simultaneous detection of viral gene fragments and diagnosis of infectious disease.

This study presents a dual-mode and regenerated DNA motor powered by exonuclease III (Exo III) for the simultaneous detection of viral gene fragments. The detection methodology is categorized into two distinct operational modes. The first mode emphasizes the simultaneous detection of two viral gene fragments from a specific virus.

Ultrasonic backscattering model of lamellar duplex phase microstructures in polycrystalline materials.

Carbon steel and low alloy steel are pearlitic heat-resistant steels with a lamellar microstructure. There are good mechanical properties and are widely used in crucial components of high-temperature pressure. However, long-term service in high-temperature environments can easily lead to material degradation, including spheroidization, graphitization, and thermal aging.

Enhanced mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of silicon nitride ceramics with SiO, YO, and AlO as sintering aids.

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics exhibit excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications, particularly in implants. In this study, the mechanical properties and bioactivity of Si₃N₄ ceramics with varying amounts of Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ sintering aids were investigated. Increasing the sintering additive content from 4 wt% to 8 wt% substantially improved the bulk density of the ceramics, leading to notable enhancements in mechanical properties.