Undoped ruthenium oxide as a stable catalyst for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction.

Reducing green hydrogen production cost is critical for its widespread application. Proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers are among the most promising technologies, and significant research has been focused on developing more active, durable, and cost-effective catalysts to replace expensive iridium in the anode. Ruthenium oxide is a leading alternative while its stability is inadequate.

Polymer-based vaccines for substance use disorders: Targeting ketamine and methamphetamine with protein-free hyperbranched polyethyleneimine carriers.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) present a critical global health challenge, as current treatment options often prove insufficient, particularly for substances like ketamine and methamphetamine. In this study, we developed a novel immunotherapeutic strategy utilizing protein-free, polymer-based vaccines, with hyperbranched polyethylenimine (Hb-PEI) as a carrier to enhance immune specificity and remove the production of non-specific antibodies. Haptens for ketamine and methamphetamine were covalently conjugated to the Hb-PEI carrier, along with the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist 1V209, to stimulate targeted humoral immune responses.

Electron-Donating Zr Induces Suppressed Ru Over-Oxidation and Accelerated Deprotonation Process Toward Efficient and Durable Water Electrolysis.

The scarcity of cost-effective and durable iridium-free anode electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) poses a significant challenge to the widespread application of the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). To address the electrochemical oxidation and dissolution issues of Ru-based electrocatalysts, an electron-donating modification strategy is developed to stabilize WRuO under harsh oxidative conditions. The optimized catalyst with a low Zirconium doping (Zr, 1 wt.

Antibacterial carbon dots.

Bacterial infections significantly threaten human health, leading to severe diseases and complications across multiple systems and organs. Antibiotics remain the primary treatment strategy for these infections. However, the growing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics underscores the urgent need for safe and effective alternative treatments.

Smart and Noninvasive SERS Immunosensors for Monitoring Dynamic Expression of Cytokines during Cell Pyroptosis.

Accompanying the occurrence of inflammatory reaction to release cytokines, pyroptosis can activate an immune response for resistance against cancer. Consequently, elevated levels of cytokines released by cancer cells are highly correlated with the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Herein, a noninvasive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunosensor was developed to sensitively and specifically measure the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, during the cell pyroptosis process.

A morphologically transformable hypoxia-induced radical anion for tumor-specific photothermal therapy.

Tumor microenvironment activatable therapeutic agents and their effective tumor accumulation are significant for selective tumor treatment. Herein, we provide an unadulterated nanomaterial combining the above advantages. We synthesize a perylene diimide (PDI) molecule substituted by glutamic acid (Glu), which can self-assemble into small spherical nanoparticles (PDI-SG) in aqueous solution.

Fluorinated Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COCs) and Cyclic Olefin Polymers (COPs).

The demand for insulating materials with superior dielectric properties has increased. Among these materials, polymers containing cyclic structure including cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and cyclic olefin polymer (COP) stand out because of their excellent dielectric properties originating from the pure hydrocarbon structure. Introducing fluorine into polymers is one efficient strategy for optimizing the dielectric and the related important properties.

Electrochemical Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide at High Concentrations Using Hastelloy G35 Electrode.

The detection of hydrogen peroxide (HO) at elevated concentrations while eliminating oxygen interference presents a significant challenge. Nickel-based stainless steel, such as Hastelloy G35, has shown excellent corrosion resistance. However, it has never been used in electroanalysis.

Biomaterials-mediated biomineralization for tumor blockade therapy.

Recent advancements in tumor therapy have underscored the potential of biomaterials-mediated biomineralization for tumor blockade. By precisely regulating biomineralization and constructing nanomineralized structures at the cellular level, this therapy achieves multi-dimensional targeted inhibition of tumors. Mineralized precursor molecules are engineered to selectively recognize and bind to proteins on the tumor cell membrane, obstructing signal transduction.

Shear-induced rotation enhances protein adsorption.

Theories predicted that shear promotes desorption, but due to the presence of factors such as aggregation effects, it is difficult to observe how shear influences the adsorption and desorption of individual protein molecules. In this study, we employed high-throughput single-molecule tracking and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how shear flow affects the adsorption kinetics of plasma proteins (including human serum albumin, immunoglobulin G, and fibrinogen) at solid-liquid interfaces. Over the studied shear rate range of 0 - 10 s, shear stress did not trigger the protein desorption.

Flexible disk ultramicroelectrode: Facile preparation and high-resolution scanning electrochemical microscopy imaging.

Background: Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a kind of scanning probe technology that enables the obtainment of surface morphology and electrochemical information by recording changes in Faraday current triggered by the movement of probe.

Results: In this work, flexible disk ultramicroelectrode (UME) with highly repeatable geometry are fabricated through a simple and universal strategy that involves vacuum pulling the glass capillaries inserted with platinum wire (gold wire, carbon fiber, etc.), followed by a rapidly heated sealing and polishing process.

Catalytic Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Chamaecydin and (+)-Isochamaecydin and their Stereoisomers.

A modular approach was developed for the first catalytic asymmetric total syntheses of naturally occurring C terpene quinone methides and their non-natural stereoisomers, which feature the presence of an unprecedented spiro[4.4]nonane-containing 6-6-6-5-5-3 hexacyclic skeleton. Resting on a chiral phosphinamide-catalyzed enantioselective reduction of 2,2-disubstituted cyclohexane-1,3-dione, a concise route for the synthesis of enantioenriched 6-6 bicyclic fragment was developed.

Label-free miRNA fluorescent biosensors based on duplex-specific nucleases and silver nanoclusters.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered reliable biomarkers for a variety of diseases. However, their low abundance in organisms and high sequence similarity of homologous miRNAs make their accurate detection challenging. Here, we constructed a novel fluorescent biosensor for the detection of miRNA-155, a potential biomarker of neuroinflammation, based on duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) assisted amplification and DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) as fluorescence signal probes.

Single-electrode electrochemiluminescence immunosensor for multiplex detection of Aquaporin-4 antibody using metal-organic gels as coreactant.

Reliable detection of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies is crucial for diagnosing Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, cell-based assays, the most reliable approach, are limited by inadequate instruments. This study reports the use of silver metal-organic gels (Ag-MOGs) as coreactants in a single-electrode electrochemical system (SEES)-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for multiplex detection of AQP4 antibodies.

DMSO-promoted α-bromination of α-aryl ketones for the construction of 2-aryl-2-bromo-cycloketones.

A DMSO-promoted practical one-step α-bromination reaction of α-aryl ketones with NBS has been developed for the construction of 2-aryl-2-bromo-cycloketones. The desired regioselective α-bromination products were isolated in moderate to good yields, with a maximum tested scale of 15 mmol. Notably, ketamine derivatives could be smoothly synthesized in two steps.

Metallo-supramolecular complexes enantioselectively target monkeypox virus RNA G-quadruplex and bolster immune responses against MPXV.

The Mpox virus (MPXV) has emerged as a formidable orthopoxvirus, posing an immense challenge to global public health. An understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of MPXV infection, replication and immune evasion will benefit the development of novel antiviral strategies. Despite the involvement of G-quadruplexes (G4s) in modulating the infection and replication processes of multiple viruses, their roles in the MPXV life cycle remain largely unknown.

Tuning Surface Valences of Nanoengagers to Enhance Their Structural Advantages for Efficiently Redirecting T Cells against Solid Tumors.

The nanoengager strategy, which enhances receptor signaling responsiveness through a multivalent ligand binding mode, offers a promising approach for improving immune cell redirecting therapy. Increasing nanomaterial platforms have been developed for constructing more flexible and multifunctional nanoengagers, but the different mediating mechanisms from their multivalent nanostructures, compared to original monomolecule engagers, have rarely been discussed. Here, we constructed dual-specificity T cell nanoengagers (TNEs) targeting CD3 and PDL1 receptors based on a polyethylene glycol--polylactic acid (PEG--PLA)-assembled nanoparticle and specifically studied the impact of surface antibody valences on their functional mechanisms, thereby enhancing the structural advantages of TNEs against solid tumors.

Photothermal Effect and Biomineralization of Black Phosphorus Nanosheet-Composited Hydrogel Boosts Synergistic Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity.

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH), marked by exposed dentinal tubules, presents as a sharp toothache triggered by stimuli and subsides when the stimuli are removed. To address the limitations of current commercial desensitizers in terms of acid resistance, friction resistance, and stability, a black phosphorus nanosheet-composited methacrylate gelatin hydrogel (GelMA/BP) is developed for DH treatment, leveraging the synergistic effects of photothermal therapy and biomineralization. Incorporating the BP nanosheet provided GelMA/BP with a stable photothermal response and the continuous release of phosphate anions, which blocked dentinal tubules by converting light energy into heat and initiating biomineralization.

Constructing a Self-Referenced NIR-II Thermometer with Energy Tuning of Coordinating Water Molecules by a Minimalist Method.

Fluorescence thermometry based on metal halide perovskites is increasingly becoming a hotspot due to its advantages of high detection sensitivity, noninvasiveness, and fast response time. However, it still presents certain technical challenges in practical applications, such as complex synthesis methods, the use of toxic solvents, and being currently mainly based on the visible/first near-infrared light with poor penetration and severe autofluorescence. In this study, we synthesize the second near-infrared (NIR-II) luminescent crystals based on Yb/Nd-doped zero-dimensional CsScCl·HO by a simple "dissolve-dry" method.

Tunable phase behaviors of diblock copolyelectrolytes under alternating electric fields: A coarse-grained molecular dynamics study.

Diblock copolyelectrolytes have significant potential in applications such as solid-state single-ion conductors, but precisely controlling their nanostructures for efficient ion transport remains a challenge. In this study, we explore the phase behavior and microphase transitions of AX BY-type diblock copolyelectrolytes under alternating electric fields using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We systematically investigate the effects of various electric field features, including unipolar and bipolar square-waves, as well as offset and non-offset sine-waves, focusing on how field strength and period influence the self-assembling morphology of the copolyelectrolytes.

Ultrasound-Controllable Release of Carbon Monoxide in Multifunctional Polymer Coating for Synergetic Treatment of Catheter-Related Infections.

Medical catheters are susceptible to biological contamination and pathogen invasion, leading to infection and inflammatory complications. The development of antimicrobial coatings for medical devices has emerged as a promising strategy. However, limited biological functionality and the incompatibility between bactericidal properties and biosafety remain great challenges.

Succinate Nanomaterials Boost Tumor Immunotherapy via Activating Cell Pyroptosis and Enhancing MHC-I Expression.

Despite the promising clinical applications of immunotherapy, its effectiveness is often limited by low immune responses and tumor immune escape. In this study, we introduce a simple and drug-free inorganic nanomaterial, sodium succinate (CHNaO NPs), prepared using a rapid microemulsion method to enhance cancer immunotherapy. The synthesized CHNaO NPs can release high concentrations of Na and succinate ions into tumor cells, leading to an increase in intracellular osmolarity.