Encapsulation of Oil Droplets Using Film-Forming Janus Nanoparticles.

Polymer Janus nanoparticles with one hard cross-linked polystyrene lobe and one soft film-forming poly(methyl methacrylate--butyl acrylate) lobe were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated emulsion polymerization. The Janus nanoparticles adsorbed to oil/water and air/water interfaces, where the soft lobes coalesced, forming films of thickness between 25 and 250 nm; droplets of silicone oil could be stably encapsulated in polymer in this way. When prepared by mechanical mixing without additives, capsules of diameter 5-500 μm could be prepared, and with additives and application of heat, capsules of diameter around 5 μm were achieved, even with highly viscous silicone oil (20,000 cSt).

Subventricular Accumulation of Cu in the Aging Mouse Brain Does Not Associate with Anticipated Increases in Markers of Oxidative Stress.

Natural aging is associated with mild memory loss and cognitive decline, and age is the greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. There is substantial evidence that oxidative stress is a major contributor to both natural aging and neurodegenerative disease, and coincidently, levels of redox active metals such as Fe and Cu are known to be elevated later in life. Recently, a pronounced age-related increase in Cu content has been reported to occur in mice and rats around a vital regulatory brain region, the subventricular zone of lateral ventricles.

Halide perovskites, a game changer for future medical imaging technology.

The accurate detection of x-rays enables broad applications in various fields, including medical radiography, safety and security screening, and nondestructive inspection. Medical imaging procedures require the x-ray detection devices operating with low doses and high efficiency to reduce radiation health risks, as well as expect the flexible or wearable ones that offer more comfortable and accurate diagnosis experiences. Recently, halide perovskites have shown promising potential in high-performance, cost-effective x-ray detection owing to their attractive features, such as strong x-ray absorption, high-mobility-lifetime product, tunable bandgap, fast response, as well as low-cost raw materials, facile processing, and excellent flexibility.

Non-ionic surfactant self-assembly in calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and related salts.

Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules can take place in extremely concentrated salt solutions, such as inorganic molten salt hydrates or hydrous melts. The intermolecular interactions governing the organization of amphiphilic molecules under such extreme conditions are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the specific effects of ions on the self-assembly of the non-ionic surfactant CH(OCHCH)OH (CE) under extreme salt concentrations, using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate as a reference.

Integrating microfluidics, hydrogels, and 3D bioprinting for personalized vessel-on-a-chip platforms.

Thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, presents a complex challenge in cardiovascular medicine due to the intricacy of clotting mechanisms in living organisms. Traditional research approaches, including clinical studies and animal models, often yield conflicting results due to the inability to control variables in these complex systems, highlighting the need for more precise investigative tools. This review explores the evolution of thrombosis models, from conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices to advanced hydrogel-based systems and cutting-edge 3D bioprinted vascular constructs.

Electrosynthesis of Silane-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles for Efficient Lead Ion Removal.

The removal of heavy metal ions, such as lead (Pb2+), from aqueous systems is critical due to their high toxicity and bioaccumulation in living organisms. This study presents a straightforward approach for the synthesis and surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for the magnetic removal of Pb2+ ions. IONPs were produced via electrosynthesis at varying voltages (10-40 V), with optimal magnetic properties achieved at 40 V resulting in highly crystalline and magnetic IONPs in the gamma-maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) phase.

Self-Assembly of Amorphous 2D Polymer Nanodiscs with Tuneable Size, pH-Responsive Degradation and Controlled Drug Release.

Amphiphilic bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCs) with tadpole-like, coil-rod architecture can be used to self-assemble into functional polymer nanodiscs directly in water. The hydrophobic segments of the BBC were tuned via the ratio of ethoxy-ethyl glycidyl ether (EE) to tetrahydropyranyl glycidyl ether (TP) within the grafted polymer sidechains. In turn, this variation controlled the sizes, pH-responsiveness, and drug loading capacity of the self-assembled nanodiscs.

Discrimination of nucleoside phosphates using principal component analysis of spectral changes in a single europium complex.

Here we present the first use of principal component analysis of the full spectrum of a single europium complex to differentiate between structurally-similar analytes. We demonstrate that it can be used to distinguish between the nucleoside phosphate guests AMP, ADP, and ATP.

Direct covalent attachment of fluorescent molecules on plasma polymerized nanoparticles: a simplified approach for biomedical applications.

Polymeric nanoparticles surface functionalised with fluorescent molecules hold significant potential for advancing diagnostics and therapeutic delivery. Despite their promise, challenges persist in achieving robust attachment of fluorescent molecules for real-time tracking. Weak physical adsorption, pH-dependent electrostatic capture, and hydrophobic interactions often fail to achieve stable attachment of fluorescent markers.

Interfacial engineering for biomolecule immobilisation in microfluidic devices.

Microfluidic devices are used for various applications in biology and medicine. From on-chip modelling of human organs for drug screening and fast and straightforward point-of-care (POC) detection of diseases to sensitive biochemical analysis, these devices can be custom-engineered using low-cost techniques. The microchannel interface is essential for these applications, as it is the interface of immobilised biomolecules that promote cell capture, attachment and proliferation, sense analytes and metabolites or provide enzymatic reaction readouts.

Bifunctional In Doping toward Defect Engineering in SrTiO for Solar Water Splitting.

Defect engineering in SrTiO crystals plays a pivotal role in achieving efficient overall solar water splitting, as evidenced by the influence of Al ions. However, the uneven structural relaxation caused by Al ions has been overlooked, significantly affecting the defect state and catalytic activity. When an AlO crucible is used, optimizing this defect engineering presents a significant challenge.

Reconfigurable nanomaterials folded from multicomponent chains of DNA origami voxels.

In cells, proteins rapidly self-assemble into sophisticated nanomachines. Bioinspired self-assembly approaches, such as DNA origami, have been used to achieve complex three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures and devices. However, current synthetic systems are limited by low yields in hierarchical assembly and challenges in rapid and efficient reconfiguration between diverse structures.

Perspectives on Recent Developments and Directions in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.

This perspective article draws on lessons learned at the 7th TERMIS World Congress held in Seattle, Washington in June 2024. This gathering of prominent researchers and translational scientists in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) from around the world provided a forum to consider the impact of tissue engineering and its future directions. New frontiers are considered in the context of global challenges, including clinical translation and recent advances in pediatric tissue engineering, supercritical fluid technology for scaffold fabrication and sterilization, and learning from successful failures in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Neuromorphic neuromodulation: Towards the next generation of closed-loop neurostimulation.

Neuromodulation techniques have emerged as promising approaches for treating a wide range of neurological disorders, precisely delivering electrical stimulation to modulate abnormal neuronal activity. While leveraging the unique capabilities of AI holds immense potential for responsive neurostimulation, it appears as an extremely challenging proposition where real-time (low-latency) processing, low-power consumption, and heat constraints are limiting factors. The use of sophisticated AI-driven models for personalized neurostimulation depends on the back-telemetry of data to external systems (e.

Sericin coats of silk fibres, a degumming waste or future material?

Silk is a fibrous biopolymer with a recorded history in the textile industries for centuries. This fibre is constituted of two different proteins: fibroin and sericin, of which the latter accounting for approximately 20-30 % of the silk mass. Silk sericin (SSER) was previously considered as a waste by-product in silk fibroin extraction.

Harnessing curcumin and nanotechnology for enhanced treatment of breast cancer bone metastasis.

Breast cancer (BC) bone metastasis poses a significant clinical challenge due to its impact on patient prognosis and quality of life. Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol compound found in turmeric, has shown potential in cancer therapy due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its metabolic instability and hydrophobicity have hindered its clinical applications, leading to a short plasma half-life, poor absorption, and low bioavailability.

Nanofluidic Lab-On-A-Chip Systems for Biosensing in Healthcare.

Biosensing plays a vital role in healthcare monitoring, disease detection, and treatment planning. In recent years, nanofluidic technology has been increasingly explored to be developed into lab-on-a-chip biosensing systems. Given now the possibility of fabricating geometrically defined nanometric channels that are commensurate with the size of many biomolecules, nanofluidic-based devices are likely to become a key technology for the analysis of various clinical biomarkers, including DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and proteins in liquid biopsies.

Thread-Based Bienzymatic Biosensor for Linoleic Acid Detection.

The concentration of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in biological media is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders (e.g., diabetes, cancer, and cystic fibrosis) and in food products is indicative of their quality.

Hierarchical zeolite-encapsulated metal nanoparticles for heterogeneous catalysis.

Zeolites, characterized by their highly porous structure, have become integral to modern industry and environmental science due to their broad applications in adsorption, separation, and catalysis. Recent advancements in zeolite synthesis, particularly through hydrothermal methods and the incorporation of metal nanoparticles, have significantly expanded their utility. This review delves into the innovative strategies for encapsulating metal nanoparticles within zeolite matrices, enhancing catalytic reactions' efficiency, selectivity, and durability.

Multi-parametric thrombus profiling microfluidics detects intensified biomechanical thrombogenesis associated with hypertension and aging.

Arterial thrombosis is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide with no effective bioassay for clinical prediction. As a symbolic feature of arterial thrombosis, severe stenosis in the blood vessel creates a high-shear, high-gradient flow environment that facilitates platelet aggregation towards vessel occlusion. Here, we present a thrombus profiling assay that monitors the multi-dimensional attributes of thrombi forming in such biomechanical conditions.