Size-Dependent Separation of Extracellular Vesicle Subtypes with Exodisc Enabling Proteomic Analysis in Prostate Cancer.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as crucial biomarkers in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics with their heterogeneity presenting both challenges and opportunities in prostate cancer research. However, existing methods for isolating and characterizing EV subtypes have been limited by inefficient separation and inadequate proteomic analysis. Here we show an optimized centrifugal microfluidic device, Exodisc, that efficiently isolates large quantities of EV subtypes from particle-enriched medium, enabling comprehensive proteomic analysis of small (EV-S, 20-200 nm) and large (EV-L, >200 nm) EVs.

Solar-Driven High-Rate Ammonia Production from Wastewater Coupled with Plastic Waste Reforming.

Solar-powered electrochemical NH synthesis offers the benefits of sustainability and absence of CO emissions but suffers from a poor solar-to-ammonia yield rate (SAY) due to a low NH selectivity, large bias caused by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction, and low photocurrent in the corresponding photovoltaics. Herein, a highly efficient photovoltaic-electrocatalytic system enabling high-rate solar-driven NH synthesis was developed. A high-performance Ru-doped Co nanotube catalyst was used to selectively promote the nitrite reduction reaction (NORR), exhibiting a faradaic efficiency of 99.

ChIP-mini: a low-input ChIP-exo protocol for elucidating DNA-binding protein dynamics in intracellular pathogens.

Genome-wide identification of binding profiles for DNA-binding proteins from the limited number of intracellular pathogens in infection studies is crucial for understanding virulence and cellular processes but remains challenging, as the current ChIP-exo is designed for high-input bacterial cells (>1010). Here, we developed an optimized ChIP-mini method, a low-input ChIP-exo utilizing a 5,000-fold reduced number of initial bacterial cells and an analysis pipeline, to identify genome-wide binding dynamics of DNA-binding proteins in host-infected pathogens. Applying ChIP-mini to intracellular Salmonella Typhimurium, we identified 642 and 1,837 binding sites of H-NS and RpoD, respectively, elucidating changes in their binding position and binding intensity during infection.

Heat-Assisted Direct Photopatterning of Small-Molecule OLED Emitters at the Micrometer Scale.

A crucial step in fabricating full-color organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays is patterning the emissive layer (EML). Traditional methods utilize thermal evaporation through metal masks. However, this limits the achievable resolution required for emerging microdisplay technologies.

Assessing the Efficacy of Mitochondria-Accumulating Self-Assembly Peptides in Pancreatic Cancer: An Animal Study.

Although pancreatic cancer presents with one of the most unfavorable prognoses, its treatment options are very limited. Mitochondria-targeting moieties, considered a new and prominent treatment modality, are expected to demonstrate synergistic anticancer effects due to their distinct mechanism compared to conventional chemotherapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-accumulating self-assembly peptides, referred to as Mito-FFs, utilizing both in vitro and in vivo pancreatic cancer models.

Scalable Fabrication of Freestanding Jammed Nanoparticle Films via Pickering Emulsion-Mediated Interfacial Assembly.

Freestanding networked nanoparticle (NP) films hold substantial potential due to their high surface areas and customizable porosities. However, NPs with high surface energies and heterogeneous sizes or shapes present considerable challenges as they tend to aggregate, compromising their structural integrities. In this study, we report the scalable fabrication of ultrathin, bicontinuous, and densely packed carbon NP films via Pickering emulsion-mediated interfacial assembly.

Double-sided van der Waals epitaxy of topological insulators across an atomically thin membrane.

Atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) films provide a material platform for the epitaxial growth of quantum heterostructures. However, unlike the remote epitaxial growth of three-dimensional bulk crystals, the growth of two-dimensional material heterostructures across atomic layers has been limited due to the weak vdW interaction. Here we report the double-sided epitaxy of vdW layered materials through atomic membranes.

Strong Hydrophobic Interaction of High Molecular Weight Chitosan in Aqueous Solution.

Chitosan is a versatile bioactive polysaccharide in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals and environmental applications, owing to its abundance, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. To effectively harness its potential for various purposes, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of its interaction in water. This study investigates the interactions between high molecular weight (HMW, >150 kDa) chitosan and four different functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at three different pHs (3.

Sustained Release of HIF-2α Inhibitors Using Biodegradable Porous Silicon Carriers for Enhanced Immunogenic Cell Death of Malignant Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with limited treatment options, often associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and marked by hypoxic tumor microenvironments that promote resistance to therapies. Belzutifan, an FDA-approved hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) inhibitor, has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth; however, its clinical efficacy is hindered by its low solubility, rapid clearance, and limited bioavailability. In this study, we present a strategy using porous silicon (pSi) microparticles and nanoparticles as carriers for the sustained delivery of benzoate to MCC cells.

Isotopic fractionation of gaseous mercury in a large industrial city: Spatio-temporal variations and source apportionment.

The source-receptor relationship of atmospheric mercury is a critical environmental concern. However, comprehensive evaluations of mercury pollution based on spatially resolved and time-averaged data have not yet been conducted in Korea. In this study, the spatio-temporal variations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and mercury isotopes were examined using passive air samplers at 30 sites in Ulsan over one year.

Structural Transformation and Degradation of Cu Oxide Nanocatalysts during Electrochemical CO Reduction.

The electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) holds enormous potential as a carbon-neutral route to the sustainable production of fuels and platform chemicals. The durability for long-term operation is currently inadequate for commercialization, however, and the underlying deactivation process remains elusive. A fundamental understanding of the degradation mechanism of electrocatalysts, which can dictate the overall device performance, is needed.

SIRT2 and ALDH1A1 as critical enzymes for astrocytic GABA production in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with drastically altered astrocytic metabolism. Astrocytic GABA and HO are associated with memory impairment in AD and synthesized through the Monoamine Oxidase B (MAOB)-mediated multi-step degradation of putrescine. However, the enzymes downstream to MAOB in this pathway remain unidentified.

Redox-Mediated Pyrene Electrolytes for Enhancing the Reversibility of Vertically Arranged Tin Electrodes in Seawater Batteries.

Seawater batteries (SWBs) have emerged as a next-generation battery technology that does not rely on lithium, a limited resource essential for lithium-ion batteries. Instead, SWBs utilize abundant sodium from seawater, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional battery technologies. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of achieving high energy densities in SWB anodes using vertically aligned electrodes.

ODSEI Chip: An Open 3D Microfluidic Platform for Studying Tumor Spheroid-Endothelial Interactions.

Current in vitro models of 3D tumor spheroids within the microenvironment have emerged as promising tools for understanding tumor progression and potential drug responses. However, creating spheroids with functional vasculature remains challenging in a controlled and high-throughput manner. Herein, a novel open 3D-microarray platform is presented for a spheroid-endothelium interaction (ODSEI) chip, capable of arraying more than 1000 spheroids on top of the vasculature, compartmentalized for single spheroid-level analysis of drug resistance, and allows for the extraction of specific spheroids for further analysis.

Liquid metal composite with carbon nanotubes for reliable interconnection between Pt electrodes.

We report a CNT/eGaIn composite that suppresses dissolutive wetting on platinum, maintaining interconnect stability for up to 30 days. Minimizing CNT aggregation prevents gallium penetration, enhancing the reliability of liquid metal components in electronics.

Digital Profiling of Tumor Extracellular Vesicle-Associated RNAs Directly from Unprocessed Blood Plasma.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (tEV)-associated RNAs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers, but their clinical use is hindered by the rarity of tEVs among nontumor EVs. Here, we present EV-CLIP, a highly sensitive droplet-based digital method for profiling EV RNA. EV-CLIP utilizes the fusion of EVs with charged liposomes (CLIPs) in a microfluidic chip.

A Liquid Metal Balloon for the Exfoliation of an Ultrathin and Uniform Gallium Oxide Layer.

We report the exfoliation of ultrathin gallium oxide (GaO) films from liquid metal balloons, formed by injecting air into droplets of eutectic gallium-indium alloy (eGaIn). These GaO films enable the selective adsorption of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in water, resulting in the formation of a dense, percolating CNT network on their surface. The self-assembled CNT network on GaO provides a versatile platform for device fabrication.

Highly Crystalline Contorted Coronene Homologous Molecule as Superior Organic Anode Material for Full-Cell Li-Ion Batteries.

Organic anode materials have garnered attention for use in rechargeable Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their lightweight, cost-effectiveness, and tunable properties. However, challenges such as high electrolyte solubility and limited conductivity, restrict their use in full-cell LIBs. Here, we report the use of highly crystalline Cl-substituted contorted hexabenzocoronene (Cl-cHBC) as an efficient organic anode for full-cell LIBs.

eIF2α phosphorylation-ATF4 axis-mediated transcriptional reprogramming mitigates mitochondrial impairment during ER stress.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation, which regulates all 3 unfolded protein response pathways, helps maintain cellular homeostasis and overcome endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through transcriptional and translational reprogramming. However, transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis by eIF2α phosphorylation during ER stress is not fully understood. Here, we report that the eIF2α phosphorylation-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) axis is required for the expression of multiple transcription factors, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its target genes responsible for mitochondrial homeostasis during ER stress.

Unveiling Trade-Off and Synergy in Simultaneous Removal of NO, CO, and NH on Mixed Metal Oxide Nanostructure Catalysts.

The simultaneous removal reaction (SRR) is a pioneering approach for achieving the simultaneous removal of anthropogenic NO and CO pollutants through catalytic reactions. To facilitate this removal across diverse industrial fields, it is crucial to understand the trade-offs and synergies among the multiple reactions involved in the SRR process. In this study, we developed mixed metal oxide nanostructures derived from layered double hydroxides as catalysts for the SRR, achieving high catalytic conversions of 93.

Lifetimes and Lifetime-Associated Spectra for Reversible Excited Two-State Reactions.

Photoinduced excited-state processes have been platforms for understanding the molecular mechanisms of many chemical and biological reactions. To elucidate associated chemical kinetics, time-resolved spectroscopic experiments have been performed tracking how the populations of reactants and products change during the reactions while reaction conditions such as the concentration of a reactant, temperature, and solvent properties change. Here, we simulate the lifetimes of a reactant and a product, and construct their lifetime-associated spectra with the various combinations of rate constants based on the analytical solutions of differential rate equations.

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticides using pine needle, pine bark, and soil samples across South Korea: Source apportionment and implications for atmospheric transport.

Pine needle, pine bark, and soil samples were collected from various regions in South Korea, considering the suitability of vegetation samples as passive samplers. A total of 27 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analyzed using a gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (GC/HRMS). The total concentrations of OCPs ranged between 650 and 3652 pg/g dw in soil, 215 and 1384 pg/g ww in pine needles, and 456 and 1723 pg/g ww in pine bark.

Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for High-Level Production of 1,5-Pentanediol, a C5 Diol Platform Chemical.

The biobased production of chemicals is essential for advancing a sustainable chemical industry. 1,5-Pentanediol (1,5-PDO), a five-carbon diol with considerable industrial relevance, has shown limited microbial production efficiency until now. This study presents the development and optimization of a microbial system to produce 1,5-PDO from glucose in Corynebacterium glutamicum via the l-lysine-derived pathway.

Active Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Platform Based on a 2D Material-Flexible Nanotip Array.

Two-dimensional materials with a nanostructure have been introduced as promising candidates for SERS platforms for sensing application. However, the dynamic control and tuning of SERS remains a long-standing problem. Here, we demonstrated active tuning of the enhancement factor of the first- and second-order Raman mode of monolayer (1L) MoS transferred onto a flexible metallic nanotip array.

Fine-Modulation of Perovskite Ion-Additive Binding Interaction Using Multidentate Ligation for High Performance Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Research on perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has primarily focused on modulating crystal growth to achieve smaller grain sizes and defect passivation using organic additives. However, challenges remain in controlling the intermolecular interactions between these organic additives and perovskite precursor ions for precise modulation of crystal growth. In this study, we synthesize two triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO)-based multidentate additives: bidentate hexane-1,6-diyl-bis(oxy-4-triphenylphosphine oxide) (2-TPPO) and tetradentate pentaerythrityl-tetrakis(oxy-4-triphenylphosphine oxide) (4-TPPO).