Latest ArticlesHigh-salinity wastewater, especially reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate, is difficult to treat due to severe microbial inhibition and the presence of refractory organics. Herein, a salinity-tolerant bacterium (Chryseobacterium sp.) was isolated and applied in combination with ionizing irradiation to develop an efficient coupled process for RO concentrate treatment. The strain metabolically degraded phenol, p-cresol, indole, and benzoic acid, and transcriptomic analysis revealed that salt tolerance was associated with the synthesis of specific salt-tolerant proteins and enzymes (i.e., branched-chain amino acid). Although elevated chloride and sulfate concentrations reduced the phenol removal rate, complete degradation was achieved. The coupled process achieved up to 78.3% COD removal and completely inactivated Chryseobacterium sp. in the effluent, ensuring biosafety. This study provides a promising strategy integrating halotolerant biodegradation and advanced oxidation for efficient treatment of high-salinity wastewater.
Linear mRNA-encoded bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs) have shown promising efficacy in cancer treatment; however, their clinical translation remains constrained by poor stability and transient protein expression. To overcome these limitations, we engineered a circular RNA (cRNA) encoding PD-L1×CD3 BiTEs using permuted intron-exon splicing and CVB3-IRES elements, and encapsulated it into novel ionizable lipid nanoparticles (D1LNPs) synthesized via a streamlined one-step reaction. This platform, termed D1LNP@cRNABiTEs, achieved robust and sustained in vivo expression of the BiTEs, significantly outperforming conventional linear mRNA formulations. In murine models of colorectal cancer, monotherapy with D1LNP@cRNABiTEs potently inhibited tumor growth, enhanced CD8+ T-cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, ELISpot analysis confirmed the enhancement of systemic antigen-specific T cell responses. The D1LNPs delivery system also demonstrated excellent stability and favorable safety profile. In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence for the D1LNPs@cRNA platform as a potent and scalable strategy for cancer immunotherapy, effectively addressing key challenges of RNA stability and delivery.
Ammonia (NH3) is a pivotal industrial chemical extensively utilized in agricultural production, energy storage systems, and chemical manufacturing processes. However, the conventional NH3 synthesis method, the Haber-Bosch process, is not only highly energy-intensive but also produces substantial greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, a sustainable alternative is offered by the ambient electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3−) reduction reaction (NO3RR) to NH3, which utilizes renewable electricity. This process not only converts NO3− pollutants into valuable NH3 but also addresses environmental concerns by effectively utilizing NO3− waste. In this review, we focus on the electrocatalytic synthesis of NH3 via NO3RR, systematically outlining the background of NO3RR, the fundamental reaction pathways, and the methods for detecting products and intermediates. We also highlight the advantages of copper (Cu)-based catalysts in this reaction. We explore various strategies to enhance Cu catalysis, including nanoparticle synthesis, facet engineering, alloying, oxidation state tuning, and single-atom dispersion. Additionally, we provide an overview of how electrolyte composition and characteristics affect NO3− reduction efficiency and clarify the processes that underlie these effects. We delve into NO3RR's challenges and the likelihood of NH3 synthesis in the future. The goal of this work is to shed light on how to achieve environmental sustainability and create more effective NH3 synthesis strategies.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanomachines (MNMs) merge high surface area, porosity, and the tunability of MOFs with mobility and intelligence of smart nanomachines. This review provides comprehensive overview of synthesis and post synthetic modifications for MOF tailored for water purification. Further MOF transformation into nanorobots has been elucidated, relating MNM shapes to their functionality. Propulsion modes: Both chemical and physical are also critically evaluated, and research gaps have been explored. For the environmental applications of MNMs, mechanisms of working, ability to remove metal ions, organic pollutants and dyes, sensing and disinfection have been explored. Future potential for the use of MNMs under harsh water conditions has also been discussed. Finally, the review identifies toxicological concerns related to long-term MNMs, research gaps and future challenges, giving a road map for future research, suggesting use of computational chemistry (artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)) for effective purposes. By bringing synthesis, PSM, transformation, structural engineering at one place and relating them with propulsion mechanisms as well as with environmental applications of MNMs, this review will act as foundational reference for researchers working to fabricate MNMs for sustainable water treatment.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract and has become a serious threat to human health worldwide. As an important part of systems biology, metabolomics is an effective tool to study the pathogenesis of diseases and search for potential biomarkers. Particularly, liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)-based untargeted metabolomics plays crucial roles in the discovery of CRC biomarkers. However, previous studies still have some limitations, such as small sample cohorts, lack of standardized procedures and independent validation. In this study, LC-HRMS based non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed to acquire metabolic profiling of 156 urine samples from healthy controls (HC, n = 43), colorectal adenoma patients (CRA, n = 51) and CRC patients (n = 62) to reveal metabolite disturbance, and then differential metabolites were verified in another sample set including 200 urine samples. Compared with CRA patients and HC, the levels of some lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, and organic oxygen compounds were increased, whereas the levels of most amino acids and derivatives, benzenoids, lipids and lipid-like molecules, nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues, organic acids and derivatives, organoheterocyclic compounds as well as phenylpropanoids and polyketides were significantly decreased in CRC patients. Moreover, a potential biomarkers panel consisting of 4 metabolites was defined and validated for CRC diagnosis, and high area under the curve (0.963 for distinguishing CRC from non-CRC subjects) as well as good specificity and sensitivity were obtained. Although further extensive validation with larger sample sizes in different populations is needed before it can be recommended for clinical use, clinical diagnosis of CRC in the future may benefit from the biomarkers panel developed in this study.
The matrix deposition method is one of the critical factors influencing the performance of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), as it determines matrix crystal sizes and coating uniformity, thereby impacting ionization efficiency and spatial resolution. Currently, automated sprayers are widely utilized for matrix deposition due to their convenience, speed, and robust reproducibility. However, existing automated spraying techniques typically produce micrometer-sized crystal particles, limiting high-resolution imaging quality and sensitivity. To overcome this, we introduce cluster airflow assisted matrix coating (CAAMC), which employs multiple cluster airflows to achieve a more uniform dispersion and atomization of the matrix droplets, resulting in nano-sized crystal particles—an advance beyond traditional deposition methods. This method represented the first successful automatic spray method for nano-matrix crystallization, surpassing regular-one channel pneumatic spraying and sublimation in producing smaller, more homogeneous crystals. Application to rat brain tissues and single cells demonstrates that CAAMC significantly enhances small molecule and lipid detection efficiency and imaging quality (lateral resolution of 5 μm), exceeding the performance of regular-one channel pneumatic spraying and sublimation. Overall, CAAMC significantly broadens the potential of automated matrix spraying techniques in high-resolution MALDI-MSI.
Membrane separation technology offers significant advantages in water treatment but faces challenges such as membrane fouling and limited separation capabilities, which often fail to meet the urgent demands of water purification. Integrating versatile piezoelectric materials into conventional membranes is expected to overcome the limitations of existing techniques. This review analyzes recent advancements in piezoelectric membranes for efficient water purification, beginning with the historical evolution and foundational principles of the piezoelectric effect and piezocatalysis. It then presents an overview of conventional and emerging piezoelectric materials used in advanced membrane fabrication. The typical strategies for producing high-performance piezoelectric membranes are outlined, including solution blending, electrospinning, dry pressing, and sintering. The energy sources, applications, and mechanisms of piezoelectric membranes in water purification are examined, covering catalytic degradation, fouling mitigation, and antibacterial effects. Finally, this review assesses the main challenges facing piezoelectric membrane separation technology and considers future development pathways.
Oxalic acid (OA) promotes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the degradation of pollutants, while it also enhances the reduction of trivalent iron (Fe(Ⅲ)) in homogeneous Fenton systems. However, due to the coexistence of Fe(Ⅱ) and OA-Fe(Ⅲ)/hydroperoxide complex, the generation pathways of ROS and degradation mechanisms of pollutants have not been clarified. In this work, bisphenol A (BPA) was selected and its degradation mechanisms in the OA/Fe(Ⅲ)/sodium percarbonate (SPC) system were investigated. Results showed that 99% of BPA degradation in OA/Fe(Ⅲ)/SPC system, which was higher than that of single Fe(Ⅲ) and SPC system (degradation ratio < 10%). OA promoted the formation of carbonate radicals (CO3•-) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). There was no remarkable relationship between the degradation ratio of BPA and the change of Fe(Ⅱ) concentration, suggesting that the reduction properties of OA was not the direct cause of BPA degradation. By further analysis, the chelation of Fe(Ⅲ) and OA resulted in an enormous potential difference between Fe(Ⅱ) and Fe(Ⅲ)-OA complex, which was more favorable for accepting electrons from Fe(Ⅱ) intermediate, and forming more reactive ferrous complexes; moreover, iron oxalate (Fe2(C2O4)3) enhanced BPA degradation in the Fe(Ⅱ)/SPC system, which also evidenced the above findings. Under neutral conditions (pH 7.0), peroxy intermediate (OA-Fe(Ⅲ)-OOH) complex also contributed to CO3•-/•OH production and enhanced BPA degradation. These findings highlight the important role of OA in degradation of pollutants, which provides valuable insights for designing sustainable Fenton-based advanced oxidation processes.
Sulfur is a key element in global biogeochemical cycles, participating in the energy exchange among the terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric systems. In the early days, the natural sulfur cycle maintained an input-output balance. However, the rapid expansion of industrial activities has disrupted this equilibrium by altering sulfur species conversion pathways and flux distributions. This has led us to have to explore new sulfur balance states to reduce the impact on the ecological environment. So far, researchers have conducted a series of studies on the modern sulfur cycle, but these findings have not yet been systematically organized. This review systematically examines the sulfur cycle from integrated natural and anthropogenic perspectives. Among them, the natural sulfur cycle encompasses the terrestrial, marine and atmospheric systems of the Earth, focusing on sulfur species, transformation and circulation flux. Furthermore, the investigation of the industrial metabolic process of sulfur has revealed that human activities have disrupted the balance of the Earth’s sulfur cycle, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation. To mitigate these effects, advancing intra-industrial sulfur recycling strategies is critical for reducing primary resource consumption and waste emissions. This review provided a foundational framework for achieving sustainable sulfur utilization and restoring global sulfur balance.
Heavy metals complexed with organic reagents in wastewater jeopardize environmental safety, resist conventional removal methods, but are also valuable metallic resources. Herein, a novel fissured-phosphorylated zero-valent iron (P-ZVIbm&ln) was synthesized via mechanochemical phosphorylation and liquid-nitrogen-quenching, and applied to benzohydroxamic acid-complexed Cu(Ⅱ) (Cu(Ⅱ)-BHA) degradation and synchronous copper recovery. During mechanochemical phosphorylation, a ferrous phosphate shell with abundant surface ferrous (≡Fe2+) was constructed on ZVI, which facilitated the activation of molecular oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) for Cu(Ⅱ)-BHA degradation. Moreover, the subsequent liquid-nitrogen-quenching created surface cracks for more Fe0 cores exposure, which triggered the comproportionation reaction (Fe0 + 2Fe3+ → 3Fe2+), thereby strengthening Fe2+ regeneration and sustainable molecular oxygen activation for efficient oxidative decomplexation and metal recovery. In the P-ZVIbm&ln/Cu(Ⅱ)-BHA decontamination process, nearly 100% of Cu was recovered and BHA was degraded, while P-ZVIbm&ln showed excellent cyclic reaction performance. Through diverse experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, researchers shed light on the mechanism. Meanwhile, the P-ZVIbm&ln could effectively treat other metal-BHA complexes (e.g., Cr(Ⅲ), Mn(Ⅱ), Ni(Ⅱ), Ag(Ⅰ), Cd(Ⅱ), and Pb(Ⅱ)) and actual mine wastewater containing Cu(Ⅱ) complexes with satisfactory metal recovery, showing promising application prospects in treatment of heavy-metal complex wastewater and sustainable development.
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