Latest ArticlesUsing hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) as photosensitizers to perform photocatalytic oxidation reactions under green and mild conditions is still a challenge for the application of HOFs materials. This study presents a novel approach that exploits HOFs to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic oxidation for achieving visible light catalytic oxidation of styrene and its derivatives in the aqueous environment. By using 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene (H4TBAPy) as the monomer, a pyrene-based hydrogen-bonded organic framework (PFC-1) with a microporous structure was successfully prepared. Compared with monomer H4TBAPy, due to the exciton effect and the interlayer confinement of HOFs, the singlet oxygen (1O2) production efficiency is significantly improved, which has great potential in photocatalytic oxidation reactions. Subsequently, the practicality of PFC-1 as a photocatalyst was studied, and the photocatalytic oxidation of styrene and its derivatives in aqueous solution was achieved under visible light with high catalytic efficiency, indicating that PFC-1 has significant potential to promote photocatalytic oxidation reactions under mild conditions. The utilization of HOFs as photosensitizers in this straightforward approach enables the attainment of green photocatalytic oxidation, hence expanding the potential applications of HOFs materials within the realm of photocatalysis.
As a hydrolase, chymotrypsin (CHT) is involved in many physiological activities, and its abnormal activity is closely related to diabetes, pancreatic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. In this work, an innovative long-wavelength emission fluorescent probe TCF-CHT was designed and synthesized for the high specificity detection of CHT, which utilized TCF-OH and a mimetic peptide substrate 4-bromobutyryl as chromogenic group and recognition group, respectively. TCF-CHT exhibited excellent selectivity and eye-catching sensitivity (8.91 ng/mL) towards CHT, "off-on" long-wavelength emission at 670 nm and large Stokes shift (140 nm). Furthermore, the successful fulfillment and perfect performance in imaging endogenous CHT in complex organisms (P815 cells, HepG2 cells, zebrafish and tumor-bearing mice) verified its potential as a powerful tool for the recognition of CHT in complicated biological environments.
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the main source of collagen layer deposition and the key target in pancreatic fibrosis. However, no effective treatment specific to pancreatic fibrosis clinically, owing to the drug accumulation blocked by the collagen barrier and thus it is difficult to inhibit activated PSCs precisely. Herein, a PSCs-targeting nano-system based on “nanodrill” strategy (LA-PC) was designed to enhance the accumulation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in PSCs, relying on the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ)-targeting peptide (pPB: C*SRNLIDC*) and collagenase (Col). After being injected into fibrotic mice via tail vein, the Col modified on LA-PC can remove the excess collagen layer, and the drug delivery efficiency through pPB targeting peptide was more than 5 times higher than that of free ATRA, as well as the degree of fibrosis significantly reduced. Notably, this nano-system effectively inhibited platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-BB)/PDGFRβ axis on PSCs via a down-regulated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway, and accordingly reduced the level of PDGF-BB. Thus, the smart platform provided a promising strategy for the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis to achieve the precise regulation of PSCs.
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) exhibits promising clinical applications in cancer treatment owing to its advantages, including ultrasonic cavitation effect, mechanical effect, and deep tissue penetration. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials, recognized as excellent sonosensitizers, have been extensively studied in cancer SDT. This review first outlines the mechanism of TiO2-based SDT, then systematically discusses the regulation of TiO2 sonosensitivity, covering aspects such as morphology, particle size, element doping, defect engineering, heterojunction structure, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the review generalizes ultrasound-responsive TiO2-based therapeutic modalities for tumor treatment, including SDT, SDT combined with chemotherapy, chemodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, immunotherapy, and treatment visualization. Finally, the review navigates the ongoing challenges and prospects in TiO2-based cancer SDT.
Oligo[n]rotaxanes are one of the most extensively studied categories of mechanically bonded macromolecules. In this study, a supramolecular oligo[2]rotaxane is successfully constructed driven by platinum(Ⅱ) metallacycle and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interactions in an orthogonal way. The supramolecular oligo[2]rotaxane is further applied in fabricating a light harvesting system.
Bioelectronics have gained substantial research attention owing to their potential applications in health monitoring and diagnose, and greatly promoted the development of biomedicine. Recently, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) hydrogels have arose as a promising candidate for the next-generation bioelectronic interface due to its high-conductivity, versatility, flexibility and biocompatibility. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of PEDOT:PSS hydrogels, including the gelation methods and modification strategies, and summarize their wide applications in different type of sensors and tissue engineering in detail. We expect that this work will provide valuable information regarding the functionalizations and applications of PEDOT:PSS hydrogels.
When zero-valent iron (ZVI) is prepared and applied under neutral conditions, it is easy to form oxides or hydroxides on its surface, which hinders the electron release of ZVI. To this end, a nucleophile was introduced into the ZVI system to inhibit the precipitation of iron ions, improve the conductivity of the solution, and promote the removal efficiency of electrophilic functional groups in organic compounds. In this study, the addition of nucleophiles such as ethylenediamine, methylamine and dimethylamine to the ZVI/H2O2 system resulted in an enhanced removal efficiency of tetracycline (TC) under neutral condition, while electrophiles such as EDTA-2Na and oxalic acid dihydrate impeded the removal of TC. Experimental results demonstrated that the presence of nucleophiles could effectively promote the release of iron ions and increase the proportion of ferrous in both aqueous solution and solid surface of ZVI. Experimental and theoretical calculation results revealed that the electrophilic functional group was eliminated in the TC molecule, and the toxicity of the treated solution was reduced significantly. Overall, this work provides a selection of the conditions and pollutants applicable to ZVI under neutral pH conditions.
Sequential C-H bond addition with two different coupling partners is a powerful method for the rapid and modular construction of complex molecules based on simple starting materials. Herein, an efficient ruthenium-catalysed multicomponent long-range C-H functionalization of 2H-imidazoles was developed. This protocol showed good substrate suitability and yielded alkyl arylation products with potential biological activity.
No. 86 Xueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing
010-62199257
qkjq@cast.org.cn
Copyright © 2025 China Association for Science and Technology. All rights reserved. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply.
Sponsored by the Office of the Leading Group for Cybersecurity and Informatization of CAST, and supported by Science and Technology Review Publishing House
