Latest ArticlesPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a significant cancer therapy option. Currently, cation-based organic small molecule aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizers (PSs) attract the wide attention of many scientists, due to improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after cationization. However, such PSs tend to localize only the mitochondria, limiting the death way of tumor cells (usually apoptosis) during PDT process, which may affect the therapeutic effect under some circumstances. Herein, we designed a novel water-soluble three positive charge PS, TPAN-18F, which could be distributed uniformly in cell cytoplasm and had distribution in different sub-organelles (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosome). The experimental results showed that TPAN-18F-based PDT process can not only disrupt mitochondrial functions (reducing ATP production and destroying mitochondrial membrane potential), but also elevate the intracellular lipid peroxides (LPOs) level, which evoke the non-apoptotic death manner of tumor cells. Further, in vivo studies showed that TPAN-18F-based PDT could effectively inhibit tumor growth. Accordingly, we believe that the construction of TPAN-18F is suggestive for tumor non-apoptotic therapy.
Sleep deprivation (SD) is a widespread issue that disrupts the lives of millions of people. These effects initiate as changes within neurons, specifically at the DNA and RNA level, leading to disruptions in neuronal plasticity and the dysregulation of various cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. Nucleic acid epigenetic modifications that could regulate gene expression have been reported to play crucial roles in this process. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the correlation of SD with nucleic acid epigenetic modifications. In the current study, we aimed to systematically investigate the landscape of modifications in DNA as well as in small RNA molecules across multiple tissues, including the heart, liver, kidney, lung, hippocampus, and spleen, in response to chronic sleep deprivation (CSD). Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, we characterized the dynamic changes in DNA and RNA modification profiles in different tissues of mice under CSD stress. Specifically, we observed a significant decrease in the level of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and a significant increase in the level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in the kidney in CSD group. Regarding RNA modifications, we observed an overall increased trend for most of these significantly changed modifications across six tissues in CSD group. Our study sheds light on the significance of DNA and RNA modifications as crucial epigenetic markers in the context of CSD-induced stress.
Here, we present a novel bioorthogonal platform that enables precise positioning of attached moieties in close proximity, thereby facilitating the discovery and optimization of biocompatible reactions. Using this platform, we achieve a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction under physiological conditions, generating a fluorophore in situ with a yield of up to 93%. This proximity platform should facilitate the discovery of various types of biocompatible reactions, making it a versatile tool for biomedical applications.
Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system with the potential to be treated by nano drug delivery system. The current work describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel nanomaterial to construct a nano-carrier based on 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatecholine (POPC) loaded doxorubicin (DOX) and embedded with gold nanoparticles and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) (GNPS@PNIPAM-POPC-DOX, GPPD). The dual-sensitive nanosystem gives simultaneous photothermal treatment and chemotherapy for bladder cancer. In vitro and in vivo properties were assessed using bladder cancer cell lines and mice and GPPD system distribution, tumor inhibition, and biocompatibility are reported. The system had favorable stability, low biological toxicity, controlled release efficiency, photothermal synergistic action, efficient photothermal transition, and favorable tumor suppressive effects. As a result, GPPD is a potential therapeutic approach for bladder cancer.
Recently, organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides (HMHs) have attracted extensive attention as promising multifunctional materials by virtue of their structural diversity and tunable photophysical properties. However, it remains a challenge to design HMHs with specific functions on demand. Herein, by introducing R/S-methylbenzylamine (R/S-MBA) and doping Sb3+, we have achieved both second harmonic generation (SHG) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties in lead-free indium halides. The introduction of chiral organic cations can break the symmetry and induce the indium halides to crystallize in the chiral space group. The Sb3+ with ns2 electronic configuration can serve as the dopants to promote the formation of self-trapped excitons, so as to activate highly efficient luminescence. As a result, the as-prepared Sb3+ doped (R/S-MBA)3InCl6 show not only SHG responses but also CPL signals with luminescence dissymmetry factor of −5.3 × 10−3 and 4.7 × 10−3. This work provides a new inspiration for the exploitation of chiral multifunctional materials.
Electrocatalysis is a surface-sensitive process, in which the catalytic activity of electrocatalyst highly relates to the surface adsorption/desorption behaviors of the reactants/intermediates/products on the catalytically active sites. Surface chemical microenvironment engineering via organic molecules functionalization is a promising strategy to tune the electrocatalytic activity since it can well modify the electrode/electrolyte interface and alter the reaction pathways. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of surface microenvironment engineering of electrocatalysts induced by organic molecules functionalization, with the special focus on the organic molecule-assisted growth mechanism and unique electronic effect. More importantly, the applications of organic molecule functionalized catalysts in various electrocatalytic reactions are also systematically summarized, along with a deep discussion on the conclusion and perspective. This work will open a new avenue for the construction and modification of advanced electrocatalysts based on organic molecule-mediated interface engineering.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and fatal lung disease characterized by pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Current anti-fibrotic drugs for IPF treatment in the clinic lack selectivity and demonstrate unsatisfactory efficacy, highlighting the urgent necessity for a novel therapeutic strategy. Taraxasterol (TA), which has biological activities against lung injury induced by various factors, is a potential anti-IPF drug due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lung-protective effects. However, the protective effect of TA on IPF has not been confirmed, and its clinical application is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, we demonstrated that TA could inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of A549 cells by inhibiting the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway. To improve the aqueous solubility and pulmonary administration performance of TA, we prepared TA loaded methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d, l-lactide) (mPEG-PLA)/d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) mixed polymeric micelles (TA-PM). Then a MicroSprayerⓇ Aerosolizer was used to deliver TA-PM once every two days for three weeks to evaluate their therapeutic effects on bleomycin (BLM)-induced IPF mice. Our results demonstrated that inhaled TA-PM significantly inhibited BLM-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis in lung tissue. Furthermore, TA-PM exhibited high pulmonary deposition and retention by pulmonary administration, along with a favorable safety profile. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of inhaled TA-PM as a promising treatment for IPF, providing a new opportunity for their clinical application.
Searching for efficient nonprecious metal-based catalysts toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are of significance for seawater electrolysis. Herein, a core–shell-structured hybrid of cobalt phosphide nanowires@NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets grown on conductive nickel foam (CoP@NiFe LDH/NF) is prepared by a feasible approach at low temperature. The charming structure can provide numerous phosphide/hydroxide heterogenous interfaces, expose abundant active sites, and boost electron/mass transfer, synergistically enhancing catalytic OER activity. When employed as an electrocatalyst toward the OER, the resultant CoP@NiFe LDH/NF only requires a small overpotential of 287 mV to provide 300 mA/cm2 current density as well as long-time durability in 1.0 mol/L KOH seawater. The regulation of electronic states and surface reconstruction synergistically contribute to highly efficient seawater oxidation. This work provides an opportunity to construct efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.
Satisfactory ionic conductivity, excellent mechanical stability, and high-temperature resistance are the prerequisites for the safe application of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs). In this study, a novel poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA)-core/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-shell nanofiber membrane and the functional Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) ceramic nanoparticle are simultaneously introduced into the PEO-based SPEs to prepare composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). The core PMIA layer of composite nanofibers can greatly improve the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the CPEs, while the shell PEO layer can provide the 3D continuous transport channels for lithium ions. In addition, the introduction of functional LLZTO nanoparticle not only reduces the crystallinity of PEO, but also promotes the dissociation of lithium salts and releases more Li+ ions through its interaction with the Lewis acid-base of anions, thereby overall improving the transport of lithium ions. Consequently, the optimized CPEs present high ionic conductivity of 1.38×10−4 S/cm at 30 ℃, significantly improved mechanical strength (8.5 MPa), remarkable thermal stability (without obvious shrinkage at 150 ℃), and conspicuous Li dendrites blocking ability (> 1800 h). The CPEs also both have good compatibility and cyclic stability with LiFePO4 (> 2000 cycles) and high-voltage LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) (> 500 cycles) cathodes. In addition, even at low temperature (40 ℃), the assembled LiFePO4/CPEs/Li battery still can cycle stably. The novel design can provide an effective way to exploit high-performance solid-state electrolytes.
There is increasing evidence shows that either electrical stimulation (ES) or metal ion is an effective way to accelerate ulcerative wound healing. However, less attention is paid to investigating the synergistic effect between them. Herein, we explore the combined effects of ES and multiple metal ions on diabetic wound healing assisted by a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Firstly, the novel Eggshell@CuFe2O4 nanocomposites (NCs) are prepared, which show unique structure and intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Subsequently, the as-prepared nanocomposites are embedded in oxidized starch hydrogel to form a multifunctional composite gel, which is further assembled into a wearable ionic triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) patch with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It can convert the mechanical energy produced by a human body motion to electric energy and mediate the sequential release of metal ions (Fe2+/Ca2+/Cu2+), thereby resulting in the "cocktail effect" on impaired tissue. Under their effects, a satisfying healing result in diabetic mouse is identified, which can effectively accelerate wound healing process by relieving inflammation, promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition. The work puts forward the cocktail effect of electric simulation coupled with the multiple metal ions, and opens up a new perspective in designing iTENG patch towards repair of hard-to-heal wounds.
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