Ginseng-derived cholesterol analogues enhance pulmonary siRNA delivery and alleviate allergic asthma.

Microneedle (MN) patches have emerged as a highly efficient platform for localized drug delivery, showing great promise in cancer therapy due to their ability to enable precise drug administration. However, conventional MN systems are limited by the low drug-loading capacity of their tips and primarily rely on biologically inert, nontherapeutic matrices for structural support, which restricts further gains in antitumor efficacy. Herein, we present a strategy turning toxicity into therapy by constructing palladium nanoparticle-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyethylenimine (PVA/PEI@Pd) hydrogel microneedles (PPPd-MNs), which exploit the intrinsic cytotoxicity of PEI for synergistic melanoma therapy. The PPPd-MNs efficiently catalyze the deprotection of a doxorubicin prodrug (P-DOX), enabling in situ generation of active doxorubicin (DOX). Notably, the PEI matrix serves a dual function: acting as a robust ligand to stabilize Pd catalysts and functioning as a therapeutic agent that disrupts cancer cell membranes. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that the combination of Pd-mediated bioorthogonal activation of DOX and PEI-induced membrane damage achieves a remarkable synergistic therapeutic outcome in a murine melanoma model, resulting in a tumor inhibition rate of up to 98%. This work repurposes the inherent cytotoxicity of the carrier material as an active therapeutic component, offering a novel paradigm for the design of high-performance bioorthogonal catalytic systems.

Carrier-free immobilization of α-galactosidase using novel cross-linkers: Robust inclusion body-derived CLEAs for efficient hydrolysis of raffinose family oligosaccharides in soymilk.

Stability of nanosuspensions in drug delivery: mechanisms, characterization strategies, and advanced stabilization approaches.

Adhesin gene overexpression stimulates biofilm formation and catalytic performance in recombinant Escherichia coli.

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology is limited by slow granulation and structural instability. To overcome the shortcomings of existing carrier materials (e.g., activated carbon, sponge) regarding poor biocompatibility, inadequate pore connectivity, and surface chemical inertness, this study proposes a rapid AGS construction strategy based on a novel L-carrier (a renewable polymer material modified by alkali‑ultrasonic treatment to obtain hydrophilic, hierarchical porous, and high surface charge properties). Using sequencing batch reactors, the effects of the L-carrier on granulation progress, structural stability, and pollutant removal performance were systematically evaluated. Results showed that the L-carrier shortened the maturation time of the pre-formed composite granules to 5days (defined as the time required to achieve stable granule morphology, settling velocity > 70mh-1,and TN removal rate increases), representing an 80% reduction compared to conventional self-aggregation. The obtained AGS exhibited a density of 1.062g·(cm3)-1, structural integrity > 0.95, and an average settling velocity of 70.9-74.2mh-1, which are significantly superior to reported activated-carbon-assisted AGS (settling velocity 55-65mh-1) and sponge-carrier systems (integrity ≤ 0.85). COD removal exceeded 90%, and total nitrogen removal reached 70-85%, which is significantly higher than typical values reported for conventional self-aggregated AGS (TN removal 50-70%) and sponge-carrier systems (55-70%), representing a 10-15% point improvement over similar carrier-assisted systems. High-throughput microbial analysis revealed that the L-carrier surface selectively enriched genera such as Thauera, Thermomonas, and Pseudoxanthomonas (total abundance > 25%), and their EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) production (especially polysaccharides in tightly bound EPS) was 2.3 times higher than that of carrier‑free systems. In summary, the L‑carrier not only serves as a physical scaffold but also enhances granule structural integrity and functional performance by modulating the interfacial micro‑ecology, providing a new approach for engineering application of AGS.

Chemical looping hydrogen production (CLHP) is a highly efficient and low-carbon technology that enables continuous hydrogen production. It is based on the transfer of oxygen atoms between two or three reactors using an oxygen carrier as an intermediate medium to produce high-value-added syngas and high-purity hydrogen. This study begins with a brief overview of the technical principles and key advantages of methane chemical looping reforming for hydrogen production. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection database, bibliometric keyword clustering analysis was employed to identify trends in oxygen carrier materials within the chemical looping hydrogen production field, with a particular focus on progress in the modification and design of Fe-, Ni-, and Cu-based, and composite mineral oxygen carriers. Furthermore, by systematically collating previously reported density functional theory (DFT) calculation data, a comparative analysis of the differences in key thermodynamic and kinetic parameters among various oxygen carriers, including the reaction activation energy, oxygen vacancy formation energy, and adsorption energies of reactants and intermediates, was performed. Finally, the review systematically summarizes the mechanisms by which preparation methods regulate the microstructure and redox properties of oxygen carriers, aiming to provide a reference for the rational design and controlled synthesis of high-performance oxygen carriers, fill gaps in existing reviews, and offer cutting-edge systematic reference material for future research into chemical looping hydrogen production technology.

This study investigates the applicability of various carrier materials in fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP) processes through finite element analysis (FEA). Numerical simulations were performed for RDL-first and molding-first process flows to evaluate warpage and stress distribution across different carrier types, including steel, glass, and ceramic. Two panel dimensions, 600 [Formula: see text] 700 mm and 680 [Formula: see text] 680 mm, were modeled under varying manufacturing processes, temperature settings, and material properties. The simulations incorporated both mechanical and chemical shrinkage effects, with the molding-first process modeled from compression molding to the debonding stage. The element birth and death technique was implemented to account for material addition and removal during processing, thereby enhancing simulation accuracy. The results indicate that the average reference temperature provides the lowest prediction error in the RDL-first process, while maximum von Mises stress consistently occurs in the RM 1 and WAL layers. Furthermore, a significant increase in warpage is observed during the debonding stage in the molding-first process. A comparative analysis between simulation and experimental results demonstrates a high level of agreement, confirming the validity and reliability of the modeling approach. By systematically examining the thermo-mechanical behavior of multiple carrier materials in different process flows, this work establishes a comprehensive design guideline for carrier selection and process optimization in advanced FOPLP manufacturing.

A review of antimicrobial biodegradable food packaging: design strategies, applications, and challenges.

The genus Streptomyces encompasses diverse strains capable of producing antifungal compounds that combat various soil pathogens, responsible for reduced rice yields. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the potential of a consortium comprising four Streptomyces species, specifically Streptomyces chilikensis RC1830, Streptomyces barkulensis RC1831, Streptomyces chitinovorans RC1832, and Streptomyces griseoincarnatus RB7AG, isolated from the Chilika Lake estuary, against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. The consortia exhibited significant antagonistic activity against both soil-borne pathogens. In addition, inoculation with the consortium increased the shoot length by 40%, root length by 47.2%, total chlorophyll by 47.5%, and shoot dry weight 45.3% compared to the control. The disease severity index (DSI) was also reduced by approximately 50% following application of the Streptomyces consortium. Formulation trials revealed that formulations prepared using vermiculite, activated charcoal, and biochar were most effective in maintaining viable propagule counts, greatest shelf life when stored at 4°C (∼40-60×106 CFU mL⁻¹ after 3 months). These findings indicate that Streptomyces-based consortia can be efficiently utilized for sustainable disease management and growth promotion in rice.

3D DNA walker-based biosensors: From programmable trajectory to detection of foodborne pathogens.

ABSTRACT Conductive hydrogels can serve as important carrier materials for flexible strain sensors, demonstrating promising application prospects in the field of flexible wearable sensors. Nevertheless, conventional conductive hydrogels frequently have subpar mechanical, electrical, and freezing resistance qualities, which significantly restricts their usefulness in wearable sensors. Using a free radical polymerization process, ethylene glycol (EG) was added as an antifreeze agent and Zn(CF 3 SO 3 ) 2 as an ionic conductive filler to the polyacrylate lithium (PAALi) hydrogel matrix to create an anti‐freezing ion‐conductive hydrogel with a chemically cross‐linked network of PAALi/EG/Zn(CF 3 SO 3 ) 2 . The PAALi/EG/Zn(CF 3 SO 3 ) 2 (7.5 wt%) hydrogel has an elongation at break of 803%, a tensile strength of 0.499 MPa, and a conductivity of 1.534 S/m at room temperature. It retains outstanding flexibility and a conductivity of 1.084 S/m at −24°C. This hydrogel also exhibits outstanding adhesion, self‐healing qualities, fatigue resistance, moisture retention, and anti‐swelling capabilities. It has a wide detection range, great sensitivity, and very little hysteresis for a wearable strain sensor. In addition to small deformations like frowning and swallowing, this wearable strain sensor can precisely track joint movements like finger and wrist bending. It has encouraging potential for use in wearable sensing applications.

Hydrogen is a primordial energy carrier and industrial raw material that will play a crucial role in future energy transition and decarbonization ambitions. Silane hydrolysis represents an under-explored approach to hydrogen generation, yet most known systems have thus far focused on noble-metal catalysis. Herein we report a highly active transition metal-free method for the production of hydrogen from (sea)water and hydrosilanes, relying on the unique combination of simple bases as catalyst, and dimethyl sulfoxide as promoting solvent, assisted by mechanistic and computational studies. Remarkably, the hydrolysis of phenylsilane achieved a turnover frequency (TOF) of 202 ± 5 min-1, far superior to existing metal-free systems (TOF ≤ 8 min-1), and even surpassing noble-metal catalysts (TOF ≤ 170 min-1). The developed method rapidly generates hydrogen directly from seawater, applying polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS), a silicon industry waste, with rates up to 70.2 molH2/gcat/h. Notably, we have demonstrated the recyclability of the solvent, and re-use of the by-products formed during PMHS hydrolysis. Thus, the polysiloxane by-products were efficiently depolymerized into functional chlorosilane monomers, which are suitable for the design of new high-value silicon polymers. These findings highlight the broader applicability and circularity of our integrated approach.

Current methods for detecting biotoxins are hindered by complex sample preparation and dependence on sophisticated instrumentation. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that facilitate efficient and portable detection capabilities. Herein, a self-powered biosensing platform based on enzyme-based biofuel cells (EBFCs) is reported for the first time for ultrasensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), utilizing gold-embedded hierarchical porous carbon (Au@HPC) and enzymatic signal amplification. Au@HPC was prepared to function as an electrode material of EBFCs for constructing superior EBFCs, representing a novel application of this composite in a self-powered sensing platform. An aptamer-based selective recognition strategy coupled with enzymatic signal amplification was further implemented to monitor the bioelectrocatalytic response toward AFB1. Synergy of enzymatic signal amplification and high-performance carrier material (Au@HPC) amplified electrical signals, markedly improving the sensitivity of the detection platform. As a result, AFB1 could be reliably identified over a wide concentration range of 0.01-104pg/mL, with a detection limit reaching the femtogram level (1.52fg/mL, S/N = 3). This study presents a highly accurate, sensitive, and portable detection method suitable for rapid analysis in real food samples.

Mathematical modelling and computer simulation are increasingly being used alongside experiments to help optimise and guide the design of drug delivery systems. Recent drug delivery research has (i) highlighted the advantages of drug delivery systems constructed using functionally-graded materials to achieve target release rates and desired dosage levels over time; and (ii) revealed how it is possible for drug to bind to the carrier material and become irreversibly immobilised within the system, reducing the amount of drug delivered. In this paper, we consider the effect of functionally-graded materials and binding reactions on drug release from common slab, cylinder and sphere devices. In particular, two key contributions are presented. First, we outline a deterministic-continuum approach that develops exact analytical expressions for calculating the total fraction of drug released from the device based on a partial differential equation model of the release process. Second, we develop a stochastic-discrete approach for calculating the fraction of drug released over time based on a random-walk model that captures the randomness of the release process and resulting variability in the total fraction of drug released. Both approaches are numerically validated and provide tools for exploring how the fraction of drug released depends on system parameters (e.g. diffusivity and reaction-rate functions induced by the functionally-graded material and binding reactions), insight which may be useful for designers of drug delivery systems. • Functionally-graded drug delivery systems with binding reactions. • Analytical and stochastic approaches for the fraction of drug released. • Analytical approach develops exact expressions based on PDE model. • Stochastic approach uses random-walk model of individual drug particles. • Code implementing and verifying both approaches provided.

Corrigendum to “Theoretical study in comparison of astatine adsorptions on metal carrier materials for targeted alpha therapy applications” [Next Nanotechnol. 8 (2025) 100231

Comparative assessment of new oxygen carrier materials for gas switching reforming of natural gas: Techno-economics assessment, life cycle analysis, and experimental insights

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Lysate Sustained-Release Nano-Hydrogel Alleviates Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Intrinsic Apoptosis.

The sustainable delivery of microbial biocontrol inoculants is crucial for improving plant health and reducing dependency on chemical pesticides. This study presents an eco-benign approach to encapsulating Trichoderma harzianum spores within bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) sheets for efficient agricultural biocontrol applications. BNC, synthesized using Komagataeibacter saccharivorans NUWB1, was utilized as a protective and biodegradable carrier material to enhance the stability and viability of Trichoderma spores. The fabricated BNC-Trichoderma composite films were characterized using FESEM, EDX, FTIR, and TGA, confirming successful spore entrapment and structural stability. Soil application tests demonstrated sustained viability and activation of encapsulated Trichoderma spores. Dual-culture assays revealed effective antagonistic activity, showing 60% inhibition of Fusarium incarnatum and 42.89% inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani. Pot experiments with soybean (Glycine max) seeds showed significant improvements in plant height, root length, and number of primary branches in composite film-treated plants under pathogen pressure compared to pathogen-only treatments. Furthermore, biodegradation studies confirmed the eco-sustainability of the fabricated films, with complete degradation observed within 28days. This study highlights the potential of BNC-based encapsulation as a promising strategy for controlled microbial delivery, enhancing biocontrol efficacy and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Nanoparticles supported on the surface of porous carrier materials are the dominant form of heterogeneous catalysts today. Yet, they suffer from a common deactivation mechanism: the loss of active surface area under industrial use conditions. Deactivation often stems from the sintering of nanoparticles, a mass-transport process whose mechanism and operating length-scale are a topic of controversy. Investigating this process is challenging, requiring not only a behavioral characterization of thousands of individual particles within the spatial confines of a hierarchically structured support but also a characterization of their ensemble behavior and local support interactions. Here, we introduce in situ ptychographic X-ray computed nanotomography as a tool to facilitate this characterization, allowing a local examination of catalysts in their use-geometry under operational-relevant conditions. Applied to methane oxidation over a palladium-on-silica supported catalyst, we reveal two concurrently operating deactivation drivers, short-range ripening and long-range particle migration, each with different temperature and atmosphere dependencies. The latter enables particles to traverse hundreds of nanometers through the support. These observations expand the current understanding of sintering behavior in supported catalysts and demonstrate PXCT's capability to resolve restructuring processes within complex porous materials.