This study reports the synthesis and characterization of fungal carbon dots (F-CDs) derived from filamentous microfungi belonging to the subphylum Pezizomycotina. Carbon dots were synthesized from a cell-free aqueous fungal homogenate obtained from the mycelial biomass of Phialomyces macrosporus, Penicillium spp., and Fusarium sp. The water-soluble mycelial fraction, containing intracellular metabolites, soluble proteins, and other low-molecular-weight compounds released upon cell disruption, was used directly as a carbon precursor in a hydrothermal synthesis. The resulting F-CDs exhibited intense green fluorescence with excitation-dependent emission, as confirmed by UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 3.9±1.1nm and crystalline domains with an interplanar spacing of 0.26nm. Zeta potential measurements indicated negatively charged surfaces (-15.6 to -18.4mV), suggesting good colloidal stability and potential for biological interactions. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated efficient uptake of F-CDs by Aspergillus niger hyphae, resulting in bright green staining and indicating high cellular compatibility. These results establish filamentous microfungi as previously unexplored and versatile carbon precursors for the sustainable production of green-emitting carbon dots with promising applications in bioimaging.

The restoration of ancient books plays a very important part of the preservation of cultural heritage. The main idea of it is to preserve historical authenticity, Long material life and cultural continuity. This article arranges the development of restoration materials of ancient books, mainly discussing the applications and evaluations of traditional and modern materials. Traditional materials like Chinese traditional paper, Japanese traditional paper, fish glue and starch paste. These materials have high reversibility, good compatibility, and culture consistency, so they have been used in preserving the original appearance of books and carrying the craft tradition for centuries. With the development of scientific technology, modern materials such as synthetic paper, acid-free paper, polymer adhesives, nanomaterials, and fiber-reinforced composites have gradually emerged. These materials are better at improving the stability of the structure and durability. This article will analyse the pros and cons of both traditional and modern materials across multiple dimensions, encompassing performance comparison, applicable scenarios, and ethical considerations, among others. Combining some real examples, this article will emphasize that choosing proper restoration materials should depend on some factors like the materials of the books, the aim of the restoration and the damage level. This article aim to provide an overall theoretical support and practical approach for culture heritage conservators. Also helps to promote the preservation work to me scientific, systematic and sustainable. This study proposes a “reversible base + local high-strength reinforcement” layered conservation strategy, emphasizing that material selection should be based on the document’s condition and preservation goals, balancing structural durability with cultural authenticity under ethical restoration principles.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have brought revolutionary therapeutic opportunities to advanced cancers. However, the insufficient accuracy of ICIs necessitates urgent advancements in precise targeting. Herein, leveraging the high compatibility of chiral configurations with chiral biomolecules, we constructed a pair of metal-centered chiral iridium(III) nanoparticles Δ-IrBMS8-NPs and Λ-IrBMS8-NPs featuring the BMS-8 moiety to enhance the chiral adaptability with immune checkpoint biomacromolecules while avoiding the use of nanocarriers. The resulting chiral nanoparticles demonstrate markedly distinct chirality-dependent biological activities. Specifically, Δ-IrBMS8-NPs achieve a 129-fold enhancement in tumor targeting, driven by the stereoselective recognition and binding of Δ-IrBMS8-NPs to tumor-specific PD-L1. This elevated targeting accuracy of Δ-IrBMS8-NPs with PD-L1 subsequently results in significantly enhanced anticancer immune responses in vivo, especially in activating the response to cytokine pathways in dendritic cells (DCs) and the recruitment of effector CD8+ T cells to remodel the tumor microenvironment. This work pioneers the discovery of nanoscale metal-centered chirality in precisely targeting immune checkpoints and highlights the pivotal role of delta configurations in enhancing anticancer immune responses, paving the way for the future rational design of effective metal-based immunotherapies.

Purpose This study aims to analyze the relationship between circular economy, frugal innovation and the application of banana pseudostem in the textile industry, identifying how alternative natural fibers can strengthen circularity and resilience in the global textile sector. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative integrative review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, with a systematic search conducted in four databases (SciSpace, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science). A total of 120 articles with an impact factor = 2 (2010–2025) were analyzed and categorized into four thematic axes: circular economy (13 articles), frugal innovation (10 articles), alternative natural fibers (8 articles) and banana pseudostem (7 articles). Findings The results highlight banana pseudostem as a strategic biomaterial for the textile industry, presenting high mechanical strength (600–800 MPa), strong biodegradability and compatibility with cotton and Tencel. Emerging countries such as India, Brazil and Bangladesh are at the forefront of scientific production, reflecting how access to raw materials supports frugal innovation practices The study demonstrates that integrating circular economy principles with frugal innovation strengthens local production chains, reduces environmental impacts and generates sustainable socioeconomic value. Research limitations/implications The main limitation lies in the lack of empirical evidence regarding large-scale industrial applications, as most of the analyzed studies are experimental or conceptual. The analysis revealed significant shortcomings in public policies, funding mechanisms and regulatory standards that are essential for broader market adoption. In addition, methodological heterogeneity among the studies restricts direct comparison of technical and economic results, limiting broader generalizations about commercial feasibility. Practical implications From a managerial perspective, the study supports the adoption of circular supply chains based on agricultural waste. Companies may explore textile blends, adopt decentralized extraction processes and invest in R&D to lower production costs. For policymakers, the findings inform the development of regulatory and fiscal incentives. For designers and industry players, the research opens an innovation pipeline for sustainable materials with strong market potential. Social implications The valorization of banana pseudostem generates positive social impacts, particularly in rural areas, by creating new income opportunities for farmers and promoting productive inclusion. The frugal innovation approach reinforces local economies, fosters social entrepreneurship and supports inequality reduction. This approach also expands market access to sustainable products for low-income segments, ensuring alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value This study consolidates knowledge on circular economy, frugal innovation and natural fibers, focusing on the banana pseudostem as an underutilized resource. The interdisciplinary integration demonstrates how frugal innovation drives scalable solutions in emerging contexts, providing an international overview and a foundation to transform the textile industry into a more sustainable sector.

We propose a mode-selective coupler pair (MSCP) to demultiplex the degenerate mode groups in graded-index few-mode fibers (GI FMF). The MSCP comprises a GI FMF core as input and two orthogonally positioned two-mode fiber (TMF) cores as output. It can simultaneously and selectively demultiplex the power of all spatial modes belonging to the third or fourth mode group in the GI FMF core into the two output TMF cores. The principle of the MSCP was analyzed by comparing its mode coupling behavior with that of conventional three-core mode-selective coupler and degenerate mode-selective coupler (DSMC). MSCPs were designed for the third and fourth mode groups, and a complete four-mode-group demultiplexer was constructed by cascading them with a DMSC. Simulations were performed to evaluate the performance of the individual MSCP as well as the cascaded demultiplexer, including demultiplexing efficiency, modal crosstalk and bandwidth characteristics across the C-band. The proposed MSCP-based demultiplexer enables MIMO-free mode-group-division multiplexing transmission over GI FMF, eliminating the need for complex digital signal processing and ensuring high compatibility with standard commercial direct-detection optical transceivers.

Abstract As a significant branch of solid-state cooling, elastocaloric and twistocaloric cooling achieve reversible temperature changes through the mechanical deformation of functional materials. Compared to vapor-compression refrigeration, it has emerged as a promising alternative because of high efficiency, environmental compatibility, and structural flexibility. Among various cooling strategies, twistocaloric cooling has recently attracted growing attention owing to its large temperature changes under low driving stress through torsional deformation. Here, we summarize recent progress in flexible twistocaloric and elastocaloric materials and devices, covering shape memory alloys, elastomeric polymers, and other emerging polymers. We elucidate the cooling mechanisms from molecular levels and compare the cooling properties among kinds of cooling materials. Then, large- and small-scale cooling devices driven by twisting, uniaxial stretching and hybrid deformation are clarified and critically discussions on heat-transfer efficiency, mechanical stability and scalability are emphasized. Finally, key challenges and future opportunities are outlined from material optimization, device engineering and multi-mode integration, and theoretical modeling perspectives, highlighting pathways toward compact, durable, and energy-efficient solid-state cooling technologies.

Functionalized γ-lactones and cyclopropanes, especially those bearing amide substituents, play important roles in diverse chemical and pharmacological processes, but their synthesis remains challenging. Here, we report a high-throughput protocol that employs amide-sulfoxonium ylides as versatile C1 synthons in efficient [1 + 4] and [1 + 2] annulation reactions with readily available alkene derivatives, delivering a variety of (hetero)amide-substituted γ-lactones and cyclopropanes in good yields. This simple approach demonstrates a broad substrate scope, high functional group compatibility, and excellent chemo- and diastereoselectivity, and can even be utilized for the late-stage diversification of complex bioactive molecules. Combined with machine learning, a yield predictive model for cyclopropane formation is established. Mechanistically, both [1 + 4] and [1 + 2] annulations are initiated by intermolecular Michael addition, diverging into selective 5-exo-trig and 3-exo-trig cyclization, respectively. Moreover, these synthetic transformations provide a reliable and efficient route to complex γ-lactones and cyclopropanes that are otherwise difficult to access.

Oxyhalide solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) exhibit high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with high-voltage cathodes, presenting notable application prospects. However, the oxyhalide SSEs exhibit poor interface compatibility with lithium metal anodes, which limits their use in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs). In this study, we utilized the spontaneous reactions of SSEs with lithium metal to regulate the composition and structure of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI). By adjusting the composition of the SSEs, we promoted the in situ formation of a highly stable and kinetically favorable SEI. The in situ SEI demonstrated uniformity and compactness, while the synergistic effects of LiCl, LiF, and Y2O3 enhanced interface stability. The lithium symmetric cells (Li|LTOC-YF3|Li) stably cycled for over 11,000 h (10.0 mA/cm2, 10.0 mAh/cm2) and achieved a high critical current density (CCD) of 12.7 mA/cm2 at a capacity of 12.7 mAh/cm2. The Li|LTOC-YF3|NCM88 ASSLMB maintained over 150 cycles with 92% capacity retention at 25 °C. Meanwhile, it exhibits excellent electrochemical stability at 50 °C. Notably, the Li|LTOC-YF3|LCO ASSLMB at 0.1 C (2.5-4.6 V) displayed a high specific capacity of 108 mAh/g at -50 °C while maintaining a stable cycling performance. Overall, the use of the LTOC-YF3 SSE in the ASSLMB demonstrates its remarkable electrochemical performance across a broad temperature range.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes in breast cancer. False hope or a real solution?

Cancer remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, necessitating the development of drug delivery systems that enhance therapeutic precision while minimizing systemic toxicity. Cubosomes, nanostructured lipid carriers with a bicontinuous cubic phase, have emerged as promising platforms for cancer therapy due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic molecules within a single matrix. Their unique internal architecture enables high drug loading, sustained release, and biological compatibility. Recent innovations in cubosome formulation include surface functionalization with polymers and targeting ligands to improve tumor selectivity and intracellular delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cubosomal nanocarrier systems, focusing on formulation strategies, drug encapsulation efficiencies, and physicochemical properties relevant to biopharmaceutical performance. Emphasis is placed on advanced analytical techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and zeta potential analysis for evaluating particle size distribution, internal structure, and surface charge. Key translational challenges including scalability, batch-to-batch reproducibility, regulatory considerations, and long-term safety are also discussed. By bridging nanoscale design with robust analytical validation, cubosomes offer a versatile and clinically viable platform for targeted cancer therapeutics.

Bio-isobutanol has emerged as an attractive next-generation biofuel and platform chemical due to its high energy density, low hygroscopicity, and compatibility with existing fuel infrastructures. Microbial production of isobutanol via engineered metabolic pathways has advanced significantly over the past decade; however, downstream separation remains one of the major bottlenecks limiting industrial implementation. The relatively low titers in fermentation broths (typically 5–30 g L⁻<sup>1</sup>), the presence of water-rich matrices, and the formation of azeotropes render conventional separation energy-intensive. Consequently, the development of efficient and cost-effective recovery technologies is critical for the commercialization of bio-isobutanol processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of downstream separation strategies for bio-isobutanol recovery from fermentation broths. Key techniques including distillation, gas stripping, adsorption, liquid–liquid extraction, pervaporation, salting-out extraction, and hybrid integrated processes are discussed in terms of separation mechanisms, operational performance, and process integration potential. Particular emphasis is placed on emerging intensified approaches such as membrane-assisted extraction, in situ product removal, and hybrid separations combining thermodynamic and kinetic selectivity. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives toward energy-efficient and scalable bio-isobutanol separation technologies are discussed.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) is rich in bioactives, such as cinnamaldehyde and phenols, which are susceptible to thermal degradation, volatilisation, and oxidative deterioration during processing and storage, thereby reducing chemical stability and limiting bioavailability. Encapsulation using lecithin and chitosan-based systems mitigates these instabilities by forming a protective barrier against oxygen, light, and heat while enhancing structural stability. In this study, freeze-dried extracts of C. zeylanicum were encapsulated into lecithin-based primary liposomes (PL) and chitosan-coated secondary liposomes (CH/L). The coating of liposomes with chitosan improves the liposome stability, mucoadhesion, and provides protection in the gastric pH while facilitating electrostatic bonding with the biological membrane. The high compatibility and low toxicity of chitosan also make it a suitable carrier in food and nutraceutical applications. The formed liposomes were characterised for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and storage stability over 8 weeks. CH/L showed superior EE (89.027%) compared to the PL (84.154%; p < 0.05). The particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the cinnamon-loaded lecithin-based primary liposome (CZ-PL) upon formation were 161.93 nm, 0.13, and −37.597 mV. In comparison, those of the cinnamon-loaded chitosan-coated liposomes (CZ-CH/L) were 591.7 nm, 0.27, and +28.17 mV. The particle size of CZ-PL and CZ-CH/L was 175.90 and 588.60 nm after 8 weeks of storage. The TEM confirmed the spherical morphology of the liposomes. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis demonstrated the disappearance of the characteristic cinnamon melting peak and shifts in liposomal transition temperatures, confirming successful encapsulation. FTIR analysis showed reduction or disappearance of characteristic cinnamon fingerprint peaks and slight band shifts, indicating successful encapsulation and non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding and electrostatic effects, within the liposomal systems. These findings imply that lecithin-based and chitosan-coated liposomes could be employed to successfully carry C. zeylanicum bioactives.

Introduction: Iloperidone, an atypical second-generation antipsychotic, is primarily used to treat schizophrenia through selective antagonism of dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. However, until now, no validated method has been reported for its quantification in simulated nasal fluid (SNF), which is essential for developing intranasal drug delivery systems for Iloperidone. This research focuses on the development and validation of a UV spectrophotometric method for the quantification of Iloperidone in SNF to support advancements in intranasal drug delivery systems of Iloperidone Method: The proposed analytical method adheres to ICH Q2(R1) guidelines, ensuring linearity, robustness, accuracy, and precision. Method development involved optimizing solvent composition to enhance drug solubility. The drug exhibited absorbance maxima at 228.5 nm. Validation parameters, including limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery studies, and precision (intra-day and inter-day), were systematically evaluated. The study also employed commonly used metric systems for greenness evaluation of the developed method, AGREE and AGREEprep. Result: The results proposed the developed method for Iloperidone quantification in SNF to be linear over the concentration range of 5-70 µg/ml, with a high correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9965. Accuracy studies showed a recovery range of 99.07-100.42%, while precision results yielded %RSD values below 2 for both intra-day and inter-day analyses. Sensitivity was confirmed with LOD and LOQ of 2.40 µg/ml and 7.27 µg/ml, respectively. Robustness and repeatability evaluations further substantiated the reliability of the method. The developed method demonstrated high environmental compatibility, achieving AGREE and AGREEprep scores of 0.70 and 0.66, respectively, confirming its suitability as a green and sustainable analytical approach. Discussion: The developed UV spectrophotometric method offers a practical balance between analytical performance and environmental sustainability, serving as an eco-efficient alternative to more complex chromatographic methods like HPLC or LC-MS for early-stage formulation and quality control studies. Its simplicity, low solvent consumption, and validated greenness make it particularly advantageous for routine intranasal formulation screening, supporting sustainable pharmaceutical development while maintaining analytical accuracy and reliability. Conclusion: This validated UV spectrophotometric method is efficient, cost-effective, accurate, precise, and highly reproducible, making it suitable for routine quality control and analysis of Iloperidone in SNF. The findings contribute to the development of optimized intranasal delivery systems for Iloperidone, enhancing its therapeutic potential for central nervous system disorders.

This study was conducted to optimize the simultaneous extraction of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from the flowers of the yellow Camellia (Camellia cucphuongensis Ninh & Rosmann) collected in Phu Tho province. A Central Composite Design (CCD) combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the effects of three independent variables: ethanol concentration (EtOH, 30-70%), extraction temperature (40-80°C), and extraction time (2-8 h). The optimal extraction conditions were identified as 58% EtOH, a temperature of 60°C, and an extraction time of 8 hours. Under these optimized parameters, the experimental values for TFC and TPC were 18.09 ± 0.17% and 35.12 ± 0.28%, respectively, which showed high compatibility with the predicted values. This optimized process provides a reliable scientific basis for the standardized production of bioactive-rich extracts from C. cucphuongensis. These findings highlight the potential of this endemic species as a high-value raw material for the development of antioxidant-based pharmaceuticals and functional foods in the field of natural products chemistry.

TDLAS-based breath sensors hold significant promise for clinical diagnostics because of their high selectivity, fast response, and operational simplicity. However, their application in high-precision, multicomponent breath analysis is often hindered by system complexity, high cost, and limited detection accuracy. To overcome these challenges, this study presents a near-infrared TDLAS system for the simultaneous monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) in breath. The system integrates a spectral line optimization and selection strategy with a novel, miniaturized dual-path multipass cell and time-division multiplexing (TDM). To reduce the complexity of the system and improve the measurement accuracy, a closely spaced spectral line pair (CO: 4285.0 cm-1; CH4: 4284.5 cm-1) within the 2.3 μm band was selected for simultaneous detection using a single laser. The custom-designed multipass cell achieves an 88.52 m optical path within a 300 mL volume, ensuring both high sensitivity and compatibility with small breath samples. Furthermore, by leveraging the strong absorption lines of carbon dioxide within the 2 μm band, a dedicated 15 cm optical path was integrated into the multipass cell. Combined with the TDM technique, this approach enabled a compact dual-path, single-detector architecture, which significantly improved the integration level of the system. Laboratory evaluations demonstrated excellent linearity, with detection limits of 1.49 ppb for CO, 1.86 ppb for CH4, and 720.2 ppb for CO2, as determined by Allan deviation analysis. The system was successfully deployed in breath testing, effectively distinguishing end-tidal CO levels between smokers and nonsmokers, with concentration trends consistent with those in the established literature. This work validates a reliable and practical TDLAS sensor for real-time, multicomponent breath analysis, offering a viable pathway toward noninvasive, high-sensitivity diagnostic devices.

Advances in affinity magnetic bead - based pretreatment and detection strategies for mycotoxins in foods: A review.

Bone tissue engineering continues to face challenges in developing biomaterials that are both safe and biologically active, particularly in promoting integration with native tissue. Traditional synthetic materials often lack cellular compatibility, driving research toward natural and biomimetic alternatives. In this context, microalgae have a diverse metabolic profile, producing several biologically active compounds (i.e. lipids, carbohydrates, pigments) with therapeutic potential for bone regeneration. Among these, peptides gain relevance due to their high cellular compatibility, osteogenic activity and tunable properties. Herein, this review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of microalgae-derived peptides, covering their manufacturing process. It covers the entire workflow from protein extraction to peptide purification and characterization. It summarizes their biological properties and therapeutic applications in bone regeneration and examines their status in clinical studies alongside the main regulatory and translational challenges. Particular focus will be given to the combination of advanced delivery systems for using microalgae therapeutic peptides to develop patient-specific implants. Overall, this review emphasizes the significance of microalgae as a versatile and sustainable resource to extract therapeutic peptides and to develop the next generation of biomaterials in bone regenerative medicine.

Sonoporation-mediated bioremediation of DNAPLs: A synergistic approach integrating phase redistribution and genetic augmentation.

Deformation and mechanism of {10–11} twinning in cryo-rolled fine-grained α-titanium

A stretchable continuous glucose monitor for skin-conformable wound management.