Physiological Temperature Research Articles

Design and self-assembly of new peptides and peptide bolaamphiphiles as antioxidant biocomposite scaffolds for potential tissue regeneration applications – a replica modeling and experimental study

ABSTRACT In this work, five new peptides derived from natural resources and two peptide bolaamphiphiles were designed. The self-assembling ability of the peptides and the bolaamphiphiles, as well as their predicted antioxidant activity was examined computationally. In particular, replica modeling molecular dynamics studies were carried out at three different temperatures. Results showed that the bolaamphiphiles as well as three of the peptides efficiently formed spherical or fibrous assemblies, particularly at physiological temperatures. In addition, stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds played a critical role in assembly formation. Furthermore, molecular docking studies with extracellular matrix proteins such as the triple helix motif of collagen and the fibronectin (III) motif of tenascin-X displayed binding interactions with the peptides and the bolaamphiphiles. The most optimal peptide bolaamphiphile WMYGGGWMY-CO-NH-(CH2)4-YMWGGGYMW was then synthesized in the laboratory and its ability to form functional scaffolds upon binding to collagen and tenascin-X was examined. The scaffolds were bioprinted with co-cultures of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The cells not only proliferated over time but also showed strong adherence and spreading within the matrix. Thus, the peptides and the bolaamphiphiles studied in this work, may be potentially developed as scaffold components for tissue regeneration applications.

Experimental and Computational Evidence of a Stable RNA G‐Triplex Structure at Physiological Temperature in the SARS‐CoV‐2 Genome

AbstractRG1 is a quadruplex‐forming sequence in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome proposed as possible therapeutic target for COVID‐19. We demonstrate that the dominant conformation of RG1 under physiological conditions differs from the parallel quadruplex previously assumed. Through comprehensive investigations employing CD, UV, NMR, DSC, gel electrophoresis, MD simulations, in silico spectroscopy and the use of truncated RG1 sequences, we have identified this stable conformation as an RNA G‐triplex composed of two G‐triads. We believe this previously unreported RNA structure could serve as a novel therapeutic target. Our findings open new avenues for further studies on the presence and biological role of RNA G‐triplexes in vivo.

Thermomechanobiology as a new research field in soft tissues

During intense galloping, the difference in temperature between the external and the central part of an equine superficial digital flexor tendon can be as high as 7°C. Thirty minutes of jogging modifies the temperature in human knee cartilage from 32°C to 37°C. Intrinsic dissipative phenomena related to the viscoelastic behavior of soft tissues have been identified to be primarily responsible for the observed temperature increase, a situation referred to as self-heating in mechanics. While a 5°C increase may be considered negligible from a mechanical point of view in the cartilage at first sight, it can have a significant biological impact. It has been recently proposed that self-heating and the resulting increase of temperature in cartilage following mechanical stimulation can be necessary for its maintenance. This new concept complements the general acceptance that mechanobiology is central to the homeostasis of musculoskeletal tissues. In most biomechanical and biological studies on cartilage or other soft tissues, the temperature is set at 37°C and considered constant, despite human knee cartilage at rest being around 32°C, for example. Therefore, there is a deficit of information on the role and effect of physiological temperature variation induced through mechanical loading in soft tissues, opening a new research avenue that we coin thermomechanobiology.

Survey about target temperature and thermal management in intensive care for severe thermal trauma in burn centres of Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Burn trauma induces hypermetabolism and alters thermoregulation resulting in elevated body temperature. Because patients with burns are prone to heat loss and hypothermia, maintaining physiologic body temperature is important. However, optimal target temperature is widely unknown because thermoregulation of burn trauma has mainly been studied in the last century when treatment concepts differed from current one. The aim of this study was to investigate current thermal management of burn treatment and to investigate the discrepancies between classical concepts of thermoregulation in burn trauma and current practice of temperature management.A paper-based survey was conducted in burn centres in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Participants were asked for expected temperatures, temperature goals and thermal management of severely burned patients. Results were evaluated for adults and children.37 of 38 approached burn centres participated in this survey. 59% expected that adults with burn trauma would develop hyperthermia (>37.5°C) but only 27% expected hyperthermia in children (>38°C). The average target body temperature was 37.1°C for adults and 36.9°C for children. Adults below 35.7°C and children below 36.0°C were supposed to be hypothermic. Temperatures above 38.8°C in adults and 38.7°C in children raised suspicion for sepsis. Antipyretic treatment was assumed to be justified at temperatures above 39.1°C in adults and 38.5°C in children. Although the most common warmth protective method was to increase ambient temperature, 89% of all participants felt their wellbeing was affected by an increased ambient temperature and 68% were concerned about temperature related negative effects. Although 57% of the responding centres had established a standard operating procedure for thermal management, only 41% considered the available literature to be very relevant in daily practice and 89% criticized the lack of guidelines.Limit- and target-temperatures in European burn centres are heterogeneous. Classic concepts of thermal management in burn care are not generally adopted. A majority of the centers expresses the need for specific guidelines. The basis for this should be multicentre clinical trials on temperature management in burn trauma.

A Flexible Organomagnetic Single-Layer Composite Film with Built-In Multistimuli Responsivity.

Materials possessing multiple properties and functionalities, that can be controlled or modulated by external stimuli, are a central focus of current research in materials sciences due to their potential to significantly enhance various future technological applications. Herein, we report a significant advancement in this field through the development of a smart, multifunctional organomagnetic composite material. By utilizing a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypyrrole (PPy) precursors, doped with nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs), we have created an innovative organomagnetic, PDMS/PPy/NiNPs (PPN), single-layer composite film that displays multistimuli responsivity. The study presents the first demonstration of a multifunctional flexible, three-component film structure integrating the structural and flexible PDMS component, together with a conductive polymer component and metal-based nanoparticles into a single-layer design, which displays enhanced and unprecedented responsivity properties against multiple different stimuli. Unlike typical stacked multilayered structures, that exhibit one or two functionalities at most, this novel configuration exhibits multiple functionalities, including magnetoresistance, mechanical stress response, piezoresistivity, and temperature change sensitivity. The as-prepared film demonstrates notable magnetoresistance responsivity, with a relative electrical resistance, ΔR/R0, changing under a weak magnetic field and under ambient conditions. The significance of our study lies in the film's versatility, stability, and sensitivity, especially within the physiological temperature range, making it highly relevant for future biomedical applications. Furthemore, the film's sensitivity to mechanical deformation reveals an impressive piezoresistance behavior. Unlike existing multilayer architectures of higher complexity, our single-layer thin film offers a simpler, more flexible, and reliable solution with a broad range of stimuli-sensing capabilities. The significance of this novel multiresponsive composite material is underscored by the growing demand for advanced materials in biomedical devices, magnetic switches, sensors, electronic skin, transistors, and organic spintronic devices. These promising organomagnetic self-standing layers provide a robust platform for future technological innovations.

A Novel Poly(ε-Caprolactone)-Based Photo-Crosslinkable Liquid Copolymer as a Versatile Drug Delivery Platform

Background/Objectives: Hydrophobic semi-solid or liquid biodegradable polymers have shown unique advantages as injectable matrices for sustained release of a wide range of drugs. Here we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a new low-melt liquid copolymer based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and establish its utility as a versatile delivery platform. Methods: The copolymer, mPA20, consisting of short PCL blocks connected via acid-labile acetal linkages, was synthesized using a one-pot reaction and its properties were comprehensively characterized. Results: mPA20 is an amorphous, injectable liquid at physiological temperature and can undergo pH-sensitive hydrolytic degradation. mPA20 bearing methacrylate end groups can be photo-crosslinked into solid matrices with tunable mechanical properties. A hydrophobic fluorophore, Nile Red (NR), was solubilized in mPA20 without any solvent. Sustained release of NR into aqueous medium was achieved using mPA20, either as an injectable liquid depot or a photo-crosslinked solid matrix. Further, mPA20 self-emulsified in water to form nanodroplets, which were subsequently photo-crosslinked into nanogels. Both the nanodroplets and nanogels mediated efficient intracellular delivery of NR with no cytotoxicity. Conclusions: mPA20, a new photo-crosslinkable, hydrophobic liquid copolymer with pH-sensitive degradability, is highly adaptable as either an injectable or implantable depot or nanoscale carrier for the controlled release and intracellular delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Thermally Assisted Microfluidics to Produce Chemically Equivalent Microgels with Tunable Network Morphologies.

Although micron-sized microgels have become important building blocks in regenerative materials, offering decisive interactions with living matter, their chemical composition mostly significantly varies when their network morphology is tuned. Since cell behavior is simultaneously affected by the physical, chemical, and structural properties of the gel network, microgels with variable morphology but chemical equivalence are of interest. This work describes a new method to produce thermoresponsive microgels with defined mechanical properties, surface morphologies, and volume phase transition temperatures. A wide variety of microgels is synthesized by crosslinking monomers or star polymers at different temperatures using thermally assisted microfluidics. The diversification of microgels with different network structures and morphologies but of chemical equivalence offers a new platform of microgel building blocks with the ability to undergo phase transition at physiological temperatures. The method holds high potential to create soft and dynamic materials while maintaining the chemical composition for a wide variety of applications in biomedicine.

Thermally Assisted Microfluidics to Produce Chemically Equivalent Microgels with Tunable Network Morphologies

Although micron‐sized microgels have become important building blocks in regenerative materials, offering decisive interactions with living matter, their chemical composition mostly significantly varies when their network morphology is tuned. Since cell behavior is simultaneously affected by the physical, chemical, and structural properties of the gel network, microgels with variable morphology but chemical equivalence are of interest. This work describes a new method to produce thermoresponsive microgels with defined mechanical properties, surface morphologies, and volume phase transition temperatures. A wide variety of microgels is synthesized by crosslinking monomers or star polymers at different temperatures using thermally assisted microfluidics. The diversification of microgels with different network structures and morphologies but of chemical equivalence offers a new platform of microgel building blocks with the ability to undergo phase transition at physiological temperatures. The method holds high potential to create soft and dynamic materials while maintaining the chemical composition for a wide variety of applications in biomedicine.

The evolution of thermal performance curves in fungi farmed by attine ant mutualists in aboveground or belowground microclimates.

Fungi are abundant and ecologically important at a global scale, but little is known about whether their thermal adaptations are shaped by biochemical constraints (i.e. the Hotter is Better Model, HBM) or evolutionary tradeoffs (i.e., the Specialist Generalist Model, SGM). We tested these hypotheses by generating thermal performance curves (TPCs) of fungal cultivars farmed by six species of Panamanian fungus-farming 'attine' ants. These fungi represent evolutionary transitions in farming strategies as four cultivars are farmed by ants belowground at stable temperatures near 25°C and two cultivars are farmed aboveground at variable temperatures. We generated TPCs using a common garden experiment confining fungal isolates to different temperatures and then used a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach to compare competing temperature sensitivity models. Some thermal performance traits differed consistently across farming strategies, with aboveground cultivars having: 1) higher tolerance to low temperatures (CTLmin) and 2) higher maximum growth rate at the optimal temperature (rmax). However, two core assumptions shared by the HBM or SGM were not supported as aboveground cultivars did not show systematic increases in either their optimal temperature (Topt) or thermal tolerance breadth. These results harness ant farming systems as long-term natural experiments to decouple the effects of environmental thermal variation and innate physiological temperature sensitivity on fungal thermal evolution. The results have clear implications for predicting climate warming induced breaking points in animal-microbe mutualisms.

Synthetic Periodontal Guided Tissue Regeneration Membrane with Self-Assembling Biphasic Structure and Temperature-Sensitive Shape Maintenance.

Periodontal disease poses significant challenges to the long-term stability of oral health by destroying the supporting structures of teeth. Guided tissue regeneration techniques, particularly barrier membranes, enable local regeneration by providing an isolated, protected compartment for osseous wound healing while excluding epithelial tissue. Here, this study reports on a thermosensitive periodontal membrane (TSPM) technology designed to overcome the mechanical limitations of current membranes through a semi-interpenetrating network of high molecular weight poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and in situ-polymerized mesh of poly(ε-caprolactone)diacrylate (PCL-DA), and poly lactide-co-glycolide diacrylate (PLGA-DA). An optimized composition allows facile reshaping at greater than 52 °C and rigid shape maintenance at physiological temperature. Its unique bilayer morphology is achieved through self-assembly and thermally-induced phase separation, resulting in distinct yet continuous smooth and nanofibrous compartments adequate for epithelial occlusion and regeneration. Incorporating PLGA-DA enhances the membrane's hydrophilicity and degradation properties, facilitating a more rapid and controlled degradation and therapeutic delivery. This study demonstrates its ability to promote local regeneration by serving as a barrier membrane and simultaneously as a scaffolding matrix in a rat orthotopic periodontal defect model. The TSPM outperformed a clinically available material (Epi-Guide) to facilitate robust alveolar bone and periodontal ligament regeneration at 4 and 8 weeks.

Influence of view factors on outdoor thermal comfort of residential areas in hot-humid regions.

Sky View Factor (SVF) is commonly used to describe the impact of urban geometry on the urban thermal environment. Shading effects from plants and buildings also exert a considerable influence. To investigate the influence of view factors on outdoor thermal comfort in residential areas, we employed the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and view factors (SVF, TVF, BVF) as indicators to determine outdoor thermal comfort and the quantity of shaded spaces. Thermal measurements collected from 13 points in Guangzhou, China, Our findings revealed that high TVF points exhibited more stable air temperature throughout the daytime, with average temperature differentials ranging 0.4-1.9°C lower than other points. Air temperature demonstrated a positive correlation with SVF (R2 = 0.53), while exhibiting a negative correlation with TVF (R2 = 0.45). Additionally, shading provided by plants and buildings manifests heterogeneity. At similar SVF levels, points predominantly shaded by plants (TVF > BVF) showcased lower Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) and PET compared to points shaded mainly by buildings (BVF > TVF). The maximum reduction in air temperature and PET reached 1.1°C and 1.2°C, respectively. BVF exerted greater influence earlier in the morning, as solar altitude angle rises, the average thermal parameters of sites with BVF > TVF escalated rapidly until eventually surpassing sites with TVF > BVF. Last, superior thermal conditions were only ensured under high shading conditions. When the effective shading ratio of plants and buildings diminished (SVF > 0.3), the microclimate of measurement points might be impacted by the long-wave radiation from the underlying surface.

Microbiological and Haemato-biochemical Studies in Canine Pyometra

Background: Canine pyometra, is a pathological condition that results in the accumulation of purulent exudate in the uterus due to hormonal imbalance in female dogs. This is the most prevalent hormonally mediated reproductive disorder and life threatening disease of intact female dogs. The objective of the present study was to assess the physiological, haematological and biochemical changes and isolate the pathogenic microorganism present in the uterus of pyometra bitches. Methods: This study was carried out in ten bitches with a history of lethargy, depression, in appetence, polydipsia, occasional vomiting and vaginal discharge presented for treatment at the Veterinary Poly Clinic, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The disease was diagnosed by history, clinical signs, physical examination, imaging techniques haematology and biochemical study. The involvement of the pathogenic organism was confirmed by microbial examination of the pus-filled uterus after the ovariohysterectomy. Result: The result showed that physiological parameters rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate were increased in pyometra affected dog than healthy one. The haematological parameters of red blood cell count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume were decreased in pyometra affected dogs than healthy dogs. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and eosinophilia condition also observed in pyometra affected dogs. Biochemically, increased Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) creatinine and hyperprotenimia were observed in pyometra dogs. Increased activity of hepatic enzyme Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also observed in pyometra dogs. The major pathogenic microorganisms involved in pyometra are Escherichia coli (40.25%), Staphylococcus (20.46%), Streptococcus (20.32%), Pseudomonas (6.41%), Proteus (6.32%) and Pasteurella (6.24%). Thus the dogs with pyometra show significant changes in physiological, haematological, biochemical parameters and growth of pathogenic microorganism in uterine fluid were the important indications of pyometra affected dogs.

Dual-action defense: A photothermal and controlled nitric oxide-releasing coating for preventing biofilm formation

Biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria on biomedical devices and implants pose a considerable challenge due to their resistance to conventional treatments and their role in severe infections. Preventing biofilm formation is strategically more advantageous than attempting to eliminate the mature biofilms, particularly in addressing the persistence of such formations. In this context, a dual-action antibiofilm coating is developed, utilizing S-nitrosothiols functionalized candle soot (CS), which capitalizes on CS’s strong light absorption for photothermal therapy and the controlled release of nitric oxide (NO) from S-nitrosothiols to inhibit biofilm formation. This coating exhibits stable and efficient light-to-heat conversion, along with the ability to release NO gradually at physiological temperatures and to rapidly release NO on demand when triggered by a near-infrared (NIR) laser. Under NIR irradition, the coating generates heat swiftly and releases substantial amounts of NO, which synergistically disrupts bacterial membranes, leading to the leakage of intracellular components and the effective eradication of surface-adhered bacteria. In the absence of NIR irradiation, the coating continuously releases low concentrations of NO, which depletes exopolysaccharides and impedes biofilm formation. The antibiofilm efficacy of this coating is assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating marked reductions in bacterial viability and biofilm formation in vitro. Additionally, the coating exhibits minimal cytotoxicity and can be easily applied to diverse substrates. This study underscores the potential of this coating as a broad-spectrum, non-toxic approach for preventing biofilm-related complications in biomedical applications.

Detection of carboxylesterases by an activatable NIR fluorescence probe with high selectivity in living systems

Carboxylesterases (CEs) have attracted increasingly attention in the physiological and pathological processes of many diseases such as diabetes, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and drug metabolism. Selective detection of CEs activity is imperative to evaluate the pathophysiological process of CEs-related disease. Herein, a selective near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (DCM-CE) with high selectivity is reported. DCM-CE was composed of dicyanoisophorone-based fluorophore and carbamate unit which is a highly selective identification group for CEs. DCM-CE exhibited good sensitivity for CEs detection at physiological pH and temperature. Furthermore, DCM-CE featured large Stokes shift (175 nm) and good at tracking the drug-induced trace change of CEs activity in HepG2 cells with little effect on cell viability. Moreover, DCM-CE was applied to monitor the activity of CEs in living mice. Taken all together, DCM-CE had extensive potential application value in detecting CEs for evaluating related diseases.

Comparative study of outdoor thermal comfort: Residents vs. tourists at Xi'an Ming Dynasty Ancient city wall scenic area

This study explores the thermal perceptions and comfort of residents and tourists at the Xi'an Ming Dynasty Ancient City Wall Scenic Area, addressing a gap in comparative outdoor thermal comfort studies in historical settings. Meteorological measurements and questionnaires collected between July 2019 and March 2021 analyze physical, individual, social, and psychological factors influencing thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability across seasons. The RayMan model calculates Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), with data analyzed using SPSS 27.0. Results show Neutral PET (NPET) values of 17.1 °C for residents and 18.6 °C for tourists, and Preferred PET (PPET) values of 18.4 °C and 20.8 °C, respectively. Thermal Acceptability Ranges (TAR) are 13.5 °C–26.7 °C for residents and 15 °C–24.1 °C for tourists. Whether the measurement space contains water sources significantly affects temperature and humidity, while vegetation impacts wind speed. Physical factors predominantly affect perceptions, with individual factors becoming more important for tourists in winter. The findings provide insights for optimizing the thermal environment in scenic open spaces to enhance the comfort of both residents and tourists.

Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles Anchoring on Metal-Organic Frameworks with Thermally Enhanced Upconversion Luminescence for Sensitive Nanothermometers.

Nanothermometers can detect changes in the local temperature in living cells and in vivo, revealing fundamental biological properties. Despite the exploration of different temperature-responsive materials, the design and development of temperature-sensing probes with high brightness and high sensitivity remain a daunting challenge. Here, we employed the UiO-66 type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to anchor UNCPs on the surface of the MOFs for constructing MOF@UCNPs nanohybrids. The in situ composite method with MOFs leads to the coordination interaction between the ligands and the surface of UCNPs, enabling controlled composite formation between different MOFs and UCNPs. Remarkably, the surface interaction favors the anomalous thermo-enhanced luminescence, achieving a 35-fold enhancement of UiO-66@NaYF4:Yb/Tm at 413 K. Furthermore, these MOF@UCNPs nanohybrids with thermo-enhanced luminescence are developed as multifunctional biological probes for bioimaging and intracellular temperature sensing, demonstrating a high thermal sensitivity of 1.92% K-1 in the physiological temperature range. Based on these findings, temperature monitoring of the local position was successfully carried out by the designed MOF@UCNPs nanoprobes in vivo. These findings underscore the potential of MOF@UCNPs nanohybrids, opening up new avenues for the development of a multifunctional platform for biological analysis.

A Computational DFT Study of the Stereoinversion of Succinimide Residues Formed in Proteins and Peptides Catalyzed by a Hydrogen Phosphate Ion: An Unsymmetrical SE1 Mechanism

Succinimide residues formed spontaneously from aspartic acid (Asp) and asparagine (Asn) residues in proteins and peptides are stereochemically unstable, undergoing partial l-to-d stereoinversion, and this is responsible for the d-Asp and d-β-Asp residues found in long-lived proteins. These stereoinverted abnormal amino acid residues are believed to be related to aging and some age-related diseases such as cataracts. Although the succinimide stereoinversion is nonenzymatic, a catalyst is required for it to occur at physiological temperature. In this study, it was found by density functional theory (DFT) calculations that a hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO42−) can effectively catalyze the stereoinversion of the succinimide intermediate. The HPO42− ion abstracts a proton from the asymmetric carbon atom of the succinimide residue to form an enolate intermediate. Then, while the resultant dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4−) remains bound to the enolate ion, a water molecule donates a proton to the enolate intermediate on the opposite side from the phosphate (which is the rate-determining step) to produce the inverted carbon atom. The calculated activation barrier (ca. 90 kJ mol−1) is consistent with a slow in vivo reaction. The present found mechanism can be termed the “unsymmetrical SE1” or “pseudo-SE2” mechanism.

Pristine Photopolymerizable Gelatin Hydrogels: A Low-Cost and Easily Modifiable Platform for Biomedical Applications.

The study addresses the challenge of temperature sensitivity in pristine gelatin hydrogels, widely used in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, low cost, and cell adhesion properties. Traditional gelatin hydrogels dissolve at physiological temperatures, limiting their utility. Here, we introduce a novel method for creating stable hydrogels at 37 °C using pristine gelatin through photopolymerization without requiring chemical modifications. This approach enhances consistency and simplifies production and functionalization of the gelatin with bioactive molecules. The stabilization mechanism involves the partial retention of the triple-helix structure of gelatin below 25 °C, which provides specific crosslinking sites. Upon activation by visible light, ruthenium (Ru) acts as a photosensitizer that generates sulphate radicals from sodium persulphate (SPS), inducing covalent bonding between tyrosine residues and "locking" the triple-helix conformation. The primary focus of this work is the characterization of the mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and biocompatibility of the photopolymerized gelatin hydrogels. Notably, these hydrogels supported better cell viability and elongation in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) compared to GelMA, and similar performance was observed for human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). As a proof of concept for functionalization, gelatin was modified with selenous acid (GelSe), which demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities, particularly against E. coli and S. aureus. These results suggest that pristine gelatin hydrogels, enhanced through this new photopolymerization method and functionalized with bioactive molecules, hold potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering by providing robust, biocompatible scaffolds for cell culture and therapeutic applications.

Thermal Comfort and Restorative Benefits of Waterfront Green Spaces for College Students in Hot and Humid Regions

Global climate change presents a serious threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Campus waterfront green spaces, integral to the blue-green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to facilitate stress recovery. However, in hot and humid regions, severe outdoor thermal conditions may impair students’ mental and physical health and cognitive function, leading to symptoms such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined the influence of outdoor thermal environments on health recovery by selecting three different waterfront green spaces in this climate: Space A (medium water body, sky view factor (SVF) = 0.228), Space B (large water body, SVF = 0.808), and Space C (small water body, SVF = 0.292). The volunteers’ thermal comfort and the restorative benefits of these spaces were evaluated via the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS), heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA). We found variations in the neutral physiological equivalent temperature (PET) across the spaces, with values of 28.1 °C (A), 28.9 °C (B), and 29.1 °C (C). The lowest skin conductance recovery rate (RSC) at 0.8811 was observed in Space B, suggesting suboptimal physiological recovery, despite higher scores in psychological recovery (fascination) at 15.23. The level of thermal comfort in this hot and humid region showed a negative correlation with the overall PRS score, the “being away” dimension, and heart rate recovery (RHR). At a lightly warm stress level, where PET increased from 31.0 to 35.7 °C, RSC peaked between 1.45 and 1.53 across all spaces. These insights provide guidance for urban designers and planners in creating waterfront green space designs that can improve the urban microclimate and promote thermal health, achieving sustainable health.

Toward Upconversion (Yb-Er) and near-Infrared (Yb-Ho-Er, Nd-Yb) Thermometry with Sea Urchin Type GdPO4 Nanoarchitectures.

In recent years, optical temperature probes operating in the second near-infrared (BW-II) and third near-infrared (BW-III) biological windows have garnered significant attention in the scientific community. For biological applications these probes offer distinct advantages, including enhanced tissue penetration depth, minimal autofluorescence, and a remarkable improvement in imaging sensitivity and spatial resolution. Moving toward theranostic applications, there is a growing demand for the development of materials that integrate both BW-II and BW-III thermometry systems with drug delivery functionalities. In this study, we concentrate on the development of GdPO4 materials, utilizing both hard and sacrificial template routes to synthesize (hollow) GdPO4 porous sea urchin-like particles. We first investigated the development of a Boltzmann-type thermometer utilizing an Yb-Er upconversion system, designed to operate within the physiological temperature range. Our exploration extends to the potential of GdPO4 particles in near-infrared (NIR) thermometry, spanning the first, second, and third biological windows with systems like Yb-Ho-Er, Nd-Yb, and Ho-Yb, respectively. We further examined the temperature impact of the Yb-Ho-Er system on the NIR emission within a biologically relevant setting, using a phantom that replicates biological tissue. Furthermore, we illustrate the successful loading of these materials with doxorubicin (DOX·HCl), a model anticancer drug, showing these particles exhibit pH-dependent DOX release. This demonstrates the versatility of these materials as upconversion and NIR thermometers while simultaneously serving as an on-demand drug carrier. The investigation involves assessing their cytotoxicity on specific human cells (Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDFs)), to determine their viability for potential use in biological applications. The study also investigates how effectively loading the particles with DOX enables targeted delivery to a cellular model of lymphoma (Jurkat E6-1), resulting in cell death. This comprehensive analysis highlights the promising potential of GdPO4 particles for medical applications.