Rotaxane synthesis generally requires the macrocycle to contain recognition sites for the threaded axle or its building blocks. Here we show that flexible oligo(ethylene glycol) axles can instead promote the formation of macrocycles around themselves, enabling an inverted, metal-free active-template route to rotaxanes from simple building blocks. The axle accelerates amide-bond-forming macrocyclization through hydrogen bonding, giving [2]rotaxanes in up to 70% yield. Longer axles enable the iterative assembly of higher-order [n]rotaxanes, with up to four macrocycles threaded onto an octa(ethylene glycol) chain. The X-ray crystal structure of such a [5]rotaxane reveals a crowded helical stack of rings stabilized by aromatic stacking and hydrogen bonding, explaining the enhanced efficacy of the later macrocyclizations. Subsequent deletion of the newly formed amides gives structurally minimalist rotaxanes comprising an oligo(ethylene glycol) axle threaded through a cyclohydrocarbon. Removing the requirement for particular functional groups and structural motifs in rotaxane macrocycles increases the accessible structures of mechanically interlocked molecules.

Selective recognition of i-motif DNA remains challenging due to its pH-dependent dynamics. Here, we report an i-motif templated target-guided synthesis that enables regioselective in situ formation of 1,4-triazolyl carbazole (BPTC), which exhibits high affinity and selectivity for telomeric i-motif over G-quadruplex and duplex DNA, leading to potent telomerase inhibition.

Multifunctional electrospun nanofibers for cancer therapy and regenerative reconstruction: current progress and future prospects.

Clinical MRI is essential for managing neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) but often inconsistent, limiting secondary analyses for enhanced information characterization. Our goal was to establish a new Z-score template method for person-specific image augmentation, as compared to a common deep learning approach termed cycle generative adversarial network (CycleGAN), and test their utility using a treatment response predicting example in MS. We examined 148 MS participants (102 females) from two cohorts, 104 and 44, respectively, with equivalent sex ratio and age, and each included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) brain MRI. The 104/148 participants were used for method development and 44/148 for held-out testing. Z-score templates were constructed using different sample sizes to compare. Z scores from the best template were used to create person- and sequence-specific images. Similar experiments were done using CycleGAN along with tests using the same cohort. Image quality was assessed using peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, and root mean square error. Utility testing applied ResNet50-based deep learning models with cycling of the typically unavailable T1-weighted MRI. We found that Z-score template constructed with 75 individuals was the best. Using existing images, potentially unavailable MRI could be created using either method investigated. At an individual level, Z-score template synthesis was equivalent to CycleGAN results. Further, models trained with synthetic or source T1-weighted images achieved similar accuracies (0.82-0.84 ± 0.04 vs. 0.84 ± 0.02) in tests of treatment response prediction. Without using T1-weighted MRI, the model accuracy decreased to 0.72, and AUC decreased below chance. Overall, Z-score template appeared to be a competitive method for person-specific brain MRI augmentation, and synthesized images such as T1-weighted brain MRI have the potential to support downstream applications as seen in prediction of treatment response in MS.

We report on the metal-free active template synthesis of [2]rotaxanes through nucleophilic aromatic substitution between an amine and halogenopyridinium derivatives in the presence of a crown ether as the reaction promoter. The influence of the leaving group and counter-ion of the pyridinium moiety was studied. Optimal conditions gave conversion of macrocycle to rotaxane up to 90% with rotaxane:axle ratio as great as 96:4. The ability of the 24-crown-8 and dibenzo-24-crown-8-containing [2]rotaxanes to behave as molecular shuttles was also considered. Mesomeric effects in the original 4-aminopyridinium moiety revealed two discrete, though conjugated, sites of interaction for crown ethers, which allowed for small-amplitude shuttling of the macrocycle. Unexpectedly, crown ether macrocycles mainly interacted around the amino site of the 4-aminopyridinium conjugated system, highlighting the more preponderant iminium mesomeric form. Sole deprotonation of the amino group led to a neutral ylide-kind dipolar [2]rotaxane, in which the crown ether freely shuttled along the entire axle. However, deprotonation-then-carbamoylation of the amino group triggered the small-amplitude shuttling of the macrocycle around the sole positively charged pyridinium site of the 4-aminopyridinium moiety.

ABSTRACT The rational design of electrode materials that integrate high capacity, excellent rate capability, and long cycle life is crucial for advancing supercapacitor development. In this study, we successfully constructed a NiCo 2 S 4 @CoP/Ni 2 P (NCNP) ternary heterojunction composite with a hollow structure via a templating synthesis strategy for use as a supercapacitor electrode. This material intimately combines highly conductive and high‐capacity NiCo 2 S 4 with bimetallic phosphides, viz., CoP/Ni 2 P, known for their excellent rate performance at the nanoscale, forming a triphase heterostructure rich in interfaces and sulfur vacancies. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the ternary heterointerfaces in the NCNP heterojunction composite induce significant lattice distortion and electronic structure reconstruction, producing a strong built‐in electric field that substantially enhances electron/ion transport kinetics. Simultaneously, the synergistic effect of the dual active sites from CoP and Ni 2 P boosts the redox reaction activity of the system. Electrochemical tests revealed that the NCNP electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1061 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 , retains 93% of its capacity at 10 A g −1 , and possesses outstanding cycling stability (86% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles). First‐principles calculations further indicated that the ternary interface possesses the smallest bandgap (0.0005 eV) and optimal charge distribution, significantly enhancing the electrical conductivity and intermediate adsorption capability of the material. The assembled NCNP//AC (active carbon) hybrid supercapacitor achieves an energy density of 83 Wh kg −1 , demonstrating promising application prospects.

Inorganic nanoarrays exhibit remarkable potential for applications in energy storage, photocatalysis, and electronics. However, methods for their direct fabrication remain limited. To address this challenge, we have developed a templated oxide synthesis (TOS) strategy using self-assembled polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) as templates. This approach enables the fabrication of a variety of inorganic oxide nanoarrays, and the process of Al2O3 is demonstrated in detail. The inorganics deposited by atomic layer deposition on the sidewalls of surface-activated PS after PMMA removal merge into dense arrays after removing the PS template by postannealing. The fabricated Al2O3 line arrays can be used as hard masks and can achieve exceptional line edge and width roughnesses of 1.6 and 1.3 nm, respectively. Furthermore, TiO2, In2O3, ZnO, and HfO2 nanoline and pillar arrays are successfully fabricated using this method. The versatility of TOS demonstrates its broad applicability for precision nanofabrication across a range of material systems.

In this paper, we developed a green, scalable fabricationapproachfor porous adhesives, utilizing a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE)templating method, in which acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO)serves as a renewable matrix combined with a ternary monomer system.By adjusting the dispersed phase ratio and incorporating biobasedcross-linkers, the pore architecture, mechanical properties, and interfacialadhesion of the adhesive can be precisely tailored. The optimizedadhesive exhibits a shear strength of up to 1.18 MPa on glass substrates,outperforming many conventional adhesives. The material also demonstratesnotable multifunctionality, including pressure-sensitive adhesion,effective thermal insulation, and excellent solvent resistance. Theseattributes, coupled with low energy consumption during room-temperatureUV curing, make the developed porous adhesive a promising candidatefor sustainable applications in flexible electronics, green packaging,and thermal management systems.

Dual-salt template synthesis of coal tar pitch-based porous carbon for capacitive deionization of NH4+ and NO3−

The CRISPR-Cas system has revolutionized genome editing; however, conventional methods for generating single-guide RNA (sgRNA) often involve time-consuming cloning steps or expensive commercial synthesis kits. An optimized one-step overlapping PCR strategy is presented for the rapid, cost-effective synthesis of DNA templates for in vitro sgRNA transcription. Using four partially overlapping primers spanning the T7 promoter, target-specific guide sequence, and sgRNA scaffold, full-length templates are assembled in a single PCR reaction without cloning. Systematic experimental optimization established an optimal primer ratio (AF1:AF2:AF3:Tracr-R = 50:5:1:50), minimizing non-specific byproducts while maximizing full-length product yield, as confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. This approach was successfully extended to generate templates for Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (saCas9) sgRNA, demonstrating cross-system applicability beyond Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9). Although direct chemical synthesis of sgRNAs offers advantages such as high purity, chemical modifications to enhance stability, and reduced off-target effects, it remains prohibitively expensive for high-throughput applications or large-scale screens that require numerous sgRNAs. In vitro cleavage assays demonstrated that guide RNAs generated using this method achieve editing efficiencies comparable to those obtained via conventional plasmid-based cloning. Furthermore, ribonucleoprotein complexes assembled with these sgRNAs and delivered into HEK293T cells via electroporation resulted in detectable indel formation at the target locus, confirming functionality in vivo. Cost analysis indicates that this method substantially reduces template preparation costs compared to commercial synthesis kits while reducing turnaround time from days to hours, thereby providing an accessible and scalable approach for laboratories engaged in genetic research.

ABSTRACT Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have garnered significant attention in biomedicine. Particularly, peptide‐coupled AuNCs (Pep‐AuNCs) are emerging as a fascinating class of cluster probes that enable highly tailorable design in their optical, catalytic, targeting, and therapeutic capabilities via peptide engineering. However, a comprehensive review dedicated to decoding the peptide‐directed AuNC design and bioapplication paradigms is still lacking. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the synthesis, probe design, and bioapplication of Pep‐AuNCs from the perspective of peptide design. The strategies to couple AuNCs with peptides are first discussed, including in situ template synthesis and post‐synthesis modification. Furthermore, we elucidate in detail how peptide sequence, structure, and coupling chemistry dictate the physicochemical and biological properties of AuNCs. We also summarize advanced functions such as specific targeting, stimuli‐responsiveness, and therapeutics that can be rendered from the peptides for broadening the bioapplication potentials of AuNCs. Finally, we discuss the key challenges in their precise synthesis, long‐term stability, and biotransformation study that must be addressed for clinical translation. By linking the peptide programming with the properties and application outcomes of AuNCs, this review aims to offer fundamental insights into the design principles of next‐generation AuNC probes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Heterojunctions, characterized by built-in electric fields and efficient charge-carrier separation, represent a promising architecture for high-performance perovskite photodetectors (PDs). Unlike traditional template methods, the confined ion-exchange strategy described here operates directly on high-quality single-crystal (SC) wafers, offering significant technical advantages for heterojunction device fabrication. Leveraging spatial confinement effects, this method enables precise component gradient regulation while effectively circumventing the interface defects and structural damage typically associated with template synthesis and postremoval processes. Notably, this approach features strong process compatibility, allowing seamless integration with existing semiconductor technologies, and high system universality, making it applicable to diverse perovskite systems. Under a forward bias of 5 V, the resulting heterojunction PD exhibits good performance, with a responsivity (R) of 9.9 A/W, specific detectivity (D) of 2.58 × 1012 Jones, external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 3038%, and linear dynamic response (LDR) of 109.2 dB. Even under self-powered conditions, the PD maintains R of 0.143 A/W, D of 2.21 × 1011 Jones, EQE of 43%, and LDR of 102.7 dB. The confined ion-exchange method proposed herein provides a universal solution with significant potential for the large-scale chemical preparation of heterojunction devices.

Aim. To evaluate the biochemical and hematological blood parameters of laboratory animals in response to the implantation of wollastonite/hydroxyapatite (wollastonite/HAP) ceramics produced by template synthesis. Materials and methods. The wollastonite/HAP biocomposite used in the experiment was obtained by spark plasma sintering. Five female New Zealand White rabbits weighing between two and a half and three kilograms were selected as a model for studying acute toxicity in animals. Wollastonite/HAP was implanted under the latissimus dorsi muscles of the test animals. Biochemical and hematological parameters were assessed after blood sampling prior to implantation (control) and on the fifth day after implantation. Results. In animals, the main hematological and biochemical blood parameters were within normal limits, although a number of minor changes within the reference values of the indicator were noted. There was a decrease in total blood protein to 50.8 ± 1.64 g/L and albumin to 34.44 ± 1.30 mmol/L, possibly due to the fact of the surgical intervention. Conclusion: The data obtained on hematological and biochemical blood parameters suggest that implants produced from the wallastonite/HAP biocomposite do not exhibit acute toxicity. They therefore appear to be suitable for use in marking the edges of postoperative wounds.

Polyelectrolyte capsules (PEC) are hollow polymer particles fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of subsequently deposited polyelectrolytes of alternating charge. PECs, valued for their tunability and cargo encapsulation capabilities, are interesting for biomedical applications, underscoring the need for standardized fabrication and characterization techniques to optimize it for specific biomedical tasks. Here common protocols on how to synthesize and characterize such capsules are summarized. The fabrication of both, biodegradable and non-biodegradable capsules ranging in size from 800nm to 5μm is outlined. The entire preparation process-from the synthesis of sacrificial templates with diverse sizes and morphologies, to the controlled LbL deposition of polyelectrolyte shells and subsequent core dissolution is detailed. Here, calcium carbonate is selected as the sacrificial template of focus, owing to its high biocompatibility and loading capacity. Particular emphasis is placed on strategies for cargo loading, including co-precipitation and post-loading methods. Furthermore, the key characterization methods essential for confirming PEC formation-including size and zeta potential measurements (via dynamic light scattering), capsule concentration analysis (using optical or fluorescence microscopy), cargo encapsulation quantification (by UV-Vis spectroscopy or fluorescence analysis), and structural analysis (using transmission electron microscopy, TEM)-are highlighted and discussed. Finally, the review addresses current advantages and limitations in PEC fabrication, such as scalability and uniformity, and proposes future directions involving microfluidics, automation, and template design for the next generation of advanced biomedical applications.

The precise control of a single atomic site has been a significant concern in the field of single-atom catalysts. However, research on the effect parameters or factors that influence the matrix material is limited, yet it plays a crucial role in understanding how single-atom catalysts behave. In this study, one of the key parameters for synthesising a single-atom tungsten catalyst is discussed to optimise the yield of an active site. Variations in the involved parameters, such as the stoichiometry ratio, annealing temperature, annealing duration, tungsten complex ion formation, and rapid mixing of tungsten to produce the precursor, were examined. The stoichiometric ratio was set at Pt: W with a 17:1 ratio. Alkali treatment was applied after annealing to remove oxide by-products and to promote electronic delocalisation for single-atom formation. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectra showed that the structure of Pt displayed peaks at 39.7°, 67.5°, and 46.1°, while peaks for W2C were observed at 40° and 46°, and WC spectra showed a peak at 84°. Variations in reaction time during tungsten complex ion formation led to changes in crystal phases caused by the formation of tungsten alkoxide, which affects the growth of crystallinity and the altered aggregation pattern. XRD results indicated that annealing at 650°C and 700°C for 2 hours likely facilitated the formation of a single-atom tungsten catalyst. The volume of methanol used during the reaction on tungsten complex ions showed that 10 mL provided better formation of tungsten alkoxide, especially with sonication mixing for 30 seconds. The durations of tungsten alkoxide formation revealed that 10 and 15 minutes yielded the best reaction times, characterised by low intensity and broader peaks. A template synthesis for the single-atom catalyst is reported to aid understanding.

Spherical surfactant micelles, widely used as templates for synthesizing porous inorganic materials, suffer from undeterminable atomic-level structures. Developing structurally precise spherical micelle-like architectures is therefore highly beneficial for understanding template syntheses yet remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a series of micelle-like π-stacked architectures self-assembled from tripodal synthons ([ML(SO4)], [ML(SCN)]+, or [H3L(HPO4)]+, where M = Co2+ or Zn2+ and L = tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine). These structures form through anion-coordination-regulated π-π stacking. While a honeycomb architecture of oppositely aligned neutral [CoL(SO4)] forms without the directing of anions, various cationic micelle-like π-stacked architectures of [ML(SCN)]+ and [H3L(HPO4)]+ are successfully constructed via anion coordination-regulated π-π stacking. Within these assemblies, the π-stacked tripodal synthons and the H-bonded anion networks mutually template each other, reminiscent of how surfactant micelles template porous inorganic materials. Remarkably, this approach yields two new Frank-Kasper (FK) C15 phases, representing the first FK C15 complexes formed by small-molecule assembly. These results establish a universal strategy leveraging the interplay between π-π stacking and anion coordination to access complex supramolecular FK structures, potentially enabling new synthetic approaches for porous inorganic materials such as zeolites and porous silicon.

Nikolai Koltsov and his work, which anticipated many ideas in modern cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics. Toward the 100th anniversary of the concept of template biosynthesis.

Magnetic nanodiscs (MNDs), a class of anisotropic magnetite nanomaterials, have attracted considerable attention in smart actuation as they can generate heat through hysteretic losses and their discoidal shape can be tuned to exhibit vortex magnetization and generate mechanical stimuli. Despite near-zero net magnetization, at high concentrations, interparticle forces become dominant leading to MND aggregation. Here, we have optimized a previously reported synthetic approach based on the synthesis of hematite templates subsequently converted into a magnetite phase. We show that removal of oleic acid (OA) during the reduction step results in the same colloidal stability as in the presence of OA but avoids erosion of the MNDs associated with OA. We introduce a thin mesoporous silica coating on the surface of hematite, effectively diminishing aggregation during reduction while allowing complete conversion into magnetite. This silica layer facilitates subsequent silane chemistry and the grafting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) P(NIPAM/MMA) coatings with 80 : 20 and 50 : 50 ratios, yielding highly stable aqueous suspensions of MNDs, both in aqueous and cell culture media. These findings establish a versatile pathway toward colloidally stable MNDs, thereby broadening their applicability in biomedical research.

Hydrogen production via anion-exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzer has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for large-scale hydrogen generation, owing to its low cost, rapid response, and modular...

The attempted substitution of Cl atoms in C60Cl6 with nucleophiles formed in situ from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and potassium carbonate led to the realization of a highly unexpected pathway that produced fullerene derivatives with dihydrofuran rings fused to the fullerene cage. The major products incorporated two dihydrofuran addends attached to the C60 cage at cis-1 and cis-2 positions, while other regioisomers were not observed. Thus, the critical problem of the selective addition of two cyclic organic addends to the fullerene cage was successfully mitigated in such an extraordinary way involving C60Cl6 as a substrate. The presented findings demonstrate the potential of using halofullerenes as templated substrates in common fullerene reactions (cyclopropanation, cycloaddition, etc.) to enhance their selectivity.