The X-Age Project to construct a Chinese aging clock.

The global surge in the population of people 60 years and older, including that in China, challenges healthcare systems with rising age-related diseases. To address this demographic change, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) has launched the X-Age Project to develop a comprehensive aging evaluation system tailored to the Chinese population. Our goal is to identify robust biomarkers and construct composite aging clocks that capture biological age, defined as an individual's physiological and molecular state, across diverse Chinese cohorts.

Metallothionein 2A-Silencing Antimonene-Based Nanoagonist for Amplifying the Photothermal Immunotherapy of Gynecologic Malignancy.

Gynecologic malignancies are prone to metastasis and recurrence due to the low efficacy and sensitivity of current clinical treatments. Here, we construct ultrasmall Sb@Au nanodots (Sb@Au NDs) as a metallothionein 2A (MT 2A)-silencing nanoagonist for effective photothermal immunotherapy of gynecologic malignancies. Sb@Au NDs show high photothermal conversion efficiency of 56.

DNA frameworks equipped with high-affinity multivalent aptamers for the reliable and amplified detection of a specific membrane protein.

A tetrahedral DNA framework-based fluorescent probe is programmed with multivalent aptamers for the precise targeting of membrane nucleolin and an initiator strand to trigger a hybridization chain reaction. Benefiting from multivalent aptamer targeting and HCR signal amplification, this probe demonstrates minimal endocytosis, enabling the reliable and amplified detection of a membrane protein biomarker.

33 Unresolved Questions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Significant advances in science and engineering often emerge at the intersections of disciplines. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are inherently interdisciplinary, uniting researchers from chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, materials science, and engineering. This convergence has fostered novel ways of thinking and enabled the development of materials, tools, and technologies that have transformed both basic and applied research, as well as how we address critical societal challenges.

CRISPR/Cas13a triggered-DNA walker amplified SERS sensor for ultrasensitive detection of cancer-related exosomal miRNA.

Accurate quantification of cancer-related miRNA in exosomes offers a promising approach for early and effective cancer diagnosis. However, reliably detecting extremely low-abundance exosomal miRNAs in complex bodily fluids remains a significant challenge. Herein, a CRISPR/Cas13a triggered-DNA walker amplified SERS sensor has been proposed for detection of cancer cell-derived exosomal miRNA-106a.

Gel-Type Electrofluorochromic Devices for Advanced Optoelectronic Applications.

Gel-type electrofluorochromic (EFC) devices, which reversibly modulate photoluminescence under electrical stimuli, have emerged as versatile platforms for advanced optoelectronic applications. By integrating redox-active luminophores with soft, ion-conductive gel matrices, these systems combine the structural robustness of solids with the ionic mobility of liquids, enabling a high-contrast, flexible, and multifunctional operation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gel-based EFC technologies, outlining fundamental working principles, device architectures, and key performance metrics such as contrast ratio, switching time, and cycling stability.

Bioorthogonal reaction mediated size transformation clustered nanosystems for potentiating bioimaging and drug delivery.

Continuous advances have been witnessed in the booming of size variable nanosystems for molecular imaging and therapy. These nanosystems usually exhibit size transformation, which promotes optimized biodistribution, retention and penetration in lesions. Bioorthogonal reactions have been introduced as a useful tool to develop size variable nanosystems.

Silver-Catalyzed Unusual Cyclization and Skeletal Rearrangement to Selectively Synthesize 2D Benzo[]fluorenones and 3D Barbaralone Rings.

A silver-catalyzed strategy that divergently constructs either planar benzo[]fluorenones or three-dimensional barbaralones from common alkynol precursors, governed solely by ligand and silver salt, is reported. This protocol enables rapid molecular complexity enhancement (up to a 91% yield). In addition, mechanistic studies suggest that the alkalinity of silver salt is the key point to distinguish the two types of reaction and binuclear silver complexes would be more likely to be a transition state rather than the radical species.

Injectable hydrogels based on mussel-inspired nanocomposite microspheres for non-compressible intra-abdominal hemorrhage control.

The development of hemostatic materials for non-compressible intra-abdominal hemorrhage in complex pre-hospital emergency settings remains a formidable challenge. A novel injectable hydrogel based on mussel-inspired nanocomposite microspheres was designed. The biocompatible hydrogel was formed by hydrating gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) cryogel microspheres-reinforced with polydopamine (PDA)-intercalated nanoclay-with sterile saline, offering the dual benefits of convenient storage of microspheres and precise delivery to deep bleeding points via injection.

Lateral π-extended helical nanographenes with large spin polarization.

The possibility that current passing through an organic molecule becomes spin-polarized is highly intriguing. Amongst these molecules, helicene units have recently been shown to exhibit such a chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. Thus, helical nanographenes (NGs), whose core building block is a helicene unit, are natural candidates for generating CISS.

Magnetic field-targeting and ultrasound-responsive antibiotic delivery for enhanced penetration and eradication of bacterial biofilms.

Bacteria colonizing medical implants usually lead to biofilm formation and result in persistent infections. Conventional antibiotics often fail to effectively accumulate and penetrate the extracellular polymeric barriers of bacterial biofilms. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective antibiotic delivery systems capable of biofilm targeting and disruption.

Modulating Oxygen Evolution Reaction Pathways via (Oxy)Hydroxide-Driven Surface Reconstruction on TiC MXene Electrocatalysts.

The oxygen path mechanism (OPM) has gained increasing interest as an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) pathway with facile O-O coupling. Importantly, OPM differs from both adsorbate evolution (AEM) and lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) routes, which involve multiple intermediates and lattice oxygen, respectively. Here, an electro-activated reduced TiC MXene (rTiC) system is introduced that modulates the OER pathway by governing the population of (oxy)hydroxide species on rTiC surfaces.

Subcellular distribution of Prussian blue nanozymes dictates enzymatic activity and macrophage polarization for effective colitis therapy.

As a typical multi-enzymic nanozyme, Prussian blue nanozymes (PBNZs) mimic the catalytic functions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) enzymes in a pH-dependent manner. Due to their capacity to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), PBNZs are considered a promising tool for immune modulation, particularly in the directional regulation of macrophage polarization. However, the biological dynamics of pH-dependent multienzyme activity in cells remain poorly understood.

A multifunctional self-assembled hydrogel with bactericidal activity and macrophage metabolic reprogramming for diabetic bone defect repair.

Diabetic bone defects are associated with chronic inflammation, impaired healing, and high susceptibility to infection, posing serious clinical challenges. Recent studies have identified macrophage metabolic dysfunction as a key contributor to this impaired regenerative process. Targeting macrophage metabolism offers a promising strategy to rebalance the inflammatory microenvironment and promote bone repair.

Injectable ROS/pH-Responsive Hydrogel for Synergistic Chemo-Photodynamic Tumor Therapy and Enhanced Wound Healing.

Conventional cancer treatments often result in tissue loss, incomplete tumor excision, infections, and systemic toxicity, severely impacting patient recovery. These complications frequently involve excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and persistent inflammation, pathological features also characteristic of burn wounds and postoperative tumor sites. To address this, an injectable ROS/pH-responsive hydrogel integrating localized tumor therapy and wound healing is developed.

Integrated Microneedle Aptasensing Platform toward Point-of-Care Monitoring of Bacterial Infections and Treatment.

Point-of-care (POC) monitoring of clinical inflammation biomarkers in interstitial fluid (ISF) has a great perspective on personalized healthcare. Herein, an integrated ultraswelling microneedle aptamer-recognition tester (uSMART) was developed for POC monitoring of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and therapeutic outcomes. The hyaluronic acid methacryloyl/sodium hyaluronate-microneedle (HAMA/SH-MN) module with excellent swelling and mechanical properties could cross the epidermis and access enough dermis ISF in a minimally invasive, painless, and rapid manner.

Organelle-targeted photodynamic platforms: from ICD activation to tumor ablation.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD), as a specific type of regulated cell death, enhances the infiltration of effector T cells into tumors and boosts the anti-tumor immune response. Studies have shown that photodynamic therapy (PDT) can effectively activate the immune system at tumor sites, inducing immunogenic cell death. However, PDT requires a supply of oxygen and a deeper light penetration depth.

Precise Magnetic Stimulation of the Paraventricular Nucleus Improves Sociability in a Mouse Model of ASD.

Magnetic stimulation has made significant strides in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nonetheless, current magnetic stimulation techniques lack the precision to accurately modulate specific nuclei and cannot realize deep brain magnetic stimulation. To address this, we utilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as mediators to achieve precise targeting and penetration.

Expert consensus on digital restoration of complete dentures.

Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy.

Highly stretchable, self-adhesive, and biocompatible cellulose/chitosan based double network hydrogel for wound dressing.

Hydrogels are widely recognized for their excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, making them promising materials for skin regeneration and wound care. However, the practical application of traditional hydrogels is limited by their inadequate mechanical strength and poor adhesive properties, hindering their effectiveness in wound healing. In this study, we designed a cellulose-based composite hydrogel, which overcomes these limitations by combining cellulose dialdehyde (DAC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and polymerizable acrylamide (AM).

Precision nanomaterials in colorectal cancer: advancing photodynamic and photothermal therapy.

Nanomaterials, due to their unique size, excellent targeting ability, and good biocompatibility, have gradually gained attention in oncologic medical treatments. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), known for their low side effects and minimal trauma, are widely used in immunotherapy for malignant tumors. However, limitations such as low light penetration depth, poor targeting, and localized thermal effects restrict the application scope of photothermal dynamic therapy.

Shape memory bone screws loading L-arginine and Ca propagate mechanical stimulation, energize bone cells and augment bone regeneration.

Metallic bone screws are clinically used to fix the fractured bone fragments in bone defect treatment; yet they present compromised therapeutic efficacy due to poor osseointegration and tissue support. Here, we develop a novel thermoresponsive shape memory (SMP) bone screw with osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling for enhanced bone regeneration. The SMP bone screws are prepared by die casting of shape memory polyurethane/hydroxyapatite (PU/HA) composite, coated with L-arginine (Arg) and calcium ions (Ca).

Amino Acid-Mediated Preparation of Highly Dendritic Chiral Plasmonic Nanoparticles for SERS-Based Enantiomer Recognition.

Chiral plasmonic nanoparticles (CPNPs) are blooming building blocks in modern nanotechnology and have attracted great attention due to their unique capabilities in manipulating light, enabling enantiomeric-based theranostics, realizing chiral sensing, and so on. Here, we report a strategy for the preparation of highly dendritic CPNPs. Using gold nanotriangles as seeds and cysteine as a shape-directing agent, two distinct dendritic nanostructures, termed gold nanoflowers (Au NFs) and gold nanourchins (Au NUs), can be obtained by adjusting the cysteine concentration within the reaction system.

Emerging biomedical engineering strategies for hair follicle regeneration.

Hair follicle undergoes cyclical regeneration that relies on the spatiotemporal coordination of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and multiple signaling pathways. However, hair follicle homeostasis is susceptible to disruption by various endogenous and exogenous factors, leading to hair loss diseases like androgenetic alopecia and scarring alopecia. Traditional pharmacological treatments and surgical transplantation still face challenges in meeting clinical demands because of unstable therapeutic efficacy, limited donor resources, and postoperative complications.

Wet Chemical Synthesis of Cu-Based Alloys and Their Electrocatalytic Applications.

Cu-based alloys, which are known for their abundant electroactive sites and excellent stability, have emerged as promising electrocatalytic materials for sustainable energy conversion. Among the various synthetic strategies, wet chemical methods offer a mild, efficient, and controllable approach to precisely tailor the composition and structure of Cu-based alloys, thereby optimizing their electrocatalytic properties. This review highlights recent advances in wet chemical synthesis techniques, including hydrothermal, solvothermal, polyol, and seed-mediated methods.