Distinct CTC Specific RNA Profile Enables NSCLC Early Detection and Dynamic Monitoring of Advanced NSCLC.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) hold significant potential as biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, their clinical utility is limited by the heterogeneity of CTC subtypes and the need for robust, quantitative assays. In this study, a quantitative CTC RNA assay incorporating multi-antibody-based CTC isolation and specific mRNA quantification by RT-ddPCR is developed.

Molecular Targeting of Intracellular Bacteria by Homotypic Recognizing Nanovesicles for Infected Pneumonia Treatment.

Although extensive antibiotic regimens have been implemented to address pathogen-infected pneumonia, existing strategies are constrained in their efficacy against intracellular bacteria, a prominent contributor to antibiotic resistance. In addition, the concurrent occurrence of a cytokine storm during antibiotic therapy presents a formidable obstacle in the management of pneumonia caused by pathogens. In the present study, an infection-targeting system that leverages M2-macrophage-derived vesicles [exosomes (Exos)] as vehicles to convey antibiotics (antibiotics@Exos) was developed for effective pneumonia management.

Correction: Ordered mesoporous zirconium oxophosphate supported tungsten oxide solid acid catalysts: the improved Brønsted acidity for benzylation of anisole.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C4RA02809K.].

Improving diacetylene photopolymerization in monolayers and ultrathin films.

Gentle annealing and photopolymerization under inert atmospheres strongly enhance the quality of polydiacetylene monolayers. These simple measures not only triple the average degree of polymerization but also alter the preferred photoexcitation mode and cause pronounced nano-alignment during the early stages of polymerization.

Nanostructured conductive polymers: synthesis and application in biomedicine.

Conductive polymers (CPs), distinguished by their sp-hybridized carbon backbone, offer remarkable electrical conductivity while maintaining the advantageous mechanical flexibility and processing characteristics typical of organic polymers. Compared to their bulk counterparts, nanostructured CPs exhibit unique physicochemical properties, such as large surface areas and shortened charge/mass transport pathways, making them promising candidates for various applications. This mini review explores various synthesis methodologies for nanostructured CPs, including electrospinning, hard templating, and soft templating techniques, while elucidating their advantages and disadvantages.

Deformation-resistant coaxial fiber photoelectrochemical sensor with vertical anchoring of graphene nanosheets for ultrasensitive glucose detection.

Endowing microelectrode architecture with eminent light-absorbing, analyte-trapping and mechanical robustness is pivotal but challenging for state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical monitoring. Herein, an effective tactic to tackle these issues was proposed for building coaxial fiber-shaped photoelectrochemical sensor, with multiscale vertically oriented channels created by highly ordered arrangement of molecule-recognized graphene (G) nanosheets serving as photoexcitation initiator along the direction perpendicular to the core-layer carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber acting as supporting and conductive matrix. The unique architectural features enabled rapid analyte diffusion and ready light spreading to photoactive and specific recognition sites situated at all channel walls, and meanwhile rendered the device with robust structural integrity, thereby showcasing impressive glucose-assaying capability with rapid response (0.

Polyolefin Recycling with Binary Cobalt-Nickel Nanosheets.

The recycling of polyolefin plastics into value-added chemicals has emerged as a new frontier regarding the current environmental concerns. In this work, it is demonstrated that binary cobalt-nickel nanosheets (Co─Ni NSs) can serve as a non-noble catalyst for recycling polyethylene and polypropylene plastics. Detailed analysis implies that the strong synergy between Co and Ni in binary Co─Ni NSs enables the electron transfer from Ni to Co and enhances adsorption abilities to H and C─C chain, realizing the cracking of polyethylene plastic to liquid products with a selectivity of 83.

Metal-assisted vacuum transfer enabling in situ visualization of charge density waves in monolayer MoS.

Recent advancements in quantum materials research have focused on monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides and their heterostructures, known for complex electronic phenomena. While macroscopic electrical and magnetic measurements provide valuable insights, understanding these electronic states requires direct experimental observations. Yet, the extreme two-dimensionality of these materials demands surface-sensitive measurements with exceptionally clean surfaces.

Direct Detection of Natural-Abundance Low-γ Nuclei NMR Signals of Minute Quantities of Organic Solids.

Low-γ nuclei signal enhancement in solid-state NMR spectroscopy is typically achieved via cross-polarization (CP) using abundant H polarization in organic solids. Nevertheless, direct low-γ nuclei signal detection via a single CP process is quite challenging with minute quantities of samples due to the extremely limited signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the acquired spectra. Herein, we demonstrated the robust performance of a multiple-contact CP experiment with multiple acquisition periods (MCP) in each transient scan, leading to several-fold SNR enhancement over a conventional single-CP experiment at fast MAS conditions with slightly increased experimental time.

AIE Photosensitizer with Tuned Membrane Interactions for Effective-Gram-Negative Bacteria Elimination.

Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PDAT) for efficient bacterial infection eradication critically relies on photosensitizers (PSs) that can specifically target and disrupt bacterial membranes. However, the complex membrane architecture of Gram-negative bacteria poses a significant challenge to the efficacy of most aggregation-induced emission (AIE) PSs. Herein, we introduce TPQ, an AIE PS meticulously designed to overcome this challenge by incorporating an outer membrane disruption ability, thereby boosting PDAT efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria.

Electric Field-Induced Fast Li-Ion Channels in Ionic Plastic Crystal Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Batteries.

The practical use of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) is hindered by the intractable electrolyte/electrode interfacial resistance and discontinuous ion transport networks within electrodes. Ionic plastic crystals offer a potential solution to these challenges due to their melt-permeable properties to the electrodes. However, their limited ionic conductivity restricts their application.

Wearable Hydrogels for Personal Protection Applications.

As the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies have advanced, wearable technology has attracted significant attention from academia and industry. Hydrogel has already received much attention as an emerging candidate material for wearable devices due to its unique 3D network structure, excellent biocompatibility, and soft stretchability. It is aimed here to provide a comprehensive overview of the development of hydrogels for wearable applications.

Programmable production of bioactive extracellular vesicles in vivo to treat myocardial infarction.

Current myocardial infarction (MI) treatment strategies remain challenged in suboptimal pharmacokinetics and potential adverse effects. Here we present a bioelectronic interface capable of producing on-demand abundant bioactive extracellular vesicles (EVs) near the MI area for in-situ localized treatment. The technology, termed electroactive patch for wirelessly and controllable EV generation (ePOWER), leverages wireless bioelectronic patch to stimulate embedded electrosensitive macrophages, actively modulating the biosynthesis of EVs and enabling EV production with high programmability to be delivered directly to the MI area.

Identification of Tumor-Specific Surface Proteins Enables Quantification of Extracellular Vesicle Subtypes for Early Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Reliable early detection methods are critically needed. PDAC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry molecules that reflect their parental tumor cells and are detectable in early disease stages, offering a promising noninvasive diagnostic approach.

Suspension Electrolytes with Catalytically Self-Expediating Desolvation Kinetics for Low-Temperature Zinc Metal Batteries.

The conventional electrolyte for rechargeable aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) breeds many problems such as Zn dendrite growth and side reaction of hydrogen evolution reaction, which are fundamentally attributed to the uneven ion flux owing to the high barriers of desolvation and diffusion of Zn[(HO)] clusters. Herein, to modulate the [Zn(HO)] solvation structure, the suspension electrolyte engineering employed with electron-delocalized catalytic nanoparticles is initially proposed to expedite desolvation kinetics. As a proof, the electron-density-adjustable CeO is introduced into the commercial electrolyte and preferentially adsorbed on the Zn surface, regulating the Zn[(HO)] structure.

Integrating photochemical and photothermal effects for selective oxidative coupling of methane into C hydrocarbons with multiple active sites.

The direct photocatalytic oxidation of methane to value-added chemicals has garnered considerable interest in recent years. However, achieving high productivity while maintaining high selectivity at an appreciable methane conversion rate remains a formidable challenge. Here, we present photochemically-triggered and photothermally-enhanced oxidative coupling of methane to multi-carbon C alkanes over an Au and CeO nanoparticle-decorated ZnO photocatalyst, which exhibits a record-breaking C production rate of 17,260 μmol g h with ~90% C selectivity under wide-spectrum light irradiation without a secondary source of heating.

Boron-Fluoride Dual-atom Synergistic Regulated Interface Coating Enables Stable Zn-Metal Anodes.

Aqueous zinc-based batteries provide promising opportunities for next-generation rechargeable batteries. Nevertheless, Zn anode encounters severe challenges, such as Zn dendrite formation, surface corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we report a strategy to spontaneously construct a boron-fluoride dual-atom regulated SEI (ZnBOF), which involves the formation of a B-compound coating through an etching process followed by an in situ F substitution during the initial electrochemical cycling.

Nature-Inspired Superwetting Membranes for Emulsified Oily Water Separation.

Nature-inspired superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic membranes have garnered significant attention due to their promising potential for separating emulsified oily water and addressing water security issues. The exceptional wettability imparts spontaneous water permeability and oil repellency to membranes, accelerating water filtration, enhancing oil isolation, and reducing membrane fouling during the process, thereby achieving fast and efficient oil-water separation. Over the past decade, a series of groundbreaking studies on nature-inspired superwetting membranes have propelled oily water separation technology into a transformative phase of development.

High Cell to Module Efficiency Remaining Ratio of ≈90% for the 100 cm Fully Roll-to-Roll Gravure Printed Flexible Organic Solar Cells From Non-Halogenated Solvent.

The cell-to-module (CTM) efficiency remaining ratio from monolithic device to large-area module indicates the scalability potential for large-area organic solar cells (OSCs). Nowadays, the CTM value is still low as the area increases to larger than 100 cm. In this work, the crucial role of solvent in CTM for printing, which on one side influenced the large area homogeneity due to the ink rheology property, and on the other side impacted phase separation dynamics because of vaporization and crystalline rate is highlighted.

Porous Microreactor Chip for Photocatalytic Seawater Splitting over 300 Hours at Atmospheric Pressure.

Photocatalytic seawater splitting is an attractive way for producing green hydrogen. Significant progresses have been made recently in catalytic efficiencies, but the activity of catalysts can only maintain stable for about 10 h. Here, we develop a vacancy-engineered AgPO/CdS porous microreactor chip photocatalyst, operating in seawater with a performance stability exceeding 300 h.

Selective Sorting of Semiconducting C@Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Heterostructures with Narrow Diameter Distribution.

Consistently arranging molecules within single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) templates shows promise for creating advanced 1D heterostructures, but diameter variations in raw SWCNTs pose a significant challenge. In this work, a precise synthesis of C fullerene-filled SWCNTs (C@SWCNTs) is achieved through vapor-phase filling followed by polymer sorting. As the SWCNT diameter increases, C molecules first stack in a single chain, then form unusual configurations, including staggered double chains and double helices-configurations not observed in bulk C crystals.

Assembly and Functionality of 2D Protein Arrays.

Among the unique classes of 2D nanomaterials, 2D protein arrays garner increasing attention due to their remarkable structural stability, exceptional physiochemical properties, and tunable electronic and mechanical attributes. The interest in mimicking and surpassing the precise architecture and advanced functionality of natural protein systems drives the field of 2D protein assembly toward the development of sophisticated functional materials. Recent advancements deepen the understanding of the fundamental principles governing 2D protein self-assembly, accelerating the creation of novel functional biomaterials.

Numerical study of terahertz radiation from N-polar AlGaN/GaN HEMT under asymmetric boundaries.

In this paper, we have studied the electrical excitation of plasma-wave in N-polar AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) under asymmetric boundaries leads to terahertz emission. Numerical calculations are conducted through the simultaneous solution of Maxwell's equations and the self-consistent hydrodynamic model. By employing this method, we solved the plasma-wave model in the channel of an N-polar AlGaN/GaN HEMT.

Progress and Perspectives in 2D Piezoelectric Materials for Piezotronics and Piezo-Phototronics.

The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials has catalyzed significant advancements in the fields of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics, owing to their exceptional mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. This review provides a comprehensive examination of key 2D piezoelectric and piezo-phototronic materials, including transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and phosphorene, with an emphasis on their unique advantages and recent research progress. The underlying principles of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics in 2D materials is discussed, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms which enable these phenomena.

Artificial Synapse with High Weight-Updating Performance Based on Charge-Trapping Mechanism.

Artificial synapses, basic units of neuromorphic hardware, have been studied to emulate synaptic dynamics, which are beneficial for realizing high-quality neural networks. Currently, two-dimensional (2D) material heterojunction structures are widely used in the study of artificial synapses; however, their dynamic weight-updating characteristics are restricted owing to their high nonlinearity and low symmetricity. In this study, we treated h-BN with oxygen plasma to form a charge-trapping layer (CTL), and we prepared 2D ReS/CTL/h-BN heterojunction synapses.