Aladdin SCI Paper Search Tool

Effective skin moisturization is essential for combating age-related skin deterioration and maintaining overall skin health. This study investigates the development and characterization of DL-α-tocopherol-loaded sodium alginate (SA)-based hydrogel microneedles (MNs) using a polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) crosslinking strategy for sustained, non-invasive antioxidant delivery and enhanced skin hydration. Three hydrogel formulations, SAP1, SAP2 and SAP3, were prepared with varying PEGDE to SA molar ratios, resulting in distinct swelling behaviors and crosslinking densities. SAP1 exhibited the highest swelling ratio, while SAP3 showed the lowest, which influenced the drug release profiles. SAP1α provided the fastest drug release, while SAP3α demonstrated a slowest release. SAP2α was selected for in vivo evaluation based on their balanced DL-α-tocopherol release along with favorable mechanical strength and swelling properties. SAP2α MNs significantly increased skin moisture from 13% to 37% within 8 days, outperforming the control and blank groups. These results show the potential of SA-based hydrogel MNs for transdermal drug delivery for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging. The moisturizing effectiveness of SAP2α MNs suggests their strong clinical potential in dermatology and cosmetic treatments for combating skin aging and dryness. Associated Products

Background Acinetobacter baumannii is a notorious clinical pathogen that predominantly causes nosocomial infections. The multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates are becoming more prevalent on a global scale. In this study, we aimed to determine the potential synergistic antibacterial activity of contezolid in combination with polymyxin B nonapeptide (PBNP) against various A. baumannii strains. Results Contezolid, a commonly-used agents targeting Gram-positive bacteria, in combination with PBNP (CP) was used to explore the potential synergistic antibacterial activity against A. baumannii in vitro and Caenorhabditis elegans models. We found that CP treatment exhibited a strong synergistic effect on A. baumannii or multidrug resistant A. baumannii . CP also inhibited the biofilm formation and alter morphology of A. baumannii compared to the control group. Moreover, the residual bacteria were significantly decreased in the CP-treated murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S). Importantly, CP treatment improved the survival of C. elegans compared to the control or monotherapy group. Conclusions This strategy improved antibacterial activity spectrum of agents targeting Gram-positive bacteria like contezolid. Nevertheless, CP combination therapy requires further validation in mammalian infection models. Associated Products

Rapeseed meal is rich in protein, but its high-value utilization remains insufficient. In this study, high-temperature steam pretreatment (HTSP) was applied to rapeseed meal to reduce safety- and flavor-limiting factors and improve its suitability as a raw material for soy sauce fermentation. Compared with the CON group, HTSP significantly reduced the contents of glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, erucic acid, and phenolic-related compounds in rapeseed meal, with glucosinolates and isothiocyanates decreasing by 59.02% and 92.65%, respectively. Meanwhile, the contents of protein, soluble protein, and reducing sugars increased to 39.28, 16.42, and 1.18 g/100 g, corresponding to 1.11-, 2.01-, and 1.97-fold those of the CON group, respectively. Subsequently, HTSP-treated rapeseed meal was used as the main raw material for soy sauce fermentation. During the 1–15 d fermentation period, the sample fermented for 15 d showed the most favorable physicochemical and flavor characteristics. At this stage, the contents of total nitrogen, amino acid nitrogen, reducing sugars, total acidity, and soluble solids reached 1.16, 0.70, 2.13, 1.22, and 34.31 g/100 mL, corresponding to 4.30-, 3.33-, 3.23-, 30.50-, and 4.73-fold those on day 1, respectively. During fermentation, the taste profile shifted from bitterness and sourness toward sweetness and umami, while the aroma profile evolved from fruity notes to nutty, roasted, and floral notes. Correlation analysis indicated that Weissella and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii were important microbial taxa closely associated with the quality and flavor development of rapeseed meal soy sauce, and may contribute to the accumulation of taste compounds in the early stage and aroma formation in the middle and late stages, respectively. Overall, HTSP effectively enhanced the utilization potential of rapeseed meal as a fermentation substrate, supporting its high-value application in soy sauce brewing. Associated Products

Immunotherapy and chemotherapy for tumors still confront significant obstacles, which call for the creation of new potent treatment approaches. One promising strategy to improve anticancer immune responses is to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells. However, currently available ICD-inducing agents are limited by several factors, including homogeneous mechanisms of action, low induction efficiency, and complex preparation or administration procedures. To improve ICD induction, particularly in immunologically “cold” tumors, this study proposes a drug co-delivery system designed to achieve effective chemotherapy and multi-pathway ICD induction, thereby enhancing antitumor immunity and improving the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy. Specifically, a poly(podophyllotoxin)-based polymer was engineered to encapsulate the carbon monoxide (CO) prodrug COP, followed by surface modification with D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate, a stabilizing agent that promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This design yielded a ROS cascade-amplified drug delivery platform for chemoimmunotherapy. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) were released when ROS, CO, and podophyllotoxin combined to trigger ICD in cancer cells. Subsequently, these DAMPs facilitated the activation and maturation of dendritic cells, which then attracted cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby amplifying antitumor immune responses and improving treatment results. Associated Products

Background High expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is observed in advanced prostate cancer, supplying a promising target for precision therapeutic interventions. Despite its efficacy in metastatic castration-resistant disease, cabazitaxel (CTX) is limited by severe systemic toxicity and a narrow therapeutic index, underscoring the urgent demand for tumor-selective delivery systems. Methods A novel PSMA-targeted dextran-based conjugate, Dextran-CTX-GLA-EuK, was synthesized via click chemistry by conjugating CTX, γ-linolenic acid (GLA), and a Glu-urea-Lys (EuK) PSMA-targeting ligand to bifunctionalized dextran. Critical in vitro and in vivo PSMA blocking experiments (using the PSMA inhibitor 2-PMPA) were performed to validate its targeting specificity. A thorough myelosuppression study was performed in murine models to evaluate the systemic hematological safety profile. The biodistribution profile and in vivo antitumor efficacy of the conjugate were evaluated in murine xenograft models. Results The conjugate Dextran-CTX-GLA-EuK exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, high water solubility, and strong PSMA-binding affinity. In vitro and in vivo PSMA blocking experiments conclusively verifying its PSMA-mediated specific cellular internalization and tumor accumulation. In PSMA-overexpressing xenograft models, the conjugate demonstrated selective tumor enrichment, with intratumoral CTX levels up to 98.3-fold higher than those of parent CTX, while reducing exposure in normal tissues. Dextran-CTX-GLA-EuK exerted prominent dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition, attaining a 96.6% suppression rate at a 10 mg/kg dosage in PC-3/PSMA tumors and prolonging the survival of 22Rv1 tumor-bearing mice. Importantly, comprehensive myelosuppression assays revealed that the conjugate only induced a transient reduction in white blood cell and neutrophil counts (which rapidly recovered to baseline) without impairing bone marrow hematopoietic function; unlike CTX, the conjugate did not cause significant weight loss, organ toxicity, or hematological abnormalities in tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that Dextran-CTX-GLA-EuK synergizes active targeting with dextran-based delivery, enhancing antitumor efficacy while abolishing dose-limiting toxicities. This strategy offers a clinically translatable approach for PSMA-directed therapy in prostate cancer. Associated Products

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are severe respiratory diseases with a high mortality rate, characterized by pathological lung damage induced by excessive inflammation. Current therapeutic strategies for ALI are limited; conventional treatments are associated with severe side effects and lack targeted efficacy. Hesperetin(Hes)is a natural flavanone abundant in citrus fruits that exhibits promising anti-inflammatory potential, yet its further clinical application is hindered by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Small intracellular vesicles (sIVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells have been demonstrated to possess the advantages of high yield, rapid cellular uptake and excellent stability. In view of this, the present study constructed a Hes-loaded sIVs-liposome nanodelivery system (sIVs-LPs@Hes) for the treatment of ALI via nebulized inhalation. Our findings revealed that sIVs-LPs@Hes could be efficiently absorbed and persistently retained in the lung, and it exerted a superior protective effect by inhibiting glycolysis through the MCU-mCa 2+ -NF-κB pathway, promoting M2 polarization of macrophages, ameliorating pulmonary inflammatory status, reducing pulmonary edema and repairing pathological lung damage. In conclusion, the present study not only elucidated the specific anti-inflammatory mechanism of Hes, but also developed a novel composite nanodelivery system by integrating the merits of sIVs and liposomes, thereby providing a promising potential therapeutic strategy for ALI. Associated Products

The reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction represents a central strategy for CO 2 utilization, yet conventional catalysts often require high temperatures and exhibit poor selectivity due to complex mechanisms. Here, we report a carbon-doped molybdenum nitride (Mo–N–C) catalyst that enables a redox-dominated RWGS pathway under mild conditions. Structural and electronic analyses reveal that carbon incorporation modulates the Mo oxidation state and induces the coexistence of Mo–N and Mo–C coordination, creating an optimized electronic environment for CO 2 activation. In-situ DRIFTS and quasi-in-situ XPS, supported by DFT calculations, demonstrate that CO formation proceeds via CO 2 direct dissociation rather than hydrogen-assisted dissociation, confirming a redox-mediated mechanism. This unique electronic configuration allows MoNC to achieve 21.7% CO 2 conversion and 98.4% CO selectivity at 400 °C, with outstanding stability over 100 h. The findings establish C–N synergistic coordination as a broadly applicable design principle for electronic-state tuning in non-noble metal catalysts for CO 2 reduction. A carbon-doped molybdenum nitride catalyst exhibits excellent performance in the reverse water gas shift reaction by following a redox reaction pathway. Download: Download high-res image (82KB) Download: Download full-size image Associated Products

Photodetectors (PDs) are currently widely employed in communications, imaging, sensing, and other fields. However, elevated temperatures significantly exacerbate noise effects, thereby degrading device performance and operational lifetime. Notably, the thermal-induced bandgap broadening (TBB) phenomenon in copolymer organic semiconductors (OSCs) offers a promising solution to this challenge. In this work, we diketo pyrrolopyrrole-thieno [3,2-b] thio-phene (DPPT-TT) as the active layer, integrated with metallic nanoparticle nanostructures. Comprehensive characterization confirmed that the TBB effect effectively suppresses dark current under high-temperature conditions. Benefiting from this phenomenon, the device exhibits an ultralow dark current density of $2.44\times 10^{-{10}}$ A/cm² at 353 K. Under a 0.2 V bias, it achieves remarkable performance metrics, including an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 71.47% and a theoretical specific detectivity ( ${D}_{\textit {th}}^{\ast }\text {)}$ of $5.12\times 10^{{13}}$ Jones ( $\lambda =780$ nm). To elucidate and quantitatively analyze the physical role of TBB in optoelectronic devices, we established a block filling model (BFM). Through combined molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations and first-principles calculations, this model successfully simulates the physical properties of DPPT-TT and provides a quantitative analysis of temperature-induced bandgap variations. Our experimental investigations systematically analyzed the temperature-dependent flocculent molecular disorder in copolymer OSCs, establishing a theoretical foundation for developing thermally reliable photodetectors. These findings provide crucial insights into high-temperature operation mechanisms and device optimization strategies. Associated Products

Dye wastewater, which poses serious threats to ecosystems and human health, is very difficult to treat. Graphene oxide (GO) has significant potential for dye adsorption. However, the practical application of GO in dye wastewater treatment is hindered by its high water solubility, which prevents its efficient separation and recovery after dye adsorption. In this study, we found that doping a small amount of MXene into GO induces composite dye-bridged reassembly during dye adsorption. The reassembled composite possesses favorable stability under external forces, thus enabling solid–liquid separation and material recovery without an external magnetic field. Notably, this dye adsorption-induced reassembly phenomenon was not observed in pure GO or pure MXene dye adsorption systems. The experimental results demonstrated that a small-fragmented GO/MXene composite with 20% MXene doping achieved optimal methylene blue (MB) adsorption and dye-bridged reassembly performance, with a maximum experimental adsorption capacity measured in practice of 883.17 mg g−1. The MB removal capacity of the composite was maintained over a wide pH range, with dye-bridged reassembly preferentially occurring under acidic and weakly alkaline conditions (pH 3–9). Higher dosages enhanced MB removal but impaired the dye-bridged reassembly, whereas thermal annealing reduced the composite adsorption capacity but preserved its dye-bridged reassembly ability. Although the presence of cations hindered MB adsorption, they promoted reassembly efficiency, which was positively correlated with cation valence. A quantitative recovery of approximately 95% was achieved with the GO/MXene composite. The proposed strategy enables efficient and scalable dye removal and offers a new path for high-performance and sustainable dye wastewater treatment. Associated Products

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation is crucial in intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis. However, its metabolic regulation is not well understood. Herein, we identified a macrophage-dependent methionine-S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1)-lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)-lactate axis that controls intestinal inflammation through STAT3 regulation. Specifically, SAM promoted STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation and upregulated anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 expression in macrophages. Additionally, genetic ablation of PRMT1 in myeloid cells not only impairs STAT3 activation but also exacerbates colitis and promotes inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, PRMT1 directly methylates LDHA at R268/R269, thereby enhancing its activity and lactate production. Subsequently, the resulting lactate induces STAT3 lactylation at K709, stabilizing an open conformation that facilitates Y705 phosphorylation. Importantly, disruption of this modification through K709-specific inhibition effectively blocks STAT3 activation and, consequently, exacerbates colitis progression. Overall, this study reveals STAT3 lactylation as a novel post-translational modification that integrates methionine metabolism with glycolytic flux to regulate intestinal inflammation, highlighting the critical role of immunometabolism in colonic inflammation. Associated Products

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on light-activated photosensitizers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for cancer treatment. However, its efficacy is severely limited by tumor microenvironment (TME) features such as hypoxia and elevated antioxidant levels (e.g., glutathione, GSH). To address these challenges, a GSH-responsive nanoplatform (enBDP-F NPs) was developed by integrating a heavy-atom-free photosensitizer (enBDP) with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The donor–acceptor-structured enBDP, featuring an anthracene-modified BODIPY core, enables efficient ROS generation via a spin–orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) mechanism. In the TME, enBDP-F NPs undergo GSH-triggered disassembly, releasing PFOA to alleviate hypoxia while simultaneously depleting intracellular GSH through disulfide bond cleavage, thereby disrupting redox homeostasis and suppressing ROS scavenging. This dual-responsive mechanism synergistically enhances oxidative stress and promotes tumor cell death. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that enBDP-F NPs exhibit minimal dark toxicity but potent phototoxicity, significantly suppress tumor growth, reduce 4T1 cell viability to below 20% under irradiation, and display an oxygen-carrying capacity approximately threefold higher than PBS. This work provides a promising strategy for synergistic TME modulation to enhance PDT efficacy in cancer therapy. Associated Products

Pb (acac) 2 suppresses water-induced defects, accelerating growth kinetics. • Alternating epitaxy enables purification-free, atomic-level tuning of PbS CQDs. • Periodic absorption shifts synchronized with Pb/S-rich surface cycling. Narrow-bandgap lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising for high-performance short-wave infrared (SWIR) optoelectronics, yet achieving concurrent control over their size, bandgap, and uniformity remains challenging. Here, we present an alternating epitaxial growth strategy grounded in dynamic surface structural engineering. Using lead acetylacetonate (Pb(acac) 2 ) as a highly reactive precursor, this approach enables atomic-level tuning of PbS CQD size and bandgap via periodic precursor injections, eliminating intermediate purification steps. We observed in situ cyclic shifts in the absorption peak position, strictly synchronized with the injection cycles. Combined structural and theoretical analyses reveal that these shifts stem from dynamic surface lattice strain, triggering surface reconstruction. This mechanism originates from cyclic transitions between Pb-rich and S-rich surface chemistries. By leveraging it, our strategy redshifts the absorption edge of PbS CQDs to ∼1971 nm while yielding an exceptionally low Urbach energy of 15 meV, reflecting superior narrow-bandgap characteristics and minimal energetic disorder. This work provides a robust method for fabricating high-quality PbS CQDs and introduces a new in situ paradigm for probing colloidal nanocrystal growth, offering a pathway to advanced infrared devices. We construct a dynamic Pb-rich/S-rich surface environment via periodic precursor injection, and the cycles drive atomic-scale size expansion of the quantum dots, with the absorption edge ultimately redshifting to ∼1971 nm. This strategy enables precise regulation of narrow-gap PbS quantum dots, centered on the dynamic coupling between surface chemistry and lattice strain. Download: Download high-res image (118KB) Download: Download full-size image Associated Products