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Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer enables pathological complete response (pCR) in patients initially diagnosed with axillary lymph node metastases, potentially obviating the need for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Current targeted axillary dissection (TAD) techniques, guided by traditional tissue markers placed prior to NAC, face challenges such as marker loss and high costs. Carbon nanoparticle suspension injection (CNSI) offers a stable and reliable alternative for marking, which could enhance the TAD procedure. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of different TAD strategies using CNSIs and to explore their clinical utility in locally advanced breast cancer. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial will enroll 126 biopsy-proven breast cancer patients with suspicious axillary lymph node metastases (cN1-2a) who achieve ycN0 status following NAC. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to undergo TAD guided by: [1] conventional tissue clips (CG-TAD); [2] CNSI lymph node marking (CN-LNM); or [3] peritumoral CNSI mapping (PCN-MAP). Primary endpoints include retrieval rate of marked lymph nodes, number of sentinel and marked lymph nodes, concordance rates, and complication rates. Secondary endpoints encompass regional and distant recurrence rates, survival outcomes, surgical duration, postoperative complications, quality of life scores, and margin status in breast-conserving surgery. Statistical analyses will adhere strictly to the CONSORT guidelines. Discussion: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of CNSI for targeted axillary dissection in breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to explore its clinical significance in reducing surgical complications and costs, as well as improving surgical precision. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04744506, Registered 27 December 2020, Updated 24 September 2024. Protocol Version Ver 1.2, 17/9/2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A 3.0-mm ultrathin bronchoscope (UTB) with a 1.7-mm working channel provides better accessibility to peripheral bronchi. A 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope with a larger 2.0-mm working channel facilitates the use of a guide sheath (GS), ensuring repeated sampling from the same location. The 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe has a smaller diameter, overcoming the limitation of the size of biopsy instruments used with UTB. In this study, we compared the endobronchial ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield of peripheral lung lesions by cryobiopsy using UTB and thin bronchoscopy combined with GS. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 133 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions with a diameter less than 30 mm who underwent bronchoscopy with either thin bronchoscope or UTB from May 2019 to May 2023. A 3.0-mm UTB combined with rEBUS was used in the UTB group, whereas a 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope combined with rEBUS and GS was used for the thin bronchoscope group. A 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe was used for cryobiopsy in the two groups. Results: Among the 133 patients, peripheral pulmonary nodules in 85 subjects were visualized using r-EBUS. The ultrasound localization rate was significantly higher in the UTB group than in the thin bronchoscope group (96.0% vs. 44.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy specimens from the UTB group was significantly higher compared to the thin bronchoscope group (54.0% vs. 30.1%, respectively; p = 0.006). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the cryobiopsy diagnostic yields of the UTB group were significantly higher for lesions ≤ 20 mm, benign lesions, upper lobe lesions, lesions located lateral one-third from the hilum, and lesions without bronchus sign. Conclusions: Ultrathin bronchoscopy combined with cryobiopsy has a superior ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield compared to a combination of cryobiopsy and thin bronchoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defect structure has attracted significant attention because of its importance as design factor for exploring high‐performance functional materials. This study reports a defect‐engineering strategy to optimize the electrode performance of transition metal dichalcogenides and a clear elucidation of the underlying mechanism on the benefit of defect engineering with cycling‐induced transformation into small nanoclusters. The intercalative hybridization of monolayered MoS2 nanosheets with bulky tetraalkylammonium cations is effective for generating abundant crystal vacancies in the MoS2 lattice and improving the sodium‐ion electrode performance, achieving one of the excellent performances among MoS2‐based sodium‐ion anode materials. The improved electrode activity of the tetrapropylammonium−MoS2 nanohybrid is ascribed to the vacancy‐assisted transformation from monolayered MoS2 nanosheets into trimeric/dimeric MoSx nanoclusters during electrochemical cycling. 23Na/1H magic angle spinning‐nuclear magnetic resonance analyses demonstrated that cycling‐induced defective MoSx nanoclusters yields a complex Na environment with high ion mobility and enhanced electrolyte absorptivity, promoting the excellent electrode functionality of tetrapropylammonium‐assembled MoS2 nanosheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface structures have received significant attention because of their profound influence on the catalytic activities of nanostructured materials. Although energy-functional hybrid materials have been researched, there are no reports on using Ti@holey TiN foam as a hybridization matrix for high-performance electrocatalysts in seawater. In addition, the impact of a defective buffer layer on interfacial electronic coupling and electrocatalytic activity needs to be systematically investigated. In this study, we develop an interface engineering route to explore high-performance hybrid electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis by introducing holey TiN nanoplates as buffer layers on the surface of a Ti foam. Hierarchical hybrid electrocatalysts of Ti@holey-TiN/Ni–Fe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) are synthesized by the sequential oxidation–nitridation of a Ti foam, followed by the deposition of LDH. The obtained Ti@holey-TiN/LDH nanohybrids display an outstanding performance as an oxygen evolution electrocatalyst with small overpotentials of 240 and 250 mV at 100 mA cm−2 in an aqueous 1 M KOH solution and simulated alkaline seawater electrolyte, respectively. In situ spectroscopic analysis confirms the merits of holey TiN buffer layers in reinforcing interfacial electronic coupling with deposited LDH species and immobilizing the stoichiometric LDH phase, resulting in an increase in reaction kinetics of the LDH phase during the oxygen evolution reaction. The benefits of the hierarchical porous hybrid structure on the catalytic activity of seawater electrocatalysis can be ascribed to the enhanced electrical connection between the LDH and Ti substrate, provision of many electrochemically active sites, promotion of charge/mass transfer kinetics, and improved hydroxide adsorption selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to tune the coordination configuration of dual‐atom catalyst (DAC), especially in the first coordination sphere, to render high intrinsic catalytic activities for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). Herein, a type of atomically dispersed and boron‐coordinated DAC structure, namely, FeN4B‐NiN4B dual sites, is reported. In this structure, the incorporation of boron into the first coordination sphere of FeN4/NiN4 atomic sites regulates its geometry and electronic structure by forming "Fe‐B‐N" and "Ni‐B‐N" bridges. The FeN4B‐NiN4B DAC exhibits much enhanced ORR and OER property compared to the FeN4‐NiN4 counterparts. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the boron‐induced charge transfer and asymmetric charge distributions of the central Fe/Ni atoms optimize the adsorption and desorption behavior of the ORR/OER intermediates and reduce the activation energy for the potential‐determining step. Zinc‐air batteries employing the FeN4B‐NiN4B cathode exhibit a high maximum power density (236.9 mW cm−2) and stable cyclability up to 1100 h. The result illustrates the pivotal role of the first‐coordination sphere of DACs in tuning the electrochemical energy conversion and storage activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exsolution is an effective method for synthesizing robust nanostructured metal‐based functional materials. However, no studies have investigated the exsolution of metal nanoparticles into metal nitride substrates. In this study, a versatile nitridation‐driven exsolution method is developed for embedding catalytically active metal nanoparticles in conductive metal nitride substrates via the ammonolysis of multimetallic oxides. Using this approach, Ti1−xRuxO2 nanowires are phase‐transformed into holey TiN nanotubes embedded with exsolved Ru nanoparticles. These Ru‐exsolved holey TiN nanotubes exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction with excellent durability, which is significantly higher than that of Ru‐deposited TiN nanotubes. The enhanced stability of the Ru‐exsolved TiN nanotubes can be attributed to the Ru nanoparticles embedded in the robust metal nitride matrix and the formation of interfacial Ti3+─N─Ru4+ bonds. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the exsolved Ru nanoparticles have a lower d‐band center position and optimized hydrogen affinity than deposited Ru nanoparticles, indicating the superior electrocatalyst performance of the former. In situ Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals that the electron transfer from TiN to Ru nanoparticles is enhanced during the electrocatalytic process. The proposed approach opens a new avenue for stabilizing diverse metal nanostructures in many conductive matrices like metal phosphides and chalcogenides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To investigate the oncolytic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) delivering reovirus type 3 (Reo3) on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells. METHODS: The expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), a receptor susceptible to Reo3, on the surface of hUMSCs and K562 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Intracellular viral inclusion body distribution 72 h after Reo3 infection in hUMSCs was observed by electron microscopy. The hUMSCs were infected with various multiplicities of infection (MOI) of Reo3 (M01=0, 1, 2 and 3) for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h, and the most suitable MOI was identified by CCK-8 assay. Subsequently, hUMSCs were infected with the optimal titer of Reo3 for the same durations, and supernatants were collected. The titer of Reo3 in the supernatant from each group was measured using mouse fibroblast L929 cells combined with median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) method, determining the optimal infection time. The K562 cells were divided into 4 groups: control group, hUMSCs group, Reo3 group, and hUMSCs-Reo3 group. Ratios of hUMSCs to K562 cells in hUMSCs group and hUMSCs-Reo3 group were set at low, medium and high (5^1, 10^1 and 20: 1). The changes of K562 cell viability after co-cultured with hUMSCs-Reo3 for 24, 48 and 72 h were analyzed by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis of K562 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of anti-Reo3 monoclonal antibody was determined using L929 cells. The oncolytic effect of hUMSCs-Reo3 on K562 cells with antibody present in vitro was verified. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, survivin and cleaved caspase-3 in K562 cells after treatment. A BALB/c nude mouse subcutaneous tumor model was constructed with K562 cells (n=6) to analyze the in vivo anti-tumor effect of hUMSCs-Reo3. RESULTS: The expression levels of JAM-A on the surfaces of hUMSCs and K562 cells were found to be 11. 0% and 99. 0%, respectively. Electron microscopy revealed a significant presence of viral inclusion bodies within hUMSCs 72 h following infection with Reo3. Within 120 h, no statistically significant difference was observed in the viability of hUMSCs between Reo3 (MOI=1) group and uninfected group, establishing the optimal MOI. The TCID50 results indicated that the highest virus titer in the lysate of hUMSCs in Reo3 (MOI=1) group occurred 48 h after infection, determining 48 h as the optimal infection time. The K562 cells co-cultured with hUMSCs-Reo3 for 24, 48 and 72 h showed a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell viability. The EC50 of the anti-Reo3 monoclonal antibody was found to be 1: 34. Even in the presence of antibodies at various concentrations (1: 34, 1 • 300 and 1: 600), hUMSCs were capable of transporting Reo3 to inhibit K562 cell viability and induce apoptosis in vitro. Compared with control group, significant down-regulation of Bcl-2 and survivin expression levels in K562 cells was noted after 48 h of co-culture with hUMSCs-Reo3 (P<0. 05), while Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression levels were significantly up-regulated (P< 0. 05 or P<0. 01). In the BALB/c nude mouse tumor-bearing model, determination of tumor volume changes, pathological examination of tumor tissue and major organs, and assessment of cathepsin B/L activity using a small animal live imaging system confirmed the oncolytic effect of hUMSCs-Reo3 on K562 cells in vivo without adverse effects on normal tissues. CONCLUSION: The hUMSCs are effective in transporting Reo3, and this delivery system is capable of releasing sufficient quantities of Reo3 in both in vivo and in vitro settings to inhibit the malignant proliferation of K562 cells and promote apoptosis, thereby exerting an oncolytic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To explore the synergistic sensitization effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell culture supernatant (hUMSC-CM) combined with temozolomide (TMZ) on various glioma cell lines, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The hUMSC-CM was harvested using two different serum deprivation techniques at 24 and 48 h, and was converted into freeze-dried powder, which was then given to rat malignant glioma cell line RG-2, human astrocytoma cell line U251 and human glioblastoma cell line LN-428 at 5 concentrations (0, 1, 3, 6 and 9 g/L). The effectiveness and sensitivity of hUMSC-CM for inhibiting growth of glioma cells at 24, 48 and 72 h were assessed using CCK-8 assay. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining combined with CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate the chemotherapy sensitivity of glioma cells after 48 h of treatment with TMZ at 6 concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µmol/L). Two concentrations (3 and 9 g/L) of hUMSC-CM and 3 concentrations (50, 100 and 200 µmol/L) of TMZ were chosen for concurrent treatment of glioma cells to assess the proliferation and pathological alterations. TUNEL staining was utilized to detect apoptosis. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze cell cycle modifications. The expression alterations of apoptosis-inducing proteins, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved PARP1, as well as autophagy-inducing proteins beclin-1 and LC3, were examined using Western blot to investigate the synergistic sensitization mechanism of hUMSC-CM combined with TMZ in vitro. RESULTS: The susceptibility of glioma cell lines to hUMSC-CM and TMZ varied, with RG-2 showing the highest sensitivity, followed by U251, and then LN-428. The inhibitory effect of hUMSC-CM (3 and 9 g/L) and TMZ (50, 100 and 200 µmol/L) combined treatment on glioma cells was significantly greater than that that of single-agent treatments (P<0. 05), demonstrating a dose- and concentration-dependent enhancement. Notably, the combination of 9 g/L hUMSC-CM (C9) with 50 µmol/L TMZ (T50) effectively suppressed glioma cell growth. CCK-8 assay indicated a significant reduction of cell viability in C9+T50 group compared with either C9 or T50 alone (P<0. 05). HE staining and TUNEL staining revealed pronounced morphological changes and significant apoptotic features in glioma cells treated with C9+T50. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed that C9+T50 induced cell cycle arrest in glioma cells. Furthermore, compared with control group, the levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, cleaved PARP1, beclin-1, and LC3-II/LC3-I were significantly elevated in the C9+T50-treated glioma cells (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: (1) The concomitant administration of hUMSC-CM and TMZ exerts a broad inhibitory effect on glioma cells, with a synergistic sensitization observed across different cell lines. (2) The enhancement of glioma cell sensitivity to TMZ by hUMSC-CM may be attributed to the modulation of caspase-8/caspase-3/PARP1 signaling pathway and the induction of both apoptosis and autophagy in glioma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive 2D nanosheets have evoked tremendous scientific efforts because of their high efficiency as hybridization matrices for improving diverse functionalities of nanostructured materials. To address the problems posed by previously reported conductive nanosheets like poorly-interacting graphene and cost-ineffective RuO 2 nanosheets, economically feasible noble-metal-free conductive [Mn x Co 1-2x Ni x ]O 2 oxide nanosheets are synthesized with outstanding interfacial interaction capability. The surface-optimized [Mn 1/4 Co 1/2 Ni 1/4 ]O 2 nanosheets outperformed RuO 2 /graphene nanosheets as hybridization matrices in exploring high-performance visible-light-active (λ >420 nm) photocatalysts. The most efficient g-C 3 N 4 -[Mn 1/4 Co 1/2 Ni 1/4 ]O 2 nanohybrid exhibited unusually high photocatalytic activity (NH 4 + formation rate: 1.2 mmol g -1 h -1 ), i.e., one of the highest N 2 reduction efficiencies. The outstanding hybridization effect of the defective [Mn 1/4 Co 1/2 Ni 1/4 ]O 2 nanosheets is attributed to the optimization of surface bonding character and electronic structure, allowing for improved interfacial coordination bonding with g-C 3 N 4 at the defect sites. Results from spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that hybridization helps optimize the bandgap energy, and improves charge separation, N 2 adsorptivity, and surface reactivity. The universality of the [Mn 1/4 Co 1/2 Ni 1/4 ]O 2 nanosheet as versatile hybridization matrices is corroborated by the improvement in the electrocatalytic activity of hybridized Co-Fe-LDH as well as the photocatalytic hydrogen production ability of hybridized CdS., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Biological photo-responsive ion channels play important roles in the important metabolic processes of living beings. To mimic the unique functions of biological prototypes, the transition metal dichalcogenides, owing to their excellent mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, are already used for artificial intelligent channel constructions. However, there remain challenges to building artificial bio-semiconductor nanochannels with finely tuned band gaps for accurately simulating or regulating ion transport. Here, two well-designed peptides are employed for the WS 2 nanosheets functionalization with the sequences of PFPFPFPFC and DFDFDFDFC (PFC and DFC; P: proline, D: aspartate, and F: phenylalanine) through cysteine (Cys, C) linker, and an asymmetric peptide-WS 2 membrane (AP-WS 2 M) could be obtained via self-assembly of peptide-WS 2 nanosheets. The AP-WS 2 M could realize the photo-driven anti-gradient ion transport and vis-light enhanced osmotic energy conversion by well-designed working patterns. The photo-driven ion transport mechanism stems from a built-in photovoltaic motive force with the help of formed type II band alignment between the PFC-WS 2 and DFC-WS 2 . As a result, the ions would be driven across the channels of the membrane for different applications. The proposed system provides an effective solution for building photo-driven biomimetic 2D bio-semiconductor ion channels, which could be extensively applied in the fields of drug delivery, desalination, and energy conversion., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Biological photoresponsive ion transport systems consistently attract researchers' attention owing to their remarkable functions of harvesting energy from nature and participating in visual perception systems. Designing and constructing artificial light-driven ion transport devices to mimic biological counterparts remains a challenge owing to fabrication limitations in nanoconfined spaces. Herein, a typical conjugated polyelectrolyte (PFN-Br) was assembled onto a laminated MoS 2 M using simple solution-processing vacuum filtration, resulting in a heterogeneous three- and two-dimensional nanoporous membrane. The designed band alignment between PFN-Br and MoS 2 enables effective directional ion transport under irradiation in an equilibrium solution, even against a 30-fold concentration gradient. The staggered energy structure of PFN-Br and MoS 2 enhances charge separation and establishes a photogenerated potential as the driving force for ion transport. Additionally, the activation energy barrier for ion transport across the heterogeneous membrane decreased by 60% after light irradiation, considerably improving ion transport flux. The easy fabrication and high performance of the membrane in light-powered ion transport provide promising approaches for designing nanofluidic devices with possible applications in energy conversion, light-enhanced biosensing, and photoresponsive ionic devices.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a significant portion of lung cancer cases, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options for advanced stages. Enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy through adjunctive therapies is a critical area of research., Objective: To evaluate the effect of Shenmai injection combined with chemotherapy on T-cell subsets and cytokine expression in patients with advanced NSCLC., Methods: A comparative prospective study was conducted, and a total of 96 patients with advanced NSCLC were selected. Patients were divided into two groups based on different chemotherapy regimens: an observation group (48 patients) receiving Shenmai injection combined with chemotherapy and a control group (48 patients) receiving chemotherapy alone. The study measures and compares the levels of T-cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+) and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, VEGF, bFGF, CA125, and CEA) before and after treatment in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data., Results: Significant changes were observed in the levels of T-cell subsets and cytokines before and after chemotherapy in both groups (P < .05). Compared with the control group, the observation group exhibited significant improvement in T-cell subsets CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ (P < .05). Furthermore, the levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, VEGF, bFGF, CA125, and CEA were significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group (all P < .05)., Conclusions: Shenmai injection combined with chemotherapy enhances the cellular immune function in patients with advanced NSCLC. This combination therapy not only reverses tumor progression but also improves the overall therapeutic effect, suggesting a promising adjunctive treatment strategy for advanced NSCLC.

Exosomes, as a class of small extracellular vesicles closely related to the biological behavior of various types of tumors, are currently attracting research attention in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Regarding cancer diagnosis, the stability of their membrane structure and their wide distribution in body fluids render exosomes promising biomarkers. It is expected that exosome-based liquid biopsy will become an important tool for tumor diagnosis in the future. For cancer treatment, exosomes, as the "golden communicators" between cells, can be designed to deliver different drugs, aiming to achieve low-toxicity and low-immunogenicity targeted delivery. Signaling pathways related to exosome contents can also be used for safer and more effective immunotherapy against tumors. Exosomes are derived from a wide range of sources, and exhibit different biological characteristics as well as clinical application advantages in different cancer therapies. In this review, we analyzed the main sources of exosomes that have great potential and broad prospects in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Moreover, we compared their therapeutic advantages, providing new ideas for the clinical application of exosomes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Jin, Zhang, Zhang, He, Wang, Hei, Guo, Xu and Liu.)

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignant tumor, that is becoming increasingly common in recent years. Despite advances in intensive treatment modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy, the overall survival rate has not significantly improved in patients with pancreatic cancer. This may be attributed to the insidious onset, unknown pathophysiology, and poor prognosis of the disease. It is therefore essential to identify and develop more effective and safer treatments for pancreatic cancer. Tumor immunotherapy is the new and fourth pillar of anti-tumor therapy after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Significant progress has made in the use of immunotherapy for a wide variety of malignant tumors in recent years; a breakthrough has also been made in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This review describes the advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus, and matrix-depletion therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. At the same time, some new potential biomarkers and potential immunotherapy combinations for pancreatic cancer are discussed. The molecular mechanisms of various immunotherapies have also been elucidated, and their clinical applications have been highlighted. The current challenges associated with immunotherapy and proposed strategies that hold promise in overcoming these limitations have also been discussed, with the aim of offering new insights into immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zheng, Liu, Zhang, Liu, Wang, Guo, Jin, Zhang, Guan and Liu.)

Bioinspired two-dimensional (2D) nanofluidic systems for photo-induced ion transport have attracted great attention, as they open a new pathway to enabling light-to-ionic energy conversion. However, there is still a great challenge in achieving a satisfactory performance. It is noticed that organic solar cells (OSCs, light-harvesting device based on photovoltaic effect) commonly require hole/electron transport layer materials (TLMs), PEDOT:PSS (PE) and PDINN (PD), respectively, to promote the energy conversion. Inspired by such a strategy, an artificial proton pump by coupling a nanofluidic system with TLMs is proposed, in which the PE- and PD-functionalized tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) multilayers construct a heterogeneous membrane, realizing an excellent output power of ≈1.13 nW. The proton transport is fine-regulated due to the TLMs-engineered band structure of WS 2 . Clearly, the incorporating TLMs of OSCs into 2D nanofluidic systems offers a feasible and promising approach for band edge engineering and promoting the light-to-ionic energy conversion., (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The defect engineering of inorganic solids has received significant attention because of its high efficacy in optimizing energy-related functionalities. Consequently, this approach is effectively leveraged in the present study to synthesize atomically-thin holey 2D nanosheets of a MoN-Mo 5 N 6 composite. This is achieved by controlled nitridation of assembled MoS 2 monolayers, which induced sequential cation/anion migration and a gradual decrease in the Mo valency. Precise control of the interlayer distance of the MoS 2 monolayers via assembly with various tetraalkylammonium ions is found to be crucial for synthesizing sub-nanometer-thick holey MoN-Mo 5 N 6 nanosheets with a tunable anion/cation vacancy content. The holey MoN-Mo 5 N 6 nanosheets are employed as efficient immobilization matrices for Pt single atoms to achieve high electrocatalytic mass activity, decent durability, and low overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In situ/ex situ spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the presence of cation-deficient Mo 5 N 6 domain is crucial for enhancing the interfacial interactions between the conductive molybdenum nitride substrate and Pt single atoms, leading to enhanced electron injection efficiency and electrochemical stability. The beneficial effects of the Pt-immobilizing holey MoN-Mo 5 N 6 nanosheets are associated with enhanced electronic coupling, resulting in improvements in HER kinetics and interfacial charge transfer., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)