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The regulation of glial cell activation is a critical step for the treatment or prevention of neuroinflammation‐based brain diseases. However, the development of therapeutic drugs that pass the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and inhibit the glia cell activation remains a significant challenge. Herein, an ultrasmall 2D vanadium carbide quantum dots (V2C QDs) that are capable of crossing the BBB are prepared, and the admirable anti‐neuroinflammatory effects are presented. The prepared 2D V2C QDs with an average size of 2.54 nm show good hydrophilicity, physiological stability, and effective BBB‐crossing ability. The biological effect of V2C QDs on inflammatory reactions demonstrates fascinating results in preventing the impairment of learning and memory in BALB/c mice stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. Investigation of molecular mechanism reveals that V2C QDs not only inhibit the toll‐like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88‐mediated nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways, but also prevent eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α/activating transcription factor 4/C/EBP homologous protein‐signaling pathway and reduce oxidative stress via activating the NF‐E2‐related factor‐2/heme oxygenase‐1‐signaling pathway, leading to greatly inhibited activation of microglia and astrocytes and weakened production of inflammatory cytokines. In summary, V2C QDs exert potent anti‐inflammatory effects through multiple pathways, thus offer great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

In this study, a new polyionic polymer inhibitor, TIL-NH2, was developed to address the instability of shale gas horizontal wells caused by water-based drilling fluids. The structural characteristics and inhibition effects of TIL-NH2 on mud shale were comprehensively analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, particle size distribution, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that TIL-NH2 significantly enhances the thermal stability of shale, with a decomposition temperature exceeding 300 °C, indicating excellent high-temperature resistance. At a concentration of 0.9%, TIL-NH2 increased the median particle size of shale powder from 5.2871 μm to over 320 μm, effectively inhibiting hydration expansion and dispersion. The zeta potential measurements showed a reduction in the absolute value of illite’s zeta potential from −38.2 mV to 22.1 mV at 0.6% concentration, highlighting a significant decrease in surface charge density. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a close adsorption layer between TIL-NH2 and the illite surface through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding, which reduced the weakly bound water content to 0.0951% and maintained layer spacing of 1.032 nm and 1.354 nm in dry and wet states, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a marked reduction in heat loss, particularly in the strongly bound water content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that shale powder treated with TIL-NH2 exhibited an irregular bulk shape with strong inter-particle bonding and low hydration degree. These findings suggest that TIL-NH2 effectively inhibits hydration swelling and dispersion of shale through the synergistic effects of cationic imidazole rings and primary amine groups, offering excellent temperature and salt resistance. This provides a technical foundation for the low-cost and efficient extraction of shale gas in horizontal wells.

Abstract The reversibility of Zn plating/stripping during cycling is adversely affected by dendritic growth, electrochemical corrosion, surface passivation, and hydrogen generation on the Zn anodes for rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, through an ordinary anodic etching process, a uniform porous ZnP matrix protective layer was created on the Zn foil (Zn@ZnP). The large and accessible specific surface area of the prepared Zn@ZnP can facilitate contact with the electrolyte, accelerating the migration and enhancing the desolvation of Zn2+, effectively enhancing the Zn deposition kinetics. According to studies from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and multiscale optical microscopy, the Zn@ZnP electrode effectively inhibits the growth of dendrites with excellent Zn plating/stripping reversibility. In consequence, the symmetric cell with the Zn@ZnP electrodes displays a long‐term cycle life of over 1260 h at 10 mA cm−2. The full cell, consisting of Zn@ZnP anodes and MnO2‐based cathode, demonstrated a high discharge capacity of 145 mAh g−1 after cycling 500 times at the current density of 1000 mA g−1. A scalable method for designing a homogeneous anode protection layer enables dendrite‐free zinc metal anodes, paving the way for interface modification of other metal anodes.

Optically pumped gradiometers have long been utilized in measurement in the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF). With advancements in technologies such as laser diodes and microfabrication, integrated gradiometers with compact sizes have become available, enabling improvements in magnetoencephalography and fetal magnetocardiography within shielded spaces. Moreover, there is a growing interest in the potential of achieving biomagnetic source detection without shielding. This review focuses on recent developments in optically pumped magnetic field gradiometers, including various fabrication methods and measurement schemes. The strengths and weaknesses of different types of optically pumped gradiometers are also analyzed.

Abstract Optically active nanostructures consisting of organic compounds and metallic support have shown great promise in phototherapy due to their increased light absorption capacity and high energy conversion. Herein, we conjugated chlorophyll (Chl) to vanadium carbide (V2C) nanosheets for combined photodynamic/photothermal therapy (PDT/PTT), which reserves the advantages of each modality while minimizing the side effects to achieve an improved therapeutic effect. In this system, the Chl from Leptolyngbya JSC-1 extracts acted as an efficient light-harvest antenna in a wide NIR range and photosensitizers (PSs) for oxygen self-generation hypoxia-relief PDT. The available large surface of two-dimensional (2D) V2C showed high Chl loading efficiency, and the interaction between organic Chl and metallic V2C led to energy conversion efficiency high to 78%. Thus, the Chl/ V2C nanostructure showed advanced performance in vitro cell line killing and completely ablated tumors in vivo with 100% survival rate under a single NIR irradiation. Our results suggest that the artificial optical Chl/V2C nanostructure will benefit photocatalytic tumor eradication clinic application. Graphical Abstract

Ternary transition metal phosphides (TTMPs) with two-dimensional heterointerface and adjustable electronic structures have been widely studied in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). However, single-phase TMPs often have inappropriate H* adsorption energy and electronic transfer efficiency in HER. Herein, we utilized the heterogeneity in the crystal structure to design an efficient and stable catalyst from the NiCoP nanowire@NiCoP nanosheet on nickel foam (NW-NiCoP@NS-NiCoP/NF) for HER. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with a heterogeneous matrix on crystal surfaces were grown under different reaction conditions, and non-metallic P was introduced by anion exchange to adjust the electronic structure of the transition metals. The hierarchical structure of homologous NiCoP/NF from the LDH allows for a larger surface area, which results in more active sites and improved gas diffusion. The optimized NW-NiCoP@NS-NiCoP/NF electrode exhibits excellent HER activity, with an overpotential of 144 mV, a Tafel slope of 84.2 mV dec−1 at a current density of 100 mA cm−2 and remarkable stability for more than 500 h in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. This work provides ideas for elucidating the rational design of structural heterogeneity as an efficient electrocatalyst and the in situ construction of hierarchical structures.

Abstract Host-tumor immune interactions play critical roles in the natural history of tumors, including oncogenesis, progress and metastasis. On the one hand, neoantigens have the potential to drive a tumor-specific immune response. In tumors, immunogenic cell death (ICD) triggered by various inducers can initiate a strong host anti-immune response. On the other hand, the tolerogenic tumor immune microenvironment suppresses host immune responses that eradicate tumor cells and impair the effect of tumor therapy. Therefore, a deeper understanding and more effective manipulation of the intricate host-tumor immune interaction involving the host, tumor cells and the corresponding tumor immune microenvironment are required. Despite the encouraging breakthroughs resulting from tumor immunotherapy, no single strategy has elicited sufficient or sustained antitumor immune responses in most patients with specific malignancies due to limited activation of specific antitumor immune responses and inadequate remodeling of the tolerogenic tumor immune microenvironment. However, nanotechnology provides a unique paradigm to simultaneously tackle all these challenges, including effective “targeted” delivery of tumor antigens, sustained ICD mediation, and “cold” tumor microenvironment remodeling. In this review, we focus on several key concepts in host-tumor immune interactions and discuss the corresponding therapeutic strategy based on the application of nanoparticles.

Cerebral malaria (CM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a fatal neurological complication of malaria, resulting in coma and death, and even survivors may suffer long-term neurological sequelae. In sub-Saharan Africa, CM occurs mainly in children under five years of age. Although intravenous artesunate is considered the preferred treatment for CM, the clinical efficacy is still far from satisfactory. The neurological damage induced by CM is irreversible and lethal, and it is therefore of great significance to unravel the exact etiology of CM, which may be beneficial for the effective management of this severe disease. Here, we review the clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical therapy of CM, with the aim of providing insights into the development of novel tools for improved CM treatments.

The collection and analysis of biological samples are an effective means of disease diagnosis and treatment. Blood sampling is a traditional approach in biological analysis. However, the blood sampling approach inevitably relies on invasive techniques and is usually performed by a professional. The microneedle (MN)-based devices have gained increasing attention due to their noninvasive manner compared to the traditional blood-based analysis method. In the present review, we introduce the materials for fabrication of MNs. We categorize MN-based devices based on four classes: MNs for transdermal sampling, biomarker capture, detecting or monitoring analytes, and bio-signal recording. Their design strategies and corresponding application are highlighted and discussed in detail. Finally, future perspectives of MN-based devices are discussed.

Developing effective catalysts based on earth abundant elements is critical for electrochemical CO2 reduction. Here, the authors prepare a manganese single atom catalyst with high CO2 reduction performance, which can be attributed to the Mn-N3 site embedded in graphitic carbon nitride.

The supply of oxygen species for dynamic therapy is a major limitation. Here, the authors report on a complex of calcium peroxide with photo/chemo dynamic agents, where NIR heating causes the release of calcium peroxide to generate oxygen and hydrogen peroxide for photodynamic and chemodynamic therapy.

Abstract Hypoxic tumor microenvironment is the bottleneck of the conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) and significantly weakens the overall therapeutic efficiency. Herein, versatile metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets (DBBC‐UiO) comprised of bacteriochlorin ligand and Hf6(µ3‐O)4(µ3‐OH)4 clusters to address this tricky issue are designed. The resulting DBBC‐UiO enables numerous superoxide anion radical (O2−•) generation via a type I mechanism with a 750 nm NIR‐laser irradiation, part of which transforms to high toxic hydroxyl radical (OH•) and oxygen (O2) through superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐mediated catalytic reactions under severe hypoxic microenvironment (2% O2), and the partial recycled O2 enhances O2−• generation. Owing to the synergistic radicals, it realizes advanced antitumor performance with 91% cell mortality against cancer cells in vitro, and highly efficient hypoxic solid tumor ablation in vivo. It also accomplishes photoacoustic imaging (PAI) for cancer diagnosis. This DBBC‐UiO, taking advantage of superb penetration depth of the 750 nm laser and distinct antihypoxia activities, offers new opportunities for PDT against clinically hypoxic cancer.

Solubilities of CO2, CH4, H2, CO and N2 in choline chloride/urea (ChCl/Urea) were investigated at temperatures ranging from 308.2 to 328.2Â K and pressures ranging from 0.6 to 4.6Â MPa. The results show that the solubilities of gases increase with increasing pressure and decreasing temperature. The solubility of CO2 is higher than that of CH4, H2, CO and N2, which indicates that ChCl/Urea may be used as a potential solvent for CO2 capture from the gas mixture. Solubility of CO2 in ChCl/Urea was fitted by Non-Random Two-Liquid and RedlichâKwong (NRTL-RK) model, and solubility of CH4, H2, CO or N2 in ChCl/Urea was fitted by Henry's Law. The standard enthalpy, standard Gibbs energy and standard entropy of gases were calculated. Additionally, the CO2/CH4 selectivities in water, dry ChCl/Urea and aqueous ChCl/Urea were further discussed. Keywords: Gas solubility, Choline chloride, Urea, CO2 separation

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), originating directly from the tumor or circulating tumor cells, may reflect the entire tumor genom and has gained considerable attention for its potential clinical diagnosis and prognosis throughout the treatment regimen. However, the reliable and robust ctDNA detection remains a key challenge. Here, this work designs a pair of DNA clutch separation probes and an ideal discrimination probes based on toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (TSDR) to specifically recognize ctDNA. First, the ctDNAs were denatured to form ssDNAs, the pair of DNA clutch separation probes [one of which modified onto the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)] are used to recognize and hybridize with the complemental chains and prevent reassociation of denatured ssDNAs. The complemental chains are removed in magnetic field and left the wild and mutant ssDNA chains in the supernatant. Then, the TSDR specificity recognizes the target mutant sequence to ensure only the mutated strands to be detection. The proposed assay exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity without any signal amplification. The proposed assay displayed a linear range from 2 to100 nM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.85 nM, and it was useful for ctDNA biomedical analysis and clinic theranostic.

Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common and aggressive malignancy of the biliary tree and highly expresses CD147, which is closely related to disease prognosis in a variety of human cancers. Doxycycline exhibited anti-tumor properties in many cancer cells. CD147 antagonist peptide-9 is a polypeptide and can specifically bind to CD147. The effect of these two drugs on gallbladder cancer cells has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of doxycycline and antagonist peptide-9 on gallbladder carcinoma cells and the possible mechanism of inhibition on cancer cell of doxycycline. To investigate the effects of doxycycline and antagonist peptide-9 on gallbladder carcinoma cells (GBC-SD and SGC-996), cell proliferation, CD147 expression, and early-stage apoptosis rate were measured after treated with doxycycline. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activities were measured after treated with different concentrations of doxycycline, antagonist peptide-9, and their combination. The results demonstrated that doxycycline inhibited cell proliferation, reduced CD147 expression level, and induced an early-stage apoptosis response in GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells. The matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activities were inhibited by antagonist peptide-9 and doxycycline, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced by combined drugs in gallbladder carcinoma cell lines. Taken together, doxycycline showed inhibitory effects on gallbladder carcinoma cell lines and reduced the expression of CD147, and this may be the mechanism by which doxycycline inhibits cancer cells. This study provides new information and tries to implement the design of adjuvant therapy method for gallbladder carcinoma.

Theranostic platforms integrating imaging diagnostic and therapeutic interventions into a single nanoplatform have attracted considerable attention for cancer-individualized therapies. However, their uncertain stability, complex pharmacokinetics, and intrinsic toxicology of multiple components hinder their practical application in clinical research. In this paper, stable and high-concentration molybdenum carbide quantum dots (Mo2C QDs) with a diameter of approximately 6 nm and a topographic height of about 1.5 nm were synthesized using a facile sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation approach. The prepared Mo2C QDs exhibited a strong near-infrared (NIR) absorbance with a high molar extinction coefficient of 4.424 Lg−1cm−1 at 808 nm, a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 42.9%, and showed excellent performance on photoacoustic imaging. The Mo2C QDs had high stability and highly biocompatibility, with low cytotoxicity. Under NIR irradiation, a remarkable in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effect was obtained. Such a stable and biocompatible all-in-one theranostic nanoagent generated by facile synthesis that combines promising imaging guidance and effective tumor ablation properties may hold great potential for theranostic nanomedicine.

Herein, we hydrothermally synthesize a type of prickly pear-like three-dimensional (3D) porous MoS2 (ZT-MoS2), using a zinc oxide (ZnO) rod deposited on quartz glass substrates, as a template for an advanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst. Microscopic and spectroscopic tools comprehensively characterize the morphology of the ZT-MoS2 nanostructure, which exhibits adequate edge active sites and defects, as well as a high component of active octahedral MoS2 (1T-MoS2). Electrochemical characterizations reveal the good HER performance of the ZT-MoS2 that presents a good overpotential of 110 mV, and a Tafel slope of 63 mV·dec−1, superior to most of the previously reported MoS2-based HER catalysts. This work contributes to the design and fabrication of 3D MoS2 with enhanced HER performance, which holds great promise for fuel cells and energy conversion.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major impediment to successful cancer chemotherapy. Co-delivery of novel MDR-reversing agents and anticancer drugs to cancer cells holds great promise for cancer treatment. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) overexpression is associated with the development and progression of MDR in breast cancer, and it is emerging as a novel and promising MDR-reversing target. In this study, a multifunctional nanocomplex, composed of polyethylenimine (PEI)/poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonates) (PSS)/graphene oxide (GO) and termed PPG, was prepared using the layer-by-layer assembly method to evaluate the reversal effects of PPG as a carrier for adriamycin (ADR) along with miR-21 targeted siRNA (anti-miR-21) in cancer drug resistance. ADR was firstly loaded onto the PPG surface (PPGADR) by physical mixing and anti-miR-21 was sequentially loaded onto PPGADR through electric absorption to form (anti-miR-21)PPGADR. Cell experiments showed that PPG significantly enhanced the accumulation of ADR in MCF-7/ADR cells (an ADR resistant breast cancer cell line) and exhibited much higher cytotoxicity than free ADR, suggesting that PPG could effectively reverse ADR resistance of MCF-7/ADR. Furthermore, the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of PPG could be correlated with effective silencing of miR-21 and with increased accumulation of ADR in drug-resistant tumor cells. The endocytosis study confirmed that PPG could effectively carry drug molecules into cells via the caveolae and clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathways. These results suggest that this PPG could be a potential and efficient non-viral vector for reversing MDR, and the strategy of combining anticancer drugs with miRNA therapy to overcome MDR could be an attractive approach in cancer treatment.