bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria in Neuronal Health: From Energy Metabolism to Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Murali Mahadevan Hariharan , Hashemiaghdam Arsalan , Ashrafi Ghazaleh , Harbauer Angelika Bettina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMitochondria are the main suppliers of neuronal adenosine triphosphate and play a critical role in brain energy metabolism. Mitochondria also serve as Ca2+ sinks and anabolic factories and are therefore essential for neuronal function and survival. Dysregulation of neuronal bioenergetics is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease. This review describes the role of mitochondria in energy metabolism under resting conditions and during synaptic transmission, and presents evidence for the contribution of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction to Parkinson's disease.
Engineering DNA‐Grafted Quatsomes as Stable Nucleic Acid‐Responsive Fluorescent Nanovesicles
Authors: Rossetti Marianna , Stella Lorenzo , Morlà‐Folch Judit , Bobone Sara , Boloix Ariadna , Baranda Lorena , Moscone Danila , Roldán Mònica , Veciana Jaume , Segura Miguel F. , Köber Mariana , Ventosa Nora , Porchetta Alessandro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe development of artificial vesicles into responsive architectures capable of sensing the biological environment and simultaneously signaling the presence of a specific target molecule is a key challenge in a range of biomedical applications from drug delivery to diagnostic tools. Herein, the rational design of biomimetic DNA‐grafted quatsome (QS) nanovesicles capable of translating the binding of a target molecule to amphiphilic DNA probes into an optical output is presented. QSs are synthetic lipid‐based nanovesicles able to confine multiple organic dyes at the nanoscale, resulting in ultra‐bright soft materials with attractiveness for sensing applications. Dye‐loaded QS nanovesicles of different composition and surface charge are grafted with fluorescent amphiphilic nucleic acid‐based probes to produce programmable FRET‐active nanovesicles that operate as highly sensitive signal transducers. The photophysical properties of the DNA‐grafted nanovesicles are characterized and the highly selective, ratiometric detection of clinically relevant microRNAs with sensitivity in the low nanomolar range are demonstrated. The potential applications of responsive QS nanovesicles for biosensing applications but also as functional nanodevices for targeted biomedical applications is envisaged.
Photophysics of Two‐Dimensional Perovskites—Learning from Metal Halide Substitution
Authors: Kahmann Simon , Duim Herman , Fang Hong‐Hua , Dyksik Mateusz , Adjokatse Sampson , Rivera Medina Martha , Pitaro Matteo , Plochocka Paulina , Loi Maria A. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract2D perovskites offers a rich playing field to explore exciton physics and they possess a great potential for a variety of opto‐electronic applications. Whilst their photophysics shows intricate interactions of excitons with the lattice, most reports have so far relied on single compound studies. With the exception of variations of the organic spacer cations, the effect of constituent substitution on the photophysics and the nature of emitting species, in particular, have remained largely under‐explored. Here PEA2PbBr4, PEA2PbI4, and PEA2SnI4(where PEA stands for phenylethylammonoium) are studied through a variety of optical spectroscopy techniques to reveal a complex set of excitonic transitions at low temperature. Weak high‐energy features are attributed to vibronic transitions breaking Kasha's, for which the responsible phonons cannot be accessed through simple Raman spectroscopy. Bright peaks at lower energy are due to two distinct electronic states, of which the upper is a convolution of the free exciton and a localized dark state and the lower is attributed to recombination involving shallow defects. This study offers deeper insights into the photophysics of 2D perovskites through compositional substitution and highlights critical limits to the communities’ current understanding of processes in these compounds.
Palladium Hydride Nanopocket Cubes and Their H2‐Therapy Function in Amplifying Inhibition of Foam Cells to Attenuate Atherosclerosis
Authors: Xu Min , Zhou Yue , Ren Chuchu , Liang Xiaoyang , Li Nan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFoam cells formed by the imbalance between lipid uptake and efflux play a dominant role at all stages of atherosclerotic development. Lipid‐regulation by active agents can reduce atherosclerotic lesions, however only limited therapeutic efficacy has been achieved because of the low solubility. Herein, a “coupling hardness with softness” strategy is developed, for the first time, by using palladium hydride nanopocket cubes to regulate lipid uptake and efflux. The prepared palladium hydride nanopocket cubes have a molar ratio of H to Pd at 0.12: 1, thus denoted as PdH0.12 NPCs. The palladium nanopocket cubes play the hardness role in efficiently scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) via their innate antioxidant enzyme activities. The hydrogen released from PdH0.12 NPCs, controlled by near‐infrared‐II, upregulate peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor gamma‐mediated cholesterol transport, which plays the softness role. Consequently, ROS scavenging reduces lipid uptake and promoted cholesterol transport increases lipid efflux, resulting in the amplified‐inhibition of foam cells. In vitro and in vivo tests show that PdH0.12 NPCs significantly reduce lipid storage and plaque formation in Western diet‐fed apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice without obvious long‐term toxicity. The “coupling hardness with softness” strategy shows promising to be further developed as a high efficacy and low toxicity method to treat atherosclerosis.
Smart Materials Enabled with Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare Wearables
Authors: Zheng Youbin , Tang Ning , Omar Rawan , Hu Zhipeng , Duong Tuan , Wang Jing , Wu Weiwei , Haick Hossam 
Published: August 2021

AbstractContemporary medicine suffers from many shortcomings in terms of successful disease diagnosis and treatment, both of which rely on detection capacity and timing. The lack of effective, reliable, and affordable detection and real‐time monitoring limits the affordability of timely diagnosis and treatment. A new frontier that overcomes these challenges relies on smart health monitoring systems that combine wearable sensors and an analytical modulus. This review presents the latest advances in smart materials for the development of multifunctional wearable sensors while providing a bird's eye‐view of their characteristics, functions, and applications. The review also presents the state‐of‐the‐art on wearables fitted with artificial intelligence (AI) and support systems for clinical decision in early detection and accurate diagnosis of disorders. The ongoing challenges and future prospects for providing personal healthcare with AI‐assisted support systems relating to clinical decisions are presented and discussed.
Dual Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Tracking of Magnetically Driven Micromotors: From In Vitro to In Vivo
Authors: Aziz Azaam , Holthof Joost , Meyer Sandra , Schmidt Oliver G. , Medina‐Sánchez Mariana 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe fast evolution of medical micro‐ and nanorobots in the endeavor to perform non‐invasive medical operations in living organisms has boosted the use of diverse medical imaging techniques in the last years. Among those techniques, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), considered a functional technique, has shown to be promising for the visualization of micromotors in deep tissue with high spatiotemporal resolution as it possesses the molecular specificity of optical methods and the penetration depth of ultrasound. However, the precise maneuvering and function's control of medical micromotors, in particular in living organisms, require both anatomical and functional imaging feedback. Therefore, herein, the use of high‐frequency ultrasound and PAI is reported to obtain anatomical and molecular information, respectively, of magnetically‐driven micromotors in vitro and under ex vivo tissues. Furthermore, the steerability of the micromotors is demonstrated by the action of an external magnetic field into the uterus and bladder of living mice in real‐time, being able to discriminate the micromotors’ signal from one of the endogenous chromophores by multispectral analysis. Finally, the successful loading and release of a model cargo by the micromotors toward non‐invasive in vivo medical interventions is demonstrated.
Multistage Cooperative Nanodrug Combined with PD‐L1 for Enhancing Antitumor Chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Wang Haihui , Liu Yongfei , Zhu Xiaohui , Chen Chengyun , Fu Zhangcheng , Wang Min , Lin Danying , Chen Zhaowei , Lu Chunhua , Yang Huanghao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCombinatorial CpG oligonucleotide (CPG) and chemotherapy drug represent a promising approach to reactivate immune system. However, these two agents possess different physicochemical properties, hindering the application of direct self‐assembly of these two cargos into a single nanostructure. Here, a multistage cooperative nanodrug is developed by the direct self‐assembly of cis‐platinum (CDDP, Pt), l‐arginine (l‐Arg, R), and CPG (defined as PtR/CPG) for antitumor chemoimmunotherapy. First, the CDDP can induce cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, CDDP also promotes the production of H2O2, catalyzing the conversion of l‐Arg into nitric oxide (NO). The generated NO decreases the multidrug resistance of cells toward CDDP. Thus, the synergistic effects of CDDP and NO can trigger immunogenic cell death to produce tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs). The TAAs and CPG will induce the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and enhance antigen presentation ability of DCs. In this way, the PtR/CPG can reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment, sensitizing tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors mediated by the programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) antibody. Furthermore, the PtR/CPG combined with the PD‐L1 antibody decreases the exhaustion and dysfunction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to elicit durable systemic immune response. As a result, the prepared PtR/CPG nanodrug in combination with PD‐L1 may be highly significant for cancer immunotherapy.
Functional siRNA Delivery by Extracellular Vesicle–Liposome Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Evers Martijn J. W. , van de Wakker Simonides I. , de Groot Ellis M. , de Jong Olivier G. , Gitz‐François Jerney J. J. , Seinen Cor S. , Sluijter Joost P. G. , Schiffelers Raymond M. , Vader Pieter 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe therapeutic use of RNA interference is limited by the inability of siRNA molecules to reach their site of action, the cytosol of target cells. Lipid nanoparticles, including liposomes, are commonly employed as siRNA carrier systems to overcome this hurdle, although their widespread use remains limited due to a lack of delivery efficiency. More recently, nature's own carriers of RNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), are increasingly being considered as alternative siRNA delivery vehicles due to their intrinsic properties. However, they are difficult to load with exogenous cargo. Here, EV–liposome hybrid nanoparticles (hybrids) are prepared and evaluated as an alternative delivery system combining properties of both liposomes and EVs. It is shown that hybrids are spherical particles encapsulating siRNA, contain EV‐surface makers, and functionally deliver siRNA to different cell types. The functional behavior of hybrids, in terms of cellular uptake, toxicity, and gene‐silencing efficacy, is altered as compared to liposomes and varies among recipient cell types. Moreover, hybrids produced with cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) derived‐EVs retain functional properties attributed to CPC‐EVs such as activation of endothelial signaling and migration. To conclude, hybrids combine benefits of both synthetic and biological drug delivery systems and might serve as future therapeutic carriers of siRNA.
Dual‐Crosslinked Dynamic Hydrogel Incorporating {Mo154} with pH and NIR Responsiveness for Chemo‐Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Guedes Gabriela , Wang Shiqi , Fontana Flavia , Figueiredo Patrícia , Lindén Jere , Correia Alexandra , Pinto Ricardo J. B. , Hietala Sami , Sousa Filipa L. , Santos Hélder A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPolyoxometalates are an emerging class of molecular clusters, with well‐defined structures and chemical compositions that are produced through simple, low‐cost, and highly reproducible methods. In particular, the wheel‐shaped cluster {Mo154} is a promising photothermal agent due to its intervalence charge transfer transitions. However, its toxicity hinders its systemic administration, being the development of a localized delivery system still incipient. Herein, an injectable and self‐healing hydrogel of easy preparation and administration is developed, incorporating both {Mo154} and doxorubicin for synergistic photothermal and chemotherapy applications. The hydrogel is composed of benzylaldehyde functionalized polyethylene glycol, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) functionalized chitosan and {Mo154}. The gelation occurs within 60 s at room temperature, and the dual crosslinking by Schiff base and electrostatic interactions generates a dynamic network, which enables self‐healing after injection. Moreover, the hydrogel delivers chemotherapeutic drugs, with a release triggered by dual near infra‐red (NIR) radiation and pH changes. This stimuli‐responsive release system along with the photothermal conversion ability of the hydrogel allows the simultaneous combination of photothermal and chemotherapy. This synergic system efficiently ablates the cancer tumor in vivo with no systemic toxicity. Overall, this work paves the way for the development of novel {Mo154}‐based systems, incorporated in self‐healing and injectable hydrogels for dual chemo‐photothermal therapy.
Ferroelectric Controlled Gas Adsorption in Doped Graphene/In2Se3Heterostructure
Authors: Wan Tsz Lok , Shang Jing , Gu Yuantong , Kou Liangzhi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTwo‐dimensional materials are excellent candidates for effective gas detection due to the large surface‐volume ratio, however the controllability to adsorb/desorb the gas molecules for recycling use is still a big challenge. In this study, different from previous strategies to modulate gas adsorption behavior via strain and external electric field, a novel approach to achieve gas adsorption control via ferroelectric (FE) switching is proposed. From first principle simulations, it is found that gas molecule adsorptions on Fe and Mn doped defective graphene can be well controlled when it is placed on the surface of FE In2Se3. The adsorption energies and charge transfer can be significantly modulated when the polarization is reversed, due to the polarization dependent electron redistribution and band state shifts near the Fermi level. The hypothesis of the FE controlled gas adsorption is further supported by the adsorption variations under the electric field. These findings provide feasible approaches and design principles for the next generation gas sensors.
Self‐Powered Gyroscope Angle Sensor Based on Resistive Matching Effect of Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Xie Xinkai , Chen Yunfeng , Jiang Jinxing , Li Junyan , Yang Yanqin , Liu Yina , Yang Li , Tu Xin , Sun Xuhui , Zhao Chun , Sun Mingchao , Wen Zhen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGyroscope is one of the most widely distributed and utilized motion sensors among Internet of Things sensing for sports health, artificial intelligence, military management, civil defense, etc. Preparing a thoroughly self‐powered gyroscope sensor based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with superior stability is of innovative research significance. In this work, a self‐powered gyroscope angle sensor (SGAS) based on resistive impedance matching effect of TENG is proposed to detect relative rotation angle, performing as an attitude indicator applied in the flight control system of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The ultrahigh sensitivity of 67.3 mV deg−1 and outstanding linearity between the output voltage and rotation angle are obtained. Moreover, an instantaneous response within 20 ms can be observed during the process when gradually increasing the rotation angle from 0° to 260°. By lighting up different light‐emitting diode patterns representing certain rotation angles, demonstrations on quantitative sensing alerts are also realized. The SGAS can operate without batteries or monitoring circuits, accompanied with excellent reliability and sensitivity, which is favorable for future automatic navigation control systems.
Machine Learning Assisted Prediction of Cathode Materials for Zn‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Linming , Yao Archie Mingze , Wu Yongjun , Hu Ziyi , Huang Yuhui , Hong Zijian 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRechargeable Zn batteries with aqueous electrolytes have been considered as promising alternative energy storage technology, with various advantages such as low cost, high volumetric capacity, environmentally friendly, and high safety. However, a lack of reliable cathode materials has largely pledged their applications. Herein, a machine learning (ML)‐based approach to predict cathodes with high capacity (>100 mAh g−1) and high voltage (>0.5 V) is developed. Over ≈130 000 inorganic materials from the materials project database are screened and the crystal graph convolutional neural network based ML approach is applied with data from the AFLOW database, the combination of these two gives rise to ≈80 predicted cathode materials. Among them, ≈10 cathode materials have been experimentally discovered previously, which agrees remarkably well with experimental measurements, while ≈70 new promising candidates have been predicted for further experimental validations. The authors hope this study could spur further interests in ML‐based advanced theoretical tools for battery materials discovery.
Unusual Temperature Dependence of Bandgap in 2D Inorganic Lead‐Halide Perovskite Nanoplatelets
Authors: Yu Shaohua , Xu Jin , Shang Xiaoying , Ma En , Lin Fulin , Zheng Wei , Tu Datao , Li Renfu , Chen Xueyuan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the origin of temperature‐dependent bandgap in inorganic lead‐halide perovskites is essential and important for their applications in photovoltaics and optoelectronics. Herein, it is found that the temperature dependence of bandgap in CsPbBr3 perovskites is variable with material dimensionality. In contrast to the monotonous redshift ordinarily observed in bulk‐like CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs), the bandgap of 2D CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets (NPLs) exhibits an initial blueshift then redshift trend with decreasing temperature (290–10 K). The Bose–Einstein two‐oscillator modeling manifests that the blueshift‐redshift crossover of bandgap in the NPLs is attributed to the significantly larger weight of contribution from electron‐optical phonon interaction to the bandgap renormalization in the NPLs than in the NCs. These new findings may gain deep insights into the origin of bandgap shift with temperature for both fundamentals and applications of perovskite semiconductor materials.
Neuron‐Inspired Steiner Tree Networks for 3D Low‐Density Metastructures
Authors: Yu Haoyi , Zhang Qiming , Cumming Benjamin P. , Goi Elena , Cole Jared H. , Luan Haitao , Chen Xi , Gu Min 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) micro‐and nanostructures have played an important role in topological photonics, microfluidics, acoustic, and mechanical engineering. Incorporating biomimetic geometries into the design of metastructures has created low‐density metamaterials with extraordinary physical and photonic properties. However, the use of surface‐based biomimetic geometries restricts the freedom to tune the relative density, mechanical strength, and topological phase. The Steiner tree method inspired by the feature of the shortest connection distance in biological neural networks is applied, to create 3D metastructures and, through two‐photon nanolithography, neuron‐inspired 3D structures with nanoscale features are successfully achieved. Two solutions are presented to the 3D Steiner tree problem: the Steiner tree networks (STNs) and the twisted Steiner tree networks (T‐STNs). STNs and T‐STNs possess a lower density than surface‐based metamaterials and that T‐STNs have Young's modulus enhanced by 20% than the STNs. Through the analysis of the space groups and symmetries, a topological nontrivial Dirac‐like conical dispersion in the T‐STNs is predicted, and the results are based on calculations with true predictive power and readily realizable from microwave to optical frequencies. The neuron‐inspired 3D metastructures opens a new space for designing low‐density metamaterials and topological photonics with extraordinary properties triggered by a twisting degree‐of‐freedom.
Tight Junction ZO Proteins Maintain Tissue Fluidity, Ensuring Efficient Collective Cell Migration
Authors: Skamrahl Mark , Pang Hongtao , Ferle Maximilian , Gottwald Jannis , Rübeling Angela , Maraspini Riccardo , Honigmann Alf , Oswald Tabea A. , Janshoff Andreas 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTight junctions (TJs) are essential components of epithelial tissues connecting neighboring cells to provide protective barriers. While their general function to seal compartments is well understood, their role in collective cell migration is largely unexplored. Here, the importance of the TJ zonula occludens (ZO) proteins ZO1 and ZO2 for epithelial migration is investigated employing video microscopy in conjunction with velocimetry, segmentation, cell tracking, and atomic force microscopy/spectroscopy. The results indicate that ZO proteins are necessary for fast and coherent migration. In particular, ZO1 and 2 loss (dKD) induces actomyosin remodeling away from the central cortex towards the periphery of individual cells, resulting in altered viscoelastic properties. A tug‐of‐war emerges between two subpopulations of cells with distinct morphological and mechanical properties: 1) smaller and highly contractile cells with an outward bulging apical membrane, and 2) larger, flattened cells, which, due to tensile stress, display a higher proliferation rate. In response, the cell density increases, leading to crowding‐induced jamming and more small cells over time. Co‐cultures comprising wildtype and dKD cells migrate inefficiently due to phase separation based on differences in contractility rather than differential adhesion. This study shows that ZO proteins are necessary for efficient collective cell migration by maintaining tissue fluidity and controlling proliferation.
N2‐Polarized Neutrophils Guide Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell Recruitment and Initiate Bone Regeneration: A Missing Piece of the Bone Regeneration Puzzle
Authors: Cai Bolei , Lin Dan , Li Yan , Wang Le , Xie Jirong , Dai Taiqiang , Liu Fuwei , Tang Mingyue , Tian Lei , Yuan Yuan , Kong Liang , Shen Steve G. F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe role of neutrophils in bone regeneration remains elusive. In this study, it is shown that intramuscular implantation of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) (commonly recognized as a chemotactic cytokine for neutrophils) at different levels lead to outcomes resembling those of fracture hematoma at various stages. Ectopic endochondral ossification is induced by certain levels of IL‐8, during which neutrophils are recruited to the implanted site and are N2‐polarized, which then secrete stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) for bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) chemotaxis via the SDF‐1/CXCR4 (C‐X‐C motif chemokine receptor 4) axis and its downstream phosphatidylinositol 3'‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and β‐catenin‐mediated migration. Neutrophils are pivotal for recruiting and orchestrating innate and adaptive immunocytes, as well as BMSCs at the initial stage of bone healing and regeneration. The results in this study delineate the mechanism of neutrophil‐initiated bone regeneration and interaction between neutrophils and BMSCs, and innate and adaptive immunities. This work lays the foundation for research in the fields of bone regenerative therapy and biomaterial development, and might inspire further research into novel therapeutic options.