Liqi Wei, Xin Liu, Yuanqiang Li, Yu Han, Yiping Ren, Tianshu Zou, Pengcheng Yu, Yining Chen, Biao Zhang, Zixuan Wang, Jingyi Jiang, Yumi Kim, Rui Chen, Yan Cheng, Hongxia Ma
{"title":"Multifunctional PHC Bandage for Accelerated Wound Healing in Movable Parts","authors":"Liqi Wei, Xin Liu, Yuanqiang Li, Yu Han, Yiping Ren, Tianshu Zou, Pengcheng Yu, Yining Chen, Biao Zhang, Zixuan Wang, Jingyi Jiang, Yumi Kim, Rui Chen, Yan Cheng, Hongxia Ma","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230176","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20230176","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Wound healing in movable parts poses challenges owing to frequent activities, leading to delayed recovery and heightened susceptibility to bacterial infections and inflammation. Although hydrogel-based dressings have been explored, their therapeutic effectiveness is limited by poor resistance to stimuli and low mechanical strength. Here, we present a novel multifunctional PHC bandage that prevents bacterial infection and capitalizes on the inherent mobility of the affected area to expedite the wound-healing process. A PHC bandage was fabricated by incorporating photothermal copper bismuth sulfide (Cu<sub>3</sub>BiS<sub>3</sub>) nanomaterials into piezoelectric and pyroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Upon exposure to alternating near-infrared light, the embedded Cu<sub>3</sub>BiS<sub>3</sub> generated localized heat, activated PVDF, and induced the production of abundant reactive oxygen species for bacterial inactivation. Furthermore, continuous movement of the wound area triggers the PVDF to generate a sustained electrical field, promoting cell migration and proliferation to facilitate wound healing. The wound healing rate of PHC was 13.17 ± 2.09% higher than medical gauze. The robust encapsulation of PVDF ensured secure containment of the loaded Cu<sub>3</sub>BiS<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles, improving the biocompatibility and sustainable utilization of this innovative wound dressing. This innovative design offers a promising and effective solution for improving wound healing in movable parts, potentially revolutionizing wound care technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230176","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qi Lu, Hao Ye, Jian Zhao, Xiaoyuan Fan, Kaiyuan Wang, Zeyu Han, Tian Liu, Lili Du, Jiaxuan Song, Helin Wang, Haotian Zhang, Zhonggui He, Jin Sun
{"title":"Surface-Anchored Ticagrelor Gelatin Nanoparticles-Platelets System for Enhanced Anti-PD-L1 Therapy Response and Boosted Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of Nanomedicines","authors":"Qi Lu, Hao Ye, Jian Zhao, Xiaoyuan Fan, Kaiyuan Wang, Zeyu Han, Tian Liu, Lili Du, Jiaxuan Song, Helin Wang, Haotian Zhang, Zhonggui He, Jin Sun","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240084","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The tumor microenvironment is characterized by immunosuppression and compromised intratumoral perfusion, which impairs the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors and nanomedicines. A significant challenge is the role of activated platelets, as they increase transfer-mediated PD-L1 expression from tumor cells and maintain the integrity of tumor vasculature. These platelets support tumor growth by stabilizing the vasculature and enabling immune evasion, as well as shielding tumor cells from immune detection. To address these platelet-mediated negative antitumor effects, we have developed bioengineered platelets (PTNPs) with surface-anchored ticagrelor-loaded gelatin nanoparticles. This study utilizes the natural tendency of platelets to localize their activated counterparts into tumors. Upon binding to tumor-associated activated platelets, the PTNPs release ticagrelor in response to the secreted matrix metalloproteinases by activated platelet, inhibiting further platelet activation. This reduction in platelet activation lessens platelet-facilitated immunosuppression and diminishes the transferred-PD-L1 expression from cancer cells to platelets, thus enhancing the immune response of anti-PD-L1 therapy. Additionally, this strategy weakens the activated platelets’ contribution to tumor vascular integrity, improving the extravasation and chemotherapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines. Our findings highlight the crucial role of platelet activation in tumor biology and introduce PTNPs as an effective approach to disrupt tumor-supporting platelet activities and enhance anticancer treatments efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240084","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Engineered Exosome-Based Senolytic Therapy Alleviates Stroke by Targeting p21+CD86+ Microglia","authors":"Jialei Yang, Shipo Wu, Miao He","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240349","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Stroke remains the leading cause of neurological mortality and disability worldwide, with post-stroke inflammation significantly hindering neural repair. Despite its critical impact, mechanism-based therapeutic strategies are scarce. In this study, we uncovered a critically important yet previously unexamined cell population, p21<sup>+</sup>CD86<sup>+</sup> microglia, which accumulated in ischemic region. Unexpectedly, we discovered that p21 interacted with C/EBPβ, driving C/EBPβ-dependent transcription and upregulating key pro-inflammatory factors such as <i>Il6</i>, <i>Il1β</i>, <i>Cxcl2</i>, and <i>Cxcl10</i>. To specifically target and eliminate these pathogenic p21<sup>+</sup>CD86<sup>+</sup> microglia, we engineered exosomes with a peptide that selectively binds CD86<sup>+</sup> microglia and loaded them with the senolytic Quercetin. Furthermore, we developed an optimized, stable Que@micro-Exo therapeutic formulation. Systemic administration of Que@micro-Exo robustly reduced p21<sup>+</sup>CD86<sup>+</sup> microglia and suppressed their pro-inflammatory phenotype. Notably, functional analyses revealed that Que@micro-Exo treatment mitigated blood-brain barrier disruption, promoted beneficial microglial polarization, decreased neutrophil infiltration, and significantly enhanced functional recovery following cerebral ischemia, all with a favorable safety profile. Our preclinical findings lay the foundation for targeting p21<sup>+</sup>CD86<sup>+</sup> microglia as a novel therapeutic strategy, highlighting the potential of exosome-based senolytic anti-inflammatory therapy for stroke and other central nervous system disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240349","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuanyuan Zhang, Shengnan Ya, Jingnan Huang, Yangyang Ju, Xueyang Fang, Xinteng Ouyang, Qingdong Zeng, Xinyao Zhou, Xiyun Yan, Guohui Nie, Kelong Fan, Bin Zhang
{"title":"Spatial Isolation of Single Copper(I) Sites for Cascade Enzyme-Like Catalysis and Simultaneous Ferroptosis/Cuproptosis Boosted Immunotherapy","authors":"Yuanyuan Zhang, Shengnan Ya, Jingnan Huang, Yangyang Ju, Xueyang Fang, Xinteng Ouyang, Qingdong Zeng, Xinyao Zhou, Xiyun Yan, Guohui Nie, Kelong Fan, Bin Zhang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240275","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Nanozyme-based immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers that effectively induce a strong immune response via enzyme-like process have attracted great attention, but how to ensure controllable active sites and maximize site utilization remains a problem. Here, we report a structurally well-defined and highly functional single-site copper(I) nanomodulators termed CuNTD, constructed by precisely anchoring atomically dispersed self-assembly S-Cu(I)-S sites onto a two-dimensional Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub> surface. Leveraging Cu<sup>+</sup> with a higher catalytic efficiency than Cu<sup>2+</sup>, CuNTD generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) storms through photothermal-enhanced cascade catalysis, further inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, ferroptosis and cuproptosis. Multifunctional CuNTD triggers strong ICD through cascade-regulatory pathways of photothermal-amplified ROS storms, cuproptosis and ferroptosis, effectively promoting dendritic cell maturation while reducing monotherapies side effects and resistance. In vivo, CuNTD combined with FDA-approved immunoadjuvants significantly prolong the survival of mice. With its demonstrated biosafety and high efficiency as an ICD inducer, this study provides a promising framework for advancing augmented tumor immunotherapy with significant clinical potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240275","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing Biomarker Activatable Probes for Early Stratification and Timely Assessment of Therapeutic Efficacy in Cancer","authors":"Qinrui Fu","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240037","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The advancements in early stratification and timely evaluation of therapeutic effects have revolutionized the ability to assess curative outcomes promptly. The separation between diagnosis/treatment and timely assessment of treatment response, along with delays in evaluating therapy efficacy, are significant contributors to treatment failures. Traditional approaches for evaluating curative effects face challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and resistance, making it challenging to determine the effectiveness of a given therapeutic regimen at an early stage in clinical practice. However, molecular imaging using activatable probes has overcome these obstacles and transformed the field by shifting focus towards developing functional probes for visualizing tumors as well as enabling early stratification or timely evaluation of therapy effects. In this article, we emphasize the importance of diverse activatable molecular imaging probes and provide insights into early stratification or timely evaluation of various therapies’ effects. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced in this field and propose future research directions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240037","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Applications and Challenges of Auditory Brain-Computer Interfaces in Objective Auditory Assessments for Pediatric Cochlear Implants","authors":"Qi Zheng, Yubo Wu, Jianing Zhu, Kunyun Feng, Yanru Bai, Guoping Li, Guangjian Ni","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240078","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cochlear implants (CI) are the premier intervention for individuals with severe to profound hearing impairment. Worldwide, an estimated 600,000 individuals have enhanced their hearing through cochlear implantation, with nearly half being children. The evaluations after implantation are crucial for appropriate clinical interventions and care. Current clinical practice lacks methods to assess the recovery of advanced auditory functions in cochlear-implanted children. Yet, recent advancements in electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques show promise in accurately evaluating auditory rehabilitation in this demographic. This review elucidates the evolution of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for auditory assessment, focusing primarily on its application in pediatric cochlear implant recipients. Emphasis is placed on promising clinical biomarkers for auditory rehabilitation and the neural adaptability accompanying cortical adjustments after implantation. Additionally, we discuss emerging challenges and prospects in applying BCI technology to these children.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240078","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Advancements in Ambient-Air Fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells","authors":"Yihuai Huang, Wenguang Zhang, Yuchen Xiong, Zijun Yi, Changkai Huang, Qinghui Jiang, Abdul Basit, Guibin Shen, Yubo Luo, Xin Li, Junyou Yang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240121","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential for high-efficiency conversion and cost-effective fabrication. Although the fabrication of perovskite films in ambient air offers environmental and cost advantages, the presence of water vapor and oxygen may induce instability in these films, thereby affecting device performance. This review aims to comprehensively explore recent advancements in the fabrication of PSCs in ambient air, while investigating various factors contributing to perovskite degradation. Addressing these challenges, diverse fabrication strategies are outlined, encompassing compositional, additive, solvent, and interface engineering to enhance the performance and stability of PSCs fabricated under ambient air. To facilitate the commercialization of PSCs, this paper summarizes several widely employed methods for the large-scale manufacturing of PSCs. Through this review, we aim to offer some invaluable insights and guidance for the commercialization trajectory of PSCs, as well as the pros and cons to their widespread applications in the field of renewable energy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240121","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design Principles Of Inorganic-Protein Hybrid Materials for Biomedicine","authors":"Hao Liu, Xiaohui Liu, Hui Jiang, Xuemei Wang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240182","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Inorganic protein hybrid materials (IPHMs) due to editable structure present unrivalled potential at the intersection of synthetic biology and materials science. The synthesis of IPHMs with a high degree of biosafety from bioactive units represents a shift in material design and synthesis. This paper focuses on a review of the structural basis and design principles of proteins for the synthesis of IPHMs with specific physical and chemical functions. It also provides a valuable reference for the design of emerging IPHMs through the conformational relationship of the IPHMs, which extends the potential applications of IPHMs. In addition, the construction strategy of the reaction system for the synthesis of hybrid materials is analyzed from the perspective of synthetic biology. The possibility of engineering and batch synthesis of IPHMs is discussed. Based on the physicochemical properties of different hybrid materials and the applied-oriented research on biomedical optical imaging and multimodal therapy, the idea of synthesis of in situ hybrid materials is proposed. Ultimately, the trends and challenges of synthetic biology for IPHMs are speculated in detail.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240182","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144315344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Metal Nitride Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical and Electrochemical Catalysis","authors":"Hee Ryeong Kwon, Jin Wook Yang, Ho Won Jang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240013","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Metal nitrides have emerged as promising materials for photoelectrochemical and electrochemical catalysis due to their unique electronic properties and structural versatility, offering high electrical conductivity and abundant active sites for catalytic reactions. Herein, we comprehensively explore the characteristics, synthesis, and application of diverse metal nitride catalysts. Fundamental features and catalytic advantages of metal nitrides are presented in terms of electronic structure and surface chemistry. We deal with synthetic principles and parameters of metal nitride catalysts in terms of nitrogen source, introducing synthesis strategies of metal nitrides with various morphologies and phases. Recent progress of metal nitride catalysts in (photo)electrochemical reactions, such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, nitrogen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction, and biomass valorization reactions, is discussed with their tailored roles. By providing future direction for remaining challenges, this review aims to guide the design of metal nitride catalysts from a materials point of view, contributing to expanding into energy and environmental technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240013","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Subramani Surendran, Yoongu Lim, Seona Lee, Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Heechae Choi, Gibum Kwon, Kyoungsuk Jin, Uk Sim
{"title":"Understanding the Engineering Tactics to Achieve the Stabilized Anode in Next-Generation Zn-Air Batteries","authors":"Subramani Surendran, Yoongu Lim, Seona Lee, Sebastian Cyril Jesudass, Gnanaprakasam Janani, Heechae Choi, Gibum Kwon, Kyoungsuk Jin, Uk Sim","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240054","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The modern technical era demands sustainable and green energy production and storage methods that overcome the limitations of conventional fuel resources. Electrochemical energy storage (ECS) technologies are widely anticipated to store and release energy on repeated cycles for domestic and commercial utilization. Several ECS devices were developed over the years to achieve higher energy density and energy sustainability. Zn-air batteries are developed to deliver higher energy density and their lower maintenance, flexibility, and rechargeability made them the significant sustainable energy device. However, the Zn anodes face several issues due to dendrite formation during several discharge cycles, HER at higher negative potentials, and corrosion behavior. Therefore, Zn-anode design strategies and significant electrolyte modifications were adopted to limit the critical issues. The review promptly exhibits the significance of Zn-air battery and their construction strategies. The present review highlights the rational design strategies for the stabilization of the Zn anode, such as coating with a passive layer, heterostructure and alloy-composite formation, and the major electrolyte modifications, such as using organic electrolytes, additives in aqueous electrolytes, and solid-state polymer gel electrolytes. The review is expected to attract a wide range of readers, from beginners to industrialists, which serve as a guide for developing Zn-air batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240054","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144314973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}