Dongzhi Chen, Xin Guo, Xuening Sun, Xiang Feng, Kailong Chen, Jinfeng Zhang, Zece Zhu, Xiaofang Zhang, Xin Liu, Min Liu, Li Li, Weilin Xu
{"title":"High-yield upcycling of feather wastes into solid-state ultra-long phosphorescence carbon dots for advanced anticounterfeiting and information encryption","authors":"Dongzhi Chen, Xin Guo, Xuening Sun, Xiang Feng, Kailong Chen, Jinfeng Zhang, Zece Zhu, Xiaofang Zhang, Xin Liu, Min Liu, Li Li, Weilin Xu","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230166","DOIUrl":"10.1002/EXP.20230166","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recently, biomass-derived carbon dots (CDs) have attracted considerable attention in high-technology fields due to their prominent merits, including brilliant luminescence, superior biocompatibility, and low toxicity. However, most of the biomass-derived CDs only show bright fluorescence in diluted solution because of aggregation-induced quenching effect, hence cannot exhibit solid-state long-lived room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in ambient conditions. Herein, matrix-free solid-state RTP with an average lifetime of 0.50 s is realized in the CDs synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal treatment of duck feather waste powder. To further enhance RTP lifetime, hydrogen bonding is introduced by employing polyols like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and phytic acid (PA), and a bimodal luminescent CDs/PVA/PA ink is exploited by mixing the CDs and polyols. Astonishingly, the CDs/PVA/PA ink screen-printed onto cellulosic substrates exhibits unprecedented green RTP with average lifetime of up to 1.97 s, and the afterglow lasts for more than 14 s after removing UV lamp. Such improvement on RTP is proposed to the populated excited triplet excitons stabilized by rigid chains. Furthermore, the CDs/PVA/PA ink demonstrates excellent potential in anticounterfeiting and information encryption. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this work is the first successful attempt to fabricate matrix-free ultra-long RTP CDs by reclamation of the feather wastes for environmental sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230166","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140979718","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}
Xiaoxue Li, Wei Wang, Qiuxia Gao, Shanshan Lai, Yan Liu, Sitong Zhou, Yan Yan, Jie Zhang, Huanhuan Wang, Jiamei Wang, Yi Feng, Ronghua Yang, Jianyu Su, Bin Li, Yuhui Liao
{"title":"Intelligent bacteria-targeting ZIF-8 composite for fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy of drug-resistant superbug infections and burn wound healing","authors":"Xiaoxue Li, Wei Wang, Qiuxia Gao, Shanshan Lai, Yan Liu, Sitong Zhou, Yan Yan, Jie Zhang, Huanhuan Wang, Jiamei Wang, Yi Feng, Ronghua Yang, Jianyu Su, Bin Li, Yuhui Liao","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230113","DOIUrl":"10.1002/EXP.20230113","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Infected burn wounds are characterized by persistent drug-resistant bacterial infection coupled with an inflammatory response, impeding the wound-healing process. In this study, an intelligent nanoparticle system (CCM+TTD@ZIF-8 NPs) was prepared using curcumin (CCM), an aggregation-induced emission luminogens (TTD), and ZIF-8 for infection-induced wound healing. The CCM+TTD@ZIF-8 NPs showed multiple functions, including bacteria targeting, fluorescence imaging and pH response-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT), and anti-inflammatory. The positive charges of ZIF-8 NPs allowed the targeting of drug-resistant bacteria in infected wounds, thereby realizing fluorescence imaging of bacteria by emitting red fluorescence at the infected site upon blue light irradiation. The pH-responsive characteristics of the CCM+TTD@ZIF-8 NPs also enabled controllable CCM release onto the infected wound site, thereby promoting the specific accumulation of ROS at the infected site, with outstanding bactericidal efficacy against drug-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa)</i> strains in vitro/in vivo. Additionally, due to the excellent bactericidal effect and anti-inflammatory properties of CCM+TTD@ZIF-8 NPs combined with blue light irradiation, the regeneration of epidermal tissue, angiogenesis, and collagen deposition was achieved, accelerating the healing process of infected burn wounds. Therefore, this CCM+TTD@ZIF-8 NPs with multifunctional properties provides great potential for infected burn wound healing.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230113","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140684823","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":"Inside Back Cover: Scalability of nanopore osmotic energy conversion (EXP2 2/2024)","authors":"Makusu Tsutsui, Wei-Lun Hsu, Kazumichi Yokota, Iat Wai Leong, Hirofumi Daiguji, Tomoji Kawai","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240203","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In research outlined in Article 20220110, Tsutsui, Kawai, and their team delved into the impact of electrostatic couplings on the efficiency of osmotic energy conversion in nanoporous membranes. Their findings have unveiled a pivotal scaling law, offering valuable insights into determining the optimal porosity and membrane size crucial for advancing osmotic power generation.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240203","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140559541","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}
Xiaolong Ke, Han Xiao, Yaqi Peng, Xue Xia, Xuelu Wang
{"title":"Front Cover: Nitrogen deficiency modulates carbon allocation to promote nodule nitrogen fixation capacity in soybean (EXP2 2/2024)","authors":"Xiaolong Ke, Han Xiao, Yaqi Peng, Xue Xia, Xuelu Wang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240201","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Mineral nitrogen deficiency in soil would promote sucrose supply to nodules from roots, and then elevate nodule energy state. Nodule energy sensors can sense the elevated nodule energy state to enhance N<sub>2</sub> reduction to plant-usable NH<sub>3</sub> in nodules. This study will be helpful to design leguminous crops with improved adaptation to fluctuating usable nitrogen supplies in the soil.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240201","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140559539","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":"Inside Front Cover: Cerebrospinal fluid efflux through dynamic paracellular pores on venules as a missing piece of the brain drainage system (EXP2 2/2024)","authors":"Yaqiong Dong, Ting Xu, Lan Yuan, Yahan Wang, Siwang Yu, Zhi Wang, Shizhu Chen, Chunhua Chen, Weijiang He, Tessandra Stewart, Weiguang Zhang, Xiaoda Yang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240202","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While asleep, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flush over the brain parenchyma via pathways generated by neuroglia cells. The interstitial fluid (ISF) solutes containing metabolic wastes/toxins such as Aβ are collected in the paravenous space, where the CSF-ISF fluid eventually exit into blood through dynamically assembled, trumpet-shaped pores formed by vascular endothelial cells.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240202","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140559540","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}
Shangsi Chen, Junzhi Li, Liwu Zheng, Jie Huang, Min Wang
{"title":"Biomimicking trilayer scaffolds with controlled estradiol release for uterine tissue regeneration","authors":"Shangsi Chen, Junzhi Li, Liwu Zheng, Jie Huang, Min Wang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230141","DOIUrl":"10.1002/EXP.20230141","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Scaffold-based tissue engineering provides an efficient approach for repairing uterine tissue defects and restoring fertility. In the current study, a novel trilayer tissue engineering scaffold with high similarity to the uterine tissue in structure was designed and fabricated via 4D printing, electrospinning and 3D bioprinting for uterine regeneration. Highly stretchable poly(<span>l</span>-lactide-<i>co</i>-trimethylene carbonate) (PLLA-<i>co</i>-TMC, “PTMC” in short)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer blend scaffolds were firstly made via 4D printing. To improve the biocompatibility, porous poly(lactic acid-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) fibers incorporated with polydopamine (PDA) particles were produced on PTMC/TPU scaffolds via electrospinning. Importantly, estradiol (E2) was encapsulated in PDA particles. The bilayer scaffolds thus produced could provide controlled and sustained release of E2. Subsequently, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were mixed with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based inks and the formulated bioinks were used to fabricate a cell-laden hydrogel layer on the bilayer scaffolds via 3D bioprinting, forming ultimately biomimicking trilayer scaffolds for uterine tissue regeneration. The trilayer tissue engineering scaffolds thus formed exhibited a shape morphing ability by transforming from the planar shape to tubular structures when immersed in the culture medium at 37°C. The trilayer tissue engineering scaffolds under development would provide new insights for uterine tissue regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230141","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140692914","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}
Yufang He, Li Wang, Aiping Wang, Bo Zhang, Hiep Pham, Jonghyun Park, Xiangming He
{"title":"Frontispiece: Insight into uniform filming of LiF-rich interphase via synergistic adsorption for high-performance lithium metal anode (EXP2 2/2024)","authors":"Yufang He, Li Wang, Aiping Wang, Bo Zhang, Hiep Pham, Jonghyun Park, Xiangming He","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240205","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The lithiophilic additive-derived species induce synergistic adsorption with LiF, which follows the Frank-Vander Merwe mode (FVDM) of film growth, resulting in uniform LiF deposition on the lithium metal anode (LMA) surface. This work disclosed the importance of additive assistant synergistic adsorption on the uniform growth of LiF-rich SEI, contributing to the reasonable design of electrolyte formulas and high-performance LMA.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240205","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140559536","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":"Back Cover: A red blood cell-derived bionic microrobot capable of hierarchically adapting to five critical stages in systemic drug delivery (EXP2 2/2024)","authors":"Ya-Xuan Zhu, Hao-Ran Jia, Yao-Wen Jiang, Yuxin Guo, Qiu-Yi Duan, Ke-Fei Xu, Bai-Hui Shan, Xiaoyang Liu, Xiaokai Chen, Fu-Gen Wu","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240204","url":null,"abstract":"<p>An “all-in-one” red blood cell-derived microrobot is constructed to hierarchically overcome the different biological barriers during systemic drug delivery. The bionic microrobot can stably circulate in blood vessels, target the tumor under magnetic guidance, release therapeutic cargoes upon light triggering, and facilitate drug penetration in tumor by damaging extracellular matrix, thus realizing satisfactory anticancer therapeutic efficacy.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240204","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140559542","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":"A perspective of lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery","authors":"Yutian Ma, Shiyao Li, Xin Lin, Yupeng Chen","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230147","DOIUrl":"10.1002/EXP.20230147","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Over the last two decades, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have evolved as an effective biocompatible and biodegradable RNA delivery platform in the fields of nanomedicine, biotechnology, and drug delivery. They are novel bionanomaterials that can be used to encapsulate a wide range of biomolecules, such as mRNA, as demonstrated by the current successes of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Therefore, it is important to provide a perspective on LNPs for RNA delivery, which further offers useful guidance for researchers who want to work in the RNA-based LNP field. This perspective first summarizes the approaches for the preparation of LNPs, followed by the introduction of the key characterization parameters. Then, the in vitro cell experiments to study LNP performance, including cell selection, cell viability, cellular association/uptake, endosomal escape, and their efficacy, were summarized. Finally, the in vivo animal experiments in the aspects of animal selection, administration, dosing and safety, and their therapeutic efficacy were discussed. The authors hope this perspective can offer valuable guidance to researchers who enter the field of RNA-based LNPs and help them understand the crucial parameters that RNA-based LNPs demand.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"4 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230147","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140699862","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}
Juan Liu, Qingru Song, Wenzhen Yin, Chen Li, Ni An, Yinpeng Le, Qi Wang, Yutian Feng, Yuelei Hu, Yunfang Wang
{"title":"Bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering: A review of decellularized extracellular matrix applications and innovations","authors":"Juan Liu, Qingru Song, Wenzhen Yin, Chen Li, Ni An, Yinpeng Le, Qi Wang, Yutian Feng, Yuelei Hu, Yunfang Wang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230078","DOIUrl":"10.1002/EXP.20230078","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) offers a three-dimensional, non-immunogenic scaffold, enriched with bioactive components, making it a suitable candidate for tissue regeneration. Although dECM-based scaffolds have been successfully implemented in preclinical and clinical settings within tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the mechanisms of tissue remodeling and functional restoration are not fully understood. This review critically assesses the state-of-the-art in dECM scaffolds, including decellularization techniques for various tissues, quality control and cross-linking. It highlights the functional properties of dECM components and their latest applications in multiorgan tissue engineering and biomedicine. Additionally, the review addresses current challenges and limitations of decellularized scaffolds and offers perspectives on future directions in the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230078","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140714534","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}