Achieving the activation of drugs within cellular systems may provide targeted therapies. Here we construct a tumour-selective cascade activatable self-detained system (TCASS) and incorporate imaging ...probes and therapeutics. We show in different mouse models that the TCASS system accumulates in solid tumours. The molecules show enhanced accumulation in tumour regions via the effect of recognition induced self-assembly. Analysis of the molecular penetration in tumour tissue shows that in vivo self-assembly increases the penetration capability compared to typical soft or hard nanomaterials. Importantly, the in vivo self-assembled molecules exhibit a comparable clearance pathway to that of small molecules, which are excreted from organs of the reticuloendothelial system (liver and kidney), while are relatively slowly eliminated from tumour tissues. Finally, this system, combined with the NIR probe, shows high specificity and sensitivity for detecting bladder cancer in isolated intact patient bladders.
Summary
The Orchidaceae is of economic and ecological importance and constitutes ˜10% of all seed plant species. Here, we report a genome physical map for Cymbidium sinense, a well‐known species ...belonging to genus Cymbidium that has thousands of natural variation varieties of flower organs, flower and leaf colours and also referred as the King of Fragrance, which make it arose into a unique cultural symbol in China. The high‐quality chromosome‐scale genome assembly was 3.52 Gb in size, 29 638 protein‐coding genes were predicted, and evidence for whole‐genome duplication shared with other orchids was provided. Marked amplification of cytochrome‐ and photosystem‐related genes was observed, which was consistent with the shade tolerance and dark green leaves of C. sinense. Extensive duplication of MADS‐box genes, and the resulting subfunctional and expressional differentiation, was associated with regulation of species‐specific flower traits, including wild‐type and mutant‐type floral patterning, seasonal flowering and ecological adaption. CsSEP4 was originally found to positively regulate gynostemium development. The CsSVP genes and their interaction proteins CsAP1 and CsSOC1 were significantly expanded and involved in the regulation of low‐temperature‐dependent flowering. Important genetic clues to the colourful leaf traits, purple‐black flowers and volatile trait in C. sinense were also found. The results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of important phenotypic traits of Cymbidium and its evolution and serve as a powerful platform for future evolutionary studies and molecular breeding of orchids.
A peptide‐conjugated poly(β‐amino ester) that self‐assembles into micelle‐like nanoparticles is prepared by a convenient and modular supramolecular approach. The polymer–beclin‐1 (P‐Bec1) ...nanoparticles display enhanced cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells through induction of autophagy. This approach overcomes two major limitations of the haploinsufficient tumor suppressor Bec1 compared to small‐molecule drugs: poor delivery to tumors owing to enzymatic degradation, and unstable, non‐specific bio‐distribution and targeting in the tumor tissues.
Abstract Immunotherapy has shown a promising effect for a variety of cancers. However, the immune treatment efficiency of solid tumor is limited due to barely infiltration of immune cells in solid ...tumor. Researchers realized conversion of tumor supportive macrophages to tumor against ones was an effective method to induce the functional reverse of macrophage and contributed to the subsequent antitumor response. The current challenge in the field is that while making use of cytokines usually coupled with poor-distribution and systemic side effects. As a solution to this issue, we designed and synthesized microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles (P) with IL-12 payload (IL-12⊂P1), the IL-12⊂P1 which could adopt by systemic administration and release IL-12 in the tumor microenvironment, the local-responsive property of IL-12⊂P1 re-educate tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) subsequently. Particularly, it illustrated great therapeutic effects which derived from functional conversion of macrophages. Our strategy was to design a microenvironment-responsive material for local macrophage reverse modification which could overcome the physiological barrier of solid tumor. The shifting of macrophages by IL-12⊂P1 realized immunomodulation in microenvironment for cancer therapy with negligible cytotoxicity. We expected that regulating the function of TAMs by pH-responsive nanomaterials would be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy.
Hard carbon (HC) anodes have shown extraordinary promise for sodium‐ion batteries, but are limited to their poor initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and low practical specific capacity due to the ...large amount of defects. These defects with oxygen containing groups cause irreversible sites for Na+ ions. Highly graphited carbon decreases defects, while potentially blocking diffusion paths of Na+ ions. Therefore, molecular‐level control of graphitization of hard carbon with open accessible channels for Na+ ions is key to achieve high‐performance hard carbon. Moreover, it is challenging to design a conventional method to obtain HCs with both high ICE and capacity. Herein, a universal strategy is developed as manganese ions‐assisted catalytic carbonization to precisely tune graphitization degree, eliminate defects, and maintain effective Na+ ions paths. The as‐prepared hard carbon has a high ICE of 92.05% and excellent cycling performance. Simultaneously, a sodium storage mechanism of “adsorption‐intercalation‐pore filling‐sodium cluster formation” is proposed, and a clear description given of the boundaries of the pore structure and the specific dynamic process of pore filling.
Molecular‐level control of graphitization of hard carbon (HC) with open accessible channels for sodium ions by using manganese ions, is a novel strategy to obtain HC with both high capacity and high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). The as‐prepared hard carbon exhibits a high ICE of 92.05% and high reversible capacity (336.8 mAh g−1).
Smart nanorobots have emerged as novel drug delivery platforms in nanomedicine, potentially improving anti‐cancer efficacy and reducing side effects. In this study, an intelligent tumor ...microenvironment‐responsive nanorobot is developed that effectively delivers CpG payloads to Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9)‐positive tumors to induce autophagy‐mediated cell death for immunotherapy. The nanorobots are fabricated by co‐self‐assembly of two amphiphilic triblock polymer peptides: one containing the matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2)‐cleaved GPLGVRGS motif to control the mechanical opening of the nanorobots and provide targeting capability for TLR‐9‐positive tumors and the other consisting of an arginine‐rich GRRRDRGRS sequence that can condense nuclear acid payloads through electrostatic interactions. Using multiple tumor‐bearing mouse models, it is investigated whether the intravenous injection of CpG‐loaded nanorobots could effectively deliver CpG payloads to TLR‐9‐positive tumors and elicit anti‐tumor immunity through TLR9 signaling and autophagy. Therefore, besides being a commonly used adjuvant for tumor vaccination, CpG‐loaded nanorobots can effectively reprogram the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and suppress tumor growth and recurrence. This nanorobot‐based CpG immunotherapy can be considered a feasible approach to induce anti‐tumor immunity, showing great therapeutic potential for the future treatment of TLR9‐positive cancers.
In this study, an intelligent tumor microenvironment‐responsive nanorobot is developed that effectively delivers CpG payloads to Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9)‐positive tumors to induce autophagy‐mediated cell death for immunotherapy.
Prussian blue analogs (PBAs), as promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), have received extensive research interest due to their appealing characteristics, e.g., the low cost of ...their raw materials, easy manufacturing, open frameworks, and high theoretical specific capacity. There are some challenges for PBAs cathodes, however, hindering their performance output, making them currently unacceptable for practical applications. To improve the performance and cycling stability of PBAs, a clear in‐depth understanding of the relationship of their electrochemical reaction process to their ion insertion/extraction mechanisms and structural evolution is extremely important. Nowadays, advanced characterization techniques have become an important tool to guide the construction of high‐performance PBAs cathodes. In this review, the various advances by using advanced characterization techniques to reveal the reaction mechanisms for PBAs cathodes are summarized and discussed. By appreciating how the advanced characterization techniques to guide fabrication of high‐performance PBAs or reveal their detailed reaction mechanisms, it is hoped that this review can assist readers to find more valuable and advanced technologies to help to resolve some key problems and enhance their performance so as to accelerate the practical application of PBAs cathode for SIBs.
A comprehensive summary of the advantages and challenges and the most used in situ and ex situ techniques paving the way for commercialization of low‐cost Prussian blue analog cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries is presented.
Immunotherapy has shown promising treatment effects for a variety of cancers. However, the immune treatment efficiency for solid tumors is limited owing to insufficient infiltration of immune cells ...into solid tumors. The conversion of tumor-supportive macrophages to tumor-suppressive macrophages, inducing the functional reversal of macrophages, is an effective method and contributes to a subsequent antitumor response. The current challenge in the field is the poor distribution and systemic side effects associated with the use of cytokines. As a solution to this issue, we designed and synthesized microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles (P) with IL-12 payload (IL-12⊂P1). These nanoparticles could promote the systemic administration and release of IL-12 in the tumor microenvironment, and the locally responsive property of IL-12⊂P1 could subsequently re-educate tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In particular, our results illustrated the great therapeutic effects derived from the functional conversion of macrophages. Our strategy was to design a microenvironment-responsive material for local macrophage modification to overcome the physiological barrier of solid tumors. The shifting of macrophage phenotypes via IL-12⊂P1 achieved immunomodulation in the microenvironment for cancer therapy, with negligible cytotoxicity. We expect that the functional regulation of TAMs by pH-responsive nanomaterials is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy.
Vacuum steam pulsed blanching (VSPB) was employed as a novel blanching technology on Cornus officinalis to soften the tissue for subsequent coring and dehydration. The current work aims to explore ...its effect on mass transfer behavior, PPO inactivation, drying characteristics, physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and microstructure of C. officinalis. Results showed that VSPB increased water loss, decreased solid gain, and increased weight reduction with increased blanching cycles. Besides, VSPB significantly changed physical properties and extensively reduced drying time which was attributed to the cell wall components dissolving and cell turgor pressure decreasing, also verified by observing microstructure alteration. PPO was completely denatured after blanching in 6 cycles, but phenolic compounds were still diffused or degraded. Notably, the content of flavonoids and antioxidant capacity significantly increased compared to fresh samples probably due to increased extractability caused by the disrupting cell structure. Besides, the carotenoids and ascorbic acid could be well preserved.
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