Featured
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Article
| Open AccessLiquid foam improves potency and safety of gene therapy vectors
Gene therapy is a rapidly growing field, but is hindered by efficacy and safety concerns, including those related to delivery methods. Here, inspired by the use of foam in the delivery of pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stephan and colleagues formulated foam as a safe and effective delivery platform for gene therapy.
- K. Fitzgerald
- , S. B. Stephan
- & M. T. Stephan
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Article
| Open AccessSpider-silk-inspired strong and tough hydrogel fibers with anti-freezing and water retention properties
Hydrogel fibres have potential in a range of applications such as flexible electronics, but achieving the desired mechanical properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report spider silk-inspired hydrogel fibres with tuneable mechanical properties suitable for flexible electronics.
- Shaoji Wu
- , Zhao Liu
- & Yurong Yan
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Review Article
| Open AccessControlled oxygen delivery to power tissue regeneration
This review explores the role of oxygen and its delivery via engineered biomaterials in a plethora of physiological processes. This piece emphasises on the application of advanced oxygen delivery strategies, as well as discussing advances in oxygen-generating materials and oxygen-perfusing devices.
- Elizabeth Zoneff
- , Yi Wang
- & Lilith M. Caballero-Aguilar
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Perspective
| Open AccessRediscovery of mononuclear phagocyte system blockade for nanoparticle drug delivery
Temporal blockade of the mononuclear phagocyte system is an approach to enhance the therapeutic efficiency of nanocarrier drug-delivery systems but the broad applicability is hindered by the complexity of optimisation and management of potential side effects. Here, the authors review the development of this technique and show its efficiency using meta-analysis of the published data and discuss essential features for its successful translation to clinic.
- Ivan V. Zelepukin
- , Konstantin G. Shevchenko
- & Sergey M. Deyev
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Article
| Open AccessModulate stress distribution with bio-inspired irregular architected materials towards optimal tissue support
Natural materials exhibit compelling functionalities owing to their irregular architectures, but the study on irregular architected materials is elusive. Here the authors report a generative computational framework to virtually grow irregular materials with optimized properties that match target stress distributions, facilitating tissue support for orthopedic femur restoration.
- Yingqi Jia
- , Ke Liu
- & Xiaojia Shelly Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessAn antifouling membrane-fusogenic liposome for effective intracellular delivery in vivo
Protein corona formation on the surface of liposome nanocarriers can decrease the efficiency of intracellular delivery. Here, the authors develop antifouling membrane-fusogenic liposomes for effective intracellular delivery in vivo.
- Huimin Kong
- , Chunxiong Zheng
- & Mingqiang Li
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing in vivo cell and tissue targeting by modulation of polymer nanoparticles and macrophage decoys
Targeted drug delivery in vivo is a complex challenge, and understanding the characteristics that define the behavior of delivery vehicles in vivo is vital for advancing delivery vehicle design. Here the authors use a library of polymeric delivery vehicles and high-throughput tools to study the structure-function relationships guiding the physiological fate of nanomedicines.
- Alexandra S. Piotrowski-Daspit
- , Laura G. Bracaglia
- & W. Mark Saltzman
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Article
| Open AccessLong-term relapse-free survival enabled by integrating targeted antibacteria in antitumor treatment
Tumor-resident intracellular microbiota (TRIM) could be a potential target for anticancer treatment. Here the authors report Au@Ag2Se nano-assemblies enabling bacterial killing, tumor inhibition and immune regulation in tumor microenvironment.
- Yuanlin Wang
- , Yaqian Han
- & Miao Yu
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Article
| Open AccessMechanically robust and personalized silk fibroin-magnesium composite scaffolds with water-responsive shape-memory for irregular bone regeneration
The regeneration of critical-size bone defects, especially those with irregular shapes, remains a clinical challenge. Here, the authors report a shape-memory, tailorable, self-adaptive and bioactive silk fibroin/magnesium composite scaffold that can quickly match irregular defects by simple trimming and lead to good interface integration.
- Zhinan Mao
- , Xuewei Bi
- & Yufeng Zheng
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Review Article
| Open AccessCritical learning from industrial catalysis for nanocatalytic medicine
The knowledge gained from industrial catalysis benefits advancements of nanocatalytic medicines. Here the authors review the similarities, differences and connections in catalytic reactions between industrial and medical applications to support deep understanding and rational design of nanocatalytic medicines.
- Zhaokui Jin
- , Lingdong Jiang
- & Qianjun He
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Article
| Open Access3D printing with a 3D printed digital material filament for programming functional gradients
3D printing of functional gradients often requires specialized equipment and costly materials, constraining scalability. Here, using a conventional desktop FDM printer, authors present a 3D printing strategy using a filament that is itself 3D-printed to produce functional gradients.
- Sang-Joon Ahn
- , Howon Lee
- & Kyu-Jin Cho
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Article
| Open AccessBiocomposite thermoplastic polyurethanes containing evolved bacterial spores as living fillers to facilitate polymer disintegration
Plastic pollution severely threatens the resilience of nature. Here, the authors utilize the spore-forming, polymer-degrading bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, as a living filler to develop biocomposite thermoplastic polyurethane with improved mechanical properties and biodegradation.
- Han Sol Kim
- , Myung Hyun Noh
- & Jonathan K. Pokorski
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Article
| Open AccessSkin graft with dermis and appendages generated in vivo by cell competition
Skin substitutes generated by tissue engineering have limited properties. Here, authors established niche encroachment method. Cell competition enabled skin organogenesis from allogeneic and xenogeneic stem cells on p63 knockout embryos, resulting in a complete skin graft on dermis with hair.
- Hisato Nagano
- , Naoaki Mizuno
- & Hiromitsu Nakauchi
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Article
| Open AccessBiocompatible aggregation-induced emission active polyphosphate-manganese nanosheets with glutamine synthetase-like activity in excitotoxic nerve cells
Glutamine synthetase (GS) relies on Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to activate glutamate (Glu) and are vital for maintaining ammonia and Glu homeostasis, but GS function is impaired during ATP-deficient neurotoxic events. Here the authors report polyphosphate-manganese nanosheets having GS-like activity independent of ATP to promote the conversion of Glu to glutamine in excitatory neurotoxic cells.
- Jing Wang
- , Xinyang Zhao
- & Wei Wei
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Article
| Open AccessA mechanical-assisted post-bioprinting strategy for challenging bone defects repair
Bioprinting has revitalized tissue regeneration efforts, yet challenges persist due to cell damage during fabrication and mechanical instability of printed scaffolds. Here, the authors develop a mechanical-assisted post-bioprinting strategy for loading cells into hollow scaffolds that effectively repair challenging bone defects.
- Jirong Yang
- , Zhigang Chen
- & Changshun Ruan
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Article
| Open AccessControl of polymers’ amorphous-crystalline transition enables miniaturization and multifunctional integration for hydrogel bioelectronics
Soft elastic materials could be useful in the fabrication of brain-machine interfaces, but achieving the desirable material properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report control of the amorphous-crystalline transition of polymers to alter hydrogel properties and monitor mouse behaviour.
- Sizhe Huang
- , Xinyue Liu
- & Siyuan Rao
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Article
| Open AccessRedefined ion association constants have consequences for calcium phosphate nucleation and biomineralization
While clusters in calcium orthophosphate nucleation have long been known, their speciation and mechanistic pathways to hydroxyapatite remain debated. Here the authors report a revision of ion association in the calcium phosphate system and explore the consequences thereof on the early stages of phase separation.
- David P. McDonogh
- , Julian D. Gale
- & Denis Gebauer
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Article
| Open AccessImpact of PEG sensitization on the efficacy of PEG hydrogel-mediated tissue engineering
Concerns over the immunogenicity of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are growing, and the implications for tissue engineering are unknown. Here the authors evaluate the impact of anti-PEG antibodies and PEG immunogenicity on the efficacy of a PEG hydrogel-based tissue engineering therapy.
- Alisa H. Isaac
- , Sarea Y. Recalde Phillips
- & Daniel L. Alge
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Article
| Open AccessMultiscale architecture design of 3D printed biodegradable Zn-based porous scaffolds for immunomodulatory osteogenesis
Rapid degradation inducing overdose toxicity remains challenging in porous biodegradable bone scaffolds. Here the authors present multiscale architecture design on ZnLi scaffolds with 90% porosity orchestrates immune responses and subsequent bone regeneration.
- Shuang Li
- , Hongtao Yang
- & Yufeng Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessTumor-activated in situ synthesis of single-atom catalysts for O2-independent photodynamic therapy based on water-splitting
The utility of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been limited by tumor hypoxia and side effects on normal tissues. Here the authors address these issues by developing an approach of tumor microenvironment-activated in situ synthesis of SACs for tumor-specific water-based PDT.
- Yiyan Yin
- , Xiyang Ge
- & Na Na
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Article
| Open AccessBiomimetic NIR-II fluorescent proteins created from chemogenic protein-seeking dyes for multicolor deep-tissue bioimaging
Near-infrared-I/II fluorescent proteins (NIR-I/II FPs) are crucial for in vivo imaging, but their availability is still scarce. Here, the authors make use of protein-seeking NIR-II dyes as chromophores, which covalently bind to tag proteins and thus creating biomimetic NIR-II FPs.
- Jiajun Xu
- , Ningning Zhu
- & Shoujun Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessCell surface patching via CXCR4-targeted nanothreads for cancer metastasis inhibition
CXCR4-targeted therapies have been proposed for the treatment of cancer metastasis. Here the authors propose a CXCR4-targeted strategy based on interactable polymer nanothreads, showing inhibition of metastasis in preclinical cancer models.
- Minglu Zhou
- , Chendong Liu
- & Lian Li
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Article
| Open AccessMicrointerfaces in biopolymer-based bicontinuous hydrogels guide rapid 3D cell migration
Extracellular microinterfaces provide cells with migration tracks in vivo. Here, the authors introduce these microtracks into bicontinuous hydrogels to elicit rapid cell migration in 3-dimensional contexts.
- Karen L. Xu
- , Nikolas Di Caprio
- & Jason A. Burdick
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Article
| Open AccessSilk fibroin hydrogel adhesive enables sealed-tight reconstruction of meniscus tears
Suture repair is the current clinical treatment for meniscus tears, but inaccessible tears in company with re-tears susceptibility remain unresolved. Here the authors address these issues by developing a meniscus adhesive-based strategy for the seamless and dense reconstruction of torn meniscus.
- Xihao Pan
- , Rui Li
- & Hongwei Ouyang
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Article
| Open AccessVersatile human cardiac tissues engineered with perfusable heart extracellular microenvironment for biomedical applications
The application of engineered cardiac tissues is limited due to their immaturity and lack of functionality. Here, the authors develop an integrated culture platform featuring heart extracellular matrix cultured in a microfluidic chip to facilitate cardiac tissue development for versatile biomedical applications.
- Sungjin Min
- , Suran Kim
- & Seung-Woo Cho
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Article
| Open AccessUltra-photostable small-molecule dyes facilitate near-infrared biophotonics
Near-infrared small molecule dyes are attractive in biophotonics, but generally rely on expanded aromatic structures to achieve this redshift. Here the authors report the use of a ground state antiaromatic strategy for 14 aminofluorene dyes, and their use in imaging kidney injury.
- Kui Yan
- , Zhubin Hu
- & Fan Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessOxygen-independent organic photosensitizer with ultralow-power NIR photoexcitation for tumor-specific photodynamic therapy
Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) is hindered by oxygen-dependent photosensitization pathways and high-power-density photoexcitation. Here, the authors develop polymer-based organic photosensitizers (PSs) through PS skeleton design and side-chain engineering to allow tumor-specific PDT under oxygen-free conditions using ultralow-power 808 nm photoexcitation.
- Yufu Tang
- , Yuanyuan Li
- & Bin Liu
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Article
| Open AccessPhotooxidation triggered ultralong afterglow in carbon nanodots
Biocompatible afterglow materials have potential in imaging applications, but are challenging to prepare. Here the authors report the development of carbon nanodots with near-infrared afterglow, and demonstrate their use in imaging for tumour resection.
- Guang-Song Zheng
- , Cheng-Long Shen
- & Chong-Xin Shan
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Article
| Open AccessSpatial engineering of single-atom Fe adjacent to Cu-assisted nanozymes for biomimetic O2 activation
Integrating heterogeneous single atom nanozyme (SAzyme) configurations and homogeneous enzyme-like mechanism is promising for optimizing SAzymes but elusive. Here the authors address this issue by developing a spatial engineering strategy to fabricate dual-sites SAzymes incorporating single atom Fe active centers (Fe–N4) and Cu atomic sites (Cu–N4) in a vertically stacked Fe–N4 and Cu–N4 geometry.
- Ying Wang
- , Vinod K. Paidi
- & Kwok-Yin Wong
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Article
| Open AccessAcidity-activatable upconversion afterglow luminescence cocktail nanoparticles for ultrasensitive in vivo imaging
Activatable afterglow luminescence nanoprobes reduce unspecific signals and improve imaging fidelity, but their utility is limited by a requisition of donor-acceptor distance (>10 nm) in common biomarker-activatable designs. Here, the authors address this issue by developing organic afterglow luminescence cocktail nanoparticles for acid-activatable upconversion afterglow luminescence imaging.
- Yue Jiang
- , Min Zhao
- & Qingqing Miao
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Article
| Open AccessCholesterol-modified sphingomyelin chimeric lipid bilayer for improved therapeutic delivery
Cholesterol (Chol) transfer from lipid bilayer jeopardizes membrane stability and causes premature payload leakage, yielding suboptimal efficacy. Here, the authors report a Chol-modified sphingomyelin (SM) bilayer via covalently conjugating Chol to SM, which retains Chol condensing ability and improves pharmacokinetics and therapeutic delivery of various drugs in diverse disease animal models.
- Zhiren Wang
- , Wenpan Li
- & Jianqin Lu
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Article
| Open AccessFully bioresorbable hybrid opto-electronic neural implant system for simultaneous electrophysiological recording and optogenetic stimulation
Bioresorbable neural implants offer a promising solution to the challenges of secondary surgeries required for the removal of implanted devices. Here, the authors introduce a fully bioresorbable flexible hybrid opto-electronic system for simultaneous electrophysiological recording and optogenetic stimulation.
- Myeongki Cho
- , Jeong-Kyu Han
- & Ki Jun Yu
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Article
| Open AccessEndogenous stimuli-responsive separating microneedles to inhibit hypertrophic scar through remodeling the pathological microenvironment
The treatment of hypertrophic scar (HS) is hindered by the low bioavailability of drugs and the pathological microenvironment. Here the authors report a separating microneedle drug delivery system responsive to high reactive oxygen species levels and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases to remodel the pathological microenvironment for HS treatment.
- Zhuo-Ran Yang
- , Huinan Suo
- & Jintao Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessJanus microparticles-based targeted and spatially-controlled piezoelectric neural stimulation via low-intensity focused ultrasound
Wireless and localized stimulation of neural cells remains challenging. Here, the authors propose piezoelectric magnetic Janus microparticles that can target and stimulate neurons under low-intensity ultrasound through voltage-gated ion channels.
- Mertcan Han
- , Erdost Yildiz
- & Metin Sitti
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic control of DNA condensation
Artificial biomolecular condensates are valuable tools to study the design principles of phase separation. Here, the authors demonstrate and characterize a model system of artificial DNA condensates whose kinetic formation and dissolution depends on DNA inputs that activate or deactivate the phase separating DNA subunits.
- Siddharth Agarwal
- , Dino Osmanovic
- & Elisa Franco
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Article
| Open AccessMesoporous nanoperforators as membranolytic agents via nano- and molecular-scale multi-patterning
Plasma membrane lysis is an effective anticancer strategy that mostly relies on soluble molecular membranolytic agents, while nanomaterial-based membranolytic agents have been unexplored. Herein, the authors report a nano- and molecular-scale multi-patterning strategy for fabricating mesoporous membranolytic nanoperforators with an intrinsic membranolytic activity.
- Yannan Yang
- , Shiwei Chen
- & Chengzhong Yu
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-throughput barcoding of nanoparticles identifies cationic, degradable lipid-like materials for mRNA delivery to the lungs in female preclinical models
Identifying pulmonary delivery of lipid libraries poses an obstacle for mRNA drugs. Here, the authors use a barcoded screening system to identify lung-targeting of cationic, degradable lipid-like materials for mRNA delivery and gene editing in female preclinical models.
- Lulu Xue
- , Alex G. Hamilton
- & Michael J. Mitchell
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Article
| Open AccessMyriad Mapping of nanoscale minerals reveals calcium carbonate hemihydrate in forming nacre and coral biominerals
A new carbonate phase calcium carbonate hemihydrate was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material. Here the authors find that it exists in nature, albeit transiently, on the surface of growing nacre and coral skeletons, and show that 2 amorphous and 2 metastable crystalline nano-minerals form before biominerals settle into their stable crystals.
- Connor A. Schmidt
- , Eric Tambutté
- & Pupa U.P.A. Gilbert
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Article
| Open AccessAutomatic data-driven design and 3D printing of custom ocular prostheses
Manual processes to produce ocular prostheses are time-consuming and yield varying quality. Here, authors present an automatic digital end-to-end process for custom ocular prostheses. It creates shape and appearance from image data of an OCT device and produces them using a full-colour 3D printer.
- Johann Reinhard
- , Philipp Urban
- & Mandeep S. Sagoo
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ combinatorial synthesis of degradable branched lipidoids for systemic delivery of mRNA therapeutics and gene editors
Branched ionizable lipids have aroused great interest for mRNA delivery. Here, the authors devise an in situ construction method for combinatorial synthesis of degradable branched ionizable lipids and summarize key design criteria to enable potent delivery of mRNA therapeutics and gene editors.
- Xuexiang Han
- , Junchao Xu
- & Michael J. Mitchell
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Article
| Open AccessA wireless battery-free eye modulation patch for high myopia therapy
The proper axial length of the eye is crucial for achieving emmetropia. Here, authors introduce a wireless battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse.
- Tianyan Zhong
- , Hangjin Yi
- & Xinyu Xue
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Article
| Open AccessMonitoring the mass, eigenfrequency, and quality factor of mammalian cells
There is increasing interest in measuring the mechanical properties of living cells. Here, the authors develop a method to simultaneously measure the cell mass and two parameters related to its natural oscillation or resonance frequencies.
- Sophie Herzog
- , Gotthold Fläschner
- & Daniel J. Müller
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Article
| Open AccessProtective effects of Pt-N-C single-atom nanozymes against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Nanozymes can be used for targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) to alleviate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but hindered by catalytic performance and toxicity concerns. Here the authors report multienzyme-mimicking and biocompatible Pt-NC single-atom nanozymes as an efficient ROS decomposer for restoring cellular homeostasis and mitigating apoptotic progression after I/R injury.
- Tianbao Ye
- , Cheng Chen
- & Chengxing Shen
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasound-activated piezo-hot carriers trigger tandem catalysis coordinating cuproptosis-like bacterial death against implant infections
Implantation-associated infections often lead to infections. Here, the authors propose a piezo-based nanoreactor to achieve US-excited tandem catalysis, endowing the polyetherketoneketone bone scaffold with on-demand antibacterial and osteogenic capacities.
- Yanli Huang
- , Xufeng Wan
- & Duan Wang
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Article
| Open AccessBlack phosphorus boosts wet-tissue adhesion of composite patches by enhancing water absorption and mechanical properties
The utility of wet-tissue adhesives has been impeded by the suboptimal adhesive strength. Here the authors report a composite patch integrated with BP nanosheets that improve the wet-tissue adhesion by enhancing the water absorption and mechanical properties of the patch and demonstrate the uses of the patch in hemostasis, physical-activity monitoring and tumour-recurrence prevention.
- Yuanchi Zhang
- , Cairong Li
- & Yuxiao Lai
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasmall metal alloy nanozymes mimicking neutrophil enzymatic cascades for tumor catalytic therapy
Emulating the killing function of neutrophils, which involves the enzymatic cascade of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), is promising for cancer therapy, but developing SOD-MPO cascade in one nanozyme is challenging. Here the authors report ultrasmall AuPd alloy nanozymes that mimic neutrophil enzymatic cascades for catalytic treatment of tumors.
- Xiangqin Meng
- , Huizhen Fan
- & Kelong Fan
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Article
| Open AccessPhotocured room temperature phosphorescent materials from lignosulfonate
It is elusive to manufacture room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials through effective and ambient processing approaches. Here the authors report the production of photocured RTP materials using lignosulfonate to act as RTP chromophore and photoinitiator, achieving easy preparation, low cost and good performance.
- Hongda Guo
- , Mengnan Cao
- & Zhijun Chen
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Article
| Open Access4D printed hydrogel scaffold with swelling-stiffening properties and programmable deformation for minimally invasive implantation
3D printing has potential in designing personalised scaffolds, but minimally invasive implantation is still challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a polyurethane material with temperature triggered shape memory and water triggered deformation that allows for transcatheter delivery.
- Bo Liu
- , Hui Li
- & Xiaoli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessBiomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation
Loss of communication between the brain and the body severely impacts the sensorimotor abilities of disabled individuals. Here, the authors design and test a neuroscience-driven framework for advancing bionic devices that leverages biomimetic stimulation to induce physiologically plausible information flow in animals and enhances patient performance with neuroprostheses.
- Giacomo Valle
- , Natalija Katic Secerovic
- & Stanisa Raspopovic