Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂@Pt Hierarchical Core–Shell Microspheres: Controlled Synthesis, Enhanced Degradation System, and Rapid Magnetic Separation to Recycle

Magnetic composite microspheres consisting of a SiO₂-coated Fe₃O₄ core, an ordered TiO₂ hierarchically structured shell, and a Pt nanoparticle layer dispersed on the surface of the TiO₂ nanoplatelets have been successfully synthesized using a facile and efficient method. The shells of TiO₂ hierarchical microspheres were assembled from nanoplatelets, which exposed the high-energy {001} facets, and the Pt nanoparticles were evenly deposited on the surface of the TiO₂ nanoplatelets, with a concentration of ∼1 wt %. The resulting composite microspheres exhibited flower-like hierarchical structures with a 202.42 m² g^–1 surface area and possessed superparamagnetic properties with a high saturation magnetization of 31.5 emu g^–1. These features endow the obtained composite microspheres with a high adsorption capacity and strong magnetic responsivity that could be easily separated by an external magnetic field. The high photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation may be caused by the hierarchically structured TiO₂ with exposed high-energy {001} facets and the Pt nanoparticle deposits on TiO₂ surfaces, which would be efficient for the electron transfer reactions. In addition, the composite microspheres showed high recycling efficiency and stability over several separation cycles

Characteristics of Poplar Preconditioning Followed by Refining Chemical Treatment Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp Fiber Fractions and Their Effects on Formation and Properties of High-Yield Pulp Containing Paper

High-yield pulp (HYP) has various fractions, and they not only play an important role in the papermaking process but also affect paper properties. Hence, it is necessary to clarify the impact of different HYP fractions on paper formation and properties. In this study, the characteristics of poplar preconditioning followed by refining chemical treatment alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp fractions were determined, and their effects on paper formation and paper properties were investigated. The results show that the HYP fiber is not as flexible as the bleached wheat straw pulp fiber. Compared with the HYP long-fiber fraction, the short-fiber fraction can improve the formation index more favorably. It was also found that the long-fiber fraction can maintain the strength properties, while having a negligible effect on the light-scattering coefficient; on the contrary, the short-fiber fraction can improve the light-scattering coefficient effectively but reduces the strength properties

Pt@CeO₂ Multicore@Shell Self-Assembled Nanospheres: Clean Synthesis, Structure Optimization, and Catalytic Applications

A clean nonorganic synthetic method has been developed to fabricate the uniform pomegranate-like Pt@CeO₂ multicore@shell nanospheres in a large scale. Under the effective protection of Ar atmosphere the redox reaction just simply happened between Ce­(NO₃)₃ and K₂PtCl₄ in an alkaline aqueous solution, in which no other reducing agents or surfactants were added. The as-obtained nanospheres exhibited excellent structure stability even being calcined at 600 °C for 5 h. Moreover, the as-obtained Pt@CeO₂ multicore@shell nanospheres can be further supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to form heterogeneous nanocatalyst, which has been successfully applied in the chemical reduction reaction of nitrophenol (NP) by ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃, dubbed as AB) instead of hazardous H₂ or NaBH₄

Using an Optical Brightening Agent To Boost Peroxide Bleaching of a Spruce Thermomechanical Pulp

High-brightness high-yield pulps (HYPs) can be produced based on conventional peroxide bleaching, but the strong alkaline conditions needed would lead to the significant loss of bulk, scattering coefficient, and pulp yield, among other drawbacks. Recently, the use of an optical brightening agent (OBA) in HYP and its production of HYP-containing fine papers have received much attention. In this study, two different ways of using OBA in peroxide bleaching of spruce thermomechanical pulp (TMP), adding OBA to the bleach liquor or adding OBA after peroxide bleaching, were compared. The results showed that the unique properties of spruce TMP can be maintained by adding OBA to the bleach liquor (peroxide/OBA bleaching process). In addition, in comparison with the process of adding OBA after peroxide bleaching, the process of adding OBA to bleach liquors can produce TMP with higher brightness and OBA brightening efficiency and lower chemical oxygen demand load and chemical cost

MOESM1 of Tissues-based chemical profiling and semi-quantitative analysis of bioactive components in the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by using laser microdissection system combined with UPLC-q-TOF-MS

Additional file 1. Supplementary data involving the BPC chromatograms of various micro-dissected tissues from samples 1–9 were provided

Combining Coordination Modulation with Acid–Base Adjustment for the Control over Size of Metal–Organic Frameworks

Precise control over size and morphology of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is challenging but important for extending these hybrid materials to many more advanced applications, in particular for nanotechnology and device integration. Through studying parameters for the fabrication of nanosized Dy­(BTC)­(H₂O) MOF crystals using sodium acetate as the modulator, this paper discloses two essential parameters for miniaturizing the size of MOF crystals to the nanometer scale. One is the proper acid–base environment of the reaction medium which governs deprotonation of the organic linker and, hence, the nucleation process. The other is the use of capping groups capable of inhibiting crystallites from growing. Combining these two parameters makes it possible to control the size and change the morphology of Dy­(BTC)­(H₂O) crystals. A mechanism based on coordination modulation together with pH adjustment is proposed for the growth of nanosized MOF crystals

Compounds from the Fruits of the Popular European Medicinal Plant Vitex agnus-castus in Chemoprevention via NADP(H):Quinone Oxidoreductase Type 1 Induction

As part of our continuing efforts in the search for potential biologically active compounds from medicinal plants, we have isolated 18 compounds including two novel nitrogen containing diterpenes from extracts of the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus. These isolates, along with our previously obtained novel compound vitexlactam A (1), were evaluated for potential biological effects, including cancer chemoprevention. Chemically, the nitrogenous isolates were found to be two labdane diterpene alkaloids, each containing an alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-lactammoiety. Structurally, they were elucidated to be 9 alpha-hydroxy-13(14)-labden-16,15-amide (2) and 6 beta-acetoxy-9 alpha-hydroxy-13(14)-labden-15,16-amide (3), which were named vitexlactams B and C, respectively. The 15 known isolates were identified as vitexilactone (4), rotundifuran (5), 8-epi-manoyl oxide (6), vitetrifolin D (7), spathulenol (8), cis-dihydro-dehydro-diconiferylalcohol-9-O-beta-D-glucoside (9), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (10), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (11), casticin (12), artemetin (13), aucubin (14), agnuside (15), beta-sitosterol (16), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (17), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucose ester (18). All compound structures were determined/identified on the basis of 1D and/or 2D NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. Compounds 6, 8, 9, and 18 were reported from a Vitex spieces for the first time. The cancer chemopreventive potentials of these isolates were evaluated for NADP(H): quinone oxidoreductase type 1 (QR1) induction activity. Compound 7 demonstrated promising QR1 induction effect, while the new compound vitexlactam (3) was only slightly active

Single-Site Nanozymes with a Highly Conjugated Coordination Structure for Antitumor Immunotherapy via Cuproptosis and Cascade-Enhanced T Lymphocyte Activity

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and upregulated immune checkpoints (ICs) on antitumor immune cells impede the infiltration and killing effect of T cells, creating an immunosuppressive TME. Herein, a cholesterol oxidase (CHO) and lysyl oxidase inhibitor (LOX-IN-3) co-delivery copper-dibenzo-[g,p]chrysene-2,3,6,7,10,11,14,15-octaol single-site nanozyme (Cu-DBCO/CL) was developed. The conjugated organic ligand and well-distributed Cu-O4 sites endow Cu-DBCO with unique redox capabilities, enabling it to catalyze O2 and H2O2 to ·O2– and ·OH. This surge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to impaired mitochondrial function and insufficient ATP supply, impacting the function of copper-transporting ATPase-1 and causing dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase oligomerization-mediated cuproptosis. Moreover, multiple ROS storms and glutathione peroxidase 4 depletion also induce lipid peroxidation and trigger ferroptosis. Simultaneously, the ROS-triggered release of LOX-IN-3 reshapes the ECM by inhibiting lysyl oxidase activity and further enhances the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells). CHO-triggered cholesterol depletion not only increases ·OH generation but also downregulates the expression of ICs such as PD-1 and TIM-3, restoring the antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Therefore, Cu-DBCO/CL exhibits efficient properties in activating a potent antitumor immune response by cascade-enhanced CD8+ T cell viability. More importantly, ECM remodeling and cholesterol depletion could suppress the metastasis and proliferation of the tumor cells. In short, this immune nanoremodeler can greatly enhance the infiltration and antitumor activity of T cells by enhancing tumor immunogenicity, remodeling ECM, and downregulating ICs, thus achieving effective inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis

Nanoporous Carbon-Coated Bimetallic Phosphides for Efficient Electrochemical Water Splitting

Developing highly efficient and low-cost electrocatalyst for water splitting to produce H₂ and O₂ as a sustainable energy fuel to replace noble metal catalyst is vital and urgent for the large-scale deployment of key energy technologies. Here, in combination of composition, structure, and catalytic mechanism analysis, the porous Co_0.7Fe_0.3P@C catalyst was synthesized by a facile phosphidation process of Co_0.7Fe_0.3@C which is derived from the corresponding Co–Fe coordination polymer precursors. The Co_0.7Fe_0.3P@C catalyst shows enhanced electrochemical activity toward oxygen evolution reaction and water splitting due to the incorporation of Fe element and the porous structure, comparable to the commercial noble metal catalyst. Furthermore, the coated carbon can not only promote electronic transmission but also protect the active Co_0.7Fe_0.3P nanoparticles, resulting in good activity and stability. These fascinating findings in this work would promote the designation and preparation of promising bimetallic oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst utilizing coordination polymers as precursors for various energy systems in the future

PEGylated GdF₃:Fe Nanoparticles as Multimodal <i>T</i>₁/<i>T</i>₂‑Weighted MRI and X‑ray CT Imaging Contrast Agents

Contrast agents for multimodal imaging are in high demand for cancer diagnosis. To date, integration of <i>T</i>₁/<i>T</i>₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging capabilities in one system to obtain an accurate diagnosis still remains challenging. In this work, biocompatible PEGylated GdF₃:Fe nanoparticles (PEG-GdF₃:Fe NPs) were reasonable designed and synthesized as multifunctional contrast agents for efficient <i>T</i>₁/<i>T</i>₂-weighted MRI and X-ray CT multimodal imaging. Owing to the enhanced permeability and retention effect in vivo, strong <i>T</i>₁ contrast, evident <i>T</i>₂ contrast, and X-ray CT signals in a tumor lesion can be observed after intravenous injection of PEG-GdF₃:Fe NPs. Therefore, PEG-GdF₃:Fe NPs could be used as potential multimodal contrast agents for cancer diagnosis