Visible Light-Gating Responsive Nanochannel for Controlled Release of the Fungicide.

Fungicides have been widely used to protect crops from the disease of pythium aphanidermatum (PA). However, excessive use of synthetic fungicides can lead to fungal pathogens developing microbicide resistance. Recently, biomimetic nano-delivery systems have been used for controlled release, reducing the overuse of fungicides, and thereby protecting the environment. In this paper, inspired by chloroplast membranes, visible light biomimetic channels are constructed by using retinal, the main component of green pigment on chloroplasts in plants, which can achieve the precise controlled release of the model fungicide methylene blue (MB). The experimental results show that the biomimetic channels have good circularity after and before light conditions. In addition, it is also found that the release of MB in visible light by the retinal-modified channels is 8.78 µmol·m-2·h-1, which is four times higher than that in the before light conditions. Furthermore, MB, a bactericide drug model released under visible light, can effectively inhibit the growth of PA, reaching a 97% inhibition effect. The biomimetic nanochannels can realize the controlled release of the fungicide MB, which provides a new way for the treatment of PA on the leaves surface of cucumber, further expanding the application field of biomimetic nanomembrane carrier materials.

A Visible-Light Regulated ATP Transport in Retinal-Modified Pillar[6]arene Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Sub-Nanochannel.

Natural light-responsive rhodopsins play a critical role in visual conversion, signal transduction, energy transmission, etc., which has aroused extensive interest in the past decade. Inspired by these gorgeous works of living beings, scientists have constructed various biomimetic light-responsive nanochannels to mimic the behaviors of rhodopsins. However, it is still challenging to build stimuli-responsive sub-nanochannels only regulated by visible light as the rhodopsins are always at the sub-nanometer level and regulated by visible light. Pillar[6]arenes have an open cavity of 6.7 Å, which can selectively recognize small organic molecules. They can be connected to ions of ammonium or carboxylate groups on the rims. Therefore, we designed and synthesized the amino and carboxyl-derived side chains of pillar[6]arenes with opposite charges. The sub-nanochannels were constructed through the electrostatic interaction of layer-by-layer self-assembled amino and carboxyl-derived pillar[6]arenes. Then, the natural chromophore of the retinal with visible light-responsive performance was modified on the upper edge of the sub-nanochannel to realize the visible light switched on and off. Finally, we successfully constructed a visible light-responsive sub-nanochannel, providing a novel method for regulating the selective transport of energy-donating molecules of ATP.

Selectively Transport and Removal of Fluoride Ion by Pillar[5]Arene Polymer-Filled Nanochannel Membrane.

Excess fluoride ions in groundwater accumulate through the roots of crops, affecting photosynthesis and inhibiting their growth. Long-term bioaccumulation also threatens human health because it is poorly degradable and toxic. Currently, one of the biggest challenges is developing a unique material that can efficiently remove fluoride ions from the environment. The excellent properties of functionalized pillar[5]arene polymer-filled nanochannel membranes were explored to address this challenge. Constructing a multistage porous nanochannel membrane, consisting of microscale etched nanochannels and nanoscale pillar[5]arene cross-linked polymer voids. A fluoride removal rate of 0.0088 mmol ⋅ L-1 ⋅ min-1 was achieved. Notably, this rate surpassed the rates observed with other control ions by a factor of 6 to 8.8. Our research provides a new direction for developing water fluoride ion removal materials.

Efficient Adsorption and Elimination of Tm3+ For Enhanced Seed Germination Using Pillar[5]Arene Polymer.

While rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for modern technology, their production methods raise concerns for agriculture. Researchers are now exploring ways to control and recycle REEs pollution, aiming to minimize agricultural impacts and potentially even develop methods to utilize these elements for improved crop yields. Regarding this issue, a new type of pillar[5]arene polymer (Pol-P[5]-BTZP) has been designed and synthesized by click reaction to enhance the efficiency of adsorption and recovery of rare earth metals. This polymer incorporates the unique structure of 2,6-di-1,2,3-triazolyl-pyridine. The results of various analyses revealed that Pol-P[5]-BTZP exhibits excellent thermal stability, a high specific surface area, and well-distributed networks of micropores and mesoporous structures. The adsorption capacity of Pol-P[5]-BTZP for Tm3+, a representative REE, was evaluated using the Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal adsorption models with a maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 127.71 mg/g. Furthermore, the versatility of Pol-P[5]-BTZP in adsorption and recovering various REEs was tested. In addition to its adsorption capabilities, the potential of Pol-P[5]-BTZP for rare earth recovery and reuse was assessed through experiments on the impact of Tm3+ and La3+ on seed germination. These experiments demonstrated the wide-ranging applicability of Pol-P[5]-BTZP in recovering and reusing REEs for green agriculture.

Molecular Insights into the Defense of Dioscorea opposita Cultivar Tiegun Callus Against Pathogenic and Endophytic Fungal Infection Through Transcriptome Analysis.

Dioscorea opposita cultivar Tiegun is an economically important crop with high nutritional and medicinal value. Plants can activate complex and diverse defense mechanisms after infection by pathogenic fungi. Moreover, endophytic fungi can also trigger the plant immune system to resist pathogen invasion. However, the study of the effects of endophytic fungi on plant infection lags far behind that of pathogenic fungi, and the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, the black spot pathogen Alternaria alternata and the endophytic fungus Penicillium halotolerans of Tiegun were identified and used to infect calli. The results showed that A. alternata could cause more severe membrane lipid peroxidation, whereas P. halotolerans could rapidly increase the activity of the plant antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase; thus, the degree of damage to the callus caused by P. halotolerans was weaker than that caused by A. alternata. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that various plant defense pathways, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, play important roles in triggering the plant immune response during fungal infection. Furthermore, the tryptophan metabolism, betalain biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, flavonoid biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis pathways may accelerate the infection of pathogenic fungi, and the ribosome biogenesis pathway in eukaryotes may retard the damage caused by endophytic fungi. This study lays a foundation for exploring the infection mechanism of yam pathogens and endophytic fungi and provides insight for effective fungal disease control in agriculture.

Therapeutic potential of the topical recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human Interleukin receptor antagonist (rhIL-Ra) can bind to the IL-1 receptor on the cell membrane and reversibly blocks the proinflammatory signaling pathway. However, its effect on allergic rhinitis (AR) and the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1Ra) on AR guinea pigs. METHODS: Guinea pigs were systemically sensitized by intraperitoneal injection and topical intranasal instillation with ovalbumin within 21 days. Animals administrated with saline served as the normal control. The AR animals were randomly divided into the model group and distinct concentrations of rhIL-1Ra and budesonide treatment groups. IL-1ß and ovalbumin specific IgE levels were detected by ELISA kits. Nasal mucosa tissues were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) for histological examination. RESULTS: It was found that the numbers of sneezing and nose rubbing were remarkably reduced in rhIL-1Ra and budesonide-treated guinea pigs. Besides, rhIL-1Ra distinctly alleviated IgE levels in serum and IL-1ß levels in nasal mucus, together with decreased exfoliation of epithelial cells, eosinophilic infiltration, tissue edema and vascular dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: rhIL-1Ra is effective in AR guinea pigs and may provide a novel potential choice for AR treatments.

Recent Advances of Food Hazard Detection Based on Artificial Nanochannel Sensors.

Food quality and safety are related to the health and safety of people, and food hazards are important influencing factors affecting food safety. It is strongly necessary to develop food safety rapid detection technology to ensure food safety. As a new detection technology, artificial nanochannel-based electrochemical and other methods have the advantages of being real-time, simple, and sensitive and are widely used in the detection of food hazards. In this paper, we review artificial nanochannel sensors as a new detection technology in food safety for different types of food hazards: biological hazards (bacteria, toxins, viruses) and chemical hazards (heavy metals, organic pollutants, food additives). At the same time, we critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of artificial nanochannel sensor detection, as well as the restrictions and solutions of detection, and finally look forward to the challenges and development prospects of food safety detection technology based on the limitations of artificial nanochannel detection. We expect to provide a theoretical basis and inspiration for the development of rapid real-time detection technology for food hazards and the production of portable detection equipment in the future.

Recent Advances in Stimulus-Responsive Nanocarriers for Pesticide Delivery.

In an effort to make pesticide use safer, more efficient, and sustainable, micro-/nanocarriers are increasingly being utilized in agriculture to deliver pesticide-active agents, thereby reducing quantities and improving effectiveness. In the use of nanopesticides, the choice to further design and prepare pesticide stimulus-responsive nanocarriers based on changes in the plant growth environment (light, temperature, pH, enzymes, etc.) has received more and more attention from researchers. Based on this, this paper examines recent advancements in nanomaterials for the design of stimulus-responsive micro-/nanocarriers. It delves into the intricacies of preparation methods, material enhancements, in vivo/ex vivo controlled release, and application techniques for controlled release formulations. The aim is to provide a crucial reference for harnessing nanotechnology to pursue reduced pesticide use and increased efficiency.

pH-Stimulated Response Gating for Mimic Cytochrome C Transport on Biomimetic Asymmetric Nanochannels.

Proteins are vital components in cells, biological tissues, and organs, playing a pivotal role in growth and developmental processes in living organisms. Cytochrome C (Cyt C) is a class of heme proteins found in almost all life and is involved in cellular energy metabolic processes such as respiration, mainly as electron carriers or terminal reductases. It binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, leading to apoptosis. It is a challenge to design a simple and effective artificial system to mimic the complex Cyt C biological transport process. In this paper, an asymmetric biomimetic pH-driven protein gate is described by introducing arginine (Arg) at one end of an hourglass-shaped nanochannel. The nanochannel shows a sensitive protonation-driven protein gate that can be "off" at pH = 7 and "on" at pH = 2. Further studies show that differences in the binding of Arg and Cyt C at different levels of protonation lead to different switching behaviors within the nanochannels, which in turn lead to different surface charges within the nanochannels. It can be used for detecting Cyt C and as an excellent and robust gate for developing integrated circuits and nanoelectronic logic devices.

Tailoring vanadium oxide crystal orientation for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Due to the increasing demand for higher security and low-cost energy storage systems, the main research focus has been developing a suitable substitute for lithium-ion batteries. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered the best alternative to lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage devices. Owing to its high capacity, vanadate is a promising cathode material for AZIBs. The crystallographic orientation of cathode materials dramatically influences the rate performance and cycling life. Here, Mg0.57V5O12·2.3H2O (MgVO) with favorable (001) crystal orientation and significantly improved electrochemical performance is prepared by a simple stirring method. The crystal growth orientations of MgVO are altered by adjusting the aging time of the reactant solution. The (001)-orientated grain growth of MgVO delivers a 232.5 mA h g-1 capacity at 5 A g-1 with a 94% capacity retention rate after 1400 cycles. The zinc ion storage performance of MgVO demonstrates that the orientation-controlled method can design effective cathode materials for high-performance ZIBs.