Curcumae Radix: A Review of Traditional Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Quality Control.

Curcumae Radix (CuR) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used in China for more than 1,000 years. It has the traditional efficacy of activating blood and relieving pain, promoting qi and relieving depression, clearing heart and cooling blood, and promoting gallbladder and removing jaundice. Based on this, many domestic and foreign scholars have conducted systematic studies on its chemical composition, pharmacological effects, toxicity and quality control. Currently, 250 compounds, mainly including terpenoids and curcuminoids, have been isolated and identified from CuR, which has pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, hemostatic, hematopoietic, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. In modern clinical practice, CuR is widely used in the treatment of tumors, breast hyperplasia, hepatitis, and stroke. However, the generation of toxicity and clinical application of CuR and Caryophylli Flos, the determination of the concoction process of artifacts, the determination of specific Quality Marker, and the establishment of the quality control system of CuR, are problems that need to be solved urgently at present.

Research progress of the detection and analysis methods of heavy metals in plants.

Heavy metal (HM)-induced stress can lead to the enrichment of HMs in plants thereby threatening people's lives and health via the food chain. For this reason, there is an urgent need for some reliable and practical techniques to detect and analyze the absorption, distribution, accumulation, chemical form, and transport of HMs in plants for reducing or regulating HM content. Not only does it help to explore the mechanism of plant HM response, but it also holds significant importance for cultivating plants with low levels of HMs. Even though this field has garnered significant attention recently, only minority researchers have systematically summarized the different methods of analysis. This paper outlines the detection and analysis techniques applied in recent years for determining HM concentration in plants, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT) and omics and molecular biology approaches. They can detect the chemical forms, spatial distribution, uptake and transport of HMs in plants. For this paper, the principles behind these techniques are clarified, their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted, their applications are explored, and guidance for selecting the appropriate methods to study HMs in plants is provided for later research. It is also expected to promote the innovation and development of HM-detection technologies and offer ideas for future research concerning HM accumulation in plants.

Apoptotic extracellular vesicles derived from hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells within a modified gelatine hydrogel promote osteochondral regeneration by enhancing stem cell activity and regulating immunity.

Due to its unique structure, articular cartilage has limited abilities to undergo self-repair after injury. Additionally, the repair of articular cartilage after injury has always been a difficult problem in the field of sports medicine. Previous studies have shown that the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) has great potential for promoting cartilage repair. Recent studies have demonstrated that most transplanted stem cells undergo apoptosis in vivo, and the apoptotic EVs (ApoEVs) that are subsequently generated play crucial roles in tissue repair. Additionally, MSCs are known to exist under low-oxygen conditions in the physiological environment, and these hypoxic conditions can alter the functional and secretory properties of MSCs as well as their secretomes. This study aimed to investigate whether ApoEVs that are isolated from adipose-derived MSCs cultured under hypoxic conditions (hypoxic apoptotic EVs [H-ApoEVs]) exert greater effects on cartilage repair than those that are isolated from cells cultured under normoxic conditions. Through in vitro cell proliferation and migration experiments, we demonstrated that H-ApoEVs exerted enhanced effects on stem cell proliferation, stem cell migration, and bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) M2 polarization compared to ApoEVs. Furthermore, we utilized a modified gelatine matrix/3D-printed extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold complex as a carrier to deliver H-ApoEVs into the joint cavity, thus establishing a cartilage regeneration system. The 3D-printed ECM scaffold provided mechanical support and created a microenvironment that was conducive to cartilage regeneration, and the H-ApoEVs further enhanced the regenerative capacity of endogenous stem cells and the immunomodulatory microenvironment of the joint cavity; thus, this approach significantly promoted cartilage repair. In conclusion, this study confirmed that a ApoEVs delivery system based on a modified gelatine matrix/3D-printed ECM scaffold together with hypoxic preconditioning enhances the functionality of stem cell-derived ApoEVs and represents a promising approach for promoting cartilage regeneration.

Alkaline shear-thinning micro-nanocomposite hydrogels initiate endogenous TGFß signaling for in situ bone regeneration.

Recruiting endogenous stem cells to bone defects without stem cell transplantation and exogenous factor delivery represents a promising strategy for bone regeneration. Herein, we develop an alkaline shear-thinning micro-nanocomposite hydrogel (10-MmN), aiming to alkaline-activate endogenous TGFß1 and achieve in situ bone regeneration. It contains polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified gelatin, laponite nanoplatelets (LAP), a bicarbonate buffer with a pH of 10, and gelatin microspheres (MSs). PEI-modified gelatin plays a pivotal role in hydrogel fabrication. It endows the system with sufficient positive charges, and forms a shear-thinning nanocomposite matrix in the pH 10 buffer (10-mN) with negatively charged LAP via electrostatic gelation. For biological functions, the pH 10 buffer dominates alkaline activation of endogenous serum TGFß1 to recruit rat bone marrow stem cells through the Smad pathway, followed by improved osteogenic differentiation. In addition, MSs are incorporated into 10-mN to form 10-MmN, and function as substrates to provide good attachment sites for the recruited stem cells and facilitate further their osteogenic differentiation. In a rat critical-sized calvarial defect model, 10-MmN exhibits excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, hydrogel infusion and retention in bone defects with flexible shapes and active bleeding. Importantly, it repairs ~95% of the defect areas in 3 months by recruiting TGFßR2+ and CD90+CD146+ stem cells, and promoting cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. The present study provides a biomaterial-based strategy to regulate alkalinity in bone defects for the initiation of endogenous TGFß signaling, which can be extended to treat other diseases.

Deep Learning-Predicted Dihydroartemisinin Rescues Osteoporosis by Maintaining Mesenchymal Stem Cell Stemness through Activating Histone 3 Lys 9 Acetylation.

Maintaining the stemness of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) is crucial for bone homeostasis and regeneration. However, in vitro expansion and bone diseases impair BMMSC stemness, limiting its functionality in bone tissue engineering. Using a deep learning-based efficacy prediction system and bone tissue sequencing, we identify a natural small-molecule compound, dihydroartemisinin (DHA), that maintains BMMSC stemness and enhances bone regeneration. During long-term in vitro expansion, DHA preserves BMMSC stemness characteristics, including its self-renewal ability and unbiased differentiation. In an osteoporosis mouse model, oral administration of DHA restores the femur trabecular structure, bone density, and BMMSC stemness in situ. Mechanistically, DHA maintains BMMSC stemness by promoting histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation via GCN5 activation both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the bone-targeted delivery of DHA by mesoporous silica nanoparticles improves its therapeutic efficacy in osteoporosis. Collectively, DHA could be a promising therapeutic agent for treating osteoporosis by maintaining BMMSC stemness.

Parishin A-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles modulate macrophage polarization to attenuate tendinopathy.

Macrophages are involved mainly in the balance between inflammation and tenogenesis during the healing process of tendinopathy. However, etiological therapeutic strategies to efficiently treat tendinopathy by modulating macrophage state are still lacking. In this study, we find that a small molecule compound Parishin-A (PA) isolated from Gastrodia elata could promote anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization by inhibiting gene transcription and protein phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1. Local injection or sustained delivery of PA by mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) could almost recover the native tendon's dense parallel-aligned collagen matrix in collagenase-induced tendinopathy by modulating macrophage-mediated immune microenvironment and preventing heterotopic ossification. Especially, MSNs decrease doses of PA, frequency of injection and yield preferable therapeutic effects. Mechanistically, intervention with PA could indirectly inhibit activation of mammalian target of rapamycin to repress chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells by influencing macrophage inflammatory cytokine secretion. Together, pharmacological intervention with a natural small-molecule compound to modulate macrophage status appears to be a promising strategy for tendinopathy treatment.

Young Exosome Bio-Nanoparticles Restore Aging-Impaired Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cell Function and Reparative Capacity.

Aging impairs tendon stem/progenitor cell function and tendon homeostasis, however, effective treatments for aging-induced tendon diseases are lacking. Exosomes are naturally derived nanoparticles that contain bioactive molecules, and therefore, have attracted great interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, it is shown that young exosomes secreted by stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED-Exos) possess abundant anti-aging signals. These young bio-nanoparticles can alleviate the aging phenotypes of aged tendon stem/progenitor cells (AT-SCs) and maintain their tenogenic capacity. Mechanistically, SHED-Exos modulate histone methylation and inhibit nuclear factor-κB to reverse AT-SC aging. In a naturally aging mouse model, systemic administration of SHED-Exo bio-nanoparticles retards tendon degeneration. Interestingly, local delivery of SHED-Exos-loaded microspheres confers anti-aging phenotypes, including reduced senescent cells and decreased ectopic bone formation, thereby functionally and structurally rescuing endogenous tendon regeneration and repair capacity in aged rats. Overall, SHED-Exos, as natural bioactive nanoparticles, have promising translational and therapeutic potential for aging-related diseases.

Induction of Cartilage Regeneration by Nanoparticles Loaded with Dentin Matrix Extracted Proteins.

Due to the limited self-repair capacity of articular cartilage, tissue engineering has good application prospects for cartilage regeneration. Dentin contains several key growth factors involved in cartilage regeneration. However, it remains unknown whether dentin matrix extracted proteins (DMEP) can be utilized as a complex growth factor mixture to induce cartilage regeneration. In this work, we extracted DMEP from human dentin and improved the content and activity of chondrogenic-related growth factors in DMEP by alkaline conditioning. Afterward, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with particular physical and chemical properties were composed to selectively load and sustain the release of proteins in DMEP. MSN-DMEP promoted chondrogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with fewer growth factors than exogenously added transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1). Therefore, MSN-DMEP may serve as a promising candidate for cartilage regeneration as an alternative to expensive synthetic growth factors. Impact statement Several growth factors embedded in dentin matrix could be involved in cartilage regeneration. This article reports that alkaline conditioning could improve the content and activity of chondrogenic-related growth factors in dentin matrix extracted proteins (DMEP). Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with particular physical and chemical properties performed well in loading and sustained releasing of proteins in DMEP. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that MSN-DMEP could be a promising candidate for cartilage regeneration as an alternative to expensive synthetic growth factors.

Alkaline activation of endogenous latent TGFß1 by an injectable hydrogel directs cell homing for in situ complex tissue regeneration.

Utilization of the body's regenerative potential for tissue repair is known as in situ tissue regeneration. However, the use of exogenous growth factors requires delicate control of the dose and delivery strategies and may be accompanied by safety, efficacy and cost concerns. In this study, we developed, for the first time, a biomaterial-based strategy to activate endogenous transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß1) under alkaline conditions for effective in situ tissue regeneration. We demonstrated that alkaline-activated TGFß1 from blood serum, bone marrow fluids and soaking solutions of meniscus and tooth dentin was capable of increasing cell recruitment and early differentiation, implying its broad practicability. Furthermore, we engineered an injectable hydrogel (MS-Gel) consisting of gelatin microspheres for loading strong alkaline substances and a modified gelatin matrix for hydrogel click crosslinking. In vitro models showed that alkaline MS-Gel controllably and sustainably activated endogenous TGFß1 from tooth dentin for robust bone marrow stem cell migration. More importantly, infusion of in vivo porcine prepared root canals with alkaline MS-Gel promoted significant pulp-dentin regeneration with neurovascular stroma and mineralized tissue by endogenous proliferative cells. Therefore, this work offers a new bench-to-beside translation strategy using biomaterial-activated endogenous biomolecules to achieve in situ tissue regeneration without the need for cell or protein delivery.

Electrophoretic deposition of novel semi-permeable coatings on 3D-printed Ti-Nb alloy meshes for guided alveolar bone regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques use barrier membranes to augment the alveolar ridge for the site-specific growth of bone defects. However, current approaches using cast metal substructures exhibit poor adaptation to the surgical site and increased risk of infection. This study aimed to fabricate multi-functional coatings with 3D-printed porous titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy meshes to maintain space, prevent the ingrowth of fibroblasts and inhibit the colonization of bacteria for GBR. METHODS: Ti-Nb alloy meshes were prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) and used as substrates for novel surface coatings. Porous chitosan (CS)/ gelatin (G)/ doxycycline (Dox) coatings were formed on the meshes using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and freeze-drying. The process of EPD was characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential, and particle size analysis. The cytotoxicity of the coatings was evaluated through the culture of osteoblasts and immunostaining. The antibacterial activity of the coatings was tested using inhibition zone tests against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The inhibition of fibroblasts infiltration and nutrients transfer properties were analyzed using immunostaining and permeability tests. RESULTS: High yield strength (567.5 ± 3.5 MPa) and low elastic modulus (65.5 ± 0.2 GPa) were achieved in Ti-Nb alloy bulk samples. The data of zeta potential, FT-IR and SEM indicated that porous spongy coatings were chemically bonded following EPD. In vitro analysis of CSGDox1 (containing Dox at 1 mg·mL-1) coating revealed its antibacterial effect and biocompatibility. Moreover, the CSGDox1 coating was proved to be effective for preventing the ingrowth of fibroblasts, whilst allowing the infiltration of nutrients. SIGNIFICANCE: This study verified that the EPD of CSGDox coatings on the 3D-printed Ti-Nb meshes can maintain space, provide antibiotic release whilst maintaining a barrier against soft-tissue growth, which is essential for the success of GBR treatment.

Assessment of microbiota diversity in dental unit waterline contamination.

BACKGROUND: Dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) provide water for handpieces, air/water syringes, and mouth-rinse water outlets. DUWL contamination can negatively affect the operating environment and public health. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the bacterial concentrations and microbial composition in the DUWLs from different dental specialties. METHODS: We collected 350 5-mL dental water samples (from high-speed handpieces, air/water syringes, and mouth-rinse water outlets) from 60 dental chair units (DCUs) at a dental hospital to determine the bacterial concentrations by culture methods. Meanwhile, to investigate the diversity and community structure of microbe in the DUWLs, 17 high-quality DNA from 60 250-mL air/water syringe water samples, which were collected from the same 60 DCUs, were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS: The median bacterial concentration was 166 (31.5, 672.5) CFU/mL and the range was 0-3,816,000 CFU/mL. Only 42.6% of the water samples had bacterial concentrations below 100 CFU/mL. The Kruskal-Wallis H-test revealed that the water samples from three dental specialties had significantly different bacterial concentrations (H = 27.441, P < 0.01). High-throughput sequencing results showed significant differences in bacterial community structure between periodontics and the other two dental specialties. In the samples from three dental specialties, 508 OTUs were detected, with 160, 182 and 176 OTUs unique to the periodontics, endodontics and prosthodontics specialties, respectively. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) suggested that Hydrocarboniphaga, Zoogloea, Aquabacterium, and Hydrogenophaga were enriched in the periodontics specialty; Acinetobacter, Geothrix, and Desulfovibrio were enriched in the prosthodontics specialty; and Alistipes, Clostridium XIVa, and Serratia were enriched in the endodontics specialty. Seven potentially human-pathogenic genera (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingomonas, Ochrobactrum, Rhizobium, Brevundimonas, and Methylobacterium) with relative abundance exceeding 1% were also detected in the DUWLs. CONCLUSIONS: The bacterial concentrations and microbial composition were influenced by different dental specialties, so a validated disinfection protocol should be used to control DUWL contamination in different dental specialties.

Integrin α9 is involved in the pathopoiesis of acute aortic dissection via mediating phenotype switch of vascular smooth muscle cell.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a devastating disease with high mortality; however, the pathogenic mechanisms of AAD remain poorly understood. Our present study aimed to identify genes associated with AAD and explore the molecular function of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of AAD. We used a whole-genome transcriptional microarray to identify putative AAD genes using ascending aortic tissues from four patients with AAD and four healthy organ donors. The differentially expressed genes were further validated in eight patients with AAD and eight healthy organ donors. Functional assessments were conducted to analyze the effects of the identified AAD genes on the phenotype of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The whole-genome transcriptional microarray analysis found 129 dysregulated genes in the ascending aortic tissues of AAD (fold change≥2), which were mainly associated with the focal adhesion pathway and actin cytoskeleton regulation pathway. Among these genes, integrin α9 (ITGA9) was identified to be involved in both pathways and downregulated by 50% in AAD patients. The association of ITGA9 with AAD was confirmed by Western blotting analysis (P = 0.003). Functional studies showed that knocking down ITGA9 in VSMCs resulted in a decrease in contractile markers (SM22α and α-SMA) and an increase in synthetic markers (OPN and SMemb), suggesting that the VSMCs switched from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. After overexpression of ITGA9 by a recombinant adenovirus vector in VSMCs, SM22α and α-SMA were upregulated, while SMemb was downregulated, indicating a phenotypic switch from the synthetic to contractile phenotype of VSMCs. In conclusion, our study identified ITGA9 as a novel AAD gene. This gene is downregulated in patients with AAD and is involved in the regulation of the phenotypic switch of VSMCs from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype.

Electromagnetic interference effect of dental equipment on cardiac implantable electrical devices: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The electromagnet interference (EMI) effect resulting from using dental equipment near cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is controversial based on in vitro and in vivo studies. We aimed to summarize the available evidence to investigate the safety of using dental equipment on patients with CIEDs. METHODS: An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE Ovid, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies published between January 2000 and May 2020. The search strategy centered on terms related to dental devices and CIEDs. Two independent reviewers determined the final inclusion of the studies in the systematic review. The EMI effect was summarized based on different dental instruments detected in in vitro or in vivo studies. RESULTS: The primary search identified 84 articles, and 18 studies were finally included in this systematic review after exclusions. Most in vitro studies (n = 12) reported background noise or severe EMI affecting CIED function at a close distance from the lead tip or at a high sensitivity setting of CIEDs. In in vivo studies (n = 6), EMI that altered CIED function was not detected at clinical distance and sensitivity settings. The summary, based on electronic apex locators, ultrasonic devices, and electric pulp testers, demonstrated the compatibility of these common dental devices with CIEDs. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review indicates that most dental instruments can be used safely in routine dental practice. The EMI effect of dental equipment depends on the exposure distance and lead-related parameters of the CIEDs.

Towards large-scale graphene transfer.

The transfer process is crucial for obtaining high-quality graphene for its large-scale industrial application. In this review, graphene transfer methods are systematically classified along with an analysis of the contamination or impurity of graphene that is introduced during the transfer process. Two key processes are emphasized, the substrate removal process and the direct/indirect transfer of graphene. Based on the efficiency and cost factors of industrial scale production, various transfer methods are summarized and evaluated. Potential transfer technologies and future research directions for industrial application are prospected.

Parenchymal and stromal tissue regeneration of tooth organ by pivotal signals reinstated in decellularized matrix.

Cells are transplanted to regenerate an organs' parenchyma, but how transplanted parenchymal cells induce stromal regeneration is elusive. Despite the common use of a decellularized matrix, little is known as to the pivotal signals that must be restored for tissue or organ regeneration. We report that Alx3, a developmentally important gene, orchestrated adult parenchymal and stromal regeneration by directly transactivating Wnt3a and vascular endothelial growth factor. In contrast to the modest parenchyma formed by native adult progenitors, Alx3-restored cells in decellularized scaffolds not only produced vascularized stroma that involved vascular endothelial growth factor signalling, but also parenchymal dentin via the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. In an orthotopic large-animal model following parenchyma and stroma ablation, Wnt3a-recruited endogenous cells regenerated neurovascular stroma and differentiated into parenchymal odontoblast-like cells that extended the processes into newly formed dentin with a structure-mechanical equivalency to native dentin. Thus, the Alx3-Wnt3a axis enables postnatal progenitors with a modest innate regenerative capacity to regenerate adult tissues. Depleted signals in the decellularized matrix may be reinstated by a developmentally pivotal gene or corresponding protein.

A simple layer-stacking technique to generate biomolecular and mechanical gradients in photocrosslinkable hydrogels.

Physicochemical and biological gradients are desirable features for hydrogels to enhance their relevance to biological environments for three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. Therefore, simple and efficient techniques to generate chemical, physical and biological gradients within hydrogels are highly desirable. This work demonstrates a technique to generate biomolecular and mechanical gradients in photocrosslinkable hydrogels by stacking and crosslinking prehydrogel solution in a layer by layer manner. Partial crosslinking of the hydrogel allows mixing of prehydrogel solution with the previous hydrogel layer, which makes a smooth gradient profile, rather than discrete layers. This technique enables the generation of concentration gradients of bovine serum albumin in both gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels, as well as mechanical gradients across a hydrogel containing varying gel concentrations. Fluorescence microscopy, mechanical testing, and scanning electron microscopy show that the gradient profiles can be controlled by changing both the volume and concentration of each layer as well as intensity of UV exposure. GelMA hydrogel gradients with different Young's moduli were successfully used to culture human fibroblasts. The fibroblasts migrated along the gradient axis and showed different morphologies. In general, the proposed technique provides a rapid and simple approach to design and fabricate 3D hydrogel gradients for in vitro biological studies and potentially for in vivo tissue engineering applications.

A general and simple method for evaluating the electrical transport performance of graphene by the van der Pauw-Hall measurement.

Expected for many promising applications in the field of electronics and optoelectronics, a reliable method for the characterization of graphene electrical transport properties is desired to predict its device performance or provide feedback for its synthesis. However, the commonly used methods of extracting carrier mobility from graphene field effect transistor or Hall-bar is time consuming, expensive, and significantly affected by the device fabrication process other than graphene itself. Here we reported a general and simple method to evaluate the electrical transport performance of graphene by the van der Pauw-Hall measurement. By annealing graphene in vacuum to remove the adsorbed dopants and then exposing it in ambient surroundings, carrier mobility as a function of density can be measured with the increase of carrier density due to the dopant re-adsorption from the surroundings. Further, the relationship between the carrier mobility and density can be simply fitted with a power equation to the first level approximation, with which any pair of measured carrier mobility and density can be normalized to an arbitrary carrier density for comparison. We experimentally demonstrated the reliability of the method, which is much simpler than making devices and may promote the standard making for graphene characterization.

Mesoporous Magnesium Oxide Hollow Spheres as Superior Arsenite Adsorbent: Synthesis and Adsorption Behavior.

Arsenic contamination in natural water has posed a significant threat to global health due to its toxicity and carcinogenity. Adsorption technology is an easy and flexible method for arsenic removal with high efficiency. In this Article, we demonstrated the synthesis of mesoporous MgO hollow spheres (MgO-HS) and their application as high performance arsenite (As(III)) adsorbent. MgO-HS with uniform particle size (∼180 nm), high specific surface area (175 m(2) g(-1)), and distinguished mesopores (9.5 nm in size) have been prepared by hard-templating approach using mesoporous hollow carbon spheres as templates. An ultrahigh maximum As(III) adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 892 mg g(-1) was achieved in batch As(III) removal study. Adsorption kinetic study demonstrated that MgO-HS could enable As(III) adsorption 6 times faster as a commercial MgO adsorbent. The ultrahigh adsorption capacity and faster adsorption kinetics were attributed to the unique structure and morphology of MgO-HS that enabled fast transformation into a flower-like porous structure composed of ultrathin Mg(OH)2 nanosheets. This in situ formed structure provided abundant and highly accessible hydroxyl groups, which enhanced the adsorption performance toward As(III). The outstanding As(III) removal capability of MgO-HS showed their great promise as highly efficient adsorbents for As(III) sequestration from contaminated water.

Kinetically Controlled Assembly of Nitrogen-Doped Invaginated Carbon Nanospheres with Tunable Mesopores.

Mesoporous hollow carbon nanospheres (MHCS) have been extensively studied owning to their unique structural features and diverse potential applications. A surfactant-free self-assembly approach between resorcinol/formaldehyde and silicon alkoxide has emerged as an important strategy to prepare MHCS. Extending such a strategy to other substituted phenols to produce heterogeneous-atom-doped MHCS remains a challenge due to the very different polymerization kinetics of various resins. Herein, we report an ethylenediamine-assisted strategy to control the cooperative self-assembly between a 3-aminophenol/formaldehyde resin and silica templates. Nitrogen-doped mesoporous invaginated carbon nanospheres (N-MICS) with an N content of 6.18 at %, high specific surface areas (up to 1118 m2 g-1 ), large pore volumes (2.47 cm3 g-1 ), and tunable mesopores (3.7-11.1 nm) have been prepared. When used as electrical double-layer supercapacitors, N-MICS show a high capacitance of 261 F g-1 , an outstanding cycling stability (≈94 % capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles), and a good rate performance.

Understanding the contribution of surface roughness and hydrophobic modification of silica nanoparticles to enhanced therapeutic protein delivery.

Intracellular protein delivery holds great promise for cancer therapy. In this work, the individual and combined contribution of the surface roughness and hydrophobic modification (octadecyl-group) of silica nanoparticles has been studied in a number of events for cellular delivery of therapeutic proteins, including loading capacity, release behaviour, cellular uptake and endo/lysosomal escape. Both surface roughening and hydrophobic modification enhance the protein adsorption capacity and sustained release, while the contribution from the surface roughness is higher for loading capacity and hydrophobic modification is more effective for sustained protein release. Both structural parameters improve the cellular uptake performance; however the difference in the contribution is cell type-dependent. Only the hydrophobic modification shows a contribution to endo/lysosomal escape, independent of the surface topography. Octadecyl-functionalized rough silica nanoparticles thus show the best performance in therapeutic protein (RNase A) delivery, causing significant cell viability inhibition in different cancer cells among all groups under study.