Public participation in healthcare students' education: An umbrella review.

BACKGROUND: An often-hidden element in healthcare students' education is the pedagogy of public involvement, yet public participation can result in deep learning for students with positive impacts on the public who participate. OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to synthesize published literature reviews that described the impact of public participation in healthcare students' education. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, ERIC, PsychINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and the PROSPERO register for literature reviews on public participation in healthcare students' education. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Reviews published in the last 10 years were included if they described patient or public participation in healthcare students' education and reported the impacts on students, the public, curricula or healthcare systems. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted using a predesigned data extraction form and narratively synthesized. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty reviews met our inclusion criteria reporting on outcomes related to students, the public, curriculum and future professional practice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings raise awareness of the benefits and challenges of public participation in healthcare students' education and may inform future research exploring how public participation can best be utilized in higher education. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This review was inspired by conversations with public healthcare consumers who saw value in public participation in healthcare students' education. Studies included involved public participants, providing a deeper understanding of the impacts of public participation in healthcare students' education.

Hormetic Response of Photosystem II Function Induced by Nontoxic Calcium Hydroxide Nanoparticles.

In recent years, inorganic nanoparticles, including calcium hydroxide nanoparticles [Ca Ca(OH)2 NPs], have attracted significant interest for their ability to impact plant photosynthesis and boost agricultural productivity. In this study, the effects of 15 and 30 mg L-1 oleylamine-coated calcium hydroxide nanoparticles [Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs] on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry were investigated on tomato plants at their growth irradiance (GI) (580 µmol photons m-2 s-1) and at high irradiance (HI) (1000 µmol photons m-2 s-1). Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs synthesized via a microwave-assisted method revealed a crystallite size of 25 nm with 34% w/w of oleylamine coater, a hydrodynamic size of 145 nm, and a ζ-potential of 4 mV. Compared with the control plants (sprayed with distilled water), PSII efficiency in tomato plants sprayed with Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs declined as soon as 90 min after the spray, accompanied by a higher excess excitation energy at PSII. Nevertheless, after 72 h, the effective quantum yield of PSII electron transport (ΦPSII) in tomato plants sprayed with Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs enhanced due to both an increase in the fraction of open PSII reaction centers (qp) and to the enhancement in the excitation capture efficiency (Fv'/Fm') of these centers. However, the decrease at the same time in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) resulted in an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It can be concluded that Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs, by effectively regulating the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanism, enhanced the electron transport rate (ETR) and decreased the excess excitation energy in tomato leaves. The delay in the enhancement of PSII photochemistry by the calcium hydroxide NPs was less at the GI than at the HI. The enhancement of PSII function by calcium hydroxide NPs is suggested to be triggered by the NPQ mechanism that intensifies ROS generation, which is considered to be beneficial. Calcium hydroxide nanoparticles, in less than 72 h, activated a ROS regulatory network of light energy partitioning signaling that enhanced PSII function. Therefore, synthesized Ca(OH)2@OAm NPs could potentially be used as photosynthetic biostimulants to enhance crop yields, pending further testing on other plant species.

Cationic Foldamer-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Inherently Chiral Cages.

The stereochemistry of shape-persistent molecular cages, particularly those resembling prisms, exerts significant influence on their application-specific functionalities. Although methods exist for fabricating inherently chiral prism-like cages, strategies for catalytic asymmetric synthesis of these structures in a diversity-oriented fashion remain unexplored. Herein, we introduce an unprecedented organocatalytic desymmetrization approach for the generation of inherently chiral prism-like cages via phosphonium-containing foldamer-catalyzed SNAr reactions. This methodology establishes a topological connection, enabling the facile assembly of a wide range of versatile stereogenic-at-cage building blocks possessing two highly modifiable groups. Furthermore, subsequent stereospecific transformations of the remaining chlorides and/or ethers afford convenient access to numerous functionally relevant chiral-at-cage molecules.

Artificial Polymerizations in Living Organisms for Biomedical Applications.

Within living organisms, numerous nanomachines are constantly involved in complex polymerization processes, generating a diverse array of biomacromolecules for maintaining biological activities. Transporting artificial polymerizations from lab settings into biological contexts has expanded opportunities for understanding and managing biological events, creating novel cellular compartments, and introducing new functionalities. This review summarizes the recent advancements in artificial polymerizations, including those responding to external stimuli, internal environmental factors, and those that polymerize spontaneously. More importantly, the cutting-edge biomedical application scenarios of artificial polymerization, notably in safeguarding cells, modulating biological events, improving diagnostic performance, and facilitating therapeutic efficacy are highlighted. Finally, this review outlines the key challenges and technological obstacles that remain for polymerizations in biological organisms, as well as offers insights into potential directions for advancing their practical applications and clinical trials.

Intracellularly Synthesized Artificial Exosome Treats Acute Lung Injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), induce high morbidity and mortality rates, which challenge the present approaches for the treatment of ALI/ARDS. The clinically used photosensitizer verteporfin (VER) exhibits great potential in the treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) by regulating macrophage polarization and reducing inflammation. Nevertheless, its hydrophobic characteristics, nonspecificity, and constrained bioavailability hinder its therapeutic efficacy. In this work, we developed a type of VER-cored artificial exosome (EVM), which was produced by using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to load VER, followed by the exocytosis of internalized VER-MSNs from mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) without further modification. Both in vitro and in vivo assessments confirmed the powerful anti-inflammation induced by EVM. EVM also showed significant higher accumulation to inflammatory lungs compared with healthy ones, which was beneficial to the treatment of ALI/ARDS. EVM improved pulmonary function, attenuated lung injury, and reduced mortality in ALI mice with high levels of biocompatibility, exhibiting a 5-fold higher survival rate than the control. This type of artificial exosome emitted near-infrared light in the presence of laser activation, which endowed EVM with trackable ability both in vitro and in vivo. Our work developed a type of clinically used photosensitizer-loaded artificial exosome with membrane integrity and traceability. To the best of our knowledge, this kind of intracellularly synthesized artificial exosome was developed and showed great potential in ALI/ARDS therapy.

Epigenetic repression of de novo cysteine synthetases induces intra-cellular accumulation of cysteine in hepatocarcinoma by up-regulating the cystine uptake transporter xCT.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic reprogramming of amino acids is critical for cancer cell growth and survival. Notably, intracellular accumulation of cysteine is often observed in various cancers, suggesting its potential role in alleviating the oxidative stress associated with rapid proliferation. The liver is the primary organ for cysteine biosynthesis, but much remains unknown about the metabolic alterations of cysteine and their mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS: RNA-seq data from patients with hepatocarcinoma were analyzed using the TNMplot database. The underlying mechanism of the oncogenic alteration of cysteine metabolism was studied in mice implanted with BNL 1ME A.7 R.1 hepatocarcinoma. RESULTS: Database analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma revealed that the expression of enzymes involved in de novo cysteine synthesis was down-regulated accompanying with increased expression of the cystine uptake transporter xCT. Similar alterations in gene expression have also been observed in a syngeneic mouse model of hepatocarcinoma. The enhanced expression of DNA methyltransferase in murine hepatocarcinoma cells caused methylation of the upstream regions of cysteine synthesis genes, thereby repressing their expression. Conversely, suppression of de novo cysteine synthesis in healthy liver cells induced xCT expression by up-regulating the oxidative-stress response factor NRF2, indicating that reduced de novo cysteine synthesis repulsively increases cystine uptake via enhanced xCT expression, leading to intracellular cysteine accumulation. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of xCT activity decreased intracellular cysteine levels and suppressed hepatocarcinoma tumor growth in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate an underlying mechanism of the oncogenic alteration of cysteine metabolism in hepatocarcinoma and highlight the efficacy of alteration of cysteine metabolism as a viable therapeutic target in cancer.

Regulation of matrix reloading by tumor endothelial marker 1 protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1), an activated mesenchymal cell marker, is implicated in tissue remodeling and repair. Herein, we investigated the role and therapeutic implications of TEM1 in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a potentially life-threatening aortic disease characterized by vascular inflammation and matrix turnover. Characterization of human AAA revealed increased TEM1 expression derived mainly from medial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and adventitial fibroblasts. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated the association between TEM1-expressing VSMCs and fibroblasts and collagen gene expression. Consistently, collagen content and TEM1 expressed by VSMCs and fibroblasts were increased during CaCl2-induced AAA formation in mice. TEM1 silencing in VSMCs and fibroblasts inhibited transforming growth factor-ß1-induced phenotypic change, SMAD2 phosphorylation, and COL1A1 gene expression. Also, Tem1 deficiency reduced collagen synthesis and exacerbated CaCl2-induced AAA formation in mice without disturbing elastin destruction and inflammatory responses. In contrast, rTEM1 promoted phenotypic change and COL1A1 gene expression through SMAD2 phosphorylation in VSMCs and fibroblasts. Treatment with rTEM1 enhanced collagen synthesis, attenuated elastin fragmentation, and inhibited CaCl2-induced and angiotensin II-infused AAA formation. In summary, TEM1 in resident stromal cells regulates collagen synthesis to counteract aortic wall failure during AAA formation. Matrix integrity restored by rTEM1 treatment may hold therapeutic potential against AAA.

Phytofabrication, characterization of silver nanoparticles using Hippophae rhamnoides berries extract and their biological activities.

Introduction: Fabrication of plant-based metal nanoparticles has yielded promising results, establishing this approach as viable, sustainable, and non-toxic in the biomedical sector for targeted drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, biosensing, cancer therapy, and antimicrobial treatments. Methods: The present work demonstrates the suitability of Hippophae rhamnoides berries for the instant green synthesis of silver nanoparticles to check their antioxidant, lipid peroxidation, and antimicrobial potential. The preliminary characterization of Hippophae rhamnoides-mediated AgNPs was validated by monitoring the color shift in the solution from pale yellow to reddish brown, which was further confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and the plasmon peaks were observed at 450 nm. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to evaluate the surface topography and structure of AgNPs. Herein, the antioxidant potential of synthesized AgNPs was investigated using DPPH free radical assay and the antimicrobial efficacy of similar was checked against E. coli and S. aureus by following MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (Minimum bactericidal concentration) assay. Along with the inhibitory percentage of lipid peroxidation was analysed by following TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive species) assay. Results & discussion: The results revealed that the AgNPs were spherical in shape with an average size distribution within the range of 23.5-28 nm and a crystalline structure. Negative zeta potential (-19.7 mV) revealed the physical stability of synthesized AgNPs as the repulsive force to prevent immediate aggregation. The bioactive functional moieties involved in reducing bulk AgNO3 into AgNPs were further validated by FTIR. TBARS was adapted to test lipid peroxidation, and Hippophae rhamnoides-mediated AgNPs showed a 79% inhibition in lipid peroxidation compared to Hippophae rhamnoides berries extract as 65%. Furthermore, the antibacterial tests showed 37 ± 0.01 mm and 35 ± 0.0132 mm, zones of inhibition against E. coli MTCC 1698 and S. aureus MTCC 3160 with MIC and MBC values of 1 mg/mL, respectively.

Effect of precipitating agent, N2 gas, extract volume and pH on the magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles by green synthesis from aqueous pomegranate peel extract.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPMNPs) have attracted considerable attention in biomedicine, particularly magnetic hyperthermia for cancer treatment. However, the development of efficient and eco-friendly methods for synthesizing SPMNPs remains a challenge. This study reports on a green synthesis approach for SPMNPs using pomegranate peel extract as a stabilizing agent. The effects of various synthesis parameters, including the type of precipitating agent (NH3 and NaOH), N2 gas, extract volume, and pH, were systematically investigated with regard to the size, morphology, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The results showed that reducing the volume of the extract increased the saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles. N2 gas was found to be essential in preventing the oxidation of the nanoparticles. The type of precipitating agent also affected the size and magnetization of the nanoparticles, with NaOH leading to the synthesis of SPMNPs with higher magnetization (∼4 times) compared to NH3. Additionally, nanoparticles synthesized at pH 10 exhibited higher magnetization than those synthesized at pH 8 and 12. In conclusion, the optimized synthesis conditions significantly affected the magnetization and stability of SPMNPs. These nanoparticles are suitable for use in magnetic nanofluid hyperthermia applications.

Surface-Templated Polymer Microparticle Synthesis Based on Droplet Microarrays.

Polymer microparticle synthesis based on the surface-templated method is a simple and environmentally friendly method to produce various microparticles. Unique particles with different compositions can be fabricated by simply annealing a polymer on a liquid-repellent surface. However, there are hurdles to producing particles of homogeneous sizes with large quantities and varying the shape of particles. Here, a new approach to synthesizing multiple polymer microparticles using micropatterns with wettability contrast is presented. Polymer microparticles are formed in two steps. First, a layer of poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) is deposited on the hydrophilic regions by dipping and withdrawing this micropattern from a polymer solution, and an array of microdroplets is formed. A dewetting-inducing layer on the pattern is introduced, and then target polymer patches are sequentially generated on it. By annealing over Tg, the contact line of the target polymer patch is freely receded, creating a particle form. The size and shape of the microparticle can be controlled by varying the micropatterns. In addition, it is demonstrated that microparticles made of polymer blends or polymer/nanoparticle composite are easily produced. This versatile method offers the potential of surface-templated synthesis to tailor polymer microparticles with different sizes, shapes, and functionalities in various research and applications.

Controllable preparation of carbon coating Ge nanospheres with a cubic hollow structure for high-performance lithium ion batteries.

Germanium based nanomaterials are very promising as the anodes for the lithium ion batteries since their large specific capacity, excellent lithium diffusivity and high conductivity. However, their controllable preparation is still very difficult to achieve. Herein, we facilely prepare a unique carbon coating Ge nanospheres with a cubic hollow structure (Ge@C) via a hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent pyrolysis using low-cost GeO2 as precursors. The hollow Ge@C nanostructure not only provides abundant interior space to alleviate the huge volumetric expansion of Ge upon lithiation, but also facilitates the transmission of lithium ions and electrons. Moreover, experiment analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the excellent lithium adsorption ability, high exchange current density, low activation energy for lithium diffusion of the hollow Ge@C electrode, thus exhibiting significant lithium storage advantages with a large charge capacity (1483 mAh/g under 200 mA g-1), distinguished rate ability (710 mAh/g under 8000 mA g-1) as well as long-term cycling stability (1130 mAh/g after 900 cycles under 1000 mA g-1). Therefore, this work offers new paths for controllable synthesis and fabrication of high-performance Ge based lithium storage nanomaterials.

Escaping the ESKAPE pathogens: A review on antibiofilm potential of nanoparticles.

ESKAPE pathogens, a notorious consortium comprising Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species, pose formidable challenges in healthcare settings due to their multidrug-resistant nature. The increasing global cases of antimicrobial-resistant ESKAPE pathogens are closely related to their remarkable ability to form biofilms. Thus, understanding the unique mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance of ESKAPE pathogens and the innate resilience of biofilms against traditional antimicrobial agents is important for developing innovative strategies to establish effective control methods against them. This review offers a thorough analysis of biofilm dynamics, with a focus on the general mechanisms of biofilm formation, the significant contribution of persister cells in the resistance mechanisms, and the recurrence of biofilms in comparison to planktonic cells. Additionally, this review highlights the potential strategies of nanoparticles for managing biofilms in the ESKAPE group of pathogens. Nanoparticles, with their unique physicochemical properties, provide promising opportunities for disrupting biofilm structures and improving antimicrobial effectiveness. The review has explored interactions between nanoparticles and biofilms, covering a range of nanoparticle types such as metal, metal-oxide, surface-modified, and functionalized nanoparticles, along with organic nanoparticles and nanomaterials. The additional focus of this review also encompasses green synthesis techniques of nanoparticles that involve plant extract and supernatants from bacterial and fungal cultures as reducing agents. Furthermore, the use of nanocomposites and nano emulsions in biofilm management of ESKAPE is also discussed. To conclude, the review addresses the current obstacles and future outlooks in nanoparticle-based biofilm management, stressing the necessity for further research and development to fully exploit the potential of nanoparticles in addressing biofilm-related challenges.

L-leucine promotes the synthesis of milk protein and milk fat in bovine mammary epithelial cells through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway under hypoxic conditions.

Hypoxia stress has been demonstrated to impede animal embryonic development, spermatogenesis, and lactation, leading to decreased animal production performance. However, the impact of hypoxia-induced activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling on milk protein and fat synthesis remains unclear. L-leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, is known to modulate milk protein and fat synthesis. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-leucine on milk protein and fat synthesis under hypoxic conditions and shed light on the molecular mechanism using an in vitro model. The results indicated that hypoxia treatment significantly decreased the synthesis of α-casein and ß-casein, as well as inhibited factors related to milk fat synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T). Additionally, hypoxia stress suppressed the activities of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and protein kinase B (AKT). Interfering with HIF-1α significantly reversed the expression of AKT, mTOR and factors related to milk synthesis. Importantly, supplementation with L-leucine activated AKT/mTOR signaling, thereby enhancing milk protein and fat synthesis in MAC-T cells to some extent. In conclusion, these findings suggest that HIF-1 signaling plays an important role in milk synthesis and that L-leucine may stimulate the synthesis of milk protein and fat by activating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway under hypoxic conditions, making it a potential additive for promoting milk synthesis inhibited by hypoxia.

Differential responses and mechanisms of monoterpene emissions from broad-leaved and coniferous species under elevated ozone scenarios.

Although ozone (O3) pollution affects plant growth and monoterpene (MT) emissions, the responses of MT emission rates to elevated O3 and the related mechanisms are not entirely understood. To gain an insight into these effects and mechanisms, we evaluated physiological (leaf MT synthesis ability, including precursor availability and enzyme kinetics) and physicochemical limiting factors (e.g. leaf thickness of the lower and upper epidermis, palisade and spongy tissue, and size of resin ducts and stomatal aperture) affecting MT emissions simultaneously from two broad-leaved and two coniferous species after one growing season of field experiment. The effects of elevated O3 on MT emissions and the related mechanisms differed between plant functional types. Specifically, long-term moderate O3 exposure significantly reduced MT emissions in broad-leaved species, primarily attributed to a systematic decrease in MT synthesis ability, including reductions in all MT precursors, geranyl diphosphate content, and MT synthase protein levels. In contrast, the same O3 exposure significantly enhanced MT emissions in coniferous species. However, the change in MT emissions in coniferous species was not due to modifications in leaf MT synthesis ability but rather because of alterations in leaf anatomical structure characteristics, particularly the size of resin ducts and stomatal aperture. These findings provide an important understanding of the mechanisms driving MT emissions from different tree functional groups and can enlighten the estimation of MT emissions in the context of O3 pollution scenarios as well as the development of MT emission algorithms.

The Experiences and Perspectives of Persons with Prostate Cancer and Their Partners: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Using Meta-Ethnography.

Prostate cancer affects one in nine men, so understanding patients' and their partners experiences is crucial for developing effective treatments. The purpose of this review was to synthesis and report the experiences and views of persons with prostate cancer and their partners. METHODS: A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) was conducted following the eMERGe reporting guideline. Six databases were searched for the relevant literature, and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool was used for quality appraisal. RESULTS: A total of 1372 papers were identified, and 36 met the inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged: quality of life, relationships and dynamics, treatment journey and survivorship and aftercare. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer's impact on patients and partners is significant, requiring comprehensive support, holistic care, tailored assistance, and research into therapies to minimize adverse effects and address emotional distress and relationship strain. Prostate cancer treatment causes physical changes, triggering feelings of loss and grief, and affects coping mechanisms. Drawing on emotional support and education is vital for boosting confidence and resilience, as many patients and partners face fears of recurrence and lifestyle changes, highlighting the need for tailored information and presurgery support.

Spray-Flame Synthesis of NASICON-Type Rhombohedral (α) Li1+xYxZr2-x(PO4)3 [x = 0-0.2] Solid Electrolytes.

Since solid electrolytes have a broad electrochemical stability window, are exceptionally electrochemically stable against Li metal, and function as a physical separator to prevent dendrite growth, they are at the forefront of alternate possibilities, further increasing the stability and energy density of Li-ion batteries. NASICON-type electrolytes are a promising candidate due to their negligible moisture sensitivity, which results in outstanding stability and a lower probability of Li2CO3 passivity under the ambient atmosphere. However, one of the most promising representatives, Li1+xYxZr2-x(PO4)3 (LYZP), has multiple stable phases with significant variation in their corresponding Li-ion conductivity. In this paper, we have successfully synthesized the highly ionically conductive rhombohedral phase of LYZP via spray-flame synthesis. Two different solvent mixtures (e.g., 2-ethyl hexanoic acid/ethanol, propanol/propanoic acid) were chosen to explore the effect of precursor composition and combustion enthalpy on the phase composition of the nanoparticle. The as-synthesized nanoparticles from spray-flame synthesis consisted of the crystalline tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2) phase, while lithium, yttrium, and phosphate were present on the nanoparticles' surface as amorphous phases. However, a short annealing step (1 h) was sufficient to obtain the NASICON phase. Moreover, we have shown the gradual phase conversion from orthorhombic ß phase to rhombohedral α phase as the annealing temperature increased from 700 °C to 1300 °C (complete removal of ß phase). In this context, Y3+ doping was also crucial, along with the appropriate solvent mixture and annealing temperature, for obtaining the much-desired rhombohedral α phase. Further, 0.2 at% Y3+ doping was added to the solvent mixture of 2-ethyl hexanoic acid/ethanol, and annealing at 1300 °C for 1 h resulted in a high ionic conductivity of 1.14∙10-5 S cm-1.

Sustainable Graphene Production: Flash Joule Heating Utilizing Pencil Graphite Precursors.

The production of graphene from cost-effective and readily available sources remains a significant challenge in materials science. This study investigates the potential of common pencil leads as precursors for graphene synthesis using the Flash Joule Heating (FJH) process. We examined 6H, 4B, and 14B pencil grades, representing different graphite-to-clay ratios, under varying voltages (0 V, 200 V, and 400 V) to elucidate the relationships among initial composition, applied voltage, and resulting graphene quality. Samples were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, electrical resistance measurements, and microscopic analysis. The results revealed grade-specific responses to applied voltages, with all samples showing decreased electrical resistance post-FJH treatment. Raman spectroscopy indicated significant structural changes, particularly in ID/IG and I2D/IG ratios, providing insights into defect density and layer stacking. Notably, the 14B pencil lead exhibited unique behavior at 400 V, with a decrease in the ID/IG ratio from 0.135 to 0.031 and an increase in crystallite size from 143 nm to 612 nm, suggesting potential in situ annealing effects. In contrast, harder grades (6H and 4B) showed increased defect density at higher voltages. This research contributes to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for graphene production, potentially opening new avenues for sustainable and scalable synthesis.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of ß-NiS Nanoparticles and Their Applications in High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors.

In this work, ß-NiS nanoparticles (NPs) were efficiently prepared by a straightforward hydrothermal process. The difference in morphology between these NiS NPs was produced by adding different amounts of thiourea, and the corresponding products were denoted as NiS-15 and NiS-5. Through electrochemical tests, the specific capacity (Cs) of NiS-15 was determined to be 638.34 C g-1 at 1 A g-1, compared to 558.17 C g-1 for NiS-5. To explore the practical application potential of such ß-NiS NPs in supercapacitors, a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) device was assembled with activated carbon (AC) as an anode. Benefitting from the high capacity of the NiS cathode and the large voltage window of the device, the NiS-15//AC HSC showed a high energy density (Ed) of 43.57 W h kg-1 at 936.92 W kg-1, and the NiS-5//AC HSC provided an inferior Ed of 37.89 W h kg-1 at 954.79 W kg-1. Both HSCs showed excellent cycling performance over 6000 cycles at 10 A g-1. The experimental findings suggest that both NiS-15 and NiS-5 in this study can serve as potential cathodes for high-performance supercapacitors. This current synthesis method is simple and can be extended to the preparation of other transition metal sulfide (TMS)-based electrode materials with exceptional electrochemical properties.

Nanogels: Recent Advances in Synthesis and Biomedical Applications.

In the context of advanced nanomaterials research, nanogels (NGs) have recently gained broad attention for their versatility and promising biomedical applications. To date, a significant number of NGs have been developed to meet the growing demands in various fields of biomedical research. Summarizing preparation methods, physicochemical and biological properties, and recent applications of NGs may be useful to help explore new directions for their development. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the latest NG synthesis methodologies, highlighting advances in formulation with different types of hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymers. It also underlines recent biomedical applications of NGs in drug delivery and imaging, with a short section dedicated to biosafety considerations of these innovative nanomaterials. In conclusion, this article summarizes recent innovations in NG synthesis and their numerous applications, highlighting their considerable potential in the biomedical field.

Enzymatic synthesis of N-succinyl-L-phenylalanine and exploration of its potential as a novel taste enhancer.

N-succinyl-L-phenylalanine (SP) has been identified as a taste-active contributor in an array of foods. Despite its recognized importance, the understanding of its synthesis and taste enhancement properties remains rudimentary. The study examined the enzymatic synthesis of SP with 45.58 ± 1.95% yield. This was achieved under optimized conditions: 0.3 mol/L L-phenylalanine, 0.9 mol/L succinic acid, 30,000 U/L of the AY 50C, pH 4 and 55 °C for 24 h. Sensory evaluation and electronic tongue revealed that the incorporation of a mere 1 mg/L SP substantially increased the kokumi, umami, and saltiness intensities, indicating the potential of SP as a potent taste enhancer. Moreover, time-intensity (TI) results demonstrated a significant increase of umami duration in samples containing 1 mg/L of SP (210.0 ± 0 s), a significant extension compared to the control group (150.0 ± 0 s). Notably, the intensity of umami and saltiness in the SP sample were consistently higher than that of control group. The sigmoid curve analysis further confirmed that SP exhibited a synergistic effect on umami and saltiness perceptions. Moreover, the study also illuminated interaction of SP with T1R1, T1R3, TMC4, TRPV1, and CaSR receptors, resulting in significant enhancement in umami, saltiness, and kokumi.