Sabatier Principle Driving Interface Defect Engineering on 3D Graphene-Like Encapsulated Cobalt Structure for Hydrogenation Reaction.

Establishing structural defects is a perspective way to increase the catalytic hydrogenation reaction. Toward Sabatier optimization for hydrogenation reaction with defect density offers guidance for designing optimal catalysts with the highest performance. A controllable synthesis strategy is reported for Co@NC-x catalyst induced by defect density. A series of N-doped carbon-based defective Co@NC-x catalysts with different defect densities ranging from 1.5 × 1011 to 1.9 × 1011 cm-2 via high-temperature sublimation strategy is obtained. The results show that the volcano curves are observed between defect density and catalytic hydrogenation performance with a summit at a moderate defect density of 1.7 × 1011 cm-2, matched well with Sabatier phenomenon. Remarkably, the defect density on the graphene-like shell serves as descriptor to the adsorbate state and consequently the catalytic activity. However, to the best of knowledge, the Sabatier phenomenon in hydrogenation reactions at the defect scale in 3D graphene-like encapsulated metal (3D-GEM) catalysts has not been reported. This work highlights the meaning of defect-density effect on catalytic hydrogenation reaction, supplying meaningful guidance for the rational design of more efficient and durable defective 3D-GEM catalyst.

Mediation analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging variables with all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific mortalities in persons with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: Glucose variation (GV) has emerged as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in persons with diabetes. However, no study has examined whether brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables mediated the association between mortality and GV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort comprising 3,961 individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), whose electronic medical records were retrieved from a medical center between January 2001 and October 2021. GV was quantified using coefficient of variation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG-CV) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The MRI variables included the presence or absence of cerebrovascular abnormality and white matter hyperintensity (WMH). All deaths and deaths resulting from expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD) were identified through annual record linkage with National Death Datasets. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to evaluate associations of MRI variable or GV with mortality. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the relative contributions of MRI variables for GV on mortality. RESULTS: Among 3,961 patients, 2,114 patients (53.4%) had cerebrovascular abnormality and 1,888 patients (47.7%) had WMH. The results showed cerebrovascular abnormality and WMHs were significantly associated with all-cause and expanded CVD mortality after considering GV. The largest mediated effects of GV on all-cause and expanded CVD mortality were observed by cerebrovascular abnormality (5.26% and 8.49%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests cerebrovascular abnormality and WMHs are important predictors of mortality in patients with T2D after considering GV. In addition, MRI variables of cerebrovascular abnormality expressed weak but significant mediation effect on the associations between GV and mortality.

Non-releasing poly (ionic liquid) based hydrogel accelerates diabetic wound healing.

Persistent bacterial colonization, abnormal inflammatory responses, and impaired angiogenesis pose significant challenges to effective wound repair, particularly in diabetic wounds. Employing exogenous bioactive substances in wound dressings is a recognized approach to dynamically respond to the wound microenvironment and accelerate the repair process. However, this strategy can lead to the development of drug resistance and induce further tissue damage. To address these challenges, we are synthesizing a novel hydrogel for diabetic wound treatment using functional poly (ionic liquid) and modified dextran. The hydrogel is characterized by its excellent tissue adhesion, exceptional self-healing capacity, and substantial compressive deformation. It exhibits broad antibacterial activity, reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhances the healing in diabetic wounds. Its efficacy is superior to that of the positive control group. This innovative non-releasing hydrogel presents as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics, offering significant potential for the treatment and healing of diabetic chronic wounds.

Precision synthesis of diblock copolymers via free radical photopolymerization.

Diblock copolymers of phenyl methacrylate (PMA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) were synthesized using dual-wavelength photopolymerization with a bifunctional photoinitiator 2-(4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)phenoxy)ethyl(E)-3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylate (PAA-2959).

Micro/Nano Hierarchical Crater-Like Structure Surface With Mechanical Durability and Low-Adhesion for Anti-Icing/Deicing.

Superhydrophobic surfaces have attracted significant attention for their ability to prevent ice formation and facilitate deicing without requiring external energy. However, these surfaces are often vulnerable to damage from external forces, leading to functional failure due to poor mechanical stability, which limits their widespread use. Drawing inspiration from the hierarchical groove of rose petals and the micropapillae of lotus leaves, a simple laser-based method is proposed to create a superhydrophobic surface with a micro/nano hierarchical crater-like structure (HCLS). To enhance the surface, boiling water treatment is applied to induce dense nanostructures, resulting in an optimal contact angle (CA) of 162° and a desirable sliding angle (SA) of 2.0°. The initial ice adhesion strength of HCLS is as low as 1.4 kPa and remains below 10 kPa even after 300 cm sandpaper abrasion. Furthermore, the HCLS demonstrates excellent mechanical durability, maintaining its performance under conditions that simulate the continuous impact of water and sand in extreme weather. This approach offers an innovative design concept that has the potential to advance the development of anti-icing and deicing surfaces for future aircraft.

MHC-I-presented non-canonical antigens expand the cancer immunotherapy targets in acute myeloid leukemia.

Identification of tumor neoantigens is indispensable for the development of cancer immunotherapies. However, we are still lacking knowledge about the potential neoantigens derived from sequences outside protein-coding regions. Here, we comprehensively characterized the immunopeptidome landscape by integrating multi-omics data in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Both canonical and non-canonical MHC-associated peptides (MAPs) in AML were identified. We found that the quality and characteristics of ncMAPs are comparable or superior to cMAPs, suggesting ncMAPs are indispensable sources for tumor neoantigens. We further proposed a computational framework to prioritize the neoantigens by integrating additional transcriptome and immunopeptidome in normal tissues. Notably, 6 of prioritized 13 neoantigens were derived from ncMAPs. The expressions of corresponding source genes are highly related to infiltrations of immune cells. Finally, a risk model was developed, which exhibited good performance for clinical prognosis in AML. Our findings expand potential cancer immunotherapy targets and provide in-depth insights into AML treatment, laying a new foundation for precision therapies in AML.

Parabens, bisphenols, and triclosan in coral polyps, algae, and sediments from sanya, China: Occurrence, profiles, and environmental implications.

Parabens, bisphenols (BPs), and triclosan (TCS) are common environmental phenols widely applied in industrial products, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. They are endocrine disruptors and pervade the natural environment, causing significant detrimental impacts on ecosystems, including marine habitats. Therefore, in this study, 40 samples comprising coral polyps, algae, and sediments were collected from Sanya, Hainan Province, China, in which the presence and compositional profiles of parabens, BPs, and TCS were examined to identify their fate in the oceans. The results unveiled the ubiquitous occurrence of at least one paraben or bisphenol in all samples, with TCS detected in over 80% of cases. Notably, coral samples contained the most contaminants (median concentration: 9.42 ng/g dry weight-dw), followed by sediment samples (5.95 ng/g dw) and algal samples (3.58 ng/g dw). Attributed to their broadest application, methylparaben (MeP) and propylparaben (PrP) emerged as the primary paraben constituents. MeP displayed the highest median concentration in coral samples (4.42 ng/g dw), probably related to its high-water solubility and the filtration mechanism employed by the coral polyps during seawater intake. Intriguingly, bisphenol P (BPP) superseded bisphenol A (BPA) as the dominant bisphenol, especially in the algal samples, probably owing to the lipophilic character of BPP and the enhanced biodegradability of BPA within aquatic environments. The highest concentration of TCS (3.44 ng/g dw) was found in the sediment samples, associated with its long half-life in the sediments. Furthermore, the correlation between multiple parabens and TCS implies their co-use to augment antimicrobial efficacy. Future research should prioritize the examination of these phenols in diverse marine environmental media. Corresponding toxicological experiments should be conducted to visualize their transport dynamics, degradation byproducts, and toxicity to marine biota to gain insights into the risks they pose to the marine ecosystem.

A retrospective study of the efficacy of sulbactam in the treatment of patients with extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.

PURPOSE: Sulbactam (SBT) is one of the most significant treatments for patients with extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDR-AB). However, the efficacy and safety of SBT and its high dose regimen has not been well documented. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SBT-based treatment, particularly at high-dose (≥ 6 g/day), for XDR-AB infection. METHOD: A total of 52 XDR-AB infected patients treated with intravenous SBT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, while the secondary outcome was 14-day clinical response and the time of response. The formulation of SBT in our study is 0.5 g per vial. RESULTS: Among the patients, the 28-day all-cause mortality rate was 36.5% (19/52), and the favorable 14-day clinical response rate was 59.6% (31/52). The 28-day mortality was independently associated coinfection with gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and a shorter duration of therapy. Patients with intracranial infection might have a longer survival time. A favorable 14-day clinical response was associated with the dose of SBT, and a longer treatment duration. However, the higher creatinine clearance (CrCl) associated with a worse clincal response. In addition, a higher SBT dosage was significantly correlated with a shorter time to clinical response. No adverse effects related were reported. CONCLUSION: The single-agent formulation of SBT emerges as a promising alternative for the treatment of XDR-AB infection, such as intracranial infection, particularly at high doses (≥ 6 g/day). Besides, longer duration of treatment correlates with higher survival rate and better favorable clinical response. Higher CrCl negatively correlates with favorable clinical response.

Investigation of mechanisms of shock wave generation by collapse of cavitation bubbles near particles.

The mechanism of generation of shock waves by the collapse of a cavitation bubble near a single particle or dual particles is numerically investigated using OpenFOAM. For the single-particle case, shock waves during bubble inception and jet impacting on the particle surface are revealed in detail. The pressure induced on the particle by the inception shock wave of the bubble decreases with increasing bubble-particle distance, and the pressure is proportional to 1/r1.26 (r being the distance from the center of the shock wave). For the dual particles, the evolution of the neck structure is closely related to the generation mechanism of the shock wave. At extremely close particle-bubble distances, two shock waves propagating in opposite directions are emitted outside and inside the bubble after two necks collide. At long particle-bubble distances, a shock wave is emitted after the neck contracts, and simultaneously the bubble splits into two daughter bubbles. The energy of the shock wave generated by the neck constriction (i.e., the pressure at its generation location) first increases and then decreases with increasing bubble-particle distance. For unequal-sized double particles, the size of the daughter bubble depends on the bubble-particle distance and the particle size. These findings provide new perspectives for understanding the damage sustained by hydro-mechanical components operating in sand-laden water flows.

Jet dynamics of a cavitation bubble near unequal-sized dual particles.

The jet dynamics of a cavitation bubble near unequal-sized dual particles is investigated employing OpenFOAM, and the effects of the jets on the particles are quantitatively analyzed in terms of their pressure impacts. Different from single-particle cases, the necks that evolve between dual particles are closely linked to the formation mechanism of the jets. Based on the simulation results, the jet dynamics can be divided into five scenarios: (1) the contraction of the annular depression produced by the collision of the two necks causes the bubble to split into two daughter bubbles and generates a single jet inside each daughter bubble; (2) the annular depression impacts the particle, leading to the bubble to fracture and producing a single jet inside a daughter bubble; (3) the bubble is split by a single neck constriction and produces a single jet; (4) the bubble is split by a single neck constriction and generates two jets; and (5) the bubble is split by the contraction of two necks and produces four jets together with three daughter bubbles. As the bubble-particle distance or the radius ratio of the dual particles increases, the maximum force on the small particle generated by the bubble decreases.

A chromosomal-scale genome assembly of modern cultivated hybrid sugarcane provides insights into origination and evolution.

Sugarcane is a vital crop with significant economic and industrial value. However, the cultivated sugarcane's ultra-complex genome still needs to be resolved due to its high ploidy and extensive recombination between the two subgenomes. Here, we generate a chromosomal-scale, haplotype-resolved genome assembly for a hybrid sugarcane cultivar ZZ1. This assembly contains 10.4 Gb genomic sequences and 68,509 annotated genes with defined alleles in two sub-genomes distributed in 99 original and 15 recombined chromosomes. RNA-seq data analysis shows that sugar accumulation-associated gene families have been primarily expanded from the ZZSO subgenome. However, genes responding to pokkah boeng disease susceptibility have been derived dominantly from the ZZSS subgenome. The region harboring the possible smut resistance genes has expanded significantly. Among them, the expansion of WAK and FLS2 families is proposed to have occurred during the breeding of ZZ1. Our findings provide insights into the complex genome of hybrid sugarcane cultivars and pave the way for future genomics and molecular breeding studies in sugarcane.

The impact of thyroid autoimmunity on pregnancy outcomes in women with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination: a retrospective single-center cohort study and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Infertility affects 8-12% of couples worldwide, with 15-30% classified as unexplained infertility (UI). Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), the most common autoimmune disorder in women of reproductive age, may impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study focuses on intrauterine insemination (IUI) and its potential association with TAI in UI patients. It is the first meta-analysis following a comprehensive literature review to improve result accuracy and reliability. Methods: Retrospective cohort study analyzing 225 women with unexplained infertility, encompassing 542 cycles of IUI treatment. Participants were categorized into TAI+ group (N=47, N= 120 cycles) and TAI- group (N=178, N= 422 cycles). Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analyses following PRISMA guidelines were conducted, incorporating this study and two others up to June 2023, totaling 3428 IUI cycles. Results: Analysis revealed no significant difference in independent variables affecting reproductive outcomes. However, comparison based on TAI status showed significantly lower clinical pregnancy rates (OR: 0.43, P= 0.028, 95%CI: 0.20-0.93) and live birth rate (OR: 0.20, P= 0.014, 95%CI: 0.05 ~ 0.71) were significantly lower than TAI- group. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between the two groups (OR: 0.61, P= 0.135, 95%CI: 0.32-1.17). However, the meta-analysis combining these findings across studies did not show statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates (OR:0.77, P=0.18, 95%CI: 0.53-1.13) or live birth rates (OR: 0.68, P=0.64, 95%CI: 0.13-3.47) between the TAI+ and TAI- groups. Discussion: Our retrospective cohort study found an association between TAI and reduced reproductive outcomes in women undergoing IUI for unexplained infertility. However, the meta-analysis incorporating other studies did not yield statistically significant associations. Caution is required in interpreting the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and reproductive outcomes. Future studies should consider a broader population and a more rigorous study design to validate these findings. Clinicians dealing with women with unexplained infertility and TAI should be aware of the complexity of this field and the limitations of available evidence.

Impact of the implementation of the Intelligent Antimicrobial System (iAMS) on clinical outcomes among patients with bacteraemia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of the Intelligent Antimicrobial System (iAMS) on patients with bacteraemia due to methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). METHODS: A total of 1008 patients with suspected SA infection were enrolled before and after the implementation of iAMS. Among them, 252 with bacteraemia caused by SA, including 118 in the iAMS and 134 in the non-iAMS groups, were evaluated. RESULTS: The iAMS group exhibited a 5.2% (from 55.2% to 50.0%; P = 0.96) increase in the 1-year survival rate. For patients with MRSA and MSSA compared to the non-iAMS group, the 1-year survival rate increased by 17.6% (from 70.9% to 53.3%; P = 0.41) and 7.0% (from 52.3% to 45.3%; P = 0.57), respectively, both surpassing the rate of the non-iAMS group. The iAMS intervention resulted in a higher long-term survival rate (from 70.9% to 52.3%; P = 0.984) for MRSA patients than for MSSA patients. MRSA patients experienced a reduced length of hospital stay (from 23.3% to 35.6%; P = 0.038), and the 45-day discharge rate increased by 20.4% (P = 0.064). Furthermore, the intervention resulted in a significant 97.3% relative decrease in near miss medication incidents reported by pharmacists (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of iAMS platform improved long-term survival rates, discharge rates, hospitalization days, and medical cost (although no significant differences were observed) among patients with MRSA bacteraemia. Additionally, it demonstrated significant benefits in ensuring drug safety.

MIKE: an ultrafast, assembly-, and alignment-free approach for phylogenetic tree construction.

MOTIVATION: Constructing a phylogenetic tree requires calculating the evolutionary distance between samples or species via large-scale resequencing data, a process that is both time-consuming and computationally demanding. Striking the right balance between accuracy and efficiency is a significant challenge. RESULTS: To address this, we introduce a new algorithm, MIKE (MinHash-based k-mer algorithm). This algorithm is designed for the swift calculation of the Jaccard coefficient directly from raw sequencing reads and enables the construction of phylogenetic trees based on the resultant Jaccard coefficient. Simulation results highlight the superior speed of MIKE compared to existing state-of-the-art methods. We used MIKE to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree, incorporating 238 yeast, 303 Zea, 141 Ficus, 67 Oryza, and 43 Saccharum spontaneum samples. MIKE demonstrated accurate performance across varying evolutionary scales, reproductive modes, and ploidy levels, proving itself as a powerful tool for phylogenetic tree construction. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: MIKE is publicly available on Github at https://github.com/Argonum-Clever2/mike.git.

Impact of oil-based contrast agents in hysterosalpingography on fertility outcomes in endometriosis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that oil-based contrast agents used during hysterosalpingography (HSG) in infertile patients can enhance fertility. However, limited research has investigated the effect of oil-based contrast medium specifically in individuals with endometriosis-related infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the impact of oil-based contrast medium on fertility outcomes in women with endometriosis-related infertility. METHODS: Conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (January 2020 to June 2022), the study included 512 patients undergoing HSG. Patients were categorized into oil-based and non-oil-based groups, and after propensity score matching, demographic characteristics were compared. Main outcomes included clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, early miscarriage rates, and ectopic pregnancy rates. RESULTS: In our analysis, the Oil-based group showed significantly better outcomes compared to the Non-oil-based group. Specifically, the Oil-based group had higher clinical pregnancy rates (51.39% vs. 27.36%) and increased live birth rates (31.48% vs. 19.93%). This trend held true for expectant treatment, IUI, and IVF/ICSI, except for surgical treatment where no significant difference was observed. After adjusting for various factors using propensity score matching, the Non-oil-based group consistently exhibited lower clinical pregnancy rates compared to the Oil-based group. The Odds Ratio (OR) was 0.38 (95%CI: 0.27-0.55) without adjustment, 0.34 (0.22-0.51) in multivariable analysis, 0.39 (0.27-0.57) using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), and 0.22 (0.14-0.35) in propensity score matching. CONCLUSION: Oil-based contrast medium used in HSG for women with endometriosis-related infertility is associated with higher clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates compared to Non-oil-based contrast medium.

Near-gapless and haplotype-resolved apple genomes provide insights into the genetic basis of rootstock-induced dwarfing.

Dwarfing rootstocks have transformed the production of cultivated apples; however, the genetic basis of rootstock-induced dwarfing remains largely unclear. We have assembled chromosome-level, near-gapless and haplotype-resolved genomes for the popular dwarfing rootstock 'M9', the semi-vigorous rootstock 'MM106' and 'Fuji', one of the most commonly grown apple cultivars. The apple orthologue of auxin response factor 3 (MdARF3) is in the Dw1 region of 'M9', the major locus for rootstock-induced dwarfing. Comparing 'M9' and 'MM106' genomes revealed a 9,723-bp allele-specific long terminal repeat retrotransposon/gypsy insertion, DwTE, located upstream of MdARF3. DwTE is cosegregated with the dwarfing trait in two segregating populations, suggesting its prospective utility in future dwarfing rootstock breeding. In addition, our pipeline discovered mobile mRNAs that may contribute to the development of dwarfed scion architecture. Our research provides valuable genomic resources and applicable methodology, which have the potential to accelerate breeding dwarfing rootstocks for apple and other perennial woody fruit trees.

Iron-Based Catalysts with Oxygen Vacancies Obtained by Facile Pyrolysis for Selective Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene.

The development of preparation strategies for iron-based catalysts with prominent catalytic activity, stability, and cost effectiveness is greatly significant for the field of catalytic hydrogenation but still remains challenging. Herein, a method for the preparation of iron-based catalysts by the simple pyrolysis of organometallic coordination polymers is described. The catalyst Fe@C-2 with sufficient oxygen vacancies obtained in specific coordination environment exhibited superior nitro hydrogenation performance, acid resistance, and reaction stability. Through solvent effect experiments, toxicity experiments, TPSR, and DFT calculations, it was determined that the superior activity of the catalyst was derived from the contribution of sufficient oxygen vacancies to hydrogen activation and the good adsorption ability of FeO on substrate molecules.

Atomic surface of quartz glass induced by photocatalytic green chemical mechanical polishing using the developed SiO2@TiO2 core-shell slurry.

High-performance devices of quartz glass demand an atomic surface, which induces a challenge for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) with a high material removal rate (MRR). Moreover, traditional CMP usually employs toxic and corrosive slurries, leading to the pollution of the environment. To overcome these challenges, a novel green photocatalytic CMP is proposed. In the CMP, SiO2@TiO2 core-shell abrasives were developed, and the CMP slurry included the developed abrasives, sodium carbonate, hydrogen peroxide and sorbitol. After photocatalytic CMP, the surface roughness Sa of quartz glass is 0.185 nm, with a scanning area of 50 × 50 µm2, and the MRR is 8.64 µm h-1. To the best of our knowledge, the MRR is the highest on such a big area of atomic surface for quartz glass. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that SiO2@TiO2 core-shell abrasives were used as photocatalysts motivated by simulated solar light, generating electrons and holes and producing hydroxyl radicals through hydrogen peroxide. As a result, OH- could combine with Si atoms on the surface of quartz glass, forming Si-OH-Si bonds. Then the formed bonds were removed based on the balance between chemical and mechanical functions. The proposed CMP, developed SiO2@TiO2 abrasives and slurry provide new insights to achieve an atomic surface of quartz glass with a high MRR.

A telomere-to-telomere reference genome of ficus (Ficus hispida) provides new insights into sex determination.

A high-quality reference genome is indispensable for resolving biologically essential traits. Ficus hispida is a dioecious plant. A complete Ficus reference genome will be crucial for understanding their sex evolution and important biological characteristics, such as aerial roots, mutualistic symbiosis with ficus-wasps, and fruiting from old stems. Here, we generated a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome for F. hispida using PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore Ultra-long sequencing technologies. The genome contiguity and completeness has shown improvement compared with the previously released genome, with the annotation of six centromeres and 28 telomeres. We have refined our previously reported 2-Mb male-specific region into a 7.2-Mb genomic region containing 51 newly predicted genes and candidate sex-determination genes AG2 and AG3. Many of these genes showed extremely low expression, likely attributed to hypermethylation in the gene body and promoter regions. Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) revealed that AG2 and AG3 are related to the regulation of stamen development in male flowers, while the AG1 gene is responsible for regulating female flowers' defense responses and secondary metabolite processes. Comparative analysis of GRNs showed that the NAC, WRKY, and MYB transcription factor families dominate the female GRN, whereas the MADS and MYB transcription factor families are prevalent in the male GRN.

Steam activation of porous concave polymer nanospheres for high-efficient chromium and cadmium removal.

The issue of heavy metal contamination in water is a global concern, and the development of highly efficient adsorbent materials is crucial for the removal and detoxification of heavy metals. Polymer-based materials have emerged as a promising class of adsorbents due to their ability to capture heavy metal pollutants and reduce them to less toxic forms. The limited surface area of conventional polymer adsorbents makes them less effective for high-capacity adsorption. Herein, we present a low-temperature steam activation approach to address this challenge. This activation approach leads to a remarkable increase of over 20 times in the surface area of concave aminophenol-formaldehyde (APF) polymer nanospheres (from 45 to 961 m2/g) while preserving their reductive functional groups. The activated concave APF nanospheres were evaluated for their adsorption capabilities towards two typical heavy metal ions (i.e., Cr(VI) and Cd(II)) in aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacities achieved were 1054 mg g-1 for Cr(VI) and 342 mg g-1 for Cd(II), which are among the highest performances reported in the literature and are much higher than the capacities of the non-activated APF nanospheres. Additionally, approximately 71.5 % of Cr(VI) was simultaneously reduced to Cr(III) through the benzenoid amine pathway during adsorption, highlighting the crucial role of the steam activation strategy in enhancing the capability of polymer adsorbents.