Delayed diabetic wound healing is partly attributed to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction induced by persistent hyperglycemia. β-Ecdysone (β-E), a naturally occurring steroidal compound, has been reported to protect endothelial function and alleviate hyperglycemia. This study aimed to develop a β-E-loaded gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel and evaluate its potential as a dressing to promote diabetic wound healing. The effects of β-E on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under high-glucose conditions were evaluated by assessing proliferation, migration, and angiogenic capacity in vitro, along with the physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity of the resulting β-E/GelMA hydrogel. The therapeutic efficacy of the β-E/GelMA hydrogel in promoting diabetic wound healing was systematically assessed in rodent models. The results showed that β-E at concentrations ranging from 5 to 640 μmol/L was noncytotoxic to HUVEC viability. Among the tested concentrations, 20 μmol/L β-E conferred the optimal enhancement of HUVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenic capacity. The β-E/GelMA hydrogels achieved sustained β-E release in vitro and exhibited physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity comparable to those of unmodified GelMA hydrogels. In vivo, β-E/GelMA hydrogels could efficiently promote the closure of diabetic wounds in diabetic rats. Immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and α-SMA demonstrated that β-E/GelMA hydrogels significantly promoted neovascularization and vascular maturation in vivo. We conclude that the β-E/GelMA hydrogels could be developed as a novel wound dressing for diabetic wound treatment. Altogether, the findings of this study show that the β-E/GelMA hydrogels could be developed as a novel wound dressing for diabetic wound treatment.

This study aims to improve the removal efficiency of heavy metal ions from wastewater. We utilized agricultural residues derived from Camellia oleifera shell and combined them with zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) precursors for synergistic modification. By introducing active components such as Zn and Co in situ using chemical reagents, followed by pyrolysis, co-carbonization, and KOH activation treatments, we prepared nine types of functionalized biochar (BCX-T). Their structural characteristics and adsorption performance toward Cu-(II) and Cd-(II) were systematically characterized. The results showed that BC8-500 exhibited an adsorption capacity of 31.61 mg/g for Cu-(II), a 2.1-fold increase compared to unmodified biochar; BC9-500 exhibited an adsorption capacity of 111.43 mg/g for Cd-(II), a 6.4-fold increase. The adsorption process was primarily driven by chemical adsorption and multilayer adsorption. The removal of Cu-(II) by BC8-500 was mainly achieved through complexation, whereas the removal of Cd-(II) by BC9-500 was primarily achieved through CdCO3 precipitation. This study provides a theoretical basis for the effective utilization of agricultural and forestry residues, as well as for the mitigation and management of environmental pollution.

The reaction of the thiazolidinone-based ligands HAm4DHotaz, Am4Motaz, and Am4Eotaz with AgClO4 in a 1:1 molar ratio yields complexes of varying nuclearities depending on the Nthiazolidinone R-substituent. The unsubstituted HAm4DHotaz (R = H) affords the coordination polymer {[Ag-(HAm4DHotaz)]-(ClO4)} n (1) whereas Am4Motaz (R = Me) and Am4Eotaz (R = Et) lead to the discrete mononuclear complexes [Ag-(Am4Motaz)2]-(ClO4) (2) and [Ag-(Am4Eotaz)2]-(ClO4)] (3), respectively, as the main products. From the corresponding mother liquors, small amounts of the coordination polymers {[Ag-(Am4Motaz)-(ClO4)]} n (4) and {[Ag2(Am4Eotaz)2(H2O)-(ClO4)]-(ClO4)·H2O} n (5·H2O) were also obtained. In addition, the reaction of AgNO3 with Am4Eotaz in 1:1 or 0.5:1 molar ratio leads to [Ag-(Am4Motaz)2]-(NO3)·H2O (6·H2O), while the mother liquors of the 0.5:1 experiment produced small amounts of the coordination polymer {[Ag2(Am4Motaz)3]-(NO3)2·H2O} n (7·H2O). X-ray diffraction analyses of all the complexes highlight the remarkable coordination versatility of these ligands, revealing five distinct binding modes, including the unprecedented tridentate μ2-κ2NN':κ1N″ and μ2-κ1N:κ2N'S bridging motifs, as well as the two rarely reported modes μ2-κ2NN':κ1S and μ2-κ3NN'S:κ1. In addition, photophysical studies also highlight a pronounced dependence of the emission properties on the Nthiazolidinone R-substituent. Notably, although Ag+ coordination quenches ligand-centered emission in all cases, [Ag-(Am4Eotaz)2]-(ClO4)] (3) stands out as the only complex that remains emissive.

The spread of bacteria resistant to multiple drugs hasrequiredthe development of new strategies for treating infections. Light-activatedmaterials are emerging as a promising alternative, as they can inactivatebacteria by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), without inducingresistance. Based on this search for new materials, silver (Ag) catalysts(2% and 10%) supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2) weresynthesized via modified sol–gel synthesis, utilizing tapiocaas a sustainable gelling agent. The Ag/TiO2 catalysts (2AgT/Vand 10AgT/V) characterized by spectra in the infrared region showedcharacteristic titanium bands, asymmetric Ti–Ag–O vibrationand Ag-TiO2 bonding, confirming the deposition of Ag onthe support. X-ray diffraction identified characteristic peaks ofmetallic Ag and the anatase phase for the AgT/V catalysts, representingorganized crystalline phases. Antibacterial assays demonstrated thehigh efficiency of the 10AgT/V catalyst, achieving a 98% reductionin Escherichia coli growth in 15 minin the absence of light, suggesting an intrinsic antimicrobial effectof Ag. Photoactivation of the 10AgT/V catalyst under black light reduced E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus by 85% and 84%, respectively, in 15 min. The production of ROS,confirmed in the detection test, along with the intrinsic action ofAg, explains the high performance of these catalysts. These resultsdemonstrate the potential of AgT/V catalysts for the development ofantimicrobial coatings, contributing to the prevention and controlof infections in various environments.

This study evaluates the drop-in capability of solketal in terms of the physical and chemical parameters defined for diesel and gasoline fuels. To this end, miscibility gaps revealed that solketal is immiscible with pure hydrocarbons and lower aromatic fossil diesel fuel (18.84 wt %), while biodiesel acts as an effective solubilizer due to its amphiphilic structure. Solketal exhibited a significant influence on fuel polarity, as demonstrated by increases in permittivity (ε) and decreases in interfacial tension (it) (in binary blends with biodiesel: 15.7% (ε) and 43.6% (it); in ternary alkane-biodiesel blends: 9.8% (ε) and 68.3% (it)). At 3 vol % solketal, Diesel R33 remained EN 590 compliant despite increased density and reduced ignition quality and flash point. Density increased by ∼0.9% per 5 vol % solketal in binary biodiesel blends and by 0.6-1.0% in ternary hydrotreated vegetable oil blends. At maximum solketal contents (20 vol % binary, 9 vol % ternary), cetane number decreased by up to 15% and 5.7%, respectively, while cetane index decreased by up to 60.7% in binary blends. The flash point decreased by up to 41% in binary and 2-6% in ternary blends. Pure solketal exhibited a vapor pressure 32-50 times lower than ethanol and methanol at 100 °C but increased biodiesel vapor pressure by a factor of 1.07 at 20 vol % blending, indicating nonideal behavior. In gasoline blends, vapor pressure decreased by only 8-11%, maintaining acceptable Reid vapor pressure.

Population plays a central role in shaping carbon emissions. The digital economy development influences per capita emission reduction through mechanisms embedded in both the manufacturing sector and the consumption sector. However, empirical evidence on this relationship remains limited, which motivates further investigation. In this context, based on the data of provinces and industries, we examine how the digital economy development index (DEDI) affects per capita carbon emissions (PCCE) across Chinese industries. Using two-stage instrumental variable estimation, we find that DEDI significantly contributes to reducing PCCE, with an estimated coefficient of -0.226. By further analyzing the underlying mechanisms, it is shown that DEDI affects PCCE through channels in both the manufacturing sector and the consumption sector. In the manufacturing sector, DEDI reduces total carbon emissions by optimizing industrial structure and improving energy efficiency, thereby lowering PCCE. In the consumption sector, DEDI stimulates consumption-related structure upgrading and green technological innovation in consumption sectors, which in turn reduces PCCE. By integrating DEDI with the analysis of PCCE, this study provides empirical evidence on the pathways through which DEDI contributes to sustainable economic development.

Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound that may remain in, or be released from, epoxy adhesive formulations. Prolonged or high-level exposure can cause chronic respiratory injury and elevate cancer risk. Accordingly, developing epoxy curing agents from renewable bioresources without introducing formaldehyde is of significant importance for safeguarding human health and reducing environmental impacts. In this study, a biobased phenalkamine curing agent was synthesized from cardanol via a Mannich reaction incorporating 1,4-butanediamine and citronellal, and subsequently combined with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to construct an epoxy adhesive system. The overall performance was systematically assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and mechanical testing. The adhesive system was curable at 26 °C, with an optimal curing temperature of 88 °C. The room-temperature cured specimens exhibited a tensile strength of 1.73 MPa, an impact strength of 32.59 kJ·m-2, and a lap-shear strength of 3.28 MPa. After stepwise thermal curing, the corresponding values were 5.06 MPa, 50.10 kJ·m-2, and 3.22 MPa, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed glass-transition temperatures (T g) of 38.9 and 48.8 °C for the room-temperature cured and stepwise thermally cured groups, respectively. Vertical burning tests showed rapid self-extinguishment of approximately 3 s and no ignition-causing dripping, indicating favorable flame retardancy of the adhesive system. This work provides experimental evidence supporting the development of formaldehyde-free, low-environmental-burden, room-temperature-curable epoxy adhesive systems.

Continuous glucose monitoring is a pressing need in the management of diabetes mellitus. In this study, we report the development of an innovative electrochemical enzymatic biosensor engineered by immobilizing glucose oxidase on a cystamine-modified ENIG (electroless nickel immersion gold) electrode on a printed circuit board and decorating it with spherical Prussian Blue nanostructures with diameters of 30-90 nm. This multilayered architecture demonstrated enhanced electron transfer efficiency and stable chronoamperometric responses across varying glucose concentrations. The biosensor exhibited immediate, reproducible current changes upon glucose addition, with superior sensitivity at an optimized Prussian Blue concentration of 5 mM. Stability tests conducted over 8 days confirmed consistent performance, but highlighted the need for postanalysis regeneration steps. Furthermore, real-time monitoring experiments in a simulated interstitial fluid environment demonstrated the sensor's ability to maintain functionality over extended immersion periods, delivering rapid, distinct electrochemical signals in response to glucose fluctuations. These results underscore the potential of this biosensor design for future applications in minimally invasive, continuous glucose monitoring systems.

Hyperpolarization in magnetic resonance has emerged as a transformative approach to overcome the intrinsic sensitivity limits of NMR and MRI. Among the accessible hyperpolarization methods, Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) has attracted considerable attention due to its rapidity, simplicity, and low operational cost. However, extending SABRE to biologically relevant metabolites notably pyruvate, remained challenging because carboxylates do not bind to the iridium-based catalysts. Over the past decade, series of mechanistic insights, catalyst innovations, and field-cycling strategies have been developed to redefin the hyperpolarization landscape, enabling robust SABRE-based polarization of 13C-labeled pyruvate. This review provides a comprehensive and coherent synthesis of these developments, beginning with the mechanistic foundations of SABRE, followed by an analysis of the limitations of early approaches, the breakthrough enabled by DMSO-assisted catalyst activation, and the evolution of SABRE-SHEATH, pulsed-field, SLIC-based, and LIGHT-SABRE methodologies. Particular emphasis is placed on catalyst structure-function relationships, substrate exchange kinetics, and the magnetic-field conditions governing polarization transfer. The review examines recent progress toward biocompatible formulations, catalyst recycling, and rapid purification workflows that have allowed the first in vivo metabolic imaging studies using SABRE-polarized pyruvate. The accumulated evidence demonstrates that SABRE is progressing rapidly from a chemical innovation to a practical hyperpolarization approach capable of complementing or even competing with dissolution DNP in preclinical metabolic imaging.

This study evaluated the sedative and anesthetic effectsof Protium heptaphyllum essential oil(PHEO) in juvenile Colossoma macropomum through behavioral, electrophysiological,and biochemical analyses. Fish were exposed to different concentrationsof PHEO (50, 75, 100, and 125 μL·L–1),and the parameters analyzed included latency to loss and recoveryof postural reflex, cardiac activity (electrocardiogram), opercularmovement, and plasma glucose levels. Chromatographic analysis revealed p-cymene, limonene, alpha-pinene and β-phellandreneas the major constituents of the oil. The results showed that PHEOinduced sedation and anesthesia in a concentration-dependent manner,promoting bradycardia and a reduction in opercular movement frequency,with partial reversibility after exposure ceased. Plasma glucose increasedsignificantly at higher concentrations. We conclude that PHEO haspotential as a natural and safe anesthetic for aquaculture, especiallyat moderate concentrations.