Themed collection 2019 Journal of Materials Chemistry B HOT Papers

This review provides a comprehensive overview of biomechanical studies on biomaterial degradation and co-cultured cells as well as valuable biomechanical ideas on how to design or optimize cell biomaterial co-culture system.

Misfolded protein aggregates formed by the same (homologous) or different (heterologous/cross) sequences are the pathological hallmarks of many protein misfolding diseases (PMDs) including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Over the past few years, nanomaterial-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection has emerged as a new exciting field in which theoretical and experimental studies of the structure and function of nanomaterials have become a focus.

This review comprehensively discussed the recent progress in the development of NIR fluorescent probes for amyloid-β imaging in vivo.

Light-responsive liposomes are considered nowadays as one of the most promising nanoparticulate systems for the delivery and release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a spatio-temporal manner.

We highlight the recent developments in functional nanomaterials with unique enzyme-like characteristics for sensing applications.

Dopamine-functionalized cellulose paper with low cost, portable, and disposable features was applied for an equipment-free and naked-eye detection of transduction factor based on the enzyme-assisted signal amplification/transduction reaction.

A new highly efficient targeting drug delivery vehicle based on diselenium-containing ultrathin polymer nanocapsules was designed and prepared.

The existence of nonspecific protein adsorption often results in significant challenges for microfluidic devices and laboratory cultureware used in biological experiments.

Composite hydrogels were fabricated by photolithographic polymerization to form a non-responsive gel and subsequent thermal polymerization to form a dual-responsive gel. These composite gels with heterogeneous structures showed programmed deformations upon heating or light irradiation.

A simple method for anti-biofouling coating based on a star-like hyperbranched polymer having hydrophilic arms.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is the main product of enzymatic reactions and plays an important role in biological processes.

Chondrocytes are cultured in a 3D biphasic gelatin solution/hydrogel system. Solution viscosity affects chondrocyte functions. High viscosity is more beneficial for cell phenotype maintenance, while low viscosity is more beneficial for proliferation.

The study suggests a principle for future design and application of bone scaffolds that must have a relatively stable osteogenic space and scaffold interface, or have a degradation speed slower than the time of bone reconstruction completion.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles efficiently knock-down tenascin-C in hepatic stellate cells resulting in decrease of inflammatory cytokine levels and hepatocyte migration.

Herein, a novel coumarin–pyridine derivative (CPD) was prepared and exhibited a rapid response, large Stokes shifts, dual channel detection, high selectivity and high sensitivity toward OCl⁻ in mitochondria of A549 cells and zebrafish.

The integration of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets with biocompatible photothermal nanoparticles may produce effective multifunctional nanotheranostic agents.

P@P/H NPs were rapidly disintegrated in response to ROS, and this further enhanced ROS level in tumor cells via the Fenton reaction.

Two D–A polymers with good NIR-II fluorescence, photoacoustic and photothermal properties were designed and synthesized.

A new heparin targeting delivery platform was developed based on iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles and polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized black phosphorus nanosheets (BP NSs).

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe (Cou-BPO) was prepared for food analysis and cell imaging; it showed high selectivity, sensitivity, visible and fast response towards BPO via a selective oxidation cleavage-induced cascade reaction.

A smart nanoplatform with doxorubicin (DOX) and simvastatin (SV) was fabricated by encapsulating both drugs in a polyphenol-based polymer for chemotherapy and MRI/PET imaging.

A newly designed ratiometric fluorescent probe is applied in the sensing of biothiols.

A surface-engineered NIR light-responsive actuator has been presented for manipulating collective cell migration by activating mechanical signal transduction in live cells.

Prevention of implant-associated infections and insufficient bone tissue integration is critical to exploit the immunomodulatory properties and antibacterial effects of implant materials, which have attracted considerable attention.

Polyelectrolyte complexation is utilized to create bulk, porous hydrogels with high toughness and self-recovery due to reversible ionic associations.

A dual drug-paired polyprodrug nanotheranostic PDCN₂₅-CDDP was constructed for the combination therapy PT–CCT to combat multidrug resistant cancers, achieving complete MCF-7/ADR and OVCAR-3/DDP tumor ablation for 30 days.

Radiotherapy (RT) has been used clinically to overcome cancer in recent decades.

Novel photoactive metal–organic framework nanoparticles were developed using a facile post-synthetic conjugation method to achieve tunable combinational PDT and PTT.

A phthalocyanine-cellulose material quickly inactivates drug-resistant microbes under indoor light.

The formation of kidney stones induced by melamine is a rate-controlled nano-scale supramolecular layered assembly process.

TPTHM NPs are candidates for PAI/PTT agents due to their NIR absorption, good biocompatibility, high photostability and photothermal conversion efficiency (38%).

NBDP can self-assemble into nanoparticles (NBDP NPs), which could be internalized by cells via endocytosis. After being irradiated with an 808 nm laser, the BODIPY unit could convert photons into heat and further initiates the production of alkyl radicals. The generated tumor hyperthermia and alkyl radicals synergistically kill cancer cells.

ZnGa₂O₄:Cr³⁺ hemocompatibility was systematically investigated from the aspects of hemolysis, erythrocyte morphology, coagulation and complement system activation, and greatly improved by surface PEGylation.

The substrate selectivity of peptide-based artificial enzymes can be customized by combining molecularly imprinted polymers as binding sites with peptide nanofibers as catalytic moieties.

Self-adhesive photothermal hydrogel films can adhere to skin wound and convert solar light into heat, warming up the wound locally and promoting wound repair.

A dual-aptamer electrochemical biosensor based on flower-like nanozymes and DNA nanostructures was fabricated for detection of breast cancer biomarker HER2.

We have developed a HDAC6-selective inhibitor, SelSA, which can be utilized as a target for the detection and treatment of ERα(+) breast cancer and TNBC. The biodistribution study showed that SelSA can specifically target the breast tumor and display potent antitumor effects in vivo. This result will help to better improve the treatment efficacy against breast cancer.

This three-dimensional detection method of antibodies offers a high sensitivity and good biomolecule stability for new biosensing devices.

Nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs) were firstly prepared by using pear juice as the carbon source and ethanediamine as a nitrogen doping precursor with a microwave assisted pyrolysis technique. Based on the fluorescence recovery induced by competitive adsorption and desorption, a label-free “turn on” fluorescence assay with high sensitivity and selectivity was proposed for the analysis of CA125.

Protein sulfhydryl groups play a vital role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and protein functions and have attracted increasing interests for the selective detection of protein thiols over low-molecular-weight thiols (LMWTs).

The near-infrared fluorescent probe Cy-HOCl for monitoring HOCl in living cells, zebrafish and mice under hypoxic stress.

An AIE-active probe of Cur-N-BF₂ is developed for light-up detection of Aβ fibrils and plaques, inhibition of Aβ fibrillation, disassembly of preformed Aβ fibrils, and protection of neuronal cells.

A light-driven self-powered cytosensing platform was developed via integration of biofuel cells and a photoelectrochemical strategy for the detection of circulating tumor cells.

Developing efficient methods for real-time detection of Zn²⁺ level in biological systems is highly relevant to improve our understanding of the role of Zn²⁺ in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Flexible dopamine sensors were fabricated with ordered mesoporous carbon-covered carbonized silk fabrics (OMC/CSFs) as the working electrodes, which exhibited high sensitivity, good selectivity, a large linear detection range of 0.2–80 μM, and a low limit detection of 0.11 μM.

Multifunctional nanovehicle with pH and NIR light stimuli-responsiveness for fluorescence imaging and chemo/photothermal combination antitumor therapy.

A universal photoelectrochemical biosensor for dual microRNA detection has been successfully developed.

Crucial light-controlled-ROS and pH-stimulus-responsive functionalities are tailored into a triblock copolymer for manufacture of gene delivery vehicles.