The Royal Society of Chemistry最新文献

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a dietary compound from cruciferous vegetables, is known for its chemopreventive activity, but its effects on liver fibrosis remain largely unexplored. In this study, we show that PEITC administration attenuated carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis in mice, as evidenced by reduced collagen deposition, hydroxyproline content and fibrotic marker expression, and improved liver function. PEITC inhibited cell survival and fibrogenic phenotypes in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-stimulated LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) while exhibiting minimal cytotoxicity towards normal hepatocytes. Mechanistically, PEITC depleted glutathione, inhibited glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and malondialdehyde, thereby triggering ferroptosis, as also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy showing mitochondrial shrinkage, increased membrane density, and cristae loss. Additionally, PEITC activated autophagy and promoted nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferritinophagy, leading to ferritin degradation. The involvement of autophagy was further validated by co-treatment with autophagy inhibitors, which partially reversed PEITC-induced ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) downregulation and NCOA4 upregulation. In vivo immunofluorescence staining revealed that PEITC suppressed antioxidant defense and promoted ferritin degradation in activated HSCs, as shown by reduced GPX4 and FTH1 fluorescence signals within α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive areas in mouse liver sections. Collectively, these findings elucidate that PEITC alleviates liver fibrosis by promoting ferroptosis-related processes in activated HSCs, mainly through the NCOA4/FTH1 axis, positioning it as a promising nutraceutical candidate for antifibrotic therapy.

To address the challenges of unstable immobilization of tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) and inefficient generation of the tri-n-propylamine radical (TPrA˙) in the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/TPrA electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system, a novel dual-function strategy using a mixed-valence cerium metal-organic framework (Ce(III,IV)-MOF) was introduced in this study. The Ce(III,IV)-MOF was employed both as a scaffold for Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and as a co-reaction catalyst. The three-dimensional structure of the Ce(III,IV)-MOF provides a stable environment for Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, while the Ce(III)/Ce(IV) redox pair within the framework facilitates TPrA oxidation through reversible single-electron transfer, thereby enhancing TPrA˙ generation. This design co-localizes the luminophore and catalytic centers within a single framework, reducing shortening the electron-transfer distance between Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and the TPrA˙ site, and consequently enhancing the ECL performance of the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/TPrA system. Compared with single-valence MOFs and their physically mixed MOF composites, the ECL performance of the Ru@Ce (III,IV)-MOF/TPrA system is significantly improved, with the maximum ECL signal amplification factor reaching up to 2.7 times. The sensor developed using this strategy showed a broad linear range (1 × 10^-4 ng mL^-1-100 ng mL^-1) and a low detection limit (0.036 pg mL^-1), together with excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. This strategy provides a promising route for constructing multifunctional MOF-based ECL sensors for sensitive tumor biomarker detection.

Drying of nanowire-laden elongated droplets is a ubiquitous process in printed electronics fabrication, where the resulting deposition pattern critically determines device performance by controlling nanowire alignment, connectivity, and percolating charge-transport pathways. However, the physical understanding of evaporation-driven deposition is still largely derived from studies of spherical droplets on homogeneous substrates. This gap limits the ability to predict and control deposit morphology in realistic printing scenarios. Here, we use mesoscale lattice Boltzmann simulations to investigate the drying of nanowire-laden elongated droplets on wettability-patterned substrates, focusing on the effects of droplet geometry, nanowire interactions, and nanowire length. The elongated droplet geometry is found to intrinsically induce distinct axial and transverse inhomogeneities in the final deposit. Increasing the effective attraction between nanowires, which mimics changes in surface chemistry or solvent conditions, can improve electrical connectivity but also promotes clustering and local ordering, reducing structural uniformity. In contrast, increasing nanowire length yields a dual benefit by improving long-range connectivity while simultaneously enhancing deposit homogeneity. Our findings provide design guidance for balancing electrical transport and structural uniformity in evaporation-driven printed electronics.

Due to their exceptional charge transport properties, defect tolerance, and solution-processing advantages, metal halide perovskites have become versatile semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications. As channel materials for field-effect transistors (FETs), perovskites not only achieve high carrier mobility and are compatible with complementary circuit architectures, but their inherent ionic migration and photoresponsive properties also endow devices with memory and photoresponsive functions, rendering them uniquely attractive for neuromorphic computing (enabling low-power operation). However, defects at the dielectric/channel and channel/electrode interfaces still severely limit device performance and reliability. Recently, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have garnered widespread attention as an effective interface modification strategy. Through molecular design and tunable ion-dipole interactions, SAMs can effectively modulate interfacial energy states, suppress defects, and enhance device stability. Herein, a systematic review of the latest advancements in SAMs for perovskite transistors is presented, focusing on their roles in various device architectures and summarizing the structure-function-performance relationships between molecular properties and transistor behavior. Finally, the potential of SAM engineering in achieving robust and controllable interfacial properties is discussed, with the aim of advancing the multifunctional applications of perovskite FETs.

Correction for 'Effects of different galactans on DSS-induced colitis and the gut microbiota' by Xuefei Wei et al., Food Funct., 2026, 17, 4171-4184, https://doi.org/10.1039/d6fo00058d.

Nutrigenomics explores how nutrients interact with the genome to influence metabolic and physiological functions through microbial and molecular mechanisms. Nutrients and bioactive food compounds act as biochemical modulators that regulate gene expression and immune responses, sustaining physiological stability. On the other hand, the gut microbiota create a balanced, complex ecosystem that is vital for maintaining host physiology and metabolic balance. The type and composition of diet directly shape gut microbial communities and populations, which, in turn, influence host gene expression. Disruption of this balance can contribute significantly to various health issues. In this context, the gut microbiota act as both allies and adversaries in human health. This review discusses the current state of nutrigenomics, focusing on the complex interplay among dietary metabolites, microbiota, and genes, and linking this interplay to the genesis and prevention of several chronic diseases. This review provides an overview of the unique composition of the intestinal microbiota and its role in mediating nutrigenomic interactions.

Cognitive decline is a growing global public health concern in aging populations, with genetic and dietary factors contributing to individual differences in cognitive trajectories. Dietary choline, as a precursor of acetylcholine and a key regulator of methylation and membrane integrity, may protect cognitive function. However, epidemiological evidence remains inconsistent, and the optimal intake for neuroprotection remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary choline intake and cognitive decline and related outcomes, and a dose-response meta-analysis was performed. Eligible studies reporting risk estimates for cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or related outcomes according to dietary choline intake were included. Study characteristics and outcomes were extracted. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using a random-effects model and dose-response associations were assessed using a two-stage generalized least-squares framework. Eleven articles were included, of which nine independent cohorts involving 218 378 participants contributed to the primary meta-analysis. Higher dietary choline intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of adverse cognitive outcomes (pooled OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.92) and cognitive impairment/decline (pooled OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.95). A significant inverse association was also observed for Alzheimer's disease (AD) (pooled OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55-0.99), whereas the association with dementia was not statistically significant. Dose-response analyses revealed significant nonlinear associations for adverse cognitive outcomes and cognitive impairment/decline, with the lowest risk observed at approximately 350-400 mg day^-1 of dietary choline intake. Dietary choline intake was associated with lower risks of adverse cognitive outcomes, cognitive impairment/decline, and AD, with the lowest risks observed at moderate intake levels. These findings highlight the potential importance of adequate choline intake for cognitive health.

Vertically stacked electronics require thermal interface adhesives that conduct heat through confined bondlines while retaining adhesion after placement. Yet, highly filled ceramic adhesives are still commonly designed as bulk composites, with performance pursued by increasing filler loading or filler conductivity. This view overlooks how heat transport and adhesion are determined within the formed bondline, where filler connectivity, shear-dependent processability, wetting, and trapped air collectively govern performance. Here, we introduce a rheology-guided bondline densification strategy for multiscale thermally conductive adhesives composed of spherical Al₂O₃, plate-like hBN, fine AlN, and heat-activated polycaprolactone (PCL). The Al₂O₃/hBN architecture was optimized to balance shear-thinning flow, shape retention, and cured-state integrity, while fine AlN reinforced the conductive network. PCL was used as a thermoplastic densification mediator that softens during heat-primed mixing and suppresses microvoids within the ceramic-rich network. This strategy reduced microvoid formation, drove the skeletal density toward the composition-dependent theoretical density, and increased the surface free energy of the cured adhesive. The adhesive showed scale-bridging adaptability, conformally filling microscale roughness while remaining processable into large-area sheets and stamped macroscopic forms. The optimized adhesive achieved a through-plane thermal conductivity of 3.57 W m^-1 K^-1, representing a 2280% enhancement over neat epoxy and a 35% increase over the Al₂O₃/hBN baseline, along with a lap shear strength of 3.704 MPa, corresponding to a 113% improvement over the 20/40 baseline. Mobile-device heat-dissipation and load-bearing demonstrations further confirmed its practical applicability. These results establish bondline densification as a design principle for dense, processable, conformable, and adhesive thermal interfaces.

The calls for applying mechanical metamaterials for fall-injury mitigation are growing, yet conventional energy absorption mechanical metamaterials are not well-suited for gravitational, low-velocity, human-scale fall protection. To address these gaps, we propose a programmable centimeter-scale multi-stable tensegrity metamaterial that removes complex prestressing and enhances energy absorption. In our architecture, arrays of bistable units are stacked to form multi-stable "cables" that replace the tensile members in a classic tensegrity structure, simultaneously self-prestressing the structure and dissipating energy through controlled state transitions. Programmability is achieved through a hierarchical design - from the bistable unit to the multi-stable cable and to the full tensegrity structure - guided by a pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) that predicts the mechanical responses. The multi-stable tensegrity metamaterials are prototyped using 3D printing techniques, and experiments show a 3.1× increase in energy absorption compared to a non-tensegrity counterpart, allowing fragile eggs to survive drops from 120 cm, comparable to the center-of-mass height of an adult during a typical fall. In summary, this study establishes a pathway for the design, modelling, and fabrication of programmable multi-stable tensegrity metamaterials tailored to low-velocity, human-scale impact protection, with direct relevance to fall injury.

Circadian disruption (CD) is an important risk factor for cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially through disturbances in tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. This study investigated the protective effects of orally administered vanillin in a mouse model of CD. CD impaired spatial learning and recognition memory, whereas vanillin improved cognitive performance and corrected abnormal changes in TRP-related metabolites, including tryptophan, kynurenine (KYN), and kynurenic acid (KYNA). Vanillin also modulated the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and improved immune homeostasis. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis further showed that vanillin regulated hippocampal proteins associated with neuronal and synaptic function and reduced astrocyte activation. These findings suggest that vanillin alleviates CD-induced cognitive impairment, accompanied by alterations in gut microbiota composition, TRP-kynurenine metabolism, intestinal barrier function, and neuroinflammatory responses.