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Cellulose Nanocrystals The cover page illustrates cellulose nanocrystals extracted from trees, symbolizing nature's contribution to advanced materials. These nanocrystals align to form stratified thin films of varying thickness, each displaying vibrant, tunable colors. The artwork visually conveys the study's focus on environmentally friendly, optically active coatings, emphasizing the elegance and scalability of cellulose‐based materials for innovative applications. More details can be found in article 2400608 by Youssef Habibi and co‐workers.

Nature's most brilliant hues arise from the interaction of light with multilayered‐ structures of aligned building blocks. Mimicking this hierarchical organization in highly‐ordered thin films of liquid crystalline species has attracted increasing attention for potential applications in sensors and optical switching displays. Due to its intriguing ability to organize into optically active materials, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are attracting a strong interest in the scientific community. This study demonstrates that the shear‐driven convective assembly technique can be used to stratify in a controlled fashion highly ordered multilayers of rod‐like CNC embedded in a protective hydrophobic polymer matrix leading to optically active thin films. The films remain fully transparent even after stratifying 50 layers. Atomic force microscopy analysis reveals that over 87% of the CNCs in the upper layer aligned within ±20° of the withdrawal direction. Notably, the stratification does not disrupt the organization of the underlying layers. The films exhibit strong selective reflections with uniform and intense colors, dependent on the number of stratified layers. This scalable appraoch enables precise control over the optical characteristics of CNC‐polymer composite films, presenting opportunities for environmentally friendly applications in pigment‐free coatings, security papers, and optical devices. Explore shear‐driven convective assembly's role in creating optically active thin films. Highly ordered multilayers of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in a hydrophobic polymer matrix are achieved, offering precise control. The resulting films' optical activity, modulated by layer count, presents possibilities for pigment‐free coatings, security papers, and optical devices in this scalable, green technology.

A method is reported to create chiral rolls from two-dimensional atomic layers such as graphene with controlled rolling angles, which show optical activity and spin-selective transport dependent on the chiral lattice structures.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is typically managed through surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy drugs often lack specificity, leading to various adverse effects. To address this challenge, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have emerged as a potential solution to enhance drug delivery in cancer treatment. MSNPs possess advantageous properties such as high porosity, a large surface area, versatile pore sizes, and compatibility with biological systems. In preclinical studies, MSNPs have shown promise for loading with chemotherapeutic agents like paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and docetaxel. These drugs can be loaded onto the surface of MSNPs or encapsulated within their pores, allowing for controlled release profiles and accommodating different drug properties. To enhance specificity towards cancer cells, targeting ligands such as folic acid, HER2/neu antibodies, and aptamers can be attached to the MSNPs. MSNPs have demonstrated the ability to improve drug uptake and release, resulting in enhanced anticancer activity. Furthermore, MSNP-based drug delivery has improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, the experimental data presented in the review underscores the significance of utilizing mesoporous silica nanoparticles in designing targeted drug formulations for breast cancer treatment.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are perishable commodities requiring technologies to extend their postharvest shelf life. Edible coatings have been used as a strategy to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to cold storage and/or controlled atmosphere. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a new strategy for improving coating properties. Coatings based on plant-source nanoemulsions in general have a better water barrier, and better mechanical, optical, and microstructural properties in comparison with coatings based on conventional emulsions. When antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds are incorporated into the coatings, nanocoatings enable the gradual and controlled release of those compounds over the food storage period better than conventional emulsions, hence increasing their bioactivity, extending shelf life, and improving nutritional produce quality. The main goal of this review is to update the available information on the use of nanoemulsions as coatings for preserving fresh fruits and vegetables, pointing to a prospective view and future applications.

Chronic wound infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis pose formidable challenges in clinical management, exacerbated by the emergence of vancomycin-resistant strains. Phage therapy offers a targeted approach but encounters delivery hurdles. Due to their biocompatibility and controlled release properties, hydrogels hold promise as carriers. This study aimed to fabricate phage-containing hydrogels using sodium alginate (SA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hyaluronic acid (HA) to treat E. faecalis-infected wounds. We assessed the efficacy of these hydrogels both in vitro and in vivo. The hydrogel was prepared using SA-CMC-HA polymers. Phage SAM-E.f 12 was incorporated into the SA-CMC-HA hydrogel. The hydrogel's swelling index was measured after 24 h, and degradation was assessed over seven days. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial activity was tested via optical density (OD) and disk diffusion assays. Phage release and stability were evaluated over a month. In vivo efficacy was tested in mice through wound healing and bacterial count assays, with histopathological analysis. Hydrogels exhibited a swelling index of 0.43, a water absorption rate of %30, and 23% degradation over seven days. FTIR confirmed successful polymer incorporation. In vitro studies demonstrated that phage-containing hydrogels significantly inhibited bacterial growth, with an OD of 0.3 compared to 1.1 for the controls. Hydrogels remained stable for four weeks. In vivo, phage-containing hydrogels reduced bacterial load and enhanced wound healing, as shown by improved epithelialization and tissue restoration. Phage-containing hydrogels effectively treat wounds infected with E. faecalis-infected wounds, promoting wound healing through controlled phage release. These hydrogels can improve clinical outcomes in the treatment of infected wounds.

Microencapsulation is an attractive method in the production of controlled release and targeted delivery systems and is widely used to increase the bioavailability of antimicrobial molecules. Chitosan (CS) is commonly used as the wall material of microcapsules and demonstrates antibacterial and antifungal features. In this study, curcumin (CUR) and CS as bioactive substances were loaded in polycaprolactone (PCL) by microencapsulation method. The electrospinning method was used for the production of microencapsulated biomaterials as polymer composite fibers. SEM analysis of polymer composites was performed and the fiber size of PCL-CUR/CS composite fiber was measured as 248.71 ± 98 nm. The bioactive release kinetics correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) value and mathematical model of the polymer compounds were analyzed as PCL-CS/CUR; 0.98, Zero order, PCL-CUR; 0.93, Korsmeyer-Peppas and PCL-CS; 0.95 Higuchi, respectively. Antifungal activity experiments were performed on the obtained polymer composite fibers and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of PCL-CS, PCL-CUR, and PCL-CS/CUR composite fibers against Aspergillus niger were determined as >5000 ppm, 750 ppm, 2500 ppm, and 2500 ppm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of PCL-CS, PCL-CUR, and PCL-CS/CUR against Penicillium digitatum were >5000 ppm, 250 ppm, 1666 ppm, and 1666 ppm, respectively. These results revealed that PCL/-CS/CUR polymer composite fibers may be used as both antifungal and antibacterial bioactive material in tissue engineering applications. Graphical Abstract Highlights CUR and CS loaded into PCL via microencapsulation. PCL-CS/CUR composite fibers were fabricated. Composites had great antifungal-antibacterial activities with MIC against A. niger/P. digitatum . CUR exhibits Zero-order, Korsmeyer–Peppas, and Higuchi release kinetics in fibers.

Many of the available disability outcome measures used in clinical trials of multiple sclerosis are insensitive to change over time, inadequately validated, or insensitive to patient-perceived health status or quality of life. Increasing focus on therapies that slow or reverse disability progression makes it essential to refine existing measures or to develop new tools. Major changes to the expanded disability status scale should be avoided to prevent the loss of acceptance by regulators as a measure for primary outcomes in trials that provide substantial evidence of effectiveness. Rather, we recommend practical refinements. Conversely, although substantial data support the multiple sclerosis functional composite as an alternative measure, changes to its component tests and scoring method are needed. Novel approaches, including the use of composite endpoints, patient-reported outcomes, and measurement of biomarkers, show promise as adjuncts to the current disability measures, but are insufficiently validated to serve as substitutes. A collaborative approach that involves academic experts, regulators, industry representitives, and funding agencies is needed to most effectively develop disability outcome measures.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have gained widespread interest due to their unique properties, making them suitable for a range of applications. Several methods for their production are available, and of these, controlled synthesis techniques are particularly favourable. Large-scale culturing of Chlorella vulgaris produces secretory carbohydrates as a waste product, which have been shown to play an important role in directing the particle size and morphology of nanoparticles. In this investigation, ZnO nanorods were produced through a controlled synthesis approach using secretory carbohydrates from C. vulgaris, which presents a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to the existing techniques. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to characterise the nanorods. The prepared nanorods exhibited a broad range of UV absorption, which suggests that the particles are a promising broadband sun blocker and are likely to be effective for the fabrication of sunscreens with protection against both UVB (290–320 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm) radiations. The antimicrobial activity of the prepared nanorods against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was also assessed. The nanostructures had a crystalline structure and rod-like appearance, with an average length and width of 150 nm and 21 nm, respectively. The nanorods also demonstrated notable antibacterial activity, and 250 μg/mL was determined to be the most effective concentration. The antibacterial properties of the ZnO nanorods suggest its suitability for a range of antimicrobial uses, such as in the food industry and for various biomedical applications.

Although the nanodrug-loading system provides new ideas for the effective treatment of cancer, the lack of active cancer targeting, easy to be cleared by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), and may cause potential safety issues are still problems that needs urgent solution. Herein, the authors fabricated platelet membrane (PM)-coated docetaxel (DTX)-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (PM/PLGA/DTX) that possessed unique advantages for satisfactory lung cancer therapy. The resulting core–shell nanoplatform exhibited proper size (hydrodynamic diameter was 98.2 nm) for the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, slowed down the release of loaded DTX, and effectively suppressed the growth of tumor cells in vitro. More importantly, due to the immune escape and cancer-targeting capacities of PM, the PM/PLGA/DTX showed long circulation and effective lung tumor-targeting ability. After administration in vivo antitumor activity, the PM/PLGA/DTX significantly inhibited the tumor growth of A549 cell-bearing nude mice. In addition, the PM/PLGA/DTX strongly reduced the DTX toxicity compared with that of free DTX. Therefore, the results here demonstrated this biomimetic nanoparticle is a promising nanosized drug delivery system for targeted lung cancer therapy.