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Overcoming the limitations of traditional analytical methods and developing technologies to continuously monitor environments and produce a comprehensive picture of potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been an ongoing challenge. Herein, we developed a portable nuclear receptor (NR)-based biosensor within 90 min to perform highly sensitive analyses of a broad range of EDCs in environmental water samples. Based on the specific binding of the fluorescence–labeled NRs with their ligands, the receptors were attached to the EDC–functionalized fiber surface by competing with EDCs in the samples. The biosensor emitted fluorescence due to the evanescent wave excitation, thereby resulting in a turn-off sensing mode. The biosensor showed a detection limit of 5 ng/L E2-binding activity equivalent (E2-BAE) and 93 ng/L T3-BAE. As a case study, the biosensor was used to map the estrogenic binding activities of surface waters obtained from a rural community in the Yellow River basin in China. When the results obtained were compared with those from the traditional yeast two-hybrid bioassay, a high correlation was observed. It is anticipated that the good universality and versatility exhibited by this biosensor for various EDCs, which is achieved by using different NRs, will significantly promote the continuous assessment of global EDCs.

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For enhancing the piezoelectric properties of ceramics (Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 )ZrO 3 (BNZ) was used to partially substitute (K 0.5 Na 0.5 )NbO 3 (KNN). The addition of BNZ changes the symmetry of KNN ceramics from orthorhombic to tetragonal, and finally to rhombohedral phase. A new phase boundary with both rhombohedral-orthorhombic and orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transitions near room temperature is identified for KNN-0.050BNZ ceramics, where optimum electrical properties were obtained: d 33 = 360 pC/N, k p = 32.1%, e r = 1429, tand = 3.5%, and T C = 329°C. The results indicated a new method for designing high-performance lead-free piezoelectric materials.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology has shown its power in preventing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Two mRNA vaccines targeting the full-length S protein of SARS-CoV-2 have been authorized for emergency use. Recently, we have developed a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA (mRNA-LNP) encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 (termed ARCoV), which confers complete protection in mouse model. Herein, we further characterized the protection efficacy of ARCoV in nonhuman primates and the long-term stability under normal refrigerator temperature. Intramuscular immunization of two doses of ARCoV elicited robust neutralizing antibodies as well as cellular response against SARS-CoV-2 in cynomolgus macaques. More importantly, ARCoV vaccination in macaques significantly protected animals from acute lung lesions caused by SARS-CoV-2, and viral replication in lungs and secretion in nasal swabs were completely cleared in all animals immunized with low or high doses of ARCoV. No evidence of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection was observed throughout the study. Finally, extensive stability assays showed that ARCoV can be stored at 2–8 °C for at least 6 months without decrease of immunogenicity. All these promising results strongly support the ongoing clinical trial.

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