The protein binding propensity of nanoparticles determines their in vivo toxicity and their fate to be opsonized and cleared by human defense systems. In this work, protein-binding mechanisms of pristine and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWNTs) were investigated by varying f-MWNTs' diameters, nanotube surface chemistry, and proteins using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. The f-MWNTs with a larger diameter (∼40 nm) generally exhibited stronger protein binding compared to those with a smaller diameter (∼10 nm), demonstrating that the curvature of nanoparticles plays a key role in determining the protein binding affinity. Negative charges or steric properties on f-MWNTs enhanced binding for some proteins but not others, indicating that the electrostatic and stereochemical nature of both nanotubes and proteins govern nanotube/protein binding. Protein fluorescence lifetime was not altered by the binding while the intensity was quenched indicating a static quenching through complex formation. The binding-induced conformational changes were further confirmed by CD studies.

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α‐ l ‐Fucosidase 1 (FUCA1), a lysosomal enzyme that catalyses the hydrolytic cleavage of the terminal fucose residue, has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the clinical significance and biological roles of FUCA1 in glioma remain largely unknown. We analyzed FUCA1 expression according to data in Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas databases and further verified FUCA1 expression with immunohistochemistry and real‐time PCR analysis in glioma tissues. The results showed that FUCA1 overexpression was significantly associated with high‐grade glioma as well as high mortality rates in the survival analysis. Data analyzed in cBioPortal showed that alterations in FUCA1 (1.4%) were correlated with worse survival in glioblastoma multiforme patients. Functional experiments showed that downregulation of FUCA1 suppressed glioma growth in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of FUCA1 had the opposite effects on glioma. Mechanistically, transient inhibition of FUCA1 promoted the formation of large acidic vacuoles, as revealed by staining with acridine orange, increased the ratio of LC3‐B/LC3‐A, and modified the expression of Beclin‐1 and Atg12, which are autophagic markers. Upregulation of FUCA1 attenuated starvation‐induced autophagy in glioma. In addition, lower levels of tumor‐infiltrating macrophages, including CD68 + (−30%), F4/80 + (−50%), and CD11c + macrophages (−50%), were identified in FUCA1‐downregulated glioma tissues, and CCL2/CCL5 neutralizing Abs blocked this effect. These results show that FUCA1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with glioma by enhancing autophagy and inhibiting macrophage infiltration.

Free‐standing and foldable electrodes with high energy density and long lifespan have recently elicited attention on the development of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for flexible electronic devices. However, both low energy density and slow kinetics in cycling impede their practical applications. In this work, a free‐standing and binder‐free N, O‐codoped 3D vertical graphene carbon nanofibers electrode with ultra‐high silicon content (VGAs@Si@CNFs) is developed via electrospinning, subsequent thermal treatment, and chemical vapor deposition processes. The as‐prepared VGAs@Si@CNFs electrode exhibits excellent conductivity and flexibility because of the high graphitized carbon nanofiber network and abundant vertical graphene arrays. Such 3D all‐carbon architecture can be fabulous for providing a conductive and mechanically robust network, further improving the kinetics and restraining the volume expansion of Si NPs, especially with an ultra‐high Si content (>90 wt%). As a result, the VGAs@Si@CNFs composite demonstrates a superior specific capacity (3619.5 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1), ultralong lifespan, and outstanding rate capability (1093.1 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles at 8 A g−1) as a free‐standing anode for LIBs. It is believed that this work offers an exciting method for developing free‐standing and high‐energy‐density electrodes for other energy storage devices.

Graphene derivatives can function as a barrier reinforcement in waterborne epoxy (WEP) coatings.

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