Step-scheme (S-scheme) photocatalysts have been proposed for highly efficient charge separation and strong redox activity in the photocatalysis field. Here, we reported a facile strategy to obtain the S-scheme heterojunction composite TiO 2 / chlorophyll (Chl). The S-scheme heterojunction enables the significant improvement of electron transfer efficiency at the interfacial heterojunction of TiO 2 /Chl. Also, the lifted conduction band and valence band of TiO 2 /Chl resulted in more than 1.61 times generation of reactive oxidizing species, compared to that of bare TiO 2 . In addition, TiO 2 /Chl was applied as a photocatalytic bactericidal material to fabricate commercial masks for prolonged life span of the mask. The TiO 2 /Chl-coated mask filter exhibited excellent bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli under light illumination (2.94 × 10 7 cfu E. coli were killed by 1 cm −2 coated mask filters within illumination of 3 h), while commercial mask filters showed no bactericidal effect. After three circulation-sterilization tests, the TiO 2 /Chl-made mask filter maintained the initial bactericidal effect, which greatly extended the life span of the mask that presents a promising strategy to alleviate the supply stress of masks.

Telomere length maintenance is essential for cell proliferation, which is particularly prominent in cancer. We validate that the primary colorectal tumors exhibit heterogeneous telomere lengths but mostly (90%) short telomeres relative to normal tissues. Intriguingly, relatively short telomeres are associated with tumor malignancy as indicated by poorly differentiated state, and these tumors contain more cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) identified by several commonly used markers CD44, EPHB2 or LGR5. Moreover, promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and ALT-associated PML nuclear bodies (APBs) are frequently found in tumors with short telomeres and high proliferation. In contrast, distant normal tissues rarely or only minimally express PML. Inhibition of PML and APBs by an ATR inhibitor decreases proliferation of CSLCs and organoids, suggesting a potential therapeutic target to progressive colorectal tumors. Together, telomere maintenance underling tumor progression is connected with CSLCs.