Review
Microbiology
Takumi Tanaka, Yuki Terauchi, Akira Yoshimi, Keietsu Abe
Summary: In this review, the properties and functions of Aspergillus hydrophobins are comprehensively discussed based on recent findings. Aspergillus hydrophobins can be purified in a water phase without organic solvents and self-assemble to form amphipathic membranes. Certain hydrophobins help Aspergillus evade host immune recognition and recruit cutinases for polyester hydrolysis. Aspergilli produce various small secreted proteins (SSPs) to decompose solid polymers.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Pavankumar Janardhan Bhandari, Mullapudi Mohan Reddy, Kasuladevu Jegannadha Rao, Britto S. Sandanaraj
Summary: A new chemical methodology has been developed for the rapid synthesis of diverse semi-synthetic protein families, including various types of proteins with great potential for applications.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nazeeha Ayaz, Valentina Dichiarante, Claudia Pigliacelli, Jacopo Repossi, Lara Gazzera, Marta Borreggio, Daniele Maiolo, Cristina Chirizzi, Greta Bergamaschi, Linda Chaabane, Elisa Fasoli, Pierangelo Metrangolo, Francesca Baldelli Bombelli
Summary: Fluorine-magnetic resonance imaging (F-19-MRI) is a promising diagnostic technique that can be easily translated for clinical use, requiring appropriate delivery systems for highly omniphobic fluorinated probes. The use of the film-forming protein hydrophobin offers a sustainable method to change the wettability of fluorinated surfaces, demonstrated here to stabilize F-19-MRI probes in aqueous solution as nanoparticles for imaging applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grazyna B. Dabrowska, Zuzanna Garstecka, Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska, Grazyna Szczepanska, Maciej Ostrowski, Agnieszka Mierek-Adamska
Summary: Plastic pollution is a major global challenge, and biodegradation using a high pectinolytic fungus has shown promising results in laboratory conditions. The fungus was found to produce hydrophobin proteins and adhere to the plastic surface, forming a hydrophobin film. These findings open the door to further research and potential practical applications in environmental conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathania Puspitasari, Shen-Long Tsai, Cheng-Kang Lee
Summary: The study demonstrated that using PETase expressed and purified from Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, as well as Class I hydrophobins RolA and HGFI expressed and purified from Escherichia coli, for hydrolysis and pretreatment of PET fibers waste can effectively recycle monomers from PET waste, enhance hydrolysis efficiency, and increase the release of terephthalic acid and monomers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arnaud de Zordo-Banliat, Kevin Grollier, Nicolas Vanthuyne, Sebastien Floquet, Thierry Billard, Guillaume Dagousset, Bruce Pegot, Emmanuel Magnier
Summary: This study presents a method for the selective synthesis of perfluoroalkyl selenoxides and selenones using Oxone (R) as an oxidant or a Polyoxometalate-based Ionic Liquid (POM-IL) as a catalyst. The reaction provides satisfactory to excellent yields for various perfluoroalkyl chains and substituents. Perfluoroalkyl selenoxides are obtained through a two-step one-pot reaction from selenocyanates, and the previously unknown perfluoroalkyl selenoximines family is prepared with good yields. Two strategies for the synthesis of fluoroalkylated Se-IV and Se-VI compounds are explored, and the lipophilicity parameters of these compounds are evaluated. Additionally, the absolute configurations of asymmetric aryl perfluoroalkyl selenoximines are determined through resolution.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiangxiang Wang, Fulu Liu, Yating Zhang, Duolong Zhu, Per E. J. Saris, Haijin Xu, Mingqiang Qiao
Summary: A new method for immobilizing the antibacterial peptide nisin on hydrophobin surfaces was demonstrated, showing enhanced antibacterial activity. Hydrophobins acted as adhesive layers for binding charged peptides to interfaces, resulting in effective antibacterial surfaces. The findings suggest that electronic attraction and wettability play important roles in the adsorption process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jialin Bi, Zhangyin Yan, Lei Hao, Ashraf Y. Elnaggar, Salah M. El-Bahy, Fuhao Zhang, Islam H. El Azab, Qian Shao, Gaber A. M. Mersal, Junxiang Wang, Mina Huang, Zhanhu Guo
Summary: A new type of waterborne acrylic resin was prepared by solution polymerization using octafluoroamyl methacrylate (OF-PMA), 2-butoxy ethanol, and acrylic monomers as raw materials. N, N-dimethyl ethanolamine was used as a pH regulator. The addition mode and content of OF-PMA were studied, and the properties of the resin and its coating were tested. The results showed improved tensile strength, water resistance, heat resistance, fullness, adhesion, and hardness after the introduction of OF-PMA. This novel acrylic resin has potential application prospects in the field of waterborne wood coatings.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Kohei Yoshimoto, Motoi Ueda, Yuya Yamamoto, Masafumi Mizuguchi
Summary: Ca(PO3)(2)-AlF3-CaF2-BaF2-BaO glasses were prepared using the melt quenching method, and the effects of the O/P ratio on the optical properties and glass structure were investigated. The bandgap energy remained stable at O/P = 3.0-3.4 but decreased significantly with an increase in the O/P ratio from 3.6 to 4.0. The refractive index dispersion increased due to a decrease in the resonance frequency in the ultraviolet region as the O/P ratio increased. Changes in the glass structure, such as the breaking of phosphate chains and the generation of isolated Q(0) units, were observed at higher O/P ratios, which explained the nonlinear dependence of the optical properties on the O/P ratio.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jeremy Saiter, Thomas Guerin, Morgan Donnard, Armen Panossian, Gilles Hanquet, Frederic R. Leroux
Summary: Trifluoromethoxylation has attracted great attention in recent years due to the high interest in the OCF3 group for pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications. However, the existing methods often require the use of toxic, expensive, unstable F3CO- transfer reagents, which can generate undesired side-products. To address this issue, researchers have proposed a strategy involving the in-situ generation of gaseous fluorophosgene from triphosgene, its conversion by fluoride into the OCF3 anion, and the direct use of the latter in nucleophilic substitutions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao Li, Fen Wang, Yanyan Xu, Guijun Liu, Caihong Dong
Summary: Hydrophobins are small secreted proteins exclusively found in fungi, and a genome-wide analysis of the hydrophobin family in Cordyceps militaris revealed a greater diversity among class II members and limited gene duplication. Different transcript patterns of four hydrophobin-encoding genes during the life cycle suggest potential varying functions. The discovery of multi-domain hydrophobins in C. militaris could provide valuable insights for further research on hydrophobins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dianiris Luciano-Rosario, Justin L. Eagan, Niraj Aryal, Eddie G. Dominguez, Christina M. Hull, Nancy P. Keller
Summary: Hydrophobins are amphipathic secreted proteins uniquely found in filamentous fungi, playing an important role in mediating fungal interactions with their environments. Hydrophobins facilitate spore dispersal, but their function in fungal biology and virulence remains elusive. This study deleted all putative hydrophobin genes in P. expansum and found that the septuple-deletion mutant showed a fitness advantage in competitive pathogenicity tests on apple. These findings suggest a functional trade-off between dispersal and host colonization in P. expansum hydrophobins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeroen Vereman, Tim Thysens, Florian Weiland, Jan Van Impe, Guy Derdelinckx, Ilse Van de Voorde
Summary: The liquid storage stability of Class II hydrophobin HFBI from Trichoderma reesei was investigated at different pH conditions. The degradation of HFBI at neutral and slightly alkaline pH was observed due to ammonia loss and deamidation of asparagine residues present in HFBI. Although the degradation occurred, it had limited effect on the hydrophobic patch of HFBI and did not directly influence the foam stability and emulsion activity of HFBI.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Jaeyeop Chung, Hiroyuki Inoue, Kohei Yoshimoto, Atsunobu Masuno, Yasuhiro Watanabe
Summary: Substituting oxygen with fluorine in oxyfluoride glasses can decrease the glass-transition temperature and onset crystallization temperature, maximizing the glass-forming ability. The increase in fluorine content raises the atomic packing densities of the glasses, altering their absorption edge and transparency while improving optical properties.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qian Xu, Wei-Dong Liu, Yao-Xin Ding, Zhi-Wei Zheng, Lei-Ying Ying, Bao-Ping Zhang
Summary: In this study, the effects of fluorine plasma pre-treatment with different exposure time on InP metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor device were investigated. The optimal 3-minute F plasma pre-treatment significantly improved device characteristics by suppressing native oxide formation and passivating interface traps, providing a solution for future high-performance InP MOS devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Binita Nath, Lorenzo Caprini, Claudio Maggi, Alessandra Zizzari, Valentina Arima, Ilenia Viola, Roberto Di Leonardo, Andrea Puglisi
Summary: This article proposes a passive technique for increasing the concentration of motile sperms without external forces or flows. Through microfluidic experiments and simulations, the effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated, along with the identification of key components for optimal trap design.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Vita Guarino, Alessandra Zizzari, Monica Bianco, Giuseppe Gigli, Lorenzo Moroni, Valentina Arima
Summary: The human Blood Brain Barrier (hBBB) is a complex cellular structure separating the blood from the brain parenchyma. Its integrity and functionality are crucial for preventing harmful substances from entering the brain. However, the low permeability of hBBB hinders drug delivery to the brain and its disruption is associated with certain diseases. Organ-on-Chip (OoC) models based on microfluidic technologies offer a promising approach to study hBBB, providing a more realistic and cost-effective alternative to existing models. This review focuses on recent advances in OoCs for developing hBBB models, discussing key considerations such as cell types, barrier integrity, stability, and functionality evaluation.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Simona Tarantino, Anna Paola Caricato, Rosaria Rinaldi, Caterina Capomolla, Valeria De Matteis
Summary: Conventional methods of cancer treatment and diagnosis have limitations in terms of effectiveness and potential side effects. In recent years, nanoscale materials, particularly gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have been studied to develop more efficient methods for disease treatment. AuNPs possess unique physical and optical properties, such as biocompatibility and the ability to be modified. This review analyzes the properties of AuNPs, focusing on star-shaped AuNPs, and reviews the main methods of tumor treatment and diagnosis involving AuNPs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Pizzi, Andrea Daolio, Roberta Beccaria, Nicola Demitri, Fiorenza Viani, Giuseppe Resnati
Summary: Experimental findings confirm that the sulfur atom in benzisothiazolinones has a remarkable tendency to form short and directional chalcogen bondings, suggesting the crucial role of sulfur's electrophilicity in initiating the biopharmacological activities of these compounds.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miriam Calabrese, Andrea Pizzi, Andrea Daolio, Maurizio Ursini, Antonio Frontera, Nicola Demitri, Carsten Lenczyk, Jakub Wojciechowski, Giuseppe Resnati
Summary: This study discovers that the C(sp3) atoms on the methylene moiety can act as electrophilic sites in self-assembly processes and form bidentate tetrel bonds with nucleophiles. Experimental (X-ray structural analysis) and theoretical evidence (DFT calculations) have confirmed this finding.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Deepak Chopra, Sajesh P. Thomas, Giuseppe Resnati
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Jonkergouw, Ngong Kodiah Beyeh, Ekaterina Osmekhina, Katarzyna Leskinen, S. Maryamdokht Taimoory, Dmitrii Fedorov, Eduardo Anaya-Plaza, Mauri A. Kostiainen, John F. Trant, Robin H. A. Ras, Paivi Saavalainen, Markus B. Linder
Summary: A water-soluble synthetic macrocycle, Pillar[5]arene, has been identified to bind to key virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens, suppressing toxins and biofilms and enhancing the efficacy of standard antibiotics. It evades existing antibiotic resistance mechanisms and shows promise as a dual-acting anti-virulence treatment against Top Priority pathogens.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrea Tateo, Vincenzo Campanaro, Nicola Amoroso, Loredana Bellantuono, Alfonso Monaco, Ester Pantaleo, Rosaria Rinaldi, Tommaso Maggipinto
Summary: This study investigates how meteorological conditions can affect particulate matter (PM) concentrations. The findings show that air pollution levels are significantly associated with meteorological conditions and can be predicted using either ground weather observations or weather forecasts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Daolio, Andrea Pizzi, Susanta K. Nayak, Justyna Dominikowska, Giancarlo Terraneo, Pierangelo Metrangolo, Giuseppe Resnati
Summary: Due to its high electron density, fluoride anions are the most effective halogen bond acceptors among the halides. However, under common experimental conditions, fluoride ions rarely act as acceptors, possibly due to their hydrated form. Here, we report that under specific crystallization conditions, a hydrogen bond-free fluoride ion acting as an electron density donor can be obtained, and the resulting halogen bonds play a significant role in the observed crystal packings. Computational studies confirm the strength of these halogen bonds compared to similar interactions involving other halides.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica De Castro, Erika Stefano, Francesco Paolo Fanizzi, Riccardo Di Corato, Pasant Abdalla, Francesca Luchetti, Maria Gemma Nasoni, Rosaria Rinaldi, Mauro Magnani, Michele Benedetti, Antonella Antonelli
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of loading platinum-based nucleoside derivatives into human red blood cells and found that these complexes are stable and suitable for incorporation. This opens up new possibilities for incorporating other metalated nucleobase analogues with potential antitumor and/or antiviral activity into red blood cells.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jianhui Feng, Bartosz Gabryelczyk, Isabell Tunn, Ekaterina Osmekhina, Markus B. Linder
Summary: Structural engineering of molecules for condensation is an emerging technique within synthetic biology, involving the study of liquid-liquid phase separation and condensation within cells. Intracellular condensates regulate cellular reactions and compartmentalize interactions. Understanding the design and in vivo-in vitro properties of molecules for condensation is important. Research on NT2RepCT and its structural variants suggests that intracellular conditions can suppress condensation to some extent, while molecular crowding affects both condensate properties and formation. Intracellular characterization eliminates the need for batch purification and in vitro condensation, making it a useful tool for studying different structural variants.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Roman Gulyaev, Oleg Semyonov, Georgy V. Mamontov, Alexey A. Ivanov, Daniil M. Ivanov, Minjun Kim, Vaclav Svorcik, Giuseppe Resnati, Ting Liao, Ziqi Sun, Yusuke Yamauchi, Pavel S. Postnikov, Olga Guselnikova
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of halogen bonding (HaB) in functional materials for separation science, by introducing HaB elements into UiO-66 to fine-tune the adsorption properties towards chlorobenzenes (CBs).
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giovanna Vasco, Valentina Arima, Soufiane Boudjelida, Mauro Carraro, Monica Bianco, Alessandra Zizzari, Elisabetta Perrone, Francesco Galiano, Alberto Figoli, Maura Cesaria
Summary: This study investigates the performance of polyaniline-capped aluminosilicate nanotubes doped polyether sulfone membranes, which show higher water permeance. Non-destructive imaging techniques are used to successfully detect and count the distribution of nanotubes embedded in the polymer matrix.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yijue Xu, Miriam Calabrese, Nicola Demitri, Andrea Pizzi, Tamali Nag, Ivan Hung, Zhehong Gan, Giuseppe Resnati, David L. Bryce
Summary: The bonding between rhenium and organic perrhenates is investigated using Re-185/187 solid-state NMR and Re-185/187 NQR techniques. The quadrupolar couplings of Re-185/187 can distinguish MaB samples from control samples, and their precise values are affected by the shear strain of ReO4- anions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yijue Xu, Miriam Calabrese, Nicola Demitri, Andrea Pizzi, Tamali Nag, Ivan Hung, Zhehong Gan, Giuseppe Resnati, David L. Bryce
Summary: In this study, the bonding between rhenium and the matrix in a set of organic perrhenates was investigated using Re-185/187 solid-state NMR and Re-185/187 NQR techniques. The quadrupolar couplings of Re-185/187 were able to distinguish between MaB samples and control samples, and their precise values were determined by the shear strain of the ReO4- anions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.
