Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
S. Mao, R. Guo, D. Li, C. Lv, J. Sun, D. Yang, P. Meng
Summary: The study utilized alginate/chitosan composite hydrogel as a carrier for oral delivery of analgesics, achieving controlled release in the gastrointestinal environment. By adjusting the ratio of alginate and chitosan in the hydrogel, the responsive behavior under different pH conditions can be further controlled.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Minquan Xia, Zhaoyu Cui, Tao Zeng, LiZhi Lu, Long Sheng, Zhaoxia Cai
Summary: This work achieved pH-responsive oral delivery of IgY-Fab fragments using cellulose based multi-network composite hydrogels, demonstrating stability and interactions between Fab and the hydrogel matrix.
Article
Polymer Science
Hsi-Chin Wu, Wei-Ting Kuo
Summary: The study developed a smart tumor-targeting co-delivery system capable of simultaneously delivering chemotherapy drugs and siRNA, with dual responsiveness and high cellular uptake efficiency. This system shows potential for application in functional co-delivery and tumor therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manxiu Huai, Mingliang Pei, Jiaxing Pan, Yun Zhu, Yingwen Chen, Peng Du, Yanming Duan, Huixiong Xu, Wensong Ge
Summary: A colon microenvironment-responsive hydrogel (AL/HA hydrogel) was developed and used to package IFX, creating a facile oral antibody delivery system for IBD treatment. The AL/HA hydrogel showed significant therapeutic effect on IBD and helped alleviate the drawbacks of IFX.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Yulong Zhang, Benjamin M. Wu
Summary: This review focuses on the analysis of stimuli-responsive principles exhibited by smart hydrogels and their applications in drug delivery and disease treatment. It aims to contribute to the current understanding of gel-based drug delivery systems and stimulate further research in this field by discussing key design principles, challenges, and future prospects.
Article
Biophysics
Daquan Wang, Na Zhou, Ning Zhang, Zhe Zhi, Yongping Shao, Lingjie Meng, Demei Yu
Summary: A novel redox/pH dual-responsive and biodegradable polyphosphazene (PPZ) nano-prodrugs have been prepared, which can achieve controlled drug release in tumor microenvironment, exhibit significant cytotoxicity to cancer cells, and have negligible side effects on normal cells.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. Umesh, S. Sarkar, S. Bera, P. Moitra, S. Bhattacharya
Summary: A new hydrogel was developed by mixing 5'-guanosine monophosphate disodium salt and 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid tetra potassium salt. The hydrogel showed excellent stability and pH-responsive properties. It was used for the encapsulation and delivery of an anticancer drug, and demonstrated high drug loading capacity and controlled release capabilities. In vivo studies showed significant regression of tumor volume after administration of the drug-loaded hydrogel.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tianyu Guo, Wangxia Wang, Junlong Song, Yongcan Jin, Huining Xiao
Summary: A novel cellulose-based hydrogel was constructed in this study for efficient delivery of agrochemicals. The hydrogel displayed reversible sol-gel transitions and dynamic reactions under various environmental conditions, showing potential for sustainable advancement of crop production.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tilen Kopac, Matjaz Krajnc, Ales Rucigaj
Summary: Ionically crosslinked hydrogels based on TEMPO nanocelullose and alginate were prepared to develop a generalized pH value, temperature and biopolymer concentration dependent mathematical model. The research focused on the effects of hydrogen bonds in the mathematical model, especially in the low crosslink densities of TEMPO nanocellulose hydrogel in acidic medium. Comparisons were made with alginate hydrogels as samples with less significant hydrogel bonds effect. The study discussed the mechanisms of swelling and shrinkage, as well as the influence of substituent groups, ionic interactions, and hydrogen bonds on different pH mediums.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Farya Shabir, Asif Mahmood, Nadiah Zafar, Muhammad Zaman, Rai Muhammad Sarfraz, Hira Ijaz
Summary: In this study, a novel pH-responsive hydrogel nanocomposite was developed for safe oral delivery of insulin. The Ins-Mmt-BA6 hydrogel NC showed the best formulation, with 96.17% maximum insulin released in 24 h. In vivo studies demonstrated a significant decrease in blood glucose levels and relative bioavailability for the Ins-Mmt-BA hydrogel NC compared to other formulations and subcutaneous administration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mukherjee Arjama, Sivaraj Mehnath, Murugaraj Jeyaraj
Summary: This study reports on a novel type of dual pH and redox sensitive hydrogel particles for rapid and efficient delivery of anticancer drugs and phototherapy. The hydrogel particles have controlled shape and can release drugs triggered by pH and redox reactions, and degrade into low molecular weight chains inside cells. The experiment confirms that this new drug delivery system exhibits higher cytotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Udaykumar Vegad, Megha Patel, Dignesh Khunt, Ozbej Zupancic, Sanjay Chauhan, Amrit Paudel
Summary: In recent decades, there has been significant progress in the design and development of biomaterials based on non-cellulosic biological macromolecules. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels made from non-cellulosic biological macromolecules have gained attention due to their unique physicochemical properties, biological characteristics, and sustainability. pH-responsive hydrogels have the ability to release therapeutic substances in response to pH changes, leading to tailored drug administration, reduced side effects, and improved treatment efficacy. pH-sensitive biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, guar gum, and dextran have been widely used in various applications, including drug delivery.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jae-pil Jeong, Kyungho Kim, Jaeyul Kim, Yohan Kim, Seunho Jung
Summary: In this study, new hydrogels were fabricated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and succinoglycan (SG) obtained from Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm 1021. The hydrogel composition and freeze-thaw cycles were optimized to enhance the swelling ratio. The optimized hydrogel exhibited pH-responsive drug release and was non-toxic and biocompatible, making it a potential candidate for chronic wound dressing applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ji Luo, Shuguang Zhang, Peiyao Zhu, Wenke Liu, Jiang Du
Summary: In this study, pH/redox dual-responsive mixed polyprodrug micelles (MPPMs) were prepared for enhanced anticancer drug delivery. The MPPMs showed reasonable size and uniform dispersion, and exhibited pH and redox responsiveness. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that these MPPMs effectively released the drug and inhibited tumor growth, resulting in improved therapeutic efficacy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alireza Parvaresh, Zhila Izadi, Houshang Nemati, Hossein Derakhshankhah, Mehdi Jaymand
Summary: A redox-and pH-responsive magnetic hydrogel was developed for sustained and targeted delivery of doxorubicin. The hydrogel, based on alginate, was synthesized using Fe3O4 nanoparticles and cystamine through double crosslinking. The hydrogel exhibited controlled drug release behavior, strong interaction with human serum albumin, and increased anti-cancer activity over time.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yinggang Li, Zhenyu Duan, Dayi Pan, Long Ren, Lei Gu, Xiaoling Li, Gang Xu, Hongyan Zhu, Hu Zhang, Zhongwei Gu, Rongjun Chen, Qiyong Gong, Yao Wu, Kui Luo
Summary: Tumor cells dominate the nutritional competition in the tumor microenvironment, leading to acidosis and nutrient deprivation, which impairs immune cells and reduces the effectiveness of anti-tumor therapy. A branched polymeric conjugate was developed to interfere with tumor cell metabolism and create a favorable environment for immune cells. Combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, it enhanced the anti-tumor effect, providing a promising approach for chemo-immunotherapy against cancers.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul Leidinger, Mirco Panighel, Virginia Perez Dieste, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Pablo Vezzoni, Felix Haag, Johannes V. Barth, Francesco Allegretti, Sebastian Guenther, Laerte L. Patera
Summary: Dynamic covalent chemistry is used for designing covalent organic frameworks with high crystallinity achieved through reversible bond formation. In this study, near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is employed to investigate the reversible formation of a two-dimensional boroxine framework. By mapping the pressure-temperature parameter space, the regions where the rates of condensation and hydrolysis reactions dominate are identified, which enable the thermodynamically controlled growth of crystalline frameworks.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Elena Alfonso-Gonzalez, Marta Liras, Mengjiao Wang, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Luca de Trizio, Mariam Barawi, Victor A. de la Pena O'Shea
Summary: In this work, a tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell based on two different crystallographic phases of sub-stoichiometric copper telluride nanocrystals (NCs) was designed, assembled, and characterized. The PEC cell exhibits efficient photoconversion by utilizing the distinct optoelectronic properties of the two Cu2-xTe structures.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Giuseppina Molinaro, Flavia Fontana, Ruben Pareja Tello, Shiqi Wang, Sandra Lopez Cerda, Giulia Torrieri, Alexandra Correia, Eero Waris, Jouni T. Hirvonen, Goncalo Barreto, Helder A. Santos
Summary: This study developed acetalated-dextran nanoparticles (AcDEX NPs) loaded with curcumin and coated with tannic acid (TA) for the treatment of tendinitis. The nanoparticles showed good stability and interaction with human tenocytes and macrophages due to the TA coating. The curcumin-loaded particles exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, while the TA-coated particles showed anti-fibrotic effects. Overall, the nanosystem has promising properties for future application in tendinitis.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxin Zhang, Jie Zhou, Xiaoting Chen, Zhiqian Li, Lei Gu, Dayi Pan, Xiuli Zheng, Qianfeng Zhang, Rongjun Chen, Hu Zhang, Qiyong Gong, Zhongwei Gu, Kui Luo
Summary: Interaction between carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor cells promotes breast cancer invasion and metastasis. A redox-responsive chondroitin sulfate (CS)-based nanomedicine was developed, containing hydrophobic cabazitaxel (CTX) conjugated to CS backbone via glutathione (GSH)-sensitive dithio-maleimide (DTM) to form an amphipathic CS-DTM-CTX (CDC) conjugate. Dasatinib (DAS) was co-assembled with the CDC conjugate to obtain DAS@CDC. The nanomedicine could reverse CAFs to normal fibroblasts, block their crosstalk with tumor cells, inhibit tumor extracellular matrix protein synthesis, and effectively suppress tumor proliferation and metastasis, demonstrating a synergistic therapy effect against breast cancer.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eoghan Rattigan, Sigmund Jensen, Zhaozong Sun, Miguel Angel Nino, Sofia O. Parreiras, Cristina Martin-Fuentes, Juan Carlos Martin Romano, David Ecuja, Carlos Escudero, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Stefan Wendt, Jonathan Rodriguez-Fernandez, Jeppe V. Lauritsen
Summary: This study investigates the surface structure and spectroscopic features of varying submono-layer coverages of CoO supported on Pt(111) under CO oxidation conditions using operando ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results reveal that the cobalt oxide ultrathin film dewets into nanoparticles with a Co3O4-like structure upon temperature increase during the CO oxidation reaction.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Apanpreet Kaur, Daniel Darvill, Shuning Xiang, Jerry Y. Y. Heng, Peter K. Petrov, Robert L. Z. Hoye, Rongjun Chen
Summary: The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of global deployment of new vaccines to combat disease outbreaks. RNA-based vaccines utilizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a drug delivery system have been highly effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, LNPs are unstable at room temperature and agglomerate during storage, rendering them ineffective for intracellular delivery. This study demonstrates the suitability of nanopackaging using nanohole arrays as patterned surfaces for the separation and storage of functionalized LNPs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carmen Tebar-Soler, Vlad Martin-Diaconescu, Laura Simonelli, Alexander Missyul, Virginia Perez-Dieste, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Jean-Blaise Brubach, Pascale Roy, Miguel Lopez Haro, Jose Juan Calvino, Patricia Concepcion, Avelino Corma
Summary: The utilization of CO2 as a carbon source and surplus renewable energy for generating methane fuel allows for the decarbonization and substitution of fossil fuels. A solid catalyst synthesized using a mild hydrothermal synthesis method exhibits excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for methane conversion at lower temperatures than conventional catalysts, with long-term stability. This catalyst can operate under intermittent power supply conditions, making it compatible with renewable energy-based electricity production systems.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tomoya Minezaki, Peter Kruger, Fatima Ezahra Annanouch, Juan Casanova-Chafer, Aanchal Alagh, Ignacio J. J. Villar-Garcia, Virginia Perez-Dieste, Eduard Llobet, Carla Bittencourt
Summary: This study investigates the hydrogen sensing mechanism of a nanostructured WS2 layer using NAP-XPS and DFT. The results suggest that hydrogen physisorbs on the WS2 active surface at room temperature and chemisorbs on tungsten atoms at higher temperatures. DFT calculations show that hydrogen adsorbs physically on the defect-free WS2 monolayer, but forms chemical bonds with tungsten atoms on sulfur defects. The hydrogen adsorption causes charge transfer and reduces the intensity of in-gap states, leading to an increase in the gas sensor resistance.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiachen Li, Shiqi Wang, Flavia Fontana, Christos Tapeinos, Mohammad -Ali Shahbazi, Huijie Han, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Remarkable progress has been made in phototherapy in recent decades, thanks to its non-invasiveness and immediate therapeutic effectiveness. Moreover, the development of nanoparticle-based phototherapy systems has emerged as a hot topic in nanomedicine research, especially in cancer. This review briefly introduces the history and mechanisms of phototherapy, summarizes the recent development in nanoparticle-based phototherapy, highlights the innovative design of nanoparticles, and discusses the potential of these systems in clinical anticancer therapy.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sandra Lopez Cerda, Flavia Fontana, Shiqi Wang, Alexandra Correia, Giuseppina Molinaro, Ruben Pareja Tello, Jouni Hirvonen, Christian Celia, Goncalo Barreto, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Macrophages play a critical role in various diseases, and single-drug loaded nanoparticles have been developed to target them. However, macrophage dysfunction can lead to multiple conditions, such as inflammation and fibrosis. This study developed hybrid lipid-polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) loaded with both budesonide and enhanced green fluorescence protein siRNA (eGFP-siRNA) to modulate macrophage dysfunction. The LPNs showed efficient loading, controlled release, non-toxicity, and high transfection efficiency, making them a suitable nanoplatform for the dual drug delivery to macrophages.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuhan Liu, Yifan Liu, Xiaoyu Yang, Xinyu Lu, Xiao-Ning Xu, Jiancheng Zhang, Rongjun Chen
Summary: A novel polymer adjuvant has been reported for hepatitis B vaccine, which forms stable nanoformulations and shows good biocompatibility and cellular uptake ability. It also has the advantage of sparing antigen dosage.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huijie Han, Jie Chen, Jiachen Li, Alexandra Correia, Raquel Bartolo, Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi, Tambet Teesalu, Shiqi Wang, Wenguo Cui, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process responsible for abnormal cell clearance. Cancer cells often develop mechanisms to escape apoptosis, posing a challenge in cancer treatment. A biomimetic lipid nanocarrier that mimics mitochondrial Cytochrome C binding has been developed. This nanocarrier shows great potential in pro-apoptosis cancer therapy, reducing ATP level and promoting apoptosome assembly, leading to higher apoptosis and anti-tumor efficacy.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ruben Pareja Tello, Shiqi Wang, Flavia Fontana, Alexandra Correia, Giuseppina Molinaro, Sandra Lopez Cerda, Sami Hietala, Jouni Hirvonen, Goncalo Barreto, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Microfluidic on-chip production of iEDDA-crosslinked polymeric hydrogel microspheres is developed via water-in-oil emulsification (W/O) glass microfluidics. The microspheres are composed of two polyethylene glycol precursors modified with either tetrazine or norbornene. Using a single co-flow glass microfluidic platform, homogenous MPs of sizes 200-600 μm are developed and crosslinked within 2 minutes. The iEDDA-crosslinked hydrogels exhibit maintained rheological properties, low swelling degree, and slow degradation under physiological conditions, making them potential drug vehicles and cell encapsulation systems in the biomedical field.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eoghan Rattigan, Zhaozong Sun, Tamires Gallo, Miguel Angel Nino, Sofia de Oliveira Parreiras, Cristina Martin-Fuentes, Juan Carlos Martin-Romano, David Ecija, Carlos Escudero, Ignacio Villar, Jonathan Rodriguez-Fernandez, Jeppe Lauritsen
Summary: This study investigates the active phase and adsorbed species at the CoOx/Pt(111) interface in CO and O-2 atmospheres using ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It reveals that the transformation from planar CoO to a mixed Co2+/Co3+ phase is the active state for CO oxidation, and the variation of the active phase formation is influenced by the pressure of H-2 gas. The study emphasizes the importance of the reducibility window of cobalt oxide and the bonding strength of CO to the reduced oxide phase for the activity of the system.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
