Article
Polymer Science
Jules Stouten, Nick Sijstermans, Joanna Babilotte, Andrij Pich, Lorenzo Moroni, Katrien Bernaerts
Summary: In this study, a novel block copolymer was synthesized via the controlled polymerization of 4-oxocyclopentenyl acrylate and lauryl acrylate. The resulting block copolymers were able to self-assemble into micellar structures in water and form stable core structures through UV cross-linking. Drug loading experiments showed promising drug delivery capabilities of the block copolymers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yujing Weng, Min Zou, Xuying Liu, Junchao Gu, Zhijie Liu, Yunchang Fan, Yulong Zhang, Yuhe Liao
Summary: A green approach to synthesize methyl glycolate (MG) by combining subcritical methanol and phenol/quinone redox system for the reversible C-C cleavage and oxidation during the cascade reaction of glucose to MG is proposed.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Lecuyer, Nicolas Bia, Pierre Burckel, Cedric Loubat, Alain Graillot, Johanne Seguin, Yohann Corvis, Jianhua Liu, Lucie Valero, Daniel Scherman, Nathalie Mignet, Cyrille Richard
Summary: Optical in vivo imaging using inorganic nanoparticles as imaging probes is a promising technique for clinical diagnostics and treatment applications. In this study, ZGO nanoparticles were developed for their unique properties of bright persistent luminescence signal and activation in vivo. To avoid opsonization by the mononuclear phagocyte system, the NPs were coated with hydrophilic polymers using a new functionalization method involving two different polyethylene glycol phosphonic acid polymers. The newly functionalized NPs exhibited long circulation time and low protein adsorption, showing potential for in vivo imaging.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Yi Wen, Zhimei Song, Hongmei Xu, Sijia Feng, Li Zhu, Fangfang Teng, Runliang Feng
Summary: The study prepared new polymeric micelles loaded with azithromycin to enhance its solubility and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The micelles showed good in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects, demonstrating their potential as a candidate for treating Staphylococcus aureus infections.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antonio Jaime-Azuara, Thomas Helmer Pedersen, Reinhard Wimmer
Summary: Chemical recycling of polymers to monomers and chemicals has the potential to minimize resource consumption and reduce CO2 impact. Solvolytic depolymerization of PET is a selective process that maximizes monomer recovery, but optimization challenges remain. Subcritical water has shown promise as a green solvent for PET depolymerization, and new NMR quantification methods have allowed for more accurate product characterization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingxing Chen, Adam Marks, Bryan D. Paulsen, Ruiheng Wu, Reem B. Rashid, Hu Chen, Maryam Alsufyani, Jonathan Rivnay, Iain McCulloch
Summary: Rigid n-type conjugated polymers bearing OEG side chains demonstrated high electron mobility and excellent performance in OECT devices, achieving among the highest levels reported to date. The metal-free aldol-condensation polymerization used for synthesis is beneficial for their application in bioelectronics.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qiong Wu, Zhuoyu Wang, Baozheng Zhao, Ruiyang Zhao, Shitao Yu, Lang Huang
Summary: Promoted ethylene glycol yield from cellulose hydrogenolysis is achieved using nickel-tungsten doped carbon catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal that increasing tungsten loading leads to an improved bronsted acid content, which facilitates cellulose hydrolysis and suppresses glucose isomerization. Additionally, high tungsten loading promotes oxygen vacancies and retro aldol condensation of glucose, resulting in increased ethylene glycol yield.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wenwei Pan, Ziyu Han, Ye Chang, Xu Yan, Feng Zhou, Sihong Shen, Xuexin Duan
Summary: This study designed three polyelectrolytes that can form different biosensing surfaces with varying interfacial characteristics. The surface density and binding behaviors of the polyelectrolyte surfaces with proteins and virus particles were studied using quartz crystal microbalance, interferometry, and atomic force microscopy. A multivalent adsorption kinetic model was developed to estimate the number of bonds between the viral particles and polyelectrolyte surfaces. The experimental results showed that the heterogeneous 3D surface with a jagged forest-like structure enhanced virus capture ability through maximizing multivalent interactions. Specific coronavirus detection was achieved in spiked swab samples, indicating the importance of both probe density and spatial arrangement for sensing performance and rational biosensing surface design.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asma Younas, Hafiza Nadia Rashid, Dilshad Hussain, Sayed Tayyab Raza Naqvi, Muhammad Ali Khan, Batool Fatima, Saadat Majeed
Summary: This study focused on the removal of harmful anions from water and wastewater, demonstrating that specific membrane technology can effectively remove chlorfenapyr anions from wastewater and improve water treatment efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ceren Cokca, Franz J. Hack, Daniel Costabel, Kira Herwig, Juliana Huelsmann, Patrick Then, Rainer Heintzmann, Dagmar Fischer, Kalina Peneva
Summary: This study describes the shielding of a high performing terpolymer using block copolymerization with various molecular weights of P(MEO(9)MA) and investigates its influence on cytotoxicity, pDNA binding, and transfection efficiency. The results show that higher molecular weight P(MEO(9)MA) blocks exhibit excellent biocompatibility and efficient transfection efficiency.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James M. Fay, Chaemin Lim, Anna Finkelstein, Elena Batrakova, Alexander Kabanov
Summary: The study introduced two novel formulations replacing PEG in therapeutic polyion complexes, demonstrating that encapsulation does not inhibit receptor kinase access, enhancing the physiological benefits of BDNF.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoya Ding, Ye Wang, Jiaying Liu, Peng Zhang, Gao Li, Tianmeng Sun, Chunsheng Xiao
Summary: The injectable in situ forming double-network hydrogel developed in this study plays a crucial role in cell transplantation by providing cell protection, long-term retention, and support for cell growth. These functions are achieved through dynamic cross-linking and secondary cross-linking networks in the hydrogel.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Haotian Sun, Lingyue Yan, Runsheng Zhang, Jonathan F. Lovell, Yun Wu, Chong Cheng
Summary: A zwitterionic polymer-drug conjugate (ZPDC) strategy has been developed for co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics and an imaging agent. Experimental results demonstrate that ZPDC holds promise for effective cancer treatment in vivo.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sidra Kanwal, Muhammad Naveed, Ali Arshad, Azka Arshad, Farhat Firdous, Amir Faisal, Basit Yameen
Summary: Novel reduction-sensitive polymer-drug conjugate (PDC) nanoparticles with precise drug release control exhibit significant cytotoxicity against cancer cells in vitro, highlighting their potential in tumor therapy.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanxi Zhang, Gang Ye, Tom P. A. van der Pol, Jingjing Dong, Eveline R. W. van Doremaele, Imke Krauhausen, Yuru Liu, Paschalis Gkoupidenis, Giuseppe Portale, Jun Song, Ryan C. Chiechi, Yoeri van de Burgt
Summary: Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are widely used in low power circuits, biosensors, and neuromorphic computing. However, the choice of high-performance n-type polymers for OECTs is limited. This study reports on three non-fused, planar polymer materials with increasing polar side chains, which improve the OECT performance. The research demonstrates that the performance of OECTs increases with the number of polar side chains, resulting in higher hydrophilicity and electron affinities.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Bhavika Gupta, Daizy Sadaria, Vaishnavi U. Warrier, Anuradha Kirtonia, Ravi Kant, Amit Awasthi, Prakash Baligar, Jayanta K. Pal, Eiji Yuba, Gautam Sethi, Manoj Garg, Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Summary: Glycans extracted from plant lectins can act as ligands for immune cells and may lead to the development of new targeted therapies. Understanding the structure of these glycans is crucial for developing alternative targeted therapies.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yukiya Kitayama, Akali Dosaka, Atsushi Harada
Summary: Hollow and capsule polymer particles with nucleobases as photoreactive groups were prepared using interfacial photocrosslinking. Shell-crosslinked hollow polymer particles were successfully fabricated, and a model dye was encapsulated.
Article
Immunology
Shunichi Watanabe, Eiji Yuba, Takashi Akazawa, Viskam Wijewardana, Yuka Kakihara, Ayaka Azuma, Kenji Hagimori, Ryoji Kanegi, Shingo Hatoya, Norimitsu Inoue, Toshio Inaba, Kikuya Sugiura
Summary: Generating dendritic cells with enhanced functions is an effective strategy for successful tumor immunotherapy. A novel synthetic adjuvant composed of DC-targeting Toll-like receptor ligand-conjugated liposomes and a pH-sensitive polymer was developed to enhance cross presentation. In vitro studies using mouse DCs showed that these liposomes were selectively taken up by DCs, significantly enhancing their function and activating immune responses. Vaccination of mice with liposomes encapsulating a tumor antigen significantly enhanced antigen-specific cytotoxicity and elicited complete tumor remission in tumor-bearing mice, targeting not only the vaccinated antigen but also other antigens of the tumor cell.
Article
Polymer Science
Junya Emoto, Yukiya Kitayama, Atsushi Harada
Summary: This study describes novel ionic effector-induced LCST-type thermoresponsive polymers in an aqueous system. These polymers show thermoresponsiveness in the presence of divalent metal ions and their cloud points can be precisely controlled by various factors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yukiya Kitayama, Yasumichi Yazaki, Junya Emoto, Eiji Yuba, Atsushi Harada
Summary: A new concept of time-programed stimuli-responsive polymer with cleavage-induced phase transition was developed.
Review
Immunology
Amina I. Makandar, Mannat Jain, Eiji Yuba, Gautam Sethi, Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Summary: In light of the limitations of traditional cancer therapies, the development of alternative strategies is crucial. This article explores the potential of glyco-nanovaccines (GNVs) for anti-tumor immunotherapy by targeting dendritic cells (DCs). The study discusses the efficacy of GNVs in stimulating a strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and addresses the challenges posed by tumor glycosylation and lectin receptor expression on cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yukiya Kitayama, Shunsuke Takigawa, Atsushi Harada
Summary: In this study, the effect of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) addition on the formation and thermoresponsive properties of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-based nanogels was investigated. PVA played three roles: bridging polymer chains, stabilizing nanogels, and regulating their thermoresponsive properties. The size of the obtained polymer gel particles was maintained in the nanometer range by regulating the bridging effect of PVA via changing the PVA concentration and chain length. The knowledge gained in this study regarding the effect of PVA concentration and chain length on nanogel formation will aid in the future fabrication of functional polymer nanogels.
Article
Polymer Science
Yukiya Kitayama, Aoi Katayama, Zhicheng Shao, Atsushi Harada
Summary: Sonodynamic therapy has been widely used in clinical cancer therapy. In this study, PMPC-modified TiO2 nanoparticles were developed as new biocompatible sonosensitizers with high colloidal stability. The grafting-to approach using phosphonic-acid-functionalized PMPC was employed to fabricate the biocompatible sonosensitizers. The enhanced generation of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) under sonication in the presence of PMPC-modified TiO2 nanoparticles was confirmed.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mika Omura, Kenta Morimoto, Yurina Araki, Hisaaki Hirose, Yoshimasa Kawaguchi, Yukiya Kitayama, Yuto Goto, Atsushi Harada, Ikuo Fujii, Tomoka Takatani-Nakase, Shiroh Futaki, Ikuhiko Nakase
Summary: A new intracellular introduction technology was developed using an inkjet device and cell-penetrating peptides to accurately deliver biofunctional cargo to cells, achieving efficient cytosolic transduction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shunichi Watanabe, Ayaka Takagi, Eiji Yuba, Chie Kojima, Nanako Dei, Akikazu Matsumoto, Jun Tanikawa, Tetsuya Kawamura, Nadeeka H. De Silva, Takeshi Izawa, Takashi Akazawa, Ryoji Kanegi, Shingo Hatoya, Toshio Inaba, Kikuya Sugiura
Summary: This study aimed to manipulate the tumor microenvironment by transfecting cytokine genes into tumor cells and found that this significantly promotes antitumor immune responses. The density of dendritic cells increased, while the density of regulatory T cells decreased. The proportion of activated killer cells and antitumoral macrophages also increased.
Article
Biology
Shin Yanagihara, Yukiya Kitayama, Eiji Yuba, Atsushi Harada
Summary: The size of liposomes is important for drug release, with smaller liposomes showing higher pH responsiveness. Controlling the size and cholesterol content of liposomes is crucial for creating stable liposomes under physiological conditions and highly pH-responsive liposomes for drug delivery applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yukiya Kitayama, Akali Dosaka, Atsushi Harada
Summary: pH-responsive capsules were developed through interfacial photo-cross-linking with thymine-functionalized parent polymer particles. The hydrophilicity of the capsule polymers played a critical role in achieving controlled release of encapsulated molecules. P(St-2VP-VBT) showed pH-responsive release behavior, with release under basic conditions due to thymine deprotonation and increased hydrophilicity, and also responded to acidic pH due to pyridine protonation. Dual pH-responsive capsules were successfully created using P(St-2VP-VBT) particles.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yukiya Kitayama, Atsushi Harada
Summary: In this study, hollow polymer particles were successfully fabricated through interfacial photocrosslinking of poly(vinyl cinnamate) (PVC) particles using LED light. The effect of various parameters on the polymer shell thickness of the hollow PVC particles was systematically studied. These findings have significant implications for the use of hollow polymer particles in pharmaceutical and material applications.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yukiya Kitayama, Atsushi Harada
Summary: pH-responsive carboxy-functionalized capsule polymer particles were successfully fabricated, and controlled release was achieved by regulating the release kinetics. Shell-crosslinked hollow polymer particles were prepared by particulate interfacial photocrosslinking, and model dye was successfully encapsulated.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)