Article
Thermodynamics
Guangcai Tan, Nan Xu, Dingxue Gao, Xiuping Zhu
Summary: This study successfully incorporated graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes into the matrix of hydrogels, leading to enhanced swelling property and mechanical strength. The GO/PAAM hydrogels showed the highest salinity gradient energy recovery, attributed to their better mechanical strength and high structure integrity.
Article
Polymer Science
Yongsheng Wang, Yongfeng Zhu, Yan Liu, Bin Mu, Aiqin Wang
Summary: Poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/fulvic acid/oil shale semicoke (PAMFS) prepared by free radical copolymerization has shown excellent water absorption, salt resistance, and slow release performance, and can promote plant growth.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hua Luo, Yifan Su, Xuanlun Wang, Mohamed H. Helal, Mohamed M. Ibrahim, Mina Huang, Salah M. El-Bahy, Qinglong Jiang
Summary: The combination of Surlyn-Zn2+ and zinc stearate effectively enhances the properties of self-made ionic interlayer, leading to improved light transmittance and strength of safety glass.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiyuan Wu, Reghan J. Hill
Summary: Electroacoustic characterization of Laponite-doped neutralized poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) hydrogels was studied, showing that Laponite doping increased the electroacoustic signal and ionic conductivity but decreased the hydrogel storage modulus. Theoretical models were extended to estimate some parameters of Laponite-doped hydrogels.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunru Wang, Qingyang Lu, Yingjie Xiang, Yulan Yin, Junyao Li, Yalu Liu, Xiaochen Wu
Summary: Caffeic acid, an antioxidant compound found in coffee beans, has limited administration due to its instability and low solubility. Nanoparticle encapsulation, particularly with silk sericin, has been used to enhance its therapeutic activity. To further improve its biocompatibility, a red blood cell membranes cloaking strategy was employed. The resulting silk sericin/caffeic acid/red blood cell membrane composite preserved the antioxidant activity and demonstrated satisfactory biocompatibility, especially at high concentrations. This approach may offer a potential strategy for adjusting chemical stability and improving biocompatibility of insoluble drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hoyoung Lee, Dowon Ahn, Eunyoung Jeon, Derrick Wen Hui Fam, Joonseok Lee, Won Jun Lee
Summary: A simple method for controlled assembly of silk sericin fibers based on their secondary structure via wet-spinning was reported, producing stable linear fibers. Plasticization of silk sericin using glycerol immobilized with glutaraldehyde resulted in stable fibers with self-adhesion. Incorporation of cyclo-phenylalanine nanowires into the silk sericin dope demonstrated potential in artificial silk production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunru Wang, Junyao Li, Xiangsheng Han, Shuai Liu, Xintao Gao, Chuanlong Guo, Xiaochen Wu
Summary: Silk sericin (SS) as a drug nanocarrier shows great potential in therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity. The SS-stabilized-drug composites, such as SS/PAC, can disperse uniformly in aqueous solution with high drug loading amount, exhibiting high antioxidant efficiency and excellent biocompatibility, which can significantly alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jia Liu, Lin Shi, Yan Deng, Meizhen Zou, Bo Cai, Yu Song, Zheng Wang, Lin Wang
Summary: Silk sericin, a natural protein with superior biological activities and controllable chemical-physical properties, has been extensively utilized in the biomedical field. Its versatile constructs formed through chemical modification and cross-linking make it an alternative matrix for biomedical applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Hye Gyeoung Lee, Mi Jin Jang, Byung-Dae Park, In Chul Um
Summary: Silk sericin, with good biocompatibility and high water retention, has attracted the attention of researchers as a promising biomaterial. However, its poor storage stability has limited its extensive use in biorelated applications. This study extracted and dried sericin from silkworm cocoon, and then dissolved it in hot water to improve its storage stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kang Shi, Guoshuai Liu, Hui Sun, Biao Yang, Yunxuan Weng
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to improve the compatibility between lignin and polylactic acid by grafting lauryl methacrylate onto lignin through radical polymerization. The resulting graft copolymers exhibited excellent thermal stability and hydrophobicity. By compounding the copolymers with polylactic acid, wholly bio-based composites with enhanced crystallization ability were obtained. The composites demonstrated improved mechanical properties and UV barrier properties, indicating the potential for high-value application of lignin.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Zhao, Hao Lu, Daizong Qi, Antonella Motta, Janine Froehlich-Nowoisky, Jing Chen, Yuling Sun, Mischa Bonn
Summary: This study explores the ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity of silk proteins from Bombyx mori and finds that silk fibroin (SF) has higher IRI activity than silk sericin (SS). SF aqueous solutions perform better in inhibiting ice recrystallization than SF phosphate-buffered saline solutions. This work is significant for broadening the applications of silk proteins in biomedical fields.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anurupa Goswami, Dipali Devi
Summary: This study provides a preliminary characterization of liquid silk from the middle silk gland of a non-mulberry silkworm, and analyzes the sericin protein using in-silico methods. The research demonstrates the conformational patterns of the liquid silk inside the silk gland, and suggests the transitional state of the silk with both crystalline and amorphous contents.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fatemeh Jamali, Negar Etminani-Esfahani, Abbas Rahmati
Summary: Poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide-co-maleic acid) (p(AA-co-AM-co-MA)) superabsorbent polymer was synthesized and its structure, morphology, and strength were characterized. The water absorbency, water retention ability, and reusability of the superabsorbent were investigated, showing high performance in distilled water and saline solution. The response ability of the superabsorbent to temperature, pH, and ionic strength changes was confirmed by swelling and shrinking behavior.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Patchanok Apiwattanasiri, Ratchanee Charoen, Sriwiang Rittisak, Kriangkrai Phattayakorn, Sakwiboon Jantrasee, Wanticha Savedboworn
Summary: The study demonstrates that silk sericin as a biomaterial can improve the viability of probiotic Lactobacillus when co-encapsulated with other substances. Under certain conditions, silk sericin-coated microcapsules exhibit higher stability and protective effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Jun Wang, Qing-Song Liu, Li-Ping Liu, Yi-Chuan Zhang, Shuang Qiu, Wen-Guang Zhang, Jin-Hang Lin, Yu-Ting Qin, Xin Wang, Yue-Ying Wu, Ping Zhao, Qing-You Xia, Ling Ding, Dong-Ying Rong, Hong Wang, Zhao-Ming Dong
Summary: Studies have found that the fibroin heavy chain of caddisworm silk contains phosphorylation for stable secondary structure. Recent studies also identified new silk proteins within caddisworm silk. By using LC-MS/MS, researchers identified a large number of proteins in the silk gland and determined some as secreted silk proteins. This study provides valuable information for understanding the secretion and adhesion of caddisworm silk.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)