Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Jerred Wassgren, M. Bachir Messikh, Kenneth R. Carter
Summary: We demonstrate a method to modify the surface of cellulose nanofibers with arginine, by controlling the pH and reaction time to achieve the desired amine functionality.
Article
Agronomy
Ming Zhao, Hongjun Zhou, Li Hao, Huayao Chen, Xinhua Zhou
Summary: This study developed a pesticide nanocarrier CMC-PGMA-GLY using GMA and GLY to modify CMC. The nanopesticide EB@CMC-PGMA-GLY showed good water dispersion and maintained high insecticidal activity without toxicity to seed germination. Moreover, the nanocarriers could be used as an organic nitrogen fertilizer to promote plant growth.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paula Ossowicz-Rupniewska, Rafal Rakoczy, Anna Nowak, Maciej Konopacki, Joanna Klebeko, Ewelina Swiatek, Ewa Janus, Wiktoria Duchnik, Karolina Wenelska, Lukasz Kucharski, Adam Klimowicz
Summary: The study investigated the potential of bacterial cellulose as a carrier for the transdermal delivery of ibuprofen, showing that ibuprofen incorporated in BC membranes exhibited lower permeation rates compared to its amino acid ester salts. The BC membranes had homogeneous surface morphology, were easy to apply, and were simple to prepare.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taegun Park, Taehyeon Kim, Jongwon Han, Sangwoo Lim
Summary: The improvement of Si3N4 etching kinetics and suppression of oxide regrowth are crucial in the selective Si3N4 etching process for the fabrication of 3D NAND devices on multi-layered Si3N4/SiO2 structures. By reducing the concentration of H3PO4, oxide regrowth was suppressed and 30 wt% H3PO4 showed the highest Si3N4/SiO2 etching selectivity. Additionally, introducing amino acids with hydrophilic side chains into 30 wt% H3PO4 increased the Si3N4 etching rate and suppressed oxide regrowth.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiong Peng, Li Chen, Shujun Liu, Lihua Hu, Jianwei Zhang, Aili Wang, Xiwen Yu, Zongcheng Yan
Summary: The study found that ionic liquid modified cellulose exhibited high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rate towards p-arsanilic acid. The adsorption process was determined to be multilayer adsorption dominated by the adsorption onto active sites. Interactions between p-arsanilic acid and the adsorbent were mainly through hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interaction to form outer-sphere complexes. The role of weak forces, such as hydrogen bonding, in the adsorption process between organoarsenic and adsorbents was highlighted in this research.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yungeng Qi, Shihao Wang, Afroza Akter Liza, Jimin Li, Guihua Yang, Wenyuan Zhu, Junlong Song, Huining Xiao, Haiming Li, Jiaqi Guo
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the morphology of nanocellulose and the sulfuric acid hydrolysis conditions, and to regulate the morphology of the obtained nanocellulose. Three representative products were obtained through sulfuric acid hydrolysis, with different sizes and crystallographic forms. The results showed that the morphology of nanocellulose can be controlled by adjusting the hydrolysis conditions.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Fulai Hao, Jifu Du, Lifang Peng, Manman Zhang, Zhen Dong, Yanbai Shen, Long Zhao
Summary: The development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbents for the recovery of gold from electronic waste and gold slag has been studied. Amino-acid-functionalized cellulose microspheres showed excellent adsorption performance for Au(III) ions. The maximum adsorption capacities were determined for each resin and the recovery mechanism was investigated by FTIR, XRD, and XPS analyses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Naharullah Jamaluddin, Yu- Hsu, Taka-Aki Asoh, Hiroshi Uyama
Summary: The study investigated the effect of cellulose nanofiber fillers on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) performance by modifying the CNF with different acid anhydrides. The results showed that modified CNF fillers, especially CNFp, improved the compatibility with the PLA matrix and enhanced the properties of transparency, mechanical strength, and wettability of the composite film.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Tao Hu, Xiaoli Hu, Cheng Tang, Dan Liu
Summary: This paper describes the synthesis of a novel chelating material derived from cellulose, which showed good adsorption properties for a wide range of metal ions. The modified cellulose exhibited similar adsorption properties to EDTA and effectively adsorbed heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.
Article
Agronomy
Sanghmitra R. Gade, Murlidhar Meghwal, Pramod K. Prabhakar, Angelo Maria Giuffre
Summary: This study investigated the nutritional profile of ash gourd, pumpkin, watermelon and musk melon seeds. The results showed that these seeds are rich in protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and amino acids, with the content of antinutritional compounds within safe limits. The thermal behavior analysis and surface morphology suggested that these seeds have potential for food applications.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gang Wu, Haojie Yang, Wenran Gao, Kui Wang, Maxim V. Penzik, Alexander N. Kozlov, Bin Li, Yong Huang, Shu Zhang, Hong Zhang
Summary: This study reports that cobalt disulfide can act as an inexpensive heterogeneous catalyst in both acid hydrolysis and hydrogenolysis reactions by controlling its morphology. Two different morphologies of the catalyst exhibited different activities and selectivities in the conversion reactions.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Wei-Yu Mu, Jun Wang, Qiu-Yun Chen
Summary: The development of various sterilization methods and materials in response to drug-resistant bacteria has faced the challenge of their environmental impact. A reusable and eco-friendly antibacterial material called metal porphyrin array modified cellulose terephthalate (CMF@PCNCu) was created through the modification of cellulose microfibers (CMFs) extracted from Chlorophytum comosum and the synthesis of sulfide bridged metal porphyrin. CMF@PCNCu demonstrated excellent antibacterial capacity against Escherichia coli by interfering with pyruvic acid metabolism, even at low doses of 25 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL with synergistic photothermal cure. Furthermore, CMF@PCNCu displayed high bacterial adsorption efficiency of 6.8×10^7 CFU per milligram after three cycles, making it a promising sustainable bacterial filter and antibacterial material for treating pathogenic bacteria polluted water.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Kexin Liu, You Wu, Yanni Xi, Zhanxiong Li
Summary: A novel synthetic route was proposed to graft poly (amino acid) chains onto the surface of cotton fibers, creating a rough structure with microspherical morphology. By modifying the surface, the fabric exhibited superhydrophobicity and superior stain resistance.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Wu, Hongkuo Si, Xiaodong Yu, Feiya Fu, Zongqian Wang, Juming Yao, Xiangdong Liu
Summary: Most amino acid molecules have good water solubility and functional groups, making them a promising agent for modifying cellulose. However, the self-condensation of amino acids and low reaction efficiency are common during esterification. In this study, amino acid hydrochloride ([AA]Cl) was used to synthesize cellulose amino acid ester (CAE), showing a faster reaction rate compared to raw amino acids. CAE with a degree of substitution of 0.412-0.516 was easily synthesized under specific conditions. The synthesized CAE showed good solubility in a 7 wt% NaOH solution and exhibited shear-thinning behavior and a high gel temperature. Additionally, the CAE exhibited significant antibacterial activity, with a bacteriostatic reduction rate against E. coli of 99.5%.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yiqun Chen, Xiao Liu, Ji Young L. Anderson, Harnish Mukesh Naik, Venkata Gayatri Dhara, Xiaolu Chen, Glenn A. Harris, Michael J. Betenbaugh
Summary: The study focuses on enhancing control over CHO processes by predicting essential amino acid levels using a forecast-based feeding approach. By combining a nutrient-minimized CHO model with growth forecast models, accurate predictions can be made. The algorithm is effective in controlling essential amino acid concentration and metabolic shifts in CHO cultures.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Cuzzucoli Crucitti, Aleksandar Ilchev, Jonathan C. Moore, Harriet R. Fowler, Jean-Frederic Dubern, Olutoba Sanni, Xuan Xue, Bethany K. Husband, Adam A. Dundas, Sean Smith, Joni L. Wildman, Vincenzo Taresco, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander, Steven M. Howdle, Ricky D. Wildman, Robert A. Stockman, Derek J. Irvine
Summary: This study utilized the alpha parameter, a molecular descriptor, to design terpene-based polymers resistant to biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The potential biofilm resistance of terpene-derived monomers was predicted and ranked using the alpha parameter. The monomers from commercially available terpenes were polymerized and confirmed to have biofilm resistance properties. The scaled-up monomers were successfully printed and used to create bio-instructive microparticles. The observations in this study have significant potential to produce bio-resistant coatings, packaging materials, fibers, and medical devices.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paula Muresan, Phoebe McCrorie, Fiona Smith, Catherine Vasey, Vincenzo Taresco, David J. Scurr, Stefanie Kern, Stuart Smith, Pavel Gershkovich, Ruman Rahman, Maria Marlow
Summary: This study developed polymeric microneedle (MN) patches for the treatment of CNS tumors. The results demonstrated successful drug release and penetration, providing a potential solution for local brain drug delivery.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Linghan Kong, Rasha Alqus, Chin W. Yong, Ilian Todorov, Stephen J. Eichhorn, Richard A. Bryce
Summary: The interaction between graphene and cellulose has potential in designing new graphene-carbohydrate biopolymer materials. The hydrophilicity of cellulose and the interactions between cellulose chains and graphene play important roles in the adsorption and structural accommodation process.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR GRAPHICS & MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Albatool Sabeeh Al-Badry, Mohammed Hussain Al-Mayahy, David J. Scurr
Summary: Hydrogel microneedles offer a promising approach for delivering drug molecules across the skin in a sustained release manner. The use of hydrogel microneedles containing acyclovir could improve bioavailability and patient compliance while reducing gastrointestinal side effects. The optimal formulation of the hydrogel microneedle array was found to have suitable needle formation, mechanical strength, and drug release over a 24-hour period. The permeation of acyclovir from the hydrogel microneedle array was significantly increased compared to the control, and the array was able to deliver a high percentage of the loading dose over 24 hours.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jean-Frederic Dubern, Andrew L. Hook, Alessandro M. Carabelli, Chien-Yi Chang, Christopher A. Lewis-Lloyd, Jeni C. Luckett, Laurence Burroughs, Adam A. Dundas, David J. Humes, Derek J. Irvine, Morgan R. Alexander, Paul Williams
Summary: Innovative approaches are urgently needed to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). A newly discovered acrylate copolymer has shown promising resistance against bacterial biofilm formation, swarming, encrustation, and host protein deposition, all of which are major challenges in preventing CAUTIs. The copolymer, poly(tert-butyl cyclohexyl acrylate), combined with poly(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate) has demonstrated its potential as a urinary catheter coating by retaining its bioinstructive properties and maintaining resistance against various uropathogens.
Article
Neurosciences
Franziska Linke, James E. C. Johnson, Stefanie Kern, Christopher D. Bennett, Anbarasu Lourdusamy, Daniel Lea, Steven C. Clifford, Catherine L. R. Merry, Snow Stolnik, Morgan R. Alexander, Andrew C. Peet, David J. Scurr, Rian L. Griffiths, Anna M. Grabowska, Ian D. Kerr, Beth Coyle
Summary: By comparing the most aggressive subgroup (Group 3) with the intermediate (SHH) subgroup, crucial differences in tumour heterogeneity were identified in medulloblastoma (MB) in children. Group 3 exhibited multiple subpopulations with enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, while SHH had unique matrix-producing subpopulations containing sulfur-containing species such as collagen organizer lumican. Patients with high fumarate levels and activated stress response pathways showed poorer survival. Inhibition of NRF2 increased sensitivity to vincristine in Group 3 MB.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Leonardo Contreas, Andrew L. Hook, David A. Winkler, Grazziela Figueredo, Paul Williams, Charles A. Laughton, Morgan R. Alexander, Philip M. Williams
Summary: Bacterial infections are becoming a greater concern due to antimicrobial resistance. The rational design of materials resistant to biofilm formation is a crucial strategy to prevent infections related to medical devices. Machine learning has been used to identify strong associations between bacterial adhesion and the physicochemical properties of polyacrylate libraries. However, the interpretability of nonlinear models is limited, making it challenging to understand the molecular interactions between materials and bacteria.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Heba Khateb, Andrew L. Hook, Stefanie Kern, Julie A. Watts, Sonali Singh, Darryl Jackson, Luisa Marinez-Pomares, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander
Summary: The use of OrbiTrap analyzer with SIMS (3D OrbiSIMS) enables label-free mass spectrometry of Psl, accurately identifying secondary ion peaks specific to the Psl structure. By studying P. aeruginosa biofilm and purified Psl, 17 peaks associated with Psl fragments within the biofilm matrix were confidently identified. Additionally, the neutral loss sequences approach can also identify multiple oligosaccharide fragments without a biological reference sample.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Songtao Xue, Zhiwei Li, Xiaotong Ze, Xiuyuan Wu, Chen He, Wen Shuai, Maria Marlow, Jian Chen, David Scurr, Zheying Zhu, Jinyi Xu, Shengtao Xu
Summary: Excessive melanin deposition can cause various skin disorders. We discovered a series of novel tyrosinase inhibitor hybrids that can inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce melanin content in the skin. Compound 11c showed the most potent activity against tyrosinase, with nanomolar IC50 values, significant antioxidant activity, and low cytotoxicity. It also exhibited excellent permeability in vitro and reduced melanin content in a guinea pig model of UV-induced skin pigmentation. Compound 11c holds promise as a potential therapy for treating skin hyperpigmentation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
See Yoong Wong, Andrew L. Hook, Wil Gardner, Chien-Yi Chang, Ying Mei, Martyn C. Davies, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander, Davide Ballabio, Benjamin W. Muir, David A. Winkler, Paul J. Pigram
Summary: Biofilm formation is a major problem in hospitals, and researching biofilm-resistant materials is critical. Polymer microarrays can efficiently discover new biofilm-resistant polymers. This study investigates bacterial attachment and surface chemistry on a polymer microarray to better understand Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Analyzing the data using linear multivariate analysis and a nonlinear self-organizing map reveals fragment ions associated with bacterial biofilm formation. Considering these insights, a second analysis is conducted that explicitly considers interactions between key fragments. This improved model provides chemical insights for designing materials that prevent pathogen attachment.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Samuel D. J. Spears, Yusuf F. Abdulle, Dionisios Korovilas, Ryo Torii, Deepak M. Kalaskar, Nikhil Sharma
Summary: Most people with MND reject neck collars due to their restrictiveness, which exacerbates problems with daily activities. Current standardized outcome measures for neck collars are summarized to assess their suitability for a bespoke collar designed for people with MND.
INTERACTIVE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
S. J. Eichhorn, M. Ichwan, A. J. Onyianta, R. S. Trask, A. Etale
Summary: The effect of different alkaline treatments on alpha-cellulose extraction from oil palm empty fruit bunches and subsequent cellulose nanocrystal properties are studied. Sodium hydroxide changes the native cellulose from type I to II, while potassium hydroxide maintains cellulose I. Compared to commercial cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) CNCs type I have higher aspect ratios and crystallinity index, but lower charge and thermal stability. OPEFB CNCs type II have a higher aspect ratio, but lower charge. Type I CNCs have intermediate charge and higher thermal stability, making them more suitable for processing with thermoplastic polymers. A comparison of physical properties between oil palm based CNCs, commercial, and lab-based materials is presented to explore their potential in composite applications. It is shown that using these CNCs can enhance the mode-II interlaminar fracture toughness of a carbon fibre-epoxy laminate with aligned electrospun cellulose acetate butyrate nanofibrous networks.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kavya Ganabady, Nicola Contessi Negrini, Jacob C. Scherba, Brandon M. Nitschke, Morgan R. Alexander, Kyle H. Vining, Melissa A. Grunlan, David J. Mooney, Adam D. Celiz
Summary: In this study, we employed a high-throughput screening strategy to rapidly identify a biocompatible bone adhesive with high bond strength. Through thiol-ene click chemistry, a library of polymers was synthesized and a copolymer (1-S2-FT01) composed of TATATO and PETMP was identified as the most suitable candidate. This copolymer exhibited favorable mechanical properties, supported hMSC adhesion, adhered to bone tissue with similar strength to commercially available bone glues, and facilitated osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and attachment of polymer scaffolds to bone tissue, making it an ideal alternative bone adhesive for orthopedic surgery.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Amisha S. Raikar, Sushma Priya, Shilpa P. Bhilegaonkar, Sandesh N. Somnache, Deepak M. Kalaskar
Summary: This article provides an overview of surface engineering techniques to improve the hemocompatibility of stents and reduce thrombus formation. It discusses the mechanisms and factors influencing thrombosis and explores various bioactive coatings and surface modification techniques. Evaluation methods for assessing hemocompatibility and thrombogenicity are reviewed. The article highlights the potential of surface engineering of bioactive coatings to enhance the long-term outcomes of stent implantation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liam A. Crawford, Valentina Cuzzucoli Crucitti, Amy Stimpson, Chloe Morgan, Jonathan Blake, Ricky D. Wildman, Andrew L. Hook, Morgan R. Alexander, Derek J. Irvine, Simon V. Avery
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel approach to crop protection using polymer materials, which resulted in a significant reduction in infection rate and had no negative impact on wheat growth. These findings validate the potential of using non-eluting polymers for fungal control.
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.
