Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mo-Lian Chen, Xin-Li An, Hu Liao, Kai Yang, Jian-Qiang Su, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: This study found that the application of organic fertilizers increased the interactions between bacteria and viruses, potentially increasing the chances of ARG exchange between viruses and their hosts. The results provide a novel understanding of virus-associated ARGs and factors affecting the profile of viral community in fertilized soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Paladd Asavarut, Sajee Waramit, Keittisak Suwan, Gert J. K. Marais, Aitthiphon Chongchai, Surachet Benjathummarak, Mariam Al-Bahrani, Paula Vila-Gomez, Matthew Williams, Prachya Kongtawelert, Teerapong Yata, Amin Hajitou
Summary: Researchers have developed a targeted cytokine gene delivery system that can selectively and efficiently deliver genes for cancer immunotherapy without harming healthy organs.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah Youssef, Emily Tsang, Anirban Samanta, Vipin Kumar, Kurt V. Gothelf
Summary: This paper presents a bio-reducible, cationic polymer as a reversible DNA origami protector, which enhances the stability and cellular uptake of DNA nanostructures. Targeted delivery of a cytotoxic agent to cancer cells is achieved, effectively decreasing cell viability. This research is of great importance in enhancing the pharmaceutical application potential of DNA origami.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jeroen Heuts, Wim Jiskoot, Ferry Ossendorp, Koen van der Maaden
Summary: Cationic nanoparticles have shown to be effective in cancer immunotherapy by delivering tumor-associated antigens to dendritic cells and inducing strong antigen-specific cellular immune responses. Lipid- and polymer-based cationic nanoparticles are utilized for different types of cancer vaccines, and their potential in T-cell induction is discussed for therapeutic cancer vaccination.
Article
Immunology
Christopher J. R. Turkington, Ambarish C. Varadan, Shea F. Grenier, Juris A. Grasis
Summary: Recent advances in our understanding of microbial communities have shed light on the importance of microorganisms in and on our bodies, particularly in the context of disease. Viral research has greatly benefited from new community profiling techniques, revealing their significant role in our physiology. Viruses have been implicated in colorectal cancer, both as potential causes and as potential therapeutic options.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Yi Wang, Kiara F. Bruggeman, Stephanie Franks, Vini Gautam, Stuart I. Hodgetts, Alan R. Harvey, Richard J. Williams, David R. Nisbet
Summary: Gene delivery is crucial for treating genetic or epigenetic disorders, with efforts focused on improving the delivery and efficacy of viral gene therapy. Biomaterials offer a promising option for controlled and targeted gene delivery, potentially overcoming major challenges in current gene therapy approaches.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hang Liao, Ting Zhang, Jinlin Song, Jihong Li, Yin Yi, Di Meng, Yu Shu, Xiaohong Wu
Summary: The study aimed to develop an improved in situ injection drug delivery system by preparing naringin-loaded electrospray microspheres with different terminal groups PLGA and studying their effect on drug release. The findings suggest that the drug release profile of the depot can be effectively tailored by modifying the PLGA terminal groups in electrospray microspheres.
Review
Microbiology
Yuping Li, Joseph Bondy-Denomy
Summary: Bacteriophages encode diverse anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that inhibit CRISPR-Cas immunity during infection of their bacterial hosts. Instead of a single phage shutting down CRISPR-Cas immunity, a community of acr-carrying phages cooperate to suppress bacterial immunity, displaying low phage autonomy. Enzymatic Acr proteins with novel mechanisms have been recently revealed and are predicted to enhance phage autonomy, while phage DNA protective measures offer the highest phage autonomy observed. These varied Acr mechanisms and strengths also have unexpected impacts on the bacterial populations and competing phages.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kai Ma, Chun-Liu Mi, Xiang-Xiang Cao, Tian-Yun Wang
Summary: Gene delivery systems are crucial for gene therapy and recombinant protein production, with non-viral vector gene delivery reagents offering advantages such as large packaging load capacity and low immunogenicity. Liposomes and non-liposome cationic polymers are commonly used as gene delivery reagents, with different head structures including quaternary ammonium salt, amine, amino acid, polypeptide, guanidine salt, and a heterocyclic ring.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qi Shuai, Fangtao Zhu, Mengdan Zhao, Yunfeng Yan
Summary: The article mainly discusses the challenges faced in mRNA-based therapeutics and the insufficient requirements for delivery vehicles, while emphasizing the advancements in mRNA delivery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sarah K. Walsh, Ryan M. Imrie, Marta Matuszewska, Gavin K. Paterson, Lucy A. Weinert, Jarrod D. Hadfield, Angus Buckling, Ben Longdon
Summary: Virus host shifts are a major source of emerging infectious diseases, and closely related animal and plant species are more likely to experience these shifts. This study investigates the relationship between host species and their susceptibility to infection using a panel of 64 Staphylococcus bacteria and a corresponding phage. The results show high variation in susceptibility across the host panel, which can be explained by the relationship between hosts. Predicting susceptibility based on host relationships is partially successful, indicating that closely related hosts will have similar susceptibility. This research has implications for understanding virus host shifts and developing phage therapy.
Article
Polymer Science
Nan Zheng, Daniel Kwesi Cudjoe, Wangze Song
Summary: A new class of cationic polymers containing tertiary amine, thioether, and hydroxyl groups were successfully synthesized via a novel method, demonstrating high transfection efficiency and low toxicity in gene delivery. The oxidative stress and undesired serum binding of the polycations were effectively tuned and prevented by thioether and hydroxyl groups, showing great potential as nonviral gene delivery vectors.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuai Chen, Fang-Dao Zhu, Bi-Lian Li, Jian-Mei Yang, Tong Yang, Xiao-Qing Liu, Jin Zhang, Yan Zhao
Summary: pH-responsive nanoparticles are a promising drug carrier that show sensitivity and specificity to pH changes in the surrounding environment. In this study, alkaline media-sensitive supramolecular nanoparticles were prepared to encapsulate an anti-colon cancer drug. The nanoparticles exhibited high release rates at pH 8.5 and low hemolysis, indicating good biocompatibility. In cell experiments, the nanoparticles showed inhibitory effects on colon tumor cells with low cytotoxicity to normal cells. The nanoparticles have potential application for colon tumor therapy.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Janani Indrakumar, Srivarshini Sankar, Harishkumar Madhyastha, Gothandam Kodiveri Muthukaliannan
Summary: The marine microenvironment is a rich source of compounds that can be used for the treatment of various diseases. The application of nanotechnology in medicine has opened up new possibilities for targeted therapies using marine biomolecules, ensuring minimal damage to healthy cells.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alex Salagean, Adela Nechifor-Boila, Nosherwan Bajwa, Ylenia Pastorello, Mark Slevin
Summary: Major limitations in the effective treatment of neurological cancer include chemotherapy-induced systemic cytotoxicity, limited accessibility, and inoperability. Targeted drug delivery without significant side effects, especially for aggressive tumors like glioblastoma and neuroblastoma, would be a major breakthrough. Nanoparticles, liposomes, and hydrogels utilizing orthotopic systems capable of prolonged protein release at the tumor site have been proposed. One promising candidate for drug delivery is Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT) which can be easily obtained from the patient through liposuction and has a high content of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Akeem Mohammed, Andre Gaduan, Pooran Chaitram, Anaadi Pooran, Koon-Yang Lee, Keeran Ward
Summary: Plastic pollution, especially from food packaging and containers, is a major threat to the environment and human health. This study introduces a new optimized biodegradable alginate composite bioplastic made from seaweed, specifically Sargassum natans, as a viable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. The composite films showed excellent barrier properties and material properties comparable to HDPE, PET, and PLA, and fully degraded in 14 days.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marta Fortea-Verdejo, Qixiang Jiang, Alexander Bismarck, Andreas Mautner
Summary: Treating polluted water is crucial for providing clean water access for future generations. Filters made of nanocellulose papers and coatings offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials, with efficient size exclusion and electrostatic interactions. By substituting water with air, nanocellulose foams can be generated and transferred onto a substrate, resulting in filters with high permeance and adsorption capacity.
MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
H. W. Mueller, L. Brandfellner, A. Bismarck
Summary: The long-term drag reduction capability of poly(ethylene oxide) with a nominal molar weight of M-w = 4 x 10(6 )g/mol dissolved in water was investigated. It was found that the drag reduction capability decreased to 75% of the initial value when the molar weight of the polymer was approximately 5 x 10(5) g/mol. This decrease was attributed to mechanical degradation in the turbulent flow and aging of the polymer dissolved in water. A statistical model was used to describe the degradation process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andre N. Gaduan, Joanne Li, Gavin Hill, Christopher Wallis, Christoph Burgstaller, Koon-Yang Lee
Summary: This study investigates the structure-property relationship of blending different grades of repeatedly melt-extruded HDPE with virgin HDPE. The results show that blending these different grades of HDPE with virgin HDPE does not significantly affect the melt rheology, tensile properties, and overall migration compared to virgin HDPE, supporting the feasibility of achieving the target set by the UK Dairy Roadmap.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dmitrii Rusakov, Angelika Menner, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: PEKK is a semicrystalline high-performance polymer that has exceptional mechanical properties and a high continuous operation temperature, and is insoluble in most common solvents. Porous PEKK, desired for biomedical applications, is produced by a high-temperature thermally induced phase separation process using PEKK solutions in two high boiling aprotic solvents, 4-phenylphenol and 9-fluorenone. The choice of solvent has a significant influence on the phase separation behavior, foam morphology, and physical and mechanical properties of PEKK foams. Porous PEKK with porosities ranging from 70% to 90%, specific surface areas up to 194 m(2) g(-1), and elastic moduli ranging from 35 to 100 MPa are produced.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Emina Muratspahic, Jana Schoeffmann, Qixiang Jiang, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: An amphiphilic macrosurfactant copolymer poly(acrylamide-co-styrene) was synthesized via micellar polymerization, which can produce stable toluene or cyclohexane-in-water high or medium internal phase emulsion (H/MIPEs) at concentrations as low as 0.1 wt %. Emulsion templates containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAm) can be polymerized to produce macroporous poly(HEMA-co-MBAm)M/HIPEs. The poly(HEMA-co-MBAm)M/HIPEs stabilized with lower emulsifier content showed higher mechanical stability in dry and swollen state compared to poly(HEMA-co-MBAm)HIPEs reported in literature.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
David B. Anthony, Sang N. Nguyen, Hui Qian, Shi Xu, Charles M. D. Shaw, Emile S. Greenhalgh, Alexander Bismarck, Milo S. P. Shaffer
Summary: Hierarchical systems combining structural glass fibers with a bi-continuous silicabased aerogel matrix demonstrate significant improvements in mechanical properties, with up to 27% increases in compressive strength and interlaminar shear strength without any loss in modulus. The bicontinuous network modification strategy uses industrially-relevant infusion techniques and retains a similar final composite density (within 2%). This strategy offers a versatile and readily applicable means to enhance continuous fiber reinforced composite systems in compression and provides an opportunity for the development of new composite materials.
COMPOSITES COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Philip Verdross, Salome Guinchard, Robert T. Woodward, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: The production of thermosetting resins from lignin, a biomaterial mainly used as fuel, is a promising route to upcycle lignin. In this study, raw kraft black liquor was derivatised to yield a black liquor-based epoxy resin (BLER), which can be processed and cured into thermosets. The resulting lignin-based thermosets possess high mechanical properties, making them a potential alternative for various applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Ahmed Asiliskender, Joaquim Peiro, Koon-Yang Lee, Apostolos Parlamas, Brian Falzon, Zafer Kazanci
Summary: The proposed two-dimensional reconstruction, simulation, and injection strategy for resin injection repair offers a viable and quantitative alternative to existing intuition-based practices. Its accuracy has been verified through validation results.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Daniela Wloch, Natalia Herrera, Koon-Yang Lee
Summary: This study presents a method of producing ductile paper by treating bacterial cellulose nanofibrils with acid and alkali. The treated nanopaper exhibits a ductile response under uniaxial tension, although with lower tensile modulus and strength. Transparent bacterial cellulose/acrylic composites were also obtained by impregnating the treated nanopaper with acrylated urethane resin.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Olivier Hubert, Nikola Todorovic, Lina M. Rojas Gonzalez, Elodie Costagliola, Alexander Blocher, Andreas Mautner, Robert T. Woodward, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: Structural supercapacitors are multifunctional devices that can withstand mechanical loads while storing electrical energy. Carbon fibers can serve as both a current collector and a mechanical reinforcement within these devices. Increasing the surface area of carbon fibers by depositing active materials and embedding them into a structural electrolyte is a promising approach.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Qixiang Jiang, Alexander Beutl, Helmut Kuehnelt, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: This study successfully produced structural composite batteries using carbon fiber reinforced anodes and cathodes. The batteries were easily manufactured within a short period of time. Furthermore, the batteries exhibited high specific capacity, energy density, Young's modulus, and tensile strength.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Anett Kondor, Daniel J. Burnett, Alexander Bismarck, Daryl R. Williams
Summary: Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) is an important technique for characterizing solids. It determines the specific retention volume of the probe molecule, which is the basis for analyzing various physico-chemical properties. Two equations have been used in the literature to calculate the retention volume, but one of them is thermodynamically incorrect. This study shows that the specific retention volume strongly depends on column temperature, and normalizing it to 0 degrees C can lead to significant overestimation of heats of sorption.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mitchell P. Jones, Kathrin Weiland, Claudia Mitterer, Philip Verdross, Robert T. Woodward, Alexander Bismarck
Summary: Fires in chemical laboratories are common but often not reported, despite their potentially devastating consequences. This article recounts our firsthand experience of a severe laboratory fire, emphasizing the detrimental effects on the research group and the lessons learned.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kanjanawadee Singkronart, Andre Gaduan, Siti Rosminah Shamsuddin, Keeran Ward, Koon-Yang Lee
Summary: In this study, a composite approach was used to mechanically upcycle industrial mixed plastic waste, which was found to possess poor mechanical properties compared to its virgin counterpart. The study also developed a lifecycle analysis model to evaluate the environmental impact of this upcycling approach, and proposed a more sustainable solution for reducing the carbon emissions and energy consumption associated with the process.