Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis Research Articles

Cinnamic acid and its derivatives on dipeptidyl peptidase 4: structure-activity relationship and mechanism of inhibition

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), which breaks down glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), is closely associated with glucose metabolism, and the inhibition of this enzyme is one of the important targets for the treatment of diabetes. Traditionally cinnamon and bitter melon have been in wide use in diabetes treatment, and cinnamic acid (CIA) as its main ingredient is expected to be an ideal DPP4 inhibitor. In vitro inhibition experiments showed that CIA had the lowest IC50 (33.56 ± 1.13 mM) compared to the other substances in the study, suggesting that it was more effective in inhibiting DPP4. Analyses showed that adding hydroxyl and methyl groups to CIA's aromatic ring reduced its effect on DPP4; CIA and its derivatives were inhibited in a mixed way. With the exception of ferulic acid (FA), CIA and its derivatives quenched the fluorescence of DPP4 via a static quenching mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters show that that the binding of CIA (the most inhibitory compound) to DPP4 was spontaneous and driven by hydrogen bonding. Atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy analyses reveal that upon binding with DPP4, CIA underwent a conformational change. Molecular docking results highlight , while introducing hydroxyl and methoxy groups on the aromatic ring, the superior binding capacity of CIA diminished. The study confirms that CIA is an ideal inhibitor with the highest absolute value of binding energy (-5.8) and the lowest IC50 compared to other substances. By clarifying the inhibition mechanism of DPP4,the study thus provides dietary guidance for diabetic patients.

Effect of different polishing systems on surface roughness and gloss values of single-shade resin composites.

The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in the surface roughness and gloss of different single-shade resin composites after polishing with a range of systems. In total, 120 specimens were prepared from three different types of single-shade resin composites (supra-nanospherical-Omnichroma, nanohybrid-Charisma Diamond One, and microhybrid- Essentia Universal). The specimens were placed in distilled water and stored at 37°C for 24h. Each resin composite (n = 40) was divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the finishing/polishing (F/P) system: Mylar strip (control), Sof-Lex (multi-step), Twist Dia (two-step), and OneGloss (one-step). Surface roughness and gloss were measured. Surface characteristics were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference test were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Among all the composites, both the highest surface roughness and lowest gloss values were obtained in the groups treated with the OneGloss polishing system (p < 0.05). Compared with all the composites, Omnichroma had the lowest surface roughness and highest gloss values (except Twist Dia) both unpolished and after polishing with all the F/P systems (p < 0.05). All composites treated with the Twist Dia F/P system had similar gloss values. The results of the AFM and SEM analyses were consistent with the surface roughness measurements. The gloss values of both the microhybrid and nanohybrid composites after F/P using the two-step system was superior to that of the traditional multistep system. The surface of the supra-nanofilled resin-based composite was smoother than that of both the microhybrid and nanohybrid composites.

Corrosion inhibition performance of expired amlodipine on cupronickel alloy in a neutral chloride environment: electrochemical and surface analysis

Purpose The corrosion of cupronickel and copper alloys in marine and chloride environments presents significant challenges in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This paper aims to investigate the corrosion inhibition of cupronickel alloy (Cu-10Ni) in a sodium chloride medium using expired amlodipine as a corrosion inhibitor. The use of this drug in its expired form could reduce the costs of corrosion and help mitigate the accumulation of pharmaceutical waste. Design/methodology/approach The inhibitory action was evaluated using a weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of temperature on the inhibition performance was also studied. Findings The results of these experiments demonstrated that the drug amlodipine effectively inhibited the corrosion of cupronickel alloy in chloride solutions. The corrosion rate of cupronickel was found to decrease with increasing inhibitor concentration and to increase with rising temperature. A maximum inhibition efficiency of 91.92 was achieved with an inhibitor concentration of 0.025 g/L at 298 K. Adsorption of the inhibitor followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Polarization studies indicated that the expired drug acted as a mixed inhibitor. SEM and AFM analyses confirmed that the surface morphology of cupronickel specimens was significantly improved in the presence of the inhibitor. Practical implications Amlodipine can be conveniently used to mitigate problems with the corrosion of copper alloys in chloride environments. Originality/value Amlodipine is evaluated as a novel and effective corrosion inhibitor for cupronickel alloy in neutral chloride environments.

Crystallization Control of Anionic Thiacalixarenes on Silicon Surface Coated with Cationic Poly(ethyleneimine).

Surface modification of solid substrates with organic molecules and polyelectrolytes is a promising strategy toward advanced soft materials due to the control of molecular arrangement and supramolecular organization; however, understanding the nature of interactions within the assembly is challenging. Here a facile approach to the control of the architecture of calixarene macrocycles on soft surfaces is presented through the interplay of weak interactions involving a solid silicon substrate, a cationic polyelectrolyte layer, and anionic sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene (STCA). Topological analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of STCA on silicon, as well as silicon wafers modified with neutral polyethylenimine (PEI) and cationic PEI-H+, indicates different surface morphology and assembly behavior of STCA on such substrates. Drop-casting a calixarene solution onto silicon induces the formation of chaotically oriented needle crystals. When there is globular PEI, a nucleation point for the STCA crystals is formed on the polyelectrolyte surface, which grows into rosette structures. In contrast, protonated PEI with a chain-like structure alters the self-organization of STCA on silicon surfaces, leading to a dense uniform fiber-like network. Density functional theory modeling of the system components' self-assembly reveals thermodynamically favorable face-to-face antiparallel aggregation of STCA monomers and contribution of H-bonding into PEI(PEI-H+)-STCA and Si-STCA association.

One‐step synthesis of GO/AgNPs nanocomposite for diverse antimicrobial applications

AbstractDue to its diverse application potential, graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles (GO/AgNPs) nanocomposite material is currently under active research and scrutiny by scientists. This research synthesized the nanocomposite based on GO and AgNPs using a one‐step method with ascorbic acid's environment‐friendly reducing agent. Results indicated that the generated AgNPs, with a mean size of 20.3 nm, were deposited evenly upon the GO sheets' surface despite the absence of a stabilizer. The structural and chemical characteristics of GO/AgNP nanocomposites were studied using X‐ray diffraction, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman analyses. The nanocomposites' antibacterial efficacy was tested with Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive). At a focus of 16 µg/L, the GO/AgNPs sample exhibited a width of inhibition zones (ZOI) of about 10 mm in diameter, larger than that of the AgNPs sample at a threefold higher concentration. These results show that the synthesized GO/AgNPs nanocomposite maintains and enhances its antimicrobial activity. Therefore, it holds promise as a safe and cost‐effective material resource for biomedicine or environmental treatment purposes.

A sustainable approach for the corrosion control of mild steel using Cocous nucifera gum: An electrochemical investigation

The study of corrosion inhibition on mild steel (MS) in an acid medium (1 M HCl) solution was performed using a crude extract of Cocousnucifera gum (CNG). Cocousnucifera develops gum exudates on its palm, the exudate process occurs mainly after some physical or microbiological injuries and is formed on the fruit of the palm. The gum was utilized to study the corrosion inhibition of MS by electrochemical and surface studies. The characterization of the crude gum was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) which revealed the presence of several active components (aromatic and oxygen-containing functional groups) in its structure. The electrochemical studies resulted in the maximum inhibition efficiency value of 75.64 % at the highest inhibitor concentration of 4000 ppm at 308 K. It was inferred that both the anodic dissolution of the metal and cathodic hydrogen evolution were effectively decreased in the presence of Cocous nucifera gum extract, revealing that inhibitor is of mixed type. From the adsorption studies, it was found that the best fit with R2 ∼ 0.9 followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicating the monolayer adsorption of the inhibitor on the metal surface. Gibb’s free energy of adsorption values was found <−20 kJ/mol, a characteristic of predominant physical adsorption. To support the electrochemical data SEM (scanning electron microscopy), AFM (Atomic force microscopy), and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed and these are in good agreement.

Multi-frequency power ultrasound (MFPU) pretreatment of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): Effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis process and subsequent Maillard reaction

Crayfish, as a new consumer trend, has become one of the most popular freshwater aquatic foods in China, and its processed product output has been increasing year by year. In this study, the effect of multi-frequency power ultrasound (MFPU) pretreatment in various working modes including mono-, dual- and tri-frequency on the enzymatic hydrolysis and Maillard reaction of crayfish was investigated. Additionally, the underlying mechanism was also explored. Results showed that the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of crayfish was 23.89 %, while it increased to 40.78 % after MFPU pretreatment at 20/40 kHz dual-frequency, indicating that MFPU pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis of crayfish. The crayfish protein after MFPU pretreatment exhibited a decrease in α-helix and increase in β-fold content, and the occurrence in the unfolding of the protein structure and alteration of tertiary structure. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses, the MFPU pretreatment resulted in the fragmentation of crayfish protein. During the analyses of subsequent Maillard reaction, the composition and quantity of volatiles detected by the electronic nose and GC–MS indicated that MFPU pretreatment enhanced flavor of the Maillard reaction products. In conclusion, MFPU pretreatment is a promising technology for improving the degree of hydrolysis of crayfish protein and enhancing the flavor of Maillard reaction products.

Genosensor based on polypyrrole and dendrimer-coated gold nanoparticles for human papillomavirus detection

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an often asymptomatic widespread sexually transmitted infection responsible for causing various health issues. Low-risk HPV primarily causes genital warts. High-risk HPV types are associated with several cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, posing significant health risks. In this work, we developed an electrochemical biosensor for the detection and differentiation of HPV genotypes based on electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) and PAMAM dendrimer-coated gold nanoparticles (PAMAM-AuNPs) for the immobilization of a DNA probe for detecting different HPV genotypes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the biosensor. AFM analysis revealed varied topographic surfaces associated with the increased peaks concerning the biosensor and against patient samples. Electrochemical responses indicated that the genosensor could detect HPV using plasmid (HPV 6, 16, 18, 31, and 33) and cDNA samples (HPV 6, 18, and 31) from infected patients. Different electrochemical profiles were obtained between high-risk and low-risk genotypes. The sensor presented an excellent analytical performance, presenting a lower LOD of 0.04 pg.µL−1 and 0.34 pg.µL−1 for plasmidial and cDNA samples, respectively. Electrochemical analysis pointed out the ability of the developed genosensor platform to differentiate the HPV genotypes. The proposed biosensor is a promising tool for detecting and monitoring HPV and related diseases such as cervical cancer.

Integrative analysis of gene expression, protein abundance, and metabolomic profiling elucidates complex relationships in chronic hyperglycemia-induced changes in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health concern with significant cardiovascular complications (CVD). Despite extensive epidemiological data, the molecular mechanisms relating hyperglycemia to CVD remain incompletely understood. We here investigated the impact of chronic hyperglycemia on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) cultured under varying glucose conditions in vitro, mimicking normal (5 mmol/L), pre-diabetic (10 mmol/L), and diabetic (20 mmol/L) conditions, respectively. Normal HASMC cultures served as baseline controls, and patient-derived T2DM-SMCs served as disease controls. Results showed significant increases in cellular proliferation, area, perimeter, and F-actin expression with increasing glucose concentration (p < 0.01), albeit not exceeding the levels in T2DM cells. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed significant decreases in Young’s moduli, membrane tether forces, membrane tension, and surface adhesion in SMCs at higher glucose levels (p < 0.001), with T2DM-SMCs being the lowest among all the cases (p < 0.001). T2DM-SMCs exhibited elevated levels of selected pro-inflammatory markers (e.g., ILs-6, 8, 23; MCP-1; M-CSF; MMPs-1, 2, 3) compared to glucose-treated SMCs (p < 0.01). Conversely, growth factors (e.g., VEGF-A, PDGF-AA, TGF-β1) were higher in SMCs exposed to high glucose levels but lower in T2DM-SMCs (p < 0.01). Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant increases in the expression of inflammatory cytokine-associated pathways, especially involving IL-10, IL-4 and IL-13 signaling in genes that are up-regulated by elevated glucose levels. Differentially regulated gene analysis showed that compared to SMCs receiving normal glucose, 513 genes were upregulated and 590 genes were downregulated in T2DM-SMCs; fewer genes were differentially expressed in SMCs receiving higher glucose levels. Finally, the altered levels in genes involved in ECM organization, elastic fiber synthesis and formation, laminin interactions, and ECM proteoglycans were identified. Growing literature suggests that phenotypic switching in SMCs lead to arterial wall remodeling (e.g., change in stiffness, calcific deposits formation), with direct implications in the onset of CVD complications. Our results suggest that chronic hyperglycemia is one such factor that leads to morphological, biomechanical, and functional alterations in vascular SMCs, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of T2DM-associated arterial remodeling. The observed differences in gene expression patterns between in vitro hyperglycemic models and patient-derived T2DM-SMCs highlight the complexity of T2DM pathophysiology and underline the need for further studies.

Validation of metaxin-2 deficient C. elegans as a model for MandibuloAcral Dysplasia associated to mtx-2 (MADaM) syndrome

MandibuloAcral Dysplasia associated to MTX2 gene (MADaM) is a recently described progeroid syndrome (accelerated aging disease) whose clinical manifestations include skin abnormalities, growth retardation, and cardiovascular diseases. We previously proposed that mtx-2-deficient C. elegans could be used as a model for MADaM and to support this, we present here our comprehensive phenotypic characterization of these worms using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transcriptomic, and oxygen consumption rate analyses. AFM analysis showed that young mtx-2-less worms had a significantly rougher, less elastic cuticle which becomes significantly rougher and less elastic as they age, and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. mtx-2 C. elegans displayed slightly delayed development, decreased pharyngeal pumping, significantly reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacities, and transcriptomic analysis identified perturbations in the aging, TOR, and WNT-signaling pathways. The phenotypic characteristics of mtx-2 worms shown here are analogous to many of the human clinical presentations of MADaM and we believe this validates their use as a model which will allow us to uncover the molecular details of the disease and develop new therapeutics and treatments.

Particle size and band gap evaluation of green gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with potential applications

Abstract The present study was aimed towards green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using fungal strain (SGSK-7) with assessment of their size using different techniques viz., X-ray diffractormeter, Dynamic light scattering, Atomic force microscopy, FE-Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The intense characteristic diffraction peaks at angle 2Ѳ (38.13˚) presented the crystalline nature of the reduced gold solution and calculation of crystalline size (12 nm) using Scherer’s equation further confirmed synthesis of gold nanoparticles while dynamic light scattering analysis indicated the particle size range of gold nanoparticles between 2 nm to 50 nm. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FESEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis of extracellular gold nanoparticles depicts spherical shape of AuNPs of approximately 40 nm. Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy depicted the presence of the gold nanoparticles along with the other biomolecules secreted by fungus which plays vital role in reduction, capping and stabilization of gold nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X-ray, mapping analysis, Zeta potential and UV-Vis spectrophotometery analysis further confirmed the presence and stability of gold nanoparticles, respectively. Zeta potential of gold nanoparticles leads to conclude the neutral nature (-10 mV to 10mV) of the particles. The UV-Visible spectrophotometeric analysis also confirmed the formation of gold nanoparticles with an absorption peak at 547 nm. On the basis of UV-Visible spectra the optical band gap of 2.44 eV is examined. The phylogenetic relatedness of SGSK-7 revealed 99% homology with Aspergillus tamari after sequencing of the ITS region followed by BLAST.

Size-Dependent Nascent Sea Spray Aerosol Bounce Fractions and Estimated Viscosity: The Role of Divalent Cation Enrichment, Surface Tension, and the Kelvin Effect.

Viscosity, or the "thickness," of aerosols plays a key role in atmospheric processes like ice formation, water absorption, and heterogeneous kinetics. However, the viscosity of sea spray aerosols (SSA) has not been widely studied. This research explored the relationship between particle size and viscosity of authentic SSA particles through particle bounce, atomic force microscopy analysis, and predictive viscosity modeling from molecular composition. The study found that 40 nm SSA particles had estimated viscosities around 104 Pa·s and bounce fractions three times higher than 100 and 200 nm particles with less than 102 Pa·s at a relative humidity (RH) of 60%. Additional studies revealed the Kelvin effect and particle density, influenced by particle size, have a greater impact on size-dependent bounce fractions than changes in RH across impactor stages. While changes in the level of surfactants can impact particle bounce, the increased viscosity in smaller SSA is attributed to the formation of gel-like phase states caused by cation-organic cross-links between divalent calcium ions and organic anions enriched in the smaller particles. This work shows the smallest gel-like SSA particles observed in the field are highly viscous, which has implications for cloud formation, secondary aerosol growth, and pollutant transport in coastal environments.

Elaboration and Characterization of Electrodes from Robinia pseudoacacia and Azadirachta indica Charcoal Powder with Coconut Bio-Pitch as a Binder.

Carbon-based electrodes have recently been most widely used in P-MFC due to their desirable properties such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, affordable price, corrosion resistance, and ease of regeneration. In general, carbon-based electrodes, particularly graphite, are produced using a complex process based on petroleum derivatives at very high temperatures. This study aims to produce electrodes from bio-pitch and charcoal powder as an alternative to graphite electrodes. The carbons used to manufacture the electrodes were obtained by the carbonisation of Robinia pseudoacacia and Azadirachta indica wood. These carbons were pulverised, sieved to 50 µm, and used as the raw materials for electrode manufacturing. The binder used was bio-pitch derived from coconut shells as the raw materials. The density and coking value of the bio-pitch revealed its potential as a good alternative to coal-tar pitch for electrode manufacturing. The electrodes were made by mixing 66.50% of each carbon powder and 33.50% of bio-pitch. The resulting mixture was moulded into a cylindrical tube 8 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length. The raw electrodes obtained were subjected to heat treatment at 800 °C or 1000 °C in an inert medium. The electrical resistivity obtained by the four-point method showed that N1000 has an electrical resistivity at least five times lower than all the electrodes developed and two times higher than that of G. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the compositional features of the samples and their surface roughness was characterised by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Charge transfer was determined by electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The FTIR of the electrodes showed that N1000 has a spectrum that is more similar to that of G compared to the others. The EIS showed the high ionic mobility of the ions and therefore that N1000 has a higher charge transfer compared to G and the others. AFM analysis revealed that N1000 had the highest surface roughness in this study.

The role of lignin as interfacial compatibilizer in designing lignocellulosic-polyester composite films

Advancing nanocomposites requires a deep understanding and careful design of nanoscale interfaces, as interfacial interactions and adhesion significantly influence the physical and mechanical properties of these materials. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as interfacial compatibilizer between hydrophilic cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and a hydrophobic polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL). In this context, we conducted a detailed analysis of surface-to-bulk interactions in both wet and dry conditions using advanced techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), and inverse gas chromatography (IGC).QCM-D was employed to quantify the adsorption behavior of LNPs on CNF and PCL surfaces, demonstrating LNPs’ capability to interact with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases, thereby enhancing composite material properties. LNPs showed extensive adsorption on a CNF model film (1186 ± 178 ng.cm−2) and a lower but still significant adsorption on a PCL model film (270 ± 64 ng.cm−2). In contrast, CNF adsorption on a PCL model film was the lowest, with a sensed mass of only 136 ± 35 ng.cm−2. These findings were further supported by comparing the morphology and wettability of the films before and after adsorption, using AFM and WCA analyses. Then, to gain insights into the molecular-level interactions and molecular mobility within the composite in dry state, BDS was employed. The BDS results showed that LNPs improved the dispersion of PCL within the CNF network. To further investigate the impact of LNPs on the composites’ interfacial properties, IGC was employed. This analysis showed that the composite films containing LNPs exhibited lower surface energy compared to those composed of only CNF and PCL. The presence of LNPs likely reduced the availability of surface hydroxyl groups, thus modifying the physicochemical properties of the interface. These changes were particularly evident in the heterogeneity of the surface energy profile, indicating that LNPs significantly altered the interfacial characteristics of the composite materials.Overall, these findings emphasize the necessity to control the interfaces between components for next-generation nanocomposite materials across diverse applications.

Synthesis of Schiff bases of 4-methoxybenzyl amine and hydrazide derivatives and their application in corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl

In this work, Schiff bases of 4-methoxybenzyl amine and hydrazide derivatives containing succinic (BMSHE), oxalyl (BMOHE), and phenylaceto (BMPHE) have been synthesized and applied for corrosion inhibition of mild steel (MS) in 1.0 M HCl. The synthesized compounds are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and H1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The FTIR and H1 NMR results have confirmed their formation through the presence of functional groups and hydrogen associated with them. Corrosion mitigation examination is done by polarization measurements (PM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-rays (EDX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). All inhibitors demonstrated notable efficacy in preventing MS in HCl (BMSHE-88%, BMOHE-84%, and BMPHE-72%). As per corrosion potentials, BMOHE and BMPHE have been found to be mixed types of inhibitors, and BMSHE is noticed as a cathodic inhibitor. The SEM results demonstrated how these hydrazide derivatives prevented corrosion by covering the MS surface. The EDX analysis of the surfaces has revealed that the inhibited MS contains lower amounts of O and Cl, which indicate that the inhibitors prevent MS in HCl. AFM analysis shows that the surfaces of MS in the presence of the inhibitors are damaged less than in their absence, which reveals the same facts as told above. The inhibition of MS by BMSHE, BMOHE, and BMPHE is also explained with a reason after analyzing the results.

Effect of hybrid sizings on the surface morphology, mechanical behavior of basalt fibers, and fiber/epoxy composite properties

AbstractIn the present study, the basalt fibers (BFs) were treated with hybrid sizings consisting silane coupling agent (3‐Glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, and silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SNPs). Using acetone washing and heat treatment, the commercial sizing previously on the BFs was removed. Next, the fibers were dip‐coated, and silanes condensed on the surface of the fibers. Fiber samples were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The test findings demonstrate that acetone extraction was an effective way to remove sizings. The AFM analysis and SEM micrographs demonstrate that SNP and silane particles were dispersed uniformly across the fiber surface. The single fiber tensile testing results indicated that the deposition of hybrid sizings enhanced the fibers strength. Because of the better adhesion between the fiber and epoxy, the hybrid sizings also improved the flexural strength by 22.28% and the interlaminar shear strength by 20.75%.Highlights Hybrid sizings (silanes and nano‐particles) on the basalt fiber surface. Characterization of the sizings and understanding of surface morphology. Hybrid sizings resulted in better tensile strength. Failure mechanisms of the fibers were observed using fractography. The effect of hybrid sizing on ILSS and flexural properties was observed.

Air Fixation and AFM: A Comparative Study of Nanoparticle-Induced Topographical Changes in Lung Cells

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as promising agents in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. This study investigates the cellular interactions of AuNPs with A549 (non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma) and BEAS-2B (normal bronchial epithelial) cell lines. AuNPs were synthesized via the citrate reduction method, resulting in 20, 50, and 70 nm particles. Cells were incubated with AuNPs for increasing durations (30 minutes, 4 hours, and 24 hours). Post-incubation, cells were washed with PBS, air-fixed, and subsequently analyzed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to obtain detailed topographical maps. AFM imaging revealed distinct interactions between AuNPs and the two cell lines. A549 cells displayed darker regions on the cell surface, indicative of topographical depressions likely resulting from nanoparticle-induced membrane collapse. In contrast, BEAS-2B cells did not exhibit such depressions, which is consistent with the literature that suggests cancer cells are mechanically softer than normal cells. The surface roughness analysis results indicated that the preservation of surface integrity post-fixation validates the air-fixation methodology for obtaining reliable mechanical data from AFM analyses.

Transforming Agro-Industrial Waste into Bioplastic Coating Films.

Addressing the environmental impact of agro-industrial waste, this study explores the transformation of banana, potato, and orange peels into bioplastics suitable for thin coating films. We prepared six extracts at 100 g/L, encompassing individual (banana peel, BP; orange peel, OP; and potato peel, PP) and combined [BP/OP, BP/PP, and BP/OP/PP] formulations, with yeast mold (YM) medium serving as the control. Utilizing the spin-coating method, we applied 1 mL of each sample at 1000 rpm for 1 min to create the films. Notably, the OP extract demonstrated a twofold increase in bioplastic yield (860.33 mg/L) compared to the yields of BP (391.43 mg/L), PP (357.67 mg/L), BP/OP (469.40 mg/L), BP/PP (382.50 mg/L), BP/OP/PP (272.67 mg/L), and YM (416.33 mg/L) extracts. Atomic force microscopy analysis of the film surfaces revealed a roughness under 8 nm, with the OP extract recording the highest at 7.0275 nm, whereas the BP/OP mixture exhibited the lowest roughness at 0.2067 nm and also formed the thinnest film at 6.5 nm. With R2 trend values exceeding 0.9950, the films exhibited water vapor permeability values ranging from 3.05 × 10-3 to 4.44 × 10-3, with the OP film being the least permeable and the BP/PP films the most permeable. The OP film demonstrated the lowest solubility in both water and ethanol with values of 64.71 and 1.05%, respectively. The solubilities of all films were above 60% in water and below 4% in ethanol. Furthermore, the films exhibited antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Our findings confirm the potential of utilizing banana, orange, and potato peels as viable substrates for eco-friendly bioplastics in thin-film applications.

Study on the performance and mechanism of physicochemically modified asphalt based on spatial crosslinking by the crumb rubber and polyurethane precursor

ABSTRACT Crumb rubber (CR)-modified asphalt shows positive effects on engineering performance and environmental conservation. However, its limited compatibility with asphalt due to unstable interactions poses challenges for its application. The incorporation of polyurethane precursor-based reactive modifier (PRM) facilitates the establishment of a three-dimensional crosslinked network structure within the asphalt, thereby enhancing pavement performance and compatibility. In this study, a novel compound-modified asphalt (CPMA) was prepared with CR and PRM. The performance of CPMA was assessed using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Blend Beam Rheology (BBR) and storage stability tests. Microstructure and modification mechanism were revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Fluorescence Microscopy (FM) analyses. The results show that CPMA produced using an optimized process has better high-temperature performance and fatigue life than CR-modified asphalt (CRMA) and PRM-modified asphalt (PMA). Polar molecules, such as asphaltenes and resins, are crosslinked by the PRM to form a three-dimensional network, which enhances the thermal storage stability of CPMA. Furthermore, the flexibility and resilience of CR mitigated the low-temperature hardening of PMA. Physicochemical compound modifications provide significant advantages in terms of performance enhancement and system stability and demonstrate the potential of CR and PRM to complement and enhance their respective applications.

Enhanced tumor control and survival in preclinical models with adoptive cell therapy preceded by low-dose radiotherapy.

Effective infiltration of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells into solid tumors is critical for achieving a robust antitumor response and improving therapeutic outcomes. While CAR-T cell therapies have succeeded in hematologic malignancies, their efficacy in solid tumors remains limited due to poor tumor penetration and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) administered before T-cell therapy to enhance the antitumor effect by promoting CAR-T cell infiltration. We hypothesized that combining LDRT with T-cell therapy would improve tumor control and survival compared to either treatment alone. We investigated this hypothesis using two NSG mouse models bearing GSU or CAPAN-2 solid tumors. The mice were treated with engineered CAR-T cells targeting guanyl cyclase-C (GCC) or mesothelin as monotherapy or in combination with LDRT. Additionally, we extended this approach to a C57BL/6 mouse model implanted with MC38-gp100+ cells, followed by adoptive transfer of pmel+ T cells before and after LDRT. Tumor growth and survival outcomes were monitored in all models. Furthermore, we employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a small cohort to assess the effects of radiotherapy on tumor stiffness and plasticity, exploring the role of tumor nanomechanics as a potential biomarker for treatment efficacy. Our results demonstrated enhanced tumor control and prolonged survival in mice treated with LDRT followed by T-cell therapy across all models. The combination of LDRT with CAR-T or pmel+ T-cell therapy led to superior tumor suppression and survival compared to monotherapy, highlighting the synergistic impact of the combined approach. Additionally, AFM analysis revealed significant changes in tumor stiffness and plasticity in response to LDRT, suggesting that the nanomechanical properties of the tumor may be predictive of therapeutic response. The findings of this study highlight the transformative potential of incorporating LDRT as a precursor to adoptive T-cell therapy in solid tumors. By promoting CAR-T and pmel+ T-cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, LDRT enhanced tumor control and improved survival outcomes, offering a promising strategy to overcome the challenges associated with CAR-T therapy in solid tumors. Additionally, the changes in tumor nanomechanics observed through AFM suggest that tumor stiffness and plasticity could be biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes. These results support further investigation into the clinical application of this combined approach to improve the efficacy of cell-based therapies in patients with solid tumors.