Average Diameter Research Articles

The particle sizes of milled wheat fractions affect the in vitro starch digestibility and quality parameters of wire-cut cookies made thereof.

Slow digestion of starch is linked to various health benefits. The impact of wheat particle size on in vitro starch digestibility and quality of wire-cut cookies was here evaluated by including four soft wheat fractions [i.e. flour (average diameter, 83 μm), fine farina (643 μm), coarse farina (999 μm) and bran (1036 μm)] in the recipe. The susceptibility of starch in these fractions to in vitro digestion decreased with increasing particle size, resulting in a 76% lower digestion rate for coarse farina than for flour as found with the single first-order kinetic model. Starch was protected from hydrolysis likely due to delayed diffusion of pancreatic α-amylase through the intact farina cell walls. When 20-65% starch in flour for the control cookie recipe was substituted with the same percentages in fine and coarse farina, the starch digestion rate decreased when substitution levels increased. A 62% lower digestion rate was found at 65% substitution with coarse farina. Cell wall intactness was largely preserved in the cookies and most of the starch appeared as ungelatinised granules. Further, the cookie spread ratio during baking was 48% and 33% higher and the cookies were 63% and 57% less hard than control cookies when made with 65% fine farina and 65% coarse farina, respectively. The relatively low specific surface area of large wheat particles resulted in low water absorption and less dense packing. In conclusion, encapsulation of starch by intact cell walls in coarse wheat fractions makes them promising ingredients when developing starchy food products for controlled energy release.

Forward osmosis membrane substrates with low structure parameter: Modification with PSf‐g‐PMMA graft copolymer

AbstractIn this work, using the combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and click chemistry, the graft copolymer polysulfone‐graft‐poly (methyl methacrylate) (PSf‐g‐PMMA) was synthesized as a modifying agent. The copolymer was embedded in the PSf substrate using a nonsolvent phase inversion method. Then, the modified substrate was used to make thin film composite forward osmosis (TFC‐FO) membranes using the interfacial polymerization method. Also, the effect of PSf‐g‐PMMA copolymer content on the surface properties of the membrane, as well as the filtration performance, was investigated. The increase in hydrophilicity, porosity, and average pore diameter indicated the favorable effect of PSf‐g‐PMMA copolymer on the characteristics of modified substrates. In addition, the improvement in the membrane morphology (an increase in the length and number of finger‐like pores) provided a substrate with low tortuosity and structure parameters. Therefore, the pure water permeability increased from 79.9 LMH/bar for the control membrane to 372.1 LMH/bar for the membrane containing 20 wt.% of PSf‐g‐PMMA copolymer. Investigating the FO separation properties of TFC‐FO membranes showed an increase in water flux and selectivity due to an improvement in the morphology of the modified substrate with low structural parameters. The new TFC‐FO membranes have been optimized, and water flux has significantly improved. Compared with the control membrane, which did not have copolymer blending, the new membranes have a triply enhanced water flux of 17.1 LMH. In addition, the selectivity of these optimized membranes has improved when 1 M NaCl is used as the draw, and DI water is used as the feed in the FO mode.

The preparation of polystyrene/nickel core-shell particles for anisotropic conductive films (ACFs)

The use of core-shell conductive microspheres as conductive fillers for anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) has broad application prospects for high-precision circuit connections. However, existing preparation methods suffer from environmental pollution and a relatively long processing procedure. Therefore, we propose a bio-inspired, simple, and environmentally friendly method for preparing PS/Ni core-shell conductive particles suitable for ACFs. Specifically, this study utilized the oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) to modify the surface of polystyrene (PS) microspheres. The catechol groups in polydopamine (PDA) act as both reducing agents and anchor groups for palladium (Pd) atoms to catalyze the electroless nickel plating. Results indicated that the amount of (PDA) on the PS surface and the morphology of the formed nickel-phosphor (NiP) layer were regulated by adjusting the DA polymerization time and concentrations. The prepared PS-PDA/Ni conducting particles with an average diameter of 2 ± 0.2 μm has a low density (1.5 g/cm3) and can be applied to ACFs. The application of the prepared ACFs was demonstrated by bonding two flexible print circuits (FPC) with a line spacing of 200 μm. Good adhesion, conductivity, and anisotropic properties were observed in the bonded FPC-200s. This study provides useful information for producing suitable conductive particles with easy synthesis for ACFs applications.

Folic acid in carboxymethylcellulose/polyethylene oxide electrospun nanofibers: preparation, release and stability.

Folic acid (FA), a synthetically produced compound analogous to vitamin B9, also referred to as vitamin folate, is an essential compound in human health and faces challenges in stability during food processing. This study explores the incorporation of FA into carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) nanofibers using electrospinning to enhance its stability. In this study, optimization of both electrospinning and solution parameters facilitated the fabrication of nanofibers. Furthermore, incorporating FA into CMC/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers resulted in thinner fibers, with an average diameter of 88 nm, characterized by a flat shape and smooth surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis demonstrated substantial hydrogen bonding interactions between FA and the polar groups present in CMC. This interaction contributed to an encapsulation efficiency of 94.5%, with a yield exceeding 87%. Thermal analysis highlighted mutual interference between CMC and PEO, with FA enhancing the thermal stability and reducing the melting temperatures and enthalpies of PEO, while also increasing the reaction heats of CMC. The encapsulated FA remained stable in acidic conditions, with only 6% degradation over 30 days, demonstrating the efficacy of CMC/PEO nanofibers in safeguarding FA against acidic environments. Moreover, the nanofibers provided a protective barrier against UV radiation, thereby preserving the stability of FA. This study emphasizes the efficacy of CMC/PEO nanofibers as a protective matrix against FA degradation. The findings indicate that this innovative approach could significantly diversify the applications of FA in food fortification, addressing concerns regarding its vulnerability to temperature and hydrolysis reactions during food processing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Long-Term Outcomes of Thymoma Treated at a Single Institute

Introduction Thymomas are uncommon tumors that originate from epithelial cells of thymus and may have varying clinical course. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of medical records of thymoma patients treated between January 2012 and April 2022 at our institute was conducted. Results There were a total of 23 patients (12 males and 11 females) with median age of 52 years (range, 33–77 years). Eleven patients (47.8%) had associated paraneoplastic syndromes of which 10 (43.5%) had myasthenia gravis and 1 (4.3%) had pure red cell aplasia. Average maximal tumor diameter was 62 mm (28–160 mm). Masaoka-Koga stage distribution was as follows: stage I (n = 2, 8.7%), IIA (n = 4, 17.4%), IIB (n = 1, 4.3%), IIIA (n = 2, 8.7%), IIIB (n = 4, 17.4%), IVA (n = 7, 30.4%), and IVB (n = 3, 13.1%). The World Health Organization type B2 was the commonest histology (n = 12, 52.17%), followed by B3 (n =7, 30.4%), B1 (n = 2, 8.7%), AB (n = 1,4.3%), and A (n = 1, 4.3%). Six patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide regimen, 22 (95.6%) underwent surgery, and 1 patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. R0 resection was attained in 20 (91%) patients, R1 resection in 1 (4.5%) patient, and R2 in 1 (4.5%) patient. All operated patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy (45–60 Gy in 25–30 fractions). Four patients relapsed at a median duration of 14 months (2–26 months). At a median follow-up of 6 years, 5-year overall survival was 67.1% and 5-year progression-free survival was 66.6%. Local control at 5 years was 86.6%. Conclusion Despite majority of our patients presenting at an advanced stage, the local control rates are encouraging and reinforce multimodality approach.

Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Sol with Low Refractive Properties for Increasing Transmittance

Currently, coating with anti-reflective materials is an attractive approach to improve the quality of screen-based displays. In this study, mesoporous silica particles were systematically synthesized as a function of surfactant (i.e., CTAC-cetyltrimethylammonium chloride) concentration to serve as main coating fillers possessing low refractive indices. Precisely changing the amount of the CTAC surfactant, silica sol with an average diameter of 50 nm exhibits distinctively different specific surface areas, pore size, and pore volume. Prior to the preparation of final coating solutions containing these silica particle fillers, the percentage of solid content was optimized on a glass slide. The use of 50 wt% solid content exhibited the highest transmittance of light. Among various content levels of silica sol, the use of 3.5 wt% of silica particles in the solid content displayed the highest transmittance (i.e., best anti-reflectiveness). Under the almost identical coating layers prepared with the fixed amount of silica particles possessing different surface areas, pore size, and pore volume, it appears that the largest pore volume played the most important role in improving the anti-reflective properties. Experimentally understanding the key feature of low-refractive filler materials under the optimized conditions could provide a clear view to develop highly effective anti-reflective materials for various display applications.

Vascular Blush Size Reduction, Technical Success and Safety of Intra-Arterial Embolization for Glomus Jugular Tumors: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Glomus jugulare tumors are slow-growing neuroendocrine paragangliomas located in the temporal bone. Surgical excision, the standard treatment option, carries a high risk of intraoperative bleeding due to the vascular nature of these lesions. To mitigate this risk, current practice involves performing intra-arterial embolization prior to surgery. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess postintervention safety, technical success, and the rate of vascular blush size reduction in a group of patients with Glomus jugulare tumors who were planned for surgery and underwent pre-surgical intra-arterial embolization of the lesion. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, all patients who underwent intravascular embolization for Glomus jugulare tumors from 2017 onwards were included. The study comprised 61 patients scheduled for surgery following embolization. All embolizations were completed in one session and were primarily performed via external carotid artery branches using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The size of the vascular blush was measured before and after embolization in coronal, supero-inferior sagittal, and antero-posterior sagittal planes, and the rate of blush size reduction was calculated. Procedure complications, including post-embolization pain, were recorded. In the statistical analysis, vascular blush size was compared between pre- and post-embolization times. Results: Pain after embolization was reported in 11 patients (18%). There were no other complications among the patients, indicating a high level of safety. All procedures were technically successful. The mean pre-embolization vascular blush diameter in the coronal plane was 29.1 ± 13.3 mm, which decreased to 16.8 ± 7.1 mm after embolization, representing an average diameter reduction of 38.5% (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this retrospective cohort study suggest that intra-arterial embolization for Glomus jugulare tumors is safe, technically successful, and effective in reducing vascular blush before surgery.

Electrospun Ibuprofen-Loaded Blend PCL/PEO Fibers for Topical Drug Delivery Applications

Electrospun drug-eluting fibers have demonstrated potentials in topical drug delivery applications, where drug releases can be modulated by polymer fiber compositions. In this study, blend fibers of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) at various compositions were electrospun from 10 wt% of polymer solutions to encapsulate a model drug of ibuprofen (IBP). The results showed that the average polymer solution viscosities determined the electrospinning parameters and the resulting average fiber diameters. Increasing PEO contents in the blend PCL/PEO fibers decreased the average elastic moduli, the average tensile strength, and the average fracture strains, where IBP exhibited a plasticizing effect in the blend PCL/PEO fibers. Increasing PEO contents in the blend PCL/PEO fibers promoted the surface wettability of the fibers. The in vitro release of IBP suggested a transition from a gradual release to a fast release when increasing PEO contents in the blend PCL/PEO fibers up to 120 min. The in vitro viability of blend PCL/PEO fibers using MTT assays showed that the fibers were compatible with MEF-3T3 fibroblasts. In conclusion, our results explained the scientific correlations between the solution properties and the physicomechanical properties of electrospun fibers. These blend PCL/PEO fibers, having the ability to modulate IBP release, are suitable for topical drug delivery applications.

Per-acetic acid effect on separation of banana fiber and their dyeing with natural dyes

The fiber derived from the pseudo-stem of the banana plant is the subject of this investigation. It describes the processes involved in creating pseudo-stem fiber from bananas, such as fiber extraction, retting, and degumming. Banana fiber has been separated using per-acetic acid. To evaluate the efficacy of the process, the fiber's appearance and form have been altered. A homogeneous, spotless surface was observed under Scanning Electron Microscopy. Weight loss is the outcome of the treatment and absorbency increases. 3.66% of the weight loss is attributed to the per-acetic acid treatment. The fiber’s average diameter was reduced 81.9% compared to the raw fiber. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was utilized to assess the chemical changes brought about by the treatment, which verified the presence of cellulose in the fiber. The separated fibers were colored using natural dyes, which were then assessed based on how well they characterized the color. The results demonstrated the use of natural colors derived from extracts of madder and myrobalan. The standard test indicates that ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) exhibits strong resistance to light, washing, and rubbing fastness, making it a viable mordant for achieving brown to black color.Graphical

Activated carbon from hydrothermal carbonization of ice cream factory wastewater with H3PO4 activation. Synthesis, characterisation and adsorption properties

This work aims to treat ice cream wastewater (ICWW) by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and to produce activated carbon (AC). The HTC reduces COD, BOD5 and KTN by up to 80%, 55% and 93%, respectively. The obtained hydrochar was activated with H3PO4 at various impregnation ratios (1−4) and different temperatures (400−600 °C). The material with the best properties, named AC-2-500, was obtained at 500 °C with an acid impregnation rate of 2 and represents a spherical shape (specific surface area of 1432.44 m2 g−1, pore volume of 0.80 cm3g-1, and average pore diameter around 2.24 nm). The porous structure of AC-2-500 enabled to achieve high adsorption capacities of the order of 588.23 mg g−1 and 250 mg g−1 for rhodamine B (RhB) and acid red 97 (AR97), respectively. The adsorption equilibrium was reached in 30 min for RhB and 60 min for AR97. The linear forms of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms appear to produce reasonable models for the adsorption of dyes onto AC-2-500, with best results when applying Langmuir model. Both dyes adsorb spontaneously and endothermically, with an increase in the randomness at the solid/solution interface. Furthermore, the regeneration study revealed that during several adsorption-desorption cycles, AC-2-500 demonstrated a strong adsorption capability.

Comparison of Surgical Modalities for Giant Pituitary Adenoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 1413 Patients.

Giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) are a challenging clinical entity, composing 5% to 15% of all pituitary adenomas. While the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (EET) approach has surpassed the microsurgical transsphenoidal (MT) and transcranial (TC) approaches as the first-line surgical modality in most institutions, a systematic review comparing the 3 approaches has not been undertaken since 2012. Given growing adoption of EET and development of novel operative techniques over the past decade, an updated comparison of GPA surgical modalities is warranted. We identified all studies related to the surgical management of GPAs in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to December 31, 2021. End points assessed included gross total resection (GTR) rates, postoperative visual improvement, mortality, and perioperative complications. After screening of 1701 studies, we identified 45 studies on the surgical management of GPAs for meta-analysis. Thirty-one used the EET approach (n = 1413), 11 studies used the MT approach (n = 601), and 10 used the TC approach (n = 416). The cumulative number of patients treated by EET did not exceed that of patients treated by the TC or MT approaches until 2014 and 2015, respectively. Despite patients undergoing EET having the highest average tumor diameter, pooled rates for GTR were significantly higher for EET (42%) than MT (33%, P < .001) and TC (8%, P < .001) and EET similarly exhibited superior rates of visual improvement (85%) than MT (73%, P < .001) and TC (56%, P < .001). Mortality rates were comparable between EET (0.6%) and MT (1.6%), but EET had significantly lower mortality than TC (2.7%, P < .001). Compared with MT, EET had lower rates of hypopituitarism (8.5% vs 14.9%, P = .012) but higher rates of diabetes insipidus (3.1% vs 0.5%, P = .001). In an updated meta-analysis of 1413 patients with GPA, EET resection conferred significantly higher rates of visual improvement and GTR, when compared with the MT and TC approaches.

Utilizing silica fume and synthetically produced mesoporous silicas for simulated flue gas CO2 adsorption

ABSTRACT Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is crucial in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Solid adsorbents, notable for their reusability and corrosion resistance, are gaining attention in CO2 gas separation. This study uses Silica fume as an adsorbent and silica source for SiO2 and MCM-41 silica-based adsorbents. Silica was extracted via an alkaline dissolution method, and adsorbents were synthesized using a CO2-induced precipitation method, chosen for its shorter synthesis time and CO2 utilization. The effects of pore volume, average pore diameter, and specific surface area on amine loading and CO2 adsorption capacity were investigated using CTAB surfactant in SiO2 synthesis, resulting in MCM-41. The synthesized adsorbents were modified with TEPA and DEA amines due to their high affinity for CO2. After determining optimal amine loading, the impact of combining TEPA with DEA was examined. The highest CO2 adsorption capacity under simulated flue gas conditions (15% volume CO2 and 85% volume N2) was 198 milligrams per gram of adsorbent for the SiO2 adsorbent functionalized with 50% by weight amine (28% TEPA and 22% DEA). Variations in CO2 adsorption over time, the influence of adsorbent quantity on adsorption capacity, the affinity of the adsorbent for N2 adsorption, and the adsorption–desorption cycle were investigated. The 28%TEPA-22%DEA-SiO2 adsorbent emerged as the optimal choice due to its large total volume and average pore diameter, absence of a template in its structure, excellent performance in CO2 adsorption, lack of affinity for N2, and robust adsorption–desorption stability.

Agronomic performance and technological quality of sugarcane submitted to different poultry litter dosages

Sugarcane is a central crop for sugar and ethanol production. Investing in sustainable practices can enhance productivity, technological quality, mitigate impacts, and contribute to a cleaner energy future. Among the factors that help increase the productivity of sugarcane, the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the soil are amongst the most important. The use of poultry litter has been an important alternative for soil improvement, as it acts as a soil conditioner. Therefore, this work aimed to verify the best doses of poultry litter for the vegetative, reproductive and technological components of sugarcane. The experiment was carried out at Usina Denusa Destilaria Nova União S/A in the municipality of Jandaia, GO. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block design with four replications: 5 × 4, totaling 20 experimental units. The evaluated factor consisted of four doses of poultry litter plus the control (0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha−1). In this study, were evaluated the number of tillers, lower stem diameter, average stem diameter, upper stem diameter, plant height, stem weight and productivity. The technological variables of total recoverable sugar, recoverable sugar, Brix, fiber, purity and percentage of oligosaccharides were also evaluated. It was observed, within the conditions of this experiment, that the insertion of poultry litter did not interfere significantly in most biometric, productive and technological variables of the sugarcane. But it can also be inferred that there was a statistical trend toward better results when the sugarcane was cultivated with 4 t ha-1 of poultry litter.

Novel dynamic light scattering immunosensor for prostate specific antigens based upon dual-tyramine signal amplification strategy

The sensitive detection of biomarkers is crucial for the early diagnosis, treatment, and improvement of the quality of life of patients. A novel dynamic light scattering-dual tyramine signal amplification strategy (DLS-dTSA) was constructed to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The Oligo 1 was first immobilized in a 96-well plate for PSA capture. Afterwards, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Oligo 2 functionalized AuNPs (HRP-Au NPs-Oligo 2) bound to Oligo 1 through DNA hybridization. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tyramine could be converted into a transient radical intermediate by HRP, leading to the aggregation of tyramine and HRP-labeled AuNPs (tyramine-AuNPs-HRP) near HRP-AuNPs-Oligo 2, triggering the first TSA process. Later, the PSA was added into the 96-well plate, to specifically recognize aptamer and thus depart the Au-aggregate from the 96-well plate. Then H2O2 was added to the Au-aggregate solution, triggering the free Au-aggregate to gather again, realizing the second TSA amplification. The average diameter of Au NPs increased linearly with the concentration of PSA during the range of 0.0001 – 1000 ng mL−1, and the limit of detection was 0.033 pg mL−1. Moreover, this strategy has been used to analyze PSA in human serum samples successfully, demonstrating the potential application of the proposed method for rapid clinical and early clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer in vitro.

Reduction of Recipient Spleen Size after Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Background Liver transplantation is considered an important solution to patients with end stage liver disease and a glimpse of hope for some patients with terrible quality of life due to the morbidity of such disease. Living donor liver transplantation procedures has now become widely done worldwide and many studies have been done to improve its outcome and improve the quality of the patients’ lives. Objective to help identify the factors that affects the size of spleen after living donor liver transplantation and promotes the reduction in its size which greatly affects the patients’ and graft survival rate. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective study including patients underwent living donor liver transplantation to be conducted in Ain Shams university hospitals to determine the factors promoting reduction of spleen size after living donor liver transplantation. This study was conducted at Ain-Shams University Hospitals, in the period from January 2008 to June 2021. Approval of the Ethical Committee and written informed consent from all participants were obtained. Results In our study we found that from 100 patients who had splenomegaly before transplantation, 54% of patients had persistent splenomegaly after liver transplantation, while 46% of patients had normal spleen size after transplantation within 1 year. The spleen size decreased significantly after transplantation in general, from a range of 13.3- 25 cm with a mean of 18.06 cm +/- 7 pre-op, to a range of 9-18 cm with a mean of 14.1 cm +/- 2.65. By analyzing this data and dividing it into two groups, it has been found that the group with persistent splenomegaly (54% of patients) had higher range of spleen size before transplantation with a range of 16.7-25 cm with a mean of 19.75 cm +/- 2.169, while the group of normal spleen size after transplantation ranged from 13.3-17 cm with a mean of 15.3 +/- 1.018 before transplantation. Also patients with dilated portal vein and portal vein thrombosis have higher chances of persistent splenomegaly post-operative. It has been found that in 93.4% of patients (43 patients)with reduced spleen size after transplantation had patent portal vein with average diameter, while only 6.5% (3 patients) had dilated portal vein and 0 patients with attenuated portal vein. On the other hand, 44.4% of patients with persistent splenomegaly had dilated portal vein, 38.9% had patent portal vein, and 16.67% had attenuated portal vein pre-op. Our study also showed the effect of spleen after transplantation on platelets levels and liver function. The normal spleen size was associated with better recovery of platelets number, in the group of patients with normal spleen size it ranged from 32 -189 10∧3/uL with a mean of 80 10∧3/uL pre-op, it increased to a mean of 163.95 10∧3/uL post op. While in the splenomegaly group the mean platelets count pre-op was 75.27 10∧3/uL in increased to 156.88 10∧3/uL post op. It has also been found that the decrease in spleen size greatly affects the liver functions, where in aspartate aminotransferase AST and Alanine transaminase ALT levels pre- operative in patients with normal spleen with a mean of 38.37 and 57.8 respectively. It decreased to a mean of 27 and 29.7 and difference of 11.2 and 28.1 respectively. Conclusion The spleen size after living donor liver transplantation is affected by the size of the spleen before transplantation and by the diameter portal vein before transplantation. Also the reduction in spleen size after living donor liver transplantation greatly affects the patient and graft survival platelets count and liver functions such as liver enzymes, albumin and coagulation profile.

Nor-LAAM loaded PLGA microparticles for treating opioid use disorder

The treatment landscape for opioid use disorder (OUD) faces challenges stemming from the limited efficacy of existing medications, poor adherence to prescribed regimens, and a heightened risk of fatal overdose post-treatment cessation. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic strategies that enhance the effectiveness of interventions and the overall well-being of individuals with OUD. This study explored the therapeutic potential of nor-Levo-α-acetylmethadol (nor-LAAM) to treat OUD. We developed sustained release nor-LAAM-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MP) using a hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP) approach. The nor-LAAM-MP prepared using HIP with pamoic acid had high drug loading and exhibited minimal initial burst release and sustained release. The nor-LAAM-MP was further optimized for desirable particle size, drug loading, and release kinetics. The lead nor-LAAM-MP (F4) had a relatively high drug loading (11 wt%) and an average diameter (19 μm) and maintained a sustained drug release for 4 weeks. A single subcutaneous injection of nor-LAAM-MP (F4) provided detectable nor-LAAM levels in rabbit plasma for at least 15 days. We further evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of nor-LAAM-MP (F4) in a well-established fentanyl-addiction rat model, and revealed a marked reduction in fentanyl choice and withdrawal symptoms in fentanyl-dependent rats. These findings provide insights into further developing long-acting nor-LAAM-MP for treating OUD. It has the potential to offer a new effective medication to the existing sparse armamentarium of products available to treat OUD.

Catalytic Appel Reaction Accessing the Mesoporous Substructure of a Robust and Heterogeneous Polyphosphamide

While phosphamides are well flame retardants, herein a mesoporous polyphosphamide (p‐PPA) with an accessible average pore diameter of &lt;10 nm and a surface area of 1.773 m2/g has been synthesized via condensation of 1,3‐diamino benzene (DAB) and phenyl phosphinic dichloride (PPDC). 31P, 13C CP‐MAS NMR, Raman spectra, and X‐ray photon spectroscopic (XPS) characterizations confirm the presence of ‐{PV(O)‐NH}‐ in the repeating unit of the p‐PPA that is further used as a catalytic mediator to perform the Appel reaction i.e., conversion of alcohols to halides with a broad substrate scope and high TON (561). The heterogeneity of p‐PPA allows easy recovery of organic halides and recycling of the catalyst many times. Mesoporous p‐PPA have further given a scope to perform shape‐selective conversion of primary alcohols with linear alkyl chain (1‐dodecanol) while low conversions for the bulky secondary (cyclo‐hexanol) and tertiary alcohol (tert‐butanol) are observed. Perhaps, the phosphamide units present inside the porous sites are non‐preferable site for bulkier alcohols, as evident from the competitive experiments. A comparatively less catalytic conversion obtained with an analogous non‐porous n‐PPA, made of tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (TREN) linker, highlights the role of porosity in p‐PPA to enhances the accessibility of numerous ‐{PV(O)‐NH}‐ reactive units to increase the TON.

Isolation and characterization of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles from Carica papaya L. fruit and their potential as anti-inflammatory agent.

Inflammation is an immune system response that identifies and eliminates foreign material. However, excessive and persistent inflammation could disrupt the healing process. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) are a promising candidate for therapeutic application because they are safe, biodegradable and biocompatible. In this study, papaya PDENs were isolated by a PEG6000-based method and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay method, GC-MS analysis, total phenolic content (TPC) analysis, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. For the in vitro test, we conducted internalization analysis, toxicity assessment, determination of nitrite concentration, and assessed the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes using qRT-PCR in RAW 264.7 cells. For the in vivo test, inflammation was induced by caudal fin amputation followed by analysis of macrophage and neutrophil migration in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. The result showed that papaya PDENs can be well isolated using the optimized differential centrifugation method with the addition of 30 ppm pectolyase, 15% PEG, and 0.2 M NaCl, which exhibited cup-shaped and spherical morphological structure with an average diameter of 168.8±9.62 nm. The papaya PDENs storage is stable in aquabidest and 25 mM trehalose solution at -20˚C until the fourth week. TPC estimation of all papaya PDENs ages did not show a significant change, while the DPPH test exhibited a significant change in the second week. The major compounds contained in Papaya PDENs is 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP). Papaya PDENs can be internalized and is non-cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells treated with papaya PDENs showed a decrease in NO production and downregulation mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (IL-1B and IL-6) and an upregulation in mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine gene (IL-10). In addition, in vivo tests conducted on zebrafish treated with PDENs papaya showed inhibition of macrophage and neutrophil cell migration. These findings suggest that PDENs papaya possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

P-300 Exosomes derived from uterine fluid in patients with repeated implantation failure inhibit embryonic adhesion, invasion, and migration to endometrium

Abstract Study question By collecting clinical samples, we focused on the effect and mechanism of exosomes derived from uterine fluid on embryo implantation during the window of implantation. Summary answer Exosomes from uterine fluid in repeated implantation failure group inhibited adhesion, invasion, and migration of trophoblast cells via MAPK, VEGF, estrogen, Rap1 signal pathways. What is known already Implantation of the embryo requires the endometrium to be in an optimal state of reception for simultaneous development of normal blastocyst. Repeated implantation failure can result from embryonic quality and disturbed crosstalk between embryo and endometrium. Exosomes are extra cellular vesicles, they can be secreted into the uterine cavity, and transfer key information to recipient cells. At present, plenty of studies have shown that exosomes derived from uterine fluid worked on the maternal-fetal interaction during the window of implantation. Whether and how exosome from uterine fluid of RIF patients caused transplantation failure remained to be explored. Study design, size, duration During 2023.2-2023.8, 6 women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and 9 women who had successfully conceived after the first transplant were recruited as RIF and control groups. All the included women were selected strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and confounding factors such as age, BMI, and menstrual cycle were excluded, the window of implantation was determined by artificial cycle preparation. Participants/materials, setting, methods Exosomes were identified by Transmission electron microscope(TEM), Western blot(WB) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis(NTA). Immunofluorescence test scratch test and transwell experiment were used to verify the effects of exosomes on cell migration and invasion, cell implantation model culture and real-time cells analysis by xCELLigence were used to verify the effect of exosomes on cell adhesion. Finally, Micro-RNA sequence was conducted on Illumina HiSeq 6000 instrumen between two groups to find out the key potential signal pathway. Main results and the role of chance a. Isolation and identification of exosomes: TEM: Exosomes derived from the uterine fluid from the two groups showed a complete disc-like structure; NTA: The average diameter of exosomes from two groups were similar; WB: CD9, CD63, TSG101, HSP70 were expressed in both groups. b. Exosomes can be taken up by trophoblast cells: Immunofluorescence assay showed that exosomes derived from uterine fluid could be taken up by trophoblast cells, and the amount of uptake increased with time. c. Exosomes affect cell migration and invasion: Scratch test and transwell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the migration ability of trophoblast cells in RIF group was reduced, and the number of migrating cells decreased(P＜0.05). d. Exosomes affect cell adhesion: cell implantation model culture and real-time cells analysis by xCELLigence showed that compared with the control group, the adhesion ability of trophoblast cells decreased in the RIF group(P＜0.05). e. miRNA profile between RIF and control group: Before and during the implantation window period, there were significant differences in 43 genes between two groups, these genes regulate embryo implantation by mediating the MAPK, VEGF, estrogen, Rap1, mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis pathway. Limitations, reasons for caution 1.Due to the strict recruitment criteria, the number of women enrolled in the study was limited. 2.Through the analysis of differentially expressed micro-RNAs, relevant downstream pathways have been found. However, there is a lack of corresponding mechanism studies on how gene expression affects maternal-fetal interaction. Wider implications of the findings Through in vitro cell experiment and biological information data analysis, this study allows us to better understand the mechanism of action of exosomes in the embryo implantation process, detect and diagnose RIF populations at an early stage, and provide new ideas for promoting the treatment of infertility and implantation failure. Trial registration number Not applicable.

Electrospun chitosan/polymethyl methacrylate nanofiber membranes integrated with polyethyleneimine for enhanced removal of chromium(VI) ions

AbstractThis study demonstrates the preparation of a unique chitosan (CS)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) nanofiber (NF) membrane using PMMA as the composite skeleton through an electrospinning method. The chemical and mechanical properties, chromium (Cr) adsorption capabilities, and mass transfer mechanisms of the NF membrane were thoroughly investigated. The findings indicate that the CS/PMMA/PEI NF membranes, with an average diameter of approximately 856.2 nm, exhibits favorable hydrophilicity, effective Cr(VI) adsorption (first adsorption capacity of 226.5 mg g−1), and robust mechanical properties (tensile strength of 1.58 ± 0.092 Mpa), which is superior to most reported adsorbents. Moreover, the composite NF membranes exhibit a second adsorption capacity of 194.4 mg g−1 and a tensile strength of 0.739 ± 0.072 Mpa after the second adsorption, indicating a remarkable level of reusability and cycle stability. Additionally, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and structural tests reveal the presence of abundant amino (NH2) and hydroxyl (OH) groups in the CS/PMMA/PEI NF membranes, suggesting potential sites for complexation reactions and the reductions of Cr(VI) ions, thereby facilitating effective adsorption and removal of heavy metals. This study introduces a novel and straightforward approach for synthesizing highly effective adsorbents, with have potential implications for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater.