CaCl2 Research Articles

Application of a functionalized thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane in water desalination

To prepare a thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration (NF) membrane, characterized with high desalination rate and antifouling performance, carboxylated multi-walled magnetic 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid carbon nanotubes (hereafter, the C-MWCNT-MBTCA) with a choice of hydrophilic groups were initially synthesized in this study, and then incorporated into the polyamide (PA) layer via interfacial polymerization (IP). After that, the surface morphology and hydrophilicity of the fabricated NF membrane was examined by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and water contact angle measurements, respectively. To assess the membrane application, the solutions (2000 mg/L) of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and sodium chloride (NaCl) were consistently tested. On account of the ample carboxylic acid (R-COOH) groups in the modified TFN membrane, the study outcomes revealed that the given membrane could enhance the flux along with the desalination rate upon the addition of the C-MWCNT-MBTCA (0.04 wt%). Likewise, the pure water flux significantly grew from 58.8 to 110.5 Lm-2h−1 after the utilization of the C-MWCNT-MBTCA (0.04 wt%), and the Na2SO4 removal rate promoted from 87 to 98 %. Ultimately, it was established that the C-MWCNT-MBTCA could be used as an economical modifying agent to boost the performance of NF membranes for water desalination purposes.

In vitro generation of epidermal keratinocytes from human CD34-positive hematopoietic stem cells.

The epidermis is largely composed of keratinocytes (KCs), and the proliferation and differentiation of KCs from the stratum basale to the stratum corneum is the cellular hierarchy present in the epidermis. In this study, we explore the differentiation abilities of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into KCs. Cultured HSCs positive for CD34, CD45, and CD133 with prominent telomerase activity were induced with keratinocyte differentiation medium (KDM), which is composed of bovine pituitary extract (BPE), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, hydrocortisone, epinephrine, transferrin, calcium chloride (CaCl2), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), and retinoic acid (RA). Differentiation was monitored through the expression of cytokeratin markers K5 (keratin 5), K14 (keratin 14), K10 (keratin 10), K1 (keratin 1), transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), involucrin (IVL), and filaggrin (FLG) on day 0 (D0), day 6 (D6), day 11 (D11), day 18 (D18), day 24 (D24), and day 30 (D30) using immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR, and Western blotting. The results revealed the expression of K5 and K14 genes in D6 cells (early keratinocytes), K10 and K1 genes in D11-D18 cells (mature keratinocytes) with active telomerase enzyme, and FLG, IVL, and TGM1 in D18-D24 cells (terminal keratinocytes), and by D30, the KCs were completely enucleated similar to cornified matrix. This method of differentiation of HSCs to KCs explains the cellular order exists in the normal epidermis and opens the possibility of exploring the use of human HSCs in the epidermal differentiation.

Multifunctional applications of passive solar stills in water treatment: an eco-friendly approach

Conventional raw water treatment methods are expensive and require a sufficient energy supply for their operations. In remote and rural areas, these conventional methods are feasible due to a poor economy and interrupted power supply. This study provides a sustainable approach to treating raw water using solar energy and phase change material (PCM). Passive solar stills (SS) are sufficient to treat water in the presence of solar radiation, and we can increase the yield and quality of distillate water by using calcium chloride hexahydrate as a phase change material. Moreover, PCM-based solar still is also advanced by adding activated charcoal (AC) for the removal of fluoride from the raw water. The efficiency of the solar still was assessed for the eight parameters: yield (Y), fluoride (F), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl). Through the number of water quality assessments, it was found that SS with PCM can reduce (%) the TDS (85%–100%), EC (90%–100%), pH (0%–15%), TH (90%–95%), TA (75%–90%), and Cl (80%–100%) and can increase the yield by 10%–15%. SS with PCM and AC also showed good removal of F from raw water. In addition to that, a statistical analysis was also carried out to understand the effect of different climatic factors on the performance of solar stills.

Alginate beads loaded with rambutan extract: characterization and stability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Fallen young rambutan fruit is an underrated agricultural waste which may contain several bioactive compounds. In this study, fallen young rambutan fruit was assessed regarding its phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. In order to expand its utilization, rambutan extract-loaded hydrogel beads were developed by a basic spherification technique using sodium alginate. The effect of ratios of polymer and extract and different calcium sources were evaluated. The recovery of bioactive compounds from the hydrogel beads was determined using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion models. Use of 50% (v/v) ethanol yielded rambutan extract with good chemical properties. The production of hydrogel beads using a ratio of 1:3 with calcium lactate provided the highest production yield of 122.94%. The hydrogel beads developed using the ratio of 1:3 with a combination of calcium lactate and calcium chloride showed high recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity after simulated intestinal digestion, which were greater compared to unencapsulated extract. The findings demonstrate that the ratio of wall material to rambutan extract and the calcium source influence the physical properties, chemical properties and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion stability of alginate beads. The obtained hydrogel beads may have potential for application in the food or pharmaceutical industries. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cost-effective separation of light fraction containing organic matter and charcoal material from agricultural soils using calcium chloride solution

ABSTRACT The weights of light fraction organic matter (LF) separated from soils using saturated CaCl2 solution (1.4 g cm−3) were compared to those separated using NaI solution (1.6 g cm−3 and 1.4 g cm−3) to examine the possibility of using CaCl2 solution for LF separation, to examine more cost-effective LF separation procedure. In terms of the recovery weight and carbon and nitrogen content, the LF characteristics of 19 samples of the plow layer or A horizon soils separated using CaCl2 solution were similar to those of LF separated using NaI solution (1.6 g cm−3), which is commonly used for LF analysis. These results suggest that CaCl2 solution could be used for LF analysis. The applicability of the CaCl2 separation procedure for the analysis of LF from soil containing charcoal material was further confirmed by examining another set of 16 samples of the plow layer. The recovery weights of LF from soil containing organic matter and charcoal material with CaCl2 solution were similar to those with sodium polytungstate (1.6 g cm−3), which is conventionally used not only for LF but also for charcoal material separation from soils.

Evaluation of Parameters Affecting Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Gene Expression in Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Industrial hemp Cannabis sativa L. is an economically important crop mostly grown for its fiber, oil, and seeds. Due to its increasing applications in the pharmaceutical industry and a lack of knowledge of gene functions in cannabinoid biosynthesis pathways, developing an efficient transformation platform for the genetic engineering of industrial hemp has become necessary to enable functional genomic and industrial application studies. A critical step in the development of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation in the hemp genus is the establishment of optimal conditions for T-DNA gene delivery into different explants from which whole plantlets can be regenerated. As a first step in the development of a successful Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method for hemp gene editing, the factors influencing the successful T-DNA integration and expression (as measured by transient β-glucuronidase (GUS) and Green Florescent Protein (GFP) expression) were investigated. In this study, the parameters for an agroinfiltration system in hemp, which applies to the stable transformation method, were optimized. In the present study, we tested different explants, such as 1- to 3-week-old leaves, cotyledons, hypocotyls, root segments, nodal parts, and 2- to 3-week-old leaf-derived calli. We observed that the 3-week-old leaves were the best explant for transient gene expression. Fully expanded 2- to 3-week-old leaf explants, in combination with 30 min of immersion time, 60 µM silver nitrate, 0.5 µM calcium chloride, 150 µM natural phenolic compound acetosyringone, and a bacterial density of OD600nm = 0.4 resulted in the highest GUS and GFP expression. The improved method of genetic transformation established in the present study will be useful for the introduction of foreign genes of interest, using the latest technologies such as genome editing, and studying gene functions that regulate secondary metabolites in hemp.

Nano-micron soda residue as green nucleation seeding additive for silicate cement

Soda residue (SR) is a kind of by-product by the ammonia-alkali process in the soda ash production, which contains calcium components, such as calcium sulfate and calcium chloride. In this work, the feasibility of using SR as an accelerating additive for Portland cement (PC) was investigated. Wet milling method was used to prepare nano-micron SR seed with D50 of 246 nm. A binary system of PC and SR seed was designed, and its compressive strength, hydration kinetics and microstructure were studied. Results showed that the 12-hour compressive strength of PC was greatly increased by 1.69 times when the dosage of SR seed was 6%. This improvement was attributed not only to the nucleation seeding and filling effect of the SR seed, but also to the presence of pre-dissolved chlorine and sulfate ions from SR particles. Furthermore, the pore volume was reduced by more than 16%, the critical pre radius was decreased by 86.3%, and the gel pore content was 2.3 times that of reference group, indicating a high microstructure refinement and gel binding contribution of SR seed.

Effect and mechanism of freezing on the quality and structure of soymilk gel induced by different salt ions.

The increasing attention toward frozen soy-based foods has sparked interest. Variations exist in the quality and structure of soymilk gels induced by different salt ions, leading to diverse changes post-freezing. This study compared and analyzed the effects of calcium chloride (CC), magnesium chloride (MC) and calcium sulfate (CS) on the quality characteristics and protein structure changes of soymilk gels (CC-S, MC-S and CS-S) before and after freezing, and clarified the mechanisms of freezing on soymilk gel. The formation rate of soymilk gel is influenced by the type of salt ions. In comparison to CS and MC, soymilk gel induced by CC exhibited the fastest formation rate, highest gel hardness, lowest moisture content, and smaller gel pores. However, freezing treatment deteriorated the quality of soymilk gel induced by different salt ions, leading to a decline in textural properties (hardness and chewiness). Among these, the textual state of CC-induced soymilk gel remained optimal, exhibiting the least apparent damage and minimal cooking loss. Freezing treatments prompt a transition of soymilk gel secondary structure from β-turns to β-sheets, disrupting the protein's tertiary structure. Furthermore, freezing treatments also fostered the crosslinking between soymilk gel protein, increasing the content of disulfide bonds. The quality of frozen soymilk gel is influenced by the rate of gel formation induced by salt ions. After freezing, soymilk gel with faster gelation rates exhibited a greater tendency for the transformation of protein-water interactions into protein-protein interactions. They showed a higher degree of disulfide bond formation, resulting in a more tightly knit and firm frozen gel network structure with denser and more uniformly distributed pores. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of ultrasound and additives treatment as mitigation strategies to reduce acrylamide formation in potato crisps on industrial scale

The aim of this work was to examine the applicability on large scale of additives and ultrasound treatments during soaking of potatoes before frying to mitigate the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps. Calcium chloride and citric acid were applied at laboratory scale in various concentrations and orders during washing before frying, to establish optimum conditions which were scaled up to pilot plant. Up to 91.0% reduction in acrylamide was obtained at laboratory scale. Both concentration and order of additives influenced the extent of the mitigation observed, with a higher concentration of additive in the second wash being beneficial. When upscaled to factory pilot plant, the reduction observed was not consistent across the three trials, with a 33.4% reduction in the first trial but no significant reduction in following studies. A 2-min ultrasound treatment was applied in two trials to test various powers and amplitudes, and washing combinations respectively. Up to 67.1% of acrylamide reduction was recorded after 2 min of ultrasound treatment in the cold wash followed by hot wash; however, ultrasound treatment was not effective in reducing acrylamide or its precursors when solely applied or when followed by cold wash under the tested conditions of duration and power.

Carboxylmethyl cellulose produced from wood sawdust for improving properties of sodium alginate hydrogel in dye adsorption

Cellulose-based materials have shown immense potential for diverse applications because of their attractive properties such as excellent mechanical properties, rich hydroxyl groups for modification, and natural properties with recyclability, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to optimize cellulose extraction from wood sawdust using deep eutectic solution (DES) treatments for the preparation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and to evaluate the application of CMC in sodium alginate (SA) microgel for dye adsorption. Cellulose extractions were optimized in reduced chemical treatment conditions with high cellulose contents (88.19 %), and selectively increased lignin removal (87.23 %). The analyses by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR revealed that carboxymethylation has successfully transformed cellulose into CMC to facilitate the significantly improved water solubility and swelling ability. The TGA curve of CMC showed a higher thermal stability (residual weight of 52 % at 300 °C) compared to unmodified cellulose due to the decomposition of the amorphous regions during the carboxymethylation. The combined biodegradable SA and water-soluble CMC composite microgels were successfully fabricated via cross-linking with calcium chloride using a microfluidic approach. The incorporation of CMC into SA microgel had enhanced mechanical properties, adsorption capacities of 160.87 and 141.48 mg/g, and adsorption–desorption efficiencies of 96.84 % and 95.41 % for crystal violet and trypan blue respectively after five cycles. The adsorption processes of both dyes can be described by Sips adsorption isotherms and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, verifying the chemical interaction-assisted process. This simple green CMC/SA adsorbent has the potential to significantly enhance the adsorption capacity of dye removal from wastewater.

Shaping of MIL-53-Al and MIL-101 MOF for CO2/CH4, CO2/N2 and CH4/N2 separation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are promising materials for gas storage and separation. The formulation and shaping of MOFs in mechanically stable bead forms is an essential requirement for their practical application as an adsorbent for gas and liquid mixture separations. In this work, MIL-53-Al and MIL-101 MOF beads are synthesized using sodium alginate as a binder, and calcium chloride as a gelling agent. The synthesized MIL-53-Al and MIL-101 MOF beads are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), BET surface area, porosity analysis from N2 uptake data at 77 K, FTIR, TGA, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isothermal equilibrium adsorption uptake of CH4 and N2 gases is measured up to 10 bar pressure while the CO2 equilibrium uptake is measured up to 1 bar at 298 and 313 K respectively. The isotherm data of all adsorbates are fitted in Dual Site Langmuir (DSL) isotherm equations. The adsorption selectivity for CH4/N2, CO2/CH4, and CO2/N2 binary systems are predicted using the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) method. The dynamic column breakthrough experiments are carried out on MIL-53-Al beads for CH4/N2 (30:70 and 50:50 v/v), CO2/CH4 (45:55 v/v) and CO2/N2 (15: 85 v/v) feed mixtures. The IAST selectivity and breakthrough time obtained under the same superficial velocity, pressure, and temperature conditions follow the order CO2/N2 > CO2 /CH4 > CH4/N2. The MIL-53-Al beads show higher CH4/N2, CO2/CH4, and CO2/N2 selectivity for the targeted mixtures than MIL-101 beads.

Calcium Chloride Treatment Enhances Antigen Production in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines for Serotypes SAT1 and SAT3.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection causing acute and severe vesicular lesions in cattle and pigs, which has prompted global vaccination policies. This study presents a technique for enhancing antigen yield in SAT1 BOT and SAT3 ZIM by treatment with calcium chloride (CaCl2). We tested changes in cell viability in BHK-21 suspension cells treated with varying concentrations of CaCl2. The optimal CaCl2 concentration was determined based on antigen yield. The timing of CaCl2 supplementation relative to FMD virus inoculation was tested. Finally, the optimal medium for antigen production was identified. We observed a concentration-dependent decrease in BHK-21 cell viability at >7.5 mM CaCl2. A CaCl2 concentration of 3 mM yielded the most antigens. CaCl2 supplementation relative to FMD virus infection was optimal 2 h before or with viral inoculation. CD-BHK 21 medium supplemented with CaCl2 was the most productive medium. Specifically, SAT1 BOT and SAT3 ZIM showed improved antigen production in CD-BHK 21 medium with 3 mM CaCl2, while Provero-1 and Cellvento BHK-200 media showed no significant enhancement. Overall, CaCl2 supplementation enhanced FMD antigen productivity. This study provides a useful framework for enhancing antigen production efficiently in the FMD vaccine industry.

Effect of magnetic field mediated CaCl2 on the edible quality of low-sodium minced pork gels

Magnetic field combined with calcium chloride (CaCl2,) treatment is a highly promising technique for reducing sodium chloride (NaCl) in meat. Therefore, this paper investigated the effect of reducing NaCl addition (0–10%) by CaCl2 in combination with a magnetic field (3.8 mT) on the edible quality of low-salt pork mince. It is desired to drive the application of magnetic field and CaCl2 in low-sodium meat processing in this way. Results showed that the cooking yield, color, hardness, elasticity, mouthfeel, apparent texture, and orderliness of protein conformation of all minced pork were improved as compared to the control group, while the electron nose response values of their volatile sulfides and nitrogen oxides were decreased. In particular, the best edible quality and perceived salty intensity of minced pork gel was obtained by using CaCl2 in place of 5% NaCl under magnetic field mediation. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans showed that the reduced NaCl treatment by magnetic field combined with CaCl2 could increase the signal intensity of sodium in minced pork matrices to some extent. Magnetic field-mediated substitution of NaCl for CaCl2 treatment was also found to be favorable for inducing the transition of the protein secondary structure from an irregularly coiled to a β-folded structure (demonstrated by infrared spectroscopy). In short, magnetic fields combined with CaCl2 instead of NaCl was a highly promising method of producing low-NaCl meats.

Ion-Induced PIP2 Clustering with Martini3: Modification of Phosphate-Ion Interactions and Comparison with CHARMM36.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a critical lipid for cellular signaling. The specific phosphorylation of the inositol ring controls protein binding as well as clustering behavior. Two popular models to describe ion-mediated clustering of PIP2 are Martini3 (M3) and CHARMM36 (C36). Molecular dynamics simulations of PIP2-containing bilayers in solutions of potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium chloride, and at two different resolutions are performed to understand the aggregation and the model parameters that drive it. The average M3 clusters of PIP2 in bilayers of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine and PIP2 bilayers in the presence of K+, Na+, or Ca2+ contained 2.2, 2.6, and 6.4 times more PIP2 than C36 clusters, respectively. Indeed, the Ca2+-containing systems often formed a single large aggregate. Reparametrization of the M3 ion-phosphate Lennard-Jones interaction energies to reproduce experimental osmotic pressure of sodium dimethyl phosphate (DMP), K[DMP], and Ca[DMP]2 solutions, the same experimental target as C36, yielded comparably sized PIP2 clusters for the two models. Furthermore, C36 and the modified M3 predict similar saturation of the phosphate groups with increasing Ca2+, although the coarse-grained model does not capture the cooperativity between K+ and Ca2+. This characterization of the M3 behavior in the presence of monovalent and divalent ions lays a foundation to study cation/protein/PIP2 clustering.

Pressure-driven modification of optoelectronic features of ACaCl3 (A = Cs, Tl) for device applications

Intending to advance the use of halide-perovskites in technological applications, in this research, we investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and mechanical behavior of metal-halide perovskites ACaCl3 (A = Cs, Tl) through first-principle analysis and assess their potential applications. Due to the applied hydrostatic pressure, the interaction between constituent atoms increases, thereby causing the lattice parameter to decrease. The band structure reveals that band gap nature transits from indirect to direct at elevated pressure. Moreover, at high pressure, the electronic band structure shows a notable band gap contraction from the insulator (>5.0 eV) to the semiconductor region, which makes them promising for electronic applications. The charge density map explores the ionic and covalent characteristics of Cs/Tl–Cl and Ca–Cl under pressured and unpressurized environments. Induced pressure enhances the optical conductivity as well as the optical absorption that moves toward the low-energy region (red shift), making ACaCl3 (A = Cs, Tl) advantageous for optoelectronic applications. Additionally, this study reveals that the mechanical properties of ductility and anisotropy were found to be improved at higher pressures than in ambient conditions. Overall, this study will shed light on the technological applications of lead-free halide perovskites in extreme pressure conditions.

Preparation, characterisation and property modification of a calcium chloride hexahydrate phase change material slurry with additives for thermal energy transportation

Efficient thermal energy distribution and rational energy management are effective solutions to address the significant and fast-ascending energy consumption in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Phase change material (PCM) slurries with excellent thermal energy transportation and storage characteristics have been recognised as promising secondary refrigerants to simultaneously facilitate efficient heat/cold transport and effective thermal energy storage in air conditioning systems. Among various PCM slurries, salt hydrate PCM slurries have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their many inherent advantages. This paper presented the preparation, characterisation, and property modification of a CaCl2·6H2O slurry based on a methodology proposed for optimal salt hydrate PCM slurry development. Theoretical modelling was first carried out to assess the availability of salt hydrate PCM slurries based on the phase diagram and solid fraction, followed by a series of property measurements to reveal the mechanisms and address the problems behind the phase transition, crystal particle morphology, stability and rheologic characteristics, using nucleating agents, surfactants and stabilisers. It was found that the salt hydrate PCM slurry developed provides a unit volume enthalpy twice that of water over the phase change temperature range of 5°C, together with acceptable fluidity. The results also showed that the PCM particle size can be well controlled, and the slurry can be stabilised, with the assistance of surfactants and stabilisers. Compared to other types of PCM slurries, the proposed salt hydrate PCM slurry has the advantages of being cost-effectiveness, easy preparation, adjustable phase change temperature, etc., which is promising to facilitate energy saving and rationalisation in building HVAC.

Mechanism of Salt Precipitation Blockage in Low-Producing Gas Wells and the Method of Acidification Blockage Removal.

In the Changqing area, over 23.6% of gas wells produce less than 0.1 × 104 m3/d of gas daily, posing a challenge to gas field sustainability. Laboratory analysis of scale samples from three wells and formation water analysis via inductively coupled plasma revealed soluble salt as the primary well blockage, with sodium chloride and calcium chloride comprising 48.0-81.2% of total content. The G3# well blockage contains a small amount of quartz from acid-insoluble components of carbonate acidification. Formation water from all wells exhibited high salinity (up to 153 g/L) with a calcium chloride water type. Scanning electron microscopy and EDS confirmed halite and quartz features in blockage samples. Theoretical calculations show salt crystallization when tubing pressure falls below 10 MPa and daily water production is <1.0 tons/day. Lower production leads to lower tubing pressure and higher salt precipitation at the bottom of the well. For G1# and G2# blockages, HCl dissolves >90%, and water >85%, making them suitable removal agents. For 3# blockage, mud acid with >80% dissolution is recommended. Chemical methods effectively clean the wellbore and formation. Optimized blockage removal measures increase tubing pressure and daily production by 2.18 and 4.05 times, respectively. This study offers insights into addressing well blockage challenges in low-producing gas wells.

Effect of CaCl2 on the micromorphology of a self-thickening agent (TZXJ) for acidizing diversion

The effect of CaCl2 on the micromorphology of a self-thickening agent (TZXJ) was investigated. This study involved analyzing the compositional changes in acid solutions during acid–rock reactions. It combined dynamic light scattering and viscosity testing to confirm that the presence of CaCl2 enhances the aggregation strength of the TZXJ network structure in acid solutions. This enhancement is macroscopically evident as an increase in viscosity. Incorporating 10 % CaCl2 as a promoter into a fresh acid solution, the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) distribution of TZXJ in varying reaction stages was analyzed using dynamic light scattering experiments. The results indicated that the promoter CaCl2 further strengthens the network association of the TZXJ acid solution, thereby improving its thickening capability. Investigating the viscosity of TZXJ aqueous solutions with varying concentrations of CaCl2 revealed that TZXJ exhibits notable salt-thickening effects and can withstand saturated CaCl2 solutions. The microstructural aggregation state and morphology of TZXJ in aqueous solutions were characterized at different CaCl2 concentrations. Dynamic light scattering results demonstrated an increase in the Rh of TZXJ solutions with CaCl2 concentrations. In particular, the mean Rh of a 0.8 % TZXJ solution increased from 150.8 nm to 3078.93 nm. Ultraviolet spectral analysis confirmed that the absorption intensity of the TZXJ solutions increased with CaCl2 concentration, indicating a strengthened network aggregate structure in the TZXJ solutions. Microscopic observations using environmental scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that under the influence of calcium chloride, the microstructure of TZXJ transitions from a non-associated, linear carbon chain skeleton to a dense, aggregated network structure. The findings of this study offer theoretical insights for researching polymers resistant to extreme concentrations of CaCl2.

Single-Walled (Magnetic) Carbon Nanotubes in a Pectin Matrix in the Design of an Allantoin Delivery System.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) outperform other materials due to their high conductivity, large specific surface area, and chemical resistance. They have numerous biomedical applications, including the magnetization of the SWCNT (mSWCNT). The drug loading and release properties of see-through pectin hydrogels doped with SWCNTs and mSWCNTs were evaluated in this study. The active molecule in the hydrogel structure is allantoin, and calcium chloride serves as a cross-linker. In addition to mixing, absorption, and swelling techniques, drug loading into carbon nanotubes was also been studied. To characterize the films, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface contact angle measurements, and opacity analysis were carried out. Apart from these, a rheological analysis was also carried out to examine the flow properties of the hydrogels. The study was also expanded to include N-(9-fluorenyl methoxycarbonyl)glycine-coated SWCNTs and mSWCNTs as additives to evaluate the efficiency of the drug-loading approach. Although the CNT additive was used at a 1:1000 weight ratio, it had a significant impact on the hydrogel properties. This effect, which was first observed in the thermal properties, was confirmed in rheological analyses by increasing solution viscosity. Additionally, rheological analysis and drug release profiles show that the type of additive causes a change in the matrix structure. According to TGA findings, even though SWCNTs and mSWCNTs were not coated more than 5%, the coating had a significant effect on drug release control. In addition to all findings, cell viability tests revealed that hydrogels with various additives could be used for visual wound monitoring, hyperthermia treatment, and allantoin release in wound treatment applications.

Pathological calcification in canine tendon-derived cells is modulated by extracellular ATP

Tendon calcification is a commonly associated with degenerative tendinopathy of the Achilles tendons in dogs. It is characterised by the formation of calcific deposits and is refractory to treatment, often re-forming after surgical removal. Little is known about its pathogenesis and therefore the aims of this study were to develop an in vitro model of canine tendon calcification and use this model to investigate mechanisms driving calcification. Cells from the canine Achilles tendon were cultured with different calcifying media to establish which conditions were best able to induce specific, cell-mediated calcification. Once optimum calcification conditions had been established, the effect of ATP treatment on calcification was assessed. Results revealed that 2 mM di-sodium phosphate combined with 2 mM calcium chloride provided the optimum calcifying conditions, increasing calcium deposition and expression of osteogenic-related genes similar to those observed in tendon calcification in vivo. ATP treatment inhibited calcification in a dose-dependent manner, reducing calcium deposition and increasing cell viability, while osteogenic-related genes were no longer upregulated. In conclusion, the in vitro model of canine tendon calcification developed in this study provides the ability to study mechanisms driving tendon calcification, demonstrating that ATP plays a role in modulating tendon calcification that should be explored further in future studies.