Effects Of Physiochemical Properties Research Articles

Tailoring the surface charges of iron-crosslinked dextran nanogels towards improved tumor-associated macrophage targeting

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have emerged as therapeutic interests in cancer nanomedicine because TAMs play a pivotal role in the immune microenvironment of solid tumors. Dextran and its derived nanocarriers are among the most promising nanomaterials for TAM targeting due to their intrinsic affinities towards macrophages. Various dextran-based nanomaterials have been developed to image TAMs. However, the effects of physiochemical properties especially for surface charges of dextran nanomaterials on TAM-targeting efficacy were ambiguous in literature. To figure out the surface charge effects on TAM targeting, here we developed a facile non-covalent self-assembly strategy to construct oppositely charged dextran nanogels (NGs) utilizing the coordination interaction of ferric ions, chlorine e6 (Ce6) dye and three dextran derivatives, diethylaminoethyl-, sulfate sodium- and carboxymethyl-dextran. The acquired dextran NGs exhibit different charges but similar hydrodynamic size, Ce6 loading and mechanical stiffness, which enables a side-by-side comparison of the effects of NG surface charges on TAM targeting monitored by the Ce6 fluorescence imaging. Compared with negative NGs, the positive NG clearly displays a superior TAM targeting in murine breast cancer model. This study identifies that positively charged dextran NG could be a promising approach to better engineer nanomedicine towards an improved TAM targeting.

Effect of physiochemical properties in biomass-derived materials caused by different synthesis methods and their electrochemical properties in supercapacitors

Effects of different synthesis methods on physicochemical properties of biomass-derived materials.

Fermentative biohydrogen and biomethane co-production from mixture of food waste and sewage sludge: Effects of physiochemical properties and mix ratios on fermentation performance

The accumulation of increasingly generated food waste and sewage sludge is currently a heavy burden on environment in China. In this study, the physiochemical properties of food waste and sewage sludge were identified using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate the effects on the fermentation performance in the co-fermentation of food waste and sewage sludge for biohydrogen production. The high gelatinized organic components in food waste, the enhanced bioaccessibility due to the dilution of mineral compounds in sewage sludge, and the balanced C/N ratio synergistically improved the fermentative biohydrogen production through the co-fermentation of food waste and sewage sludge at a volatile solids (VS) mix ratio of 3:1. The biohydrogen yield of 174.6mL/gVS was 49.9% higher than the weighted average calculated from mono-fermentation of food waste and sewage sludge. Co-fermentation also strengthened the hydrolysis and acidogenesis of the mixture, resulting in a total carbon conversion efficiency of 63.3% and an energy conversion efficiency of 56.6% during biohydrogen production. After the second-stage anaerobic digestion of hydrogenogenic effluent, the energy yield from the mixed food waste and sewage sludge significantly increased from 1.9kJ/gVS in the first-stage biohydrogen production to 11.3kJ/gVS in the two-stage fermentative biohydrogen and biomethane co-production.

Effect of Physiochemical Properties and Bath Chemistry on Alumina Dissolution Rate in Cryolite Electrolyte

The relationships of dissolution rate to alumina specifications and bath chemistry including electrolyte composition, operating temperature and superheat were investigated. The key physiochemical properties of industrial alumina samples were tested including moisture content, loss on ignition, surface area and phase composition. The dissolution of these samples in several bath compositions was observed through a quartz crucible equipped with a visual recording system. The dissolution rate increased with increasing loss on ignition and surface area. The operating temperatures and existing alumina concentration in the electrolyte had a greater impact on the alumina dissolution rate than the minor change of the bath compositions and superheat. Same trends were also obtained for the lab-calcined alumina samples.

Distribution of Fish in the Upper Citarum River: an Adaptive Response to Physico-Chemical Properties

Distribution of fish in river is controlled by physico-chemical properties of the water which is affected by land-use complexity and intensity of human intervention. A study on fish distribution was carried out in the upper Citarum River to map the effects of physio-chemical properties on habitat use. A survey was conducted to collect fish and to measure the water quality both on dry and rainy season. The result showed that distribution of the fish, in general, represented their adaptive response to physico-chemical properties. The river environment could be grouped into two categories: (i) clean and relatively unpolluted sites, which associated with high DO and water current, and (ii) polluted sites characterized by low DO, high COD, BOD, water temperature, NO 3 , PO 4 , H 2 S, NH 3 , and surfactant. Fish inhabiting the first sites were Xiphophorus helleri, Punctius binotatus, Xiphophorus maculatus , and Oreochromis mossambicus . Meanwhile, the latter sites were inhabited by Liposarcus pardalis , Trichogaster trichopterus , and Poecilia reticulata . Knowledge about fish distribution in association with the pysico-chemical properties of water is crucial especially for the river management.

Nanotoxicology: Toxicity and Biological Effects of Nanoparticles for New Evaluation Standards

Despite the emerging sense that well-engineered, novel-property nanomaterials will continue to be studied and will be utilized to a greater extent in the future for a wide range of biomedical applications, there is also a growing concern that unusual and unexpected toxicity may arise from desired properties, such as higher reactivity, unusual complex shapes, and accessibility to cells, which man-made materials possess in the nanoscale [1–14]. Therefore, it is essential to establish a new toxicology study that deviates from or modifies conventional methods. It is difficult to adequately assess the biological effects of nanoparticles due to the fact that their cellular uptake, in vivo behavior and excretion are controlled by numerous factors. Any change in the composition, size, morphology, route of exposure or dosage can significantly affect the immunological response and toxic effects elicited by the nanoparticle. Additionally, these properties can affect the outcome of a particular cytotoxicity or toxicological assay due to unforeseen interferences and inadequate controls. In this respect, this special focus issue of Nanomedicine will provide the chance to read and discuss the most recent and significant research efforts toward nanotoxicology in the aspects of new methods, biological models, and experimental concerns. Drezek and colleagues have provided an extensive review on the current status of nanoparticle biodistribution and toxicity studies [15]. The authors discuss the need for long-term in vivo studies to fully investigate the toxicity, immune response and excretion over time of nanoparticles, and the need for a more systematic approach toward in vitro experiments for improved correlation between nanoparticle properties and observed effects. To address the safety standards of new emerging nanotechnology, a review by Krug and colleagues discusses the current reliability of in vitro toxicity assays as well as major problems and challenges of assay performance and validation in which the group recommends a series of controls to improve experimental quality that will increase the safe and sustainable use of nanotechnology for the future [16]. In addition, a review by Lee and colleagues highlights the most significant factors affecting nanoparticle cytotoxicity assays and the improved experimental considerations needed to address them in order to gain reliable data and better define the adverse effects of nanoparticles [17]. A review by Porter and colleagues discusses the challenges associated with characterizing the toxicity of carbon nanotubes and the need for complementary nanometrology to relate their physiochemical properties with their toxicity [18]. The authors suggest a combination of high resolution electron microscopy techniques and cell viability assays to understand cytotoxic mechanisms of the targeting site and stability of carbon nanotubes inside cells and tissues. With regard to specific classes of nanomaterials, Fubini discusses the various types of high-aspect ratio nanoparticles, focusing on the most relevant characteristics that lead to their toxic effects [19]. The author states that similarities in form or composition are not adequate to establish toxicity and that the effect of size, form, durability, composition and surface modification must be investigated for all high-aspect ratio nanoparticles. Choy and Choi provide an overview of the cellular uptake mechanism, behavior and toxicity of layered double hydroxides both in vitro and in vivo, focusing on the effect of physiochemical properties, dosage and interaction with biological systems on biocompatibility [20]. A research article by Zhang, Baumer and Monteiro-Riviere explores the toxicity and cellular uptake of quantum dots by dendritic cells, shedding new light on the dependence of cellular uptake pathways on cell type and cell differentiation [21]. Garcia-Bennett gives an overview of ordered mesoporous nanomaterials for use in “It is essential to establish a new toxicology study that deviates from or modifies conventional methods.” SPECIAL FOCUS y Nanotoxicology: Materials & Methods

Impacts of the physiochemical properties of chlorinated solvents on the sorption of trichloroethylene to the roots of Typha latifolia

Sorption to plant roots is the first step for organic contaminants to enter plant tissues. Mounting evidence is showing that sorption to plant roots is nonlinear and competitive. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of physiochemical properties of homologous chlorinated ethenes and ethanes on the competitive sorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) to the roots of Typha latifolia (cattail). The results showed that chlorinated ethenes exerted significantly stronger competition on the sorption of TCE than chlorinated ethanes. Individual physiochemical properties of organic compounds could be related to the competitive capacity of chlorinated ethenes, but the roles appeared secondary, with molecular structures showing primary effects. Based on these observations, a two-step sorption mechanism was proposed, consisting of the interactions between organic compounds and functional groups on the root surface and subsequent pore filling and absorption to the hydrophobic domains in the composition of roots.