Successful Attachment Research Articles

Transformation of Distinct Superatoms to Superalkalis by Successive Ligation of Thymine Nucleobases.

The ligation strategy has been widely used in the chemical synthesis of atomically precise clusters. A series of thymine (T)-ligated Al12M-Tn (M = Be, Al, C; n = 1-5) complexes have been studied to reveal the effect of DNA nucleobase ligands on the electronic structures of different superatoms in the present work. In addition to its protective role, the successive attachment of thymine ligands significantly lowers the adiabatic ionization energies (AIEs) of the studied Al12M superatoms with filled and unfilled electronic shells. The continuous decrease in the AIEs of Al12M-Tn is derived from the gradually raised highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels upon the addition of ligands. Interestingly, the lowering degree of AIEs for such nucleobase-protected superatoms is independent of the distinct shell fillings of Al12M superatoms but is significantly related to the types of nucleobases. Moreover, the obtained Al12M-T5 superalkalis not only exhibit excellent performance in activating the stable CO2 and O2 molecules but also have considerable nonlinear optical (NLO) responses. We, therefore, hope that this study could provide a viable strategy for synthesizing novel nucleobase-ligated superatom clusters with excellent reducing capability to enrich the family of multifunctional nanoclusters.

Efficient adsorptive removal of Congo Red dye using activated carbon derived from Spathodea campanulata flowers

This report investigates the preparation, characterization, and application of activated carbon derived from Spathodea campanulata flowers (SCAC) to remove Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous streams. SCAC was synthesized using orthophosphoric acid activation which yielded a mesoporous material with a specific surface area of (986.41 m2/g), significantly exceeding values reported for flower-derived activated carbons in the available literature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) image revealed an irregular, rough surface morphology pre-adsorption, which became smoother post-adsorption, indicating successful CR attachment. Elemental analysis through energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed an increase in carbon content and the appearance of sulfur, verifying CR uptake. Adsorption kinetics obeyed the pseudo-second-order equation, signifying chemisorption, while the equilibrium dataset fitted better to the Langmuir model, with R2 of 0.9944, suggesting a monolayer adsorption mechanism with a maximum adsorption capacity of 59.27 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis revealed spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process. Desorption studies showed methanol as the most effective desorbing agent, with SCAC retaining considerable adsorption capacity across six cycles, highlighting its reusability. In tests with real water matrices, SCAC demonstrated significantly higher removal efficiency in natural waters than control, suggesting enhanced adsorption in complex matrices. These findings underscore the practical applicability of SCAC in real-world wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution for large-scale industrial applications.

Efficient synthesis of α-aminophosphonates using magnetically retrievable ionic nanocatalysts under ultrasound acceleration

Magnetic supported ionic liquids are a unique subclass of ionic liquids that possess the ability to respond to external magnetic fields, combining the advantageous properties of traditional ILs with this magnetic responsiveness. A novel magnetic ionic nanocatalyst of Fe3O4@SiO2@CPTMS-DTPA was prepared by anchoring an ionic liquid, CPTMS-DTPA, onto the surface of silica-modified Fe3O4. The morphology, chemical structure and magnetic property of the magnetic ionic nanocatalyst structure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirmed the successful attachment of the ionic liquid to the magnetic substrate. Subsequently, the magnetic nanocatalyst was employed for the green synthesis of α-aminophosphonate derivatives. The synthesis was achieved via a one-pot, three-component reaction involving various aldehydes, amines, and different trialkyl(aryl) phosphite derivatives. The reactions were conducted under ultrasound conditions for a duration of 10–25 min, resulting in good to excellent product yields (64–97%). Its recyclability was tested for up to five cycles using magnetic separation which makes it a highly efficient method for quickly separating catalysts from the reaction medium without compromising catalytic activity.

Design and fabrication of a parasite-inspired, millimeter-scale tissue anchoring mechanism.

Optimizing mechanical adhesion to specific human tissue types is a field of research that has gained increasing attention over the past two decades due to its utility for diagnostics, therapeutics, and surgical device design. This is especially relevent for medical devices, which could benefit from the presence of attachment mechanisms in order to better target-specific regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or other soft tissues for sensing, sample collection, and drug release. In this work, and inspired by the tissue anchoring adaptations found in diverse parasitic taxa, we present a design and manufacturing platform for the production of a nonintuitive bioinspired millimeter-scale articulated attachment mechanism using laminate fabrication techniques. The functional design closely mimics the geometry and motions of curved hooks employed by some species of tapeworms to attach to their host's intestinal walls. Here, we show the feasibility of such a mechanism both in terms of attachment capabilities and manufacturability. Successful attachment of a prototype to tissue-simulating synthetic medical hydrogels is demonstrated with an adhesion force limited only by the ultimate strength of the tissue. These results demonstrate the efficacy of parasite-inspired deployable designs as an alternative to, or complement to, existing tissue attachment mechanisms. We also describe the design and manufacturing process workflow and provide insights for scaling the design for mass-production.

Cyclooctyne End-Functionalized Poly(morpholine-2,5-dione)s.

The cyclooctyne-functionalized alcohol (1R,8S,9S)-bicyclo-[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN-OH) is applied as initiator for the organo-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of morpholine-2,5-diones based on the l-amino acids valine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. The ROP is catalyzed by a binary system of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and 1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-cyclohexylthiourea (TU) applying a feed ratio of [M]/[I]/[DBU]/[TU] of 100/1/1/10. Kinetic studies reveal that BCN-OH is capable to initiate the polymerization of morpholine-2,5-diones, which proceed in a controlled manner until monomer conversions of 80%. Characterization by means of 1HNMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry confirm the covalent attachment of the cyclooctyne moiety as α-end group of the poly(morpholine-2,5-dione)s with maximum dispersities of 1.25. As a proof of concept, a vitaminA end-functionalized poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) is coupled to a poly(ester amide) by strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Characterization of the block copolymer by SEC and DOSYNMR spectroscopy confirm the successful attachment of the two building blocks. The versatile cyclooctyne moiety shall facilitate a metal-free attachment of other polymer blocks, targeting ligands or dyes at the α-end group of well-defined poly(morpholine-2,5-dione)s. In consequence, the approach provides access to a new generation of functionalized poly(ester amide)s, which can be customized for specific needs.

Attachment of ρ-aminobenzene sulphonic acid into magnetic Fe3O4 reduced graphene oxide and its application for sensitive determination of L-tryptophan in milk and banana samples

This paper reports the attachment of p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid on the surface of magnetic Fe3O4-reduced graphene oxide. Different techniques including FTIR, UV, EIS, XRD, and SEM imaging were employed for characterization. The finding indicates the successful attachment of the p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid to the surface. The synthesized material was used to make a carbon paste electrode for the determination of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (L-Try). EIS and CV characterization of the electrode further confirms the attachment of the acid. Of the different electrode materials used, the p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid attached magnetic Fe3O4 reduced graphene oxide showed very good electrocatalytic activity. The scan rate study showed that the electrode process is an adsorption-controlled one. The prepared electrode material gave a linear curve for 0.001 μM to 10 μM L-Try concentrations, and the limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.26 nM and 0.78 nM, respectively. Furthermore, the electrode material was employed for the determination of L-Try in a milk and banana sample.

Covalent Grafting of Tanfloc on Titania Nanotube Arrays: An Approach to Mitigate Bacterial Adhesion and Improve the Antibacterial Efficacy of Titanium Implants

AbstractImplanted medical devices often face the challenge of infections, which can compromise their successful integration and use. To address this issue, this study demonstrates the covalent grafting of a tannin‐based antimicrobial biopolymer tanfloc (TAN) onto the titania nanotube arrays (TiNTs) surface to enhance antibacterial properties. Due to its polyphenolic and ionic structural configuration, tanfloc possesses unique properties that enable it to interact with and disrupt bacterial cell walls and membranes. Combining the topographical effect of TiNTs with the inherent antibacterial properties of tanfloc, this approach aims to mitigate bacterial threats on medical implants effectively. The successful attachment of tanfloc on TiNTs is confirmed through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of the tanfloc‐functionalized TiNTs is evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram‐negative) bacteria. The findings suggest that the covalent conjugation of tanfloc onto TiNTs is a promising approach to improve the infection resistance of titanium‐based medical implants, with potential applications in orthopedic, dental, and other biomedical device areas.

Historical and practical aspects of macular buckle surgery in the treatment of myopic tractional maculopathy: case series and literature review

BackgroundUncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness globally, with a rising prevalence in recent decades. Pathological myopia, often seen in individuals with increased axial length (AXL), can result in severe structural changes in the posterior pole, including myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM). MTM arises from tractional forces at the vitreoretinal interface, leading to progressive macular retinoschisis, macular holes, and retinal detachment (RD). This study aims to outline preoperative evaluation and surgical indication criteria for MTM, based on the MTM staging system, and to share our Brazilian experience with three cases of macular buckle (MB) surgery, all with over a year of follow-up.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of three cases of MTM-associated RD treated with MB surgery, with or without pars plana vitrectomy. Preoperative evaluations included optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasonography (USG) to assess the extent of macular involvement and retinal detachment. Surgical indications were determined based on the MTM staging system. The MB was assembled using customizable and accessible materials. Surgical procedures varied according to the specific needs of each case. An informed consent form regarding the surgical procedure was appropriately obtained for each case. The study was conducted with the proper approval of the institution’s ethics committee.ResultsAll three cases demonstrated successful retinal attachment during the mean follow-up of eighteen months. In the first case, combined phacoemulsification, vitrectomy, and MB were performed for MTM with macular hole and RD. The second case required MB and vitrectomy after two failed RD surgeries. In the third case, a macular detachment with an internal lamellar hole was treated with MB alone. These cases highlight the efficacy of MB surgery in managing MTM in highly myopic eyes.ConclusionsMB surgery is an effective treatment option for MTM-associated RD in highly myopic eyes, providing long-term retinal attachment. Our experience demonstrates that with proper preoperative evaluation and surgical planning, MB can be successfully implemented using accessible materials, offering a viable solution in resource-limited settings. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings and refine surgical techniques.

Self-Assembly of Ultrasmall 3D Architectures of (l)-Acyclic Threoninol Nucleic Acids with High Thermal and Serum Stability.

The primary challenge of implementing DNA nanostructures in biomedical applications lies in their vulnerability to nuclease degradation and variations in ionic strength. Furthermore, the size minimization of DNA and RNA nanostructures is limited by the stability of the DNA and RNA duplexes. This study presents a solution to these problems through the use of acyclic (l)-threoninol nucleic acid (aTNA), an artificial acyclic nucleic acid, which offers enhanced resilience under physiological conditions. The high stability of homo aTNA duplexes enables the design of durable nanostructures with dimensions below 5 nm, previously unattainable due to the inherent instability of DNA structures. The assembly of a stable aTNA-based 3D cube and pyramid that involves an i-motif formation is demonstrated. In particular, the cube outperforms its DNA-based counterparts in terms of stability. We furthermore demonstrate the successful attachment of a nanobody to the aTNA cube using the favorable triplex formation of aTNA with ssDNA. The selective in vitro binding capability to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 is demonstrated. The presented research presents the use of aTNA for the creation of smaller durable nanostructures for future medical applications. It also introduces a new method for attaching payloads to these structures, enhancing their utility in targeted therapies.

Interaction between polydopamine-based IONPs and human serum albumin (HSA): a spectroscopic analysis with cytotoxicity impact

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been extensively explored in biomedicine, bio-sensing, hyperthermia, and drug/gene delivery, attributed to their versatile and tunable properties. However, owing to its numerous applications, the functionalization of IONPs with appropriate materials is in demand. To achieve optimal functionalization of IONPs, polydopamine (PDA) was utilized due to its ability to provide a superior functionalized surface, near-infrared light absorption, and adhesive nature to customize desired functionalized IONPs. This notion of involving PDA led to the successful synthesis of magnetite-PDA nanoparticles, where PDA is surface-coated on magnetite (Fe3O4@PDA). The Fe3O4@PDA nanoparticles were characterized using techniques like TEM, FESEM, PXRD, XPS, VSM, and FTIR, suggesting PDA’s successful attachment with magnetite crystal structure retention. Human serum albumin (HSA), the predominant protein in blood plasma, interacts with the delivered nanoparticles. Therefore, we have employed various spectroscopic techniques, along with cytotoxicity, to inspect the effect of Fe3O4@PDA NPs on the stability and structure of HSA. The structural alterations were examined using circular dichroism (CD) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). It has been observed that there are no structural perturbations in the secondary structure of the HSA protein after interaction with Fe3O4@PDA. Studies using steady-state fluorescence revealed that the inherent fluorescence intensities of HSA were suppressed after interaction with Fe3O4@PDA. In addition, temperature-dependent fluorescence measurements suggested that the type of quenching consists of both static and dynamic quenching simultaneously. A cytotoxicity study in Drosophila melanogaster larvae revealed no cytotoxic effects but did show a minor genotoxic effect only at higher concentrations.

Cardiomyocyte differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on poly(mannitol sebacate)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube substrate

AbstractMyocardial infarction is one of the main causes of death worldwide. After myocardial infarction, the damaged area is typically occupied with non‐contractile scar tissue owing to the limited ability of cardiac cells to proliferate. Cardiac patches can potentially restore heart function by providing sufficient electrochemical properties to the damaged area and supporting the differentiation into and proliferation of cardiac cells. In this study, we developed for the first time a poly(mannitol sebacate) (PMS) based scaffold combined with 1% (w/w)multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to produce a biocompatible cardiac patch by the solvent casting method. We characterized the resultant PMS‐MWCNT scaffold in terms of chemical, physical, mechanical and electrical properties. The PMS/MWCNT patch revealed appropriate hydrophilicity, elasticity close to that of the target tissue, and electrical conductivity suited for a cardiac patch. The cytocompatibility of the composite was confirmed by the successful attachment and proliferation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC‐MSCs). The PMS/MWCNTs further contributed to the differentiation of HUC‐MSCs by significant overexpression of cardiac‐specific proteins, i.e. troponin T and connexin 43, in the presence of 5‐azacytidine. The findings of this study could be of assistance in the use and development of PMS‐based composites as cardiac patches for myocardial tissue engineering applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unlocking Versatility: Magnetic-Actuated Deployable Suction Gripper for Complex Surface Handling.

Suction grippers offer a distinct advantage in their ability to handle a wide range of items. However, attaching these grippers to irregular and rough surfaces presents an ongoing challenge. To address this obstacle, this study explores the integration of magnetic intelligence into a soft suction gripper design, enabling fast external magnetic actuation of the attachment process. Additionally, miniaturization options are enhanced by implementing a compliant deploying mechanism. The resulting design is the first-of-its-kind magnetically-actuated deployable suction gripper featuring a thin magnetic membrane (Ø 50 mm) composed of carbonyl iron particles embedded in a silicone matrix. This membrane is supported by a frame made of superelastic nitinol wires that facilitate deployment. During experiments, the proof-of-principle prototype demonstrates successful attachment on a diverse range of curved surfaces in both dry and wet environments. The gripper achieves attachment on curved surfaces with radii of 50-75 mm, exerting a maximum attachment force of 2.89 ± 0.54 N. The current gripper design achieves a folding percentage of 75%, enabling it to fit into a Ø 12.5 mm tube and access hard-to-reach areas while maintaining sufficient surface area for attachment forces. The proposed prototype serves as a foundational steppingstone for further research in the development of reliable and effective magnetically-actuated suction grippers across various configurations. By addressing the limitations of attachment to irregular surfaces and exploring possibilities for miniaturization and precise control, this study opens new avenues for the practical application of suction grippers in diverse industries and scenarios.

WATER-RESPONSIVE SELF-HEALING MEMBRANE MODIFIED WITH POLYETHYLENEIMINE (PEI)/POLY (ACRYLIC ACID) (PAA)

The self-healing membrane has received substantial research attention in recent years due to its ability to overcome the difficulty in detecting the exact damage location of the membrane at a microscopic level. The healing effect of a self-healable membrane often requires the help of an external stimulus. This study reported the fabrication of a water-responsive self-healing membrane using polyethyleneimine (PEI)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) coated on polyethersulfone (PES) membrane via layer-by-layer (LbL) method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were performed to observe the successful attachment of PEI and PAA onto the PES surface. The topographical analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize the healing performance. Apart from the instrumental analysis, pure water flux (PWF) was conducted to quantify the healing efficiency of the membrane. The best self-healing performance of the fabricated PEI/PAA self-healing membrane at 5.0 mg/mL concentration of PEI and PAA solutions displayed a healing efficiency of 70 % after being immersed into distilled water for 24 hours, compared to the concentrations of 1.0 mg/mL (19.8 %) and 3.0 mg/mL (34.3 %). This could be attributed to the higher amounts of PAA to form hydrogen bonds with surrounding water molecules, and subsequently promotes healing performance as hydrogen bonds are the basis for the self-healing process. This study proposes a newly develop water-stimulus PEI/PAA self-repairing membrane which contributes to the energy-efficient membrane filtration process.

Polyurethane nanofiber scaffolds for future bone tissue applications: Using β‐cyclodextrin and zinc oxide nanoparticles to improve the properties

AbstractNumerous strategies exist to design a suitable bone graft made from polyurethane (PU) nanofibers. However, using PU nanofibers is impractical owing to their hydrophobicity. This work transforms the hydrophobicity of PU nanofibers using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the size of ~100 to 200 nm for ZnO NPs, and these NPs could finely harmonize inside nanofibers. The phenolphthalein absorbance test confirmed the inclusion of ZnO and β‐CD. Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, and photoelectron spectroscopy showed that synthesized composites have intermolecular hydrogen interactions between the PU, β‐CD, and ZnO NPs. These embellishments improved the hydrophilicity from a contact angle of 60.2 ± 0.2° to 0°. The tensile strength of modified fibers increased from 2.16 ± 0.14 to 6.65 ± 6.0 MPa. The incorporation of ZnO NPs caused the mineralization of the nanofibers and the maximum number of hydroxyapatite NPs in the composite, which had the highest concentration of ZnO NPs. These nanofiber mats boosted the proliferation of Human Embryonic Kidney 293 T cells till 6 days of culture for the nanofiber with 5% β‐CD and 75 mg ZnO NPs combination. Cell fixation studies indicated the successful attachment of cells onto nanofibers. Consequently, our multifunctional scaffolds could be osteoproductive and osteoinductive biomaterials for future bone tissue engineering.

Covalent Attachment of Horseradish Peroxidase to Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are desirable nanoparticles for sensing biological analytes due to their photostability and intrinsic near-infrared fluorescence. Previous strategies for generating SWCNT nanosensors have leveraged nonspecific adsorption of sensing modalities to the hydrophobic SWCNT surface that often require engineering new molecular recognition elements. An attractive alternate strategy is to leverage pre-existing molecular recognition of proteins for analyte specificity, yet attaching proteins to SWCNT for nanosensor generation remains challenging. Towards this end, we introduce a generalizable platform to generate protein-SWCNT-based optical sensors and use this strategy to synthesize a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) nanosensor by covalently attaching horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to the SWCNT surface. We demonstrate a concentration-dependent response to H2O2, confirm the nanosensor can image H2O2 in real-time, and assess the nanosensor's selectivity for H2O2 against a panel of biologically relevant analytes. Taken together, these results demonstrate successful covalent attachment of enzymes to SWCNTs while preserving both intrinsic SWCNT fluorescence and enzyme function. We anticipate this platform can be adapted to covalently attach other proteins of interest including other enzymes for sensing or antibodies for targeted imaging and cargo delivery.

Auxin signaling in the cambium promotes tissue adhesion and vascular formation during Arabidopsis graft healing.

The strong ability of plants to regenerate wounds is exemplified by grafting when two plants are cut and joined together to grow as one. During graft healing, tissues attach, cells proliferate, and the vasculatures connect to form a graft union. The plant hormone auxin plays a central role, and auxin-related mutants perturb grafting success. Here, we investigated the role of individual cell types and their response to auxin during Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) graft formation. By employing a cell-specific inducible misexpression system, we blocked auxin response in individual cell types using the bodenlos mutation. We found that auxin signaling in procambial tissues was critical for successful tissue attachment and vascular differentiation. In addition, we found that auxin signaling was required for cell divisions of the procambial cells during graft formation. Loss of function mutants in cambial pathways also perturbed attachment and phloem reconnection. We propose that cambial and procambial tissues drive tissue attachment and vascular differentiation during successful grafting. Our study thus refines our knowledge of graft development and furthers our understanding of the regenerative role of the cambium.

Fabrication and characterization of a novel multilayer heterojunction Si3N4-PbO2 nanocomposite electrode and its application on electrocatalysis degradation of sulfathiazole

To lengthen the lifetime and extend the potential commercial applications of lead dioxide electrode, herein, a novel multilayer heterojunction Ti/ SnO2-Sb2O3/ graphene oxide/ carbon nanotube/ Si3N4-PbO2 electrode (Si3N4-PbO2 electrode) was fabricated by co-electrodeposition process that doping Si3N4 nanoparticles in eletroplating solution. Various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to characterize the surface of the fabricated electrode. The EDS analysis confirmed the successful attachment of 5.49 %wt Si and 2.46 %wt N elements from Si3N4 nanoparticles onto the PbO2 surface, while the XRD results indicated a shift in the preferred orientation of PbO2 grains from β(110) to β(101). The water adsorption energy and ·OH desorption energy in the electrocatalysis process were determined to be 0.71 eV and 0.241 eV through theoretical calculating. Subsequently, the Si3N4-PbO2 electrode was employed as an anode for the electrocatalytic degradation of sulfathiazole-simulated wastewater and real sulfonamides wastewater. Under optimized conditions determined via response surface methodology (RSM), the COD degradation efficiency reached 69.37 % for sulfathiazole and 62.35 % for real sulfonamides wastewater. The final COD concentration of the real sulfonamides wastewater was reduced to 77.05 mg/L, under the national urban sewage discharge standard. Finally, the degradation mechanism and pathway of sulfathiazole has been arranged based on the electron spin resonance (ESR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), while the intermediates were detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and the reactive sites of sulfathiazole were predicted by using Fukui function.

Redox-Responsive "Catch and Release" Cryogels: A Versatile Platform for Capture and Release of Proteins and Cells.

Macroporous cryogels are attractive scaffolds for biomedical applications, such as biomolecular immobilization, diagnostic sensing, and tissue engineering. In this study, thiol-reactive redox-responsive cryogels with a porous structure are prepared using photopolymerization of a pyridyl disulfide poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PDS-PEG-MA) monomer. Reactive cryogels are produced using PDS-PEG-MA and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) monomers, along with a PEG-based cross-linker and photoinitiator. Functionalization of cryogels using a fluorescent dye via the disulfide-thiol exchange reactions is demonstrated, followed by release under reducing conditions. For ligand-mediated protein immobilization, first, thiol-containing biotin or mannose is conjugated onto the cryogels. Subsequently, fluorescent dye-labeled proteins streptavidin and concanavalin A (ConA) are immobilized via ligand-mediated conjugation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mannose-decorated cryogel could capture ConA selectively from a mixture of lectins. The efficiency of protein immobilization could be easily tuned by changing the ratio of the thiol-sensitive moiety in the scaffold. Finally, an integrin-binding cell adhesive peptide is attached to cryogels to achieve successful attachment, and the on-demand detachment of integrin-receptor-rich fibroblast cells is demonstrated. Redox-responsive cryogels can serve as potential scaffolds for a variety of biomedical applications because of their facile synthesis and modification.

Non-surgical treatment of stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity

BackgroundRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of visual impairment in premature infants, often requiring surgical interventions in advanced stages. This retrospective case series study investigates non-surgical management for Stage 4A ROP, specifically the use of combined laser therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.MethodsTen eyes from five infants with Stage 4A ROP were treated with a combined laser and anti-VEGF approach. Comprehensive follow-up examinations were conducted to evaluate the treatment outcomes.ResultsThe study demonstrated successful retinal attachment without complications, showcasing the efficacy and safety of this non-surgical method. A comparison with surgical interventions highlighted the potential benefits in terms of reduced adverse effects.DiscussionThis combined treatment emerges as a promising first-choice option for Stage 4A ROP, offering rapid regression without surgical intervention, particularly in early stages. However, larger randomized clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and establish definitive guidelines for managing this complex condition.ConclusionCombined laser and anti-VEGF therapy proved to be an effective and safe non-surgical approach for Stage 4A ROP, with the potential to reduce the need for surgery, especially in its early presentation. Further research is required to confirm these findings and provide comprehensive recommendations for clinical practice.

Pharmacokinetics study of sweet corn cob polysaccharide nano emulsion microcapsules

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used for the fluorescent labeling of sweet corn cob polysaccharide (SCP), followed by identification using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and NMR analysis. The results confirmed the successful attachment of FITC to SCP with a substitution degree of 1.28%. This established fluorescent sweet corn cob polysaccharide (FSCP) was then subjected to an in vivo quantitative analysis, in which mice were administered with FSCP, fluorescent sweet corn cob polysaccharide nanoemulsion (FSCP-NE), and fluorescent sweet corn cob polysaccharide nano emulsion microcapsule (FSCP-NE-ME) via gavage followed by investigating the in vivo plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution. The results revealed that FSCP-NE could improve the utilization efficiency of SCP, and the FSCP-NE microcapsules exhibited good controlled-release performance, which significantly improved the utilization efficiency of SCP. The absorption and metabolism of SCP in vivo were explored next, which provided the reference for future research and development on SCP for application in the fields of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.