Cationic and temperature-sensitive liposomes loaded with eugenol for the application to silk

Silk has been widely used in the clothing industry due to their soft and smooth features, good biocompatibility, good heat dissipation, warmth and ultraviolet resistance. The application of fragrance to silk can significantly improve the performance of silk. However, there are two key scientific problems that need to be solved: slowing down the release rate of fragrances and increasing the scent lasting time of silk. In this study, cationic and temperature-sensitive liposomes were designed and prepared to encapsulate eugenol. These fragrance-loaded liposomes significantly slowed down the release rate of the fragrance and controlled the release rate of the fragrance in a thermo-sensitive manner. The liposomes adhered to the silk through electrostatic adsorption interaction. The positive charge on the fragrance-loaded liposomes neutralized much negative charge on silk and thereby increasing the adhesion efficiency.     

Preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticle with tunable pore diameters for encapsulating and slowly releasing eugenol

Fragrances are frequently added to a variety of products, including food, cosmetics and health products. However, the high volatility and instability of essence limit its application in some fields. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared to encapsulate eugenol, which could reduce the volatilization of the fragrance molecules. A facile approach was presented to synthesize MSNs with three different pore diameters for encapsulating eugenol. In addition, the properties of MSNs including mean particle size, morphology, encapsulating efficiency and release tendency were characterized. Results showed that the larger the pore diameters of MSNs, the more aromatic molecules were adsorbed. Furthermore, the release mechanism was described as the smaller the pore diameters of MSNs, the slower the release of eugenol.     

Preparation of hollow mesoporous silica nanorods for encapsulating and slowly releasing eugenol

Fragrances are widely used in many aspects of our lives.They cannot only make people happy,but also treat many diseases.However,excessively fast evaporation rate is one of the main obstacles to the use of spices.In this study,mesoporous silica nanorods(MSNRs) and hollow mesoporous silica nanorods(HMSNRs) were prepared to encapsulate eugenol.These two nano-fragrances were named eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs,respectively.The morphologies,size,interior structures and pore performances of MSNRs a...     

Preparation of hollow mesoporous silica nanorods for encapsulating and slowly releasing eugenol

Fragrances are widely used in many aspects of our lives. They cannot only make people happy, but also treat many diseases. However, excessively fast evaporation rate is one of the main obstacles to the use of spices. In this study, mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNRs) and hollow mesoporous silica nanorods (HMSNRs) were prepared to encapsulate eugenol. These two nano-fragrances were named eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs, respectively. The morphologies, size, interior structures and pore performances of MSNRs and HMSNRs. Besides, the performances of encapsulation and fragrance release of eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs were compared and analyzed. The results showed that eugenol@HMSNRs encapsulated more fragrance and were faster to encapsulate compared with eugenol@MSNRs. Both the release rates of eugenol from eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs were slow. But the eugenol was released from eugenol@MSNRs more slowly.     

Cationic liposomes modified with non-ionic surfactants as effective non-viral carrier for gene transfer

A defined change in formulation components affects the physical and chemical characteristics of cationic liposomes (CLs) carriers in many ways. Therefore, a great degree of control can be exercised over the structure by modifying the CLs with various materials, leading to new innovations for carrier improvement. In the present study, surface modifications of cationic liposomes with non-ionic surfactants—sorbitan monoesters serials (Span 85, 80, 40 and 20) were carried out for developing a new gene transfer carrier. Span modified cationic liposomes (Sp-CLs) were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method (RPV) and self-assemble complexes of antisense oligonucleotides/surfactant modifying cationic liposomes were prepared by auto-coacervation through electrostatic effect. Characterization of Sp-CLs and the self-assembled complex was performed by electron microscope, particle size, zeta potential, turbidity and agarose electrophoresis. Furthermore, in vitro cellular uptake experiment showed that Span plays a role in enhancing the cellular uptake of encapsulated oligonucleotides mediated by Sp-CLs by the endocytosis-dependent route. CLs modified with Span 40 significantly facilitated the cellular uptake by COS-7 cells and HeLa cells; also showed some positive effect on gene expression. That suggests it is a potential non-viral carrier for efficient gene transfer.     

Fliposomes: new amphiphiles based on trans-3,4-bis(acyloxy)-piperidine able to perform a pH-triggered conformational flip and cause an instant cargo release from liposomes

Amphiphilic trans-3,4-bis(acyloxy)-1-benzylpiperidines able to perform a pH-triggered conformational flip (flipids) have been suggested as components of a new type of pH-sensitive liposomes (fliposomes). According to ¹H NMR, their acid-induced conformational flip occurs in methanol-d₄ when the apparent pD decreases from 6 to 3. The protonation-generated intramolecular hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions make the conformer with axial acyloxy-groups predominant, which drastically increases the separation of hydrocarbon chains. The power of this trigger was estimated as ?10 kJ/mol. This flip perturbs the liposome membrane causing rapid release of the liposome cargo specifically in response to lowered pH. The pH-sensitive fliposomes containing one of these flipids, POPC and PEG-ceramide, and loaded with ANTS/DPX performed a content release within a few seconds at pH <5 demonstrating a potential of the piperidine derivatives as pH-switches for the design of liposomes for drug/gene delivery.     

Synthesis of dual pH- and temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/sewage sludge ash hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling

An advanced dual pH- and temperature-sensitive hydrogel (NASH2.5) was optimally synthesized through modification of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) hydrogel with introducing 5 mol% acrylic acid (AA) and 2.5 wt% sewage sludge ash (SSA). The swelling kinetic results showed that NASH2.5 exhibited both high equilibrium swelling ratio and swelling rate, which was attributed to the higher porous structure as shown in scanning electron microscope, and the more hydrogen bonding formed inside of the hydrogel as investigated in Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In addition, its curve was better fitted to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the water absorption process was dominated by chemisorption through forming the hydrogen bonding among the water molecules and carboxyl/silanol groups of the hydrogel. Compared with the pure NIPAM hydrogel, the water transport mechanism switched from Case I diffusion to Case II diffusion by introduction of AA and further SSA. Furthermore, through the results of the deswelling kinetics in pH value change (from 9 to 4 and 2, respectively), temperature value change (from 25 to 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively), and dual pH and temperature values changes, NASH2.5 not only presented a high pH sensitivity, but also showed high sensitive to temperature by achieving high water recovery ratio in rapid dehydrated rate. Therefore, the dual stimuli-sensitive hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling would provide a suitable alternative for specific applications such as pollutant adsorption.     

Intelligent feedback release systems and the application to neuron network model research

Intelligent feedback release systems, consisting of radiation-prepared porous polycarbonate film or silicone chip and radiation crosslinked stimuli-sensitive hydrogels with immobilized enzymes as a sensor–actuator gate were constructed. Those systems showed various signal responsive substance release functions, and selective signal transfer functions. The application of those integrated intelligent systems as neural network model was investigated.     

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable gelatin-PAAm-based IPN hydrogels for controlled release of maleic acid to improve the solubility of phosphate fertilizers

In this study, interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel systems including maleic acid (MA) were constituted to improve the solubility of phosphate fertilizers. A series of full and semi-IPN hydrogels were prepared from various gelatin/polyacrylamide mixtures by using two different cross-linkers. The effects of polymer composition on the morphological structures and swelling behaviors of the hydrogels were investigated. The swelling values of all hydrogels were found to be in between 435% and 830%. MA release from load0ed hydrogels was followed and it was determined that MA-loaded hydrogels efficiently decreased pH and improved the solubility of Ca₃(PO₄)₂ in releasing medium.     

Mesoporous silica nanospheres with the ability of photo-driven releasing sandela 803 for the application to wallpaper

Mesoporous silica nanospheres loaded with sandela 803 (S803@MS-S) are prepared for application to wallpaper. The nano-fragrance has high encapsulation efficiency and property of photo-driven release.     

Immobilization of glucose oxidase with the blend of regenerated silk fibroin and poly(vinyl alcohol) and its application to a 1,1′- dimethylferrocene-mediating glucose sensor

The structure and properties of the blend of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were investigated. The two polymers in the blend are in the state of phase segregation. Infrared (IR) spectra indicate that the RSF in the blend maintains its intrinsic properties, thus, ethanol treatment can transfer silk I structure of RSF to silk II structure. The water absorption property and mechanical property of the blend are improved in comparison with those of RSF. The blend maintains the major merit of RSF, that is, it can immobilize glucose oxidase on the basis of the conformational transition from silk I structure to silk II structure. The properties of the immobilized enzyme are examined. Moreover, the second generation of glucose sensor based on the immobilized enzyme is fabricated and it has a variety of advantages including easy maintenance of enzyme, simplicity of construction, fast response time and high stability.     

有机钙作用下褐煤SO2、NO析出及燃烧特性

在管式炉上研究了醋酸调制白云石产物、醋酸钙、丙酸钙等有机钙作用下龙口褐煤燃烧时SO₂、NO的析出特性,并在热分析系统上考察了相应的燃烧特性。合适的工况条件下有机钙能有效抑制SO₂、NO的析出。在973~1 273 K下,有机钙均能有效抑制SO₂的析出,而当温度继续升高,除醋酸钙外,其他有机钙抑制效果下降。在973~1 173 K时,有机钙促进了NO的析出,而当温度高于1 173 K时,醋酸钙和丙酸钙的抑制效果明显。随着钙硫比的增加,有机钙对SO₂、NO抑制效果普遍增强,而醋酸调制白云石产物在钙硫比为2.0~2.5时却促进NO的析出。当钙硫比为2.0时,褐煤着火性能明显提高,着火点降低10~33 K,但其燃尽时间稍有延长。     

Attaining exponential convergence for the flux error with second- and fourth-order accurate finite-difference equations. I. Presentation of the basic concept and application to a pure diffusion system

It is a well-known phenomenon called superconvergence in the mathematical literature that the error level of an integral quantity can be much smaller than the magnitude of the local errors involved in the computation of this quantity. When discretizing an integrated form of Fick's second law of diffusion the local errors reflect the accuracy of individual concentration points while the integral quantity has the physical meaning of the flux. This article demonstrates how an extraordinary fast exponential convergence towards zero can be achieved for the simulated flux error on the basis of finite-difference approximations that are only second-order (Box 2 method) or fourth-order (Box 4 method) accurate as far as the level of local errors is concerned.     

A novel Ag/Ag3PO4-IRMOF-1 nanocomposite for antibacterial application in the dark and under visible light irradiation

MOF-5 that sometimes called IRMOF-1 has been intensively studied in recent years to develop efficient photocatalyst to degrade refractory organics and inactivate bacteria for wastewater treatment. In the present work, Ag/Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles incorporated in IRMOF-1 was successfully prepared via hydrothermal approach. The antibacterial activity of synthesized materials (IRMOF-1, Ag/Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles and Ag/Ag₃PO₄-IRMOF-1 nanocomposite was compared against two types of bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coil) as Gram negative and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as Gram-positive bacteria). The deactivation of the bacteria by the prepared material was measured in the dark and under visible light irradiation. The antibacterial activity of synthesized samples was investigated by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), growth inhibition assay and inhibition zone. The Ag/Ag₃PO₄-IRMOF-1 nanocomposite exhibited stronger antibacterial activities than the Ag/Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles and IRMOF-1 at all tested bacteria types. Based on inhibition zone, without any light irradiation, Ag/Ag₃PO₄-IRMOF-1 nanocomposite showed activity toward E. coil, but in presence of light nanocomposite depicted activity toward S. aureus. The results demonstrated that antibacterial activity of all synthesized samples in the dark and light against S. aureus bacteria was more than E. coil bacteria. The antibacterial activity mechanism was due to sustained-release of silver ions in the dark and reactive oxygen species (ROS) under visible light. The bioactivity of IRMOF-1 was related to the degradation of the its structure and the release of Zn²⁺ ions into the culture medium that bind to the cell wall and deactivation bacteria.     

Potential application of the reaction between hydroquinone and chromate with respect to the kinetic determination of iron

The analytical potential of the reaction between hydroquinone and chromate in acidic media is explored with respect to the kinetic determination of iron in water samples. The extent of the reaction is followed spectrophotometrically at 350 nm. The reaction occurs more quickly in the presence of the metal ion, but the values of absorbance at reaction initiation and completion are not altered. No other transitional metal ion affects the course of the reaction, regardless of its concentration. This fact represents the most eye-catching and analytically exploitable aspect of this indicator reaction. Three procedures used to obtain calibration graphs from the same kinetic data are discussed: slope, fixed and variable time techniques. The reaction follows a sequence of two consecutive steps, both of first-order with respect to the colored species. First-order kinetics is preserved in the presence of iron. Curve fitting is used to determine the corresponding rate coefficients. The slope method requires much data and uses plots of rate constants against analyte concentration for calibration purposes. In this case, the best detection limit (0.5 mg l^–1) is given by the faster stage. On the other hand, the rate-determining step enables more precise results. The fixed and variable time methods rely on similar principles: they register either the value of absorbance achieved at a predetermined reaction time (here, 50 s) or the time interval required for the absorbance to drop to a predetermined value (here, 0.15 absorbance at 350 nm). In both cases, ratios between the average value from the blind runs and all individual values are plotted against the analyte concentration. The best results (detection limit of 0.3 mg l^–1) are derived from the variable time procedure. Advantageously, neither of the techniques require the entire kinetic curve, and so sophisticated equipment is not needed.     

Quality-by-design-based development and validation of a stability-indicating UPLC method for quantification of teriflunomide in the presence of degradation products and its application to in-vitro dissolution

A systematic design-of-experiments was performed by applying quality-by-design concepts to determine design space for rapid quantification of teriflunomide by the ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method in the presence of degradation products. Response surface and central composite quadratic were used for statistical evaluation of experimental data using a Design-Expert software. The response variables such as resolution, retention time, and peak tailing were analyzed statistically for the screening of suitable chromatographic conditions. During this process, various plots such as perturbation, contour, 3D, and design space were studied. The method was developed through UPLC BEH C18 2.1?×?100?mm, 1.7-µ column, mobile phase comprised of buffer (5?mM K₂HPO₄ containing 0.1% triethylamine, pH 6.8), and acetonitrile (40:60 v/v), the flow rate of 0.5?mL?min^?1 and UV detection at 250?nm. The method was developed with a short run time of 1?min. Forced degradation studies revealed that the method was stability-indicating, suitable for both assay and in-vitro dissolution of a drug product. The method was found to be linear in the range of 28–84?µg?mL^?1, 2.8–22.7?µg?mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and 1.000 for assay and dissolution, respectively. The recovery values were found in the range of 100.1–101.7%. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines.     

Preparation of magnetic polymer material with phosphate group and its application to the enrichment of phosphopeptides

As one of the most important post-translational modifications (PTM), reversible phosphorylation of protein is involved in many cellular processes. Enrichment and separation of phosphopeptides have become essential for large-scale identification of protein phosphorylation by mass spectrometry. In this work, five magnetic polymer materials with different numbers of phosphate groups were fabricated using a simple polymeric method and their abilities to enrich phosphopeptides were investigated. Our results showed that the enrichment efficiency is closely related to the number of phosphate groups attached to magnetic polymer sorbent. Under optimized condition (3% trifluoroacetic acid and 80% acetonitrile), magnetic polymer-particles with appropriate proportion of phosphate groups (Fe(3)O(4)@p(VPA-EDMA-1)-Zr(4+)) showed high performance for extracting phosphopeptides from complex peptides mixture of standard protein digestion. In this regard, a total of 988 unique phosphopeptides were successfully identified from proteolytic digestion of HeLa cell extracts by employing magnetic polymer-particles combined with nano-RPLC-MS/MS analysis.     

Control of phase separation behavior of PC/PMMA blends and their application to the gas separation membranes

Gas transport and thermodynamic properties for the blends of polycarbonate (PC) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were studied. To explore glass transition temperatures of blends and their phase separation temperatures due to a lower critical solution temperature, LCST, a type of phase boundary, transparent blend films that are miscible and do not contain solvent-induced PC crystals were prepared by controlling molecular weights of each component. The average value of interaction energy densities between PC and PMMA obtained from the phase boundaries and the equation of a state theory based on the lattice fluid model was 0.04 cal/cm³. This result confirmed that miscibility of PC and PMMA blends at equilibrium depends upon the molecular weights of components. Gas transport properties of miscible blends and immiscible blends having the same chemical components and composition but a difference in morphology were examined at 35°C and 1 atm for the gases N₂ and O₂. Permeability and apparent diffusion coefficients were ranked in the order of the immiscible blend having a domain–matrix structure > the immiscible blend having an interconnected structure > the miscible blend. These results might be related to the differences in the local chain motions that depend on the intermolecular mixing level. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2950–2959, 1999     

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers for organophosphates and their application to the recognition of organophosphorus compounds and phosphopeptides

Monodisperse molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for diphenyl phosphate (DPP) and 1-naphthyl phosphate (1-NapP) have been prepared by a multi-step swelling and polymerization method using 4-vinylpyridine as a functional monomer, glycerol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker and cyclohexanol or 1-hexanol as a porogen. The retention and molecular-recognition properties of these MIPs for organophosphorus compounds were evaluated by HPLC using a mixture of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile as an eluent. In addition to shape recognition, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions could play an important role in the retention and molecular recognition of DPP and 1-NapP. Furthermore, the MIPs were applied to the separation of adenosine and adenosine phosphates (AMP, ADP and ATP). These phosphates were retained on the MIPs according to the number of phosphate groups in the molecule and were well separated from one another. Hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions seemed to affect the retention and recognition of adenosine phosphates in low acetonitrile content, while hydrophilic interactions affected these properties in high acetonitrile content. Finally, the MIPs were applied to the trapping of phosphopeptides. The MIPs non-selectively trapped phosphopeptides, which have phosphorylated tyrosine, serine or threonine in the sequences, and successfully trapped four phosphopeptides in tryptic digests of bovine α-casein.