Conformational and adsorptive characteristics of albumin affect interfacial protein boundary lubrication: From experimental to molecular dynamics simulation approaches

The lifetime of artificial joints is mainly determined by their biotribological properties. Synovial fluid which consists of various biological molecules acts as the lubricant. Among the compositions of synovial fluid, albumin is the most abundant protein. Under high load and low sliding speed articulation of artificial joint, it is believed the lubricants form protective layers on the sliding surfaces under the boundary lubrication mechanism. The protective molecular layer keeps two surfaces from direct collision and thus decreases the possibility of wear damage. However, the lubricating ability of the molecular layer may vary due to the conformational change of albumin in the process. In this study, we investigated the influence of albumin conformation on the adsorption behaviors on the articulating surfaces and discuss the relationship between adsorbed albumin and its tribological behaviors. We performed the friction tests to study the effects of albumin unfolding on the frictional behaviors. The novelty of this research is to further carry out molecular dynamics simulation, and protein adsorption experiments to investigate the mechanisms of the albumin-mediated boundary lubrication of arthroplastic materials. It was observed that the thermal processes induce the loss of secondary structure of albumin. The compactness of the unfolded structure leads to a higher adsorption rate onto the articulating material surface and results in the increase of friction coefficient.     

β-卤素取代对杯[4]吡咯构象及主-客体相互作用的影响(Ⅰ)——分子力学/分子动力学研究

通过分子力学/分子动力学模拟,获得4种游离杯[4]吡咯以及杯[4]吡咯-卤素阴离子主-客体复合物的稳定构象,用偶极子模型解释了β位卤素取代对游离杯[4]吡咯稳定构象、杯[4]吡咯-卤素阴离子复合物的结构及其结合能的影响,指出造成这些影响的主要因素是不同卤素取代导致杯[4]吡咯的吡咯环基团偶极大小不同.计算了不同杯[4]吡咯与卤素阴离子的结合能,当杯[4]吡咯β位上的H原子被卤素阴离子取代后,杯[4]吡咯对阴离子的识别能力加强.     

Selective recognition of 4-nitrophenol from aqueous solution by molecularly imprinted polymers with functionalized tetratitanate whisker composites as support

Three kinds of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were obtained with surface molecular imprinting technique on functionalized potassium tetratitanate whisker (F-PTW). The results of adsorption experiments indicated that MIP prepared using PTW modified with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylamine (AAPTS) (F-PTW A) as support [MIP(1)] was superior to the other two polymers, then MIP(1) was selected to analyze the 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) adsorption process from aqueous solution in this study. AAPTS offered hydrophilic exterior that allowed to self-assemble with the template 4-NP through intermolecular interaction rather than based on the interactions between the functional monomers and template. Equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models at various temperatures. Kinetic properties were successfully investigated by pseudo-first-order model, pseudo-second-order model, intraparticle diffusion equation, initial adsorption rate, half-adsorption time. A diffusion-controlled process as the essential adsorption rate-controlling step was also proposed. The performance of such imprinted polymer was further demonstrated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the results showed that the selectivity of MIP(1) exhibited higher affinity for template 4-NP over competitive phenolic compounds than that of non-imprinted polymer NIP(1). MIP(1) could be reused four times without significant loss in the adsorption capacity.     

Effective removal of 4-Aminophenol from aqueous environment by pea (Pisum sativum) shells activated with sulfuric acid: Characterization,isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics

The threat of phenol contamination in aquatic ecosystems is significant for the health of the earth's water systems as well as all humans on it. The present study was conducted to synthesize a cost-effective adsorbent (pea shells activated with sulfuric acid, PSASA) from agriculture waste (pea shells) and its use for effective removal of toxic 4-Aminophenol (4-AP). Newly designed PSASA exhibited significant adsorption of 4-AP which was confirmed by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD analysis. Surface topography confirmed high unevenness of the PSASA surface and the macroporous feature of the PSASA was confirmed by BET analysis. . Multiple testing was done to see how various factors affected adsorption such as adsorbent dose, temperature, pH, PZC, the effect of KCl and urea addition and the effect of the initial concentration of 4-AP. A drop in adsorption uptake of 4-AP was observed as the temperature increases from 25 °C to 45 °C. Maximum adsorption uptake (q_m) was found to be 106.11 mg/g at an optimum pH of 7.0 and 25 °C. Among various adsorption isotherm models tested, Langmuir Isotherm gave the best explanation with high R² values of experimental data. The pseudo-first-order model was found to explain the kinetics of adsorption well. The thermodynamic finding confirms the adsorption process was physical and exothermic. The adsorption of 4-AP was primarily governed by electrostatic interaction, hydrogen-bonding and π-π exchange mechanism. Because of the positive outcomes of the present research, we can use the PSASA as a cost-effective adsorbent for removing phenolic compounds.