Applications of Hybrid Polymers Generated from Living Anionic Ring Opening Polymerization

Increasingly precise control of polymer architectures generated by “Living” Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization (Living AROP) is leading to a broad range of commercial advanced material applications, particularly in the area of siloxane macromers. While academic reports on such materials remain sparse, a significant portion of the global population interacts with them on a daily basis—in applications including medical devices, microelectronics, food packaging, synthetic leather, release coatings, and pigment dispersions. The primary driver of this increased utilization of siloxane macromers is their ability to incorporate the properties of silicones into organic structures in a balanced manner. Compared to organic polymers, the differentiating properties of silicones—low T_g, hydrophobicity, low surface energy, and high free molal space—logically lend themselves to applications in which low modulus, release, permeability to oxygen and moisture, and tactile interaction are desired. However, their mechanical, structural and processing properties have until recently precluded practical applications. This review presents applications of “Living” AROP derived polymers from the perspective of historical technology development. Applications in which products are produced on a commercial scale—defined as not only offered for sale, but sold on a recurrent basis—are emphasized. Hybrid polymers with intriguing nanoscale morphology and potential applications in photoresist, microcontact printing, biomimetic soft materials, and liquid crystals are also discussed. Previously unreported work by the authors is provided in the context of this review.     

Inhibitory Effect of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitzschia palea</Emphasis> Against Curli-Mediated Biofilm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) are emerging beta-lactamases in Gram-negative pathogens, causing serious problems in hospitalized patients worldwide. Biofilm mode of virulence has decreased the efficiency of antibiotics used for treatment against ESBL pathogens. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative agents such as nanoparticles that can prevent and inhibit the biofilm formation. The aim of the present study was to inhibit the biofilm formed by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with fresh water diatom (Nitzschia palea). AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and XRD. AgNPs at their biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) of 300 ng ml^?1 significantly reduced the biofilm formed by E. coli. Interestingly, Congo red assay revealed the reduction of curli, essential for biofilm formation in the presence of AgNPs. Light and CLSM examination of the biofilm images also validated that in the presence of AgNPs, the biofilm architecture was disintegrated and the thickness was significantly reduced. Overall, the present study exemplifies the use of AgNPs as a plausible alternative for conventional coating agents on implant devices to prevent and control biofilm-associated urinary tract infections.     

Effect of Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate on the Association Behavior of Promethazine Hydrochloride in Aqueous/Electrolyte Solutions at Different Temperatures

The interaction between the amphiphilic phenothiazine drug promethazine hydrochloride (PMT) and an anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate has been investigated using the conductometric technique in the absence and presence of an inorganic salt (50 mmol·kg^?1 NaCl) at five different compositions and temperatures. PMT is employed for the cure of allergic symptoms. Different physicochemical parameters such as critical micellar concentration (cmc), thermodynamic, and micellar composition are evaluated and discussed in detail using regular solution theory (RST). The addition of salt decreased the surface charge of micelles, lowering the cmc values of the amphiphile. The interaction parameter (β) is negative at all temperatures and compositions indicating attractive interactions. Due to the presence of NaCl in mixed systems the attractive interaction (β) was further increased (β values more negative). The negative values of Gibbs energy (\( \Delta G^{0}_{\text{m}} \)) of mixing revealed the stability of the solution. Owing to the presence of NaCl, the \( \Delta G^{0}_{\text{m}} \) values are found to be more negative suggesting that the driving force for interaction was significantly increased and micellization more thermodynamically favorable.     

援疆效果满意度的公因子分析:综合评价和政策取向——以南疆三地州数据为例

以居民对援疆政策满意度为出发点,前学者的研究基础上确定援疆政策效果的满意度的衡量指标,选取6个大方向31个指标来测量援疆效果满意度.通过南疆三地州进行实地问卷调查获得数据为样本,采用因子分析方法确定二级指标及三级指标的权重,进行对援疆政策效果满意度综合评价.研究结论是南疆居民对援疆效果的满意度总得分接近70分,说明总体满意度较高,其中满意度最高的为收入及补贴,排在第一位,排在末尾的就是教育领域,排在第二位的是住房建设,而基层服务的满意度仅仅高于教育领域,排在第五位.排在第三位的就是医疗,第四位才是居民出行为核心内容的基础设施建设.从而为援疆政策效果满意度优化,解决存在的问题,全面改善援疆政策效果提出政策建议.     

Error propagation model for microscopic magnetic resonance elastography shear-wave images

Microscopic magnetic resonance elastography is a high-resolution method for visualizing shear waves and assessing the biomechanical viscoelastic properties of small biological samples. In this work, we used error propagation to develop a simple analytical model that relates the signal-to-noise ratio of MR magnitude images to the variance in shear-wave maps collected using gradient-echo and spin-echo phase-contrast pulse sequences. Our model predicts results for shear-wave images in phantoms, which match the experimentally observed phase variance within 8%. This model can be used to optimize MR pulse sequences for elastography studies, as well as other phase-difference techniques in MRI.     

2D Zeolite Coatings: Langmuir–Schaefer Deposition of 3 nm Thick MFI Zeolite Nanosheets

Stable suspensions of zeolite nanosheets (3 nm thick MFI layers) were prepared in ethanol following acid treatment, which partially removed the associated organic structure‐directing agent. Nanosheets from these suspensions could then be dispersed at the air–water interface and transferred to silicon wafers using Langmuir–Schaefer deposition. Using layer‐by‐layer deposition, control on coating thickness was demonstrated. In‐plane X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the deposited nanosheets contract upon calcination similar to bulk MFI crystals. Different methods for secondary growth resulted in preferentially oriented thin films of MFI, which had sub‐12‐nm thickness in certain cases. Upon calcination, there was no contraction detectable by in‐plane XRD, indicating well‐intergrown MFI films that are strongly attached to the substrate.     

Effect of rotation on plane waves at the free surface of a fibre-reinforced thermoelastic half-space using the finite element method

The propagation of plane waves in fibre-reinforced, rotating thermoelastic half-space proposed by Lord-Shulman is discussed. The problem has been solved numerically using a finite element method. Numerical results for the temperature distribution, the displacement components and the thermal stress are given and illustrated graphically. Comparisons are made with the results predicted by the coupled theory and the theory of generalized thermoelasticity with one relaxation time in the presence and absence of rotation and reinforcement. It is found that the rotation has a significant effect and the reinforcement has great effect on the distribution of field quantities when the rotation is considered.     

A PCR amplification method without DNA extraction

To develop a simple and inexpensive method for direct PCR amplification of animal DNA from tissues, we optimized different components and their concentration in lysis buffer systems. Finally, we acquired the optimized buffer system composed of 10?mmol tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)-Cl (pH 8.0), 2?mmol ethylene diamine tetraacetic (EDTA) (pH 8.0), 0.2?mol NaCl and 200?μg/mL Proteinase K. Interestingly, the optimized buffer is also very effective when working with common human sample types, including blood, buccal cells and hair. The direct PCR method requires fewer reagents (Tris-Cl, EDTA, Protease K and NaCl) and less incubation time (only 35?min). The cost of treating every sample is less than $0.02, and all steps can be completed on a thermal cycler in a 96-well format. So, the proposed method will significantly improve high-throughput PCR-based molecular assays in animal systems and in common human sample types.     

Oligosaccharides might contribute to the antidiabetic effect of honey: a review of the literature

Evidence shows that honey improves glycemic control in diabetes mellitus. Besides its hypoglycemic effect, studies indicate that honey ameliorates lipid abnormalities in rats and humans with diabetes. The majority of these studies do not examine the mechanisms by which honey ameliorates glycemic and/or lipid derangements. The gut microbiota is now recognized for its ability to increase energy harvest from the diet and alter lipid metabolism of the host. Recently available data implicate a causal role of these gut microbes in the pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus. In this review, we present some of the latest findings linking gut microbiota to pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus. The review also underlines data that demonstrate the beneficial effects of oligosaccharides on various abnormalities commonly associated with these disorders. Based on the similarities of some of these findings with those of honey, together with the evidence that honey contains oligosaccharides, we hypothesize that oligosaccharides present in honey might contribute to the antidiabetic and other health-related beneficial effects of honey. We anticipate that the possibility of oligosaccharides in honey contributing to the antidiabetic and other health-related effects of honey will stimulate a renewed research interest in this field.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of new squalenoyl amphiphilic gadolinium complexes as nanoparticle contrast agents

A family of novel amphiphilic gadolinium chelates was successfully obtained by coupling the hydrophilic DOTA ligand [1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane] to squalenoyl moieties. Thanks to the self-assembling properties of their squalenoyl lipophilic moieties, all these derivatives were able to form, without any adjuvant, micellar or liposome-like supramolecular nanoassemblies, endowed with high relaxivities (r(1) = 15-22 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 MHz and 37 °C). The remarkably high payloads of Gd(3+) ions reached 10 to 17 wt %. Moreover, one of these derivatives interacted with human serum albumin (HSA) forming mixed micelles, which induced a remarkable increase in relaxivity. Liposome-like structures were obtained when the Gd(3+) complex of DOTA was coupled to two squalene units. These liposomal structures were characterized by a high loading of Gd(3+) (about 74,000 gadolinium ions per particle of 100 nm). The supramolecular architecture of these nano-objects has been investigated by electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Squalenoylation of gadolinium derivatives offers a platform to conceive contrast agents (CAs) in mild conditions (no toxic solvents, no surfactants, no energy input). These new amphiphilic gadolinium chelates could also find potential applications in theranostics, by forming mixed systems with other squalenoylated drugs, or to delineate blood vessels owing to the interaction with HSA.