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ACS Nano Dec 2023Biomineralization is a natural process of mineral formation mediated by biomacromolecules, allowing access to hierarchical structures integrating biological, chemical,...
Biomineralization is a natural process of mineral formation mediated by biomacromolecules, allowing access to hierarchical structures integrating biological, chemical, and material properties. In this contribution, we comprehensively investigate the biomineralization of zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) for one-step synthesis of an enzyme-MOF biocomposite, in terms of differential crystallization behaviors, fine microstructure of resultant ZIF biominerals, the enzyme's conformation evolution, and protective effect of ZIF mineral. We discover that the biomineralization ability is ZIF organic linker dependent and the biocatalytic function is highly related to the ZIF mineral species and their distinguishable topologies and defect structures. Importantly, a side-by-side analysis suggests that the protective effect of ZIF mineral toward the hosted enzyme is highly associated with the synergistic effect of size dimension and chemical microenvironment of the ZIF pores. This work provides important insight into the ZIF-dependent biomineralization behaviors and highlights the important role of the ZIF microstructure in its biocatalytic activity and durability, which has been underestimated previously.
Topics: Metal-Organic Frameworks; Zeolites; Enzymes, Immobilized; Biocatalysis; Imidazoles
PubMed: 38015792
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09118 -
International Journal of Biological... Nov 2023Curcumin (CUR) is among the most natural and effective antitumor drugs for cancer treatment. These drugs have low solubility and short half-lives that reduce their...
Curcumin (CUR) is among the most natural and effective antitumor drugs for cancer treatment. These drugs have low solubility and short half-lives that reduce their effectiveness in drug release systems. Herein, a hydrogel nanocarrier containing chitosan (CS), alumina (γ-AlO), and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double nanoemulsion method. DLS revealed a nanocarrier size of 227 nm, with a zeta potential of -37.8 mV, which corroborates its stability. FE-SEM showed its quasi-spherical shape, FT-IR and XRD confirmed the presence of all the components in the nanocomposite and gave information about the intermolecular interactions between them and the crystalline nature of the nanocarrier, respectively. The drug loading (48 %) and entrapment efficiency (86 %) were higher than those reported previously for other CUR nanocarriers. The drug release profile revealed a controlled and stable release, and a pH-sensitive behavior, with faster CUR release in an acid environment. The breast cancer cell line was examined by cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis analyses. The results showed that the slow release over time and the programmed cell death were due to interactions between CUR and the nanocarrier. Considering the results obtained herein, CS/γAlO/CQDs/CUR can be considered as a promising new nanosystem for tumor treatment.
Topics: Chitosan; Quantum Dots; Humans; Drug Carriers; Aluminum Oxide; Carbon; Curcumin; Hydrogels; Drug Liberation; Drug Delivery Systems; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; MCF-7 Cells; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 37591420
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126280 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Aug 2023Activation of coagulation cascades, especially FX and prothrombin, prevents blood loss and reduces mortality from hemorrhagic shock. Inorganic salts are efficient but...
Activation of coagulation cascades, especially FX and prothrombin, prevents blood loss and reduces mortality from hemorrhagic shock. Inorganic salts are efficient but cannot stop bleeding completely in hemorrhagic events, and rebleeding carries a significant mortality risk. The coagulation mechanism of biominerals has been oversimplified in the past two decades, limiting the creation of novel hemostats. Herein, at the interface, the affinity of proteins, the protease activity, fibrinolysis, hydration shell, and dynamic microenvironment are monitored at the protein level. Proteomic analysis reveals that fibrinogen and antithrombin III's affinity for kaolin's interface causes a weak thrombus and rebleeding during hemostasis. Inspiringly, amorphous bioactive glass (BG) with a transient-dynamic ion microenvironment breaches the hydration layer barrier and selectively and slightly captures procoagulant components of kiniogen-1, plasma kallikrein, FXII, and FXI proteins on its interface, concurrently generating a continuous biocatalytic interface to rapidly activate both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. Thus, prothrombin complexes are successfully hydrolyzed to thrombin without platelet membrane involvement, speeding production of high-strength clots. This study investigates how the interface of inorganic salts assists in coagulation cascades from a more comprehensive micro-perspective that may help elucidate the clinical application issues of kaolin-gauze and pave the way to new materials for managing hemorrhage.
Topics: Humans; Prothrombin; Kaolin; Proteomics; Salts; Blood Coagulation; Thrombosis; Hemorrhage
PubMed: 37000691
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300039 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Vanillin is a popular flavoring agent in many food products. Simple, fast, and reliable quantification of this compound is crucial for the food industry. In this work,...
Vanillin is a popular flavoring agent in many food products. Simple, fast, and reliable quantification of this compound is crucial for the food industry. In this work, we have developed a new electrochemical sensor for accurate detection of vanillin in various real samples. The composite electrode was made of sodium montmorillonite nanoclay (SMM) and gold nanoparticles modified ZIF-67 (Au@ZIF-67), in which SMM contributes to the large adsorption capacity of the analyte, ZIF-67 and SMM supply more sensing active sites, and gold nanoparticles provide high electrical conductivity. The sensing electrode was comprehensively characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, EDS, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TEM, and its electrochemical behavior for determination of vanillin including the electrooxidation mechanism of vanillin and different parameters such as scan rate and pH value was investigated. The result revealed that a two electron-two proton process was involved in the electrooxidation of vanillin, which takes place more readily due to the lower potential on the surface of SMM/Au@ZIF-67/carbon paste electrode. The new composite electrode was also more sensitive to vanillin detection with an anodic peak current almost 2.6 times more than that of the bare electrode. A linear sensing concentration range was established between 1 and 1200 nM with a detection limit of 0. 3 nM and a limit of quantitation of 1 nM. For real samples, the sensor demonstrated excellent recovery rates and reliability that was comparable to the standard high-performance liquid chromatography method.
Topics: Gold; Metal Nanoparticles; Bentonite; Reproducibility of Results; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes
PubMed: 37863995
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45342-6 -
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology Sep 2023The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L., is one of the most widespread and destructive stored-product pests and resistant to a wide range of chemical insecticides. In this...
The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L., is one of the most widespread and destructive stored-product pests and resistant to a wide range of chemical insecticides. In this research, Artemisia annua L. essential oil (EO) and its encapsulated form by chitosan/TPP (tripolyphosphate) and zeolite were tested against S. oryzae adults. The order of toxicity was chitosan/TPP (LC: 30.83, LC: 39.52, and LC: 72.50 μL/L air) > pure EO (LC: 35.75, LC: 46.25, and LC: 86.76 μL/L air) > EO loaded in the zeolite (LC: 43.35, LC: 55.07, and LC: 98.80 μL/L air). These encapsulated samples were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) which revealed the size and morphology of the droplets measuring 255.2 to 272 nm and 245 to 271.8 nm for EO loaded in chitosan and zeolite respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and loading percentages of A. annua EO in chitosan/TPP and zeolite were 40.16% and 6.01%, and 88% and 85%, respectively. Fumigant persistence was increased from 6 days for pure EO then, 20 and 22 days for encapsulated oil in zeolite and chitosan/TPP, respectively. Our results showed that A. annua EO contains (±)-camphor (29.29%), 1,8-cineole (12.56%), β-caryophyllene (10.29%), α-pinene (8.68%), and artemisia ketone (8.48%) as its major composition. The activity level of glutathione S-transferase increased while general esterase and acetylcholinesterase activity were significantly inhibited in the treated group compared with the control. Antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were activated in treated adults compared to controls. The current results suggest that encapsulation of A. annua EO by chitosan/TPP and zeolite in addition to safety and environmentally friendly approach could increase its sustainability and therefore enhancing the efficiency in controlling S. oryzae in storage.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Chitosan; Artemisia annua; Zeolites; Acetylcholinesterase
PubMed: 37666615
DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105544 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Due to the growing interest in biopolymers, biosynthesizable and biodegradable polymers currently occupy a special place. Unfortunately, the properties of native...
Due to the growing interest in biopolymers, biosynthesizable and biodegradable polymers currently occupy a special place. Unfortunately, the properties of native biopolymers make them not good enough for use as substitutes for conventional polymers. Therefore, attempts are being made to modify their properties. In this work, in order to improve the properties of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) biopolymer, linear aliphatic polyurethane (PU) based on 1,4-butanediol (BD) and hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) was used. The conducted studies on the effect of the amount of PU used (5, 10, 15 and 20 m/m%) showed an improvement in the thermal properties of the prepared polymer blends. As part of the tested mechanical properties of the new polymer blends, we noted the desired increase in the tensile strength, and the impact strength showed a decrease in hardness, in particular at the presence of 5 m/m% PU. Therefore, for further improvement, hybrid nanobiocomposites with 5 m/m% PU and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) (Cloisite 30B) were produced. The nanoadditive was used in a typical amount of 1-3 m/m%. It was found that the obtained nanobiocomposites containing the smallest amount of nanofillers, i.e., 1 m/m% Cloisite30B, exhibited the best mechanical and thermal properties.
Topics: Polymers; Polyurethanes; Bentonite; 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Biopolymers
PubMed: 38139234
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417405 -
Environmental Science & Technology Aug 2023In this study, Np(V) retention on Illite du Puy (IdP) was investigated since it is essential for understanding the migration behavior of Np in argillaceous environments....
In this study, Np(V) retention on Illite du Puy (IdP) was investigated since it is essential for understanding the migration behavior of Np in argillaceous environments. The presence of structural Fe(III) and Fe(II) in IdP was confirmed by Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. In batch sorption experiments, a higher Np sorption affinity to IdP was found than to Wyoming smectite or iron-free synthetic montmorillonite. An increase of the relative Np(IV) ratio sorbed onto IdP with decreasing pH was observed by solvent extraction (up to (24 ± 2)% at pH 5, (Np) = 10 mol/L). Furthermore, up to (33 ± 5)% Np(IV) could be detected in IdP diffusion samples at pH 5. Respective Np M-edge high-energy resolution (HR-) XANES spectra suggested the presence of Np(IV/V) mixtures and weakened axial bond covalency of the NpO species sorbed onto IdP. Np L-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis showed that significant fractions of Np were coordinated to Fe─O entities at pH 9. This highlights the potential role of Fe(II/III) clay edge sites as a strong Np(V) surface complex partner and points to the partial reduction of sorbed Np(V) to Np(IV) via structural Fe(II).
Topics: Ferric Compounds; Minerals; Bentonite; Ferrous Compounds
PubMed: 37460108
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09356 -
Environmental Science. Processes &... Dec 2023The formation and sedimentation of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs) is the major method to transport spilled oil to the seafloor. In this study, the formation and...
The formation and sedimentation of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs) is the major method to transport spilled oil to the seafloor. In this study, the formation and sedimentation experiments of OMA using montmorillonite and four crude oils were performed in a wave tank in the presence of chemical dispersant. Most of the formed OMAs were droplet OMAs, and single droplet OMA would aggregate into multiple ones under the action of the dispersant. The size of the oil droplets trapped in the OMA increased with time and was larger for the oil with higher viscosity. The sinking velocities of OMAs formed in this study were between 100-1200 μm s and they were positively correlated with their diameter. The density of OMA was of the same order as that of the crude oil that formed them. An increase in the dispersant dosage could promote the formation of OMAs. The oil content in OMAs was higher for the denser oil in the presence of a dispersant. The maximum oil trapping efficiency of OMAs was 48.05%. This study provides fundamental data on the formation kinetics of OMAs.
Topics: Water Pollutants, Chemical; Petroleum; Mineral Oil; Geologic Sediments; Petroleum Pollution; Bentonite
PubMed: 37786335
DOI: 10.1039/d3em00327b -
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering Sep 2023Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a compound with very high therapeutic potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and cancer. The disadvantages of this compound are...
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a compound with very high therapeutic potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and cancer. The disadvantages of this compound are its low stability and low bioavailability. Therefore, carriers for EGCG are sought to increase its use. In this work, new carriers are proposed, i.e., zeolites containing divalent ions of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and zinc in their structure. EGCG is retained on the carrier surface by strong interactions with divalent ions. Due to the presence of strong interactions, EGCG is released in a controlled manner from the carrier-ion-EGCG drug delivery system. The results obtained in this work confirm the effectiveness of the preparation of new carriers. EGCG is released from the carriers depending on the pH; hence, it can be used both in osteoporosis and in the treatment of cancer. The divalent ion used affects the sorption and release of the drug. The obtained results indicate the great potential of the proposed carriers and their advantage over the carriers described in the literature.
Topics: Drug Carriers; Zeolites; Drug Delivery Systems; Catechin
PubMed: 37540564
DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00599 -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Mar 2024Cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases, and diagnosing and treating it effectively remains difficult. As a result, advancements in earlier detection and better... (Review)
Review
Cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases, and diagnosing and treating it effectively remains difficult. As a result, advancements in earlier detection and better therapies are urgently needed. Conventional chemotherapy induces chemoresistance, has non-specific toxicity, and has a meager efficacy. Natural materials like nanosized clay mineral formations of various shapes (platy, tubular, spherical, and fibrous) with tunable physicochemical, morphological, and structural features serve as potential templates for these. As multifunctional biocompatible nanocarriers with numerous applications in cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy, their submicron size, individual morphology, high specific surface area, enhanced adsorption ability, cation exchange capacity, and multilayered organization of 0.7-1 nm thick single sheets have attracted significant interest. Kaolinite, halloysite, montmorillonite, laponite, bentonite, sepiolite, palygorskite, and allophane are the most typical nanoclay minerals explored for cancer. These multilayered minerals can function as nanocarriers to effectively carry a variety of anticancer medications to the tumor site and improve their stability, dispersibility, sustained release, and transport. Proteins and DNA/RNA can be transported using nanoclays with positive and negative surfaces. The platform for phototherapeutic agents can be nanoclays. Clays with bio-functionality have been developed using various surface engineering techniques, which could help treat cancer. The promise of nanoclays as distinctive crystalline materials with applications in cancer research, diagnostics, and therapy are examined in this review.
Topics: Humans; Bentonite; Kaolin; Clay; Minerals; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38325142
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113768