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Heliyon May 2024Tracing individual cell pathways among the whole population is crucial for understanding their behavior, cell communication, migration dynamics, and fate. Optical...
Tracing individual cell pathways among the whole population is crucial for understanding their behavior, cell communication, migration dynamics, and fate. Optical labeling is one approach for tracing individual cells, but it typically requires genetic modification to induce the generation of photoconvertible proteins. Nevertheless, this approach has limitations and is not applicable to certain cell types. For instance, genetic modification often leads to the death of macrophages. This study aims to develop an alternative method for labeling macrophages by utilizing photoconvertible micron-sized capsules capable of easy internalization and prolonged retention within cells. Thermal treatment in a polyvinyl alcohol gel medium is employed for the scalable synthesis of capsules with a wide range of fluorescent dyes, including rhodamine 6G, pyronin B, fluorescein, acridine yellow, acridine orange, thiazine red, and previously reported rhodamine B. The fluorescence brightness, photostability, and photoconversion ability of the capsules are evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Viability, uptake, mobility, and photoconversion studies are conducted on RAW 264.7 and bone marrow-derived macrophages, serving as model cell lines. The production yield of the capsules is increased due to the use of polyvinyl alcohol gel, eliminating the need for conventional filtration steps. Capsules entrapping rhodamine B and rhodamine 6G meet all requirements for intracellular use in individual cell tracking. Mass spectrometry analysis reveals a sequence of deethylation steps that result in blue shifts in the dye spectra upon irradiation. Cellular studies on macrophages demonstrate robust uptake of the capsules. The capsules exhibit minimal cytotoxicity and have a negligible impact on cell motility. The successful photoconversion of RhB-containing capsules within cells highlights their potential as alternatives to photoconvertible proteins for individual cell labeling, with promising applications in personalized medicine.
PubMed: 38813172
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30680 -
ACS Applied Optical Materials May 2024Water-soluble dipyridinium thiazolo[5,4-]thiazole (TTz) compounds are incorporated into inexpensive poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/borax films and exhibit fast (<1 s),...
Water-soluble dipyridinium thiazolo[5,4-]thiazole (TTz) compounds are incorporated into inexpensive poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/borax films and exhibit fast (<1 s), high-contrast photochromism, photofluorochromism, and oxygen sensing. Under illumination, the films change from clear/yellow TTz to purple TTz and then blue TTz. The contrast and speed of the photochromism are dependent on the polymer matrix redox properties and the concentration of TTz. The photoreduced films exhibit strong, near-infrared light (1000-1500 nm) absorbances in addition to visible color changes. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to establish the complex dielectric function for the TTz and TTz states. Incorporating non-photochromic dyes yields yellow-to-green and pink-to-purple photochromism. Additionally, when illuminated, reversible photoactuation occurs, causing mechanical contraction in the TTz-embedded films. The blue film returns to its colorless state via exposure to O, making the films able to sense oxygen and leak direction for smart packaging. These films show potential for use in self-tinting smart windows, eyeglasses, displays, erasable memory devices, fiber optic communication, and oxygen sensing.
PubMed: 38808252
DOI: 10.1021/acsaom.4c00014 -
Cureus Apr 2024Aim The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of casts made from two elastomeric impression materials (polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and...
Aim The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of casts made from two elastomeric impression materials (polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and vinylsiloxanether (VSE)) using different impression techniques on parallel and angulated implants. Materials and methods The reference model was fabricated using auto-polymerizing acrylic resin on which three implant analogs were placed of which two were parallel to each other and the third at 20-degree mesial angulation. A total of 60 impressions were made of which 30 were by using PVS and 30 by VSE. For each material, 10 impressions were made by closed tray technique, 10 by open tray technique and 10 by open tray with sandblasting and adhesive coating of the impression copings technique. The inter-analog distances of the casts obtained were evaluated and compared with the reference model by a vision measuring machine. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc and independent samples t-test. Results When the inter-analog distances of the duplicate casts were compared with the reference model, the mean error rates for parallel implants decreased in the order of closed tray technique, open tray technique and open tray with sandblasting and adhesive coating of the impression copings technique for both PVS and VSE impression materials. Similarly, the same order was observed for angulated implants for both impression materials. Using the closed tray technique, there was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of the cast between the two materials for parallel implants (P = 0.525) and also no significant difference between the two materials for angulated implants (P = 0.307). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of the cast between the two materials for parallel implants (P = 0.455) and also no significant difference between the two materials for angulated implants (P = 0.519) using the open tray technique. Whereas for the open tray with sandblasting and adhesive coating of the impression copings technique, VSE produced a more accurate cast than PVS for parallel implants and was statistically significant (P = 0.033); however, there was no significant difference between the two materials for angulated implants (P = 0.375). Conclusion For parallel implants, VSE by an open tray with sandblasting and adhesive coating of the impression copings technique produced a more accurate cast than PVS. For angulated implants, there was no significant difference between the two materials and it was only the technique that significantly affected the accuracy of the cast.
PubMed: 38807829
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59193 -
Heliyon May 2024To extend the postharvest storage time of strawberries, this study aims to prepare a composite coating using plasma-activated hydrogen peroxide solution (PAH) synergized...
To extend the postharvest storage time of strawberries, this study aims to prepare a composite coating using plasma-activated hydrogen peroxide solution (PAH) synergized with nano-Ag@SiO by blending method to modify polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution. Results showed that the viscosity and the swelling rate of PVA significantly decreased with the addition of Ag@SiO at 0.18 %. Meanwhile, the elongation at break and the tensile strength of PVA increased to 0.87 MPa and 214 %. When the addition of Ag@SiO was 0.18 % and the composite ratio of PAH to PVA was 1:1, the composites could inactivate the pathogenic bacteria at 2 h. During the storage of strawberries, the initial colony counts on the surface of strawberries could be reduced by about 1 lg CFU/g after coating with the composite film. Moreover, with the extension of the storage time to 7 d, the respiratory intensity, colony counts, and rot index in the strawberries were 65.7 mg/(kg•h), 4.05 log CFU/g, and 38.7 %. Meanwhile, the superoxide dismutase activity and Vc content were 944 U/g and 690 μg/g, respectively. Overall, this study provides ideas and the theoretical basis for applying composite films in fruit preservation.
PubMed: 38803948
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31239 -
Cureus May 2024Objective To evaluate and compare the stability of the open tray impression coping within the set impression while attaching the lab analog when polyether (PE) heavy...
Objective To evaluate and compare the stability of the open tray impression coping within the set impression while attaching the lab analog when polyether (PE) heavy body and polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) putty impression materials were used and the implant platform was placed sub-gingivally at three different depths. Methods Two impression materials, PE and PVS, and custom-made plexiglass models with embedded single implants to simulate implant positioning depths of 0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm, sub-gingivally, were used in the study. Open tray impressions were made after attaching impression coping to the implant embedded in the model. Implant lab analog was attached to the impression coping in the set impression, and its stability was measured using a universal testing machine. Forty-two open tray impressions were made in six groups, with seven impressions in each group. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were calculated. A comparison of the mean stability between the two impression materials at each depth was done using an independent t-test. Comparison of the mean stability between the three different subgingival implant depths in each material was done by one-way ANOVA with the Scheffe multiple comparison test (post-hoc analysis). The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results The stability of the impression coping was measured as the force in Newtons required for the displacement of the analog attached to the impression coping embedded in the set impression. PE with the embedded impression coping at a depth of 0 mm gave the highest mean stability value (4.37+/-0.41), and the least mean stability was offered by PVS with the embedded impression coping at 4 mm depth (1.88+/-0.37). When an independent t-test was done to compare the mean stability values of PE and PVS, there was a statistically significant difference at 0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm. On doing one-way ANOVA to compare the mean stability between the different depth groups, there was a statistically significant difference between the three depth groups in PE and PVS. Scheffe multiple comparison tests (post-hoc analysis) revealed a statistically significant difference between 0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm subgingival depths of the impression coping placement in both PE and PVS. Conclusion The accuracy of the master cast is an important determinant for the precise fit and long life of the final prosthesis. In the case of maxillary anterior implant placements where deep subgingival placement of the implant platform is needed for aesthetic and functional reasons, the impression material should be selected carefully to ensure the stability of the impression coping. Among the materials included in the present study, the PE impression material offered the maximum stability for impression coping compared to PVS.
PubMed: 38803409
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61117 -
ACS Omega May 2024Developing a highly efficient multifunctional epoxy adhesive is still an enormous challenge, which can rapidly cure at room temperature and has excellent low-temperature...
Developing a highly efficient multifunctional epoxy adhesive is still an enormous challenge, which can rapidly cure at room temperature and has excellent low-temperature resistance performance and is crucial for the epoxy adhesive and electrical sealing fields during severe cold seasons. Herein, diglycidyl phthalate (DP) was synthesized with phthalic anhydride (PA) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) to enhance the curing rate and low-temperature resistance of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) adhesive. The modified DP/DGEBA adhesives were systematically analyzed by gel time, mechanical properties, and aging resistance (time, temperature, and dry/wet treatment). The results showed that DP with highly active ester groups significantly accelerates the curing speed of DP/DGEBA. DP's rigid aromatic ring-benzene ring and flexible group-ester group gave the adhesive better low-temperature resistance. When the addition of DP was 10 wt % (based on the mass of DGEBA), the gel time of DP/DGEBA epoxy adhesives was reduced by 58 min compared to unmodified DGEBA epoxy adhesive, and after aging at low temperature (-20 °C) for 7 days, the tensile shear strengths of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and aluminum plate increased by 76.2 and 80.6%, respectively. The results of non-isothermal curing kinetics and dynamic mechanical analysis suggested that when the amount of DP was 10 wt %, the reaction activation energy of DP/DGEBA epoxy adhesive decreased by 4.0%, and the cross-linking density increased by 8.9%. Moreover, the toughness of the modified adhesive was also improved. This study opens up a feasible way for the development of a low temperature-resistant epoxy adhesive cured rapidly at room temperature in practical application.
PubMed: 38799369
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00795 -
Chemosphere May 2024This work proposes an innovative approach for the membrane separation of spent and unspent HS scavengers (SUS) derived from the application of MEA-triazine in offshore...
This work proposes an innovative approach for the membrane separation of spent and unspent HS scavengers (SUS) derived from the application of MEA-triazine in offshore oil and gas production. Modified nanofiltration membranes were fabricated by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into a thin film composite (TFC) to obtain a thin film nanocomposite (TFN) with enhanced permeability. In addition, various immobilization strategies for GO were investigated. The performance of the membranes and the effect of the GO loading were evaluated in terms of permeability, fouling propensity, and rejection of key components of the SUS, i.e., MEA-triazine (unspent scavenger), dithiazine (spent scavenger), and monoethanolamine, operating on a sample of SUS wastewater obtained from an offshore oil and gas platform. Various characterization techniques, such as contact angle, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and AFM, were employed to evaluate the structure, composition, and hydrophilicity of the membrane. The results show a remarkable increase in permeability (from 0.22 Lm h bar for the TFC to 5.8 Lm h bar for the TFN membranes), due to the enhanced hydrophilicity from GO incorporation. The strong interfacial interaction between GO and PVA within the TFN membrane results in negligible nanofiller leaching. The incorporation of GO moderately increases the rejection of the unspent scavenger (63%-73%, 62%-79%, 62%-80%, and 68%-76%), while drastically increasing the rejection of the spent scavenger, which is approximately null for the TFC membrane without GO and increases up to 58% in the TFN membrane with GO. Therefore, while the proposed membranes cannot be used for the selective separation of the unspent form the spent scavenger, they can achieve substantial recovery of all the key components contained in the SUS to avoid their discharge into the sea.
PubMed: 38797201
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142439 -
Polymers May 2024Dual networks formed by entangled polymer chains and wormlike surfactant micelles have attracted increasing interest in their application as thickeners in various fields...
Dual networks formed by entangled polymer chains and wormlike surfactant micelles have attracted increasing interest in their application as thickeners in various fields since they combine the advantages of both polymer- and surfactant-based fluids. In particular, such polymer-surfactant mixtures are of great interest as novel hydraulic fracturing fluids with enhanced properties. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of the chemical composition of an uncharged polymer poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and pH on the rheological properties and structure of its mixtures with a cationic surfactant erucyl bis(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium chloride already exploited in fracturing operations. Using a combination of several complementary techniques (rheometry, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, small-angle neutron scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), we showed that a small number of residual acetate groups (2-12.7 mol%) in PVA could significantly reduce the viscosity of the mixed system. This result was attributed to the incorporation of acetate groups in the corona of the micellar aggregates, decreasing the molecular packing parameter and thereby inducing the shortening of worm-like micelles. When these groups are removed by hydrolysis at a pH higher than 7, viscosity increases by five orders of magnitude due to the growth of worm-like micelles in length. The findings of this study create pathways for the development of dual semi-interpenetrating polymer-micellar networks, which are highly desired by the petroleum industry.
PubMed: 38794623
DOI: 10.3390/polym16101430 -
Polymers May 2024In this study, we investigated the impact of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) incorporation on the optical properties and oxygen detection performance of a titanium...
The Effect of Polyvinyl Alcohol Addition on the Optical Properties and Oxygen Detection Performance of Titanium Dioxide and Methylene Blue Nanocomposite Colorimetric Indicators.
In this study, we investigated the impact of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) incorporation on the optical properties and oxygen detection performance of a titanium dioxide/methylene blue (TiO/MB) nanocomposite colorimetric indicator for packaging applications. The nanocomposite was synthesized via mechanical milling of TiO nanoparticles with MB and citric acid. PVA, at varying concentrations (0, 3, 9, and 14 wt%), was introduced during the wet milling process to produce a homogeneous composite film. Spin coating was employed to fabricate TiO/MB nanocomposite films for oxygen detection evaluation. The influence of PVA loading on the films' chemical functionalities and surface morphologies was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The indicator's activation process, involving a color change between bleached and colored states, and its recovery time were monitored via optical imaging and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry. The results revealed that a PVA content of 9 wt% yielded well-defined films with enhanced stability of the TiO/MB nanocomposite's oxygen detection performance.
PubMed: 38794593
DOI: 10.3390/polym16101400 -
Polymers May 2024Carbon dots (CDs), owing to their excellent photoluminescent features, have been extensively studied for physics preparation methods and for biomedical and...
Carbon dots (CDs), owing to their excellent photoluminescent features, have been extensively studied for physics preparation methods and for biomedical and optoelectronic device applications. The assessment of the applicability of CDs in the production of luminescent polymeric composites used in LEDs, displays, sensors, and wearable devices is being pursued. The present study reports on an original, environmentally friendly, and low-cost route for the production of carbon dots with an average size of 4 nm by laser ablation in liquid. Jointly, to prove the significance of the study for a wide range of applications, a free-standing flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite containing photoluminescent carbon dots was manufactured. CDs were prepared using targets of porose charcoal with a density of 0.271 g/cm placed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) liquid solution and irradiated for 30 min by pulsed IR diode laser. The optical properties of the obtained suspension containing carbon dots were studied with UV-ViS and FTIR spectroscopies. The photoluminescence of the produced carbon dots was confirmed by the emission peak at 480 nm in the luminescence spectrum. A narrow luminescence band with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of less than 40 nm could be an asset in spectral emission analysis in different applications. Atomic force microscopy confirms the feasibility of manufacturing CDs in clean and biocompatible environments, paving the way for an easier and faster production route, crucial for their wider applicability.
PubMed: 38794583
DOI: 10.3390/polym16101390