ACS Omega最新文献

While auxeticity has been established in cellulose-based paper and paperboards and computational studies suggest auxetic behavior should occur within cellulose structures, the auxetic response of neat cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films has not yet been experimentally established. Here, we show that an out-of-plane auxetic response does occur in CNF films and that the magnitude of the response is dependent on the film density, microstructure, and sample geometry. CNF films are fabricated using vacuum filtration, followed by conditioning at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity. The CNF aqueous suspension amount is varied from 90 to 450 mL, which progressively increases the film density until reaching a plateau of 1.05 ± 0.02 g/cm³ for films with suspension volumes equal to or greater than 270 mL. Aside from varying the film densities, the aspect ratio of the film is varied from 1.5 to 5 (ratio of rectangular CNF film length to width) to determine how the sample dimensions contribute to the auxetic response, specifically if stress fields associated with gripping of the sample constrain the fiber network. From these studies, CNF films with a density of 1.05 g/cm³ and a film aspect ratio of 5 exhibit the highest auxetic response in the elastic region with a negative Poisson’s ratio of −5.3 as determined by linear fitting and the largest instantaneous Poisson’ ratio value of −7.99 at 0.4% strain. Overall, this work provides insight into the processing–structure–property relationships that define auxeticity in CNF films, which can enable the use of CNFs as auxetic metamaterials in a broad range of applications such as sensing, protective gears, composites, and structural materials.

This study evaluates the enzymatic lipolysis performance of nanofructosome-coated CalB lipase (CalB@NF) encapsulated in silica and immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Si-MNP) for converting natural olive oil to oleic acid. The nanofructosome coating, composed of levan, a nanosized fructan polymer, was applied to enhance the heat and acid resistance of the CalB enzyme. To further improve functionality, CalB@NF was encapsulated in silica (CalB@NF@SiO₂) or immobilized on Si-MNP using a chloropropylsilane linker. The silica-encapsulated CalB@NF (CalB@NF@SiO₂) was synthesized via a sol–gel process, resulting in an average particle size of 304 nm, while the immobilized CalB@NF on Si-MNP exhibited a smaller average particle size of 58 nm. Quantitative determination of CalB in both formulations was conducted using the Bradford assay, yielding concentrations of 19.5 μg/mL for CalB@NF@SiO₂ and 44.9 μg/mL for CalB@NF@Si-MNP. Enzymatic lipolysis was evaluated by measuring the production of oleic acid from natural olive oil. CalB@NF@Si-MNP achieved complete lipolysis within 3 h, whereas CalB@NF@SiO₂ required 24 h to reach the same result. The lipolysis rates were 0.92 mmol/h for CalB@NF@Si-MNP and 0.21 mmol/h for CalB@NF@SiO₂, indicating that CalB@NF@Si-MNP was 4.5 times faster. Regarding reusability, CalB@NF@SiO₂ retained 20% more activity compared to CalB@NF@Si-MNP. While the reusability of CalB@NF@Si-MNP decreased to 76% after the first cycle, CalB@NF@SiO₂ maintained nearly 100% reusability across multiple cycles. These results highlight the complementary strengths of the two formulations: CalB@NF@SiO₂ offers controlled lipolysis rates, high stability, and excellent reusability, whereas CalB@NF@Si-MNP excels in rapid lipolysis. Both silica encapsulation and silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles demonstrate substantial potential for optimizing enzyme activity, stability, and reusability in diverse applications.

The Xuanfei Baidu Decoction (XFBD) has shown effective therapeutic potential for acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide and immunoglobin G immune complexes. Herein, the protective effects and mechanisms of XFBD were investigated in a sepsis-induced ALI mouse model along with its effects on gut microbiota. Notably, bioinformatics and molecular docking analyses revealed that XFBD components exhibited a strong binding affinity to G-protein-coupled receptor 18 (GPR18). In the murine ALI model─induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)─XFBD markedly improved lung histopathology, reduced M1 macrophage polarization, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in both lung tissues and MH-S macrophages. Furthermore, XFBD downregulated key inflammatory pathways, including nuclear factor (NF)-κB, phosphorylated-NF-κB, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-δ, and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3/Caspase-1/gasdermin D axis. Additionally, XFBD restored the CLP-induced disruption in gut microbiota balance, increasing the abundance of Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014. Altogether, the findings of this study suggest that XFBD alleviates CLP-induced ALI by modulating gut microbial homeostasis and inhibiting associated inflammatory pathways, particularly via GPR18 activation, presenting the promising therapeutic potential of XFBD for treating sepsis-induced ALI.

Molecular logic gates, as biomolecule-based computational systems, are highly suitable for multitarget detection due to their programmability and modularity. However, existing systems are primarily limited to nucleic acid detection and have not been widely applied to disease-related sensing, particularly for disease antigens. CD33 and CD123 are critical biomarkers for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), yet conventional detection methods rely on expensive equipment and complex procedures, limiting their accessibility and practicality. This study designs a DNA logic gate system integrating nucleic acid aptamers, catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), and CRISPR-Cas12a, pioneering its use for AML antigen detection. The system comprises three modules: input recognition, signal amplification, and signal transduction. Nucleic acid aptamers specifically identify CD33 and CD123, while CHA enables efficient signal amplification and CRISPR-Cas12a generates a fluorescent output via trans-cleavage activity. The system operates stably at room temperature and implements multiple logic gate models, including YES, OR, AND, NOR, and INHIBIT, enabling the simultaneous detection of CD33 and CD123. Experimental results are visually distinguishable under blue light, and the system requires only standard fluorescence detection instruments. In serum samples, it exhibits excellent selectivity and stability, with a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL. This study pioneers the application of logic gate technology for disease antigen detection, addressing a critical gap in AML biomarker sensing. Our study indicates that this logic detection platform, characterized by its simplicity in operation, high sensitivity, and versatility in logic functions, holds promise as a potent sensing system for the intelligent multiplex target detection of disease antigens, environmental pollutants, and heavy metals.

Measuring DNA cytosine methylation excretion presents challenges because methylated cytosine species are released in various forms including free molecules and those bound in DNA fragments. Herein, we report a novel UPLC-MS/MS method that allows the quantification of both free and DNA fragment-bound forms of methylated cytosine species excreted, providing total amounts for each. Cell culture medium and genomic DNA isolated from cells are analyzed to quantify methylated cytosine species. In genomic DNA isolated from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are detected at 5.1% and 0.07% of total cytosine residues, respectively. In the cell culture medium, only 5hmC is detected at a low level (ca. 7 nM). However, in two normal cell lines (i.e., primary mouse lung epithelial cells and HEK293 kidney cells) 5mC, 5-methylcytidine, and 2′-oxymethylcytidine (but no 5hmC) are found present in cell culture medium at concentrations ranging from 10 to 320 nM. Further, it is observed for the first time that treating MDA-MB-231 cells with carboplatin significantly increases the 5hmC level in the culture medium, indicating a carboplatin-boosted DNA cytosine methylation excretion from cancer cells.

This study reports a novel ibuprofen (IBU) drug delivery system using a chromium–trithiocyanuric acid metal–organic framework (Cr-MOF) encapsulated with a biodegradable, nontoxic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for sustained release of ibuprofen (IBU) drug. The chromium metal–organic framework (MOF) was synthesized via the solvothermal method in a mixture of solvents in acidic conditions, followed by loading with the ibuprofen drug (Cr-MOF@IBU). Cr-MOF@IBU was further encapsulated with the CMC polymer and cross-linked with ferric chloride to form CMC/Cr-MOF@IBU hydrogel beads. Different characterization techniques were used, such as FT-IR, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, and UV–vis spectroscopy, to confirm the successful synthesis and drug loading. pH responsiveness of CMC/Cr-MOF@IBU hydrogel beads demonstrated by the swelling studies confirmed the optimal swelling in a mimicked gastrointestinal environment. The BET analysis further confirmed a significant decrease in surface area after drug loading. An in vitro drug delivery study indicated that controlled and sustained drug delivery was important for better efficacy and reducing the side effects of the drug. The cytotoxicity studies of A549 cell lines revealed the improved biocompatibility and lower toxicity of encapsulated CMC/Cr-MOF@IBU compared to Cr-MOF. This study highlights the potential of CMC/Cr-MOF@IBU as an efficient and effective drug delivery vehicle for the sustained and controlled release of ibuprofen.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as relatively novel green solvents have potential spread wide applications in separation processes, especially for acid gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) absorption. However, the high viscosity of typical DESs can decrease the mass transfer rate and increase energy consumption for pumping, thereby limiting their overall efficiency and feasibility in industrial applications. In this work, the efficient absorption of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) was intensified by designing a series of low-viscosity DESs, and the absorption performance, separation mechanism, and conceptual industrial process simulation were systematically investigated. The results showed that 3,4-DMOET:ButA with molar ratio of 1:2 was chosen as the suitable absorbent for DCE due to its maximum saturated absorption capacity (2746 mg/g at 20 °C, atmospheric pressure, and saturated content of DCE in the feed gas) and minimum viscosity property (26.51 mPa·s at 20 °C). The absorption mechanism was investigated by ¹H NMR, FT-IR and quantum chemical (QC) calculations, indicating that the absorption was a physical process. The weak interaction analysis results illustrated that both HBD and HBA play an important role in the separation. Specifically, C–H···π and C–H···Cl are the main contributors to the HBA–DCE interaction, while C–H···O HB and vdW interactions played a dominant role in the HBD–DCE interaction. According to the process simulation results of DES absorbing DCE, it can be seen that DES exhibits a high DCE removal performance. The process intensification strategy may be directly extended to absorb other VOCs.

Microfabrication technology has advanced scientific understanding and expanded our molecular control capabilities, enabling the development of 3D models in micrometer structures. The sizes of the fluidic channels are arranged in descending order, starting with the macro-, followed by the meso-, micro-, and nanoscale. These advances bring advantages and speed up biological and chemical experimental processes. Such miniaturized systems show significant advances, particularly in meso- and microreactors, through high-throughput screening. This work proposes a bibliometric analysis of the advances and applications of the Web of Science (WoS) database, analyzing the main highlights of the publications, indicators, and impact on knowledge production. In the past 20 years, approximately 3,934 documents published and cited, mainly by major world powers on micro- and mesofluidic systems, are increasingly expanding in the academic and industrial sectors.

Basalt fiber (BF) and carbon fiber (CF) were added to the basic magnesium sulfate cement (BMSC) in this paper to enhance the cement’s brittleness and mechanical properties. Then, by comparing the fluidity, flexural strength, and compressive strength of fiber basic magnesium sulfate cement and through the comparison of microstructures of BF and CF in the BMSC mortar, the mechanisms of action of the two fibers were analyzed. Different lengths of BF also demonstrate varying effects on the fluidity of the BMSC mortar. Careful consideration should be given to the dosage of the BF when it is applied. Conversely, as the dosage of CF increases, the fluidity of the BMSC mortar diminishes sharply, and an increase in fiber length further diminishes the fluidity of the BMSC mortar. When 6 mm and 12 mm BF are introduced in quantities ranging from 0 to 0.6%, the 28-day fracture strengths of the mortar are markedly improved. The flexural strength of the BMSC mortar is enhanced by the addition of CF at each age, and the flexural strength of the BMSC mortar increases progressively with the increasing amount of CF added. Furthermore, chopped fibers demonstrate a superior effect in improving the flexural strength of BMSC mortar. When BF with an appropriate length ratio and an additional amount is added into the BMSC mortar, the compressive strength can be improved. When 0.6% 6 mm fibers are added, the 28-day compressive strength of mortar increases by 6%, whereas when 0.3% 12 mm fibers are added, the 28-day compressive strength of mortar improves by 4%. The cross-linking mechanisms of these two kinds of fibers at the microcracks are obviously different. The cement mortar matrix and BF have a lower interface bonding strength than that of the cement mortar matrix. In the process of test specimen compression failure, the BMSC mortar is damaged first, before the removal of BFs from the matrix. For the addition of CF into the cement mortar system, when cracks appear inside the fiber set cement test specimen, the disorderly distributed CFs can form the bond force and mechanical interaction on the crack, thus restricting the propagation of local cracks.