Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

The current study aims to construct additional drug-eluting carrier for commercially available biliary stent, providing a practical strategy for the cost-efficient treatment of benign biliary stricture. Specifically, the commercially available biliary stent was endowed with porous polylactic acid coating via in-situ pore-formation induced by solvent treatment. The drug-eluting stent with fibroblast inhibition effect was successfully established by efficiently loading the antiproliferative drug of triamcinolone acetonide into the porous coating. The drug release behavior could be dynamically controlled by adjusting the pore morphology of the porous coating. The in-vitro coating degradation and the fibroblast inhibition effect of the drug-eluting stents were further evaluated to prove the effectiveness of the fabricated porous coating as an antiproliferative drug carrier.

The nucleation of gas hydrates is of great interest in flow assurance, global energy demand, and carbon capture and storage. A complex molecular understanding is critical to control hydrate nucleation and growth in potential applications. Molecular dynamics is employed combined with the mechanical definition of surface tension to assess the surface stresses controlling interfacial behavior. We characterize the interfacial tension for sII methane/ethane hydrate and gas mixtures for different temperatures and pressures. We find that the surface tension trends positively with temperature in a balance of water-solid and water-gas interactions. The molecular dipole shows the complexities of water molecule behavior in small, compressed pre-melting layer that emerges as a quasi-liquid. These behaviors contribute to the developing knowledge base surrounding practical applications of this interface.

COF-based membranes represent a new class of porous materials utilized in water treatment. A comprehensive exploration of these membranes, encompassing their properties and transport mechanisms, is crucial for elucidating the underlying principles and unresolved issues in membrane processes. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer a molecular-level exploration of membrane properties, both static and dynamic. This paper investigates the role of MD simulations in enhancing our understanding of COF-based membranes for water treatment processes.

This study discusses the structure and properties of COF materials, synthesis strategies, and their applications in water treatment. Furthermore, it explores the fundamental principles of MD simulation and various simulation methods pertinent to water treatment using COF-based membranes. By reviewing existing literature on MD simulations of COF-based membranes, this paper proposes future research directions in this promising field of membrane technology.

Ionic surfactants can assemble into wormlike micelles (WLM) at high concentrations, forming supramolecular structures that exhibit similarities to polymeric solutions. Although the rheology of these supramolecular aggregates is well understood, experimental thermodynamic studies at low concentrations are still in their early stages. In this study, we employed tetradecyltrimethylammonium salicylate (TTASal) to investigate the driving forces behind WLM formation for the first time, using isothermal titration calorimetry, electrical conductivity measurements, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. Our findings indicate that TTASal initially aggregates into WLM rather than spherical micelles, demonstrating that WLM formation is influenced by surfactant ion-counterion interactions rather than concentration alone. Notably, the enthalpy change associated with the aggregation process emerges as a key determinant in dictating the aggregation of free monomers into spherical or WLM.

Adhesive interface stiffness significantly influences physiological processes by altering cell behaviors and signaling pathways. In particular, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway, one of the most important pathways that cell division, survival, and differentiation, can be affected. However, the detailed mechanism of this interaction remains unclear. In this study, we used gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels with varying stiffness to mimic cellular mechanical environments and examine their effects on PI3K-AKT signaling. Cells cultured on stiff hydrogels showed increased spreading, focal adhesion formation, and contractility compared to those on softer hydrogels. Furthermore, mechanotransduction activation on stiff hydrogels upregulated PIP3, PI3K, and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) expression. Notably, inhibiting myosin II, a key regulator of contractility, reduced PI3K-AKT signaling, suggesting a link between force generation and pathway activation. These findings reveal that how PI3K-AKT signaling can be mediated by cell adhesion interface stiffness through cell contractility, which provides new insights for developing therapies targeting PI3K-AKT-associated diseases.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements and potential applications of calcium peroxide nanoparticles (CaO₂ NPs) in combating bacterial infections. With the rise of antibiotic resistance posing a significant global health threat, alternative antibacterial agents like CaO₂ NPs have garnered increasing attention. The review begins by discussing the synthesis and functionalization of CaO₂ NPs, highlighting recent developments in nanoparticle engineering techniques. Subsequently, it explores the intricate antibacterial mechanisms of CaO₂ NPs, emphasizing their ability to generate reactive oxygen species and disrupt bacterial biofilms. Evaluation of CaO₂ NPs' antibacterial efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogens, coupled with discussions on potential applications in various fields including biomedical and environmental remediation, underscores their promising role as effective antibacterial agents. The review also addresses challenges such as nanoparticle stability and biocompatibility, and proposes future research directions to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of CaO₂ NPs. Overall, this review consolidates current knowledge on CaO₂ NPs and advocates for their continued exploration in combating bacterial infections.

Anti-müllerian hormone is a crucial biomarker for reproductive potential, but current detection methods are not cost-effective or time-efficient. In this study, we set out to develop a biosensor using gold nanorods (Au-NRs) coated with a functionalized silica network. The biosensor structure was completed by covalently binding the anti-Müllerian hormone antibody to SiO₂@Au-NRs. We confirmed the proper coating of the gold nanorods using HR-TEM, EDS/EDAX, zeta potential, and FT-IR analysis. To assess the sensitivity of SiO₂@Au-NRs, we analyzed the LSPR peak position redshift in different concentrations of ethylene glycol. The biosensor was then used to recognize the AMH antigen and determine the limit of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) for the biosensor. Our research has shown that the SiO₂@Au-NRs have a suitable thickness. The SiO₂@Au-NRs demonstrated impressive sensitivity as a nano biosensor. The AMH antigen identification results indicated that the nano biosensor was highly sensitive. The LoD and LoQ values were 0.086 and 0.262 ng ml⁻¹, respectively, very close to the values obtained by the ELISA kit. Furthermore, LSPR biosensors have reduced detection costs and measurement time. Their high sensitivity makes them excellent candidates for use in diagnostic kits.

Fungal keratitis is a globally blinding eye disease caused by fungi, with more than 1.05 million cases diagnosed annually, mainly in Asia. It is the most common form of infectious keratitis, accounting for approximately 40–50% of microbial keratitis cases. The disease is difficult to treat and the prognosis is often poor. Conventional antimicrobial therapies, which are the mainstay of treatment, face problems of off-target toxicity, low bioavailability, and drug-resistant fungi. In recent years, novel drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising alternative. These systems improve drug stability, extend drug residence time, control drug release, target specific tissues and cells, and reduce toxic side effects. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are particularly compelling. The aim of this paper is to elucidate the mechanisms and advances of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems in antifungal therapy and to provide new perspectives on the treatment of fungal keratitis.

Gingival recession, a common oral problem, often results in functional complications and aesthetic imperfections. Calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres, known for their fibroblast-activating properties, have been used for facial tissue augmentation. The photothermal conversion effect, which uses near-infrared (NIR) light to generate mild thermal stimuli, has been shown to enhance cellular activity and accelerate wound healing. In the current study, core-shell structured calcium hydroxyapatite @ polydopamine (HA@PDA) microspheres with biocompatibility and photothermal efficacy were synthesized to improve the treatment of gingival recession. Cellular experiments demonstrated that the behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and the polarization of macrophages are modulated by HA@PDA microspheres through photothermal conversion under 808 nm NIR irradiation. The implications of these findings suggest that photothermal HA@PDA microspheres may serve as a promising modality for gingival augmentation, offering a safe, non-invasive, effective, and sustainable treatment strategy.

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has been extensively used in healthcare due to its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility. Still, its weak bactericidal performance allows pathogenic bacteria to easily adhere to and proliferate on the PEEK surface. In this research, physical plasma treatment and chemical fluoridation have been combined to enable the PEEK surface with stable antibacterial performance. The characteristics of surface morphology, elemental composition, and hydrophilicity for the samples have been characterized. In vitro experiments reveal that the obtained PEEK surface exhibited great antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the antimicrobial effect of the modified PEEK surface has shown almost no variation after 28 days of storage at room temperature and 4 h at 121 °C, confirming its excellent storage property and high-temperature stability. This study presents an efficient and practical method to enhance the cytocompatibility and the antimicrobial properties of the PEEK surface, making it a potential medical device material.