Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

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.

The current work has been focused on using 1,2-diamine with a chirality having trans stereochemistry where two amino (NH₂) groups are trans to each other on a cyclohexane ring. The thin film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membrane was fabricated on a hydrazine hydrate crosslinked polyacrylonitrile (HH-PAN) support by interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction between trans-1,2-diamniocyclohexane (Tans-Amine; t-DAC) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). Owing to the trans-position of the two vicinal amino groups occupying opposite positions on the chair conformation of t-DAC, a dense and crosslinked active layer was grown on the ultrafiltration (UF) HH-PAN support. Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) experiments showed high rejection rates of Trans-Amine-TMC@HH-PAN TFC membrane for model solutes such as dyes with a molecular size of ≈ 700 Da were completely rejected. Among polar solvents, methanol showed a permeance of 4.2 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ whereas among non-polar solvents, toluene showed a permeance of 6.4 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹. Current work shows the significance of making use of the chirality of reacting monomers during IP for developing promising PA TFC OSN membranes.

Rosin thiourea imidazole quaternary ammonium salt (RTIQAs) was synthesized by connecting rosin and imidazole units via thiourea linker, and its inhibitive action on the corrosion of CRS (cold rolled steel) in 1.0 M HCl solution was fully investigated. The results demonstrate that RTIQAs is an efficient mixed-type inhibitor with the maximum inhibition efficiency of 95%. The adsorption rule on the CRS surface fully complies with Langmuir isotherm. The efficient inhibition of RTIQAs can also be verified by AFM, SEM and CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscope). The direct adsorption proof of RTIQAs molecules on steel surface can be further presented in EDX and XPS.

Porous filters with selective wetting properties offer a more effective route for separating oil and water than traditional industrial processes. However, developing durable structures for emulsion purification remains a challenge. Herein, we present a filter comprising a stainless steel mesh decorated with silica nanowires, which is highly resistant to fouling (almost 0° water contact angle and 166° underwater oil contact angle) and demonstrates excellent separation efficiency and reusability. The nanowire filter is particularly suited for separating n-hexane/water emulsions, where the oil phase could be completely separated by the filter. In addition, it demonstrates remarkable resistance to acid (pH 2 for 10 days), salt solution (37 days), butane flame, and abrasion, indicating its applicability in harsh environmental conditions. By combining the advantages of low-cost production, excellent separation, and enhanced durability, this nanowire filter holds significant potential for oil/water separation applications.