Molecularly imprinted macroporous polymer monolithic layers for L-phenylalanine recognition in complex biological fluids

In present work, the development of macroporous monolithic layers bearing the artificial recognition sites toward L-phenylalanine has been carried out. The set of macroporous poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) materials with average pore size ranged in 340–1200 nm was synthesized. The applicability of Hildebrand's and Hansen's theories for the prediction of polymer compatibility with porogenic solvents was evaluated. The dependences of average pore size on theoretically calculated parameters were plotted. The linear trend detected for Hansen's theory has indicated the high suitability of this approach to select appropriate porogens. The synthesized monolithic MIP layers were tested toward the ability to rebind phenylalanine-derivative in microarray format. The influence of such factors as average pore size of the material, the concentration of template molecule in polymerization mixture, interaction time of analyte with its imprinted sites on binding efficiency were studied. The developed materials demonstrated good analyte rebinding from buffer solution with recognition factors 2.5–3.4 depending on the MIP sample. The comparable rebinding efficiency was also detected when the analysis was carried using complex biological media. The selectivity of phenylalanine binding from the equimolar mixture of structural analogues was 81.9% for free amino acid and 91.2% for labeled one.     

Structural insights into peptide self-assembly using photo-induced crosslinking experiments and discontinuous molecular dynamics

Determining the structure of the (oligomeric) intermediates that form during the self-assembly of amyloidogenic peptides is challenging because of their heterogeneous and dynamic nature. Thus, there is need for methodology to analyze the underlying molecular structure of these transient species. In this work, a combination of fluorescence quenching, photo-induced crosslinking (PIC) and molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the assembly of a synthetic amyloid-forming peptide, Aβ_16-22. A PIC amino acid containing a trifluormethyldiazirine (TFMD) group—Fmoc(TFMD)Phe—was incorporated into the sequence (Aβ*_16–22). Electrospray ionization ion-mobility spectrometry mass-spectrometry (ESI-IMS-MS) analysis of the PIC products confirmed that Aβ*_16–22 forms assemblies with the monomers arranged as anti-parallel, in-register β-strands at all time points during the aggregation assay. The assembly process was also monitored separately using fluorescence quenching to profile the fibril assembly reaction. The molecular picture resulting from discontinuous molecule dynamics simulations showed that Aβ_16-22 assembles through a single-step nucleation into a β-sheet fibril in agreement with these experimental observations. This study provides detailed structural insights into the Aβ_16-22 self-assembly processes, paving the way to explore the self-assembly mechanism of larger, more complex peptides, including those whose aggregation is responsible for human disease.     

Examining the Impact of Squaric Acid as a Crosslinking Agent on the Properties of Chitosan-Based Films

Hydrogels based on chitosan are very versatile materials which can be used for tissue engineering as well as in controlled drug delivery systems. One of the methods for obtaining a chitosan-based hydrogel is crosslinking by applying different components. The objective of the present study was to obtain a series of new crosslinked chitosan-based films by means of solvent casting method. Squaric acid—3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione—was used as a safe crosslinking agent. The effect of the squaric acid on the structural, mechanical, thermal, and swelling properties of the formed films was determined. It was established that the addition of the squaric acid significantly improved Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and thermal stability of the obtained materials. Moreover, it should be stressed that the samples consisting of chitosan and squaric acid were characterized by a higher swelling than pure chitosan. The detailed characterization proved that squaric acid could be used as a new effective crosslinking agent.     

Sustainable progress into batchwise coloration of polyurethane nanofibers by using ultrasonic energy

Abstract

In this decade, aesthetic potentials of electrospun polymeric nanofibers for advanced apparels have been studied. For the first time, we studied the sustainable aspects in the batchwise dyeing process of electrospun polymeric nanofibers in terms of conserving thermal energy and reducing the wastewater pollution. The nanofibrous mats were prepared using polyurethane (PU) polymer followed by dyeing with disperse dyes by conventional (CN) dyeing method as well as ultrasonic (US)-assisted dyeing method. Potential of savings in thermal energy (1000?kcal), dwell time (40?min) and quantity of disperse dyes (1.5% on the mass of nanofibers) were realized during the US-assisted dyeing method in comparison with the CN dyeing method. Further, total dissolved solids (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) contents of dyeing effluents demonstrated considerable ecological merits of the US dyeing method in terms of 30% reduction in TDS and 46% reduction in COD contents in comparison with the CN dyeing method. Excellent color strength (K/S) (reached 10) of dyed PU nanofibrous mats were achieved by US-assisted dyeing method in comparison with the K/S (reached 6) with CN dyeing method. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometer and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were also applied during the study for characterization.     

Gellan gum–O,O′‐bis(2‐aminopropyl)‐polyethylene glycol hydrogel for controlled fertilizer release

A gellan gum–Jeffamine superabsorbent hydrogel was obtained with different crosslink densities using different amounts of (1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide. Infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirm the crosslinking. A morphology analysis indicates denser structures for samples with higher crosslinking points. The swelling degree in high‐acyl gellan gum hydrogels was equivalent to 145 times their dry weight, and 77 times when low‐acyl gellan gum was used. Hydrogels also showed a 450 min water retention, as opposed to 280 min for pure water, evidencing good humidity control, suitable for use in arid climates. They also demonstrated a maximum release of commercial fertilizer of about 400 mg per gram for KH₂PO₄ and about 300 mg per gram for NPK 20‐5‐20. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45636.     

艾叶天然色素应用于苎麻纤维染色的研究

通过设计正交实验,得到优化的微波法提取艾叶色素的工艺为:料液比1∶15、微波功率560 W、处理时间2 min;对苎麻纤维进行阳离子改性,得到优化的改性工艺为:改性时间50 min、改性温度50℃、改性剂用量15 g/L、烧碱用量10 g/L;用艾叶色素上染阳离子改性的苎麻纤维,设计4因素3水平正交实验,采用一浴二步后媒染法进行染色实验,得到优化的染色工艺为:染色温度60℃、染色时间30 min、染液pH=5、艾叶色素提取液用量70 mL。     

超细纤维合成革的染色与功能整理研究进展

为了解决超细纤维合成革在制备、染色以及功能整理等方面出现的问题,系统阐述了超细纤维合成革的发展历程以及未来超细纤维合成革的发展方向;分析了染色工艺、染色助剂、染色基布的改性对聚酰胺超细纤维合成革染色性能的影响,评述了聚酯超细纤维合成革的染色现状;总结了国内超细纤维合成革经功能整理后的附加性能,包括阻燃、防污、抗静电、抗菌、耐寒、调温等。最后指出了未来超细纤维合成革在制备方式、高性能染色以及功能化整理方面应大力发展的方向,以对企业的产品优化升级、提高产品的市场竞争力提供指导。     

浅议加快印染行业智能化和智能制造的发展

智能制造是纺织工业中的重要组成部分,相比化纤、纺纱、织造、服装等行业,印染行业的智能化和智能制造起步相对较晚、较慢,现状是“2.0补课、3.0普及、4.0示范”3个阶段并行。首先明确了智能化和智能制造两个概念;然后论述了印染行业进行智能化、智能制造的必要性和必然性,分析了我国印染行业智能制造存在的差距、问题以及发展趋势;最后结合当前国内的实际状况和技术改造发展方向提出建议:政府、行业制造全产业链都要加强重视、统一认识、明确目标,共同推进印染行业智能化和智能制造的尽快发展,促进印染行业制造全产业链升级转型,提高企业经济效益。     

Humidity-Induced Simultaneous Visible and Fluorescence Photonic Patterns Enabled by Integration of Covalent Bonds and Ionic Crosslinks

Stimuli-responsive photonic crystals (PCs) have been extensively studied due to their potential in fabrication of anti-counterfeiting devices and information storage. In this work, using Ca²⁺ ionic crosslinker, a cholesteric liquid crystalline network (CLCN) based PC able to simultaneously present visible and fluorescence pattern by moisture treatment is designed and prepared. The circularly polarized light from helical structure of CLCN makes the reflected pattern distinguishable under different circular polarizer, implying the unique advantage of this novel coating as anti-counterfeiting devices. More importantly, due to the thermochromic property of the liquid crystal monomers, permanent pattern is achievable by chemically crosslinking specific region at different temperature. By integrating chemically crosslinking and physically ionic crosslinking, a permanent pattern and a dynamic humidity responsive pattern can be incorporated in a single device, indicating the great potential of this novel photonic coating in information storage.     

Multivariate process trajectories for molecular description of MF thermal curing and correlation with hydrolytic stability

During curing of thermosetting resins the technologically relevant properties of binders and coatings develop. However, curing is difficult to monitor due to the multitude of chemical and physical processes taking place. Precise prediction of specific technological properties based on molecular properties is very difficult. In this study, the potential of principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR) in the analysis of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra is demonstrated using the example of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin curing in solid state. FTIR/PCA-based reaction trajectories are used to visualize the influence of temperature on isothermal cure. An FTIR/PCR model for predicting the hydrolysis resistance of cured MF resin from their spectral fingerprints is presented which illustrates the advantages of FTIR/PCR compared to the combination differential scanning calorimetry/isoconversional kinetic analysis. The presented methodology is transferable to the curing reactions of any thermosetting resin and can be applied to model other technologically relevant final properties as well.