Nano-engineered microcapsules of tannic acid and chitosan for protein encapsulation

Tannic acid (TA), a high molecular weight polyphenol of natural origin, was assembled in alternation with chitosan (CH) using a layer-by-layer technique. The deposition of tannic acid and chitosan layers on flat supports was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance, UV-vis spectroscopy, and electrophoretic mobility measurements on microparticles. Hollow (TA/CH)4 capsules were built and their permeability as a function of pH and molecular weight of a penetrating compound was investigated. The pH-permeability threshold for TA/CH capsules is shifted to lower pH for 2 pH units, as compared with commonly used polyallylamine/polystyrene sulfonate capsules. A more pronounced dependence of the TA/CH capsules' permeability on molecular weight of encapsulated substances allows better control over their release properties. Bovine serum albumin was loaded into (TA/CH)4 capsules using a pH-driven method and released by decreasing pH. Biocompatible tannic acid/chitosan films and capsules have advantages toward capsules made of synthetic polyelectrolytes for drug encapsulation and as delivery and depot systems. Incorporating a layer of tannic acid with proved antioxidant and antimicrobial properties into capsule walls, provides defense for encapsulated materials.     

Platelet-Derived PCSK9 Is Associated with LDL Metabolism and Modulates Atherothrombotic Mechanisms in Coronary Artery Disease

Platelets play a significant role in atherothrombosis. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is critically involved in the regulation of LDL metabolism and interacts with platelet function. The effect of PCSK9 in platelet function is poorly understood. The authors of this article sought to characterize platelets as a major source of PCSK9 and PCSK9’s role in atherothrombosis. In a large cohort of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), platelet count, platelet reactivity, and platelet-derived PCSK9 release were analyzed. The role of platelet PCSK9 on platelet and monocyte function was investigated in vitro. Platelet count and hyper-reactivity correlated with plasma LDL in CAD. The circulating platelets express on their surface and release substantial amounts of PCSK9. Release of PCSK9 augmented platelet-dependent thrombosis, monocyte migration, and differentiation into macrophages/foam cells. Platelets and PCSK9 accumulated in tissue derived from atherosclerotic carotid arteries in areas of macrophages. PCSK9 inhibition reduced platelet activation and platelet-dependent thrombo-inflammation. The authors identified platelets as a source of PCSK9 in CAD, which may have an impact on LDL metabolism. Furthermore, platelet-derived PCSK9 contributes to atherothrombosis, and inhibition of PCSK9 attenuates thrombo-inflammation, which may contribute to the reported beneficial clinical effects.     

Contactless Stimulation and Control of Biomimetic Nanotubes by Calcium Ion Gradients

Membrane tubular structures are important communication pathways between cells and cellular compartments. Studying these structures in their native environment is challenging, due to the complexity of membranes and varying chemical conditions within and outside of the cells. This work demonstrates that a calcium ion gradient, applied to a synthetic lipid nanotube, triggers lipid flow directed toward the application site, resulting in the formation of a bulge aggregate. This bulge can be translated in a contactless manner by moving a calcium ion source along the lipid nanotube. Furthermore, entrapment of polystyrene nanobeads within the bulge does not tamper the bulge movement and allows transporting of the nanoparticle cargo along the lipid nanotube. In addition to the synthetic lipid nanotubes, the response of cell plasma membrane tethers to local calcium ion stimulation is investigated. The directed membrane transport in these tethers is observed, but with slower kinetics in comparison to the synthetic lipid nanotubes. The findings of this work demonstrate a novel and contactless mode of transport in lipid nanotubes, guided by local exposure to calcium ions. The observed lipid nanotube behavior can advance the current understanding of the cell membrane tubular structures, which are constantly reshaped during dynamic cellular processes.     

Layer-by-layer nanocoating of lignocellulose fibers for enhanced paper properties

The systematic modification of the surface charge of lignocellulose fibers was performed with a polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating process to produce negatively and positively charged fibers. The fibers were coated with 20-50 nm thick polymer surface layers which subsequently increased interaction between the fibers during paper formation. The modified fibers were added to standard fibers at varying proportions to produce paper with corresponding variation in properties such as strength and electrical conductivity. Paper strength was doubled by manipulating the surface charge and coating thickness of the LbL-treated pulp fibers. It is demonstrated that the LbL coating process increased the fiber interactions and that these interactions enhanced the paper properties. This process, when applied to a simulated sample of recycle grade of fibers, produce paper with an increase in tear strength as compared with untreated fiber paper. Nanocoating fibers with polythiophene/polyallylamine multilayers produced marginally conductive pulp and paper. Paper electrical conductivity was proportional to the number of the bilayers deposited.     

豌豆淀粉/ε-聚赖氨酸复合膜的制备及其性能

本文以豌豆淀粉/ε-聚赖氨酸为主要基材,以甘油、海藻酸钠等为增塑剂制备复合膜包装材料。采用单因素、正交实验等方法,在设定的工艺条件下流延成膜,进行复合膜的配方研究和最佳条件下膜性能研究。结果表明:最佳配方为100 mL水中加入10.5 g豌豆淀粉、1.5 g聚赖氨酸(调pH9)、1.80%甘油、0.50%海藻酸钠;产品性能检测表明,抗拉强度约为18.35 MPa,断裂延伸率约为34.79%,水蒸气透过率为12.10 g/(m2·h),透油率为0.682 g·m/(m2·h),对大肠杆菌具有较好的抑制性。本研究表明豌豆淀粉/ε-聚赖氨酸复合膜具有功能性包装应用的基础。     

Synthesis of Thin,Oriented Zeolite A Membranes on a Macroporous Support

Continuous, thin, oriented zeolite A membranes are produced by a two‐step synthesis on macroporous α‐Al₂O₃ supports. In the first step, zeolite A nano‐cubes with ～350‐nm edges are prepared as a native impurity phase in zeolite Y synthesis dispersions, the support surface is pre‐modified with a cationic polymer having a selective affinity for zeolite A. The thus‐treated support is contacted with a colloidally stable dispersion of zeolite A and Y mixture in water, which results in selective, dense‐packed deposition of the zeolite A cubes with one face aligned to the average support surface. In a second step of hydrothermal epitaxial growth, the seed layer grows epitaxially into a continuous, meso‐defect free, ～1 µm thick zeolite A layer, already after 1 h of treatment. This microstructure of the membrane compares very favorably to what is commonly obtained. The pH value of the zeolite mixture suspension is found to have a major influence on seed layer morphology, and thereby, on the quality and orientation of zeolite A membrane after short synthesis times. The final zeolite A membrane thickness and morphology is controlled by varying secondary growth synthesis time. The approach presented is thought to be of generic use for the preparation of oriented zeolite membranes.     

CdTe Quantum Dot/Dye Hybrid System as Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy

We have studied the photodynamic properties of novel CdTe quantum dots—methylene blue hybrid photosensitizer. Absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and fluorescence lifetime imaging of this system reveal efficient charge transfer between nanocrystals and the methylene blue dye. Near-infrared photoluminescence measurements provide evidence for an increased efficiency of singlet oxygen production by the methylene blue dye. In vitro studies on the growth of HepG2 and HeLa cancerous cells were also performed, they point toward an improvement in the cell kill efficiency for the methylene blue-semiconductor nanocrystals hybrid system.