Diffusion coefficient of antimony leaching from polyethylene terephthalate bottles into beverages

A variety of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles commercially available as soft drink containers from 80 different brands was collected in Japan and subsequently examined to determine the amount of Sb in both the PET plastic and drink. The concentration of Sb in the plastic material ranged from 0.1 to 216.5 mg/kg, while this value ranged from 0.3 to 1.6 μg/L in bottled solutions. The diffusion coefficients of Sb in PET samples were determined at 25, 40, 55, and 70 °C. The migrated-Sb in all simulated food solutions (e.g., ultra pure water, 4% acetic acid, and 50% ethanol) increased with storage time and temperature. The temperature-dependent diffusion coefficients were derived from the Arrhenius equation. The predicted model for Sb migration suggested that storage conditions of all PET drink products should be below 70 °C for a maximum of 72 d to avoid Sb levels above the recommended value of 5 μg/L, which is based on the European standards.     

Morphology-controlled magnetite nanoclusters via polyethyleneimine-mediated solvothermal process

A facile one-pot synthesis of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-functionalized magnetic nanoclusters (MNPs) through the solvothermal method was reported for various applications. The morphology of the MNPs can be systematically tuned from loose flower-like to porous nanoclusters by controlling the pH of the PEI stabilizer. At low pH, the intense electrostatic repulsion according to the large amount of protonated amine groups of PEI would play a key role on self-assembly process to generate the loose nanostructure. Due to the presence of amine functional groups on the surface, these nanoclusters provide high degree of dispersibility in water and abundant anchoring groups for further attachment of biomolecules. Magnetization study of the MNPs indicated that they had saturated magnetization upto 80 emu g⁻¹.     

Core/shell polymethyl methacrylate/polyethyleneimine particles incorporating large amounts of iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization

A facile synthetic route for the preparation of magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core/polyethyleneimine (PEI) shell colloidal particles, possessing high saturation magnetization is reported. Bilayer oleic acid-stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles (bIOs) were designed to have both favorable encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles and interaction with protonated amine groups of PEI. The prepared particles had diameter ranging from 180 to 207 nm with narrow size distribution and displayed highly positive surface charges up to +47 mV. TEM revealed that the well-defined bIOs were successfully encapsulated inside the polymer core–shell colloids. Thermogravimetric analysis and magnetization study indicated that these colloidal particles had the magnetic material up to 80 wt % loading and exhibited superparamagnetic property with high saturation magnetization. Thus, they could be potentially useful in various applications, including magnetic separation, medical diagnostics, or drug delivery.     

Homophilic Interaction of CD147 Promotes IL-6-Mediated Cholangiocarcinoma Invasion via the NF-κB-Dependent Pathway

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive cancer of bile ducts, is a well-known chronic inflammation-related disease. The major impediment in CCA treatment is limited treatment options for advanced disease; hence, an alternative is urgently required. The role of CD147 on cytokine production has been observed in inflammation-related diseases, but not in CCA. Therefore, this study was focused on CD147-promoting proinflammatory cytokine production and functions. Proinflammatory cytokine profiles were compared between CD147 expressing CCA cells and CD147 knockout cells (CD147 KO). Three cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and granulocyte–monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), were dramatically diminished in CD147 KO clones. The involvement of the CD147-related cytokines in CCA invasion was established. CD147-promoted IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF secretions were regulated by NF-κB nuclear translocation, Akt activation, and p38 phosphorylation. CD147-fostering IL-6 production was dependent on soluble CD147, CD147 homophilic interaction, and NF-κB function. The overexpression of specific genes in CCA tissues compared to normal counterparts emphasized the clinical importance of these molecules. Altogether, CD147-potentiated proinflammatory cytokine production leading to CCA cell invasion is shown for the first time in the current study. This suggests that modulation of CD147-related inflammation might be a promising choice for advanced CCA treatment.