Search Results (70)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are commonly used to reinforce and functionalize cement matrices, thereby imparting new properties. To facilitate the introduction of CNTs into inorganic matrices such as cement, the use of a master batch is advantageous. In this approach, the CNTs are premixed with a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to form this master batch, which enables homogeneous dispersion and simplifies the mixing of all components (cement, CNTs, CMC, and water). The system, a CNT–CMC–cement mixture, is modeled here by using a molecular dynamics simulation. Three models were constructed for comparative analysis: pristine tobermorite 11Å (T11) for hydrated cement paste, T11 with embedded CNT (T11 + CNT), and T11 with both CNT and CMC (T11 + CNT + CMC). All models were first equilibrated to obtain stable and low-energy configurations. Subsequently, three types of loading conditions were applied to investigate mechanical and physical properties: tension, compression, and heating. Under mechanical loading, both the stress–strain response and the resulting piezoelectric effect were analyzed. Under thermal loading, the focus was on thermally induced polarization. The simulation was used to elucidate the role of CNTs and polymer modification (CMC) at the atomistic scale. Full article

Background/Objectives: Improved survival rates have led to an increase in the number of children with medical complexity (CMC) receiving home-based care. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the relationships among collaborative environments, environmental modifications, and positive family health among families of CMC in daily living settings. This study aimed to examine these relationships and identify their associated factors. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data derived from a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to the families of CMC with experience in organizing the care environment. Ninety responses were included in the study, and regression analyses were performed using complete cases (n = 41–63). Results: Family-led environmental modifications (β = 0.670, p < 0.001) and physical environmental modifications (β = 0.679, p = 0.015) were positively associated with the collaborative environment, whereas professional-facilitated family-led environmental modifications were negatively associated with the collaborative environment (β = −0.775, p = 0.009). Regarding positive health in families, family-led environmental modifications (β = 0.487, p = 0.018), environmental modifications for care improvement (β = 0.597, p = 0.031), pre-modification family well-being (β = 0.464, p < 0.001), and the presence of someone to consult (β = 0.330, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with positive health in families. Because this study employed a cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be inferred. Conclusions: Collaborative environments in daily living settings may be associated with family involvement, physical environmental conditions, and professional engagement. Healthcare professionals may support family autonomy and participation in environmental modification processes. Full article

Background: Post-approval manufacturing changes for biologics require rigorous comparability assessments to ensure uninterrupted quality and clinical performance. CMAB007 (Aomaishu^®), a China-approved (2023) omalizumab biosimilar, underwent process enhancements—including media optimization and anion-exchange chromatography substitution—yielding a 5-fold increase in production without altering the host cell line. Methods: A novel three-arm tiered strategy was adopted to compare post-change CMAB007, pre-change CMAB007, and reference (Xolair^®) products. Critical quality attributes (CQAs) were classified into tiers based on risk impact, with tier-specific acceptance criteria. Comprehensive analytics assessed structure, post-translational modifications, purity/impurities, activity, and Fc-mediated functions. Forced degradation (lyophilized/reconstituted states) and accelerated stability studies were evaluated. Based on the high degree of CMC similarity and to prevent “biological drift”, the pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety comparability of the post-change CMAB007 versus the reference product (Xolair^®) was confirmed in a randomized, double-blind, two-arm study in healthy males (N = 114; single 150 mg subcutaneous administration). The pre-change product was not included in this clinical PK study. Results: Post-change CMAB007 exhibited analytical similarity within tiered acceptance criteria for all CQAs. Stability studies confirmed enhanced robustness under stress conditions. PK equivalence was demonstrated for AUC_0–inf (GMR: 99.82%; 90% CI: 91.46~108.94%), AUC_0–t (99.54%; 91.40~108.41%), and C_max (101.88%; 95.21~109.01%). Immunogenicity (ADA incidence: 10.5% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.742) and safety profiles were comparable. Conclusions: This study pioneers a tiered three-arm comparability strategy for post-approval changes, integrating advanced analytics, risk-based quality assessment, and clinical validation. The approach mitigates “biological drift” risks, ensuring biosimilar quality, efficacy, and safety while enabling sustainable production scalability. Full article

High-liquid-limit clay exhibits pronounced water sensitivity due to the strong electrostatic repulsion and weak interparticle bonding within its microstructure, which often limits its direct engineering uses and complicates the reuse of excavated clayey soils generated during the construction of transportation infrastructure. In this study, inorganic salts (KCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃) and carboxyl-containing polymers (PAAS, HPMA and CMC) were screened to construct organic–inorganic composite stabilization systems. Based on the screening results, an organic–inorganic composite system composed of CaCl₂ and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) was developed to regulate interfacial interactions and induce microstructural reconstruction in clay. The synergistic mechanisms governing particle aggregation and dispersion were systematically investigated through Atterberg limit tests, zeta potential measurements, DLVO theoretical calculations, particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immersion disintegration experiments, combined with multivariate statistical modeling. Among the tested salt–polymer formulations, a composite system with 2% CaCl₂ and 0.1% PAAS showed the most favorable overall performance, achieving an optimal balance between electrostatic compression and steric stabilization, leading to enhanced structural integrity and delayed water-induced disintegration. Ca²⁺ ions compress the diffuse double layer and promote particle flocculation, whereas adsorbed PAAS chains introduce steric hindrance and interfacial modification. Their synergistic interaction reconstructs the pore–aggregate framework and regulates the interparticle potential energy landscape. DLVO analysis indicates that the optimized system attains a moderate critical interaction distance (h_c = 7.31 nm) and primary minimum depth (DPM = −2.72 × 10⁻¹⁶ J), reflecting a balanced interfacial bonding state. Multivariate statistical analyses further reveal a dual control pathway, in which consistency primarily governs disintegration duration, with additional contributions from surface electrochemical properties, while surface properties, soil structure and consistency collectively influence disintegration initiation. These findings elucidate the interfacial regulation and structural evolution mechanisms in organic–inorganic composite systems and provide insights into the design of composite modifiers for water-sensitive particulate materials, particularly for the resource reuse of high-liquid-limit clay excavated during the construction of transportation infrastructure and related geotechnical engineering applications. Full article

Acidified milk drinks (AMDs) are susceptible to protein aggregation and phase separation during production and storage, and xanthan gum (XG) is limited in application due to poor compatibility with milk proteins under acidic conditions. This study sought to improve the stabilizing performance of XG in AMDs through TEMPO-mediated oxidation. A series of oxidized xanthan gum (OXG) with different oxidation degrees were prepared by the TEMPO/NaClO/NaBr system, whose physicochemical properties were characterized, and the stabilizing effect and mechanism in AMDs were investigated. The results showed that high-degree OXG significantly improved the stability of AMDs, with the centrifugal sedimentation rate reduced from 8.93% to 2.22% and the zeta potential decreased from −32.6 mV to −37.9 mV, achieving a stabilizing effect comparable to that of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). OXG could form uniform protein–polysaccharide aggregates with milk proteins, which may help inhibit phase separation. This study confirms that TEMPO oxidation can directionally regulate the structure and physicochemical properties of XG, enhancing its stabilizing effect in AMDs, which provides a new technical approach and theoretical basis for polysaccharide modification and the stabilization of acidic protein drinks. Full article

Polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) blend nanocomposites reinforced with plasma-assisted synthesized zinc oxide–gold (ZnO–Au) nanoparticles were prepared via casting at varying nanoparticle concentrations. Structural and interfacial modifications were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. XRD analysis confirmed the nanocomposite crystallinity, showing an average crystallite size of 24.48 nm and a lattice strain of 4.32 × 10⁻³ for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au composite. FTIR and Raman spectra revealed band shifts and broadening, indicating strong interactions between ZnO–AuNPs and the polymer matrix. XPS analysis further verified Zn and Au incorporation and changes in C 1s and O 1s intensities, reflecting modified surface chemistry. Optical analysis revealed a reduction in the band gap from 4.60 eV (pure PVA/CMC) to 3.52 eV for the 0.15 wt% ZnO–Au nanocomposite, accompanied by an increase in refractive index from 2.058 to 2.244, along with enhanced UV-shielding the performance due to reduced UV transmittance and increased film opacity. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, while antibacterial tests against E. coli and S. aureus confirmed strong antimicrobial activity. These findings demonstrate that PVA/CMC/ZnO–Au nanocomposites are a promising candidate for antibacterial, UV-blocking, food packaging, and optoelectronic applications. Full article

The growing environmental impact of petroleum-based plastics has intensified research into sustainable, biodegradable alternatives for food packaging. Among bio-derived polymers, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has attracted increasing attention due to its abundance, non-toxicity, biodegradability, and excellent film-forming ability. Nevertheless, the intrinsic hydrophilicity and limited mechanical strength of neat CMC restrict its direct application in packaging systems. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of recent strategies developed between 2015 and 2025 to enhance the performance of CMC-based films for food packaging applications. Emphasis is placed on physical and chemical modification routes, including polymer blending, polyelectrolyte complex formation, incorporation of functional fillers and nanomaterials, and ionic or covalent crosslinking approaches. The influence of these strategies on key functional properties, such as mechanical behavior, water barrier performance, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, is systematically discussed. Particular attention is given to CMC-rich systems, enabling meaningful comparison across studies. By highlighting structure–property relationships and identifying current limitations, this review aims to provide guidance for the rational design of advanced CMC-based materials as viable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. Full article

Microbial biosurfactants (mBSs) are bioactive molecules with diverse applications, notably as antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Produced by bacteria and yeasts, mBSs are classified as glycolipids, lipopeptides, polymeric, and particulate types. The global rise in multidrug-resistant organisms, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii, underscores the urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies. mBSs disrupt microbial growth by interacting with the lipid components of pathogens, offering promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This review highlights the sources, chemical structures, and properties of mBSs, their antimicrobial activities, synergistic effects with antibiotics, and structure–activity relationships. Special emphasis is placed on surfactant modification, where targeted changes—such as valine substitution in surfactin—significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and enhance antimicrobial potency. Such rational engineering demonstrates how biosurfactants can be tailored for improved biomedical performance while minimizing cytotoxicity. In parallel, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, including artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms, optimize yields, predict substrate suitability from agricultural residues, and guide microbial strain engineering. AI models can predict interfacial behavior and synchronize fermentation with purification. Advancing the understanding of mBS interactions with microbial membranes, combined with modification strategies and AI-guided optimization, is essential for developing targeted therapies against resistant infections. Future research should integrate these approaches to engineer novel derivatives, reduce costs, and validate clinical potential through comprehensive in vivo studies. Full article

Chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) are polysaccharides valued for their biocompatibility, reactivity, and film-forming capabilities. This study compares the surface characteristics and stability of CS and CMCS thin films crosslinked with citric acid (CTA), polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), and glutaraldehyde (G). Flow behavior was assessed using steady-shear measurements, while film structure, morphology, and physical properties were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, SEM, AFM, mechanical testing, and swelling experiments. Crosslinking generated new chemical bonds in both CS and CMCS films; however, interactions in CMCS did not result in stable cross-links and were comparatively weaker. These structural modifications influenced swelling behavior and enhanced stability, particularly in CS-based systems. Before neutralization, CS/PEGDE films exhibited the lowest swelling (67% ± 19) relative to unmodified CS (118% ± 25) and crosslinked samples such as CS/G2 (185% ± 30), CS/G1 (475% ± 88), and CS/CTA (520% ± 90). After neutralization, CS/G1 and CS/CTA maintained the highest swelling capacity. In contrast, CMCS films crosslinked with CTA and G1 dissolved rapidly in aqueous media due to high water uptake, while PEGDE- and G2-modified CMCS films demonstrated stability comparable to CS. Overall, the results highlight the superior stability and tunable surface properties of CS-based films, underscoring their potential for biomedical and packaging applications. Full article

Small Cajal body-associated RNAs (scaRNAs) are essential for biochemical modification of spliceosomal RNAs and spliceosome function. Changes in scaRNA expression level have been associated with developmental issues, including cancer and congenital heart defects (CHDs), although the mechanism remains unclear. Small Cajal body-associated RNA 1 (scaRNA1) guides pseudouridylation at uridine 89 (Ψ89) of the spliceosomal RNA U2, a highly conserved modification that may be critical for spliceosome function. To investigate the role of scaRNA1 in splicing regulation, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing was used to introduce targeted deletions in the scaRNA1 locus in HEK293T cells. Edited clones were identified by T7 endonuclease I assay and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Pseudouridylation at Ψ89 was quantified using CMC-based reverse transcription followed by quantitative PCR, and global mRNA splicing alterations were assessed by RNA sequencing. Clones harboring scaRNA1 disruptions exhibited a significant reduction in Ψ89 pseudouridylation, consistent with impaired scaRNA1 function. Transcriptome analysis (of mRNA from two clones) revealed >300 protein coding genes with significant changes in transcript isoform level, including >100 genes related to RNA-binding activity. These results indicate that scaRNA1 disruption alters spliceosomal function and leads to substantial changes in mRNA splicing. The dysregulated splicing of RNA-binding proteins may impair RNA processing and gene expression programs required for normal development, providing new insight into how noncoding RNA dysfunction may contribute to developmental pathogenesis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children with medical complexity (CMC) living in community settings are increasingly prevalent, and appropriate care environments are essential to support their wellbeing. This study aimed to examine the relationship between care environments and environmental modifications in CMC’s daily living, as well as the factors influencing this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among families of CMC and professionals (including visiting nurses, consultation support specialists, and other professionals) across Japan. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to examine differences between families and professionals, as well as by the agent of modification. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to compare environmental scores before and after modifications. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to assess associations between environmental modification scores and post-modification environmental scores. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of post-modification environmental scores, including environmental modification subcategory scores and background characteristics. Results: Valid responses were obtained from 90 families (93.8%) and 221 professionals (76.2%). Significant differences in environmental modification scores were observed between families and professionals. Scores were significantly higher when modifications were conducted jointly by families and professionals and when led by professionals than when implemented solely by families. Pre- and post-modification environmental scores demonstrated significant improvements across all domains—physical, collaborative, service, and community—as well as in total score. Conclusions: Families may underappreciate professional psychological support as part of environmental modifications. Jointly planned, family-centred modifications integrating physical, service, collaborative, and community elements improve care environments and support the wellbeing of CMC and their families. Full article

The removal of cationic dyes from industrial wastewater presents a significant environmental challenge. This research examines the effectiveness of functionalized cellulose-based silica aerogels as sustainable adsorbents for methylene blue (MB) dye. This research provides a systematic comparative study on the effectiveness of four distinct functionalization strategies, carboxylate (CCNC), double carboxylate (DCCNC), carboxymethyl (CMC), and thiol-modification, applied to cellulose-based silica aerogels as sustainable adsorbents for methylene blue (MB) dye. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from sugarcane bagasse waste and subsequently functionalized into carboxylate (CCNC), double carboxylate (DCCNC), carboxymethyl (CMC), and thiol-modified variants. The materials were later integrated into a silica matrix, resulting in the formation of porous aerogel nanocomposites. The materials underwent thorough characterization through FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and BET analyses, validating successful functionalization and the development of mesoporous structures. Batch adsorption tests demonstrated that the CMC-silica aerogel exhibited superior performance, attaining a maximum adsorption capacity of 197 mg/g and complete removal efficiency under ideal circumstances (pH 10, 25 °C, 60 min). The adsorption process is accurately characterized by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, signifying monolayer adsorption and chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous. The CMC-silica aerogel exhibited significant reusability, maintaining over 90% efficiency after six consecutive cycles. The findings illustrate the efficacy of functionalized cellulose–silica aerogels, especially the CMC form, as effective, environmentally sustainable, and reusable adsorbents for the treatment of dye-polluted water. Full article

With the low-carbon transformation of the steel industry, using low-carbon raw materials is one of the important ways to achieve the “dual carbon” goals. Pellets have great physical and chemical properties as low-carbon furnace materials, which can significantly reduce blast furnace carbon emissions, exhibiting favorable overall environmental benefits. Increasing their proportion in the furnace is one of the important measures the steel industry can take to reduce carbon emissions. Binders play a critical role in the pelletizing process, and their properties directly influence pellet quality, thereby affecting the subsequent blast furnace smelting process. Compared with traditional bentonite, organic binders have become a potential alternative material due to their environmental friendliness, renewability, and ability to significantly reduce silica and alumina impurities in pellets while improving the iron grade. This work systematically elucidates the mechanism of organic binders, which primarily rely on the chemical adsorption of carboxyl groups and the hydrogen bonding of hydroxyl groups to enhance pellet strength, and then provides three typical examples of organic binders: lignosulfonate, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and carboxymethyl starch (CMS). The common characteristic of these organic binders is that they are derived from renewable biomass through chemical modification, which is a derivative of biomass with renewable and abundant resources. However, the main problem with organic binders is that they burn and decompose at high temperatures. Current research has achieved technological breakthroughs in pellet quality by combining LD sludge, low-iron oxides, and nano-CaCO₃, including improved iron grade, reduced reduction swelling index (RSI), and enhanced preheating/roasting strength. Future studies should focus on optimizing the molecular structure of organic binders by increasing the degree of substitution of functional groups and the overall degree of polymerization. This approach aims to replace traditional bentonite while exploring applications of composite industrial solid wastes, effectively addressing the high-temperature strength loss issues in organic binders and providing strong support for the steel industry to achieve the green and low-carbon goals. Full article

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-based hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for wound dressing applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, a novel hydrogel functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and RGD peptides (RGD) was fabricated and evaluated for its structural characteristics and wound-healing potential. Using CMC as the base matrix and EDC/NHS as crosslinking agents, four hydrogel variants were fabricated: CMC gel, CMC-HA gel, CMC-RGD gel, and CMC-HA-RGD gel. The preliminary cell compatibility experiment identified the optimal formulation as 1% CMC, 0.9% HA, and 0.02 mg/mL RGD, crosslinked with 1 vol% EDC and 0.05 wt% NHS. Scanning electron microscopy showed a porous architecture (100–400 μm), conducive to fibroblast viability and proliferation. Zeta potential measurements (|ζ| > 30 mV) indicated colloidal stability of the hydrogel system. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking and integration of HA and RGD via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, forming a stable three-dimensional network. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhanced thermal stability upon HA/RGD incorporation. CCK-8 assays demonstrated significantly improved cell viability with HA/RGD loading (p < 0.05), while Ki-67 immunofluorescence confirmed enhanced fibroblast proliferation, with the CMC-HA-RGD gel showing the most pronounced effect. In vitro scratch assay results demonstrated that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel dressing significantly enhanced cellular migration compared to other carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel groups (p < 0.05). The observed statistically significant improvement in cell migration rate versus controls underscores the distinctive enhancement of synergistic HA and RGD modification in accelerating cellular migration and facilitating wound repair. Collectively, these findings suggest that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel possesses favorable physicochemical and biological properties and holds strong potential as an advanced wound dressing for the treatment of chronic and refractory wounds. Full article

With the depletion of river sand resources and increasing environmental concerns, the development of alternative materials has become an urgent need in the construction industry. Waste concrete and non-waste concrete materials have been widely studied as alternatives to river sand. Although recycled concrete fine aggregates are close to natural sand in terms of mechanical properties, their surface cement adheres and affects the performance of cement, whereas non-recycled concrete fine aggregates perform superiorly in terms of ease of use and compressive properties, but there are challenges of supply stability and standardization. Red mud, as an industrial waste, is a potential alternative material due to its stable supply and high alkaline characteristics. In this paper, a new method is proposed for utilizing the cross-linking reaction between sodium alginate and calcium chloride by the calcium alginate-red mud microsphere preparation technique and the surface modification of red mud to enhance its bonding with cement. The experimental results showed that the mechanical properties of CMC-RM-SiO₂-2.5% were improved by 13.9% compared with those of the benchmark cement mortar, and the encapsulation of red mud by calcium alginate significantly reduced the transfer of hazardous elements in red mud. Full article