Search Results (1,464)

Conventional methods for isolating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are often limited by long processing times, a low purity, and a reliance on specialized equipment. To overcome these challenges, we developed the DeSEI (amine-functionalized Diatomaceous earth-based Syringe platform for EV Isolation), a novel platform employing low-cost, amine-functionalized diatomaceous earth (ADe) within a simple syringe–filter system. The capture mechanism leverages the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged ADe and the negatively charged EV surface, enabling a rapid and efficient isolation. The optimized 30 min protocol yields intact EVs with morphology, size, and protein markers comparable to those from ultracentrifugation, ensuring minimal cellular contamination. Notably, DeSEI exhibited a nearly 60-fold higher recovery efficiency of EV-derived miRNA compared to ultracentrifugation. The platform further proved its versatility with a rapid one-step miRNA extraction protocol and a user-friendly cartridge format. The direct miRNA extraction capability is particularly advantageous for a streamlined biomarker analysis, while the cartridge design illustrates a clear pathway toward developing point-of-care diagnostic tools. The DeSEI offers a promising alternative to existing methods for EV-based research by providing a combination of speed, simplicity, and procedural flexibility that does not require specialized equipment. Full article

Highly porous organosilicas were synthesized via direct co-condensation of two monomers, bis (triethoxysilyl) benzene and aminopropyltriethoxysilane, by adjusting the time between consecutive additions of the monomers and the ageing time of the as-obtained samples. The resulting organosilicas exhibited high porosities, with total pore volumes exceeding 2.2 cm³/g. Alongside detailed insights into the morphology, structure, and surface chemistry via a broad spectrum of various instrumental techniques, the obtained ultraporous amine-functionalized organosilicas were tested as adsorbents of diclofenac sodium, chosen here as a model drug. The results revealed remarkable differences in the physicochemical properties and adsorption efficiencies among the obtained samples, confirming that the time gap between the addition of the monomers and ageing time can be used to tune the morphological, structural, and chemical features of the obtained organosilicas and, as a consequence, their sorption efficiencies. Full article

Polymers containing biocidal moieties (e.g., amino or ammonium groups) are considered promising materials that can help combat the growing resistance of pathogens to commonly used antimicrobials. Searching for new polymeric biocides, in this work, non-porous and porous poly(hydromethylsiloxane) (PHMS) networks were prepared and post-functionalized by N-allylaniline (Naa). Non-porous networks were obtained by cross-linking PHMS in the bulk and porous—in W/O high-internal-phase emulsion (HIPE). Linear divinyldisiloxane (M₂^Vi) or cyclic tetravinyltetrasiloxane (D₄^Vi) were used as cross-linkers. Studies confirmed the expected non-porous and open macroporous microstructure of the initial networks. They also showed that functionalization by Naa was more efficient for the non-porous networks that swelled to lower extents in toluene and contained higher amounts of Si-H groups than the porous ones. In the reactions with benzyl chloride or 1-bromoctane, some amino groups present in these materials were transformed to ammonium groups. It was found that activity against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacteria depended on the functionalization degree, cross-linking level and the microstructure of the modified materials. Full article

In clinical applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunosensors, accurately determining analyte biomarker concentrations is essential. This study presents a non-invasive approach for quantifying various breast cancer biomarkers—including human epidermal growth factor receptor II (HER-II) (2+, 3+ (I), 3+ (II), 3+ (III), and positive IV) and CA 15-3—using a directional, plasmonically active, label-free SERS sensor. Each stage of sensor functionalization, conjugation, and biomarker interaction was verified by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterized the morphology of gold nanourchin (GNU)-immobilized printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. An enhancement factor of ≈ 0.5 × 10⁵ was achieved using Rhodamine 6G as the probe molecule. Calibration curves were initially established using standard HER-II solutions at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ng/mL and CA 15-3 at concentrations from 10 to 100 U/mL. The SERS signal intensities in the 620–720 nm region were plotted against concentration, yielding linear sensitivity with R² values of 0.942 and 0.800 for HER-II and CA15-3, respectively. The same procedure was applied to breast cancer serum (BCS) samples, allowing unknown biomarker concentrations to be determined based on the corresponding calibration curves. SERS data were processed using the filtfilt filter from scipy.signal for smoothing and then baseline-corrected with the Improved Asymmetric Least Squares (IASLS) algorithm from the pybaselines.Whittaker library. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) effectively distinguished the sample groups and revealed spectral differences before and after biomarker interactions. Key Raman peaks were attributed to functional groups including N–H (primary and secondary amines), C–H antisymmetric stretching, C–N (amines), C=O antisymmetric stretching, NH₃⁺ (amines), carbohydrates, glycine, alanine, amides III, C=N stretches, and NH₂ in primary amides. Full article

Plasma-derived fibrin hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering because of their excellent biological properties. Specifically, human plasma-derived fibrin hydrogels serve as 3D matrices for autologous skin graft production, skeletal muscle repair, and bone regeneration. Nevertheless, for advanced applications such as in vitro skin equivalents and engineered grafts, the intrinsic limitations of native fibrin hydrogels in terms of long-term mechanical stability and resistance to degradation need to be addressed to enhance the usefulness and application of these hydrogels in tissue engineering. In this study, we chemically modified plasma-derived fibrin by incorporating succinimidyl alginate (SA), a version of alginate chemically modified to introduce reactive succinimidyl groups. These NHS ester groups (N-hydroxysuccinimide esters), attached to the alginate backbone, are highly reactive toward the primary amine groups present in plasma proteins such as fibrinogen. When mixed with plasma, the NHS groups covalently bond to the amine groups in fibrin, forming stable amide linkages that reinforce the fibrin network during hydrogel formation. This chemical modification improved mechanical properties, reduces contraction, and enhanced the stability of the resulting hydrogels. Hydrogels were prepared with a final fibrinogen concentration of 1.2 mg/mL and SA concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg/mL. The objective was to evaluate whether this modification could create a more stable matrix suitable for supporting skin tissue development. The mechanical and microstructure properties of these new hydrogels were evaluated, as were their biocompatibility and potential to create 3D skin models in vitro. Dermo-epidermal skin cultures with primary human fibroblast and keratinocyte cells on these matrices showed improved dermal stability and better tissue structure, particularly SA concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, as confirmed by H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin) staining and immunostaining assays. Overall, these results suggest that SA-functionalized fibrin hydrogels are promising candidates for creating more stable in vitro skin models and engineered skin grafts, as well as for other types of engineered tissues, potentially. Full article

Sulfur-containing polymers are unique sustainable materials with promise for the development of various adsorbents for environmental remediation. However, they have not been explored for CO₂ capture despite reports on its ability to decontaminate various aqueous pollutants. This study reports on the single-step synthesis of a diamine-functionalized sulfur-containing copolymer by the thermally induced radical copolymerization of N2,N2-Diallylmelamine (NDAM), a difunctional monomer, with sulfur and explores its use for CO₂ capture. The influence of reaction parameters such as the weight ratios of sulfur to NDAM, reaction temperature, time, and the addition of a porogen on the properties of aminated copolymer was investigated. The resulting copolymers were characterized using FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM, XRD, and BET surface area analyses. The incorporation of NDAM directly imparted amine functionality while stabilizing the polysulfide chains by crosslinking, leading to a thermoset copolymer with an amorphous structure. The addition of a NaCl particle porogen to the S/NDAM mixture generated a mesoporous structure, enabling the resulting copolymer to be tested for CO₂ adsorption under varying pressures, leading to an adsorption capacity as high as 517 mg/g at 25 bar. This work not only promotes sustainable hybrid materials that advance green chemistry while aiding CO₂ mitigation efforts but also adds value to the abundant amount of sulfur by-products from petroleum refineries. Full article

Anthracyclines have been clinically well established in cancer chemotherapy for decades. The main limitations of this drug class are the development of resistance and severe side effects. In the present investigation, we analyzed 30 anthracyclines in a panel of 59 cell lines of the National Cancer Institute, USA. The log₁₀IC₅₀ values varied from −10.49 M (3′-deamino-3′-(4″-(3″-cyano)morpholinyl)-doxorubicin, 1) to −4.93 M (N,N-dibenzyldaunorubicin hydrochloride, 30). Multidrug-resistant NCI-ADR-Res ovarian cancer cells revealed a high degree of resistance to established anthracyclines (between 18-fold to idarubicin (4) and 166-fold to doxorubicin (13) compared to parental, drug-sensitive OVCAR8 cells). The resistant cells displayed only low degrees of resistance (1- to 5-fold) to four other anthracyclines (7, 18, 28, 30) and were even hypersensitive (collaterally sensitive) to two compounds (1, 26). Live cell time-lapse microscopy proved the cross-resistance of the three chosen anthracyclines (4, 7, 9) on sensitive CCRF/CEM and multidrug-resistant CEM/ADR5000 cells. Structure–activity relationships showed that the presence of tertiary amino functions is helpful in avoiding resistance, while primary amines rather increased resistance development. An α-aminonitrile function as in compound 1 was favorable. Investigating the mRNA expression of 49 ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes showed that ABCB1/MDR1 encoding P-glycoprotein was the most important one for acquired and inherent resistance to anthracyclines. Molecular docking demonstrated that all anthracyclines bound to the same binding domain at the inner efflux channel side of P-glycoprotein with high binding affinities. Kaplan–Meier statistics of RNA sequencing data of more than 8000 tumor biopsies of TCGA database revealed that out of 23 tumor entities high ABCB1 expression was significantly correlated with worse survival times for acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. This indicates that ABCB1 may serve as a prognostic marker in anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens in these tumor types and a target for the development of novel anthracycline derivatives. Full article

Antioxidant nanomaterials, particularly mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with polyphenols, offer innovative solutions for protecting oxidation-sensitive components and enhancing bioavailability in pharmaceuticals or extending the shelf life of nutraceutical and food products. This study investigates the influence of MSNs functionalized with caffeic acid (MSN-CAF) on powder flow properties and their tableting performance. Aminated MSNs were synthesized via co-condensation and conjugated with caffeic acid using EDC/NHS chemistry. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH^●, ABTS^●+, ORAC, and FRAP assays. Powder blends with varying MSN-CAF concentrations (10–70%) were characterized for flow properties (angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr’s index), tablets were produced via direct compression, and critical quality attributes (weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration, nanoparticle release) were assessed. MSN-CAF exhibited reduced antioxidant capacity compared with free caffeic acid due to pore entrapment but retained significant activity. Formulation F1 (10% MSN-CAF) showed excellent flowability (angle of repose: 12°, Hausner ratio: 1.16, Carr’s index: 14%), enabling robust tablet production with rapid disintegration, low friability, and complete nanoparticle release in 10 min. Additionally, the antioxidant nanomaterial demonstrated biocompatibility with the HepG2 cell line. MSN-CAF is a versatile nanoexcipient for direct compression tablets, offering potential as an active packaging agent and delivery system in the nutraceutical and food industries. Full article

Fermented apple juice (FAJ), a nutrient-dense beverage rich in vitamins, offers multiple health benefits, including improved digestion, enhanced fat metabolism, and sustained energy provision with reduced caloric intake. To advance the development of probiotic-enriched flavored and functional juices, this study establishes Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) as a safe and effective starter culture for apple juice fermentation. The selected strain exhibited minimal biogenic amine synthesis, producing only 30.55 ± 1.2 mg/L of putrescine and 0.59 ± 0.55 mg/L of cadaverine, while histamine and tyramine were undetectable. Furthermore, the strain demonstrated no hemolytic activity and exhibited robust biofilm-forming capacity, reinforcing its suitability for fermentation applications. An electronic nose analysis revealed that L. plantarum significantly enriched the volatile compound profile of FAJ, leading to an improved flavor profile. The strain also displayed excellent growth adaptability in the apple juice matrix, further optimizing fermentation efficiency and sensory quality. Crucially, 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that FAJ specifically restructures the gut microbiota in obese individuals, significantly elevating the relative abundance of beneficial genera, including Enterococcus, Parabacteroides, and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05). Concurrently, FAJ enhanced glycolytic activity, suggesting a potential role in metabolic regulation. Collectively, these findings confirm that L. plantarum-fermented FAJ combines favorable sensory properties and safety with promising anti-obesity effects mediated through gut microbiome modulation and metabolic pathway activation. This study provides a critical scientific foundation for designing next-generation functional fermented beverages with targeted health benefits. Full article

Excessive carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions represent a critical challenge in mitigating global warming, necessitating advanced separation technologies for efficient carbon capture. Silica-based membranes have attracted significant attention due to their exceptional chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability under harsh operating conditions. In this study, we introduce a novel layered hybrid membrane designed based on amine-functionalized silica precursors, where a distinct affinity gradient is engineered by incorporating two types of amine-functionalized materials. The top layer was composed of high-affinity amine species to maximize CO₂ sorption, while a sublayer with milder affinity facilitated smooth CO₂ diffusion, thereby establishing a continuous solubility gradient across the membrane. A dual approach, combining comprehensive experimental testing and rigorous theoretical modeling, was employed to elucidate the underlying CO₂ transport mechanisms. Our results reveal that the hierarchical structure significantly enhances the intrinsic driving force for CO₂ permeation, leading to superior separation performance compared to conventional homogeneous facilitated transport membranes. This study not only provides critical insights into the design principles of affinity gradient membranes but also demonstrates their potential for scalable, high-performance CO₂ separation in industrial applications. Full article

Developing advanced polysulfone (PSF) membranes for water treatment has garnered significant attention. However, carboxylated polysulfone membranes have shown limited rejection of various ions. This study explores four novel methods for modifying carboxylated polysulfone membranes to enhance their performance: (a) crosslinking of the dicarboxylated membrane surface with polyethylenimine or ethylenediamine, (b) partial hydrolysis of ethylenediamine-crosslinked dicarboxylated membranes to create tailored pores and surface brushes with terminal amine groups, (c) attachment of alkyl brushes to the dicarboxylated membrane surface, and (d) formation of quaternary ammonium moieties at the membrane surface. All modified membranes were fully characterized, and their enhanced functionality was confirmed. For instance, the PSF-PEI membrane exhibited a 28% CaCl₂ rejection and PSF-NH₂ showed improved CaCl₂ rejection up to 37%, compared to 0% for the unmodified PSF-COOH. These methods present practical strategies to modify carboxylated-related membranes further, offering potential pathways to enhance their performance. Full article

This study focuses first on the synthesis through an aza-Michael addition reaction of original linear diamine prepolymers and original amine/acrylate thermoset adhesives, and second on their thermal, mechanical and adhesion characterization. The major advantage of the aza-Michael addition reaction is that it takes place at room temperature, without a solvent and without a catalyst. Using the aza-Michael addition reaction, linear secondary diamine prepolymers were first synthesized with a control of the molecular weight, ranging from 867 to 1882 g mol⁻¹. Then, aza-Michael reactions of diamine prepolymers with three different acrylates allowed the synthesis of new amine/acrylate thermoset adhesives. All the thermoset adhesives were characterized by rheology and thermal analysis, leading, once the crosslinking aza-Michael reaction had occurred, to soft thermoset networks with glass transition temperatures ranging from −23 to −8 °C, gel point times ranging from 40 min to 4 h, and a polar component of the surface energy ranging from 3 to 17 mJ m⁻². Functionality of the acrylates directly influences the crosslinking rate, and a decreasing master curve is obtained when reporting crosslinking rate versus gel point time. Crosslinking density is controlled by the diamine prepolymer chain length. In a second step, thermoset adhesives were applied as thin films between two galvanized steel plates, and adhesion properties were evaluated through a lap-shear test. Results showed that the adhesive strength increases as the dynamic viscosity and molecular weight of the diamines prepolymer increases. Increasing the diamines prepolymer chain length results in an increase in strain at break, a decrease in the shear modulus, and a decrease in the maximum lap-shear strength. It is also observed that the adhesive strength decreases when the adhesive film thickness increases. Moreover, thermoset adhesives with high polarity and a surface energy similar to the surface energy of the substrate will favor high adhesion and a better adhesive strength of the assembly. Lastly, the nature of the acrylates and diamines prepolymer chain length allow tuning a wide range of adhesive strength and toughness of these original soft thermoset adhesives. Full article

The ongoing miniaturization of semiconductor devices necessitates continuous advancements in lithographic processes, which are critical for high-precision circuit formation. To prevent substrate damage during the etching step, a spin-on hardmask (SOH) layer is often introduced between the photoresist (PR) and the substrate. However, residual metal ions in SOH solutions can adversely affect integrated circuit performance, underscoring the need for efficient and chemically compatible removal strategies. This study investigates the adsorption of metal ions (Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Ti⁴⁺) from SOH solutions using mesoporous silica materials—MCM-41 and SBA-15—functionalized with various groups (–OH, –NH₂, –SH, and –CH₃). Adsorption performance was evaluated under solvent-only, monomer-containing, and polymer-containing conditions. Among the tested materials, amine-functionalized mesoporous silica exhibited the highest adsorption efficiency, with SBA-15-NH₂ showing relatively effective and uniform performance in polymer-containing systems. Isotherm analysis supported a monolayer chemical adsorption mechanism, suggesting the significance of surface functional groups in the adsorption process. These findings demonstrate the potential of functionalized mesoporous silica as a promising candidate for trace metal ion removal in semiconductor manufacturing, offering enhanced yield and improved process reliability. Full article

Fermented fruits and vegetables are gaining increased attention due to their enhanced nutritional properties, extended shelf life, and potential health benefits. Driven by consumer demand for natural, plant-based, and functional foods, fermentation is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional preservation methods. This review highlights the role of lactic acid bacteria and other microorganisms in transforming fruit and vegetable substrates into probiotic-rich, bioactive foods. It explores traditional and emerging fermentation techniques, the influence of microbial consortia on product quality, and the impact of fermentation on antioxidant activity, gut health, immune modulation, and chronic disease prevention. Furthermore, the review addresses food safety concerns related to biogenic amines, nitrite accumulation, and microbial contamination, describing current solutions involving both conventional and non-thermal processing technologies. By synthesizing recent advances in microbial fermentation science and biotechnological innovations, this paper underscores the potential of fermented fruits and vegetables to contribute to functional food development, dietary diversity, and sustainable food systems. Full article

The safety concerns associated with sensitivity issues regarding long nitrogen chain-based energetic compounds, especially for eight or more catenated nitrogen atoms in backbones, need to be resolved. Incorporating specific functional groups represents a key approach for enhancing stability in organic energetic materials. This study reports the synthesis of 1,1′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)bis(4-nitro-1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide) (S8), an N8-chain compound featuring strategically placed amide groups. Employing THA(O-tosylhydroxylamine) and KMnO₄, 1,1′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)bis(4-nitro-1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide) (S8) was synthesized and underwent N-amination and oxidative azo coupling. Comprehensive characterization, including X-ray diffraction, mechanical sensitivity testing, and theoretical analysis, alongside comparative studies with known N8 compounds, revealed that S8 exhibits unprecedented stability within its class. Among reported N8-catenated nitrogen chain compounds, attributed to the incorporation of the amide functionality, S8 demonstrates the highest impact sensitivity (IS = 10 J) and friction sensitivity (FS = 40 N) while maintaining excellent detonation performance (D = 8317 ms⁻¹, P = 28.27 GPa). This work highlights the amide group as a critical structural part for achieving high stability in sensitive long-nitrogen-chain energetic materials without compromising performance. Full article