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Here we report a facile method to construct reversible visible-light-responsive switching from antibacterial to bioadhesion by host-guest self-assembly of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and azobenzene functionalized polycation/polyanion. The visible-light-responsible azobenzene functionalized polycation, poly{6-[(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)azo-4-(2′,6′-dimethoxy)phenoxy]propyl dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-random-poly(2-( N,N -dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) (Azo-PDMAEMA), was synthesized via quaternization reaction between 2,6,2′,6′-tetramethoxy-4-(3-bromopropoxy)azobenzene (AzoOMeBr) and poly(2-( N,N -dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), and the polyanion, poly{6-[(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)azo-4-(2′,6′-dimethoxy) phenoxy]hexyl acrylate-random-acrylic acid} (Azo-PAA), was synthesized via esterification reaction between 2,6,2′,6′-tetramethoxy-4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy) azobenzene (AzoOMeOH) and poly(acryloyl chloride) (PAC) and subsequent hydrolysis reactions. The switch surface could be achieved via the alternate host-guest assembly of Azo-PDMAEMA and Azo-PAA onto a β-CD-terminated substratum (Sub-CD) through visible light irradiation. The positively charged Azo-PDMAEMA with quaternary ammonium groups exhibited antimicrobial properties and few bacteria were adhered on the surface, while the negatively charged Azo-PAA with carboxyl acid groups exhibited excellent bioadhesive properties and a large number of bacteria were adhered. Interestingly, the switch between antibacterial and bioadhesive could be realized upon visible light irradiation via alternate assembly of Azo-PDMAEMA and Azo-PAA. The proposed approach to manufacturing visible-light-responsive surface with reversible and alterable biofunctionality switching between antibacterial and bioadhesive is simple and efficient, which is promising for preparation of multifunctional polymeric surfaces to encounter multifarious demands for the biomedical and biotechnological applications. Statement of Significance Light has attracted great attention in building biointerfaces for its precise spatiotemporal control and convenient operation. However, UV light may damage to biological samples and living tissues, which will limit its applications. This study demonstrates a novel visible-light-responsive surface fabricated through reversible assembly of azobenzene functionalized polycations/polyanions on cyclodextrin (CD)-terminated substrate by host-guest interactions between the visible-light-responsive azobenzene mAzo and CD, which has not been examined previously. It is noted that the azobenzene functionalized polycations show strong antibacterial activities, while the polyanions show excellent bioadhesive properties, as can be switched through the alternate assembly upon visible-light irradiation. This facile and versatile approach to visible-light-responsive surfaces holds great potential for switching of bioadhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Pulvis Fellis Suis (PFS), named with “Zhu Danfen” in China, has been extensively used for the therapy of enteritis, acute pharyngitis, whooping cough and asthma in folk medicine. Although PFS shows anti-inflammatory activities, its effect on airway inflammation in asthma has not been studied. Aim of the study To explore the protective effect of PFS ethanol extract against airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. Materials and methods Allergic asthma in mice was sensitized and challenged by OVA. Mice were administered in oral with PFS daily at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg on days 21–27. Inflammatory cell counts and classification in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. Histopathological evaluation of the lung tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining. The IgE level in serum was measured by using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). ELISA was also used to detect the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine and eotaxin in BALF. Results Histological results revealed that PFS could ameliorate OVA-induced histological changes by attenuating inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus hypersecretion and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung. Treatment with different doses of PFS significantly decreased the elevated inflammatory cell numbers in BALF and IgE production in serum. PFS treatment reduced the production of Th2 cytokine IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and promoted Th1 cytokine IFN-γ production in BALF. In addition, PFS also decreased the levels of eotaxin and TNF-α in BALF. Conclusions These findings suggest that PFS has a markedly anti-inflammatory effect on OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice, and could be a promising protective agent recommended for allergic asthma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taurohyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA), a natural 6α-hydroxylated bile acid, exhibits intestinal anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of THDCA on ulcerative colitis and to reveal its mechanisms of action. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to mice. Mice in the treatment group were gavage THDCA (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day) or sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg/day) or azathioprine (10 mg/kg/day). The pathologic markers of colitis were comprehensively assessed. The levels of Th1-/Th2-/Th17-/Treg-related inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors were detected by ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. The balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells was analyzed by Flow cytometry. THDCA significantly alleviated colitis by improving the body weight, colon length, spleen weight, histological characteristics, and MPO activity of colitis mice. THDCA reduced the secretion of Th1-/Th17-related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, and TNF-α) and the expressions of transcription factors (T-bet, STAT4, RORγt, and STAT3), but increase the production of Th2-/Treg-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1) and the expressions of transcription factors (GATA3, STAT6, Foxp3, and Smad3) in the colon. Meanwhile, THDCA inhibited the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17A, T-bet, and RORγt, but improved the expression of IL-4, IL-10, GATA3, and Foxp3 in the spleen. Furthermore, THDCA restored the proportion of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells, and balanced the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune response of colitis mice. THDCA can alleviate TNBS-induced colitis via regulating Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance, which may represent a promising treatment for patients with colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three copper iodide hybrid chelating clusters have been synthesized. • These compounds emit low-energy emission ranging from orange to red. • The stability of these molecular compounds have been enhanced by the formation of a five-member ring. • The solution processability of these hybrid clusters make them suitable as functional coating materials. Here, three copper iodide hybrid chelating clusters have been synthesized and all these compounds emit low-energy emission ranging from orange to red. The stability of these molecular compounds have been enhanced by the formation of a five-member ring among the inorganic motif and the coordinating atoms from the organic ligands. The solution processability of these hybrid clusters make them suitable as functional coating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Electric-field-mediated deformation and breakup of a droplet in a shear flow field are experimentally studied. • Electrohydrodynamics underlying the different droplet breakup patterns, including breakup criterion, breakup speed, and trajectory post-breakup characteristics are elucidated. • Regime diagram for identifying distinct droplet breakup patterns under combined electric field and shear flow field is summarized. • Criteria for droplet breakup in a shear flow field via the active electric field regulation is obtained. The electrohydrodynamic breakup of a droplet under a combined electric field (EF) and shear flow field (SFF) is experimentally investigated. The interface morphology characteristics of the droplet undergoing different breakup patterns are analyzed, and the interactions among electric forces, viscous forces, and interfacial tension during the droplet breakup process are also revealed. In addition, a diagram of droplet breakup patterns with different hydrodynamic and electric capillary numbers (Ca and Ca E , respectively) is summarized. In particular, a prediction model for the criteria of droplet breakup under combined EF and SFF is proposed. The results indicate that three typical patterns of droplet breakup occur in turn with increasing Ca E , i.e., satellite droplet detachment from a migrating droplet, a lobe detachment pattern, and a lobe disintegration pattern. As the Ca increases, the breakup pattern of satellite droplets detaching from the migrating droplet gradually disappears, and the critical Ca E for droplet breakup decreases because the enhanced viscous force facilitates the detachment of the lobes from the mother droplet. Additionally, the breakup pattern of charged lobe disintegration occurs under a large Ca E when the charge of the droplet reaches the Rayleigh limit. The critical Ca E of the lobe disintegration breakup pattern decreases first and then increases with increasing Ca because the changes in droplet shape, interfacial tension, electrical potential energy, and fluid potential energy lead to a variation in the Rayleigh limit. Moreover, the breakup speeds of the three patterns are also altered by the strengths of the SFF and EF. Particularly, a reliable prediction model for the criterion of droplet breakup is proposed and compared with experimental data. This model provides a feasible approach for determining the criterion of droplet breakup through a very small amount of data for droplet-based applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-strength, flexible, and multifunctional characteristics are highly desirable for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials to meet lightweight applications in the electric industry. Herein, we report a sustainable bioinspired double-network structural material connected by a hydrogen-bonded interface, that enables the creation of hybrid dual-networks benefiting from the mono-dispersion of aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). By directional filtration, the dual networks of the ANF/SWCNT composite films can be constructed into a laminated structure with preferential orientation during the stretching process, resulting in high fracture strength (113.45 MPa) and low breaking strain (<2%). Simultaneously, the as-prepared film delivers an adjustable electrical conductivity (131.9–798.57 S/cm), a remarkable EMI SE (43.01–75.28 dB), and high specific shielding effectiveness (SSE/t) of 1.281 × 104 dB cm2 g−1, which shows outstanding performance among the reported state-of-the-art SWCNT-based materials. More importantly, the films show excellent Joule heating performance with a fast thermal response (<15 s), a low driving voltage (0.5–5 V), and a wide temperature response range (89–445 °C). As such, the multifunctional composite films are considered as promising alternatives to a wide range of lightweight applications in electromagnetic shielding and thermal management. [Display omitted] • The dual network structure of mono-dispersed ultra-long SWCNTs and ANFs result in a breaking strength of up to 113.45 MPa of the film. • Computational simulations and experiments demonstrate composite films have an adjustable ultrahigh electrical conductivity (131.9–798.57 S/cm) and a remarkable EMI SE (43.01–75.28 dB). • The multifunctional composite films show excellent Joule heating performance with a fast thermal response (<15 s), a low driving voltage (0.5–5 V) and a wide temperature response range (89–445 °C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Aucubin, an iridoid glycoside, was isolated from seeds of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of aucubin against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in mice. Materials and methods Mice were orally administrated with aucubin (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) for 3 consecutive days. On the 3rd day, the mice of gastric mucosal injury were induced with 70% ethanol after the last administration of aucubin. Gastric tissue of mice were submitted for evaluating the severity of gastric mucosal injury. The protective effect of aucubin was evaluated by the gastric ulcer index and histological examinations and determining the levels of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and some gastric mucosal protection factors. Key findings Prophylactic oral administration of aucubin decreased gastric ulcer indexes and histological scores. A significant decrease of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in aucubin administrated groups. In addition, mice administrated with aucubin increased glutathione (GSH) and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as normalized the levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) in gastric tissue of mice. Significance The findings of this study demonstrated that aucubin shows protective effect against ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Furthermore, aucubin enhanced gastric mucosal protection by up-regulation of HSP-70 level and normalization of EGF, VEGF and COX-1 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new copper bromide based coordination compounds 0D-Cu 2 Br 2 (3,5-dimethyl-pyridine) 4 (1) and 1D-Cu 2 Br 2 (5-bromo-pyrimidine) 2 (2) have been synthesized and exhibit potential as rare-earth metal free lighting phosphor alternatives. • Two new copper bromide based coordination compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized. • The inorganic module of both compounds is Cu 2 Br 2 rhomboid dimer coordinated by the organic ligands. • Their luminescence properties have been studied. • Both compounds exhibit potential as rare-earth metal free lighting phosphor alternatives. Two new copper bromide based coordination compounds 0D-Cu 2 Br 2 (3,5-dimethyl-pyridine) 4 (1) and 1D-Cu 2 Br 2 (5-bromo-pyrimidine) 2 (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the inorganic module of both compounds is Cu 2 Br 2 rhomboid dimer coordinated by the organic ligands. Compound 1 is a zero-dimensional (0D) molecular complex while compound 2 is one-dimensional (1D) extended structure. Photoluminescence measurement results show that 1 emits green photoluminescence peaked at 520 nm, with an IQY of 82.4%. Compound 2 emits red photoluminescence peaked at 630 nm, with an IQY of 2.1%. Both compounds exhibit potential as rare-earth metal free lighting phosphor alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SEM cross-section morphologies of hollow fibers in bitumen, (a) the interface morphology of several hollow fibers in bitumen, and (b) the enlarged interface morphology of hollow fibers in bitumen. • No debonding was found between the PVDF hollow fibers and the bitumen. • The content of hollow fibers affects the self-healing behaviors of bitumen. • The fiber orientation affects the self-healing efficiency. • The self-healing follows the time-temperature superposition principle. Smart microvascular self-healing bituminous composites are considered a promising approach to prolong pavement service life. The objective of this work was to investigate the microvascular self-healing capability of bituminous material by using hollow fibers with oily rejuvenator through a direct-tension mechanical experiment. The hollow fibers with oily rejuvenator were prepared using a wet-spinning approach by applying polyvinylidene fluoride material. The fixed-length hollow fibers with sealed ends were mixed in bitumen to form composite samples. Through a repetitive tensile method, the tension strength data were used to calculate the self-healing efficiency autonomously by considering crack closure and healing at various healing temperatures and times. The scanning-electron-microscope morphology showed that the polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fibers had a tight interfacial structure with bituminous material without debonding. X-ray computed tomography results indicated that the fibers were distributed homogeneously in bitumen. The fiber content and fiber orientation affected the self-healing capability of bituminous samples at 0 °C. To simplify the influence of the above two factors of the fibers, only one fiber was placed in bitumen samples parallel to the tension direction. With an increase in temperature from 0 to 30 °C, the self-healing capability of the bitumen samples increased dramatically. This phenomenon is attributed to the accelerated penetration speed of rejuvenator in the bitumen. An increase in time increased the self-healing capability of the bitumen samples. The rejuvenator may have sufficient time to leak from the hollow fibers and penetrate the bitumen. The results provide a guide to the microstructural design of the vascular fibers and the application of hollow fibers in self-healing asphalt pavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in the adjunctive therapy of the liver diseases. Aim of the study Ginsenosides are one kind of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Although hepatoprotective mechanisms of ginsenosides, such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis, have been well studies, little is known about the effect of ginsenosides on drug metabolism in liver. Since CYP3A11/3A4 is a major enzyme catalyzing the drug metabolism in liver, an investigation of the enzyme's expression during the progression of a liver disease will gain valuable information about the hepatic drug metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ginsenosides on the expression of hepatic CYP3A11/3A4 in the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injured human HepG2 cells and mice. We hypothesize that ginsenosides are important to stabilize CYP3A11/3A4 expression in an injured liver. Materials and methods In this study, LPS was intraperitoneally intermittently injected to induce the liver injury in mice. Ginsenosides were intragastrically administered to mice for 7 days to treat the liver injury. Serum biochemical analysis and histopathological study were taken to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of ginsenosides. The effect of ginsenosides was also evaluated in human HepG2 cells in the presence and absence of LPS. Real-time PCR and western blotting method were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CYP3A11/3A4 in mouse liver tissue and human HepG2 cells. The reporter gene-transfected cells were used to identify upstream targets in HepG2 cells. Results LPS injection in mice resulted in the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in liver, up-regulation of hepatic enzymes such as Tbil, ALT, AST and ALP in serum, and down-regulation of CYP3A11/3A4 expression in liver. Ginsenosides treatment reversed the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum hepatic enzymes elicited by LPS. Pathological results suggest that ginsenosides reduced liver damage. Moreover, ginsenosides reversed the decrease of CYP3A11/3A4 expression in the liver of LPS-injured mouse and in LPS-treated HepG2 cells. To further investigate the regulatory mechanisms, we found that ginsenosides enhanced the rifampicin-induced pregnane X receptor (PXR) transactivation of the CYP3A4 promoter. Treatment of hPXR–over-expressed cells with ginsenosides increased the rifampicin-inducible expression of CYP3A4 in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion Ginsenosides reverse the effects of LPS-induced hepatic CYP3A11/3A4 dysfunction, suggesting that the stabilization of the CYP3A11/3A4 expression in an injured liver appears a novel hepatoprotective mechanism of ginsenosides. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term cyclic loads with a stress level lower than the critical cyclic stress applied on soft soil can lead to soil deformation but not to failure. The Monismith model is known for its simplicity and capacity to describe the cumulative plastic strain of soil under cyclic loads. However, it is unsuccessfully applied in these cases because the plastic strain in this model would increase endlessly till to failure with increasing number of load cycles. To solve this problem, a novel empirical model with three parameters is proposed based on analogy analysis of the Hardin-Drnevich model and Monismith model. The proposed model is verified by experimental data from existing literature and is shown to have better capability and performance than the Monismith model in predicting the cumulative plastic strain of soft soil subjected to long-term low cyclic loads. The value of parameter b is recommended to be 0.5, and relationships of parameters a and c with the cyclic stress ratio are also proposed for soft clay. Applications of the proposed model are elaborated in detail, and in situ test results for settlement of soft subgrade are used to evaluate the performance of this model. The prediction results are consistent with the test results. The research results present a promising method for investigating the development of deformation and the settlement of soft foundation in the near-shore and off-shore areas caused by wave and/or traffic loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Menispermum dauricum DC., commonly known as “Bei Dou Gen” (BDG) in China, has been used extensively in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, especially intestinal inflammations such as enteritis and dysentery, and in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rheumatism and bronchitis. Although previous studies showed that BDG has anti-inflammatory activities, its effects on ulcerative colitis (UC) have not yet been explored. Aim of the study To investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of the rhizome extracts of Menispermum dauricum DC. on UC model induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice. Materials and methods UC in mice was induced by colonic administration with TNBS. BDG (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) and sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 7 consecutive days. The inflammatory degree was assessed by gross appearance, macroscopic and histological analysis, and accumulation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Results Treatment with different doses of BDG significantly ameliorated macroscopic damage and histological changes, reduced the accumulation of MPO activity, depressed serum and colonic tissue levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, administration of BDG effectively reduced COX-2 overexpression in colon. Conclusion We demonstrated for the first time that BDG possessed marked intestinal anti-inflammatory effect in TNBS induced colitis in mice, which might be related to the reduction of up-regulated productions and expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators, suggesting that it may have beneficial use for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taurocholate is a natural conjugated bile acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of taurocholate in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. The colitis were induced by rectal administration of TNBS. After 24 h, the experimental animals were treated with sulfasalazine (SASP, 500 mg/kg/day) and taurocholate (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. The anti-inflammatory effects of taurocholate for colitis were assessed by body weight, colonic weight and length, macroscopic scores, and histopathological examinations. In addition, the colonic tissue levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also determined to assess the effect of taurocholate. Compared with the model group, treatment with taurocholate (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the body weight loss, improved colonic weight and length, and decreased macroscopic and histopathological scores. Furthermore, the activity accumulation of MPO and the colonic tissue levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α were also decreased by administration of taurocholate. All the findings of this study suggested that taurocholate has the anti-inflammatory effect in ulcerative colitis in mice and indicated it as a good candidate to treat inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of unknown cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti -inflammatory effect of tauroursodeoxycholate in 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced experimental colitis in mice. After the induction of colitis for 24 h, the mice were administrated orally with tauroursodeoxycholate (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) and sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 consecutive days. The inhibition effects were evaluated by the body of weight change, survival rate, macroscopical and histological evaluations. Besides, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in colon tissue were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with different doses of tauroursodeoxycholate (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg) significantly improved the body weight change, decreased the macroscopic and histopathological scores. Compared with the model group, the accumulation of MPO activity, the colonic tissue levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly reduced in the tauroursodeoxycholate treated groups. Moreover, tauroursodeoxycholate assuaged the symptoms of colitis. These results suggested that tauroursodeoxycholate has an anti -inflammatory effect in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The production of cyanobacterial toxins microcystins (MCs) by cyanobacterial bloom which may promote the growth of tumor in human liver is a growing environmental problem worldwide. In this paper, the adsorption of MC-RR and LR, which were extracted from cyanobacterial cells in Dianchi Lake in China, by carbon nanotubes (CNTs), wood-based activated carbon (ACs) and clays were investigated. Compared with ACs and clay materials of sepiolite, kaolinite and talc tested, CNTs were found to have a strong ability in the adsorption of MCs. At the concentrations of 21.5mgl−1 MC-RR and 9.6mgl−1 MC-LR in 50mmol phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0), the adsorption amounts of MCs by CNTs with the range of outside diameter from 2 to 10nm were 14.8 and 5.9mgg−1, which were about four times higher than those by other adsorbents tested. It was shown that with the decrease of CNTs outside diameters from 60 to 2nm, the adsorption amount of MCs was apparently increased, however the size of CNTs particles formed in solution declined. This result implies that the size of CNTs tube pore that is fit for the molecular dimension of MCs plays a dominant role. Furthermore the specific surface area of CNTs was also found to be a factor in the adsorption of MCs. The results suggested that the selection of suitable size of CNTs as a kind of adsorbent is very important in the efficient eliminating MCs from drinking water in future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]