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This study involves on valorization of Algerian marine waste, shrimp shells, in treatment of urban sludge (organic) by coagulation-flocculation / filtration. So, transformation of chitin into chitosan has been realized in laboratory in order to make a bioflocculant. Therefore, chitosan prepared had been tested for conditioning of urban sludge from Tizi-Ouzou wastewater treatment plant. The results indicate that chitosan shows a biocoagulationbioflocculation behavior which is similar to standard chitosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline ion-solvating membranes derived from a tetrazole functionalized poly(arylene alkylene) are prepared, characterized and evaluated as electrode separators in alkaline water electrolysis. The base polymer, poly[[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl(1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-yl)], is synthesized by superacid catalyzed polyhydroxyalkylation and subsequently functionalized with tetrazole pendants. After equilibration in aqueous KOH, the relatively acidic tetrazole pendants are deprotonated to form the corresponding potassium tetrazolides. The room temperature ion conductivity is found to peak at 19 mS cm -1 in 5 wt. % KOH, and slightly declines with increasing KOH concentration to 13 mS cm -1 in 30 wt. % KOH. Based on an overall assessment of the mechanical properties, conductivity and electrode activity, 30 wt. % KOH is applied for alkaline electrolysis cell tests. Current densities of up to 1000 mA cm -2 were reached with uncatalyzed Ni-foam electrodes at a cell voltage of less than 2.6 V, with improved gas barrier characteristics compared to that of the several times thicker Zirfon separator., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemSusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objective: To investigate expression, prognosis, immune cell infiltration of C yclin E1 ( CCNE1 ) in cancer., Methods: We used TIMER and GEPIA datasets to analyze the differential expression of CCNE1 in multiple tumors. GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases were utilized to observe the prognostic significance of CCNE1 in cancer. TIMER and cBioPortal databases were adopted for the analysis regarding immune infiltration and mutation respectively., Results: The results showed that CCNE1 was highly expressed in multiple cancers including BLCA, BRCA, CHOL, COAD, ESCA, HNSC, KICH, KIRC, KIRP, LIHC, LUAD, LUSC, READ, STAD, THCA, UCEC ( P < 0.001) and CESC ( P < 0.01). High CCNE1 expression was associated with a poor overall survival prognosis in several cancers, including ACC, BRCA, KIRC, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, LUAD and MESO. Additionally, CCNE1 expression was correlated with the cancer-associated immune infiltration level in BRCA, COAD, LUSC, STAD and THYM., Conclusions: CCNE1 is expected to be a potential biomarker for tumor prognosis and immune infiltration in various cancers.

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) enable the operation of electrochemical reactors with electrode compartments in different chemical environments or pH. The transport properties at the microscopic scale are dictated by the composition and morphology of the interfacial junctions as well as the specific chemistry of the ion-exchange layers that support the current of protons and hydroxide ions. This work elucidates the relation between water-dissociation efficiency and the physicochemical properties of the individual ion-exchange membrane layers in the poly(styrene- b -poly(ethylene- ran -butylene)- b -polystyrene) (SEBS)-based BPM. The optimal water dissociation performance of three previously reported water-dissociation catalysts in the SEBS-based BPM was examined, with junction thickness of graphene oxide > TiO 2 > SnO 2 , resulting in disparate junction morphologies at the BPM's interface. A hybrid junction system, which included both the effective water dissociation catalyst SnO 2 and direct contacting of the ion-exchange membrane layer, exhibited high water dissociation efficiency. This was likely due to the immediate ion transport pathway provided by direct membrane contact around the catalyst, which also improved the interfacial adhesion. A higher ion exchange capacity (IEC) in BPMs substantially enhanced the water dissociation performance in BPMs without water-dissociation catalysts. However, the incorporation of the effective SnO 2 catalyst into the BPMs with a lower IEC significantly improved performance, an effect attributed to the hybrid junction system. Additionally, the increase in water uptake and ion conductivity of the cation exchange layer with higher IEC suggested that the cation exchange layer and its interface to the water-dissociation catalyst layer may play a key role in water dissociation. This study identifies the key parameters of individual BPM components and their interactions to water dissociation performance, offering new insights to guide in the construction of future BPMs optimized for enhanced water dissociation efficiency at high current densities.

Membrane active peptides (MAPs) can provide novel means to trigger the release of liposome encapsulated drugs to improve the efficacy of liposomal drug delivery systems. Design of MAP-based release strategies requires possibilities to carefully tailor the interactions between the peptides and the lipid bilayer. Here we explore the influence of lipid vesicle properties on the function of conjugation-dependent MAPs, specifically focusing on two de novo designed peptides, JR2KC and CKV 4 . Utilizing liposomes with differences in size, lipid composition, and surface charge, we investigated the mechanisms and abilities of the peptides to induce controlled release of encapsulated cargo. Our findings indicate that liposome size modestly affects the structural changes and function of the peptides, with larger vesicles facilitating a minor increase in drug release efficiency due to higher peptide-to-liposome ratios. Notably, the introduction of negatively charged lipids significantly enhanced the release efficiency, predominantly through electrostatic interactions that favor peptide accumulation at the lipid bilayer interface and subsequent membrane disruption. The incorporation of cholesterol and a mix of saturated and unsaturated lipids was shown to alter the vesicle's phase behavior, thus modulating the membrane activity of the peptides. This was particularly evident in the cholesterol-enriched liposomes, where JR2KC induced lipid phase separation, markedly enhancing cargo release. Our results underscore the critical role of lipid vesicle composition in the design of MAP-based drug delivery systems, suggesting that precise tuning of lipid characteristics can significantly influence their performance.

Broadband light-absorbing materials are of large interest for numerous applications ranging from solar harvesting and photocatalysis to low reflection coatings. Fabrication of these materials is often complex and typically utilizes coating techniques optimized for flat and hard materials. Here, we show a self-assembly based strategy for generating robust but mechanically flexible broadband light-absorbing soft materials that can conform to curved surfaces and surface irregularities. The materials were fabricated by adsorbing large quantities of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the nanofibrils of hydrated bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes by tailoring the interaction potential between the cellulose nanofibrils and the AuNPs. The highly efficient self-assembly process resulted in very dense multilayers of AuNPs on the nanofibrils, causing extensive broadening of the localized surface plasmon resonance band and a striking black appearance of the BC membranes. The nanocomposite materials showed an absorptance >96% in both the visible and the near-infrared wavelength range. The AuNP-functionalized BC membranes demonstrated excellent conformability to curved and structured surfaces and could adopt the shape of highly irregular surface structures without any obvious changes in their optical properties. The proposed self-assembly based strategy enables the fabrication of soft and conformable broadband light-absorbing nanocomposites with unique optical and mechanical properties using sustainable cellulose-based materials.

Background: Previous study indicated that CHK1 was important for repairing DNA damage and cell cycle regulation. Aims: To investigate the association of Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) expression with clinicopathological features, prognosis, and immune infiltration in cancer. Methods: Several databases were searched for relevant publications to conduct a meta-analysis to reveal the association between CHK1 and clinicopathological features of cancer. TIMER and GEPIA datasets were utilized to explore the differential expression of CHK1 of tumors. GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases were adopted to detect the prognostic significance of CHK1 in tumor. TIMER and cBioPortal databases were used for the analysis regarding immune infiltration and mutation respectively. Results: We found that CHK1 expression was significantly associated with low differentiation (OR=3.94, 95% CI: 2.73-5.67, P<0.05), advanced stage (OR=3.20, 95% CI: 2.30-4.44, P<0.05), vascular infiltration (OR=3.24, 95% CI: 2.18-4.82, P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (OR=3.55, 95% CI: 2.62-4.82, P<0.05) of various cancers. CHK1 was highly expressed in multiple cancers and was related to clinical stage, survival, immune infiltration in pan-cancers. Conclusions: Our study found that CHK1 was significantly related to prognosis and immunological status in various cancers, suggesting that CHK1 may serve as a useful biomarker for prognosis and immune infiltration in cancer., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are critical for treatment of a wide range of diseases. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most predominant form of mAb but is prone to aggregation during production. Detection and removal of IgG aggregates are time-consuming and laborious. Chromatography is central for purification of biopharmaceuticals in general and essential in the production of mAbs. Protein purification systems are usually equipped with detectors for monitoring pH, UV absorbance, and conductivity, to facilitate optimization and control of the purification process. However, specific in-line detection of the target products and contaminating species, such as aggregates, is currently not possible using convectional techniques. Here we show a novel fiber optical in-line sensor, based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), for specific detection of IgG and IgG aggregates during affinity chromatography. A flow cell with a Protein A sensor chip was connected to the outlet of the affinity column connected to three different chromatography systems operating at lab scale to pilot scale. Samples containing various IgG concentrations and aggregate contents were analyzed in-line during purification on a Protein A column using both pH gradient and isocratic elution. Because of avidity effects, IgG aggregates showed slower dissociation kinetics than monomers after binding to the sensor chips. Possibilities to detect aggregate concentrations below 1 % and difference in aggregate content smaller than 0.3 % between samples were demonstrated. In-line detection of aggregates can circumvent time-consuming off-line analysis and facilitate automation and process intensification., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Thuy Tran reports financial support was provided by Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 841,373. Daniel Aili reports financial support was provided by The Swedish Innovation Agency (VINNOVA), grant numbers 2016–04120 and 2019–00130. Daniel Aili reports a relationship with ArgusEye AB that includes: board membership and equity or stocks. Erik Martinsson reports a relationship with ArgusEye AB that includes: equity or stocks. Ingemar Lundstrom reports a relationship with ArgusEye AB that includes: equity or stocks. Carl-Fredrik Mandenius reports a relationship with ArgusEye AB that includes: equity or stocks. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Traditionally, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) uses diaphragms to separate anode and cathode and is operated with 5-7 M KOH feed solutions. The ban of asbestos diaphragms led to the development of polymeric diaphragms, which are now the state of the art material. A promising alternative is the ion solvating membrane. Recent developments show that high conductivities can also be obtained in 1 M KOH. A third technology is based on anion exchange membranes (AEM); because these systems use 0-1 M KOH feed solutions to balance the trade-off between conductivity and the AEM's lifetime in alkaline environment, it makes sense to treat them separately as AEM WE. However, the lifetime of AEM increased strongly over the last 10 years, and some electrode-related issues like oxidation of the ionomer binder at the anode can be mitigated by using KOH feed solutions. Therefore, AWE and AEM WE may get more similar in the future, and this review focuses on the developments in polymeric diaphragms, ion solvating membranes, and AEM.

Possibilities for controlling the release of pharmaceuticals from liposomal drug delivery systems can enhance their efficacy and reduce their side effects. Membrane-active peptides (MAPs) can be tailored to promote liposomal release when conjugated to lipid head groups using thiol-maleimide chemistry. However, the rapid oxidation of thiols hampers the optimization of such conjugation-dependent release strategies. Here, we demonstrate a de novo designed MAP modified with an enzyme-labile Cys-protection group (phenylacetamidomethyl (Phacm)) that prevents oxidation and facilitates in situ peptide lipidation. Before deprotection, the peptide lacks a defined secondary structure and does not interact with maleimide-functionalized vesicles. After deprotection of Cys using penicillin G acylase (PGA), the peptide adopts an α-helical conformation and triggers rapid release of vesicle content. Both the peptide and PGA concentrations significantly influence the conjugation process and, consequently, the release kinetics. At a PGA concentration of 5 μM the conjugation and release kinetics closely mirror those of fully reduced, unprotected peptides. We anticipate that these findings will enable further refinement of MAP conjugation and release processes, facilitating the development of sophisticated bioresponsive MAP-based liposomal drug delivery systems., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

High mammographic density, associated with increased tissue stiffness, is a strong risk factor for breast cancer per se. In postmenopausal women there is no differences in the occurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) depending on breast density. Preliminary data suggest that dense breast tissue is associated with a pro-inflammatory microenvironment including infiltrating monocytes. However, the underlying mechanism(s) remains largely unknown. A major roadblock to understanding this risk factor is the lack of relevant in vitro models. A biologically relevant 3D model with tunable stiffness was developed by cross-linking hyaluronic acid. Breast cancer cells were cultured with and without freshly isolated human monocytes. In a unique clinical setting, extracellular proteins were sampled using microdialysis in situ from women with various breast densities. We show that tissue stiffness resembling high mammographic density increases the attachment of monocytes to the cancer cells, increase the expression of adhesion molecules and epithelia-mesenchymal-transition proteins in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. Increased tissue stiffness results in increased secretion of similar pro-tumorigenic proteins as those found in human dense breast tissue including inflammatory cytokines, proteases, and growth factors. ER negative breast cancer cells were mostly unaffected suggesting that diverse cancer cell phenotypes may respond differently to tissue stiffness. We introduce a biological relevant model with tunable stiffness that resembles the densities found in normal breast tissue in women. The model will be key for further mechanistic studies. Additionally, our data revealed several pro-tumorigenic pathways that may be exploited for prevention and therapy against breast cancer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Women with mammographic high-density breasts have a 4-6-fold higher risk of breast cancer than low-density breasts. Biological mechanisms behind this increase are not fully understood and no preventive therapeutics are available. One major reason being a lack of suitable experimental models. Having such models available would greatly enhance the discovery of relevant targets for breast cancer prevention. We present a biologically relevant 3D-model for studies of human dense breasts, providing a platform for investigating both biophysical and biochemical properties that may affect cancer progression. This model will have a major scientific impact on studies for identification of novel targets for breast cancer prevention., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Tendon and ligament injuries account for a substantial proportion of disorders in the musculoskeletal system. While non-operative and operative treatment strategies have advanced, the restoration of native tendon and ligament structures after injury is still challenging due to its innate limited regenerative ability. Cell sheet technology is an innovative tool for tissue fabrication and cell transplantation in regenerative medicine. In this review, we first summarize different harvesting procedures and advantages of cell sheet technology, which preserves intact cell-to-cell connections and extracellular matrix. We then describe the recent progress of cell sheet technology from preclinical studies, focusing on the application of stem cell-derived sheets in treating tendon and ligament injuries, as well as highlighting its effects on mitigating inflammation and promoting tendon/graft-bone interface healing. Finally, we discuss several prerequisites for future clinical translation including the selection of appropriate cell source, optimization of preparation process, establishment of suitable animal model, and the fabrication of vascularized complex tissue. We believe this review could potentially provoke new ideas and drive the development of more functional biomimetic tissues using cell sheet technology to meet the needs of clinical patients., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Biomedical Engineering Society.)

In native tissue, remodeling of the pericellular space is essential for cellular activities and is mediated by tightly regulated proteases. Protease activity is dysregulated in many diseases, including many forms of cancer. Increased proteolytic activity is directly linked to tumor invasion into stroma, metastasis, and angiogenesis as well as all other hallmarks of cancer. Here we show a strategy for 3D bioprinting of breast cancer models using well-defined protease degradable hydrogels that can facilitate exploration of the multifaceted roles of proteolytic extracellular matrix remodeling in tumor progression. We designed a set of bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne functionalized hyaluronan (HA)-based bioinks cross-linked by azide-modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradable azide-functionalized peptides. Bioprinted structures combining PEG and peptide-based hydrogels were proteolytically degraded with spatial selectivity, leaving non-degradable features intact. Bioprinting of tumor-mimicking microenvironments using bioinks comprising human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and fibroblast in hydrogels with different susceptibilities to proteolytic degradation shows that MCF-7 proliferation and spheroid size were significantly increased in protease degradable hydrogel compartments, but only in the presence of fibroblasts. In the absence of fibroblasts in the stromal compartment, cancer cell proliferation was reduced and did not differ between degradable and nondegradable hydrogels. The interactions between spatially separated fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells consequently resulted in protease-mediated remodeling of the bioprinted structures and a significant increase in cancer cell spheroid size, highlighting the close interplay between cancer cells and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment and the influence of proteases in tumor progression., (Creative Commons Attribution license.)

Hydrogels of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are promising wound dressing candidates due to their biocompatibility, high water absorption, and transparency. Herein, two different commercially available wood species, softwood and hardwood, were subjected to TEMPO-mediated oxidation to proceed with delignification and oxidation in a one-pot process, and thereafter, nanofibrils were isolated using a high-pressure microfluidizer. Furthermore, transparent nanofibril hydrogel networks were prepared by vacuum filtration. Nanofibril properties and network performance correlated with oxidation were investigated and compared with commercially available TEMPO-oxidized pulp nanofibrils and their networks. Softwood nanofibril hydrogel networks exhibited the best mechanical properties, and in vitro toxicological risk assessment showed no detrimental effect for any of the studied hydrogels on human fibroblast or keratinocyte cells. This study demonstrates a straightforward processing route for direct oxidation of different wood species to obtain nanofibril hydrogels for potential use as wound dressings, with softwood having the most potential.

Bioprinting of hydrogel-based bioinks can allow for the fabrication of elaborate, cell-laden 3D structures. In addition to providing an adequate extracellular matrix mimetic environment and high cell viability, the hydrogels must offer facile extrusion through the printing nozzle and retain the shape of the printed structure. We demonstrate a strategy to incorporate cellulose oxalate nanofibrils in hyaluronan-based hydrogels to generate shear thinning bioinks that allowed for printing of free-standing multilayer structures, covalently cross-linked after bioprinting, yielding long-term stability. The storage modulus of the hydrogels was tunable between 0.5 and 1.5 kPa. The nanocellulose containing hydrogels showed good biocompatibility, with viability of primary human dermal fibroblasts above 80% at day 7 after seeding. The cells were also shown to tolerate the printing process well, with viability above 80% 24 h after printing. We anticipate that this hydrogel system can find broad use as a bioink to produce complex geometries that can support cell growth.

To meet challenges associated with climate changes due to the continuous increase in global energy demand, implementation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, especially the polymer electrolyte membrane type, are recognized as potential solutions. The high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell based on acid doped polybenzimidazoles has attracted enormous R&D attention due to the simplified construction and operation of the power system. In order to improve the reliability and lifetime of the technology, studies on material degradation and mitigation are essential. The present work is a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on degradation mechanisms of the fuel cell components including the acid loss, polymer oxidation and catalyst instability due to the metal dissolution and carbon support corrosion. The durability results are updated according to the categories of steady state and dynamic operations. Durability protocols, diagnostic techniques and mitigation strategies are also discussed.

The self-assembly of nanocellulose in the form of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) can be accomplished via hydrogen-bonding assistance into completely bio-based hydrogels. This study aimed to use the intrinsic properties of CNFs, such as their ability to form strong networks and high absorption capacity and exploit them in the sustainable development of effective wound dressing materials. First, TEMPO-oxidized CNFs were separated directly from wood (W-CNFs) and compared with CNFs separated from wood pulp (P-CNFs). Second, two approaches were evaluated for hydrogel self-assembly from W-CNFs, where water was removed from the suspensions via evaporation through suspension casting (SC) or vacuum-assisted filtration (VF). Third, the W-CNF-VF hydrogel was compared to commercial bacterial cellulose (BC). The study demonstrates that the self-assembly via VF of nanocellulose hydrogels from wood was the most promising material as wound dressing and displayed comparable properties to that of BC and strength to that of soft tissue.

Multi-gigawatt-scale hydrogen production by water electrolysis is central in the green transition when it comes to storage of energy and forming the basis for sustainable fuels and materials. Alkaline water electrolysis plays a key role in this context, as the scale of implementation is not limited by the availability of scarce and expensive raw materials. Even though it is a mature technology, the new technological context of the renewable energy system demands more from the systems in terms of higher energy efficiency, enhanced rate capability, as well as dynamic, part-load, and differential pressure operation capability. New electrode separators that can support high currents at small ohmic losses, while effectively suppressing gas crossover, are essential to achieving this. This Focus Review compares the three main development paths that are currently being pursued in the field with the aim to identify the advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches in order to illuminate rational ways forward., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Bacterial resistance towards antibiotics is a major global health issue. Very few novel antimicrobial agents and therapies have been made available for clinical use during the past decades, despite an increasing need. Antimicrobial peptides have been intensely studied, many of which have shown great promise in vitro. We have previously demonstrated that the bacteriocin Plantaricin NC8 αβ (PLNC8 αβ) from Lactobacillus plantarum effectively inhibits Staphylococcus spp., and shows little to no cytotoxicity towards human keratinocytes. However, due to its limitations in inhibiting gram-negative species, the aim of the present study was to identify novel antimicrobial peptidomimetic compounds with an enhanced spectrum of activity, derived from the β peptide of PLNC8 αβ. We have rationally designed and synthesized a small library of lipopeptides with significantly improved antimicrobial activity towards both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including the ESKAPE pathogens. The lipopeptides consist of 16 amino acids with a terminal fatty acid chain and assemble into micelles that effectively inhibit and kill bacteria by permeabilizing their cell membranes. They demonstrate low hemolytic activity and liposome model systems further confirm selectivity for bacterial lipid membranes. The combination of lipopeptides with different antibiotics enhanced the effects in a synergistic or additive manner. Our data suggest that the novel lipopeptides are promising as future antimicrobial agents, however additional experiments using relevant animal models are necessary to further validate their in vivo efficacy., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Although previous studies have shown an association between clinically used antibiotics and type 2 diabetes, the relationship between antibiotic exposure from food and drinking water and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults is unclear., Objective: This study was aimed at exploring the relationship between antibiotic exposures from different sources and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older people, through urinary antibiotic biomonitoring., Methods: A total of 525 adults who were 45-75 years of age were recruited from Xinjiang in 2019. The total urinary concentrations of 18 antibiotics in five classes (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides and chloramphenicol) commonly used in daily life were measured via isotope dilution ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The antibiotics included four human antibiotics, four veterinary antibiotics and ten preferred veterinary antibiotics. The hazard quotient (HQ) of each antibiotic and the hazard index (HI) based on the mode of antibiotic use and effect endpoint classification were also calculated. Type 2 diabetes was defined on the basis of international levels., Results: The overall detection rate of the 18 antibiotics in middle-aged and older adults was 51.0%. The concentration, daily exposure dose, HQ, and HI were relatively high in participants with type 2 diabetes. After model adjustment for covariates, participants with HI > 1 for microbial effects ( OR = 3.442, 95% CI : 1.423-8.327), HI > 1 for preferred veterinary antibiotic use ( OR = 3.348, 95% CI : 1.386-8.083), HQ > 1 for norfloxacin ( OR = 10.511, 96% CI : 1.571-70.344) and HQ > 1 for ciprofloxacin ( OR = 6.565, 95% CI : 1.676-25.715) had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus., Conclusions: Certain antibiotic exposures, mainly those from sources associated with food and drinking water, generate health risks and are associated with type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older adults. Because of this study's cross-sectional design, additional prospective studies and experimental studies are needed to validate these findings.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Wounds disrupt the functions of the skin and can have catastrophic consequences for an individual resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Wound infections are common and can substantially delay healing and can result in non-healing wounds and sepsis. Early diagnosis and treatment of infection reduce risk of complications and support wound healing. Methods for monitoring of wound pH can facilitate early detection of infection. Here we show a novel strategy for integrating pH sensing capabilities in state-of-the-art hydrogel-based wound dressings fabricated from bacterial nanocellulose (BC). A high surface area material was developed by self-assembly of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in BC. By encapsulating a pH-responsive dye in the MSNs, wound dressings for continuous pH sensing with spatiotemporal resolution were developed. The pH responsive BC-based nanocomposites demonstrated excellent wound dressing properties, with respect to conformability, mechanical properties, and water vapor transmission rate. In addition to facilitating rapid colorimetric assessment of wound pH, this strategy for generating functional BC-MSN nanocomposites can be further be adapted for encapsulation and release of bioactive compounds for treatment of hard-to-heal wounds, enabling development of novel wound care materials., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Astrocytes play an important role in the central nervous system, contributing to the development of and maintenance of synapses, recycling of neurotransmitters, and the integrity and function of the blood-brain barrier. Astrocytes are also linked to the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocyte function and organization are tightly regulated by interactions mediated by the extracellular matrix (ECM). Engineered hydrogels can mimic key aspects of the ECM and can allow for systematic studies of ECM-related factors that govern astrocyte behaviour. In this study, we explore the interactions between neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and glioblastoma (U87) cell lines and human fetal primary astrocytes (FPA) with a modular hyaluronan-based hydrogel system. Morphological analysis reveals that FPA have a higher degree of interactions with the hyaluronan-based gels compared to the cell lines. This interaction is enhanced by conjugation of cell-adhesion peptides (cRGD and IKVAV) to the hyaluronan backbone. These effects are retained and pronounced in 3D bioprinted structures. Bioprinted FPA using cRGD functionalized hyaluronan show extensive and defined protrusions and multiple connections between neighboring cells. Possibilities to tailor and optimize astrocyte-compatible ECM-mimicking hydrogels that can be processed by means of additive biofabrication can facilitate the development of advanced tissue and disease models of the central nervous system., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by National Institute for Materials Science in partnership with Taylor & Francis Group.)

Background: A vital role in coronary artery disease is played by Von Willebrand factor (VWF), which serves as a bridge between platelets and the subendothelial matrix after vessel damage. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of plasma VWF antigen (VWF: Ag) levels as a predictor of clinical outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: Three hundred and seventy-four patients were studied following coronary angiography, including 209 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction and 165 healthy participants. Coronary angiography was followed by measurement of plasma VWF: Ag levels. Over a 2-year follow-up period, major adverse cardiopulmonary and cerebrovascular events (MACEs) were the primary endpoint. All-cause mortality was investigated as a secondary endpoint., Results: When compared to controls, patients with AMI had mean plasma VWF: Ag levels that were ~1.63 times higher (0.860 ± 0.309 vs. 0.529 ± 0.258 IU/ml; P < 0.001). The plasma VWF: Ag levels were substantially higher in patients who experienced MACEs after myocardial infarction vs. those without MACEs (1.088 ± 0.253 vs. 0.731 ± 0.252 IU/ml; P < 0.001). For predicting long-term MACEs using the optimal cut-off value (0.7884 IU/ml) of VWF: Ag, ROC curve area for VWF: Ag was 0.847, with a sensitivity of 87.2% and a specificity of 66.3% (95%CI: 0.792-0.902; P = 0.001). Two-year follow-up revealed a strong link between higher plasma VWF: Ag levels and long-term MACEs. At the 2-year follow-up, multivariate regression analysis revealed an independent relationship between plasma VWF: Ag levels and MACEs (HR = 6.004, 95%CI: 2.987-12.070)., Conclusion: We found evidence that plasma VWF: Ag levels were independent risk factors for AMI. Meanwhile, higher plasma VWF: Ag levels are associated with long-term MACEs in people with AMI., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Xier, Zhu, Tang, Kong, Aili, Huojia and Peng.)

Biomimetic chiral optoelectronic materials can be utilized in electronic devices, biosensors and artificial enzymes. Herein, this work reports the chiro-optical properties and architectural arrangement of optoelectronic materials generated from self-assembly of initially nonchiral oligothiophene-porphyrin derivatives and random coil synthetic peptides. The photo-physical- and structural properties of the materials were assessed by absorption-, fluorescence- and circular dichroism spectroscopy, as well as dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and theoretical calculations. The materials display a three-dimensional ordered helical structure and optical activity that are observed due to an induced chirality of the optoelectronic element upon interaction with the peptide. Both these properties are influenced by the chemical composition of the oligothiophene-porphyrin derivative, as well as the peptide sequence. We foresee that our findings will aid in developing self-assembled optoelectronic materials with dynamic architectonical accuracies, as well as offer the possibility to generate the next generation of materials for a variety of bioelectronic applications., (© 2022 The Authors. ChemPlusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A key challenge for fuel cells based on phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole membranes is the high Pt loading, which is required due to the low electrode performance owing to the poor mass transport and severe Pt poisoning via acid absorption on the Pt surface. Herein, these issues are well addressed by design and synthesis of effective catalyst binders based on polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with strong hydrogen-bonding functionalities which improve phosphoric acid binding energy, and thus preferably uphold phosphoric acid in the vicinity of Pt catalyst particles to mitigate the adsorption of phosphoric acid on the Pt surface. With combination of the highly mass transport microporosity, strong hydrogen-bonds and high phosphoric acid binding energy, the tetrazole functionalized PIM binder enables an H 2 -O 2 cell to reach a high Pt-mass specific peak power density of 3.8 W mg Pt -1 at 160 °C with a low Pt loading of only 0.15 mg Pt cm -2 ., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Potent broad-spectrum antiviral agents are urgently needed to combat existing and emerging viral infections. This is particularly important considering that vaccine development is a costly and time consuming process and that viruses constantly mutate and render the vaccine ineffective. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP), such as bacteriocins, are attractive candidates as antiviral agents against enveloped viruses. One of these bacteriocins is PLNC8 αβ, which consists of amphipathic peptides with positive net charges that display high affinity for negatively charged pathogen membrane structures, including phosphatidylserine rich lipid membranes of viral envelopes. Due to the morphological and physiological differences between viral envelopes and host cell plasma membranes, PLNC8 αβ is thought to have high safety profile by specifically targeting viral envelopes without effecting host cell membranes. In this study, we have tested the antiviral effects of PLNC8 αβ against the flaviviruses Langat and Kunjin, coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (IAV), and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). The concentration of PLNC8 αβ that is required to eliminate all the infective virus particles is in the range of nanomolar (nM) to micromolar (μM), which is surprisingly efficient considering the high content of cholesterol (8-35%) in their lipid envelopes. We found that viruses replicating in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi complex, e.g. SARS-CoV-2 and flaviviruses, are considerably more susceptible to PLNC8 αβ, compared to viruses that acquire their lipid envelope from the plasma membrane, such as IAV and HIV-1. Development of novel broad-spectrum antiviral agents can significantly benefit human health by rapidly and efficiently eliminating infectious virions and thereby limit virus dissemination and spreading between individuals. PLNC8 αβ can potentially be developed into an effective and safe antiviral agent that targets the lipid compartments of viral envelopes of extracellular virions, more or less independent of virus antigenic mutations, which faces many antiviral drugs and vaccines., Competing Interests: A patent application has been submitted to the Swedish Patent and Registration Office by Hazem Khalaf, Torbjörn Bengtsson, Jorma Hinkula, Wessam Melik, Daniel Aili, and Robert Selegård. The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2022 Omer et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) provide new means for treatments of a wide range of diseases and comprise a large fraction of all new approved drugs. Production of mAbs is expensive compared to conventional drug production, primarily due to the complex processes involved. The affinity purification step is dominating the cost of goods in mAb manufacturing. Process intensification and automation could reduce costs, but the lack of real-time process analytical technologies (PAT) complicates this development. We show a specific and robust fiber optical localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor technology that is optimized for in-line product detection in the effluent in affinity capture steps. The sensor system comprises a flow cell and a replaceable sensor chip functionalized with biorecognition elements for specific analyte detection. The high selectivity of the sensor enable detection of mAbs in complex sample matrices at concentrations below 2.5 μg mL -1 . In place regeneration of the sensor chips allowed for continuous monitoring of multiple consecutive chromatographic separation cycles. Excellent performance was obtained at different purification scales with flow rates up to 200 mL min -1 . This sensor technology facilitates efficient column loading, optimization, and control of chromatography systems, which can pave the way for continuous operation and automation of protein purification steps.

Production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a complex process that requires extensive analytical and bioanalytical characterization to ensure high and consistent product quality. Aggregation of mAbs is common and very problematic and can result in products with altered pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and potentially increased immunogenicity. Rapid detection of aggregates, however, remains very challenging using existing analytical techniques. Here, we show a real-time and label-free fiber optical nanoplasmonic biosensor system for specific detection and quantification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) aggregates exploiting Protein A-mediated avidity effects. Compared to monomers, IgG aggregates were found to have substantially higher apparent affinity when binding to Protein A-functionalized sensor chips in a specific pH range (pH 3.8-4.0). Under these conditions, aggregates and monomers showed significantly different binding and dissociation kinetics. Reliable and rapid aggregate quantification was demonstrated with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of about 9 and 30 μg/mL, respectively. Using neural network-based curve fitting, it was further possible to simultaneously quantify monomers and aggregates for aggregate concentrations lower than 30 μg/mL. Our work demonstrates a unique avidity-based biosensor approach for fast aggregate analysis that can be used for rapid at-line quality control, including lot/batch release testing. This technology can also likely be further optimized for real-time in-line monitoring of product titers and quality, facilitating process intensification and automation.