Correction: Magnetic sodium alginate grafted with waste carbonaceous material for diclofenac sodium removal: optimization of operational parameters and process mechanism.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA00495C.].

Tailoring magnetic Sn-MOFs for efficient amoxicillin antibiotic removal through process optimization.

This study investigated the efficacy of magnetic Sn metal-organic frameworks (MSn-MOFs) in removing the insecticide amoxicillin (AMX) from aqueous solutions. Our thorough experimental investigation showed that MSn-MOFs were an incredibly effective adsorbent for removing AMX. Several methods were used to characterize the material. BET investigation of the data displayed a significant surface area of 880 m2 g-1 and a strong magnetic force of 89.26 emu g-1. To identify the point of zero charge, surface characterization was carried out and the value was 7.5. This shows that the adsorbent carries a positive and negative charge below and above this position, respectively. Moreover, the impact of pH on adsorption equilibrium was explored. The results of kinetic models to explore the adsorption of AMX on MSn-MOFs supported the pseudo-second-order, and the adsorption complied well with the Langmuir isotherm. The results revealed that the overall adsorption mechanism may entail chemisorption via an endothermic spontaneous process with MSn-MOFs. The precise modes by which MSn-MOFs and AMX interacted may involve pore filling, H-bonding, π-π interaction, or electrostatic interaction. Determining the nature of this interaction is essential in understanding the adsorption behavior of the MOFs and optimize the adsorbent design for real-world applications. The use of the MSn-MOF adsorbent provides a straightforward yet efficient method for the filtration of water and treatment of industrial effluents. The results showed 2.75 mmol g-1 as the maximum capacity for adsorption at pH = 6. Additional tests were conducted to assess the adsorbent regeneration, and even after more than six cycles, the results demonstrated a high level of efficiency. The adsorption results were enhanced by the application of the Box-Behnken design.

Development of photoluminescent viscose fibers integrated with polymer containing lanthanide-doped phosphor.

Smart clothing refers to textiles that can sense an external stimulus by changing their physical properties such as colorimetric and fluorescent fabrics. The pad-dry-curing coloration approach was used to apply a luminous and hydrophobic composite coating onto cellulose-based materials. This novel method includes incorporating phosphor nanoparticles made from lanthanide-doped strontium aluminum oxide (LSAO) into room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTV). The LSAO nano-sized particles (3-8 nm) must be mixed evenly throughout RTV without aggregation to allow for the formation of a colorless layer onto viscose surface. Pad-dry-curing the film onto viscose cloth worked well at room temperature. The contact angles of the luminous fibers enhanced from 138.6° to 158.2° as the LSAO ratio increased. The antimicrobial and ultraviolet (UV) protection of the LSAO-finished viscose were investigated. The transparent fluorescent film on viscose surface was excited at 367 nm to display an emission peak at 518 nm. According to CIE Lab coordinates and luminescence analyses, the fluorescent viscose fibers showed various colors, including white under visible light, intense green beneath UV device, and greenish-yellow under darkness. The comfort properties of the LSAO-finished viscose were assessed by measuring their bend length and permeability to air. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of LSAO nanoparticles was explored. Energy dispersive x-ray, x-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to describe the spectroscopic outcomes of the treated textiles. The colorfastness of the LSAO-finished viscose fabrics was examined. The coated fabrics exhibited a non-fatigable reversible luminous photochromism in response to UV illumination. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Multifunctional LSAO@RTV nanocomposite was pad-dry-cured onto viscose textile. Photochromism to green under UV light and greenish-yellow in the dark was detected. Efficient antimicrobial, UV protective, and superhydrophobic activity were observed. The antimicrobial properties were maintained for 24 washing cycles. Pad-dry-cured viscose showed good comfortability and photostability.

Magnetic sodium alginate grafted with waste carbonaceous material for diclofenac sodium removal: optimization of operational parameters and process mechanism.

As their manufacturing and consumption have increased, pharmaceutical chemicals have increasingly been found in wastewater. It is necessary to look into more effective methods, including adsorption, because current therapies can't completely eliminate these micro contaminants. This investigation aims to assess the diclofenac sodium (DS) adsorption onto an Fe3O4@TAC@SA polymer in a static system. Through Box-Behnken design (BBD), system optimization was carried out, and the ideal conditions - adsorbent mass of 0.01 g and agitation speed of 200 rpm - were chosen. The adsorbent was created utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), allowing us to gain a comprehensive understanding of its properties. The analysis of the adsorption process revealed that the external mass transference was the primary rate-controlling step, and the Pseudo-Second-Order model demonstrated the best correlation to kinetic experimental results. An endothermic, spontaneous adsorption process took place. The removal capacity was 858 mg g-1, which is a respectable result when compared to other adsorbents that have been utilized in the past to remove DS. Ion exchange, π-π interactions, electrostatic pore filling and hydrogen bonding all play a role in the adsorption of DS on the Fe3O4@TAC@SA polymer. After careful examination of the adsorbent towards a true sample, it was determined to be highly efficient after three regenerative cycles.

Ovarian cancer screening-ultrasound; impact on ovarian cancer mortality.

Although ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal of all female malignancies, debate still exists concerning the benefits and harms of the screening programs and their impact on long-term survival and mortality from the disease. The most widely tested screening strategies have focused on transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) and on algorithms that measure serum levels or interval changes of cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) either individually or in combination. Transvaginal ultrasound can identify size and morphology changes of the ovary that may signal a developing malignancy; yet, it is still accused of having a low specificity. There is preliminary evidence that screening can improve survival, but the impact of screening on mortality from OC is still unclear and warrants further validation. In spite of having many published prospective studies, up to-date, none have been able to demonstrate conclusively a reduction in mortality from OC both in the screened general or high-risk population. Data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial has not shown survival or mortality benefits in the general population. Most prospective trials have reported a decrease in stage at detection (with the exception of the PLCO trial), thereby allowing treatment to be initiated when the disease is most curable. Research is in progress to develop new diagnostic tests and novel biomarkers, which when used in combination can increase the accuracy and outcomes of screening. In this review article, we will discuss the debate provoked on OC screening programs and the impact of using ultrasound on the reduction of OC-related mortality.

Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Maleic Anhydride with Functional Epoxides: Poly(propylene fumarate) Analogues Capable of Post-Polymerization Modification.

Three functional epoxides were copolymerized with maleic anhydride to yield degradable poly(propylene fumarate) analogues. The polymers were modified post-polymerization and post-printing with either click-type addition reactions or UV deprotection to either attach bioactive species or increase the hydrophilicity. Successful dye attachment, induced wettability, and improved cell spreading show the viability of these analogues in biomaterials applications.

Sequence and Conformational Analysis of Peptide-Polymer Bioconjugates by Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry.

The sequence and helical content of two alanine-rich peptides (AQK18 and GpAQK18, Gp: l-propargylglycine) and their conjugates with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been investigated by multidimensional mass spectrometry (MS), encompassing electrospray ionization (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) interfaced with tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) fragmentation and shape-sensitive separation via ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS). The composition, sequence, and molecular weight distribution of the peptides and bioconjugates were identified by MS and MS2 experiments, which also confirmed the attachment of PEG at the C-terminus of the peptides. ESI coupled with IM-MS revealed the existence of random coil and α-helical conformers for the peptides in the gas phase. More importantly, the proportion of the helical conformation increased substantially after PEG attachment, suggesting that conjugation adds stability to this conformer. The conformational assemblies detected in the gas phase were largely formed in solution, as corroborated by independent circular dichroism (CD) experiments. The collision cross sections (rotationally averaged forward moving areas) of the random coil and helical conformers of the peptides and their PEG conjugates were simulated for comparison with the experimental values deduced by IM-MS in order to confirm the identity of the observed architectures and understand the stabilizing effect of the polymer chain. C-terminal PEGylation is shown to increase the positive charge density and to solvate intramolecular positive charges at the conjugation site, thereby enhancing the stability of α-helices, preserving their conformation and increasing helical propensity.

Magnesium Catalyzed Polymerization of End Functionalized Poly(propylene maleate) and Poly(propylene fumarate) for 3D Printing of Bioactive Scaffolds.

The ring-opening copolymerization of maleic anhydride and propylene oxide, using a functionalized primary alcohol initiator and magnesium 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenoxide as a catalyst, was investigated in order to produce high end-group fidelity poly(propylene maleate). Subsequent isomerization of the material into 3D printable poly(propylene fumarate) was utilized to produce thin films and scaffolds possessing groups that can be modified with bioactive groups postpolymerization and postprinting. The surface concentration of these modifiable groups was determined to be 30.0 ± 3.3 pmol·cm-2, and copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition was used to attach a small molecule dye and cell adhesive GRGDS peptides to the surface as a model system. The films were then studied for cytotoxicity and found to have high cell viability before and after surface modification.

Multidimensional mass spectrometry characterization of isomeric biodegradable polyesters.

The biodegradable polyester copolymer poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) is increasingly utilized in bone tissue engineering studies due to its suitability as inert cross-linkable scaffold material. The well-defined poly(propylene fumarate) oligomers needed for this purpose are synthesized by post-polymerization isomerization of poly(propylene maleate), which is prepared by ring opening polymerization of maleic anhydride and propylene oxide. In this study, multidimensional mass spectrometry methodologies, interfacing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and electrospray ionization with mass analysis, tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation and/or ion mobility mass spectrometry, have been employed to characterize the composition, end groups, chain connectivity and isomeric purity of the isomeric copolyesters poly(propylene maleate)and poly(propylene fumarate). It is demonstrated that the polymerization catalyst is incorporated into the polymer chain (as the initiating chain end) and that the poly(propylene maleate) to poly(propylene fumarate) isomerization using an amine base proceeds with quantitative yield. Hydrolytic degradation is shown not to alter the double bond geometry of the poly(propylene fumarate) or poly(propylene maleate) chains.

Trehalose Glycopolymer Enhances Both Solution Stability and Pharmacokinetics of a Therapeutic Protein.

Biocompatible polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been successfully conjugated to therapeutic proteins to enhance their pharmacokinetics. However, many of these polymers, including PEG, only improve the in vivo lifetimes and do not protect proteins against inactivation during storage and transportation. Herein, we report a polymer with trehalose side chains (PolyProtek) that is capable of improving both the external stability and the in vivo plasma half-life of a therapeutic protein. Insulin was employed as a model biologic, and high performance liquid chromatography and dynamic light scattering confirmed that addition of trehalose glycopolymer as an excipient or covalent conjugation prevented thermal or agitation-induced aggregation of insulin. The insulin-trehalose glycopolymer conjugate also showed significantly prolonged plasma circulation time in mice, similar to the analogous insulin-PEG conjugate. The insulin-trehalose glycopolymer conjugate was active as tested by insulin tolerance tests in mice and retained bioactivity even after exposure to high temperatures. The trehalose glycopolymer was shown to be nontoxic to mice up to at least 1.6 mg/kg dosage. These results together suggest that the trehalose glycopolymer should be further explored as an alternative to PEG for long circulating protein therapeutics.