High-efficiency fluorescent coordination polymer nanoparticles co-doped with Ce3+/Tb3+ ions for curcumin detection.

Curcumin (Cur) possesses diverse biological and pharmacologic effects. It is widely used as a food additive and therapeutic medicine. A study to determine a sensitive detection method for Cur is necessary and meaningful. In this work, double rare earth ions co-doped fluorescent coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNPs) were developed for the Cur detection. The CPNPs were synthesized by using adenosine monophosphate (AMP) as bridge ligands via coordination self-assembly with Ce3+ and Tb3+. The AMP-Ce/Tb CPNPs exhibited the characteristic green fluorescence of Tb3+ and had high luminescence efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity of AMP-Ce/Tb CPNPs could be significantly quenched by Cur. The fluorescence quenching extent at λex/λem of 300 nm/544 nm showed a good linear relationship with the Cur concentration in the range of 10 to 1000 nM. The detection limit was as low as 8.0 nM (S/N = 3). This method was successfully applied to the determination of Cur in real samples with satisfactory results. The luminescence mechanism of AMP-Ce/Tb CPNPs and the fluorescence quenching mechanism of the CPNPs by Cur were both examined.

Two Zn(II)-based Coordination Polymers: Fe3+ Ion and Prevention Activity Detection On Postpartum Hemorrhage By Regulating Anticoagulant Factor Activity.

Two new Zn(II)-based coordination polymers {[Zn3(L1)6(H2O)]∙(H2O)4}n (1, HL1 = 4-(tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl-4,2':6',4″-terpyridine) and [Zn2Cl2(L2)2H2O]n (2, HL2 = 4-([2,2':6',2″'-terpyridin]-4'-yl)benzoic acid) have been successfully prepared using two similar organic ligands with distinct donor groups under similar reaction conditions. The distinct structural features and donor atoms make the two complexes show different water stability, and the complex 1 with good water stability, which can be utilized as the sensor for Fe3+ ion detection in water. The value of Stern-Volmer quenching constant of 1 to the Fe3+ is 5.77 × 104 M- 1, which lies in the top region of the reported CP-based sensors. The mechanism investigation reveals that the energy transfer of resonance from the complex 1 to the Fe3+ ion can account for its fluorescent quenching behavior. The treatment activity of compounds 1 and 2 on the postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was assessed. First, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells was assessed with Cell Counting Kit-8 detection kit. Then, to evaluate the prevention of compounds 1 and 2 on the PPH, we conducted the Lowry method and detected the clotting factor IX and anticoagulant factor III contents after the indicated treatment. Finally, the inflammatory response in mice was determined by ELISA method, and the IL-6 and IL-8 levels were determined.

Improved antifouling properties of photobioreactors by surface grafted sulfobetaine polymers.

To improve the antifouling (AF) properties of photobioreactors (PBR) for microalgal cultivation, using trihydroxymethyl aminomethane (tris) as the linking agent, a series of polyethylene (PE) films grafted with sulfobetaine (PE-SBMA) with grafting density ranging from 23.11 to 112 µg cm-2 were prepared through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). It was found that the contact angle of PE-SBMA films decreased with the increase in the grafting density. When the grafting density was 101.33 µg cm-2, it reached 67.27°. Compared with the PE film, the adsorption of protein on the PE-SBMA film decreased by 79.84% and the total weight of solid and absorbed microalgae decreased by 54.58 and 81.69%, respectively. Moreover, the transmittance of PE-SBMA film recovered to 86.03% of the initial value after cleaning, while that of the PE film recovered to only 47.27%. The results demonstrate that the AF properties of PE films were greatly improved on polySBMA-grafted surfaces.

Ectopic osteogenesis of an injectable nHAC/CSH loaded with blood-acquired mesenchymal progenitor cells in a nude mice model.

An injectable bone cement, nHAC/CSH, which consists of nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) and calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO4.½H2O; CSH) was investigated as a tissue-engineered scaffold material with blood-acquired mesenchymal progenitor cells (BMPCs) as seeding cells. An in vitro study on the cytocompatability of nHAC/CSH and an in vivo study on the ectopic bone formation of nHAC/CSH loaded with dBMPCs were both conducted. The dBMPCs morphology, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis assays were conducted using the direct contact and extract method. The cells tests exhibited normal growth and bioactive function in vitro. Studies in vivo showed that this injectable tissue engineered bone (ITB) formed bone structure in the heterotopic site of nude mice. These findings indicate that the ITB composed of nHAC/CSH and dBMPCs may represent a useful strategy for clinical reconstruction of irregular bone defects.

Biodegradable and multifunctional polymer micro-tubes for targeting photothermal therapy.

We describe an innovative form of polymer micro-tubes with diverse functions including biodegradation, magnetic manipulation, and photothermal effect that employs and activates photothermal therapy to target cancer cells. The micro-tube comprised soybean protein isolate, poly-l-glutamic acid, magnetite nanoparticles, plus gold nanoparticles. Through electrostatic force, these components, with opposite charges, formed pairs of layers in the pores of the template, various bilayers of soybean protein isolate and poly-l-glutamic acid served as the biodegradable building wall to each micro-tube. The layers of magnetite nanoparticle functionalized micro-tubes enabled the micro-tube manipulate to target the cancer cells by using an external magnetic field. The photo-thermal effect of the layer of gold nanoparticles on the outer surface of the micro-tubes, when under irradiation and when brought about by the near infrared radiation, elevated each sample's temperature. In addition, and when under the exposure of the near infrared radiation, the elevated temperature of the suspension of the micro-tubes, likewise with a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, and similarly with a power of 2 W and as well maintained for 10 min, elevated the temperature of the suspension beyond 42 °C. Such temperatures induced apoptosis of target cancer cells through the effect of photothermal therapy. The findings assert that structured micro-tubes have a promising application as a photothermal agent. From this assertion, the implications are that this multifunctional agent will significantly improve the methodology for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

In vitro investigation of the effect of plasticizers on the blood compatibility of medical grade plasticized poly (vinyl chloride).

This paper reports the results of an in vitro investigation into the blood response of medical grade poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC), and two types of plasticized PVC in tubing or sheet form, with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (HEXAMOLL(®) DINCH) as plasticizer, were selected for assessment of complement activation, coagulation system and platelet activation. The results of the study show that not only the plasticizers at PVC surface have an influence on complement activation, but also the incubation condition such as incubation time and the diameter of PVC tubing. Under static status, C3a, C5a and SC5b-9 concentration in the blood were higher after contacting with PVC plasticized with DEHP (PVC1) than after contacting with PVC plasticized with DINCH (PVC2). However, under dynamic circulation, the results were totally converse, which may be due to smaller diameter and higher shear rate of PVC2. In addition, there was a significant increase of activated partial thrombin time (APTT) and decrease of FIX concentration after plasma contacting with the PVC tubing, which indicated that the intrinsic pathway may be impacted when blood contacted with PVC tubing. However, there was no significant difference of APTT, FIX concentration and CD62p expression rate between the two materials. Moreover, the migration in the DINCH system was considerably lower than for DEHP, which indicates that DINCH could be a promising alterative plasticizer of DEHP.

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis syndrome with mandibular involvement: Would surgical operation help?

BACKGROUND: Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory disease; its primary manifestation includes osteoarthropathy with skin involvement. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as tofacitinib, were used for rheumatoid arthritis; however, due to its downregulation of immune cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, it might be effective for SAPHO patients. CASE SUMMARY: We report the 1st case of mandibular-related SAPHO syndrome treated with tofacitinib. The patient underwent mandibular resection surgery twice and postoperative pathology showed "osteomyelitis". The patient developed sclerosing osteomyelitis in the left wrist 9 months after surgery and SAPHO syndrome was diagnosed. The patient was administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids therapy without much remission. A 3-month tofacitinib therapy provided remission from both systemic inflammation status and peripheral osteoarticular symptoms and no significant recurrence was observed during follow-up in this case. CONCLUSION: Mandibular involvement in SAPHO syndrome is easily misdiagnosed due to its rarity. Mandibular resection surgery should be applied carefully; after systemic treatment with tofacitinib, the patient had remission. We provide a successful experience for the treatment of mandibular-related SAPHO syndrome.

Efficient decolorization of melanoidin in raw molasses wastewater by thermophilic esterase in actual extreme conditions.

This work was developed to explore the versatility of thermophilic esterase for decolorizing raw molasses wastewater at high temperature and acidic pH. Combining covalent crosslinking method with deep eutectic solvent, a thermophilic esterase from Pyrobaculum calidifontis was immobilized on chitosan/macroporous resin composite carrier. The application of this immobilized thermophilic esterase eliminated 92.35% of colorants in raw molasses wastewater, achieving maximal decolorization efficiency across all the enzymes tested. Strikingly, this immobilized thermophilic esterase was capable of engaging in continuous activity for a 5-day period while removing 76.23% of pigments from samples. It effectively and continuously eliminated BOD5 and COD, effectively and directly facilitating raw molasses wastewater decolorization under extreme conditions more readily than control group. In addition, this thermophilic esterase was believed to achieve decolorization through an addition reaction that disrupted conjugated system of melanoidins. Together, these results highlight an efficient and practical means of achieving enzyme-based molasses wastewater decolorization.

Efficient removal of mercury ions with MoS2-nanosheet-decorated PVDF composite adsorption membrane.

The exploitation of a new adsorbent with a high adsorption performance and recyclability is of great practical significance for the treatment of wastewater containing mercury ions. In this study, a novel membrane adsorbent was fabricated by blending MoS2 nanosheets into a PVDF polymer matrix (P-PVDF/MoS2) followed by non-solvent-induced phase conversion. This material was able to bind mercury ions and was not affected by the solution ionic strength, co-existing anions, or interfering heavy metal ions. The optimal pH range for mercury ion elimination was 4.5-6.0, and P-PVDF/MoS2 exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 578 mg g-1. The pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models best described the adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism was mainly monolayer chemisorption, for which the S groups were the major active sites. Furthermore, the membrane could be removed from the aqueous solution easily using tweezers, and the removal efficiency of mercury ions remained over 90% after ten cycles. This study suggests that the inexpensive and recyclable P-PVDF/MoS2 membranes can be used for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater at a large scale.

One-step removal of harmful algal blooms by dual-functional flocculant based on self-branched chitosan integrated with flotation function.

Harmful algal blooms induce severe environmental problems. It is challenging to remove algae by the current available treatments involving complicate process and costly instruments. Here, we developed a CaO2@PEG-loaded water-soluble self-branched chitosan (CP-SBC) system, which can remove algae from water in one-step without additional instrumentation. This approach utilizes a novel flocculant (self-branched chitosan) integrated with flotation function (induced by CaO2@PEG). CP-SBC exhibited better flocculation performance than commercial flocculants, which is attributed to the enhanced bridging and sweeping effect of branched chitosan. CP-SBC demonstrated outstanding biocompatibility, which was verified by zebrafish test and algae activity test. CaO2@PEG-loaded self-branched chitosan can serve as an "Air flotation system" to spontaneous float the flocs after flocculation by sustainably released O2. Furthermore, CP-SBC can improve water quality through minimizing dissolved oxygen depletion and reducing total phosphorus concentrations.

Permanently Positively Charged Stable Isotope Labeling Agents and Its Application in the Accurate Quantitation of Alkylphenols Migrated from Plastics to Edible Oils.

A new permanently positively charged stable isotope labeling (SIL) agent pair, 4-(((2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)oxy)carbonyl)-N,N,N-trimethylbenzenaminium iodide(DPTBA) and its deuterated counterpart d3-DPTBA, was designed and synthesized. The SIL agents were applied to the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of alkylphenols. Light labeled standards and heavy labeled samples were mixed and analyzed simultaneously. Matrix effect which mainly occurred during the ionization process was minimized because of the identical ionization processes between samples and standards. Meanwhile, derivatization made alkylphenols be positively charged, and thus the sensitivity was enhanced. The limits of detection were in the range of 1.5-1.8 ng/L, and the limits of quantitation were in the range of 4.8-6.1 ng/L. The developed method was applied to analyze alkylphenols migrated from plastics to edible oils. The recoveries for all analytes were in the range of 88.6-95.3%, while the matrix effects for all analytes were in the range of 96.2-99.6%.

Characterization of a Bioresorbable Magnesium-Reinforced PLA-Integrated GTR/GBR Membrane as Dental Applications.

Inferior mechanical properties have always been a limitation of the bioresorbable membranes in GBR/GTR. This study is aimed at fabricating a bioresorbable magnesium-reinforced polylactic acid- (PLA-) integrated membrane and investigating its mechanical properties, degradation rate, and biocompatibility. The uncoated and fluoride-coated magnesium alloys, AZ91, were made into strips. Then, magnesium-reinforced PLA-integrated membrane was made through integration. PLA strips were used in the control group instead of magnesium strips. Specimens were cut into rectangular shape and immersed in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) at 37°C for 4, 8, and 12 d. The weight loss of the AZ91 strips was measured. Three-point bending tests were conducted before and after the immersion to determine the maximum load on specimens. Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were conducted on coated and uncoated AZ91 plates to examine corrosion resistance. Murine fibroblast and osteoblast cells were cultured on circular specimens and titanium disks for 1, 3, and 5 d. Thereafter, WST test was performed to examine cell proliferation. As a result, the coated and uncoated groups showed higher maximum loads than the control group at all time points. The weight loss of AZ91 strips used in the coated group was lower than that in the uncoated group. PDP, EIS, SEM, and EDS showed that the coated AZ91 had a better corrosion resistance than the uncoated AZ91. The cell proliferation test showed that the addition of AZ91 did not have an adverse effect on osteoblast cells. Conclusively, the magnesium-reinforced PLA-integrated membrane has excellent load capacity, corrosion resistance, cell affinity, and proper degradation rate. Moreover, it has great potential as a bioresorbable membrane in the GBR/GTR application.

Uptake of metronidazole by human gingival fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Metronidazole is an important antimicrobial agent for the therapeutic management of periodontal diseases and dentoalveolar infections. As in other tissues, the metronidazole concentration in gingival crevicular fluid is about equal to the plasma level. Thus, we hypothesized that metronidazole is not actively transported into human gingival fibroblasts. METHODS: Using high performance liquid chromatography, the influences of extracellular metronidazole concentrations, temperature, pH, and inhibitors of transporters on the uptake of metronidazole by cultured human gingival fibroblasts were tested. RESULTS: Metronidazole was taken up rapidly by fibroblasts; the intracellular metronidazole concentration reached the extracellular level in 3 minutes at 37 degrees C and in 2 minutes at 4 degrees C. The uptake of metronidazole by human gingival fibroblasts was not saturable, and the intracellular metronidazole concentrations increased linearly with the extracellular level. Temperature and pH had no significant influence on the uptake of metronidazole by fibroblasts. Probenecid and adenine had no influence on the uptake of metronidazole by fibroblasts. These findings indicate that metronidazole uptake does not involve a transporter. Metronidazole bound rapidly to human gingival fibroblasts, but the cell-associated drug declined progressively until it reached a stable plateau in 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Metronidazole rapidly entered human gingival fibroblasts via simple diffusion. Metronidazole easily reached the minimal inhibitory concentration in fibroblasts and gingiva. Given the fact that intracellular concentrations of metronidazole in other tissues and cells are also close to the plasma level, we speculate that metronidazole enters other tissues and cells via simple diffusion.

Fabrication of an iodide-selective electrode based on phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) oxide and the selective determination of iodide in actual samples.

This work describes the development and fabrication of a selective polymeric membrane electrode for iodide ion based on a metallophthalocyanin complex with a titanium(IV) atom at the center (as an oxo-titanium, Ti=O, group), phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) oxide (PcTiO), as a sensing carrier. The potential response characteristics of the electrode were investigated by changing the type of plasticizer as well as the amounts of the carrier and different lipophilic ionic site additives in the sensing membrane. It is shown that the membrane electrode incorporated with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as the plasticizer and hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide as the appropriate cationic additive exhibits enhanced potential response toward iodide over other anions tested. Over the period of this study, the resulting electrode based on PcTiO displayed a stable near-Nernstian slope approaching -58.9 mV decade(-1) with a linear response spanning at least 5 orders of magnitude in concentration from 1.0 x 10(-1) to 9.2 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) and a detection limit of 8.5-10(-7) mol L(-1). The preferential potential response to iodide may be attributed to the unique recognition of carrier PcTiO in the organic membrane phase for iodide in solution. Under laboratory conditions, the present electrode also works well in partially nonaqueous media. The excellent analytical features of the proposed electrode could lead to its successful application in determining the end point in electrometric titration of iodide with Ag(+) and the direct potential determination of iodide concentration in wastewater and drug preparations.

Porous Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen Scaffolds Loading Insulin PLGA Particles for Restoration of Critical Size Bone Defect.

Insulin is considered to be a classical central regulator of energy homeostasis. Recently, the effect of insulin on bone has gained a lot of attention, but little attention has been paid to the application in bone tissue engineering. In this study, porous nanohydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) scaffolds incorporating poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) particles were successfully developed as an insulin delivery platform for bone regeneration. Bioactive insulin was successfully released from the PLGA particles within the scaffold, and the size of the particles as well as the release kinetics of the insulin could be efficiently controlled through Shirasu porous glass premix membrane emulsification technology. It was indicated that the nHAC/PLGA composite scaffolds possessed favorable mechanical and structural properties for cell adhesion and proliferation, as well as the differentiation into osteoblasts. It was also demonstrated that the nHAC/PLGA scaffolds implanted into a rabbit critical-size mandible defect possessed tissue compatibility and higher bone restoration capacity compared with the defects that were filled with or without nHAC scaffolds. Furthermore, the in vivo results showed that the nHAC/PLGA scaffolds which incorporated insulin-loaded microspheres with a size of 1.61 µm significantly accelerated bone healing compared with two other composite scaffolds. Our study indicated that the local insulin released at the optimal time could substantially and reproducibly improve bone repair.

Study on the formation and depolymerization of acridine orange dimer in acridine orange-sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate-protein system.

Experiment indicates that the fluorescence of acridine orange (AO) can be greatly quenched by anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), but when protein is added into the AO-SDBS system, the fluorescence intensity of the latter is enhanced. It is considered that SDBS can promote the formation of AO dimer, resulting in the quenching of the fluorescence of AO. When bovine serum albumin (BSA) is added into AO-SDBS system, BSA and SDBS can interact and form negative micelle-like cluster complex with "aromatic ring stacking," which destroys the formation conditions of AO dimer and makes some AO dimers turn into monomer, resulting in the fluorescence enhancement of AO-SDBS system. Whereas the positive AO and residual AO dimer are dissolved in the negative BSA-SDBS cluster through electrostatic and hydrophobic forces and form a large association. Here, the fluorescence enhancement of AO-SDBS is considered to originate from the hydrophobic microenvironment provided by BSA and SDBS, the depolymerization of AO dimer and intermolecular energy transfer between BSA and AO.

Restoration of a Critical Mandibular Bone Defect Using Human Alveolar Bone-Derived Stem Cells and Porous Nano-HA/Collagen/PLA Scaffold.

Periodontal bone defects occur in a wide variety of clinical situations. Adult stem cell- and biomaterial-based bone tissue regeneration are a promising alternative to natural bone grafts. Recent evidence has demonstrated that two populations of adult bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) can be distinguished based on their embryonic origins. These BMSCs are not interchangeable, as bones preferentially heal using cells that share the same embryonic origin. However, the feasibility of tissue engineering using human craniofacial BMSCs was unclear. The goal of this study was to explore human craniofacial BMSC-based therapy for the treatment of localized mandibular defects using a standardized, minimally invasive procedure. The BMSCs' identity was confirmed. Scanning electron microscopy, a cell proliferation assay, and supernatant detection indicated that the nHAC/PLA provided a suitable environment for aBMSCs. Real-time PCR and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays demonstrated that osteogenic markers were upregulated by osteogenic preinduction. Moreover, in a rabbit critical-size mandibular bone defect model, total bone formation in the nHAC/PLA + aBMSCs group was significantly higher than in the nHAC/PLA group but significantly lower than in the nHAC/PLA + preinduced aBMSCs. These findings demonstrate that this engineered bone is a valid alternative for the correction of mandibular bone defects.

[Construction of interleukin-18-PE38 fusion gene eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in the. chondrocyte].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the interleukin-18-PE38 fusion gene expression vector and explore the expression of the fusion gene in the chondrocyte. METHODS: The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector PsecTag2B-IL-18-PE38 was constructed by inserting interleukin-18-PE38 fusion gene into eukaryotic expression vector PsecTag2B with molecular cloning technique. It was confirmed by restrictive enzymes (EcoR I) digestion assay and PCR. The vector was transfected into primary chrondrocyte by liposome protocol, and the transient expression was identified by fluorescence immunocytochemical assay. RESULTS: Restrictive enzymes digestion analysis and PCR revealed that the interleukin-18-PE38 fusion gene was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector PsecTag2B successfully. Immunofluorescence photograph of fluorescence immunocytochemical method confirmed that the fusion gene can be expressed in the cytomembrane and cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that PsecTag2B-IL-18-PE38 fusion gene can be expressed in the chondrocyte, which could serve as a foundation for the study on rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

"Graft to" Synthesis and Ibuprofen-Loading Performance of pH-Sensitive PMAA-Silica Hybrid Nanoparticles with Controlled Bimodal Mesopores.

Bimodal mesoporous silicas (BMMs) have been proved to be a good drug-loaded carrier. However, it did not provide stimuli sensitivity or controlled release performance yet. In the present work, a "smart" mesoporous silica-based pH-dependent [poly(methacrylic acid)]-silica hybrid nanoparticles (P/NN-BMMs) drug delivery system was developed and evaluated with ibuprofen (IBU) as a model drug. P/NN-BMMs were prepared by coating poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) onto amino-modified surface of BMMs via the "graft to" strategy. The structure and texture of resultant hybrid nanoparticles were determined with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, N2 sorption isotherms, and elemental analysis. The PMAA acts as a molecular switch to achieve controlled drug release and the amount of grafted-PMAA can remarkably affect its performance. The drug-loading rate is decreased markedly with the increasing of the amount of grafted-PMAA, meanwhile, the drug-loading kinetics on P/NN-BMMs fits Korsmeyer-Peppas model. In addition, the drug-release amount from drug-loaded P/NN-BMMs is pH dependent, showing an increasing tendency with the increase of pH value.

Electrophoretic deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotube on a stainless steel electrode for use in sediment microbial fuel cells.

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) could be used as power sources and one type of new technology for the removal of organic matters in sediments. In order to improve electrode materials and enhance their effect on the performance, we deposited multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) on stainless steel net (SSN). Electrophoretic deposition technique as a method with low cost, process simplicity, and thickness control was used for this electrode modification and produced this novel SSN-MWNT electrode. The performances of SMFCs with SSN-MWNT as electrode were investigated. The results showed that the maximum power density of SMFC with SSN-MWNT cathode was 31.6 mW m(-2), which was 3.2 times that of SMFC with an uncoated stainless steel cathode. However, no significant increase in the maximum power density of SMFC with SSN-MWNT anode was detected. Further electrochemical analysis showed that when SSN-MWNT was used as the cathode, the cathodic electrochemical activity and oxygen reduction rate were significantly improved. This study demonstrates that the electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes on conductive substrate can be applied for improving the performance of SMFC.