Citation network analysis on keratoconus

Objective: The high incidence of keratoconus has caused its management, etiology, and pathogenesis to be controversial topics in the ophthalmology field. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the different publications and authors through citation networks, as well as to identify the research areas and determine the most cited article. Methods: The search for publications was carried out through the Web of Science database, using the term “Keratoconus” between 1900 and December 2022. The Citation Network Explorer and CiteSpace software were used for the publication analysis. Results: 9,655 publications were found, with 124,379 citations generated on the network. The year with the highest number of publications was 2021. The most cited publication was “Keratoconus” by Rabinowitz, published in 1998. Cluster function gave five groups of research areas about keratoconus: corneal signs and parameters, cross-linking efficiency and effects, clinical factors, keratoplasty, and treatment. Conclusions: The citation network offers an objective and comprehensive analysis of the papers on keratoconus. (AU)

Ionic Cross-Linked MOF-Polymer Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Suppressing Interfacial Defects and Plasticization Behavior.

To address the plasticization phenomenon and MOF-polymer interfacial defects, we report the synthesis of ionic cross-linked MOF MMMs from a dual brominated polymer and MOF components by using N,N'-dimethylpiperazine as the cross-linker. We synthesized brominated MIL-101(Cr) nanoparticles by using mixed linkers and prepared brominated polyimide (6FDA-DAM-Br) to form ionic cross-linked MMMs. The gas permeation properties of the polyimide, ionic cross-linked MOF-polymer MMMs, and non-cross-linked MOF-polymer MMMs with various MOF weight loadings were investigated systematically to effectively understand the effects of MOF weight loading and ionic cross-linking. The ionic cross-linked 40 wt % MOF-polymer MMM exhibited significantly enhanced gas permeability with an H2 permeability of 1640 Barrer and CO2 permeability of 1981 Barrer and slightly decreased H2/CH4, H2/N2, CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivities of 16.9, 15.4, 20.5, and 18.6, respectively. The H2 and CO2 permeabilities are approximately 2-3 fold higher than those of the pure polyimide (6FDA-DAM) membrane. Moreover, the ionic cross-linked 40 wt % MOF-polymer MMM exhibited significantly increased resistance to plasticization. This is because the brominated MOF incorporation boosted molecular transport and polymer chain rigidity, and ionic cross-linking further reduced the number of interfacial defects and polymer chain mobility.

Modular microgel-based bioassembly scaffold induced chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Bioactive scaffolds capable of simultaneously repairing osteochondral defects remain a big challenge due to the heterogeneity of bone and cartilage. Currently modular microgel-based bioassembly scaffolds are emerged as potential solution to this challenge. Here, microgels based on methacrylic anhydride and dopamine modified gelatin (GelMA-DA) were loaded with chondroitin sulfate (the obtained microgel named GC Ms) or bioactive glass (the obtained microgel named GB Ms), respectively. GC Ms and GB Ms showed good biocompatibility with BMSCs, which suggested by the adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs on their surfaces. Specially, GC Ms promoted chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs, while GB Ms promoted osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the injectable GC Ms and GB Ms were assembled integrally by bottom-up in situ crosslinking to obtain modular microgel-based bioassembly scaffold (GC-GB/HM), which showed a distinct bilayer structure and good porous properties and swelling properties. Particularly, the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that GC-GB/HM could simultaneously regulate the expression levels of chondrogenic- and osteogenesis-related genes and proteins. Therefore, modular microgel-based assembly scaffold in this work with the ability to promote bidirectional differentiation of BMSCs and has great potential for application in the minimally invasive treatment of osteochondral tissue defects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A comprehensive review on corneal crosslinking.

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) represents a paradigm shift in the management of corneal ectatic disorders. Before CXL was introduced, patients would need specialty contact lenses and possible corneal transplantation. CXL involves a biochemical reaction in which ultraviolet A light is used in conjunction with Riboflavin to form crosslinks in between corneal stromal collagen. This leads to strengthening and stabilizing of the collagen lamellae, resulting in mechanical stiffening of the cornea. Multiple protocols have been proposed including epithelium on versus off and varying light intensity and duration of treatment. All protocols appear to be safe and effective with few reported complications including infection, stromal haze, scarring, and endothelial toxicity. Overall, CXL has demonstrated to halt the progression of the disease clinically and in keratometry readings and improve the quality of life for patients. It is a minimally invasive, cost-effective procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting with a fast recovery time and long-lasting results.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Different Crosslinking Methods on the Physicochemical Properties of Collagen Multifilament Bundles.

Crosslinking is usually required to improve the mechanical properties and stability of collagen-based scaffolds. Introducing exogenous crosslinks into collagen may however affect the collagen structure. Since the architecture of collagen is tied to its functionality, it is important to study the effect of crosslinking and to select a crosslinking method that preserves the collagen structure and mechanical properties. This study compares different physical (ultraviolet light, UVC) and chemical (genipin, carbodiimide (EDC), and glutaraldehyde) crosslinking methods on contact-drawn collagen multifilament bundles designed to recapitulate the structure of a tendon. The presence of collagen and the formation of well-ordered collagen structures are confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectromicroscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering for all crosslinking methods. The morphology of the collagen multifilament bundles is similar across crosslinking methods. Swelling of the multifilament bundles is dramatically reduced following crosslinking and varies by crosslinking method, with genipin- and carbodiimide-crosslinked specimens swelling the least. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and Young's modulus significantly improve for all crosslinked specimens compared to non-crosslinked specimens. Glutaraldehyde crosslinked collagen multifilament bundles display the highest UTS values ranging from 33.82±0.0 MPa to 45.528±0.757 MPa.

Effects of Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride on Fungal Growth and Viability in Biomass-Fungi Composite Materials Used for 3D Printing.

To combat climate change, one approach is to manufacture products from biomass-fungi composite materials instead of petroleum-based plastics. These products can be used in packaging, furniture, and construction industries. A 3D printing-based manufacturing method was developed for these biomass-fungi composite materials, eliminating the need for molds, and enabling customized product design. However, previous studies on the 3D printing-based method showed significant shrinkage of printed samples. In this paper, an approach is proposed to reduce the shrinkage by incorporating ionic crosslinking into biomass-fungi composite materials. This paper reports two sets of experiments regarding the effects of sodium alginate (SA) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on fungal growth and fungal viability. The first set of experiments was conducted using Petri dishes with fungi isolated from colonized biomass-fungi material and different concentrations of SA and CaCl2. Fungal growth was measured by the circumference of fungal colonies. The results showed that concentrations of SA and CaCl2 had significant effects on fungal growth and no fungal growth was observed on Petri dishes with 15% CaCl2. Some of these Petri dishes were also observed under confocal microscopy. The results confirmed the differences obtained by measuring the circumference of fungal colonies. The second set of experiments was conducted using Petri dishes with biomass-fungi mixtures that were treated with different concentrations of SA and exposure times in a CaCl2 (crosslinking) solution. Fungal viability was measured by counting colony-forming units. The results showed that the addition of the SA solution and exposure times in the crosslinking solution had statistically significant effects on fungal viability. The 2SA solution was prepared by dissolving 2 g of SA in 100 mL of water, the 5SA solution was prepared by dissolving 5 g of SA in 100 mL of water, and the crosslinking solution was prepared by dissolving 5 g of CaCl2 in 100 mL of water. The results also showed that fungal viability was not too low in biomass-fungi mixtures that included 2SA solution and were exposed to the crosslinking solution for 1 min.

Biological Implications and Functional Significance of Transglutaminase Type 2 in Nervous System Tumors.

Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is the most ubiquitously expressed member of the transglutaminase family. TG2 catalyzes the transamidation reaction leading to several protein post-translational modifications and it is also implicated in signal transduction thanks to its GTP binding/hydrolyzing activity. In the nervous system, TG2 regulates multiple physiological processes, such as development, neuronal cell death and differentiation, and synaptic plasticity. Given its different enzymatic activities, aberrant expression or activity of TG2 can contribute to tumorigenesis, including in peripheral and central nervous system tumors. Indeed, TG2 dysregulation has been reported in meningiomas, medulloblastomas, neuroblastomas, glioblastomas, and other adult-type diffuse gliomas. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the biological and functional relevance of TG2 in the pathogenesis of nervous system tumors, highlighting its involvement in survival, tumor inflammation, differentiation, and in the resistance to standard therapies.

Chitosan-Oxidized Pullulan Hydrogels Loaded with Essential Clove Oil: Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties.

Emulsion hydrogels are promising materials for encapsulating and stabilizing high amounts of hydrophobic essential oils in hydrophilic matrices. In this work, clove oil-loaded hydrogels (CS/OP-C) are synthesized by combining covalent and physical cross-linking approaches. First, clove oil (CO) was emulsified and stabilized in a chitosan (CS) solution, which was further hardened by Schiff base covalent cross-linking with oxidized pullulan (OP). Second, the hydrogels were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and, as a result, the clove oil was stabilized in physically cross-linked polymeric walls. Moreover, due to cryogelation, the obtained hydrogels exhibited sponge-like porous interconnected morphology (160-250 µm). By varying the clove oil content in the starting emulsion and the degree of cross-linking, the hydrogels displayed a high water retention capacity (swelling ratios between 1300 and 2000%), excellent elastic properties with fast shape recovery (20 s) after 70% compression, and controlled in vitro clove oil release in simulated skin conditions for 360 h. Furthermore, the prepared clove oil-loaded hydrogels had a strong scavenging activity of 83% and antibacterial and antifungal properties, showing a bacteriostatic effect after 48 and 72 h against S. aureus and E. coli. Our results recommend the new clove oil-embedded emulsion hydrogels as promising future materials for application as wound dressings.

Evaluation of the Swelling Properties and Sorption Capacity of Maltodextrin-Based Cross-Linked Polymers.

The development of polymers obtained from renewable sources such as polysaccharides has gained scientific and industrial attention. Cross-linked bio-derived cationic polymers were synthesized via a sustainable approach exploiting a commercial maltodextrin product, namely, Glucidex 2®, as the building block, while diglycidyl ethers and triglycidyl ethers were used as the cross-linking agents. The polymer products were characterized via FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM, elemental analysis, and zeta-potential measurements, to investigate their composition, structure, and properties. Polydispersed amorphous granules displaying thermal stabilities higher than 250 °C, nitrogen contents ranging from 0.8 wt % and 1.1 wt %, and zeta potential values between 10 mV and 15 mV were observed. Subsequently, water absorption capacity measurements ranging from 800% to 1500%, cross-linking density determination, and rheological evaluations demonstrated the promising gel-forming properties of the studied systems. Finally, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate removal tests were performed to assess the possibility of employing the studied polymer products as suitable sorbents for water remediation. The results obtained from the ion chromatography technique showed high sorption rates, with 80% of nitrates, over 90% of sulfates, and total phosphates removal.

The Influence of Lyophilization Pretreatment and Whey Content on Whey and Gelatin-Based Hydrogels.

Whey and gelatin, natural polymers within the protein category, find widespread use in hydrogel formulations applied across the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. This study presents new characteristics of hydrogels based on whey, gelatin, and copper sulfate as a consequence of the additional steps in the preparation method, specifically refrigeration and freezing storage followed by lyophilization. The water state in hydrogels prior to lyophilization impacts the morphological appearance, with refrigerated hydrogels exhibiting a more regular and dense pore distribution, as shown by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. This observation aligns with the higher mobility of polymer chains indicated by T2 distributions in 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (RMN) relaxometry measurements. Changes in the intensity and amide-specific wavenumbers of the FTIR spectra of whey and gelatin proteins are evident in the Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectra of crosslinked and frozen hydrogels before lyophilization. Moreover, the reinforcing effect in the hydrogel matrix, noted in mechanical tests, is attributed to increased polymer chain content and copper sulfate crosslinking.

Advancements and Challenges in Self-Healing Hydrogels for Wound Care.

This manuscript explores self-healing hydrogels as innovative solutions for diverse wound management challenges. Addressing antibiotic resistance and tailored wound care, these hydrogels exhibit promising outcomes, including accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration. Advancements in multifunctional hydrogels with controlled drug release, antimicrobial properties, and real-time wound assessment capabilities signal a significant leap toward patient-centered treatments. However, challenges such as scalability, long-term safety evaluation, and variability in clinical outcomes persist. Future directions emphasize personalized medicine, manufacturing innovation, rigorous evaluation through clinical trials, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This manuscript features the ongoing pursuit of effective, adaptable, and comprehensive wound care solutions to transform medical treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Alginate-Based Emulsions and Hydrogels for Extending the Shelf Life of Banana Fruit.

Edible coatings are used to extend the shelf life of various fruit, including bananas (Musa from the Musaceae family). After harvest, bananas reach the ripening and subsequent senescence phase. During senescence, the quality of the fruit deteriorates as it takes on a brown color and the tissue becomes soft. To extend the shelf life of such a fruit, effective methods to delay ripening are required. In this study, an alginate-based emulsion, i.e., an oil-in-water emulsion of lemongrass essential oil in alginate, was used to combine the mechanical properties of hydrocolloids with the water barrier properties of the oil phase. The emulsion was sprayed onto the whole fruit with an airbrush, and calcium chloride was added to promote gelling of the alginate. Compared to the uncoated fruit, coated bananas remained uniform in appearance (peel color) for longer, showed less weight loss, had a delay in the formation of total soluble solids, and in the consumption of organic acids. The shelf life of the coated fruit was extended by up to 11 days, at least 5 days more than uncoated bananas. Overall, the proposed coating could be suitable for reducing the global amount of food waste.

Production of Stable Electrically Conductive PVDF Membranes Based on Polydopamine-Polyethyleneimine-Assisted Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes.

Electrically conductive membranes (ECMs) have emerged as a multifunctional separation technology that integrates membrane filtration with electrochemical reactions. Physical stability remains a critical challenge for ECMs synthesized by coating polymer membranes with conductive materials. In this article, polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to facilitate the synthesis of significantly more stable ECMs using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Four different synthesis methods were compared in terms of the final surface stability and separation properties: (1) CNTs deposited on PEI-crosslinked PDA-coated PVDF membranes, (2) PEI-crosslinked CNTs deposited on PDA-coated PVDF, (3) PDA, PEI and CNTs sequentially deposited layer-by-layer on PVDF, and (4) PEI-crosslinked PDA deposited on CNT-coated PVDF. The results revealed that method 1 generated ECMs with the greatest physical stability, highest electrical conductivity (18,518 S/m), and sufficient permeability (395.2 L/(m2·h·bar). In comparison, method 2 resulted in membranes with the highest permeability (2128.5 L/(m2·h·bar), but with low surface conductivity (502 S/m) and poor physical stability (i.e., 53-75% lower peel-off forces compared to other methods). Overall, methods 1, 3, and 4 can be used to make highly conductive membranes with a 97-99% removal of methyl orange by electrochemical degradation at -3 V.

Nanogels as Drug Delivery Carrier: A Narrative Review on Formulation Techniques, Characterization, Applications, and Patents.

Under the umbrella of targeted drug delivery systems, several techniques are unleashed in the market that allow a drug or other pharmacologically active material to be delivered to the target cell to treat a condition or health problem. The improvement of the pharmaceutical delivery systems' effectiveness, safety, and stability is accomplished through the Formulation of the nano-gel-based delivery system. Nanogels are aqueous dispersions of submicronsized, three-dimensional, strongly cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymers that are inflated by water. Through a variety of delivery routes, such as oral, pulmonary, nasal, parenteral, and intraocular, an active pharmaceutical agent or therapeutic agent with a high or low molecular weight can be easily encapsulated into nanogels. Nanogels have been researched as drug delivery systems due to their beneficial qualities, such as biocompatibility, high stability, flexible particle size, drug loading capacity, and potential surface modification for active targeting by attaching ligands that recognize cognate receptors on target cells or tissues. By responding to internal or external stimuli, including pH, temperature, light, and redox, nano gels can be made to be stimulus-responsive, allowing for regulated drug release. Thus, in the fact of said characteristics' of nano gels, this review manuscript aims to provide an overview of characterization, evaluation, formulation technique, recent applications, and patents of nano gels.

Integrated ultrasonic-transglutaminase modification of lesser mealworm protein isolate: A pioneering cobalamin delivery vehicle in gluten-free breads.

A combined approach of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) crosslinking and high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) was implemented to improve the physicochemical, rheological, structural, and thermal properties, as well as the targeted release of vitamin B12 of lesser mealworm protein isolate (LMPI)-based gels. Prolonging HIU to 60 min significantly reduced LMPIs' size, polydispersity, zeta-potential, and fluorescence intensity while increasing surface hydrophobicity, free amino (FAGs), and sulfhydryl (FSGs) groups. The MTGase-catalyzed LMPI gels effectively decreased the content of FAGs and FSGs. LMPI gels from 60 and 75 min HIU and MTGase catalysis exhibited a shear-thinning flow behavior, superior thermal stability, and improved water retention and gel strength with the most controlled release of vitamin B12 during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Incorporating freeze-dried gel powders from 60 min HIU-treated MTGase-catalyzed LMPI and pea protein isolate into the dough of a new gluten-free bread improved physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties, with notable vitamin B12 retention rate.

Medical management and positive outcome after prolonged recumbency in a case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy.

A 17-year-old mare presenting with acute fever, weakness and bladder dysfunction was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The mare become transiently recumbent, underwent parenteral fluid therapy, plasma infusion, steroidal/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAID/NSAIDs) and bladder catheterization. After 10 days the mare was hospitalized. Neurological evaluation revealed ataxia and proprioceptive deficits mainly in the hind limbs. The mare was able to stand but unable to rise from recumbency or walk. Secondary complications included Escherichia coli cystitis, corneal ulcers and pressure sores. A full-body support sling was used for 21 days. Medical treatment included systemic antimicrobials, NSAIDs, gradual discontinuation of SAIDs, parenteral fluid therapy and bladder lavage. The mare tested positive for Varicellovirus equidalpha 1 (EHV-1) DNA in nasal swab and blood samples on day 13 and in urine samples on days 13 and 25 after the onset of fever. Neurological signs improved over a period of 34 days and the mare was discharged with mild hind limb weakness/ataxia. Secondary complications resolved within 2 weeks. At the eight-month follow-up, marked improvement in locomotory function had been achieved.

A highly bioactive THPC-crosslinked recombinant collagen hydrogel implant for aging skin rejuvenation.

Skin aging, a complex physiological progression marked by collagen degradation, poses substantial challenges in dermatology. Recombinant collagen emerges as a potential option for skin revitalization, yet its application is constrained by difficulties in forming hydrogels. We have for the first time developed a highly bioactive Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC)-crosslinked recombinant collagen hydrogel implant for aging skin rejuvenation. THPC demonstrated superior crosslinking efficiency compared to traditional agents such as EDC/NHS and BDDE, achieving complete recombinant collagen crosslinking at minimal concentrations and effectively inducing hydrogel formation. THPC's four reactive hydroxymethyl groups facilitate robust crosslinking with triple helical recombinant collagen, producing hydrogels with enhanced mechanical strength, excellent injectability, increased stability, and greater durability. Moreover, the hydrogel exhibited remarkable biocompatibility and bioactivity, significantly promoting the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of human foreskin fibroblast-1. In photoaged mice skin models, the THPC-crosslinked collagen hydrogel implant notably improved dermal density, skin elasticity, and reduced transepidermal water loss, creating a conducive environment for fibroblast activity and healthy collagen regeneration. Additionally, it elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and displayed substantial anti-calcification properties. The THPC-crosslinked recombinant collagen hydrogel implant presents an innovative methodology in combating skin aging, offering significant promise in dermatology and tissue engineering.

Antibacterial wound dressing with cross-linked electrospun surface from reduced graphene oxide doped polyvinyl alcohol/sodium caseinate blends.

In this study, a new biomaterial with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium caseinate (SodCa)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) structure was developed. Antibacterial effective nanofibers were successfully produced by electrospinning method from 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% rGO added PVA/SodCa (60:40, w:w) solution mixtures prepared for use as modern wound dressings. To create a usage area, especially in exuding wounds, hydrophilic PVA/SodCa/rGO electrospun mats were cross-linked by dipping them in a glutaraldehyde (GLA) bath. The surface micrographs of all nanofibers were homogeneous and smooth. rGO-doped biomaterials were obtained as thin nanofibers in the range of 301-348 nm. Nanofibers, which were completely soluble in water, after cross-linking preserved their existence in the range of 87%-81% at the end of the 24th hour in distilled water. It was reported that these biomaterials that persist in an aqueous environment show swelling behavior in the range of 275%-608%. The porosity of uncross-linked pure PVA/SodCa nanofibers increased by 46.75% after cross-linking. Moreover, the tensile strength of cross-linked PVA/SodCa electrospun mats increased in the presence of rGO. Provided that wound dressing is done every 24 h with 3% rGO-doped PVA/SodCa nanofiber and provided that wound dressing is done every 48 h with 5% rGO-doped PVA/SodCa nanofiber showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus as 99.38% and 99.55%, respectively.

Expanding Mn2+ loading capacity of BSA via mild non-thermal denaturing and cross-linking as a tool to maximize the relaxivity of water protons.

Development of nanoparticles (NPs) serving as contrast enhancing agents in MRI requires a combination of high contrasting effect with the biosafety and hemocompatibility. This work demonstrates that bovine serum albumin (BSA) molecules bound to paramagnetic Mn2+ ions are promising building blocks of such NPs. The desolvation-induced denaturation of BSA bound with Mn2+ ions followed by the glutaraldehyde-facilitated cross-linking provides the uniform in size 102.0 ± 0.7 nm BSA-based nanoparticles (BSA-NPs) loaded with Mn2+ ions, which are manifested in aqueous solutions as negatively charged spheres with high colloid stability. The optimal loading of Mn2+ ions into BSA-NPs provides maximum values of longitudinal and transverse relaxivity at 98.9 and 133.6 mM-1 s-1, respectively, which are among the best known from the literature. The spin trap EPR method indicates that Mn2+ ions bound to BSA-NPs exhibit poor catalytic activity in the Fenton-like reaction. On the contrary, the presence of BSA-NPs has an antioxidant effect by preventing the accumulation of hydroxyl radicals produced by H2O2. The NPs exhibit remarkably low hemolytic activity and hemagglutination can be avoided at concentrations lower than 110 µM. Thus, BSA-NPs bound with Mn2+ ions are promising candidates for combining high contrast effect with biosafety and hemocompatibility.

Comprehensive enhancement of flame retardant starch/cellulose/diatomite composite foams via metal-organic coordination.

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the utilization of biomass for producing bio-based foams, such as starch-based foams. Despite their renewability and widespread availability, these foams still present certain drawbacks regarding their poor mechanical properties and flammability. To tackle these concerns, a metal ion cross-linking strategy was employed by incorporating calcium ions (Ca2+) solution into foamed starch/cellulose slurry. Followed by ambient drying, starch/cellulose composite foam was successfully fabricated with a remarkable enhancement in various properties. Specifically, compared to the control sample, the compressive strength and modulus increased by 26.2 % and 123.0 %, respectively. Additionally, the Ca2+ cross-linked starch/cellulose composite foam exhibited excellent heat resistance, water stability, and flame retardancy. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) reached 52 %, with a vertical combustion rating of V-0. Along with the addition of 2 phr diatomite, it demonstrated a significant enhancement on flame retardancy with a LOI of 65 %, although the apparent density of the composite foam was not low enough. This study indicated a green and simple method to obtain starch-based composite foams with enhanced comprehensive properties including thermal, water stability, mechanical, and flame retardancy, expanding their potential applications in areas such as building materials and rigid packaging.