Elevated Myl9 reflects the Myl9-containing microthrombi in SARS-CoV-2-induced lung exudative vasculitis and predicts COVID-19 severity.

The mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is strongly correlated with pulmonary vascular pathology accompanied by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-triggered immune dysregulation and aberrant activation of platelets. We combined histological analyses using field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses of the lungs from autopsy samples and single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to investigate the pathogenesis of vasculitis and immunothrombosis in COVID-19. We found that SARS-CoV-2 accumulated in the pulmonary vessels, causing exudative vasculitis accompanied by the emergence of thrombospondin-1-expressing noncanonical monocytes and the formation of myosin light chain 9 (Myl9)-containing microthrombi in the lung of COVID-19 patients with fatal disease. The amount of plasma Myl9 in COVID-19 was correlated with the clinical severity, and measuring plasma Myl9 together with other markers allowed us to predict the severity of the disease more accurately. This study provides detailed insight into the pathogenesis of vasculitis and immunothrombosis, which may lead to optimal medical treatment for COVID-19.

Preparing a liquid crystalline dispersion of carbon nanotubes with high aspect ratio.

We successfully prepared a surfactant-assisted carbon nanotube (CNT) liquid crystal (LC) dispersion with double-walled CNTs (DWCNTs) having a high aspect ratio (≈1378). Compared to dispersions of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) with lower aspect ratio, the transition concentrations from isotropic phase to biphasic state, and from biphasic state to nematic phase are lowered, which is consistent with the predictions of the Onsager theory. An aligned DWCNT film was prepared from the DWCNT dispersion by a simple bar-coating method. Regardless of the higher aspect ratio, the order parameter obtained from the film is comparable to that from SWCNTs with lower aspect ratios. This finding implies that precise control of the film formation process, including a proper selection of substrate and deposition/drying steps, is crucial to maximize the CNT-LC utilization.

Streptavidin-Conjugated Oxygen-Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Near-Infrared Labels for Immunoassays.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent labels in diagnostic fields. We report a complex of oxygen-doped CNT (o-CNT) and streptavidin (SA) for preparing CNT-based NIR labels with a high reaction efficiency in immunoassays. This complex specifically binds to biotin molecules by conjugating a linker molecule of phospholipid polyethylene glycol (PL-PEG) to SA (o-CNT-SA). The immunoprecipitation reaction efficiency between o-CNT-SA and biotin reaches 79.3% when the surface of o-CNTs is uniformly covered with SA-conjugated PL-PEG. The strong affinity between SA and biotin is useful for preparing CNT-based sensitive NIR fluorescent labels.

Liquid Crystalline Behaviors of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in an Aqueous Sodium Cholate Dispersion.

Controlling the alignment of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the macroscopic scale is critical for practical applications because SWCNTs are extremely anisotropic materials. One efficient technique is to create an effective SWCNT dispersion, which shows a liquid crystal (LC) phase. A strong acid treatment can realize SWCNT liquid crystalline dispersions. However, strong acids pose a substantial safety risk, which renders the process unfit for mass production. Herein, an isolated SWCNT dispersion displaying an LC behavior is prepared using sodium cholate without an acid treatment, and its phase transition behaviors are systematically investigated across the isotropic to biphasic to nematic phases. As the SWCNT concentration increases, the dispersion undergoes an isotropic-to-nematic phase transition in which the spindle-shaped LC droplets, or the so-called tactoids, and the Schlieren textures can be observed in the intermediate biphasic state and the nematic phase, respectively. The arrangements of SWCNTs in the tactoids and the Schlieren structures are directly investigated by polarized optical microscopy. The clear LC behaviors of the CNT dispersion suggest that the CNT orientations can be controlled by the normal surfactant-assisted method, which is a crucial advantage for the liquid-phase processing of CNT fibers and films.

N2 Gas Adsorption Sites of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Bundles: Identifying Interstitial Channels at Very Low Relative Pressure.

Utilizing the nanoscale space created by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is of importance for applications like energy storage devices, sensors, and functional materials. Gas adsorption is a versatile, quantitative characterization method to analyze nanoscale pore sizes and volumes. Here, we inspected N2 adsorption to the nanospace formed by the bundles of single-walled CNTs with an average nanotube diameter of ca. 2.0 nm and its distributions of 0.7-4.1 nm. Based on comparisons among the as-grown, purified (opened), and heat-treated (closed) CNTs with similar geometric bundle structures, we found that the interstitial channels emerged from a very low relative pressure of approximately 10-8 by removing the impurities from the CNT bundles, which is the first empirical demonstration. These findings can not only be utilized to understand the structures of CNT films, fibers, and bulks but also applied to porous materials science.

Characterization and Biodistribution Analysis of Oxygen-Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Used as in Vivo Fluorescence Imaging Probes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show strong fluorescence in the 1000-1700 nm second near-infrared (NIR-II) wavelength range and are considered promising candidates for angiographic imaging probes. Oxygen-doped SWCNTs coated with phospholipid-polyethylene glycol (o-SWCNT-PEG) show exceptional potential, as they emit fluorescence at ∼1300 nm through excitation with 980 nm light. Here, with the aim of putting o-SWCNTs to practical use as an angiographic agent in animal experiments, the retention time after intravenous administration in the vasculature of mice and the biodistribution were studied. To provide bio affinity, the o-SWCNTs were coated with phospholipid polyethylene glycol. The intravenously injected o-SWCNT-PEG circulated within the vasculature for 3 h and cleared within 1 day. There was prominent fluorescence and Raman signals from the SWCNTs in the liver and spleen early in the experiment; the signals remained for 1 month. No apparent abnormalities in weight or appearance were observed after 2 months, suggesting low toxicity of o-SWCNT-PEG. These characteristics of o-SWCNT-PEG would make it useful as an angiographic imaging probe in the NIR-II wavelength range.

Delayed Increase in Near-Infrared Fluorescence in Cultured Murine Cancer Cells Labeled with Oxygen-Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

The labeling technique for cells with over-thousand-nanometer near-infrared (OTN-NIR) fluorescent probes has attracted much attention for in vivo deep imaging for cell tracking and cancer metastasis, because of low scattering and absorption of OTN-NIR light by biological tissues. However, the intracellular behavior following the uptake of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), an OTN-NIR fluorophore, remains unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the time-dependent change in OTN-NIR fluorescence images of cultured murine cancer cells (Colon-26) following treatment with a recently developed OTN-NIR fluorescent probe, epoxide-type oxygen-doped SWCNTs (o-SWCNTs). The o-SWCNTs were synthesized by oxygenation of SWCNTs by ozone under ultraviolet irradiation and were dispersed in an aqueous solution of N-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethyleneglycol 2000)-1,2-distearoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine to prepare biocompatible o-SWCNTs (o-SWCNT-PEG). OTN-NIR fluorescent o-SWCNT-PEG showed an abnormal behavior following cellular uptake. OTN-NIR fluorescence was not observed in the cells after 24 h incubation with the o-SWCNT-PEG, but clearly increased with longer incubation time from three days after the treatment. This result was further confirmed by Raman microscopy, suggesting that OTN-NIR fluorescence intensity was associated with the cellular uptake of the o-SWCNT-PEG. These results suggest that the Colon-26 cells were successfully labeled by the o-SWCNT-PEG that emit OTN-NIR fluorescence. The o-SWCNT-PEG may aggregate in the cells over time, which could favor their internalization. This delayed concentration followed by a long retention of the o-SWCNT-PEG in cells will facilitate further biotechnological applications of the o-SWCNTs to in vivo deep OTN-NIR fluorescent imaging.

Carbon Nanotubes as Fluorescent Labels for Surface Plasmon Resonance-Assisted Fluoroimmunoassay.

The photoluminescence properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including the large Stokes shift and the absence of fluorescent photobleaching, can be used as a fluorescent label in biological measurements. In this study, the performance of CNTs as a fluorescent label for surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-assisted fluoroimmunoassay is evaluated. The fluorescence of (8, 3) CNTs with an excitation wavelength of 670 nm and an emission wavelength of 970 nm is observed using a sensor chip equipped with a prism-integrated microfluidic channel to excite the SPR. The minimum detectable concentration of a CNT dispersed in water using a visible camera is 0.25 µg/mL, which is equivalent to 2 × 1010 tubes/mL. The target analyte detection using the CNT fluorescent labels is theoretically investigated by evaluating the detectable number of CNTs in a detection volume. Assuming detection of virus particles which are bound with 100 CNT labels, the minimum number of detectable virus particles is calculated to be 900. The result indicates that CNTs are effective fluorescent labels for SPR-assisted fluoroimmunoassay.

Flexible CMOS-Like Circuits Based on Printed P-Type and N-Type Carbon Nanotube Thin-Film Transistors.

P-type and n-type top-gate carbon nanotube thin-film transistors (TFTs) can be selectively and simultaneously fabricated on the same polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate by tuning the types of polymer-sorted semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (sc-SWCNT) inks, along with low temperature growth of HfO2 thin films as shared dielectric layers. Both the p-type and n-type TFTs show good electrical properties with on/off ratio of ≈105 , mobility of ≈15 cm2 V-1 s-1 , and small hysteresis. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-like logic gates and circuits based on as-prepared p-type and n-type TFTs have been achieved. Flexible CMOS-like inverters exhibit large noise margin of 84% at low voltage (1/2 Vdd = 1.5 V) and maximum voltage gain of 30 at Vdd of 1.5 V and low power consumption of 0.1 µW. Both of the noise margin and voltage gain are one of the best values reported for flexible CMOS-like inverters at Vdd less than 2 V. The printed CMOS-like inverters work well at 10 kHz with 2% voltage loss and delay time of ≈15 µs. A 3-stage ring oscillator has also been demonstrated on PET substrates and the oscillation frequency of 3.3 kHz at Vdd of 1 V is achieved.

Thermal Stability of Oxidized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Competitive Elimination and Decomposition Reaction Depending on the Degree of Functionalization.

The thermal stability of oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with various degrees of oxidation was investigated. The oxidized SWNTs exhibited lower absorption and radial breathing mode (RBM) peaks and a higher intensity ratio of the D band to the G band (D/G) in their absorption and Raman spectra than those of the pristine SWNTs. After the thermal treatment, the D/G ratio of the oxidized SWNTs almost recovered its original intensity, regardless of the degree of oxidation. The absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and RBM peaks could not recover their original intensities when the oxidation degree was high. The results indicate that the elimination and decomposition reactions proceeded competitively depending on the degree of oxidation. In addition, a new PL peak was observed in the near-infrared region, and the PL peak intensity increased with the subsequent thermal treatment. The theoretical calculations provided an insight into the possible pathways for the decomposition of oxidized SWNTs, showing that the O2 elimination and CO/CO2 evolution proceed competitively during thermal treatment.

Single molecular spectroscopy: identification of individual fullerene molecules.

We report the molecule-by-molecule spectroscopy of individual fullerenes by means of electron spectroscopy based on scanning transmission electron microscopy. Electron energy-loss fine structure analysis of carbon 1s absorption spectra is used to discriminate carbon allotropes with known symmetries. C(60) and C(70) molecules randomly stored inside carbon nanotubes are successfully identified at a single-molecular basis. We show that a single molecule impurity is detectable, allowing the recognition of an unexpected contaminant molecule with a different symmetry. Molecules inside carbon nanotubes thus preserve their intact molecular symmetry. In contrast, molecules anchored at or sandwiched between atomic BN layers show spectral modifications possibly due to a largely degraded structural symmetry. Moreover, by comparing the spectrum from a single C(60) molecule and its molecular crystal, we find hints of the influence of solid-state effects on its electronic structure.

Algal growth inhibition test with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers.

Ecotoxicity data on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are limited despite their wide potential applications prospects, such as structural and packaging materials, filters, coatings, foods, and cosmetics. In this study, toxicity tests of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidized CNFs (TEMPO-CNFs), which are one of the major CNF products commercially available in Japan, on the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata were conducted. As nanomaterials are considered difficult-to-test substances, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has released a guidance document that provides considerations regarding ecotoxicity tests of nanomaterials. In the algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs, there were specific issues to be examined, including the effects of medium components on the characteristics of TEMPO-CNFs, CNF interference with algal density measurements, algal interference with CNF measurements, and the effects of ion concentration changes in the test medium by the addition of CNFs on algal growth. To examine these issues, we conducted preliminary studies and established a suitable test method for algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs. We confirmed that the components in the medium for algal growth inhibition tests had negligible effects on the characteristics (zeta-potential, viscosity, and morphology) and concentration stability of TEMPO-CNFs and that in vitro and in vivo fluorescence measurements were applicable for estimating the algal densities, without interference by TEMPO-CNFs. In contrast, we observed that the grown algae interfered with the CNF concentration measurements. Therefore, we established a method to correct the measured CNF concentrations by estimating the algal contribution. Furthermore, we found that the nutrient salt concentrations in the medium changed due to interactions with CNFs; however, this change did not affect algal growth. Based on the results of the preliminary studies, algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs were conducted using in vitro and in vivo fluorescence measurements, along with measurements of CNFs and ion concentrations in the test dispersions. The test results showed that no growth inhibition was observed on growth rate or yield even at the maximum CNF concentration of 100 mg/L, suggesting that the ecological effect of TEMPO-CNFs on algae was relatively low. The results of this study will be valuable for conducting ecotoxicity assessments on additional CNFs and comparable nanomaterials in future studies.

Interface Engineering for High-Performance Thermoelectric Carbon Nanotube Films.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) stand out for their exceptional electrical, thermal, and mechanical attributes, making them highly promising materials for cutting-edge, lightweight, and flexible thermoelectric applications. However, realizing the full potential of advanced thermoelectric CNTs requires precise management of their electrical and thermal characteristics. This study, through interface optimization, demonstrates the feasibility of reducing the thermal conductivity while preserving robust electrical conductivity in single-walled CNT films. Our findings reveal that blending two functionalized CNTs offers a versatile method of tailoring the structural and electronic properties of CNT films. Moreover, the modified interface exerts a substantial influence over thermal and electrical transfer, effectively suppressing heat dissipation and facilitating thermoelectric power generation within CNT films. As a result, we have successfully produced both p- and n-type thermoelectric CNTs, attaining impressive power factors of 507 and 171 µW/mK2 at room temperature, respectively. These results provide valuable insights into the fabrication of high-performance thermoelectric CNT films.

Tabular Two-Dimensional Correlation Analysis for Multifaceted Characterization Data.

We propose tabular two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis for extracting features from multifaceted characterization data, essential for understanding material properties. This method visualizes similarities and phase lags in structural parameter changes through heatmaps, combining hierarchical clustering and asynchronous correlations. We applied the proposed method to data sets of carbon nanotube (CNT) films annealed at various temperatures and revealed the complexity of their hierarchical structures, which include elements such as voids, bundles, and amorphous carbon. Our analysis addresses the challenge of attempting to understand the sequence of structural changes, especially in multifaceted characterization data where 11 structural parameters derived from eight characterization methods interact with complex behavior. The results show how phase lags (asynchronous changes from stimuli), and parameter similarities can illuminate the sequence of structural changes in materials, providing insights into phenomena such as the removal of amorphous carbon and graphitization in annealed CNTs. This approach is beneficial even with limited data and holds promise for a wide range of material analyses, demonstrating its potential in elucidating complex material behaviors and properties.

Quantitative evaluation of particle-binder interactions in ceramic slurries via differential centrifugal sedimentation.

In diverse materials science spanning from fine ceramics to lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, the particle-binder interactions in slurries play a crucial role in governing the ultimate performance. Despite numerous efforts to date, quantitatively elucidating these hidden interactions has remained a longstanding challenge. Here, we demonstrate a dynamic approach to evaluate adsorptive interactions between ceramic particles and polymeric binders entangled in a slurry utilizing differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS). Particles settling under a centrifugal force field impart significant viscous resistance on the adsorbed binder, leading to its detachment, influenced by particle size and density. This behaviour directly reflects the particle-binder interactions, and detailed DCS spectrum analysis enables the quantitative assessment of nano-Newton-order adsorption forces. An important finding is the strong correlation of these forces with the mechanical properties of the moulded products. Our results provide insight that forming a flexible network structure with appropriate interactions is essential for desirable formability.

Visualization of deformation-induced changes in carbon nanotube networks in rubber composites using lock-in thermography.

In this study, we used the lock-in thermography technique (LIT) to successfully visualize the single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) networks during the tensile deformation of CNT/fluoro-rubber (FKM) composites. The LIT images revealed that the CNT network modes in CNT/FKM during strain-loading and unloading can be classified into four sites: (i) disconnection, (ii) recovery after disconnection, (iii) undestroyable, and (iv) no network. Quantitative analysis of the heat intensity of the LIT also indicated that the change in resistance during strain-loading and unloading plays a role in the balance of disconnection and reconstruction of the conductive network. We demonstrated the ability of LIT to effectively visualize and quantify the network state of the composite under deformation, and the LIT results were found to be strongly correlated with the composite properties. These results highlighted the potential of LIT as a valuable tool for composite characterization and material design.

Size distributions of cellulose nanocrystals in dispersions using the centrifugal sedimentation method.

Nanocellulose is a remarkable biomaterial. It is a plastic alternative with significance from the viewpoint of carbon offset and neutrality. To efficiently develop nanocellulose-based functional materials, it is imperative to evaluate their dispersion states. In this study, the sedimentation equivalent diameter distributions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are analyzed by centrifugal sedimentation. The diameter distribution is well correlated with that estimated from the widths and the lengths of the CNCs obtained by transmission electron microscopy. Hence, centrifugal sedimentation has the potential to assess the dispersion states of nanocellulose on the nanometer scale and should contribute to basic research and applications.

Preclinical evaluation of modified carbon nanohorns and their complexation with insulin.

The current study emphasizes the minimal toxicity observed in vitro and in vivo for carbon nanohorns (CNHs) modified with third generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. Initially, we investigated the interactions between CNH-PAMAM and lipid bilayers, which were utilized as representative models of cellular membranes for the evaluation of their toxicity in vitro. We found that the majority of those interactions occur between the modified CNHs and the polar groups of phospholipids, meaning that CNH-PAMAM does not incorporate into the lipid chains, and thus, disruption of the lipid bilayer structure is avoided. This outcome is a very important observation for further evaluation of CNH-PAPAM in cell lines and in animal models. Next, we demonstrated the potential of CNH-PAMAM for complexation with insulin, as a proof of concept for its employment as a delivery platform. Importantly, our study provides comprehensive evidence of low toxicity for CNH-PAMAM both in vitro and in vivo. The assessment of cellular toxicity revealed that the modified CNHs exhibited minimal toxicity, with concentrations of 151 µg mL-1 and 349 µg mL-1, showing negligible harm to EO771 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), respectively. Moreover, the histological analysis of the mouse livers demonstrated no evidence of tissue necrosis and inflammation, or any visible signs of severe toxicity. These findings collectively indicate the safe profile of CNH-PAMAM and further contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the safe and efficient utilization of CNH-based nanomaterials in drug and protein delivery applications.

Single chirality extraction of single-wall carbon nanotubes for the encapsulation of organic molecules.

The hollow inner spaces of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can confine various types of molecules. Many remarkable phenomena have been observed inside SWCNTs while encapsulating organic molecules (peapods). However, a mixed electronic structure state of the surrounding SWCNTs has impeded a detailed understanding of the physical/chemical properties of peapods and their device applications. We present a single-chirality purification method for SWCNTs that can encapsulate organic molecules. A single-chiral state of (11,10) SWCNTs with a diameter of 1.44 nm, which is large enough for molecular encapsulation, was obtained after a two-step purification method: metal-semiconductor sorting and cesium-chloride sorting. The encapsulation of C(60) to the (11,10) SWCNTs was also succeeded, promising a route toward single-chirality peapod devices.

Patterning of graphene using wet etching with hypochlorite and UV light.

Graphene patterning via etching is important for enhancing or controling the properties of devices and supporting their applications in micro- and nano-electronic fields. Herein, we present a simple, low-cost, and scalable wet etching method for graphene patterning. The technique uses hypochlorite solution combined with ultraviolet light irradiation to rapidly remove unwanted graphene areas from the substrate. Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy results showed that well-patterned graphene with micrometer scale regions was successfully prepared. Furthermore, graphene field effect transistor arrays were fabricated, and the obtained devices exhibited good current-voltage characteristics, with maximum mobility of ~ 1600 cm2/Vs, confirming the feasibility of the developed technique.