Topographic Cues Guiding Cell Polarization via Distinct Cellular Mechanosensing Pathways.

Cell polarization exists in a variety of tissues to regulate cell behaviors and functions. Space constraint (spatially limiting cell extension) and adhesion induction (guiding adhesome growth) are two main ways to induce cell polarization according to the microenvironment topographies. However, the mechanism of cell polarization induced by these two ways and the downstream effects on cell functions are yet to be understood.

FABP regulates fatty acid metabolism and oxidative response via PPARα/RXR signaling in Litopenaeus vannamei following environmental exposure of clofibric acid.

Clofibric acid (CFA), a drug and personal care product, has been identified as ubiquitous in the aquatic system and surface water, causing pollution to the environment. In this study, after environmental (4 µg/L) levels of CFA challenge, the LvFABP, LvACS gene expressions, total haemocyte count (THC), relative enzymes (SOD1 and GST) activities in Litopenaeus vannamei were observed to decrease. In the meantime LvFATP, LvRXR expression and the level of NEFA were upregulated in L.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) respond to tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) exposure in the river pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus): Evidences for its toxic injury function.

Tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) residual in water body had become a noticeable ecological problem for aquatic ecosystems. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are an ancient family of pattern recognition receptors that play key roles in detecting nonself antigens and immune system activation. In this study, we explored the effect of TBT-Cl exposure on four TLRs expression in river pufferfish, Takifugu obscurus.

Multifunctionalized polyethersulfone membranes with networked submicrogels to improve antifouling property, antibacterial adhesion and blood compatibility.

Intensive efforts have been employed in modifying biomedical membranes. Among them, blending is recognized as a simple method. However, the conventional blending materials commonly lead to an insufficient modification, which is mainly caused by the poor miscibility between the blending materials and the matrixes, the elution of the hydrophilic materials from the matrixes during the use and storage, and the insufficient surface enrichment of the blending materials.

Toxic function of CD28 involving in the TLR/MyD88 signal pathway in the river pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) after exposed to tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl).

Cluster of differentiation 28 (CD28) is a co-stimulatory receptor found on the surface of T cells. Takifugu obscurus is a kind of anadromous fish species. In this study, the full-length sequence of To-CD28 was obtained, including a 672-bp open reading frame that encodes a peptide chain of 223 amino acids.

Comparative transcriptomics analysis of the river pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) by tributyltin exposure: Clues for revealing its toxic injury mechanism.

TBT residual in water had become a noticeable ecological problem for aquatic ecosystems. The river pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) is a kind of an anadromous fish species and widely distributed in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. Because of the water contamination, the pufferfish wild resource had a sudden decline in recent years.

Effect of tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) exposure on expression of HSP90β1 in the river pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus): Evidences for its immunologic function involving in exploring process.

HSP90β1 (known as glyco-protein 96, GP96) is a vital endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depended chaperonin among the HSPs (heat shock proteins) family. Furthermore, it always processes and presents antigen of the tumor and keeps balance for the intracellular environment. In the present study, we explored the effect of tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) exposure on HSP90β1 expression in river pufferfish, Takifugu obscurus.

Engineering sodium alginate-based cross-linked beads with high removal ability of toxic metal ions and cationic dyes.

Sodium alginate (SA) beads with ultrahigh adsorption capacity were prepared via hydrogen bonds between SA and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropa-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and the AMPS was then post-cross-linked to manufacture SA/PAMPS beads. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of methylene blue (MB) and Pb for the SA/PAMPS10 beads were 2977 and 2042 mg/g, respectively. Although the SA beads exhibited higher equilibrium adsorption capacities of MB and Pb than those of the SA/PAMPS10 beads, the SA/PAMPS10 beads had better mechanical property and higher stability.

Design of Carrageenan-Based Heparin-Mimetic Gel Beads as Self-Anticoagulant Hemoperfusion Adsorbents.

The currently used hemoperfusion adsorbents such as activated carbon and ion-exchange resin show dissatisfactory hemocompatibility, and a large dose of injected heparin leads to the increasing cost and the risk of systematic bleeding. Natural polysaccharide adsorbents commonly have good biocompatibility, but their application is restricted by the poor mechanical strength and low content of functional groups. Herein, we developed an efficient, self-anticoagulant and blood compatible hemoperfusion adsorbent by imitating the structure and functional groups of heparin.

A facile approach towards amino-coated ferroferric oxide nanoparticles for environmental pollutant removal.

A facile and environmental-friendly approach was developed to prepare magnetic nano-adsorbent for environmental pollutant removal. Based on the mussel-inspired polymerization, amino-coated FeO nanoparticles were fabricated by simply immersing FeO nanoparticles into an aqueous solution of catechol and hexanediamine with stirring at room temperature. The magnetic nano-adsorbent was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller's test (BET).

Engineering of hemocompatible and antifouling polyethersulfone membranes by blending with heparin-mimicking microgels.

To improve the hemocompatibility and antifouling property of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes, heparin-mimicking microgels of poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (P(AA-VP)) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid-co-acrylamide) (P(AMPS-AM)) were synthesized by conventional free radical copolymerization, and then incorporated into a PES matrix by blending. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that heparin-mimicking microgels were successfully synthesized. The presence of the microgels in the membrane matrix was also confirmed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and SEM.

Graphene oxide linked sulfonate-based polyanionic nanogels as biocompatible, robust and versatile modifiers of ultrafiltration membranes.

Aiming to enhance the current biological performances of ultrafiltration membranes, in this study, a new kind of graphene oxide linked sulfonate-based polyanionic nanogel (GO-SPN) was fabricated by free radical cross-linked copolymerization. Then, GO-SPN embedded polyethersulfone (PES/GO-SPN) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were achieved through one-pot PES dissolution and interpenetration, followed by a liquid-liquid phase inversion method. The GO-SPN modified UF membranes exhibited increased porous cross-section structures with a pH-dependent water flux.

Host-Guest Self-Assembly Toward Reversible Thermoresponsive Switching for Bacteria Killing and Detachment.

A facile method to construct reversible thermoresponsive switching for bacteria killing and detachment was currently developed by host-guest self-assembly of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and adamantane (Ad). Ad-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (Ad-PNIPAM) and Ad-terminated poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (Ad-PMT) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization, and then assembled onto the surface of β-CD grafted silicon wafer (SW-CD) by simply immersing SW-CD into a mixed solution of Ad-PNIPAM and Ad-PMT, thus forming a thermoresponsive surface (SW-PNIPAM/PMT). Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and water contact angle (WCA) analysis were used to characterize the surface of SW-PNIPAM/PMT.

Graphene oxide and sulfonated polyanion co-doped hydrogel films for dual-layered membranes with superior hemocompatibility and antibacterial activity.

In this study, a new kind of hemocompatible and antibacterial dual-layered polymeric membrane was fabricated by coating a top layer of graphene oxide and a sulfonated polyanion co-doped hydrogel thin film (GO-SPHF) on a bottom membrane substrate. After a two-step spin-coating of casting solutions on glass plates, dual-layered membranes were obtained by a liquid-liquid phase inversion method. The GO-SPHF composite polyethersulfone (PES) membranes (PES/GO-SPHF) showed top layers with obviously large porous structures.

A robust way to prepare blood-compatible and anti-fouling polyethersulfone membrane.

Functional copolymers were successfully grafted onto polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surfaces by free radical mechanism using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The anti-coagulant and anti-fouling properties of the membranes were well controlled by changing the functional copolymer compositions. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transforminfrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer spectrum (XPS), water contact angles (WCAs), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were used to characterize the membranes.

Zwitterionic polymer functionalization of polysulfone membrane with improved antifouling property and blood compatibility by combination of ATRP and click chemistry.

The chemical compositions are very important for designing blood-contacting membranes with good antifouling property and blood compatibility. In this study, we propose a method combining ATRP and click chemistry to introduce zwitterionic polymer of poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA), negatively charged polymers of poly(sodium methacrylate) (PNaMAA) and/or poly(sodium p-styrene sulfonate) (PNaSS), to improve the antifouling property and blood compatibility of polysulfone (PSf) membranes. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle results confirmed the successful grafting of the functional polymers.

Functional polyethersulfone particles for the removal of bilirubin.

In this study, polyethersulfone/poly (glycidyl methacrylate) particles are prepared via in situ cross-linked polymerization coupled with a phase inversion technique. The surfaces of these particles are then further modified by grafting amino groups using tetraethylenepentamine, dethylenetriamine, ethylenediamine, or 1,6-hexanediamine for the removal of bilirubin. The particles are characterized by Flourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy.

The GRIM-19 plays a vital role in shrimps' responses to Vibrio alginolyticus.

GRIM-19 (gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19), a novel cell death regulatory gene, plays important roles in cell apoptosis, mitochondrial respiratory chain and immune response. It has been reported to interact physically with STAT3 and inhibit STAT3-dependent signal transduction. In this study, a new GRIM-19 gene, which is a 789-bp gene encoding a 149 amino acids protein, is identified and characterized from Litopenaeus vannamei.

A facile approach toward multi-functional polyurethane/polyethersulfone composite membranes for versatile applications.

The complex synthesis through multistep reactions and tedious purifications based on different monomers or macromolecules limits the practical applications of functional polymers. Herein, a facile approach toward a series of functional polyurethanes (PUs) is designed for versatile biological applications within fewer step reactions under mild conditions. The tertiary amino groups in the PU are converted into zwitterions or quaternary ammonium salt via simple one-step synthesis, and then used to prepare PU/polyethersulfone composite membranes.

Post-crosslinking towards stimuli-responsive sodium alginate beads for the removal of dye and heavy metals.

Post-crosslinking as a new strategy to prepare sodium alginate (SA) beads with controllable swelling behavior, pH sensitivity and adsorption capacity was developed by using the solution of glutaraldehyde (GA), acetic acid and hydrochloric acid as the coagulating agent, for which could be used to fabricate polysaccharide beads in a large scale. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis convinced the successful cross-linking of SA by GA. The macro-porous structures of the beads were observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Graphene oxide based heparin-mimicking and hemocompatible polymeric hydrogels for versatile biomedical applications.

Studies on the design of heparin and heparin-mimicking polymer based hydrogels are of tremendous interest and are fuelled by diverse emerging biomedical applications, such as antithrombogenic materials, growth factor carriers, and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regeneration medicine. In this study, inspired by the recent developments of heparin-based hydrogels, graphene oxide (GO) based heparin-mimicking hydrogels with hemocompatibility and versatile properties were prepared via free radical copolymerization, and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels were used as the control samples. The GO based heparin-mimicking polymeric hydrogels exhibited interconnected structures with thin pore walls and high porosity.

Zwitterionic glycosyl modified polyethersulfone membranes with enhanced anti-fouling property and blood compatibility.

In this study, novel zwitterionic glycosyl modified polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes were prepared via in-situ cross-linking polymerization coupled with phase inversion technique, and the following reactions. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (1)HNMR spectrum, and static water contact angles (WCAs) measurements. The modified membranes showed excellent anti-fouling property, and the flux recovery ratio could reach almost 100%.

Blood compatibility comparison for polysulfone membranes modified by grafting block and random zwitterionic copolymers via surface-initiated ATRP.

For blood-contacting materials, good blood compatibility, especially good anticoagulant property is of great importance. Zwitterionic polymers have been proved to be resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption and platelet adhesion; however, their anticoagulant property is always inadequate. In this study, two kinds of zwitterionic copolymers (sulfobetaine methacrylate and sodium p-styrene sulfonate random copolymer and block copolymer) with sulfonic groups were covalently grafted from polysulfone (PSf) membranes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) to improve blood compatibility.

Covalent deposition of zwitterionic polymer and citric acid by click chemistry-enabled layer-by-layer assembly for improving the blood compatibility of polysulfone membrane.

Development of blood compatible membranes is critical for biomedical applications. Zwitterionic polymers have been proved to be resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. In this work, two kinds of zwitterionic copolymers bearing alkynyl and azide groups are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and subsequent reactions, namely alkynyl-poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (alkynyl-PSBMA) and azide-poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (azide-PSBMA).