High-carbon-content biochar from chemical manufacturing plant sludge for effective removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous media.

Biochar is considered a promising biosorbent for harmful organic pollutants in aqueous media. However, only a limited number of biochars derived from industrial sludges have been utilized due to their problematic high ash content and heavy metal leaching. In this study, a highly effective biochar was prepared as a superabsorbent for ciprofloxacin (CIP) from chemical manufacturing plant sludge via KCO-activated pyrolysis, and its CIP removal behavior was evaluated.

Powdered activated carbon (PAC)-assisted peroxymonosulfate activation for efficient urea elimination in ultrapure water production from reclaimed water.

Urea is a problematic pollutant in reclaimed water for ultrapure water (UPW) production. The sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation process (SR-AOP) has been recognized as an effective method for urea degradation. However, conventional metal-based catalysts for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation are unsuitable for UPW production due to issues related to metal ion leaching.

Temporal Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes With or Without Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potentials and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Monitoring for Intracranial Meningioma Surgery.

Background: This study aimed to retrospectively assess results of intracranial meningioma surgery with or without intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in a single institution.

Methods: Two cohorts (a historical cohort and a monitoring cohort) were collected for the analysis. Before IONM was introduced, a total of 107 patients underwent intracranial meningioma operation without IONM from January 2000 to December 2008 by one neurosurgeon (historical cohort).

Function of hepatocyte spheroids in bioactive microcapsules is enhanced by endogenous and exogenous hepatocyte growth factor.

The ability to maintain functional hepatocytes has important implications for bioartificial liver development, cell-based therapies, drug screening, and tissue engineering. Several approaches can be used to restore hepatocyte function in vitro, including coating a culture substrate with extracellular matrix (ECM), encapsulating cells within biomimetic gels (Collagen- or Matrigel-based), or co-cultivation with other cells. This paper describes the use of bioactive heparin-based core-shell microcapsules to form and cultivate hepatocyte spheroids.

Construction of a bioactive copper-based metal organic framework-embedded dual-crosslinked alginate hydrogel for antimicrobial applications.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing bioactive metals have the potential to exhibit antimicrobial activity by releasing metal ions or ligands through the cleavage of metal-ligand bonds. Recently, copper-based MOFs (Cu-MOFs) with sustained release capability, porosity, and structural flexibility have shown promising antimicrobial properties. However, for clinical use, the controlled release of Cu over an extended time period is crucial to prevent toxicity.

One-Pot Synthesis of Double-Network PEG/Collagen Hydrogel for Enhanced Adipogenic Differentiation and Retrieval of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Hydrogels are widely used in stem cell therapy due to their extensive tunability and resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM), which has a three-dimensional (3D) structure. These features enable various applications that enhance stem cell maintenance and function. However, fast and simple hydrogel fabrication methods are desirable for stem cells for efficient encapsulation and to reduce adverse effects on the cells.

A Microfluidic Device for Long-Term Maintenance of Organotypic Liver Cultures.

Liver cultures may be used for disease modeling, testing therapies and predicting drug-induced injury. The complexity of the liver cultures has evolved from hepatocyte monocultures to co-cultures with non-parenchymal cells and finally to precision-cut liver slices. The latter culture format retains liver's native biomolecular and cellular complexity and therefore holds considerable promise for in vitro testing.

Thermoresponsive fiber-based microwells capable of formation and retrieval of salivary gland stem cell spheroids for the regeneration of irradiation-damaged salivary glands.

Three-dimensional spheroid culture enhances cell-to-cell interactions among stem cells and promotes the expression of stem cell properties; however, subsequent retrieval and delivery of these cells remain a challenge. We fabricated a thermoresponsive fiber-based microwell scaffold by combining electrospinning and hydrogel micropatterning. The resultant scaffold appeared to facilitate the formation of cellular spheroids of uniform size and enabled the expression of more stem cell-secreting growth factor genes (, , , , and ), pluripotent stem cell-related genes ( and ), and adult epithelial stem cell-related genes (, , and ) than salivary gland stem cells in a monolayer culture (SGSC).

3-D porous cellulose nanofibril aerogels with a controllable copper nanoparticle loading as a highly efficient non-noble-metal catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction.

Nitrophenols(NPs) are highly toxic compounds that occur in various industrial effluents. Herein, we investigated Cu nanoparticle-loaded cellulose nanofibril (CNF/PEI-Cu) aerogels as a catalyst for degrading 4-nitrophenol (4NP) in the wastewater. Non-noble metal based low-cost catalyst material and easily scalable preparation method make CNF/PEI-Cu aerogel as an appropriate catalyst for practical application in 4NP wastewater treatment.

Bioactive hydrogel microcapsules for guiding stem cell fate decisions by release and reloading of growth factors.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) hold considerable promise as a source of adult cells for treatment of diseases ranging from diabetes to liver failure. Some of the challenges that limit the clinical/translational impact of hPSCs are high cost and difficulty in scaling-up of existing differentiation protocols. In this paper, we sought to address these challenges through the development of bioactive microcapsules.

Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids.

Three-dimensional (3D) or spheroid cultures of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer the benefits of improved differentiation outcomes and scalability. In this paper, we describe a strategy for the robust and reproducible formation of hPSC spheroids where a co-axial flow focusing device is utilized to entrap hPSCs inside core-shell microcapsules. The core solution contained single cell suspension of hPSCs and was made viscous by the incorporation of high molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and density gradient media.

Hepatocyte cultures: From collagen gel sandwiches to microfluidic devices with integrated biosensors.

Hepatocytes are parenchymal cells of the liver responsible for drug detoxification, urea and bile production, serum protein synthesis, and glucose homeostasis. Hepatocytes are widely used for drug toxicity studies in bioartificial liver devices and for cell-based liver therapies. Because hepatocytes are highly differentiated cells residing in a complex microenvironment , they tend to lose hepatic phenotype and function .

Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles from Cu-Spiked Wastewater via Adsorptive Separation and Subsequent Chemical Reduction.

Copper in ionic form (Cu) should be removed from wastewater because of its harmful effects on human health. Meanwhile, Cu-metal nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are widely used in various applications such as catalysts, optical materials, sensors, and antibacterial agents. Here, we demonstrated the recovery of Cu from wastewater and its subsequent transformation into Cu NPs, a value-added product, via continuous adsorption followed by chemical reduction by hydrazine.

Modified cellulose nanofibril aerogel: Tunable catalyst support for treatment of 4-Nitrophenol from wastewater.

4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) is a hazardous aromatic compound widely used for various industries. Catalytic reduction of 4-NP using metal nanoparticles (NPs) is a highly effective method to treat 4-NP from waste effluent. Even though lots of methods have investigated to prepare efficient metal NPs composites, the nano and/or micro size of composites makes it hard to recover after wastewater treatment, limiting its practical use.

Simultaneous removal of radioactive cesium and strontium from seawater using a highly efficient Prussian blue-embedded alginate aerogel.

Radioactive cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) contaminants in seawater have been a serious problem since the Fukushima accident in 2011 due to their long-term health risks. For the effective and simultaneous removal of radioactive cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) from seawater, a Prussian blue (PB)-immobilized alginate aerogel (PB-alginate aerogel) was fabricated and its adsorption performance was evaluated. PB nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in the three-dimensional porous alginate aerogel matrix, which enabled facile contact with seawater.

Fabrication of cylindrical 3D cellulose nanofibril(CNF) aerogel for continuous removal of copper(Cu) from wastewater.

Heavy metal contamination in wastewater is a serious problem due to its high toxicity. In this study, three-dimensional porous and flexible polyethylene imine grafted cellulose nanofibril aerogel (PEI@CNF aerogel) is synthesized as a highly efficient biosorbent for continuous treatment of wastewater containing copper (Cu). The synthesized PEI@CNF aerogel efficiently separates Cu from wastewater and exhibits outstanding selectivity for Cu in the presence of other metal ions.

Mechanically enhanced graphene oxide/carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibril composite fiber as a scalable adsorbent for heavy metal removal.

Recently, graphene oxide(GO) has gained much attention for heavy metal removal due to its high surface area and lots of functional groups on the surface. However, GO itself in powder form is far away from practical adsorbents because it remains dispersed in liquid phase which causes difficulty in the separation from effluent. In this study, GO/carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibril (CMCNF) composite fiber(CF) is developed as an efficient and durable adsorbent.

Prussian blue-embedded carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibril membranes for removing radioactive cesium from aqueous solution.

In this study, we synthesized a Prussian blue (PB)-embedded macroporous carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibril (CMCNF) membrane for facile cesium (Cs) removal. The PB was formed in situ at Fe sites on a CMCNF framework cross-linked using FeCl as a cross-linking agent. Cubic PB particles of size 5-20 nm were observed on the macroporous CMCNF membrane surface.

Mobile medication manager application to improve adherence with immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant recipients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation is associated with poor graft outcomes. We aimed to evaluate whether the use of the Adhere4U mobile medication manager application could improve adherence among renal transplant recipients ≥1 year posttransplantation. Adhere4U can provide medication reminders, monitor medication use, and provide information on immunosuppressants.

Modified tunicate nanocellulose liquid crystalline fiber as closed loop for recycling platinum-group metals.

Rising demand and elemental rarity requires the recycling of precious metals such as platinum group elements (PGMs). Recently, biosorption has been focused on the capability of recovering precious metals, but in practice, recycling is inefficient or far away from a closed-loop material system. Here we use a polyethylenimine (PEI)-grafted spun-fiber made of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) extracted from a tunicate as a biosorbent for PGMs.

Continuous Meter-Scale Synthesis of Weavable Tunicate Cellulose/Carbon Nanotube Fibers for High-Performance Wearable Sensors.

Weavable sensing fibers with superior mechanical strength and sensing functionality are crucial for the realization of wearable textile sensors. However, in the fabrication of previously reported wearable sensing fibers, additional processes such as reduction, doping, and coating were essential to satisfy both requirements. The sensing fibers should be continuously synthesized in a scalable process for commercial applications with high reliability and productivity, which was challenging.

Synthesis of carboxymethylated nanocellulose fabricated ciprofloxacine - Montmorillonite composite for sustained delivery of antibiotics.

Montmorillonite (MMT) is a highly promising material for use in drug delivery due to its high drug loading capacity and controlled drug release properties. MMT protects drug molecules between layered structure; however, drug release from MMT is sustained less than 6 h, which is insufficient for the release of antibiotics. This study sought to synthesize an antibiotic delivery material with more sustained release properties.

Recovery of platinum from waste effluent using polyethyleneimine-modified nanocelluloses: Effects of the cellulose source and type.

Nanocellulose is a promising biosorbent for the recovery of precious metals from waste streams. A variety of nanocelluloses exhibit significant different properties that depend on the natural source and type. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils(P-CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals(P-CNC) obtained from hard wood pulp and CNF from tunicates(T-CNF) were evaluated for their ability to recover platinum(Pt) after modification with polyethyleneimine(PEI).