Mechanism and Performance of Composite Phase Change Materials from the Direct Hydrolysis Residue of Municipal Sludge Loaded with Sodium Acetate Trihydrate.

The direct hydrolysis of municipal sludge for the production of oil and gas has become a key research focus, despite the application of hydrolysis residues presenting a challenge. In this study, municipal sludge was directly hydrolyzed in a high-pressure reaction kettle and the hydrolysis residue byproduct was used as a carrier to prepare a composite phase change heat storage material (CPCM), utilizing vacuum impregnation for sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT) loading. The results of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and particle size analyses showed that the residue obtained by the hydrolysis of sludge and sawdust with a dry basis ratio of 4:1 had a higher pore volume and a uniform particle size.

Investigation on the Chemical-Looping Reaction Characteristics of Ningdong Coal with Manganese Ore.

In order to explore an efficient and clean conversion way of Ningdong coal, the chemical-looping reaction of Ningdong coal was conducted in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor using manganese ore as the oxygen carrier (OC), and the reaction characteristics were investigated in combination by thermogravimetric analysis. Experiments included the investigation of the reaction of the manganese ore with 5 vol % H and with coal powder at 900 °C, the catalytic and OC effect of manganese ore on coal gasification, the reaction efficiency and reaction products under different mass ratios of OC to coal (O/C), and the effect of multiple cycles on the reaction performance of the manganese ore. At 900 °C, the OC exhibited higher reactivity with coal syngas, significantly reducing the time of coal gasification (∼48% reduction).

Genetic recombination of poly(l-lysine) functionalized apoferritin nanocages that resemble viral capsid nanometer-sized platforms for gene therapy.

Currently, bioengineered apoferritin nanocages with flexible protein shells and functionalized modifications have become an attractive approach for efficient anti-tumor therapy. Here, we modified the N-terminus of H-chain subunits in apoferritin with different amounts of lysine via genetic recombination to obtain a poly(l-lysine) modified H-chain apoferritin (nL-HFn) nanocage for siRNA delivery and gene therapy. To achieve excellent cellular affinity and uptake, the nanocarriers were internalized through transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis, then escaped from the endosome for cytoplasmic transport.

ROS-Mediated Apoptosis and Anticancer Effect Achieved by Artesunate and Auxiliary Fe(II) Released from Ferriferous Oxide-Containing Recombinant Apoferritin.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis is considered a crucial therapeutic mechanisms for artesunate (AS). As an Fe(II)-dependent drug, the anticancer effect of AS is often limited due to insufficient Fe(II) concentration in targeted cells. To overcome this problem, a recombinant apoferritin nanocarrier containing ferriferous oxide (M-HFn) is constructed to produce auxiliary exogenous Fe(II) when delivering AS to cancer cells.

Highly specific colon-targeted transformable capsules containing indomethacin immediate-release pellets for colon cancers therapy.

Generally, definite intestine targeting and immediate drug releasing are both important for the treatment of colon cancer via oral administration of anti-cancer drugs. We developed a highly specific oral colon-targeted pulsatile capsule, based on the effective enzyme-responsive 'pulse plug', which can be degraded under mannanase abundant in colon. Indomethacin (IN) solid dispersion immediate-release pellets were filled in an insoluble capsule body, a guar gum-lactose-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) composed tablet was embedded on the top of capsule as the 'pulse plug', and then covered by enteric soluble cap.

ATP responsive DNA nanogels grown on biocompatible branches for anticancer drug delivery.

We developed biocompatible ATP responsive DNA nanogels, by grafting DNA strands on carboxymethyl chitosan polymer chains, and then hybridizing with ATP aptamers to form core-shell nanogels. The DNA duplex structure could embed DOX in the G-C sequences, and realize simultaneous sol-gel transition and DOX release when suffering enrich ATP in tumor cells.