Hyaluronic acid-coated ZIF-8 for the treatment of pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common causes of hospital infection. Here, we showed that hyaluronic acid modified organic metal framework material ZIF-8 could be a Trojan horse of vancomycin (Van) for effective treatment of MRSA infections. The Van-loaded nanoparticles were readily up-taken by macrophages via a CD44-mediated process and collapsed in the acidic condition of endosome/lysosome, as a consequence, it could eradicate MRSA with high efficiency in macrophages.

Structural properties of propionylated starch-based nanocomposites containing different amylose contents.

This research displayed the structures and thermomechanical feature of starch-based nanocomposites as induced by interaction between propionylated amylose/amylopectin and nanofiller (organically modified montmorillonite). Propionylated amylose incorporated with nanofiller caused some phase separation within the nanocomposites. By contrast, highly-branched propionylated amylopectin favored nanofiller dispersion and disrupted its crystalline structure, and further facilitated certain exfoliated or intercalated structures.

Hierarchical Structure and Thermal Property of Starch-Based Nanocomposites with Different Amylose/Amylopectin Ratio.

Starch-based materials with reinforced properties were considered as one of the most promising materials to replace the petro-based packaging products, and actually, the molecular structures of starch usually determined the structures and properties of end-used starchy products. Here, starch-based nanocomposites were fabricated by starch esters derived from native starches with different amylose contents and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT). The fractured surface under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibited wrinkles formed by macromolecular aggregation owing to the interaction competition between the plasticizer and nanofiller with the starch ester.