Starch is a natural polymer with a relatively simple structure and limited solubility in water. Kraft lignin (KL) is a complex biopolymer obtained as a by-product from the delignification of wood and grasses. The present work reports developing a temperature-responsive high molecular weight macromolecule from crosslinking KL and starch (KLS). The NMR and XPS analyses quantified the changes in the aromatic and anhydroglucose units of KL and starch, observing a higher content of C-O-C bonds, which confirms the presence of glycerol ether cross-linkages between starch and KL in KLS. The rheological analysis of KLS dispersions revealed the formation of a thermo-responsive structured network. The temperature-dependent water solubility and rheological characteristics of KLS were related to the presence of hydrophilic starch chains, crosslinking degree, and physicochemical characteristics of KL. The incorporation of KL and ether crosslinks increased the thermal stability of KLS. Because of its multiple functional groups and large molecular weight (3.6-4.2 × 10 g/mol) that was arranged in an extended globular shape, KLS-5 formed a gel-like structure after a heating-cooling treatment. Overall, the results confirmed that incorporating lignin in starch would fabricate sustainable materials with potentially altered applications, such as temperature-responsive hydrogels and films.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120846 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
January 2025
Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) has a high mortality and morbidity rate and seriously jeopardizes human life. Chemicals and chemotherapeutic agents have been experiencing problems such as side effects and drug resistance in the treatment of HCC, which cannot meet the needs of clinical treatment. Therefore, finding novel low-toxicity and high-efficiency anti-hepatocellular carcinoma drugs and exploring their mechanisms of action have become the current problems to be solved in the treatment of HCC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Chem Soc
January 2025
George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.
Chain-end reactivation of polymethacrylates generated by reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) has emerged as a powerful tool for triggering depolymerization at significantly milder temperatures than those traditionally employed. In this study, we demonstrate how the facile depolymerization of poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) can be leveraged to selectively skew the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and predictably alter the viscoelastic properties of blended PBMA mixtures. By mixing polymers with thermally active chain ends with polymers of different molecular weights and inactive chain ends, the MWD of the blends can be skewed to be high or low by selective depolymerization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Endocrinol (Lausanne)
January 2025
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Background: Thin endometrial thickness (EMT) and advanced age are both common risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes (ANOs). However, studies evaluating the impact of EMT and combined effect of EMT and age on ANOs remain scarce with conflicts.
Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 7,715 singleton deliveries from frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles between 2017 and 2021.
Chem Sci
January 2025
Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bangalore 560064 India https://www.jncasr.ac.in/faculty/tmaji.
Coordination-driven metallo-supramolecular polymers hold significant potential as highly efficient catalysts for photocatalytic CO reduction, owing to the covalent integration of the light harvesting unit, catalytic center and intrinsic hierarchical nanostructures. In this study, we present the synthesis, characterization, and gelation behaviour of a novel low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) integrating a benzo[1,2-:4,5-']dithiophene core with terpyridine (TPY) units alkyl amide chains (TPY-BDT). The two TPY ends of the TPY-BDT unit efficiently chelate with metal ions, enabling the formation of a metallo-supramolecular polymer that brings together the catalytic center and a photosensitizer in close proximity, maximizing catalytic efficiency for CO reduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastroenterol
January 2025
Department of Internal Medicine, Mixed Hospital of Laghouat, Laghouat Faculty of Medicine, Amar Telidji University, Laghouat 03000, Algeria.
Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Despite advancements in medical treatments, the prognosis for liver cancer patients remains poor, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly (CB), has shown promise in addressing this need due to its multi-target therapeutic mechanisms.
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