BACKGROUND: Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has the advantage of rapid anion analysis, when employing a reverse electroosmotic flow (EOF). The conventional CE method utilizes dynamic coatings with surfactants like cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the run buffer to reverse the EOF. However, this method suffers from very slow equilibration leading to drifting effective migration times of the analyte anions, which adversely affects the identification and quantification of peaks. Permanent coating of the capillary surface may obviate this problem but has been relatively little explored. Thus, permanent capillary surface modification by the covalent binding of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was studied as an alternative.
RESULTS: This study investigates the effect of APTES concentration for surface functionalization on EOF mobility, separation efficiency, and reproducibility of anion separation. The performance data was complemented by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle (CA) measurements. The XPS measurements showed that the coverage with APTES was dependent on its concentration in the coating solution. The XPS measurements correlated well with the EOF values determined for the capillaries tested. A standard mixture of 21 anions could be baseline separated within 10 min in the capillaries with lower EOF, but not in the capillary with the highest EOF as the residence time of the analytes was too short in this case. Compared to conventional dynamic coating with CTAB, APTES-functionalized capillaries provide faster equilibration and long-term EOF stability. The application of APTES-functionalized capillaries in analyzing different beverages demonstrates the precision, reliability, and specificity in determining organic anions, providing valuable insights of their compositions.
CONCLUSIONS: APTES coating on capillaries provides a facile approach to achieve a permanent reversal of the stable EOF to determine anions. The control of the coverage via the concentration of the reagent solution allows the tailoring of the EOF to different needs, a faster EOF for less complex samples where resolution is not challenging, while a lower EOF for higher complex samples where the focus is on separation efficiency. This enhancement in efficiency and sensitivity has been applied to analyzing organic acids in several beverages.

As one of the primary causes of illness and death globally, cancer demands novel and potent treatment approaches, which is why lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have gained attention as a promising delivery system for anticancer drugs with precision and efficacy. The article discusses the salient characteristics of LNPs, such as the lipid components, particle size, polydispersity index, and encapsulation efficiency, followed by strategies that enhance their remarkable drug delivery capabilities. The articles explore LNPs ability to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of various chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, and immunotherapeutic modalities. It also highlights the recent advancement in surface modification of LNPs, which is essential to improve their effectiveness. Tailored coatings of LNPs improve targeting precision, stability, and biocompatibility; enhancing their transport to boost therapeutic efficacy for cancer targeting. The review summarizes the recent advancements made in using LNPs to treat different forms of cancer and focuses on the most recent clinical studies. Overall, the review highlights that the LNPs can target and treat cancer in a tailored manner through gene therapy, RNA interference, and immunotherapy.

The glass infiltration technique was employed for surface modification of zirconia implants in this study. The prepared glass-infiltrated zirconia with low infiltrating temperature showed excellent mechanical properties and enough infiltrating layer. The zirconia substrate was pre-sintered at 1,200°C and the glass infiltration depth reached 400 μm after infiltrating at 1,200°C for 10 h. The infiltrating glass has good wetting ability, thermal expansion match and good chemical compatibility with the zirconia substrate. Indentation fracture toughness and flexural strength of the dense sintered glass-infiltrated zirconia composite are respectively 5.37±0.45 MPa•m1/2 and 841.03±89.31 MPa. Its elasticity modulus is 163.99±7.6 GPa and has about 500 μm infiltrating layer. The glass-infiltrated zirconia can be acid etched to a medium roughness (1.29±0.09 μm) with a flexural strength of 823.65±87.46 MPa, which promotes cell proliferation and has potential for dental implants.

In this study, we developed a novel surface coating technique to modify the surface chemistry of thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes, aiming to mitigate organic fouling while maintaining the membrane\'s permselectivity. We formed a spot-like polyester (PE) coating on top of a polyamide (PA) TFC membrane using mist-based interfacial polymerization. This process involved exposing the membrane surface to tiny droplets carrying different concentrations of sulfonated kraft lignin (SKL, 3, 5, and 7 wt %) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC, 0.2 wt %). The main advantages of this surface coating technique are minimal solvent consumption (less than 0.05 mL/cm2) and precise control over interfacial polymerization. Zeta potential measurements of the coated membranes exhibited enhancements in negative charge compared to the control membrane. This enhancement is attributed to the unreacted carboxyl functional groups of the SKL and TMC monomers, as well as the presence of sulfonate groups (SO3) in the structure of SKL. AFM results showed a notable decrease in membrane surface roughness after polyester coating due to the slower diffusion of SKL to the interface and a milder reaction with TMC. In terms of fouling resistance, the membrane coated with a polyester composed of 7 wt % SKL showed a 90% flux recovery ratio (FRR) during Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) filtration, showing a 15% improvement compared to the control membrane (PA). PE-coated membranes provided stable separation performance over 40 h of filtration. The sodium chloride rejection and water flux displayed minimal variations, indicating the robustness of the coating layer. The final section of the presented study focuses on assessing the feasibility of scaling up and the cost-effectiveness of the proposed technique. The demonstrated ease of scalability and a notable reduction in chemical consumption establish this method as a viable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solution for surface modification.

The bone turnover capability influences the acquisition and maintenance of osseointegration. The architectures of osteocyte three-dimensional (3D) networks determine the direction and activity of bone turnover through osteocyte intercellular crosstalk, which exchanges prostaglandins through gap junctions in response to mechanical loading. Titanium nanosurfaces with anisotropically patterned dense nanospikes promote the development of osteocyte lacunar-canalicular networks. We investigated the effects of titanium nanosurfaces on intercellular network development and regulatory capabilities of bone turnover in osteocytes under cyclic compressive loading. MLO-Y4 mouse osteocyte-like cell lines embedded in type I collagen 3D gels on titanium nanosurfaces promoted the formation of intercellular networks and gap junctions even under static culture conditions, in contrast to the poor intercellular connectivity in machined titanium surfaces. The osteocyte 3D network on the titanium nanosurfaces further enhanced gap junction formation after additional culturing under cyclic compressive loading simulating masticatory loading, beyond the degree observed on machined titanium surfaces. A prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor cancelled the dual effects of titanium nanosurfaces and cyclic compressive loading on the upregulation of gap junction-related genes in the osteocyte 3D culture. Supernatants from osteocyte monolayer culture on titanium nanosurfaces promoted osteocyte maturation and intercellular connections with gap junctions. With cyclic loading, titanium nanosurfaces induced expression of the regulatory factors of bone turnover in osteocyte 3D cultures, toward higher osteoblast activation than that observed on machined surfaces. Titanium nanosurfaces with anisotropically patterned dense nanospikes promoted intercellular 3D network development and regulatory function toward osteoblast activation in osteocytes activated by cyclic compressive loading, through intercellular crosstalk by prostaglandin.

In the realm of clinical applications, the concern surrounding biomedical device-related infections (BDI) is paramount. To mitigate the risk associated with BDI, enhancing surface characteristics such as lubrication and antibacterial efficacy is considered as a strategic approach. This study delineated the synthesis of a multifunctional copolymer, embodying self-adhesive, lubricating, and antibacterial properties, achieved through free radical polymerization and a carbodiimide coupling reaction. The copolymer was adeptly modified on the surface of stainless steel 316L (SS316L) substrates by employing a facile dip-coating technique. Comprehensive characterizations were performed by using an array of analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Nanoscale tribological assessments revealed a notable reduction in the value of the friction coefficient of the copolymer-coated SS316L substrates compared to bare SS316L samples. The coating demonstrated exceptional resistance to protein adsorption, as evidenced in protein contamination models employing bovine serum albumin and fibrinogen. The bactericidal efficacy of the copolymer-modified surfaces was significantly improved against pathogenic strains such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Additionally, in vitro evaluations of blood compatibility and cellular compatibility underscored the remarkable anticoagulant performance and biocompatibility. Collectively, these findings indicated that the developed copolymer coating represented a promising candidate, with its facile modification approach, for augmenting lubrication and antifouling properties in the field of biomedical implant applications.

In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has undergone a transformative shift toward personalized and targeted therapeutic strategies. Bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have emerged as a promising and adaptable platform for cancer immunotherapy due to their unique properties, including natural immunogenicity and the ability to be engineered for specific therapeutic purposes. In this review, a comprehensive overview is provided of state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies employed in the engineering of versatile OMVs for cancer immunotherapy. Beginning by exploring the biogenesis and composition of OMVs, unveiling their intrinsic immunogenic properties for therapeutic appeal. Subsequently, innovative approaches employed to engineer OMVs are delved into, ranging from the genetic engineering of parent bacteria to the incorporation of functional molecules. The importance of rational design strategies is highlighted to enhance the immunogenicity and specificity of OMVs, allowing tailoring for diverse cancer types. Furthermore, insights into clinical studies and potential challenges utilizing OMVs as cancer vaccines or adjuvants are also provided, offering a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape and future prospects. Overall, this review provides valuable insights for researchers involved in the rapidly evolving field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a roadmap for harnessing the full potential of OMVs as a versatile and adaptable platform for cancer treatment.

The practical applications of bifunctional ruthenium-based electrocatalysts with two active sites of Ru nanoparticles covered with RuO2 skins are limited. One reason is the presence of multiple equally distributed facets, some of which are inactive. In contrast, ruthenium nanorods with a high aspect ratio have multiple unequally distributed facets containing the dominance of active faces for efficient electrocatalysis. However, the synthesis of ruthenium nanorods has not been achieved due to difficulties in controlling the growth. Additionally, it is known that the adsorption capacity of intermediates can be impacted by the surface of the catalyst. Inspired by these backgrounds, the surface-modified (SM) ruthenium nanorods having a dominant active facet of hcp (100) through chemisorbed oxygen and OH groups (SMRu-NRs@NF) are rationally synthesized through the surfactant coordination method. SMRu-NRs@NF exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution in acid and alkaline solutions with an ultralow overpotential of 215 and 185 mV reaching 1000 mA cm-2, respectively. Moreover, it has also shown brilliant oxygen evolution electrocatalysis in alkaline solution with a low potential of 1.58 V to reach 1000 mA cm-2. It also exhibits high durability over 143 h for the evolution of oxygen and hydrogen at 1000 mA cm-2. Density functional theory studies confirmed that surface modification of a ruthenium nanorod with chemisorbed oxygen and OH groups can optimize the reaction energy barriers of hydrogen and oxygen intermediates. The surface-modified ruthenium nanorod strategy paves a path to develop the practical water splitting electrocatalyst.

Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is clinically used as a bio-implant for the healing of skeletal defects. However, the osseointegration of clinical-sized bone grafts remains limited. In this study, surface-porous PEEK was created by using a sulfonation method and a metal-polysaccharide complex MgCS was introduced on the surface of sulfonated PEEK to form MgCS@SPEEK. The as-prepared MgCS@SPEEK was found to have a porous surface with good hydrophilicity and bioactivity. This was followed by an investigation into whether MgCS loaded onto sulfonated PEEK surfaces could promote osseointegration and angiogenesis. The in vitro results showed that MgCS@SPEEK had a positive effect on reducing the expression levels of inflammatory genes and promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis-related genes expression levels. Furthermore, porous MgCS@SPEEK was implanted in critical-sized rat tibial defects for in vivo evaluation of osseointegration. The micro-computed tomography evaluation results revealed substantial bone formation at 4 and 8 weeks. Collectively, these findings indicate that MgCS@SPEEK could provide improved osseointegration and an attractive strategy for orthopaedic applications.

Lipid-based nanomedicines (LBNMs), including liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs), are recognized as one of the most clinically acceptable nano-formulations. However, the bench-to-bedside translation efficiency is far from satisfactory, mainly due to the lack of in-depth understanding of their physical and biochemical attributes at the single-particle level. In this review, we first give a brief introduction of LBNMs, highlighting some milestones and related scientific and clinical achievements in the past several decades, as well as the grand challenges in the characterization of LBNMs. Next, we present an overview of each category of LBNMs as well as the core properties that largely dictate their biological characteristics and clinical performance, such as size distribution, particle concentration, morphology, drug encapsulation and surface properties. Then, the recent applications of several analytical techniques including electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, Raman microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, tunable resistive pulse sensing and flow cytometry on the single-particle characterization of LBNMs are thoroughly discussed. Particularly, the comparative advantages of the newly developed nano-flow cytometry that enables quantitative analysis of both the physical and biochemical characteristics of LBNMs smaller than 40 nm with high throughput and statistical robustness are emphasized. The overall aim of this review article is to illustrate the importance, challenges and achievements associated with single-particle characterization of LBNMs.