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An axis-specific mitral annuloplasty ring eliminates mitral regurgitation allowing mitral annular motion in an ovine model

Current mitral annuloplasty rings fail to restrict the anteroposterior distance while allowing dynamic mitral annular changes. We designed and manufactured a mitral annuloplasty ring that demonstrated axis-specific, selective flexibility to meet this clinical need. The objectives were to evaluate ex vivo biomechanics of this ring and to validate the annular dynamics and safety after ring implantation in vivo.

Preparation of unsaturated MIL-101(Cr) with Lewis acid sites for the extraordinary adsorption of anionic dyes

Anionic dyes contaminate water and severely disrupt aquatic ecosystems, urgently demanding effective treatment solutions for safety. This study explores the synthesis of unsaturated MIL-101(Cr) and its exceptional performance in removing anionic dyes from polluted water systems. The synthesized MIL-101(Cr) exhibits medium Lewis’s acid and strong Brønsted acid sites, a high specific surface area (>3000 m2/g), and a Zeta potential of 30 mV, contributing to its strong adsorption capability. Adsorption studies reveal Langmuir isotherm model fitting, with maximum adsorption capacities of 4231, 1266, and 568 mg/g for Acid Blue 92, Congo Red, and Acid Blue 90, respectively. The chemisorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and is spontaneous and exothermic. MIL-101(Cr) demonstrates chemical and water stability, maintaining over 80% removal efficiency after five recycling cycles. This research provides valuable insights into treating anionic dye-contaminated wastewater using MIL-101(Cr) as an efficient adsorbent.

Anionic lipids direct efficient microfluidic encapsulation of stable and functionally active proteins in lipid nanoparticles

Because proteins do not efficiently pass through the plasma membrane, protein therapeutics are limited to target ligands located at the cell surface or in serum. Lipid nanoparticles can facilitate delivery of polar molecules across a membrane. We hypothesized that because most proteins are amphoteric ionizable polycations, proteins would associate with anionic lipids, enabling microfluidic chip assembly of stable EP-LNPs (Encapsulated Proteins in Lipid NanoParticles). Here, by employing anionic lipids we were able to efficiently load proteins into EP-LNPs at protein:lipid w:w ratios of 1:20. Several proteins with diverse molecular weights and isoelectric points were encapsulated at efficiencies of 70 75%–90% and remained packaged for several months. Proteins packaged in EP-LNPs efficiently entered mammalian cells and fungal cells with cell walls. The proteins delivered intracellularly were functional. EP-LNPs technology should improve cellular delivery of medicinal antibodies, enzymes, peptide antimetabolites, and dominant negative proteins, opening new fields of protein therapeutics

Carbon sequestration in earth-based alkali-activated mortar: phase changes and performance after natural exposure

This research investigates the effect of carbon sequestration via accelerated carbon curing (ACC) in alkali-activated earth-based alkali-activated mortar (25S-AAM) on the long-term engineering performance, chemical bonding and microstructure. The addition of clay accelerates hydration kinetics and promotes the formation of more cross-linked calcium–(sodium) alumino silicate hydrates (N-A-S-H and C-(N)-A-S-H). This contributes to early strength and a 25% reduction in total shrinkage after 60 days. Although ACC promotes higher carbon sequestration and increases 1-d compressive strength by 13%, it leads to severe decalcification of 25S-AAM after 365 days of natural exposure, resulting in coarsening of the pore structure in the mesoporous size range of 10–100 nm. Due to a relatively low Ca/Si ratio, 25S-AAM is more adversely affected by natural carbonation during the 365-d exposure period than the control (without clay). In summary, ACC is not recommended for earth-based AAM products especially if they are applied for outdoor constructions.

1-octene polymerization catalyzed by titanium and zirconium complexes supported by [PN] or [NPN] ligands

Ligands in homogeneous complex polymerization catalysts are crucial not only for influencing polymerization activity but also for controlling the stereoselectivity of the resulting polymers. We designed ligands on the basis of the dibenzophosphole skeleton and investigated the structure and ethylene polymerization activity of titanium and zirconium complexes activated by dried modified methylaluminoxane. In this investigation, we selected 1-octene as an α-olefin monomer and polymerized it using five types of titanium and zirconium complexes. Then, we obtained information regarding the ligand structure, polymerization activity toward 1-octene, and tacticity control. The [NPN]-Zr complex, which exhibited the highest activity for ethylene polymerization, demonstrated negligible polymerization activity for 1-octene. Conversely, titanium and zirconium complexes with [PN] ligands as auxiliary ligands exhibited activity toward 1-octene, yielding isotactic-rich polyoctene.

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