A rapid one-step process for fabrication of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces by pulse electrodeposition

Inspired by some typical plants such as lotus leaves, superhydrophobic surfaces are commonly prepared by a combination of low surface energy materials and hierarchical micro/nano structures. In this work, superhydrophobic surfaces on copper substrates were prepared by a rapid, facile one-step pulse electrodepositing process, with different duty ratios in an electrolyte containing lanthanum chloride (LaCl3·6H2O), myristic acid (CH3(CH2)12COOH), and ethanol. The equivalent electrolytic time was only 10 min. The surface morphology, chemical composition and superhydrophobic property of the pulse electrodeposited surfaces were fully investigated with SEM, EDX, XRD, contact angle meter and time-lapse photographs of water droplets bouncing method. The results show that the as-prepared surfaces have micro/nano dual scale structures mainly consisting of La[CH3(CH2)12COO]3 crystals. The maximum water contact angle (WCA) is about 160.9°, and the corresponding sliding angle is about 5°. This method is time-saving and can be easily extended to other conductive materials, having a great potential for future applications

Microspheres Assembled from Chitosan‐Graft‐Poly(lactic acid) Micelle‐Like Core–Shell Nanospheres for Distinctly Controlled Release of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Biomolecules

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/122426/1/mabi201600020-sup-0001-S1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/122426/2/mabi201600020.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/122426/3/mabi201600020_am.pd

A rapid one-step process for fabrication of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces by pulse electrodeposition

Inspired by some typical plants such as lotus leaves, superhydrophobic surfaces are commonly prepared by a combination of low surface energy materials and hierarchical micro/nano structures. In this work, superhydrophobic surfaces on copper substrates were prepared by a rapid, facile one-step pulse electrodepositing process with different duty ratios in an electrolyte containing lanthanum chloride (LaCl3•6H2O), myristic acid (CH3(CH2)12COOH) and ethanol. The equivalent electrolytic time was only 10 min. The surface morphology, chemical composition and superhydrophobic property of the pulse electrodeposited surfaces were fully investigated with SEM, EDX, XRD, contact angle meter and time-lapse photographs of water droplets bouncing method. The results show that the as-prepared surfaces have micro/nano dual scale structures mainly consisting of La[CH3(CH2)12COO]3 crystals. The maximum water contact angle (WCA) is about 160.9° and the corresponding sliding angle is about 5° . This method is time-saving and can be easily extended to other conductive materials, having a great potential for future application

Efficacy and safety of inulin supplementation for functional constipation: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Functional constipation (FC) is a common digestive system disease, with an uptrend in morbidity and mortality, resulting in huge social and economic losses. Although the guidelines recommend lifestyle intervention as a first-line treatment, lifestyle intervention is not widely used in clinic. Inulin can be used as the basic material of functional food. Clinical studies have shown that inulin supplementation is associated with increased frequency of bowel movements, but has certain side effects. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of inulin in the treatment of FC need to be further evaluated.Methods and analysis We will search Medline, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database and China Biomedical Literature Database. We will also search the China Clinical Trial Registry, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and related conference summaries. This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RevMan V.5.3.5 will be used for analysis.Ethics and dissemination This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of inulin supplementation for the treatment of FC. All included data will be obtained from published articles, there is no need for the ethical approval, and it will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Due to lack of a new systematic review in this field, this study will combine relevant randomised controlled trials to better explore the evidence of inulin supplementation in the treatment of FC and guide clinical practice and clinical research.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020189234

Electrodeposition of Zn–Ta Coating from DMI–ZnCl2–TaCl5 Solvate Ionic Liquids

In this work, the Zn–Ta coating was electrodeposited from DMI–ZnCl2–TaCl5 solvate ionic liquid. The electrochemical reaction was studied by cyclic voltammetry using titanium as working electrode. The onset potential of zinc and tantalum co-deposition was −0.7 V (vs. Ag). Moreover, potentiostatic electrodeposition experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of potential and temperature on the morphology of the coating. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the coating obtained by electrodeposition at −1.6 V (vs. Ag) and 353 K was composed of Zn, Ta, ZnO, and Ta2O5. The mass fraction of element tantalum was 6.21 %, and metallic tantalum accounted for 11.54 % of the mass of element tantalum. The corrosion current density of the Zn–Ta coating was 1.83 × 10−4 A cm−2

Adaptive in vivo device for theranostics of inflammation: Real-time monitoring of interferon-γ and aspirin

Cytokines mediate and control immune and inflammatory responses. Complex interactions exist among cytokines, inflammation, and the innate and adaptive immune responses in maintaining homeostasis, health, and well-being. On-demand, local delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to target tissues provides an approach for more effective drug dosing while reducing the adverse effects of systemic drug delivery. This work demonstrates a proof-of-concept theranostic approach for inflammation based on analyte-kissing induced signaling, whereby a drug (in this report, aspirin) can be released upon the detection of a target level of a proinflammatory cytokine (i.e., interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) in real time. The structure-switching aptamer-based biosensor described here is capable of quantitatively and dynamically detecting IFN-γ both in vitro and in vivo with a sensitivity of 10 pg mL−1. Moreover, the released aspirin triggered by the immunoregulatory cytokine IFN-γ is able to inhibit inflammation in a rat model, and the release of aspirin can be quantitatively controlled. The data reported here provide a new and promising strategy for the in vivo detection of proinflammatory cytokines and the subsequent therapeutic delivery of anti-inflammatory molecules. This universal theranostic platform is expected to have great potential for patient-specific personalized medicine. Statement of Significance: We developed an adaptive in vivo sensing device whereby a drug, aspirin, can be released upon the detection of a proinflammatory cytokine, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), in real time with a sensitivity of 10 pg mL−1. Moreover, the aspirin triggered by IFN-γ depressed inflammation in the rat model and was delivered indirectly through blood and cerebrospinal fluid or directly to the inflammation tissue or organ without adverse gastrointestinal effects observed in the liver and kidney. We envision that, for the first time, patients with chronic inflammatory disease can receive the right intervention and treatment at the right time. Additionally, this technology may empower patients to monitor their personalized health and disease management program, allowing real-time diagnostics, disease monitoring, and precise and effective treatments

Electrodeposition of Copper Metal from the 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Fluoride ([EMIM]F)-urea-H2O System Containing Cu2O

In this work, [EMIM]F-urea-H2O system is capable of dissolving Cu2O, and then the metallic copper was electrodeposited from this system at room temperature. The reduction of Cu (I) in this system involves a quasi-reversible and one-step single-electron transfer process. The electrodeposition of copper was performed on a tungsten (W) substrate at −0.67 V (vs. Ag) and 353 K via potentiostatic electrolysis. The electrodeposits were identified as metallic copper, as verified by XRD and EDS. SEM image shows that uniform, polygonal nanoparticles of copper were obtained after the potentiostatic static electrolysis

Temperature Dependence on Density, Viscosity, and Electrical Conductivity of Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Fluoride

Ionic liquids are considered environmentally friendly media for various industrial applications. Basic data on physicochemical properties are significant for a new material, in terms of developing its potential applications. In this work, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium fluoride ([EMIm]F) ionic liquid was synthesized via an anion metathesis process. Physical properties including the density, viscosity, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability of the product were measured. The results show that the density of [EMIm]F decreases linearly with temperature increases, while dynamic viscosity decreases rapidly below 320 K and the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity is in accordance with the VFT (Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann) equation. The temperature dependence of the density, conductivity, and viscosity of [EMIm]F can be expressed via the following equations: ρ = 1.516 − 1.22 × 10−3 T, σm = 4417.1exp[−953.17/(T − 166.65)] and η = 2.07 × 10−7exp(−5.39 × 104/T), respectively. [EMIm]F exhibited no clear melting point. However, its glass transition point and decomposition temperature are −71.3 °C and 135 °C, respectively