Moisture absorption measurement and modelling of a cellulose acetate

With a view toward the application of highly hygroscopic polymers as a humidity responsive self-actuator, the evaluation of the real time moisture concentration in the material becomes a priority. In this paper, the moisture diffusion process in a cellulose acetate (53.3% of acetylation) has been studied. Membranes of cellulose acetate (thickness within the range 66–200 µm) have been prepared, and the moisture absorption at room temperature and at a different relative humidity (RH within the range 21–53%) has been monitored. An analytical model has been used to describe the observed non-Fickian sigmoidal behavior of moisture diffusion. A relaxation factor (β) of about 0.026 s−1 and a moisture diffusion coefficient (D) of 3.35 × 10–6 mm2/s have been determined. At constant room temperature, the moisture concentration at saturation (Csat) has shown a linear relation with relative humidity. The identified values β, D and Csat of the analytical model have been used as input for the finite element simulation of the non-Fickian diffusion. The reliability of the finite element simulations has been confirmed with a second set of experiments

Cellulose acetate for a humidity-responsive self-actuator bilayer composite

The use of stimuli-responsive polymers to produce environmentally responsive self-actuators continues to rise. Highly hygroscopic materials are attracting great interest for the design of humidity-responsive self-actuators. In this context, bilayer composites, formed by the coupling of a hygroscopic layer with a non-hygroscopic one, are relevant as they allow for the response to be tuned through the design of the composite layers. Therefore, the meticulous material characterization and the definition of descriptive models of their hygroscopic behavior are the primary steps towards the development of humidity-responsive self-actuators. This study is aimed at measuring and predicting the response of a bilayer composite made of a hygroscopic material layer and a layer of a non-hygroscopic material when subjected to changes in environmental humidity levels, to be used as a humidity-responsive self-actuator. A cellulose acetate was used as the hygroscopic material. Predictions for the induced hygroscopic deformation in the bilayer composite, based on two-physics finite element simulations, are compared to experimental measurements

Humidity responsive bi-layered composites

Among cellulose-based materials, which are known for their hygroscopic behaviour, cellulose acetate (53.3 % of acetylation) has been chosen for this investigation. Membranes of cellulose acetate have been prepared via solvent evaporation of cellulose acetate and ethyl lactate solutions. Membranes with thicknesses within the range of 66÷200 μm have been manufactured. Via gravimetric measurement of preliminary dried membranes, the moisture absorption at room temperature and different relative humidity (RH = 21÷53%) have been monitored. A moisture diffusion coefficient of 3.35×10-6 mm2⁄s and a relaxation factor of 0.026 s-1 have been determined. A dependency of moisture concentration at saturation on relative humidity has been observed. The induced expansion due to the moisture absorption has been determined by thermomechanical analysis. The hygroscopic expansion coefficient of cellulose acetate has been evaluated as 192.5 (mm3/g). The experimental measurements have been considered as input of a detailed finite element model that couples moisture diffusion and hygroscopic expansion. The model allows to predict the response to the changes of relative humidity of a bi-layered composite made up of cellulose acetate and a non-hygroscopic textile

Multivalent targeting and killing of HER2 overexpressing breast carcinoma cells with methotrexate-encapsulated tetra-specific non-overlapping variable domain heavy chain anti-HER2 antibody-PEG-liposomes: In vitro proof-of-concept

The variable domain of the heavy chain antibodies (VHHs) is the smallest (15 kDa) intact single domain antigen-binding fragment. VHHs often exhibit sub-nanomolar affinity for their designated targets and therefore are receiving increasing attention in molecular targeting and nanomedicine engineering. We cloned and expressed four non-overlapping anti-HER2 VHHs in a prokaryotic expression system that yielded disulfide-bonded VHHs. Purified VHHs, before and after thiolation, were characterized by Western blot and their functionality against the ecto-domain of HER2 receptor was confirmed by ELISA and flow cytometry. Thiolated VHHs were conjugated to the reactive maleimide-PEG2000-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine incorporated into the bilayer of small unilamellar vesicles. We show high target-binding avidity and efficient cytotoxicity of optimized tetra-specific multivalent methatoraxate-loaded VHH-PEG-liposomes (55�60 VHH/vesicle) in HER2 over-expressing breast carcinoma cell lines compared with the best performing monoclonal VHH conjugated vesicles of identical VHH surface density. The VHH expression and production methodology as well as the synergistic effect of the four non-overlapping VHHs in HER2 binding provides an efficient approach for design and engineering of anti-cancer nanomedicines and their future applications within the context of personalized and precision therapies and diagnostics are discussed. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

Phenol removal kinetics from synthetic wastewater by activation of persulfate using a catalyst generated from shipping ports sludge

Disposal sludges from shipping docks contain elements that have the potential to catalyze the desired treatment process. The current work was designed to decompose phenol from wastewater by activation peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using a catalyst made from sea sediments (at 400 °C for 3 h). The catalyst had a crystalline form and contained metal oxides. The parameters of pH (3–9), catalyst dose (0–80 mg/L), phenol concentration (50–250 mg/L), and PMS dose (0–250 mg/L) were tested to specify the favorable phenol removal. The phenol removal of 99% in the waste sludge catalyst/PMS system was achieved at pH 5, catalyst quantity of 30 mg/L, phenol content of 50 mg/L, PMS dose of 150 mg/L, and reaction time of 150 min. From the results, it was implied that the pH factor was more important in removing phenol with the studied system than other factors. By-products and phenol decomposition pathways were also provided. The results showed that the sea sediment catalyst/PMS system is a vital alternative for removing phenol from wastewater mediu

Effective suppression of tumour cells by oligoclonal HER2-targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin

Synergistic effect of combined antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of a particular tumour antigen has encouraged some clinical trial studies and is now considered as an effective platform for cancer therapy. Providing several advantages over conventional antibodies, variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibodies (V H H) is now major tools in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Active targeting of liposomal drugs is a promising strategy, resulting in enhanced binding and improved cytotoxicity of tumour cells. In the present study, we produced four anti-HER2 recombinant VHHs and purified them via native and refolding method. ELISA and flow cytometry analysis confirmed almost identical function of VHHs in refolded and native states. Using a mixture of four purified VHHs, PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin was targeted against HER2-overexpressing cells. The drug release was analyzed at pH 7.4, 6.4 and 5.5 and dynamic light-scattering detector and TEM micrograph was applied to characterize the produced nanoparticles. The binding efficiency of these nanoparticles to BT474 and SKBR3 as HER2-positive and MCF10A as HER2-negative cell line was examined by flow cytometry. Our results indicated effective encapsulation of about 94 of the total drug in immunoliposomes. Flow cytometry results verified receptor-specific binding of targeted liposomes to SKBR3 and BT474 cell lines and more efficient binding was observed for liposomes conjugated with oligoclonal VHHs mixture compared with monoclonal VHH-targeted liposomes. Oligoclonal nanoparticles also showed more cytotoxicity compared with non-targeted liposomes against HER2-positive tumour cells. Oligoclonal targeting of liposomes was represented as a promising strategy for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Effective suppression of tumour cells by oligoclonal HER2-targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin

Synergistic effect of combined antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of a particular tumour antigen has encouraged some clinical trial studies and is now considered as an effective platform for cancer therapy. Providing several advantages over conventional antibodies, variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibodies (VHH) is now major tools in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Active targeting of liposomal drugs is a promising strategy, resulting in enhanced binding and improved cytotoxicity of tumour cells. In the present study, we produced four anti-HER2 recombinant VHHs and purified them via native and refolding method. ELISA and flow cytometry analysis confirmed almost identical function of VHHs in refolded and native states. Using a mixture of four purified VHHs, PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin was targeted against HER2-overexpressing cells. The drug release was analyzed at pH 7.4, 6.4 and 5.5 and dynamic light-scattering detector and TEM micrograph was applied to characterize the produced nanoparticles. The binding efficiency of these nanoparticles to BT474 and SKBR3 as HER2-positive and MCF10A as HER2-negative cell line was examined by flow cytometry. Our results indicated effective encapsulation of about 94 of the total drug in immunoliposomes. Flow cytometry results verified receptor-specific binding of targeted liposomes to SKBR3 and BT474 cell lines and more efficient binding was observed for liposomes conjugated with oligoclonal VHHs mixture compared with monoclonal VHH-targeted liposomes. Oligoclonal nanoparticles also showed more cytotoxicity compared with non-targeted liposomes against HER2-positive tumour cells. Oligoclonal targeting of liposomes was represented as a promising strategy for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou

Effective suppression of tumour cells by oligoclonal HER2-targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin

Synergistic effect of combined antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of a particular tumour antigen has encouraged some clinical trial studies and is now considered as an effective platform for cancer therapy. Providing several advantages over conventional antibodies, variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibodies (VHH) is now major tools in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Active targeting of liposomal drugs is a promising strategy, resulting in enhanced binding and improved cytotoxicity of tumour cells. In the present study, we produced four anti-HER2 recombinant VHHs and purified them via native and refolding method. ELISA and flow cytometry analysis confirmed almost identical function of VHHs in refolded and native states. Using a mixture of four purified VHHs, PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin was targeted against HER2-overexpressing cells. The drug release was analyzed at pH 7.4, 6.4 and 5.5 and dynamic light-scattering detector and TEM micrograph was applied to characterize the produced nanoparticles. The binding efficiency of these nanoparticles to BT474 and SKBR3 as HER2-positive and MCF10A as HER2-negative cell line was examined by flow cytometry. Our results indicated effective encapsulation of about 94 of the total drug in immunoliposomes. Flow cytometry results verified receptor-specific binding of targeted liposomes to SKBR3 and BT474 cell lines and more efficient binding was observed for liposomes conjugated with oligoclonal VHHs mixture compared with monoclonal VHH-targeted liposomes. Oligoclonal nanoparticles also showed more cytotoxicity compared with non-targeted liposomes against HER2-positive tumour cells. Oligoclonal targeting of liposomes was represented as a promising strategy for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou

On nonlinear vibration behavior of piezo-magnetic doubly-curved nanoshells

In this paper, nonlinear vibration behaviors of multi-phase Magneto-Electro-Elastic (MEE) doubly-curved nanoshells have been studied employing Jacobi elliptic function method. The doubly-curved nanoshell has been modeled by using nonlocal elasticity and classic shell theory. An exact estimation of nonlinear vibrational behavior of smart doubly-curved nanoshell has been obtained via Jacobi elliptic function method. This method can incorporate the influences of higher order harmonics leading to an exact estimation of nonlinear vibration frequency. It will be indicated that nonlinear vibrational frequency of doubly-curved nanoshell relies on nonlocal effect, material composition, curvature radius, center deflection and electro-magnetic field.Scopu