As a critical part of flexible electronics, flexible circuits inevitably work in a dynamic state, which causes electrical deterioration of brittle conductive materials (i.e., Cu, Ag, ITO). Recently, ...gallium‐based liquid metal particles (LMPs) with electrical stability and self‐repairing have been studied to replace brittle materials owing to their low modulus and excellent conductivity. However, LMP‐coated Ga2O3 needs to activate by external sintering, which makes it more complicated to fabricate and gives it a larger short‐circuit risk. Core–shell structural particles (Ag@LMPs) that exhibit excellent initial conductivity(8.0 Ω sq−1) without extra sintering are successfully prepared by coating nanosilver on the surface of LMPs through in situ chemical reduction. The critical stress at which rigid Ag shells rupture can be controlled by adjusting the Ag shell thickness so that LM cores with low moduli can release, achieving real‐time self‐repairing (within 200 ms) under external destruction. Furthermore, a flexible circuit utilizing Ag@LMPs is fabricated by screen printing, and exhibits outstanding stability and durability (R/R0 < 1.65 after 10 000 bending cycles in a radius of 0.5 mm) because of the functional core–shell structure. The self‐repairable Ag@LMPs prepared in this study are a candidate filler for flexible circuit design through multiple processing methods.
A novel core–shell conductive particle based on liquid metal (Ag@LMPs) is developed. This particle exhibits excellent conductivity without external sintering, while simultaneously exhibiting long‐term durability and real‐time self‐repairing in flexible circuits owing to the release of the liquid metal core. These Ag@LMPs are a candidate filler for self‐repairing flexible circuit design.
Recently, stimuli-responsive sensors and actuators have drawn significant attention as they are promising in a wide scope of applications, including wearable devices and soft robotics. However, they ...both face serious challenges in terms of interface management, that is, the weak sensor–skin interfacial interaction and the single binding function in actuators. Herein, we design an adhesive and modulus tailorable interface by in situ polymerization of dopamine (DA) along the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) macromolecular chains and the incorporation of ionic coordination between polymer molecular chains (PVA and polydopamine (PDA) chains) and metal ions (Fe3+). Note that the introduction of hygroscopic Fe3+ cations not only facilitates the coordination to increase the water tolerance of the interface but also improves the water uptake into the system, which is essential for tailoring both the adhesion and modulus of the interface. By adopting this interface, we successfully fabricate a soft (skin-like modulus 0.1–10.0 MPa), ultrathin (∼50 μm), self-adhesive, and skin-compliant sensor. Furthermore, the interface is also applied to bind two active layers to fabricate a multiresponsive (heat, near-infrared (NIR) light, voltage, and humidity) actuator. In addition to the adhesion function, the interface can also help lock the actuator states thanks to the tunable modulus of the interface, which is highly valuable for decreasing the power consumption of the actuator. This work provides a new avenue to address both sensing and actuating bottlenecks by focusing on the interface.
Functionalized zirconium phosphate (F-ZrP) was prepared by intercalating 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-(vinyldiethoxysiloxy) piperidine (PMVP) into α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP), and was used to ...flame-retard addition-cure liquid silicone rubber (ALSR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microcopy (TEM) were used to characterize the structural morphology of F-ZrP and ALSR/F-ZrP. The results indicated that PMVP was successfully intercalated into α-ZrP, and F-ZrP existed with a structure of the intercalated and exfoliated components in the ALSR matrix. F-ZrP could significantly improve the flame retardancy of ALSR. When only 4 phr of F-ZrP was added, the flame-retardant ALSR could pass the UL-94 V-0 rating with the LOI value of 31.0%. Such an efficient flame retardancy of F-ZrP was attributed to the synergism of the catalyzing carbonization and free-radical quenching mechanism.
•A new strategy for effectively enhancing the flame retardancy of ALSR was proposed.•F-ZrP could significantly improve the flame retardancy of ALSR.•The catalyzing carbonization and free-radical quenching mechanism was combined.
A very convenient one-step synthesis to cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles by conventional radical copolymerization without the addition of stabilizers or surfactants was explored. Moreover, these ...nanoparticles exhibited excellent stability, activity and selectivity in the cycloaddition reaction of CO(2) to epoxides and could be separated from the products easily and reused.
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•Two peptides with excellent antioxidant activities were identified from Arca subcrenata.•The antioxidant peptides extended the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans and increased ...their resistance to stress.•The antioxidant peptides reduced fat, ROS, and lipofuscin accumulation in C. elegans.•The antioxidant peptides activated insulin/IGF1 (IIS) signaling pathways of C. elegans.
Arca subcrenata has been used as a nutritious food material and traditional medicine in China for centuries. Two novel antioxidant peptides, D2-G1S-1 (VENAACTTNEECCEKK) and G2-G1S-2 (VEGGAACTTGGEEGCCEKK), were identified from A. subcrenata by de novo peptide sequencing. These peptides exhibited potent DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant ability. Thermal and pH treatments did not alter the antioxidant activities of the peptides. In addition, the peptides enhanced the mean lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and significantly improved age-associated physiological functions in the nematode. Furthermore, the peptides decreased the accumulation of ROS, fat and lipofuscin in nematodes under increased oxidative stress induced by paraquat. RNA-sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR experiment showed that the peptides could significantly downregulate gene age-1 and upregulate stress-inducible genes, viz., mtl-1, sod-3, ctl-1 and hsp16.2. Therefore, D2-G1S-1 and D2-G1S-2 might prolong nematode lifespan and could be developed as potential cosmetics additives.
In this study, two proteins with antioxidant activity, WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3, were firstly isolated from the shell of Arca inflata, one source of Walengzi, a traditional Chinese medicine. This ...study used a green, traditional decoction extraction method coupled with column chromatography technique for protein extraction and purification. The protein types were determined by comparing their amino acid sequences from the transcriptome database of A. inflata. Then, a number of techniques including UV, FT-IR, circular dichroism, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the structural properties of WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3. WLZP1F1G2 was a type of ferritin while WLZP1F1G3 was a type of promyosin. They both shown good temperature stability and pH tolerance. WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 were tested for their antioxidant capacity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. They all had good ability to clear ABTS, DPPH, and oxygen free radicals. And they all showed good Fe2+ chelating properties. Additionally, in vivo tests on wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 both had effective anti-aging properties. These results raised the possibility that WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 could function as food preservatives and antioxidants.
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•Proteins were extracted from Walengzi using a green and environmental friendly method.•Amino acid sequences of WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 were identified by LC-MS/MS.•WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 could clear free radicals related to aging in vivo.•WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 had certain anti-aging activity in Caenorhabditis elegans.•WLZP1F1G2 and WLZP1F1G3 were promising antioxidants.
•Glycine was modified and combined with HAp to form an adhesive layer with tissues.•Modified MEGG layer can avoid undifferentiated adhesion and secondary damage.•The Janus patches exhibited ...asymmetric adhesion and instant wet adhesion.•The Janus patches had an effective treatment and repair effect on OUs.
Oral ulcers (OUs) are the most common lesions of the oral mucosa and severely reduce patients' quality of life. Several types of patches for the self-treatment of OU have been developed, which have partially alleviated the problems caused by OUs. However, their wide application is limited by a few factors, including the suboptimal adhesion to the wound in the complex oral environment and the discoloration of the degraded products. Herein, an ideal Janus patch for the accelerated treatment and cure of OUs, comprising bifunctional sides, was designed. Inspired by the composition and hybrid adhesive mechanism of barnacles, glycine was modified and combined with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp) to create an adhesive layer that would form abundant covalent bonds with tissues; the HAp act as a bridge to bond polymer chains mimicking the organic–inorganic hybrid mechanism of barnacles, achieving analogous instant wet adhesion. Additionally, double bond-modified gellan gum served as a slippery layer to avoid undifferentiated adhesion and secondary damage. When applied to rat OUs, the Janus patch exhibited instant wet adhesion, with the longest residue time, overcoming the limitations of commercial products, and withstood chewing and biting and other mouth movements, thus achieving an excellent therapeutic efficacy.
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•A novel polysaccharide (AIPW50-1) was isolated from edible marine mollusk Arca inflata Reeve.•The fine structure of AIPW50-1 was elucidated.•AIPW50-1 showed excellent antioxidant and ...immunomodulatory activities.
A novel acidic homogeneous polysaccharide (AIPW50-1) with a molecular weight of 214.5 kDa was isolated by hot water extraction and several column chromatographic purification methods from Arca inflata Reeve. The repeating structural units of AIPW50-1 were elucidated by the combined chemical and instrumental analyses. AIPW50-1 is composed of glucose, glucuronic acid and galactose with molar ratio of 18.06: 1.00: 1.56. The backbone of AIPW50-1 consisted of →4)-α-D-GlcpA-(1→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ with two branches of α-D-Glcp-(1→ and →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→ terminated with α-D-Glcp-(1→, respectively. The antioxidant assay demonstrated that AIPW50-1 possessed strong ABTS free radical scavenging activity and prominently stimulated the secretion of a cytotoxic molecule (NO), cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) by murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. The in vivo antioxidative effect of AIPW50-1 was further evaluated using Caenorhabdiyis elegans oxidative stress model. AIPW50-1 could prolong the lifespan, improve locomotory behavior and reproductive ability, and significantly enhance intracellular activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of C. elegans by 19.80 %, 17.05 % and 17.22 % at 4 mg/mL. These results suggested that AIPW50-1 has the potential to be used as a functional additive with antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects.
Contributing to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) clinical treatment, a drug library encompassing approximately 3,142 clinical-stage or FDA-approved small molecules is ...profiled to identify the candidate therapeutic inhibitors targeting nucleocapsid protein (N) and spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2.
16 screened candidates with higher binding affinity are evaluated via virtual screening. Comparing to those under trial/temporarily used antivirus drugs (i.e., umifenovir, lopinavir), ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and cefuroxime show higher binding affinities to the N-terminal domain of N protein (N-NTD), C-terminal domain of N protein (N-CTD), and receptor-binding domain of S protein (S-RBD). Cefotaxime and cefuroxime have high binding affinities towards S-RBD with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) complex via influence the critical interface sites at the interface of S-RBD (Arg403, Tyr453, Trp495, Gly496, Phe497, Asn501and Tyr505) and ACE2 (Asn33, His34, Glu37, Asp38, Lys353, Ala386, Ala387, Gln388, Pro389, Phe390 and Arg393) complex.
SARS-CoV-2; Drug screen and repurposing; Mall molecule microarray chip; Antiviral compounds.
More and more attention has been paid to bioactive compounds isolated from marine organisms or microorganisms in recent years. At the present study, a new protein coded as HPCG2, was purified from
by ...stepwise chromatography methods. The molecular weight of HPCG2 was determined to be 30.71 kDa by MALDI-TOF-MS. The complete amino acid sequence of HPCG2 was obtained by tandem mass spectrometry combined with transcriptome database analysis, and its secondary structure was analyzed using circular dichroism. HPCG2 comprised 251 amino acids and contained 28.4% α-helix, 26% β-sheet, 18.6% β-turn, and 29.9% random coil. HPCG2 was predicted to be a cysteine-rich secretory protein-related (CRISP-related) protein by domain prediction. Moreover, HPCG2 was proved to possess the immunomodulatory effect on the murine immune cells. MTT assay showed that HPCG2 promoted the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and the cytotoxicity of NK cells against YAC-1 cells. Flow cytometry test revealed that HPCG2 enhanced the phagocytic function of macrophages and polarized them into M1 type in RAW264.7 cells. In particular, Western blot analysis indicated that the immunomodulatory mechanism of HPCG2 was associated with the regulation on TLR4/JNK/ERK and STAT3 signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggested that HPCG2 might be developed as a potential immunomodulatory agent or new functional product from marine organisms.
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