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Background: Persistent scarring, which significantly affects quality of life, is highly prevalent among acne patients, with some estimates reaching as high as 95%. The fractional ablative laser is a well-established technology for scar management, with numerous recent studies focusing on improving outcomes and reducing adverse effects. Latin Americans' skin types represent a challenge due to the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This retrospective data collection presents findings from acne scarstreated with melanogenesis inhibitors before and after treatment, the post-treatment satisfaction level, and the complication rate in the Argentinian skin population treated with a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device. Methods: Data from adolescents and adults with facial acne scars treated with a fractional CO2 laser with two different handpieces, higher parameters, and several passes between April 2010 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Tranexamic acid 5% with glycolic acid 10% cream was indicated 1 month before and 3 to 6 months after treatment for patients with Fitzpatrick III to V. The primary endpoint was the baseline change in qualitative Goodman and Baron (GB) acne scores. The secondary endpoints included the general aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score and patient satisfaction score, both of which are measured on a 5-point scale (1 [low] to 5 [high]). Additionally, several factors were evaluated as potential predictors. The occurrence and frequency of adverse events (AEs) were monitored for safety assessment. Results: Forty-one patients, 25 males and 19 females, with an average age of 30 y.o. (16 youngest y.o., 56 oldest y.o.) were treated and included in this study. Following treatment, 81% of patients (33 patients) presented a reduction in GB score which was significantly different from baseline value (Wilcoxon signed-ranke test,, p < 0.001). The mean patient satisfaction score was 4.09, and the mean GAIS score was 3.95. No statistically significant relationships were found between any potential predictive factors and outcomes. Nearly 70% of patients (28) did not experience any AEs. The remaining patients experienced temporary and anticipated postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and erythema. No scars or permanent side effects resulting from laser treatment were observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the high level of satisfaction, safety, and efficacy of fractional CO2 laser with relative high parameters and several passes associated with two different handpieces for treating acne scars over Argentinien skin types with only one or two sessions, including those with relatively high Fitzpatrick skin types, and the importance of using pre- and posttreatment melanogenesis inhibitors to prevent and treat PIH. Level of evidence: Level IV, Risk / Prognostic Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterial-based implantable scaffolds capable of promoting physical and functional reconnection of injured spinal cord and nerves represent the latest frontier in neural tissue engineering. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of self-standing, biocompatible and bioresorbable substrates endowed with both controlled nanotopography and electroactivity, intended for the design of transient implantable scaffolds for neural tissue engineering. In particular, we obtain conductive and nano-modulated poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) free-standing films by simply iterating a replica moulding process and coating the polymer with a thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate. The capability of the substrates to retain both surface patterning and electrical properties when exposed to a liquid environment has been evaluated by atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and thermal characterizations. In particular, we show that PLA-based films maintain their surface nano-modulation for up to three weeks of exposure to a liquid environment, a time sufficient for promoting axonal anisotropic sprouting and growth during neuronal cell differentiation. In conclusion, the developed substrates represent a novel and easily-tunable platform to design bioresorbable implantable devices featuring both topographic and electrical cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporotic fractures are characterized by abnormal inflammation, deterioration of the bone microenvironment, weakened mechanical properties, and difficulties in osteogenic differentiation. The chronic inflammatory state characterized by aging macrophages leads to delayed or non‐healing of the fracture or even the formation of bone defects. The current bottleneck in clinical treatment is to achieve strong fixation of the comminuted bone fragments and effective regulation of the complex microenvironment of aging macrophages. Inspired by cement and gravel in concrete infrastructure, a biomimetic bone glue with poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres is developed and levodopa/oxidized chitosan hydrogel stabilized on an organic‐inorganic framework of nanohydroxyapatite, named DOPM. DOPM is characterized via morphological and mechanical characterization techniques, in vitro experiments with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells, and in vivo experiments with an aged SD rat model exhibiting osteoporotic bone defects. DOPM exhibited excellent adhesion properties, good biocompatibility, and significant osteogenic differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that DOPM improved the inflammatory microenvironment by inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway and promoting aging macrophage polarization toward M2 macrophages, thus significantly accelerating bone defect repair and regeneration. This biomimetic bone glue, which enhances osteointegration and reestablishes the homeostasis of aging macrophages, has potential applications in the treatment of osteoporotic bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of CO2 into methanol depicts one of the most promising emerging renewable routes for the chemical and biotech industry. Under this regard, native methylotrophs have a large potential for converting methanol into value-added products but require targeted engineering approaches to enhance their performances and to widen their product spectrum. Here we use a systems-based approach to analyze and engineer M. extorquens TK 0001 for production of glycolic acid. Application of constraint-based metabolic modeling reveals the great potential of M. extorquens for that purpose, which is not yet described in literature. In particular, a superior theoretical product yield of 1.0 C-molGlycolic acid C-molMethanol−1 is predicted by our model, surpassing theoretical yields of sugar fermentation. Following this approach, we show here that strain engineering is viable and present 1st generation strains producing glycolic acid via a heterologous NADPH-dependent glyoxylate reductase. It was found that lactic acid is a surprising by-product of glycolic acid formation in M. extorquens, most likely due to a surplus of available NADH upon glycolic acid synthesis. Finally, the best performing strain was tested in a fed-batch fermentation producing a mixture of up to total 1.2 g L−1 glycolic acid and lactic acid. Several key performance indicators of our glycolic acid producer strain are superior to state-of-the-art synthetic methylotrophs. The presented results open the door for further strain engineering of the native methylotroph M. extorquens and pave the way to produce two promising biopolymer building blocks from green methanol, i.e., glycolic acid and lactic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozonation (O3) is a widely used advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the treatment of wastewater, while its drawbacks include high energy consumption and poor solubility must be reduced or eliminated. Hence, a combined catalytic ozonation process with H2O2 and S2O82- was employed to degrade mono ethylene glycol (MEG) and eliminate ecological risks during the treatment of gas refinery wastewater. In this study, the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and MEG from wastewater by O3, O3/H2O2, O3/Na2 S2O8, O3/GAC, O3/GAC/S2O82- and O3/GAC/H2O2 oxidation treatment systems were investigated. The optimal treatment conditions were obtained as O3 dosage of 0.81 g h−1, H2O2 (0.15 mol L−1), S2O82- (2 g L−1), GAC (7 g L−1), pH of 11 and 60 min reaction time. The results revealed that the highest rate of degradation of MEG, COD reduction and the minimum electrical energy per order from the wastewater were 87.6%, 78.1% and 1.01 kWh/m3 respectively for O3/GAC/S2O82- process and 91.0%, 82.5% and 0.877 kWh/m3 respectively for O3/GAC/H2O2 process. The MEG degradation rate constant by O3/GAC/H2O2 system about 6.2 times and O3/GAC/S2O82- system over 5.3 times were higher than O3. After calculation, the synergy factors in O3/GAC with H2O2/S2O82- systems are more than 4.7, demonstrating that both systems have a strong synergistic effect. The finding related to the OH° trapping agent illustrates that indirect oxidation by OH° plays a vital role in the degradation of MEG. The performance of GAC stability was checked and resulted in the GAC also showing good stable catalytic activity in five consecutive cycles of use. The degradation pathways of MEG in the O3/GAC with H2O2 or S2O82- system were proposed based on intermediate analysis. The main intermediates found in MEG oxidation include glycolaldehyde, glycolic acid, glyoxal, glyoxylic acid, oxalic acid and formic acid. Finally, modification of wastewater treatment suggested that the burping phenomenon and the glycol foaming tendency were not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulinic acid (BA) is a promising natural anti‐tumor agent renowned for its activity against various tumor cell types. Despite its favorable profile of low cytotoxicity to normal cells, BA's inherent hydrophobic nature and relatively short systematic half‐life impose hurdles for clinical application. This study introduces a strategy to surmount these obstacles by developing a drug delivery system employing poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA)‐encapsulated BA nanoparticles (PLGA‐BA NPs). Rigorous characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses are employed to confirm the integrity of the drug within the nanocarriers. The PLGA‐BA NPs demonstrated a mean particle size of 196 ± 6.80 nm. XRD analysis demonstrated the amorphous state of the PLGA‐BA formulation, a characteristic vital for sustained drug release and enhanced bioavailability. The PLGA‐BA NPs exhibited spherical morphology with encapsulation and loading efficiency of 83 ± 9.24% and 7.0 ± 0.4%, respectively, highlighting efficient encapsulation of the drug within the PLGA NPs. In vitro, cytotoxicity assessments demonstrated enhanced anti‐proliferative efficacy against breast and lung tumor cells when utilizing PLGA‐BA NPs in comparison to free BA. This research underlines the potential of employing the developed PLGA‐based nanocarrier to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of BA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bifunctional thiourea‐amine‐based organocatalyst (Takemoto's catalyst), employing a metal‐free approach, is presented for the regioselective ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of optically active (D and L) methyl glycolide (MG). In this study, a chiral version of Takemoto's catalyst efficiently promotes the ROP of MG at room temperature, yielding poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acids) (PLGAs) with predicted molecular weights and narrow polydispersity indices (PDI≤1.2). These PLGAs exhibit highly alternating structures without transesterification, as confirmed by 1H NMR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF analyses. Additionally, various macromolecular architectures, including linear and star‐shaped PLGAs, were successfully synthesized using the corresponding multi‐functional alcohol initiators while maintaining the same alternating structures and regioselectivity with PLGA obtained from benzyl alcohol as initiator. Computational studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of alternating PLGA formation, revealing two key transition states (TSs): TS‐1, which implicates the nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl group of the initiator or propagating chain on the carbonyl carbon of MG, and TS‐2, which involves the subsequent ring‐opening of the cyclic ester. The results indicate that ring‐opening occurs at both the glycolyl and lactyl sites, with a preference for the glycolyl site, as supported by experimental results. The resulting atactic PLGAs are amorphous, rendering them suitable for drug delivery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs), coated with different materials, are synthesized and utilized as nucleating agents to prepare magnetic multi‐modal porous scaffolds of poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)/IONs using the supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) foaming process. The effects of the modification materials, including citric acid, polycaprolactone, and polyvinyl acetate, on the foaming process and properties of the magnetic scaffolds are systematically investigated. The results indicate that the solubility and diffusion ability of CO2 in the foaming materials played a vital role in the foaming process. The use of CO2‐philic materials and high pressure proves beneficial in generating micropores. The scaffolds with multi‐modal porous structures can be obtained at relatively low pressure for the ScCO2 foaming systems evaluated in this study. Furthermore, the prepared scaffolds exhibit high porosity and a good compressive modulus (higher than 0.4 MPa), satisfying the requirements of tissue engineering for soft tissue scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyoxovanadium glycolates (NH4)3[V6O6(glyc)6V(μ-OH)6]·10H2O (1-V7) (H2glyc = glycolic acid) and its derivatives added with ammonium sulfates (NH4)3[V6O6(glyc)6M(μ-OH)6][(NH4)2SO4]2·xH2O (M = Cr, x = 6, 2-CrV6; M = Fe, x = 7, 3-FeV6; M = Al, x = 6, 4-AlV6) were obtained through self-assembly and fully characterized. Compounds 1–4 are composed of the same fully reduced cyclic {V IV6 O6} unit bridged by six glycolate ligands. The framework encapsulated an octahedral metal(III) hydroxide {M(OH)6} (M = V3+, Cr3+, Fe3+, and Al3+) in the center, forming an iso- or hetero-heptanuclear Anderson-type structure. Moreover, two sulfate anions capped the two sides of cyclic {V6O6} units in compounds 2–4. Each sulfate formed a strong triple hydrogen bond (2.657–2.829 Å) with the μ3-OH group of the hydroxide. The sulfate anions played important roles in the formation of layered structures in 2–4, while the clusters were stacked compactly through strong hydrogen bonds in 1-V7. Because of the different central metals, these heptanuclear clusters exhibited distinct electronic structures as well as redox and magnetic properties. Magnetic studies showed that compounds 1–3 exhibited weak antiferromagnetic interactions in decreasing order with Fe3+, V3+ and Cr3+, while 4-AlV6 displayed weak ferromagnetic interactions. Their relationships with the local environment of the FeV-cofactor in V-nitrogenase are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an electrocatalytic coupling system for selective ammonia and glycolic acid production over cathodic single‐atom Co (Co─N─C) and anodic PdNi alloying nanoparticles on the carbonized cellulose (PdNi/CBC), respectively are reported. As a cathodic electrocatalyst for nitrate reduction reaction (NtrRR), the Co─N─C displays remarkably high activity, delivering an NH3 yield rate of 20.5 ± 2.7 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 95.5 ± 2.8% at −0.5 V (vs RHE). In situ spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations unveiled the NtrRR mechanism on Co─N4 site. As an anodic electrocatalyst for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), the PdNi/CBC shows a high FE of 96.6 ± 1.7% for glycolic acid (GA) production at 1.6 V (vs RHE) and robust stability of 168 h. Remarkably, a proof of concept experiment of coupling electrocatalytic NtrRR with EGOR demonstrates that only an applied potential of −0.1 V (vs RHE) is required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for co‐producing ammonia and glycolic acid. As a result, the coupled NtrRR‐EGOR system can achieve an NH3 yield rate of 6.0 ± 0.6 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 and a GA yield rate of 16.8 ± 1.7 mg h−1 mgcat.−1 at −0.7 V (vs RHE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of biomass‐ or CO2‐derived glycolic acid (GA) is a renewable pathway for obtaining the bulk chemical ethylene glycol (EG). In this study, the reaction network of the aqueous‐phase hydrogenation of GA is investigated over a Ru/C catalyst. Beside this target reaction, both undesired parallel reactions (such as the hydrogenation of GA to acetic acid (AcA)) and unwanted consecutive reactions (such as over‐hydrogenation) can occur. These reactions are experimentally assessed by employing different (possible) reaction intermediates and products (EG, AcA, glycolaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and ethanol) as reactants. The data for all individual reactions as well as the overall GA hydrogenation at different reaction temperatures (120–180 °C) is combined to propose a catalytic reaction pathway network and to develop a corresponding microkinetic model. The kinetic model describes the catalytic data in the range up to 150 °C, where EG is the main reaction product, with high accuracy. It is shown that selectivity for EG is highest at 120 °C (up to ca. 70%) and decreases strongly with increasing temperatures both due to the parallel reaction of GA into acetic acid (AcA), which has a significantly higher activation energy than the overall hydrogenation of GA into EG, and due to degradation of EG into ethanol and other volatile products. Temperatures exceeding 150 °C predominantly yield volatile products, suggesting low yields of EG or AcA at higher temperatures despite enhanced GA conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a semiconductor photocatalyst, Pd–Pt alloy nanoparticle-loaded, Al-doped SrTiO3 (PdPt/STO:Al), for photoreduction of unsaturated carboxylic acids. Due to the cooperative STO:Al surface and Pd–Pt alloy nanoparticles, the catalyst dispersed in water provided highly redox-selective photoreduction against oxidative degradation of starting materials/products and against reductive evolution of H2, where minimal glycolic acid worked as an efficient electron-donating fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolic acid (GA) is a versatile two-carbon organic chemical with multiple applications in industry and daily life. Currently, GA production depends heavily on the coal chemical industry. In this context, the sustainable production of GA from renewable resources has garnered significant attention. With the design and development of various catalytic systems, the yield of GA from biomass-based feedstocks has been improved observably. Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is an aliphatic polyester that exhibits a unique crystalline structure, excellent gas barrier properties, high mechanical strength, superior biocompatibility, and biodegradability. It has a wide range of applications in various fields, such as medical devices, oil extraction, bottle materials, film materials, and textile materials. This article comprehensively elaborates on the methods for the biomass-based synthesis of glycolic acid, the precursor of polyglycolic acid (PGA), as well as the preparation process of PGA. It fills the research gap regarding the sources of biomass raw materials for polyglycolic acid. Additionally, it delves into various modification strategies for PGA and provides an overview of its current applications in multiple fields, including biomedicine, food packaging materials, oil and gas resource development, and agricultural cultivation. The purpose of this article is to provide comprehensive reference information on the synthesis techniques, modification methods, and practical applications of PGA. Furthermore, it offers guidance for research on biodegradable plastics and the biomass-based synthesis of glycolic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as promising biomaterials for enhancing drug delivery by functionalizing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Despite the biocompatibility and biofunctionalization they confer upon the NPs, little is understood regarding the degree in which non‐covalent interactions, particularly hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, govern IL‐NP supramolecular assembly. Herein, we use salt (0‐1 M sodium sulfate) and acid (0.25 M hydrochloric acid at pH 4.8) titrations to disrupt IL‐functionalized nanoassembly for four different polymeric platforms during synthesis. Through quantitative 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering, we demonstrate that the driving force of choline trans‐2‐hexenoate (CA2HA 1:1) IL assembly varies with either hydrogen bonding or electrostatics dominating, depending on the structure of the polymeric platform. In particular, the covalently bound or branched 50:50 block co‐polymer systems (diblock PEG‐PLGA [DPP] and polycaprolactone [PCl]‐poly[amidoamine] amine‐based linear‐dendritic block co‐polymer) are predominantly affected by hydrogen bonding disruption. In contrast, a purely linear block co‐polymer system (carboxylic acid terminated poly[lactic‐co‐glycolic acid]) necessitates both electrostatics and hydrogen bonding to assemble with IL and a two‐component electrostatically bound system (electrostatic PEG‐PLGA [EPP]) favors hydrogen‐bonding with electrostatics serving as a secondary role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers such as polylactic‐co‐glycolic acids (PLGA) are used for various implantable devices such as tissue scaffolds, drug delivery devices, and biosensors in different forms. However, high‐resolution patterning of biodegradable polymers on implantable devices has not been explored much yet. While electrohydrodynamic printing (EHD) can achieve high‐resolution printing compared to other printing methods, EHD printing of PLGA solutions is rarely attempted due to unstable printing. Such printing instability originates from the volatile nature of PLGA inks, and it causes nozzle clogging or change of ink conditions during printing. Here, PLGA ink formulation and a voltage input profile are studied for stable and high‐resolution EHD printing. Addition of glycerol at an optimal ratio as well as the control of voltage pulse shape strongly influenced both the stability and resolution of EHD printing of PLGA patterns. With the optimized inks and voltage inputs, stable printing of PLGA micropatterns down to 5 µm is achieved on both conductive and insulating surfaces for controlled drug release. Furthermore, use of a ring type electrode allows for EHD printing of PLGA micropatterns on 3D surfaces of PLLA tubes and stent struts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss is a prevalent disability worldwide. Dexamethasone (Dex) is commonly used to treat hearing loss, administered either systemically or locally. However, targeted delivery of Dex to the inner ear remains challenging, which limits its therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to develop new methods to improve Dex delivery to the inner ear and enhance its treatment effect. Mastoid, intraperitoneal, and intratympanic delivery routes for Dex were investigated in guinea pig cochlea. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunohistochemistry were employed to compare the distribution of Dex in the perilymph and tissue uptake. Poly (lactic- co -glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with Dex (PLGA-NPs-Dex) were prepared, and their transport mechanism across the round window membrane (RWM) was explored. Among the three delivery routes, mastoid administration produced the highest Dex concentration in the perilymph. Compared to the control, PLGA-NPs-Dex provided significantly enhanced protection against lipopolysaccharide- and noise-induced hearing damage following mastoid administration. Mastoid delivery provides an accessible route for drug delivery to the inner ear and nanoparticle-based systems via this route represent a viable strategy for treating inner ear diseases. This approach caused less damage to the inner ear, making it a promising option for clinical use in treating hearing loss. Mastoid approach was a novel method for local drug delivery into the inner ear. PLGA-NPs-Dex showed a significantly better hearing-protective effect against lipopolysaccharides- and noise-induced damages following mastoid delivery. [Display omitted] • Mastoid approach was a novel method for local drug delivery into the inner ear. • Mastoid administration yielded the higher concentration of Dex in the perilymph than the traditional delivery routes. • PLGA-NPs-Dex was prepared and the transport mechanism of it across the round window membrane was studied • PLGA-NPs-Dex showed a better hearing-protective effect against LPS- and noise-induced damages following mastoid delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of infected bone defects (IBDs) needs simultaneous elimination of infection and acceleration of bone regeneration. One mechanism that hinders the regeneration of IBDs is the iron competition between pathogens and host cells, leading to an iron deficient microenvironment that impairs the innate immune responses. In this work, an in situ modification strategy is proposed for printing iron‐active multifunctional scaffolds with iron homeostasis regulation ability for treating IBDs. As a proof‐of‐concept, ultralong hydroxyapatite (HA) nanowires are modified through in situ growth of a layer of iron gallate (FeGA) followed by incorporation in the poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix to print biomimetic PLGA based composite scaffolds containing FeGA modified HA nanowires (FeGA‐HA@PLGA). The photothermal effect of FeGA endows the scaffolds with excellent antibacterial activity. The released iron ions from the FeGA‐HA@PLGA help restore the iron homeostasis microenvironment, thereby promoting anti‐inflammatory, angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. The transcriptomic analysis shows that FeGA‐HA@PLGA scaffolds exert anti‐inflammatory and pro‐osteogenic differentiation by activating NF‐κB, MAPK and PI3K‐AKT signaling pathways. Animal experiments confirm the excellent bone repair performance of FeGA‐HA@PLGA scaffolds for IBDs, suggesting the promising prospect of iron homeostasis regulation therapy in future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs)‐engineered cartilage (BEC) shows promise for clinically repairing cartilage defects. However, when implanted in immunocompetent large animals, BEC becomes susceptible to ossification due to inflammatory infiltration. To address this, a nanofilm isolation approach is developed to enhance BEC's chondrogenic stability. Tacrolimus (FK506), known for its immunosuppressive effect, is integrated into adipic dihydrazide (ADH)‐modified hyaluronic acid (HA), creating an acid‐responsive macromolecular prodrug called FK506@HA‐ADH. This prodrug is then blended with poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) to form electrospun FK506@HA/PLGA nanofilm. Goat‐derived BMSCs are induced in vitro to form BEC, which is enclosed within the FK506@HA/PLGA nanofilm and subcutaneously implanted in autologous goats. The nanofilm acted as a physical barrier, preventing immunocyte infiltration. Additionally, in response to the acidic environment triggered by inflammation and the gradual degradation of PLGA, the FK506@HA‐ADH prodrug is cleaved, releasing FK506 as needed. The released FK506 effectively countered inflammatory cytokines and promoted cartilaginous maturity. These combined mechanisms significantly inhibited BEC hypertrophy and improved its chondrogenic stability within an immunocompetent goat model. This nanofilm‐based isolation strategy established an immunosuppressive niche, successfully preventing endochondral ossification and promoting stable cartilage formation in BEC. These advancements are crucial for translating stem cell‐based therapies into clinical use for cartilage repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the development of a biopolymer blend electrolyte composed of alginate and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), doped with glycolic acid (GA) to enhance H+ conductivity. The addition of GA significantly impacts the biopolymer blend's physicochemical properties and ionic conduction performance. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verified the intricate interactions and hydrogen bonding between the alginate-PVA matrix and GA. The addition of GA was shown to increase the amorphous phase, as observed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. This increase in the amorphous phase was found to enhance the thermal stability. Impedance analysis demonstrated a significant increase in ionic conductivity from approximately ∼10⁻⁸ S cm⁻1 for the undoped blend to 3.45 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻1 with 30 wt% GA (sample GA-30). The enhanced H+ conduction behaviour was consistent across various temperatures, adhering to the Arrhenius rule. These findings suggest that the alginate-PVA-GA system is a promising candidate for efficient proton transport applications. • A bio-based polymer blend electrolyte composed of alginate-PVA containing H + carriers has been successfully prepared. • Amorphous Structure : GA doping transforms alginate-PVA into a highly amorphous, ion-conductive structure. • Strong Hydrogen Bonding : FTIR shows enhanced hydrogen bonding, aiding proton conduction via Grotthuss mechanism. • Thermal Stability : TGA confirms GA-doped alginate-PVA maintains thermal stability and boosts proton conductivity. • Enhanced Proton Conductivity : Glycolic acid-doped alginate-PVA boosts conductivity to 3.45 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing emphasis on environmental protection, circular economy, and low-emission industrial production, the problem of post-production wastewater purification is attracting more and more attention. Among the pollutants found in aqueous solutions, special attention should be paid to high-value chemical compounds that can be reused. Glycolic acid is one of them. In this paper, we present the results of scientific studies are showing the relationship between the salt content in post-production wastewater aqueous solutions and the rate and efficiency of the process of removing glycolic acid from those solutions by adsorption on carriers and ion-exchange resins. The aims of the presented studies to investigate batch adsorption of glycolic acid from aqueous solution parameters as adsorption efficiencies, equilibrium characteristics for Langmuir and Freundlich equations, thermodynamic parameters of the process, the effect of the presence of sodium chloride on the adsorption process, and determining breakthrough curves for A103S and A1496 ion-exchange resins in the dynamic adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using AEO-9, sodium dodecyl sulfonate, citric acid, and hydroxyethylenediphosphate as experimental factors and rust removal as evaluation indicators, an orthogonal experiment was conducted to determine the optimal basic mix ratio of the cleaning agent. On this basis, ammonium citrate and hydroxyacetic acid were added for oxide cleaning, and papain was added for mold cleaning. The surface brightness of highaltitude large volume concrete before pollution, after pollution, and after cleaning were compared using Matlab, and the effect of cleaning agents on the compressive strength and surface porosity of high-altitude large volume concrete was studied. The research results indicate that the optimal basic ratio of cleaning agent formula X determined through orthogonal experiments is citric acid (5%, mass percent), hydroxyethylene diphosphate (4%, mass percent), sodium dodecyl sulfonate (3%, mass percent) and AEO-9 (2%, mass percent); The optimal ratio of metal oxide cleaning agent formula Y through optimization experiments is: formula X, ammonium citrate (3%, mass percent), hydroxyacetic acid (2%, mass percent), and the optimal ratio of mold cleaning agent formula Z is: formula X, papain (3%, mass percent); By calculating the strength loss rate, it can be concluded that the minimum strength loss rate of concrete occurs after 1 day of corrosion, and the maximum strength loss rate occurs after 7 days of corrosion. The strength loss rate of cleaning agent Y is greater than that of cleaning agents X and Z; Compared with non corroded concrete materials, the concrete material soaked in cleaning agents has an increase in the number of pores and spacing between pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter leads to multidrug resistance (MDR) through cellular exclusion of chemotherapeutics. Co-administration of P-gp inhibitors and chemotherapeutics is a promising approach for improving the efficacy of therapy. Nevertheless, problems in pharmacokinetics, toxicity and solubility limit the application of P-gp inhibitors. Herein, we developed a novel all-in-one hybrid nanoparticle system to overcome MDR in doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant breast cancer. First, folic acid-modified DOX-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared and then loaded into PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles along with a P-gp inhibitor, elacridar. This hybrid nanoparticle system had high drug loading capacity, enabled both passive and active targeting of tumour tissues, and exhibited sequential and pH-triggered release of drugs. In vitro and in vivo studies in DOX-resistant breast cancer demonstrated the ability of the hybrid nanoparticles to reverse P-gp-mediated drug resistance. The nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by the breast cancer cells and delivered elacridar, in vitro. Biodistribution studies demonstrated substantial accumulation of the folate receptor-targeted PLGA/MSN hybrid nanoparticles in tumour-bearing mice. Moreover, deceleration of the tumour growth was remarkable in the animals administered with the DOX and elacridar co-loaded hybrid nanoparticles when compared to those treated with the marketed liposomal DOX (Caelyx®) or its combination with elacridar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of quality excipients is a crucial step in peptide formulation development. Apart from excipient incompatibility, process-related impurities or degradants of an excipient can interact with peptide-active pharmaceutical ingredients, forming the interaction products. The formaldehyde has been reported as an impurity of excipient in polyethylene glycol, glycerol, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, etc. The peptide contains various amino acids such as histidine, lysine, and arginine having free amine groups. These amine groups act as strong nucleophile and can increase the reactivity of peptides. PLGA is the most widely used biodegradable polymer in sustained-release formulations. The hydrolysis of PLGA generates glycolic acid and lactic acid impurities, which can form the interaction product with the amines of peptides. During the formulation development of Liraglutide, we have found few interaction products. The systematic characterization and mechanistic understanding of these interaction products lead us to imidazopyrimidine, glycolyl, and lactolyl moieties. These interaction products have been characterized thoroughly with the use of LC-HRMS, MS/MS, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass studies. The study revealed that the reactivity of N-terminal histidine must be considered for formulation development. Moreover, the quality of excipients with respect to presence of impurities must be considered as critical material attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hands are one of the areas where skin aging is most noticeable, alongside the face, but limited studies used dermoscopic evaluation on hand aging. The Dermoscopy Photoaging Scale (DPAS) is frequently used to assess face aging but is never used for hand aging. Treating skin aging using chemical peeling is a commonly used method to rejuvenate the skin on the hands, as it is relatively affordable. Using multiple chemical peels may yield more significant results. Aims: To determine the effectiveness of a chemical peeling combination in retarding hand aging and to assess the utility of DPAS in this process. Methods: This study involved 69 Fitzpatrick skin types III–IV volunteers aged 20–69. One hand of each participant was treated with 20% glycolic acid (GA), while the other received a combination of peels consisting of 20% GA and 15% trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The hands were clinically examined before and after the treatments, and dermoscopic examinations were performed using a modified DPAS. Results: Four treatments improved clinical and dermoscopic characteristics in both hands. The combined peeling considerably improved pigmentation intensity on the dorsal hand compared to the GA peel (p < 0.001). Post‐chemical peeling patient satisfaction increased significantly. Conclusions: The modified DPAS is a valuable instrument to assess the signs of hand aging. The combination of GA and TCA effectively improves skin aging of the hands and offers an accessible and economical option for addressing skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, MBi2O4‐P25 (M = Cu, Ni, Co, Zn) composites are successfully synthesized by a simple ball milling method by varying some parameters (rotation speed, rotation time, metal/TiO2 ratio) to optimize the preparation conditions. The noble metal‐free TiO2‐based photocatalysts are used to carry out the partial oxidation of glucose and glycerol with the simultaneous H2 production under simulated solar light irradiation. Starting from glucose, 2.6 mmol of H2 are obtained with a conversion of 34%, along with arabinose, formic acid and gluconic acid as main intermediates. By using glycerol, 3.2 mmol of H2 are produced, with 17% conversion and the production of dihydroxyacetone and glycolic acid. The composites exhibit higher activity than pure P25 and CuBi2O4 (CBO). The produced H2 amount is comparable to that reported in the literature by using Pt–TiO2 photocatalysts. This study offers a paradigm for the future design of bifunctional photocatalysts for simultaneous noble metal‐free H2 production and biomass valorization under environmentally friendly conditions with a possible scale up of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(epoxypropoxy) silsesquioxane (PESQ) was designed and synthesized and then melt blended with poly (glycolic acid) (PGA) at loadings of 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt% and 4.0 wt% to prepare the hydrolysis-resistant crystalline PGA. The changes in the rheological, hydrolysis, and crystallization properties of the PESQ-modified PGA was investigated to study the effect of PESQ modification on PGA. The results indicated that a combination of PESQ and PGA in a chain expansion form effectively improved the hydrolytic performance of PGA through increasing its viscosity, resulting in a reduction in the mass loss by 21.1 % after degrading for 10 days. Furthermore, PESQ could facilitate the crystallization of PGA. With an increase in the addition amount of PESQ, the crystallization temperature of the modified PGA increased to 179.5 °C, which was higher than that of pure PGA by 6. 8 °C. There is a decrease in the initial crystallization activation energy of the modified PGA, indicating that PESQ contributed to heterogenous nucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid rising environmental concerns, attempts have been made to produce glycolic acid (GA) using microbial processes with renewable carbon resources instead of using chemicals. The Dahms pathway for GA production uses xylose as a substrate and consists of relatively simple enzymatic steps. However, employing it leads to a decrease in cell growth and GA productivity. Systematically identifying and addressing metabolic bottlenecks in the Dahms pathway are essential for efficient glycolic acid (GA) production have not yet been performed. Through metabolic flux balance analysis, we found that insufficient aldehyde dehydrogenase (AldA) activity lowers GA production and negatively affects cell growth due to reduced energy production. Thus, we discovered a novel AldA isolated from Buttiauxella agrestis (BaAldA) demonstrated a 1.69-fold lower KM and a 1.49-fold higher turnover rate (kcat/KM) than AldA from Escherichia coli (EcAldA). GA production in E. coli harboring BaAldA was 1.59 times higher than in the original strain. Fed-batch fermentation of E. coli harboring BaAldA produced 22.70 g/L GA with a yield of 0.497 g/gxylose (98.2% of the theoretical maximum yield in the Dahms pathway), showing a higher final yield for GA than previously reported in E. coli. Our novel BaAldA enzyme shows great potential for the production of GA using microorganisms or enzymes. Furthermore, our approach to identifying metabolic bottlenecks using flux balance analysis could be utilized to enhance the microbial production of various desirable products in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical microtopography, in an effective and stable manner, can powerfully confer biomaterials with enhanced osteoconduction for the repair of critical‐sized bone defects. However, the realization of the osteoconductive microtopography within a 3D porous scaffold is still unmet. Herein, this work presents a stone‐cottage‐inspired printing strategy to build microsphere patterned scaffolds with a tunable microtopography for accelerated bone regeneration. The customized composite inks of poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres as “Stone” and alginate hydrogels as “Mortar” endow the fibers of as‐printed scaffolds with a stable and tunable groove‐ridge microstructure. Owing to this microtopography, microsphere patterned scaffolds significantly promote cell recruitment, immune response, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. Meanwhile, compared to 55 and 85 µm, 25 µm width of groove‐ridge microstructure displays the most osteoconduction for repair of critical bone defects. Mechanistically, while cells prefer to adhere to microstructure with a bigger width and higher modulus in the early phase, this microstructure should also act as a barrier for cell growth and its smaller width is more beneficial for cell communication and differentiation in the later phase. Overall, it provides a robust strategy to fabricate the osteoconductive microtopography within a 3D scaffold, broadening the manipulation of physical morphology in tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating interconnected macropores in calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is an effective strategy to promote its degradation and osteogenesis. However, little attention has been given to the osteogenic effect of the CPC scaffolds with pre-forming and in-situ forming interconnected macropores. Herein, two types of CPC scaffolds were prepared by infiltrating CPC pastes into 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) networks. Meanwhile, the sacrificial PCL network within CPC was dissolved to obtain the CPC scaffold with approximately 300 μm macropores, whereas the PLGA network was retained within the CPC to obtain the PLGA/CPC scaffold. The results indicated that the PLGA/CPC scaffold showed higher degradation rate and compressive strength compared to the CPC scaffold with pre-forming interconnected macropores. However, the proliferation rate and alkaline phosphatase activity of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells cultured with the CPC scaffold were superior to those cultured with the PLGA/CPC scaffold. In addition, greater formation of new bone and material degradation in the CPC scaffold compared to the PLGA/CPC scaffold after implanted in the rabbit femoral defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cases of antifreeze poisoning in companion animals, particularly cats, have surged in the Republic of Korea. Ethylene glycol (EG), the toxic primary component of antifreeze, is metabolized into glycolic acid (GA), leading to severe metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and death. Traditional detection methods, although effective, are often time-consuming owing to complex sample preparation. This study involved a novel analytical method utilizing GC-MS for EG and LC-MS/MS for GA detection, which streamlined the detection process by eliminating the need for derivatization. The method was validated for accuracy and reliability, enabling the rapid and precise identification of EG and GA in biological samples. This study also included the successful application of this method in a case where initial exposure to antifreeze was not apparent, which highlighted the effectiveness of this method in diagnosing poisoning even in cases where clinical history is unclear. The development of this rapid diagnostic approach addresses the urgent need for the efficient detection of antifreeze poisoning, improving animal welfare and supporting forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed an injectable DNA vaccine targeting the aopB gene of Aeromonas hydrophila, encapsulated within poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, for use in common carp. Juvenile common carp were divided into six groups with three replicates each. Groups A and B received intramuscular injections of the plasmid containing the target gene (pCDNA3.1‐aopB) with or without encapsulation, respectively. Groups C and D received the plasmid lacking the target gene via the same route. Group E received PLGA, while Group F (control) received phosphate‐buffered saline. Sampling occurred on days 0, 30, and 60, and hematological and immunological indices were compared among the groups. On day 60, all groups were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, and cumulative mortality rates were assessed. Our results indicated successful detection of the target gene in various tissues of vaccinated fish. Notably, vaccinated groups exhibited a significant decrease in cumulative mortality (p < 0.05). Immunological indices, such as serum antibody titer and nonspecific immune responses, significantly improved in vaccinated groups, particularly those receiving the DNA vaccine with PLGA encapsulation (p < 0.05). Overall, the DNA vaccine, especially when nanoencapsulated with PLGA, demonstrated efficacy and immunogenicity against A. Hydrophila in common carp, suggesting its potential as a vaccination strategy against this infection. Further research could optimize its effectiveness and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass feedstock ethylene glycol (EG) can be anodically oxidized to the high‐value glycolic acid (GA), which is widely considered as one critical raw material of biodegradable plastics. Developing low‐cost electrocatalyst to economically produce GA with high selectivity still meeting challenges. Herein, a non‐precious Co‐Ni bimetal catalysts are developed for controllable electrooxidizing EG to GA (EGOR). Through regulating the generation of key intermediate (CH2OH‐CO*) on the low‐cost catalyst surface, a successive electrooxidation from EG to GA has been achieved with high selective (96.3%) and conversion rate (>85%) at current density of 150 mA cm−2, which is on par with the reported precious metal catalysts. Through coupling with hydrogen evolution reaction (EGOR‐HER), 2.759 mmol H2 and 7.48 mmol of GA are generated at 80 mA cm−2, which also can save 27% energy comparing with a water splitting system. The synergistic effect between Co and Ni in the bimetallic catalyst has been exploited: high‐valent CoOOH sites catalyzed the generation of CH2OH‐CO* and reduce the energy barrier during GA formation; Whereas, Ni sites can effectively facilitate the formation of CoOOH and improve the adsorption of EG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroreduction of oxalic acid (OX) to glyoxylic acid (GO) is an extremely important and promising application in organic electrosynthesis. Pb cathodes, which exhibits good selectivity, need to be replace due to the severe deactivation and harmful to the environment. Herein, self‐doped titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (H‐TiO2NTs‐2) are synthesized as an alternative cathode for OX electroreduction to GO. Benefiting from two‐step anodization, the synthesized nanotube arrays are highly ordered with oriented openings. The ordered structure promotes the mass transfer of both OX and GO to ensure efficiently providing OX reactants for the diffusion‐controlled OX electroreduction and removal of GO products from the electrode to prevent the over‐reduction to glycolic acid. Additionally, the electroreduction treatment introduces more Ti3+ active sites and modulates the conduction band position of H‐TiO2NTs‐2, thereby enhancing the reduction driving force. Owing to the unique structural advantages, the Faraday efficiency of generating GO from OX reaches up to 81.3 % in an oxalic acid saturated electrolyte at 20 °C with a current density of 1500 A m−2. This designed H‐TiO2NTs‐2 holds broad application prospects in OX electroreduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study explores the potential of various deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to serve as drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical excipients. The research focuses on two primary objectives: evaluating the ability of the selected DES systems to enhance the solubility of two poorly water-soluble model drugs (IBU and MFA), and evaluating their physicochemical properties, including density, viscosity, flow behavior, surface tension, thermal stability, and water dilution effects, to determine their suitability for pharmaceutical applications. Methods: A range of DES systems containing pharmaceutically acceptable constituents was explored, encompassing organic acid-based, sugar- and sugar alcohol-based, and hydrophobic systems, as well as menthol (MNT)-based DES systems with common pharmaceutical excipients. MNT-based DESs exhibited the most significant solubility enhancements. Results: IBU solubility reached 379.69 mg/g in MNT: PEG 400 (1:1) and 356.3 mg/g in MNT:oleic acid (1:1), while MFA solubility peaked at 17.07 mg/g in MNT:Miglyol 812®N (1:1). In contrast, solubility in hydrophilic DES systems was significantly lower, with choline chloride: glycerol (1:2) and arginine: glycolic acid (1:8) showing the best results. While demonstrating lower solubility compared to the MNT-based systems, sugar-based DESs exhibited increased tunability via water and glycerol addition both in terms of solubility and physicochemical properties, such as viscosity and surface tension. Conclusions: Our study introduces novel DES systems, expanding the repertoire of pharmaceutically acceptable DES formulations and opening new avenues for the rational design of tailored solvent systems to overcome solubility challenges and enhance drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, a new strategy is presented to make PLGA (poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) and POEGMEMA (poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)) based biodegradable and biocompatible tissue scaffold via a new physical cross‐linking method. The advantage of brushed structure of POEGMEMA polymer and the hydrophobic character of PLGA polymer is taken to make physically entangled network in aqueous media. The hydrophobic nature of PLGA allows to get scaffolds even at low ratio of PLGA (25%, w/w) when using POEGMEMA (yield: 86%). This strategy gives robust polymeric networks in aqueous media without using chemical reactions through high hydrophilic polymer content. Scaffolds with high POEGMEMA ratio (75%, w/w) show two times higher water uptake ratio (≈300%) and two times lower compression strength (19 kPa) compared to the ones with lower POEGMEMA content (50%, w/w). They also show desired degradation profiles in various aqueous solutions. While the scaffolds prepared with 25% and 50% PLGA are almost stable in first 20 days, they completely degrade in 40–50 days. Both scaffold formulations (25% PLGA‐75% POEGMEMA and 50% PLGA‐50% POEGMEMA) have similar proliferative properties for fibroblast cells. The scaffolds also do not show toxicity compared to control group according to live‐dead assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α‐ketoglutarate (AKG), a key component of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, has attracted attention for its antiaging properties. In the recent study, it is indicated that locally delivered cell‐permeable AKG significantly promotes osteogenic differentiation and mouse bone regeneration. However, the cytotoxicity and rapid hydrolysis of the metabolite limit its application. In this study, novel AKG‐based polymeric microparticles (PAKG MPs) are synthesized for sustained release. In vitro data suggest that the chemical components, hydrophilicity, and size of the MPs can significantly affect their cytotoxicity and pro‐osteogenic activity. Excitingly, these biodegradable PAKG MPs are highly phagocytosable for nonphagocytic pre‐osteoblasts MC3T3‐E1 and primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, significantly promoting their osteoblastic differentiation. RNA‐Sequencing (RNA‐Seq) data suggest that PAKG MPs strongly activate Wnt/β‐catenin and PI3K–Akt pathways for osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, PAKG enables poly(L‐lactic acid) and poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) MPs (PLGA MPs) for efficient phagocytosis. In this data, it is indicated that PLGA–PAKG‐MPs‐mediated intracellular drug delivery can significantly promote stronger osteoblastic differentiation compared to PLGA‐MPs‐delivered phenamil. Notably, PAKG MPs significantly improve large bone regeneration in a mouse cranial bone defect model. Thus, the novel PAKG‐based MPs show great promise to improve osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration and enable efficient intracellular drug delivery for broad regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is ranked among the top causes of mortality throughout the world. Conventional therapies are associated with toxicity and undesirable side effects, rendering them unsuitable for prolonged use. Additionally, there is a high occurrence of resistance to anticancer drugs and recurrence in certain circumstances. Hence, it is essential to discover potent anticancer drugs that exhibit specificity and minimal unwanted effects. Curcumin, a polyphenol derivative, is present in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.) and has chemopreventive, anticancer, radio-, and chemo-sensitizing activities. Curcumin exerts its anti-tumor effects on cancer cells by modulating the disrupted cell cycle through p53-dependent, p53-independent, and cyclin-dependent mechanisms. This review provides a summary of the formulations of curcumin based on nanospheres, since there is increasing interest in its medicinal usage for treating malignancies and tumors. Nanospheres are composed of a dense polymeric matrix, and have a size ranging from 10 to 200 nm. Lactic acid polymers, glycolic acid polymers, or mixtures of them, together with poly (methyl methacrylate), are primarily used as matrices in nanospheres. Nanospheres are suitable for local, oral, and systemic delivery due to their minuscule particle size. The majority of nanospheres are created using polymers that are both biocompatible and biodegradable. Previous investigations have shown that the use of a nanosphere delivery method can enhance tumor targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and biocompatibility of different anticancer agents. Moreover, these nanospheres can be easily taken up by mammalian cells. This review discusses the many curcumin nanosphere formulations used in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the biggest threats to public health worldwide. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is the causative agent of a number of infections and lung colonization in people suffering from cystic fibrosis. Moreover, a growing body of evidence links the microbiome to the development of cancer, as well as to the success of the treatment. In this view, the development of novel antibiotics is of critical importance, and SV7, a novel antibiotic active against MRSA at low concentrations, represents a promising candidate. However, the low aqueous solubility of SV7 hampers its therapeutic translation. In this study, SV7 was encapsulated in poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the solubility profile, to ensure sustained release and eventually support deposition in the airways. Furthermore, PLGA NPs were formulated as dry powder to extend their shelf-life and were shown to efficiently target intracellular infections. After identifying a formulation with suitable physico-chemical characteristics, SV7-loaded NPs were investigated in vitro in terms of inhibitory activity against MRSA, and their safety profile in lung epithelial cells. Subsequently, the activity against MRSA intracellular infections was investigated in a co-culture model of MRSA and macrophages. To test the translatability of our findings, SV7-loaded NPs were tested in vivo in a Galleria mellonella infection model. In conclusion, SV7-loaded NPs showed a safe profile and efficient inhibitory activity against MRSA at low concentrations. Furthermore, their activity against intracellular infections was confirmed, and was retained in vivo , rendering them a promising candidate for treatment of MRSA lung infections. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial production of glycolic acid (GA) from ethylene glycol is extensively used in a variety of industries because ethylene glycol is not only an inexpensive raw material but also the main component of industrial wastes. In this study, we produced GA from ethylene glycol using Escherichia coli overexpressing the endogenous 1,2-propanediol oxidoreductase (fucO) and lactaldehyde dehydrogenase (aldA) genes. To increase GA productivity, we screened a random mutant library generated using an error-prone polymerase chain reaction of fucO and obtained FucO mutants MF2-9 and MF6-9 with enhanced GA production in Lysogeny Broth medium containing 800 mM ethylene glycol. MF2-9 contained three amino acid substitutions (D23E, E222K, and G363S) and two synonymous mutations (coding DNA [c.] 93G > A and c.1131T > C) in fucO. MF6-9 contained one amino acid substitution (L377H) in FucO. An amino acid substitution (L377H) and a single synonymous mutation (c.1131T > C) in fucO contributed to the enhancement in GA production. Notably, cell lysates from E. coli harboring a synonymous mutation (c.1131T > C) or amino acid substitution (L377H) in fucO showed that only AldA activity was 1.3-fold higher than that of the cell lysate from E. coli harboring the wild-type fucO. We confirmed that c.1131T > C and L377H mutations increased aldA expression in E. coli. Analysis of mRNA levels and simulation of mRNA stabilization indicated that base substitutions at positions c.1130T, which corresponds to L377H amino acid substitution, and c.1131T increased aldA expression due to partial destabilization of the mRNA. These findings will be useful for the large-scale microbial production of GA from industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Neutrophils are emerging as promising candidates for cell-based nanodrug delivery to tumors due to their unique biological properties. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of nanoparticle internalization by neutrophils, specifically focusing on liposomes, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and magnetite nanoparticles. Understanding these mechanisms could enhance the efficiency of neutrophil-based nanodrug delivery for cancer treatment. Methods: Neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of mice bearing 4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma. Confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate the uptake of liposomes, PLGA, and magnetite nanoparticles by neutrophils. The effects of cultivation conditions, such as the presence or absence of plasma in the growth medium, were also examined. Additionally, the roles of immunoglobulins (IgG/IgM) and cell surface receptors (Fc and scavenger receptors) in nanoparticle internalization were explored. Results: All types of nanoparticles were successfully internalized by neutrophils, though the mechanisms of uptake varied. Plasma presence in the medium significantly influenced nanoparticle binding, particularly for PLGA nanoparticles. Internalization of PLGA nanoparticles was found to depend on the presence of IgG/IgM in the medium and Fc receptors on neutrophil surfaces, while scavenger receptors were not involved. Conclusions: Understanding the distinct endocytosis pathways for different nanoparticles can improve the efficacy of neutrophil loading with nanodrugs, potentially advancing the development of neutrophil-based cancer therapies. The findings underscore the importance of the extracellular environment in modulating nanoparticle uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The electrocatalytic valorization of polyethylene terephthalate-derived ethylene glycol to valuable glycolic acid offers considerable economic and environmental benefits. However, conventional methods face scalability issues due to rapid activity decay of noble metal electrocatalysts. We demonstrate that a dynamic potential cycling approach, which alternates the electrode potential between oxidizing and reducing values, significantly mitigates surface deactivation of noble metals during electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol. This method enhances catalyst activity by 20 times compared to a constant-potential approach, maintaining this performance for up to 60 h with minimal deactivation. In situ Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy show that this effectiveness results from efficient removal of surface oxide during the reaction. The strategy is applicable to polyethylene terephthalate hydrolysates and various noble metals, such as palladium, gold, and platinum, with palladium showing a high conversion rate in recent studies. Our approach offers an efficient and durable method for electrochemical upcycling of biomass-derived compounds. The value-added electrochemical conversion of ethylene glycol using noble metal catalysts is often hindered by rapid deactivation. In this study, the authors present a dynamic potential cycling method that effectively suppresses oxide-induced deactivation and enhances both catalyst activity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]