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Silk fibroin (SF) is a promising biomaterial with attractive properties, however, the practical applications of pure regenerated SF materials were severely restricted by their poor water retention and low elasticity. In this study, a tyramine-modified hyaluronic acid (mHA) was introduced to SF chains, followed by constructing double-network hydrogels via laccase-mediated crosslinking of SF and mHA. Mechanism of the enzymatic coupling reaction between SF and mHA was investigated using the model compounds. The morphology, mechanical property, and swelling behavior of SF-g-mHA hydrogel were evaluated. The results reveal that combination use of SF and mHA endowed the obtained hydrogels with high structural stability, improved mechanical properties and drug release behavior, which overcame the intrinsically poor formability of the pure fibroin hydrogels. This work provides a novel method to construct a double-network hydrogel with high flexibility and toughness, and expands the application range of the SF-based materials in biomedical fields., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), a water-soluble carbohydrate obtained from chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of chitosan, has similar structure and properties to non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable chitosan. However, COS has many advantages over chitosan due to its low molecular weight and high water solubility. In the current work, COS was incorporated in the laccase-catalyzed polymerization of hydroquinone. The laccase-catalyzed polymerization of hydroquinone with or without COS was investigated by using simple structure of glucosamine hydrochloride as an alternative to COS to understand the mechanism of COS-incorporated polymerization of hydroquinone. Although polyhydroquinone can be regarded as the polymeric colorant with dark brown color, there is no affinity or chemical bonding between polyhydroquinone and cotton fibers. Cotton fabrics were successfully in-situ dyed into brown color through the laccase-catalyzed polymerization of hydroquinone by incorporating with COS as a template. The presence of COS enhanced the dye uptake of polyhydroquinone on cotton fibers due to high affinity of COS to cotton and covalent bonding between COS and polyhydroquinone during laccase catalysis. This novel approach not only provides a simple route for the biological coloration of cotton fabrics but also presents a significant way to prepare functional textiles with antibacterial property.

Polydopamine (PDA) films are generally produced by spontaneous oxidation of dopamine in basic medium, which is a highly convenient method for surface modification. This method is, however, not suitable for alkaline sensitive materials, which have poor stability in alkali medium and need over-long reaction time. Herein, we compared two dopamine polymerization methods: conventional method (induced by O 2 at pH 8.5) and laccase-catalyzed method (at pH 5.5). The comparison showed that the polymerization of dopamine was greatly improved when catalyzed by laccase. The PDA film obtained from laccase-catalyzed method was more uniform and more stable compared with that obtained from the conventional method; the film was able to further react with amine-terminated molecules. As a result of laccase, ether bonds were found between dopamine units of PDA; while such bonds were not observed in film obtained from the conventional method. This work can be a basis for a better understanding of structure and property relationships of PDA coating., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study demonstrated a new enzymatic methodology to graft β-cyclodextrin onto wool. The primary hydroxyl groups in β-cyclodextrin were oxidized to aldehyde groups using laccase/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO), which reacted with the amino groups of wool to form Schiff bases. The effects of treatment conditions (treatment temperature, laccase dosage, TEMPO dosage, treatment time) on the aldehyde and carboxyl contents in β-cyclodextrin were studied. FTIR spectrum of oxidized β-cyclodextrin showed the presence of aldehyde and carboxyl groups. Results of MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy confirmed the coupling of β-cyclodextrin to tyrosine, which was used as a model compound for wool. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy of the grafted wool confirmed the presence of β-cyclodextrin in grafted wool and the formation of a Schiff base between β-cyclodextrin and wool., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hydrophobic cotton fabrics were prepared by grafting octadecylamine (ODA) onto cotton fiber surfaces via the laccase/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) treatment. The cotton fibers were oxidized by laccase/TEMPO to introduce aldehyde groups, which reacted with the amino groups of ODA to form Schiff base. First, ODA was coupled to glucan, used as a model compound of cellulose. The results of FT-IR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy prove the formation of a Schiff base between ODA and glucan. Moreover, the existence of ODA in the grafted cotton fibers was verified by ATR-FTIR, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, the hydrophobicity of the ODA-grafted cotton fabrics was estimated. The surface hydrophobicity of the cotton fabrics increased after the enzymatic grafting reaction., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Enzymatic grafting of synthetic molecules onto lignins provides a mild and eco-friendly alternative for the functionalization of lignocellulosic materials. In this study, laccase-mediated grafting of octadecylamine (OA) onto lignin-rich jute fabrics was investigated for enhancing the surface hydrophobicity. First, the lignins in jute fabrics were isolated and analyzed in the macromolecular level by MALDI-TOF MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HSQC-NMR. Then, the surface of jute fabrics was characterized by FT-IR, XPS, and SEM. Subsequently, the nitrogen content of jute fabrics was determined by the micro-Kjeldahl method, and the grafting percentage (Gp) and grafting efficiency (GE) of the enzymatic reaction were calculated. Finally, the surface hydrophobicity of the jute fabrics was estimated by contact angle and wetting time measurements. The results indicate that the OA monomers were successfully grafted onto the lignin moieties on the jute fiber surface by laccase with Gp and GE values of 0.712% and 10.571%, respectively. Moreover, the modified jute fabrics via OA-grafting showed an increased wetting time of 18.5 min and a contact angle of 116.72°, indicating that the surface hydrophobicity of the jute fabrics increased after the enzymatic grafting modification with hydrophobic OA molecules., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Natural fibers containing components with phenolic hydroxyl groups, such as jute, wool, and silk, can be directly modified by laccase‐catalyzed grafting. However, cellulosic fibers like cotton cannot be functionalized in this manner. In this work, we developed a facile two‐step method to graft polymers on cotton fabric via laccase catalysis. First, polydopamine (PDA) coating was deposited on the surface of the cotton fabrics via catalysis of laccase/2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) system. Then, the newly formed PDA coating acted as the secondary reaction platform for subsequent laccase‐mediated grafting of hydrophobic monomer dodecyl gallate (DG). The oxidation of dopamine (DA) catalyzed with the laccase/TEMPO system was investigated using UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results verified that the PDA was coated on the surface of cotton fibers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that the PDA‐coated cotton was successfully grafted with DG (DG‐PDA‐cotton). According to the weighting method, the grafting percentage was about 1.06%. The hydrophobicity of the DG‐PDA‐cotton fabrics was greatly improved with a contact angle of 133°. Also, the grafted cotton fabrics show repellency of water‐soluble stains like coffee, milk, and tea. This study provides a new strategy for surface modification of cotton by laccase‐mediated grafting, which offers the references for the green fabrication of cotton fabrics with improved functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in the development of enzymatic coloration of textile fabrics as an alternative to conventional textile dyeing processes, which is successful for dyeing protein fibers. However, unmodified cotton fabrics are difficult to be dyed through enzyme catalysis due to the lack of affinity of biosynthesized dyes to cotton fibers. In order to improve the enzyme‐catalyzed dyeability of cotton fibers, chitosan was used to coat cotton fabrics as template. A novel and facile bio‐coloration technique using laccase catalysis of hydroquinone was developed to dye chitosan‐templated cotton fabrics. The polymerization of hydroquinone with the template of chitosan under the laccase catalysis was monitored by ultraviolet‐vis spectrophotometer on the absorbance of reaction solution. A significant peak of UV‐vis spectrum at 246 nm corresponding to large conjugated structures appeared and increased with increasing the duration of enzymatic catalysis. The effect of different treatment conditions on the laccase‐catalyzed dyeing of cotton fabric was investigated to determine their optimal parameters of laccase‐catalyzed coloration. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectra demonstrated the formation of H‐bond and Schiff base reaction between chitosan and polymerized hydroquinone. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the surface of dyed cotton fiber was much rougher than that of the control sample. Moreover, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy also revealed the existence of the chitosan/polymerized hydroquinone complex and polymerized hydroquinone on the dyed cotton fibers. This chitosan‐templated approach offers possibility for biological dyeing coloration of cotton fabrics and other cellulosic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cleaner approach for functionalization of wool fabrics via laccase-catalyzed polymerization of caffeic acid was developed. Caffeic acid was first polymerized to poly(caffeic acid) in the system where poly(ethylene glycol) was used as a template under the catalysis of laccase/O 2 . Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopic measurements verified that poly(ethylene glycol) formed a complex with caffeic acid though hydrogen bonds based on the ‘zip’ mechanism. During the catalysis of caffeic acid by laccase, poly(ethylene glycol) template promoted the enzymatic polymerization in term of the quantity of poly(caffeic acid) and the degree of polymerization. The data obtained from Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electro Spray Ionization confirmed that poly(ethylene glycol) template aided the arrangement of the caffeic acid monomer, resulting in the increased degree of polymerization of caffeic acid in the laccase-catalyzed reaction. The poly(caffeic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol)-treated wool fabrics were prepared by laccase-catalyzed in-situ polymerization of caffeic acid under the same conditions. The treated wool fabrics showed good wettability and electroactivity. The results from fibre conductivity test and cyclic voltammetry showed that the wool fabric treated with poly(caffeic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) complex was found to have better electrical conductivity. These data showed that the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) as a template in the laccase-catalyzed polymerization reaction greatly improved the characteristic of poly(caffeic acid). Moreover, higher color depth of poly(caffeic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol)-treated wool fabrics further validated the important role of the poly(ethylene glycol) as a template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of laccase treatment on the content, structure, and surface distribution of lignin in jute fibers were fundamentally investigated. Four percent lignin was removed from jute fibers via the laccase treatment. The residual lignin in the laccase-treated jute fibers showed increased molecular weights, which indicated polymerization between lignins on jute fibers. Meanwhile, the phenolic hydroxyl content in lignin decreased during the laccase oxidation accompanied by demethylation of methoxyl groups and generation of carbonyl groups. Due to the degradation and subsequent polymerization of lignin by laccase, the bulgy lignins on jute fiber surfaces were redistributed, which made the surface neat and glossy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, laccase was employed to improve the properties of lignocellulosic jute fabrics and then the modified jute was used as the fiber reinforcement of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites to improve its reinforcing effect on the polymer resins and obtain composite materials with better performance. The decrease in the –C–O–H component and the increase in the –C–O–C component on the surface of laccase-treated jute fabrics suggested that phenolic hydroxyl groups of lignins on the jute fiber surface were oxidized by laccase and the produced phenoxyl radicals were coupled to form ether structures. The laccase-treated jute fiber surface became smooth with lignins attached tightly. Moreover, the surface hydrophobicity and tensile properties of the jute fabrics were increased via the laccase-mediated reactions of lignins. PP composites reinforced by the laccase-treated jute fabrics showed higher breaking strength, storage modulus, and melting temperature than the control. The fracture surface of the laccase-treated jute fabric/PP composites was neat and jute fibers on the section surface were surrounded by PP resins closely, which indicated better interfacial adhesion between the modified jute reinforcement and PP matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypyrrole catalyzed by laccase appears as a black color in solution. Conductive fabric coated with polypyrrole could present a dark green color, but the colorimetric and dyeing properties have not been discussed. In this study, pyrrole was used for the dyeing of wool fabric through in situ polymerization using laccase. The absorbance of reaction solution increases as time goes on and a significant peak appears at 460 nm on the ultraviolet-visible spectrum. Scanning electron microscopy indicated polypyrrole catalyzed by laccase does fix onto the wool fiber comparing to the control sample. The structure and electrochemical activity of dyed wool fabric were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The dyeing depth of the dyed wool fabrics increased gradually with the extension of time and increasing of concentration of laccase and pyrrole. The dyed wool fabric prepared presents good electrochemical activity in terms of in situ polymerization using laccase in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic coloration of fabrics has received worldwide attention in recent years. In order to improve the dyeing properties of enzymatically coloured fabrics, a novel strategy using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), a biological coupling agent, to pretreat wool fabric was employed in this paper. Enzymatic coloration of wool fabrics with syringic acid was carried out in the presence of laccase from Trametes versicolor. The effect of different periods on laccase-catalysed polymerisation of syringic acid was examined by UV-vis spectroscopy. Enzymatic coloration results of dyed wool fabrics were evaluated by means of K/ S value and colour difference ( ∆E*). Process parameters, including the dosages of syringic acid and incubation time, that influenced the colour depth were studied. Meanwhile, the colour fastness and levelness of dyed wool fabrics were tested. The results showed that the UV-vis absorbance of reaction solution increased as oxidation time elapsed, and a new peak appeared at 360 nm. After pretreatment, the K/ S values and colour difference values of wool fabrics dyed with poly(syringic acid) improved appreciably compared with the control samples without any pretreatment. Moreover, pretreated wool fabrics showed better dyeing fastness and levelness than control samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the traditional dyeing processes using synthetic dyes, biological dyeing method has a bright future in the textile industry due to their advantages of environmentally-friendly and milder processing conditions. Biological dyeing involves the catalysis of phenolic monomers by oxidoreductases, such as laccase, to form the colorful polymers used for dyeing. In this study, wool fabrics were treated with laccase/phenol via a one- or two-step treatment, and polymers synthesized in-situ were used to dye wool fabrics. The K/S values of the wool fabrics were evaluated under different treatment conditions, including the dosages of laccase and dye precursor, temperature, pH, mediator type, and mechanical agitation. The surface of wool fibers was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the dyeing effect of the wool fabric samples using the single step processing method of in-situ color synthesis and fabric dyeing was better than those dyed using the two-step methods of color synthesis and fabric dyeing under the same conditions. The color depth of the dyed wool fabrics increased gradually with increasing concentration of laccase, and also depended on other process parameters, such as dosage of catechol, temperature, and pH. Moreover, addition of mediators and adjustment of mechanical agitation also improved the color depth of the wool fabrics which were dyed in-situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the anti-ultraviolent properties of technical jute fabrics, the enzymatic surface coating with the in-situ produced phenolic polymers of polyhydric phenols was investigated in this study. Firstly, the laccase-mediated polymerization of the five polyhydric phenols (catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol and phloroglucinol) was analyzed by FT-IR. Catechol and pyrogallol were polymerized together by laccase with ether bonds linked. On the contrary, the units of resorcinol, hydroquinone and phloroglucinol in their enzymatically formed polymers concatenated to each other by C-C bonds. Then, the coated jute fabrics were characterized in terms of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The increasing of the C/O ratio on the jute fabric surface after the coating treatments supported the achievement of the enzymatic coating on jute fabrics via the in-situ polymerization of phenolic compounds and the grafting reaction of polyphenols with lignins on the surface. The sequence of the coating extent by using various polyhydric phenols was proved to be catechol, pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol and hydroquinone in order from rich to poor according to the O-C-O component of cellulose in the C1s spectra of jute fabrics and the scanning electron microscopy photographs of jute surfaces. Lastly, the ultraviolent protection factor and the ultraviolent resistance of the coated jute fabrics were measured. The ultraviolent protective performance of jute fabrics after the coating treatments depended both on the coating amount and the chemical structure of the coated polymers. Among the tested polyhydric phenols, the polymerization of catechol obtained the best coating for ultraviolent protection. Different polyhydric phenols employed for the enzymatic coating showed different trends in ultraviolent protection factor of jute fabrics with the increasing of incubation time. The jute fabrics coated with in-situ-generated polycatechols or polyresorcinols had excellent ultraviolent resistances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Enzymatic polymerization of aniline was first performed in lignosulfonate (LGS) template system. High-redox-potential catalyst laccase, isolated from Aspergillus, was used as a biocatalyst in the synthesis of conducting polyaniline/lignosulfonate (PANI-ES-LGS) complex using atmospheric oxygen as the oxidizing agent. The linear templates (LGS), also serving as the dopants, could facilitate the directional alignment of the monomer and improve the solubility of the conducting polymer. The process of the polymerization was monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy, by which the conditions for laccase-catalyzed synthesis of PANI-ES-LGS complex were also optimized. The structure characterizations and solubility of the complex were carried out using corresponding characterization techniques respectively. The PANI-ES-LGS suspensions obtained was used as coating for cotton with a conventional padder to explore the applications of the complex. The variable optoelectronic properties of the coated cotton were confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and color strength test. The molecular weight changes of LGS treated by laccase were also studied to discuss the mechanism of laccase catalyzed aniline polymerization in LGS template system. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42941. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The feasibility of laccase-mediated grafting dodecyl gallate (DG) on the jute fiber was investigated. [•] The grafting products were characterized by FT-IR, XPS, SEM and AFM, which revealed the covalently coupling of DG to the jute substrates mediated by laccase. [•] The grafting percentage and the DG content of the modified jute were determined in terms of weighting and saponification, respectively. [•] The surface hydrophobicity of the jute fiber was increased after the graft modification and the jute obtained excellent water repellency. [•] The breaking strength of the modified jute fiber/PP composite was also increased and the fracture section became neat and regular as the result of laccase-assisted grafting of the jute with DG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The platinum nanoparticle is for the first time anchored on laccase body. • Laccase-Pt displays significant advances compared with immobilized enzymes. • The synergetic catalysis between laccase and platinum nanoparticles is demonstrated. • NIR laser can manipulate the reversible catalytic activity of laccase-Pt. • Laccase-Pt activities are 2.439 and 2.258 times of free laccase. Enzymes, as green catalysts with high activity and substrate specificity, have attracted extensive interest in contrast to chemical catalysts with non-selectivity. However, the enzymes' activities are sensitive to external environments. Therefore, highly efficient strategies are encouraged to modulate the enzymatic activity and stability at the molecular level. Compared with conventional magnetic field, temperature, and pH-responsive enzymatic activities, the near-infrared (NIR) light-controlled activities have noninvasive and convenient controllability advantages, which remains a significant challenge. Besides, NIR light also possesses intense penetration and low phototoxicity compared with UV and blue lights. Herein, the supersmall platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) were for the first time deposited on the laccase body (labelled as laccase-Pt), with the reduction of chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate by sodium borohydride. Fortunately, the synergetic catalysis between laccase and Pt-NPs was demonstrated. Moreover, with and without NIR light irradiation, laccase-Pt activities are 2.439 and 2.258 times of free laccase, respectively. NIR laser could also manipulate the reversible enzyme activity of laccase-Pt. Notably, the laccase-Pt displays a significant advance in three-dimensional structure compared with conventional immobilized and encapsulated enzymes. Then, the high-performance laccase-Pt was used as a sensitive biosensor to detect ascorbic acid, with a detection limit of 3.7 μM obtained by colorimetric approach and smartphone. Briefly, this work provides a novel and feasible idea for manipulating laccase activity by NIR laser, inspiring more scholars to control other natural enzyme activities. Simultaneously, it also gives clear proof for a better understanding of the component-activity relationship of the enzymes-metal nano-bio hybrid catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural enzymes as green and efficient biocatalysts are essential in constructing multifunctional organic coatings for meeting the green chemistry processes. Herein, the laccase activity was for the first time enhanced by synergistic drive of near infrared (NIR) laser, dodecyldimethyl (3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide internal salt (SDDAB), and sodium chloride (NaCl). The SDDAB activation on laccase activity is unpredictable, which is advanced compared with conventional predictable ones, including adding mediator and improving reactive temperature. The NaCl can again boost the laccase activity by 29.8 % in the presence of SDDAB. Moreover, NIR laser irradiation again promotes laccase activity by 16.3 % in laccase/SDDAB/NaCl. The total specific activity of laccase exhibits an improvement of 29.2 %, indicating an advancement compared with the activities decrease in immobilized and encapsulated laccases. The Vm of laccase has been improved to 150.9 %. Besides, the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force between laccase and SDDAB have been verified. Thus, laccase/SDDAB/NaCl was adopted to catalyze the polymerization of gallic acid to create eco-friendly UV-resistant, antioxidative, and photothermal coatings for healthcare. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), free radical scavenging ability, and photothermal temperature are 126.28, 95.0 %, and 94.2 °C, respectively. The multifunctional coating not only exhibits the response of sunlight-like photothermal conversion, but also possesses the photothermal response mediated by NIR laser. With the intensity increase of NIR laser irradiation, the surface temperature of modified cotton fabric is gradually strengthened from 29.5 to 43.8 °C. The surface characteristic and chemical composition of the multifunctional coatings were investigated by modern technology. The smartphone was adopted to quickly detect the red, green, and blue (RGB) values for demonstrating the successful fabricating of composite coatings, compared with traditional K/S characterization. Briefly, this work provided a novel, feasible, and elegant idea to boost laccase activity, inspiring more scholars to create advanced organic coatings with natural enzyme as the high-performance green catalysts for meeting green chemistry processes. [Display omitted] • UV resistance, anti-oxidation, and photothermal coatings obtained by laccase as catalyst • Laccase activity for the first time enhanced by NIR/SDDAB/NaCl • Unpredictable activation of SDDAB on laccase activity better than predictable ones • Binding mechanism between laccase and SDDAB verified by experimental and theoretical methods • Smartphone used to rapidly detect the RGB values of composite coatings [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• "One-enzyme double catalysis" strategy for functionalizing wool was developed. • Laccase/TEMPO mediated oxidization and multi-crosslink between chitosan and wool. • The enzymatic mechanism between chitosan and wool was studied using their models. • Anti-felting property, wettability and dyeability of wool were greatly improved. Chitosan is considered as a green additive with broad application prospects due to its advantages like biodegradability and antibacterial ability. Herein, we proposed an effective chitosan grafting approach via "one-enzyme double catalysis" strategy which aimed at functionalizing wool fibers to achieve bidirectionally multiple covalent crosslinking between chitosan and wool by laccase/2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidization. The mechanism was studied using models of wool and chitosan in terms of UV, FTIR, GPC and MALDI-TOF MS. Meanwhile, the structure and morphology of wool fiber grafted with chitosan were characterized by ATR-FTIR and SEM. Compared with untreated wool, this efficient method can significantly improve the dimensional stability to felting (2.53 %), wettability and dyeability of wool fabric, and can also compensate for the strength loss caused by the pretreatment. The present work provides a useful path for the enzymatic modification of keratin-containing fibers like wool using chitosan and other natural biopolymers with similar structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]