The inherent flammability and insufficient ultraviolet (UV) protection of regenerated cellulose fibers limit their functional applications. Inspired by the natural polyphenol-polysaccharide synergy in plants, a lignin-derived boron-containing phenolic network (Lig-BPF) was incorporated into a cellulose spinning system and then coordinated with Zn2+ to fabricate Cellulose/Lig-BPF@Zn fibers. Compared with pristine cellulose fibers, Cellulose/Lig-BPF@Zn increased the char residue at 800 °C from 13.72% to 30.35% under N2 atmosphere, and reduced the peak heat release rate by 43.03%. The limiting oxygen index increased from 17.2% to 31.5%, and still remained 29.1% after 20 laundering cycles. TG-FTIR analysis showed an 88.56% reduction in total volatile release intensity, while Raman analysis confirmed an increased degree of graphitization, as evidenced by a decreased ID/IG value from 3.59 to 2.55. Furthermore, the UV protection factor increased from 11.42 to 128.82, and remained 109.74 after durability testing. Mechanistic analyses demonstrate that lignin-derived aromatic domains, boron-containing structures and Zn-coordinated species regulate cellulose pyrolysis and promote the char formation. This work develops a sustainable strategy for converting natural lignin into a bio-based flame retardant that simultaneously improves the flame retardancy and UV protection performance of regenerated cellulose fibers, providing a phosphorus-free and eco-friendly approach for preparing multifunctional carbohydrate-based fibers.
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), as an abundant and renewable biopolymer, are highly promising for suppressing lithium dendrites due to their outstanding mechanical strength. However, their intrinsically high crystallinity severely impedes Li+ transport, limiting practical deployment in battery electrolytes. Here, we report a CNC polymer electrolyte (CM-SSE) fabricated by grafting flexible, ether-rich acrylate side chains onto the rigid CNC backbone to provide abundant Li+ transport sites. The as-obtained CM-SSE exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 2.37 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 30 °C, a superior Li+ transference number of 0.78, and a mechanical strength of 6.1 MPa. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the grafted chains form continuous ion-conduction pathways, while the CNC framework ensures mechanical integrity and its -OSO3H groups promote LiTFSI dissociation. This molecular-level synergy effectively suppresses dendrite growth, enabling Li/Li symmetric cells to cycle stably over 1000 h at 0.1 mA cm-2. The LiFePO4/CM-SSE/Li cells deliver 154.8 mAh g-1 at 0.1C with 98.4% retention after 200 cycles, and 92.4% after 490 cycles at 1C. Furthermore, the CM-SSE shows preliminary compatibility with high-voltage LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes. This work highlights the significant potential of cellulose in plasticized polymer electrolytes and offers a promising avenue toward sustainable energy storage systems.
This study investigated the interaction between three coumaric acid isomers (para-, meta-, and ortho-CA) and corn starch under high-pressure processing. Isomer position critically influenced the multi-scale structure, digestibility, and gut microbiota-modulating function of the resulting complexes. All isomers formed V-type inclusion complexes within the starch helices, with para-CA conferring stronger binding affinity and more compact structures. This structural recombination significantly increased the content of resistant starch (up to 68.43 ± 0.16% with 20% p-CA), while reducing rapidly digestible starch (9.76 ± 0.19%), resulting in the estimated glycemic index decreasing in the order of para < ortho < meta-coumaric acid. During in vitro fecal fermentation, these complexes exhibited slow release of encapsulated polyphenols over 24 h, significantly boosting short-chain fatty acid (especially acetic acid) production, lowering pH value, and selectively regulating gut microbiota (a reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and an increased abundance of beneficial genera such as Bifidobacterium). These findings provide a theoretical basis for designing targeted starch-based functional foods for precise glycemic control and gut health promotion.
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Early-life environmental and genetic factors play key roles in shaping the fitness of individuals by influencing life-history traits. The impact of early life conditions is hypothesized to be reflected at the cellular level on telomere length. In many animal species, telomeres shorten with age and their length early in life is often related to individual life expectancy. It is therefore essential to understand the relative importance of environmental and genetic factors influencing telomere length during this early developmental period. In this study we determine the relative influence of environmental and genetic components on telomere length in Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) across various environments. To do so, we used data from 518 nestlings across 176 broods, collected over 2 years in a population breeding in southern Québec (Canada). We found no effect of environmental conditions on telomere length but found that nestlings from larger broods tended to have slightly longer telomeres. Parent-offspring regressions revealed a significant and positive association between nestling rTL and that of their mothers. While the association was also positive for fathers-offspring, it was slightly weaker and not statistically significant. Heritability of telomere length estimated using an animal model ranged between 0.34 and 0.55. Our results suggest that telomere length of Tree swallow nestlings is influenced by the proximal environment (i.e., within a brood) and by a genetic component. These findings suggest that broader-scale environmental conditions might not directly affect nestlings at this stage.
This study investigates how charged-group polarity, nanofiber morphology, substrate surface chemistry, and evaporation-assisted assembly jointly regulate the interfacial adhesion of cellulose and chitin nanofibers. Four nanofibers with amino or carboxyl groups were prepared, with charged-group densities of 0.50-1.46 mmol/g. Contact angle and XPS analyses revealed hydroxylated siloxane/silanol-rich glass and native oxide/hydroxide-covered copper surfaces. Statistical lap-shear tests showed substrate-dependent adhesion: DEChN reached 2.57 ± 0.05 MPa and 0.10 ± 0.02 MJ/m3 on glass, whereas TOCN reached 2.13 ± 0.01 MPa and 0.075 ± 0.004 MJ/m3 on copper. Nanofiber concentration, acid/base vapor atmosphere, and drying temperature further regulated strength, toughness, and strain at break by modulating interfacial packing and network cohesion. These results establish a surface-chemistry-guided assembly framework for sustainable water-borne nanofiber adhesives.
Resistant starch (RS) is a dietary fiber that escapes small-intestinal digestion and reaches the colon, offering inherent colon-targeting potential, bioactive protection, and prebiotic benefits. However, native RS often shows limited mechanical strength and high hydrophilicity, driving the development of modified and composite delivery systems. This review summarizes the functional advantages of RS and evaluates representative RS-containing delivery systems according to carrier architecture and the functional role of RS, including particulate carriers, Pickering emulsions, hydrogels, nanoparticles, film-coated microparticles, and emerging three-dimensional (3D) printed matrices. Particular attention is given to how RS type (RS1-RS5), crystallinity, amylose/amylopectin ratio, chemical modification, particle structure, processing parameters, and environmental conditions influence encapsulation efficiency, gastrointestinal stability, and release behavior. RS-containing systems can protect sensitive bioactive compounds and probiotics during upper-gastrointestinal transit and support colon-region release through hydration, molecular diffusion, matrix erosion, and microbiota-mediated degradation. Remaining challenges include thermal sensitivity, mechanical damage, batch uniformity, limited in vivo validation, incomplete understanding of microbiota-dependent behavior, and insufficient integration of in vitro release with biodistribution, bioavailability, metabolism, and clinical outcomes. By linking RS structural hierarchy and functional location within carriers to processing-induced microstructure and gastrointestinal transformation, this review provides a mechanistic basis for designing RS-containing systems with improved encapsulation efficiency, upper-gastrointestinal protection, and controlled colon-region release.
Interindividual variability in response to cancer therapy is a major challenge in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC). The gut microbiome contributes to differential therapeutic efficacy and toxicity by modifying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anticancer drugs. Furthermore, bacterial products interact with tumor and immune cells, altering therapeutic outcomes. This review focuses on the impact of pharmacomicrobiomics on CRC therapy. We describe how gut microbiota affects drug metabolism on a mechanistic level and outline the interactions of specific microbes and their products with chemo-, targeted, and immunotherapies employed in CRC. Finally, we provide an overview of current strategies, including probiotics, engineered bacteria, and fecal microbiota transplantation, that exploit the gut microbiome to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity.
Frozen foods are vulnerable to quality deterioration and biological contamination during unexpected cold-chain interruptions. Herein, we report a multifunctional smart packaging film (CCMP) that integrates active thermal management with temperature-responsive antimicrobial defense. Through interfacial polymerization, cellulose-based microcapsules (CA@CM) were engineered to achieve the secure co-encapsulation of a binary phase-change material (PCM) core and a natural antimicrobial agent, cinnamaldehyde (CA). The CCMP films demonstrated thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against food-spoilage fungi (Mucor racemosus and Penicillium roqueforti) and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). By serving as thermal buffers against external thermal fluctuations, the resulting composite films exhibited a latent heat absorption capacity (85.37 J/g) and low thermal conductivity (1.07 W/mK). Upon temperature elevation, the liquefaction of the PCM facilitated the release of CA, thereby enabling on-demand antimicrobial release when the risk of microbial proliferation increased. Simulated cold-chain interruption assays using an ice cream model showed that the CCMP films delayed temperature rise and melting by 30 min relative to the control while maintaining structural integrity.
Cancer vaccines hold strong therapeutic promise, but their development is often hindered by the need to identify effective tumor antigens-a challenge amplified by tumor heterogeneity. Here, we report a tumor-confined nano-activator (iCLANTSP-SAg) that circumvents antigen dependence by driving localized expression of bacterial superantigens (SAgs) within tumors. This platform integrates tumor-specific promoter-driven SAg plasmids with lipid-assisted polymeric nanoparticles to enable efficient cytosolic delivery and tumor-restricted SAg production. The locally expressed SAgs elicit broad, antigen-independent activation of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells through direct crosslinking of T-cell receptors and major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. By confining SAg expression to the tumor site, iCLANTSP-SAg minimizes systemic T-cell activation and off-target toxicity. When co-administered with anti-PD-1 antibodies, iCLANTSP-SAg eliminates established tumors in two-thirds of treated mice and induces durable immune memory that confers complete protection upon rechallenge. This strategy offers a potent and clinically translatable solution to the central challenge of antigen identification in cancer vaccine development.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is heterogeneous, but whether hepatic and systemic genetic susceptibility patterns differ in their associations with type 2 diabetes (T2D), vascular complications, and longitudinal weight change remains unclear. The source population included 502,536 UK Biobank participants. Eligible participants without diabetes at baseline were followed through 2022. Hepatic and systemic MASLD genetic susceptibility was quantified using previously developed partitioned polygenic risk scores (PRSs). Cox models assessed incident T2D; vascular outcomes and weight change were evaluated using risk ratios and penalized splines. After adjustment for basic covariates, hepatic genetic susceptibility was associated with incident T2D (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.58-2.56), whereas the systemic association was weaker (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.35). Following additional adjustment for HbA1c and triglycerides, the association remained significant for the hepatic PRS (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.76-2.86) but not for the systemic PRS (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87-1.11). Observed weight decreases were associated with lower T2D risk in both genetic-risk groups, with a numerically stronger association in the high hepatic PRS group. Vascular outcome differences were small and absent among participants with established diabetes. Hepatic and systemic MASLD genetic susceptibility patterns showed heterogeneous associations with incident T2D, vascular outcomes, and longitudinal weight change. These findings support biological heterogeneity in MASLD-related genetic pathways and warrant further evaluation of their potential relevance for risk stratification.
Traditional cell lumens in cellulose fibers induce severe light scattering. Though polymer impregnation boosts transparency, it drastically lowers fiber content and composite sustainability. Herein, we propose a chameleon skin-inspired selective cell lumen densification strategy that converts intrinsic scattering defects into a tunable optical asset. By mechanically closing the lumens, selectively reopening inter-fiber gaps via alkaline swelling, and infiltrating a refractive-index-matched polymer, we fabricate cellulosic fiber-reinforced composites (CFRC) that can achieve ultrahigh fiber content of 91% and optical transmittance of up to 89.7%. The material delivers a tensile strength of 71.8 MPa, superior to most plastics and glass. We establish quantitative relationships between scattering/transmission behavior and lumen width (0-20 nm) by combining optical measurements with COMSOL simulations, revealing a transition from Rayleigh- to Mie-type scattering as the dominant mechanism. The developed CFRC possesses outstanding thermal insulation, favorable water resistance and low environmental footprint validated by life-cycle assessment. We verify its practical potential as light-diffusing greenhouse screens for shade-sensitive plants and laser-scattering windows to eliminate laser hazards. This biomimetic structural regulation provides a facile strategy for high-performance sustainable polysaccharide optical composites.
Critical-size long bone defects remain a major clinical challenge, with treatments such as autografts or distraction osteogenesis causing donor-site morbidity, infection, or failure to restore complex bone architecture. Tissue-engineered implants that recapitulate native fracture healing provide a promising solution. However, scalability for dense cellular constructs is lacking. To address this, we bioprinted high-cell-density implants using rheologically competent sacrificial alginate bioinks. The constructs were supported by partially crosslinked alginate during bioprinting and chondrogenic differentiation, after which selective EDTA-mediated alginate dissolution generated scaffold-free implants. Quality characterization confirmed chondro-osteogenic signatures and extracellular matrix gene upregulation. Upon in vivo implantation in immunocompromised mice, implants underwent endochondral ossification, forming cortical and trabecular bone with bone marrow compartments. Integration with a suspension bioreactor enabled production of human-sized proof-of-concept implants. This work establishes a scalable 4D biofabrication process that integrates 3D bioprinting with dissolvable sacrificial alginate bioinks and results in scaffold-free, bone-forming callus implants.
The development of food-grade bio-inks combining 3D printability with bioactive protection is important for personalized nutrition applications. This work presents a quinoa protein isolate-guar gum (QPI-GG) Pickering emulsion system for encapsulating lipophilic bioactives and enabling 3D printing. Particle size, ζ-potential and wettability analyses showed the formation of stable complexes with a unimodal distribution near 200 μm, a ζ-potential of -37.9 mV and intermediate wettability. FTIR, XRD, SEM and CD analyses, together with dynamic interfacial tension, AFM, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, showed that GG associated with surface-accessible regions of 11S globulin through persistent hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and van der Waals forces. This association altered QPI secondary structure, redirected heat-induced aggregation toward interconnected and conformationally adaptable assemblies, and enhanced interfacial adsorption and steric stabilization. The resulting emulsions formed elastic, shear-thinning networks with enhanced deformation recovery, enabling support-free printing with a collapse rate of 1.11% and water-holding capacity of 99.78%. The optimized formulation encapsulated CoQ10 with 96.81% efficiency, restricted gastric release to 20.9%, and achieved 51.7% cumulative release after intestinal digestion. This study demonstrates QPI-GG Pickering emulsions as a clean-label bioink platform integrating interfacial engineering and additive manufacturing for nutraceutical delivery.
Mussel-inspired coacervation offers a powerful strategy for underwater adhesion; however, translating this chemistry into scalable drug delivery platforms remains challenging. Here, we present a bioinspired adhesive coacervate, integrating catechol/gallol-mediated adhesion with mucoadhesion principles to produce a manufacturable, patient-friendly film for buccal peptide delivery. Using tannic acid (TA) and pullulan-methacrylate (PUL-MA), adhesive coacervates were formulated and processed by slot-die coating into dual-layer films consisting of (i) an active mucoadhesive layer (ML) containing a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1-RA) and a permeation enhancer, sodium glycodeoxycholate (GDC), and (ii) a cellulose-based backing layer (BL). Slot-die processing enabled uniform film fabrication while preserving GLP-1-RA peptide structural integrity. By tuning PUL methacrylation degree (MD), material properties including film swelling, cohesion, and adhesion were optimized. PUL at a 3% MD level exhibited ~ five-fold higher adhesion (102.6 ± 14.2 J/m2) than conventional buccal films. In ex vivo assays, the same formulation also achieved the highest peptide permeation, indicating that stronger mucoadhesion enhances tissue residence and facilitates transbuccal transport. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time the successful integration of mussel-inspired coacervation with mucoadhesive film engineering, enabling a scalable and non-invasive platform for buccal administration of poorly permeable peptides, bridging bioinspired chemistry and drug delivery.
Osteomyelitis is a severe orthopedic infection that demands advanced biomaterial-based strategies for local infection control and bone defect management. Calcium-phosphate-based hydroxyapatite (HAp) is widely used for bone regeneration due to its compositional similarity to natural bone; however, poor mechanical and antibacterial properties limit its performance. In the present study, Zn-Fe-containing biphasic calcium phosphate (ZFHAp) nanomaterials, composed of Calcium Iron Hydrogen Phosphate (CIHP) (69.86%) and Parascholzite (PS) (30.14%), were incorporated into 3D chitosan scaffolds to fabricate multifunctional porous constructs. Nanomaterials incorporation enhanced the elastic modulus (Emod) from 70 kPa to 996 kPa (6 wt%), within the lower range of cancellous bone stiffness. The scaffolds exhibited rapid swelling (up to 1.4 min-1) and first-order enzymatic degradation, with rates ranging from 0.0047 to 0.0148 day-1. Sustained Zn2+ and Fe3+ release over 7 days correlated with >80% growth inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli, while maintaining the acceptable cytocompatibility of MG-63 cells. Structure-property analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between nanomaterial loading and mechanical performance, with parabolic fitting suggesting an optimal composition of 5-6 wt% for balanced modulus and cell surface coverage. Overall, these chitosan-ZFHAp composite scaffolds demonstrate tunable mechanical properties, controlled degradation, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility, supporting their potential as multifunctional scaffolds for bone-related defect management.
Biotechnology and biopharma rely on detailed genome annotations for cell-line engineering, yet most production hosts are nonmodel organisms with limited resources linking sequence to physiology across space and time. A complete four-dimensional genome annotation for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that links sequence, networks, spatial constraints, process state, and passaging history does not yet exist; current efforts instead provide partial layers that must be connected into an actionable framework. In this opinion article, we illustrate this framework for CHO cells, the dominant platform for recombinant protein biologics. Building such resources on a genomic foundation could reduce trial and error in biologics manufacturing by making cell line and bioprocess design more predictable, transparent, and reproducible.
Computed tomography (CT) attenuation plays a central role in characterizing homogeneous renal masses, but image noise may introduce variability in CT number measurements. This study investigated whether CT noise contributes to mischaracterization of homogeneous renal masses and examined the influence of region-of-interest (ROI) size on this phenomenon. CT images of a simple cyst, a hemorrhagic cyst, and a papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from 2 patients were analyzed. Circular ROIs of five sizes (1 pixel, .1 cm2, .3 cm2, 1.0 cm2, 3.0 cm2) were used to measure CT numbers on pre- and postcontrast images. Using a 10-Hounsfield unit (HU) enhancement threshold, instances of mischaracterized ROIs were recorded and the corresponding experimental mischaracterization probabilities were calculated. Estimated mischaracterization probabilities were derived from enhancement threshold, measured enhancement, and image noise. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between experimental and estimated mischaracterization probabilities. Experimental mischaracterization probability decreased with increasing ROI size, reaching .000 for simple and hemorrhagic cysts at ROI ≥1.0 cm2 and for papillary RCC at ROI ≥ .1 cm2. Linear regression showed a significant positive correlation between the experimental and estimated mischaracterization probabilities (R2 = .946, regression coefficient = .763, p < .001). CT noise may contribute to threshold-based mischaracterization of homogeneous renal masses, particularly with smaller ROIs.
Structure-defined carbohydrate entities provide tractable models for determining how heterogeneous polysaccharides engage proteins, but the mechanistic resolution achieved varies widely among polymer classes. This review assesses evidence from heparin/heparan sulfate, pectins, β-glucans, chitin/chitosan, hyaluronan, and marine sulfated glycans. We distinguish partially defined fractions, size- or charge-defined fractions, domain-defined fragments, sequence-defined oligosaccharides, and engineered glycan presentations, and relate each category to the claims it can support. Across representative systems, recognition depends on target-specific combinations of chain length, primary structure and domain architecture, covalent modification and charge pattern, conformation and hydration, and multivalent presentation. Three priorities emerge: generating matched fragment series with structural controls; excluding contamination, aggregation, and assay-format artifacts while accounting for avidity; and confirming binding with complementary assays before establishing target-dependent function. We organize this evidence into a framework that distinguishes fragment-associated activity, structure-correlated effects, direct binding, target necessity, and in vivo causality, while retaining systems-level routes for microbiota- and biomaterial-mediated mechanisms. Aligning claim strength with structural resolution and causal evidence should improve reproducibility and interpretation across carbohydrate-protein recognition studies.