TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tao, Lumi
A1  - Liu, Yuchuan
A1  - Wu, Dan
A1  - Wei, Qiao-Hua
A1  - Taubert, Andreas
A1  - Xie, Zailai
T1  - Luminescent Ionogels with Excellent Transparency, High Mechanical Strength, and High Conductivity
JF  - Nanomaterials
N2  - The paper describes a new kind of ionogel with both good mechanical strength and high conductivity synthesized by confining the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf₂]) within an organic–inorganic hybrid host. The organic–inorganic host network was synthesized by the reaction of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a coupling agent, offering the good mechanical strength and rapid shape recovery of the final products. The silane coupling agent 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570) plays an important role in improving the mechanical strength of the inorganic–organic hybrid, because it covalently connected the organic component MMA and the inorganic component SiO₂. Both the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the ionogel significantly increased by the addition of IL. The immobilization of [Bmim][NTf₂] within the ionogel provided the final ionogel with an ionic conductivity as high as ca. 0.04 S cm⁻¹ at 50 °C. Moreover, the hybrid ionogel can be modified with organosilica-modified carbon dots within the network to yield a transparent and flexible ionogel with strong excitation-dependent emission between 400 and 800 nm. The approach is, therefore, a blueprint for the construction of next-generation multifunctional ionogels.
KW  - ionic liquid
KW  - ionogel
KW  - carbon dots
KW  - organic–inorganic hybrid
KW  - luminescence
KW  - mechanical strength
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122521
SN  - 2079-4991
VL  - 10
IS  - 12
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kuntze, Kim
A1  - Viljakka, Jani
A1  - Titov, Evgenii
A1  - Ahmed, Zafar
A1  - Kalenius, Elina
A1  - Saalfrank, Peter
A1  - Priimagi, Arri
T1  - Towards low-energy-light-driven bistable photoswitches
BT  - ortho-fluoroaminoazobenzenes
JF  - Photochemical & photobiological sciences / European Society for Photobiology
N2  - Thermally stable photoswitches that are driven with low-energy light are rare, yet crucial for extending the applicability of photoresponsive molecules and materials towards, e.g., living systems. Combined ortho-fluorination and -amination couples high visible light absorptivity of o-aminoazobenzenes with the extraordinary bistability of o-fluoroazobenzenes. Herein, we report a library of easily accessible o-aminofluoroazobenzenes and establish structure-property relationships regarding spectral qualities, visible light isomerization efficiency and thermal stability of the cis-isomer with respect to the degree of o-substitution and choice of amino substituent. We rationalize the experimental results with quantum chemical calculations, revealing the nature of low-lying excited states and providing insight into thermal isomerization. The synthesized azobenzenes absorb at up to 600 nm and their thermal cis-lifetimes range from milliseconds to months. The most unique example can be driven from trans to cis with any wavelength from UV up to 595 nm, while still exhibiting a thermal cis-lifetime of 81 days. <br /> [GRAPHICS] <br /> .
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-021-00145-4
SN  - 1474-905X
SN  - 1474-9092
VL  - 21
IS  - 2
SP  - 159
EP  - 173
PB  - Springer
CY  - Heidelberg
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Neffe, Axel T.
A1  - Löwenberg, Candy
A1  - Julich-Gruner, Konstanze K.
A1  - Behl, Marc
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Thermally-induced shape-memory behavior of degradable gelatin-based networks
JF  - International journal of molecular sciences
N2  - Shape-memory hydrogels (SMH) are multifunctional, actively-moving polymers of interest in biomedicine. In loosely crosslinked polymer networks, gelatin chains may form triple helices, which can act as temporary net points in SMH, depending on the presence of salts. Here, we show programming and initiation of the shape-memory effect of such networks based on a thermomechanical process compatible with the physiological environment. The SMH were synthesized by reaction of glycidylmethacrylated gelatin with oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) alpha,omega-dithiols of varying crosslinker length and amount. Triple helicalization of gelatin chains is shown directly by wide-angle X-ray scattering and indirectly via the mechanical behavior at different temperatures. The ability to form triple helices increased with the molar mass of the crosslinker. Hydrogels had storage moduli of 0.27-23 kPa and Young's moduli of 215-360 kPa at 4 degrees C. The hydrogels were hydrolytically degradable, with full degradation to water-soluble products within one week at 37 degrees C and pH = 7.4. A thermally-induced shape-memory effect is demonstrated in bending as well as in compression tests, in which shape recovery with excellent shape-recovery rates R-r close to 100% were observed. In the future, the material presented here could be applied, e.g., as self-anchoring devices mechanically resembling the extracellular matrix.
KW  - shape-memory hydrogel
KW  - active polymer
KW  - biopolymer
KW  - mechanical
KW  - properties
KW  - degradation
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115892
SN  - 1422-0067
SN  - 1661-6596
VL  - 22
IS  - 11
PB  - Molecular Diversity Preservation International
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lu, Yong-Ping
A1  - Reichetzeder, Christoph
A1  - Prehn, Cornelia
A1  - Yin, Liang-Hong
A1  - Yun, Chen
A1  - Zeng, Shufei
A1  - Chu, Chang
A1  - Adamski, Jerzy
A1  - Hocher, Berthold
T1  - Cord blood Lysophosphatidylcholine 16:1 is positively associated with birth weight
JF  - Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology
N2  - Background/Aims: Impaired birth outcomes, like low birth weight, have consistently been associated with increased disease susceptibility to hypertension in later life. Alterations in the maternal or fetal metabolism might impact on fetal growth and influence birth outcomes. Discerning associations between the maternal and fetal metabolome and surrogate parameters of fetal growth could give new insight into the complex relationship between intrauterine conditions, birth outcomes, and later life disease susceptibility. Methods: Using flow injection tandem mass spectrometry, targeted metabolomics was performed in serum samples obtained from 226 mother/child pairs at delivery. Associations between neonatal birth weight and concentrations of 163 maternal and fetal metabolites were analyzed. Results: After FDR adjustment using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) 14:0, 16:1, and 18:1 were strongly positively correlated with birth weight. In a stepwise linear regression model corrected for established confounding factors of birth weight, LPC 16: 1 showed the strongest independent association with birth weight (CI: 93.63 - 168.94; P = 6.94x10(-11)). The association with birth weight was stronger than classical confounding factors such as offspring sex (CI: - 258.81- -61.32; P = 0.002) and maternal smoking during pregnancy (CI: -298.74 - -29.51; P = 0.017). Conclusions: After correction for multiple testing and adjustment for potential confounders, LPC 16:1 showed a very strong and independent association with birth weight. The underlying molecular mechanisms linking fetal LPCs with birth weight need to be addressed in future studies. (c) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel
KW  - Metabolomics
KW  - Lysophosphatidylcholine
KW  - Birth Weight
KW  - DOHaD
KW  - Hypertension
KW  - Type 2 Diabetes
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1159/000487118
SN  - 1015-8987
SN  - 1421-9778
VL  - 45
IS  - 2
SP  - 614
EP  - 624
PB  - Karger
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lau, Skadi
A1  - Maier, Anna
A1  - Braune, Steffen
A1  - Gossen, Manfred
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Effect of endothelial culture medium composition on platelet responses to polymeric biomaterials
JF  - International journal of molecular sciences
N2  - Near-physiological in vitro thrombogenicity test systems for the evaluation of blood-contacting endothelialized biomaterials requires co-cultivation with platelets (PLT). However, the addition of PLT has led to unphysiological endothelial cell (EC) detachment in such in vitro systems. A possible cause for this phenomenon may be PLT activation triggered by the applied endothelial cell medium, which typically consists of basal medium (BM) and nine different supplements. To verify this hypothesis, the influence of BM and its supplements was systematically analyzed regarding PLT responses. For this, human platelet rich plasma (PRP) was mixed with BM, BM containing one of nine supplements, or with BM containing all supplements together. PLT adherence analysis was carried out in six-channel slides with plasma-treated cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) (PTFE, as a positive control) substrates as part of the six-channel slides in the absence of EC and under static conditions. PLT activation and aggregation were analyzed using light transmission aggregometry and flow cytometry (CD62P). Medium supplements had no effect on PLT activation and aggregation. In contrast, supplements differentially affected PLT adherence, however, in a polymer- and donor-dependent manner. Thus, the use of standard endothelial growth medium (BM + all supplements) maintains functionality of PLT under EC compatible conditions without masking the differences of PLT adherence on different polymeric substrates. These findings are important prerequisites for the establishment of a near-physiological in vitro thrombogenicity test system assessing polymer-based cardiovascular implant materials in contact with EC and PLT.
KW  - cyclic olefin copolymer
KW  - poly(tetrafluoroethylene)
KW  - endothelial cells
KW  - platelets
KW  - in vitro thrombogenicity testing
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22137006
SN  - 1422-0067
SN  - 1661-6596
VL  - 22
IS  - 13
PB  - Molecular Diversity Preservation International
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schönemann, Eric
A1  - Koc, Julian
A1  - Karthäuser, Jana
A1  - Özcan, Onur
A1  - Schanzenbach, Dirk
A1  - Schardt, Lisa
A1  - Rosenhahn, Axel
A1  - Laschewsky, André
T1  - Sulfobetaine methacrylate polymers of unconventional polyzwitterion architecture and their antifouling properties
JF  - Biomacromolecules : an interdisciplinary journal focused at the interface of polymer science and the biological sciences
N2  - Combining high hydrophilicity with charge neutrality, polyzwitterions are intensely explored for their high biocompatibility and low-fouling properties. Recent reports indicated that in addition to charge neutrality, the zwitterion's segmental dipole orientation is an important factor for interacting with the environment. Accordingly, a series of polysulfobetaines with a novel architecture was designed, in which the cationic and anionic groups of the zwitterionic moiety are placed at equal distances from the backbone. They were investigated by in vitro biofouling assays, covering proteins of different charges and model marine organisms. All polyzwitterion coatings reduced the fouling effectively compared to model polymer surfaces of poly(butyl methacrylate), with a nearly equally good performance as the reference polybetaine poly(3-(N-(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonio)propanesulfonate). The specific fouling resistance depended on the detailed chemical structure of the polyzwitterions. Still, while clearly affecting the performance, the precise dipole orientation of the sulfobetaine group in the polyzwitterions seems overall to be only of secondary importance for their antifouling behavior.
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01705
SN  - 1525-7797
SN  - 1526-4602
VL  - 22
IS  - 4
SP  - 1494
EP  - 1508
PB  - American Chemical Society
CY  - Washington
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tung, Wing Tai
A1  - Sun, Xianlei
A1  - Wang, Weiwei
A1  - Xu, Xun
A1  - Ma, Nan
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Structure, mechanical properties and degradation behavior of electrospun PEEU fiber meshes and films
JF  - MRS advances : a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS)
N2  - The capability of a degradable implant to provide mechanical support depends on its degradation behavior. Hydrolytic degradation was studied for a polyesteretherurethane (PEEU70), which consists of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) segments with a weight ratio of 70:30 linked by diurethane junction units. PEEU70 samples prepared in the form of meshes with average fiber diameters of 1.5 mu m (mesh1.5) and 1.2 mu m (mesh1.2), and films were sterilized and incubated in PBS at 37 degrees C with 5 vol% CO2 supply for 1 to 6 weeks. Degradation features, such as cracks or wrinkles, became apparent from week 4 for all samples. Mass loss was found to be 11 wt%, 6 wt%, and 4 wt% for mesh1.2, mesh1.5, and films at week 6. The elongation at break decreased to under 20% in two weeks for mesh1.2. In case of the other two samples, this level of degradation was achieved after 4 weeks. The weight average molecular weight of both PEEU70 mesh and film samples decreased to below 30 kg/mol when elongation at break dropped below 20%. The time period of sustained mechanical stability of PEEU70-based meshes depends on the fiber diameter and molecular weight.
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-020-00001-0
SN  - 2059-8521
VL  - 6
IS  - 10
SP  - 276
EP  - 282
PB  - Springer Nature Switzerland AG
CY  - Cham
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Figueroa Campos, Gustavo Adolfo
A1  - Perez, Jeffrey Paulo H.
A1  - Block, Inga
A1  - Sagu Tchewonpi, Sorel
A1  - Saravia Celis, Pedro
A1  - Taubert, Andreas
A1  - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal
T1  - Preparation of activated carbons from spent coffee and coffee parchment and assessment of their adsorbent efficiency
JF  - Processes : open access journal
N2  - The valorization of coffee wastes through modification to activated carbon has been considered as a low-cost adsorbent with prospective to compete with commercial carbons. So far, very few studies have referred to the valorization of coffee parchment into activated carbon. Moreover, low-cost and efficient activation methods need to be more investigated. The aim of this work was to prepare activated carbon from spent coffee grounds and parchment, and to assess their adsorption performance. The co-calcination processing with calcium carbonate was used to prepare the activated carbons, and their adsorption capacity for organic acids, phenolic compounds and proteins was evaluated. Both spent coffee grounds and parchment showed yields after the calcination and washing treatments of around 9.0%. The adsorption of lactic acid was found to be optimal at pH 2. The maximum adsorption capacity of lactic acid with standard commercial granular activated carbon was 73.78 mg/g, while the values of 32.33 and 14.73 mg/g were registered for the parchment and spent coffee grounds activated carbons, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm showed that lactic acid was adsorbed as a monolayer and distributed homogeneously on the surface. Around 50% of total phenols and protein content from coffee wastewater were adsorbed after treatment with the prepared activated carbons, while 44, 43, and up to 84% of hydrophobic compounds were removed using parchment, spent coffee grounds and commercial activated carbon, respectively; the adsorption efficiencies of hydrophilic compounds ranged between 13 and 48%. Finally, these results illustrate the potential valorization of coffee by-products parchment and spent coffee grounds into activated carbon and their use as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of organic compounds from aqueous solutions.
KW  - coffee by-products
KW  - spent coffee grounds
KW  - parchment
KW  - valorization
KW  - calcination
KW  - activated carbon
KW  - organic compounds adsorption
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081396
SN  - 2227-9717
VL  - 9
IS  - 8
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tung, Wing Tai
A1  - Maring, Janita A.
A1  - Xu, Xun
A1  - Liu, Yue
A1  - Becker, Matthias
A1  - Somesh, Dipthi Bachamanda
A1  - Klose, Kristin
A1  - Wang, Weiwei
A1  - Sun, Xianlei
A1  - Ullah, Imran
A1  - Kratz, Karl
A1  - Neffe, Axel T.
A1  - Stamm, Christof
A1  - Ma, Nan
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - In vivo performance of a cell and factor free multifunctional fiber mesh modulating postinfarct myocardial remodeling
JF  - Advanced Functional Materials
N2  - Guidance of postinfarct myocardial remodeling processes by an epicardial patch system may alleviate the consequences of ischemic heart disease. As macrophages are highly relevant in balancing immune response and regenerative processes their suitable instruction would ensure therapeutic success. A polymeric mesh capable of attracting and instructing monocytes by purely physical cues and accelerating implant degradation at the cell/implant interface is designed. In a murine model for myocardial infarction the meshes are compared to those either coated with extracellular matrix or loaded with induced cardiomyocyte progenitor cells. All implants promote macrophage infiltration and polarization in the epicardium, which is verified by in vitro experiments. 6 weeks post-MI, especially the implantation of the mesh attenuates left ventricular adverse remodeling processes as shown by reduced infarct size (14.7% vs 28-32%) and increased wall thickness (854 mu m vs 400-600 mu m), enhanced angiogenesis/arteriogenesis (more than 50% increase compared to controls and other groups), and improved heart function (ejection fraction = 36.8% compared to 12.7-31.3%). Upscaling as well as process controls is comprehensively considered in the presented mesh fabrication scheme to warrant further progression from bench to bedside.
KW  - bioinstructive materials
KW  - cardiac regeneration
KW  - function by structure;
KW  - modulation of in vivo regeneration
KW  - multifunctional biomaterials
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202110179
SN  - 1616-301X
SN  - 1616-3028
VL  - 32
IS  - 31
PB  - Wiley
CY  - Weinheim
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Deng, Zijun
A1  - Wang, Weiwei
A1  - Xua, Xun
A1  - Gould, Oliver E. C.
A1  - Kratz, Karl
A1  - Ma, Nan
A1  - Lendlein, Andreas
T1  - Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity
JF  - PNAS
N2  - Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects.
KW  - reversible shape-memory actuator
KW  - mesenchymal stem cells
KW  - calcium influx
KW  - HDAC1
KW  - RUNX2
Y1  - 2020
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910668117
SN  - 1091-6490
VL  - 117
IS  - 4
SP  - 1895
EP  - 1901
PB  - National Academy of Sciences
CY  - Washington, DC
ER  -