Microporous Polyethersulfone Membranes Grafted with Zwitterionic Polymer Brushes Showing Microfiltration Permeance and Ultrafiltration Bacteriophage Removal

Boronic acid-mediated mucin/surface interactions of zwitterionic polymer brushes

Mucus is a substance that acts as a protective barrier, shielding tissues from infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Recent studies highlight the advantages of transmucosal drug delivery compared to traditional delivery methods. However, external particles in mucus struggle to penetrate its deeper layers and are often eliminated by mucus clearance mechanisms, hindering effective drug delivery. To gain a deeper understanding of how material surfaces interact with mucus, we grafted brushes of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) onto silica surfaces, followed by the straightforward installation of a terminal boronic acid moiety (3-phenylboronic acid, APBA). The modification process was carried out following a surface-initiated activator regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ARGET ATRP), a method known for its effectiveness in producing well-defined grafted polymers. After conjugation of APBA, we studied the effects of surface chemistry on properties such as pH-sensitivity and mucin adsorption. The surfaces modified with the zwitterionic polymer showed no mucin interaction regardless of system pH. However, all the surfaces containing the boronic acid showed boronic acid-sialic acid interactions, particularly at lower pH values. The insights gained from this study will enhance our understanding of the interactions between the zwitterionic PMPC and the boronic acid APBA with mucins, laying the groundwork for future chemical modifications of particle surfaces aimed at modulating their transport through mucus.

A comprehensive review on human enteric viruses in water: Detection methods, occurrence, and microbial risk assessment

Human enteric viruses, such as norovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus, and enterovirus, are crucial targets in controlling biological contamination in water systems worldwide. Due to their small size and low concentrations in water, effective virus concentration and detection methods are essential for ensuring microbial safety. This paper reviews the typical and innovative methods for concentrating and detecting human enteric viruses, highlights viral contamination levels across different water bodies, and discusses the removal efficiencies of virus through various treatment technologies. The application and current gaps of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for evaluating the risks of human enteric viruses is also explored. Innovative methods such as digital polymerase chain reaction and isothermal amplification show promise in sensitivity and convenience, however, distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious viruses should be a key focus of future detection techniques. The highest concentrations of human enteric viruses were detected in wastewater, ranging from 103 to 106 copies/L, while drinking water showed significantly lower concentrations, often below 102 copies/L. QMRA studies suggest that exposure to human enteric viruses, whether through contaminated drinking water, occupational contact, or accidental wastewater discharge, could result in a life expectancy of 1.96 × 10-4 to 4.53 × 10-1 days/year.

Bacteriophages in nature: recent advances in research tools and diverse environmental and biotechnological applications

Bacteriophages infect and replicate within bacteria and play a key role in the environment, particularly in microbial ecosystems and bacterial population dynamics. The increasing recognition of their significance stems from their wide array of environmental and biotechnological uses, which encompass the mounting issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Beyond their therapeutic potential in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, bacteriophages also find vast applications such as water quality monitoring, bioremediation, and nutrient cycling within environmental sciences. Researchers are actively involved in isolating and characterizing bacteriophages from different natural sources to explore their applications. Gaining insights into key aspects such as the life cycle of bacteriophages, their host range, immune interactions, and physical stability is vital to enhance their application potential. The establishment of diverse phage libraries has become indispensable to facilitate their wide-ranging uses. Consequently, numerous protocols, ranging from traditional to cutting-edge techniques, have been developed for the isolation, detection, purification, and characterization of bacteriophages from diverse environmental sources. This review offers an exploration of tools, delves into the methods of isolation, characterization, and the extensive environmental applications of bacteriophages, particularly in areas like water quality assessment, the food sector, therapeutic interventions, and the phage therapy in various infections and diseases.

Preparation, Modification, and Application of Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene Copolymer Membranes

Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) was first commercialized by DuPont in 1974. Its unique chemical structure gives it high heat resistance, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance. But also due to these properties, it is difficult to prepare a membrane from it by the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method. However, it can be prepared as a microfiltration membrane using the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method at certain temperatures and with the selection of suitable solvents, and the use of green solvents is receiving increasing attention from researchers. The surface wettability of ECTFE membranes usually needs to be modified before use to strengthen its performance to meet the application requirements, usually by graft modification and surface oxidation techniques. This paper provides an overview of the structure of ECTFE and its preparation and modification methods, as well as recent advances in its application areas and prospects for the future methods of preparing high-performance ECTFE membranes.