Peptide-induced bio-mineralization as a bio-mimetic means of detecting proteins in a mineralizing bio-context

Pathological bio-mineralization can be induced by diseases such as preeclampsia. Inspired by these naturally occurring bio-mineralization processes, we have designed a process called protein-controlled peptide assembly tandem peptide- templated bio-mineralization. The technique provides bio-context-associated data on the activity of target proteins, and facilitates the evaluation of protein function in the associated biological microenvironment. It is a bio-mimetic process that leads to the formation of Ag nanoparticle-decorated peptide nanowires, which can offer efficient signal amplification with high sensitivity for biosensing applications. Consequently, high-temperature requirement factor A1 （HtrA1） can be assayed quantitatively in clinical serum samples to offer information for the diagnosis of preeclampsia and the improved treatment of the disease. The results suggest that the process has considerable potential for use in clinical practice.

Optimization of Mineralization Curing System for Efficient and Safe Utilization of Steel Slag Wastes

The crystal structure and morphology of the mineralization products were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD),and the thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)analysis.The changes of microorganism quantity and enzyme activity in pore solution with time were measured.The experimental results show that microorganism quantity and enzyme activity in pore solution reach the maximum at 50-60 h,mineralization curing begins at this time,the strength of microbial mineralized steel slag reaches the maximum.This study provides a good selection basis for selecting the optimum mineralization system for the production of microbial mineralized steel slag products.Bacterial mineralization can accelerate the rate of carbon sequestration in the mineralization process.The compressive strength of steel slag with 1.5% bacterial can reach up to 55.6 MPa.The microstructure and thermal properties of calcium carbonate precipitate induced by the enzymes of bacillus subtilis differs from the chemical precipitation in pore solution of steel slag.Through the analysis of the mineralized products of steel slag,the reaction rate of free calcium oxide and free magnesium oxide in steel slag after the addition of microorganisms is significantly increased,which improves the stability of steel slag as cementitious material.Meanwhile,the production of calcium carbonate,the main mineralized product,is significantly increased.

Evidence of Bio-Organic Mineralization

The marine black shale formations of different epochs are widely seen in China. They usually come cul as ore-bearing horizon and contain different ore-forming element. Why are there so many different associated metallic elements in the marine black shale ? Evidence shows that the answer is bio-mineralization. The bio-mineralizahon in the process of formation of metalliferous black shales can be divided intp twp stages. The first stage is the bio-achvities occurring in the surface layer aquatic body of the ocean .The ore-forming elements could be absorbed by only a few species of organisms as a bioconcentrator. The second stage is the biogeochemical process. The anaerobic bacteria decomposed the organic remains and the metal elements were activated, and migrated and combined with organic matter or clay minerals or sulfide. After sediments were buried deeply, the organic matter were cracked by high earth temperature.The metal elements in organic compound were continuously acivated, and migrated to form matamorphic minerals or hydrothermal minerals in original rocks or quartz veins. The biogenetic marks in the black shale are changed or distorted beyond recognition and not easy to be found.

Adaptation of a Biomineralization Strategy for Remineralization of Enamel and Dentin

The bio- inspired strategy of triggered release of Ca^2＋ , Pi, F from prosomal compartments was used to induce rapid formation of FHA for potential dental use ： Calcium and inorganic phosphate salts were separately loaded into temperature-sensitive liposome composed of 90% DPPC and 10% DMPC. When heated from the room temperature to 35- 37 ℃ , the entrapped calcium, inorganic phosphate and fl^rin released from the liposome,A mixture of Ca- Pi and F-loaded liposome formed apatite. The mineral was indicated by a rapid drop in suspension PH from 7.4 approximately 6. This was illustrated by applying a liposome suspension warmed human dentin and enamel surface which resulted in deposition of apatite onto the tissue substrates.

Mobilization of Arsenic in Groundwater in the Southern Hanoi City (Vietnam) as Studied by Isotopic and Related Techniques

Sixteen samples of surface and groundwater from the most southern part of the Hanoi city (Vietnam) has been taken and analyzed for the soluble major ions, namely Na+, K+, , Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, , and arsenic as well as molybdenum content along with isotopic composition of deuterium and oxygen (δ2H and δ18O), tritium activity, and δ13C in DIC. The stable isotopic composition of groundwater indicates the water in that area is recharged from the local meteoric and theRed River’s water sources. The mean residence time of the groundwater should be before 60-ies of the past century as its 3H activity ranged from LOD of the analytical technique (0.4 TU) to 2.1 TU only implying that As would not be related to its recent application. The concentrations of As in the water samples is weakly correlated with those of Fe2+ (R2 = 0.08) but it strongly did with the concentrations of bicarbonate (R2 = 0.80). Thus, bicarbonate seems to liberate As adsorbed on hydrous ferric oxides (Hfo) into water through the displacement mechanism. The surface adsorption-desorption of As could be proven by a strong correlation between As and Mo concentrations (R2 = 0.77). The bicarbonate formation in groundwater was thought to be, partly, due to the bio-mineralization of natural organic matter (NOM) by bacteria followed by the dissolution of calcite and/or dolomite present in the sediments. Evidence for the NOM bio-mineralization was found in the close relationship between δ13C and the concentration of bicarbonate in water. Therefore, the mobilization of As in groundwater of bicarbonate type in the southern part of Hanoi city seems to be not only due to the reductive dissolution of the Hfo but the bicarbonate displacement also should be considered.

Traditional mortar represented by sticky rice lime mortar——One of the great inventions in ancient China

The development of traditional lime-based bond in ancient times was reviewed in this paper.It was proved by a lot of historical data that the application of organic materials in inorganic mortar was a sharp-cut characteristic during the developing process of construction gelled materials in ancient China.The important role sticky rice mortar ever played and the historical significance were revealed.Due to the excellent performance,such as high adhesive strength,good toughness,water-proof and so on,traditional mortar represented by sticky rice mortar should be one of the greatest technological contributions of the day in the world.Modern technology was employed in the study of the sticky rice lime mortar and the researching results of our laboratory and some researchers,including the compo-sition and the mechanism of solidification,were also presented.It was found that the sticky rice acted as a matrix of bio-mineralization which affected the microstructure of the calcium carbonate crystal and there was cooperation between sticky rice and calcite produced during the solidifying of the sticky rice mortar,which maybe lead to the excellent performance of the mortar.Because of excellent performance and importance in science,sticky rice mortar can be regarded as one of the greatest inventions in construction history of China.Relative research of sticky mortar will be of importance for the exploring of ancient momentous invention and the repairing of ancient construction.

Reconstruction of Surface Porous PEEK Decorated with Strontium-doped Calcium Phosphate Coatings for Enhancing Osteogenic Activity

The aim of this study was to reconstruct surface porous structure with hundreds of micrometers and then bio-mineralize Sr-doped Calcium Phosphate(Sr-doped CaP)on Polyetheretherketone(PEEK)profile to enhance its bioactivity.A surface porous structure was prepared on PEEK profile by embedding and acid-etching of SiO2 particles as porogen(SP-PEEK).Then the Sr-doped CaP was further decorated on the porous surface after sulfonation,introduction of Sr-doped CaP crystal seeds and bio-mineralization in 1.5 times simulated body fluid(BSSP-PEEK-CaP/Sr).It was feasible to reconstruct the surface porous structure with hundreds of micrometers on PEEK profile by the present method without damaging its mechanical properties.The Sr-doped CaP crystal seeds effectively promoted the bio-mineralization of bio-inertness PEEK.All as-prepared PEEK did not inhibit the proliferation of cells.ALP of bio-mineralized groups was significantly increased than that of the other groups.The BSSP-PEEK-CaP/Sr obviously affected the morphology and promoted the adhesion and spreading of cells.As a result,the cyto-biocompatibity and bioactivity of PEEK were improved after bio-mineralization.Sr-doped CaP on PEEK most likely was beneficial for cells,which was associated with the increasing of the hydrophilicity on PEEK.This study provided a candidate method to improve the osteogenesis of PEEK implants.

Tumor microenvironment triggered local oxygen generation and photosensitizer release from manganese dioxide mineralized albumin-ICG nanocomplex to amplify photodynamic immunotherapy efficacy

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) has emerged as a potential clinical strategy for tumor therapy. It can generate reactive oxygen species(ROS) to cause the chemical damage of tumor cells and promote the immune killing effects of T cells on tumor cells in the presence of enough oxygen and PDT drugs. However, most solid tumors are in a state of oxygen deficiency, which seriously limit the efficacy of PDT in generation enough ROS. Besides, few safe PDT drugs with ideal pharmacokinetic behavior are available in the clinic,which severely limits the clinical transformation and application of PDT. Herein, we utilized manganese chloride to mineralize the hydrophilic indocyanine green/albumin polyplexes(ICG@BSA@MnO_(2)) by using bio-mineralized method to solve these problems of PDT. These ICG@BSA@MnO_(2)nanoparticles could circulate in the blood for a long period other than quickly removed from body after 30 min like free ICG.When accumulated at the tumor site, ICG was responsively released in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Apart this, the tumor hypoxia microenvironment was also reversed owing to enhanced O_(2)generation by the reaction of MnO_(2)with hydrogen peroxide. Benefits from the rich accumulation of ICG and ameliorated tumor hypoxia in the tumor sites, the enhanced generation of ROS could successfully promote the distribution of CD3^(+) and CD8^(+)T cells inside the tumors, which then lead to the amplified efficacy of PDT in both CT26 and B16 F10 tumor models without causing any side effects.