High-strength chitosan-sericin cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks for hemostasis.

Developing chitosan-based hemostatic cryogels with simultaneously excellent mechanical properties and good biocompatibilities is still a challenge yet crucial for hemostasis of deep tissue bleeding. Typical approaches to enhancing the mechanical properties sacrifice biocompatibility of chitosan cryogels, thereby increasing the potential application risk. In this study, we develop a chitosan-sericin-ε-polylysine (CS-Ser-EPL) cryogel with synergistically reinforced networks achieved by physical and chemical crosslinking to address the limitations.

Synthesis of confined palladium nanocatalysts in crystalline hemoglobin framework: An ultrastable nanoreactor for Cr(VI) detoxification.

In this work, cross-linked hemoglobin crystals (CLHCs) were synthesized using discarded cow blood as raw material, and palladium nano particles (Pd NPs) was synthesized in situ within its lattice to obtain CLHCs@Pd catalytic used for catalyzing the reduction of Cr(VI). In addition, we investigated the influence of synthesis process on the morphology, loading capacity, and size of Pd NPs, and the results showed that the minimum size of Pd NPs was distributed around 2 nm under any process conditions. The X-ray single crystal diffraction results indicate that the lattice of protein crystals may have a controlling effect on the size of Pd NPs.

In situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on silk: producing antibacterial fabrics.

Herein, we explored an effective method for preparing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-coated antibacterial silk fabrics. In particular, using amino acids and cellulose from silk as reducing agents and silver nitrate as a precursor, Ag NPs were synthesised in situ on the surface of silk without requiring additional reducing agents and catalysts. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the involved samples were characterised using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Super Stable Coating Based on Ovalbumin and Tannic Acid for Hydrophilic and Antibacterial Functionalization of Polymer Materials.

Surface modification of polymer materials is crucial in the biomedical field, as it can endow materials with new properties, including high efficacy and durability and a low risk of infection. Here, we propose a simple, green, and reliable surface modification strategy using ovalbumin (OVA) and tannic acid (TA). The hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions revealed between the OVA and TA molecules make the OVA/TA composite tenacious and stable.

Treatment of dye-containing wastewater using discarded animal blood-derived hemoglobin crystals.

Ever-expanding industrial and agricultural production has satisfied human needs but unfortunately causes serious environmental pollution. Pollutants such as dye-containing wastewater from the dye industry and animal blood waste from the meat industry impose heavy burdens on the environment and are difficult to treat. Here we demonstrate that hemoglobin crystals prepared from animal blood waste can effectively and selectively adsorb and remove organic pollutants from dye-containing wastewater.

Antibacterial activity of lysozyme-loaded cream against MRSA and promotion of scalded wound healing.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection, especially its drug-resistant bacterial infection, is a great challenge often faced by clinicians and patients, and it is also one of the most important threats to public health. Finding a safe and effective antibacterial agent is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of S.