Effects of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Oligomers on Blood-Brain Barrier Using a 3D Microfluidic Vasculature-on-a-Chip Model.

The disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is largely influenced by amyloid beta (Aβ). In this study, we developed a high-throughput microfluidic BBB model devoid of a physical membrane, featuring endothelial cells interacting with an extracellular matrix (ECM). This paper focuses on the impact of varying concentrations of Aβ oligomers on BBB dysfunction by treating them in the luminal.

The Effect of Omega-9 on Bone Viscoelasticity and Strength in an Ovariectomized Diet-Fed Murine Model.

Few studies have investigated the effect of a monosaturated diet high in ω-9 on osteoporosis. We hypothesized that omega-9 (ω-9) protects ovariectomized (OVX) mice from a decline in bone microarchitecture, tissue loss, and mechanical strength, thereby serving as a modifiable dietary intervention against osteoporotic deterioration. Female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to sham-ovariectomy, ovariectomy, or ovariectomy + estradiol treatment prior to switching their feed to a diet high in ω-9 for 12 weeks.

Omega-9 Modifies Viscoelasticity and Augments Bone Strength and Architecture in a High-Fat Diet-Fed Murine Model.

The influence of diet on the development of osteoporosis is significant and not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of diets of varying lipid profiles and ω-3, ω-6 and ω-9 composition on the structural and mechanical properties of bone. The hypothesis studied was that a diet high in saturated fat would induce osteoporosis and produce an overall increased detrimental bony response when compared with a diet high in unsaturated ω-6, or ω-9.

CVD Synthesis of 3D-Shaped 3D Graphene Using a 3D-Printed Nickel-PLGA Catalyst Precursor.

Earlier, various attempts to develop graphene structures using chemical and nonchemical routes were reported. Being efficient, scalable, and repeatable, 3D printing of graphene-based polymer inks and aerogels seems attractive; however, the produced structures highly rely on a binder or an ice support to stay intact. The presence of a binder or graphene oxide hinders the translation of the excellent graphene properties to the 3D structure.

Amphiphilic phospholipid-iodinated polymer conjugates for bioimaging.

Amphiphilic phospholipid-iodinated polymer conjugates were designed and synthesized as new macromolecular probes for a highly radiopaque and biocompatible imaging technology. Bioconjugation of PEG 2000-phospholipids and iodinated polyesters by click chemistry created amphiphilic moieties with hydrophobic polyesters and hydrophilic PEG units, which allowed their self-assemblies into vesicles or spiked vesicles. More importantly, the conjugates exhibited high radiopacity and biocompatibility in in vitro X-ray and cell viability measurements.

Knee and Hip Joint Cartilage Damage from Combined Spaceflight Hazards of Low-Dose Radiation Less than 1 Gy and Prolonged Hindlimb Unloading.

Reduced weight bearing, and to a lesser extent radiation, during spaceflight have been shown as potential hazards to astronaut joint health. These hazards combined effect to the knee and hip joints are not well defined, particularly with low-dose exposure to radiation. In this study, we examined the individual and combined effects of varying low-dose radiation (≤1 Gy) and reduced weight bearing on the cartilage of the knee and hip joints.

Biodegradability and platelets adhesion assessment of magnesium-based alloys using a microfluidic system.

Magnesium (Mg)-based stents are extensively explored to alleviate atherosclerosis due to their biodegradability and relative hemocompatibility. To ensure the quality, safety and cost-efficacy of bioresorbable scaffolds and full utilization of the material tunability afforded by alloying, it is critical to access degradability and thrombosis potential of Mg-based alloys using improved in vitro models that mimic as closely as possible the in vivo microenvironment. In this study, we investigated biodegradation and initial thrombogenic behavior of Mg-based alloys at the interface between Mg alloys' surface and simulated physiological environment using a microfluidic system.

Understanding corrosion behavior of Mg-Zn-Ca alloys from subcutaneous mouse model: effect of Zn element concentration and plasma electrolytic oxidation.

Mg-Zn-Ca alloys are considered as suitable biodegradable metallic implants because of their biocompatibility and proper physical properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of Zn concentration of Mg-xZn-0.3Ca (x=1, 3 and 5wt.

Systematic understanding of corrosion behavior of plasma electrolytic oxidation treated AZ31 magnesium alloy using a mouse model of subcutaneous implant.

This study was conducted to identify the differences between corrosion rates, corrosion types, and corrosion products in different physiological environments for AZ31 magnesium alloy and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treated AZ31 magnesium alloy. In vitro and in vivo tests were performed in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and mice for 12 weeks, respectively. The corrosion rates of both AZ31 magnesium alloy and PEO treated AZ31 magnesium alloy were calculated based on DC polarization curves, volume of hydrogen evolution, and the thickness of corrosion products formed on the surface.

Flow-induced corrosion behavior of absorbable magnesium-based stents.

The aim of this work was to study corrosion behavior of magnesium (Mg) alloys (MgZnCa plates and AZ31 stents) under varied fluid flow conditions representative of the vascular environment. Experiments revealed that fluid hydrodynamics, fluid flow velocity and shear stress play essential roles in the corrosion behavior of absorbable magnesium-based stent devices. Flow-induced shear stress (FISS) accelerates the overall corrosion (including localized, uniform, pitting and erosion corrosions) due to the increased mass transfer and mechanical force.

Effect of Mucin and Bicarbonate Ion on Corrosion Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy for Airway Stents.

The biodegradable ability of magnesium alloys is an attractive feature for tracheal stents since they can be absorbed by the body through gradual degradation after healing of the airway structure, which can reduce the risk of inflammation caused by long-term implantation and prevent the repetitive surgery for removal of existing stent. In this study, the effects of bicarbonate ion (HCO₃) and mucin in Gamble's solution on the corrosion behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated, using immersion and electrochemical tests to systematically identify the biodegradation kinetics of magnesium alloy under environment, mimicking the epithelial mucus surfaces in a trachea for development of biodegradable airway stents. Analysis of corrosion products after immersion test was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Total-body irradiation produces late degenerative joint damage in rats.

Purpose: Premature musculoskeletal joint failure is a major source of morbidity among childhood cancer survivors. Radiation effects on synovial joint tissues of the skeleton are poorly understood. Our goal was to assess long-term changes in the knee joint from skeletally mature rats that received total-body irradiation while skeletal growth was ongoing.

In vitro degradation and cytotoxicity response of Mg-4% Zn-0.5% Zr (ZK40) alloy as a potential biodegradable material.

Mg-4 wt.% Zn-0.5 wt.

Effect of biologically relevant ions on the corrosion products formed on alloy AZ31B: an improved understanding of magnesium corrosion.

Simulated physiological solutions mimicking human plasma have been utilized to study the in vitro corrosion of biodegradable metals. However, corrosion and corrosion product formation are different for different solutions with varied responses and, hence, the prediction of in vivo degradation behavior is not feasible based on these studies alone. This paper reports the role of physiologically relevant salts and their concentrations on the corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy (AZ31B) and subsequent corrosion production formation.

A surface-eroding poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) coating for fully biodegradable magnesium-based stent applications: toward better biofunction, biodegradation and biocompatibility.

Biodegradable magnesium-based materials have a high potential for cardiovascular stent applications; however, there exist concerns on corrosion control and biocompatibility. A surface-eroding coating of poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) on magnesium (Mg) alloy was studied, and its dynamic degradation behavior, electrochemical corrosion, hemocompatibility and histocompatibility were investigated. The PTMC coating effectively protected the corrosion of the Mg alloy in the dynamic degradation test.