Poly(l-Histidine)-Mediated On-Demand Therapeutic Delivery of Roughened Ceria Nanocages for Treatment of Chemical Eye Injury.

Development of topical bioactive formulations capable of overcoming the low bioavailability of conventional eye drops is critically important for efficient management of ocular chemical burns. Herein, a nanomedicine strategy is presented to harness the surface roughness-controlled ceria nanocages (SRCNs) and poly(l-histidine) surface coatings for triggering multiple bioactive roles of intrinsically therapeutic nanocarriers and promoting transport across corneal epithelial barriers as well as achieving on-demand release of dual drugs [acetylcholine chloride (ACh) and SB431542] at the lesion site. Specifically, the high surface roughness helps improve cellular uptake and therapeutic activity of SRCNs while exerting a negligible impact on good ocular biocompatibility of the nanomaterials.

Highly Retina-Permeating and Long-Acting Resveratrol/Metformin Nanotherapeutics for Enhanced Treatment of Macular Degeneration.

The development of therapeutics for effective treatments of retinal diseases is significantly constrained by various biological barriers. We herein report a nanomedicine strategy to develop nanotherapeutics featured with not only high retinal permeability but also sustained bioactive delivery. Specifically, the nanotherapeutics are rationally designed via aminolysis of resveratrol-encapsulated polycaprolactone nanoparticles (R@PCL NPs), followed by the formation of amide linkages with carboxyl-terminated transacting activator of transcription cell penetrating peptide (T) and metformin (M).

eGAC3D: enhancing depth adaptive convolution and depth estimation for monocular 3D object pose detection.

Many alternative approaches for 3D object detection using a singular camera have been studied instead of leveraging high-precision 3D LiDAR sensors incurring a prohibitive cost. Recently, we proposed a novel approach for 3D object detection by employing a ground plane model that utilizes geometric constraints named GAC3D to improve the results of the deep-based detector. GAC3D adopts an adaptive depth convolution to replace the traditional 2D convolution to deal with the divergent context of the image's feature, leading to a significant improvement in both training convergence and testing accuracy on the KITTI 3D object detection benchmark.

Oxidation-mediated scaffold engineering of hyaluronic acid-based microcarriers enhances corneal stromal regeneration.

The functional design of scaffolding biomaterials with potent capabilities of promoting cell adhesion and proliferation is critically important for tissue repair and regeneration. Here, we exploit the effects of oxidation level of aldehyde hyaluronic acid (oHA) on gelatin microcarriers for repairing corneal injuries. Specifically, high oxidation levels can endow the microcarrier surface with large oHA grafting amount, smooth topography, and strong stiffness, consequently formulating biocompatible scaffolding materials with superior affinities for keratocyte attachment and growth.

Thermogels containing sulfated hyaluronan as novel topical therapeutics for treatment of ocular surface inflammation.

The development of long lasting therapeutic agents is critically important for efficient treatment of chronic diseases. We herein report a rational strategy to develop a therapeutic thermogel featured with prolonged anti-inflammatory and corneal-protective effects. Specifically, a hyaluronic acid with different sulfation degrees and an amine-terminated poly(-isopropylacrylamide) are conjugated to achieve the thermogels.

GAC3D: improving monocular 3D object detection with ground-guide model and adaptive convolution.

Monocular 3D object detection has recently become prevalent in autonomous driving and navigation applications due to its cost-efficiency and easy-to-embed to existent vehicles. The most challenging task in monocular vision is to estimate a reliable object's location cause of the lack of depth information in RGB images. Many methods tackle this ill-posed problem by directly regressing the object's depth or take the depth map as a supplement input to enhance the model's results.

Visible-Light-Assisted Photoelectrochemical Biosensing of Uric Acid Using Metal-Free Graphene Oxide Nanoribbons.

In this study, we demonstrate the visible-light-assisted photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing of uric acid (UA) by using graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) as PEC electrode materials. Specifically, GONRs with controlled properties were synthesized by the microwave-assisted exfoliation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. For the detection of UA, GONRs were adopted to modify either a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) or a glassy carbon electrode (GCE).

The characteristics of coalbed water and coal in a coal seam situated in the Red River Basin, Vietnam.

An in-depth understanding of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of coal mines is helpful in establishing an effective and successful exploration program of coalbed methane (CBM). This study provides a comprehensive analysis of hydrogeological characteristics, characteristics of coalbed water, and characteristics of the coal sample from a coal seam located in the Red River Basin (RRB). These physicochemical characteristics along with the microbial composition of coalbed water were critically analyzed.

Tailoring therapeutic properties of silver nanoparticles for effective bacterial keratitis treatment.

The formulation of nanoparticles with intrinsically therapeutic properties in a tailorable and appropriate manner is critical in nanomedicine for effective treatments of infectious diseases. Here, we present a biomedical strategy to formulate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as intrinsically therapeutic agents for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) keratitis.

Harnessing the tunable cavity of nanoceria for enhancing Y-27632-mediated alleviation of ocular hypertension.

Y-27632 is a potent ophthalmic drug for the treatment of ocular hypertension, a globally prevalent eye disease. However, the sustained delivery of Y-27632 by a therapeutic carrier to lesion sites located in the inner segments of the eye for effectively treating the ocular disorder still remains challenging. To realize the goal, a strategy based on solvothermal-assisted deposition/infiltration in combination with surface modification is utilized to synthesize hollow mesoporous ceria nanoparticles (HMCNs) with tailorable shell thicknesses and drug release profiles.

Edge-Rich Interconnected Graphene Mesh Electrode with High Electrochemical Reactivity Applicable for Glucose Detection.

The development of graphene structures with controlled edges is greatly desired for understanding heterogeneous electrochemical (EC) transfer and boosting EC applications of graphene-based electrodes. We herein report a facile, scalable, and robust method to produce graphene mesh (GM) electrodes with tailorable edge lengths. Specifically, the GMs were fabricated at 850 °C under a vacuum level of 0.

Toward understanding the purely geometric effects of silver nanoparticles on potential application as ocular therapeutics via treatment of bacterial keratitis.

Understanding a complex interaction between therapeutic nanoparticles and biological entities is crucially important for the development of effective disease treatments in the modern nanopharmaceuticals and nanomedicines. Herein, we present a strategy to thoroughly assess geometrical impacts of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, one of the most promising nanotherapeutic agents) on their biological activities toward treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-induced keratitis.

Preoperative embolization of high-flow peripheral AVMs using plug and push technique with low-density NBCA/Lipiodol.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) embolization is considered as a promising option either its single treatment or in combination with surgery, and the use of low-density N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)/Lipiodol is acceptable mixture agents but its application should be performed by experienced endovascular teams. We describe a successful case preoperative embolization of high-flow AVMs with low-density NBCA/Lipiodol. A 26-year-old male patient was hospitalized with a big pulsatile mass at the right thigh.

Long-acting mucoadhesive thermogels for improving topical treatments of dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is the most common ocular disorder that causes persistent discomfort and blurry vision in patients. Despite pharmacotherapy strategies, the current topical administration of eye drops remains a great challenge owing to their low bioavailability and short residence time. Herein, we demonstrate an effective topical treatment of DED via rational design of a long-acting and mucoadhesive drug delivery system.

Effects of shell thickness of hollow poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles on sustained drug delivery for pharmacological treatment of glaucoma.

Structural designing of carriers with extended drug release profiles is critically important for achieving long-acting drug delivery systems toward efficient managements of chronic diseases. Here, we present a strategy to exploit the effects of the shell thickness of hollow poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (HPLA NPs) in sustained glaucoma therapy. Formulations based on pilocarpine-loaded HPLA NPs with tailorable shell thickness ranging from 10 to 100 nm were shown to be highly compatible with human lens epithelial cells in vitro and with rabbit eyes in vivo.

Dually functional hollow ceria nanoparticle platform for intraocular drug delivery: A push beyond the limits of static and dynamic ocular barriers toward glaucoma therapy.

Delivery of ophthalmic drugs to the interior parts of the eye for effective treatment of glaucoma (i.e., a chronic disease) remains a huge challenge because of the well-known static and dynamic ocular barriers.

The role of aromatic ring number in phenolic compound-conjugated chitosan injectables for sustained therapeutic antiglaucoma efficacy.

The development of long-lasting therapeutic drug delivery system is greatly desired for effective treatment of glaucoma, a chronic and multifactorial disease. Herein, the roles of aromatic ring number in phenolic compound-conjugated chitosan injectables are exploited for achieving an advanced drug carrier with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Low and high number of aromatic rings can induce deleterious impacts on the pharmaceutical applications of injectables, whereas the compound with a moderate ring number is proved as the most efficient agent for boosting drug delivery performances and endowing the chitosan injectables with therapeutic properties.

Benzoic acid derivative-modified chitosan-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide): Methoxylation effects and pharmacological treatments of Glaucoma-related neurodegeneration.

Long-acting drug delivery systems with advanced functionalities are critically important to pharmacologically treat glaucomatous optic neuropathy, a chronic and multifactorial neurodegenerative disease. Here, a novel strategy based on the methoxylation effects of benzoic acid derivatives was exploited to rationally design a biodegradable and injectable thermogel, which possesses potent antioxidant activities and sustained drug delivery abilities for treating glaucomatous nerve damage. In particular, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid, consisting of two methoxyl groups and one hydroxyl group at the position para to the carboxylic group, was demonstrated to contribute to the strong antioxidant activities of a chitosan-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) biomaterial while maintaining the drug encapsulation/release efficiencies of the thermogel.

Dendritic Effects of Injectable Biodegradable Thermogels on Pharmacotherapy of Inflammatory Glaucoma-Associated Degradation of Extracellular Matrix.

The development of advanced drug delivery systems with extensively sustained release and multiple functions is highly imperative for effective attenuation of the degradation of ocular extracellular matrix that is associated with inflammatory glaucoma. Here, the generation of amine-terminated polyamidoamine dendrimers in an injectable biodegradable thermogel is demonstrated to be important for achieving prolonged drug release profiles and potent anti-inflammatory effects. Among various generations (Gx, x = 0, 1, 3, 5), third-generation G3 is proved as the most effective material for optimizing the synergistic effects of gelatin and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and generating a thermogel with the highest biodegradation resistance, the best drug encapsulation/extended-release performance, and the best ability to reduce the elevated expression of inflammatory molecules.

Hollow Few-Layer Graphene-Based Structures from Parafilm Waste for Flexible Transparent Supercapacitors and Oil Spill Cleanup.

We report a versatile strategy to exploit parafilm waste as a carbon precursor for fabrication of freestanding, hollow few-layer graphene fiber mesh (HFGM) structures without use of any gaseous carriers/promoters via an annealing route. The freestanding HFGMs possess good mechanical flexibility, tailorable transparency, and high electrical conductivity, consequently qualifying them as promising electrochemical electrodes. Because of the hollow spaces, electrolyte ions can easily access into and contact with interior surfaces of the graphene fibers, accordingly increasing electrode/electrolyte interfacial area.

Layer Control of Tubular Graphene for Corrosion Inhibition of Nickel Wires.

Corrosion protection of complex surface is an active area of research due to its importance to commercial applications such as electrochemical fabrication. However, conventional coatings exhibit limited conductivity, thermal stability, and durability and are thus not suitable. Recent work has shown the potential of graphene, a two-dimensional carbon allotrope, for corrosion protection.

Macroscopic, freestanding, and tubular graphene architectures fabricated via thermal annealing.

Manipulation of individual graphene sheets/films into specific architectures at macroscopic scales is crucially important for practical uses of graphene. We present herein a versatile and robust method based on annealing of solid carbon precursors on nickel templates and thermo-assisted removal of poly(methyl methacrylate) under low vacuum of ∼0.6 Pa for fabrication of macroscopic, freestanding, and tubular graphene (TG) architectures.

Low vacuum annealing of cellulose acetate on nickel towards transparent conductive CNT-graphene hybrid films.

We report a versatile method based on low vacuum annealing of cellulose acetate on nickel (Ni) surface for rapid fabrication of graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT)-graphene hybrid films with tunable properties. Uniform films mainly composed of tri-layer graphene can be achieved via a surface precipitation of dissociated carbon at 800 °C for 30 seconds under vacuum conditions of ∼0.6 Pa.

Controlled growth of carbon nanotube-graphene hybrid materials for flexible and transparent conductors and electron field emitters.

We report a versatile synthetic process based on rapid heating and cooling chemical vapor deposition for the growth of carbon nanotube (CNT)-graphene hybrid materials where the thickness of graphene and density of CNTs are properly controlled. Graphene films are demonstrated as an efficient barrier layer for preventing poisoning of iron nanoparticles, which catalyze the growth of CNTs on copper substrates. Based on this method, the opto-electronic and field emission properties of graphene integrated with CNTs can be remarkably tailored.