Engineering soft-hard tissue interfaces in dental and craniofacial system by spatially controlled bioactivities.

The interface between soft and hard tissues is constituted by a gradient change of cell types and matrix compositions that are optimally designed for proper load transmission and injury protection. In the musculoskeletal system, the soft-hard tissue interfaces at tendon-bone, ligament-bone, and meniscus-bone have been extensively researched as regenerative targets. Similarly, extensive research efforts have been made to guide the regeneration of multi-tissue complexes in periodontium.

A biopsy-sized 3D skin model with a perifollicular vascular plexus enables studying immune cell trafficking in the skin.

Human skin vasculature features a unique anatomy in close proximity to the skin appendages and acts as a gatekeeper for constitutive lymphocyte trafficking to the skin. Approximating such structural complexity and functionality in 3D skin models is an outstanding tissue engineering challenge. In this study, we leverage the capabilities of the digital-light-processing bioprinting to generate an anatomically-relevant and miniaturized 3D skin-on-a-chip (3D-SoC) model in the size of a 6 mm punch biopsy.

The relationship between shift work pattern and thyroid stimulating hormone in female workers.

Background: Shift work is known to cause changes in the circadian rhythm of the human body and adversely affect not only physical health but also mental health. Some studies have demonstrated the correlation between shift work and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone that changes according to the diurnal rhythm, but few studies have reported the different TSH levels according to the shift work type. This study aimed to investigate changes in TSH according to the shift work type.

Association between coronavirus disease 2019-related workplace interventions and prevalence of depression and anxiety.

Background: Although coronavirus disease 2019 is causing a variety of psychological problems for workers, there are few longitudinal studies on changes in workers' mental health by workplace intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the change in the prevalence of depression and anxiety according to the active involvement of the workplace.

Methods: This study was conducted on 1,978 workers at a workplace who underwent a health screening from January 2019 to August 2020, and classified depression and anxiety disorders using a self-report questionnaire.

Enhanced reliability of phase-change memory modulation of local structure and chemical bonding by incorporating carbon in GeSbTe.

In this study, we investigated the effect of phase-change characteristics on the device performance of carbon-incorporated GeSbTe (CGST) to understand the origin of the enhanced reliability and stabilization of the device. Macroscopic and microscopic measurements confirmed that the structural stability significantly increased with the incorporation of as much as 10% carbon. After the completion of bond formation between C and Ge, the excess C (>5 atomic%) engages in bonding with Sb in localized regions because of the difference in formation energy.

A Study on the Fabrication of an Effective Natural Substance Based on Extracted Fermentation.

Purpose: In this study, a high-efficiency extract (SCE) produced by the fermentation of effective microorganisms (EM) was used as an antioxidant material in preparing cosmetic products.

Subjects And Methods: We conducted the study by extracting via EM fermentation to increase the efficiency. Tyrosinase inhibitory factor analysis, pH, and thermal stability were measured to verify the properties of the prepared products.

Direct growth of flower like-structured CuFe oxide on graphene supported nickel foam as an effective sensor for glucose determination.

In this report, a novel flower like-structured CuFe oxides was directly grown on graphene nanosheets supported nickel foam substrates (CuFe-O/GR/NF) via a hydrothermal method followed by an additionally pyrolysis process. The different morphologies consistent with varied synthesis conditions, along with their catalytic activity were discussed. The CuFe-O/GR/NF material was successfully applied as an electrocatalyst for sensing glucose with a wide linear concentration range of 0.

N-doped graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid networks attaching with gold nanoparticles for glucose non-enzymatic sensor.

Herein, we successfully developed a novel three dimensional (3D) opened networks based on nitrogen doped graphene‑carbon nanotubes attaching with gold nanoparticles (N-GR-CNTs/AuNPs) to apply for non-enzymatic glucose determination. It was demonstrated that the N-GR-CNTs/AuNPs modified electrode exhibited good behavior for glucose detection with a long linear range of 2 μM to 19.6 mM, high sensitivity of 0.

Biomass Fly Ash as an Alternative Approach for Synthesis of Amorphous Silica Nanoparticles with High Surface Area.

In this study, the monodisperse amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) with uniform size distribution and high surface area were successfully synthesized from fly ash as a silica source by chemical sol-gel method. The influence of reaction conditions such as surfactant concentration, aging temperature (Ta), and aging time (Ta) on formation of SiO2 NPs was investigated. Through SEM characterization, it was founded that the uniform and small spherical SiO2 NPs with diameter of 20-30 nm could be synthesized at the appropriate CTAB content of 3 wt%, Ta of 60 °C, and Ta of 8 h.

Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of an ultrafine AuPt nanoalloy framework embedded in graphene towards epinephrine sensing.

A novel hierarchical nanoporous thin film of AuPt alloy embedded in graphene (AuPt@GR) was successfully synthesized through the self-assembly of ultrafine AuPt nanoparticles (~3nm) within GR sheets by means of a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) procedure without the use of any external organic capping agent and reducing agent. A binder-free sensor based on the AuPt@GR hybrid material was fabricated and its electrocatalytic activity was evaluated by using it to determine epinephrine (EP) in PBS solution (pH=7.4) and in human serum spiked PBS solution.

Resveratrol cross-linked chitosan loaded with phospholipid for controlled release and antioxidant activity.

Despite the therapeutic effects of resveratrol, its clinical application is restricted by its poor oral bioavailability and low water solubility. To overcome these physicochemical and pharmacokinetic limitations, encapsulation of resveratrol (RV) into nanodevices has been explored. Resveratrol cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles modified with phospholipids (RVC-lipid) were synthesized using a double emulsion technique.

Flexure-based device for cyclic strain-mediated osteogenic differentiation.

Application of low-magnitude strains to cells on small-thickness scaffolds, such as those for rodent calvarial defect models, is problematic, because general translation systems have limitations in terms of generating low-magnitude smooth signals. To overcome this limitation, we developed a cyclic strain generator using a customized, flexure-based, translational nanoactuator that enabled generation of low-magnitude smooth strains at the subnano- to micrometer scale to cells on small-thickness scaffolds. The cyclic strain generator we developed showed predictable operational characteristics by generating a sinusoidal signal of a few micrometers (4.

A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with use of a pneumatic tourniquet during arthroscopic knee surgery.

The common causes of rhabdomyolysis include trauma, hypoxia, drugs, toxins, infections and hyperthermia. Operative insults, including direct trauma and ischemia, have the potential to cause the development of rhabdomyolysis. Pneumatic tourniquets used during arthroscopic knee surgery to prevent blood loss have led to many complications such as nerve paralysis and vascular injuries.

Hypoglycemic Effects of Exo-biopolymers Produced by Five Different Medicinal Mushrooms in STZ-induced Diabetic Rats.

Hypoglycemic effects of exo-biopolymers (EBP) produced by submerged mycelial cultures of Coriolus versicolor, Cordyceps sinensis, Paecilomyces japonica, Armillariella mellea, and Fomes fomentarius were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The rats from each experimental group were orally administered with EBPs (100 mg/kg BW) daily for 2 weeks. Though the hypoglycemic effect was achieved in all the cases, however, C.

Chemical characteristics and immuno-modulating activities of exo-biopolymers produced by Grifola frondosa during submerged fermentation process.

The immuno-modulating activities and chemical characteristics of exo-biopolymer (EX-GF) produced by a submerged mycelial culture of Grifola frondosa were studied. The EX-GF was fractionated into EX-GF-Fr.I, II, and III by Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Biopolymers Extracted from Culture Broth, Mycelia, and Fruiting Bodies of Auricularia auricula-judae in Dietary-induced Hyperlipidemic Rats.

Hypolipidemic effect of biopolymers extracted from culture broth (CP), mycelia (MP), and fruiting bodies (FP) of Auricularia auricula-judae was investigated in dietary-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The experimental animals were administrated (100 mg/kg body weight) with different biopolymers, daily for 4 weeks. Hypolipidemic effects were achieved in all the experimental groups, however, FP was proved to be the most potent one.

Macrophage-stimulating activity of polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies of Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom).

The macrophage-stimulating effect of polysaccharides extracted from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail mushroom) was investigated, and their effectiveness was compared with that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The purified polysaccharide (CV-S2-Fr.I) of C.