Topical Nanoliposomal Collagen Delivery for Targeted Fibril Formation by Electrical Stimulation.

Collagen is a complex, large protein molecule that presents a challenge in delivering it to the skin due to its size and intricate structure. However, conventional collagen delivery methods are either invasive or may affect the protein's structural integrity. This study introduces a novel approach involving the encapsulation of collagen monomers within zwitterionic nanoliposomes, termed Lip-Cols, and the controlled formation of collagen fibrils through electric fields (EF) stimulation.

A comparison of children's experiences with fixed and removable functional appliances: A qualitative study.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare children's experiences and perceptions of treatment with Hanks-Herbst (HH) and modified Twin-block (MTB) functional appliances.

Methods: A pragmatic nested qualitative study was undertaken in a single hospital setting. Participants from a randomized controlled trial (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number 11717011) wearing HH and/or MTB appliances were interviewed using a topic guide in a one-to-one, semistructured format.

A Simple Route of Printing Explosive Crystalized Micro-Patterns by Using Direct Ink Writing.

The production of energetic crystalized micro-patterns by using one-step printing has become a recent trend in energetic materials engineering. We report a direct ink writing (DIW) approach in which micro-scale energetic composites composed of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) crystals in selected ink formulations of a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) matrix are produced based on a direct phase transformation from organic, solvent-based, all-liquid ink. Using the formulated RDX ink and the DIW method, we printed crystalized RDX micro-patterns of various sizes and shapes on silicon wafers.

An Accelerated Wound-Healing Surgical Suture Engineered with an Extracellular Matrix.

A suture is a ubiquitous medical device to hold wounded tissues together and support the healing process after surgery. Surgical sutures, having incomplete biocompatibility, often cause unwanted infections or serious secondary trauma to soft or fragile tissue. In this research, UV/ozone (UVO) irradiation or polystyrene sulfonate acid (PSS) dip-coating is used to achieve a fibronectin (FN)-coated absorbable suture system, in which the negatively charged moieties produced on the suture cause fibronectin to change from a soluble plasma form into a fibrous form, mimicking the actions of cellular fibronectin upon binding.

Performance of Glass Wool Fibers in Asphalt Concrete Mixtures.

Nowadays, in order to improve asphalt pavement performance and durability and reduce environmental pollution caused by hydrocarbon materials, many researchers are studying different ways of modifying asphalt concrete (AC) and finding alternative paving materials to extend the service life of pavements. One of the successful materials used in the modification of AC is fibers. Different types of fibers have been reinforced in AC mixtures and improvements have been observed.

Recent Advances in Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices toward High-Throughput Screening.

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) have become promising tools offering various analytical applications for chemical and biological assays at the point-of-care (POC). Compared to traditional microfluidic devices, µPADs offer notable advantages; they are cost-effective, easily fabricated, disposable, and portable. Because of our better understanding and advanced engineering of µPADs, multistep assays, high detection sensitivity, and rapid result readout have become possible, and recently developed µPADs have gained extensive interest in parallel analyses to detect biomarkers of interest.

Quantitatively controllable fluid flows with ballpoint-pen-printed patterns for programmable photo-paper-based microfluidic devices.

Regulating the fluid flow in microfluidic devices enables a wide range of assay protocols for analytical applications. A programmable, photo-paper-based microfluidic device fabricated by using a method of cutting and laminating, followed by printing, is reported. The flow distance of fluid in the photo-paper-based channel was linearly proportional to time.

Improving orthodontic patients' and parents' information recall with use of audio-visual presentation and mind mapping exercises.

Design Randomised controlled trial, with blinding of operators and outcome assessors.Study population English-speaking patients aged 10 or older and parents with capacity to consent were given a 45-minute audio-visual presentation and written information on orthodontic treatment in one of three formats, either leaflets from British Orthodontic Society, generic mind map or blank mind maps.Data analysis A 30-item closed-ended questionnaire was used to test knowledge of patients and parents before (T0), at 30 minutes (T1) and 6 weeks (T2) after provision of presentation and written information.

3D paper-based microfluidic device: a novel dual-detection platform of bisphenol A.

A novel platform of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for dual detection of bisphenol A (BPA), a model analyte, was fabricated using an electronic digital plotter to create the stacked layer of μPADs and generate the lateral-flow channel without using an external pump. Two detection techniques, including electrochemical detection and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric detection (LDI-MS), were used complementarily to improve the precision in the detection of BPA. The fluid sample was delivered to both detection zones by the capillary action, automatically generated from the fabricated microfluidic device.

Inkjet-Printed Carbon Nanotubes for Fabricating a Spoof Fingerprint on Paper.

A spoof fingerprint was fabricated on paper and applied for a spoofing attack to unlock a smartphone on which a capacitive array of sensors had been embedded with a fingerprint recognition algorithm. Using an inkjet printer with an ink made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), we printed a spoof fingerprint having an electrical and geometric pattern of ridges and furrows comparable to that of the real fingerprint. With this printed spoof fingerprint, we were able to unlock a smartphone successfully; this was due to the good quality of the printed CNT material, which provided electrical conductivities and structural patterns similar to those of the real fingerprint.

Programmable Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices for Biomarker Detections.

Recent advanced paper-based microfluidic devices provide an alternative technology for the detection of biomarkers by using affordable and portable devices for point-of-care testing (POCT). Programmable paper-based microfluidic devices enable a wide range of biomarker detection with high sensitivity and automation for single- and multi-step assays because they provide better control for manipulating fluid samples. In this review, we examine the advances in programmable microfluidics, i.

Affordable Fabrication of Conductive Electrodes and Dielectric Films for a Paper-based Digital Microfluidic Chip.

In order to fabricate a digital microfluidic (DMF) chip, which requires a patterned array of electrodes coated with a dielectric film, we explored two simple methods: Ballpoint pen printing to generate the electrodes, and wrapping of a dielectric plastic film to coat the electrodes. For precise and programmable printing of the patterned electrodes, we used a digital plotter with a ballpoint pen filled with a silver nanoparticle (AgNP) ink. Instead of using conventional material deposition methods, such as chemical vapor deposition, printing, and spin coating, for fabricating the thin dielectric layer, we used a simple method in which we prepared a thin dielectric layer using pre-made linear, low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic (17-μm thick) by simple wrapping.

Effects of Silicone Oil on Electrowetting to Actuate a Digital Microfluidic Drop on Paper.

The effects of an immiscible, lubricating polydimethylsiloxane fluid, referred to as silicone oil, on the static deformation and on the dynamic motion of a water drop on paper induced by electrowetting were investigated. The deformation of a drop on a hydrophobic film of amorphous fluoropolymers top-coated with less hydrophobic silicone oil was much more predictable, reversible and reproducible than on the uncoated surface. In the dynamic tribological experiment for a sliding drop along an inclined surface, a significant decrease in the friction coefficient, with an unexpected dependency of the contact area, was observed.

Chlorhexidine gel to prevent alveolar osteitis following mandibular third molar extractions.

Data sourcesMedline/PubMed, Cochrane central, Scopus and Google scholar.Study selectionRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified by two reviewers. Unpublished studies were not considered.

Paper-Based Bimodal Sensor for Electronic Skin Applications.

We present the development of a flexible bimodal sensor using a paper platform and inkjet printing method, which are suited for low-cost fabrication processes and realization of flexible devices. In this study, we employed a vertically stacked bimodal device architecture in which a temperature sensor is stacked on top of a pressure sensor and operated on different principles, allowing the minimization of interference effects. For the temperature sensor placed in the top layer, we used the thermoelectric effect and formed a closed-loop thermocouple composed of two different printable inks (conductive PEDOT:PSS and silver nanoparticles on a flexible paper platform) and obtained temperature-sensing capability over a wide range (150 °C).

Recognition, Intervention and Management of Digit Sucking: A Clinical Guide for the General Dental Practitioner.

Digit sucking is a common habit in young children, which if allowed to continue for a prolonged period, can adversely affect the development of the face and dental occlusion. Patients with digit sucking habits often present with an increased overjet, reduced overbite, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite and possible skeletal changes which can be challenging and costly to correct if the habit is not ceased in a timely manner. This article aims to provide guidance for general dental practitioners to recognise and appropriately manage patients with a digit sucking habit.

Size-Dependent Cellular Uptake of Trans-Activator of Transcription Functionalized Nanoparticles.

We investigated the cellular uptake efficiencies of differently-sized silica nanoparticles in the presence and the absence of trans-activator of transcription (TAT) peptide. Silica nanoparticles incorporating fluorescent dye molecules with diameters of 30 to 800 nm were synthesized, and the surfaces of the silica nanoparticles were functionalized with TAT peptides or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to determine the cellular locations and the uptake efficiencies of positively-charged silica nanoparticles (APTES- and TAT-) of various sizes from 30 to 800 nm.

Actuation of digital micro drops by electrowetting on open microfluidic chips fabricated in photolithography.

Basic manipulations of discrete liquid drops on opened microfluidic chips based on electrowetting on dielectrics were described. While most developed microfluidic chips are closed systems equipped with a top plate to cover mechanically and to contact electrically to drop samples, our chips are opened systems with a single plate without any electric contact to drops directly. The chips consist of a linear array of patterned electrodes at 1.

Active digital microfluidic paper chips with inkjet-printed patterned electrodes.

Active, paper-based, microfluidic chips driven by electrowetting are fabricated and demonstrated for reagent transport and mixing. Instead of using the passive capillary force on the pulp to actuate a flow of a liquid, a group of digital drops are transported along programmed trajectories above the electrodes printed on low-cost paper, which should allow point-of-care production and diagnostic activities in the future.

Patterning of gold nanoparticles on fluoropolymer films by using patterned surface grafting and layer-by-layer deposition techniques.

The patterning of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on the surface of a fluoropolymer substrate by using patterned surface grafting and layer-by-layer deposition techniques is described. The surface of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluorovinyl ether) (PFA) substrate was selectively implanted with 150 keV proton ions. Peroxide groups were successfully formed on the implanted PFA surface, and their concentration depended on the fluence.

Analysis of thickness of a hydrophobic fluoropolymer film based on electrowetting.

The electrowetting of water drops on a dielectric fluoropolymer film was studied experimentally. The dependence of the contact angles of the water drops on the applied voltage has been well explained in the low-voltage limit by using the classical Young-Lippmann theory. With this theory, the thicknesses of films coated on glass substrates by using a spin-coater were obtained indirectly by fitting the contact angle data and were confirmed by using X-ray reflectometry.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty at C7 for the treatment of painful metastases -A case report-.

The cervical spine is a less common site for metastatic disease than is the thoracolumbar spine. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the cervical spine can be performed using an anteromedial or lateral approach. A 51-year-old woman with breast cancer had been experiencing severe weight-bearing neck pain for 2 months, even after undergoing radiation therapy.

Removal of a vertebral metastatic tumor compressing the spinal nerve roots via a single-port, transforaminal, endoscopic approach under monitored anesthesia care.

Spinal cord or nerve root compression from an epidural metastasis occurs in 5-10% of patients with cancer and in up to 40% of patients with preexisting nonspinal bone metastases. Most metastatic spine diseases arise from the vertebral column, with the posterior half of the vertebral body being the most common initial focus, and/or the paravertebral region, tracking along the spinal nerves to enter the spinal column via the intervertebral foramina. An 82-year-old man diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer and liver metastases experienced intractable pain described as being like an electric shock on the right T11 dermatome.