Synchronized long-term delivery of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 through poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles on polycaprolactone scaffolds for enhanced osteochondral regeneration.

The regeneration of osteochondral defects is challenging due to the complex structure of the osteochondral unit. This study aimed to develop a biomimetic scaffold by loading growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) into poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and incorporating them into polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds to promote synchronized osteochondral regeneration. The nanoparticles were successfully immobilized onto PCL scaffolds pre-modified with polydopamine (PDA) to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation.

Bridging polymer architecture, printability, and properties by digital light processing of block copolycarbonates.

CO-based aliphatic polycarbonates (aPCs), produced through the alternating copolymerization of epoxides with CO, present an appealing option for sustainable polymeric materials owing to their renewable feedstock and degradable characteristics. An ongoing challenge in working with aPCs is modifying their mechanical properties to meet specific demands. Herein, we report that monomer ratio and polymer architecture of aPCs impact not only printability by digital light processing (DLP) additive manufacturing, but also dictate the thermomechanical and degradation properties of the printed objects.

The Role of Copper-Induced M2 Macrophage Polarization in Protecting Cartilage Matrix in Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND The pathological mechanism of osteoarthritis is still unclear. The regulation of the immune microenvironment has been of growing interest in the progression and treatment of osteoarthritis. Macrophages with different phenotypes, producing different cytokines, have been linked to the mechanism of cartilage injury in osteoarthritis.

3D-printed antibiotic-loaded bone cement spacers as adjunctive therapy for hip periprosthetic infection after arthroplasty: A clinical assessment.

Objective: To explore the effect of three-dimensional (3D) printing to create personalized antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) spacers to assist in treatment of periprosthetic infection after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: The data of 40 patients with postoperative infection after THA were analysed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: the 3D-printing group (age 47-78 years, n = 20) and the conventional group (age 57-78 years, n = 20).

Enabling New Approaches: Recent Advances in Processing Aliphatic Polycarbonate-Based Materials.

Aliphatic polycarbonates (aPCs) have become increasingly popular as functional materials due to their biocompatibility and capacity for on-demand degradation. Advances in polymerization techniques and the introduction of new functional monomers have expanded the library of aPCs available, offering a diverse range of chemical compositions and structures. To accommodate the emerging requirements of new applications in biomedical and energy-related fields, various manufacturing techniques have been adopted for processing aPC-based materials.

Evaluation of outcomes of discectomy with a dynamic neutralization system in treatment of lumbar disk herniation.

Objective: The study aimed to explore the clinical outcomes of discectomy with dynamic neutralization system (Dynesys) for single-segmental lumbar disk herniation (LDH) versus simple discectomy.

Methods: The eligible patients with single-segmental LDH were randomly divided into the discectomy with Dynesys group (group A) and the simple discectomy group (group B). The Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog score (VAS), radiological results of intervertebral height and range of motion (ROM) of the treated segment were evaluated pre- and post-operatively in both groups.

3D Printed CO -Based Triblock Copolymers and Post-Printing Modification.

We report the facile synthesis and 3D printing of a series of triblock copolymers consisting of soft and hard blocks and demonstrate that alkene pendant groups of the hard block can be covalently modified. The polymers are prepared using a salenCo(III)TFA/PPNTFA binary catalyst system and 1,2-propanediol as a chain transfer agent, providing an efficient one-pot, two-step strategy to tailor polymer thermal and mechanical properties. Thixotropic inks suitable for direct ink write printing were formulated by dissolving the block copolymers in organic solvent and dispersing NaCl particles.

Structure-Processing-Property Relationships of 3D Printed Porous Polymeric Materials.

Imparting porosity to 3D printed polymeric materials is an attractive option for producing lightweight, flexible, customizable objects such as sensors and garments. Although methods currently exist to introduce pores into 3D printed objects, little work has explored the structure-processing-property relationships of these materials. In this study, photopolymer/sacrificial paraffin filler composite inks were produced and printed by a direct ink writing (DIW) technique that leveraged paraffin particles as sacrificial viscosity modifiers in a matrix of commercial elastomer photocurable resin.

IGF-1-releasing PLGA nanoparticles modified 3D printed PCL scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

The aim of this study is to fabricate and test a 3D-printed PCL scaffold incorporating IGF-1-releasing PLGA nanoparticles for cartilage tissue engineering. IGF-1 loaded PLGA nanoparticles were produced by the double-emulsion method, and were incorporated onto 3D printed PCL scaffolds via PDA. Particle size, loading effciency (LE) and encapsulation effciency (EE) of the nanoparticles were examined.

A Clinical Application Study of Mixed Reality Technology Assisted Lumbar Pedicle Screws Implantation.

BACKGROUND This was a prospective comparative study of mixed reality (MR) technology assisted lumbar pedicle screws placement and traditional lumbar pedicle screws placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty cases of lumbar pedicle screws placement were randomly divided into 2 groups: 25 cases with MR technology in group A, and 25 cases without MR technology in group B. All patients had their scores on the Oswestry disability index (ODI) of low back pain and the visual analog scale (VAS) of the affected lower limb recorded at pre-operation.

Conservative vs Surgical Treatment of Impacted Femoral Neck Fracture in Patients 75 Years and Older.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of conservative treatment (CST), internal fixation (IF), and hemiarthroplasty (HA) in treating patients older than 75 years with impacted femoral neck fracture (IFNF).

Design: A randomized clinical trial to compare clinical outcomes of CST, IF, and HA in IFNF patients older than 75 years with a 1:1:1 ratio.

Setting: Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Pickering Bubbles as Dual-Modality Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Contrast Agents.

Microbubbles (MBs) stabilized by particle surfactants (., Pickering bubbles) have better thermodynamic stability compared to MBs stabilized by small molecules as a result of steric hindrance against coalescence, higher diffusion resistance, and higher particle desorption energy. In addition, the use of particles to stabilize MBs that are typically used as an ultrasound (US) contrast agent can also introduce photoacoustic (PA) properties, thus enabling a highly effective dual-modality US and PA contrast agent.

Randomized trial of 3-drug combination for lumbar nerve root epidural injections with a TNF-α inhibitor in treatment of lumbar stenosis.

This study was to assess the clinical efficacy of epidural injections with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor in patients with chronic radicular pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate LSS underwent epidural intervention with three different drugs and were allocated to TNF-α inhibitor group (Group A), steroid group (Group B) and lidocaine-only group (Group C). All patients were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) to assess function.

Electrically Conductive, Reduced Graphene Oxide Structures Fabricated by Inkjet Printing and Low Temperature Plasma Reduction.

Here, an environmentally-friendly and scalable process is reported to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (RGO) thin films for printed electronics applications. The films are produced by inkjet printing GO flakes dispersed binder-free in aqueous solutions followed by treatment with a nonthermal, radio-frequency (RF) plasma containing only argon (Ar) gas. The plasma process is found to heat the substrate to temperatures no greater than 138 °C, enabling RGO to be printed directly on a wide range of temperature-sensitive substrate materials including photo paper.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty assisted with/without mixed reality technology in treatment of OVCF with IVC: a prospective study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) assisted with mixed reality (MR) technology in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with intravertebral vacuum cleft (IVC).

Method: Forty cases of OVCF with IVC undergoing PKP were randomized into a MR technology-assisted group (group A) and a traditional C-arm fluoroscopy group (group B). Both groups were performed PKP and evaluated by VAS scores, ODI scores, radiological evidence of vertebral body height, and kyphotic angle (KA) at pre-operation and post-operation.

Pickering Emulsion-Templated Encapsulation of Ionic Liquids for Contaminant Removal.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have received attention for a diverse range of applications, but their liquid nature can make them difficult to handle and process and their high viscosities can lead to suboptimal performance. As such, encapsulated ILs are attractive for their ease of handling and high surface area and have potential for improved performance in energy storage, gas uptake, extractions, and so forth. Herein, we report a facile method to encapsulate a variety of ILs using Pickering emulsions as templates, graphene oxide (GO)-based nanosheets as particle surfactants, and interfacial polymerization for stabilization.

Stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions with graphene oxide and cobalt oxide nanosheets and preparation of armored polymer particles.

Pickering emulsions are emulsions stabilized by particles instead of small molecules or polymers, and commonly consist of oil droplets dispersed into a continuous water phase with particles lying at the fluid-fluid interface. New particle surfactants are important for tuning the composition and properties of assemblies and enabling advanced applications, such as energy harvesting and management. Although most particle surfactants are spherical, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and clay platelets have garnered recent attention as 2D (i.

Ionic Liquid-Containing Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Graphene Oxide-Based Surfactants.

Emulsions stabilized by particles (i.e., Pickering emulsions) are complementary to those stabilized by small molecules or polymers and most commonly consist of oil droplets dispersed in a continuous water phase, with particles assembled at the fluid-fluid interface.

2D Particles at Fluid-Fluid Interfaces: Assembly and Templating of Hybrid Structures for Advanced Applications.

Fluid-fluid interfaces have widespread applications in personal care products, the food industry, oil recovery, mineral processes, etc. and are also important and versatile platforms for generating advanced materials. In Pickering emulsions, particles stabilize the fluid-fluid interface, and their presence reduces the interfacial energy between the two fluids.

Carbon Capsules of Ionic Liquid for Enhanced Performance of Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors.

Ion accessibility, large surface area, and complete wetting of a carbonaceous electrode by the electrolyte are crucial for high-performance electrochemical double-layer capacitors. Herein, we report a facile and scalable method to prepare electrode-electrolyte hybrid materials, where an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte is encapsulated within a shell of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets as the active electrode material (called rGO-IL capsules). These structures were templated using a Pickering emulsion consisting of a dispersed phase of 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF]) and a continuous water phase; graphene oxide nanosheets were used as the surfactant, and interfacial polymerization yielded polyurea that bound the nanosheets together to form the capsule shell.

Distinct Chemical and Physical Properties of Janus Nanosheets.

Janus particles have recently garnered significant attention for their distinct properties compared to particles that are homogeneously functionalized. Moreover, high aspect ratio Janus particles that are rod-like or planar (i.e.