A review on multifunctional calcium alginate fibers for full-time and multipurposed wound treatment: From fundamentals to advanced applications.

Recent progress in wound healing has highlighted the need for more effective treatment strategies capable of addressing the complex biological and physiological challenges of wound repair. Traditional wound dressings often fail to address the complex and evolving needs of chronic, acute, and burn wounds, particularly in terms of promoting healing, preventing infection, and supporting tissue regeneration. In response to these challenges, calcium alginate fibers (CAFs) have emerged as promising materials, characterized by their exceptional structural properties and diverse biological functions, offering significant commercial potential for the development of advanced wound dressings and therapeutic solutions.

Novel ruthenium(II) complex-based two-photon luminescent probe for visualizing biothiols in ferroptosis-mediated hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ferroptosis exhibits a critical role in the occurrence and progression of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), which is closely linked to the down regulation of biothiols. Visualization of biothiols in ferroptosis is of great significance for elucidating the pathological mechanism of HIRI as well as developing new clinical treatment strategies. However, reliable tools for monitoring biothiols and demonstrating their dynamic changes in ferroptosis-mediated HIRI are still lacking.

All-aqueous microfluidic fabrication of calcium alginate/alkylated chitosan core-shell microparticles with time-sequential functions for promoting whole-stage wound healing.

Wound healing comprises a series of complex physiological processes, including hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Designing new functional biomaterials by biological macromolecules with tailored therapeutic effects to precisely match the unique requirements of each stage is cherished but rarely discussed. Here, we employ all-aqueous microfluidics to fabricate multifunctional core-shell microparticles aimed at promoting whole-stage wound healing.

Thermo-responsive aqueous two-phase system for two-level compartmentalization.

Hierarchical compartmentalization responding to changes in intracellular and extracellular environments is ubiquitous in living eukaryotic cells but remains a formidable task in synthetic systems. Here we report a two-level compartmentalization approach based on a thermo-responsive aqueous two-phase system (TR-ATPS) comprising poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and dextran (DEX). Liquid membraneless compartments enriched in PNIPAM are phase-separated from the continuous DEX solution via liquid-liquid phase separation at 25 °C and shrink dramatically with small second-level compartments generated at the interface, resembling the structure of colloidosome, by increasing the temperature to 35 °C.

Microfluidic-based cardiovascular systems for advanced study of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a significant global health concern due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Extensive efforts have been made to replicate the cardiovascular system and explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of AS. Microfluidics has emerged as a valuable technology for modeling the cardiovascular system and studying AS.

Aqueous-Aqueous Triboelectric Nanogenerators Empowered Multifunctional Wound Healing System with Intensified Current Output for Accelerating Infected Wound Repair.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising devices for generating self-powered therapeutic electrical stimulation over multiple aspects of wound healing. However, the challenge of achieving full 100% contact in conventional TENGs presents a substantial hurdle in the quest for higher current output, which is crucial for further improving healing efficacy. Here, a novel multifunctional wound healing system is presented by integrating the aqueous-aqueous triboelectric nanogenerators (A-A TENGs) with a functionalized conductive hydrogel, aimed at advancing infected wound therapy.

Microbially Inspired Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Pathway Integrated Polyelectrolyte Capsules (MICPC) for Biomolecules Release.

Complexation between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes offers a facile single-step strategy for assembling functional micro-nano carriers for efficient drug and vaccine delivery. However, the stability of the delivery system within the physiological environment is compromised due to the swelling of the polyelectrolyte complex, driven by the charge shielding effect, and consequently leads to uncontrollable burst release, thereby limiting its potential applications. In a pioneering approach, cellular pathway-inspired calcium carbonate precipitation pathways are developed that are integrated into polyelectrolyte capsules (MICPC).

Robust and Wet Adhesive Self-Gelling Powders for Rapid Hemostasis and Efficient Wound Healing.

Healing traumatic wounds is arduous, leaving miscellaneous demands for ideal wound dressings, such as rapid hemostasis, superior wet tissue adhesion, strong mechanical properties, and excellent antibacterial activity. Herein, we report a self-gelling, wet adhesive, stretchable (polyethylenimine/poly(dimethylammonium chloride)/(poly(acrylic acid)/poly(sodium styrenesulfonate)/alkylated chitosan)) ((PEI/PDDA)/(PAA/PSS)/ACS) powder as a new option. The self-gel utilizes noncovalent interactions among in situ formed PDDA/PSS nanoparticles and PEI/PAA polymetric matrices to earn sensational mechanical properties and tensile strength while incorporating ACS to obtain fast hemostasis and therapeutic capacities.

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF-8) Decorated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded Doxorubicin Hydrochloride for Osteosarcoma Treatment - in vitro and in vivo Preclinical Studies.

Background: As a broad-spectrum antitumorigenic agent, doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used as a chemotherapeutic drug for treating osteosarcoma (OS). Still, it is associated with significant cell toxicity and ineffective drug delivery, whereas the zeolite imidazolate framework is extensively applied in the biomedical field as a carrier owing to its favorable biocompatibility, high porosity, and pH-responsiveness. Therefore, we need to develop a drug delivery platform that can effectively increase the antitumorigenic effect of the loaded drug and concurrently minimize drug toxicity.

All-aqueous microfluidic printing of multifunctional bioactive microfibers promote whole-stage wound healing.

Wound healing involves multi-stages of physiological responses, including hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Satisfying all demands throughout different stages remains a rarely addressed challenge. Here we introduce an innovative all-aqueous microfluidic printing technique for fabricating multifunctional bioactive microfibers, effectively contributing to all four phases of the healing process.

Triboelectric Nanogenerators-Based Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation on Skin: from Fundamentals to Advanced Applications.

Discovery of the amazing and vital therapeutic roles of electrical stimulation (ES) on skin has sparked tremendous efforts to investigate ES suppliers. Among them, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), as a self-sustainable bioelectronic system, can generate self-powered and biocompatible ES for achieving superior therapeutic effects on skin applications. Here, a brief review of the application of TENGs-based ES on skin is presented, with specific discussions of the fundamentals of TENGs-based ES and its feasibility to be applied for adjusting physiological and pathological processes of skin.

AIEgen-Conjugated Phase-Separating Peptides Illuminate Intracellular RNA through Coacervation-Induced Emission.

Intrinsically disordered peptides drive dynamic liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in membraneless organelles and encode cellular functions in response to environmental stimuli. Engineering design on phase-separating peptides (PSPs) holds great promise for bioimaging, vaccine delivery, and disease theranostics. However, recombinant PSPs are devoid of robust luminogen or suitable cell permeability required for intracellular applications.

Functional nano-systems for transdermal drug delivery and skin therapy.

Transdermal drug delivery is one of the least intrusive and patient-friendly ways for therapeutic agent administration. Recently, functional nano-systems have been demonstrated as one of the most promising strategies to treat skin diseases by improving drug penetration across the skin barrier and achieving therapeutically effective drug concentrations in the target cutaneous tissues. Here, a brief review of functional nano-systems for promoting transdermal drug delivery is presented.

Bacterial infection microenvironment-responsive porous microspheres by microfluidics for promoting anti-infective therapy.

The overuse of antibiotics for treating bacterial infection has caused severe bacterial resistance and become a public health threat worldwide. It is desired to develop novel antibiotic delivery systems as efficient antibacterial strategies for promoting anti-infective therapy. Herein, the AgNPs-loaded -[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethyl ammonium) propyl] chitosan (HTCC)/hyaluronic acid (HA) porous microspheres (HHPMs) by microfluidics have been developed as novel bacterial infection microenvironment (IME)-responsive antibiotic delivery systems for promoting antimicrobial therapy.

All-Aqueous Microfluidics Fabrication of Multifunctional Bioactive Microcapsules Promotes Wound Healing.

Wound healing involves multiple stages of body responses, including hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. New material design satisfying all demands throughout different stages of wound healing is cherished but rarely discussed. Here we introduce all-aqueous multiphase microfluidics as a novel strategy to fabricate self-assembled, multifunctional alkylated chitosan/alginate microcapsules (SAAMs) as novel therapeutic materials for rapid blood coagulation and wound healing.

Microfluidic-based functional materials: new prospects for wound healing and beyond.

As a popular clinical research topic, the use of functional materials to promote wound healing has attracted significant attention. Microfluidics has been demonstrated as one of the most promising and versatile technologies to fabricate high-performance functional materials contributing to all physiological stages of wound healing. In this respect, we review the state-of-the-art advances in the development of microfluidics for functional material preparation with key applications in wound healing.

Microfluidic generation of multifunctional core-shell microfibers promote wound healing.

Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving four coordinated stages, including hemostasis, anti-inflammatory, repair, and epithelial formation. Herein, multifunctional core-shell alkylated chitosan/calcium alginate microfibers are fabricated as a novel strategy for promoting wound healing by contributing to each four stages in the entire healing process. Taking advantages of the microfluidic technology, the core-shell microfibers can be generated in a continuous and convenient manner through the interfacial assembly between alkylated chitosan and Na-alginate, as well as the simultaneous crosslink between calcium and the alginate.

Liquid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator based on the immiscible interface of an aqueous two-phase system.

Solid nanogenerators often have limited charge transfer due to their low contact area. Liquid-liquid nanogenerators can transfer a charge better than the solid-solid and solid-liquid counterparts. However, the precise manipulation of the liquid morphology remains a challenge because of the fluidity limits of the liquid.

Efficient epidermal delivery of antibiotics by self-assembled lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced therapy on epidermal bacterial infections.

The treatment for epidermal bacterial infections has become a primary healthy concern, producing a significant therapeutic challenge. Here we present a facile strategy to fabricate lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (LCNPs) for efficient epidermal drug delivery over epidermal bacterial infections. The central rotatable composite design method was used for the optimization of the preparation, and that the optimal size (212.

Iodinated cyanine dye-based nanosystem for synergistic phototherapy and hypoxia-activated bioreductive therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied in cancer treatment by utilizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill cancer cells. However, the effectiveness of PDT is greatly reduced due to local hypoxia. Hypoxic activated chemotherapy combined with PDT is expected to be a novel strategy to enhance anti-cancer therapy.

Normalization of the tumor microvasculature based on targeting and modulation of the tumor microenvironment.

Angiogenesis is an essential process for tumor development. Owing to the imbalance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, the tumor vasculature possesses the characteristics of tortuous, hyperpermeable vessels and compressive force, resulting in a reduction in the effect of traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Anti-angiogenesis has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Bifunctional alginate/chitosan stabilized perfluorohexane nanodroplets as smart vehicles for ultrasound and pH responsive delivery of anticancer agents.

The combination of ultrasound and chemotherapy has been proposed as a promising strategy to achieve a better anticancer therapeutic efficacy. Here we present a facile strategy to construct novel bifunctional nanodroplets as smart vehicles for ultrasound and pH responsive delivery of anticancer agents. PFH is used as core and chitosan/alginate complexes are used as the stable shells of the nanodroplets.

Microfluidics in cardiovascular disease research: state of the art and future outlook.

Due to extremely severe morbidity and mortality worldwide, it is worth achieving a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Tremendous effort has been made to replicate the cardiovascular system and investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Microfluidics can be used as a versatile primary strategy to achieve a holistic picture of cardiovascular disease.