Quality of Life in Adults with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

The aims of this study were as follows: to investigate the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), to evaluate whether stress perception and mental health among patients with MAFLD affect HRQoL, and to identify the underrated burden on MAFLD patients. Nationwide data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, 2010 to 2012) were used. MAFLD was defined by a fatty liver index (FLI) of ≥60, and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) was used to assess HRQoL.

A multifunctional, one-step gas foaming strategy for antimicrobial silver nanoparticle-decorated 3D cellulose nanofiber scaffolds.

Creating nanoparticle-decorated nanofibers in a single step can greatly speed up and scale up the production of scaffolds for various applications. In this study, we report a facile multifunctional method for the simultaneous foaming and synthesis of silver nanoparticles-covered three-dimensional cellulose using sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The physicochemical properties of the 3D cellulose-Ag scaffold were evaluated and compared to 2D CA membranes, including morphology (porous 3D vs flat 2D), mechanical properties (22.

Simple conversion of 3D electrospun nanofibrous cellulose acetate into a mechanically robust nanocomposite cellulose/calcium scaffold.

Cellulose and its derivatives are widely used as nanofibrous biomaterials, but obtaining 3D cellulose nanofibers is difficult and relevant research is scarce. In the present study, we propose a simple method for converting electrospun 3D cellulose acetate/lactic acid nanofibers via calcium hydroxide treatment into a 3D cellulose/calcium lactate nanocomposite matrix. The conversion resulted in producing a stronger nanofibrous matrix (1.

Fabrication of Bioabsorbable Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid/Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Coated Stent and Investigation of Biodegradability in Porcine Animal Model.

Stent-mediated therapy is minimally invasive and fairly effective for the specific tissue and organs with tubal structures such as the esophagus, intestine, and blood vessels. Cerebral arteries are one of the most critical tubal structures to maintain the physiological function and the life of the human. Since the retrieval of the implanted vascular stent is difficult and risky, the one-step stent therapy is imperative.

Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Alginate Porous Scaffold Incorporated with Decellularized Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum Particle for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Deer antler velvet (DAV), Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum, has been known for the outstanding growth rate and used in extracted liquid form in oriental herbal medicine for the tissue regeneration. The DAV is also famous for the abundance of many different minerals, proteins, growth factors and interleukins. The immense amount of DAV is consumed to produce DAV extract in Asian countries.

Quartz Crystal Nanobalance-Dissipation Based Simulation Model as Pre-Clinical Modality for Blood Coagulation Behavior for Evaluation of the Risk of Thrombosis.

In search of ideal treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD), various types of stents for preventing closure or stenosis have been developed. In particular, drug-eluting stents (DES), the most recently introduced class of coronary stents, has significantly reduced the incidence of restenosis by inhibiting hyperplasia of the intimal layer at the reperfusion site. On the other hand, recent studies reported the potential adverse effects of anti-proliferative drugs loaded on DES.

In Situ Biological Transmutation of Catalytic Lactic Acid Waste into Calcium Lactate in a Readily Processable Three-Dimensional Fibrillar Structure for Bone Tissue Engineering.

A bioinspired three-dimensional (3D) fibrous structure possesses biomimicry, valuable functionality, and performance to scaffolding in tissue engineering. In particular, an electrospun fibrous mesh has been studied as a scaffold material in various tissue regeneration applications. We produced a low-density 3D polycaprolactone/lactic acid (LA) fibrous mesh (3D-PCLS) via the novel lactic-assisted 3D electrospinning technique exploiting the catalytic properties of LA as we reported previously.

Synthesis of Uprightly Grown Hierarchical Multi-Metallic Nano-Needles on Electrospun Fiber Surface.

In the thriving field of nano-materials science, the nanofibrous structure with immobilizednanoparticles (NPs) inside or outside of the fibers currently received great interest for their potential synergic effects. In the cooperative combining strategy, electrospun nanofibers in a tailored manner are promising materials as a platform to mutually gain both advantages of the interconnected fibrous structure and unique properties of NPs. Herein, we presented the one-step fabrication method for synthesis of novel uprightly stood extra-long hierarchical multi-metallic (Fe/Cu/S) nano-needles (NNs) on polyurethane (PU) electrospun nanofibers (PU@FeCuS).

Development of Highly Expandable Wrinkled Nanofiber Mat Using Metal Bundle Collector.

Nanofibers are used to improve performance in various fields such as biosensors and medical scaffolds. However, when it is used closely with a biological tissue, it is difficult to properly implement the original function due to the deformation caused by the constant movement of tissue. In this study, we developed a wrinkled nanofiber mats with excellent expandability using a novel metal bundle collector.

Fabrication of 3D Electrospun Polycaprolactone Sponge Incorporated with Pt@AuNPs for Biomedical Applications.

Here, we report the synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber incorporated with core-satellite platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs, 2-3 nm) coated gold nanospheres (AuNPs, 30 nm) via the simple lactic acid assisted self-assembly electrospinning technique. The Pt-AuNPs nanoparticle in core-satellite form has been prepared by following solution based methods and characterized with TEM, HR-TEM, UV-Visible, and XRD spectroscopic techniques. The surface morphology and structural analysis of 3D nanofiber scaffolds have been performed with FTIR, TGA, FESEM, and HR-TEM analysis techniques and shown the successful preparation of 3D electrospun fibrous structure composed of Pt-AuNPs loaded PCL (PCL@Pt-AuNPs) as a potential biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications.

Synthesis of polypyrrole nanorods via sacrificial removal of aluminum oxide nanopore template: A study on cell viability, electrical stimulation and neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

Synthesis of nanomaterials having uniform shape and size is a challenging task. Properties exhibited by such substrates would be compatible and homogeneous compared to the average properties displayed by those substrates with heterogeneous size. Herein, we report the synthesis of polypyrrole nanorods (PPy-NRs) of almost uniform size via oxidative chemical polymerization of pyrrole within anodized aluminum oxide nanopores followed by sacrificial removal of the template.

QCN-Based Analysis for Predicting the Quality of Resulting Electrospun Nanofiber: Effect of Real-Time Transient Rheological Properties of Precursor Solution on Electrospinning.

There is a large margin between the mechanical properties and morphology of electrospun fibers required in each area. The produced fibers show a large difference depending on the external environment such as temperature, humidity, and season even in optimum concentration and same electrospinning set-up. The properties of polymer solution among the parameters are the largest determinant of the mechanical strength and diameter of electrospun fibers.

pH/NIR-Responsive Polypyrrole-Functionalized Fibrous Localized Drug-Delivery Platform for Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

Localized drug-delivery systems (LDDSs) are a promising approach for cancer treatment because they decrease systematic toxicity and enhance the therapeutic effect of the drugs via site-specific delivery of active compounds and possible gradual release. However, the development of LDDS with rationally controlled drug release and intelligent functionality holds great challenge. To this end, we have developed a tailorable fibrous site-specific drug-delivery platform functionalized with pH- and near-infrared (NIR)-responsive polypyrrole (PPy), with the aim of cancer treatment via a combination of photothermal ablation and chemotherapy.

Development of Nanofiber Reinforced Double Layered Cabin Air Filter Using Novel Upward Mass Production Electrospinning Set Up.

Recently, numerous researchers are interested in the development of new air filter because of air pollution caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization. The major concerns in developing air filters are: pressure drop and filtration efficiency which are considered significant. As the pressure drop increases, the energy consumption becomes high.

Bioengineered Osteoinductive Broussonetia kazinoki/Silk Fibroin Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

In this article, Broussonetia kazinoki (BK) powdery extract is utilized to modify the silk fibroin (SF) scaffold and applied to the bone defect area. The BK/SF scaffold is an efficient cell carrier which promotes cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs (bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells). We confirmed biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation capacity of BK/SF scaffolds compared to pristine SF scaffold in both in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

A Controlled Design of Aligned and Random Nanofibers for 3D Bi-functionalized Nerve Conduits Fabricated via a Novel Electrospinning Set-up.

Scaffolds made of aligned nanofibers are favorable for nerve regeneration due to their superior nerve cell attachment and proliferation. However, it is challenging not only to produce a neat mat or a conduit form with aligned nanofibers but also to use these for surgical applications as a nerve guide conduit due to their insufficient mechanical strength. Furthermore, no studies have been reported on the fabrication of aligned nanofibers and randomly-oriented nanofibers on the same mat.