Specific capture of magnesium ions by phosphorus atomic sites on self-floating nuclei advances Mg/Li separation in salt lakes brine.

Efficient magnesium-lithium separation is a critical step in extracting lithium ions from salt lakes brine. Precipitation of Mg from liquid to solid is the simplest separation method, but a side reaction of Li adsorption by precipitated floc leads to incomplete Mg/Li separation and lithium loss. In this study, we grafted phosphorus atomic sites onto silica-based nuclei with self-floating separation capability to prepare adsorbents with specific capture ability for Mg, achieving efficient Mg/Li separation from brine.

A new technique of percutaneous minimally invasive surgery assisted by magnetic resonance neurography.

Aims: In order to release the contracture band completely without damaging normal tissues (such as the sciatic nerve) in the surgical treatment of gluteal muscle contracture (GMC), we tried to display the relationship between normal tissue and contracture bands by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) images, and to predesign a minimally invasive surgery based on the MRN images in advance.

Methods: A total of 30 patients (60 hips) were included in this study. MRN scans of the pelvis were performed before surgery.

Suppressed Ion Migration by Heterojunction Layer for Stable Wide-Bandgap Perovskite and Tandem Photovoltaics.

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite has demonstrated great potential in perovskite-based tandem solar cells. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of such devices has surpassed 34%, signifying a new era for renewable energy development. However, the ion migration reduces the stability and hinders the commercialization, which is yet to be resolved despite many attempts.

Optimal ultrasonic treatment frequency and duration parameters were used to detect the pathogenic bacteria of orthopedic implant-associated infection by ultrasonic oscillation.

Intruducton: The most accurate method for detecting the pathogen of orthopedic implant-associated infections (OIAIs) is sonication fluid (SF). However, the frequency and duration of ultrasound significantly influence the number and activity of microorganisms. Currently, there is no consensus on the selection of these two parameters.

Analysis of risk factors and development of a nomogram-based prediction model for defective bony non-union.

Objective: To explore risk factors for defective non-union of bone and develop a nomogram-based prediction model for such an outcome.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed the case data of patients with defective bony non-unions who were treated at the authors' hospital between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were divided into the union and non-union groups according to their Radiographic Union Score for Tibia scores 1 year after surgery.

Multifunctional gene delivery vectors containing different liver-targeting fragments for specifically transfecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Gene therapy is a promising strategy for HCC treatment, but it commonly faces the problem of low specificity in gene transfection. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of peptide-based gene delivery vectors (H-01 to H-18) containing varied HCC cell-targeting fragments for specifically binding different receptors highly expressed on HCC cell membranes. The physicochemical properties of peptide vectors or peptide/DNA complexes were characterized, and the gene delivery abilities of peptide vectors were evaluated in HepG2 cell lines.

Transferrin receptor targeting segment T7 containing peptide gene delivery vectors for efficient transfection of brain tumor cells.

Successful gene therapy for brain tumors are often limited by two important factors, the existence of blood brain barrier (BBB) and inefficient transfection of brain tumor cells. In this study, we designed a series of peptide-based gene delivery vectors decorated with T7 segment for binding the transferrin (Tf) receptors which were highly expressed on brain tumor cells, and evaluated their ability of gene delivery. The physicochemical properties of peptide vectors or peptide/DNA complexes were studied as well.

A 3D bioprinted nano-laponite hydrogel construct promotes osteogenesis by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Development of nano-laponite as bioinks based on cell-loaded hydrogels has recently attracted significant attention for promoting bone defect repairs and regeneration. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive function of laponite in hydrogel was not fully explored. In this study, the effect of 3D bioprinted nano-laponite hydrogel construct on bone regeneration and the potential mechanism was explored and .

Pep5-based antitumor peptides containing multifunctional fragments with enhanced activity and synergistic effect.

In this study, we designed a series of hybrid peptides based on pep5-TAT (P-05), comprising antitumor segment (pep5), endosomal escape segment ((LLHH)) and cell penetrating/membrane disrupting segment (TAT, R, sC18). These peptides exhibited remarkable antitumor activity towards tumor cells (HepG2, A549). Among them, the IC values of peptide P-09 were 4.

Secondary injury and pro-inflammatory macrophages increase osteophyte growth and fracture healing in canine atrophic nonunion.

Objectives: In this study, we used a canine high-energy fracture model to examine the relationship between the early inflammatory reaction in adjacent tissues and the ability for osteophyte growth, aiming to identify causes that lead to atrophic nonunion inflammatory disease and to provide new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight models of canine femoral high energy fractures were prepared and randomly divided into groups A and B (n=24 in each group). Dogs in both groups underwent open reduction and 6-hole plate internal fixation.

Substance P containing peptide gene delivery vectors for specifically transfecting glioma cells mediated by a neurokinin-1 receptor.

Gene therapy provides a promising treatment for glioblastoma multiforme, which mainly depends on two key aspects, crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB) effectively and transfecting target cells selectively. In this work, we reported a series of peptide-based vectors for transfecting glioma cells specifically consisting of several functional segments including a cell-penetrating peptide, targeting segment substance P (SP), an endosomal escape segment, a PEG linker and a stearyl moiety. The conformations and DNA-loading capacities of peptide vectors and the self-assembly behaviors of peptide/pGL3 complexes were characterized.

Partition and stability of folic acid and caffeic acid in hollow zein particles coated with chitosan.

The carriers for hydrophobic bioactives have been extensively studied, while those for hydrophilic bioactives are still challenging. The partition of bioactives in the particles depends greatly on their solubility, interaction with carrier materials, as well as structure of carriers. In this study, chitosan-coated hollow zein particles using calcium phosphate as a sacrificing template (CS-HZ) were fabricated to co-encapsulate folic acid (FA) and caffeic acid (CA).

The effect of structural modification of antimicrobial peptides on their antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, and plasma stability.

In this article, a series of modifications were made on an antimicrobial peptide F W, including altering the amino acid sequence, introducing cysteine and other typical amino acids, developing peptide dimers via disulfide bonds, and conjugating with mPEG, in order to enhance the antimicrobial activity, plasma stability, and reduce the hemolytic activity of peptides. The results showed that mPEG conjugation could significantly improve the plasma stability and reduce the hemolytic activity of peptides, while the antimicrobial activity decreased meanwhile. However, altering the sequence of the peptide without changing its amino acid composition had little impact on its antimicrobial activity and plasma stability.

Peptide Gene Delivery Vectors for Specific Transfection of Glioma Cells.

Gene therapy offers an alternative approach to malignant glioma; however, glioma cells are difficult to transfect. Peptides, as nonviral vectors, can achieve efficient gene transfection in glioma cells due to their good biocompatibility and easy functionalization. In this article, we reported a series of peptide vectors, which were composed of amphiphilic α-helical segments, cationic cell-penetrating segments, and cysteine and glycine residues.

Optimization of bleaching process for cellulose extraction from apple and kale pomace and evaluation of their potentials as film forming materials.

Celluloses from apple and kale pomaces were extracted through sequentially chemical treatments, characterized, and evaluated for the film forming property. Since bleaching step is critical to cellulose quality, bleaching conditions including concentration of bleaching agent (NaClO) (0.5-3 %), temperature (60-80 °C) and time (1-2 h) were optimized.

Biological fate of ingested lipid-based nanoparticles: current understanding and future directions.

In recent decades, lipid-based nanoparticles (LN) have received considerable attention as nanoscale delivery systems to improve oral bioavailability of poorly absorbed bioactive compounds for health promotion and disease prevention. However, scientific studies on the biological fate of orally administered LN are very limited and the molecular mechanisms by which they are absorbed through the intestinal lumen into the circulation remain unclear. This paper aims to provide an overview of the biological fate of orally administered LN by reviewing recent studies on both cell and animal models.

Chitosan Hydrogel Beads Functionalized with Thymol-Loaded Solid Lipid⁻Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles.

In this study, the innovative and multifunctional nanoparticles⁻hydrogel nanocomposites made with chitosan hydrogel beads and solid lipid⁻polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPN) were prepared through conjugation between SLPN and chitosan beads. The SLPNs were first fabricated via coating the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-emulsified solid lipid nanoparticles with oxidized dextran. The aldehyde groups of the oxidized dextran on the surface of the SLPN enabled an in situ conjugation with the chitosan beads through the Schiff base linkage.

Alginate hydrogel beads as a carrier of low density lipoprotein/pectin nanogels for potential oral delivery applications.

Alginate hydrogel beads have been extensively investigated as drug delivery systems due to promising gastric environment stability. In the present study, alginate hydrogel beads were prepared with Ca or Fe to serve as the loading vehicles for egg yolk low density lipoprotein (LDL)/pectin nanogels. Scanning electron microscope was carried out to confirm the successful incorporation of nanogels into the beads.

Solid Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles by In Situ Conjugation for Oral Delivery of Astaxanthin.

Solid lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPN) are nanocarriers made from a combination of polymers and lipids, integrating the advantages of biocompatible lipid-based nanoparticles and gastrointestinal (GI)-stable polymeric nanoparticles. In this study, a novel preparation strategy was proposed to fabricate GI-stable SLPN through in situ conjugation between oxidized dextran and bovine serum albumin. Effects of molecular weight of dextran (20, 40, 75, and 150 kDa), conjugation temperature (65 °C, 75 °C, and 85 °C), and time (30, 60, 120 min) on the particulate characteristics and stability were comprehensively investigated and optimized.

The structure and configuration changes of multifunctional peptide vectors enhance gene delivery efficiency.

We designed a series of peptide vectors that contain functional fragments with the goal of enhancing cellular internalization and gene transfection efficiency. The functional fragments included a cell-penetrating peptide (R), a cationic amphiphilic α-helical peptide [(LLKK)-H or (LLHH)], a stearyl moiety, and cysteine residues. Vectors were also synthesized with D-type amino acids to improve their proteolytic stability.

Chemical crosslinking improves the gastrointestinal stability and enhances nutrient delivery potentials of egg yolk LDL/polysaccharide nanogels.

Egg yolk low density lipoprotein (LDL)/polysaccharide nanogels are newly explored as oral delivery systems with promising encapsulation potentials. Nonetheless, the stability of nanogels against aggregation in gastrointestinal tract remains a challenge. Therefore, chemical crosslinking by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) and carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) was adopted to improve the gastrointestinal stability of nanogels.

A novel and organic solvent-free preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles using natural biopolymers as emulsifier and stabilizer.

In this work, a new and novel organic solvent-free and synthetic surfactant-free method was reported to fabricate stable solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) from stearic acid, sodium caseinate (NaCas) and pectin, as well as water. Melted stearic acid was directly emulsified into an aqueous phase containing NaCas and pectin, followed by pH adjustment and thermal treatment to induce the formation of a compact and dense polymeric coating which stabilized SLNs. The preparation procedures and formulations were comprehensively optimized.

Preparation of lipid nanoparticles with high loading capacity and exceptional gastrointestinal stability for potential oral delivery applications.

Exploitation of lipid nanoparticles for oral delivery of nutrients and drugs is limited by their poor stability under gastrointestinal tract and low loading capacity, unless a high concentration of synthetic surfactants is formulated. The main objective of present study is to design a series of new formulations for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) that are suitable for potential oral delivery applications, using natural biopolymers, i.e.

Synthetic surfactant- and cross-linker-free preparation of highly stable lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles as potential oral delivery vehicles.

The toxicity associated with concentrated synthetic surfactants and the poor stability at gastrointestinal condition are two major constraints for practical applications of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as oral delivery vehicles. In this study, a synthetic surfactant-free and cross-linker-free method was developed to fabricate effective, safe, and ultra-stable lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPN). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and dextran varying in molecular weights were first conjugated through Maillard reaction and the conjugates were exploited to emulsify solid lipid by a solvent diffusion and sonication method.

Zein/caseinate/pectin complex nanoparticles: Formation and characterization.

In this study, pectin was used as coating material to form zein/caseinate/pectin complex nanoparticles through pH adjustment and heating treatment for potential oral delivery applications. The preparation conditions were studied by applying heating treatment at different pHs, either the isoelectric point of zein (pH 6.2) or caseinate (pH 4.