"Spongy skin" as a robust strategy to deliver 4-octyl itaconate for conducting dual-regulation against in-stent restenosis.

The valid management of inflammation and precise inhibition of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is regarded as a promising strategy for regulating vascular responses after stent implantation, yet posing huge challenges to current coating constructions. Herein, we proposed a spongy cardiovascular stent for the protective delivery of 4-octyl itaconate (OI) based on a "spongy skin" approach, and revealed the dual-regulation effects of OI for improving vascular remolding. We first constructed a "spongy skin" onto poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) substrates, and realized the protective loading of OI with the highest dosage of 47.

Fabrication of "Spongy Skin" on Diversified Materials Based on Surface Swelling Non-Solvent-Induced Phase Separation.

Porous surfaces have attracted tremendous interest for customized incorporation of functional agents on biomedical devices. However, the versatile preparation of porous structures on complicated devices remains challenging. Herein, we proposed a simple and robust method to fabricate "spongy skin" on diversified polymeric substrates based on non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS).

miR-22 eluting cardiovascular stent based on a self-healable spongy coating inhibits in-stent restenosis.

The in-stent restenosis (IRS) after the percutaneous coronary intervention contributes to the major treatment failure of stent implantation. MicroRNAs have been revealed as powerful gene medicine to regulate endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to vascular injury, providing a promising therapeutic candidate to inhibit IRS. However, the controllable loading and eluting of hydrophilic bioactive microRNAs pose a challenge to current lipophilic stent coatings.

Periodic Stratified Porous Structures in Dynamic Polyelectrolyte Films Through Standing-Wave Optical Crosslinking for Structural Color.

Periodic porous structures have been introduced into functional films to meet the requirements of various applications. Though many approaches have been developed to generate desired structures in polymeric films, few of them can effectively and dynamically achieve periodic porous structures. Here, a facile way is proposed to introduce periodic stratified porous structures into polyelectrolyte films.

Substrate stiffness differentially impacts autophagy of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.

Stiffening of blood vessels is one of the most important characteristics in the process of many cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis, angiosteosis, and vascular aging. Increased stiffness of the vascular extracellular matrix drives artery pathology and alters phenotypes of vascular cell. Understanding how substrate stiffness impacts vascular cell behaviors is of great importance to the biomaterial design in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical devices.

Dynamic Porous Pattern through Controlling Noncovalent Interactions in Polyelectrolyte Film for Sequential and Regional Encapsulation.

Inspired by nature, many functional surfaces have been developed with special structures in biology, chemistry, and materials. Many research studies have been focused on the preparation of surfaces with static structure. Achieving dynamical manipulation of surface structure is desired but still a great challenge.

Photothermal Spongy Film for Enhanced Surface-Mediated Transfection to Primary Cells.

Surface-mediated transfection has drawn tremendous interest for gene therapy due to its localized gene delivery characteristic and promising perspective for combination devices in clinical applications. However, a method for the controllable load of genetic agents and tunable transfection efficiency to primary cells remains unsatisfactory. Herein, we present a polymeric spongy film with modification of polydopamine (PDA) for controlling load of plasmid DNAs and improving transfection to primary endothelial cells.

Controlling Structural Transformation of Polyelectrolyte Films for Spatially Encapsulating Functional Species.

Although many approaches have been developed to encapsulate functional species into polyelectrolyte films, few of them can effectively control the final distribution of these ones. Herein, a facile strategy is proposed to spatially control the encapsulation of guest species by locally regulating the structural transformation of polyelectrolyte films. Patterned porosity is created within a film by cross-linking it selectively and then immersing it in an acidic solution.

Self-Healing Label Materials Based on Photo-Cross-Linkable Polymeric Films with Dynamic Surface Structures.

Spatially controlling the evolution of surface structures may provide an effective strategy for patterning surface roughness and facilitating the construction of various functional surfaces. In this study, we report a photo-cross-linkable polymeric film with dynamic surface micro/nanostructures. The surface structures of the un-cross-linked regions can be eliminated under saturated humidity, which can be utilized to create patterned roughness on the film.

Joystick-controlled video console game practice for developing power wheelchairs users' indoor driving skills.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of joystick-controlled video console games in enhancing subjects' ability to control power wheelchairs. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy young adults without prior experience of driving power wheelchairs were recruited. Four commercially available video games were used as training programs to practice joystick control in catching falling objects, crossing a river, tracing the route while floating on a river, and navigating through a garden maze.

A physical fitness follow-up in children with cerebral palsy receiving 12-week individualized exercise training.

Physical fitness in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is lower than in their peers. A 12-week individualized home-based exercise program completed by 11 children with CP 10 years earlier showed a favorable effect on physical fitness performance. We follow-up the physical fitness of those 11 children with CP, and compare their physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to children with CP without exercise training matched with age and motor levels.