Polydopamine-modified konjac glucomannan scaffold with sustained release of vascular endothelial growth factor to promote angiogenesis.

The fabrication of scaffolds capable of the sustained release of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to promote angiogenesis for a long time remains a challenge in tissue engineering. Here, we report a facile approach for effectively fabricating a bioactive scaffold that gradually releases VEGF to promote angiogenesis. The scaffold was fabricated by coating polydopamine (PDA) on a konjac glucomannan (KGM) scaffold, followed by the surface immobilization of VEGF with PDA.

Azilsartan improves urinary albumin excretion in hypertension mice.

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for chronic kidney diseases, leading to hypertensive nephrosclerosis, including excessive albuminuria. Azilsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, has been widely used for the treatment of hypertension. However, the effects of Azilsartan on urinary albumin excretion in hypertension haven't been reported before.

MALAT1 regulates hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes by modulating the miR-181a/HMGB2 pathway.

Noncoding RNAs are important for regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. The function of MALAT1 (a long noncoding mRNA), miR-181a, and HMGB2; their contribution to cardiac hypertrophy; and the regulatory relationship between them during this process remain unknown. In the present study, we treated primary cardiomyocytes with angiotensin II (Ang II) to mimic cardiac hypertrophy.

LCZ696 Possesses a Protective Effect Against Homocysteine (Hcy)-Induced Impairment of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Integrity by Increasing Occludin, Mediated by the Inhibition of Egr-1.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a non-essential amino acid produced from methionine. It has been reported that high concentrations of Hcy are related to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and induce the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation. LCZ696 is a novel antihypertensive agent that has been recently reported to possess promising anti-inflammatory properties.

Humanin Ameliorates Free Fatty Acid-Induced Endothelial Inflammation by Suppressing the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been considered as a major risk factor of death in recent decades. In CVDs, the NLRP3 inflammasome is important for inflammatory response and vascular damage. Therefore, safe and effective treatments to decrease NLRP3 inflammasome activation are required.

PPAR /Nnat/NF-B Axis Involved in Promoting Effects of Adiponectin on Preadipocyte Differentiation.

A previous study has demonstrated that adiponectin (APN) could promote preadipocyte differentiation, and the present study further explored its mechanism. 3T3-L1 cells were infected with adenovirus holding human adiponectin gene apM1 and mouse neuronatin (Nnat) shRNA and initiated differentiation while coculturing with mature adipocytes stimulated with LPS. After 8 days, preadipocyte differentiation was observed by Oil Red O staining.

Two-Dimensional Lamellar MoC for Electrochemical Hydrogen Production: Insights into the Origin of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity in Acidic and Alkaline Electrolytes.

Developing high surface area MoC with certain crystal plane exposed is an efficient strategy but is an urgent challenge to optimize the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic performances. In addition, the effects of certain crystal faces on catalytic performance have been limitedly understood. Toward this end, the (1 0 0) plane oriented two-dimensional lamellar MoC transformed from carbon fibers is synthesized successfully in a molten salt system.

Synthesis of a New Titanate Coupling Agent for the Modification of Calcium Sulfate Whisker in Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Composite.

A new titanate coupling agent synthesized from polyethylene glycol (PEG), isooctyl alcohol, and phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) was used for the modification of calcium sulfate whiskers (CSWs) and the preparation of high-performance CSW/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites. The titanate coupling agent (sTi) and the modified CSWs (sTi-CSW) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and heat resistant properties and thermostability of sTi-CSW/PVC and CSW/PVC composites were compared. The results show that sTi-CSW/PVC composite with 10 wt.