Freeze-crosslinking approach for preparing carboxymethyl cellulose nanofiber/zirconium hydrogels as fluoride adsorbents.

Tough carboxymethylcellulose nanofibers (CMF)/zirconium (Zr) hydrogels were easily obtained by a freeze-crosslinking method, where Zr-containing HCl solution was added to frozen CMF sol and the mixture was allowed to thaw. The Zr content of the hydrogels increased with increasing Zr concentration in the initial HCl solution. Furthermore, the mechanical strength increased with increasing Zr content.

Plasticizer-gelatin mixed solutions as skin protection materials with flexible-film-forming capability.

To demonstrate the feasibility of plasticizer-gelatin solutions as novel skin protection materials from a physical aspect, we evaluated the rheological properties of the solutions and the mechanical properties and textures of their dried sheets and films. Three types of sugars and polyols were employed as organic plasticizers and mixed with gelatin in solutions at plasticizer/gelatin weight ratios of 0.13-1.

Nanocellulose hydrogels formed via crystalline transformation from cellulose I to II and subsequent freeze cross-linking reaction.

We describe nanocellulose (NC) hydrogels formed from chemically unmodified NC by cellulose crystalline transformation and subsequent freeze cross-linking reaction. The freeze cross-linked NC hydrogel with macropores (~100 μm) was prepared by freezing a mixture of NC and NaOH (0.2 mol L), adding citric acid to the frozen mixture, and thawing it.

Characterization and preliminary evaluation of a self-expandable hydrogel stent with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability for use in biliary drainage.

We demonstrate the potential of a novel self-expandable biliary stent comprised of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel with anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability , using a porcine stent model. The mechanism underlying the anisotropic swelling behavior and endoscopic deliverability (, flexibility) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), evaluation of the water content and swelling ratio, and three-point bending tests. The experiment using a porcine stent model indicated that the tube-shaped PVA hydrogel could effectively expand the biliary tract, without disturbing bile flow.

Fabrication of tough, anisotropic, chemical-crosslinker-free poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous cryogels electrospinning.

PVA hydrogels with anisotropic structures have many biomedical applications; however, the hydrophilicity of PVA nanofibers degrades their mechanical properties, and the residual unreacted chemical crosslinkers are disadvantageous for medical use. Therefore, maintaining the stability of aqueous solutions without using crosslinkers is essential while synthesizing electrospun anisotropic PVA nanofibers. Herein, we developed a novel fabrication method for synthesizing tough, anisotropic, and chemical-crosslinker-free nanofibrous cryogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and glycerol (Gly) electrospinning in conjunction with freeze-thawing treatment.

A new approach for reconstructing the I-spreading due to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident by means of measuring I in airborne particulate matter.

To retrieve the diffusion trajectory of the I dispersed in the environment by the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima in 2011, airborne particulate matter (APM) samples collected in the Tokyo metropolitan area were analyzed for their I contents by means of accelerator mass spectrometry. In evaluating blank levels of chemicals and filters used for collecting APM, we established the analytical procedure for determining the I activity of as low as 10 Bq for a small piece of filter samples (about 0.1 cm).

Ex vivo assessment of anchoring force of covered biflanged metal stent and covered self-expandable metal stent for interventional endoscopic ultrasound.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural drainage using a covered biflanged metal stent (CBFMS) and a conventional tubular biliary covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) has recently been performed by EUS experts. However, appropriate traction force of the sheath to prevent the migration during stent deployment is well unknown. Herein, we assessed the anchoring force (AF) of the distal flange in CBFMSs and CSEMSs.