Global tilt angle in spinal alignment of asymptomatic older women with low bone mass.

This study investigated the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and musculoskeletal health in older women, particularly those exhibiting diminished bone density without apparent symptoms. The study assessed the impact of global tilt (GT) and the presence of coronal malalignment on spinal health. The research involved 165 asymptomatic older women with an average age of 68.

Research of Global Tilt and Functional Independence: Insights into Spinal Health of Older Women.

Spinal alignment intricately influences functional independence, particularly in older women with osteopenia experiencing mild neck and back pain. This study elucidates the interplay between spinal alignment, bone mineral density (BMD), and muscle strength in elderly women presenting with mild neck and back pain. Focusing on a cohort of 189 older women, we examined the associations among global tilt (GT), coronal and sagittal alignment, BMD, grip strength, and functional independence as gauged by the Barthel index.

Myopia progression after cessation of atropine in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To comprehensively assess rebound effects by comparing myopia progression during atropine treatment and after discontinuation. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to 20 September 2023, using the keywords "myopia," "rebound," and "discontinue.

Systematic Review of Myopia Progression after Cessation of Optical Interventions for Myopia Control.

Despite high discontinuation rates for myopia optical interventions, limited attention has been given to the potential rebound effects post-discontinuation. This systematic review aims to assess the extent of the rebound effects following the cessation of common clinical optical myopia-control interventions in children. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.

Optimizing Dental Bond Strength: Insights from Comprehensive Literature Review and Future Implications for Clinical Practice.

This review examines the modifying factors affecting bond strength in various bonding scenarios, particularly their relevance to the longevity of dental restorations. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in dentistry. Data were gathered from the PubMed database, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar resources, covering studies from 1992 to 2022.

Conformal Conductive Features on Curvilinear Surfaces with Self-Assembled Silver Nanoplate Thin Films.

In this study, a water transfer method was developed to fabricate conducive thin-film patterns on 3D curvilinear surfaces. Crystalline silver nanoplates (AgNPLs) with a dimension of 700 nm and a thickness of 35 nm were suspended in ethanol with an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, to improve the suspension stability. The prepared AgNPL suspension was then spread over the water surface via the Langmuir-Blodgett approach to generate a self-assembled thin film.

Enhancing Stability of High-Concentration β-Tricalcium Phosphate Suspension for Biomedical Application.

We propose a novel process to efficiently prepare highly dispersed and stable Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) suspensions. TCP is coupled with a polymer to enhance its brittleness to be used as an artificial hard tissue. A high solid fraction of β-TCP is mixed with the polymer in order to improve the mechanical strength of the prepared material.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis for Silver Nanoplates with a High Aspect Ratio.

In this work, a simple and rapid synthesis method was developed to prepare silver nanoplates (AgNPLs) with a high aspect ratio. A microwave heating process with a high heating rate and uniform heating was used to promote the silver reduction reaction. Silver nitrate (AgNO) was used as the precursor of AgNPLs, and ,-dimethylformamide (DMF) played the role of a solvent and reducing agent.

A Leaf Disc Assay for Evaluating the Response of Tea () to PEG-Induced Osmotic Stress and Protective Effects of Azoxystrobin against Drought.

Tea (), a globally cultivated beverage crop, is sensitive to drought, which can have an adverse effect on the yield and quality of tea. Azoxystrobin (AZ) is one kind of fungicide considered as an agent to relieve damage caused by stress. Initially, the response of tea plant to osmotic-gradient stress was evaluated using leaf disc assays with PEG-induced osmotic stress.

An Ultraviolet Sensor and Indicator Module Based on p-i-n Photodiodes.

The monolithic integration of an ultraviolet (UV) sensor and warning lamp would reduce the cost, volume, and footprint, in comparison to a hybrid combination of discrete components. We constructed a module comprising a monolithic sensor indicator device based on basic p-i-n (PIN) photodiodes and a transimpedance amplifier. GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with an indium-tin oxide (ITO) current-spreading layer and PIN photodiodes without ITO deposition on the light-receiving area, were simultaneously fabricated.

Monolithic integration of GaN-based phototransistors and light-emitting diodes.

Monolithic integration of GaN-based phototransistors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is reported. Starting with an LED epitaxial wafer, selective Si diffusion was performed to produce an n-p-i-n structure for the phototransistor. A traditional AlGaN bulk electron-blocking layer (EBL) can block electron injection from an emitter to a collector, thereby hindering the photocurrent amplification process.

Expansion of Melanoma-Specific T Cells Using Microneedle Arrays Coated with Immune-Polyelectrolyte Multilayers.

Microneedles (MNs) are micron-scale polymeric or metallic structures that offer distinct advantages for vaccines by efficiently targeting skin-resident immune cells, eliminating injection-associated pain, and improving patient compliance. These advantages, along with recent studies showing therapeutic benefits achieved using traditional intradermal injections in human cancer patients, suggest MN delivery might enhance cancer vaccines and immunotherapies. We recently developed a new class of polyelectrolyte multilayers based on the self-assembly of model peptide antigens and molecular toll-like receptor agonists (TLRa) into ultrathin, conformal coatings.

Low-dose controlled release of mTOR inhibitors maintains T cell plasticity and promotes central memory T cells.

An important goal for improving vaccine and immunotherapy technologies is the ability to provide further control over the specific phenotypes of T cells arising from these agents. Along these lines, frequent administration of rapamycin (Rapa), a small molecule inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), exhibits a striking ability to polarize T cells toward central memory phenotypes (T), or to suppress immune function, depending on the concentrations and other signals present during administration. T exhibit greater plasticity and proliferative capacity than effector memory T cells (T) and, therefore, polarizing vaccine-induced T cells toward T is an intriguing strategy to enhance T cell expansion and function against pathogens or tumors.

Sustained delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 from perlecan domain I - functionalized electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Background: Biomaterial scaffolds that deliver growth factors such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins-2 (rhBMP-2) have improved clinical bone tissue engineering by enhancing bone tissue regeneration. This approach could be further improved if the controlled delivery of bioactive rhBMP-2 were sustained throughout the duration of osteogenesis from fibrous scaffolds that provide control over dose and bioactivity of rhBMP-2. In nature, heparan sulfate attached to core proteoglycans serves as the co-receptor that delivers growth factors to support tissue morphogenesis.

Reprogramming the Local Lymph Node Microenvironment Promotes Tolerance that Is Systemic and Antigen Specific.

Many experimental therapies for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), aim to bias T cells toward tolerogenic phenotypes without broad suppression. However, the link between local signal integration in lymph nodes (LNs) and the specificity of systemic tolerance is not well understood. We used intra-LN injection of polymer particles to study tolerance as a function of signals in the LN microenvironment.

Design of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers to Promote Immunological Tolerance.

Recent studies demonstrate that excess signaling through inflammatory pathways (e.g., toll-like receptors, TLRs) contributes to the pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases, including lupus, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Assembly and Immunological Processing of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Composed of Antigens and Adjuvants.

While biomaterials provide a platform to control the delivery of vaccines, the recently discovered intrinsic inflammatory characteristics of many polymeric carriers can also complicate rational design because the carrier itself can alter the response to other vaccine components. To address this challenge, we recently developed immune-polyelectrolyte multilayer (iPEMs) capsules electrostatically assembled entirely from peptide antigen and molecular adjuvants. Here, we use iPEMs built from SIINFEKL model antigen and polyIC, a stimulatory toll-like receptor agonist, to investigate the impact of pH on iPEM assembly, the processing and interactions of each iPEM component with primary immune cells, and the role of these interactions during antigen-specific T cell responses in coculture and mice.

Modular Vaccine Design Using Carrier-Free Capsules Assembled from Polyionic Immune Signals.

New vaccine adjuvants that direct immune cells toward specific fates could support more potent and selective options for diseases spanning infection to cancer. However, the empirical nature of vaccines and the complexity of many formulations has hindered design of well-defined and easily characterized vaccines. We hypothesized that nanostructured capsules assembled entirely from polyionic immune signals might support a platform for simple, modular vaccines.

Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Assembled Entirely from Immune Signals on Gold Nanoparticle Templates Promote Antigen-Specific T Cell Response.

Materials that allow modular, defined assembly of immune signals could support a new generation of rationally designed vaccines that promote tunable immune responses. Toward this goal, we have developed the first polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coatings built entirely from immune signals. These immune-PEMs (iPEMs) are self-assembled on gold nanoparticle templates through stepwise electrostatic interactions between peptide antigen and polyanionic toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists that serve as molecular adjuvants.

Controlled delivery of a metabolic modulator promotes regulatory T cells and restrains autoimmunity.

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system abnormally recognizes and attacks self-molecules. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a powerful role in initiating adaptive immune response, and are therefore a recent target for autoimmune therapies. N-Phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC), a small molecule glutamate receptor enhancer, alters how DCs metabolize glutamate, skewing cytokine secretion to bias T cell function.

The effect of glutathione as chain transfer agent in PNIPAAm-based thermo-responsive hydrogels for controlled release of proteins.

Purpose: To control degradation and protein release using thermo-responsive hydrogels for localized delivery of anti-angiogenic proteins.

Methods: Thermo-responsive hydrogels derived from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol)-co-(L-lactic acid) diacrylate (Acry-PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA-Acry) were synthesized via free radical polymerization in the presence of glutathione, a chain transfer agent (CTA) added to modulate their degradation and release properties. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the recombinant proteins Avastin® and Lucentis® were encapsulated in these hydrogels and their release was studied.

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of porous poly (ethylene glycol)-co-(L-lactic acid) hydrogels during degradation.

Porous hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been shown to facilitate vascularized tissue formation. However, PEG hydrogels exhibit limited degradation under physiological conditions which hinders their ultimate applicability for tissue engineering therapies. Introduction of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) chains into the PEG backbone results in copolymers that exhibit degradation via hydrolysis that can be controlled, in part, by the copolymer conditions.

A study of the intrinsic autofluorescence of poly (ethylene glycol)-co-(L-lactic acid) diacrylate.

Poly (ethylene glycol)-co-(L-Lactic acid) diacrylate (PEG-PLLA-DA) copolymers have been extensively investigated for a number of applications in medicine. PEG-PLLA-DA is biodegradable and the human body can process its degradation products. In this study, we describe the autofluorescence of PEG-PLLA-DA copolymers and compared it to the fluorescence of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) and the precursor molecules used for their synthesis.

The role of pore size on vascularization and tissue remodeling in PEG hydrogels.

Vascularization is influenced by the physical architecture of a biomaterial. The relationship between pore size and vascularization has been examined for hydrophobic polymer foams, but there has been little research on tissue response in porous hydrogels. The goal of this study was to examine the role of pore size on vessel invasion in porous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels.

An agent-based model for the investigation of neovascularization within porous scaffolds.

The ability to control blood vessel assembly in polymer scaffolds is important for clinical success in tissue engineering. A mathematical and computational representation of the relationship between scaffold properties and neovascularization may provide a better understanding of the fundamental process itself and help guide the design of new therapeutic approaches. This article proposes a multilayered, multiagent framework to model sprouting angiogenesis in porous scaffolds and examines the impact of pore structure on vessel invasion and network structure.