Targeted delivery of polymeric NO-donor micelles to hepatic stellate cells for restoration of liver function and inhibition of hepatic fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a prevalent liver disease associated with significant morbidity, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) serves as the primary causative factor driving the progression of liver fibrosis. However, capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) induced by hepatic fibrosis can reduce nitric oxide (NO) production and bioavailability, which consequently loses the ability to retain HSCs dormant, leading to amplified HSCs activation. Herein, an elaborate micelle (VN-M@BN) loaded with benazepril (BN) was constructed by self-assembly of polymeric NO donor, aiming for the controlled release of NO in liver fibrosis lesions thereby impeding the progression of liver fibrosis.

Cascade-Catalyzed Nanogel for Amplifying Starvation Therapy by Nitric Oxide-Mediated Hypoxia Alleviation.

Glucose oxidase (Gox)-mediated starvation therapy offers a prospective advantage for malignancy treatment by interrupting the glucose supply to neoplastic cells. However, the negative charge of the Gox surface hinders its enrichment in tumor tissues. Furthermore, Gox-mediated starvation therapy infiltrates large amounts of hydrogen peroxide (HO) to surround normal tissues and exacerbate intracellular hypoxia.

Two-in-One Polymeric NO-Donor Prodrugs Mediate Precision and Synergistic Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Chemotherapy predominates in clinical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), while irreversible resistance to chemotherapeutics and severe side effects hinder the therapeutic efficacy, especially in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). Herein, a bombesin (BBN)-decorated two-in-one prodrug (T-NO/E-PMs) incorporating a polymeric nitric oxide (NO) donor and acetal-linked 17β-estradiol (E) in one backbone is developed, aiming to inhibit androgen receptor (AR) expression, reprogram the tumor microenvironment of CRPC, and enhance estradiol-mediated hypoxic CRPC therapy. Following efficient internalization mediated by BBN, T-NO/E-PMs releases estradiol and NO in response to the unique intracellular environments.

Magnetic resonance imaging using a nonuniform Bo (NuBo) field-cycling magnet.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool with superior soft tissue contrast. However, access to MRI is limited since current systems depend on homogeneous, high field strength main magnets (B0-fields), with strong switchable gradients which are expensive to install and maintain. In this work we propose a new approach to MRI where imaging is performed in an inhomogeneous field using radiofrequency spatial encoding, thereby eliminating the need for uniform B0-fields and conventional cylindrical gradient coils.

Application of hyperspectral remote sensing for supplementary investigation of polymetallic deposits in Huaniushan ore region, northwestern China.

A gold-silver-lead-zinc polymetallic ore was selected in Huaniushan, Gansu Province as the study area. Hyperspectral aerial images as the primary information source, ground spectrum tests, and sampling analysis were used as auxiliary techniques. They were combined with large-scale mineral and geological maps and other high-resolution satellite remote sensing images.

Repair of articular cartilage defects in rabbits through tissue-engineered cartilage constructed with chitosan hydrogel and chondrocytes.

Objective: In our previous work, we prepared a type of chitosan hydrogel with excellent biocompatibility. In this study, tissue-engineered cartilage constructed with this chitosan hydrogel and costal chondrocytes was used to repair the articular cartilage defects.

Methods: Chitosan hydrogels were prepared with a crosslinker formed by combining 1,6-diisocyanatohexane and polyethylene glycol.

2D Magnetic resonance electrical property tomography based on B1(-) field mapping.

Magnetic Resonance Electrical Property Tomography (MREPT) is a method to visualize electrical conductivity and permittivity distributions in the object. Traditional MREPT relies on either the radio frequency (RF) transmit field (B(+)1) mapping, or using a transmit/receive RF coil, to compute tissue's electrical conductivity and permittivity. This paper introduces an alternative approach based on the reconstructed receive field (B(-)1) By solving a system of homogeneous equations consisting of the signal ratios from multi-channel receive coils, the receive field distribution with both magnitude and phase can be computed.

Novel chitosan hydrogel formed by ethylene glycol chitosan, 1,6-diisocyanatohexan and polyethylene glycol-400 for tissue engineering scaffold: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Traditional chitosan hydrogels were prepared by chemical or physical crosslinker, and both of the two kinds of hydrogels have their merits and demerits. In this study, researchers attempted to prepare one kind of chitosan hydrogel by slightly crosslinker, which could combine the advantages of the two kinds of hydrogels. In this experiment, the crosslinker was formed by a reaction between the isocyanate group of 1,6-diisocyanatohexan and the hydroxyl group of polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400), then the crosslinker reacted with the amidine and the hydroxyl group of ethylene glycol chitosan to form the network structure.

A feasibility study of magnetic resonance driven electrical impedance tomography using a phantom.

Imaging the electrical properties of human tissue may aid in cancer diagnoses or monitoring organ function. Traditionally, the electrical properties are revealed with electrical impedance tomography, where currents are injected into human tissue and voltages are measured on the surface. This paper focuses on a method of measuring the electrical properties using a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner without current injection.

Transrectal electrical impedance tomography of the prostate: spatially coregistered pathological findings for prostate cancer detection.

Purpose: Prostate cancer ranks as one of the most common malignancies and currently represents the second leading cancer-specific cause of death in men. The current use of single modality transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) for biopsy guidance has a limited sensitivity and specificity for accurately identifying cancerous lesions within the prostate. This study introduces a novel prostate cancer imaging method that combines TRUS with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and reports on initial clinical findings based on in vivo measurements.

Incorporating a biopsy needle as an electrode in transrectal electrical impedance imaging.

Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer may be detected by a combined transrectal ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography imaging system. However, the sensitivity of the imaging system is limited due to very little current established in the far field distant from the probe surface. Consequently, biopsy needles are introduced to the imaging system to provide current paths in the distal regions.

Intervertebral disk-like biphasic scaffold-demineralized bone matrix cylinder and poly(polycaprolactone triol malate)-for interbody spine fusion.

Interbody fusion is an established procedure to preserve disk height and anterior fusion, but fusion with autografts, allografts, and metallic cages has its endogenous shortcomings. The objective of this study is to investigate whether a biphasic scaffold model, the native demineralized bone matrix cylinder in conjunction with degradable biomaterial poly(polycaprolactone triol malate), can be employed as a biological graft for interbody fusion. The poly(polycaprolactone triol malate) was synthesized by polycondensing malic acid and polycaprolactone and then the concentric sheet of poly(polycaprolactone triol malate) was fabricated into the demineralized bone matrix cylinder derived from rabbit femurs.

Statistical estimation of EIT electrode contact impedance using magic Toeplitz matrix.

The goal of the paper is to propose a fast and reliable method of simultaneous estimation of conductivity and electrode contact impedances for a homogeneous 2D disk. Magic Toeplitz matrix as the Neumann-to-Dirichlet map with finite width electrodes plays the central role in our linear model, called the gapZ model. This model enables testing of various hypotheses using the F-test, such as the uniformity of electrode impedances and their statistical significance.

Arbitrary geometry patient interfaces for breast cancer detection and monitoring with electrical impedance tomography.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a promising technology enabling the detection or observation of many biological processes. This is typically accomplished by applying currents at known locations on an outer surface (in this case skin) and measuring voltages at other locations. This information is then used to determine electrical properties of tissue found between the electrodes by solving the associated Laplace equation.

Nucleus pulposus explant culture model.

Many of the therapeutic interventions for intervertebral disc degeneration attempt to repopulate the nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue; however, NP cells are heterogeneous and not well characterized. To address this, we have investigated the morphology, extracellular gene and protein expression, and apoptosis changes in NP explants cultured in vitro with or without chondrogenic reagents for different periods. We also compared the susceptibility of the explants to different treatments by comparing: treatment of NP explants with GDF5 protein, transfection of NP explants with GDF5 plasmid, and infection of NP explants with GDF5 adenovirus vector.

Adenovirus-mediated expression of growth and differentiation factor-5 promotes chondrogenesis of adipose stem cells.

The repair of articular cartilage injuries is impeded by the avascular and non-innervated nature of cartilage. Transplantation of autologous chondrocytes has a limited ability to augment the repair process due to the highly differentiated state of chondrocytes and the risks of donor-site morbidity. Mesenchymal stem cells can undergo chondrogenesis in the presence of growth factors for cartilage defect repair.

Biphasic scaffold for annulus fibrosus tissue regeneration.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the major cause of lower back pain, while the currently available treatments are symptomatic rather than curative. Tissue engineering is a powerful therapeutic strategy that can restore the normal biomechanical motion of the human spine. The ability of a biphasic elastic scaffold to structurally and elastically simulate the annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue of the IVD was explored.

Mouse growth and differentiation factor-5 protein and DNA therapy potentiates intervertebral disc cell aggregation and chondrogenic gene expression.

Background Context: Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5)-deficient mice showed abnormalities in intervertebral disc (IVD) structure and extracellular matrix. Adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 delivery can promote the growth of rabbit disc cells.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of recombinant GDF-5 protein and GDF-5 complementary DNA (cDNA) on the metabolism of IVD cells.

Novel biodegradable poly(1,8-octanediol malate) for annulus fibrosus regeneration.

A novel elastic scaffold that simulates the deformability of annulus fibrosus (AF) and has good biocompatibility was developed. The scaffold was formed of a malic acid-based polyester poly(1,8-octanediol malate) (POM), which was synthesized by direct polycondensation. The tensile strength of POM gradually increased with the extension of the polymerization time, while the degradation rate decreased.

Influences of ammonia plasma treatment on modifying depth and degradation of poly(L-lactide) scaffolds.

Hydrophobicity of poly(L-lactide) scaffolds is a main drawback in obtaining a sufficient mass of seeded cells for satisfying the requirements of tissue engineering. Plasma treatment is a useful technique to enhance the hydrophilicity of the scaffolds. However, the effect of this technique on the modifying depth and degradation of the scaffolds should be considered.

Porcine-derived xenogeneic bone/poly(glycolide-co-lactide-co-caprolactone) composite and its affinity with rat OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells.

Porcine-derived xenogeneic bone (PDXB) was derived from cancellous bone of adult porcine. Its morphology and structure were characterized by SEM, FTIR and XRD. A series of composite films consisting of PDXB and poly(glycolide-co-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PGLC) polymer were prepared.

Adhesion and proliferation of OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells on micro- and nano-scale topography structured poly(L-lactide).

The impact of the surface topography of polylactone-type polymer on cell adhesion was to be concerned because the micro-scale texture of a surface can provide a significant effect on the adhesion behavior of cells on the surface. Especially for the application of tissue engineering scaffold, the pore size could have an influence on cell in-growth and subsequent proliferation. Micro-fabrication technology was used to generate specific topography to investigate the relationship between the cells and surface.

[Effect of compound Salvia injection on blood coagulation in patients with traumatic cerebral infarction].

Objective: To investigate the effect of compound Salvia injection (CSI) on blood coagulatory function in patients with traumatic cerebral infarction (TCI).

Methods: Sixty-four patients with TCI were randomly divided into two groups, 32 in each group. The treated group were treated with CSI plus conventional treatment of western medicine, and the control group treated with conventional treatment alone.

Characterization of surface property of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) after oxygen plasma treatment.

In this study, poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) films were treated by oxygen plasma. The surface structure, topography and surface chemistry of treated PLGA films were characterized by contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope observation, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectrum analysis. The cell affinity of the oxygen plasma treated films was evaluated under dynamic conditions by Parallel Plate Flow Chamber (PPFC).

Synthesis and cell affinity of functionalized poly(L-lactide-co-beta-malic acid) with high molecular weight.

A novel functionalized biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-beta-benzyl malolactonate) (p-PLMA) with high molecular weight was synthesized through ring-opening copolymerization. Three p-PLMA copolymers with different beta-benzyl malolactonate content were synthesized. The molecular weight (M(w)) and tensile strength of the copolymer with 4 mol% beta-benzyl malolactonate content were 179,800 and 19.