Citrate reduced oxidative damage in stem cells by regulating cellular redox signaling pathways and represent a potential treatment for oxidative stress-induced diseases.

Chemical substances containing citrate such as calcium citrate, citrate esters and citric acid exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in different cells and tissues. However, data on the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of action of citrate are insufficient. In this study, we systematically evaluated the anti-oxidant capacity of citrate using chemical, cellular and animal assays.

Electrospun preparation and biological properties in vitro of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/nano-hydroxyapatite composite fiber membrane.

The composite fiber membrane of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (SA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) was fabricated by electrospinning method. In order to prevent the agglomeration and precipitation of nHAP in aqueous spinning solution, nHAP was ultrasonically suspended in aqueous solution using SA (the component of composite membrane) as stabilizer. The effect of nHAP on the morphology and mechanical property of composite fiber membrane was investigated.

Novel Role of ER Stress and Mitochondria Stress in Serum-deprivation Induced Apoptosis of Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The poor survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compromises the efficacy of stem cell therapy. Growth factor deprivation is one of the important factors that have challenged the survival of donor MSCs in cell therapy. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effect of serum deprivation on the cell death of MSCs and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Influence of different divalent ions cross-linking sodium alginate-polyacrylamide hydrogels on antibacterial properties and wound healing.

Hydrogels are widely used as debriding agents on account of providing a moist environment for wound healing, however the lack of mechanical strength, angiogenesis and antibacterial property limits their applications. In this study, we synthesized novel divalent ion cross-liking hydrogels (copper, zinc, strontium and calcium) and compared the mechanical performance, swelling ratio, antibacterial properties and biocompatibility in vitro and vivo. Thereinto, among the four divalent ions cross-linked hydrogels, copper ion crosslinking exhibited the maximum breaking strength, while strontium and zinc ion cross-linked hydrogels exhibited an excellent mechanical strength.

Nondegradable magnetic poly (carbonate urethane) microspheres with good shape memory as a proposed material for vascular embolization.

In this study, nondegradable poly (carbonate urethane) (PCU) and poly (carbonate urethane) incorporated variable FeO content microspheres (PCU/FeO) were synthesized using pre-polymerization and suspension polymerization. Synthesis was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effect of FeO incorporation was investigated on crystalline, thermal, shape memory and degradation properties by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC), compression test and degradation in vitro, respectively.

Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA microspheres with a novel morphology to facilitate drug delivery and antitumor efficiency.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel morphological paclitaxel (PTX) loaded poly(lactide--glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MS) delivery system to enhance drug delivery and antitumor efficiency as well as reduce drug administration frequency. Therefore, different morphological types of PTX-PLGA-MS were prepared using a modified solvent evaporation technique. Morphology analysis confirmed the successful preparation of the smooth PTX-PLGA-MS with internal sporadic porosity, and the novel rough PTX-PLGA-MS with microporous surface and porous internal structures.

Development and biocompatibility evaluation of biodegradable bacterial cellulose as a novel peripheral nerve scaffold.

Peripheral nerve injury is a serious medical problem and severely affects normal life of patient. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is considered as a novel promising biomaterial for tissue engineering, but the poor biodegradability limits its application. In this study, biodegradable bacterial cellulose scaffolds were prepared with different oxidation degrees (O.

Development of a novel morphological paclitaxel-loaded PLGA microspheres for effective cancer therapy: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Sustained release of therapeutic agents into tumor cells is a potential approach to improve therapeutic efficacy, decrease side effects, and the drug administration frequency. Herein, we used the modified double-emulsion solvent evaporation (DSE) method to prepare a novel morphological paclitaxel (PTX) loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MS). The prepared rough PTX-PLGA-MS possessed microporous surface and highly porous internal structures, which significantly influenced the drug entrapment and release behaviors.

Ultrasonically assisted preparation of poly(acrylic acid)/calcium phosphate hybrid nanogels as pH-responsive drug carriers.

Biocompatible, biodegradable and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials can be used as drug carriers and to achieve controlled drug delivery, which is crucial for treating tumors and lowering drug side effects. Calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogels can be used as biocompatible and pH-responsive drug carriers. In this study, based on the ultrasound effect, PAA/CaP hybrid nanogels (approximately 100nm, PDI<0.

The Synthesis of Size-Adjustable Superparamagnetism FeO Hollow Microspheres.

One hundred fifty to 300-nm-sized monodisperse iron oxide (FeO) hollow microspheres were synthesized by the one-pot hydrothermal method. The morphology and crystal structure of the as-prepared hollow microspheres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, while the magnetic property was investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer. We found that the particle size of the hollow microspheres was related to the amount of sodium citrate, polyacrylamide (PAM), and urea.

A Biomimetic Silk Fibroin/Sodium Alginate Composite Scaffold for Soft Tissue Engineering.

A cytocompatible porous scaffold mimicking the properties of extracellular matrices (ECMs) has great potential in promoting cellular attachment and proliferation for tissue regeneration. A biomimetic scaffold was prepared using silk fibroin (SF)/sodium alginate (SA) in which regular and uniform pore morphology can be formed through a facile freeze-dried method. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed the presence of interconnected pores, mostly spread over the entire scaffold with pore diameter around 54~532 μm and porosity 66~94%.

Influence of hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane on high-strength biocompatible polycarbonate urethane films.

The present study describes a series of novel polycarbonate urethane films that were fabricated via the solution-casting method from 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HMDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) chain extender as hard segments, poly(1,6-hexanediol)carbonate diols (PCDL) and hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as soft segments, with dibutyltin dilaurate as the catalyst. Varied molar ratios of PDMS (less than 30%) were utilized to enhance the mechanical properties and biocompatibilities. The microstructure and degrees of phase separation were characterized using atomic force microscopy.

Preparation and characterization of a degradable magnesium phosphate bone cement.

A kind of degradable magnesium phosphate bone cement (MPBC) was fabricated by using the mixed powders of magnesium oxide (MgO), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and calcium dihydrogen phosphate (Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O). As MgKPO4, the main product of MgO and KH2PO4 was alkaline, the Ca(H2PO4)2.

Synthesis of polycarbonate urethane elastomers and effects of the chemical structures on their thermal, mechanical and biocompatibility properties.

In this study, to obtain biomedical polyurethane elastomers with good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, a series of polycarbonate urethanes were synthesized via a two-step solution of polymerization method using the poly(1,6-hexanediol)carbonate diols (PCDL) as the soft segment, 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H12MDI), 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as the hard segment with dibutyltin dilaurate as the catalyst. In this article, we illustrated the physical behaviors were obviously influenced by synthetic routes. And their chemical and physical structures were investigated by gel permeation chromatograph (GPC), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), fourier transform infrared spectrography (FT-IR) and mechanical properties tests.

Synthesis and characterization of shape-memory poly carbonate urethane microspheres for future vascular embolization.

Two types of shape memory poly carbonate urethanes (PCUs) microspheres were synthesized by pre-polymerization and suspension polymerization, based on Polycarbonate diol (PCDL) as the soft segment, Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as the hard segments and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as the chain expanding agent. The structure, crystallinity, and thermal property of the two synthesized PCUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC), respectively. The results showed that the two types of PCUs exhibited high thermal stability with phase separation and semi-crystallinity.

Luminescence Enhanced Eu(3+)/Gd(3+) Co-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals as Imaging Agents In Vitro and In Vivo.

Biocompatible, biodegradable, and luminescent nano material can be used as an alternative bioimaging agent for early cancer diagnosis, which is crucial to achieve successful treatment. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocyrstals have good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be used as an excellent host for luminescent rare earth elements. In this study, based on the energy transfer from Gd(3+) to Eu(3+), the luminescence enhanced imaging agent of Eu/Gd codoping HAP (HAP:Eu/Gd) nanocrystals are obtained via coprecipitation with plate-like shape and no change in crystal phase composition.

A novel bioactive nerve conduit for the repair of peripheral nerve injury.

The use of a nerve conduit provides an opportunity to regulate cytokines, growth factors and neurotrophins in peripheral nerve regeneration and avoid autograft defects. We constructed a poly-D-L-lactide (PDLLA)-based nerve conduit that was modified using poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-lysine)]} and β-tricalcium phosphate. The effectiveness of this bioactive PDLLA-based nerve conduit was compared to that of PDLLA-only conduit in the nerve regeneration following a 10-mm sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Quantitative Detection Method of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Based on Eu(3+) Fluorescent Labeling in Vitro and in Vivo.

One major challenge for application of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP) in nanomedicine is the quantitative detection method. Herein, we exploited one quantitative detection method for nHAP based on the Eu(3+) fluorescent labeling via a simple chemical coprecipitation method. The trace amount of nHAP in cells and tissues can be quantitatively detected on the basis of the fluorescent quantitative determination of Eu(3+) ions in nHAP crystal lattice.

Formation of curcumin nanoparticles via solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO2.

In order to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble curcumin, solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) (SEDS) was employed to prepare curcumin nanoparticles for the first time. A 2(4) full factorial experiment was designed to determine optimal processing parameters and their influence on the size of the curcumin nanoparticles. Particle size was demonstrated to increase with increased temperature or flow rate of the solution, or with decreased precipitation pressure, under processing conditions with different parameters considered.

PRGD/PDLLA conduit potentiates rat sciatic nerve regeneration and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Peripheral nerve injury requires optimal conditions in both macro-environment and micro-environment for reestablishment. Though various strategies have been carried out to improve the macro-environment, the underlying molecular mechanism of axon regeneration in the micro-environment provided by nerve conduit remains unclear. In this study, the rat sciatic nerve of 10 mm defect was made and bridged by PRGD/PDLLA nerve conduit.

Silk fibroin-based nanoparticles for drug delivery.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a protein-based biomacromolecule with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and low immunogenicity. The development of SF-based nanoparticles for drug delivery have received considerable attention due to high binding capacity for various drugs, controlled drug release properties and mild preparation conditions. By adjusting the particle size, the chemical structure and properties, the modified or recombinant SF-based nanoparticles can be designed to improve the therapeutic efficiency of drugs encapsulated into these nanoparticles.