Monradvogel2348

Furthermore, this hydrogel promoted the microglia polarization to M2 (Arg1) phenotype, it also decreased the level of proinflammatory factors including TNF-α and IL-6 and increased anti-inflammatory factor expression of IL-4. Finally, blood-brain barrier (BBB) was protected, neurogenesis in hippocampus was promoted, and the motor, learning and memory ability was enhanced. Therefore, this injectable, biocompatible, and antioxidant hydrogel exhibits a huge potential for treating TBI and allows us to recognize the great value of this novel biomaterial for remodeling brain structure and function.The exploitation of carbon dots (CDs) is now flourishing; however, more effort is needed to overcome their lack of intrinsic specificity. Herein, instead of synthesizing novel CDs, we reinvestigated three reported CDs and discovered that plain ammonium citrate CDs (AC-CDs) exhibited surprising specificity for Helicobacter pylori. Notably, we showed that the interfacial mechanism behind this specificity was due to the affinity between the high abundant urea/ammonium transporters on H. pylori outer membrane and the surface-coordinated ammonium ions on AC-CDs. Further, we justified that ammonium sulfate-citric acid CDs also possessed H. pylori-specificity owing to their NH4 + doping. Thereby, we suggested that the incorporation of a molecule that could be actively transported by abundant membrane receptors into the precursors of CDs might serve as a basis for developing a plain CD with intrinsic specificity for H. pylori. Moreover, AC-CDs exhibited specificity towards live, dead, and multidrug-resistant H. pylori strains. Based on the specificity, we developed a microfluidics-assisted in vitro sensing approach for H. pylori, achieving a simplified, rapid and ultrasensitive detection with two procedures, shortened time within 45.0 min and a low actual limit of detection of 10.0 CFU mL-1. This work sheds light on the design of more H. pylori-specific or even bacteria-specific CDs and their realistic translation into clinical practice.

This study aims to evaluate ECM-coated micropattern arrays derived from decellularization of native porcine lungs as a novel three-dimensional cell culture platform.

ECM derived from decellularization of native porcine lungs was exploited to prepare hydrogels. Then, dECM-coated micropattern arrays were fabricated at four different diameters (50, 100, 150 and 200​μm) using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299, were tested on a dECM-coated micropattern array as a novel culture platform for cell adhesion, distribution, proliferation, viability, phenotype expression, and drug screening to evaluate the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel, doxorubicin and cisplatin.

The ECM derived from decellularization of native porcine lungs supported cell adhesion, distribution, viability and proliferation better than collagen I and Matrigel as the coated matrix on the surface. Moreover, the optimal diameter of the micropattern arrays was 100-150​μm, as determined by measuring the morphology, viability, proliferation and phenotype of the cancer cell spheroids. Cell spheroids of A549 and H1299 on dECM-coated micropattern arrays showed chemoresistance to anticancer drugs compared to that of the monolayer. The different distributions of HIF-1α, MCL-1 (in the center) and Ki-67 and MRP2 (in the periphery) of the spheroids demonstrated the good establishment of basal-lateral polarity and explained the chemoresistance phenomenon of spheroids.

This novel three-dimensional cell culture platform is stable and reliable for anticancer drug testing. Drug screening in dECM-coated micropattern arrays provides a powerful alternative to existing methods for drug testing and metabolic profiling in the drug discovery process.

This novel three-dimensional cell culture platform is stable and reliable for anticancer drug testing. Drug screening in dECM-coated micropattern arrays provides a powerful alternative to existing methods for drug testing and metabolic profiling in the drug discovery process.Current treatments of osteoarthritis, such as oral medication and intra-articular injections, only provided temporary relief from pain and achieved limited advance in inhibiting progression. The development of new treatments is hindered by the complicated and unclear pathological mechanisms. Oxidative stress and immune inflammation are believed to be the important factors in the induction and progression of osteoarthritis. Herein, this work presents a bioactive material strategy to treat osteoarthritis, based on the FPSOH matrixgel with robust anti-inflammatory activity through inhibiting the oxidative stress and nuclear factor kappa B signaling, preventing the metalloproteinase, as well as inducing M2 polarization of macrophage, thereby providing immune regulation of synovial macrophages and suppressing the progression of synovitis and osteoarthritis. In vivo experiments demonstrated that FPSOH hydrogel can prevent papain-induced osteoarthritis and its progression, and provide dual protection for cartilage and synovium, as compared with commercial sodium hyaluronate.Erythrocytes are often used for the development of cell membrane camouflaged nanoparticles (NPs) due to their wide range of sources. However, whether the difference between autologous and allogeneic sources for the erythrocyte membranes have an influence on the performance of camouflaged NPs, which is still inconclusive. To this end, we developed two aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizers camouflaged with erythrocyte membranes (E-M), named E-Mauto@P and E-Mallo@P, which were prepared using autologous- and allogeneic-derived erythrocytes, respectively. In vivo, E-M@P-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectively inhibited tumor growth, and this therapeutic effect did not differ between E-Mauto@P and E-Mallo@P. Importantly, there were no differences between E-Mauto@P and E-Mallo@P treated mice in terms of general condition, organ function or immune system. Both E-Mauto@P and E-Mallo@P have been shown not to cross the placental barrier and do not affect the development of the embryo, which could be a good platform for the treatment of pregnancy-related disorders. Navitoclax mw These findings provided more detailed evidences for erythrocyte membrane camouflaged NPs as a promising therapeutic platform, since there is no difference in efficacy or biosafety of either autologous or allogeneic erythrocyte-derived NPs.Over the last decade, Organ-on-Chip (OoC) emerged as a promising technology for advanced in vitro models, recapitulating key physiological cues. OoC approaches tailored for cardiac tissue engineering resulted in a variety of platforms, some of which integrate stimulation or probing capabilities. Due to manual handling processes, however, a large-scale standardized and robust tissue generation, applicable in an industrial setting, is still out of reach. Here, we present a novel cell injection and tissue generation concept relying on spheroids, which can be produced in large quantities and uniform size from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human cardiomyocytes. Hydrostatic flow transports and accumulates spheroids in dogbone-shaped tissue chambers, which subsequently fuse and form aligned, contracting cardiac muscle fibers. Furthermore, we demonstrate electrical stimulation capabilities by utilizing fluidic media connectors as electrodes and provide the blueprint of a low-cost, open-source, scriptable pulse generator. We report on a novel integration strategy of optical O2 sensor spots into resin-based microfluidic systems, enabling in situ determination of O2 partial pressures. Finally, a proof-of-concept demonstrating electrical stimulation combined with in situ monitoring of metabolic activity in cardiac tissues is provided. The developed system thus opens the door for advanced OoCs integrating biophysical stimulation as well as probing capabilities and serves as a blueprint for the facile and robust generation of high density microtissues in microfluidic modules amenable to scaling-up and automation.Hip and knee joint replacements are common and largely successful procedures that utilise implants to restore mobility and relieve pain for patients suffering from e.g. osteoarthritis. However, metallic ions and particles released from both the bearing surfaces and non-articulating interfaces, as in modular components, can cause hypersensitivity and local tissue necrosis, while particles originating from a polymer component have been associated with aseptic loosening and osteolysis. Implant coatings have the potential to improve properties compared to both bulk metal and ceramic alternatives. Ceramic coatings have the potential to increase scratch resistance, enhance wettability and reduce wear of the articulating surfaces compared to the metallic substrate, whilst maintaining overall toughness of the implant ensuring a lower risk of catastrophic failure of the device compared to use of a bulk ceramic. Coatings can also act as barriers to inhibit ion release from the underlying material caused by corrosion. Tand excessive wear. In clinical applications zirconium implant surfaces treated to achieve a zirconium oxide film and TiNbN coated implants have however been proven comparable to traditional cobalt chromium implants with regards to revision numbers. In addition, the chromium ion levels measured in the plasma of patients were lower and allergy symptoms were relieved. Therefore, coated implants could be considered an alternative to uncoated metal implants, in particular for patients with metal hypersensitivity. There have also been unsuccessful introductions to the market, such as DLC coated implants, and therefore this review also attempts to summarize the lessons learnt.The importance of engaging and effective learning environments for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been internationally recognised. However, no comprehensive pedagogical frameworks exist that support STEM learning environment design. In this study, a pedagogical framework and principles for STEM learning environment design were created based on participatory focus groups involving 10-18-year-old students, teachers, school directors, parents, university students and STEM professionals. Representatives of key stakeholder groups in Belarus, Finland, Germany, Greece and Spain (total n = 132) were invited to focus group discussions in which their wishes related to the pedagogical framework were collected. A second focus group discussion session, engaging the same stakeholder groups (total n = 137), was implemented to validate the framework. A final review for the framework and its design principles was conducted in online focus group sessions, involving 20 experts in curriculum, STEM, educational policy and/or educational technology from all participant countries. The co-designed framework, which is strengthened by the research literature, entails the following design principle categories (1) General principles, (2) Cross-curricular skills, (3) Ways of teaching and learning, (4) Socio-emotional aspects and (5) Educational compatibility. The design principles created in this study have been employed in developing a hybrid (virtual, physical, formal, non-formal and informal) STEM environment, but they can be employed in any (STEM) learning environment design. Instead of focusing on singular design principles, we recommend considering a wide range of different design principles in order to support multiple ways of teaching and learning and to develop both subject-related and cross-curricular competencies.