In a randomized trial of imaging-guided or angiography-guided PCI for complex coronary lesion revascularization procedures, imaging-guided PCI led to a lower risk of target-vessel failure than ...angiography-guided PCI.
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In this study, we developed horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed sprayable gelatin hydrogels (GH) as a bioactive wound dressing that can deliver cell-attracting chemotactic ...cytokines to the injured tissues for diabetic wound healing. We hypothesized that topical administration of chemokines using GH hydrogels might improve wound healing by inducing recruitment of the endogenous cells. Two types of chemokines (interleukin-8; IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-3α; MIP-3α) were simply loaded into GH hydrogels during in situ cross-linking, and then their wound-healing effects were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The incorporation of chemokines did not affect hydrogels properties including swelling ratio and mechanical stiffness, and the bioactivities of IL-8 and MIP-3α released from hydrogel matrices were stably maintained. In vivo transplantation of chemokine-loaded GH hydrogels facilitated cell infiltration into the wound area, and promoted wound healing with enhanced re-epithelialization/neovascularization and increased collagen deposition, compared with no treatment or the GH hydrogel alone. Based on our results, we suggest that cell-recruiting chemokine-loaded GH hydrogel dressing can serve as a delivery platform of various therapeutic proteins for wound healing applications.
Despite development of materials combined with therapeutic agents for diabetic wound treatment, impaired wound healing by insufficient chemotactic responses still remain as a significant problem. In this study, we have developed enzyme-catalyzed gelatin (GH) hydrogels as a sprayable dressing material that can deliver cell-attracting chemokines for diabetic wound healing. The chemotactic cytokines (IL-8 and MIP-3α) were simply loaded within hydrogel during in situ gelling, and wound healing efficacy of chemokine-loaded GH hydrogels was investigated in STZ-induced diabetic mouse model. These hydrogels significantly promoted wound-healing efficacy with faster wound closure, neovascularization, and thicker granulation. Therefore, we expect that HRP-catalyzed in situ forming GH hydrogels can serve as an injectable/sprayable carrier of various therapeutic agents for wound healing applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
As a variety of non‐fullerene small molecule acceptors (SMAs) have been developed to improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs), the pairing of the SMAs with optimal ...polymer donors (PDs) is an important issue. Herein, a systematic investigation is conducted with the development of the SMA series, named C6OB‐H, C6OB‐Me, and C6OB‐F, which contain distinctive terminal substituents –H, –CH3, and –F, respectively. These SMAs are paired with two PDs, PBDT‐H and PBDT‐F. Interestingly, the PD/SMA pairs with similar terminal groups yield enhanced molecular compatibility and energetic interactions, which suppress voltage loss while improving blend morphology to enhance simultaneously the open–circuit voltage, short–circuit current, and fill factor of the OSCs. In particular, the OSC based on the PBDT‐F:C6OB‐F blend sharing fluorine terminal groups achieves the highest PCE of 15.2%, which outperforms those of PBDT‐H:C6OB‐F (10.1%) and PBDB‐F:C6OB‐H OSCs (11.2%). Furthermore, the PBDT‐F:C6OB‐F OSC maintains high PCEs with active layer thicknesses between 85 and 310 nm. In contrast, the PCE of PBDT‐H:C6OB‐F‐based OSC already drops by 80% from 10.1% to 2.1% when the active layer thickness increases from 100 to 200 nm. This study establishes an important PD/SMA pairing rule in terms of terminal functional groups for achieving high‐performance OSC.
In this study, the importance of terminal group match in the design of polymer donor and small‐molecule acceptor for optimal blend morphology, reduced voltage loss, and high device performances are demonstrated.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The charge transport ability of polymer acceptors (PAs) is crucial for achieving high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). However, the electron mobilities ...(μes) of most PAs are inferior to those of their small molecule acceptor (SMA) counterparts. Herein, the authors design a new series of the polymerized SMA‐based PAs (Y5‐A‐B), where the donating moiety (A = selenophene (Se)/biselenophene (BiSe)) and the backbone regioregularity (B = In/Mix/Out) are 2D controlled, for enhancing both the μe and PCEs. Interestingly, the effects of regioisomers on the μe and all‐PSC performance are the opposite depending on the donating unit. For the Y5‐Se‐based PAs, the PCEs increase in order of Out (7.52%) < Mix (9.33%) < In (13.38%). In contrast, for the Y5‐BiSe‐based PAs, the PCEs decrease in order of Out (10.67%) > Mix (9.58%) > In (8.52%). These opposite trends in each series originate from the different planarity and intermolecular assembly of PAs depending on the regioregularity. Thus, the Y5‐Se‐In blend exhibits the highest μe and achieves the highest PCE (13.38%) among the all‐PSCs in this study. Therefore, the authors report the importance of simultaneous engineering of the backbone building unit and regioregularity to realize high‐mobility PA and highly efficient all‐PSCs.
A series of small molecule acceptor‐polymerized acceptors (PAs) with 2D control of regioregularity and ii) donating units are developed to investigate a direct relationship between the electron mobility of PA and the performance of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). The Y5‐Se‐In‐based all‐PSC showed the most well‐developed crystalline properties, the electron mobility and, thus, the best efficiency of 13.4%. The authors report, for the first time, the opposite effects of regioisomers on the chain conformation, electron mobility of PAs, and the all‐PSC performance depending on the backbone building unit.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
36.
Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus Choi, Woo Jin; Park, Kwan Kyu; Kim, Bom Soo ...
The American journal of sports medicine,
10/2009, Volume:
37, Issue:
10
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Background
Identifying factors associated with favorable or unfavorable outcomes would provide patients with accurate expectations of the arthroscopic marrow stimulation techniques.
Purpose
To ...investigate the prognostic significance and optimal measures of defect size in osteochondral lesion of the talus as treated with arthroscopy.
Hypothesis
A critical, or threshold, defect size may exist at which clinical outcomes become poor in the treatment of osteochondral lesion of the talus.
Study Design
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods
In sum, 120 ankles underwent arthroscopic marrow stimulation treatment for osteochondral lesion of the talus and were evaluated for prognostic factors. Clinical failure was defined as patients’ having osteochondral transplantation or an American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score less than 80. Linear regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to identify optimal cutoff values of defect size.
Results
Eight ankles (6.7%) required osteochondral transplantation, and 22 ankles (18.4%) were considered failures because of AOFAS scores less than 80, which indicated fair or poor results. Linear regression analysis showed a high prognostic significance of defect area and suggested a cutoff defect size of 150 mm
2
for the optimum identification of poor clinical outcomes (P < .001). Only 10 of 95 ankles (10.5%) with a defect area <150 mm
2
showed clinical failure, whereas in patients with an area ≥150 mm
2
, the clinical failure rate was significantly higher (80%, 20/25). There was no association between outcome and the patient’s age, duration of symptoms, trauma, associated lesions, and location of lesions (P > .05).
Conclusion
Initial defect size is an important and easily obtainable prognostic factor in osteochondral lesions of the talus and so may serve as a basis for preoperative surgical decisions. A cutoff point exists regarding the risk of clinical failure at a defect area of approximately 150 mm
2
as calculated from magnetic resonance imaging.
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FSPLJ, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Hematite has a great potential as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting by converting solar energy into hydrogen fuels, but the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency ...of state-of-the-art hematite photoelectrodes are still far below the values required for practical hydrogen production. Here, we report a core-shell formation of gradient tantalum-doped hematite homojunction nanorods by combination of hydrothermal regrowth strategy and hybrid microwave annealing, which enhances the photocurrent density and reduces the turn-on voltage simultaneously. The unusual bi-functional effects originate from the passivation of the surface states and intrinsic built-in electric field by the homojunction formation. The additional driving force provided by the field can effectively suppress charge–carrier recombination both in the bulk and on the surface of hematite, especially at lower potentials. Moreover, the synthesized homojunction shows a remarkable synergy with NiFe(OH)
x
cocatalyst with significant additional improvements of photocurrent density and cathodic shift of turn-on voltage. The work has nicely demonstrated multiple collaborative strategies of gradient doping, homojunction formation, and cocatalyst modification, and the concept could shed light on designing and constructing the efficient nanostructures of semiconductor photoelectrodes in the field of solar energy conversion.
Reduced cerebrovascular compliance is the major mechanism of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also promotes SVD development, but the underlying mechanism was not ...elucidated. We investigated the association among OSA, cerebrovascular compliance, and SVD parameters. This study retrospectively included individuals ≥ 50 years of age, underwent overnight polysomnographic (PSG) for the evaluation of OSA, and performed MRI and transcranial Doppler (TCD) within 12 months of interval without a neurological event between the evaluations. TCD parameters for the cerebrovascular compliance included middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA PI) and mean MCA resistance index ratio (MRIR). SVD parameters included white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, number of lacunes, enlarged perivascular space (ePVS) score, and the presence of microbleeds or lacunes. Ninety-seven individuals (60.8% male, mean age 70.0±10.5 years) were included. MRIR was associated with higher respiratory distress index (B = 0.003; 95% confidence interval CI 0.001-0.005; P = 0.021), while MCA PI was not associated with any of the PSG markers for OSA severity. Apnea-hypopnea index was associated with the log-transformed total WMH volume (B = 0.008; 95% confidence interval CI 0.001-0.016; P = 0.020), subcortical WMH volume (B = 0.015; 95% CI 0.007-0.022; P<0.001), total ePVS score (B = 0.024; 95% CI 0.003-0.045; P = 0.026), and centrum semiovale ePVS score (B = 0.026; 95% CI 0.004-0.048; P = 0.019), and oxygen-desaturation index with periventricular WMH volume, independently from age, MCA PI, and MRIR. This study concluded that OSA is associated with reduced cerebrovascular compliance and also with SVD independently from cerebrovascular compliance. Underlying pathomechanistic link might be region specific.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background and Aims
Currently there is no Food and Drug Administration–approved drug to treat NAFLD and NASH, the rates of which are increasing worldwide. Although NAFLD/NASH are highly complex and ...heterogeneous conditions, most pharmacotherapy pipelines focus on a single mechanistic target. Considering the importance of the gut‐liver axis in their pathogenesis, we investigated the therapeutic effect of a long‐acting dual agonist of glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1 and GLP‐2 receptors in mice with NAFLD/NASH.
Approach and Results
C57BL/6J mice were fed a choline‐deficient high‐fat diet/high fructose and sucrose solution. After 16 weeks, mice were randomly allocated to receive vehicle, GLP1‐Fc, GLP2‐Fc, or GLP1/2‐Fc fusion (GLP1/2‐Fc) subcutaneously every 2 days for 4 weeks. Body weight was monitored, insulin/glucose tolerance tests were performed, feces were collected, and microbiome profiles were analyzed. Immobilized cell systems were used to evaluate direct peptide effect. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, immunoblot analysis, tunnel assay, and biochemical assays were performed to assess drug effects on inflammation, hepatic fibrosis, cell death, and intestinal structures. The mice had well‐developed NASH phenotypes. GLP1/2‐Fc reduced body weight, glucose levels, hepatic triglyceride levels, and cellular apoptosis. It improved liver fibrosis, insulin sensitivity, and intestinal tight junctions, and increased microvillus height, crypt depth, and goblet cells of intestine compared with a vehicle group. Similar effects of GLP1/2‐Fc were found in in vitro cell systems. GLP1/2‐Fc also changed microbiome profiles. We applied fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) gain further insight into the mechanism of GLP1/2‐Fc–mediated protection. We confirmed that FMT exerted an additive effect on GLP1‐Fc group, including the body weight change, liver weight, hepatic fat accumulation, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis.
Conclusions
A long‐acting dual agonist of GLP‐1 and GLP‐2 receptors is a promising therapeutic strategy to treat NAFLD/NASH.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
If we wish to sustain our terrestrial ecosphere as we know it, then reducing the concentration of atmospheric CO2 is of critical importance. An ideal pathway for achieving this would be the use of ...sunlight to recycle CO2, in combination with water, into hydrocarbon fuels compatible with our current energy infrastructure. However, while the concept is intriguing such a technology has not been viable due to the vanishingly small CO2-to-fuel photoconversion efficiencies achieved. Herein we report a photocatalyst, reduced blue-titania sensitized with bimetallic Cu–Pt nanoparticles that generates a substantial amount of both methane and ethane by CO2 photoreduction under artificial sunlight (AM1.5): over a 6 h period 3.0 mmol g−1 methane and 0.15 mmol g−1 ethane are obtained (on an area normalized basis 0.244 mol m−2 methane and 0.012 mol m−2 ethane), while no H2 nor CO is detected. This activity (6 h) translates into a sustained Joule (sunlight) to Joule (fuel) photoconversion efficiency of 1%, with an apparent quantum efficiency of ϕ = 86%. The time-dependent photoconversion efficiency over 0.5 h intervals yields a maximum value of 3.3% (ϕ = 92%). Isotopic tracer experiments confirm the hydrocarbon products originate from CO2 and water.
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