Intrinsically stretchable bioelectronic devices based on soft and conducting organic materials have been regarded as the ideal interface for seamless and biocompatible integration with the human ...body. A remaining challenge is to combine high mechanical robustness with good electrical conduction, especially when patterned at small feature sizes. We develop a molecular engineering strategy based on a topological supramolecular network, which allows for the decoupling of competing effects from multiple molecular building blocks to meet complex requirements. We obtained simultaneously high conductivity and crack-onset strain in a physiological environment, with direct photopatternability down to the cellular scale. We further collected stable electromyography signals on soft and malleable octopus and performed localized neuromodulation down to single-nucleus precision for controlling organ-specific activities through the delicate brainstem.
Rivers are one of the most critical and common supplies for drinking water, agricultural, and industrial uses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of land use changes on surface ...water quality of the Godarkhosh River as a semi-arid catchment in Iran, during dry and wet years using remote sensing, GIS and multivariate statistical techniques and compared the water quality parameters with Wilcox classification and Schuler diagram for classification of drinking water quality. Results showed that urban and barren land uses were the key factor affecting water quality variation. More minor water quality was accompanied with a more proportion of the urban and barren land uses during the wet and dry years in the catchment. No significant correlation was identified between the pH, SAR, Cl
−
and Ca
2+
values with the land use types in both wet and dry years, whereas the EC, TDS, and Mg
2+
concentrations were strongly associated with at least one land use type. A negative correlation of the most water quality parameters was obtained with grasslands and forestlands, especially in the wet year compared with other land uses. Generally, it can be concluded that the relevances between water quality parameters and land use types were stronger in the dry year than that in the wet year. Also, the correlation analysis indicated that all water quality parameters had negative relationships with the river flows. Furthermore, most of the water quality variables showed the increasing trend over time based on Mann–Kendall trend analysis. The results of this research showed that a combination of remote sensing methods, geographic information systems and multivariate statistical techniques can provide an overview of the relationship between land use and water quality and recommend that water quality can be betterment with suitable land use management.
In-vitro modeling of brain network disorders such as epilepsy remains a major challenge. A critical step is to develop an experimental approach that enables recapitulation of in-vivo-like ...three-dimensional functional complexity while allowing local modulation of the neuronal networks. Here, by promoting matrix-supported active cell reaggregation, we engineered multiregional cerebral tissues with intact 3D neuronal networks and functional interconnectivity characteristic of brain networks. Furthermore, using a multi-chambered tissue-culture chip, we show that our separated but interconnected cerebral tissues can mimic neuropathological signatures such as the propagation of epileptiform discharges.
The extracellular environment defines a physical boundary condition with which cells interact. However, to date, cell response to geometrical environmental cues is largely studied in static settings, ...which fails to capture the spatiotemporally varying cues cells receive in native tissues. Here, a photoresponsive spiropyran-based hydrogel is presented as a dynamic, cell-compatible, and reconfigurable substrate. Local stimulation with blue light (455 nm) alters hydrogel swelling, resulting in on-demand reversible micrometer-scale changes in surface topography within 15 min, allowing investigation into cell response to controlled geometry actuations. At short term (1 h after actuation), fibroblasts respond to multiple rounds of recurring topographical changes by reorganizing their nucleus and focal adhesions (FA). FAs form primarily at the dynamic regions of the hydrogel; however, this propensity is abolished when the topography is reconfigured from grooves to pits, demonstrating that topographical changes dynamically condition fibroblasts. Further, this dynamic conditioning is found to be associated with long-term (72 h) maintenance of focal adhesions and epigenetic modifications. Overall, this study offers a new approach to dissect the dynamic interplay between cells and their microenvironment and shines a new light on the cell's ability to adapt to topographical changes through FA-based mechanotransduction.
'Smart' bandages based on multimodal wearable devices could enable real-time physiological monitoring and active intervention to promote healing of chronic wounds. However, there has been limited ...development in incorporation of both sensors and stimulators for the current smart bandage technologies. Additionally, while adhesive electrodes are essential for robust signal transduction, detachment of existing adhesive dressings can lead to secondary damage to delicate wound tissues without switchable adhesion. Here we overcome these issues by developing a flexible bioelectronic system consisting of wirelessly powered, closed-loop sensing and stimulation circuits with skin-interfacing hydrogel electrodes capable of on-demand adhesion and detachment. In mice, we demonstrate that our wound care system can continuously monitor skin impedance and temperature and deliver electrical stimulation in response to the wound environment. Across preclinical wound models, the treatment group healed ~25% more rapidly and with ~50% enhancement in dermal remodeling compared with control. Further, we observed activation of proregenerative genes in monocyte and macrophage cell populations, which may enhance tissue regeneration, neovascularization and dermal recovery.
Introduction Although the exploitation of mineral resources is very useful for the country, it has a negative impact on human and plant life with its destructive effects. These destructive effects ...appear as pollution in the soil, which can lead to the imbalance of ecosystems and ultimately endanger human health. In addition, economic development and the expansion of industrial areas, especially coal mining mines, cause heavy metal contamination of the soil to become more severe and cause the destruction of soil resources and the deterioration of ecosystems in different regions of the world. The present study was conducted to investigate the contamination of the two elements Pb and Zn in the surface soil of the Komarzd mining area in Mazandaran province (Iran) due to coal mining. Materials and Methods Komarzd mines in Mazandaran province are one of the largest and oldest coal-producing areas in the central Alborz coal field. Komarzd mines are located 48 km from the southern district of Qaemshahr and 25 km from Alasht. Four indices, including CF, mCF, RI, and Igeo were calculated for 110 samples from surface soil prepared at a depth of 5-15 cm. After separating the rubble, the collected soils were kept in closed plastic bags with a unique code, and a GPS device recorded their location. The samples prepared in a dry environment were transferred to the laboratory. The ICP-MS method at 75 microns was used to analyze and measure the concentration of heavy elements in the collected samples. According to the presence of different elements measured in the region's soil and the compounds in it, two metals Zn and Pb were selected for evaluation and analysis. Sampling was randomly selected based on saved points and drilling tunnels. PCA statistical test is a type of multivariate analysis widely used in sediment, water, and soil pollution studies. Varimax Rotation is one of the most common types of PCA tests to interpret the results and contamination components of the method. This statistical method can be calculated using R and SPSS softwares. Results and Discussion The results showed that the ordinary kriging model is the most suitable model to show the region's concentration distribution of the two metals, PB and Zn. Also, the statistical status of the elements showed that the lowest amount of Zn for the Igeo index is equal to -0.53 and the highest value for the CF index is equal to 0.72. The amount of Pb concentration measured based on Igeo, CF, mCF, and RI indices equals 0.08, 1.03, and 213 mg/kg, respectively (RI<CF<Igeo). The results of the CF and mCF showed that the region has a low or moderate pollution status in terms of the concentration of the two determining elements; in other words, the value of this factor for Zn is less than 1 (CF<1) and the amount for Pb is (3 > CF> 1). The Igeo index showed that Zn with a concentration lower than zero is not polluted, but Pb with a value (0< Igo <1) has a non-polluted to slightly polluted state. The RI also showed that the concentration of the two elements is less than 150 mg/kg, so this index is also in the low-risk category of contamination (RI ≤ 150). By evaluating the graphs obtained from the PCA analysis, it was found that the two elements Zn and Pb in the correlation analysis graph have a good correlation and distribution, and the changes in the two axes show 47.9% and 24%, respectively, for the Igeo. This indicates the presence of environmental factors in the distribution of this element in the environment. The CF also showed that their distribution in region three negatively correlated with environmental factors. Its value for the two axes is 32.5 and 21.9 %, respectively. The correlation of the Zn element is less than -0.5, but the Pb element is more than -0.5. In general, the value of this variable is 8 and 20, respectively, based on the diagram of two minimum and maximum values. The mCF and RI indices showed that environmental factors influence the distribution of the two elements PB and Zn, and among the two elements, the distribution of the Pb element in the mCF and RI, results of 32.8 and 34.4 has the most influence from the distribution of the drilling tunnel and had environmental factors and has a lower correlation than Zn. The effect percentage of these two elements is 32.8 and 23.2%, respectively, and the two elements Zn and Pb have a good correlation and distribution with environmental changes and human factors. Conclusion According to the measurements and the results of four indices, the area is uncontaminated or has low contamination in terms of the concentration of two elements, PB and Zn. Therefore, mineral tailings and coal exploitation do not significantly affect the distribution of the mentioned elements. To improve the research results, other indices can be used to determine the role of environmental factors. Also, considering the agricultural lands and water resources of Talar River, it is better to use other elements that directly affect human health and analyze the region's conditions in terms of environmental pollution to achieve better results and accuracy. One of the main disadvantages of measuring the sources of pollution is the many problems in laboratory work and the preparation of laboratory materials. Still, with this research, it is possible to determine the existing doubts in the field of soil pollution for residents and show the impact of mining on the spread of pollutants. A suggestion to improve this research is to consider elements other than Pb and Zn in different environments such as water sources; In general, for a more detailed investigation, other elements that play a role in human health should be investigated.
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