Bioactive nanocomposite of nonstoichiometric apatite (ns-AP) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was synthesized and its porous scaffold was fabricated. The results show that the hydrophilicity and cell ...attachment ratio on the composite surface improved with the increase of ns-AP content in PCL. The composite scaffolds with 60 wt % ns-AP content contained open and interconnected pores ranging in size from 200 to 500 μm and exhibit a porosity of around 80%. In addition, proliferation of MG₆₃ cells on the composite scaffolds significantly increased with the increase of ns-AP content, and the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production of the cells cultured on the composite scaffold were higher than that of PCL at 7 days, revealing that the composite scaffolds had excellent in vitro biocompatibility and bioactivity. The composite scaffolds were implanted into rabbit mandible defects, the results suggest that the introduction of ns-AP into PCL enhanced the efficiency of new bone formation, and the ns-AP/PCL composite exhibited in vivo good biocompatibility and osteogenesis.
Continuous monitoring of biomarkers at locations adjacent to targeted internal organs can provide actionable information about postoperative status beyond conventional diagnostic methods. As an ...example, changes in pH in the intra-abdominal space after gastric surgeries can serve as direct indicators of potentially life-threatening leakage events, in contrast to symptomatic reactions that may delay treatment. Here, we report a bioresorbable, wireless, passive sensor that addresses this clinical need, designed to locally monitor pH for early detection of gastric leakage. A pH-responsive hydrogel serves as a transducer that couples to a mechanically optimized inductor-capacitor circuit for wireless readout. This platform enables real-time monitoring of pH with fast response time (within 1 hour) over a clinically relevant period (up to 7 days) and timely detection of simulated gastric leaks in animal models. These concepts have broad potential applications for temporary sensing of relevant biomarkers during critical risk periods following diverse types of surgeries.
Nano biocomposite scaffolds of non-stoichiometric apatite (ns-AP) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared by a prototyping controlled process (PCP). The results show that the composite scaffolds ...with 40 wt% ns-AP contained open and well interconnected pores with a size of 400–500 μm, and exhibited a maximum porosity of 76%. The ns-AP particles were not completely embedded in PCL matrix while exposed on the composite surface, which might be useful for cell attachment and growth. Proliferation of MG
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cells was significantly better on the composite scaffolds with porosity of 76% than that those with porosity of 53%, indicating that the scaffolds with high porosity facilitated cell growth, and could promote cell proliferation. The composite scaffolds were implanted into rabbit thighbone defects to investigate the in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenesis. Radiological and histological examination confirmed that the new bony tissue had grown easily into the entire composite scaffold. The results suggest that the well-interconnected pores in the scaffolds might encourage cell proliferation, and migration to stimulate cell functions, thus enhancing bone formation in the scaffolds. This study shows that bioactive and biocompatible ns-AP/PCL composite scaffolds have potential applications in bone tissue engineering.
It was found that CO2 could induce the gelation of Pluronic aqueous solutions, during which the microstructure of the solution transforms from randomly dispersed spherical micelles to cubic close ...packed micelles. The gelation switched by compressed CO2 has many advantages and can be applied in the synthesis of porous materials.
BackgroundThe function of Chromobox 4 (CBX4) function has attracted attention in many cancer types due to its unique biological role; however, its mechanism in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ...(ESCC) under radiotherapeutic treatment has not yet been investigated. MethodsSilencing of CBX4 was carried out in TE-13 and KYSE-150 cell lines. Cell proliferation, radiosensitivity, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and immunoblot in vitro. In vivo xenograft models were also used to assess tumor cell growth and radioresistance. The underpinning mechanisms were explored based on pathway analysis and confirmed by rescue experiments, detecting cellular autophagy. ResultsKnockdown of CBX4 resulted in reduced tumor growth and enhanced radio-response in vivo and in vitro. Down-regulating CBX4 increased DNA damage, apoptotic rate, and G2/M arrest induced by radiation in ESCC cell lines. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that CBX4 was associated with cellular autophagy regulation. Enhanced radiosensitivity in ESCC cells silenced for CBX4 was partially blocked by autophagy inhibition (P<0.05). Beclin 1 was upregulated at the gene and protein levels in ESCC cells with CBX4 knockdown after irradiation, and overexpressing Beclin 1 reversed the radiosensitivity of ESCC cells with CBX4 knockdown (P<0.05). ConclusionsBy regulating autophagic activity, CBX4 contributes to radioresistance. Targeting CBX4 might constitute an efficient approach for increasing radiosensitivity in ESCC.
The capture and storage of radioactive iodine (129I or 131I) generated from the extensive use of nuclear energy has become a hotspot. In our work, we exerted the edible γ-CD-MOFs with high specific ...surface area large cavities and plenty of hydroxyl functional groups to iodine capture and adsorption process. The most significant parameters including dosages, contact times, adsorbate concentrations and temperatures were explored. The external adsorption behavior was analyzed by kinetic analysis as well as thermodynamic analysis, and the internal mechanism was investigated in detail. The results showed that the adsorption obey the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The maximum gas iodine uptake of 104 wt% was obtained and the maximum liquid adsorption capacity was as high as 449.71 mg/g at 298 K estimated by the Langmuir isotherm model. Additionally, the negative values of ΔG and the positive values of ΔH and ΔS at all temperatures, suggested that the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the iodine adsorption by γ-CD-MOFs.
Podocyte apoptosis is a major mechanism that leads to proteinuria in many kidney diseases. However, the concert mechanisms that cause podocyte apoptosis in these kidney diseases are not fully ...understood. RhoA is one of Rho GTPases that has been well studied and plays a key role in regulating cytoskeletal architecture. Previous study showed that insufficient RhoA could result in rat aortic smooth muscle cell apoptosis. However, whether RhoA is involved in podocyte apoptosis remains unknown.
Culture podocytes were treated with LPS, ADR or siRNA for 48 h before harvest. Subcellular immunoblotting, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to exam the expression and function of RhoA or YAP in podocytes.
We found that the expression of RhoA and its activity were significantly decreased in LPS or ADR-injured podocytes, accompanying loss of stress fibers and increased cell apoptosis. Knocking down RhoA or its downstream effector mDia expression by siRNA also caused loss of stress fibers and podocyte apoptosis. Moreover, our results further demonstrated that RhoA deficiency could reduce the mRNA and protein expression of YAP, which had been regarded as an anti-apoptosis protein in podocyte. Silenced dendrin expression significantly abolished RhoA, mDia or YAP deficiency-induced podocyte apoptosis.
RhoA deficiency could disrupt podocyte cytoskeleton and induce podocyte apoptosis by inhibiting YAP/dendrin signal. RhoA/mDia/YAP/dendrin signal pathway may potentially play an important role in regulating podocyte apoptosis. Maintaining necessary RhoA would be one potent way to prevent proteinuria kidney diseases.
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