Bio-gel nanoarchitectonics in tissue engineering.

Given the creation of materials based on nanoscale science, nanotechnology must be combined with other disciplines. This role is played by the new concept of nanoarchitectonics, the process of constructing functional materials from nanocomponents. Nanoarchitectonics may be highly compatible with applications in biological systems. Conversely, it would be meaningful to consider nanoarchitectonics research oriented toward biological applications with a focus on materials systems. Perhaps, hydrogels are promising as a model medium to realize nanoarchitectonics in biofunctional materials science. In this review, we will provide an overview of some of the defined targets, especially for tissue engineering. Specifically, we will discuss (i) hydrogel bio-inks for 3D bioprinting, (ii) dynamic hydrogels as an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM), and (iii) topographical hydrogels for tissue organization. Based on these backgrounds and conceptual evolution, the construction strategies and functions of bio-gel nanoarchitectonics in medical applications and tissue engineering will be discussed.

Differences in rice component distribution across layers and their relationship with taste.

BACKGROUND: Rice taste is closely associated with endosperm composition, which varies among different rice layers. Although clarifying the relationship between this difference and nutritional taste can guide rice breeding and cultivation practices, research on this topic is limited. RESULTS: Here, typical rice varieties having excellent and poor taste characteristics were selected to analyze the distribution characteristics and differences of their components. The varieties with excellent taste exhibited lower apparent amylose content (AAC) and protein content (PC), lesser short-chain (Fa) and long-chain (Fb3 ) amylopectin (AP) and more medium-chain (Fb1+2 ) AP, higher long-to-short chain ratio (Fa:Fb3 ), and higher nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) content in layer 1 (L1) than the varieties with poor taste. Layer 2 (L2) played a key role in AAC and PC regulation in the varieties with excellent taste by reducing AAC and appropriately increasing PC, consequently improving rice taste. AP structure in layer 3 (L3) substantially affected the taste of the two types of varieties. The mineral content was the highest in L1, and increased potassium (K), Ca, and Mg content improved taste in all varieties. CONCLUSION: AAC in each layer contributes to rice taste. PC and minerals primarily act on L1 and L2, whereas AP acts on L2 and L3. Therefore, the endosperm formation process should be exploited for improving rice taste. Furthermore, key resources and cultivation should be identified and regulated, respectively, to improve rice taste. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Effects of Mirror Therapy Combined With Task-Oriented Training on Limb Function Recovery in Stroke Patients With Hemiplegia].

Objective: To explore the effects of mirror therapy combined with task-oriented training on limb function recovery in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods: A total of 304 older patients with post-stroke hemiplegia who received treatment in Nanyang Third People's Hospital between March 2020 and March 2022 were enrolled as the subjects. They were assigned to the intervention group and the control group through a systematic randomization method, with 152 patients in each group. The control group was treated with conventional medication and task-oriented training, while the intervention group received a combined mirror therapy in addition to the treatment given to the control group. Both groups received continuous treatment for 3 months. The pre-treatment findings and those obtained after 3 month of treatment were compared between the two groups in the following areas, the neurological functions, including the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100ß, a central nervous system specific protein, upper and lower limb motor function as reflected by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score, balance ability as measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the integrated electromyography (iEMG) values of quadriceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles, three-dimensional gait spatiotemporal parameters, and quality of life as reflected by the assessment results for the National Institute of Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). The findings were compared to identify changes. Results: After 3 months of treatment, the FMA and BBS scores and three-dimensional gait spatio-temporal parameters in the intervention group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Mirror therapy combined with task-oriented training promotes the function recovery of the affected limbs in older patients with post-stroke hemiplegia, effectively improves their motor function and quality of life, and helps improve patient prognosis.

Manipulating the Dynamic Adaptivity of a Fluid Interface to Maintain the Multipotency of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

The native extracellular matrix is highly dynamic with continuous mutual feedback between cells being responsible for many important cell function regulators. However, establishing bidirectional interaction between complex adaptive microenvironments and cells remains elusive. Herein an adaptive biomaterial based on lysozyme monolayers self-assembled at a perfluorocarbon FC40-water interface is reported. The dynamic adaptivity of interfacially assembled protein nanosheets is modulated independently of bulk mechanical properties by covalent crosslinking. This provides a scenario to establish bidirectional interactions of cells with liquid interfaces of varying dynamic adaptivity. This is found that growth and multipotency of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are enhanced at the highly adaptive fluid interface. The multipotency retention of hMSCs is mediated by low cell contractility and metabolomic activity involving the continuous mutual feedback between the cells and materials. Consequently, an understanding of the cells' response to dynamic adaptivity has substantial implications for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Biochemical composition distribution in different grain layers is associated with the edible quality of rice cultivars.

Clarifying the association of differences in endosperm biochemical composition with nutrient and edible quality can guide rice breeding and cultivation. In this study, very-low-amylose-content (LAC), Japanese good-taste (JTC), Northeast China good-taste (CTC), and Northeast China high-yield (CHC) cultivars were milled to obtain four layers (L1-L4) from outside-in, and then analyzed for apparent amylose content (AAC), protein content (PC), amino acids, soluble sugars, and minerals. The association of these compositions and Rapid-Visco analysis values with taste was also examined. LAC had low AAC, high amino acid and mineral content, and the highest taste value. Taste was significantly affected by AAC and soluble sugar in L3, and by PC in the L2 layer. High levels of amino acid in L2 and L3 improved the taste, as did Mg, P, and Ca in L1. On the whole, starch factors had the highest contribution to taste, followed by minerals, amino acids, and PC.

Differences in Viscosity of Superior and Inferior Spikelets of Japonica Rice with Various Percentages of Apparent Amylose Content.

Viscosity, a crucial characteristic for rice palatability, is affected by endosperm characters. We compared correlations between differences in viscosity of japonica rice with various palatability and endosperm characters. Changes in apparent amylose and protein contents (AAC% and PC%, respectively) and amylopectin side-chain distribution and the relationship of these traits with palatability were investigated in superior and inferior spikelets of good cultivars with low amylose content from Hokkaido and common cultivars from northeastern Japan, using rapid visco analyzer characteristics and rice-grain microstructures. Significant differences occurred in PC%, AAC%, breakdown, setback, peak time, and pasting temperature of different cultivars and grain positions. Amylopectin components showed remarkable differences in grain surfaces, surface layers, and section structure between the grain varieties. Hokkaido cultivars showed better viscosity than northeastern cultivars, particularly initial stage grains. Correlation analysis indicated viscosity was mainly AAC%-dependent, whereas differences in endosperm characteristics between spikelet positions were mainly due to grain-filling temperature.