Self-Enhancement of Coalescence-Induced Droplet Jumping on Superhydrophobic Surfaces with an Asymmetric V-Groove.

Coalescence-induced droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces have recently received significant attention owing to their potential in a variety of applications. Previous studies demonstrated that the self-jumping process is inherently inefficient, with an energy conversion efficiency η ≤ 6% and dimensionless jumping velocity Vj* ≤ 0.23. To realize a quick removal of droplets, increasing effort has been devoted to breaking the jumping velocity limit and inducing droplets sweeping. In this work, we used superhydrophobic surfaces with an asymmetric V-groove to experimentally achieve an enhanced coalescence-induced jumping velocity Vj* ≈ 0.61, i.e., more than 700% increase in energy conversion efficiency compared with droplets jumping on flat superhydrophobic surfaces, which is the highest efficiency reported thus far. Moreover, the enhanced jumping direction shows a deviation as high as 60° from the substrate normal. The induced in-plane motion is conducive to remove a considerable number of droplets along the sweeping path and significantly increase the speed of droplet removal. Numerical simulation indicated that the jumping enhancement is a joint effect resulting from the impact of the liquid bridge on the corner of the V-groove and the suppression of droplet expansion by the sidewall of the V-groove. The transient variation of the droplet velocity and the driving force of the coalescing droplets on a surface with and without the asymmetric V-groove were revealed and discussed. Furthermore, effects of groove angle, droplet pair positions, and size mismatches on the jumping velocity and direction have been studied. The novel mechanism of simultaneously increasing the coalescence-induced droplet jumping velocity and changing the jumping direction can be further studied to enhance the efficiency of various applications.

Biomimetic porous silk fibroin/biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.

The purpose of our study is to prepare a biomimetic porous silk fibroin (SF)/biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffold, and evaluate its performance in bone tissue regeneration. The differences in pore size, porosity, mechanical strength and biocompatibility of four different fibroin-containing scaffolds (0, 20, 40, and 60% SF) were studied in vitro. After inoculation with MC3T3-E1 cells, the ectopic bone formation ability of the SF/BCP bionic scaffold was evaluated in a rat model. The SEM and CT demonstrated that compared with pure BCP group (0% SF), the pore size and porosity of SF/BCP scaffolds were proportional to SF content, of which 40% of SF and 60% of SF groups were more suitable for cell growth. The compressive strength of SF/BCP scaffold was greater than that of the pure BCP scaffold, and showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of SF content, among which 40% of SF group had the maximum compressive strength (40.80 + 0.68) MPa. The SF/BCP scaffold had good biocompatibility, under the electron microscope, the cells can be smoothly attached to and propagated on the scaffold. After loading the osteoblasts, it showed excellent osteogenic capacity in the rat model. The SF/BCP scaffold can highly simulate the micro-environment of natural bone formation and can meet the requirements of tissue engineering. The SF/BCP biomimetic porous scaffold has excellent physical properties and biocompatibility. It can highly simulate the natural bone matrix composition and microenvironment, and can promote the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts. The SF/BCP scaffold has good ectopic osteogenesis after loading with osteoblasts, which can meet the requirements of scaffold materials in tissue engineering, and has broad application prospects in clinical application.

Severe ocular phenotypes in Rbp4-deficient mice in the C57BL/6 genetic background.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a specific carrier for retinol in the blood. In hepatocytes, newly synthesized RBP4 associates with retinol and transthyretin and is secreted into the blood. The ternary transthyretin-RBP4-retinol complex transports retinol in the circulation and delivers it to target tissues. Rbp4-deficient mice in a mixed genetic background (129xC57BL/6J) have decreased sensitivity to light in the b-wave amplitude on electroretinogram. Sensitivity progressively improves and approaches that of wild-type mice at 24 weeks of age. In the present study, we produced Rbp4-deficient mice in the C57BL/6 genetic background. These mice displayed more severe phenotypes. They had decreased a- and b-wave amplitudes on electroretinograms. In accordance with these abnormalities, we found structural changes in these mice, such as loss of the peripheral choroid and photoreceptor layer in the peripheral retinas. In the central retinas, the distance between the inner limiting membrane and the outer plexiform layer was much shorter with fewer ganglion cells and fewer synapses in the inner plexiform layer. Furthermore, ocular developmental defects of retinal depigmentation, optic disc abnormality, and persistent hyaloid artery were also observed. All these abnormalities had not recovered even at 40 weeks of age. Our Rbp4-deficient mice accumulated retinol in the liver but it was undetectable in the serum, indicating an inverse relation between serum and liver retinol levels. Our results suggest that RBP4 is critical for the mobilization of retinol from hepatic storage pools, and that such mobilization is necessary for ocular development and visual function.

Enhanced Anti/De-Icing Performance on Rough Surfaces Based on The Synergistic Effect of Fluorinated Resin and Embedded Graphene.

Icing negatively impacts various industrial sectors and daily life, often leading to severe safety problems and substantial economic losses. In this work, a fluorinated resin coating with embedded graphene nanoflakes is prepared using a spin-coating curing process. The results shows that the ice adhesion strength is reduced by ≈97.0% compared to the mirrored aluminum plate, and the icing time is delayed by a factor of 46.3 under simulated solar radiation power of 96 mW cm-2 (1 sun) at an ambient temperature of -15 °C. The superior anti/de-icing properties of the coating are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of the fluorinated resin with a low surface energy, the rough structure of the sandblasted aluminum plate, which reduces the contact area, and the embedded graphene nanoflakes with a superior photothermal effect. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding competition effect between the exposed-edge oxygen-containing functional groups of the embedded graphene nanoflakes and water molecules further improves the anti-icing properties. This work proposes a facile preparation method to prepare coatings with excellent anti/de-icing properties, offering significant potential for large-scale engineering applications.

The Revolution of exosomes: From biological functions to therapeutic applications in skeletal muscle diseases.

Skeletal muscle diseases, a broad category encompassing a myriad of afflictions such as acute muscle injury and muscular dystrophies, pose a significant health burden globally. These conditions often lead to muscle weakness, compromised mobility, and a diminished quality of life. In light of this, innovative and effective therapeutic strategies are fervently sought after. Exosomes, naturally extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30-150 nm, pervade biological fluids. These microscopic entities harbor a host of biological molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, bearing a significant resemblance to their parent cells. The roles they play in the biological theater are manifold, influencing crucial physiological and pathological processes within the organism. In the context of skeletal muscle diseases, their potential extends beyond these roles, as they present a promising therapeutic target and a vehicle for targeted drug delivery. This potentially paves the way for significant clinical applications. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning exosome action, their myriad biological functions, and the strides made in exosome research and application. A comprehensive exploration of the part played by exosomes in skeletal muscle repair and regeneration is undertaken. In addition, we delve into the use of exosomes in the therapeutic landscape of skeletal muscle diseases, providing a valuable reference for a deeper understanding of exosome applications in this realm. The concluding section encapsulates the prospective avenues for exosome research and the promising future they hold, underscoring the tremendous potential these diminutive vesicles possess in the field of skeletal muscle diseases. The Translational Potential of this Article. The comprehensive exploration of exosome's diverse biological functions and translational potential in the context of skeletal muscle diseases presented in this review underscores their promising future as a therapeutic target with significant clinical applications, thus paving the way for innovative and effective therapeutic strategies in this realm.

Biomaterials-Based Technologies in Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering.

For many clinically prevalent severe injuries, the inherent regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle remains inadequate. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering (SMTE) seeks to meet this clinical demand. With continuous progress in biomedicine and related technologies including micro/nanotechnology and 3D printing, numerous studies have uncovered various intrinsic mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle regeneration and developed tailored biomaterial systems based on these understandings. Here, the skeletal muscle structure and regeneration process are discussed and the diverse biomaterial systems derived from various technologies are explored in detail. Biomaterials serve not merely as local niches for cell growth, but also as scaffolds endowed with structural or physicochemical properties that provide tissue regenerative cues such as topographical, electrical, and mechanical signals. They can also act as delivery systems for stem cells and bioactive molecules that have been shown as key participants in endogenous repair cascades. To achieve bench-to-bedside translation, the typical effect enabled by biomaterial systems and the potential underlying molecular mechanisms are also summarized. Insights into the roles of biomaterials in SMTE from cellular and molecular perspectives are provided. Finally, perspectives on the advancement of SMTE are provided, for which gene therapy, exosomes, and hybrid biomaterials may hold promise to make important contributions.

A Mesoporous Silica-Loaded Multi-Functional Hydrogel Enhanced Tendon Healing via Immunomodulatory and Pro-Regenerative Effects.

Tendon injuries are pervasive orthopedic injuries encountered by the general population. Nonetheless, recovery after severe injuries, such as Achilles tendon injury, is limited. Consequently, there is a pressing need to devise interventions, including biomaterials, that foster tendon healing. Regrettably, tissue engineering treatments have faced obstacles in crafting appropriate tissue scaffolds and efficacious nanomedical approaches. To surmount these hurdles, an innovative injectable hydrogel (CP@SiO2), comprising puerarin and chitosan through in situ self-assembly, is pioneered while concurrently delivering mesoporous silica nanoparticles for tendon healing. In this research, CP@SiO2 hydrogel is employed for the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries, conducting extensive in vivo and in vitro experiments to evaluate its efficacy. This reults demonstrates that CP@SiO2 hydrogel enhances the proliferation and differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells, and mitigates inflammation through the modulation of macrophage polarization. Furthermore, using histological and behavioral analyses, it is found that CP@SiO2 hydrogel can improve the histological and biomechanical properties of injured tendons. This findings indicate that this multifaceted injectable CP@SiO2 hydrogel constitutes a suitable bioactive material for tendon repair and presents a promising new strategy for the clinical management of tendon injuries.

Long head of biceps tendon transposition for massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) with long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) transposition was developed to massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs); however, the outcomes of this technique remain unclear. AIM: To perform a systematic review of biomechanical outcomes and a meta-analysis of clinical outcomes after LHBT transposition for MIRCTs. METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic database search on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Studies of SCR with LHBT transposition were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Biomechanical studies were assessed for main results and conclusions. Included clinical studies were evaluated for quality of methodology. Data including study characteristics, cohort demographics, and outcomes were extracted. A meta-analysis was conducted of the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of six biomechanical studies were identified and reported an overall improvement in subacromial contact pressures and prevention of superior humeral migration without limiting range of motion (ROM) after LHBT transposition for MIRCTs. A total of five clinical studies were included in the meta-analysis of LHBT transposition outcomes, consisting of 253 patients. The results indicated that compared to other surgical methods for MIRCTs, LHBT transposition had advantages of more significant improvement in ROM (forward flexion mean difference [MD] = 6.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.07-10.01; external rotation [MD = 5.15, 95%CI: 1.59-8.17]; the acromiohumeral distance [AHD] [MD = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.21-1.59]) and reducing retear rate (odds ratio = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.15-0.48). No significant difference in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analogue scale score, and University of California at Los Angles score was demonstrated between these two groups for MIRCTs. CONCLUSION: In general, SCR with LHBT transposition was a reliable and economical technique for treating MIRCTs, both in terms of biomechanical and clinical outcomes, with comparable clinical outcomes, improved ROM, AHD, and reduced the retear rates compared to conventional SCR and other established techniques. More high-quality randomized controlled studies on the long-term outcomes of SCR with LHBT transposition are required to further assess.

Quercetin alleviates thermal and cold hyperalgesia in a rat neuropathic pain model by inhibiting Toll-like receptor signaling.

Neuropathic pain is caused by lesion or disease of the nervous system, which results in abnormal spontaneous and evoked pain. It's common in clinical practice and greatly impairs the life quality of patients, but the effective treatment is still lacking. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of quercetin (QUE) on neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) was performed in Sprague Dawley rats to establish the neuropathic pain model. Single or continuous oral administration of QUE after the operation or continuous administration before the operation was applied to evaluate the effects of QUE on SNL-induced thermal and cold hyperalgesia. Dorsal root ganglions from these rats were harvested to analyze the expression levels of some inflammatory mediators. Primary cultured astrocytes and HEK293 cells were used to further explore the downstream signaling pathways of QUE. Both single and continuous oral administration of QUE dose-dependently alleviated SNL-induced thermal and cold hyperalgesia. Pre-administration also attenuated neuropathic pain symptoms. Meanwhile, SNL-induced increase in protein or mRNA levels of some inflammatory mediators could be down-regulated by QUE treatment. Furthermore, QUE reduced the phosphorylation of TAK1, IKK and JNK2 in cultured astrocytes. Moreover, luciferase assay in HEK293 cells showed that QUE dose-dependently inhibited NF-κB activity only via TAK1. QUE exerts anti-inflammatory effects and alleviates neuropathic pain through the inhibition of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. It could shed some light on the potential applications of QUE in chronic pain therapy.