Ultrasound-activated prodrug-loaded liposome for efficient cancer targeting therapy without chemotherapy-induced side effects.

BACKGROUND: Off-targeted distribution of chemotherapeutic drugs causes severe side effects, further leading to poor prognosis and patient compliance. Ligand/receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery can improve drug accumulation in the tumor but it always attenuated by protein corona barriers. RESULTS: To address these problems, a radically different strategy is proposed that can leave the off-targeted drugs inactive but activate the tumor-distributed drugs for cancer-targeting therapy in a tumor microenvironment-independent manner. The feasibility and effectiveness of this strategy is demonstrated by developing an ultrasound (US)-activated prodrug-loaded liposome (CPBSN38L) comprising the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6)-modified lipids and the prodrug of pinacol boronic ester-conjugated SN38 (PBSN38). Once CPBSN38L is accumulated in the tumor and internalized into the cancer cells, under US irradiation, the sonosensitizer Ce6 rapidly induces extensive production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby initiating a cascade amplified ROS-responsive activation of PBSN38 to release the active SN38 for inducing cell apoptosis. If some of the injected CPBSN38L is distributed into normal tissues, the inactive PBSN38 exerts no pharmacological activity on normal cells. CPBSN38L exhibited strong anticancer activity in multiple murine tumor models of colon adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma with no chemotherapy-induced side effects, compared with the standard first-line anticancer drugs irinotecan and topotecan. CONCLUSIONS: This study established a side-effect-evitable, universal, and feasible strategy for cancer-targeting therapy.

The Key Role of Plant Hormone Signaling Transduction and Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathways in the Response of Chinese Pine (Pinus tabuliformis) to Feeding Stimulation by Pine Caterpillar (Dendrolimus tabulaeformis).

In nature, plants have developed a series of resistance mechanisms to face various external stresses. As understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant resistance continues to deepen, exploring endogenous resistance in plants has become a hot topic in this field. Despite the multitude of studies on plant-induced resistance, how plants respond to stress under natural conditions remains relatively unclear. To address this gap, we investigated Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis) using pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus tabulaeformis) under natural conditions. Healthy Chinese pine trees, approximately 10 years old, were selected for studying induced resistance in Huangtuliangzi Forestry, Pingquan City, Chengde City, Hebei Province, China. Pine needles were collected at 2 h and 8 h after feeding stimulation (FS) via 10 pine caterpillars and leaf clipping control (LCC), to simulate mechanical damage caused by insect chewing for the quantification of plant hormones and transcriptome and metabolome assays. The results show that the different modes of treatments significantly influence the contents of JA and SA in time following treatment. Three types of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were found to be involved in the initial response, namely phenolic acids, lipids, and flavonoids. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis indicated that 722 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are positively related to feeding stimulation and the specific enriched pathways are plant hormone signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis, among others. Two TIFY transcription factors (PtTIFY54 and PtTIFY22) and a MYB transcription factor (PtMYB26) were found to be involved in the interaction between plant hormones, mainly in the context of JA signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis. The results of this study provide an insight into how JA activates, serving as a reference for understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance formation in conifers responding to mandibulate insects.

Metabolites and Plant Hormones Related to the Resistance Response to Feeding Stimulation and Leaf Clipping Control in Chinese Pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.).

This experiment was conducted to define changes in metabolic pathways in response to mandibulate insect feeding and to provide a reference for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of conifer resistance. Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) in good growth status in natural condition was chosen for stimulation by 10 pine caterpillars (Dendrolimus tabulaefomis Tsai et Liu) as feeding stimulation (FS), leaf clipping control (LCC) as mechanical damage, and CK group (with no treatment) (recorded as 0 h). The metabolome and total flavonoid content were measured in the needles at 0, 2, and 8 h after treatment. Plant hormones were measured with needles at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after different treatments. The results show that a total of 30.8% flavonoids are identified by metabolomics analysis. Compared with leaf clipping control, feeding stimulation of Chinese pine caterpillars significantly induced the upregulation of metabolites in the flavonoid pathway in Chinese pine, and the plant hormones JA and IAA showed expression trends consistent with those of the metabolome. According to the biological processes of the four plant hormones involved, JA and SA are mostly involved in resistance formation, and in this study, both of them also have fluctuating expressions influenced by feeding stimulation, while the expressions of the growth-related hormones IAA and ABA have no significant changes at other time points except for 1 h after treatment. Thus, the flavonoid pathway is one of the main pathways involved in resistance formation in conifers, and JA and IAA are involved in the formation of resistance.

Microplastics released from disposable medical devices and their toxic responses in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Owing to accelerated urbanization and industrialization, many plastic products have been manufactured and discharged into the environment, causing environmental and public health problems. Plastics in environmental media are further degraded by prolonged exposure to light, heat, mechanical friction, and other factors to form new pollutants called microplastics (MPs). Medical plastics have become a crucial source of plastics in environmental media. However, the release profiles of MPs from medical plastics and their potential ecological and health risks remain unclear. We used optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy to explore the release profiles of eight typical disposable medical devices under high-temperature steam disinfection (HSD). We also evaluated the toxicity of disposable medical devices-derived MPs in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our results showed that the changes in the surface morphology and modification of the disposable medical devices were mainly associated with the material. Polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) materials exhibited high aging phenomena (e.g., bumps, depressions, bulges and cracks), and HSD broke their oxygen-containing functional groups and carbon chains. By contrast, minor changes in the chemical and physical properties were observed in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-prepared disposable medical devices under the same conditions. Further physicochemical characterization indicated that the amount of MPs released from PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 1.27 ± 0.34 × 106) was greater than that from PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 1.08 ± 0.14 × 105). The particle size of the released MPs was the opposite, PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 11.45 ± 1.79 µm) > PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 7.18 ± 0.52 µm). Toxicity assessment revealed that disposable medical devices-released MPs significantly increased germ cell apoptosisin C. elegans. Moreover, MPs from PP-prepared disposable medical devices disrupted the intestinal barrier of worms, decreasing their lifespan. Our findings provided novel information regarding the profiles and mechanisms of MP release from disposable medical devices and revealed their potential risks to ecological environment.

Highly stretchable and ultrathin nanopaper composites for epidermal strain sensors.

Multifunctional electronics are attracting great interest with the increasing demand and fast development of wearable electronic devices. Here, we describe an epidermal strain sensor based on an all-carbon conductive network made from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) impregnated with poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) matrix through a vacuum filtration process. An ultrasonication treatment was performed to complete the penetration of PDMS resin in seconds. The entangled and overlapped MWCNT network largely enhances the electrical conductivity (1430 S m-1), uniformity (remaining stable on different layers), reliable sensing range (up to 80% strain), and cyclic stability of the strain sensor. The homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs within the PDMS matrix leads to a strong interaction between the two phases and greatly improves the mechanical stability (ca. 160% strain at fracture). The flexible, reversible and ultrathin (<100 µm) film can be directly attached on human skin as epidermal strain sensors for high accuracy and real-time human motion detection.

Zero-order release of polyphenolic drugs from dynamic, hydrogen-bonded LBL films.

Drug carriers capable of releasing drugs at a constant rate, or following zero-order kinetics, can lead to the best control of plasma drug concentration. Here we demonstrated that zero-order release of polyphenolic drugs, including tannic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, proanthocyanidins, and theaflavin-3'-gallate, could be achieved using hydrogen-bonded layer-by-layer films as the drug carrier. The films were fabricated using the polyphenolic drugs as hydrogen donors and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrogen acceptor. Because the drugs and PEG are bonded with reversible, dynamic hydrogen bonds, the films disintegrate gradually in aqueous solutions, and thus release the drugs into the media. Furthermore, because the PEG polymers have a narrow molecular weight distribution, the films disintegrate and release the polyphenolic drugs at a constant rate. Besides allowing for zero-order release, the drug carrier developed here also provides various ways to tune the drug release rate. The drug release rate increases with decreasing molecular weight of PEG. More importantly, the release rate could be tuned using external stimuli. Increasing the pH or temperature results in accelerated drug release, while the addition of salt retards the drug release.

Dynamic Layer-by-Layer Films: A Platform for Zero-Order Release.

Zero-order release is the ultimate goal of controlled drug release systems, however, it still remains a big challenge despite of numerous previous efforts. Here we show that the release of P(AAm-3-AAPBA) from P(AAm-3-AAPBA)/PVA film, a dynamic layer-by-layer (LBL) film, follows a perfect zero-order kinetics, provided that both polymers in the film have a narrow molecular weight distribution. Instead of releasing via diffusion or degradation, P(AAm-3-AAPBA) is released from the film via the dissociation of the interpolymer complex. The release rate is determined by molecular weight of the polymers. One could also tune the release rate via various external environmental stimuli, including pH, temperature, and glucose. The results suggest dynamic LBL film could serve as a new drug release platform that allows for not only zero-order release, but also intelligent release.

Flexural toughness of steel fiber reinforced high performance concrete containing nano-SiO2 and fly ash.

This paper aims to clarify the effect of steel fiber on the flexural toughness of the high performance concrete containing fly ash and nano-SiO2. The flexural toughness was evaluated by two methods, which are based on ASTM C1018 and DBV-1998, respectively. By means of three-point bending method, the flexural toughness indices, variation coefficients of bearing capacity, deformation energy, and equivalent flexural strength of the specimen were measured, respectively, and the relational curves between the vertical load and the midspan deflection (P(V)-δ) were obtained. The results indicate that steel fiber has great effect on the flexural toughness parameters and relational curves (P(V)-δ) of the three-point bending beam specimen. When the content of steel fiber increases from 0.5% to 2%, the flexural toughness parameters increase gradually and the curves are becoming plumper and plumper with the increase of steel fiber content, respectively. However these flexural toughness parameters begin to decrease and the curves become thinner and thinner after the steel fiber content exceeds 2%. It seems that the contribution of steel fiber to the improvement of flexural toughness of the high performance concrete containing fly ash and nano-SiO2 is well performed only when the steel fiber content is less than 2%.

All-in-one strategy to develop a near-infrared triggered multifunctional bioactive magnesium phosphate bone cement for bone repair.

Bone cement is widely used in clinical with optimistic filling and mechanical properties. However, the setting time of bone cement is difficult to accurately control, and the existing bone cements exhibit limited therapeutic functionalities. In response to these challenges, we designed and synthesized Nd-doped whitlockite (Nd-WH), endowing bone cement with photothermal-responsive and fluorescence imaging capabilities. The doping amount and photothermal properties of Nd-doped whitlockite were studied, and the composite bone cement was prepared. The results showed that the setting time of bone cement could be regulated by near infrared irradiation, and the multiple functions of promoting osteogenic differentiation, antibacterial and anti-tumor could be realized by adjusting the power and irradiation time of near infrared. By incorporating Nd-doped whitlockite and bone cement, we developed an all-in-one strategy to achieve setting time control, enhanced osteogenic ability, tumor cell clearance, bacterial clearance, and bone tissue regeneration. The optimized physical and mechanical properties of composite bone cement ensure adaptability and plasticity. In vitro and in vivo experiments validated the effectiveness of this bone cement platform for bone repair, tumor cell clearance and bacterial clearance. The universal methods to regulate the setting time and function of bone cement by photothermal effect has potential in orthopedic surgery and is expected to be a breakthrough in the field of bone defect repair. Further research and clinical validation are needed to ensure its safety, efficacy and sustainability. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bone cement is a valuable clinical material. However, the setting time of bone cement is difficult to control, and the therapeutic function of existing bone cement is limited. Various studies have shown that the bone repair capacity of bone cements can be enhanced by synergistic stimulatory effects in vivo and ex vivo. Unfortunately, most of the existing photothermal conversion materials are non-degradable and poorly biocompatible. This study provides a bone-like photothermal conversion material with photothermal response and fluorescence imaging properties, and constructed a platform for integrated regulation of the setting time of bone cement and diversification of its functions. Therefore, it helps to design multi-functional bone repair materials that are more convenient and effective in clinical operation.

Efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol loxenatide in treating mild-to-moderate diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients: a randomized, open-label, clinical trial.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol loxenatide (PEG-Loxe) compared to those of dapagliflozin in patients with mild-to-moderate diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a prevalent microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study is set against the backdrop of increasing global diabetes incidence and the need for effective DKD management. Methods: This study constituted a single-center, randomized, open-label, clinical trial. The trial included patients with mild-to-moderate DKD and suboptimal glycemic control. Eligible participants were randomly allocated to one of the two groups for treatment with either PEG-Loxe or dapagliflozin. The primary endpoint was the change in UACR from baseline at 24 weeks. Results: Overall, 106 patients were randomized and 80 patients completed the study. Following 24 weeks of treatment, the PEG-Loxe group exhibited a mean percent change in baseline UACR of -29.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -34.8, -23.7), compared to that of -31.8% in the dapagliflozin group (95% CI: -34.8, -23.7). Both PEG-Loxe and dapagliflozin showed similar efficacy in reducing UACR, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.336). The HbA1c levels decreased by -1.30% (95% CI: -1.43, -1.18) in the PEG-Loxe group and by -1.29% (95% CI: -1.42, -1.17) in the dapagliflozin group (p = 0.905). The TG levels decreased by -0.56 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.71, -0.42) in the PEG-Loxe group and -0.33 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.48, -0.19) in the dapagliflozin group (p = 0.023). Differences in TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, SBP, and DBP levels between the groups were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). Safety profiles were consistent with previous findings, with gastrointestinal adverse events being more common in the PEG-Loxe group. Conclusions: PEG-Loxe is as effective as dapagliflozin in improving urine protein levels in patients with mild-to-moderate DKD and offers superior benefits in improving lipid profiles. These findings support the use of PEG-Loxe in DKD management, contributing to evidence-based treatment options. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300070919.

Highly efficient SO2 absorption and its subsequent utilization by weak base/polyethylene glycol binary system.

A binary system consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG, proton donor)/PEG-functionalized base with suitable basicity was developed for efficient gas desulfurization (GDS) and can be regarded as an alternative approach to circumvent the energy penalty problem in the GDS process. High capacity for SO(2) capture up to 4.88 mol of SO(2)/mol of base was achieved even under low partial pressure of SO(2). Furthermore, SO(2) desorption runs smoothly under mild conditions (N(2), 25 °C) and no significant drop in SO(2) absorption was observed after five-successive absorption-desorption cycles. On the other hand, the absorbed SO(2) by PEG(150)MeIm/PEG(150), being considered as the activated form of SO(2), can be directly transformed into value-added chemicals under mild conditions, thus eliminating the energy penalty for SO(2) desorption and simultaneously realizing recycle of the absorbents. Thus, this SO(2) capture and utilization (SCU) process offers an alternative way for GDS and potentially enables the SO(2) conversion from flue gas to useful chemicals as a value-added process.

High performance polymeric aluminum silicate sulfate (PASS) flocculant from abandoned molecular sieve.

PASS is an innovative inorganic polymer flocculant (IPF), which possesses the advantages of a polysilicate/aluminum sulfate-based flocculant. Recently, solid wastes rich in Si and Al, such as kaolinite, rice husks, and abandoned molecular sieves (AMS) have been recognized as promising raw materials for the synthesis of flocculants. The present study involved the synthesis of PASS flocculant derived from AMS. The efficacy of the as-prepared PASS was evaluated through the flocculation of wastewater containing ultramarine blue (UB) pigment. The optimal flocculation performance of PASS was observed at a Si/Al molar ratio of 1.62 and a polymerization time of 9 h. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of PASS dosage, stirring/settling time, and pH on the flocculation process while also exploring potential mechanisms. The PASS flocculant prepared in this study exhibited superior performance compared to the commercially available polyaluminum sulfate (PAS). The results demonstrated the viability of preparing PASS flocculants from waste resources.

Multifunctional magnetocaloric bone cement with a time-varying alkaline microenvironment for sequential bacterial inhibition, angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Repairing infected bone defects remains a severe challenge due to antibiotic abuse and recurrence. Hence, we modified magnetocaloric Fe3O4 nanoparticles and added them to magnesium calcium phosphate bone cement (MCPC) to fabricate multifunctional magnetic composites for sequential bacterial inhibition, angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Nevertheless, high doses of Mg ions and Fe ions were released from MCPC, which adversely affected osteogenesis. Thus, Fe3O4 was modified using gelatin according to the emulsification crosslinking method, which exhibited a controllable magnetocaloric effect and degradation behavior, and favorable anti-bacterial ability under the action of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). In the early stage, the residual MgO created a local strong alkaline microenvironment by hydrolysis, which inhibited the function and activity of S. aureus and E. coli. At the later stage, the MCPC composites were controllably degraded under the function of gelatin and maintained a long-term local slight alkaline microenvironment that promoted the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of BMSCs. In vivo subcutaneous implantation experiments further indicated that MCPC composites showed good biocompatibility and facilitated angiogenesis, presenting a promising future in magnetic materials design and infectious bone defect repair.

All-in-one bioactive properties of photothermal nanofibers for accelerating diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wound healing has attracted widespread attention in biomedical engineering. However, the harsh hypoxic microenvironment (HME) comprising high glucose levels, local bleeding, and bacterial infection often leads to the formation of hyperplastic scars, increasing the clinical demand for wound dressings. Here, we report a comprehensive strategy using near-infrared NIR-assisted oxygen delivery combined with the bioactive nature of biopolymers for remodeling the HME. Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets and hemoglobin (Hb) were self-assembled layerwise onto electrospun poly-l-lactide (PLLA) nanofibers using charged quaternized chitosan (QCS) and hyaluronic acid. BP converts NIR radiation into heat and stimulates Hb to release oxygen in situ. QCS is a hemostatic and broad-spectrum antibacterial material. Moderate BP-derived photothermal therapy can increase the sensitivity of bacteria to QCS. A series of composite wound dressings (coded as PQBH-n) with different numbers of layers were fabricated, and the in vivo diabetic wound healing potentials were tested. The molecular mechanism can be partly attributed to the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Notably, this comprehensive strategy based on NIR-assisted oxygen delivery combined with the bioactive properties of biopolymers is not only applicable for fabricating multifunctional wound dressings but also has a great potential in expanding biomedical engineering fields.

A premixed magnesium phosphate-based sealer with anti-biofilm ability for root canal filling.

The complex structure of the root canal system and microbial resistance increase the difficulty of endodontic treatment and the development of root canal sealers with good antibacterial and physicochemical properties is the key to treat refractory root canal infection. In the present study, a novel premixed root canal sealer containing trimagnesium phosphate (TMP), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4), magnesium oxide (MgO), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and a bioactive oil phase was developed, and the physicochemical properties, radiopacity, antibacterial activity in vitro, anti-biofilm ability and cytotoxicity were investigated. MgO significantly improved the anti-biofilm ability and ZrO2 enhanced the radiopacity of the premixed sealer, and they had an obvious adverse effect on other properties. In addition, this sealer has advantages such as easy-to-use design, storabality, good sealing ability and biocompatibility. Therefore, this sealer has high potential for use in treating root canal infection.

Multifunctional Scaffold for Osteoporotic Pathophysiological Microenvironment Improvement and Vascularized Bone Defect Regeneration.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease resulting from bone homeostasis imbalance regulated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Treating osteoporotic bone defects tends to be more difficult due to suppressed osteogenic differentiation, hyperactive osteoclastogenesis, and impaired angiogenesis. Hence, a drug carrier system composed of gelatin-coated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs/GM) loaded with pro-osteogenic parathyroid (PTH) and anti-osteoclastogenic alendronate (ALN) is constructed and compounded into calcium magnesium phosphate cement (MCPC). The spatial-temporal release of ions and drugs, controllable degradation rate, and abundant pore structure of MCPC composites enhance osteoporotic bone regeneration in ovariectomized rats by accelerating vascularization, promoting osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The MCPC/HMSNs@ALN-PTH/GM demonstrates a synergistic threefold effect on osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and angiogenesis. It improves the osteoporotic pathophysiological microenvironment and promotes osteoporotic vascularized bone defect regeneration, holding huge potential for other functional biomaterials design and clinical management.

Microplastics shift macrobenthic community structures near a coastal nuclear power plant under construction in North East China.

Coastal sediments are considered to be a potential sink for microplastics, which mainly derived from the land-based sources. This study investigated microplastic pollution in the sediments of 20 stations near a nuclear power plant under construction in North East China and analyzed its impacts on macrobenthic communities. The average abundance of microplastics in three stations close to the nuclear power plant was 0.33 items/g, which was approximately 10 times higher than those in the distant stations. The clustering of microplastic characteristics (sizes, shapes, and colors) showed that the three stations near the plant were in one group, and the distant stations were in another group. A total of 105 macroinvertebrate species belonging to 7 phyla were identified in all stations, and the dominant phyla were Annelida and Arthropoda. Spearman rank correlation showed that rare taxa (83 species with a contribution <1 %) were positively correlated with microplastics and As, and redundancy analysis demonstrated that the distribution patterns of macrobenthic communities were similar to those of microplastics. Moreover, co-occurrence networks showed that the rare taxa were positively correlated with microplastics. Therefore, microplastics released from the nuclear power plant under construction might shift the structure of macrobenthic communities, especially the rare taxa.

A review of microplastic pollution in seawater, sediments and organisms of the Chinese coastal and marginal seas.

China is considered to account for nearly a third of all plastic waste discharging from land to the ocean. To overall assess microplastic pollution status in Chinese coastal and marginal seas, this study summarized the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the seawater, sediments and marine organisms. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in the seawater of four major seas of China was 0.13-545 items/m³, and microplastic abundance in the sediments from the estuaries was 20-7900 items/kg, which are at middle level or even lower than those detected in other countries. By contrast, severe microplastic pollution was recorded in the estuaries, suggesting that plastic waste and microplastic interception measures should be conducted on the rivers to prevent the input of microplastics. In addition, microplastics were widely detected in marine fishes, mollusks, zooplankton, mammals and birds, which highlights the potential impacts of microplastic pollution on the whole marine ecosystem. Compared to the dry season, higher microplastic abundance was found in the rainy season, revealing that plastic waste recycling should be strengthened before the onset of rainy season. We suggest that all countries respond actively to the ubiquitous microplastic pollution through practical policies and measures to prevent microplastics from further damaging the marine ecosystem.

[Recognition system of acupuncture manipulations based on an array PVDF tactile sensor and machine learning].

In learning and evaluation of acupuncture manipulations, there are lack of quantitative physical parameters on exertion strength, duration and direction of acupuncture technique at present. Based on the tactile parameters collected during "twirling" and "lifting-thrusting" of needling, a kind of array polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) tactile sensor was designed. Followed by, a window segmentation method for tactile signal was proposed and the time domain features of the window were extracted. Finally, an identification method of acupuncture manipulation based on FCM (Fuzzy C-Means) was constructed. Through the experiment, it was proved that this sensor can effectively identify the four kinds of basic acupuncture manipulations, i.e. reinforcing by twirling and rotating, reducing by twirling and rotating, reinforcing by lifting and thrusting and reducing by lifting and thrusting and it was conductive to the quantification and dissemination of acupuncture manipulations.

Electrofabrication of flexible and mechanically strong tubular chitosan implants for peripheral nerve regeneration.

The development of peripheral nerve tissue engineering requires a safe and reliable methodology to construct biodegradable conduits. Herein, a new type of chitosan-based nerve-guide hydrogel conduit (CNHC) with enhanced mechanical flexibility in the wet state was fabricated using a one-step electrofabrication technology. The formation of the chitosan conduit is a physical process which can be conducted in a mild water phase without toxic crosslinks. The current density during electrofabrication has a profound effect on the physical and structural properties of the conduits. Cytocompatibility results indicate that the CNHC can promote cell proliferation and adhesion. Functional and histological tests indicate that the CNHC has the ability to guide the growth of axons through the conduit to reach a distal stump, which is closely similar to the autograft group. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the CNHCs from electrofabrication have a great potential in peripheral nerve regeneration.