A Patient-Specific 3D Printed Lingual Nerve Protector in Third Molar Extraction.

We present a novel, patient-specific 3D-printed lingual nerve protector designed to minimize the risk of nerve injury during mandibular third molar extraction, a common cause of lingual nerve damage. Lingual nerve injuries, often resulting from trauma, dental procedures, or maxillofacial surgeries, lead to significant functional impairments. Using computed tomography (CT) data, the custom protector is fabricated through 3D printing with a self-retaining structure to shield the lingual mucosa and nerve. The device effectively separates the lingual nerve from the surgical field without requiring retraction of the lingual flap, thereby reducing the risk of nerve injury and enhancing the safety and ease of the procedure.

Durable Polymer Versus Biodegradable Polymer Drug-Eluting Stents After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The HOST-REDUCE-POLYTECH-ACS Trial.

BACKGROUND: Large-scale randomized comparison of drug-eluting stents (DES) based on durable polymer versus biodegradable polymer technology is currently insufficient in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The present study aimed to prove the noninferiority of the durable polymer DES (DP-DES) compared with the biodegradable polymer DES (BP-DES) in such patients. METHODS: The HOST-REDUCE-POLYTECH-ACS (Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of Coronary Artery Diseases-Comparison of Reduction of Prasugrel Dose or Polymer Technology in ACS Patients) trial is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, adjudicator-blinded, multicenter, noninferiority trial comparing the efficacy and safety of DP-DES and BP-DES in patients with ACS. The primary end point was a patient-oriented composite outcome (a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and any repeat revascularization) at 12 months. The key secondary end point was device-oriented composite outcome (a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization) at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 3413 patients were randomized to receive the DP-DES (1713 patients) and BP-DES (1700 patients). At 12 months, patient-oriented composite outcome occurred in 5.2% in the DP-DES group and 6.4% in the BP-DES group (absolute risk difference, -1.2%; Pnoninferiority<0.001). The key secondary end point, device-oriented composite outcome, occurred less frequently in the DP-DES group (DP-DES vs BP-DES, 2.6% vs 3.9%; hazard ratio, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.46-0.98]; P=0.038), mostly because of a reduction in target lesion revascularization. The rate of spontaneous nonfatal myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis were extremely low, with no significant difference between the 2 groups (0.6% versus 0.8%; P=0.513 and 0.1% versus 0.4%; P=0.174, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In ACS patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention, DP-DES was noninferior to BP-DES with regard to patient-oriented composite outcomes at 12 months after index percutaneous coronary intervention. Registration: URL: https://wwwclinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02193971.

Removal of large middle molecules via haemodialysis with medium cut-off membranes at lower blood flow rates: an observational prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) may improve middle molecular clearance in contrast to conventional haemodialysis (HD). However, OL-HDF requires higher convective flows and cannot sufficiently remove large middle molecules. This study evaluated the efficacy of a medium cut-off (MCO) dialyser in removing large middle molecular uraemic toxins and compared it with that of conventional high-flux (HF) dialysers in HD and predilution OL-HDF. METHODS: Six clinically stable HD patients without residual renal function were investigated. Dialyser and treatment efficacies were examined during a single midweek treatment in three consecutive periods: 1) conventional HD using an HF dialyser, 2) OL-HDF using the same HF dialyser, and 3) conventional HD using an MCO dialyser. Treatment efficacy was assessed by calculating the reduction ratio (RR) for ß2-microglobulin (ß2M), myoglobin, κ and λ free light chains (FLCs), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 and measuring clearance for FLCs. RESULTS: All three treatments showed comparable RRs for urea, phosphate, creatinine, and uric acid. MCO HD showed greater RRs for myoglobin and λFLC than did HF HD and predilution OL-HDF (myoglobin: 63.1 ± 5.3% vs. 43.5 ± 8.9% and 49.8 ± 7.3%; λFLC: 43.2 ± 5.6% vs. 26.8 ± 4.4% and 33.0 ± 9.2%, respectively; P <  0.001). Conversely, predilution OL-HDF showed the greatest RR for ß2M, whereas MCO HD and HF HD showed comparable RRs for ß2M (predilution OL-HDF vs. MCO HD: 80.1 ± 4.9% vs. 72.6 ± 3.8%, P = 0.01). There was no significant difference among MCO HD, HF HD, and predilution OL-HDF in the RRs for κFLC (63.2 ± 6.0%, 53.6 ± 15.5%, and 61.5 ± 7.0%, respectively; P = 0.37), and FGF-23 (55.5 ± 20.3%, 34.6 ± 13.1%, and 35.8 ± 23.2%, respectively; P = 0.13). Notably, MCO HD showed improved clearances for FLCs when compared to HF HD or OL-HDF. CONCLUSIONS: MCO HD showed significantly greater RR of large middle molecules and achieved improved clearance for FLCs than conventional HD and OL-HDF, without the need for large convection volumes or high blood flow rates. This would pose as an advantage for elderly HD patients with poor vascular access and HD patients without access to OL-HDF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS): KCT 0003009. The trial was prospectively registered on the 21 Jul 2018.

Risk Factors for Complications of Intraoral Removal of Submandibular Sialoliths.

PURPOSE: Intraoral removal of submandibular sialoliths is a surgical technique for the treatment of sialolithiasis and is reported to have excellent outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors leading to complications of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 200 patients who had undergone intraoral removal of sialoliths from January 2006 through June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A telephone survey was used to check postoperative symptoms. Dry mouth, wound infection, lingual nerve dysfunction, and recurrence were considered complications. Computed tomograms of the neck were reviewed for location, shape, number, and size of the stone. RESULTS: Forty-four patients reported a complication. The incidence of complications was significantly higher in patients with stones in the proximal region of the salivary duct (proximal group) than in those with middle or distally located stones (middle/distal group; P < .05). The average stone size was larger in the proximal group; the operation time and length of admission also were longer in the proximal group, with a statistically significant difference (P < .05). Complaints of lingual nerve dysfunction were significantly higher in the proximal group than in the middle/distal group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with proximally located stones had more complications, especially lingual nerve dysfunction, than those with middle or distally located stones. The former group also required a longer operation time and hospital stay.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Correlation Between Soft Tissue and Bone of the Lower Face Using Three-Dimensional Facial Laser Scan.

BACKGROUND: The prime aims of this study were to establish cephalometric linear and angular normative values of the lower face using a three-dimensional (3D) analysis in Korean individuals, and validate whether the linear and angular measurements using 3D laser scanner are comparable with measurements using 3D computed tomography (CT). METHODS: In this study, 40 Korean individuals aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled. Using 3D CT scan and 3D laser scanner, linear and angular values of the lower face were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out to verify the concordance and correlation between two 3D imaging modalities. RESULTS: The 40 samples consisted of 11 women with a mean age of 40.8 ±â€Š14.5 years and 29 men with a mean age of 29.7 ±â€Š15.0 years. The results demonstrated the difference between sex and the tendency of asymmetry on both sides. Among different methods of measuring angular values, the gonial angle (GA) between tragion' (Tr')-gonion' (Go')-menton' (Me') from 3D laser scanning and between articulate-gonion-menton from CT scan demonstrated a good concordance and a high correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The GA measured between Tr'-Go'-Me' using a 3D facial laser scan was comparable with values from 3D CT scan. The reference points and the GA, which we assessed here for 3D laser scanning, can be a reliable alternative method evaluating mandibular angles for assessing patients and surgical planning in plastic and orthognathic surgery.

DPIE [2-(1,2-diphenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine] Augments Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production in IL-1ß-Stimulated Primary Human Oral Cells.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a prominent pro-inflammatory cytokine that is implicated in a variety of autoimmune diseases and plays an important role in host defense against infections. IL-1β activity increases with its increasing binding capacity to IL-1 receptors (IL-1Rs). Thus, numerous studies have targeted the discovery of molecules modulating the interactions between IL-1β and IL-1R1. We have conducted an IL-1R1 structure-based virtual screening to identify small molecules that could alter IL-1β activity, using in silico computational analysis. Sixty compounds from commercial libraries were predicted to bind to IL-1R1, and their influence on cytokine production in IL-1β-stimulated gingival fibroblasts (GFs) was determined. Of these, only (2-(1,2-diphenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine (DPIE) showed a synergistic increase in inflammatory molecules and cytokine production (IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels in IL-1β-stimulated GFs. The enhancing activity of DPIE in IL-1β-induced cytokine production increased in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. This pattern was also observed in IL-1β-stimulated primary human periodontal ligament cells (PDLs). Furthermore, we measured the impact of DPIE on the IL-1β⁻IL-1R1 system using surface plasmon resonance and demonstrated that DPIE increased the binding affinity of IL-1β to IL-1R1. These data indicate that DPIE boosts IL-1β signaling by enhancing the binding of IL-1β to IL-1R1 in oral primary cells.

A novel endoscopic fluorescent band ligation method for tumor localization.

BACKGROUND: Accurate tumor localization is essential for minimally invasive surgery. This study describes the development of a novel endoscopic fluorescent band ligation method for the rapid and accurate identification of tumor sites during surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The method utilized a fluorescent rubber band, made of indocyanine green (ICG) and a liquid rubber solution mixture, as well as a near-infrared fluorescence laparoscopic system with a dual light source using a high-powered light-emitting diode (LED) and a 785-nm laser diode. The fluorescent rubber bands were endoscopically placed on the mucosae of porcine stomachs and colons. During subsequent conventional laparoscopic stomach and colon surgery, the fluorescent bands were assayed using the near-infrared fluorescence laparoscopy system. RESULTS: The locations of the fluorescent clips were clearly identified on the fluorescence images in real time. The system was able to distinguish the two or three bands marked on the mucosal surfaces of the stomach and colon. Resection margins around the fluorescent bands were sufficient in the resected specimens obtained during stomach and colon surgery. CONCLUSION: These novel endoscopic fluorescent bands could be rapidly and accurately localized during stomach and colon surgery. Use of these bands may make possible the excision of exact target sites during minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery.

Conducting Polymer Coated Graphene Oxide Electrode for Rechargeable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)/graphene oxide-sulfur composites were prepared by a chemical oxidation method. For the PDDA-GO composites, conducting polymers (PDDA) were coated on the surface of GO sheets. PDDA-GO composites could be expected to increase electrical conductivity and protect restacking of graphene sheets. And then, sulfur particles were dispersed into the PDDA-GO composites by mixing in the CS2 solvent. It is expected the PDDA-GO/S composites show the limited release of polysulfides due to the fact that it can provide high surface area, because conducting polymer can be used as spacer between graphene sheets. Electrochemical performances of prepared composites were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The PDDA-GO/S composites showed a high discharge capacity of 1102 mAh g(-1) at the first cycle and a good cycle retention of 60% after 100 cycles.

Clinical Experience With n-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate in Performing Lateral Neck Dissection for Metastatic Thyroid Cancer.

Background Chyle leakage following lateral neck dissection (LND) is rare, but can induce metabolic disturbances, delay wound healing, and prolong hospitalization. n-Butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has been used to achieve hemostasis and seal tissues in several surgical settings. We here assessed whether application of NBCA to the thoracic duct area is effective in sealing chyle leakage. Methods The medical records of 163 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with unilateral LND between March 2011 and September 2012 were reviewed. NBCA was applied to 84 patients and not applied to 79. Drainage volume, duration of hospital stay, and incidence of complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results The 2 groups were not different with regard to age, body weight, gender, primary tumor histology, and number of lateral neck nodes harvested. Mean hospital stay was significantly shorter (4.3 ± 1.8 vs 5.7 ± 3.0 days, P < .001), median total drainage volume was significantly smaller (270 mL; range: 97-931 mL vs 328 mL; range: 113-2636 mL; P < .001), and rate of chyle leakage was significantly lower (0% vs 6.3%, P = .025) in the NBCA than in the non-NBCA group. Conclusion NBCA application to the dissected area of the thoracic duct posterior to its angle of junction with the internal jugular and subclavian veins could be safe and effective in reducing surgical complications related to chyle leakage after LND.

Morphologically Aligned Cation-Exchange Membranes by a Pulsed Electric Field for Reverse Electrodialysis.

A low-resistance ion-exchange membrane is essential to achieve the high-performance energy conversion or storage systems. The formation methods for low-resistance membranes are various; one of the methods is the ion channel alignment of an ion-exchange membrane under a direct current (DC) electric field. In this study, we suggest a more effective alignment method than the process with the DC electric field. First, an ion-exchange membrane was prepared under a pulsed electric field [alternating current (AC) mode] to enhance the effectiveness of the alignment. The membrane properties and the performance in reverse electrodialysis (RED) were then examined to assess the membrane resistance and ion selectivity. The results show that the membrane electrical resistance (MER) had a lower value of 0.86 Ω cm(2) for the AC membrane than 2.13 Ω cm(2) observed for the DC membrane and 4.30 Ω cm(2) observed for the pristine membrane. Furthermore, RED achieved 1.34 W/m(2) of maximum power density for the AC membrane, whereas that for the DC membrane was found to be 1.14 W/m(2) [a RED stack assembled with CMX, used as a commercial cation-exchange membrane (CEM), showed 1.07 W/m(2)]. Thereby, the novel preparation process for a remarkable low-resistance membrane with high ion selectivity was demonstrated.

The beneficial effects of polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase on ovarian tissue culture and transplantation.

PURPOSE: Reducing the ischemic damage from free radicals that is inflicted on ovarian tissue is critical for successful ovarian tissue transplantation. Polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) is mimetic of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and powerful free radical scavenger acts by reducing superoxide anions. The objective of study was to evaluate effects of PEG-SOD on mouse ovarian tissues in in vitro culture and in autotransplantation. METHODS: Ovaries were collected and randomly divided into four groups that received different doses of PEG-SOD. To assess effects of PEG-SOD on in vitro cultures, four different doses of PEG-SOD were applied to in vitro culture media during in vitro culturing following ovarian tissue vitrification and warming. To evaluate effects of PEG-SOD on ovarian tissue transplantation, four different doses of PEG-SOD were applied for 2, 7, and 21 days to mice following vitrified-warmed mouse ovarian tissue autotransplantation. RESULTS: The percentage of primordial follicles was maintained at the highest dose of PEG-SOD for 2 h in vitro, and there was a significant decrease in the percentage of apoptotic follicles at 2 h, but not at later time points. The highest dose of PEG-SOD also maintained primordial, primary, and secondary follicles 2 days post-transplantation, but only primordial follicles were maintained up to 21 days after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-SOD is protective mainly toward primordial follicles only for a short interval in vitro, presumably via antioxidant effects. PEG-SOD may be a promising additive for preserving ovarian tissue integrity, at least for primordial follicles, up to 21 days post-transplantation.

Filler effect of ionic liquid attached titanium oxide on conducting property of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite electrolytes.

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) were prepared by containing blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a host polymer, propylene carbonate as a plasticizer, and LiClO4 as a salt. By an addition of a various content of ionic liquid attached TiO2 (IL-TiO2) to above electrolytes, the effects were studied. As a result, by increasing the IL-TiO2 content, the crystallinity of PEO was decreased and the ionic conductivity was increased. The ionic conductivity of CPEs was dependent on the content of IL-TiO2 and showed the highest value of 1.05 x 10(-4) S/cm at 9 wt.%. However, when IL-TiO2 content exceeds 9 wt.%, the ionic conductivity was decreased due to the slow ionic transport due to immiscibility or aggregation of the IL-TiO2 filler within the polymer film matrix.

Synergistic effects of ultrasound and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on reducing Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19118 in broth, stainless steel, and iceberg lettuce.

This study was performed in order to determine whether a combined treatment of ultrasound and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is more effective than individual treatment on reducing Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19118 on stainless steel and iceberg lettuce. The bactericidal effect of ultrasound and NaOCl was investigated in tryptic soy broth (TSB), on stainless steel and iceberg lettuce. Various concentrations of NaOCl (50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm) were tested along with various ultrasound treatment times (5, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 min). The combined treatment of ultrasound and NaOCl resulted in greater bacterial reductions than either treatment alone, without causing any significant changes in lettuce texture. The synergistic values of combined ultrasound and NaOCl treatments in TSB, on stainless steel, and on iceberg lettuce were 0.01-0.99 log10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, 0.01-0.62 log 10 CFU/g, and 0.12-1.66 log10 CFU/g, respectively. These results suggest that the combination of ultrasound and NaOCl was more effective than each treatment against Listeria monocytogenes, and that this combination can effectively sanitize fresh products such as iceberg lettuce.

Modulating Lipid Nanoparticles with Histidinamide-Conjugated Cholesterol for Improved Intracellular Delivery of mRNA.

Recently, mRNA-based therapeutics, including vaccines, have gained significant attention in the field of gene therapy for treating various diseases. Among the various mRNA delivery vehicles, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising vehicles for packaging and delivering mRNA with low immunogenicity. However, while mRNA delivery has several advantages, the delivery efficiency and stability of LNPs remain challenging for mRNA therapy. In this study, an ionizable helper cholesterol analog, 3ß[L-histidinamide-carbamoyl] cholesterol (Hchol) lipid is developed and incorporated into LNPs instead of cholesterol to enhance the LNP potency. The pKa values of the Hchol-LNPs are ≈6.03 and 6.61 in MC3- and SM102-based lipid formulations. Notably, the Hchol-LNPs significantly improve the delivery efficiency by enhancing the endosomal escape of mRNA. Additionally, the Hchol-LNPs are more effective in a red blood cell hemolysis at pH 5.5, indicating a synergistic effect of the protonated imidazole groups of Hchol and cholesterol on endosomal membrane destabilization. Furthermore, mRNA delivery is substantially enhanced in mice treated with Hchol-LNPs. Importantly, LNP-encapsulated SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccinations induce potent antigen-specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Overall, incorporating Hchol into LNP formulations enables efficient endosomal escape and stability, leading to an mRNA delivery vehicle with a higher delivery efficiency.

Study on ion conductivity and crystallinity of composite polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(acrylonitrile) containing nano-sized Al2O3 fillers.

In this paper, composite polymer electrolytes were prepared by a blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) as a polymer matrix, ethylene carbonate as a plasticizer, LiClO4 as a salt, and by containing a different content of nano-sized Al2O3. The composite films were prepared by using the solution casting method. The crystallinity and ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and AC impedance method, respectively. The morphology of composite polymer electrolyte film was analyzed by SEM method. From the experimental results, by increasing the Al2O3 content, the crystallinity of PEO was reduced, and the ionic conductivity was increased. In particular, by a doping of 15 wt.% Al2O3 in PEO/PAN polymer blend, the CPEs showed the superior ionic conductivity. However, when Al2O3 content exceeds 15 wt.%, the ionic conductivity was decreased. From the surface morphology, it was concluded that the ionic conductivity was decreased because the CPEs showed a heterogenous morphology due to immiscibility or aggregation of the ceramic filler within the polymer matrix.

Microstructured elastomeric surfaces with reversible adhesion and examples of their use in deterministic assembly by transfer printing.

Reversible control of adhesion is an important feature of many desired, existing, and potential systems, including climbing robots, medical tapes, and stamps for transfer printing. We present experimental and theoretical studies of pressure modulated adhesion between flat, stiff objects and elastomeric surfaces with sharp features of surface relief in optimized geometries. Here, the strength of nonspecific adhesion can be switched by more than three orders of magnitude, from strong to weak, in a reversible fashion. Implementing these concepts in advanced stamps for transfer printing enables versatile modes for deterministic assembly of solid materials in micro/nanostructured forms. Demonstrations in printed two- and three-dimensional collections of silicon platelets and membranes illustrate some capabilities. An unusual type of transistor that incorporates a printed gate electrode, an air gap dielectric, and an aligned array of single walled carbon nanotubes provides a device example.

Prussian blue nanozymes coated with Pluronic attenuate inflammatory osteoarthritis by blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder associated with inflammation, functional disability, and high socioeconomic costs. The development of effective therapies against inflammatory OA has been limited owing to its complex and multifactorial nature. The efficacy of Prussian blue nanozymes coated with Pluronic (PPBzymes), US Food and Drug Administration-approved components, and their mechanisms of action have been described in this study, and PPBzymes have been characterized as a new OA therapeutic. Spherical PPBzymes were developed via nucleation and stabilization of Prussian blue inside Pluronic micelles. A uniformly distributed diameter of approximately 204 nm was obtained, which was maintained after storage in an aqueous solution and biological buffer. This indicates that PPBzymes are stable and could have biomedical applications. In vitro data revealed that PPBzymes promote cartilage generation and reduce cartilage degradation. Moreover, intra-articular injections with PPBzymes into mouse joints revealed their long-term stability and effective uptake into the cartilage matrix. Furthermore, intra-articular PPBzymes injections attenuated cartilage degradation without exhibiting cytotoxicity toward the synovial membrane, lungs, and liver. Notably, based on proteome microarray data, PPBzymes specifically block the JNK phosphorylation, which modulates inflammatory OA pathogenesis. These findings indicate that PPBzymes might represent a biocompatible and effective nanotherapeutic for obstructing JNK phosphorylation.

Mussel-inspired immobilization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for enhanced endothelialization of vascular grafts.

Most polymeric vascular prosthetic materials have low patency rate for replacement of small diameter vessels (<5 mm), mainly due to failure to generate healthy endothelium. In this study, we present polydopamine-mediated immobilization of growth factors on the surface of polymeric materials as a versatile tool to modify surface characteristics of vascular grafts potentially for accelerated endothelialization. Polydopamine was deposited on the surface of biocompatible poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) elastomer, on which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was subsequently immobilized by simple dipping. Surface characteristics and composition were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Immobilization of VEGF on the polydopamine-deposited PLCL films was effective (19.8 ± 0.4 and 197.4 ± 19.7 ng/cm(2) for DPv20 and DPv200 films, respectively), and biotin-mediated labeling of immobilized VEGF revealed that the fluorescence intensity increased as a function of the concentration of VEGF solution. The effect of VEGF on adhesion of HUVECs was marginal, which may have been masked by polydopamine layer that also enhanced cell adhesion. However, VEGF-immobilized substrate significantly enhanced proliferation of HUVECs for over 7 days of in vitro culture and also improved their migration. In addition, immobilized VEGF supported robust cell to cell interactions with strong expression of CD 31 marker. The same process was effective for immobilization of basic fibroblast growth factor, demonstrating the robustness of polydopamine layer for secondary ligation of growth factors as a simple and novel surface modification strategy for vascular graft materials.

Electrochemical properties of composite electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethylene imine) containing the inorganic silica fillers.

In this study, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) polymer blends containing inorganic silica fillers were studied in order to enhance the ion conductivity and interfacial properties. Lithium perchlorate (LiCIO4) as a salt, and silica (SiO2) as the inorganic filler were introduced in the polymer electrolyte composites and were examined to evaluate their use to improve the ionic conductivity. The addition of inorganic fillers in polymer electrolytes has resulted in high ionic conductivity at a room temperature. The structure and morphology of the solid polymer electrolytes were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ionic conductivity was measured by an AC impedance method. The enhanced conductivity was dependent on the decreased crystallinity and more heterogeneous morphologies.

A simulation model considering sidewall deposition for the precise prediction of the performance of label-free photonic-crystal biosensors.

Photonic-crystal (PC) structures are used as biosensors that detect the changes in the surrounding refractive index due to biomolecular interactions. In this study, a method of modeling a PC structure that considers the sidewall deposition effect during high-index layer deposition was proposed to precisely predict the performance of a label-free PC biosensor. A PC composed of nanoreplicated grating and a TiO2 high-index layer was fabricated. To replicate nanograting, a silicon mold with a 450 nm pitch and a 100 nm grating height was fabricated via photolithography and reactive ion etching. A mold cavity was coated with a self-assembled monolayer, and UV replication was performed. To realize the PC structure, a TiO2 high-index layer was deposited using the E-beam evaporation system. To design the simulation model considering the sidewall deposition effect, the cross-sectional surface profile of each PC layer was measured. Finally, the changes in the transmission spectrum of the fabricated PC structure with different buffer solutions were measured and compared with the simulated results obtained from rigorous coupled wave analysis to examine the prediction accuracy of the proposed simulation model.