Bioinspired Solar-Driven Osmosis for Stable High Flux Desalination.

The growing global water crisis necessitates sustainable desalination solutions. Conventional desalination technologies predominantly confront environmental issues such as high emissions from fossil-fuel-driven processes and challenges in managing brine disposal during the operational stages, emphasizing the need for renewable and environmentally friendly alternatives. This study introduces and assesses a bioinspired, solar-driven osmosis desalination device emulating the natural processes of mangroves with effective contaminant rejection and notable productivity. The bioinspired solar-driven osmosis (BISO) device, integrating osmosis membranes, microporous absorbent paper, and nanoporous ceramic membranes, was evaluated under different conditions. We conducted experiments in both controlled and outdoor settings, simulating seawater with a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. With a water yield of 1.51 kg m-2 h-1 under standard solar conditions (one sun), the BISO system maintained excellent salt removal and accumulation resistance after up to 8 h of experiments and demonstrated great cavitation resistance even at 58.14 °C. The outdoor test recorded a peak rate of 1.22 kg m-2 h-1 and collected 16.5 mL in 8 h, showing its practical application potential. These results highlight the BISO device's capability to address water scarcity using a sustainable approach, combining bioinspired design with solar power, presenting a viable pathway in renewable-energy-driven desalination technology.

Bio-Polyethylene and Polyethylene Biocomposites: An Alternative toward a Sustainable Future.

Polyethylene (PE), a highly prevalent non-biodegradable polymer in the field of plastics, presents a waste management issue. To alleviate this issue, bio-based PE (bio-PE), derived from renewable resources like corn and sugarcane, offers an environmentally friendly alternative. This review discusses various production methods of bio-PE, including fermentation, gasification, and catalytic conversion of biomass. Interestingly, the bio-PE production volumes and market are expanding due to the growing environmental concerns and regulatory pressures. Additionally, the production of PE and bio-PE biocomposites using agricultural waste as filler materials, highlights the growing demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. According to previous studies, addition of ≈50% defibrillated corn and abaca fibers into bio-PE matrix and a compatibilizer, results in the highest Young's modulus of 4.61 and 5.81 GPa, respectively. These biocomposites have potential applications in automotive, building construction, and furniture industries. Moreover, the advancement made in abiotic and biotic degradation of PE and PE biocomposites is elucidated to address their environmental impacts. Finally, the paper concludes with insights into the opportunities, challenges, and future perspectives in the sustainable production and utilization of PE and bio-PE biocomposites. In summary, production of PE and bio-PE biocomposites can contribute to a cleaner and sustainable future.

Three/Four-Dimensional Printed PLA Nano/Microstructures: Crystallization Principles and Practical Applications.

Compared to traditional methods, three/four-dimensional (3D/4D) printing technologies allow rapid prototyping and mass customization, which are ideal for preparing nano/microstructures of soft polymer materials. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a biopolymer material widely used in additive manufacturing (AM) because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Unfortunately, owing to its intrinsically poor nucleation ability, a PLA product is usually in an amorphous state after industrial processing, leading to some undesirable properties such as a barrier property and low thermal resistance. Crystallization mediation offers a most practical way to improve the properties of PLA products. Herein, we summarize and discuss 3D/4D printing technologies in the processing of PLA nano/microstructures, focusing on crystallization principles and practical applications including bio-inspired structures, flexible electronics and biomedical engineering mainly reported in the last five years. Moreover, the challenges and prospects of 3D/4D printing technologies in the fabrication of high-performance PLA materials nano/microstructures will also be discussed.

Solution-Processable Copolymers Based on Triphenylamine and 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene: Facile Synthesis and Multielectrochromism.

In comparison with traditional inorganic electrochromic materials, organic polymers offer advantages such as fast switching speed, flexibility, lightweightness, low cost and nontoxicity, solution-processability, and color tunability. Herein, a series of hyper-branched copolymers are synthesized from triphenylamine and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with different feed ratios via iron(III) chloride (FeCl3 )-mediated oxidative polymerization. The resultant organic-soluble polymers are easily processable and their corresponding electrochromic devices are found to be stable with limited degradation upon 2500 cycles. In addition to their facile synthesis to achieve solution-processable polymers, studies also show that the polymers exhibit multielectrochromic properties and give rise to five colored states upon oxidative-doping by applying an external voltage between 0 and 2.0 V, providing an interesting example of polymers with unique electrochromic switching among up to five colors, from yellow at the neutral state, to pale green, pale purple, orange, and finally gray.

Highly Efficient Supramolecular Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Pseudorotaxane Luminogen for Functional Bioimaging.

The direct tracking of cells using fluorescent dyes is a constant challenge in cell therapy due to aggregation-induced quenching (ACQ) effect and biocompatibility issues. Here, we demonstrate the development of a biocompatible and highly efficient aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active pseudorotaxane luminogen based on tetraphenylethene conjugated poly(ethylene glycol) (TPE-PEG2) (guest) and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) (host). It is capable of showing significant fluorescent emission enhancement at the 400-600 nm range when excited at 388 nm, without increasing the concentration of AIE compound. The fluorescent intensity of TPE-PEG2 solution was effectively enhanced by 4-12 times with gradual addition of 1-4 mM of α-CD. 2D NOSEY 1H NMR revealed clear correlation spots between the characteristic peaks of α-CD and PEG, indicating the interaction between protons of ethylene glycol and cyclodextrin, and the structures are mainly based on threaded α-CD. The host-guest complex exhibits boosted fluorescent emission because the PEG side chains are confined in "nano-cavities" (host), thus, applying additional restriction on intermolecular rotation of TPE segments. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated the potential of AIE-active pseudorotaxane polymer as a biocompatible bioimaging probe.

Facile Synthesis of Solubilizing a Group-Free, Solution-Processable p-Type Ladder Conjugated Polymer and Its Thermoelectric Properties.

Here we report the synthesis of a new solubilizing group-free, solution-processable p-type ladder conjugated polymer, 6H-pyrrolo[3,2-b:4,5-b']bis[1,4]benzothiazine ladder (PBBTL) polymer by using a polyphosphoric acid (PPA) and phenylphosphonic acid (PhPO3H2) 1:1 binary acid solvent system together with careful control of reaction kinetics. With a good intrinsic viscosity of 3.69 dL/g in methanesulfonic acid (MSA), good quality PBBTL films can be obtained via spin-coating. Intrinsic thin film properties and thermoelectric performance of PBBTL were evaluated, making it the second solubilizing group-free, solution-processable ladder-type conjugated polymer after BBL to be used for thin-film polymer electronics. While our preliminary thermoelectric performance of the FeCl3-doped PBBTL films is modest, we believe that many opportunities lie ahead for PBBTL and hope that its successful synthesis using the new PPA:PhPO3H2 binary acid solvent system will inspire synthetic organic chemists to relook into solubilizing group-free, solution-processable ladder-type conjugated polymer systems.

Transplantation of neural scaffolds consisting of dermal fibroblast-reprogrammed neurons and 3D silk fibrous materials promotes the repair of spinal cord injury.

Transplantation of tissue-engineered neural scaffolds bears great potential for reconstructing neural circuits after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, a 3D porous silk fibrous scaffold (3D-SF) with biomimetic interconnected micro- to nanofibrous structure and good biocompatibility is fabricated. Then, a small-molecule combination CFLSSVY (CHIR99021, Forskolin, LDN193189, SB431542, SP600125, VPA, and Y27632) that efficiently reprograms rat dermal fibroblasts into neurons is screened, and these chemically induced neurons (CiNs) are shown to readily communicate on the 3D-SF and form neural scaffolds. After transplantation of these silk-based neural scaffolds into the stumps of transected spinal cords in rats, the damaged tissue is repaired significantly, as indicated by the reduced cavity areas, decreased GFAP expression, and improved axonal regeneration and myelination in the injury site. Moreover, the hindlimb movement and motor-nerve conductivity are greatly improved as indicated by the elevated BBB score, the alternate movement of two hindlimbs during the 45° inclined grid test, and the shortened latency and enhanced amplitude in cMEP detection. Together, these results demonstrate that transplantation of neural scaffolds consisting of 3D-SF and dermal fibroblast-reprogrammed neurons leads to significant nerve regeneration and functional recovery, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI.

Development of a Remodeled Caspar Retractor and Its Application in the Measurement of Distractive Resistance in an In Vitro Anterior Cervical Distraction Model.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical study of the cervical intervertebral distraction using a remodeled Caspar retractor. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the torques required for distraction to different heights in an in vitro C3-C4 anterior cervical distraction model using a remodeled Caspar retractor, focusing on the influence of the intervertebral disk, posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), and ligamentum flavum (LF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No previous studies have reported on the torques required for distraction to various heights or the factors resisting distraction in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. METHODS: Anterior cervical distractions at C3-C4 was performed in 6 cadaveric specimens using a remodeled Caspar retractor, under 4 conditions: A, before disk removal; B, after disk removal; C, after disk and PLL removal; and D, after disk and PLL removal and cutting of the LF. Distraction was performed for 5 teeth, and distractive torque of each tooth was recorded. RESULTS: The torque increased with distraction height under all conditions. There was a sudden increase in torque at the fourth tooth under conditions B and C, but not D. Under condition A, distraction to the third tooth required 84.8±13.3 cN m. Under conditions B and C, distraction to the third tooth required <13 cN m, and further distraction required dramatically increased torque. Under condition D, no marked increase in torque was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction of the intervertebral space was much easier after disk removal. An intact LF caused a sudden marked increase in the force required for distraction, possibly indicating the point at which the LF was fully stretched. This increase in resistance may help to determine the optimal distraction height to avoid excessive stress to the endplate spacer. The remodeled Caspar retractor in the present study may provide a feasible and convenient method for intraoperative measurement of distractive resistance.

Review of injectable cartilage engineering using fibrin gel in mice and swine models.

More than a decade of work has been devoted to engineering cartilage for articular surface repair. This review covers the use of fibrin gel polymer as an injectable scaffold for generating new cartilage matrix from isolated articular chondrocytes beginning with studies in mice and culminating in an applied study in swine joints. These studies began with developing a formulation of fibrin that was injectable and promoted cartilage matrix formation. Subsequent studies addressed the problems of volume loss after the scaffolds were placed in vivo by adding lyophilized cartilage matrix. Additional studies focused on the ability of isolated chondrocytes to heal and repair cartilage in a model that could be biomechanically tested. In conclusion, this series of studies demonstrated that fibrin gel is a suitable polymer gel for generating new cartilage matrix from articular chondrocytes. The new matrix is capable of forming mechanical bonds between cartilage disks and can lead to healing and integration. Armed with these results, implantation of fibrin-cell constructs into defects in swine knees showed new cartilage formation and filling of the defects. Continuing work in these models with fibrin and other polymerizable hydrogels could result in a suitable cell-based therapy for articular cartilage lesions.

Analysis of bending behavior of native and engineered auricular and costal cartilage.

A large-deflection elasticity model was used to describe the mechanical behavior of cartilaginous tissues during three-point bending tests. Force-deflection curves were measured for 20-mm long x 4-mm wide x approximately 1-mm thick strips of porcine auricular and costal cartilage. Using a least-squares method with elastic modulus in bending as the only adjustable parameter, data were fit to a model based on the von Karman theory for large deflection of plates. This model described the data well, with an average RMS error of 14.8% and an average R(2) value of 0.98. Using this method, the bending modulus of auricular cartilage (4.6 MPa) was found to be statistically lower (p < 0.05) than that of costal cartilage (7.1 MPa). Material features of the cartilage samples influenced the mechanical behavior, including the orientation of the perichondrium in auricular cartilage. These methods also were used to determine the elastic moduli of engineered cartilage samples produced by seeding chondrocytes into fibrin glue. The modulus of tissue-engineered constructs increased statistically with time (p < 0.05), but still were statistically lower than the moduli of the native tissue samples (p > 0.05), reaching only about a third of the values of native samples.

Injectable tissue-engineered cartilage with different chondrocyte sources.

Injectable engineered cartilage that maintains a predictable shape and volume would allow recontouring of craniomaxillofacial irregularities with minimally invasive techniques. This study investigated how chondrocytes from different cartilage sources, encapsulated in fibrin polymer, affected construct mass and volume with time. Swine auricular, costal, and articular chondrocytes were isolated and mixed with fibrin polymer (cell concentration of 40 x 10 cells/ml for all groups). Eight samples (1 cm x 1 cm x 0.3 cm) per group were implanted into nude mice for each time period (4, 8, and 12 weeks). The dimensions and mass of each specimen were recorded before implantation and after explantation. Ratios comparing final measurements and original measurements were calculated. Histological, biochemical, and biomechanical analyses were performed. Histological evaluations (n = 3) indicated that new cartilaginous matrix was synthesized by the transplanted chondrocytes in all experimental groups. At 12 weeks, the ratios of dimension and mass (n = 8) for auricular chondrocyte constructs increased by 20 to 30 percent, the ratios for costal chondrocyte constructs were equal to the initial values, and the ratios for articular chondrocyte constructs decreased by 40 to 50 percent. Constructs made with auricular chondrocytes had the highest modulus (n = 3 to 5) and glycosaminoglycan content (n = 4 or 5) and the lowest permeability value (n = 3 to 5) and water content (n = 4 or 5). Constructs made with articular chondrocytes had the lowest modulus and glycosaminoglycan content and the highest permeability value and water content (p < 0.05). The amounts of hydroxyproline (n = 5) and DNA (n = 5) were not significantly different among the experimental groups (p > 0.05). It was possible to engineer injectable cartilage with chondrocytes from different sources, resulting in neocartilage with different properties. Although cartilage made with articular chondrocytes shrank and cartilage made with auricular chondrocytes overgrew, the injectable tissue-engineered cartilage made with costal chondrocytes was stable during the time periods studied. Furthermore, the biomechanical properties of the engineered cartilage made with auricular or costal chondrocytes were superior to those of cartilage made with articular chondrocytes, in this model.

Disassembly of redox responsive poly(ferrocenylsilane) multilayers: the effect of blocking layers, supporting electrolyte and polyion molar mass.

Layer by layer (LbL) organometallic multilayers, composed of poly(ferrocenylsilane) (PFS) polycations and polyanions, were fabricated and characterized. Disassembly of redox responsive PFS(-)/PFS(+) films as well as multilayers consisting of PFS(-)/PFS(+) combined with redox inert bilayers was studied. The influence of parameters on disassembly kinetics and mechanism, such as distance between redox PFS multilayers and the electrode, effect of the top inert layer, the choice of the supporting electrolyte, the ionic strength of the solution, and the molar mass of polymers, was investigated. The results elucidate the details of the disassembly mechanism and provide design criteria for preparing templates with highly controllable disassembly kinetics.

Encapsulation of cell-adhesive RGD peptides into a polymeric physical hydrogel to prevent postoperative tissue adhesion.

Peptides containing the sequence of arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD), a famous adhesion moiety, can specifically conjugate integrins in cell membranes, and are usually applied to enhance cell adhesion after linking to solid substrates in tissue engineering or to nanoparticles in targeting delivery. This paper reveals, however, that free RGD peptides can assist in preventing tissue adhesion by blocking focal adhesion between cells and surfaces of barrier devices. In order to avoid a rapid peptide loss after straightforward injection of a peptide solution, we employed a thermosensitive injectable hydrogel composed of a biodegradable block copolymer poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA) to encapsulate peptides cyclo(-RGDfK-). A sustainable release for one week was achieved in vitro. The rabbit model of sidewall defect and bowel abrasion was selected to examine the in vivo anti-adhesion efficacy. It reveals a significant reduction of postoperative peritoneal adhesion in the group of RGD-loaded PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogels. We interpret this excellent efficacy by the combination of two effects: first, our hydrogel affords a physical barrier to prevent adhesion between injured abdominal wall and cecum; second, the RGD molecules as integrin blockers released from the hydrogel assist the anti-adhesion.

Biodegradable and thermoreversible PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogel as a barrier for prevention of post-operative adhesion.

Biodegradable polymers can serve as barriers to prevent the post-operative intestinal adhesion. Herein, we synthesized a biodegradable triblock copolymer poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA). The concentrated polymeric aqueous solution was injectable, and a hydrogel could be rapidly formed due to percolation of a self-assembled micelle network at the body temperature without requirement of any chemical reactions. This physical hydrogel retained its integrity in vivo for a bit more than 6 weeks and was eventually degraded due to hydrolysis. The synthesized polymer exhibited little cytotoxicity and hemolysis; the acute inflammatory response after implanting the hydrogel was acceptable, and the degradation products were less acidic than those of other polyester-containing materials. A rabbit model of sidewall defect-bowel abrasion was employed, and a significant reduction of post-operative peritoneal adhesion has been found in the group of in situ formed PCLA-PEG-PCLA hydrogels.

Microstructure, mechanical properties and bio-corrosion properties of Mg-Si(-Ca, Zn) alloy for biomedical application.

Mg-Si alloy was investigated for biomedical application due to the biological function of Si in the human body. However, Mg-Si alloy showed a low ductility due to the presence of coarse Mg(2)Si. Ca and Zn elements were used to refine and modify the morphology of Mg(2)Si in order to improve the corrosion resistance and the mechanical properties. The cell toxicity of Mg, Zn and Ca metals was assessed by an MTT test. The test results indicated that increasing the concentrations of Mg, Zn and Ca ions did not cause cell toxicity, which showed that the release of these three elements would not lead to cell toxicity. Then, microstructure, mechanical properties and bio-corrosion properties of as-cast Mg-Si(-Ca, Zn) alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, mechanical properties testing and electrochemical measurement. Ca element can slightly refine the grain size and the morphology Mg(2)Si phase in Mg-Si alloy. The bio-corrosion resistance of Mg-Si alloys was improved by the addition of Ca due to the reduction and refinement of Mg(2)Si phase; however, no improvement was observed in the strength and elongation. The addition of 1.6% Zn to Mg-0.6Si can modify obviously the morphology of Mg(2)Si phase from course eutectic structure to a small dot or short bar shape. As a result, tensile strength, elongation and bio-corrosion resistance were all improved significantly; especially, the elongation improved by 115.7%. It was concluded that Zn element was one of the best alloying elements of Mg-Si alloy for biomedical application.

Tissue-engineered flexible ear-shaped cartilage.

BACKGROUND: Previous attempts to engineer human ear-shaped constructs mimicked human shape but lacked the flexibility and size of a human ear. Recently, the authors engineered flexible cartilage by incorporating a perichondrium-like layer into the construct. In this study, they used lyophilized swine perichondrium as a pseudoperichondrium, examined its ability to confer flexibility to tissue-engineered cartilage, and used it to engineer flexible cartilage in the shape and size of a human ear. METHODS: Auricular chondrocytes and perichondrium were isolated from swine. Chondrocytes were mixed with fibrin polymer and gelled to form 5 x 20-mm constructs. Constructs alone (control, n = 6) or constructs sandwiched between two layers of lyophilized swine perichondrium (experimental, n = 6) were implanted into athymic mice. Auricular chondrocytes in fibrin polymer and lyophilized perichondrium were also used to form a tri-layer, ear-shaped construct, which was implanted into an athymic rat and externally stented for 6 weeks (n = 1). At 12 weeks, constructs were analyzed with histology and gross mechanical testing. RESULTS: New cartilaginous tissue was engineered in both the experimental and control groups. In samples laminated with lyophilized swine perichondrium, the intimate integration of the laminate with the neocartilage closely resembled the histoarchitecture of the native swine ear. Experimental constructs had mechanical properties similar to those of the native swine ear, while control constructs fractured with similar testing. The engineered ear could not be fractured with gross mechanical testing, and its size, shape, and flexibility remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that it is possible to engineer a cartilage construct that resembles the human ear not only in shape but also in size and flexibility. This study also confirms that lamination is a reliable method to confer elastic-like flexibility to an engineered cartilage construct.