Preparation of gastrodin modified P(VDF-TrFE)-Eudragit L100-AuNPs nanofiber membranes with piezoelectric property.

In recent years, electroactive nerve conduits made from a blend of P(VDF-TrFE) (poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)) with other materials have shown significant progress. However, research combining P(VDF-TrFE) conduits with drug delivery systems remains sparse. In this study, we developed a novel gastrodin-loaded P(VDF-TrFE)-Eudragit L100-gold nanoparticles (Gas@PT-EL100-AuNPs) nanofiber membrane. Fabricated through electrospinning technique, this composite membrane aimed to investigate the impacts of gastrodin and AuNPs on its properties. Experimental results indicated that the incorporation of gold nanoparticles significantly reduced the fiber diameter of the membrane and enhanced the overall performance by improving hydrophilicity and piezoelectric properties. Specifically, the addition of AuNPs substantially enhanced the piezoelectric performance of the nanofiber membrane. Furthermore, the inclusion of gastrodin not only improved the membrane's hydrophilicity but also enabled effective release of the neuroprotective drug. These findings suggest that the Gas@PT-EL100-AuNPs nanofiber membrane is a novel biomaterial with potential applications in the repair and treatment of nerve injuries.

PLA tissue-engineered scaffolds loaded with sustained-release active substance chitosan nanoparticles: Modeling BSA-bFGF as the active substance.

The utilization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the development of tissue-engineered scaffolds is both challenging and imperative. In our pursuit of creating a scaffold that aligns with the natural healing process, we initially fabricated chitosan-bFGF nanoparticles (CS-bFGF NPs) through electrostatic spraying. Subsequently, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber was prepared using electrospinning technique, and the CS-bFGF NPs were uniformly embedded within the pores of porous PLA fibers. Scanning electron micrographs illustrate the smooth surface of the nanoparticles, showing a porous structure intricately attached to PLA fibers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses provided conclusive evidence that the CS-bFGF NPs were uniformly distributed throughout the porous PLA fibers, forming a robust physical bond through electrostatic adsorption. The resultant scaffolds exhibited commendable mechanical properties and hydrophilicity, facilitating a sustained-release for 72 h. Furthermore, the biocompatibility and degradation performance of the scaffolds were substantiated by monitoring conductivity and pH changes in pure water over different time intervals, complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Cell experiments confirmed the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds. In animal studies, the group treated with 16 % NPs/Scaffold demonstrated the highest epidermal reconstruction rate. In summary, our developed materials present a promising candidate for serving as a tissue engineering scaffold, showcasing exceptional biocompatibility, sustained-release characteristics, and substantial potential for promoting epidermal regeneration.

Effects of carotid artery stenting on cognitive function in patients with critical internal carotid artery stenosis / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the influence of carotid artery stenting (CS)of asymptomatic critical internal carotid artery (ICA)stenosis patients on cognitive function .Methods One hundred and fifty‐six asymptomatic patients with internal carotid arter‐y stenosis(carotid stenosis severity≥70% )were enrolled ,in whom CS was attempted .Functional assessments including alzheimer disease assessment scale‐cognitive subtest (ADAS‐Cog) ,mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) ,and trail making test A(TMTa) and B(TMTb) were done prior to 1 weeks and 3 months after the procedure .Results Successful CS was achieved in all of patients (100% ) ,only 1 patient was lost to follow‐up .There were significant improvement in ADAS‐Cog score(pre 6 .60 ± 2 .04 vs .post 5 .16 ± 1 .63 ,P<0 .01) ,MMSE score (pre 26 .32 ± 1 .06 vs .post 27 .05 ± 1 .46 ,P< 0 .01) ,TMTa (pre 108 .94 ± 17 .42 vs .post 94 .70 ± 20 .27 ,P<0 .01) ,TMTb (pre 178 .65 ± 21 .77 vs .post 148 .92 ± 23 .65 ,P<0 .01) .There was new cerebral infarction dur‐ing 3 months after surgery .Conclusion Asymptomatic critical internal carotid artery (ICA)stenosis may be one reason of cognitive impairment ,and successful CS could improve cognitive function in asymptomatic ICA stenosis .

Low flow shear stress and atherosclerosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Atherosclerosis is the important pathologic basis of coronary artery disease,cerebrovascular disease,peripheral arterial disease and other vascular diseases.Studies have shown that the atheromatous plaques occur mainly in regions of curvature,bifurcation,and branching of the artery,indicating that low flow shear stress is closely associated with the occurrence of atherosclerosis.Low flow shear stress involves in the induction of atherosclerosis through acting on mechanosensitive molecules in endothelial cell that transduce mechanical stimuli into chemical signals,activate the corresponding intracellular signaling pathways.This article reviews the relationship between low flow shear stress and atherosclerosis.

Effect of NADPH oxidase on Toll-like receptor 4-mediated proinflammatory phenotype of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells in mice / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated proinflammatory phenotype of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in mice.Methods NADPH oxidase agonist platelet-derived growth factorBB (PDGF-BB) and inhibitor apocynin were used respectively to treat cultured VSMCs from C57BL/6J and TLR4-/-mice.The fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate was used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in VSMCs.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expressions of interleukin (IL)-6,IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in VSMCs.Tetrazolium blue staining and Boyden chamber assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration of VSMC.Results The ROS levels were increased in VSMCs both from C57BL/6J and TLR4-/-mice after PDGF-BB treatment,and this could be inhibited by apocynin.PDGF-BB pretreatment significantly upregulated the expressions of IL-6 (52.69 ±3.49 ng/ml vs.35.04 ±2.74 ng/ml; P =0.001),IL-1β (79.68 ±2.33 ng/ml vs.62.38 ±0.54 ng/ml;P=0.000),and TNF-α (218.35± 5.42 ng/mlvs.124.74± 4.59 ng/ml; P=0.000) in VSMCs from C57BL/6J mice,and the abilities of proliferation (1.69 ± 0.53 vs.1.04 ± 0.40; P =0.000) and migration (42.11 ±4.05 vs.1.69 ± 0.53; P =0.000) were increased significantly; apocynin pretreatment significantly inhibit the expressions of IL-6 (42.11 ± 4.05 ng/ml vs.52.69 ± 3.49 ng/ml; P =0.010),IL-1β (67.57 ± 1.36 ng/ml vs.79.68 ±2.33 ng/ml; P =0.000) and TNF-α (156.18 ± 6.98 ng/ml vs.218.35 ± 5.42 ng/ml;P =0.000),as well as proliferation (1.23 ±0.42 vs.1.69 ±0.53; P =0.000) and migration (42.11 ±4.05 vs.52.69 ± 3.49; P =0.000).While there were no significant changes in the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α in VSMCs from TLR4-/-mice after PDGF-BB and apocynin pretreatment.Conclusions NADPH oxidase-derived ROS involved in the TLR4-mediated VSMC inflammatory phenotype as well as proliferation and migration,which may be the important mechanisms of its influencing on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.