RESUMEN
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic condition that results in impaired motor and sensory function. Ferroptosis is one of the main causes of neural cell death and loss of neurological function in the spinal cord, and ferroptosis inhibitors are effective in reducing inflammation and repairing SCI. Although human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (Huc-MSCs) can ameliorate inflammatory microenvironments and promote neural regeneration in SCI, their efficacy is greatly limited by the local microenvironment after SCI. Therefore, in this study, we constructed a drug-release nanoparticle system with synergistic Huc-MSCs and ferroptosis inhibitor, in which we anchored Huc-MSCs by a Tz-A6 peptide based on the CD44-targeting sequence, and combined with the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive drug nanocarrier mPEG-b-Lys-BECI-TCO at the other end for SCI repair. Meanwhile, we also modified the classic ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and synthesized a new prodrug Feborastatin-1 (Feb-1). The results showed that this treatment regimen significantly inhibited the ferroptosis and inflammatory response after SCI, and promoted the recovery of neurological function in rats with SCI. This study developed a combination therapy for the treatment of SCI and also provides a new strategy for the construction of a drug-coordinated cell therapy system.
RESUMEN
Primary electrodeposition is an accepted strategy to elucidate the nucleation and growth kinetics of metal electrodes. Nevertheless, when confronted with the phase transition process caused by bi-active metals such as NaK liquid alloys, the research process becomes complex and elusive. Herein, we have reduced the intricate issues to relatively simple initial alloying behaviors. Two exchange diffusion mechanisms of the Na atom embedded in K crystals and K atom embedded in Na crystals are investigated by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculation and mechanical simulation. As a result, the process of embedding the Na atom in K crystals shows a better thermodynamic stability and lower activation barrier and structural stress than those of the other. The abovementioned conclusions are further proved by stepwise Na and K electrodeposition experiments, and the prepared NaK alloy electrode displays excellent electrochemical performance. Our findings correlate the original alloying mechanism model specification with electrodeposition experimental verification and provide strategies to achieve controllable NaK electrode construction.