Minimal Swelling Research Articles

An Atypical Case of Orbital Wall Infarction Secondary to Sickle Cell Disease in an Adult and Review of Literature.

Sickle cell disease is known to cause painful vaso-occlusive crises in long bones with large marrows. Orbital infarction is a rare complication of sickle cell disease and usually presents in children and adolescents with acute onset periocular swelling mimicking orbital cellulitis. We describe an atypical case of a 38-year-old man with homozygous sickle cell disease who presented with isolated, complete ptosis of his OD with minimal swelling. He described brow aches on the same side, with no features of proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, or compressive optic neuropathy. Orbital imaging revealed infarction in the right frontal bone and orbital roof, with inflammatory soft tissue swelling. His condition resolved completely after 4 days with conservative medical therapy alone.

Impact of Cross-Linker Length on the Characteristics of Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer

Water electrolysis, utilizing renewable energy to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, stands out as a promising avenue for generating and storing clean energy from sustainable sources. This study focuses on creating pore-filling anion exchange membranes (PFAEMs) employing an electrolyte monomer incorporating a quaternary ammonium group. Various cross-linker groups of different chain lengths were introduced, while porous polyethylene substrates were treated with surfactants to transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Evaluation of the anion exchange membrane conductivity was conducted in both in-plane and through-plane configurations at room temperature and 60 ℃. Additionally, comprehensive characterizations of the anion exchange membranes encompassing water uptake, swelling ratio, mechanical strength, contact angle, FTIR, SAXs, WAXs, DSC, and TGA analyses were carried out. Consequently, the PFAEM demonstrated notably high ion conductivity with minimal areal swelling ratio and exceptional chemical stability in a KOH solution for 500 hours. As a crucial component of AEMWE, the catalyst layer was prepared using catalyst inks, namely XB-7 ionomer-based and Nafion ionomer-based inks for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst layers, to assess impedance and I-V polarization curves. Acknowledgment This research was supported in part by the New and Renewable Energy of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) granted financial resource from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (No. 20213030040520) and by 2021 Green Convergence Professional Manpower Training Program of the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute funded by the Ministry of Environment.

Subcutaneous furosemide in heart failure: a systematic review.

Intravenous loop diuretics are the primary treatment for congestion in patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). Furosemide is the most commonly used loop diuretic and is licensed for administration either orally, intramuscularly or intravenously but not subcutaneously. Recently developed, pH-neutral, concentrated, 'skin-friendly' preparations of furosemide have been developed which allow subcutaneous administration. In this systematic review, we summarize and critically appraise the current evidence for subcutaneous furosemide in patients with HF. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched up to 31 December 2023. Of the 17 studies identified, 5 were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 2 were non-randomised controlled studies, 3 were prospective observational cohort studies, and 7 were retrospective observational studies.All RCTs utilised novel pH-neutral, subcutaneous preparations of furosemide. Bioavailability of novel subcutaneous preparations were similar to intravenous furosemide 10mg/ml: 99.7% for an 8mg/ml preparation and 112% for a 30mg/ml preparation. Natriuresis and diuresis were also similar with novel subcutaneous and conventional intravenous furosemide. Adverse events of novel preparations included infusion site pain or discomfort, localised skin erythema and minimal swelling. All studies of conventional subcutaneous furosemide were non-randomised with very limited data re bioavailability or diuretic and natriuretic effect. Conventional subcutaneous furosemide was associated with substantial skin irritation (affecting 3-23% of patients), and skin infections requiring treatment with antibiotics (3-17%). Novel, pH-neutral preparations of subcutaneous furosemide achieved similar diuresis, natriuresis, and bioavailability to intravenous furosemide, and were well tolerated. Novel preparations may be a treatment option for patients with HF.

Rapid production of high-performance unilaterally surface-densified wood through integrating mechanical compression and thermochemical modification

Enhancing the mechanical performance and dimensional stability of fast-growing wood in an efficient and eco-friendly manner remains a challenge. This study introduces a straightforward and highly efficient technique for fabricating unilaterally surface-densified (USD) wood from fast-growing poplar wood. This process involves a pre-drying treatment, high-temperature compression at 250 ℃, and subsequent cooling, all completed within a total compression time of 300 s. The produced USD wood exhibits outstanding physical and mechanical properties, along with excellent dimensional stability. Notably, the USD wood achieved a hardness of 4.3 kN, a modulus of rupture of 117.0 MPa, and a modulus of elasticity of 12.2 GPa, representing increases of 104.7 %, 72.0 %, and 38.6 %, respectively, compared to untreated wood, aligning with the properties of several premium hardwoods. Furthermore, the USD wood showed superior impact resistance and bending stiffness, alongside minimal irreversible thickness swelling (2.29 %) under humid and high-temperature conditions, evidencing its robust mechanical and dimensional stability. These improved performances are attributed to the formation of a densified layer with an intact cell wall structure, which benefits from the favorable effects of high temperature-induced plasticization of cell walls and thermal degradation of hemicellulose. The efficacy of this high-temperature compression technique highlights its significant potential for the mass production of high-performance wood from fast-growing species. Consequently, the resulting USD wood is ideally suited for value-added applications in the furniture and construction industries, offering a pathway towards sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing solutions.

Exploratory study on a novel minimally invasive tunnel like flap approach for orthodontic movement of dental implants.

To propose a new flap design that utilize a minimally invasive approach to move implants. We also propose a 3D method to track changes in implant position without the need for CBCT. Implants were inserted in two mongrel dogs then a minimally invasive tunnel like flap was made. Bone cutting around implants was done using piezotome device and orthodontic force was applied on the implants. For tracking positional changes of implants, an impression was taken then scanned with an identical implant copy inside. The pre- and post-treatment 3D images were then superimposed over each other to detect changes in implant position. Healing of the flap was rapid with minimal swelling and edema. The position of the interdental papilla was preserved maintaining optimal esthetic outcome. Implant pocket depth was maintained. Our 3D imaging method was able to accurately detect the movement that occurred in the dental implants after their movement with significantly higher resolution than CBCT (6μm for this method versus 76-300μm for the CBCT). This flap can preserve the esthetic soft tissue contour of implants during orthodontic movement allowing rapid healing with minimum swelling and edema. Moreover, our proposed 3D method has many advantages over CBCT in tracking the movement of implants by being non harmful and cheap thus allowing several follow up points. Orthodontic movement of implants can be required in cases of improperly placed implants or to intentionally place the implant in a certain position then altering it to avoid the need for bone grafting.

Low-temperature DLP 3D printing of low-concentration collagen methacryloyl for the fabrication of durable and bioactive personalized scaffolds

Digital Light Processing (DLP) bioprinting has revolutionized tissue engineering and regenerative medicine with its speed and precision. Although commonly used in DLP printing, Gelatin Methacrylate (GelMA) lacks the mechanical strength and complex biological signaling of collagen, owing to the absence of collagen’s unique triple helix structure. However, collagen faces challenges such as denaturation at high temperatures and aggregation at neutral pH, limiting its use as a bioink. Herein, we present for the first time the development of a low-temperature DLP 3D printing technique using low-concentration Collagen Methacryloyl (ColMA) for fabricating durable and bioactive personalized scaffolds. Our study shows that pH significantly influences ColMA printing, with pH 3 producing low-concentration scaffolds that exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, minimal swelling, and prolonged resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis compared to high-concentration GelMA scaffolds, while low-concentration GelMA cannot be printed independently. ColMA scaffolds notably boost the proliferation, adhesion, migration, and differentiation of human foreskin fibroblasts. In vivo rat model tests demonstrate that ColMA scaffolds reduce inflammation, enhance collagen deposition, and accelerate epidermal regeneration. This method offers a robust solution for low-temperature DLP 3D printing of collagen ink, facilitating the creation of personalized scaffolds with superior bioactivity and representing a significant advancement in tissue engineering applications.

Enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of polyvinyl alcohol/curdlan composite hydrogels and aerogels via freeze-casting technique

This study introduces a novel approach to fabricating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/curdlan (CURD) composite aerogels by employing the freeze-casting technique to achieve exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. Our research demonstrated that the formation of dual-network structure that combines the mechanical strength of PVA with the thermal stability of CURD. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a unique honeycomb-like cross-sectional morphology in the PVA/CURD aerogels. Notably, the PVA/CURD composite hydrogel demonstrated consistent compressive stress performance even after 50 compression cycles and exhibited minimal swelling (only 4%) when immersed in distilled water for 24hours. Furthermore, the aerogels exhibited varying swelling ratios in different pH environments, with a significant increase observed in acidic conditions. Thermal analysis confirmed the enhanced thermal stability of the composite aerogels, attributed to the incorporation of CURD. These findings suggest that PVA/CURD composite aerogels have promising applications in fields that require materials with robust mechanical and thermal endurance.

Analysis of Performance of Additively Manufactured Reinforced Ablatives

This study investigates reentry conditions for Mars missions, focusing on extreme anaerobic heating. This work studies poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK), a high-performance thermoplastics polymer, in both small-scale laboratory and simulated oxyacetylene test bed conditions to eliminate low-performing polymeric materials. Previous research demonstrated PEKK’s superior ablation performance compared to poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and polyetherimide. The aerothermal performance of neat PEKK can be further enhanced with reinforcement materials. This work explores PEKK composite materials reinforced with additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon fibers (CFs), and glass fibers (GFs). The CNT-reinforced (10%wt) PEKK exhibited the highest char yield (69%wt) during thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in nitrogen, superior to the short CF-reinforced PEKK. Various CF and GF loadings (10% and 20%wt) were tested for their thermophysical and aerothermal performance. Oxyacetylene tests (OTBs) under fuel-rich conditions further validated the results. Except for 10% CF PEEK, the mass loss in OTB tests correlated with TGA and thermal diffusivity measurements. The addition of CF/GF in PEKK enhanced thermal effusivity, but it also led to significant swelling due to increased conductive flux and reduced ablated heat flux. Among the tested materials, CNT-reinforced PEKK displayed the highest char yield, lowest mass loss, and minimal swelling. The unique porous structure of CNTs minimized char expansion and erosion during the OTB tests, making a promising material for reentry flights.

Characteristics of HIF-1Α and HSP70 MRNA Expression, Level, and Interleukins in Experimental Chronic Generalized Periodontitis.

Periodontal diseases are a rather complex problem of modern dentistry and do not have only medical but also social significance. The objective of this study is to weigh the effect of a mixture of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine (1:4) on the parameters of the system of endogenous cytoprotection of blood and periodontal illness in rats with experimental chronic generalized periodontitis and substantiate further study of this blend. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of a combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine (in a ratio of 1:4) on the parameters of the endogenous blood cytoprotection system and periodontium in rats with experimental chronic generalized periodontitis. A group of outbred rats weighing 190-220 g and sourced from the vivarium of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine were divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 animals. (1) Intact group, animals that were injected intragastrically with a solution of sodium chloride to chloride 0.9% for 30 days. (2) control, animals with experimental CGP who intragastrically sodium chloride solution 0.9% for 30 days. (3) animals with experimental CGP were injected intramuscularly with Thiotriazoline + L-arginine (1:4) in a dosage of 200 mg/kg (30 days). (4) animals with experimental CGP, for which daily intragastric reference drug Mexidol, in dosage 250 mg/kg (30 days). In this study, we utilized two substances: Thiotriazoline and L-arginine hydrochloride. The combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine (in a ratio of 1:4) was prepared at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry of ZSMU. At the conclusion of the experiment, the rats were carefully removed from the study while under thiopental-sodium anesthesia, and administered at a dosage of 40 mg/kg. We have found that the administration of a combined preparation of Thiotriazoline with L-arginine to rats with CGP leads to a significant decrease in the blood concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b and TNF-a by 56.1% and 71%, respectively. The administration of Mexidol at a dosage of 250 mg/kg, as well as the combination of Thiotriazoline and Larginine in a ratio of 1:4 at a dosage of 200 mg/kg, resulted in a significant reduction in gingival pocket depth in animals with CGP. Specifically, the gingival pocket depth was reduced to 6 mm (p < 0.05) with Mexidol and further reduced to 4 mm (p < 0.05) with the combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine. Additionally, the animals exhibited minimal bleeding, swelling, and tooth mobility when treated with the combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine. The administration of a combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine (in a ratio of 1:4) at a dosage of 200 mg/kg to animals with CGP resulted in a noteworthy reduction in the blood concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b and TNF-a. Specifically, there was a significant decrease of 56.1% (p < 0.05) in IL-1b and 71% (p < 0.05) in TNF-a levels. The course administration of a combination of Thiotriazoline and L-arginine (1:4) (200 mg/kg) to animals with CGP led to an increased expression of HSP70 mRNA (p < 0.05) in the periodontium by 8.2 times and HIF-1a mRNA by 8.2 times. 2.8 times (p < 0.05) against the background of an increase in the blood concentration of HSP70 by 95% (p < 0.05). Also, in the periodontium of animals in this group, a decrease in the expression of c-Fos mRNA by 36.7% (p < 0.05) was found compared to the control group.

Injectable hydrogel based on liposome self-assembly for controlled release of small hydrophilic molecules

Controlled release of low molecular weight hydrophilic drugs, administered locally, allows maintenance of high concentrations at the target site, reduces systemic side effects, and improves patient compliance. Injectable hydrogels are commonly used as a vehicle. However, slow release of low molecular weight hydrophilic drugs is very difficult to achieve, mainly due to a rapid diffusion of the drug out of the drug delivery system. Here we present an injectable and self-healing hydrogel based entirely on the self-assembly of liposomes. Gelation of liposomes, without damaging their structural integrity, was induced by modifying the cholesterol content and surface charge. The small hydrophilic molecule, sodium fluorescein, was loaded either within the extra-liposomal space or encapsulated into the aqueous cores of the liposomes. This encapsulation strategy enabled the achievement of controlled and adjustable release profiles, dependent on the mechanical strength of the gel. The hydrogel had a high mechanical strength, minimal swelling, and slow degradation. The liposome-based hydrogel had prolonged mechanical stability in vivo with benign tissue reaction. This work presents a new class of injectable hydrogel that holds promise as a versatile drug delivery system. Statement of significanceThe porous nature of hydrogels poses a challenge for delivering small hydrophilic drug, often resulting in initial burst release and shorten duration of release. This issue is particularly pronounced with physically crosslinked hydrogels, since their matrix can swell and dissipate rapidly, but even in cases where the polymers in the hydrogel are covalently cross-linked, small molecules can be rapidly released through its porous mesh. Here we present an injectable self-healing hydrogel based entirely on the self-assembly of liposomes. Small hydrophilic molecules were entrapped inside the extra-liposomal space or loaded into the aqueous cores of the liposomes, allowing controlled and tunable release profiles.

A comparative study of brine solutions as completion fluids for oil and gas fields

Completion fluids play a vital role in well-related processes within the oil extraction industry. This article presents a comprehensive study of the properties and performance of various brine solutions as completion fluids for different well and reservoir conditions. Attributes examined include density, corrosion resistance, temperature stability, compatibility with formation fluids, clay swelling potential and influence on wettability. The research highlights the significance of selecting appropriate completion fluids to optimize well and reservoir operations. Zinc chloride emerges as an excellent option for high density applications, while sodium chloride and potassium formate solutions are ideal for extreme cold conditions. Potassium acetate outperforms calcium chloride and potassium chloride and has excellent pH stability. The compatibility of completion fluids with formation water has been observed to be excellent, with no sedimentation or emulsion formation. Potassium acetate also experiences minimal clay swelling, making it suitable for clay-rich formations. On the other hand, calcium chloride has a higher clay swelling than most of the brines tested, making it less suitable for sandstone formations with a higher clay content than these brines. The research evaluates the water-wetting abilities of completion fluids in carbonate and sandstone formations. Potassium chloride and zinc chloride have the most significant impact in carbonate formations, while potassium acetate and potassium formate excel in sandstone formations. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of completion fluids, facilitating informed decisions that maximize operational efficiency, protect reservoir integrity, and enhance hydrocarbon recovery. The appropriate selection of completion fluids should align with specific well and reservoir conditions, considering the priorities of the application.

Engineering Tough and Elastic Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hydrogel with Antimicrobial Properties.

Hydrogels have been extensively used for tissue engineering applications due to their versatility in structure and physical properties, which can mimic native tissues. Although significant progress has been made towards designing hydrogels for soft tissue repair, engineering hydrogels that resemble load-bearing tissues is still considered a great challenge due to their specific mechano-physical demands. Here, we report microporous, tough, yet highly compressible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based hydrogels for potential applications in repairing or replacing different load-bearing tissues. The synergy of freeze-thawing and the Hofmeister effect, which controlled the spatial arrangement and aggregation of polymer chains, facilitated the formation of micro-structured frameworks with tunable porosity. While the maximum mechanical strength, toughness, and stretchability of the engineered hydrogel were ~390 kPa, ~388 kJ/m3, and ~170%, respectively, the Young's modulus based on compression testing was found to be in the range of ~0.02 - 0.30 MPa, highlighting the all-in-one mechanically enriched nature of the hydrogel system. Furthermore, the minimal swelling and degradation rate of the engineered hydrogel met the specific requirements of load-bearing tissues. Finally, excellent antibacterial resistance as well as in vitro biocompatibility of the hydrogel demonstrated its potential for the replacement of load-bearing tissues.

Insight into low-grade natural Linze palygorskite for composite particles preparation towards efficient wastewater treatment

Natural clay possesses advantages such as low cost and high adsorption capacity, rendering it a promising adsorbent for wastewater treatment. In this work, low-grade Linze palygorskite (LZ), comprising 20.5% palygorskite, was utilized as a representative material to synthesize polyvinylformal-LZ (PVFM-LZ) composite particles through cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with formaldehyde. The raw material ratio of LZ and PVA was maintained at a high level of 20:1. Meanwhile, high-purity montmorillonite (Mt) and palygorskite (Pal) were employed as raw materials to prepare PVFM-Mt and PVFM-Pal using the same method, enabling comparative analysis with PVFM-LZ. PVFM-LZ exhibited a notable adsorption capacity of 101.92 mg·g−1 for methylene blue, which was comparable to that of PVFM-Mt and PVFM-Pal. What’s more, owing to the tightly cross-linked network structure formed by PVFM, PVFM-LZ demonstrated minimal loss (2.53%) and swelling (8.0%) rates in water, facilitating easy separation and promoting recyclability. Even after six cycles, its adsorption efficiency remained above 85%. The structure, physicochemical properties and adsorption performance of the three composite particles were meticulously examined before and after adsorption. Kinetic, thermodynamic and isotherm adsorption models revealed that PVFM-LZ exhibited spontaneous surface-controlled monolayer adsorption behavior. The possible adsorption mechanisms included electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and intermolecular forces. This work may provide an experience for the adsorption application of low-grade natural clay in composite engineering.

In vivo evaluation of a Nano-enabled therapeutic vitreous substitute for the precise delivery of triamcinolone to the posterior segment of the eye

This study focused on the design of a thermoresponsive, nano-enabled vitreous substitute for the treatment of retinal diseases. Synthesis of a hydrogel composed of hyaluronic acid and a poloxamer blend was undertaken. Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid nanoparticles encapsulating triamcinolone acetonide (TA) were synthesised with a spherical morphology and mean diameter of ~ 153 nm. Hydrogel fabrication and nanoparticle loading within the hydrogel was confirmed via physicochemical analysis. Gelation studies indicated that hydrogels formed in nine minutes and 10 min for the unloaded and nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels, respectively. The hydrogels displayed in situ gel formation properties, and rheometric viscoelastic studies indicated the unloaded and loaded hydrogels to have modulus values similar to those of the natural vitreous at 37 °C. Administration of the hydrogels was possible via 26G needles allowing for clinical application and drug release of triamcinolone acetonide from the nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel, which provided sustained in vitro drug release over nine weeks. The hydrogels displayed minimal swelling, reaching equilibrium swelling within 12 h for the unloaded hydrogel, and eight hours for the nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel. Biodegradation in simulated vitreous humour with lysozyme showed < 20% degradation within nine weeks. Biocompatibility of both unloaded and loaded hydrogels was shown with mouse fibroblast and human retinal pigment epithelium cell lines. Lastly, a pilot in vivo study in a New Zealand White rabbit model displayed minimal toxicity with precise, localised drug release behaviour, and ocular TA levels maintained within the therapeutic window for the 28-day investigation period, which supports the potential applicability of the unloaded and nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels as vitreous substitutes that function as drug delivery systems following vitrectomy surgery.Graphical Fig. aSchematic representation of the nano-enabled therapeutic vitreous substitute synthesis process. This figure was partly generated using Servier Medical Art, provided by Servier, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 unported license

Paintable Decellularized-ECM Hydrogel for Preventing Cardiac Tissue Damage.

The tissue-specific heart decellularized extracellular matrix (hdECM) demonstrates a variety of therapeutic advantages, including fibrosis reduction and angiogenesis. Consequently, recent research for myocardial infarction (MI) therapy has utilized hdECM with various delivery techniques, such as injection or patch implantation. In this study, a novel approach for hdECM delivery using a wet adhesive paintable hydrogel is proposed. The hdECM-containing paintable hydrogel (pdHA_t) is simply applied, with no theoretical limit to the size or shape, making it highly beneficial for scale-up. Additionally, pdHA_t exhibits robust adhesion to the epicardium, with a minimal swelling ratio and sufficient adhesion strength for MI treatment when applied to the rat MI model. Moreover, the adhesiveness of pdHA_t can be easily washed off to prevent undesired adhesion with nearby organs, such as the rib cages and lungs, which can result in stenosis. During the 28 days of in vivo analysis, the pdHA_t not only facilitates functional regeneration by reducing ventricular wall thinning but also promotes neo-vascularization in the MI region. In conclusion, the pdHA_t presents a promising strategy for MI treatment and cardiac tissue regeneration, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes and enhanced cardiac function post-MI.

Block Polyelectrolyte Additives That Modulate the Viscoelasticity and Enhance the Printability of Gelatin Inks at Physiological Temperatures.

We demonstrate the utility of block polyelectrolyte (bPE) additives to enhance viscosity and resolve challenges with the three-dimensional (3D) printability of extrusion-based biopolymer inks. The addition of oppositely charged bPEs to solutions of photocurable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) results in complexation-driven self-assembly of the bPEs, leading to GelMA/bPE inks that are printable at physiological temperatures, representing stark improvements over GelMA inks that suffer from low viscosity at 37 °C, leading to low printability and poor structural stability. The hierarchical microstructure of the self-assemblies (either jammed micelles or 3D networks) formed by the oppositely charged bPEs, confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering, is attributed to the enhancements in the shear strength and printability of the GelMA/bPE inks. Varying bPE concentration in the inks is shown to enable tunability of the rheological properties to meet the criteria of pre- and postextrusion flow characteristics for 3D printing, including prominent yielding behavior, strong shear thinning, and rapid recovery upon flow cessation. Moreover, the bPE self-assemblies also contribute to the robustness of the photo-cross-linked hydrogels; photo-cross-linked GelMA/bPE hydrogels are shown to exhibit higher shear strength than photo-cross-linked GelMA hydrogels. Last, the assessment of the printability of GelMA/bPE inks indicates excellent printing performance, including minimal swelling postextrusion, satisfactory retention of the filament shape upon deposition, and satisfactory shape fidelity of the various printed constructs. We envision this study to serve as a practical guide for the printing of bespoke extrusion inks where bPEs are used as scaffolds and viscosity enhancers that can be emulated in a range of photocurable precursors.

Involutional Entropion of The Upper Eyelid: A Rare Case Report

Introduction : Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid folds inward or the edge of the eyelid folds inward, causing the eyelashes, eyelid margin, and skin to touch the eyeball. The most common entropion is involutional which caused by the aging process, but reports of cases of involutional entropion in the upper eyelid are rare.&#x0D; Case Illustration : A 66-years-old woman presented with redness, foreign body sensation and teary on both eyes. No history of trauma or foreign body exposure. She had a history with similar complaint 2 years ago. Upper eyelid turn inward, dermatochalasis, and corneal abrasion of both eyes were found in ophtalmic examination. Patient was diagnosed with involutional entropion of the left upper eyelid and treated with anterior lamellar repositioning (ALR). A week after the ALR procedure, on examination it was found that the position of the left eye's upper eyelid was good, there was still minimal swelling, with intact sutures.&#x0D; Discussion : Involutional entropion generally occurs in elderly patients over 60 years old and is more common in women. Progressive senile changes in the structure of the eyelid cause the occurrence of involusional entropion. Involutional entropion in the upper eyelid is associated with dermatochalasis. One management option for involutional entropion is ALR, which aims to pull the folded-in eyelid margin outward.&#x0D; Conclusion : This case shows that involutional entropion on the upper eyelid can still occur, albeit very rarely. ALR can be a simple and safe surgical option for patients with involutional entropion on the upper eyelid.

Ferrous/Ferric Ions Crosslinked Type II Collagen Multifunctional Hydrogel for Advanced Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and intricate degenerative joint disease affecting an estimated 500 million individuals worldwide. Collagen-based hydrogels have sparked immense interest in cartilage tissue engineering, but substantial challenges persist in developing biocompatible and robust crosslinking strategies, as well as improving their effectiveness against the multifaceted nature of OA. Herein, a novel discovery wherein the simple incorporation of ferrous/ferric ions enables efficient dynamic crosslinking of type II collagen, leading to the development of injectable, self-healing hydrogels with 3D interconnected porous nanostructures, is unveiled. The ferrous/ferric ions crosslinked type II collagen hydrogels demonstrate exceptional physical properties, such as significantly enhanced mechanical strength, minimal swelling ratios, and remarkable resistance to degradation, while also exhibiting extraordinary biocompatibility and bioactivity, effectively promoting cell proliferation, adhesion, and chondrogenic differentiation. Additionally, the hydrogels reveal potent anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines while downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In a rat model of cartilage defects, these hydrogels exhibit impressive efficacy, substantially accelerating cartilage tissue regeneration through enhanced collagen deposition and increased proteoglycan secretion. The innovative discovery of the multifunctional role of ferrous/ferric ions in endowing type II collagen hydrogels with a myriad of beneficial properties presents exciting prospects for developing advanced biomaterials with potential applications in OA.

Development of a novel thermogelling PEC-based ECM mimicking nanocomposite bioink for bone tissue engineering

Non-union of large bone defects has been an existing clinical problem. 3D extrusion-based bioprinting provides an efficient approach to tackle such problems. This approach enables the use of various biomaterials, cell types and growth factors in developing a superior bone graft that is specific to the defect. In this article, we have designed and printed an ECM mimicking, self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) based fibrous bioink using natural polymers like chitosan-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) and other biomaterials – gelatin, laponite and nanohydroxyapatite with a modified 3D printer. The developed bioink possesses a thermo-reversible sol-gel transition at physiological pH and temperature. Here, we demonstrated that post-printing, our fiber-reinforced bioink had significant cell proliferation with cell viability of >80% and negligible cell morbidity. The practicability of developing this self-assembled PEC-based bioink was assessed. Bioink with 4% gelatin (PECHLG4) had optimal printability with a minimal swelling ratio of approximately 3%. The printed scaffold had integrity for a period of 8 days under 0.5 mg/mL lysozyme concentration. We also evaluated the mechanical property of the bioink using compression analysis which gave an elastic modulus of 16 KPa. This combination of natural polymers and nanocomposite, along with a fibrous network of PECs, is itself a novel approach for 3D bioprinting and can be a preliminary proposition for the treatment of large bone defects.

Understanding Protein Functionality and Its Impact on Quality of Plant-Based Meat Analogues.

A greater understanding of protein functionality and its impact on processing and end-product quality is critical for the success of the fast-growing market for plant-based meat products. In this research, simple criteria were developed for categorizing plant proteins derived from soy, yellow pea, and wheat as cold swelling (CS) or heat swelling (HS) through various raw-material tests, including the water absorption index (WAI), least gelation concentration (LGC), rapid visco analysis (RVA), and % protein solubility. These proteins were blended together in different cold-swelling: heat-swelling ratios (0:100 to 90:10 or 0-90% CS) and extruded to obtain texturized vegetable proteins (TVPs). In general, the WAI (2.51-5.61 g/g) and protein solubility (20-46%) showed an increasing trend, while the LGC decreased from 17-18% to 14-15% with an increase in the % CS in raw protein blends. Blends with high CS (60-90%) showed a clear RVA cold viscosity peak, while low-CS (0-40%) blends exhibited minimal swelling. The extrusion-specific mechanical energy for low-CS blends (average 930 kJ/kg) and high-CS blends (average 949 kJ/kg) was similar, even though both were processed with similar in-barrel moisture, but the former had substantially lower protein content (69.7 versus 76.6%). Extrusion led to the aggregation of proteins in all treatments, as seen from the SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC analyses, but the protein solubility decreased the most for the high-CS (60-90%) blends as compared to the low-CS (0-40%) blends. This indicated a higher degree of crosslinking due to extrusion for high CS, which, in turn, resulted in a lower extruded TVP bulk density and higher water-holding capacity (average 187 g/L and 4.2 g/g, respectively) as compared to the low-CS treatments (average 226 g/L and 2.9 g/g, respectively). These trends matched with the densely layered microstructure of TVP with low CS and an increase in pores and a spongier structure for high CS, as observed using optical microscopy. The microstructure, bulk density, and WHC observations corresponded well with texture-profile-analysis (TPA) hardness of TVP patties, which decreased from 6949 to 3649 g with an increase in CS from 0 to 90%. The consumer test overall-liking scores (9-point hedonic scale) for TVP patties were significantly lower (3.8-5.1) as compared to beef hamburgers (7.6) (p < 0.05). The data indicated that an improvement in both the texture and flavor of the former might result in a better sensory profile and greater acceptance.