Artificial Blood Research Articles

Comparative analysis of computer-programmed versus artificial right arm blood pressure measurement in detecting hypertension among elderly individuals

Objective: To compare the impact of manual right arm blood pressure measurement with computer-controlled blood pressure meter (CCBPM) on the detection rate of hypertension among elderly individuals. Method: This was a cross-sectional study. Elderly residents undergoing routine health check-up in a village in Jiangxi Province from April to June 2024 were enrolled. Manual blood pressure measurements were performed on the right arm using an electronic sphygmomanometer, while standardized dual-arm synchronized blood pressure assessments were conducted using the CCBPM. Blood pressure data were recorded from three sources: manual measurement on the right arm; the first CCBPM measurement on the arm with higher systolic blood pressure (CCBPM single); and the mean blood pressure of the arm with higher systolic blood pressure from two (if the difference between the first two measurements was less than 5 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) or three (if the difference exceeded 5 mmHg) CCBPM measurements (CCBPM mean). Hypertension detection rates from these three datasets were compared. Subgroup analysis was performed according to age (60-74 years old as the elderly group,≥75 years old as the senior group) and gender. Intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed to evaluate the consistency of blood pressure data of different blood pressure measurement methods, and Kappa value was analyzed to evaluate the consistency of hypertension classification determined by different blood pressure measurement methods. Results: A total of 1 498 participants were enrolled, aged (71.30±6.83) years old, including 678 males (45.26%). The blood pressure and heart rate measured by the artificial right arm blood pressure measurement were higher than those measured by CCBPM single (blood pressure: (140.09±17.19)/(82.40±10.93) mmHg vs. (135.31±18.98)/(81.23±10.51) mmHg; heart rate: (75.76±11.72) beats/min vs.(72.94±11.21) beats/min) and CCBPM mean (blood pressure: (140.09±17.19)/(82.40±10.93) mmHg vs. (134.64±18.39)/(80.28±9.78) mmHg; heart rate: (75.76±11.72) beats/min vs. (72.87±10.70) beats/min, all P<0.05). The detection rate of hypertension determined by CCBPM mean was significantly lower than that of artificial right arm (40.25% (603/1 498) vs.54.34% (814/1 498)) and CCBPM single (40.25% (603/1 498) vs. 44.79% (671/1 498), all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that that the detection rate of hypertension determined by CCBPM mean was lower than that measured by artificial right arm regardless of gender and age (all P<0.05). The consistency of blood pressure data between artificial right arm and the CCBPM mean was moderate (systolic blood pressure: ICC=0.70; diastolic blood pressure: ICC=0.62), with less consistent classification (Kappa=0.37). The consistency of blood pressure data between CCBPM single and CCBPM mean is extremely high (systolic blood pressure: ICC=0.94; diastolic blood pressure: ICC=0.91), with highly consistent classification (Kappa=0.74). Conclusions: Artificial right arm blood pressure measurement in physical examinations may overestimate the hypertension detection rate, and the standardized dual-arm synchronized blood pressure measurement using CCBPM can reduce irregular blood pressure measurement.

Cost-Effective Production of Bacterial Cellulose and Tubular Materials by Cultivating Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a Molasses Medium

An original design of a simple bioreactor was used to fabricate two tubular, 200 cm long BC structures by culturing Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a molasses medium. In addition, a tubular BC-based biocomposite with improved mechanical properties was obtained by combining cultivation on the molasses medium with in situ chemical modification by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Moreover, the present study investigated the BC production by the K. sucrofermentans B-11267 strain on the media with different molasses concentrations under agitated culture conditions. The dynamics of sugar consumption during the cultivation were studied by HPLC. The structure and physicochemical properties of BC and tubular BC structures were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thus, the findings indicate that K. sucrofermentans B-11267, when cultivated in a molasses medium, which is such a cheap waste product in the sugar industry, forms a significant amount of BC with a high crystallinity degree. The BC tubular structures demonstrated great potential for their application in biomedicine as artificial blood vessels and conduits for nerve regeneration.

Multiscale Mechanical Study of Proanthocyanidins for Recovering Residual Stress in Decellularized Blood Vessels.

Decellularized artificial blood vessels prepared using physical and chemical methods often exhibit limitations, including poor mechanical performance, susceptibility to inflammation and calcification, and reduced patency. Cross-linking techniques can enhance the stiffness, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-calcification properties of decellularized vessels. However, conventional cross-linking methods fail to effectively alleviate residual stress post-decellularization, which significantly impacts the patency and vascular remodeling following the implantation of artificial vessels. This study enhances vascular residual stress through varied conditions of proanthocyanidin (PC) cross-linking on decellularized vessels. Microstructural analysis and mechanical investigations across various scales of fresh, decellularized, and residual stress-recovered vessels are performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and uniaxial tensile testing. Results demonstrate substantial alterations in the morphology of elastic and collagen fibers post-decellularization, which remarkably resemble fresh vessels following residual stress recovery. Furthermore, both the micro- and macro-mechanical characteristics of vessels post-residual stress recovery, including Young's modulus, viscoelasticity, and adhesion, closely resemble those of fresh vessels. Finite element modeling (FEM) confirms the distribution of residual stress and its role in enhancing vascular mechanical integrity. This experimental investigation provides a theoretical foundation at both micro and macroscopic levels for the development of biomimetic blood vessels.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ИНФУЗИОННО-ТРАНСФУЗИОННОЙ ТЕРАПИИ ПРИ АНЕСТЕЗИОЛОГИЧЕСКОМ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИИ ОПЕРАЦИЙ НА ГРУДНОМ ОТДЕЛЕ АОРТЫ

Objective: to determine the volume of blood loss and the volume of infusion-transfusion therapy in the intraoperative and early postoperative periods during operations on the thoracic aorta. Material and methods. 38 medical records of hospital patients who were treated in healthcare institutions from 2011 to 2024 for acute dissection of the ascending aorta and aortic arch type A have been analyzed. The age of the patients was 58 (52; 65.5) years, distribution by gender: men – 20 (51%), women – 18 (49%); height – 170 (166; 176) cm, body weight – 85.0 (76; 100) kg, body mass index – 27.9 (24.3; 30.9) kg/m2. All patients underwent cardiac surgery under artificial blood circulation. The volumes of blood loss from infusion-transfusion therapy in the intraoperative and early postoperative periods have been analyzed for each patient. The hemoglobin balance method was used to assess intraoperative blood loss. Results. The volume of blood loss in patients undergoing thoracic aorta surgery, evaluated by the hemoglobin balance method, was 2530 (2540; 3180) ml. The total volume of infusion-transfusion therapy in the groups is as follows: blood loss less than 40% of the circulating blood volume (CBV) – 2000 (1300; 2395) ml (p&lt;0.001), 40-80% of the CBV – 3360 (2590; 4330) ml, more than 80% of the CBV – 4270 (3490; 6100) ml (p&lt;0.001). The ratio of infusion therapy to transfusion therapy with blood loss less than 40% of the CBV is 1: 0.3; more than 80% – 1: 1.6. Conclusion. The work has analyzed the volume of blood loss and infusion-transfusion therapy during anesthesia for operations on the ascending aorta. That will help in further determining the optimal tactics, which may increase the survival rate of these patients.

Research Progress on Implantable Medical Textiles and Their Surface Functional Coatings

ABSTRACTWith changes in people's lifestyles and the escalating pace of population aging, the incidence rate of chronic diseases has increased annually, posing significant challenges to both individual and societal health. Specifically engineered implantable medical textiles have exhibited structural superiority over other material types in repairing or replacing damaged tissues or organs within the body, along with the enhancement of their functions. They also play important roles in the treatment and management of chronic diseases. This review takes several representative implantable medical textiles, such as artificial blood vessels, artificial ligaments, and medical sutures, as examples to introduce the fundamental features of implantable medical textiles and the particularities inherent in their development. In addition, on the basis of the clinical requirements of anti‐infection, common strategies for the construction of antibacterial coatings are summarized. Ultimately, the development trend of implantable medical textiles is discussed. Through this review, we aim to provide certain insights for the conception and development of novel implantable medical textiles.

Recent Advances in Polyurethane for Artificial Vascular Application.

Artificial blood vessels made from polyurethane (PU) have been researched for many years but are not yet in clinical use. The main reason was that the PU materials are prone to degradation after contact with blood and will also cause inflammation after long-term implantation. At present, PU has made progress in biostability and biocompatibility, respectively. The PU for artificial blood vessels still requires a balance between material stability and biocompatibility to maintain its long-term stability in vivo, which needs to be further optimized. Based on the requirement of PU materials for artificial vascular applications, this paper views the development of biostable PU, bioactive PU, and bioresorbable PU. The improvement of biostable PU from the monomer structure, chemical composition, and additives are discussed to improve the long-term biostability in vivo. The surface grafting and functionalization methods of bioactive PU to reduce thrombosis and promote endothelialization for improving biocompatibility are summarized. In addition, the bioresorbable PU for tissue-engineered artificial blood vessels is discussed to balance between the degradation rate and mechanical properties. The ideal PU materials for artificial blood vessels must have good mechanical properties, stability, and biocompatibility at the same time. Finally, the application potential of PU materials in artificial vascular is prospected.

Use of Synthetic Membranes and Bovine Blood in Artificial Feeding Systems of Mosquitoes Improves Feeding Rates: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Artificial blood feeding of mosquitoes is essential for their rearing in insectaries as well as for mosquito-borne pathogen transmission experiments. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the different artificial feeding systems available for mosquitoes to synthesize evidence regarding their efficacy in terms of feeding rates and fecundity. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to retrieve 1,822 experimental studies assessing the efficacy of artificial feeding systems. After assessing eligibility and risk of bias, 25 studies were included in the final analysis. Studies were reviewed and meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model. The primary outcomes were feeding rates and fecundity of mosquitoes belonging to genera Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles for the different systems. Subgroup analyses with respect to membrane, blood source, and mosquito genera were conducted. Sensitivity analysis was done to assess heterogeneity. The overall pooled estimate of feeding rate of mosquitoes and the average number of eggs laid per female mosquito using artificial blood-feeding systems were 72% (66-77%) and 71.9 (56.68-87.12), respectively. Results from this systematic review are suggestive of the advantages of novel techniques, such as Digital Thermo Mosquito Blood Feeder and 3D-printed feeders. The study provides evidence for improved feeding rates of mosquitoes in systems using bovine blood and synthetic membranes such as latex.

Определение тиреоидного профиля у младенцев при операциях с искусственным кровообращением и гипотермией

Thyroid hormones are of a particular interest as a support for patients who have undergone cardiac surgical interventions. According to the bibliographical findings, artificial blood circulation with CPB, hypothermia and the use of dopamine reduce the level of thyroid hormones. The purpose of this research was to determine the thyroid hormone levels in infants with “acyanotic” and “cyanotic” congenital heart defects at different stages of hospitalization, comparison of the results between groups. Materials and methods used: a single-center prospective cohort study of 54 cases of surgical treatment of children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) was conducted. Correction of congenital heart disease was carried out with CPB in accordance with the approved clinical protocols. To assess the thyroid profile, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (free T4) and triiodothyronine (free T3) were examined. The algorithm for diagnosing hormone levels included three stages - it was measured prior to, one day after and 7 to 10 days after the surgical correction of congenital heart disease. The influence of clinical (hemodynamic) manifestations during surgical intervention on the level of thyroid hormones and TSH in the early and late postoperative period was assessed. Results: the majority of pediatric patients with “acyanotic” and “cyanotic” defects had a thyroid profile within normal limits upon admission to the hospital. In the early postoperative period, a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones and TSH was noted. By the end of hospitalization, a tendency towards independent normalization was revealed in the majority of patients. Children with free T3 level one day after the surgery below normal had longer CPB application (p=0.022), longer clamping of the aorta (p=0.019) and a higher inotropic index (p=0.005) in contrast with those who had free T3 within normal values. Conclusion: the results obtained would be of help in assessing the risk for the transient decrease in the level of thyroid hormones development among children in the first year of life who underwent CHD surgical correction with CPB as well as the need for hormone replacement therapy during the early postoperative period.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology in Lyme Neuroborreliosis Revisited-Role of Neutrophilic Granulocytes: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Background/Objectives: diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) relies on medical history, clinical findings, and detection of pathogen-specific antibodies in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The chemoattractant CXCL13 serves as an additional marker for LNB acuity. During the diagnostic workup, cytomorphological examination of immune cells in CSF provides early insights. Lympho-monocytic pleocytosis with plasma cells and activated lymphocytes is usually described as a typical feature of LNB. In contrast we frequently observe a cytological cell picture featuring neutrophilic granulocytes as well as activated mononuclear cells and plasma cells in patients with LNB, which we refer to as a mixed cell picture. We, hence, investigated the presence of granulocytes to determine their role as typical findings associated with LNB. Methods: we conducted a retrospective analysis of CSF cytology in patients diagnosed with definite LNB at the Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Centre, Salzburg between 2015 and 2021. CSF results of patients with more than 10 erythrocytes/µL were excluded to avoid the presence of granulocytes due to artificial blood contamination. Additionally, CXCL13 levels were recorded, where available. Results: a total of 75 patients (42 female; 56%) met the diagnostic criteria of definite LNB. Cytology revealed the presence of granulocytes in the CSF of 91% of the patients (68/75). CXCL13 elevation was found to be significantly associated with the presence of granulocytes in CSF (p = 0.0025, or 1.009 (95% CI: 1.003-1.016). Conclusions: we confirm a mixed cell picture with granulocytes, activated mononuclear cells and plasma cells being a typical finding in the CSF cytology of LNB. The association between granulocytes and elevated CXCL13 suggests that their presence is a specific feature of the acute, untreated phase of LNB.

The first experience of intraoperative myocardial elastography in cardiac surgery patients

The goal the work was to study the possibility of using elastography on an open heart to determine the stiffness of the left ventricular myocardium. Material and methods. Intraoperative elastography was performed in 6 patients with isolated aortic stenosis and dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta with aortic insufficiency. Three patients underwent surgery to replace the aortic valve with mechanical prostheses (SIM-19) and three were operated to replace the ascending aorta with an artificial prosthesis with aortic valve replacement (David’s operation). The average age of the patients was 42±9 years (42–53) years. All patients underwent surgery under conditions of artificial blood circulation. Initially, elastography was evaluated on a working heart, and then on full artificial circulation. The study was performed on a VK 5000 ultrasound device with an intraoperative «stick» type sensor at a frequency of 7.5–15 Mhz, gain of 1.6 Db, resolution of 127 hz. The deformation coefficient was evaluated. The imaging program was exposed as for neurosurgery with a frequency of 15 Mhz. Visualization was performed in B-mode, followed by obtaining shear wave elastography with calculation of the deformation coefficient. Results. Wave elastography was evaluated for various heart pathologies with different myocardial thickness. It was found that the stiffness in the studied areas of the myocardium is different. Thus, in patients with atherosclerotic aortic stenosis and a pressure gradient of more than 100 mmHg, the deformation coefficient was increased, in accordance with the thickness of the myocardium and amounted to 3.81–4.06, and in patients with aortic root dilation and aortic insufficiency, the deformation coefficient was 1.64–2.9. Conclusion. Intraoperative assessment of the left ventricular myocardial deformation coefficient is possible only on a stopped heart and gives an idea of the state of the heart muscle with the possibility of soft and hard areas. Shear wave elastography provides information about the elasticity and hardness of the tissue, which indirectly reflects the viscosity of the myocardium. This study was aimed at verifying the methodology for assessing the characteristics of the elasticity of the left ventricular myocardium for myocardial overload by pressure (aortic stenosis) and volume in case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm with aortic insufficiency.

An Investigation of Hyperthermia for Non-Newtonian Fluid Inside an Imitation Circular Vein

Hyperthermia is an overheating cancer treatment. The hyperthermia studies stated that when the temperature of a cell or mass is elevated to 43 °C, destruction of the mass can be observed. Manufacturing technologies and robotics advancements enable thermal engineering researchers to conduct hyperthermia experiments. This study attempted to determine the magnitude of the heat source placed inside the vein needed to achieve hyperthermia and the section that hyperthermia covered. Non-Newtonian artificial blood was adopted as the test fluid. An artificial blood circulation system was built. A small-scale resistance heat source used to mimic the heat generated by microrobots was placed inside the imitation vein to enhance the inner wall temperature of the affected section. Experiments were conducted on a 2 mm diameter imitation vein. The experimental data was used as a base to build a numerical model for vein diameters ranging from 1.5 to 6 mm. The required power inputs to achieve hyperthermia for different vein diameters were obtained. The power ranges from 0.036 to 0.203 W for diameters from 6 mm down to 1.5 mm. The research results of this study will provide important information to researchers in robotics to achieve the required heat generation.

Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation as the source of cryptogenic retrieved clots by a novel thrombin secretion assay.

Secondary prevention of acute ischemic stroke depends on identifying the source of cryptogenic clots. We previously reported that secreted thrombin activity from endovascularly retrieved clots is significantly different in atrial fibrillation (AF) vs atherosclerosis (AS), probably due to the invivo biology of the clots. The purpose of this study was to validate and optimize thrombin secretion for clot source diagnosis. Strokes were defined as either AS, AF, or cryptogenic, with the latter group defined as AF or non-AF by long-term clinical follow-up. Artificial venous blood clots were either prewashed or unwashed to model AS and AF sources. Thrombin secretion from the clot was measured fluorometrically by manually transferring the clots between wells or by washing them in an agarose bead column, collecting samples manually, or by using the fraction collector. The secretion pattern was represented as the ratio of maximal initial values to minimal baseline. The new column-based assay was faster and more informative. Significant differences in thrombin secretion ratios were observed between prewashed and unwashed artificial clots, and between AF and AS clots, with a cutoff ratio of 0.52 showing 78.9% specificity and 90.0% sensitivity. This cutoff identified 84% of cryptogenic patients who developed definite AF, and lifetable analysis found significantly more definite AF confirmation by cardiac monitoring in this group than in patients with a probable non-AF ratio (P = .021 by log-rank [Mantel-Cox] test). We developed a rapid and sensitive method for determining cryptogenic clot sources that correlates well with long-term clinical outcomes.

Bacterial cellulose: A versatile biomaterial for biomedical application

Bacterial cellulose, a unique biomaterial produced by several bacteria, has garnered biomedical interest to its versatility. This could be used in healthcare packaging, and textiles. Bacterial cellulose extraction is effective and affordable since it lacks lignin and hemicellulose. In wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine, this material’s unique properties have drawn interest. Bacterial cellulose has been studies as a skin substitute for severe burns and non-woven bandages for persistent wounds. In addition, bacterial cellulose has been used to make artificial skin, blood arteries, and wound dressings. Bacterial cellulose is ideal for biopolymer production due to its clean chemical composition, nano-fibrillar structure, and crystalline characteristics. This review explores the processing, content, characteristics, and applications of bacterial cellulose, revealing its function in tissue regeneration and disease resistance. Through careful inquiry and analysis, this work seeks to comprehend bacterial cellulose and its impact on biomedical research and technology.

Investigating the influence of Ar or O2 carrier flow rate on electrical insulation resistance of SiO2 layer deposited by atmospheric pressure plasma jet technology

Investigating the influence of Ar or O2 carrier flow rate on electrical insulation resistance of SiO2 layer deposited by atmospheric pressure plasma jet technology

Mid-term outcome and quality of life after Bentall procedure: single-center experience

The aim – to evaluate the mid-term results and quality of life of patients who underwent Bentall procedure.Materials and methods. The research included 55 patients who underwent planned surgical treatment at the Heart Institute of Ministry of Health of Ukraine from 2015 to 2023. The mean age of the 55 patients (53 (96.36 %) males), who underwent the Bentall procedure (composite graft replacement of the aortic root), was 52.36 ± 1.56 years. We analyzed basic characteristics of the patients, intraoperative and postoperative data. The quality of life was assessed before and in the mid-term period after operations by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) questionnaire.Results. An average duration of the follow-up period was (3.61 ± 0.28) (СІ 3.05–4.16) years ranging from 1.0 to 9.0 years. Overall, in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality was 1.89 % (n = 1). The only case of death was caused by the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The 5-year survival rate was 94.61 ± 3.10 % for all patients. It is reasonable to say that all 3 cases of death were due to a non-cardiac cause, i.e. stroke, malignancy and acute abdomen. The average duration of the operations was 244.48 ± 7.67 minutes, the total duration of artificial blood circulation was 138.73 ± 6.47 minutes, aorta clamping time – 95.82 ± 4.79 minutes. The mean duration of hospital staying was 16.98 ± 0.91 days, intensive care unit – 4.84 ± 0.33 days. The number of patients extubated up to 8 hours after surgery was 41 (74.55 %) patients. The operation significantly improved parameters of the quality of life. Conclusions. Patients after Bentall procedure have low overall in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality (1 (1.89 %)). The 5-year survival rate was 94.61 ± 3.10 %. All three case of death during follow-up period were due to non-cardiac causes. Excellent mid-term results prove that Bentall procedure must be a routine surgery for patients with aortic root aneurysm, mixed aortic valve pathology and anatomically altered aortic valve leaflets. The operation significantly improved quality of life of patients in all domains.

Influence of the orientation of constructed blood vessels during the 3D printing on the measurement of the pseudo-oxygen saturation of an artificial blood substitute using conventional oxygen sensors: a test series

BackgroundThe development of phantoms to reduce animal testing or to validate new instruments or operation techniques is of increasing importance. For this reason, a blood circulation phantom was developed to test a newly designed retractor system with an integrated oxygen sensor. This phantom was used to evaluate the impact of the 3D printed blood vessel on the measurement of the oxygen saturation.MethodsA solution of nickel sulfate and copper sulfate was prepared as a substitute for real blood. The absorption spectra of these solutions were recorded and compared with those of blood. Subsequently, the oxygen sensor used was calibrated to the blood substitute. Additionally, blood vessels with a simplified geometry were designed and manufactured using inverted vat polymerization and an elastic material (Formlabs Elastic 50 A). To determine the orientation during the printing process, various vessels were printed. Measurements to assess the effects of disturbance (rotation of the vessels during measurements) on the sensor readouts were prepared.ResultsThe impact of disturbances was verified through the rotation of the 3D printed vessels. It was demonstrated that a direct measurement on the disturbances led to outliers and higher values. An optimal orientation was determined to be a lateral placement (90° or 270°) of the sensor. Regarding the orientation of the vessels within the printing space, an orientation of 45° yielded the best results, as the individual layers had the least impact on the light emitted and received by the oxygen sensor.ConclusionThe achieved results demonstrate the influence of the orientation of the vessel during 3D printing as well as the influence of the position of the vessel during the measurement using a conventional oxygen sensor.

Antimicrobial peptide-based pH-responsive Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel artificial vascular grafts with excellent antimicrobial and hematologic compatibility

Thrombosis and infection are the primary challenges limiting the clinical application of small-diameter artificial blood vessels. Numerous studies have focused on improving the hemocompatibility of artificial vascular materials, addressing properties such as anticoagulant activity, antithrombogenicity, low hemolysis rates, and reduced platelet adhesion. However, there has been comparatively less attention given to the antibacterial properties of these materials. This study utilizes polyester braided tubes and PVA/PAAm hydrogel materials, combined with surface modification techniques, to develop a pH-responsive antibacterial hydrogel artificial blood vessel graft. The hydrogel surface was grafted with a polymer brush hierarchical structure, and antimicrobial peptide MLT was immobilized to confer antibacterial properties. Additionally, 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMMA) was covalently attached as a shielding group to achieve an environment-responsive strategy. The research demonstrates that this artificial blood vessel graft exhibits structural stability, excellent mechanical properties, and good cellular and hemocompatibility. Furthermore, it exhibits pH-responsive capabilities, triggering efficient antibacterial activity in low pH environments. The modified antibacterial hydrogel artificial blood vessel material shows low hemolysis rates, excellent anticoagulant properties, and reduced platelet adhesion. Therefore, the strategy of combining MLT with DMMA may effectively enhance the hemocompatibility and responsive antibacterial performance of artificial blood vessel materials.

Fluorocarbon-Functionalized Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly Nanoparticles Alleviate Hypoxia to Enhance Sonodynamic Cancer Therapy.

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an ultrasound-based, noninvasive cancer treatment that targets tumor cells by triggering reactive oxygen species production. However, the limited accumulation of sonosensitizers and the insufficient supply of O2 to the hypoxic environment at the tumor site greatly limit the effectiveness of SDT. To address these issues, positively charged porphyrin-containing nanoparticles (NPs) from self-assembling of fluorocarbon/polyethylene glycol amphiphilic block copolymer, which is synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, are constructed. The NPs with fluorocarbon core and positively charged hydrophilic shells not only stabilize the sonosensitizer and improve its cellular uptake, but also act as an O2 carrier alleviating the hypoxic tumor environment. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that the NPs effectively deliver O2 to the tumor and supply sufficient O2 to Renca cells after ultrasound treatment. Consequently, the NPs inhibit hypoxia-induced resistance to SDT and significantly produce reactive oxygen species by activated porphyrin moieties, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. These oxygen-enhanced sonosensitizer NPs hold promise for cancer therapies such as photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy by overcoming hypoxia-induced resistance.

RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 Composite Modified Platinum Electrode for Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine

A novel RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 composite modified platinum electrode with significant sensing performance for dopamine was fabricated. Herein, RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 hybrid nanostructure could boost the electrocatalytic performance of nanoparticles by avoiding the clustering of nanoparticles. These spinel-based composites are stable and affordable materials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed enhanced electron transfer at the modified electrode, as evidenced by the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct) for the RGO-g-C₃N₄-Co₃O₄/Pt electrode. An increased electroactive surface area compared to bare and other modified Pt electrodes was obtained. Several experimental parameters were optimized to maximize sensitivity, including the choice of supporting electrolyte and pH. Cyclic voltammetry conducted at varying scan rates confirmed that the oxidation of dopamine followed a diffusion-controlled process. The modified electrode exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity, with a detection limit as low as 8.10 × 10−7 M, demonstrating a wide linear range between 2.00 × 10−6 M to 4 × 10−4 M. Selectivity tests indicated that the sensor could reliably detect dopamine in the presence of common interfering substances such as NaCl, KCl, glucose and urea, ascorbic acid, uric acid and L-dopa. This enhanced sensitivity and selectivity were validated in both synthetic blood and urine samples, providing the electrode’s potential for real-world applications in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

PolyCitrulline Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode as a Voltammetric Sensor for the Simultaneous Determination of Metabolic Syndrome Biomarkers-Uric Acid and Tyramine

This article describes the development of a simple and sensitive voltammetric sensor for the simultaneous determination of Uric acid (UA) and Tyramine (TYM), which act as metabolic syndrome (Mts) biomarkers. The electropolymer of the naturally occurring amino acid citrulline (Cit) has been employed as the electrode modifier in this sensor. Glassy carbon electrode modified with poly citrulline has been characterized with the aid of techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM-energy dispersive X-ray analysis, surface area calculations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Studies were carried out to optimize parameters like the cycles of polymerisation, supporting electrolyte and its pH. The sensor which offers fast determination of the analytes using square wave voltammetry possesses a limit of detection 1.32 × 10−8 M and 4.20 × 10−8 M for UA and TYM, respectively. The applicability of the sensor in body fluids has been proved through spike recovery analysis in artificial blood serum and urine samples. Interference on the voltammetric signals created by some dominant coexisting species of the analytes was found to be tolerable.