Adhesion and proliferation of skeletal muscle cells on single layer poly(lactic acid) ultra-thin films

An increasing interest in bio-hybrid systems and cell-material interactions is evident in the last years. This leads towards the development of new nano-structured devices and the assessment of their biocompatibility. In the present study, the development of free-standing single layer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) ultra-thin films is described, together with the analysis of topography and roughness properties. The biocompatibility of the PLA films has been tested in vitro, by seeding C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, and thus assessing cells shape, density and viability after 24, 48 and 72 h. The results show that free-standing flexible PLA nanofilms represent a good matrix for C2C12 cells adhesion, spreading and proliferation. Early differentiation into myotubes is also allowed. The biocompatibility of the novel ultra-thin films as substrates for cell growth promotes their application in the fields of regenerative medicine, muscle tissue engineering, drug delivery, and-in general-in the field of bio-hybrid devices

Ionic Strength Responsive Sulfonated Polystyrene Opals

Stimuli-responsive photonic crystals (PCs) represent an intriguing class of smart materials very promising for sensing applications. Here, selective ionic strength responsive polymeric PCs are reported. They are easily fabricated by partial sulfonation of polystyrene opals, without using toxic or expensive monomers and etching steps. The color of the resulting hydrogel-like ordered structures can be continuously shifted over the entire visible range (405-760 nm) by changing the content of ions over an extremely wide range of concentration (from about 70 μM to 4 M). The optical response is completely independent from pH and temperature, and the initial color can be fully recovered by washing the sulfonated opals with pure water. These new smart photonic materials could find important applications as ionic strength sensors for environmental monitoring as well as for healthcare screening

One-step functionalization of mildly and strongly reduced graphene oxide with maleimide: An experimental and theoretical investigation of the Diels-Alder [4+2] cycloaddition reaction

For large-scale graphene applications, such as the production of polymer-graphene nanocomposites, exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced form (rGO) are presently considered to be very suitable starting materials, showing enhanced chemical reactivity with respect to pristine graphene, in addition to suitable electronic properties (i.e., tunable band gap). Among other chemical processes, a suitable way to obtain surface decoration of graphene is through a direct one-step Diels-Alder (DA) reaction, e.g. through the use of dienophile or diene moieties. However, the feasibility and extent of decoration largely depends on the specific graphene microstructure that in the case of rGO sheets is not easy to control and generally presents a high degree of inhomogeneity owing to various on-plane functionalization (e.g., epoxide and hydroxyl groups) or in-plane lattice defects. In an effort to gain some insights into the covalent functionalization of variably reduced GO samples, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study on the DA cycloaddition reaction of maleimide, a dienophile functional unit well-suited for chemical conjugation of polymers and macromolecules. In particular, we considered both mildly and strongly reduced GOs. Using thermogravimetry, Raman and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analysis we show evidence of variable chemical reactivity of rGO as a function of the residual oxygen content. Moreover, from quantum mechanical calculations carried out at the DFT level on different graphene reaction sites, we provide a more detailed molecular view to interpret experimental findings and to assess the reactivity series of different graphene modifications. This journal i

Ultraconformable Temporary Tattoo Electrodes for Electrophysiology

Electrically interfacing the skin for monitoring personal health condition is the basis of skin-contact electrophysiology. In the clinical practice the use of stiff and bulky pregelled or dry electrodes, in contrast to the soft body tissues, imposes severe restrictions to user comfort and mobility while limiting clinical applications. Here, in this work dry, unperceivable temporary tattoo electrodes are presented. Customized single or multielectrode arrays are readily fabricated by inkjet printing of conducting polymer onto commercial decal transfer paper, which allows for easy transfer on the user's skin. Conformal adhesion to the skin is provided thanks to their ultralow thickness (<1 µm). Tattoo electrode–skin contact impedance is characterized on short- (1 h) and long-term (48 h) and compared with standard pregelled and dry electrodes. The viability in electrophysiology is validated by surface electromyography and electrocardiography recordings on various locations on limbs and face. A novel concept of tattoo as perforable skin-contact electrode, through which hairs can grow, is demonstrated, thus permitting to envision very long-term recordings on areas with high hair density. The proposed materials and patterning strategy make this technology amenable for large-scale production of low-cost sensing devices

Efficacy of a vegetal mixture composed of Zingiber officinale, Echinacea purpurea, and Centella asiatica in a mouse model of neuroinflammation: In vivo and ex vivo analysis

Experimental evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is a key pathological event of many diseases affecting the nervous system. It has been well recognized that these devastating illnesses (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression, and chronic pain) are multifactorial, involving many pathogenic mechanisms, reason why pharmacological treatments are unsatisfactory. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a vegetal mixture capable of offering a multiple approach required to manage the multifactoriality of neuroinflammation. A mixture composed of Zingiber officinale (150 mg kg(-1)), Echinacea purpurea (20 mg kg(-1)), and Centella asiatica (200 mg kg(-1)) was tested in a mouse model of systemic neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg kg(-1)). Repeated treatment with the vegetal mixture was able to completely counteract thermal and mechanical allodynia as reported by the Cold plate and von Frey tests, respectively, and to reduce the motor impairments as demonstrated by the Rota rod test. Moreover, the mixture was capable of neutralizing the memory loss in the Passive avoidance test and reducing depressive-like behavior in the Porsolt test, while no efficacy was shown in decreasing anhedonia as demonstrated by the Sucrose preference test. Finally, LPS stimulation caused a significant increase in the activation of glial cells, of the central complement proteins and of inflammatory cytokines in selected regions of the central nervous system (CNS), which were rebalanced in animals treated with the vegetal mixture. In conclusion, the vegetal mixture tested thwarted the plethora of symptoms evoked by LPS, thus being a potential candidate for future investigations in the context of neuroinflammation

Dynamic11 c-methionine pet-ct: Prognostic factors for disease progression and survival in patients with suspected glioma recurrence

Purpose: The prognostic evaluation of glioma recurrence patients is important in the therapeutic management. We investigated the prognostic value of11 C-methionine PET-CT (MET-PET) dynamic and semiquantitative parameters in patients with suspected glioma recurrence. Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive patients who underwent MET-PET for suspected glioma recurrence at MR were retrospectively included. Twenty-one patients underwent static MET-PET; 46/67 underwent dynamic MET-PET. In all patients, SUVmax, SUVmean and tumour-to-background ratio (T/B) were calculated. From dynamic acquisition, the shape and slope of time-activity curves, time-to-peak and its SUVmax (SUVmaxTTP ) were extrapolated. The prognostic value of PET parameters on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and Cox regression. Results: The overall median follow-up was 19 months from MET-PET. Recurrence patients (38/67) had higher SUVmax (p = 0.001), SUVmean (p = 0.002) and T/B (p < 0.001); deceased patients (16/67) showed higher SUVmax (p = 0.03), SUVmean (p = 0.03) and T/B (p = 0.006). All static parameters were associated with PFS (all p < 0.001); T/B was associated with OS (p = 0.031). Regarding kinetic analyses, recurrence (27/46) and deceased (14/46) patients had higher SUVmaxTTP (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). SUVmaxTTP was the only dynamic parameter associated with PFS (p = 0.02) and OS (p = 0.006). At univariate analysis, SUVmax, SUVmean, T/B and SUVmaxTTP were predictive for PFS (all p < 0.05); SUVmaxTTP was predictive for OS (p = 0.02). At multivariate analysis, SUVmaxTTP remained significant for PFS (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Semiquantitative parameters and SUVmaxTTP were associated with clinical outcomes in patients with suspected glioma recurrence. Dynamic PET-CT acquisition, with static and kinetic parameters, can be a valuable non-invasive prognostic marker, identifying patients with worse prognosis who require personalised therapy

A plant-inspired robot with soft differential bending capabilities

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