19 research outputs found
Nanofat lysate ameliorates pain and cartilage degradation of osteoarthritis through activation of TGF-βâSmad2/3 signaling of chondrocytes
Introduction: Nanofat is an effective cell therapy for osteoarthritis (OA). However, it has clinical limitations due to its short half-life. We developed Nanofat lysate (NFL) to overcome the defect of Nanofat and explore its anti-OA efficacy and mechanism.Methods: Monoiodoacetate (MIA) was employed to establish rat OA model. For pain assessment, paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were evaluated. Degeneration of cartilage was observed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Primary chondrocytes were treated with TNF-Îą to establish the cellular model of OA. MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays were performed to assess effects of NFL on chondrocytes. RNA-seq, qPCR and Western blot assays were conducted to clarify the mechanism of NFL.Results and Discussion: The animal data showed that PWL and TWL values, Mankinâs and OARSI scorings, and the Col2 expression in cartilage were significantly improved in the NFL-treated OA rats. The cellular data showed that NFL significantly improved the proliferation, wound healing, and migration of chondrocytes. The molecular data showed that NFL significantly restored the TNF-Îą-altered anabolic markers (Sox9, Col2 and ACAN) and catabolic markers (IL6 and Mmp13). The RNA-seq identified that TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling pathway mediated the efficacy of NFL, which was verified by qPCR and Western blot that NFL significantly restored the abnormal expressions of TGFβR2, phosphorylated-Smad2, phosphorylated-Smad2/3, Col2, Mmp13 and Mmp3. After long-term storage, NFL exerted similar effects as its fresh type, indicating its advantage of storability. In sum, NFL was developed as a new therapeutic approach and its anti-OA efficacy and mechanism that mediated by TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling was determined for the first time. Besides, the storability of NFL provided a substantial advantage than other living cell-based therapies
HighâThroughput Electron Diffraction Reveals a Hidden Novel MetalâOrganic Framework for Electrocatalysis
AbstractMetalâorganic frameworks (MOFs) are known for their versatile combination of inorganic building units and organic linkers, which offers immense opportunities in a wide range of applications. However, many MOFs are typically synthesized as multiphasic polycrystalline powders, which are challenging for studies by Xâray diffraction. Therefore, developing new structural characterization techniques is highly desired in order to accelerate discoveries of new materials. Here, we report a highâthroughput approach for structural analysis of MOF nanoâ and subâmicrocrystals by threeâdimensional electron diffraction (3DED). A new zeoliticâimidazolate framework (ZIF), denoted ZIFâEC1, was first discovered in a trace amount during the study of a known ZIFâCO3â1 material by 3DED. The structures of both ZIFs were solved and refined using 3DED data. ZIFâEC1 has a dense 3D framework structure, which is built by linking monoâ and biânuclear Zn clusters and 2âmethylimidazolates (mImâ). With a composition of Zn3(mIm)5(OH), ZIFâEC1 exhibits high N and Zn densities. We show that the Nâdoped carbon material derived from ZIFâEC1 is a promising electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The discovery of this new MOF and its conversion to an efficient electrocatalyst highlights the power of 3DED in developing new materials and their applications
The effect of the Ankle Pump Exercise (APE) counter system assisted ankle pump motion in patients after femoral neck fracture
Abstract Objective To explore the effect of the Ankle Pump Exercise (APE) counter system on moderate to high-risk Venous thromboembolism (VTE) after femoral neck fracture surgery. Methods From June 2021 to June 2022, a total of 140 patients with moderate and high-risk VTE after femoral neck fracture surgery treated at the Department of Orthopedics of a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang were included and divided into observation (70 cases) and control (70 cases) groups according to whether APE counter system was used or not. The control group was given routine oral propaganda, and the observation group was given a comprehensive nursing intervention with APE counter system on the basis of the control groupâs treatment. The compliance rates of the two groups on the postoperative 3st, 5rd, and 7th days were compared. Moreover, the General self-efficacy scale (GSES) was used to evaluate self-efficacy before and after exercise. Results The compliance rates of the control group and the observation group on the postoperative 3st, 5rd, and 7th days were 74.3% vs. 85.7%, 67.1% vs. 85.7%, and 61.4% vs. 82.9%. On the 5rd and 7th days, the compliance of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group. Moreover, the mean postoperative GSES score was also significantly higher than that in the control group (23.20âÂąâ3.516 vs. 25.31âÂąâ4.583, Pâ<â0.05, values are expressed in meanâÂąâstandard). Conclusion APE counter system can significantly improve the compliance and self-efficacy of patients with moderate and high-risk VTE after lower limb fracture surgery
Advances in Polyethylene Terephthalate Beverage Bottle Optimization: A Mini Review
Compared with other materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has high transparency, excellent physical and mechanical properties in a wide temperature range and good hygiene and safety, so it is widely used in the packaging industry, especially in the packaging of beverages and foods. The optimization of PET bottles is mainly reflected in three aspects: material optimization, structure optimization and process optimization, among which there is much research on material optimization and process optimization, but there is no complete overview on structure optimization. A summary of structural optimization is necessary. Aiming at structural optimization, the finite element method is a useful supplement to the beverage packaging industry. By combining the computer-aided design technology and using finite element software for finite element simulation, researchers can replace the experimental test in the pre-research design stage, predict the effect and save cost. This review summarizes the development of PET bottles for beverage packaging, summarizes various optimization methods for preventing stress cracking in beverage packaging, and especially focuses on comparing and evaluating the effects of several optimization methods for packaging structure. Finally, the future development of all kinds of optimization based on structural optimization in the field of beverage packaging is comprehensively discussed, including personalized design, the combination of various methods and the introduction of actual impact factor calculation
On the Completeness of Three-Dimensional Electron Diffraction Data for Structural Analysis of Metal-Organic Frameworks
Three-dimensional
electron diffraction (3DED) has been proven as an effective and accurate method
for structure determination of nano-sized crystals. In the past decade, the crystal
structures of various new complex metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been revealed
by 3DED, which has been the key to understand their properties. However, due to
the design of transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), one drawback of 3DED
experiments is the limited tilt range of goniometer, which often leads to incomplete
3DED data, particularly when the crystal symmetry is low. This drawback can be
overcome by high throughput data collection using continuous rotation electron
diffraction (cRED), where data from a large number of crystals can be collected
and merged. Here, we investigate the effects of improving completeness on structural
analysis of MOFs. We use ZIF-EC1, a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF), as an
example. ZIF-EC1 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with a plate-like
morphology. cRED data of ZIF-EC1 with different completeness and resolution
were analyzed. The data completeness increased to 92.0% by merging ten
datasets. Although the structures could be solved from individual datasets with
a completeness as low as 44.5% and refined to a high precession (better than
0.04 Ă
), we demonstrate that a high data completeness could improve the structural
model, especially on the electrostatic potential map. We further discuss the
strategy adopted during data merging. We also show that ZIF-EC1 doped with
cobalt can act as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. </p
Optimization of Multiple Seepage Piping Parameters to Maximize the Critical Hydraulic Gradient in Bimsoils
Seepage failure in the form of piping can strongly influence the stability of block-in-matrix-soils (bimsoils), as well as weaken and affect the performance of bimsoil structures. The multiple-factor evaluation and optimization play a crucial role in controlling the seepage failure in bimsoil. The aim of this study is to improve the ability to control the piping seepage failure in bimsoil. In this work, the response surface method (RSM) was employed to evaluate and optimize the multiple piping parameters to maximize the critical hydraulic gradient (CHG), in combination with experimental modeling based on a self-developed servo-controlled flow-erosion-stress coupled testing system. All of the studied specimens with rock block percentage (RBP) of 30%, 50%, and 70% were produced as a cylindrical shape (50 mm diameter and 100 mm height) by compaction tests. Four uncertain parameters, such as RBP, soil matrix density, confining pressure, and block morphology were used to fit an optimal response of the CHG. The sensitivity analysis reveals the influential order of the studied factors to CHG. It is found that RBP is the most sensitive factor, the CHG decreases with the increase of RBP, and CHG increases with the increase of confining pressure, soil matrix density, and block angularity
High-Throughput Electron Diffraction Reveals a Hidden Novel Metal-Organic Framework for Electrocatalysis
Metal-organic
frameworks (MOFs) are known for their versatile combination of inorganic
building units and organic linkers, which offers immense opportunities in a
wide range of applications. However, many MOFs are typically synthesized as multiphasic
polycrystalline powders, which are challenging for studies by X-ray
diffraction. Therefore, developing new structural characterization techniques is
highly desired in order to accelerate discoveries of new materials. Here, we report
a high-throughput approach for structural analysis of MOF nano- and sub-microcrystals
by three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED). A new zeolitic-imidazolate
framework (ZIF), denoted ZIF-EC1, was first discovered in a trace amount during the
study of a known ZIF-CO3-1 material by 3DED. The structures
of both ZIFs were solved and refined using 3DED data. ZIF-EC1 has a dense 3D framework structure, which is built by
linking mono- and bi-nuclear Zn clusters and 2-methylimidazolates (mIm-). With a composition
of Zn3(mIm)5(OH),
ZIF-EC1 exhibits
high N and Zn densities. We show that the N-doped carbon material derived from ZIF-EC1
is a promising electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The
discovery of this new MOF and its conversion to an efficient electrocatalyst highlights
the power of 3DED in developing new materials and their applications. </p
Optimization of Multiple Seepage Piping Parameters to Maximize the Critical Hydraulic Gradient in Bimsoils
Skin-like cryogel electronics from suppressed-freezing tuned polymer amorphization
Abstract The sole situation of semi-crystalline structure induced single performance remarkably limits the green cryogels in the application of soft devices due to uncontrolled freezing field. Here, a facile strategy for achieving multifunctionality of cryogels is proposed using total amorphization of polymer. Through precisely lowering the freezing point of precursor solutions with an antifreezing salt, the suppressed growth of ice is achieved, creating an unusually weak and homogenous aggregation of polymer chains upon freezing, thereby realizing the tunable amorphization of polymer and the coexistence of free and hydrogen bonding hydroxyl groups. Such multi-scale microstructures trigger the integrated properties of tissue-like ultrasoftness (Youngâs modulus <10 kPa) yet stretchability, high transparency (~92%), self-adhesion, and instantaneous self-healing (<0.3âs) for cryogels, along with superior ionic-conductivity, antifreezing (â58â°C) and water-retention abilities, pushing the development of skin-like cryogel electronics. These concepts open an attractive branch for cryogels that adopt regulated crystallization behavior for on-demand functionalities