Design of low-dose, non-hormonal female contraceptives targeting trophoblast cells using vitamin B13 copper metal-organic frameworks.

Unintended pregnancy remains a significant concern in women's healthcare. Although current short-term contraceptive methods, particularly hormonal approaches, are effective in preventing unintended pregnancy, their potential long-term adverse effects necessitate the development of safer alternatives. A nanostrategy that interrupts early pregnancy by inhibiting embryonic trophoblast cell proliferation presents a promising non-hormonal approach with minimal adverse effects on female reproductive system.

A double network composite hydrogel with enhanced transdermal delivery by ultrasound for endometrial injury repair and fertility recovery.

Endometrial injury and resulting female infertility pose significant clinical challenges due to the notable shortcomings of traditional treatments. Herein, we proposed a double network composite hydrogel, CSMA-RC-Zn-PNS, which forms a physical barrier on damaged tissue through photo-crosslinking while enabling sustained release of the active ingredient PNS. Based on this, we developed a combined strategy to enhance transdermal delivery efficiency using ultrasound cavitation.

Optical edge detection with adjustable resolution using the planar liquid crystal Alvarez lens.

In this Letter, we propose an optical edge detection method with adjustable resolution using a planar liquid crystal Alvarez lens (LCAL). A planar liquid crystal Alvarez lens was fabricated by laser direct writing. When the focal length of the liquid crystal Alvarez lens changes and linearly polarized light (LP) passes through the liquid crystal Alvarez lens, the angle between the emitted left-handed circularly polarized light and right-handed circularly polarized light can be controlled, enabling adjustable resolution edge detection.

Mitigating adverse effects of Cu-containing intrauterine devices using a highly biocompatible Cu5Fe alloy.

Copper-containing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) are adopted by worldwide women for contraception with the advantages of long-term effectiveness, reversibility and affordability. However, adverse effects occur in the initial implantation stage of Cu-IUD in uterine because of the burst release of Cu. To minimize the burst release, in this study, we designed a series of Cu-Fe alloys with 0.

High-Voltage Power Supply for Four-Quadrant Dielectric Elastomer Actuators.

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are emerging as promising candidates for various applications in robotics and optical devices due to their lightweight, miniaturization potential, high energy density, simple structure, and low power consumption. However, their effective actuation always demands sophisticated high-voltage driving circuits that are compact and responsive. DEAs need to be capable of generating intricate high-voltage waveforms or simultaneously controlling multiple quadrants with distinct high-voltage levels.

Combination of disulfiram and Copper-Cysteamine nanoparticles induces mitochondria damage and promotes apoptosis in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer (EC) stands as one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies affecting women, with its incidence and disease-related mortality steadily on the rise. Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved medication primarily used for treating alcohol addiction, has exhibited promising anti-tumor properties. Studies have revealed DSF's capacity for enhanced anti-tumor activity, particularly when combined with copper.

Nanostrategy of Targeting at Embryonic Trophoblast Cells Using CuO Nanoparticles for Female Contraception.

Effective contraceptives have been comprehensively adopted by women to prevent the negative consequences of unintended pregnancy for women, families, and societies. With great contributions of traditional hormonal drugs and intrauterine devices (IUDs) to effective female contraception by inhibiting ovulation and deactivating sperm, their long-standing side effects on hormonal homeostasis and reproductive organs for females remain concerns. Herein, we proposed a nanostrategy for female contraceptives, inducing embryonic trophoblast cell death using nanoparticles to prevent embryo implantation.

Nanomaterials Solutions for Contraception: Concerns, Advances, and Prospects.

Preventing unintentional pregnancy is one of the goals of a global public health policy to minimize effects on individuals, families, and society. Various contraceptive formulations with high effectiveness and acceptance, including intrauterine devices, hormonal patches for females, and condoms and vasectomy for males, have been developed and adopted over the last decades. However, distinct breakthroughs of contraceptive techniques have not yet been achieved, while the associated long-term adverse effects are insurmountable, such as endocrine system disorder along with hormone administration, invasive ligation, and slowly restored fertility after removal of intrauterine devices.