Fabrication of Patterned Composite Microneedles via Inkjet Printing for Enhanced Drug Delivery.

Microneedle (MN) technology offers a minimally invasive, patient-friendly alternative to conventional hypodermic injections for dermal drug delivery. However, traditional micro-molding techniques are limited by single-material fabrication, involving labor-intensive processes, excessive material waste, and scalability issues, restricting broader therapeutic applications. To address these challenges, an inkjet printing method is implemented to fabricate multi-material MN patches using gelatin and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels.

A comprehensive review in the advancements of bioprinting for tissue engineering using polysaccharide biomaterials and a future strategies.

Bioprinting (BP) technology has played a significant role in the production of organ fabrication with decorated biomaterial and their application in various field, including tissue engineering (TE). BP is an advanced technology that provides the possibility to replicate complex microarchitecture of native tissues through the printing of live cells of cell-laden inks, the so-called bioinks. The engineering of novel bioink formulations with adequate properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, high mechanical integrity, and dimensional stability are important in the success of the BP process.

Rapid automated production of tubular 3D intestine-on-a-chip with diverse cell types using coaxial bioprinting.

Despite considerable animal sacrifices and investments, drug development often falters in clinical trials due to species differences. To address this issue, specific models, such as organ-on-a-chip technology using human cells in microfluidic devices, are recognized as promising alternatives. Among the various organs, the human small intestine plays a pivotal role in drug development, particularly in the assessment of digestion and nutrient absorption.

Development of deep learning algorithm for detecting dyskalemia based on electrocardiogram.

Dyskalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality. Since dyskalemia can cause fatal arrhythmias and cardiac arrest in severe cases, it is crucial to monitor serum potassium (K) levels on time. We developed deep learning models to detect hyperkalemia (K  ≥ 5.

Exploring Doping Mechanisms and Modulating Carrier Concentration in Copper Iodide: Applications in Thermoelectric Materials.

Due to its small hole-effective mass, flexibility, and transparency, copper iodide (CuI) has emerged as a promising p-type alternative to the predominantly used n-type metal oxide semiconductors. However, the lack of effective doping methods hinders the utility of CuI in various applications. Sulfur (S)-doping through liquid iodination is previously reported to significantly enhance electrical conductivity up to 511 S cm.

Sacrificial-Rotating Rod-Based 3D Bioprinting Technique for the Development of an In Vitro Cardiovascular Model.

Several studies have attempted to develop complex cardiovascular models, but the use of multiple cell types and poor cell alignments after fabrication have limited the practical application of these models. Among various bioprinting methods, extrusion-based bioprinting is the most widely used in the bioengineering field. This method not only has the potential to construct complex 3D biological structures but it also enables the alignment of cells in the printing direction owing to the application of shear stress to the cells during the printing process.

Fabrication and integration of a low-cost 3D printing-based glucose biosensor for bioprinted liver-on-a-chip.

In the last two decades, significant progress has been made in the development of more physiologically relevant organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems that can mimic tissue microenvironments. Despite the advantages of these microphysiological systems, such as portability, ability to mimic physiological flow conditions, and reduction of the number of reagents required for preparation and detection, they lack real-time analyte detection with high accuracy. To address this limitation, biosensor technologies have been integrated with OOC systems to facilitate simultaneous analysis of different analytes with a single device.

Development of lumen-based perfusable 3D liver in vitro model using single-step bioprinting with composite bioinks.

Hepatic sinusoids are uniquely organized structures that help maintain a spectrum of hepatic functions. Although several in vitro liver models have been developed to replicate liver sinusoids, most of these platforms require complex, multi-step fabrication methods making it difficult to achieve truly three-dimensional (3D) channel geometries. In this study, a single-step bioprinting technique was demonstrated to simultaneously print a chip platform and develop a perfusable vascularized liver sinusoid in vitro model.

3D bioprinting strategy for engineering vascularized tissue models.

Leveraging three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has rapidly accelerated progress toward the development of living tissue constructs and biomedical devices. Ongoing vigorous research has pursued the development of 3D tissue models to replicate the key aspects of human physiology by incorporating relevant cell populations and adequate environmental cues. Given their advantages of being able to intimately mimic the heterogeneity and complexity of their native counterparts, 3D models hold promise as alternatives to conventional cell cultures or animal models for translational application to model human physiology/pathology and drug screening.

Transformation of KSbQ and KSbQ Bulk Crystals to SbQ (Q = S, Se) Nanofibers by Acid-Base Solution Chemistry.

The ability to manipulate crystal structures using kinetic control is of broad interest because it enables the design of materials with structures, compositions, and morphologies that may otherwise be unattainable. Herein, we report the low-temperature structural transformation of bulk inorganic crystals driven by hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) chemistry. We show that the three-dimensional framework KSbQ and layered KSbQ (Q = S, Se, and Se/S solid solutions) compounds transform to one-dimensional SbQ nano/microfibers in NH·HO solution by releasing Q and K ions.

Engineering In vitro Models: Bioprinting of Organoids with Artificial Intelligence.

In the last decade, organoids have gained popularity for developing mini-organs to support advancements in the study of organogenesis, disease modeling, and drug screening and, subsequently, in the development of new therapies. To date, such cultures have been used to replicate the composition and functionality of organs such as the kidney, liver, brain, and pancreas. However, depending on the experimenter, the culture environment and cell conditions may slightly vary, resulting in different organoids; this factor significantly affects their application in new drug development, especially during quantification.

Electronic Structure Manipulation of the Mott Insulator RuCl via Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Topotactic Transformation.

The core task for Mott insulators includes how rigid distributions of electrons evolve and how these induce exotic physical phenomena. However, it is highly challenging to chemically dope Mott insulators to tune properties. Herein, we report how to tailor electronic structures of the honeycomb Mott insulator RuCl employing a facile and reversible single-crystal to single-crystal intercalation process.

Coaxial cell printing of a human glomerular model: anglomerular filtration barrier and its pathophysiology.

Much effort has been expended in emulating the kidney's glomerular unit because of its limitless potential in the field of drug screening and nephrotoxicity testing in clinics. Herein, we fabricate a functional bilayer glomerular microvessel-on-a-chip that recapitulates the specific arrangement of the glomerular endothelial cell, podocyte layers, and the intervening glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in a single step. Our perfusable chip allows for the co-culture of monolayer glomerular endothelium and podocyte epithelium, which display mature functional markers of glomerular cells, and their proper interactions produce GBM proteins, which are the major components of the GBM.

Atomic Level Defect Structure Engineering for Unusually High Average Thermoelectric Figure of Merit in n-Type PbSe Rivalling PbTe.

Realizing high average thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT ) and power factor (PF ) has been the utmost task in thermoelectrics. Here the new strategy to independently improve constituent factors in ZT is reported, giving exceptionally high ZT and PF in n-type PbSe. The nonstoichiometric, alloyed composition and resulting defect structures in new Pb Se Te (x = 0-0.

Data-Driven Enhancement of ZT in SnSe-Based Thermoelectric Systems.

Doping and alloying are fundamental strategies to improve the thermoelectric performance of bare materials. However, identifying outstanding elements and compositions for the development of high-performance thermoelectric materials is challenging. In this study, we present a data-driven approach to improve the thermoelectric performance of SnSe compounds with various doping.

Serum cystatin C to creatinine ratio is associated with sarcopenia in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Background: Sarcopenia is a prevalent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease and is associated with poor quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Several candidate biomarkers have been evaluated for this condition. This study assessed the serum cystatin C to creatinine (serum cystatin C/Cr) ratio as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Engineering Hydrogels for the Development of Three-Dimensional In Vitro Models.

The superiority of in vitro 3D cultures over conventional 2D cell cultures is well recognized by the scientific community for its relevance in mimicking the native tissue architecture and functionality. The recent paradigm shift in the field of tissue engineering toward the development of 3D in vitro models can be realized with its myriad of applications, including drug screening, developing alternative diagnostics, and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels are considered the most suitable biomaterial for developing an in vitro model owing to their similarity in features to the extracellular microenvironment of native tissue.

Development of Silk Fibroin Scaffolds by Using Indirect 3D-Bioprinting Technology.

Due to the excellent biocompatibility of natural polymers, a variety of natural polymers have been widely used as biomaterials for manufacturing tissue engineered scaffolds. Despite the excellent biological activity of natural polymers, there have been obstacles in using them on their own to prepare 3D scaffolds with sufficient mechanical strength. Although multiple 3D-bioprinting technologies have recently emerged as effective manufacturing tools for scaffold preparation, scaffold preparation using only natural polymers with tunable mechanical properties is still difficult.

Bulk Metamaterials Exhibiting Chemically Tunable Hyperbolic Responses.

Extraordinary properties of traditional hyperbolic metamaterials, not found in nature, arise from their man-made subwavelength structures causing unique light-matter interactions. However, their preparation requiring nanofabrication processes is highly challenging and merely provides nanoscale two-dimensional structures. Stabilizing their bulk forms via scalable procedures has been a sought-goal for broad applications of this technology.

A case report of refractory otalgia after Ramsay Hunt syndrome successfully treated by applying pulsed radiofrequency to the great auricular nerve: A CARE-compliant article.

Rationale: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a type of herpes zoster infection involving geniculate ganglion and facial nerve. Unilateral facial palsy, otalgia, and painful vesicular rash on the auricle and external auditory canal are the typical symptoms. Although postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a devastating complication of herpes zoster infection, PHN following Ramsay Hunt syndrome has rarely been reported.

Late stage 3 chronic kidney disease is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia, but not proteinuria.

Most epidemiologic studies assessing the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sarcopenia have been performed in dialysis patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and sarcopenia in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. A total of 892 outpatients who did not show any rapid changes in renal function were enrolled in this observational cohort study.

Dexmedetomidine-induced hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing orthopedic upper limb surgery under brachial plexus block: a retrospective study.

Background: Hemodynamic instability is a frequent adverse effect following administration of dexmedetomidine (DMED). In this study, we evaluated the incidence of DMED-induced hemodynamic instability and its predictive factors in clinical regional anesthesia practice.

Methods: One hundred sixteen patients who underwent orthopedic upper limb surgery under brachial plexus block with intravenous DMED administration were retrospectively identified.

Promoting Long-Term Cultivation of Motor Neurons for 3D Neuromuscular Junction Formation of 3D In Vitro Using Central-Nervous-Tissue-Derived Bioink.

3D cell printing technology is in the spotlight for producing 3D tissue or organ constructs useful for various medical applications. In printing of neuromuscular tissue, a bioink satisfying all the requirements is a challenging issue. Gel integrity and motor neuron activity are two major characters because a harmonious combination of extracellular materials essential to motor neuron activity consists of disadvantages in mechanical properties.

Polycrystalline SnSe with a thermoelectric figure of merit greater than the single crystal.

Thermoelectric materials generate electric energy from waste heat, with conversion efficiency governed by the dimensionless figure of merit, ZT. Single-crystal tin selenide (SnSe) was discovered to exhibit a high ZT of roughly 2.2-2.