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Worldwide, the proportion of the population aged 65 years or older is rapidly increasing, along with the prevalence of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Because of decreased physiological functions and comorbidities in the elderly, it is difficult to determine a treatment strategy for each individual. According to the guidelines for dyslipidemia in Europe and the United States, aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering is recommended for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease as in the younger patient group. Also, newer cholesterol-lowering agents, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitor can be added to achieve treatment goals in high risk groups. However, considering the conflicting study results in primary prevention, it is necessary to fully consider life expectancy and side effects of medications to determine whether to initiate treatment. Several on-going studies are expected to give answers to many complex clinical situations of dyslipidemia treatment in the elderly.

Background: Serum vitamin D levels affect atherosclerosis development via diverse molecular mechanisms. The lesion characteristics of carotid stenosis affect the success of stent expansion. By comparing the pre-and post-stenting stenosis degrees, our study evaluated whether serum vitamin D levels are associated with the expansion rate of carotid stenting.Methods: Forty-six cases who underwent elective cervical carotid artery stenting were analyzed. Patients were classified into two groups according to serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels

Injectable shear-thinning biomaterials (STBs) have attracted significant attention because of their efficient and localized delivery of cells as well as various molecules ranging from growth factors to drugs. Recently, electrostatic interaction-based STBs, including gelatin/LAPONITE® nanocomposites, have been developed through a simple assembly process and show outstanding shear-thinning properties and injectability. However, the ability of different compositions of gelatin and LAPONITE® to modulate doxorubicin (DOX) delivery at different pH values to enhance the effectiveness of topical skin cancer treatment is still unclear. Here, we fabricated injectable STBs using gelatin and LAPONITE® to investigate the influence of LAPONITE®/gelatin ratio on mechanical characteristics, capacity for DOX release in response to different pH values, and cytotoxicity toward malignant melanoma. The release profile analysis of various compositions of DOX-loaded STBs under different pH conditions revealed that lower amounts of LAPONITE® (6NC25) led to higher pH-responsiveness capable of achieving a localized, controlled, and sustained release of DOX in an acidic tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we showed that 6NC25 had a lower storage modulus and required lower injection forces compared to those with higher LAPONITE® ratios. Furthermore, DOX delivery analysis in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that DOX-loaded 6NC25 could efficiently target subcutaneous malignant tumors via DOX-induced cell death and growth restriction. This journal is

Background: Chronic primary headaches (CPHs) are known to increase the risk of stroke in women. However, the effect of a novel headache during pregnancy (G-HA) on the occurrence of subsequent stroke is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the association between G-HA and postpartum stroke in women. Methods: Based on the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we included consecutive women hospitalized for delivery between 2007 and 2008. G-HA was defined as the novel CPH diagnosed during pregnancy, and was divided into migraine and other CPH groups. Primary outcome was determined any stroke, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke that occurred during the identification period from delivery to December 31 2016. All diseases were identified based on data registered in the database using the International Classification of Disease-10 th Revision-Clinical Modification codes. Results: A total of 919,810 women were evaluated. In multivariable cox regression analysis, G-HA was significantly associated with postpartum stroke [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-2.06]. The close association between G-HA and postpartum stroke was the strongest with migraine (aHR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.59-3.40), but it was also statistically significant with other CPHs (aHR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07-1.83). According to the stroke subtype, G-HA showed a close correlation with ischemic stroke (aHR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.45-2.41), but not with hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusions: We demonstrated that G-HA, especially migraines, was associated with postpartum stroke occurrence in women. This close association was evident in ischemic stroke and not hemorrhagic stroke.

Background: Neuroimaging detects cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) subtypes, including infarction, asymptomatic lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and enlarged perivascular space. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays an essential role in the metabolism of folic acid and homocysteine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the MTHFR C677T mutation and CSVD subtypes.Methods: A total of 144 patients with acute ischemic stroke who visited the Korea University Guro Hospital between April 2020 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. After excluding 24 patients, due to missing laboratory, clinical, or imaging information, a total of 120 patients were analyzed.Results: Among the 120 participants, 25% were included in the MTHFR C677T homozygous mutation group, which had significantly lower folic acid levels (6.24±4.21 ng/mL vs. 8.24±4.21 ng/mL, p=0.03) and higher total homocysteine levels (17.09±14.07 μmol/L vs. 9.65±3.19 μmol/L, p

Tumor embolization is performed before surgical excision. The Gelfoam temporarily occludes the vessels supplying the tumor by facilitating thrombus formation. We report an adverse case of Gelfoam embolization in a patient with a certain vascular anatomy. A 75-year-old man previously diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 was admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital. He had bilateral arm paresthesia and lower extremity weakness that had progressed for 2 weeks. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a metastatic pathologic fracture of the C6 vertebral body and subsequent cord compression. A C6 corpectomy was scheduled, and preoperative spinal tumor embolization was planned. Angiography revealed that the left deep cervical artery (DCA) and the ipsilateral vertebral artery shared origin. Two Nester coils were positioned at the right distal DCA, one at the left DCA, and two at the left proximal DCA. Gelfoam was infused in each location. However, the patient’s mental status worsened after the left DCA embolization. A diffusion-weighted image showed diffuse cytotoxic edema in the posterior circulation without significant lesions on magnetic resonance angiography. In Gelfoam embolization, special attention is required with neurological monitoring when maneuvering DCA if it has a nearby entrance with a vertebral artery.

The remarkable ability of biological systems to sense and adapt to complex environmental conditions has inspired new materials and novel designs for next-generation wearable devices. Hydrogels are being intensively investigated for their versatile functions in wearable devices due to their superior softness, biocompatibility, and rapid stimulus response. This review focuses on recent strategies for developing bioinspired hydrogel wearable devices that can accommodate mechanical strain and integrate seamlessly with biological systems. We will provide an overview of different types of bioinspired hydrogels tailored for wearable devices. Next, we will discuss the recent progress of bioinspired hydrogel wearable devices such as electronic skin and smart contact lenses. Also, we will comprehensively summarize biosignal readout methods for hydrogel wearable devices as well as advances in powering and wireless data transmission technologies. Finally, current challenges facing these wearable devices are discussed, and future directions are proposed.

Shear-thinning biomaterials (STBs) based on gelatin-silicate nanoplatelets (SNs) are emerging as an alternative to conventional coiling and clipping techniques in the treatment of vascular anomalies. Improvements in the cohesion of STB hydrogels pave the way toward their translational application in minimally invasive therapies such as endovascular embolization repair. In the present study, sodium phytate (Phyt) additives are used to tune the electrostatic network of SNs-gelatin STBs, thereby promoting their mechanical integrity and facilitating injectability through standard catheters. We show that an optimized amount of Phyt enhances storage modulus by approximately one order of magnitude and reduces injection force by ≈58% without compromising biocompatibility and hydrogel wet stability. The Phyt additives are found to decrease the immune responses induced by SNs. In vitro embolization experiments suggest a significantly lower rate of failure in Phyt-incorporated STBs than in control groups. Furthermore, the addition of Phyt leads to accelerated blood coagulation (reduces clotting time by ≈45% compared to controls) due to the contributions of negatively charged phosphate groups, which aid in the prolonged durability of STB in coagulopathic patients. Therefore, the proposed approach is an effective method for the design of robust and injectable STBs for minimally invasive treatment of vascular malformations.

In this study, we investigated the reproductive pattern of the commercially and ecologically important species, Ostrea denelamellosa, to inform stock management strategies in South Korea. Prior to the reproduction experiment, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the flat oyster, Ostrea denselamellosa, was analyzed using next-generation sequencing technology. Then, to determine the reproductive pattern of Ostrea denselamellosa, we investigated monthly changes in the gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, and sex ratio from January to October 2021 in females. The total length of the mt genome sequence of O. denselamellosa was 16,225 bp and contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes). Molecular phylogenetic comparison with 20 known species of Pteriomorphia showed that O. denselamellosa belongs to the family Ostreidae. In addition, O. denselamellosa clustered together with the O. denselamellosa Chinese strain, with a bootstrap value of 100%. Histological analysis indicated a discrepancy in gamete development of O. denselamellosa with synchronous maturation of oocytes and asynchronous development of spermatozoa in gonads. The spawning activity occurred between May and September with a temperature range gap of 6.5 °C. The spawning activity occurred from May when the temperature reached 16.7 °C until September when the temperature dropped below 23.2 °C. Furthermore, sex ratio bias was observed. This is the first study to report the complete mt genome sequence and examine the reproductive pattern in native O. denselamellosa in South Korea. Overall, these findings will help enhance the knowledge for the management and sustainable fishery of endangered oyster species including O. denselamellosa in the South Sea of Korea.

Two deep-sea eels collected from the Western Pacific Ocean are described in this study. Based on their morphological characteristics, the two deep-sea eel specimens were assumed to belong to the cusk-eel family Ophidiidae and the cutthroat eel family Synaphobranchidae. To accurately identify the species of the deep-sea eel specimens, we sequenced the mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI] and 16S ribosomal RNA [16S rRNA]). Through molecular phylogenetic analysis based on mtDNA COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences, these species clustered with the genera Bassozetus and Synaphobranchus, suggesting that the deep-sea eel specimens collected are two species from the genera Bassozetus and Synaphobranchus in the Western Pacific Ocean, respectively. This is the first study to report new records of the genera Bassozetus and Synaphobranchus from the Western Pacific Ocean based on COI and 16S rRNA genes

Blood loss by hemorrhaging wounds accounts for over one-third of ∼5 million trauma fatalities worldwide every year. If not controlled in a timely manner, exsanguination can take lives within a few minutes. Developing new biomaterials that are easy to use by non-expert patients and promote rapid blood coagulation is an unmet medical need. Here, biocompatible, and biodegradable microneedle arrays (MNAs) based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) biomaterial hybridized with silicate nanoplatelets (SNs) are developed for hemorrhage control. The SNs render the MNAs hemostatic, while the needle-shaped structure increases the contact area with blood, synergistically accelerating the clotting time from 11.5 min to 1.3 min

Background Increasing antibiotic resistance continues to focus on research into the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. Due to its antimicrobial and wound healing-promoting activity, metal nanoparticles have attracted attention for dermatological applications. This study is designed to investigate the scope and bactericidal potential of zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs), and the mechanism of anti-bacterial action along with cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and wound healing properties. Results ZnFe2O4 NPs were synthesized via a modified co-precipitation method. Structure, size, morphology, and elemental compositions of ZnFe2O4 NPs were analyzed using X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In PrestoBlue and live/dead assays, ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on human dermal fibroblasts. In addition, the hemocompatibility assay revealed that the NPs do not significantly rupture red blood cells up to a dose of 1000 µg/mL. Bacterial live/dead imaging and zone of inhibition analysis demonstrated that ZnFe2O4 NPs showed dose-dependent bactericidal activities in various strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, NPs showed antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms, such as cell membrane damage, protein leakage, and reactive oxygen species generation, and were more effective against gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, in vitro scratch assay revealed that ZnFe2O4 NPs improved cell migration and proliferation of cells, with noticeable shrinkage of the artificial wound model. Conclusions This study indicated that ZnFe2O4 NPs have the potential to be used as a future antimicrobial and wound healing drug.

Over the decades, researchers have strived to synthesize and modify nature-inspired biomaterials, with the primary aim to address the challenges of designing functional biomaterials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Among these challenges, biocompatibility and cellular interactions have been extensively investigated. Some of the most desirable characteristics for biomaterials in these applications are the loading of bioactive molecules, strong adhesion to moist areas, improvement of cellular adhesion, and self-healing properties. Mussel-inspired biomaterials have received growing interest mainly due to the changes in mechanical and biological functions of the scaffold due to catechol modification. Here, we summarize the chemical and biological principles and the latest advancements in production, as well as the use of mussel-inspired biomaterials. Our main focus is the polydopamine coating, the conjugation of catechol with other polymers, and the biomedical applications that polydopamine moieties are used for, such as matrices for drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and hemostatic control. We also present a critical conclusion and an inspired view on the prospects for the development and application of mussel-inspired materials.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is widely used in the disinfection and surface modification of biomaterials. NTP treatment can regenerate and improve skin function; however, its effectiveness on hair follicle (HF) growth and its underlying mechanisms need to be elucidated. Herein, we propose an air-based NTP treatment, which generates exogenous nitric oxide (eNO), as a therapeutic strategy for hair growth. The topical application of air-based NTP generates large amounts of eNO, which can be directly detected using a microelectrode NO sensor, in the dermis of mouse dorsal skin. Additionally, NTP-induced eNO has no cytotoxicity in normal human skin cells and promotes hair growth by increasing capillary tube formation, cellular proliferation, and hair/angiogenesis-related protein expression. Furthermore, NTP treatment promotes hair growth with adipogenesis and activation of CD34+CD44+ stem cells and improves the inter-follicular macroenvironment via increased perifollicular vascularity in the mouse hair regrowth model. Given the importance of the hair follicle (HF) cycle ratio (growth vs. regression vs. resting) in diagnosing alopecia, NTP treatment upregulates the stem cell activity of the HF to promote the anagen : catagen : telogen ratio, leading to improved hair growth. We confirmed the upregulation of increasing Wnt/β-catenin signaling and activation of perifollicular adipose tissue and angiogenesis in HF regeneration. In conclusion, these results show that the eNO from NTP enhances the cellular activities of human skin cells and endothelial cells in vitro and stem cells in vivo, thereby increasing angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and hair growth in the skin dermis. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that NTP treatment may be a highly efficient alternative in regenerative medicine for achieving enhanced hair growth.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a promising biomaterial for tendon repair, but its relatively rigid mechanical properties and low cell affinity have limited its usefulness and utility in regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, gelatin-based polymers have advantages in cell attachment and tissue remodeling, but have insufficient mechanical strength to regenerate tough tissue such as tendons. Taking these aspects into account, in this study, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) was combined with SF to create a mechanically strong and bioactive nanofibrous scaffold (SG). The mechanical properties of SG nanofibers could be flexibly modulated by varying the ratio of SF and GelMA. Compared to SF nanofibers, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on SG fibers with optimal composition (SG7) exhibited enhanced growth, proliferation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and tenogenic gene expression behavior. Conditioned media from MSCs cultured on SG7 scaffolds, compared to MSCs cultured on SF or GelMA alone nanofibers could greatly promote the migration and proliferation of tenocytes. Histological analysis and tenogenesis related immunofluorescence staining indicated SG7 scaffolds demonstrated enhanced in vivo tendon tissue regeneration compared to other groups. Therefore, rational combinations of SF and GelMA hybrid nanofibers may help to improve therapeutic outcomes and address the challenges of tissue-engineered scaffolds for tendon regeneration.

BackgroundThere is widespread prejudice in veterinary medicine that gout does not occur in non-human mammalians. However, we recently discovered monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid obtained from a few dogs and a cat. Since it is the definitive and gold standard to diagnose gout, we report these cases as newly emerging diseases in companion animals.Case PresentationFour dogs and one cat were presented at our hospital because of lameness due to an unknown cause. Even after the routine examinations, including radiographic imaging, laboratory examination, and arthrocentesis, we were unable to find a clear cause of polyarthritis. However, we later discovered monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid of the animals, confirmed by polarized microscopy. In one of the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants, the disease relapsed, and the other did not show any symptoms for 3 months. The other two dogs were treated with xanthine oxidase inhibitor, where one died, and the other did not show any symptoms for 3 years. The cat was treated with drainage and intra-articular dexamethasone injection, but the disease recurred after 6 months.ConclusionThis is the first report to confirm that articular gout can occur in dogs and cats. Care must be taken not to neglect needle-shaped materials in the synovial fluid. Gout should also be included in the differential diagnosis of arthritis and further research is needed in these animals.

A hyaluronic acid (HA)-based one-pot hydrogel reactor with single syringe injection and immediate gelation was developed for starvation therapy (ST), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), ferroptosis, and photothermal therapy (PTT) against breast cancer. A rheologically tuned hydrogel network, composed of HA-phenylboronic acid (HP) and HA-dopamine (HD), was designed by introducing a boronate ester linkage (phenylboronic acid-dopamine interaction) and polydopamine bond (pH control). Ferrocene (Fc)-conjugated HP (Fc-HP) was synthesized to achieve ferroptosis, Fenton reaction-involved toxic hydroxyl radical (

Fluorescent nanomaterials have been widely used in biological imaging due to their selectivity, sensitivity, and noninvasive nature. These characteristics make the materials suitable for real-time and in situ imaging. However, further development of highly biocompatible nanosystems with long-lasting fluorescent intensity and photostability is needed for advanced bioimaging. We have used electrospraying to generate gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) with chemically conjugated rhodamine B (RB). The extent of conjugation can be controlled by varying the mass ratio of RB and GelMA precursors to obtain RB-conjugated GelMA (RB-GelMA) NPs with optimal fluorescent properties and particle size. These NPs exhibited superior biocompatibility when compared with pure RB in in vitro cell viability and proliferation assays using multiple cell types. Moreover, RB-GelMA NPs showed enhanced cell internalization and improved brightness compared with unconjugated RB. Our experiments demonstrate that engineered RB-GelMA NPs can be used as a biocompatible fluorescent label for bioimaging.

The eye is one of the most complex organs in the human body, containing rich and critical physiological information (e.g., intraocular pressure, corneal temperature, and pH) as well as a library of metabolite biomarkers (e.g., glucose, proteins, and specific ions). Smart contact lenses (SCLs) can serve as a wearable intelligent ocular prosthetic device capable of noninvasive and continuous monitoring of various essential physical/biochemical parameters and drug loading/delivery for the treatment of ocular diseases. Advances in SCL technologies and the growing public interest in personalized health are accelerating SCL research more than ever before. Here, the current status and potential of SCL development through a comprehensive review from fabrication to applications to commercialization are discussed. First, the material, fabrication, and platform designs of the SCLs for the diagnostic and therapeutic applications are discussed. Then, the latest advances in diagnostic and therapeutic SCLs for clinical translation are reviewed. Later, the established techniques for wearable power transfer and wireless data transmission applied to current SCL devices are summarized. An outlook, future opportunities, and challenges for developing next-generation SCL devices are also provided. With the rise in interest of SCL development, this comprehensive and essential review can serve as a new paradigm for the SCL devices.