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Capillary-driven heat pipes are an effective thermal solution for compacting electronic cooling systems. We advance such a heat pipe thermal solution with ultralightweighting for mobile applications. In our advancement, the envelope that encapsulates the phase-change process of a working fluid is fabricated via electroless plating being ∼40 μm thick. Furthermore, the wick structure that transports condensate to a heat source via capillarity is also electroless-plated onto the envelope’s inner surfaces, creating a 100-μm-thick, microporous layer. This wick structure is sequentially superhydrophilized by blackening that forms a nanotexture on the microporous wick layer. An effective density of our prototype ultralight heat pipes (uHPs), as a measure of lightweighting, indicates, on average, a remarkable 73% weight reduction of commercial counterparts with sintered copper powder wick in similar exterior dimensions (e.g., ∼2.7 g, compared to ∼10.0 g) while providing equivalent heat spreading. Furthermore, the uHP operates at a 25% lower evaporator temperature, due to additional heat rejection to the surroundings through the ultrathin-walled envelope and wick.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest gynecological malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is its most common form. OC has both, a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate due to the difficulties of early diagnosis, limitation of current treatment and resistance to chemotherapy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a heterogeneous group of cell-derived submicron vesicles, which can be detected in body fluids, and it can be classified into three main types including exosomes, micro-vesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Cancer cells can produce more EVs than healthy cells. Moreover, the contents of these EVs have been found distinctive from each other. It has been considered that EVs shedding from tumor cells may be implicated in clinical applications, such as a tool for tumor diagnosis, prognosis and potential treatment of certain cancers. In this review, we provide a brief description of EVs. in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and drug-resistantance of OC. Cancer-related EVs show powerful influences on tumors by various biological mechanisms. However, the contents mentioned above remain in the laboratory stage and there is a lack of large-scale clinical trials, and the maturity of the purification and detection methods is a constraint. In addition, amplification of oncogenes on ecDNA is remarkably prevalent in cancer. It may be possible that ecDNA can be encapsulated in EVs and thus detected by us. In summary, much more research on EVs needs to be performed to reveal breakthroughs in OC and to accelerate the process of its application in clinic.

ObjectiveNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing healthcare burden worldwide. We examined the role of dietary cholesterol in driving NAFLD–HCC through modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites.DesignHigh-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC), high-fat/low-cholesterol or normal chow diet was fed to C57BL/6 male littermates for 14 months. Cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin was administered to HFHC-fed mice. Germ-free mice were transplanted with stools from mice fed different diets to determine the direct role of cholesterol modulated-microbiota in NAFLD–HCC. Gut microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing and serum metabolites by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomic analysis. Faecal microbial compositions were examined in 59 hypercholesterolemia patients and 39 healthy controls.ResultsHigh dietary cholesterol led to the sequential progression of steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and eventually HCC in mice, concomitant with insulin resistance. Cholesterol-induced NAFLD–HCC formation was associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. The microbiota composition clustered distinctly along stages of steatosis, steatohepatitis and HCC. Mucispirillum, Desulfovibrio, Anaerotruncusand Desulfovibrionaceaeincreased sequentially; while Bifidobacteriumand Bacteroideswere depleted in HFHC-fed mice, which was corroborated in human hypercholesteremia patients. Dietary cholesterol induced gut bacterial metabolites alteration including increased taurocholic acid and decreased 3-indolepropionic acid. Germ-free mice gavaged with stools from mice fed HFHC manifested hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and cell proliferation. Moreover, atorvastatin restored cholesterol-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and completely prevented NAFLD–HCC development.ConclusionsDietary cholesterol drives NAFLD–HCC formation by inducing alteration of gut microbiota and metabolites in mice. Cholesterol inhibitory therapy and gut microbiota manipulation may be effective strategies for NAFLD–HCC prevention.

Osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures (VCFs) ​are known to be commonly missed in X-rays indicated for pulmonary or heart diseases. In this study, we investigated the underreporting status of VCF in back pain clinic patients when the spine was the focus of interest.

This preliminary study of head and neck tumors demonstrated that amide proton transfer imaging can help differentiate malignant tumors from normal tissues and from a group of benign tumors, but cannot be used to differentiate between different malignant tumor groups.

IntroductionMechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Development of stent retriever devices has been intensively developed over the past two decades. In this study, we compared the effectiveness and safety of a new thrombectomy device with Solitaire FR for the treatment of AIS models.MethodsMechanical performance of stent retrievers was tested in vitro. Thrombin-induced thrombus was pre-injected into the right distal external carotid-maxillary artery in 18 dogs to create an acute thrombus occlusion model, and these animals were divided into a Tonbridge group (n=9, with Tonbridge stent Tonbridge Medical Technology) and a Solitaire group as control (n=9, with Solitaire stent, ev3 Neurovascular). Final flow restoration, side branches, recanalization time, distal vessel embolism, and device-related complications were recorded and compared. A post-procedure angiogram was obtained at 30 and 90 days after thrombectomy. Device manipulation-related damage to the arterial walls was evaluated histologically.ResultsIn vitro test showed that the maximum friction within the microcatheter was 0.763 for the Tonbridge device and 0.784 n for the Solitaire (P>0.05). Slight increase in radial force was noticed for the Tonbridge (0.035 N/mm vs 0.031 N/mm of Solitaire, P>0.05). Eighteen and 16 retriever attempts were done in the Tonbridge (mean 2.0 attempts) and the Solitaire (mean 1.8 attempts) groups (P=0.74). The Tonbridge device led to good flow restoration in all nine (100%) models compared with eight (88.9%) in the Solitaire group (P=0.30). Side branches' influence (P=0.39), distal thromboembolism (P=0.60), and device-related complications (P=1.00) found no difference between the two groups. The rates of disruption of the internal elastic lamina (IEL) were 8.3% (2/24) and 4.2% (1/24) of the specimens, respectively (P=0.683). TICI 2b/3 flow of the right CCA were similar between the two groups at 1 (6/6 vs 6/6) and 3 months (6/6 vs 6/6) follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionOur preliminary study indicated this new device was technically feasible and effective to be used in thrombectomy for the treatment of acute thrombus occlusion in canine models.

The epidemiology of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the prevalence of DS in the general population. The results showed that the prevalence of DS is very gender- and age-specific. Few women and men develop DS before they are 50 years old. After 50 years of age, both women and men begin to develop DS, with women having a faster rate of development than men. For elderly Chinese (≥ 65 years, mean age: 72.5 years), large population-based studies MsOS (Hong Kong, females: n=2000) and MrOS (Hong Kong, males: n=2000) showed DS prevalence was 25.0% in women and 19.1% in men. The female:male (F:M) prevalence ratio was 1.3:1. The published data for MsOS (USA) and MrOS (USA) studies seem to show that elderly Caucasian Americans have a higher DS prevalence, being approximately 60–70% higher than elderly Chinese; however, the F:M prevalence ratio was similar to the elderly Chinese population. Patient data showed that female patients more often received surgical treatment than male and preliminary data showed the ratio of female to male patients receiving surgical treatment did not differ between Northeast Asians (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), Europeans, and American Caucasians, being around 2:1 in the elderly population. The existing data also suggest that menopause may be a contributing factor for the accelerated development of DS in postmenopausal women.

Female sex hormones play an important role in the aetiology and pathophysiology of a variety of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases. Postmenopausal women show accelerated disc degeneration due to relative oestrogen deficiency, resulting in narrower intervertebral disc space in women than age-matched men, increased prevalence of spondylolisthesis, and increased prevalence of facet joint osteoarthritis. Postmenopausal women also show higher osteoporosis related spine fracture rate, particularly at the thoracic–lumbar junction site. I propose the concept that low back pain (LBP) is more prevalent in postmenopausal women than age-matched men and is associated with the physiological changes caused by the relatively lower level of sex hormones after menopause in women. Considering hormone replacement treatment (HRT)'s consistent efficacy reported with menopause-associated osteoarthritis, an in-depth understanding of the role of the gonadal hormones in LBP modulation warrants further study. HRT initiated at early postmenopausal phase may be protective for recurring LBP. If this is the case, further cost–benefit analysis should be performed for optimal HRT regimen in cases of women with high risk of recurring severe LBP.

In this work, a potent photosensitizer, sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS), was loaded into RGD-modified ferritin (R-Fn) nanocages by a rapid, scalable and versatile approach for imaging guided photodynamic and photothermal (PTT/PDT) co-therapy. The resulting nanocomposite formed a well-defined nanocage with a photosensitizer loading capacity as high as 66.67 wt%, which far exceeds those reported previously. The bioengineered protein nanocage-based nanotheranostics exhibits a remarkably improved tumor treatment effect over DVDMS with good biocompatibility and the potential of clinical translation.

To compare three methods commonly used in the literature to define intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) on magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Postmenopausal women may have accelerated disc degeneration due to relative oestrogen deficiency. Two new studies supporting this concept were carried out.

In a rat meniscal tear model of osteoarthritis (OA), a full-thickness cut in the medial meniscus leads to joint instability and progressive development of knee OA. This study evaluated in vivohigh-resolution three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) in demonstrating the knee joint structural changes of this animal model.

Molecular imaging enables noninvasive characterization, quantification and visualization of biological and pathological processes in vivo at cellular and molecular level. It plays an important role in drug discovery and development. The skillful use of molecular imaging can provide unique insights into disease processes, which greatly aid in identifications of target. Importantly, molecular imaging is widely applied in the pharmacodynamics study to provide earlier endpoints during the preclinical drug development process, since it can be applied to monitor the effects of treatment in vivo with the use of biomarkers. Herein, we reviewed the application of molecular imaging technologies in antitumor drug development process ranging from identification of targets to evaluation of therapeutic effect.

Bone graft substitutes are commonly used to treat large bone defects, particularly if they can additionally act as a local delivery system for therapeutic agents capable of enhancing bone regeneration. In this study, composite scaffolds made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) called P/T were fabricated by a low-temperature rapid prototyping technique. In order to optimise the delivery system, two different approaches for loading either the phytomolecule icaritin (ICT) or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were developed for an in vivoefficacy study. One was an “incorporating approach” in which the growth factor was incorporated into the scaffold during fabrication, whereas the other was a “coating approach” in which the fabricated scaffold was immersed into a preparative solution containing the growth factor. Scaffolds incorporating these growth factors were termed P/T/ICT and P/T/BMP-2, while scaffolds that had these growth factors coated on to them were named, respectively, P/T + ICT and P/T + BMP-2. A P/T scaffold without any loading was used as the control. The bone regeneration effect of these scaffolds was compared in an ulnar bone defect model in rabbits. Bone regeneration and angiogenesis was evaluated by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging postimplantation. Bone regeneration was better with the P/T/ICT scaffolds with an 83.8% improvement compared with the control, and a 72.0% improvement compared with the P/T/BMP-2 treatment. Although the P/T + BMP-2 scaffold demonstrated, as expected, the best overall bone regeneration, the P/T scaffold with incorporated ICT was shown to be an innovative and cost-effective bioactive scaffold which also significantly enhanced bone regeneration with the potential to be validated for orthopaedic applications.

Advances of nanotechnology have led to the development of nanomaterials with both potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Among them, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have received particular attention. Over the past decade, various SPIOs with unique physicochemical and biological properties have been designed by modifying the particle structure, size and coating. This article reviews the recent advances in preparing SPIOs with novel properties, the way these physicochemical properties of SPIOs influence their interaction with cells, and the development of SPIOs in liver and lymph nodes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast. Cellular uptake of SPIO can be exploited in a variety of potential clinical applications, including stem cell and inflammation cell tracking and intra-cellular drug delivery to cancerous cells which offers higher intra-cellular concentration. When SPIOs are used as carrier vehicle, additional advantages can be achieved including magnetic targeting and hyperthermia options, as well as monitoring with MRI. Other potential applications of SPIO include magnetofection and gene delivery, targeted retention of labeled stem cells, sentinel lymph nodes mapping, and magnetic force targeting and cell orientation for tissue engineering.

Core@shell nanoparticles with superparamagnetic iron oxide core, mesoporous silica shell, and crown ether periphery were fabricated toward drug delivery and tumor cell imaging. By the concept of nanovalve based on supramolecular gatekeeper, stimuli-responsive drug delivery nanosystems Fe3O4@SiO2@meso-SiO2@crown ethers were synthesized by (i) modified solvothermal reaction; (ii) sol–gel reaction; and (iii) amide coupling reaction. The successful coupling of the dibenzo-crown ethers onto the mesoporous silica shell was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and Infrared spectroscopy. In this system, the “ON/OFF” switching of the gatekeeper supramolecules can be controlled by pH-sensitive intramolecular hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interaction (such as metal chelating). Biological evaluation of the nanoparticles renders them noncytotoxic and can be uptaken by L929 cells. In this work, the antitumor drug (doxorubicin) loading and release profiles which were studied by the UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. The mechanism involves the best-fit binding of crown ethers with cesium or sodium ions at different pH values with ultrasonic wave in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of the particles reveals a high relaxivity, rendering them potentially useful theranostic agents.

Embolization procedure is commonly used in interventional oncology. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to provide a survival benefit for liver cancer patients. TACE combines targeted chemotherapy with the effect of ischemic necrosis induced by arterial embolization. Recently, there have been efforts to improve the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors, leading to the development of drug-eluting particles. To avoid the limitation of external beam irradiation due to the radiosensitive nature of normal hepatic tissue, minimally invasive transarterial radioembolization (TARE) technique has been developed, and proven to be safer in advanced liver cancers. This review describes the basic procedure of transarterial chemoembolization, properties and efficacy of some chemoembolization agents and radioembolization agents which are commercially available and/or currently under clinical evaluation. The key clinical trials of transcatheter arterial therapy for liver cancer and the recent patents relevant to cancer chemoembolization are also summarized.

DL-3-n-Butylphthalide (NBP) is a synthetic compound based on L-3-n-Butylphthalide which was isolated from seeds of Apium graveolens. The present study aims at evaluating the outcome of NBP given prior to and after the onset of ischemic stroke in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Stroke was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in SHR and WKY. For pre-treatment, NBP was administered to SHR and WKY daily for two months prior to MCAO. For post-treatment, NBP was given daily for seven consecutive days after MCAO. Seven days post-surgery, rats were tested for the presence of neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining were employed to calculate the infarct volume. The cerebral cortex and corpus striatum in the ischemic penumbra area were examined microscopically for pathological changes. In SHR, NBP pre- and post-treatment significantly lowered neurological deficit scores, reduced infarct volume, and minimized pathological changes in the penumbra area when compared to oil-vehicle treated controls. In WKY, these beneficial effects were observed only in the post-treatment group. The beneficial effects of NBP post-treatment were greater in WKY than in SHR. Results indicated that NBP could exert both preventive and therapeutic effects on ischemic stroke in SHR, but only exerted therapeutic effect in WKY.

Novel high magnetization microspheres with porous γ-Fe2O3core and porous SiO2shell were synthesized using a templating method, whereas the size of the magnetic core and the thickness of the porous shell can be controlled by tuning the experimental parameters. By way of an example, as-prepared γ-Fe2O3@meso-SiO2microspheres (170 nm) display excellent water-dispersity and show photonic characteristics under externally applied a magnetic field. The magnetic property of the γ-Fe2O3porous core enables the microspheres to be used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging with a high r2(76.5 s–1mM–1Fe) relaxivity. The biocompatible composites possess a large BET surface area (222.3 m2/g), demonstrating that they can be used as a bifunctional agent for both MRI and drug carrier. Because of the high substrate loading of the magnetic, dual-porous materials, only a low dosage of the substrate will be acquired for potential practical applications. Hydrophobic zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPC) photosensitizing molecules have been encapsulated into the dual-porous microspheres to form γ-Fe2O3@meso-SiO2–ZnPC microspheres. Biosafety, cellular uptake in HT29 cells, and in vitro MRI of these nanoparticles have been demonstrated. Photocytotoxicity (λ > 610 nm) of the HT29 cells uptaken with γ-Fe2O3@meso-SiO2–ZnPC microspheres has been demonstrated for 20 min illumination.

This article reports the fabrication of mesoporous Fe3O4nano/microspheres with a high surface area value (163 m2/g, Brunauer−Emmett−Teller) and demonstrates their use for drug loading, release, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These monodispersed, mesoporous Fe3O4nano/microspheres with controllable average sizes ranging from 50 to 200 nm were synthesized using a Fe3O4/poly(acrylic acid) hybrid sphere template and subsequent silica shell formation and removal. We found that the SiO2coating is a crucial step for the successful synthesis of uniform mesoporous Fe3O4nano/microspheres. The as-synthesized mesoporous Fe3O4nanospheres show a high magnetic saturation value (Ms= 48.6 emu/g) and could be used as MRI contrast agents (r2= 36.3 s−1mM−1). Trypan blue exclusion and MTT assay (see Supporting Information) cytotoxicity analyses of the nanospheres based on HepG2 and MDCK cells showed that the products were biocompatible, with a lower toxicity than lipofectamine (positive control). Hydrophilic ibuprofen and hydrophobic zinc(II) phthalocyanine drug loading into mesoporous Fe3O4nanospheres and selected release experiments were successfully achieved. The potential use of mesoporous Fe3O4nanospheres in biomedical applications, in light of the nano/microspheres’ efficient drug loading and release, MRI, and low cytotoxicity, has been demonstrated. It is envisaged that mesoporous Fe3O4nanospheres can be used as drug carriers and MRI contrast agents for the reticuloendothelial system; they can also be delivered locally, such as via a selective catheter.

Magnetic FeNi3nanochains were synthesized by reducing iron(III) acetylacetonate and nickel(II) acetylacetonate with hydrazine in ethylene glycol solution without any template under a rapid and economical microwave irradiation. The morphology and composition of the as-prepared products were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental mapping. The size of the aligned nanospheres in the magnetic FeNi3chains could be adjusted from 150 to 550 nm by increasing the amounts of the precursors. The length of the nanochain is about several tens of micrometers. The ratio of the precursors plays an important role in the formation of FeNi3nanostructures. Magnetic measurement reveals that the FeNi3nanochains show enhanced coercivity and saturation magnetization. The formation mechanism of the product is discussed. Toxicity tests of FeNi3nanochains show that the as-prepared nanochains are nontoxic to zebrafish larvae. In vitromagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirms the effectiveness of the FeNi3nanochains as sensitive MRI probes.

Background: Osteochondral lesion (OCL) treatment is based on patient symptoms, lesion size, and lesion stability. MRI of talar OCL identifies the presence and the characteristics of the lesion and attempts to establish lesion stability. We report our experience that the depiction of OCL can be improved by using a small field-of-view (FOV) surface coil. Materials and Methods: We studied 24 patients (25 lesions) with OCLs of the talar dome. Standard FOV MRI followed by small FOV MRI of the ankle was performed at 1.5-T. Standard FOV MRI was taken using a quadrature knee coil or a 21 cm × 53 cm circularly flexible coil. A 4-cm circular polarized receiver surface coil was used for small FOV imaging. Twelve aspects characteristics of OCLs were assessed, including lesion matrix, margin characteristics, lesion cortical surface, cartilage surface, cartilage depth, cartilage signal, cartilage integrity, and osteochondral gap. Results: Small FOV MRI provided more detailed morphological information of talar OCL. The following differences were noted. Small FOV coil imaging reclassified cortical surface from flush to depressed in seven cases and from unclear in two cases to flush in one case and proud in the other. Small FOV coil imaging reclassified cartilage integrity from unclear to intact in 16 cases and from unclear to fracture in three cases. For assessment of osteochondral gap, small FOV coil MR imaging reclassified from absent to present in two cases and from unclear to absent in one case. For osteochondral fragment, small FOV coil MR imaging reclassified assessment from absent to present in three cases and from unclear to absent in three cases. Conclusion: Small FOV coil improved visualization of the talar OCL.Level of Evidence: IV, Case Series

Small polyhedral superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles (<10 nm) coated with a thin layer of silica were prepared (SPIO@SiO2and SPIO@SiO2‐NH2). Surface modification of the small polyhedral silica‐coated SPIO nanoparticles with amines led to substantially higher mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) labelling efficiency without the use of additional transfecting agents. Therefore, amine surface‐modified nanoparticles (SPIO@ SiO2‐NH2) appeared to be the preferred candidate for MSC labelling. In vitro studies demonstrated that controlled labelling of SPIO@SiO2and SPIO@SiO2‐NH2did not cause MSC death or proliferation inhibition. MSCs labelled with SPIO@SiO2‐NH2nanoparticles retained differentiation potential and showed osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiations. The noncytotoxic polyhedral SPIO@SiO2‐NH2nanoparticle‐labelled MSCs were successfully implanted in rabbit brain and erector spinae muscle, and demonstrated long‐lasting, durable MRI labelling efficacy after 8–12 weeks.

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@polyaniline core/shell microspheres with well-defined blackberry-like morphology have been synthesized via a simple in situ surface polymerization method. The thickness of the polyaniline (PANI) shell can be selectively obtained by tuning the reaction time and monomer concentration. The poly(vinylpyrroldine) (PVP) plays an important role in the coating process. The present method can be extendable to fabricate other magnetic/conductive core/shell composites, and these unique core/shell spherical materials could find applications in catalyst supports or biomedical areas.