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Oral biotherapeutics hold significant promise, but their lack of controllability and targeting poses a major challenge, particularly for intestinal bacterial biotherapeutics. In response, we have developed a nanoencapsulation approach that responds to the release of enzyme activity in the organism and activates the enzyme in situ, allowing for controlled colonization of microbes in the gut. The nano-coating comprises a two-layer structure: an inner layer of polydopamine with photothermal and adhesive properties, and an outer layer of gelatin–sodium carboxymethylcellulose, which is hydrolyzed by cellulases in the gut following photothermal interaction with dopamine. We have successfully achieved controlled colonization of a wide range of microorganisms. Furthermore, in a diabetes model, this approach has had a profound impact on regulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) production, β-cell physiology, and promoting insulin secretion. This nanocoating is achieved by in situ activation of cellulase without the need for genetic or targeted molecular modification, representing a new paradigm and alternative strategy for microbial therapy. It not only enables precise and controlled colonization of probiotics but also demonstrates great potential for broader application in the field of oral biotherapy. We have developed a nano-encapsulation method that triggers enzyme activity in response to enzymatic activity, resulting in the controlled release and adhesion of a wide range of microorganisms in the gut. The nano coating comprises two layers: an inner layer of polydopamine with photothermal and adhesion properties, and an outer layer of a gelatin-sodium carboxymethylcellulose polymer, which can be hydrolyzed by cellulases in the intestine. Additionally, this method allows for the preparation of various microbial coatings. This approach holds significant promise for regulating GLP-1 production, the physiological function of pancreatic β-cells, and promoting insulin secretion in diabetes models. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important aspect to consider in the evaluation of parts and assemblies by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is the attenuation coefficient of the different materials involved, which are directly related to their density; depending on this coefficient, the X-ray penetration varies and, therefore, varies the contrast between different materials and with the background. This becomes more critical in those assemblies in which materials are characterized by a high difference in density, where the lighter material could be difficult to be characterised. In this paper, the effect of the presence of metals in the dimensional evaluation of polymeric geometries (having lower density than the metal parts) is studied, to evaluate the errors caused in dimensional measurements of different geometries and surface texture characterization. Based on a common geometry, four scenarios have been experimentally tested with variations of metal amount, in which macro geometries (precision spheres made by different polymers) and micro geometries (inclined ramps manufactured by fused deposition modelling (FDM)) have been characterised. Results show errors in the surface determination of the polymeric features directly related to the presence of metal: a high amount of steel makes significantly difficult to accurately determine the interface between background and material due to the noise and artifacts created, while aluminium has less influence on the irregularities of the features extracted. This effect is more evident for polymers with lower density due to the higher difference. Numerically, most affected parameters are those sensible to variations in surface determination, such as spheres' form error and ramps' maximum surface texture (Sz), while more solid features as spheres' diameters, distances and ramps' average surface texture (Sa and Sq) remain more stable. In conclusion and to sum up, it has been found that the quantity of metal present in assemblies made of polymeric and metallic materials is correlated with distortions in the dimensional evaluation of polymeric features by XCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: No randomized data exist on ultrathin-strut stents in patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) undergoing an abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of the ultrathin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Supraflex Cruz stent with the thin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster Tansei stent in patients at HBR with abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting. METHODS: In the investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label COMPARE 60/80 HBR trial (Comparison of the Supraflex Cruz 60 Micron Stent Strut Versus the Ultimaster Tansei 80 Micron Stent Strut in HBR Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Population), 741 patients at HBR according to the Academic Research Consortium HBR criteria were randomized to receive either the ultrathin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Supraflex Cruz stent or thin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster Tansei stent. Dual antiplatelet therapy was recommended according to the applicable guidelines and trial data for patients at HBR. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events, the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, stroke, and major bleeding, and was powered for noninferiority with an absolute margin of 4.0% at 1-sided 2.5% alpha. RESULTS: Between September 2020 and August 2022, 371 patients were randomized to the ultrathin-strut biodegradablepolymer sirolimus-eluting Supraflex Cruz stent and 370 patients to the thin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster Tansei stent at 11 sites in the Netherlands. At 1 year, the primary outcome was observed in 56 (15.4%) patients in the ultrathin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Supraflex Cruz stent group and 61 (17.1%) in the thin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster Tansei stent group (risk difference, −1.65%; upper boundary of the 1-sided 95% CI, 3.74; P=0.02 for noninferiority at a 0.025 significance level and P=0.55 for 2-sided superiority at a 0.05 significance level). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients at HBR with abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy post-stenting, the use of an ultrathinstrut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Supraflex Cruz stent was noninferior compared with the use of a thin-strut biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster Tansei stent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problems of shear degradation and injection difficulties in conventional polymer flooding, the capsule polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) was proposed. The flow and oil displacement mechanisms of this technique were analyzed using multi-scale flow experiments and simulation technology. It is found that the capsule polymer flooding has the advantages of easy injection, shear resistance, controllable release in reservoir, and low adsorption retention, and it is highly capable of long-distance migration to enable viscosity increase in deep reservoirs. The higher degree of viscosity increase by capsule polymer, the stronger the ability to suppress viscous fingering, resulting in a more uniform polymer front and a larger swept range. The release performance of capsule polymer is mainly sensitive to temperature. Higher temperatures result in faster viscosity increase by capsule polymer solution. The salinity has little impact on the rate of viscosity increase. The capsule polymer flooding is suitable for high-water-cut reservoirs for which conventional polymer flooding techniques are less effective, offshore reservoirs by polymer flooding in largely spaced wells, and medium to low permeability reservoirs where conventional polymers cannot be injected efficiently. Capsule polymer flooding should be customized specifically, with the capsule particle size and release time to be determined depending on target reservoir conditions to achieve the best displacement effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory skin conditions highly influence the quality of life of the patients suffering from these disorders. Symptoms include red, itchy and painful skin lesions, which are visible to the rest of the world, causing stigmatization and a significantly lower mental health of the patients. Treatment options are often unsatisfactory, as they suffer from either low patient adherence or the risk of severe side effects. Considering this, there is a need for new treatments, and notably of new ways of delivering the drugs. Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems are able to deliver their drug cargo in response to a given stimulus and are, thus, promising for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. For example, the use of external stimuli such as ultraviolet light, near infrared radiation, or alteration of magnetic field enables drug release to be precisely controlled in space and time. On the other hand, internal stimuli induced by the pathological condition, including pH alteration in the skin or upregulation of reactive oxygen species or enzymes, can be utilized to create drug delivery systems that specifically target the diseased skin to achieve a better efficacy and safety. In the latter context, however, it is of key importance to match the trigger mechanism of the drug delivery system to the actual pathological features of the specific skin condition. Hence, the focus of this article is placed not only on reviewing stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems developed to treat specific inflammatory skin conditions, but also on critically evaluating their efficacy in the context of specific skin diseases. Skin diseases affect one-third of the world's population, significantly lowering the quality of life of the patients, who deal with symptoms such as painful and itchy skin lesions, as well as stigmatization due to the visibility of their symptoms. Current treatments for inflammatory skin conditions are often hampered by low patient adherence or serious drug side effects. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on developing innovative formulations that provide better efficacy and safety for patients. Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems hold considerable promise in this regard, as they can deliver their cargo precisely where and when it is needed, reducing adverse effects and potentially offering better treatment outcomes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the thermal touch comfort of ceramic tiles. The surface temperature was calculated by calculating the heat transfer at the time of contact. It is explained how the thermal inertia phenomenon contributes to the calculation of the surface temperature, and ceramic tiles feel cold when touched. To examine tactile comfort, the structure of the human skin and the mechanism of sensing the temperature are shown. In addition, the surface temperatures during touch were calculated and compared for other coating materials at the same temperature as the ceramic tile. The applicability of the coating option and how close it is to the goal of increasing thermal comfort are discussed. Thus, by calculating how much the coated ceramic tile improves thermal comfort, an essential study has been put forward to evaluate the thermal comfort improvements made on many surfaces used as coating elements in buildings and touched by people. It was calculated that the thermal inertia could increase by 4% with a 0.25 mm thin coating, and the prototype for this experiment was built. The calculated touch temperature of the coated ceramic tile increased by 0.2°C compared to the uncoated tile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Textile Industry / Tekstilna Industrija is the property of Union of Textile Engineers & Technicians of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Structural batteries require electrodes with integrated energy storage and load-bearing properties. Adoption of structural batteries can lead to mass and volume savings in electrified transportation and aerospace applications by storing energy within the object's structural elements. However, to date, active materials investigated in structural batteries exhibit poor rate capabilities at higher C-rates and even worse performance at lower temperatures due to diffusion limitations. Organic radical polymers are promising alternatives because they possess fast-charging properties and good cycling stability. In this work, we integrate an organic radical polymer with carbon fiber (CF) fabric, in which the polymer acts as the active cathode material and the CF fabric possesses excellent tensile strength, modulus and electronic conductivity. At 20 °C, the structural cathodes exhibited a reversible capacity of 67 mAh g−1 at 1C-rate and an 88% capacity retention at 25C-rate. Further, these structural electrodes retained more than 50% of their performance at −10 °C (vs 20 °C). These electrodes were further examined in a full cell containing a graphite-based anode, demonstrating a pathway for utilizing redox-active polymer-based active materials in structural and fast-charging organic batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of each third-generation drug-eluting stent with ultrathin struts and advanced polymer technology remain unclear. We investigated the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention using the Coroflex ISAR polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) or Orsiro biodegradable polymer SES. METHODS: The HOST-IDEA trial (Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of Coronary Artery Stenosis-Coronary Intervention With Next-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Platforms and Abbreviated Dual Antiplatelet Therapy), initially designed with a 2×2 factorial approach, sought to randomize patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention based on dual antiplatelet therapy duration (3 versus 12 months) and stent type (Coroflex ISAR versus Orsiro). Despite randomizing 2013 patients for dual antiplatelet therapy duration, the stent arm transitioned to a registry format during the trial. Among these, 328 individuals (16.3%) were randomized for Coroflex ISAR or Orsiro SES, while 1685 (83.7%) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention without stent-type randomization. In this study, the Coroflex ISAR (n=559) and Orsiro groups (n=1449) were matched using a propensity score. The prespecified primary end point was target lesion failure, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months. RESULTS: The baseline patient and procedural characteristics were well balanced between the Coroflex ISAR and Orsiro groups after propensity score matching (n=559, each group). The Coroflex ISAR group was significantly associated with a higher rate of target lesion failure, mainly driven by clinically driven target lesion revascularization, compared with the Orsiro group (3.4% versus 1.1%; hazard ratio, 3.21 [95% CI, 1.28-8.05]; P=0.01). A higher risk of target lesion failure in the Coroflex ISAR group was consistently observed across various subgroups. The rates of any bleeding (hazard ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.51-1.40]; P=0.52) and major bleeding (hazard ratio, 1.58 [95% CI, 0.61-4.08]; P=0.34) were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this propensity score-matched analysis of the stent arm registry from the HOST-IDEA trial, the Orsiro SES was associated with significantly better outcomes in terms of 1-year target lesion failure, mainly driven by clinically driven target lesion revascularization, than the Coroflex ISAR SES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rudarsko-Geolosko-Naftni Zbornik is the property of Faculty of Mining, Geology & Petroleum Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fiber is highly escapable in conventional slickwater, making it difficult to form fiber-proppant agglomerate with proppant and exhibit limited effectiveness. To solve these problems, a novel structure stabilizer (SS) is developed. Through microscopic structural observations and performance evaluations in indoor experiments, the mechanism of proppant placement under the action of the SS and the effects of the SS on proppant placement dimensions and fracture conductivity were elucidated. The SS facilitates the formation of robust fiber-proppant agglomerates by polymer, fiber, and quartz sand. Compared to bare proppants, these agglomerates exhibit reduced density, increased volume, and enlarged contact area with the fluid during settlement, leading to heightened buoyancy and drag forces, ultimately resulting in slower settling velocities and enhanced transportability into deeper regions of the fracture. Co-injecting the fiber and the SS alongside the proppant into the reservoir effectively reduces the fiber escape rate, increases the proppant volume in the slickwater, and boosts the proppant placement height, conveyance distance and fracture conductivity, while also decreasing the proppant backflow. Experimental results indicate an optimal SS mass fraction of 0.3%. The application of this SS in over 80 wells targeting tight gas, shale oil, and shale gas reservoirs has substantiated its strong adaptability and general suitability for meeting the production enhancement, cost reduction, and sand control requirements of such wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zwitterionic polymers possess equal total positive and negative charges in the repeating units, making them electrically neutral overall. This unique property results in superhydrophilicity, which makes the zwitterionic polymers highly effective in resisting protein adsorption, thus endowing the drug carriers with long blood circulation time, inhibiting thrombus formation on biomedical devices in contact with blood, and ensuring the good sensitivity of sensors in biomedical application. Moreover, zwitterionic polymers have tumor-targeting ability and pH-responsiveness, rendering them ideal candidates for antitumor drug delivery. Additionally, the high ionic conductivity of zwitterionic polymers makes them an important raw material for ionic skin. Zwitterionic polymers exhibit remarkable resistance to bacterial adsorption and growth, proving their suitability in a wide range of biomedical applications such as ophthalmic applications, and wound dressings. In this paper, we provide an in-depth analysis of the different structures and characteristics of zwitterionic polymers and highlight their unique qualities and suitability for biomedical applications. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations and challenges that must be overcome to realize the full potential of zwitterionic polymers and present an optimistic perspective for zwitterionic polymers in the biomedical fields. Zwitterionic polymers have a series of excellent properties such as super hydrophilicity, anti-protein adsorption, antibacterial ability and good ionic conductivity. However, biomedical applications of multifunctional zwitterionic polymers are still a major field to be explored. This review focuses on the design and application of zwitterionic polymers-based nanosystems for targeted and responsive delivery of antitumor drugs and cancer diagnostic agents. Moreover, the use of zwitterionic polymers in various biomedical applications such as biomedical devices in contact with blood, biosensors, ionic skin, ophthalmic applications and wound dressings is comprehensively described. We discuss current results and future challenges for a better understanding of multifunctional zwitterionic polymers for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A generalization of a physically nonlinear Maxwell-type viscoelastoplastic constitutive equation with four material functions is formulated, whose general properties and range of applicability were discussed in a series of our previous studies. In order to expand the range of rheological effects and materials that can be described by the equation, it is proposed to add a third strain component expressed by a linear integral Boltzmann–Volterra operator with arbitrary functions of shear and volumetric creep. For generality and for the convenience of using the model, as well as for fitting the model to various materials and simulated effects, a weight factor (degree of nonlinearity) is introduced into the constitutive equation, which allows combining the original nonlinear equation and the linear viscoelastic operator in arbitrary proportions to control the degree of different effects modeled. Equations are derived for families of creep curves (volumetric, shear, longitudinal, and transverse) generated by the proposed constitutive equation with six arbitrary material functions, and an expression is obtained for the Poisson ratio as a function of time. Their general properties and dependence on loading parameters and characteristics of all material functions are studied analytically and compared with the properties of similar relations produced by two combined constitutive equations separately. New qualitative effects are identified which can be described by the new constitutive equation in comparison with the original ones, and it is verified that the generalization eliminates some shortcomings of the Maxwell-type viscoelastoplastic constitutive equation, but retains its valuable features. It is confirmed that the proposed constitutive equation can model sign alternation, monotonic and nonmonotonic changes in transverse strain and Poisson's ratio under constant stress, and their stabilization over time. Generally accurate estimates are obtained for the variation range, monotonicity and nonmonotonicity conditions of Poisson's ratio, and its negativity criterion over a certain time interval. It is proven that neglecting volumetric creep (the postulate of bulk elasticity), which simplifies the constitutive equation, greatly limits the range of possible evolution scenarios of Poisson's ratio in time: it increases and cannot have extremum and inflection points. The analysis shows that the proposed constitutive equation provides ample opportunities for describing various properties of creep and recovery curves of materials and various Poisson's ratio evolution scenarios during creep. It can significantly expand the range of described rheological effects, the applicability of the Maxwell-type viscoelastoplastic equation, and deserves further research and application in modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencias de la Salud is the property of Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: We shall assess the efficacy and safety of patiromer in subjects with heart failure (HF) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: The protocol has been developed supported the PRISMA-P checklist by using (PICO [population, intervention, comparators, and outcome]) items, for adult subjects with HF who have received patiromer in RCTs versus SZC or placebo to attain specific endpoint of control of hyperkalemia. The subjects with HF (population) receiving patiromer (intervention) are compared to placebo or other potassium binders (comparators), like sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS-9, SZC, Lokelma®) for the non-inferiority or superiority in terms of effects on hyperkalemia (outcome) and alter in potassium serum levels. Results: Patiromer may provide an efficient treatment for hyperkalemia in subjects with HF receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and/or mineralocorticoids/aldosterone antagonists (MRA/AA). Patiromer may facilitate the clinical utility of RAAS inhibitors without discontinuation or interruption of therapy in subjects with HF. Patiromer may enable dose titration of AA without the danger of hyperkalemia. Patiromer is anticipated to halt recurrence of hyperkalemia in subjects with HF. Conclusion: Patiromer may provide safe and effective therapy for prevention, maintenance, management, and prevent recurrence of hyperkalemia in subjects with HF as compared to the other comparators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance catheters are essential for interventional surgeries, requiring reliable anti-adhesive and lubricated surfaces. This article develops a strategy for constructing high-density sulfobetaine zwitterionic polymer brushes on the surface of catheters, utilizing dopamine and sodium alginate as the primary intermediate layers, where dopamine provides mussel-protein-like adhesion to anchor the polymer brushes to the catheter surface. Hydroxyl-rich sodium alginate increases the number of grafting sites and improves the grafting mass by more than 4 times. The developed high-density zwitterionic polymer brushes achieve long-lasting and effective lubricity (μ<0.0078) and are implanted in rabbits for four hours without bio-adhesion and thrombosis in the absence of anticoagulants such as heparin. Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that graft mass plays a decisive role in the lubricity and anti-adhesion of polymer brushes, and it is proposed to predict the anti-adhesion of polymer brushes by their lubricity to avoid costly and time-consuming bioassays during the development of amphoteric polymer brushes. A quantitative influence of hydration in the anti-adhesion properties of amphiphilic polymer brushes is also revealed. Thus, this study provides a new approach to safe, long-lasting lubrication and anticoagulant surface modification for medical devices in contact with blood. High friction and bioadhesion on medical device surfaces can pose a significant risk to patients. In response, we have developed a safer, simpler, and more application-specific surface modification strategy that addresses both the lubrication and anti-bioadhesion needs of medical device surfaces. We used dopamine and sodium alginate as intermediate layers to drastically increase the grafting density of the zwitterionic brushes and enabled the modified surfaces to have an extremely low coefficient of friction (μ = 0.0078) and to remain non-bioadhesive for 4 hours in vivo. Furthermore, we used molecular dynamics simulations to gain insight into the mechanisms behind the superior anti-adhesion properties of the high-density polymer brushes. Our work contributes to the development and application of surface-modified coatings. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is currently the most effective clinical treatment for cataracts. Nevertheless, due to the growth of the eye axis in patients with congenital cataracts during the process of growth and development, the progressive incapacity of an IOL with a fixed focus does not meet the demands of practical usage, leading to the occurrence of ametropia. This work describes an innovative class of an IOL bulk material that offers good biosafety and light-controlled refractive index adjustment. Acrylate materials were synthesized for the preparation of IOLs by free radical polymerization of ethylene glycol phenyl ether methacrylate (EGPEMA), hydrophilic monomer 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate (EA), and functional monomer hydroxymethyl coumarin methacrylate (CMA). Under 365/254 nm ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, the coumarin group could adjust the polymer material's refractive index through reversible photoinduced dimerization/depolymerization. Meanwhile, the potential for the IOL use is enabled by its satisfactory biosafety. Such a light-induced diopter adjustable IOL will be more appropriate for implantation during cataract surgery since it will not require the correction needed for ametropia and will offer more accurate and humane treatment. • A coumarin group containing-copolymer was synthesized and fabricated into intraocular lenses (IOL). • A functional IOL is diopter adjustable by light irradiation through triggering the [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the coumarin groups. • Such light-triggered diopter-adjustable copolymer IOLs have a great potential in clinical application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industria Textila is the property of Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Textile si Pielarie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polimery is the property of Industrial Chemistry Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper focuses on the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with carbon–glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (C-GFRP) plates under different anchoring schemes. The study consisted of four reinforced specimens: specimen CS-1 with no reinforcement and three groups of reinforced specimens SR-1, SR-2 and SR-3. The studies used a four-point bending test to evaluate the reinforcement effect of mechanically anchoring C-GFRP plates. The results of the analysis of load–deflection, strain and bearing capacity indicated that a better reinforcement effect was observed with fiber-reinforced polymer. The test results suggested that the occurrence time of critical oblique cracks was delayed and the development speed of critical oblique cracks was limited by mechanically anchoring the C-GFRP plates. C-GFRP plates significantly increased the stiffness of the reinforced specimen and reflected the superiority of mechanical anchoring. The ultimate shear capacity of the mechanically anchored C-GFRP plates has been significantly improved. With a reasonable increase in the amount of C-GFRP plate, the shear resistance of the test beam became stronger. Compared with the CS-1 specimen without reinforcement, the yield load values of the reinforced specimens SR-1, SR-2 and SR-3 increased by 5.56%, 18.80% and 26.50%, respectively. The ultimate load of reinforced specimens SR-1, SR- 2 and SR-3 increased by 11.64%, 17.47% and 31.51%, respectively. The researchers deduced their theoretical calculation method from the bearing capacity of RC beams strengthened by anchoring with carbon–glass-fiber-reinforced polymer plates. The test findings were in good accord with the theoretical calculation model of bearing capacity suggested in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premelting is an interfacial phenomenon with practical consequences such as the contribution to the slipperiness of ice. In many situations ice is in contact with opposing materials. We have explored the effect of opposing materials on the premelting behavior of ice by using a resonance shear measurement setup. Interestingly, contact with polyvinyl alcohol polymer films caused enhanced premelting. These results provide information about the nature of ice interfaces and can lead to a better understanding of friction on ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has a promising future in the treatment of ocular diseases due to its high efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity in inhibiting the expression of target genes and proteins. However, due to the unique anatomical structure of the eye and various barriers, delivering nucleic acids to the retina remains a significant challenge. In this study, we rationally design PACD, an A-B-C type non-viral vector copolymer composed of a hydrophilic PEG block (A), a siRNA binding block (B) and a pH-responsive block (C). PACDs can self-assemble into nanosized polymeric micelles that compact siRNAs into polyplexes through simple mixing. By evaluating its pH-responsive activity, gene silencing efficiency in retinal cells, intraocular distribution, and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we demonstrate the efficiency and safety of PACD in delivering siRNA in the retina. We are surprised to discover that, the PACD/siRNA polyplexes exhibit remarkable intracellular endosomal escape efficiency, excellent gene silencing, and inhibit retinal angiogenesis. Our study provides design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems. A rationally designed pH-responsive polymer PACD boosts robust cytosolic siRNA release in retinal cells and significantly inhibits retinal angiogenesis, providing design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lubrication modification of biomedical devices significantly enhances the functionality of implanted interventional medical devices, thereby providing additional benefits for patients. Polymer brush coating provides a convenient and efficient method for surface modification while ensuring the preservation of the substrate's original properties. The current research has focused on a "trial and error" method to finding polymer brushes with superior lubricity qualities, which is time-consuming and expensive, as obtaining effective and long-lasting lubricity properties for polymer brushes is difficult. This review summarizes recent research advances in the biomedical field in the design, material selection, preparation, and characterization of lubricating and antifouling polymer brushes, which follow the polymer brush development process. This review begins by examining various approaches to polymer brush design, including molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning, from the fundamentals of polymer brush lubrication. Recent advancements in polymer brush design are then synthesized and potential avenues for future research are explored. Emphasis is placed on the burgeoning field of zwitterionic polymer brushes, and highlighting the broad prospects of supramolecular polymer brushes based on host-guest interactions in the field of self-repairing polymer brush applications. The review culminates by providing a summary of methodologies for characterizing the structural and functional attributes of polymer brushes. It is believed that a development approach for polymer brushes based on "design-material selection-preparation-characterization" can be created, easing the challenge of creating polymer brushes with high-performance lubricating qualities and enabling the on-demand creation of coatings. Biomedical devices have severe lubrication modification needs, and surface lubrication modification by polymer brush coating is currently the most promising means. However, the design and preparation of polymer brushes often involves "iterative testing" to find polymer brushes with excellent lubrication properties, which is both time-consuming and expensive. This review proposes a polymer brush development process based on the "design-material selection-preparation-characterization" strategy and summarizes recent research advances and trends in the design, material selection, preparation, and characterization of polymer brushes. This review will help polymer brush researchers by alleviating the challenges of creating polymer brushes with high-performance lubricity and promises to enable the on-demand construction of polymer brush lubrication coatings. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fissure sealants (FS) are micro-invasive procedures that have proved to be effective in caries prevention in caries-free, first permanent molars. Within high-caries risk individuals, fissure sealants arrest the caries process in early caries lesions stages. Composite resin (CR) sealants have been recognized as the gold standard FS material; however, new evidence has emerged in relation to GIC sealants in their applicability and longevity. This review provides evidence-based information supporting the effectiveness of GIC sealants in caries prevention in comparison to CR sealants, by assessing their properties, methodology and utility in healthy and anomaly-affected teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the enhancement of dielectric properties of La 2 NiO 4 -CuO terpolymer nanocomposites using surface modified SiC nanoparticles as fillers. SiC nanoparticles were subjected to acid treatment and annealing at 1000 °C to tailor the surface chemistry. Acid treatment involved immersing the SiC powder in a mixture of H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 acids and sonicating for 30 min, followed by stirring at 60 °C for 6 h. Annealing was carried out at 1000 °C for 2 h in an inert argon atmosphere. La 2 NiO 4 and CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel and precipitation techniques respectively, with average particle sizes of 20–40 nm and 10–15 nm confirmed by XRD and FESEM. Nanocomposites were fabricated by dispersing 2–10 wt% of untreated, acid treated and annealed SiC nanoparticles in a La 2 NiO 4 -CuO mixture solution, using PVDF as the polymer matrix. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that addition of 5 wt% acid treated SiC resulted in the highest dielectric constant of 42 at 1 kHz, in comparison to 25 for the unfilled polymer. This was attributed to increased interfacial polarization arising from uniform dispersion of nanoparticles and abundant charge trapping sites introduced by the SiC filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antifreeze (glyco) proteins [AF(G)Ps], which are widely present in various extreme microorganisms, can control the formation and growth of ice crystals. Given the significance of cryogenic technology in biomedicine, climate science, electronic energy, and other fields of research, scientists are quite interested in the development and synthesis high-efficiency bionic antifreeze protein materials, particularly to reproduce their dynamic ice shaping (DIS) characteristics. Single ice crystal shaping materials, a promising class of ice-controlling materials, can alter the morphology and growth rate of ice crystals at low temperatures. This review aims to highlight the development of single ice crystal shaping materials and provide a brief comparison between a series of natural and bionic synthetic materials with DIS ability, which include AF(G)Ps, polymers, salts, and nanomaterials. Additionally, we summarize their applications in cryopreservation. Finally, this paper presents the current challenges and prospects encountered in developing high-efficiency and practical single ice crystal shaping materials. The formation and growth of ice crystals hold a significant importance to an incredibly broad range of fields. Therefore, the design and fabrication of the single ice crystal shaping materials have gained the increasing popularity due to its key role in dynamic ice shaping (DIS) characteristics. Especially, single ice crystal shaping materials are considered one of the most promising candidates as ice inhibitors, presenting tremendous prospects for enhancing cryopreservation. In this work, we focus on the molecular characteristics, structure–function relationships, and DIS mechanisms of typical natural and biomimetic synthetic materials. This review may provide inspiration for the design and preparation of single ice crystal shaping materials and give guidance for the development of effective cryopreservation agent. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric prodrugs have been applied to control the delivery of various types of therapeutics. Similarly, conjugation of peptide therapeutics to lipids has been used to prolong systemic exposure. Here, we extend on these two approaches by conjugating brush polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers with different lipid components including short-chain (1C2) or medium-chain (1C12) monoalkyl hydrocarbon tails, cholesterol (Cho), and diacylglycerols composed of two medium-chain (2C12) or long-chain (2C18) fatty acids. We uniquely evaluate the integration of these lipid-polymers into endogenous lipid trafficking pathways (albumin and lipoproteins) and the impact of lipid conjugation on plasma pharmacokinetics after intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) dosing to cannulated rats. The IV and SC elimination half-lives of Cho-PEG (13 and 22 h, respectively), 2C12-PEG (11 and 17 h, respectively) and 2C18-PEG (12 h for both) were prolonged compared to 1C2-PEG (3 h for both) and 1C12-PEG (4 h for both). Interestingly, 1C2-PEG and 1C12-PEG had higher SC bioavailability (40 % and 52 %, respectively) compared to Cho-PEG, 2C12-PEG and 2C18-PEG (25 %, 24 % and 23 %, respectively). These differences in pharmacokinetics may be explained by the different association patterns of the polymers with rat serum albumin (RSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lipoproteins. For example, in pooled plasma (from IV pharmacokinetic studies), 2C18-PEG had the highest recovery in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. In conclusion, the pharmacokinetics of brush PEG polymers can be tuned via conjugation with different lipids, which can be utilised to tune the elimination half-life, biodistribution and effect of therapeutics for a range of medical applications. Lipidation of therapeutics such as peptides has been employed to extend their plasma half-life by promoting binding to serum albumin, providing protection against rapid clearance. Here we design and evaluate innovative biomaterials consisting of brush polyethylene glycol polymers conjugated with different lipids. Importantly, we show for the first time that lipidated polymeric materials associate with endogenous lipoprotein trafficking pathways and this, in addition to albumin binding, controls their plasma pharmacokinetics. We find that conjugation to dialkyl lipids and cholesterol leads to higher association with lipid trafficking pathways, and more sustained plasma exposure, compared to conjugation to short and monoalkyl lipids. Our lipidated polymers can thus be utilised as delivery platforms to tune the plasma half-life of various pharmaceuticals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Excavated in the Sille region of Konya (Turkey) province, Sille stone (SS) is a building material used during the Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. The presence of SS in cultural assets is due to its robustness, nevertheless different environmental factors have caused the deterioration of SS based structures. Among the restoration strategies developed in order to prevent the destruction of cultural heritage, repairing mortars are the most common. These mortars can either mechanically reinforce the building or create a barrier against humidity or pollution that cause destruction. Furthermore, according to the Venice charter, mortar properties like color, freeze/thaw, etc. must match with those of the structure. In this study, for the first time composite mortar has been prepared from Sille stone powder (SSP) with polymer (epoxy, phenolic, polyurethane, and polyester) matrix. The mechanical and hydrophilic properties of the composite mortar prepared with different compositions and grain size distributions were investigated. The most suitable mortar is prepared with 30 wt.% polyester matrix and 70 wt.% SSP with grain size between 63–150 μm. The composite color fits well with the SS while its compression strength is more than 62% higher than the original SS. Moreover, the contact angle of the composite mortar is 62.15o which is higher than the 24.53o of the SS showing an increase in hydrophobicity of the structure after restoration. For this reason, polyester matrix mortar is compatible with SS-based cultural heritage and contributes to its preservation over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the practical applications of Quantum Physics, photoluminescence has stood out in different contexts in Engineering and Architecture. Due to the photoelectric effect, certain substances emit photons after being exposed to solar energy. In research in Mexico and Europe, these substances were applied to obtain a photoluminescent effect on bicycle paths. The objective of the research is to investigate the behavior of polymeric residues with the luminescent effect of rare-earth materials in the production of concrete artifacts to illuminate pedestrian and cyclist paths. The concrete blocks were produced with the addition of polymeric recycling waste and luminescent materials, exposed to solar radiation, and tested for mechanical strength. The results of the experiments showed that the polymer residue in concrete significantly increases photon emission, especially when it is processed by extrusion. Although the mixture of photoluminescent materials and polymers reduces the strength of concrete, it still met research objectives for a product meant to illuminate pedestrian and cyclist paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aid of a solution casting technique, we created a blended film made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Gamma doses (5-40 kGy) were applied to samples of the synthetic PVA/PVP film. UV spectroscopy and the CIE colour alterations procedure were used to investigate the impact of the γ dose on the optical features of the synthesized film. The direct optical bandgap (Eg), affected by cross-linking, destroyed the crystalline structure and formed the amorphous regions, dropped from 2.53 to -2.08 eV with the increase in γ dose to 40 kGy. Thus, the PVA/PVP film’s compact structure increases. The films displayed a transition which was directly allowed as the [’’ vs. hν plots revealed Eg approximately equal to the values derived from Tauc’s equation. The colour variances, between the unaltered and irradiated films, were also identified. Significant colour differences could be seen in the pure PVA/PVP film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute phase proteins (APPs), including haptoglobin (Hp), are a large and varied group of plasma proteins that can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis/detection/severity. Objective: The main objective was to assess the levels of haptoglobin (Hp) in serum and detect Hp phenotypes using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 100 school-aged children infected with Schistosoma haematobium compared with 60 healthy control. Methods: We conducted a case-control study on 160 schoolchildren (ages 9-15 years) recruited from Tayba Eltejania village, Sinar state, Sudan. Unrelated children with Schistosoma haematobium (case group 100) and unrelated healthy children (control group 60) were included, while those with both Schistosoma types were excluded. The enrolled subjects were evaluated for the levels of Hp and its phenotypes as early markers for disease severity. ELISA quantified biochemical analysis for the serum Hp level. Hp phenotypes were determined, and their frequency was compared between cases and controls. Results: The Hp 2-1 was the highest frequency among cases and controls 72/143 (50.3%), followed by Hp 2-2 (28%), while Hp 1-1 phenotype was 22%. The Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2 frequency did not differ significantly between cases and controls, considering the Hp 1-1 as the reference group. Multiple comparisons were executed between Hp phenotypes; the differences between these groups were not statistically different. The disease severity was set according to the egg count (Group I: moderate infection ≤ 35/10 ml, Group II: severe infection ≥ 36/10 ml), the Hp 2-2 was four times more frequent in cases with severe infection considering Hp 1-1 as the reference phenotype (OR=3.85, 95% CI: 1.044-14.24). Confirming the result, Hp 2-2 was significantly associated with disease severity than Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1 (OR= 3.77 95% CI: 1.39-10.20). Conclusion: There was evident that the egg count increased in subjects with Hp 2-2 indicating severe infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoplastic fibre metal laminates (FMLs) increasingly attract attention in manufacturing parts that must present high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. In addition, their polymer matrix's recyclability meets sustainability needs that conventional thermosetting-based FMLs cannot encounter. Mechanical drilling is one of the most used manufacturing operations they are subjected to, but it can still be a source of damage in the drilled zone, which, in turn, can impair the part service performance. In particular, the interface conditions between the metal skins and composite core significantly determine the drilling performance. In this framework, the paper investigates how the metal sheet surface modification treatments and composite polymer matrix characteristics can affect the drilling operation performance. It has been proved that rough metal surfaces and a polymer matrix with enhanced thermal resistance are the best combinations to ensure the integrity and quality of drilled holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes to utilize THz polarization measurement to nondestructively measure internal residual stress in polymer products. To verify the validity of the proposed method, a THz polarization measurement system was developed using a difference frequency light source, wire grid polarizers, and FMB diodes. Experimental analyses confirmed that THz polarization had a correlation with polymer orientations and the applied force by measuring these relationships with the developed system. The relationship between THz polarization factor and residual stress was finally investigated, which confirmed that our developed measurement system can achieve nondestructive and quantitative evaluation of the internal residual stress in polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal additive using Powder Sheets is an innovative technology driven on eliminating loose powder in laser based additive manufacturing. The utilisation of a novel composite polymer-powder material enables the complete encapsulation of powder to mitigate safety risks and production issues associated with loose powder. This research demonstrates the versatility of this technology through varying the composition of the novel composite material, to deliver stronger, harder and more ductile materials. It is demonstrated that high-entropy-alloys can be printed with better mechanical properties while not altering the solid solution. Future applications arise in the field of multi-materials and coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on an investigation of the flexural behavior of post-tensioned composite AASHTO beams under flexural monotonic and fatigue loading. Five 39.5-ft-long (12-m) post-tensioned beams with 0.76-in.-diameter (19-mm) prestressing carbon-fi- ber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) cables were studied. Three beams were post-tensioned with unbonded cables, and the other two beams were post-tensioned with bonded cables. The fatigue resistance and the effect of tendon profile (straight versus draped) were investigated. The results showed that the two beams with unbonded tendons survived 2.3 million fatigue cycles with an insignificant effect on the deformation and stiffness of the beams. At the ultimate load, the beams with unbonded cables showed greater deformation compared with the counterparts with bonded cables; however, the flexural capacity of the unbonded beams was lower. Different analytical models for estimating the flexural capacity of the beams were assessed against the experimental results to determine the applicability of these models to full-scale CFRP post-tensioned beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]