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This study investigates the morphological, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogels synthesized by the microbial consortium Medusomyces gisevii. BC gel films were produced under static (S) or bioreactor (BioR) conditions. Additionally, an anisotropic sandwich-like composite BC film was developed and tested, consisting of a rehydrated (S-RDH) BC film synthesized under static conditions, placed between two BioR-derived BC layers. Sample characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), rheometry, and uniaxial stretching tests. To our knowledge, this is the first study to combine uniaxial and rheological tests for BC gels. AFM and SEM revealed that the organization of BC fibrils ( 80 ± 20 nm in diameter) was similar to that of collagen fibers ( 96 ± 31 nm) found in human dura mater, suggesting potential implications for neurosurgical practice. Stretching tests demonstrated that the drying and rehydration of BC films resulted in a 2- to 8-fold increase in rigidity compared to other samples. This trend was consistent across both small and large deformations, regardless of direction. Mechanically, the composite (BioR+S-RDH) outperformed BC hydrogels synthesized under static and bioreactor conditions by approx. 26%. The composite material (BioR+S-RDH) exhibited greater anisotropy in the stretching tests compared to S-RDH, but less than the BioR-derived hydrogels, which had anisotropy coefficients ranging from 1.29 to 2.03 . BioR+S-RDH also demonstrated the most consistent viscoelastic behavior, indicating its suitability for withstanding shear stress and potential use in prosthetic applications. These findings should provide opportunities for further research and medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optoelectronics and photocatalysis are two rapidly developing photonic fields that are revolutionizing green energy, medicine, communications, and robotics. To advance these areas and explore new applications, there is a need for new materials and technologies that enable fast, scalable, and customizable production of high‐performing optoelectronics, including the future development of flexible devices. This review is focused on the strategies to synthesize novel, not fully explored materials and/or enhance their properties using the powerful method of laser processing. The discussion includes the laser treatment of MXenes, Metal‐Organic Frameworks, and perovskites, materials' advantages in terms of structural, electronic, and optical properties, and the role of different laser‐based techniques in boosting their performance. Additionally, there is a demonstration of the existing and potential applications of these three materials and their combinations, especially in optoelectronics and photocatalytic platforms. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state‐of‐the‐art in this field to help researchers identify opportunities and challenges in laser processing of emerging nanomaterials for optoelectronics and photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the primary factor indicating the necessity of an operation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the diameter at its widest part. However, in practice, a large number of aneurysm ruptures occur before reaching a critical size. This means that the mechanics of aneurysm growth and remodeling have not been fully elucidated. This study presents a novel method for assessing the elastic properties of an aneurysm using an ultrasound technique based on tracking the oscillations of the vascular wall as well as the inner border of the thrombus. Twenty nine patients with AAA and eighteen healthy volunteers were considered. The study presents the stratification of a group of patients according to the elastic properties of the aneurysm, depending on the relative volume of intraluminal thrombus masses. Additionally, the neural network analysis of CT angiography images of these patients shows direct (r = 0.664271) correlation with thrombus volume according to ultrasound data, the reliability of the Spearman correlation is p = 0.000215. The use of finite element numerical analysis made it possible to reveal the mechanism of the negative impact on the AAA integrity of an asymmetrically located intraluminal thrombus. The aneurysm itself is considered as a complex structure consisting of a wall, intraluminal thrombus masses, and areas of calcification. When the thrombus occupies > 70% of the lumen of the aneurysm, the deformations of the outer and inner surfaces of the thrombus have different rates, leading to tensile stresses in the thrombus. This poses a risk of its detachment and subsequent thromboembolism or the rupture of the aneurysm wall. This study is the first to provide a mechanistic explanation for the effects of an asymmetrical intraluminal thrombus in an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The obtained results will help develop more accurate risk criteria for AAA rupture using non-invasive conventional diagnostic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the lessons we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that the need for ultrasensitive detection systems is now more critical than ever. While sensors' sensitivity, portability, selectivity, and low cost are crucial, new ways to couple synergistic methods enable the highest performance levels. This review article critically discusses the synergetic combinations of optical and electrochemical methods. We also discuss three key application fields—energy, biomedicine, and environment. Finally, we selected the most promising approaches and examples, the open challenges in sensing, and ways to overcome them. We expect this work to set a clear reference for developing and understanding strategies, pros and cons of different combinations of electrochemical and optical sensors integrated into a single device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In practical neurosurgery, an important issue is determining the status of the aneurysm and predicting its further growth, rupture or stabilization. The main approaches for the study of risk analysis asessment are computational hydrodynamics and analysis of the mechanics of the wall of cerebral aneurysm. In this paper, an analysis of various sections of the wall of cerebral aneurysm is given, combining mechanical test data and histological examination data. It was shown that, along with significant differences in mechanics, a different degree of calcification is observed in the tissue, which indicates a different level of impaired transport of substances inside the tissue.