Search

In this work, for the first time, carbon fibers (CFs) were coated with nanosized‐polycaprolactone (PCL) particles to obtain a functionalized self‐healable interphase, capable to fully recover the pristine interfacial shear strength with a debonded epoxy matrix. PCL nanoparticles were initially water‐dispersed at different concentrations and deposited on CFs by electrophoretic deposition. The application of various voltage levels resulted in different morphologies of the coating. Epoxy microdroplets were deposited and cured on neat and PCL‐coated fibers. After complete interfacial debonding by microdebonding tests, an electric current was applied on CFs to activate a thermal interfacial healing by Joule effect. The healing efficiency was estimated as the ratio of interfacial shear strength measured before and after healing. An outstanding repairing efficiency was obtained upon thermal mending with a complete recovery of the original interfacial shear strength, thus indicating a strong potential of the PCL nanocoating as interfacial healing agent for composite structures. Highlights: CFs were coated with nanosized‐PCL particles to obtain a functionalized self‐healable interphase.Electrophoretic deposition was employed for the fiber coating.Microdebonding tests were performed to assess the fiber/matrix interfacial properties in terms of interfacial shear strength.A full recovery of the interfacial properties was obtained via thermal interfacial healing by Joule effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although good glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can prevent cardiovascular complications, many diabetic patients still have poor optimal control. A new class of antidiabetic drugs (e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1-GLP-1 receptor agonists, sodium-glucose co-transporters-SGLT2 inhibitors), in addition to the low hypoglycemic effect, exert multiple beneficial effects at a metabolic and cardiovascular level, through mechanisms other than antihyperglycemic agents. This review aims to discuss the effects of these new antidiabetic drugs, highlighting cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, through the description of their action mechanisms as well as available data by preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, new innovative tools in the T2D field will be described which may help to advance towards a better targeted T2D personalized care in future.

Cholangiopathies include a group of chronic progressive disorders, affecting the cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells that line the biliary tree, leading to liver parenchymal fibrosis and eventually end-stage liver disease necessitating transplantation. Experimental modeling of these multifactorial cholestatic diseases faces challenges due to the lack of adequate experimental in vitro and in vivo models. A novel approach employs three-dimensional organoid systems that offer several advantages for modeling disease and testing drug response in vitro. Organoids mimic intercellular communication, replicate the architecture of organs, and maintain the cell's original phenotype. Cholangiocyte organoids provide an in vitro model to study the pathogenesis and pharmacotherapeutic treatment of cholangiopathies and show great promise for regenerative therapies. In particular, patient-derived organoids allow personalized medicine approaches and the study of individual disease characteristics. This review highlights the significance of cholangiocyte organoid models in advancing our understanding of cholangiopathies and driving advancements in regenerative medicine strategies.

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is one of the most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients and can impact patients' lives significantly. The aim of this review was to investigate the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on the olfactory system and to provide an overview of magnetic resonance (MRI) findings and neurocognitive disorders in patients with COVID-19-related OD. Extensive searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar until 5 December 2023. The included articles were 12 observational studies and 1 case report that assess structural changes in olfactory structures, highlighted through MRI, and 10 studies correlating the loss of smell with neurocognitive disorders or mood disorders in COVID-19 patients. MRI findings consistently indicate volumetric abnormalities, altered signal intensity of olfactory bulbs (OBs), and anomalies in the olfactory cortex among COVID-19 patients with persistent OD. The correlation between OD and neurocognitive deficits reveals associations with cognitive impairment, memory deficits, and persistent depressive symptoms. Treatment approaches, including olfactory training and pharmacological interventions, are discussed, emphasizing the need for sustained therapeutic interventions. This review points out several limitations in the current literature while exploring the intricate effects of COVID-19 on OD and its connection to cognitive deficits and mood disorders. The lack of objective olfactory measurements in some studies and potential validity issues in self-reports emphasize the need for cautious interpretation. Our research highlights the critical need for extensive studies with larger samples, proper controls, and objective measurements to deepen our understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects on neurological and olfactory dysfunctions.