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Journal of Biomechanics Jun 2024Lumbrical muscles originate on the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons and, during fist making, they move in the same direction when FDP muscle produces maximal...
Lumbrical muscles originate on the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons and, during fist making, they move in the same direction when FDP muscle produces maximal proximal tendon gliding. Injuries of the bipennate lumbricals have been described when a shear force acts between the origins on adjacent tendons of the FDP, as they glide in opposite directions in asymmetric hand postures. Other structures of the deep flexors complex can be affected during this injury mechanism, due to the so-called quadriga effect, which can commonly occur during sport climbing practise. Biomechanical studies are needed to better understand the pathomechanism. A cadaveric study was designed to analyse the effects of load during the fourth lumbrical muscle injury mechanism. The amount of FDP tendon gliding and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion of the 5th finger were calculated. Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens (ten non-paired forearms and hands) were used. The specimens were placed on a custom-made loading apparatus. The FDP of the 5th finger was loaded, inducing isolated flexion of the 5th finger, until rupture. The rupture occurred in all specimens, under a load of 11 kg (SD 4.94), at 9.23 mm of proximal tendon gliding (SD 3.55) and at 21.4° (SD 28.91) of MCP joint flexion. Lumbrical muscle detachment from the 4th FDP was observed, from distal to proximal, and changes in FDP tendons at the distal forearm level too. The quadriga effect can lead to injury of the bipennate lumbrical muscles and the deep flexors complex in the hand and forearm.
PubMed: 38924964
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112196 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024An innovative aptasensor incorporating MoS-modified bicolor quantum dots and a portable spectrometer, designed for the simultaneous detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and...
An innovative aptasensor incorporating MoS-modified bicolor quantum dots and a portable spectrometer, designed for the simultaneous detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in corn was developed. Carbon dots and CdZnTe quantum dots were as nano-donors to label OTA and AFB1 aptamers, respectively. These labeled aptamers were subsequently attached to MoS receptors, enabling fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). With targets, the labeled aptamers detached from the nano-donors, thereby disrupting the FRET process and resulting in fluorescence recovery. Furthermore, a portable dual-mode fluorescence detection system, complemented with customized python-based analysis software, was developed to facilitate rapid and convenient detection using this dual-color FRET aptasensor. The developed host program is connected to the spectrometer and transmits data to the cloud, enabling the device to have Internet of Things (IoT) characteristics. Connected to the cloud, this IoT-enabled device offers convenient and reliable fungal toxin detection for food safety.
PubMed: 38924915
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140190 -
Biomaterials Advances Sep 2024Microbial colonization and development of infections in wounds is a sign of chronicity. The prevailing approach to manage and treat these wounds involves dressings....
Microbial colonization and development of infections in wounds is a sign of chronicity. The prevailing approach to manage and treat these wounds involves dressings. However, these often fail in effectively addressing infections, as they struggle to both absorb exudates and maintain optimal local moisture. The system here presented was conceptualized with a three-layer design: the outer layer made of a fibrous polycaprolactone (PCL) film, to act as a barrier for preventing microorganisms and impurities from reaching the wound; the intermediate layer formed of a sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel loaded with ampicillin (Amp) for fighting infections; and the inner layer comprised of a fibrous film of PCL and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for facilitating cell recognition and preventing wound adhesion. Thermal evaluations, degradation, wettability and release behavior testing confirmed the system resistance overtime. The sandwich demonstrated the capability for absorbing exudates (≈70 %) and exhibited a controlled release of Amp for up to 24 h. Antimicrobial testing was performed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as representatives of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria: >99 % elimination of bacteria. Cell cytotoxicity assessments showed high cytocompatibility levels, confirming the safety of the proposed sandwich system. Adhesion assays confirmed the system ease of detaching without mechanical effort (0.37 N). Data established the efficiency of the sandwich-like system, suggesting promising applications in infected wound care.
Topics: Alginates; Wound Infection; Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Polyesters; Ampicillin; Humans; Hydrogels; Polyethylene Glycols; Animals; Bandages; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mice; Wound Healing
PubMed: 38924805
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213931 -
Cornea Jun 2024To describe a novel technique in which a contact lens was used to facilitate Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in an eye with an anterior chamber...
PURPOSE
To describe a novel technique in which a contact lens was used to facilitate Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in an eye with an anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL).
METHODS
A 71-year-old man with a long-standing ACIOL developed bullous keratopathy. As the patient was at high risk of complications due to multiple ocular comorbidities, DMEK was performed with the ACIOL left in the anterior chamber. An inserted cosmetic contact lens was used as a platform for the graft unfolding.
RESULTS
Partial graft detachment on the third postoperative day required rebubbling. This successfully cleared up the cornea after a few weeks. At the one-month follow-up, the uncorrected distance visual acuity improved to 20/50, with an endothelial cell loss of 35.2%. Steroid-induced ocular hypertension necessitated a trabeculectomy by the fifth postoperative month. At the sixth follow-up month, endothelial cell loss was 64%.
CONCLUSIONS
Contact lens-assisted DMEK is a safe procedure for eyes with an ACIOL. However, good foresight is needed regarding whether the ACIOL should be kept or exchanged.
PubMed: 38923507
DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003606 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jun 2024Photoimmunotherapy faces challenges due to insufficient intratumoral accumulation of photothermal agents and the reversion of the cancer-immunity cycle during treatment....
Photoimmunotherapy faces challenges due to insufficient intratumoral accumulation of photothermal agents and the reversion of the cancer-immunity cycle during treatment. In this study, an anti-PD-L1-immobilized magnetic gold nanohut, AuNH-2-Ab, with photoresponsive, thermosensitive, and immunomodulatory properties to effectively suppress the growth of primary tumors, elevate immunogenic cell death (ICD) levels, reverse the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and consequently inhibit metastases are developed. AuNH-2-Ab achieves high tumor accumulation (9.54% injected dose) following systemic administration, allowing the modulation of hyperthermia dose of over 50 °C in the tumor. By optimizing the hyperthermia dose, AuNH-2-Ab simultaneously target and eliminate cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages, thereby activating potent antitumor immunity without being compromised by immunosuppressive elements. Hyperthermia/pH induced morphological transformation of AuNH-2-Ab involving the detachment of the surface antibody for in situ PD-L1 inhibition, and exposure of the inner fucoidan layer for natural killer (NK) cell activation. This precision photoimmunotherapy approach reprograms the TIME, significantly prolongs survival in a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model (Hep55.1c), and harnesses the synergistic effects of ICD production and checkpoint inhibitors by utilizing a single nanoplatform.
PubMed: 38923327
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202404347 -
International Ophthalmology Jun 2024To examine the rate of ciliary body detachment in patients with choroidal detachment following glaucoma surgery and its effect on the clinical course, management, and... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
To examine the rate of ciliary body detachment in patients with choroidal detachment following glaucoma surgery and its effect on the clinical course, management, and prognosis.
METHODS
A prospective observational case-series study. Patients with choroidal detachment following glaucoma surgery in 2018-2019 were included. All underwent complete ophthalmological examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy for evaluation of the presence and extent of ciliary body detachment. Follow-up examinations including ultrasound biomicroscopy scans were performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.
RESULTS
Eight patients (8 eyes) were enrolled, 4 male and 4 female, of mean age 72 years (range 60-83). Five patients underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (0.02%), which was combined with phacoemulsification cataract extraction in one; two underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantations, and one underwent ab-interno Xen45 gel stent implantation with mitomycin C (0.02%). The mean intraocular pressure was 26.0 ± 7.65 mmHg preoperatively, dropping to 6.9 ± 2.64 mmHg on first postoperative day one. Mean time from surgery to diagnosis of choroidal detachment was 11.6 ± 5.73 days. Ciliary body detachment was identified by ultrasound biomicroscopy in all patients, ranging between one and four quadrants. All patients were treated with topical steroids and cycloplegics; three (37.5%) received oral steroids. No surgical intervention for the choroidal or ciliary body detachments was indicated.
CONCLUSIONS
In this real-world prospective study, concurrent ciliary body detachment was identified in all patients who presented with choroidal detachment following glaucoma surgery. This observation may deepen our understanding of the mechanism underlying the hypotony that is often seen after glaucoma surgery.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Ciliary Body; Aged; Prospective Studies; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Intraocular Pressure; Choroidal Effusions; Glaucoma; Postoperative Complications; Microscopy, Acoustic; Follow-Up Studies; Trabeculectomy; Glaucoma Drainage Implants; Visual Acuity; Uveal Diseases; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 38922523
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03219-1 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Grapevine () is one of the major economic fruit crops but suffers many diseases, causing damage to the quality of grapes. Strain G166 was isolated from the rhizosphere...
Grapevine () is one of the major economic fruit crops but suffers many diseases, causing damage to the quality of grapes. Strain G166 was isolated from the rhizosphere of grapevine and was found to exhibited broad-spectrum antagonistic activities against fungal pathogens on grapes in vitro, such as , and . Whole-genome sequencing revealed that G166 contained a 6,613,582 bp circular chromosome with 5749 predicted coding DNA sequences and an average GC content of 60.57%. TYGS analysis revealed that G166 belongs to . Phenotype analysis indicated that G166 remarkably reduced the severity of grape white rot disease in the grapevine. After inoculation with , more HO and MDA accumulated in the leaves and resulted in decreases in the Pn and chlorophyll content. Conversely, G166-treated grapevine displayed less oxidative damage with lower HO levels and MDA contents under the pathogen treatments. Subsequently, G166-treated grapevine could sustain a normal Pn and chlorophyll content. Moreover, the application of G166 inhibited the growth of mycelia on detached leaves and berries, while more disease symptoms occurred in non-bacterized leaves and berries. Therefore, G166 served as a powerful bioagent against grape white rot disease. Using antiSMASH prediction and genome comparisons, a relationship between non-ribosomal peptide synthase clusters and antifungal activity was found in the genome of G166. Taken together, G166 shows promising antifungal potential to improve fruit quality and yield in ecological agriculture.
PubMed: 38921384
DOI: 10.3390/jof10060398 -
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A numerical method for generating dynamic stall using ANSYS Fluent and a user-defined function (UDF), with the complete script shared for reference, is introduced and...
A numerical method for generating dynamic stall using ANSYS Fluent and a user-defined function (UDF), with the complete script shared for reference, is introduced and tested. The study draws inspiration from bird flight, exploring dynamic stall as a method for achieving enhanced aerodynamic performance. The numerical method was tested on NACA 0012 airfoils with corresponding chord lengths of c1=40 mm, c2=150 mm, and c3=300 mm at Reynolds numbers ranging from Re1=2.8×104 up to Re5=1.04×106. Airfoil oscillations were settled for all cases at ω=0.55 Hz. Detached eddy simulation (DES) is employed as the turbulence model for the simulations presented, ensuring the accurate representation of the flow characteristics and dynamic stall phenomena. The study provides a detailed methodology, encouraging further exploration by researchers, especially young academics and students.
PubMed: 38921219
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060339 -
Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown countermeasure may have significantly affected adolescents' physical and mental health. This study aims to assess...
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown countermeasure may have significantly affected adolescents' physical and mental health. This study aims to assess adolescents' recollections of this period, also analyzing their current weight status along with factors they traced back to the epidemic phase and their current sports practice. A survey among 233 Italian adolescents aged 12.4 ± 0.9 years was conducted in October 2023. To achieve the research objectives, a new questionnaire was developed: the COVID-19 AdolesceNt/chilDren Lockdown Experience questionnaire (CANDLE). The new questionnaire was employed to gather data on the adolescents' recollections of the lockdown situation they experienced. The stature and weight of participants were measured directly. The results indicated that middle schoolers remember both positive and negative experiences of the lockdown: the change perceived as the most positive was spending more time with family, while social detachment from peers represents the most negative aspect. According to multivariate regression analysis, certain behaviors they assumed during the lockdown, such as comfort food consumption in boys and sleeping disturbances in girls, in addition to their current sports practice, affected their actual Body Mass Index. This study supports the evidence that changes caused by the COVID-19 lockdown affected adolescents' physical and mental health, albeit with sex differences.
PubMed: 38920548
DOI: 10.3390/diseases12060116 -
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces... Jun 2024Cartilage defects in large joints are a common occurrence in numerous degenerative diseases, especially in osteoarthritis. The hydrogel-on-metal composite has emerged as...
Cartilage defects in large joints are a common occurrence in numerous degenerative diseases, especially in osteoarthritis. The hydrogel-on-metal composite has emerged as a potential candidate material, as hydrogels, to some extent, replicate the composition of human articular cartilage consisting of collagen fibers and proteoglycans. However, achieving tough bonding between the hydrogel and titanium alloy remains a significant challenge due to the swelling of the hydrogel in a liquid medium. This swelling results in reduced interfacial toughness between the hydrogel and titanium alloy, limiting its potential clinical applications. Herein, our approach aimed to achieve durable bonding between a hydrogel and a titanium alloy composite in a swollen state by modifying the surface texture of the titanium alloy. Various textures, including circular and triangular patterns, with dimple densities ranging from 10 to 40%, were created on the surface of the titanium alloy. Subsequently, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel was deposited onto the textured titanium alloy using a casting-drying method. Our findings revealed that PVA hydrogel on the textured titanium alloy with a 30% texture density exhibited the highest interfacial toughness in the swollen state, measuring at 1300 J m after reaching equilibrium swelling in deionized water, which is a more than 2-fold increase compared to the hydrogel on a smooth substrate. Furthermore, we conducted an analysis of the morphologies of the detached hydrogel from the textured titanium alloy after various swelling durations. The results indicated that interfacial toughness could be enhanced through mechanical interlocking, facilitated by the expanded volume of the hydrogel protrusions as the swelling time increased. Collectively, our study demonstrates the feasibility of achieving tough bonding between a hydrogel and a metal substrate in a liquid environment. This research opens up promising avenues for designing soft/hard heterogeneous materials with strong adhesive properties.
PubMed: 38920266
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00120