Search Results (4,939)

Considering rising global uncertainties and intensifying resource and environmental pressures, it has become an inevitable trend to add more ecologically green factors to the traditional industrial chain resilience system and build a system of green industrial chain resilience (GICR). To address the inherent tension between security and green goals, this study develops a novel two-dimensional analytical framework encompassing fracture repair capacity and development regeneration capacity. This framework provides the theoretical foundation for constructing a pioneering city-level evaluation system for GICR. Employing this system and a suite of spatial econometric methods, we empirically analyze the spatiotemporal evolution, convergence, and driving mechanisms of GICR across 245 Chinese cities. The main findings are threefold. First, the proposed framework effectively captures the complexity of GICR, revealing an overall upward trend but significantly widening regional disparities, with a persistent core-periphery spatial pattern. Second, convergence analysis uncovers a club convergence dynamic nationwide, characterized by a notable “high-level equilibrium lock-in” in the advanced eastern region, in contrast to the catch-up convergence observed in central, western, and northeastern China. Third, geographical detector analysis identifies talent agglomeration as the paramount driver, with its interaction with other factors producing nonlinear enhancement effects. These findings underscore that enhancing GICR requires regionally differentiated strategies: policies must break the innovation lock-in in the east, embed resilience standards into industrial transfer in the central and western regions, and prioritize talent as the core lever for synergistic capacity building. Full article

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators in mammalian skeletal muscle development, moving beyond their initial characterization as transcriptional “noise”. Unlike previous reviews that focus primarily on individual IncRNA catalogues, this review systematically integrates recent advances across five dimensions: (1) molecular characteristics and multidimensional classification of muscle related lncRNAs; (2) stage-specific expression patterns spanning embryonic myogenesis, postnatal growth, adult maintenance, and regeneration; (3) underlying molecular mechanisms including chromatin remodeling, ceRNA networks, IncRNA protein interactions, and nucleocytoplasmic trafficking; (4) pathological implications in muscular dystrophy, atrophy, and neuromuscular diseases; (5) translational applications in precision animal breeding. We critically evaluate the controversial ceRNA hypothesis and highlight quantitative limitations in current evidence. By integrating existing knowledge into a multi-layer regulatory network model and addressing current technical challenges and controversies (e.g., the ceRNA stoichiometry debate), this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for future basic research and translational applications in muscle biology. Full article

The current study illustrates the modeling of a biocompatible poly γ-glutamic acid (PGA)–chitosan–rGO nanocomposite hydrogel scaffold, which showed a promising novel scaffold for stimulating central nerve regeneration that addresses the shortcomings of recent therapies and improves tissue engineering, controls inflammation, and restores lost functions after spinal cord injuries (SCIs). In the implementation part of the study, the COMSOL program’s top-notch modeling of a detailed investigation of how a scaffold’s in vivo diffusion affects injured neurons. Michaelis–Menten kinetics is used to characterize the enzyme process of releasing the outer covering shell of the scaffold, PGA, from a biomaterial matrix to the nerve cell. Results suggested that the injectable hydrogel scaffold theoretically reduces extracellular glutamate concentrations, presenting a potential mechanism to mitigate localized excitotoxicity. Future in vivo experimental validation is required to determine if this reduction prevents neural cell death Full article

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is widely employed in orthopedic applications due to its bone-mimetic mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility, establishing it as a promising candidate for bone repair and regeneration. However, the investigation of structural integrity and microstructural features of PEEK implants has remained limited owing to its low atomic number (Z < 8) and hierarchical microstructure. This study presents a comparative characterization of PEEK implants by integrating laboratory X-ray computed tomography (CT) and synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast tomography (SXCT). Laboratory X-ray CT, operating on absorption contrast mechanisms, demonstrates adequate capacity for visualizing macroscopic defects and pore architectures, but exhibits limitations in resolving subtle density variations. In contrast, SXCT, employing phase-contrast imaging, significantly enhances discrimination of ultra-low-contrast features, including interconnected pore networks and localized density gradients. This work elucidates the complementary advantages and inherent limitations of both the imaging modalities for characterizing PEEK-based biomaterials. Furthermore, it demonstrates the potential extensibility of this comparative approach to other polymer composites, offering a methodology to investigate material–tissue interactions in orthopedic research and advancing the development of next-generation implantable devices. Full article

Micro/nanorobotics is emerging as a promising biomedical technology because of its precision, minimal invasiveness, multifunctionality, and potential to mitigate systemic adverse effects. At these ultraminiaturized scales, unique physical constraints necessitate design principles and actuation strategies distinct from those of conventional robotic systems, making material choice, structural design, propulsion mechanisms, and fabrication methods central to overall performance. In this review, we examine recent trends in micro/nanorobot development, with particular emphasis on the advantages of employing hydrogels and the current technical limitations associated with their use. Magnetic, chemical, acoustic, optical, and biohybrid propulsion strategies are comparatively analyzed, together with the material requirements and biological compatibility associated with each approach. Representative applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and cancer therapy are further discussed to highlight the broad medical potential of these systems. Finally, remaining challenges related to material limitations, actuation efficiency, biocompatibility, and manufacturing scalability are identified, and future directions toward clinical translation and practical deployment are outlined. Overall, this review provides an integrated perspective on how hydrogel properties, actuation physics, fabrication strategies, and translational considerations collectively shape the development of more adaptive, biocompatible, and clinically relevant microrobotic systems. Full article

Bone scaffolds are porous artificial structures that replace damaged bone tissue and promote bone regeneration. In clinical settings, bone cement is used to provide initial fixation stability between the bone scaffold and surrounding bone tissue. To analyze the performance of bone scaffolds more accurately, the cement mantle should be considered. This study considers the cement mantle between the bone scaffold and surrounding bone tissue and the structural behavior according to variations in the elastic modulus of the cement mantle and the pore size of the bone scaffold. The results showed that the cement mantle energy ratio increased with increasing pore size, particularly in the femoral head and intertrochanteric region. In the femoral head with a pore size of 1.50 mm, increasing the cement mantle elastic modulus from 7 to 24 GPa reduced the mean strain energy within the bone scaffold from 3.79 μJ to 2.51 μJ, corresponding to a decrease of approximately 33.8%. These findings suggest that as cement mantle stiffness increases, external loads may not be sufficiently transferred to the bone scaffold interior, and the proportion of the load borne by the cement mantle may increase. In the femoral neck, the cement mantle energy ratio also increased with increasing pore size; however, the magnitude of this change was more limited than that in the other regions of interest. These findings highlight the mechanical importance of the cement mantle and suggest that both cement stiffness and scaffold pore size should be jointly considered to ensure appropriate load sharing for bone regeneration. Full article

Dental pulp tissue contains mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells that possess high proliferative potential for self-renewal. They are neural-crest derived cells and exhibit multi-lineage differentiation properties. These progenitor stem cells are now recognized as being vital to the dentin regeneration process following injury. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate the differentiation of adult stem cells into odontoblasts and their use in the repair of the dentin–pulp complex is of significant interest in regenerative dental medicine. Dentin Phosphophoryn (DPP), synthesized and processed predominantly by the odontoblasts, functions both as a structural and signaling protein. We had previously demonstrated that DPP activates NF-κB and promotes Wnt5a expression in dental pulp stem cells. In this context, we observed that DPP can activate TAZ, a biologically potent transcriptional coactivator which serves as a downstream element of the NF-κB signaling cascade. Furthermore, binding of NF-κB p65 subunit to the TAZ promoter was facilitated by DPP stimulation, and their interaction was confirmed by ChIP analysis. In addition, DPP-dependent activation of the TAZ/TEAD reporter was confirmed by luciferase activity in DPSCs. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed the in vivo interaction between TAZ and β-catenin with DPP stimulation. This regulatory complex facilitated TAZ to bind to the conserved TEAD binding motifs of key gene targets involved in odontogenic differentiation such as RUNX2, OSX, OCN, ALP, BMP4, and WNT5A. Some of these genes also contain binding sites for the TCF/LEF transcription factors that interact with the Wnt effector, β-catenin. Activation of TAZ and β-catenin resulted in the upregulation of odontoblast gene expression and reduced expression in the presence of the TAZ–TEAD protein complex inhibitor. Using mandibles of DSPP KO and WT mice, we confirmed reduced TAZ and β-catenin protein levels in the dental pulp cells and in the odontoblasts of DSPP KO mice when compared with WT. Thus, DPP, an extracellular matrix protein, provides biological cues to activate the TAZ signaling pathway that can stimulate the terminal differentiation of DPSCs into functional odontoblasts. Full article

Radiotherapy remains one of the main pillars of cancer treatment and is used in more than half of all oncological patients. Despite continuous technological improvements, ionizing radiation inevitably causes damage to surrounding healthy tissues, leading to acute and chronic complications affecting multiple organs, including the skin, mucosa, heart, lungs, bones and gastrointestinal tract. Radiation-induced injuries significantly impair patients’ quality of life, limit therapeutic doses, and represent a major unmet clinical challenge. Hydrogels have emerged as promising biomaterials for managing radiation-induced damage due to their high content of water, tunable mechanics, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. Recent innovations have introduced functional systems, including stimuli-responsive, injectable, and bioactive hydrogels, capable of delivering antioxidants, growth factors, or living cells. Unlike traditional material-based reviews, this work proposes a novel classification framework based on the hydrogel’s mechanism of action within the pathophysiology of radiation injury. We evaluate how specific designs, such as ROS-scavenging matrices, barrier-forming injectable shields, and bioactive delivery vehicles, address distinct phases of inflammation and fibrosis. By providing a comprehensive overview of radiation-induced injuries across different organs, this review summarizes current hydrogel-based strategies for both prevention and therapy. We highlight the potential of these mechanistically aligned systems to protect healthy tissues, suppress chronic inflammation, and promote effective tissue regeneration. Full article

Zeolite-based composite nanomaterials represent a versatile and mechanistically rich platform for the removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs)—including pharmaceuticals, endocrine-disrupting compounds, pesticides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—from contaminated water systems. Although pristine zeolite frameworks provide well-defined microporous architectures, tunable Si/Al ratios, and ion-exchange capacity, their intrinsic hydrophilicity restricts interaction diversity and limits performance toward the structurally heterogeneous OMPs prevalent in real aquatic environments. Composite integration with carbonaceous nanophases, functional polymers and surfactants, and catalytically active metal oxide nanoparticles substantially extends this interaction repertoire, yielding multifunctional materials whose adsorption performance exceeds that of the individual components. Drawing on a systematic survey of peer-reviewed literature published between 2016 and 2026, this review develops a mechanism-oriented, structure–property–performance framework examining five dominant adsorption mechanisms—electrostatic attraction, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic partitioning, and micropore confinement—in relation to composite nanoarchitecture, surface chemistry, and structural parameters. The modulating influence of realistic water matrix conditions on adsorption efficiency is critically assessed, alongside challenges of regeneration, long-term stability, metal leaching, and the persistent gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and scalable deployment. Priority research directions are identified, including standardized performance evaluation under environmentally representative conditions and rational design of hierarchical multifunctional nanocomposites from earth-abundant and waste-derived precursors. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation of Lewy bodies, composed of the protein α-synuclein, and the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The management of PD seeks to mitigate motor symptoms by substituting diminished endogenous dopamine; nevertheless, it does not halt disease progression. Various animal models have been employed to elucidate the etiology of PD and to discover disease-modifying treatments. Zebrafish serve as a PD model owing to their capacity for high-throughput screening. This review presents updates on the currently available zebrafish models of PD, encompassing both chemically induced and genetically based models, and discusses their advantages and limitations. This review also delineates numerous investigative strategies that utilize the zebrafish PD model and summarizes the findings of previous studies. Taken together, further studies, including the investigation of the regeneration mechanism of DA neurons, neurobehavioral testing of adult zebrafish reflecting PD-associated neurocognitive impairment, and a reliable gene-based model providing precise gene knockout and reproducibility, may assist in elucidating the critical pathways that trigger PD and its progression, alongside potential targets to hinder this progression. Full article

Artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have gained significant attention in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration for the treatment of critically sized nerve defects. Nanotechnology-based NGCs are being explored as potential solutions for repairing and reconstructing peripheral nerve injuries due to their unique structure and topography. In this study, we present a novel core–sheath GelMA/PCL nanofiber construct fabricated through electrospinning and phase separation methods. The core–sheath GelMA/PCL nanofibers replicate the topological morphology of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The outer layer, composed of GelMA, serves as an “adhesion domain” facilitating direct interaction with surrounding cells and tissues while improving wettability, integrin-mediated cell adhesion/attachment, and degradation. PCL, acting as the “elastic domain” within the nanofibers, enhances mechanical properties, maintains long-term stability of the NGCs, and enables controlled release of GelMA. Histomorphometric analysis along with electrophysiological and behavioral assessments demonstrate that these core–sheath GelMA/PCL nanofiber-based NGCs can activate endogenous mechanisms for peripheral nerve repair while promoting sensory/motor nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Overall, our findings demonstrate that GelMA/PCL nanofibers within the nuclear sheath can effectively remodel the nerve regeneration microenvironment by integrating “mechanical- biochemical” signals, thereby offering a novel strategy for addressing critical-size nerve defects. Full article

Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavonoid glycoside from Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo), exhibits multi-organ pharmacological effects and has emerged as a promising candidate for osteoporosis therapy and bone tissue regeneration because of its capacity to modulate diverse osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic signaling pathways. Preclinical studies in osteoporotic models suggest that ICA improves trabecular microarchitecture and increases bone mineral density. Mechanistically, ICA modulates bone remodeling bidirectionally: it promotes osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization via activation of pro-osteogenic pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling, while simultaneously inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by suppressing RANKL-mediated NF-κB activation, thus reestablishing remodeling equilibrium. Despite these benefits, clinical advancement is hindered by the suboptimal oral bioavailability of ICA, stemming from poor intestinal absorption and extensive first-pass metabolism. To address this, innovative delivery systems have been engineered to enhance localized bioavailability and sustain therapeutic efficacy, such as hydrogel depots, nanoparticle formulations, and 3D-printed scaffolds enabling precise, controlled release. In bone tissue engineering applications, ICA-incorporated biomaterials—either standalone or in combination with osteogenic factors or exosomes—foster a regenerative niche by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, while synergistically promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis, thereby expediting bone defect healing and osseointegration. Overall, these mechanistic elucidations and delivery advancements underscore ICA’s potential as a translational candidate for osteoporosis treatment and bone regenerative therapies. This review aims to critically and systematically synthesize current evidence on ICA-mediated bone repair and regeneration, with a particular emphasis on the molecular regulation of osteogenic signaling, the restoration of bone-remodeling homeostasis, and delivery-system-enabled strategies that may facilitate translational application. Full article

Background: Osteoinduction and bone regeneration are fundamental biological mechanisms enabling osseointegration and long-term durability of endosseous dental implants. In clinical practice, poor bone conditions, aesthetic demands, and peri-implant soft tissue problems commonly need the utilization of regenerative techniques targeted at optimizing both hard and soft tissue results. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine osteo-inductive and regenerative strategies currently employed in implant dentistry, with particular emphasis on the mechanobiological integration of hard–soft tissue regeneration and its implications for peri-implant tissue stability, osseointegration, and clinical predictability. Methods: A narrative literature review was done using PubMed and Scopus databases. Based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, studies published in English during the previous five years were reviewed. The core narrative analysis comprised a selection of physiologically relevant research that addressed osteo-inductive techniques, bone regeneration, osseointegration, and peri-implant soft tissue outcomes, as well as clinical studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and narrative reviews. A narrative synthesis was carried out because of methodological variability. Special emphasis was placed on evidence addressing the biological and clinical interaction between hard- and soft-tissue regenerative strategies, reflecting the specific conceptual focus of the review. Results: The evidence presented suggests that implant surface biofunctionalization, biologically active grafting materials, guided bone regeneration, and supplementary biological treatments may have a favorable impact on implant stability and peri-implant bone healing. Several investigations also underlined the biological dependency between peri-implant bone regeneration and soft tissue architecture, stressing the significance of soft tissue thickness, keratinized mucosa, and emergence profile stability. Even in inflammatory environments, bioactive titanium surface changes showed osteogenic potential, indicating a supporting function in early osseointegration. Conclusions: By promoting osseointegration and improving peri-implant tissue outcomes, osteo-inductive and regenerative techniques are essential to modern implant dentistry; however, their greatest potential may lie in integrated hard–soft tissue regenerative approaches aimed at improving long-term clinical predictability. To further understand the clinical efficacy of combination hard–soft tissue regeneration methods, future well-designed clinical trials with standardized outcome measures are needed. Future research should further clarify the mechanobiological principles underlying these integrated regenerative approaches. Full article

Skeletal muscle satellite cells are indispensable for muscle growth and regeneration, and their myogenic differentiation is precisely controlled by transcription factors. As a core member of the TEAD family, TEAD4 participates in various biological processes, yet its function and regulatory mechanism in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells (PSCs) remain largely unknown. High-purity PSCs were isolated and identified from 7-day-old Large White piglets. Combined approaches of siRNA-mediated TEAD4 knockdown, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, EdU assays, and transcriptome sequencing were applied to explore the role of TEAD4 during myogenic differentiation. TEAD4 expression was gradually upregulated during PSC differentiation and positively correlated with myogenic marker genes. Knockdown of TEAD4 did not affect PSC proliferation but significantly suppressed myogenic differentiation, as indicated by reduced expression of myogenic genes and blocked myotube formation. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that DEGs were highly enriched in metabolic pathways, particularly the AMPK signaling pathway. TEAD4 knockdown led to excessive upregulation of PRKAG3 and prominent induction of SLC2A4. Collectively, these results indicate that TEAD4 promotes myogenic differentiation in PSCs, likely by maintaining metabolic homeostasis. This study provides the first characterization of TEAD4 in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells and demonstrates that it promotes myogenic differentiation. Full article

Interbody fusion cages are widely used to restore spinal stability, yet conventional designs often exhibit mechanical mismatch and limited biological integration. Functionally graded spinal cages incorporate spatial variations in composition and structure to better align mechanical properties with the surrounding bone environment. Although these designs have been extensively studied from an engineering perspective, their biological implications remain less clearly defined. This review examines how graded material composition, surface characteristics, porosity, and lattice architecture are associated with cellular and molecular responses relevant to bone regeneration. Reported biological responses include protein adsorption, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and osteogenic differentiation. Evidence from orthopaedic implants and tissue engineering systems suggests that such design features may influence mechanobiological pathways; however, direct experimental validation in spinal applications remains limited. Previous reviews primarily focus on material properties or mechanical performance of functionally graded spinal cages. This review presents a structured design-to-biology perspective linking graded implant features with biological responses relevant to spinal fusion. By integrating findings across biomaterials, mechanobiology, and implant design, this review presents a structured design-to-biology perspective and highlights current evidence, translational limitations, and key knowledge gaps in the field. Functionally graded spinal cages represent a promising but still evolving strategy, and further spine-specific mechanobiological and clinical studies are required to establish their impact on fusion outcomes. Full article