Fabrication of porous polymer microparticles with tunable pore size and density through the combination of phase separation and emulsion-solvent evaporation approach

Liu, Shanqin,Cai, Mingle,Deng, Renhua,Wang, Jianying,Liang, Ruijing,Zhu, Jintao 한국유변학회 2014 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.26 No.1

A facile and versatile route to prepare porous polymer microparticles with tunable pore size and density through the combination of phase separation and emulsion-solvent evaporation method is demonstrated. When volatile organic solvent (e.g., chloroform) diffuses through the aqueous phase containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and evaporates, n-hexadecane (HD) and polystyrene (PS) in oil-in-water emulsion droplets occur to phase separate due to the incompatibility between PS and HD, ultimately yielding microparticles with porous structures. Interestingly, density of the pores (pore number) on the shell of microparticles can be tailored from one to hundreds by simply varying the HD concentration and/or the rate of solvent evaporation. Moreover, this versatile approach for preparing porous microparticles with tunable pore size and density can be applied to other types of hydrophobic polymers, organic solvents, and alkanes, which will find potential applications in the fields of pharmaceutical, catalyst carrier, separation, and diagnostics.

Alternative Biological Material for Tissue Engineering of the Vagina: Porcine-Derived Acellular Vaginal Matrix

Tian Yanpeng,Liu Yibin,Xiao Yanlai,Li Zhongkang,Zhang Mingle,Chen Liang,Li Zhen,Zhang Wangchao,Zhang Zhiqiang,Kong Desheng,Meng Li,Du Yanfang,Zhang Jingkun,Gao Jingui,Huang Xianghua 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2024 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.21 No.2

Background: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a severe congenital disorder characterized by vaginal hypoplasia caused by dysplasia of the Müllerian duct. Patients with MRKH syndrome often require nonsurgical or surgical treatment to achieve satisfactory vaginal length and sexual outcomes. The extracellular matrix has been successfully used for vaginal reconstruction. Methods: In this study, we developed a new biological material derived from porcine vagina (acellular vaginal matrix, AVM) to reconstruct the vagina in Bama miniature pigs. The histological characteristics and efficacy of acellularization of AVM were evaluated, and AVM was subsequently transplanted into Bama miniature pigs to reconstruct the vaginas. Results: Macroscopic analysis showed that the neovaginas functioned well in all Bama miniature pigs with AVM implants. Histological analysis and electrophysiological evidence indicated that morphological and functional recovery was restored in normal vaginal tissues. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the neovaginas had mucosal folds characteristics of normal vagina. No significant differences were observed in the expression of CK14, HSP47, and α-actin between the neovaginas and normal vaginal tissues. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was significantly lower in the neovaginas than in normal vaginal tissues. In addition, AVM promoted the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. These results suggest that AVM might promotes vaginal regeneration by activating the β-catenin/c-Myc/cyclin D1 pathway. Conclusion: This study reveals that porcine-derived AVM has potential application for vaginal regeneration. Background: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a severe congenital disorder characterized by vaginal hypoplasia caused by dysplasia of the Müllerian duct. Patients with MRKH syndrome often require nonsurgical or surgical treatment to achieve satisfactory vaginal length and sexual outcomes. The extracellular matrix has been successfully used for vaginal reconstruction. Methods: In this study, we developed a new biological material derived from porcine vagina (acellular vaginal matrix, AVM) to reconstruct the vagina in Bama miniature pigs. The histological characteristics and efficacy of acellularization of AVM were evaluated, and AVM was subsequently transplanted into Bama miniature pigs to reconstruct the vaginas. Results: Macroscopic analysis showed that the neovaginas functioned well in all Bama miniature pigs with AVM implants. Histological analysis and electrophysiological evidence indicated that morphological and functional recovery was restored in normal vaginal tissues. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the neovaginas had mucosal folds characteristics of normal vagina. No significant differences were observed in the expression of CK14, HSP47, and α-actin between the neovaginas and normal vaginal tissues. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was significantly lower in the neovaginas than in normal vaginal tissues. In addition, AVM promoted the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. These results suggest that AVM might promotes vaginal regeneration by activating the β-catenin/c-Myc/cyclin D1 pathway. Conclusion: This study reveals that porcine-derived AVM has potential application for vaginal regeneration.

Facile synthesis of flower-like α-Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 architectures with self-assembled core-shell nanorods for superior TEA detection

Ma Qian,Li Hui,Liu Yu,Liu Mingle,Fu Xinghua,Chu Shushu,Li Hang,Guo Jia 한국물리학회 2021 Current Applied Physics Vol.21 No.-

Uniform flower-like α-Fe2O3 architectures with self-assembled core-shell nanorods are constructed and successfully prepared via the facile process. The concentration of Fe salt plays a great significance for morphological evolution from nanorods to self-assembled microflowers. Flower-like α-Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 consisting of α-Fe2O3 core and ZnFe2O4 shell nanorods are derived from FeOOH/ZIF-8 precursors. The detailed studies reveal that the tunable growth of ZIF-8 nanoparticles on three-dimensional FeOOH microflowers at room temperature and the availble calcination regulation are responsible for the formation of core-shell Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 composites. The highest response value of flower-like α-Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 architectures to 100 ppm triethylamine (TEA) has been improved to 141 at 280 ◦C, which is calculated to be 6.2 times compared with flower-like α-Fe2O3 architectures (22.7). The enhanced gas-sensing mechanism of α-Fe2O3/ZnFe2O4 composites can be attributed to the typical microflowers structures, the large specific surface area, the effective heterojunctions between α-Fe2O3 core and ZnFe2O4 shell, and the improved electron transfer process.

Critical Factors of Reacquainting Consumer Trust in E-Commerce

FAN, Mingyue,AMMAH, Victoria,DAKHAN, Sarfraz Ahmed,LIU, Ran,MINGLE, Moses NiiAkwei,PU, Zhengjia Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.3

Knowing how to build and maintain consumer trust is crucial for e-commerce. Despite the number of empirical studies that have explored the factors that influence consumer trust, none of them considers the relative importance of different antecedents and how they interact to influence consumer trust. Therefore, based on the integrated Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approaches, we establish a hierarchical structural model, which not only demonstrates the intensity of the relationships but also identifies the interdependence among the drivers of consumer trust in E-commerce. The findings confirm that propensity to trust is the most important determinant of consumer trust. The brand-related factors and platform-related factors are prominent in the process of building trust as they influence consumer trust indirectly through propensity to trust. Geographic location, demographic variables, and high security are identified as the root causes that affect consumer trust through other trust antecedents. Furthermore, the findings of this study offer valuable insights into an important element of e-commerce and provide a useful platform for future research. More represented samples and factors are encouraged for further research to ensure research fairness and minimize consumer distrust and uncertainty.