The cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) is associated with a lower risk of pathogen transfer, and it possesses an ideal niche with growth factors and complex fibrillar proteins for cell attachment and growth. However, the cell-derived ECM is found to have poor biomechanical properties, and processing of cell-derived ECM into gels is scarcely studied. The gel provides platforms for three-dimensional cell culture, as well as injectable biomaterials, which could be delivered via a minimally invasive procedure. Thus, in this study, an adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-derived ECM gel was developed and cross-linked by genipin to address the aforementioned issue. The genipin cross-linked ADSC ECM gel was fabricated via several steps, including rabbit ADSC culture, cell sheets, decellularization, freeze–thawing, enzymatic digestion, neutralization of pH, and cross-linking. The physicochemical characteristics and cytocompatibility of the gel were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the genipin cross-linking could significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the ADSC ECM gel. Furthermore, the ADSC ECM was found to contain collagen, fibronectin, biglycan, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, which could substantially maintain ADSC, skin, and ligament fibroblast cell proliferation. This cell-derived natural material could be suitable for future regenerative medicine and tissue engineering application.

Calcium phosphate ceramics used in dentistry and orthopedics are some of the most valuable biomaterials, owing to their excellent osteoconduction, osteoinduction, and osseointegration. Osteoconduction and osteoinduction are critical targets for bone regeneration, and osseointegration is essential for any dental implantations. In this study, a hydroxyapatite (HAp) hybrid coating layer with the sequential release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was deposited onto an etched titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition. The resulting release of BMP-2 from Ti–HAp was assessed by immersing samples in a simulated buffer fluid solution. Through coculture, human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed. The characteristics and effect on cell proliferation of the hybrid coatings were investigated for their functionality through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cell proliferation assays. Findings revealed that −0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) exhibited the optimal HAp properties and a successfully coated HAp layer. XRD confirmed the crystallinity of the deposited HAp on the titanium surface. Ti-0.8 V Ti–HAp co-coating BMP sample exhibited the highest cell proliferation efficiency and was more favorable for cell growth. A successful biocompatible hybrid coating with optimized redox voltage enhanced the osseointegration process. The findings suggest that this technique could have promising clinical applications to enhance the healing times and success rates of dental implantation.

Introduction: The sensitive interfacial interaction of liquid crystals (LC) holds potential for precision biosensors. In the past, the developments of LC biosensors were limited by the complicated manufacturing process, which hinders commercialization and wider applications of such devices. In this report, we demonstrate the first nano-structural polymeric stabilized-cholesteric LC (PSCLC) thin films to be a new label-free biosensing technology. Methods: The transmission spectra of PSCLC devices were measured by the fiber-optic spectrometer with high-resolution. In addition, a smartphone was set on the stage, and the camera of smartphone was placed and aligned with a set of lenses embedded in the designed stage. To decrease the chromatic and spherical aberrations, an achromatic lens set composition, consisting of both dual-convex lens and concave-plane lens, was applied for measuring and imaging the PSCLC texture. The average and the estimated standard deviation (SD) were used to present quantitative experimental results. The test BSA was immobilized and fulfilled by the ceramic silicon-constructed DMOAP-coated glass in aqueous BSA solutions at 1 mg/mL, 1 μg/mL, and 1 ng/mL. Results: The fabrication process of PSCLC is much simplified compared to previous LC biosensors. The color of PSCLC biosensor altered with the BSA concentration, making detection result easy to read. The detection limit of 1 ng/mL is achieved for label-free PSCLC biosensor. The PSCLC biosensor was able to successfully detect due to the albumin concentration’s alteration, with a linear range of 1 ng/mL– 2 mg/mL. Thus, the label-free-proposed design-integrated nanoscale PSCLCs smartphone-based biosensor could successfully detect BSA in a preclinical urine sample. Conclusion: Finally, we propose a design to integrate the PSCLC biosensor with a smartphone. The PSCLC owns potential for high performance, low cost for detecting various disease biomarkers in home use. Owing to its great potential for high performance and low cost, the PSCLC biosensors can be used as a label-free point-of-care for detecting various disease biomarkers for patients in care homes.

Physical inactivity constitutes a global public health challenge, particularly among older adults. This study investigates the impact of a wearable device-assisted walking program on body composition, muscle strength, and sarcopenia in this population. Eighty healthy older adults (40 men and 40 women), aged 65 and above, were randomly assigned to either an intervention (experimental) group, which participated in a structured walking program utilizing wearable devices, or a non-intervention (control) group, which maintained their habitual activities. The walking program spanned 12 weeks. Key assessments included body composition analysis, handgrip strength measurement, the 5× sit-to-stand test, and the appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI). The intervention group exhibited significant improvements in body composition and muscle strength. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) increased by 5.5% (95% CI: 4.2–6.8%), handgrip strength improved by 13.1% (95% CI: 10.6–15.6%, p < 0.05), and lower limb function improved by 10.5% (p < 0.05). ASMI proved to be an effective and accessible metric for sarcopenia assessment, demonstrating strong correlations with SMM, handgrip strength, and sit-to-stand performance. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, provide real-time feedback and enable tailored exercise recommendations, offering a practical and personalized strategy for mitigating sarcopenia. This study confirms that wearable-assisted walking programs effectively improve muscle health and functional performance in older adults, reinforcing their potential for promoting healthy aging.