Search Results (51)

Dark asphalt surfaces, absorbing about 95% of solar radiation and warming to 60–70 °C during summer, intensify urban heat while providing substantial prospects for energy extraction. This review evaluates four primary technologies—asphalt solar collectors (ASCs, including phase change material (PCM) integration), photovoltaic (PV) systems, vibration-based harvesting, thermoelectric generators (TEGs)—focusing on their principles, efficiencies, and urban applications. ASCs achieve up to 30% efficiency with a 150–300 W/m² output, reducing pavement temperatures by 0.5–3.2 °C, while PV pavements yield 42–49% efficiency, generating 245 kWh/m² and lowering temperatures by an average of 6.4 °C. Piezoelectric transducers produce 50.41 mW under traffic loads, and TEGs deliver 0.3–5.0 W with a 23 °C gradient. Applications include powering sensors, streetlights, and de-icing systems, with ASCs extending pavement life by 3 years. Hybrid systems, like PV/T, achieve 37.31% efficiency, enhancing UHI mitigation and emissions reduction. Economically, ASCs offer a 5-year payback period with a USD 3000 net present value, though PV and piezoelectric systems face cost and durability challenges. Environmental benefits include 30–40% heat retention for winter use and 17% increased PV self-use with EV integration. Despite significant potential, high costs and scalability issues hinder adoption. Future research should optimize designs, develop adaptive materials, and validate systems under real-world conditions to advance sustainable urban infrastructure. Full article

This paper proposes a novel hybrid less-rare-earth permanent magnet (HLEPM) machine, which is designed to meet the demands of electric vehicle (EV) traction machines for high torque output and wide-speed-range high-efficiency performance. The designed machine features a unique hybrid permanent magnet arrangement, consisting of V-shaped rare-earth PMs and arc-shaped less-rare-earth PMs, respectively. The V-shaped rare-earth magnets can perform the flux-focusing effect well, not only enhancing the torque output capability but also improving the demagnetization with the standability of the arc-shaped less-rare-earth PMs during active short-circuit (ASC) conditions. First, the proposed machine is thoroughly designed and optimized to balance the torque capability and iron loss. Subsequently, the electromagnetic performance of the proposed HLEPM machine is evaluated using finite-element (FE) analysis and compared with that of a conventional double-layer V-shaped PMSM. Finally, the anti-demagnetization characteristics of the two machines under ASC conditions are analyzed in detail. The results validate the rationality and reliability of the proposed design. Full article

Wound healing progresses through four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Wounds may become chronic if this process is disrupted. The use of small extracellular vesicle (sEV; EVs < 200 nm) exosomes (exo; ~40–120 nm) derived from human adipose stem cells (hASCs) as a treatment for wounds is well studied. The cargo of these exosomes is of great interest as this accelerates wound healing. Our previous studies identified lncRNAs GAS5 and MALAT1 as packaged and enriched in hASC exosomes. In this study, we use a rat model to examine the effects on wound healing when hASC exosomes are depleted of GAS5 and MALAT1. Rats were wounded and wounds were treated with 100 μg hASC_exo or hASC_exo-G-M every 2 days for 1 week. qPCR was completed to evaluate the molecular effects of depletion of GAS5 and MALAT1 from hASC_exo. RNAseq was performed on wound tissue to evaluate the molecular mechanisms changed by hASC_exo-G-M in wound healing. While hASC_exo-G-M significantly improved wound healing rate compared to control wounds, healing occurred slower than in wounds treated with hASC_exo that were not depleted of GAS5 and MALAT1. Overall, this study reveals that molecular functions associated with healing are reduced in the absence of GAS5 and MALAT1, highlighting the importance of these lncRNAs. Full article

Cell therapy utilizing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) through paracrine mechanisms holds promise for regenerative purposes. Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a significant complication of peritoneal dialysis. Various strategies have been proposed to protect the peritoneal membrane (PM). This study explores the effectiveness of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) at mitigating PF using a rat model of PF induced by chlorhexidine gluconate. ASC and EV treatments effectively prevented an increase in the thickness of the PM and diminished the number of myofibroblasts, fibronectin expression, collagen III expression, and PF-related factors such as TGF-β and FSP-1. Smad3 gene expression decreased in the treatment groups, whereas Smad7 gene expression increased in treated animals. In addition, ASC and EV injections showed potent anti-inflammatory effects. Glucose transport through the PM remained unaffected in relation to the PF group; both treatments promoted an increase in ultrafiltration (UF) capacity. The PF+EVs treated group showed the highest increase in UF capacity. Another critical aspect of ASC and EV treatments was their impact on neoangiogenesis in the PM which is vital for UF capacity. Although the treated groups displayed a significant decrease in VEGF expression in the PM, peritoneal function remained effective. In conclusion, within the experimental PF model, both ASC and EV treatments demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and comparably hindered the progression of PF. The EV treatment exhibited superior preservation of peritoneal function, along with enhanced UF capacity. These findings suggest the potential of ASCs and EVs as novel therapeutic approaches to prevent the development of PF associated with peritoneal dialysis. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered an important health issue worldwide. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade through the administration of angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as Losartan (LOS), has been considered the best strategy for CKD treatment for decades. However, this approach promotes only partial detention of CKD progression and cannot reverse renal damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the therapeutic administration of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose stem cells (ASCs), associated to LOS treatment, would promote additional renoprotection in rats underwent the 5/6 renal ablation CKD model. ASC-derived EV were administered locally, in the renal subcapsular area, 15 days after CKD induction, when LOS therapy also began. Animals were followed for additional 15 days and our results demonstrated that subcapsular injection of ASC-derived EV associated with LOS significantly reduced glomerulosclerosis, renal interstitial infiltration by myofibroblasts, and macrophages in the 5/6 CKD model. Additionally, LOS + EV abrogated systemic hypertension, proteinuria, and albuminuria, and stimulated local gene overexpression of the endogenous anti-inflammatory Il-4. Although more studies are still required to establish the best EV dose and administration route, these findings point to therapy with ASC-derived EV as a potential adjuvant in CKD treatment Full article

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by high mortality rates due to late diagnosis, recurrence, and metastasis. Here, we show that extracellular signaling molecules secreted by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and OC cells—either in the conditioned medium (CM) or within small extracellular vesicles (sEVs)—modulate cellular responses and drive OC progression. ASC-derived sEVs and CM secretome promoted OC cell colony formation, invasion, and migration while upregulating tumor-associated signaling pathways, including TGFβ/Smad, p38MAPK/ERK1/2, Wnt/β-catenin, and MMP-9. Additionally, OC-derived sEVs and CM induced a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in ASCs, enhancing their invasiveness and expression of tumor-associated factors. Notably, both ASCs and OC cells exhibited increased expression of E-cadherin and Snail/Slug proteins, key markers of epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid phenotype, enhancing cellular plasticity and metastatic potential. We also demonstrated that these cellular features are, at least in part, due to the presence of tumor-supportive molecules such as TNF-α, Tenascin-C, MMP-2, and SDF-1α in the CM secretome of ASCs and OC cells. In silico analyses linked these molecular changes to poor prognostic outcomes in OC patients. These findings highlight the critical role of sEVs and tumor/stem cell-derived secretome in OC progression through bidirectional interactions that impact cellular behavior and phenotypic transitions. We suggest that targeting EV-mediated communication could improve therapeutic strategies and patient outcomes. Full article

A mesoporous anatase/silica core–shell nanostructure (ASCS) was synthesized via a sol–gel method at 90 °C, and then cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS-QDs) were encapsulated in it, forming CdS-ASCS. The CdS-ASCS was synthesized to enhance the efficiency of heterogeneous nanophotocatalysts. The CdS-ASCS nanoparticles exhibited a core–shell morphology with a particle size of approximately 1.8 nm and a shell thickness of about 8 nm. The uniform distribution of cadmium, sulfur, titanium, and silicon was observed, along with a pore radius of roughly 2.5 nm and a bandgap energy of approximately 3.2 eV. Under ultraviolet irradiation, the CdS-ASCS demonstrated a photocatalytic degradation of 91% for methylene blue (MB) within 240 min, with a rate constant of 0.01 min⁻¹. These findings suggested that CdS-ASCS is a highly effective photocatalyst with promising applications in water purification. Full article

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are chronic wounds and a common complication of diabetes. A promising strategy in the treatment of DFUs involves the use of stem cell derivatives, such as small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which can enhance cell proliferation and reduce inflammation while avoiding immunogenic responses. In this study, we evaluated the ability of adipose mesenchymal stem cell- (ASC)-derived sEVs to enhance the proliferation of human fibroblasts, which play a crucial role in wound regenerative processes. To mimic the inflammatory environment of DFUs, fibroblasts were cultured into the gellan gum (GG) modified with ethylenediamine (EDA) hydrogel scaffolds loaded with ASC-derived sEVs, under pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our comparative analysis demonstrated that sEVs loaded in GG-EDA hydrogel improved fibroblast viability in pro-inflamed conditions while retaining the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of their cells of origin. By modulating the gene expression profile of fibroblasts to promote cell proliferation, wound healing and re-epithelialization, our system presents a promising therapeutic strategy for DFU healing. Full article

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in individuals of all ages, predominantly during sports, accidents, and in active military service members. Chronic consequences of TBI include declined cognitive and motor function, dementia, and emotional distress. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), previously referred to as exosomes, are nano-sized lipid vesicles that play a role in intercellular communication. Our prior research established the efficacy of sEVs derived from human adipose stem cells (hASC sEVs) in accelerating the healing of brain injuries. The hASC sEVs are a biologic therapeutic and need to be stored at −20 °C or −80 °C. This limits their use in translating to everyday use in clinics or their inclusion in first-aid kits for application immediately after injury. To address this, here we demonstrate that hASC sEVs can be stored at room temperature (RT) for two months post lyophilization. Methods: A transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used to validate the morphology of lyophilized RT sEVs. Using in vitro models of neuronal injury mimicking physical injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress, we demonstrate that lyophilized RT hASC sEVs are viable and promote the healing of neuronal injuries. Results: The lyophilized sEVs maintain their purity, size, and morphology upon rehydration. Lyophilized, RT stored sEVs showed better efficacy after two months compared with −80 °C stored sEVs. Conclusions: RT storage of lyophilized hASC sEVs maintains their efficacy to accelerate the healing of injuries in neuronal cells. This will advance the use of hASC sEVs, bringing them closer to use in clinics, home first-aid kits, and on battlefields by active service members. Full article

Extremely premature infants are at significant risk for developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). Although BPD is a predictor of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, it is currently unknown how BPD contributes to brain injury and long-term NDI in pre-term infants. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-bound structures released from cells into the surrounding environment. EVs are involved in inter-organ communication in diverse pathological processes. Inflammasomes are large, multiprotein complexes that are part of the innate immune system and are responsible for triggering inflammatory responses and cell death. Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) is pivotal in inflammasome assembly and activating inflammatory caspase-1. Activated caspase-1 cleaves gasdermin D (GSDMD) to release a 30 kD N-terminal domain that can form membrane pores, leading to lytic cell death, also known as pyroptosis. Activated caspase-1 can also cleave pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 to their active forms, which can be rapidly released through the GSDMD pores to induce inflammation. Recent evidence has emerged that activation of inflammasomes is associated with neonatal lung and brain injury, and inhibition of inflammasomes reduces hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung and brain injury. Additionally, multiple studies have demonstrated that hyperoxia stimulates the release of lung-derived EVs that contain inflammasome cargos. Adoptive transfer of these EVs into the circulation of normal neonatal mice and rats induces brain inflammatory injury. This review focuses on EV–inflammasomes’ roles in mediating lung-to-brain crosstalk via EV-dependent and EV-independent mechanisms critical in BPD, brain injury, and NDI pathogenesis. EV–inflammasomes will be discussed as potential therapeutic targets for neonatal lung and brain injury. Full article

Although adipose stem cell (ASC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are as effective as ASCs in the suppression of Th2 cell-mediated eosinophilic inflammation, the role of identified pulmonary genes has not been well documented. Thus, we assessed the immunomodulatory effects of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) on allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. Five-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection and challenged intranasally with OVA. To evaluate the effect of PON1 on allergic airway inflammation, the intranasal and intraperitoneal injections of recombinant mouse serum PON1 (5 μg/50 μL) were performed before the OVA challenge. We evaluated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), total inflammatory cells, and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histology, serum immunoglobulin (Ig), cytokine profiles of BALF and lung draining lymph nodes (LLNs), the expression of interleukin (IL)-25 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in mouse lung epithelial cell (MLE-12 cell), and dendritic cell (DC) differentiation. The intraperitoneal and intranasal administration of PON1 significantly decreased AHR, total inflammatory cells and eosinophils in BALF, eosinophilic airway inflammation, serum total, and OVA-specific IgE. PON1 treatment, which marked reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the BALF and LLN but significantly increased interferon-γ and TGF-β. Furthermore, PON1 treatment significantly decreased the expression of IL-25 and increased TGF-β in MLE-12 cells. The expressions of CD40, CD80, and CD86 in immature DCs were significantly increased by PON1 treatment. The administration of PON1 ameliorated allergic airway inflammation and improved AHR through the downregulation of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and upregulation of TGF-β in asthmatic mice. Furthermore, PON1 treatment decreased Th2-mediated inflammation induced by Aspergillus protease antigen by decreasing IL-25 and increasing TGF-β. Full article

Steroids, which are often used to treat the inflammation associated with various skin diseases, have several negative side effects. As Ecklonia cava extract has anti-inflammatory effects in various diseases, we evaluated the efficacy of Ecklonia cava-derived extracellular vesicles (EVEs) in decreasing 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation. We determined the effect of the EVEs on the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome in human keratinocytes and mouse ear skin. TPA-treated human keratinocytes showed an increased expression of TLR4 and its ligands HMGB1 and S100A8. TPA also increased the expression of (1) NF-κB; (2) the NLRP3 inflammasome components NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1; and (3) the pyroptosis-related factors GSDMD-NT, IL-18, and IL-1β. However, the expression of these molecules decreased in the TPA-treated human keratinocytes after EVE treatment. Similar to the in vitro results, TPA increased the expression of these molecules in mouse ear skin, and EVE treatment decreased their expression. The TPA treatment of skin increased edema, redness, neutrophil infiltration, and epidermal thickness, and EVE reduced these symptoms of inflammation. In conclusion, the EVEs decreased TPA-induced skin inflammation, which was associated with a decrease in the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome. Full article

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from stem cells demonstrate significant potential in bone regeneration. Adipose tissue is regarded as a stem cell reservoir with abundant reserves and easy accessibility. Compared to adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) possess similar stem cell characteristics but exhibit greater proliferative capacity, higher homogeneity, and an enhanced osteogenic differentiation potential. This study is the first to examine the effect of DFATs-derived EVs on bone regeneration and elucidate their potential mechanisms of action. Methods: Primary DFATs were cultured using the “ceiling culture” method and EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized. Experiments were performed to assess the impact of the EVs on the proliferation, migration, and osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Subsequently, high-throughput miRNA sequencing was conducted on the EVs derived from DFATs that had undergone 0 days (0d-EVs) and 14 days (14d-EVs) of osteogenic differentiation. Results: The results indicated that the EVs derived from DFATs which experienced 14 days of osteogenic induction significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that up-regulated miRNAs in the 14d-EVs were primarily involved in biological processes such as the Notch signaling pathway and the positive regulation of cell movement and migration. The target genes of these differently expressed miRNAs were enriched in osteogenesis-related signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study innovatively demonstrated that conditioned EVs (14d-EVs) derived from DFATs promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via miRNAs, offering a promising cell-free therapeutic option for bone defect. Full article

The biological products used in orthopedics include musculoskeletal allografts—such as bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage—as well as biological therapies. Musculoskeletal allografts support the body’s healing process by utilizing preserved and sterilized donor tissue. These allografts are becoming increasingly common in surgical practice, allowing patients to avoid more invasive procedures and the risks associated with donor site morbidity. Bone grafting is one of the most frequently used procedures in orthopedics and traumatology. Biologic approaches aim to improve clinical outcomes by enhancing the body’s natural healing capacity and reducing inflammation. They serve as an alternative to surgical interventions. While preliminary results from animal studies and small-scale clinical trials have been promising, the field of biologics still lacks robust clinical evidence supporting their efficacy. Biological therapies include PRP (platelet-rich plasma), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)/stromal cells/progenitor cells, bone marrow stem/stromal cells (BMSCs), adipose stem/stromal cells/progenitor cells (ASCs), cord blood (CB), and extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes. The proper preservation and storage of these cellular therapies are essential for future use. Preservation techniques include cryopreservation, vitrification, lyophilization, and the use of cryoprotective agents (CPAs). The most commonly used CPA is DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). The highest success rates and post-thaw viability have been achieved by preserving PRP with a rate-controlled freezer using 6% DMSO and storing other cellular treatments using a rate-controlled freezer with 5% or 10% DMSO as the CPA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown the best results when lyophilized with 50 mM or 4% trehalose to prevent aggregation and stored at room temperature. Full article

Although mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are as effective as MSCs in the suppression of allergic airway inflammation, few studies have evaluated the immunomodulatory capacity of MSC-derived EVs in patients with asthma. Thus, we assessed the effects of adipose stem cell (ASC)-derived EVs on cytokine expression and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of asthmatic patients. PBMCs (1 × 10⁶ cells/mL) were isolated from asthmatic patient and healthy controls and co-cultured with 1 μg/mL of ASC-derived EVs. Th (T helper) 1-, Th2-, and Treg-related cytokine expression, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ T cells, and co-stimulatory molecules were analyzed before and after ASC-derived EV treatment. The expression levels of IL-4 and costimulatory molecules such as CD83 and CD86 were significantly higher in PBMCs of asthmatic patients than in control PBMCs. However, ASC-derived EV treatment significantly decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and co-stimulatory molecules such as CD83 and CD86 in the phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated PBMC of asthmatic patients. Furthermore, ASC-derived EVs remarkably increased the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels and expression of Tregs in the PBMC of asthmatic patients. ASC-derived EVs induce Treg expansion and have immunomodulatory effects by downregulating IL-4 and upregulating TGF-β in PBMCs of asthmatic patients. Full article