Natural nerve tissue is composed of nerve bundles with multiple aligned assembles, and matrix electroconductivity is beneficial to the transmission of intercellular electrical signals, or effectively deliver external electrical cues to cells. Herein, aiming at the biomimetic design of the extracellular matrix for neurons, we first synthesized electroconductive polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles with modified hydrophilicity to improve their uniformity in collagen hydrogel. Next, cell-laden collagen−PPy hybrid hydrogel microfibers with highly oriented microstructures were fabricated via a microfluidic chip. The hydrogel microfibers formed a biomimetic three-dimensional microenvironment for neurons, resulting from the native cell adhesion domains, oriented fibrous structures, and conductivity. The oriented fibrous microstructures enhanced neuron-like cells aligning with fibers' axon; the matrix conductivity improved cell extension and upregulated neuralrelated gene expression; moreover, external electrical stimulation further promoted the neuronal functional expression. This mechanism was attributed to the electroconductive matrix and its delivered electrical stimulation to cells synergistically upregulated the expression of an L-type voltage-gated calcium channel, resulting in an increase in the intracellular calcium level, which in turn promoted neurogenesis. This approach has potential in constructing the biomimetic microenvironment for neurogenesis.
Electrical stimulation is regarded pivotal to promote repair of nerve injuries, however, failed to get extensive application in vivo due to the challenges in noninvasive electrical loading accompanying with construction of biomimetic cell niche. Herein, a new concept of magneto responsive electric 3D matrix for remote and wireless electrical stimulation is demonstrated. By the preparation of magnetoelectric core/shell structured Fe3O4@BaTiO3 NPs‐loaded hyaluronan/collagen hydrogels, which recapitulate considerable magneto‐electricity and vital features of native neural extracellular matrix, the enhancement of neurogenesis both in cellular level and spinal cord injury in vivo with external pulsed magnetic field applied is proved. The findings pave the way for a novel class of remote controlling and delivering electricity through extracellular niches‐mimicked hydrogel network, arising prospects not only in neurogenesis but also in human–computer interaction with higher resolution.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is suspected to be associated with several chronic metabolic diseases. The aim of the present study was to review previous epidemiological studies that examined the relationship between BPA exposure and the risk of obesity. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were systematically searched by 2 independent investigators for articles published from the start of database coverage until January 1, 2020. Subsequently, the reference list of each relevant article was scanned for any other potentially eligible publications. We included observational studies published in English that measured urinary BPA. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the highest versus lowest level of BPA were calculated. Ten studies with a sample size from 888 to 4793 participants met our inclusion criteria. We found a positive correlation between the level of BPA and obesity risk. A dose–response analysis revealed that 1-ng/mL increase in BPA increased the risk of obesity by 11%. The similar results were for different type of obesity, gender, and age.
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