Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Hydrogels as Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Review

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) are a category of nanomaterials with various systems based on combinations of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon bonds, morphologies, and functional groups. CBNs can exhibit distinguished properties such as high mechanical strength, chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. These desirable physicochemical properties have triggered their uses in many fields, including biomedical applications. In this review, we specifically focus on applying CBNs as scaffolds in tissue engineering, a therapeutic approach whereby CBNs can act for the regeneration or replacement of damaged tissue. Here, an overview of the structures and properties of different CBNs will first be provided. We will then discuss state-of-the-art advancements of CBNs and hydrogels as scaffolds for regenerating various types of human tissues. Finally, a perspective of future potentials and challenges in this field will be presented. Since this is a very rapidly growing field, we expect that this review will promote interdisciplinary efforts in developing effective tissue regeneration scaffolds for clinical applications.

Perylene Diimide-Based Electron-Transporting Material for Perovskite Solar Cells with Undoped Poly(3-hexylthiophene) as Hole-Transporting Material

Perylene diimide-based small molecules are widely used as intermediates of liquid crystals, owing to their high planarity and electron mobility. In this study, tetrachloroperylene diimide (TCl-PDI) was used as a small-molecule replacement for TiO₂ as electron-transporting material (ETM) for planar perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). Among hole-transporting materials (HTMs) for PVSCs, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) gives the devices the highest stability and reproducibility. Therefore, PVSCs with the structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/ETM/perovskite/P3HT/MoO₃ /Ag were used to evaluate the performances of new ETMs. A reference device with compact TiO₂ and P3HT gave a reasonable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.78 %, whereas the PVSC with TCl-PDI as ETM gave an enhanced PCE of 14.73 %, which is among the highest reported values for PVSCs with undoped P3HT as the HTM. Moreover, TCl-PDI-based devices displayed higher stability than those based on compact TiO₂ , owing to the superior perovskite quality.

Posttransplant Outcomes of Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Versus Other Recipients: A 10-Year Report From South of Iran

OBJECTIVES

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common hereditary disorder resulting in end-stage renal disease that can affect other organs besides kidneys. Extrarenal involvement may increase mortality and morbidity. Approximately 50% of patients with this disorder require renal transplant. Posttransplant complications have been reported to be equal in these patients versus other recipients. We conducted this study to determine and compare characteristics and outcomes of transplanted patients with this disease versus other recipients at the only transplant center in southern Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Detailed data of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease were collected from medical records from the Shiraz Organ Transplantation Center. We also gathered data on a matched control group of transplant recipients who had end-stage renal disease due to other reasons, including other congenital kidney diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Medical records of patients before and after transplant were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software version 19 (Chicago, IL, USA).

RESULTS

We collected data from 2002 to 2012 on 101 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and 100 control patients, including 74 female (36.8%) and 127 male patients (63.2%). Average duration of pretransplant dialysis was 14.9 ± 10.3 months in study patients and 12.8 ± 8.1 months in control patients. Rejection rate was statistically greater in recipients with this disease (30 patients; 68%) versus controls (14 patients; 32%) (P = .010).

CONCLUSIONS

Short- and long-term survival rates of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease were not statistically different from control patients. However, graft survival was significantly lower. In short- and long-term follow-up of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were slightly higher than those of the control group. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is not a risk factor for posttransplant diabetes mellitus.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Fullerene-C60 Nano-Structured Platforms

Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important in the field of (bio)sensors. The performance and sensitivity of biosensors is greatly improved with the integration of nanomaterials into their construction. Since its first discovery, fullerene-C60 has been the object of extensive research. Its unique and favorable characteristics of easy chemical modification, conductivity, and electrochemical properties has led to its tremendous use in (bio)sensor applications. This paper provides a concise review of advances in fullerene-C60 research and its use as a nanomaterial for the development of biosensors. We examine the research work reported in the literature on the synthesis, functionalization, approaches to nanostructuring electrodes with fullerene, and outline some of the exciting applications in the field of (bio)sensing.