Functionalized metal-organic framework and MOF-derived materials for bone regeneration applications

Bone defects resulting from trauma, tumors, infections, and aging present significant clinical challenges, with conventional grafts hindered by limitations in biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and integration. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as advanced nanomaterials with tunable porosity, high surface area, and stimuli-responsive properties, hold immense potential for bone regeneration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the classification, synthesis methods, osteogenic mechanisms, and applications of functionalized MOFs and their derivatives in bone repair. MOFs are classified based on structural topology, chemical composition, and functional applications. Synthesis techniques, including solvothermal, ultrasonic, and electrochemical approaches, are evaluated for customizing physical properties such as pore architecture and stability. Osteogenic mechanisms encompass enhancing implant physical characteristics to promote cell adhesion, sustained release of metal ions to activate signaling pathways, controlled drug delivery for targeted therapy, and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects through reactive oxygen species scavenging. Applications address various bone pathologies, demonstrating improved angiogenesis, osteointegration, and antibacterial performance in preclinical studies. Key challenges, including cytotoxicity, long-term biosafety, and scalability, are discussed, alongside strategies like surface modification and hybrid composites to overcome these barriers. Future perspectives focus on developing smart MOF-based scaffolds for personalized regenerative medicine, underscoring their transformative potential in orthopedic therapies

Exploring the drivers of otolith Sr/Ca during the early life stages of Larimichthys polyactis: insights from cultured and wild populations

Otolith Sr/Ca profiles are widely used to investigate early life migration and habitat use in both diadromous and oceanodromous fishes. This study focuses on Larimichthys polyactis, an oceanodromous species of significant ecological and commercial importance in East Asian waters. This study investigates the influence of environmental factors on the otolith Sr/Ca ratios during its early life stages (ELS). In Experiment A, we analyzed both laboratory-reared specimens—maintained under stable temperature (19–21°C) and salinity (27–28 PSU) conditions—and wild-captured specimens. The results revealed a consistent decline in Sr/Ca ratios throughout the ELS in both groups, suggesting that temperature and salinity may not be the primary drivers of otolith Sr/Ca ratios during early development. In Experiment B, Sr/Ca ratios in the core (incubation stage) and edge (recently spawned stage) zones of otoliths from both wild and laboratory-reared adult fish were compared. Sr/Ca ratios were significantly higher in the core zone than in the edge zone, indicating that maternal influences are may not be the main cause of elevated Sr/Ca ratios in the otolith core. Collectively, these findings suggest that otolith Sr/Ca ratios during ELS in L. polyactis are more affected by the ontogenetic developmental stage than by environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, or maternal effects. This challenges previous assumptions about the dominance of environmental factors in shaping otolith chemistry and highlights the need for more nuanced interpretations of Sr/Ca data, especially in studies of oceanodromous fishes. When utilizing otolith microchemistry to reconstruct life history, it is essential to minimize physiological effects through controlled culture experiments to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results

Identification of loci affecting teat number by genome-wide association studies on three pig populations

Objective Three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and a meta-analysis of GWAS were conducted to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying variation in pig teat number. Methods We performed three GWAS and a meta-analysis for teat number on three pig populations, including a White Duroc×Erhualian F2 resource population (n = 1,743), a Chinese Erhualian pig population (n = 320) and a Chinese Sutai pig population (n = 383). Results We detected 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that surpassed the genome-wide significant level on Sus Scrofa chromosomes (SSC) 1, 7, and 12 in the F2 resource population, corresponding to four loci for pig teat number. We highlighted vertnin (VRTN) and lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) as two interesting candidate genes at the loci on SSC7 and SSC12. No significant associated SNPs were identified in the meta-analysis of GWAS. Conclusion The results verified the complex genetic architecture of pig teat number. The causative variants for teat number may be different in the three population