Effects of adherence to treatment for repositioning therapy, physical therapy, and cranial remolding orthoses in infants with cranial deformation.

Deformational head shapes are most often treated through repositioning therapy (RT) and/or cranial remolding orthotic (CRO) treatment. However, there is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of each method, and treatment compliance is suspected to affect treatment effectiveness. This study examines participant adherence with these treatment methods and explores if cranial correction is related to compliance. This study also reviews effects of developmental milestones and explores other potential impacts on compliance. A total of 45 infants with cranial deformation were consented and those with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) concurrently received physical therapy. Infants were followed from 2 to 12 months of age and initially assigned to RT. Caregivers continued RT until the head shape corrected, caregivers chose to switch to a CRO, or infants turned 12 months of age. All participants were scheduled for a final visit at 12 months of age. Throughout treatment, caregiver surveys were used to examine compliance and developmental milestones. Results show promise for future investigation into the relationship between treatment modalities and adherence with treatment for deformational head shapes. Our findings provide preliminary support that treatment adherence may be linked with treatment success and concurrent enrollment in physical therapy increases patient compliance.

Synthesis of Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams as Cell Scaffolds for 3D Spatial Cell Cultures.

Here, we present a step-by-step preparation of a 3D, biodegradable, foam-like cell scaffold. These scaffolds were prepared by cross-linking star block co-polymers featuring cholesterol units as side-chain pendant groups, resulting in smectic-A (SmA) liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Foam-like scaffolds, prepared using metal templates, feature interconnected microchannels, making them suitable as 3D cell culture scaffolds. The combined properties of the regular structure of the metal foam and of the elastomer result in a 3D cell scaffold that promotes not only higher cell proliferation compared to conventional porous templated films, but also better management of mass transport (i.e., nutrients, gases, waste, etc.). The nature of the metal template allows for the easy manipulation of foam shapes (i.e., rolls or films) and for the preparation of scaffolds of different pore sizes for different cell studies while preserving the interconnected porous nature of the template. The etching process does not affect the chemistry of the elastomers, preserving their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. We show that these smectic LCEs, when grown for extensive time periods, enable the study of clinically relevant and complex tissue constructs while promoting the growth and proliferation of cells.