Self-powered freestanding multifunctional microneedle-based extended gate device for personalized health monitoring.

Online monitoring of prognostic biomarkers is critically important when diagnosing disorders and assessing individuals' health, especially for chronic and infectious diseases. Despite this, current diagnosis techniques are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and performed offline. In this context, developing wearable devices for continuous measurements of multiple biomarkers from body fluids has considerable advantages including availability, rapidity, convenience, and minimal invasiveness over the conventional painful and time-consuming tools. However, there is still a significant challenge in powering these devices over an extended period, especially for applications that require continuous and long-term health monitoring. Herein, a new freestanding, wearable, multifunctional microneedle-based extended gate field effect transistor biosensor is fabricated for online detection of multiple biomarkers from the interstitial fluid including sodium, calcium, potassium, and pH along with excellent electrical response, reversibility, and precision. In addition, a hybrid powering system of triboelectric nanogenerator and solar cell was developed for creating a freestanding, closed-loop platform for continuous charging of the device's battery and integrated with an Internet of Things technology to broadcast the measurements online, suggesting a stand-alone, stable multifunctional tool which paves the way for advanced practical personalized health monitoring and diagnosis.

Dual Therapy vs. Monotherapy for the Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Systematic Review.

To evaluate the efficacy of dual patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) pharmacotherapy compared to monotherapy we searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and references of relevant articles through October 20, 2021 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies comparing dual PDA treatment vs. monotherapy. Data were analyzed using a fixed effects model. The fixed effects model assumes that all studies included in a meta-analysis are estimating a single true underlying effect, that of ductal closure. Primary outcome was ductal closure; secondary outcome was surgical ligation. Of 170 articles retrieved, three cohort studies and two RCTs were included, totaling 470 patients: 384 babies received monotherapy and 86 dual therapy. Because of the small numbers, RCTs and cohort studies were pooled for analysis. Ductus closed in 67% of those who received combination compared with 58% those with monotherapy. Overall fixed effect shows an OR of 1.97 [1.10; 3.53; p = 0.023] favoring dual therapy. Dual pharmacologic treatment appears more effective than monotherapy. Future well-powered, high-quality, prospective RCTs are needed to further investigate this potential approach.

Does Early Neonatal Thrombocytopenia Affect Ductal Therapeutic Response to Acetaminophen in Preterm Neonates?

OBJECTIVE: Perinatal thrombocytopenia has been shown to affect responsiveness to therapeutic ductal closure with cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. This has not been studied in responsiveness to acetaminophen, which has less effect on platelet function. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether thrombocytopenia affects ductal responsiveness to acetaminophen. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective review of preterm neonates <1,500 g. Echocardiograms were performed within the first week of life; if ductal status was found to be hemodynamically significant, infants were treated with acetaminophen. RESULTS: We studied 254 infants. Fifty-seven of these (22%) had a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and were treated with acetaminophen. Forty (70%) of those treated responded with ductal closure after one to two courses of acetaminophen. Seventeen infants were considered nonresponsive, requiring the addition of ibuprofen and/or surgical ligation. Sixty seven of the 254 infants (26%) developed moderate thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000) within the first 10 days of life, more within the hsPDA group (54 vs. 18% p < 0.001); however, no differences in platelet-related parameters were observed between those who did and did not respond to acetaminophen treatment when comparing infants with hsPDA. Twenty-six of the 67 thrombocytopenic infants were already thrombocytopenic prior to acetaminophen treatment, and 19 of these 26 (73%) with pretreatment thrombocytopenia responded to acetaminophen treatment-with the overall response rate of 70%. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to document that, in contrast to the COX inhibitors, there is no association between early neonatal thrombocytopenia and ductal therapeutic responsiveness to acetaminophen. KEY POINTS: · Perinatal thrombocytopenia affects ductal closure with COX inhibitors.. · In contrast to the COX inhibitors, acetaminophen responsiveness is not affected by thrombocytopenia.. · Acetaminophen can be recommended to close hsPDA in the presence of thrombocytopenia..

In Situ Dual Cross-Linking of Neat Biogel with Controlled Mechanical and Delivery Properties.

Injectable biomaterials play a critical role in many biomedical applications. These materials, however, often have limitations in mechanical and drug-eluting properties attributed to their high water content and the weak secondary forces holding them together. Here we describe a new injectable material based on two complementary water-free, prepolymers modified with succinimidyl carbonate (SC) or with NH2 end groups that form a stiff matrix upon mixing. Cross-linking involves an immediate reaction between PEG4-SC and PEG4-NH2 that forms carbamate bonds and a delayed reaction of PEG4-SC with hydroxyl functional groups that forms carbonate bonds. The mechanical properties, swelling, and erosion kinetics of this biomaterial can be fine-tuned by varying the ratio between the two prepolymers. Bovine serum albumin and poorly water-soluble free base doxorubicin were readily loaded into this system, resulting in a high drug loading content attributed to the absence of water in the formulation. Controlled release over a period of 1 to 30 days was observed, depending on mixture composition and drug properties. The injectable nature of the formulation, its tailored mechanical properties, the fact that it can be cross-linked by two separate mechanisms, and its ability to incorporate and release hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs make it very attractive as a drug delivery system.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Screening in Israel-Arab and Palestinian-Arab Neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, the incidence of clinically significant jaundice (any serum total bilirubin value >75th percentile on the hour-specific bilirubin nomogram), and the need for phototherapy in the pooled male Israeli-Arab and Palestinian-Arab population born at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. STUDY DESIGN: Quantitative G-6-PD enzyme testing of umbilical cord blood was performed during birth hospitalization. G-6-PD deficiency was defined as any G-6-PD value <7.0 U/gHb. Transcutaneous bilirubin was performed daily during birth hospitalization, with serum total bilirubin testing in those with a transcutaneous bilirubin value >75th percentile. RESULTS: Ten of 286 (3.5%) consecutively delivered male Arab newborns had G-6-PD deficiency. Clinically significant jaundice was higher in the population with G-6-PD deficiency compared with normal controls (relative risk, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.24-9.58). Thirty percent of the newborns with G-6-PD deficiency met American Academy of Pediatrics indications for phototherapy according to the high-risk (middle) curve on the phototherapy graph. CONCLUSION: The frequency of G-6-PD deficiency in the Arab neonatal population delivering at this medical center meets World Health Organization criteria for neonatal G-6-PD screening (3%-5%). As in other ethnic groups, clinically significant jaundice is more frequent in newborns of this ethnic group with G-6-PD deficiency compared with G-6-PD-normal controls. Neonatal G-6-PD screening for both males and females of this population subgroup, in conjunction with parental education regarding the dangers of the condition and its prophylaxis, has now been incorporated into our institution's routine G-6-PD screening program.

Real-time prognostic biomarkers for predicting in-hospital mortality and cardiac complications in COVID-19 patients.

Hospitalized patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are highly susceptible to in-hospital mortality and cardiac complications such as atrial arrhythmias (AA). However, the utilization of biomarkers such as potassium, B-type natriuretic peptide, albumin, and others for diagnosis or the prediction of in-hospital mortality and cardiac complications has not been well established. The study aims to investigate whether biomarkers can be utilized to predict mortality and cardiac complications among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Data were collected from 6,927 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021 at one quaternary (Henry Ford Health) and five community hospital registries (Trinity Health Systems). A multivariable logistic regression prediction model was derived using a random sample of 70% for derivation and 30% for validation. Serum values, demographic variables, and comorbidities were used as input predictors. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was onset of AA. The associations between predictor variables and outcomes are presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Discrimination was assessed using area under ROC curve (AUC). Calibration was assessed using Brier score. The model predicted in-hospital mortality with an AUC of 90% [95% CI: 88%, 92%]. In addition, potassium showed promise as an independent prognostic biomarker that predicted both in-hospital mortality, with an AUC of 71.51% [95% Cl: 69.51%, 73.50%], and AA with AUC of 63.6% [95% Cl: 58.86%, 68.34%]. Within the test cohort, an increase of 1 mEq/L potassium was associated with an in-hospital mortality risk of 1.40 [95% CI: 1.14, 1.73] and a risk of new onset of AA of 1.55 [95% CI: 1.25, 1.93]. This cross-sectional study suggests that biomarkers can be used as prognostic variables for in-hospital mortality and onset of AA among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Evidence-based Guidelines among Nursing Students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common global problem. They affect health-care costs and patient health because of increased morbidity and mortality rates. Critically ill patients are more prone to acquiring PUs than other patients. As the prevalence of PUs is high in Saudi Arabia, more attention is required for PU prevention. Nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward PU prevention are crucial. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding PU prevention evidence-based guidelines. SETTING AND DESIGN: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing students at Jazan University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using the SPSS version 23. RESULTS: A total of 378 participants were included. The mean age was 22.4 ± 3.4 years, and the mean knowledge score was 7.6 ± 2.64 (range = 0-16). Of the participants, 365 (96.6%) and 13 (3.4%) were considered to have poor and good knowledge about PUs, respectively. Only 72 (19%) correctly identified a lack of oxygen as the cause of PUs; other participants answered malnutrition and moisture. Conversely, 200 (52.9%) participants indicated that recent weight loss below patients' ideal weight increases the risk for PUs. Concerning knowledge about preventive measures, 64 (16.9%) participants correctly answered that a backward sitting position, with both legs resting on a footrest, can reduce the amount of pressure. Meanwhile, 169 (44.7%) participants correctly selected thick air cushion as a means to reduce the magnitude of pressure when patients are sliding down on a chair. Some participants answered that PUs can be reduced if patients are mobilized. Seventy-two (19%) participants indicated that patients laying on a visco-elastic foam mattress should be repositioned every 2 h to reduce the duration of pressure. Age, year of education, training experience, and department were not significantly associated with knowledge about PUs (P = 0.333, P = 0.370, P = 0.700, and P = 0.810, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The general knowledge and attitudes toward PUs of the nursing students at Jazan University were poor. Nevertheless, they had an average knowledge level regarding PU prevention. Age and training experience were not significantly associated with knowledge about PUs.

Résumé Contexte:Les ulcères de pression (UP) sont un problème mondial courant. Ils affectent les coûts de santé et la santé des patients en raison de l'augmentation des taux de morbidité et de mortalité. Les patients gravement malades sont plus susceptibles de développer des UP que d'autres patients. Comme la prévalence des UP est élevée en Arabie saoudite, une attention accrue est nécessaire pour la prévention des UP. Les connaissances et attitudes des infirmiers en matière de prévention des UP sont cruciales.Objectifs:Cette étude visait à évaluer les connaissances et attitudes des étudiants en soins infirmiers concernant les directives de prévention des UP basées sur des preuves. Cadre et conception : Cette étude descriptive et transversale a été menée auprès des étudiants en soins infirmiers de l'Université de Jazan.Matériels et méthodes:Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un questionnaire électronique. Analyse statistique utilisée: Les données ont été saisies, codées et analysées à l'aide de la version 23 du logiciel SPSS.Résultats:Au total, 378 participants ont été inclus. L'âge moyen était de 22,4 ± 3,4 ans et le score moyen de connaissance était de 7,6 ± 2,64 (plage = 0-16). Parmi les participants, 365 (96,6 %) avaient une connaissance médiocre et 13 (3,4 %) une bonne connaissance des UP. Seuls 72 (19 %) ont correctement identifié un manque d'oxygène comme étant la cause des UP; les autres participants ont répondu la malnutrition et l'humidité. En revanche, 200 (52,9 %) participants ont indiqué qu'une perte de poids récente en dessous du poids idéal des patients augmente le risque de UP. En ce qui concerne les connaissances sur les mesures préventives, 64 (16,9 %) participants ont répondu correctement qu'une position assise inclinée vers l'arrière, avec les deux jambes reposant sur un repose-pieds, peut réduire la pression. Pendant ce temps, 169 (44,7 %) participants ont correctement sélectionné un coussin d'air épais comme moyen de réduire l'ampleur de la pression lorsque les patients glissent sur une chaise. Certains participants ont répondu que les UP peuvent être réduits si les patients sont mobilisés. Soixante-douze (19 %) participants ont indiqué que les patients allongés sur un matelas en mousse viscoélastique devraient être repositionnés toutes les 2 heures pour réduire la durée de la pression. L'âge, l'année d'éducation, l'expérience de formation et le département n'étaient pas significativement associés aux connaissances sur les UP (P = 0,333, P = 0,370, P = 0,700 et P = 0,810, respectivement).Conclusions:Les connaissances générales et les attitudes à l'égard des UP des étudiants en soins infirmiers de l'Université de Jazan étaient médiocres. Néanmoins, ils avaient un niveau de connaissance moyen concernant la prévention des UP. L'âge et l'expérience de formation n'étaient pas significativement associés aux connaissances sur les UP.

Biodegradable, Biocompatible, and Implantable Multifunctional Sensing Platform for Cardiac Monitoring.

Cardiac monitoring after heart surgeries is crucial for health maintenance and detecting postoperative complications early. However, current methods like rigid implants have limitations, as they require performing second complex surgeries for removal, increasing infection and inflammation risks, thus prompting research for improved sensing monitoring technologies. Herein, we introduce a nanosensor platform that is biodegradable, biocompatible, and integrated with multifunctions, suitable for use as implants for cardiac monitoring. The device has two electrochemical biosensors for sensing lactic acid and pH as well as a pressure sensor and a chemiresistor array for detecting volatile organic compounds. Its biocompatibility with myocytes has been tested in vitro, and its biodegradability and sensing function have been proven with ex vivo experiments using a three-dimensional (3D)-printed heart model and 3D-printed cardiac tissue patches. Moreover, an artificial intelligence-based predictive model was designed to fuse sensor data for more precise health assessment, making it a suitable candidate for clinical use. This sensing platform promises impactful applications in the realm of cardiac patient care, laying the foundation for advanced life-saving developments.

Awareness and Knowledge of Parents and Caregivers Regarding Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is a common sleep disorder that can cause major health problems if untreated. Parental knowledge and awareness are critical for early detection and management of POSA in children. This study sought to measure parents' and caregivers' knowledge and awareness of pediatric POSA in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, as well as to uncover sociodemographic correlates of knowledge levels. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A structured survey was used to collect data on sociodemographic factors and knowledge of pediatric OSA. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The study included 393 parents and caregivers, 36.4% of whom were in the 18-30 year age group. Most were Saudis (n=385; 98%), and 212 (53.9%) were men. Most parents (n=378; 96.2%) had limited knowledge of pediatric OSA. Significant knowledge gaps were observed in recognizing POSA symptoms, understanding its impact on children's academic performance, and their association with mental health issues. Internet and social networking sites were the most common sources of knowledge about POSA (n=131; 33.33%), followed by knowing someone with OSA (n=103; 26.21%). Parents with more than eight children had a significant association with more knowledge than those without children (adjusted OR = 10.661, 95% CI: 1.367-83.139, p = 0.024). Conclusion The study identified significant gaps in the recognition of POSA symptoms and understanding its impact on their children's academic performance and mental health. Despite their limited knowledge, parents were receptive to early intervention for POSA. The study suggests that parents with more children had better knowledge of POSA, indicating that experiential learning may contribute to their understanding. The study recommends developing and assessing targeted education and awareness programs for parents, healthcare providers, and the public to improve POSA diagnosis, care, and outcomes.

Protocol to fabricate wearable stretchable microneedle-based sensors.

Creating highly stretchable and robust electrodes while retaining conductivity and stability is challenging. Furthermore, combining these elastic parts with rigid ones brings its own problems due to the discrepancy in firmness between the flexible patches and rigid constructions. Here, we present a protocol to create a stable, conductive, and flexible microneedle sensor patch. We describe steps for using polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene with silver nanowires, besides fabricating rigid microneedles and combining them together using a thickness-gradient strategy. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zheng et al. (2022).1.

Bioinspired Triboelectric Nanosensors for Self-Powered Wearable Applications.

The sustainable operation of wearable sensors plays an important role in continuous and longtime health monitoring. Conventional batteries, which are bulky and rigid, do not satisfy these requirements and, rather, cause additional economic burdens and environmental problems by regular replacement of power sources. This article provides a review on an alternative solution in the form of self-powered devices that can harvest energy from the surrounding environment to support the operation of the wearable sensor. The Review starts with an introduction of the self-powered triboelectric nanosensors (TENSs) and its two independent modules: the energy harvester and the sensing module. The Review continues with the TENS-related bioinspired designs for wearable applications, while providing a bird's-eye view of their characteristics and applications. The ongoing challenges and prospects for providing personal healthcare with self-powered TENS are presented and discussed.

Capnography for catheter location confirmation in minimally invasive surfactant administration.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally Invasive Surfactant Treatment (MIST) is a common method for administering surfactant as a treatment for respiratory distress syndrome. However, tracheal catheter placement can be difficult to confirm. We assessed the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in tracheal and esophageal gas aspirated using CO2 detector. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective arm: 20 infants, MIST catheter placement was assessed with a CO2 detector in two techniques and confirmed with clinical response. Prospective arm-10 infants, aimed to check for CO2 presence in aspirated esophageal gas during routine nasogastric tube insertion. RESULTS: Retrospective arm: All infants had positive capnography. One infant that had no clinical response to MIST was diagnosed with total anomalous pulmonary venous return. All 10 infants of the prospective arm had a Negative capnography (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Readily available CO2 detectors can distinguish between tracheal and esophageal placement of MIST catheters prior to MIST.

Ultra-Fast Portable and Wearable Sensing Design for Continuous and Wide-Spectrum Molecular Analysis and Diagnostics.

The design and characterization of spatiotemporal nano-/micro-structural arrangement that enable real-time and wide-spectrum molecular analysis is reported and demonestrated in new horizons of biomedical applications, such as wearable-spectrometry, ultra-fast and onsite biopsy-decision-making for intraoperative surgical oncology, chiral-drug identification, etc. The spatiotemporal sesning arrangement is achieved by scalable, binder-free, functionalized hybrid spin-sensitive (<↑| or <↓|) graphene-ink printed sensing layers on free-standing films made of porous, fibrous, and naturally helical cellulose networks in hierarchically stacked geometrical configuration (HSGC). The HSGC operates according to a time-space-resolved architecture that modulate the mass-transfer rate for separation, eluation and detection of each individual compound within a mixture of the like, hereby providing a mass spectrogram. The HSGC could be used for a wide range of applictions, including fast and real-time spectrogram generator of volatile organic compounds during liquid-biopsy, without the need of any immunochemistry-staining and complex power-hungry cryogenic machines; and wearable spectrometry that provide spectral signature of molecular profiles emiited from skin in the course of various dietry conditions.

A simple noninvasive biomarker can reflect both the acute and chronic pulmonary impact of patent ductus arteriosus shunting.

AIM: The SFR (SpO2 /FiO2 ratio) offers a continuous, noninvasive reflection of pulmonary function regardless of whether the baby is ventilated or breathing spontaneously. We hypothesized that significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) shunting would impair pulmonary oxygen diffusion, reflected by decreased SFR; and that early PDA related decreases in SFR predict subsequent chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS: We retrospectively examined records from preterm neonates ≤30 weeks gestational age. Ductal shunting was graded for severity by first week echocardiogram. SFR was calculated as SpO2 /FiO2 and recorded on Day 7 of life and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). RESULTS: We studied 104 infants: 65 with closed duct, 17 with hemodynamically insignificant PDA, and 22 with hemodynamically significant (hsPDAs). CLD developed in 9 (14%) of those with closed ducts; 6 (35%) of those with hisPDA; and in 12 (55%) of those with hsPDA (p = 0.005). SFR values at 1 week postnatally were decreased in those with hsPDA and with hisPDA as compared with those with closed ducts (closed ducts 452 [448-457] vs. hisPDA 396 [294-442] vs. hsPDA 327 [235-369]; p = 0.00001). However, at 36 weeks only SFRs of babies with hsPDA remained significantly lower (467 [461-467] vs. 467 [413-471] vs. 369 [262-436] for closed vs. hisPDA vs. hsPDA respectively; p = 0.000148). Using ROC curve analysis, Week 1 SFR was strongly associated with hsPDA (area under curve [AUC] = 0.770; p < 0.0001) and highly predictive (AUC = 0.801; p < 0.0001) of CLD at 36 weeks PMA. CONCLUSION: Early decreases in SFR reflect both the acute and chronic pulmonary impact of PDA shunting, possibly providing the missing link supporting an association between hemodynamically significant PDA and subsequent CLD.

A Wearable Microneedle-Based Extended Gate Transistor for Real-Time Detection of Sodium in Interstitial Fluids.

Sodium is a prominent prognostic biomarker for assessing health status, such as dysnatremia. As of now, detection and monitoring of sodium levels in the human body is carried out by means of laborious and bulky laboratory equipmentand/or by offline analysis of various body fluids. Herein, an innovative stretchable, skin-conformal and fast-response microneedle extended-gate FET biosensor is reported for real-time detection of sodium in interstitial fluids for minimally invasive health monitoring along with high sensitivity, low limit of detection, excellent biocompatibility, and on-body mechanical stability. The integration of the reported device with a wireless-data transmitter and the Internet-of-Things cloud for real-time monitoring and long-term analysis is reported and discussed. This platform would eventually help bringing unlimited possibilities for effecient medical care and accurate clinical decision-making.

Highly Efficient Self-Healing Multifunctional Dressing with Antibacterial Activity for Sutureless Wound Closure and Infected Wound Monitoring.

Wound healing represents a major clinical and public healthcare problem that is frequently challenged by infection risks, detrimental consequences on the surrounding tissues, and difficulties to monitor the healing process. Here we report on a novel self-healing, antibacterial, and multifunctional wound dressing for sutureless wound closure and real-time monitoring of the healing parameters. The self-healing elastomer contains cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and has high mechanical toughness (35 MJ m-3 ), biocompatibility, and outstanding antibacterial activity (bactericidal rate is ≈90% in 12 h), enabling the wound dressing to effectively inhibit bacterial growth and accelerate infected wound healing. In vivo tests based on full-thickness skin incision model shows that the multifunctional wound dressing can help in contracting wound edges and facilitate wound closure and healing, as could be evidenced by notably dense and well-organized collagen deposition. The test provides an evidence that the integrated sensor array within the multifunctional wound dressing can monitor temperature, pH, and glucose level of the wound area in real-time, providing reliable and timely information of the condition of the wound. Ultimately, the reported multifunctional dressing would be of high value in managing the burden associated with wound healing via personalised monitoring and treatment approaches, digital and other people-centred solutions for health care.

Surface Area of Patellar Facets: Inferential Statistics in the Iraqi Population.

Background. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body; its three-dimensional complexity necessitates biomechanical perfection. Numerous pathologies occur at the patellofemoral unit which may end in degenerative changes. This study aims to test the presence of statistical correlation between the surface areas of patellar facets and other patellar morphometric parameters. Materials and Methods. Forty dry human patellae were studied. The morphometry of each patella was measured using a digital Vernier Caliper, electronic balance, and image analyses software known as ImageJ. The patellar facetal surface area was correlated with patellar weight, height, width, and thickness. Results. Inferential statistics proved the existence of linear correlation of total facetal surface area and patellar weight, height, width, and thickness. The correlation was strongest for surface area versus patellar weight. The lateral facetal area was found persistently larger than the medial facetal area, the p value was found to be <0.001 (one-tailed t-test) for right patellae, and another significant p value of < 0.001 (one-tailed t-test) was found for left patellae. Conclusion. These data are vital for the restoration of the normal biomechanics of the patellofemoral unit; these are to be consulted during knee surgeries and implant designs and can be of an indispensable anthropometric, interethnic, and biometric value.

Amphiphilic star PEG-Camptothecin conjugates for intracellular targeting.

Camptothecin (CPT) is a naturally occurring cytotoxic alkaloid having a broad spectrum of antitumor activity. Unfortunately, it has low bioavailability and encapsulation efficiency, limiting its clinical use. We report on our efforts to develop a novel drug delivery prototype composed of a short, star hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) backbone and hydrophobic CPT (PEG4-CPT). The amphiphilic bio-conjugate self-assembles in water into stable spherical nano-particles with a mean diameter of 200nm and CPT substitution percentage of 27%w/w. CPT is released in a sustained release profile without burst effect. In addition, PEG4-CPT nano-particles are able to load a co-drug, water soluble or non-water soluble doxorubicin and release them simultaneously with the free CPT. The biological evaluation of PEG4-CPT against HeLa cells showed improved cellular uptake and enhanced cytotoxicity compared to free CPT. Thus, in this approach CPT acts in two ways: As the hydrophobic segment that enables self-assembly in water and as a potent anticancer agent. This concept of combining hydrophobic drugs and short star polymers shows great potential for efficient delivery of hydrophobic chemotrophic drugs as well as for drugs with inherent stability and pharmacokinetic barriers.