Scaling up polarized RPE cell supernatant production on parylene membrane.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss, primarily arises from the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. Current therapeutic options for dry AMD are limited. Encouragingly, cultured RPE cells on parylene-based biomimetic Bruch's membrane demonstrate characteristics akin to the native RPE layer. In this study, we cultivated human embryonic stem cell-derived polarized RPE (hESC-PRPE) cells on parylene membranes at both small- and large-scale settings, collecting conditioned supernatant, denoted as PRPE-SF. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the morphology of the cultured hESC-RPE cells and the secreted growth factors in PRPE-SF. To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of these products, the product was administered via intravitreal injections of PRPE-SF in immunodeficient Royal College of Surgeons (iRCS) rats, a model for retinal degeneration. Our study not only demonstrated the scalability of PRPE-SF production while maintaining RPE cell phenotype but also showed consistent protein concentrations between small- and large-scale batches. We consistently identified 10 key factors in PRPE-SF, including BMP-7, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-6, MANF, PEDF, PDGF-AA, TGFß1, and VEGF. Following intravitreal administration of PRPE-SF, we observed a significant increase in the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and photoreceptor preservation in iRCS rats. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, MANF, PEDF, and TGFß1 displayed positive associations with in vivo bioactivity, while GDF-15 exhibited a negative correlation. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of scaling up PRPE-SF production on parylene membranes without compromising its essential constituents. The outcomes of PRPE-SF administration in an animal model of retinal degeneration present substantial potential for photoreceptor preservation. Moreover, the identification of candidate surrogate potency markers, showing strong positive associations with in vivo bioactivity, lays a solid foundation for the development of a promising therapeutic intervention for retinal degenerative diseases.

Pseudomonas oryzagri sp. nov., isolated from a rice field soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile novel bacterial strain, designated MAHUQ-58T, was isolated from soil sample of a rice field. The colonies were observed to be light pink-coloured, smooth, spherical and 0.6-1.0 mm in diameter when grown on nutrient agar (NA) medium for 2 days. Strain MAHUQ-58T was found to be able to grow at 15-40 °C, at pH 5.5-10.0 and with 0-1.0 % NaCl (w/v). Cell growth occurred on tryptone soya agar, Luria-Bertani agar, NA, MacConkey agar and Reasoner's 2A agar. The strain was found to be positive for both oxidase and catalase tests. The strain was positive for hydrolysis of Tween 20 and l-tyrosine. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Pseudomonas and to be closely related to Pseudomonas oryzae WM-3T (98.9 % similarity), Pseudomonas linyingensis LYBRD3-7T (97.7 %), Pseudomonas sagittaria JCM 18195 T (97.6 %) and Pseudomonas guangdongensis SgZ-6T (97.2 %). The novel strain MAHUQ-58T has a draft genome size of 4 536 129 bp (46 contigs), annotated with 4064 protein-coding genes, 60 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain MAHUQ-58T and four closely related type strains were in the range of 85.5-89.5 % and 29.5-38.0 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.0 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 9. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c). On the basis of dDDH and ANI values, genotypic results, and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAHUQ-58T represents a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas oryzagri sp. nov. is proposed, with MAHUQ-58T (=KACC 22005T=CGMCC 1.18518T) as the type strain.

Does 2 L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbic Acid Increase the Risk of Renal Impairment Compared to 4 L Polyethylene Glycol?

BACKGROUND: The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based solutions is the gold standard for bowel preparation. However, PEG use might be associated with the risk of acute kidney injury. AIMS: We aimed to compare the safety of 2 L PEG plus ascorbic acid (AA) versus 4 L PEG. METHODS: Health examinees that underwent colonoscopy and blood tests on the same day at our center were included in this retrospective study. All subjects were prescribed either 2 L PEG plus AA or 4 L PEG for the bowel preparation prior to the colonoscopy. The incidences of electrolyte imbalance and renal impairment after colonic preparation were investigated. Renal impairment was determined if the subject's estimated glomerular filtration rate was measured less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: Of the 29,789 cases, 14,790 received 2 L PEG plus AA (group A) and 14,999 received 4 L PEG (group B) for colonic preparation. Renal impairment occurred more commonly in group A (n = 467, 3.2 %) than in group B (n = 189, 1.3 %). Electrolyte changes such as hypernatremia and hyperkalemia were more common in group A than group B, whereas hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia were more common in group B than group A. Old age, male sex, and the use of 2 L PEG plus AA were independent risk factors for renal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence strongly suggests that acute kidney injury is more likely to occur when 2 L PEG plus AA is used for the bowel preparation than when 4 L PEG is used. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KCT0001703.

Orange juice intake reduces patient discomfort and is effective for bowel cleansing with polyethylene glycol during bowel preparation.

BACKGROUND: Many patients report discomfort because of the unpleasant taste of bowel preparation solutions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether adding orange juice to 2 L of polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid is effective for reducing patient discomfort and improving palatability during bowel preparation. DESIGN: This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital and a generalized hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive outpatients and inpatients were randomly allocated to drink 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid or 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid with orange juice in a single dose or a split dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tolerability, palatability score, willingness, and related adverse events were investigated by questionnaires. Bowel cleansing was rated using the Aronchick scale. Each score was graded on a 5-point scale. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients, 53 in the orange juice group and 54 in the polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid group who underwent elective colonoscopy were enrolled. The palatability score (mean ± SD) was higher in the orange juice group than in the control group (2.36 ± 0.76 vs 1.78 ± 0.88; p = 0.005). Nausea was less frequent in the orange juice group (26.4% vs 59.3%; p = 0.001). Total amount of bowel preparation ingested was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.44). The bowel preparation score (mean ± SD) was not significantly different (1.49 ± 0.80 vs 1.43 ± 0.77; p = 0.94). Willingness to repeat the same process was higher in the orange juice group (90.4% vs 66.7%; p = 0.003). LIMITATIONS: This study is limited because only ambulatory patients were enrolled. CONCLUSIONS: Orange juice intake before drinking 2 L of polyethylene glycol-ascorbic acid for colonoscopy can reduce patient discomfort, resulting in improved acceptability and patient compliance. This method is as effective for bowel cleansing as polyethylene glycol.

An overview of various methods for in vitro biofilm formation: a review.

Biofilms are widely present in the natural environment and are difficult to remove as they are a survival strategy of microorganisms. Thus, the importance of studying biofilms is being increasingly recognized in food, medical, dental, and water quality-related industries. While research on biofilm detection methods is actively progressing, research on biofilm formation is not progressing rapidly. Moreover, there are few standardized methods because biofilm formation is affected by various factors. However, comprehensive knowledge of biofilm formation is essential to select a suitable method for research purposes. To better understand the various in vitro biofilm formation methods, the principles and characteristics of each method are explained in this review by dividing the methods into static and dynamic systems. In addition, the applications of biofilm research based on various assays are also discussed.

Avenanthramide-C Shows Potential to Alleviate Gingival Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the gradual destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth including gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and root cementum. Recently, interests in alleviating symptoms of periodontitis (PD) using natural compounds is increasing. Avenanthramide-C (Avn-C) is a polyphenol found only in oats. It is known to exhibit various biological properties. To date, the effect of Avn-C on PD pathogenesis has not been confirmed. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the protective effects of Avn-C on periodontal inflammation and subsequent alveolar bone erosion in vitro and in vivo. Upregulated expression of catabolic factors, such as matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and COX2 induced by lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), was dramatically decreased by Avn-C treatment in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. Moreover, alveolar bone erosion in the ligature-induced PD mouse model was ameliorated by intra-gingival injection of Avn-C. Molecular mechanism studies revealed that the inhibitory effects of Avn-C on the upregulation of catabolic factors were mediated via ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and NF-κB pathway that was activated by IL-1ß or p38 MAPK and JNK signaling that was activated by TNF-α, respectively. Based on this study, we recommend that Avn-C may be a new natural compound that can be applied to PD treatment.

Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis triggers periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss.

Oral diseases exhibit a significant association with metabolic syndrome, including dyslipidemia. However, direct evidence supporting this relationship is lacking, and the involvement of cholesterol metabolism in the pathogenesis of periodontitis (PD) has yet to be determined. In this study, we showed that high cholesterol caused periodontal inflammation in mice. Cholesterol homeostasis in human gingival fibroblasts was disrupted by enhanced uptake through C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16), upregulation of cholesterol hydroxylase (CH25H), and the production of 25-hydroxycholesterol (an oxysterol metabolite of CH25H). Retinoid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) mediated the transcriptional upregulation of inflammatory mediators; consequently, PD pathogenesis mechanisms, including alveolar bone loss, were stimulated. Our collective data provided direct evidence that hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for PD and supported that inhibition of the CXCL16-CH25H-RORα axis is a potential treatment mechanism for PD as a systemic disorder manifestation.

The cytocompatibility and osseointegration of the Ti implants with XPEED® surfaces.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated cytocompatibility and osseointegration of the titanium (Ti) implants with resorbable blast media (RBM) surfaces produced by grit-blasting or XPEED(®) surfaces by coating of the nanostructured calcium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces were hydrothermally prepared from Ti implants with RBM surfaces in a solution containing alkaline calcium. The surface characteristics were evaluated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface roughness measuring system. Apatite formation was measured with SEM after immersion in modified-simulated body fluid and the amount of calcium released was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission. The cell proliferation was investigated by MTT assay and the cell attachment was evaluated by SEM in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells. Thirty implants with RBM surfaces and 30 implants with XPEED(®) surfaces were placed in the proximal tibiae and in the femoral condyles of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The osseointegration was evaluated by a removal torque test in the proximal tibiae and by histomorphometric analysis in the femoral condyles 4 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: The Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces showed a similar surface morphology and surface roughness to those of the Ti implants with RBM surfaces. The amount of calcium ions released from the surface of the Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces was much more than the Ti implants with RBM surfaces (P < 0.05). The cell proliferation and cell attachment of the Ti implants showed a similar pattern to those of the Ti implants with RBM surfaces (P > 0.1). Apatite deposition significantly increased in all surfaces of the Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces. The removable torque value (P = 0.038) and percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) (P = 0.03) was enhanced in the Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces. CONCLUSION: The Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces significantly enhanced apatite formation, removal torque value, and the BIC%. The Ti implants with XPEED(®) surfaces may induce strong bone integration by improving osseointegration of grit-blasted Ti implants in areas of poor quality bone.

Controlled release of Mitomycin C from modified cellulose based thermo-gel prevents post-operative de novo peritoneal adhesion.

The complications from surgery associated peritoneal adhesion can be alleviated by combination of physical isolation and pharmaceutical treatment. This work aims to develop thermo-sensitive hydrogel barrier by combining mitomycin C (MMC) with modified tempo oxidized nanocellulose (cTOCN) through EDC/NHS-chemical conjugation followed by integration with methyl cellulose (MC). The MMC was successfully combined with cTOCN and ensured controlled release of MMC from hydrogel throughout 14 days. Amount of MC (1.5, 2.5, 3.5% w/v) was proportional to gelation time and inversely proportional to degradation of hydrogel. The optimized hydrogel (C2.5T1M0.2) needed only 30 s for thermoreversible sol-gel (4℃-37℃) phenomenon and did not show in vitro fibroblast cells toxicity as well as ensured complete adhesion prevention efficacy, reperitonealization in rat side wall-cecal abrasion model. Overall, the developed C2.5T1M0.2 thermo-gel advances state-of-the-art in view of cytocompatibility, mechanical stability, optimum degradation, good injectability, sustain drug release from surgical sites, and satisfactory de novo anti-adhesion capacity.

Correlations of the Gastric and Duodenal Microbiota with Histological, Endoscopic, and Symptomatic Gastritis.

Mucosal inflammation is characterized by neutrophil and mononuclear cell infiltration. This study aimed to determine the gastric and duodenal microbiota associated with histological, endoscopic, and symptomatic gastritis. Dyspeptic adults who presented for evaluation were included. Subjects with either comorbidities or recent drug intake were excluded. Three endoscopic biopsies were obtained from the antrum, body, and duodenum. Next-generation sequencing for 16S ribosomal RNA V1⁻V2 hypervariable regions was performed. The correlation between the composition of microbiota and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, endoscopic findings, and Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Disorders Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM) score was analyzed. In 98 included subjects, microbial communities in the antrum and body showed Bray⁻Curtis similarity; however, those in the duodenum showed dissimilarity. Histological and endoscopic gastritis was associated with the abundance of Helicobacter pylori and that of commensal bacteria in the stomach. The abundances of Variovorax paradoxus and Porphyromonas gingivalis were correlated with histological gastritis, but not with endoscopic or symptomatic gastritis. The total PAGI-SYM score showed a stronger correlation with the duodenal microbiota (Prevotella nanceiensis and Alloprevotella rava) than with the gastric microbiota (H. pylori, Neisseria elongate, and Corynebacterium segmentosum). Different correlations of the gastric and duodenal microbiota with histological, endoscopic, and symptomatic gastritis were observed for the first time at the species level. H. pylori-negative gastritis is not associated with endoscopic or symptomatic gastritis. Only H. pylori-induced endoscopic gastritis requires gastric cancer surveillance. Owing to the weak correlation with H. pylori, symptomatic gastritis should be assessed separately from histological and endoscopic gastritis.

Investigation of efficiency of a novel, zinc oxide loaded TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber based hemostat for topical bleeding.

Lethal bleeding due to street accidents, natural calamities, orthopedic/dental surgeries, organ transplantation and household injuries, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In the current study, zinc oxide (ZnO) was incorporated in TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer system for hemorrhage control by freeze drying method. SEM and XRD data showed the presence of ZnO in the porous structure. FT-IR analysis showed that, successful conjugation occurs among the TOCN and PEG. The results revealed that, the incorporation of ZnO and higher concentrations of PEG increased the degradability but decreased swelling of the scaffolds. The increase in PEG content and ZnO incorporation significantly decreased the bleeding time in rabbit ear arterial bleeding model. Further, the incorporation of ZnO enhanced the antibacterial property of TOCN-PEG. The results suggested that excellent hemostatic and mechanical properties of the TOCN-5% PEG-ZnO might contribute in controlling bleeding and reducing post traumatic dermal bacterial infection.

TEMPO oxidized nano-cellulose containing thermo-responsive injectable hydrogel for post-surgical peritoneal tissue adhesion prevention.

The objective of this study was to present an effective injectable adhesion barrier comprised of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN), methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyethylene glycol. Hydrogels with different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1% w/v) of bio compatible TOCN were investigated to determine their abilities to prevent post-surgical peritoneal adhesion using a rat cecal wall abrasion model. Sol-gel transition at body temperature (37 °C) was optimized by adjusting concentration of sodium ions (Na+), with a gelation time of 45 ±â€¯7 s. These TOCN containing hydrogels showed non cytotoxicity to rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (RBMSCs) and L929 fibroblast cells as cell models during in vitro assessment. Degradation studies revealed that, TOCN concentration in hydrogel was inversely proportional to hydrolytic degradation rate. From in vivo evaluations, TOCN 0.2 hydrogel significantly reduced peritoneal adhesion in rat (n = 8) compared to untreated controls based on gross observation, histological analysis, and expression analysis of marker proteins. By taking advantages of thermo gelling, high stability, non-invasive way of application and rapid recovery potential, TOCN containing bio compatible hydrogel could be used as a cost-effective barrier to efficiently inhibit post-surgical peritoneal adhesions.

Graphene-Coated Glass Substrate for Continuous Wave Laser Desorption and Atmospheric Pressure Mass Spectrometric Imaging of a Live Hippocampal Tissue.

The atmospheric pressure mass spectrometric (AP-MS) imaging technology combined with an inverted optical microscopic system is a powerful tool for determining the presence and spatial distributions of specific biomolecules of interest in live tissues. Efficient desorption and ionization are essential to acquire mass spectrometric (MS) information in an ambient environment. In this study, we demonstrate a new and efficient desorption process using a graphene-coated glass substrate and a continuous wave (CW) laser for high-resolution AP-MS imaging of a live hippocampal tissue. We found that desorption of biomolecules in a live tissue slice was possible with the aid of a graphene-coated glass substrate and indirect application of a 532 nm CW laser on the graphene substrate. Interestingly, the desorption efficiency of a live tissue on the graphene-coated substrate was strongly dependent on the number of graphene layers. Single-layer graphene was found to be the most sensitive substrate for efficient desorption and reproducible high-resolution hippocampal tissue imaging applications. The subsequent ionization process using nonthermal plasma generated sufficient amounts of molecular ions to obtain high-resolution two-dimensional MS images of the cornu ammonis and the dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus. Therefore, graphene-coated substrates could be a promising platform to induce an efficient desorption process essential for highly reproducible ambient MS imaging.

In vitro and in vivo acute response towards injectable thermosensitive chitosan/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber hydrogel.

TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) is a natural material with many promising properties, including biocompatibility and degradability. In this study, we integrated TOCNF at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8% w/v) with chitosan (CS) and created a thermosensitive injectable hydrogel intended for biomedical applications. These hydrogels can undergo sol-gel transition at body temperature through interactions between chitosan and ß-glycerophosphate. The addition of TOCNF resulted in faster gelation time and increased porosity. These hydrogels with TOCNF showed improved biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo compared to CS hydrogel. Both MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells and L929 fibroblast cells showed biocompatibility towards CS/TOCNF 0.4. After 7days of implantation, initial inflammatory response to CS/TOCNF 0.4 was found. Such response was significantly subsided within 14days. Cell infiltration within the hydrogel was also prominent, showing anti-inflammatory or wound healing (M2) macrophage at 14days after implantation. These results showed that the addition of TOCNF could significantly improve the biocompatibility of CS hydrogel as a biomaterial for biomedical application.

Curcumin-loaded lipid-hybridized cellulose nanofiber film ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis in mice.

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is an attractive biomaterial given its film-forming properties, excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Herein, CNF film was prepared as a topical drug delivery system by hybridizing curcumin (Cur)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). NLCs with a mean diameter of ≈500 nm were fabricated by using a solvent diffusion method. The lipid composition of the NLCs was optimized based on the efficiency of Cur delivery to the artificial skin and mechanical strength of the developed films, where a composition containing shea butter and Capmul MCM EP exhibited the highest values of 233.2 ±â€¯96.6 µg/cm2/mg and 4.86 ±â€¯0.14 MPa, respectively. The Cur-loaded lipid-hybridized CNF (lipid@CNF) films with a smooth rather than particle-embedded surface were obtained by vacuum filtration of the NLCs and CNF mixture, which were confirmed by TEM, SEM, AFM, XPS, and FTIR analyses. The Cur-loaded lipid@CNF films exhibited more than 2.0-fold increases in Cur deposition to the epidermis of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse compared with the films without lipids, which potentially resulted from the amorphous state of Cur observed in the DSC and PXRD analyses and the permeation-enhancing effect of lipids. The in vivo anti-psoriatic efficacy test revealed that the Cur-loaded lipid@CNF films ameliorated the psoriatic skin symptoms in IMQ-induced mice, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the skin almost comparable to a commercially available topical corticosteroid cream. These results could be attributed to the enhanced Cur deposition along with the skin hydration effect of the films. These findings suggest that the developed CNF films can be used as a promising topical drug delivery system for psoriasis therapy.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of effectiveness of a novel TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber-silk fibroin scaffold in wound healing.

In this study, a novel TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN)-silk fibroin scaffold was prepared using a cost effective freeze drying method. Fundamental physical characterizations were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore diameter determination, FT-IR. PBS uptake behavior of the scaffold showed that, silk fibroin can enhance the swelling capacity of TOCN. L929 primary fibroblast cell was selected for in vitro studies, which showed that the scaffolds facilitated growth of cells. In vivo evaluation of TOCN, TOCN-silk fibroin composites was examined using critical sized rat skin excisional model for one and two weeks. The results of rat wound model revealed that, compared to only TOCN scaffold, TOCN-silk fibroin scaffold successfully promoted wound healing by the expression of wound healing markers. TOCN-silk fibroin 2% has the fastest wound healing capacity. Thus, it appears that TOCN-silk fibroin composite scaffolds can be useful as wound healing material in clinical applications.

Designing of Combined Nano and Microfiber Network by Immobilization of Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber on Polycaprolactone Fibrous Scaffold.

In this study, the immobilization of oxidized cellulose nanofiber (OCNF) network on the polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous scaffold was performed by the aminolysis procedure through electrospinning and layer by layer (LBL) techniques. The morphology of the fibrous scaffold was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and it indicated that after immobilization of OCNF on PCL, the unique nanofiber and nano network was created. Moreover, the physical and chemical properties of samples were examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water contact angle measurement, and BSA adsorption properties. Furthermore, the cellular responses to PCL scaffold with and without modification by OCNF were examined by seeding rat bone marrow stem cells (RBMSCs) on the fibrous scaffold for assessing cell attachment, cell viability, and proliferation. Thus, the present study focused on preparation and characterization of a membrane and tubular scaffold with a unique nanostructure, which is an excellent candidate for use as a blood vessel scaffold graft.

Effect of pronase as mucolytic agent on imaging quality of magnifying endoscopy.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of premedication with pronase, a proteolytic enzyme, in improving image quality during magnifying endoscopy. METHODS: The study was of a blinded, randomized, prospective design. Patients were assigned to groups administered oral premedication of either pronase and simethicone (Group A) or simethicone alone (Group B). First, the gastric mucosal visibility grade (1-4) was determined during conventional endoscopy, and then a magnifying endoscopic examination was conducted. The quality of images obtained by magnifying endoscopy at the stomach and the esophagus was scored from 1 to 3, with a lower score indicating better visibility. The endoscopist used water flushes as needed to obtain satisfactory magnifying endoscopic views. The main study outcomes were the visibility scores during magnifying endoscopy and the number of water flushes. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were enrolled, and data from 143 patients (M:F=90:53, mean age 57.5 years) were analyzed. The visibility score was significantly higher in the stomach following premedication with pronase (73% with a score of 1 in Group A vs 49% in Group B, P<0.05), but there was no difference in the esophagus visibility scores (67% with a score of 1 in Group A vs 58% in Group B). Fewer water flushes [mean 0.7±0.9 times (range: 0-3 times) in Group A vs 1.9±1.5 times (range: 0-6 times) in Group B, P<0.05] in the pronase premedication group did not affect the endoscopic procedure times [mean 766 s (range: 647-866 s) for Group A vs 760 s (range: 678-854 s) for Group B, P=0.88]. The total gastric mucosal visibility score was also lower in Group A (4.9±1.5 vs 8.3±1.8 in Group B, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The addition of pronase to simethicone premedication resulted in clearer images during magnifying endoscopy and reduced the need for water flushes.

Effect of Local Sustainable Release of BMP2-VEGF from Nano-Cellulose Loaded in Sponge Biphasic Calcium Phosphate on Bone Regeneration.

Bone regeneration is a coordinated process mainly regulated by multiple growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) induce osteogenesis during bone healing process. The aim of this study was to investigate how these growth factors released locally and sustainably from nano-cellulose (NC) simultaneously effect bone formation. A biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)-NC-BMP2-VEGF (BNBV) scaffold was fabricated for this purpose. The sponge BCP scaffold was prepared by replica method and then loaded with 0.5% NC containing BMP2-VEGF. Growth factors were released from NC in a sustainable manner from 1 to 30 days. BNBV scaffolds showed higher cell attachment and proliferation behavior than the other scaffolds loaded with single growth factors. Bare BCP scaffolds and BNBV scaffolds seeded with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were implanted ectopically and orthotopically in nude mice for 4 weeks. No typical bone formation was exhibited in BNBV scaffolds in ectopic sites. BMP2 and VEGF showed positive effects on new bone formation in BNBV scaffolds, with and without seeded stem cells, in the orthotopic defects. This study demonstrated that the BNBV scaffold could be beneficial for improved bone regeneration. Stem cell incorporation into this scaffold could further enhance the bone healing process.

Biofilm Formation of Staphylococcus aureus on Various Surfaces and Their Resistance to Chlorine Sanitizer.

UNLABELLED: This study investigated the effect of material types (polystyrene, polypropylene, glass, and stainless steel) and glucose addition on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation, and the relationship between biofilm formation measured by crystal violet (CV) staining and the number of biofilm cells determined by cell counts was studied. We also evaluated the efficacy of chlorine sanitizer on inhibiting various different types of S. aureus biofilms on the surface of stainless steel. Levels of biofilm formation of S. aureus were higher on hydrophilic surfaces (glass and stainless steel) than on hydrophobic surfaces (polypropylene and polystyrene). With the exception of biofilm formed on glass, the addition of glucose in broth significantly increased the biofilm formation of S. aureus on all surfaces and for all tested strains (P ≤ 0.05). The number of biofilm cells was not correlated with the biomass of the biofilms determined using the CV staining method. The efficacy of chlorine sanitizer against biofilm of S. aureus was not significantly different depending on types of biofilm (P > 0.05). Therefore, further studies are needed in order to determine an accurate method quantifying levels of bacterial biofilm and to evaluate the resistance of bacterial biofilm on the material surface. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface was different depending on the surface characteristics and S. aureus strains. There was low correlation between crystal violet staining method and viable counts technique for measuring levels of biofilm formation of S. aureus on the surfaces. These results could provide helpful information for finding and understanding the quantification method and resistance of bacterial biofilm on the surface.