3D printing assisted surface patterning process on acrylated hydrogels for contact guidance of fibroblasts.

Generating stable and customizable topography on hydrogel surfaces with contact guidance potential is critical as it can direct/influence cell growth. This necessitates the development of new techniques for surface patterning of the hydrogels. We report on the design of a square grid template for surface patterning hydrogels. The template was 3-D printed and has the diameter of a well in a 24-well plate. Hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HA) hydrogel precursor solutions were cast on the 3D printed template's surface, which generated 3D square shape topographies on the HA hydrogel surface upon demolding. The 3D Laser Microscopy has shown the formation of a periodic array of 3D topographies on hydrogel surfaces. 3D Laser and Electron Microscopy Imaging have revealed that this new method has increased the surface area and exposed the underlying pore structure of the HA hydrogels. To demonstrate the method's versatility, we have successfully applied this technique to generate 3D topography on two more acrylate hydrogel formulations, gelatin Methacrylate and polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Human neonatal dermal fibroblast cells were used as a model cell line to evaluate the cell guidance potential of patterned HA hydrogel. Confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging has revealed that the 3D surface topographies on HA hydrogels can guide and align the actin filaments of the fibroblasts presumably due to the contact guidance mechanism. The newly developed methodology of 3D topography generation in acrylate hydrogels may influence the cell responses on hydrogel surfaces which can impact biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and disease modeling.

Bronchoscopic deployment and implantation of Diffusing alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy into the lung and mediastinum for treatment of lung cancer: a pre-clinical safety and feasibility study.

Background: Radiotherapy is a standard treatment modality in cancer therapy, particularly for lung cancer. Diffusing alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy sources (hereafter, "Alpha DaRTs") are fixed with Ra-244 (half-life =3.6 days) that releases alpha-emitting atoms into the tumor tissue to an effective range of a few millimeters. Methods: The feasibility, usability, and safety of Alpha DaRTs deployment and implantation via bronchoscopy into the lung parenchyma and mediastinum in a big animal model of healthy swine was studied in two phases: (I) inert and (II) active Alpha DaRTs deployment. The Alpha DaRTs were inserted in both individual and cluster patterns based on a predefined plan. Swine health was monitored throughout the study. The usability of bronchoscopic deployment and implantation was evaluated using a user questionnaire. The movement and migration of the Alpha DaRTs were assessed. Necropsy was performed, and lungs were evaluated via gross pathology and histopathology. Results: A total of 158 Alpha DaRTs were inserted successfully in the lung parenchyma and mediastinum of five swine in two phases. It was possible to deliver and place the Alpha DaRTs in clusters of no more than 4 mm distance between the Alpha DaRTs. No adverse event or change in the health and general condition of animals was observed. Hematologic evaluation did not show any clinically significant abnormality related to the Alpha DaRTs. Histopathology demonstrated local mild inflammatory changes, minimal fibrosis, and dystrophic mineralization with giant cells. Minimal movement and no migration of Alpha DaRTs were observed. Conclusions: Bronchoscopic deployment of Alpha DaRTs in the lung parenchyma and mediastinum of the porcine animal is feasible, precise, and safe.

A plasma-3D print combined in vitro platform with implications for reliable materiobiological screening.

Materiobiology is an emerging field focused on the physiochemical properties of biomaterials concerning biological outcomes which includes but is not limited to the biological responses and bioactivity of surface-modified biomaterials. Herein, we report a novel in vitro characterization platform for characterizing nanoparticle surface-modified 3D printed PLA scaffolds. We have introduced innovative design parameters that were practical for ubiquitous in vitro assays like those utilizing 96 and 24-well plates. Subsequently, gold and silica nanoparticles were deposited using two low-temperature plasma-assisted processes namely plasma electroless reduction (PER) and dusty plasma on 3D scaffolds. Materiobiological testing began with nanoparticle surface modification optimization on 96 well plate design 3D scaffolds. We have employed 3D laser confocal imaging and scanning electron microscopy to study the deposition of nanoparticles. It was found that the formation and distribution of the nanoparticles were time-dependent. In vitro assays were performed utilizing an osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell as a model. These cells were grown on both 96 and 24 well plate design 3D scaffolds. Subsequently, we performed different in vitro assays such as cell viability, and fluorescence staining of cytoskeletal actin and DNA incorporation. The actin cytoskeleton staining showed more homogeneity in the cell monolayer growing on the gold nanoparticle-modified 3D scaffolds than the control 3D PLA scaffold. Furthermore, the mineralization and protein adsorption experiments conducted on 96 well plate design scaffolds have shown enhanced mineralization and bovine serum albumin adsorption for the gold nanoparticle-modified scaffolds compared to the control scaffolds. Taken together, this study reports the efficacy of this new in vitro platform in conducting more reliable and efficient materiobiology studies. It is also worth mentioning that this platform has significant futuristic potential for developing as a high throughput screening platform. Such platforms could have a significant impact on the systematic study of biocompatibility and bioactive mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering. It would also provide unique ways to investigate mechanisms of biological responses and subsequent bioactive mechanisms for implantable biomaterials. Moreover, this platform can derive more consistent and reliable in vitro results which can improve the success rate of further in vivo experiments.

Low-Temperature Plasmas Improving Chemical and Cellular Properties of Poly (Ether Ether Ketone) Biomaterial for Biomineralization.

Osteoblastic and chemical responses to Poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) material have been improved using a variety of low-temperature plasmas (LTPs). Surface chemical properties are modified, and can be used, using low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatments which change surface functional groups. These functional groups increase biomineralization, in simulated body fluid conditions, and cellular viability. PEEK scaffolds were treated, with a variety of LTPs, incubated in simulated body fluids, and then analyzed using multiple techniques. First, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed morphological changes in the biomineralization for all samples. Calcein staining, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that all low-temperature plasma-treated groups showed higher levels of biomineralization than the control group. MTT cell viability assays showed LTP-treated groups had increased cell viability in comparison to non-LTP-treated controls. PEEK treated with triethyl phosphate plasma (TEP) showed higher levels of cellular viability at 82.91% ± 5.00 (n = 6) and mineralization. These were significantly different to both the methyl methacrylate (MMA) 77.38% ± 1.27, ethylene diamine (EDA) 64.75% ± 6.43 plasma-treated PEEK groups, and the control, non-plasma-treated group 58.80 ± 2.84. FTIR showed higher levels of carbonate and phosphate formation on the TEP-treated PEEK than the other samples; however, calcein staining fluorescence of MMA and TEP-treated PEEK had the highest levels of biomineralization measured by pixel intensity quantification of 101.17 ± 4.63 and 96.35 ± 3.58, respectively, while EDA and control PEEK samples were 89.53 ± 1.74 and 90.49 ± 2.33, respectively. Comparing different LTPs, we showed that modified surface chemistry has quantitatively measurable effects that are favorable to the cellular, biomineralization, and chemical properties of PEEK.

Huevos de helmintos como indicadores de contaminación de origen fecal en aguas de riego agrícola, biosólidos, suelos y pastos / Helminth eggs as parasitic indicators of fecal contamination in agricultural irrigation water, biosolids, soils and pastures

Resumen Introducción. La disposición de las aguas residuales y de los biosólidos provenientes de los sistemas de depuración es una práctica común en la agricultura debido a su alta concentración de nutrientes, lo cual mejora el rendimiento de las cosechas. Sin embargo, la presencia en ellos de microorganismos patógenos de origen fecal genera riesgos sanitarios para los agricultores y los consumidores. Objetivo. Determinar la presencia y la concentración de huevos de helmintos en aguas utilizadas para riego agrícola, así como en biosólidos, suelos y pasto. Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron y analizaron muestras de agua, biosólidos, suelos y pasto, para la detección y el conteo del total de huevos de helmintos y de huevos viables, y para la evaluación de su comportamiento en aguas utilizadas en el riego agrícola y el cultivo de pasto para ganado lechero en los que se habían utilizado biosólidos como enmienda orgánica. Resultados. En las aguas se encontraron concentraciones totales de 0,1 a 3 huevos de helmintos por litro y de 0,1 a 1 huevos viables de helmintos por litro. En biosólidos y suelos, hubo entre 3 y 22 huevos de helmintos por 4 g de peso seco, y entre 2 y 12 huevos viables por 4 g de peso seco. En los pastos, hubo un número total de menos de 2 a 9 huevos de helmintos por g de peso fresco y menos de 1 a 3 huevos viables por g de peso fresco. La permanencia en cada una de las matrices varió de días a meses, lo cual puede representar un riesgo sanitario para la población que trabaja en los cultivos y para los consumidores. Conclusiones. La presencia de huevos de helmintos en las matrices evaluadas confirmó el riesgo sanitario de este tipo de entornos, por lo cual es importante su control e inclusión en las normas sobre el uso de aguas residuales y biosólidos en la agricultura.

Abstract Introduction: A very common practice in agriculture is the disposal of wastewater and biosolids from water treatment systems due to their high nutrient content, which substantially improves crop yields. However, the presence of pathogens of fecal origin creates a sanitary risk to farmers and consumers. Objective: To determine the presence and concentration of helminth eggs in irrigation waters, biosolids, agricultural soils, and pastures. Materials and methods: Water, biosolids, soil, and pasture samples were collected and analyzed for helminth egg detection, total eggs and viable eggs counts. The behavior of helminth eggs was evaluated in irrigation waters and dairy cattle grassland, where biosolids had been used as an organic amendment. Results: Concentrations between 0.1-3 total helminth eggs/L, and 0.1-1 viable helminth eggs/L were found in water. In biosolids and soil, we found 3-22 total helminth eggs/4 g of dry weight, and 2-12 viable helminth eggs/4 g of dry weight, and in grass, we found <2-9 total helminth eggs/g of fresh weight, and <1-3 viable helminth eggs/g of fresh weight. The presence of helminth eggs in each matrix varied from days to months, which may represent a sanitary risk to farmers as well as to consumers. Conclusions: The presence of helminth eggs in the assessed matrixes confirms the sanitary risk of such practices. Therefore, it is important to control and incorporate regulations related to the use of wastewater and biosolids in agriculture.

Percepción del riesgo y consumo de alcohol en adolescentes de preparatoria / Risk perception and alcohol consumption in high school adolescents / Percepção do risco e uso de álcool em adolescentes do ensino médio

RESUMEN Objet¡vos: determinar la relación entre la percepción del riesgo frente a las bebidas alcohólicas y el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes mexicanos e identificar la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol, el nivel de percepción de riesgo y los patrones de consumo de alcohol según el sexo. Mater¡ales y métodos: estudio cuantitativo de corte transversal y diseño correlacional, con una muestra probabilística de 251 adolescentes de Nuevo Laredo, México, en 2017. Se utilizó una cédula de datos personales, el Cuestionario de Percepción de Riesgo hacia el Consumo de Alcohol y el Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) o Prueba de Identificación de Trastornos Relacionados con el Consumo de Alcohol. Resultados: un mayor nivel de percepción del riesgo frente al alcohol se relacionó con un menor consumo de dicha sustancia (rs= -.235,p<.001). La mayoría de los adolescentes consumieron alcohol alguna vez en la vida (59,0 %) y en el último año (51,8 %). La percepción del riesgo y los patrones de consumo de alcohol no fueron significativamente diferentes según el sexo. Conclus¡ones: los hallazgos indican vulnerabilidad frente a la adicción al alcohol en la población de estudio. Se invita a profundizar, mediante redes de trabajo multidisciplinario, en los niveles de percepción sobre los riesgos del uso de drogas, con miras a contribuir a la producción de conocimientos que guíen acciones preventivas dirigidas a hombres y mujeres adolescentes.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the relationship between alcohol-related risk perception and alcohol use in Mexican adolescents and to identify alcohol use prevalence, risk perception level and alcohol use patterns by sex. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional quantitative study with correlational design using a probabilistic sample of 251 teenagers from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in 2017. A personal data card, the Alcohol Use Risk Perception Questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were employed. Results: A higher alcohol-related risk perception level was associated with lower use of this substance (rs = -.235, p <.001). The majority of adolescents used alcohol sometime in their lives (59.0 %) and in the last year (51.8 %). Risk perception and alcohol use patterns were not significantly different by sex. Conclusions: Findings suggest vulnerability to alcohol addiction in the study population. It is advisable to delve, through multidisciplinary research networks, into levels of perception of the risks of drug use to contribute to the production of knowledge that guides preventive actions for teenage men and women.

RESUMO Objetivos: determinar a relação entre a percepção de risco para bebidas alcoólicas e o consumo de álcool em adolescentes mexicanos. Também foi proposto identificar a prevalência do uso de álcool, determinar o risco percebido em relação ao álcool e os padrões de uso de álcool de acordo com o sexo. Materiais e método: uma amostra probabilística de 251 adolescentes de Nuevo Laredo, México, foi selecionada em 2017. Utilizou-se um registro de dados sociodemográficos, o Questionário de Percepção de Risco de Álcool e o AUDIT. Resultados: maiores níveis de percepção de risco sobre o uso de álcool foram relacionados ao menor consumo dessa substância (rs = -.235, p <.001). A maioria dos participantes ingeriu álcool pelo menos uma vez na vida (59%) e no último ano (51,8%). Não houve diferenças significativas entre a pontuação de percepção de risco e padrões de uso de álcool de acordo com sexo. Conclusões: os resultados indicam vulnerabilidade à dependência de álcool na população estudada. É feito um convite à colaboração em redes de trabalho multidisciplinares, para aprofundar o estudo do risco percebido em relação ao uso de drogas, a fim de contribuir para a produção de conhecimentos que orientem ações preventivas direcionadas a adolescentes.

Caracterización de trauma por accidente en motocicleta, pacientes del Hospital de Lempira. Primer semestre 2016 / Characterization of trauma by accident in motorcycles, Patients from Hospital of Lempira at first

Cada año muchos hondureños mueren a causa de accidentes por motocicleta. En el 2015 fallecieron 259 personas a nivel nacio- nal. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas-traumatológicas y región anatómica con mayores lesiones provocadas por trauma debido a accidente en motocicleta, pacientes adultos del Hospital Juan Manuel Gálvez en el primer semestre de 2016. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, se aplicó instrumento de recolección de datos (cuestionario) a pacientes hospitalizados por trauma por motocicleta de enero a junio de 2016; la población/muestra de 59 pacientes. Resul- tados: 50 (84.7%) casos fueron hombres y 9 (15.3%) mujeres, con edad promedio de 29.6 años. 16 (27%) pacientes afirmó haber con- sumido alcohol previo al accidente. Se manejó quirúrgicamente 21 (35%) pacientes, las cirugías ortopédicas representaron 87%. El promedio de hospitalización de los pacien- tes quirúrgicos fue mayor de 4 días. La mor- talidad fueron 2 casos (3.4%), provocado por trauma cráneo encefálico (TEC). Los tipos de traumas fueron: osteomuscular (37.3%), TEC (34%), politraumatismo (13.5%), contu- siones (6.8%), traumas faciales (3.4%) y traumas torácicos (5%). Conclusiones: Los hombres en edad reproductivas representa- ron el mayor número de casos. La región anatómica más lesionada fue osteomuscu- lar, sin embargo la mortalidad fue mínima. Las lesiones osteomusculares ameritaron manejo quirúrgicos en su mayoría. Siendo un problema de importancia socioeconómica y de salud local..(AU)

Síndrome de QT largo: El electrocardiograma de interacciones medicamentosas peligrosas / Long QT Syndrome: Electrocardiogram of Dangerous Drug Interactions

La repolarización ventricular no siempre se evalúa correctamente a la hora de adoptar una conducta médica determinada y sus consecuencias pueden ser fatales. Los trastornos electrolíticos del medio interno y la administración de drogas antiarrítmicas de clase III son asociaciones que se presentan con frecuencia en la práctica clínica diaria y constituyen dos factores de gran repercusión en la modificación de la repolarización ventricular y en la generación de arritmias ventriculares malignas. En el caso clínico que se presenta se hace referencia a esta interacción, a su repercusión electrocardiográfica y a sus consecuencias arrítmicas.

Ventricular repolarization is not always evaluated properly at the moment of adopting certain medical management and its consequences might be fatal. Electrolyte disturbances and class III antiarrhythmic drug therapies are frequent associations in daily clinical practice and constitute two factors that have great repercussions as they may modify ventricular repolarization and generate malignant ventricular arrhythmias. This case report deals with drug interactions, electrocardiographic changes and proarrhythmic effects.

Arritmias en el embarazo / Arrhythmias during pregnancy

Las arritmias durante el embarazo son eventos de aparición frecuente. Desde las extrasístoles aisladas hasta las taquiarritmias, capaces de poner en riesgo las vidas materna y fetal, constituyen el amplio espectro de presentación. Muchas de ellas exigen intervenciones de urgencia, tratamientos crónicos o ambos. La comunicación de este caso nos motivó a realizar una revisión de las indicaciones y posibilidades farmacológicas de las taquicardias paroxísticas supraventriculares en este período particular de la mujer. El fármaco de elección para el manejo agudo de las taquicardias paroxísticas supraventriculares es la adenosina. Este agente debería encontrarse siempre en el área de quirófano al alcance de los anestesiólogos, para un manejo terapéutico de urgencia. La conducta obstétrica estará marcada por el estado hemodinámico de la madre y del feto.

Arrhythmias during pregnancy are frequent events. There is a wide spectrum of presentations: from isolated extrasystoles to tachyarrhythmias with risk to mother and fetal life. Many of these arrhythmias need urgent interventions and/or chronic treatment. The communication of this clinical case motivated us to realize a review of the indications and pharmacological possibilities in paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias in this particular period in women. Adrenosine is the pharmacological treatment of choice to manage paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. This drug should always be at hand in the operating theater, to be used by the anesthesiologists for the therapeutic managing of the emergencies. Obstetric clinical conduct will depend on the haemodynamic condition of the mother and the fetus.

As arritmias durante a gravidez são eventos de ocorrência freqüente. Desde as extrassístoles isoladas até as taquiarritmias, que podem pôr em risco as vidas materna e fetal, constituem o amplo espectro de apresentação. Muitas delas exigem intervenções de urgência, tratamentos crônicos ou ambos. Este caso nos estimulou a fazer uma revisão das indicações e possibilidades farmacológicas das taquicardias paroxísticas supraventriculares nesse período da mulher. O fármaco de escolha para o manejo agudo das taquicardias paroxísticas supraventriculares é a adenosina. Este agente deveria estar sempre disponível na sala de operações, ao alcance da mão dos anestesiologistas, para um manejo terapêutico de urgência. A conduta obstétrica estará marcada pelo estado hemodinâmico da mãe e do feto.

Angioplastia transluminal percutánea de hipoplasia de aorta abdominal: resultado exitoso en tres pacientes / Angioplasty of abdominal aorta hypoplastic: successful result in three patients

El síndrome de hipoplasia de aorta abdominal es una entidad más frecuente en mujeres fumadoras de edad intermedia, que se manifiesta clínicamente con hipertensión arterial y/o insuficiencia en miembros inferiores; raramente se asocia con enfermedad arterioesclerótica. Su tratamiento es controversial, la mayoría de los autores sugieren la cirugía y hay reportes con la técnica de angioplastia transluminal percutánea en esta entidad. Presentamos los resultados de tres pacientes del sexo femenino, menores de 50 años, fumadoras, con claudicación en miembros inferiores y presencia de soplo abdominal bajo, sin antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, diabetes ,ellitus o dispipidemia, tratadas con angioplastia. El diagnóstico de aorta se comprobó angiográficamente evidenciando disminución del diámetro de aorta abdominal inmediatamente antes de la bifurcación ilíaca. Por técnica de Seldinger retrograda, se cateterizaron ambas arterias femorales, realizándose la dilatación en las áreas de mayor obstrucción con dos balones periféricos de 5 mm c/u, obteniendo un aumento de su diámetro de: 2,70 ñ 0,3 a 9,6 ñ 0,5 mm (media ñ desviación estándar, 2p<0,01), con una disminución del gradiente de presiones de: 70,7 ñ 11 a 16,7 ñ 6 mmHg (m ñ ds; 2p<0,01). No hubo complicaciones. El resultado clínico inmediato fue la desaparición de la claudicación y el gradiente de presión, con pulsos periféricos palpables sin dificultad. El tiempo de seguimiento fue variable para cada paciente, siendo el mínimo de 13 meses y el máximo de 4 años. La claudicación no ha reaparecido ni se han presentado otras eventualidades. La angioplastia transluminal percutánea con balón, constituyó una alternativa segura y eficaz en el tratamiento de estas pacientes con hipoplasia de aorta abdominal distal

Evaluación de la severidad de la insuficiencia aórtica mediante la técnica de isovelocidades proximales (PISA) / Evaluation of the severity of the aortic insuficiency: proximal isovelocity technique (PISA)

Estudiar la técnica no invasiva de ecocardiografía bidimencional con Doppler color (eco.Doppler PISA) en la valoración de la severidad de la insuficiencia aórtica (IAO). Estudiamos un grupo de 12 pacientes (pts) portadores de IAO por los métodos clínicos, electrocardiográfico, radiológicos, eco-Doppler y hemodinámico (cineventriculografía y aortografía). Hubo 9 pts de sexo masculino y 3 femenino. La edad promedio fue 40 ñ 23,2 años. Por aortografía fue catalogada por dos o más observadores como trivial, leve moderada y severa. Por eco-Doppler y PISA, la IAO fue catalogada como trivial (con VR menor de 25 cm3/m²sc) lo cual no ocurrió en ninguno de nuestros pts (0 por ciento); fue catalogada como leve (con VR entre 25-50 cm3/m²) en 2 casos (17 por ciento); como moderada (con VR entre 51-100 cm3/m²sc) en 7 casos (58 por ciento), y como severa (con VR mayor de 100 cm3/m²sc) en 3 casos (25 por ciento). La correlación con la angiografía fue satisfactoria. Por otra parte, conociendo el ORE y VR podemos determinar con mayor precisión la severidad de la IAO. Es posible cuantificar por el método PISA la severidad de la IAO, siendo esta experiencia inicial satisfactoria