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1.
Cancer Manag Res ; 16: 445-454, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38736587

RESUMEN

Purpose: Implantable port catheter is a reliable vascular access for chemotherapy infusion in cancer patients. However, patients with hematology malignancies usually present with a myriad of blood cell abnormalities that put them at risk of infection and mechanical problems requiring catheter removal. This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with unplanned (catheter removal other than completion of treatment plan) early (within 90 days of catheter implantation) implantable port catheter removal. Patients and Methods: A retrospective, propensity score-matched study of 386 patients with hematology malignancies who received implantable venous access ports between January 2015 and December 2022. We conducted a univariate analysis to select the variables for propensity score matching. Patients with unplanned early implantable port catheter removal (early group) were matched 1:1 to patients without unplanned early removal (non-early group). Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference between early and non-early groups for age (p = 0.048), hemoglobin level (p = 0.028), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.025), and PG-SGA (p < 0.001). Thrombocytopenia was the only independent risk factor with a statistically significant difference in Cox proportional hazard analysis, HR 2.823, 95 CI 1.050-7.589, p = 0.040. The median catheter survival for patients with thrombocytopenia was 61 days (95% CI 28.58-93.42) compared to 150 days (95% CI 9.81-290.19) for patients without thrombocytopenia, p = 0.015. Patient survival is not affected by early catheter removal. The median survival for patients in the early group was 28.28 months (95% CI 27.43-29.15) compared to 32.39 months (95% CI 24.11-40.68), for the non-early group, p = 0.709. Conclusion: Hematology malignancy patients with thrombocytopenia are at high risk for unplanned early port catheter removal without survival difference.

2.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 13(4)2024 Apr 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38667053

RESUMEN

Background: Subdural empyema is one of the more serious complications of bacterial meningitis and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of subdural empyema in neonates with bacterial meningitis. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two medical centers in Taiwan that enrolled all cases of neonates with subdural empyema after bacterial meningitis between 2003 and 2020. Results: Subdural empyema was diagnosed in 27 of 153 (17.6%) neonates with acute bacterial meningitis compared with cases of meningitis without subdural empyema. The demographics and pathogen distributions were comparable between the study group and the controls, but neonates with subdural empyema were significantly more likely to have clinical manifestations of fever (85.2%) and seizure (81.5%) (both p values < 0.05). The cerebrospinal fluid results of neonates with subdural empyema showed significantly higher white blood cell counts, lower glucose levels and higher protein levels (p = 0.011, 0.003 and 0.006, respectively). Neonates with subdural empyema had a significantly higher rate of neurological complications, especially subdural effusions and periventricular leukomalacia. Although the final mortality rate was not increased in neonates with subdural empyema when compared with the controls, they were often treated much longer and had a high rate of long-term neurological sequelae. Conclusions: Subdural empyema is not uncommon in neonates with acute bacterial meningitis and was associated with a high risk of neurological complications, although it does not significantly increase the final mortality rate. Close monitoring of the occurrence of subdural empyema is required, and appropriate long-term antibiotic treatment after surgical intervention may lead to optimized outcomes.

3.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 12(7)2023 Jun 30.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37508227

RESUMEN

Background: We aimed to describe the clinical features of Gram-negative bacillary (GNB) meningitis in neonates and investigate the risk factors associated with final adverse outcomes of neonatal GNB meningitis. Methods: From 2003 to 2020, all neonates (aged ≤ 90 days old) with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in four tertiary-level neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two medical centers in Taiwan were enrolled. Neonates with GNB meningitis were compared with those with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) meningitis. Results: During the study period, a total of 153 neonates with bacterial meningitis were identified and enrolled. GNB and GBS accounted for 40.5% (n = 62) and 35.3% (n = 54) of all neonatal bacterial meningitis, respectively. In neonates with GNB meningitis, the final mortality rate was 6.5% (4 neonates died); 48 (77.4%) had neurological complications, and 26 (44.8%) of 58 survivors had neurological sequelae at discharge. Although the final outcomes were comparable between neonates with GNB meningitis and those with GBS meningitis, neonates with GNB meningitis were more likely to have more severe clinical manifestations initially and have ventriculomegaly at follow-up. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, neonates with seizure at onset, early onset sepsis, and requirement of surgical intervention for neurological complications were independently associated with final adverse outcomes. Conclusions: GNB meningitis was associated with a high risk of neurological complications and sequelae, although it did not significantly increase the final mortality rate. Close monitoring of the occurrence of neurological complications and advanced therapeutic strategies to optimize the outcomes are urgently needed in the future.

4.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 12(3)2023 Feb 23.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36978311

RESUMEN

Background: Empiric antibiotics are often prescribed in critically ill and preterm neonates at birth until sepsis can be ruled out. Although the current guideline suggests narrow-spectrum antibiotics, an upgrade in antibiotics is common in the neonatal intensive care unit. The impacts of initial broad-spectrum antibiotics on the outcomes of critically ill neonates with respiratory failure requiring mechanical intubation have not been well studied. Methods: A total of 1162 neonates from a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Taiwan who were on mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress/failure at birth were enrolled, and neonates receiving ampicillin plus cefotaxime were compared with those receiving ampicillin plus gentamicin. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to investigate the effects of ampicillin plus cefotaxime on the outcomes of critically ill neonates. Results: Ampicillin plus cefotaxime was more frequently prescribed for intubated neonates with lower birth weight, higher severity of illness, and those with a high risk of early-onset sepsis. Only 11.1% of these neonates had blood culture-confirmed early-onset sepsis and/or congenital pneumonia. The use of ampicillin plus cefotaxime did not significantly contribute to improved outcomes among neonates with early-onset sepsis. After propensity score-matched analyses, the critically ill neonates receiving ampicillin plus cefotaxime had significantly worse outcomes than those receiving ampicillin plus gentamicin, including a higher risk of late-onset sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (11.2% versus 7.1%, p = 0.027), longer duration of hospitalization (median [IQR], 86.5 [47-118.8] days versus 78 [45.0-106.0] days, p = 0.002), and a significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality (14.2% versus 9.6%, p = 0.023). Conclusions: Ampicillin plus cefotaxime should not be routinely prescribed as the empiric antibiotics for critically ill neonates at birth because they were associated with a higher risk of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens and final worse outcomes.

5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(7)2022 Mar 24.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35408888

RESUMEN

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is characterized by chronic joint inflammation and pain. We previously found that the deletion of T-cell death-associated gene 8 (TDAG8) significantly reduces disease severity and pain in RA mice. Whether it is by modulating gut microbiota remains unclear. In this study, 64 intestinal samples of feces, cecal content, and cecal mucus from the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis mouse models were compared. The α- and ß-diversity indices of the microbiome were significantly lower in RA mice. Cecal mucus showed a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in RA than healthy mice, suggesting the ratio could serve as an RA indicator. Four core genera, Eubacterium_Ventriosum, Alloprevotella, Rikenella, and Treponema, were reduced in content in both feces and mucus RA samples, and could serve microbial markers representing RA progression. TDAG8 deficiency decreased the abundance of proinflammation-related Eubacterium_Xylanophilum, Clostridia, Ruminococcus, Paraprevotella, and Rikenellaceae, which reduced local mucosal inflammation to relieve RA disease severity and pain. The pharmacological block of the TDAG8 function by a salicylanilide derivative partly restored the RA microbiome to a healthy composition. These findings provide a further understanding of specific bacteria interactions with host gut mucus in the RA model. The modulation by TDAG8 on particular bacteria can facilitate microbiota-based therapy.


Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Microbiota , Animales , Bacterias/genética , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/genética , Inflamación , Ratones , Dolor , Salicilanilidas
6.
Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol ; 61(1): 70-74, 2022 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35181049

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis, defined as the growth of endometrial glands and stromal cells in a heterotopic location under the cyclic influence of ovarian hormones, is a common gynecological disorder manifested by chronic pelvic pain and infertility. In traditional Chinese medicine, endometriosis is characterized by stagnation of vital energy (qi) and blood stasis. Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW) was first described in Chinese canonical medicine to treat disorders associated with stagnation of qi and blood stasis, including endometriosis. Therefore, the current study aimed to test the effects of combining GFW with western medicine on the suppression of endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometriosis was generated by suturing endometrial tissue on the peritoneal wall of C57BL/6JNarl mice. The mice were subsequently treated with either GFW or current hormonal therapies or in combination for 28 days. RESULTS: Endometriosis development was inhibited by GFW, Gestrinone, Visanne, GFW + Gestrinone or GFW + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was inhibited by GFW, Gestrinone, MPA, Visanne, GFW + Gestrinone, GFW + MPA and GFW + Visanne. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was inhibited by GFW, Gestrinone, Visanne, GFW + Gestrinone and GFW + MPA. Both ICAM-1- and VEGF-reducing effects of GFW were attenuated by western medicines. Administration of GFW, MPA, Visanne, GFW + MPA and GFW + Visanne also correspondingly reduced macrophage population in peritoneal fluid. GFW, MPA, Visanne, GFW + MPA and GFW + Visanne enhanced B-cell population in peritoneal fluid. CONCLUSION: The current study reveals the therapeutic effects of GFW on endometriosis. However, the combination of GFW and current hormonal therapies potentially impedes the efficacy of each individual agent in treating endometriosis.


Asunto(s)
Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/uso terapéutico , Endometriosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Gestrinona/uso terapéutico , Molécula 1 de Adhesión Intercelular/efectos de los fármacos , Acetato de Medroxiprogesterona/uso terapéutico , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Femenino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL
7.
Cells ; 10(11)2021 10 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34831078

RESUMEN

Cancer cell-immune cell hybrids and cancer immunotherapy have attracted much attention in recent years. The design of efficient cell pairing and fusion chips for hybridoma generation has been, subsequently, a subject of great interest. Here, we report a three-layered integrated Microfluidic Flip-Chip (MFC) consisting of a thin through-hole membrane sandwiched between a mirrored array of microfluidic channels and saw-tooth shaped titanium electrodes on the glass. We discuss the design and operation of MFC and show its applicability for cell fusion. The proposed device combines passive hydrodynamic phenomenon and gravitational sedimentation, which allows the transportation and trapping of homotypic and heterotypic cells in large numbers with pairing efficiencies of 75~78% and fusion efficiencies of 73%. Additionally, we also report properties of fused cells from cell biology perspectives, including combined fluorescence-labeled intracellular materials from THP1 and A549, mixed cell morphology, and cell viability. The MFC can be tuned for pairing and fusion of cells with a similar protocol for different cell types. The MFC can be easily disconnected from the test setup for further analysis.


Asunto(s)
Fusión Celular , Hidrodinámica , Microfluídica , Células A549 , Fusión Celular/instrumentación , Supervivencia Celular , Electricidad , Humanos , Imagenología Tridimensional , Microfluídica/instrumentación , Células THP-1
8.
Technol Health Care ; 28(4): 431-437, 2020.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32280075

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: After an operation, the shoulder and wrist might not be able to lift and swing freely, and must be assisted with rehabilitation training. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, Kinect combined with multiple sensors of a Bluetooth ball is proposed to improve the measurement function of the arm's micro-motion trajectory, rotation amount, and acceleration, which cannot be detected by Kinect alone. METHODS: We designed two virtual scene rehabilitation games for clinical trials. We performed validity analysis with a paired sample t-test. RESULTS: A significance value of P*< 1 was obtained, and the arm lift angle shows an improvement from 30∘ to 60∘, indicating that the range of motion of the hand and shoulder is gradually improving. CONCLUSION: Experiments show that virtual games combined with multiple sensors can better understand the patient's rehabilitation situation.


Asunto(s)
Articulación del Hombro , Hombro , Juegos de Video , Brazo , Mano , Humanos , Rango del Movimiento Articular
9.
Neuroinformatics ; 18(2): 267-281, 2020 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31797265

RESUMEN

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most important model animals in neurobiology owing to its manageable brain size, complex behaviour, and extensive genetic tools. However, without a comprehensive map of the brain-wide neural network, our ability to investigate brain functions at the systems level is seriously limited. In this study, we constructed a neuron-to-neuron network of the Drosophila brain based on the 28,573 fluorescence images of single neurons in the newly released FlyCircuit v1.2 (http://www.flycircuit.tw) database. By performing modularity and centrality analyses, we identified eight communities (right olfaction, left olfaction, olfactory core, auditory, motor, pre-motor, left vision, and right vision) in the brain-wide network. Further investigation on information exchange and structural stability revealed that the communities of different functions dominated different types of centralities, suggesting a correlation between functions and network structures. Except for the two olfaction and the motor communities, the network is characterized by overall small-worldness. A rich club (RC) structure was also found in this network, and most of the innermost RC members innervated the central complex, indicating its role in information integration. We further identified numerous loops with length smaller than seven neurons. The observation suggested unique characteristics in the information processing inside the fruit fly brain.


Asunto(s)
Encéfalo/citología , Encéfalo/fisiología , Conectoma/métodos , Drosophila melanogaster/citología , Red Nerviosa/citología , Neuronas/citología , Animales , Drosophila melanogaster/fisiología , Red Nerviosa/fisiología , Neuronas/fisiología
10.
Artículo | WPRIM (Pacífico Occidental) | ID: wpr-833703

RESUMEN

The pandemic of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Asia has caused enormous economic loss in poultry industry and human health threat, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5 and H7 subtypes in recent years. The endemic chicken H6 virus in Taiwan has also brought about human and dog infections. Since wild waterfowls is the major AIV reservoir, it is important to monitor the diversified subtypes in wildfowl flocks in early stage to prevent viral reassortment and transmission. To develop a more efficient and sensitive approach is a key issue in epidemic control. In this study, we integrate multiplex reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for high-throughput detection and differentiation of AIVs in wild waterfowls in Taiwan. Four viral genes were detected simultaneously, including nucleoprotein (NP) gene of all AIVs, hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4 H5, H6 and H7 subtypes. The detection limit of the developed detection system could achieve as low as one copy number for each of the four viral gene targets. Sixty wild waterfowl field samples were tested and all of the four gene signals were unambiguously identified within 6 h, including the initial sample processing and the final CE data analysis.The results indicated that multiplex RT-RPA combined with CE was an excellent alternative for instant simultaneous AIV detection and subtype differentiation. The high efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method could greatly assist in wild bird monitoring and epidemic control of poultry.

11.
Biomed Mater ; 15(1): 015005, 2019 12 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31634880

RESUMEN

Using three-dimensional (3D) bone engineering to fabricate bone segments is a better choice for repairing bone defects than using autologous bone. However, biomaterials for bone engineering are burdened with some clinical safety concerns. In this study, we layered commonly found clinical materials, hemostatic gelatin sponges, in a novel manner to create a 3D scaffold for bone engineering purposes. We further examined the comparable benefits of our design with both closed- and open-bottom holders. Cells in stacked layer disc systems were examined after a week of growth and differentiation. Osteoblasts in the outer layers of both closed- and open-bottom holder systems displayed gradually increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity but decreased osteopontin (OPN) expression. Further, cell proliferation assays and LIVE/DEAD staining revealed decreased viable cell counts in the top layer with increased incubation time. However, while layered disc systems with closed-bottom holders underwent differentiation, they kept more differentiated cells alive within the gelatin sponge disc scaffold after 28 d of culturing. Whether cells were inoculated into the top, middle, or bottom portions of the layered disc stack, osteoblasts showed a preference for migrating to the top layer, in keeping with the oxygen and nutrients gradients. Regarding practical application, this study offers valuable information to promote the use of hemostatic gelatin sponges for bone engineering.


Asunto(s)
Osteoblastos/citología , Ingeniería de Tejidos/métodos , Andamios del Tejido/química , Células 3T3 , Animales , Materiales Biocompatibles/química , Trasplante Óseo/métodos , Diferenciación Celular , Movimiento Celular , Supervivencia Celular , Espuma de Fibrina/química , Gelatina/química , Esponja de Gelatina Absorbible/química , Hemostáticos/química , Humanos , Ensayo de Materiales , Ratones , Osteoblastos/fisiología , Osteogénesis/fisiología
12.
Int J Mol Sci ; 19(8)2018 Jul 29.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30060613

RESUMEN

In this research, we have realized a rapid extracellular vesicle (EV) quantification methodology using a high field modulated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility (HEMT) biosensor. The unique sensing structure facilitated the detection of the sub-cellular components in physiological salt environment without requiring extensive sample pre-treatments. The high field operation of GaN HEMT biosensor provides high sensitivity and wide dynamic range of detection of EVs (107⁻1010 EVs/mL). An antibody specific to the known surface marker on the EV was used to capture them for quantification using an HEMT biosensor. Fluorescence microscopy images confirm the successful capture of EVs from the test solution. The present method can detect EVs in high ionic strength solution, with a short sample incubation period of 5 min, and does not require labels or additional reagents or wash/block steps. This methodology has the potential to be used in clinical applications for rapid EV quantification from blood or serum for the development of diagnostic and prognostic tools.


Asunto(s)
Técnicas Biosensibles/instrumentación , Vesículas Extracelulares/química , Anticuerpos Inmovilizados/química , Electrónica Médica/instrumentación , Diseño de Equipo , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Miniaturización/instrumentación
13.
Sci Rep ; 7(1): 5256, 2017 07 12.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28701708

RESUMEN

In this study, a new type of field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor is demonstrated to be able to overcome the problem of severe charge-screening effect caused by high ionic strength in solution and detect proteins in physiological environment. Antibody or aptamer-immobilized AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are used to directly detect proteins, including HIV-1 RT, CEA, NT-proBNP and CRP, in 1X PBS (with 1%BSA) or human sera. The samples do not need any dilution or washing process to reduce the ionic strength. The sensor shows high sensitivity and the detection takes only 5 minutes. The designs of the sensor, the methodology of the measurement, and the working mechanism of the sensor are discussed and investigated. A theoretical model is proposed based on the finding of the experiments. This sensor is promising for point-of-care, home healthcare, and mobile diagnostic device.


Asunto(s)
Compuestos de Aluminio/química , Anticuerpos Inmovilizados/química , Aptámeros de Nucleótidos/química , Técnicas Biosensibles/instrumentación , Proteínas Sanguíneas/análisis , Galio/química , Transistores Electrónicos , Técnicas Biosensibles/métodos , Diseño de Equipo , Humanos , Concentración Osmolar , Sistemas de Atención de Punto
14.
Technol Health Care ; 25(3): 541-555, 2017.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28211830

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Long-term, sustained progress is necessary in drop foot rehabilitation. The necessary inconvenient body training movements, the return trips to the hospital and repetitive boring training using functional electrical stimulation (FES) often results in the patient suspending their training. The patient's drop foot rehabilitation will not progress if training is suspended. OBJECTIVE: A fast spread, highly portable drop foot rehabilitation training device based on the smart phone is presented. This device is combined with a self-made football APP and feedback controlled FES. The drop foot patient can easily engage in long term rehabilitation training that is more convenient and interesting. METHODS: An interactive game is established on the smart phone with the Android system using the originally built-in wireless communications. The ankle angle information is detected by an external portable device as the game input signal. The electrical stimulation command to the external device is supplemented with FES stimulation for inadequate ankle efforts. RESULTS: After six-weeks training using six cases, the results indicated that this training device showed significant performance improvement (p< 0.05) in the patient's ankle dorsiflexion strength, ankle dorsiflexion angle, control timing and Timed Up and Go. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results show that this training device provides significant positive help to drop foot patients. Moreover, this device is based on existing and universally popular mobile processing, which can be rapidly promoted. The responses of clinical cases also show this system is easy to operate, convenient and entertaining. All of these features can improve the patient's willingness to engage in long term rehabilitation.


Asunto(s)
Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica , Fútbol Americano , Trastornos Neurológicos de la Marcha/rehabilitación , Aplicaciones Móviles , Teléfono Inteligente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica/métodos , Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica/psicología , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cooperación del Paciente
15.
J Med Syst ; 41(2): 36, 2017 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28084601

RESUMEN

Abnormal upper limb function seriously impacts a patient's daily life. After receiving emergency treatment patient should receive function-rebuilding and recovery training. The objective of this study is to integrate IR-camera, an infrared emitter, with a conventional passive hand skateboard training device for conventional upper limb training and the training process is comprehensively recorded and analyzed. Patients participating in the occupational therapy have a binding band attached to hand skateboard on the table to guide the patient in moving the hand skateboard along the designated path to train the patient's upper limbs. Six people with normal upper limb function participated in the stability test. The device repeatability and test results were verified acceptable. Eight patients with abnormal upper limb function (their upper limb function was damaged due to stroke, MMSE > =27) were trained for 4 weeks. The patient scores in finishing rate and finishing time showed significant improvement. The paired T test results (satisfy p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) between wk-1 and wk-2 are significant. The paired T test results (satisfy p < 0.01) between wk-1 and wk-4 are extremely significant. The new IR-Camera system focuses continuously on the "Figure of eight" curve. The system is light weight and convenient for stroke in home use. The study applies IR-camera technology to the conventional hand skateboard for upper limb training. The experiments show that the hardware of the proposed device no longer delays in response and can result in obvious clinical advances. The proposed device is verified worthy of promotion.


Asunto(s)
Rayos Infrarrojos , Terapia Ocupacional/métodos , Teléfono Inteligente , Rehabilitación de Accidente Cerebrovascular/instrumentación , Rehabilitación de Accidente Cerebrovascular/métodos , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dispositivo de Identificación por Radiofrecuencia , Recuperación de la Función
16.
Sci Rep ; 6: 32884, 2016 09 12.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27616161

RESUMEN

Bone tissue engineering provides many advantages for repairing skeletal defects. Although many different kinds of biomaterials have been used for bone tissue engineering, safety issues must be considered when using them in a clinical setting. In this study, we examined the effects of using a common clinical item, a hemostatic gelatin sponge, as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The use of such a clinically acceptable item may hasten the translational lag from laboratory to clinical studies. We performed both degradation and biocompatibility studies on the hemostatic gelatin sponge, and cultured preosteoblasts within the sponge scaffold to demonstrate its osteogenic differentiation potential. In degradation assays, the gelatin sponge demonstrated good stability after being immersed in PBS for 8 weeks (losing only about 10% of its net weight and about 54% decrease of mechanical strength), but pepsin and collagenases readily biodegraded it. The gelatin sponge demonstrated good biocompatibility to preosteoblasts as demonstrated by MTT assay, confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, osteogenic differentiation and the migration of preosteoblasts, elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, and in vitro mineralization were observed within the scaffold structure. Each of these results indicates that the hemostatic gelatin sponge is a suitable scaffold for bone tissue engineering.


Asunto(s)
Gelatina/química , Osteoblastos/citología , Ingeniería de Tejidos/métodos , Andamios del Tejido/química , Fosfatasa Alcalina/metabolismo , Animales , Diferenciación Celular , Línea Celular , Proliferación Celular , Hemostáticos , Ratones , Osteoblastos/metabolismo , Osteogénesis
17.
Molecules ; 21(7)2016 Jul 06.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27399655

RESUMEN

The conventional hanging drop technique is the most widely used method for embryoid body (EB) formation. However, this method is labor intensive and limited by the difficulty in exchanging the medium. Here, we report a microfluidic chip-based approach for high-throughput formation of EBs. The device consists of microfluidic channels with 6 × 12 opening wells in PDMS supported by a glass substrate. The PDMS channels were fabricated by replicating polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) from SU-8 mold. The droplet formation in the chip was tested with different hydrostatic pressures to obtain optimal operation pressures for the wells with 1000 µm diameter openings. The droplets formed at the opening wells were used to culture mouse embryonic stem cells which could subsequently developed into EBs in the hanging droplets. This device also allows for medium exchange of the hanging droplets making it possible to perform immunochemistry staining and characterize EBs on chip.


Asunto(s)
Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Cuerpos Embrioides/citología , Células Madre Embrionarias/citología , Microfluídica/métodos , Animales , Línea Celular , Diseño de Equipo , Inmunohistoquímica , Ratones , Microfluídica/instrumentación
18.
J Phys Ther Sci ; 28(4): 1343-8, 2016 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27190480

RESUMEN

[Purpose] The increase in the Taiwanese older population is associated with age-related inconveniences. Finding adequate and simple physical activities to help the older people maintaining their physiological function and preventing them from falls has become an urgent social issue. [Subjects and Methods] This study aimed to design a virtual exercise training game suitable for Taiwanese older people. This system will allow for the maintenance of the physiological function and standing stability through physical exercise, while using a virtual reality game. The participants can easily exercise in a carefree, interactive environment. This study will use Kinect for Windows for physical movement detection and Unity software for virtual world development. [Results] Group A and B subjects were involved in the exercise training method of Kinect interactive multimedia for 12 weeks. The results showed that the functional reach test and the unipedal stance test improved significantly. [Conclusion] The physiological function and standing stability of the group A subjects were examined at six weeks post training. The results showed that these parameters remained constant. This proved that the proposed system provide substantial support toward the preservation of the Taiwanese older people' physiological function and standing stability.

19.
J Phys Ther Sci ; 28(4): 1349-54, 2016 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27190481

RESUMEN

[Purpose] Researchers imported games and virtual reality training to help participants train their shoulders in a relaxed environment. [Subjects and Methods] This study included the use of Kinect somatosensory device with Unity software to develop 3-dimensional situational games. The data collected from this training process can be uploaded via the Internet to a cloud or server for participants to perform self-inspection. The data can be a reference for the medical staff to assess training effectiveness for those with impairments and plan patient rehabilitation courses. [Results] In the training activities, 8 subjects with normal shoulder function demonstrated that the system has good stability and reproducibility. Six subjects with impaired shoulder underwent 6 weeks of training. During the third week of training, average performance stabilized. The t-test comparing 1-2 weeks to 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks showed significant differences. [Conclusion] Using games as training methods improved patient concentration, interest in participation and allowed patients to forget about their body discomfort. The equipment utilized in this study is inexpensive, easy to obtain, and the system is easy to install. People can perform simple self-training both at home or in the office.

20.
J Phys Ther Sci ; 28(2): 519-24, 2016 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27065539

RESUMEN

[Purpose] Upper extremity rehabilitation after an injury is very important. This study proposes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the upper extremity rehabilitation. [Subjects and Methods] People use their upper extremities to conduct daily activities. When recovering from injuries, many patients neglect the importance of rehabilitation, which results in degraded function. This study recorded the training process using the traditional rehabilitation hand gliding cart with a RFID reader, RFID tags in the panel, and a servo host computer. [Results] Clinical evidence, time taken to achieve a full score, counts of missing the specified spots, and Brunnstrom stage of aided recovery, the proximal part of the upper extremity show that the RFID-based upper extremity training significantly and reduce negative impacts of the disability in daily life and activities. [Conclusion] This study combined a hand-gliding cart with an RFID reader, and when patients moved the cart, the movement could be observed via the activated RFID tags. The training data was collected and quantified for a better understanding of the recovery status of the patients. Each of the participating patients made progress as expected.

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