On the compatibility of single-cell microcarriers (nanovials) with microfluidic impedance cytometry.

We investigate for the first time the compatibility of nanovials with microfluidic impedance cytometry (MIC). Nanovials are suspendable crescent-shaped single-cell microcarriers that enable specific cell adhesion, the creation of compartments for undisturbed cell growth and secretion, as well as protection against wall shear stress. MIC is a label-free single-cell technique that characterizes flowing cells based on their electrical fingerprints and it is especially targeted to cells that are naturally in suspension.

Modeling and Validation of an Ultra-Compact Regenerative Liver Dialysis Device.

The availability of a wearable artificial liver that facilitates extracorporeal dialysis outside of medical facilities would represent a significant advancement for patients requiring dialysis. The objective of this preliminary investigation is to explore, using validated mathematical models based on in vitro data, the feasibility of developing a novel, cost-effective, and highly compact extracorporeal liver support device that can be employed as a transitional therapy to transplantation outside of clinical settings. Such an innovation would offer substantial cost savings to the national healthcare system while significantly improving the patient's quality of life.

Fibroblast expression of CD248 may contribute to exacerbation of microvascular damage during systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: CD248 is a glycoprotein, highly expressed on pericytes and fibroblasts (FBs), that is implicated in the fibrotic process. During angiogenesis, CD248 can promote vessel regression, binding multimerin-2 (MMRN-2). Thus, we investigated the expression of MMRN-2 in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-skin and of CD248 in isolated SSc-FBs.

Droplet-based microfluidic synthesis of nanogels for controlled drug delivery: tailoring nanomaterial properties pneumatically actuated flow-focusing junction.

Conventional batch syntheses of polymer-based nanoparticles show considerable shortcomings in terms of scarce control over nanomaterials morphology and limited lot-to-lot reproducibility. Droplet-based microfluidics represents a valuable strategy to overcome these constraints, exploiting the formation of nanoparticles within discrete microdroplets. In this work, we synthesized nanogels (NGs) composed of hyaluronic acid and polyethyleneimine using a microfluidic flow-focusing device endowed with a pressure-driven micro-actuator.

Nano-encapsulation of hydroxytyrosol into formulated nanogels improves therapeutic effects against hepatic steatosis: An in vitro study.

Nanomaterials hold promise as a straightforward approach for enhancing the performance of bioactive compounds in several healthcare scenarios. Indeed, nanoencapsulation represents a valuable strategy to preserve the bioactives, maximizing their bioavailability. Here, a nanoencapsulation strategy for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is presented.

Graphene-laden hydrogels: A strategy for thermally triggered drug delivery.

The synthesis of graphene-based materials has attracted considerable attention in drug delivery strategies. Indeed, the conductivity and mechanical stability of graphene have been investigated for controlled and tunable drug release via electric or mechanical stimuli. However, the design of a thermo-sensitive scaffold using pristine graphene (without distortions related to the oxidation processes) has not been deeply investigated yet, although it may represent a promising approach for several therapeutic treatments.

Biofabrication of Hepatic Constructs by 3D Bioprinting of a Cell-Laden Thermogel: An Effective Tool to Assess Drug-Induced Hepatotoxic Response.

A thermoresponsive Pluronic/alginate semisynthetic hydrogel is used to bioprint 3D hepatic constructs, with the aim to investigate liver-specific metabolic activity of the 3D constructs compared to traditional 2D adherent cultures. The bioprinting method relies on a bioinert hydrogel and is characterized by high-shape fidelity, mild depositing conditions and easily controllable gelation mechanism. Furthermore, the dissolution of the sacrificial Pluronic templating agent significantly ameliorates the diffusive properties of the printed hydrogel.

Hyaluronan: an overview.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polyanionic natural polymer occurring as a linear polysaccharide composed of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine repeats. Hyaluronic acid has a wide range of applications with its excellent physicochemical properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity and serves as an excellent tool in biomedical applications such as osteoarthritis surgery, ocular surgery, plastic surgery, tissue engineering and drug delivery. This work provides an overview on hyaluronic acid, its chemistry and biochemistry and its medical applications.

Scaffold-based delivery of a clinically relevant anti-angiogenic drug promotes the formation of in vivo stable cartilage.

Standard cartilage tissue engineering approaches, for example, matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), consist of the implantation of cell-based constructs whose survival and further development first depend on the degree of graft maturity at the time of surgery (e.g., matrix production) and, subsequently, on initial host reaction.

Dermal filler complications from unknown biomaterials: identification by attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy.

Background: In the last decade, an increase in complications related to dermal filler injections has been reported, especially in patients who underwent multiple treatments with different products. Imaging or histological examinations may suggest what kind of substance was used, but none can precisely identify the biomaterial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, using an attenuated total reflectance cell, in the identification of unknown dermal fillers.

Characterization of age-related changes of tendon stem cells from adult human tendons.

Purpose: The present study evaluated the presence of stem cells in hamstring tendons from adult subjects of different ages. The aim was to isolate, characterize and expand these cells in vitro, and to evaluate whether cell activities are influenced by age.

Methods: Tendon stem cells (TSCs) were isolated through magnetic sorting from the hamstring tendons of six patients.

The differentiation of humane adult mesenchimal stem cells of bone marrow (hMSC) into urothelial cells on bio-engineering support (scaffold): preliminary experience of tissue engineering.

Objectives: Tissue Engineering can develop scaffolds of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) for tissue regeneration. The purpose of the present job is to test the possibility to seed human adult mesenchymal stem cells on a scaffold supplemented with specific grow factors to differentiate them into urothelium.

Methods: The Electrospinning technique was used to realize three scaffolds.

A biomimetic three-layered compartmented scaffold for vascular tissue engineering.

Tissue engineering of vascular grafts still presents several shortcomings. Aiming to vascular regeneration, we developed a biomimetic multilayered scaffold with a middle pivotal collagen lamina between two functionalized layers of poly-L-lactide by means of electrospinning technique, with oriented drug-delivery capacity for the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells seeded therein. Applying appropriate cytokines, the inner layer is able to act as a drug delivery system in order to generate a pro-angiogenic and anti-thrombotic environment and the outer one is used to induce the media and adventitia generation.

Textured and smooth breast implants: is there a difference in the chemical structure of silicone?: an analysis with fourier transformation infrared and attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy.

Scientific controversy concerning silicone and its biocompatibility has been ongoing for the last 10 years. This study on textured and smooth silicone breast implant shells using fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy associated with attenuated total reflectance cells aimed to identify eventual chemical modifications of silicone induced by texturization. The surfaces of 8 new implants produced by 2 well-known manufactures have been taken into consideration.

Immune complexed (IC) hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronically and acutely HCV-infected patients.

In infected individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists in various forms of circulating particles which role in virus persistence and in HCV resistance to IFN therapy is still debated. Here, the proportion of HCV bound to immunoglobulin was determined in plasma of 107 chronically infected patients harbouring different HCV genotypes and, for comparison, of six patients with acute HCV infection. The results showed that, in spite of wide individual variability, chronically HCV-infected patients exhibited an extremely high proportion of immune complexed (IC) virus regardless of plasma HCV load and infecting genotype.

Fabrication of bioactive glass-ceramic foams mimicking human bone portions for regenerative medicine.

A technique for the preparation of bioglass foams for bone tissue engineering is presented. The process is based on the in situ foaming of a bioglass-loaded polyurethane foam as the intermediate step for obtaining a bioglass porous monolith, starting from sol-gel synthesized bioglass powders. The obtained foams were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy observations.