Compression coil provides increased lead control in extraction procedures.

Aims: We investigated a new lead extraction tool (Compression Coil; One-Tie, Cook Medical) in an experimental traction force study.

Methods And Results: On 13 pacemaker leads (Setrox JS53, Biotronik) traction force testing was performed under different configurations. The leads were assigned to three groups: (i) traction force testing without central locking stylet support (n = 5), (ii) traction force testing with the use of a locking stylet (Liberator, Cook Medical) and a proximal ligation suture (n = 4), (iii) traction force testing with the use of a locking stylet and a compression coil (n = 4).

Inflammatory response of lung macrophages and epithelial cells after exposure to redox active nanoparticles: effect of solubility and antioxidant treatment.

The effects of an exposure to three mass-produced metal oxide nanoparticles-similar in size and specific surface area but different in redox activity and solubility-were studied in rat alveolar macrophages (MAC) and epithelial cells (AEC). We hypothesized that the cell response depends on the particle redox activity and solubility determining the amount of reactive oxygen species formation (ROS) and subsequent inflammatory response. MAC and AEC were exposed to different amounts of Mn3O4 (soluble, redox-active), CeO2 (insoluble, redox-active), and TiO2 (insoluble, redox-inert) up to 24 h.

Mussel-inspired load bearing metal-polymer glues.

A mussel-inspired synthetic adhesive based on dopamine containing methacrylate copolymers was developed to bond polymers to metal surfaces at an adhesion strength of up to 20 MPa for bulk samples.

Use of NIR light and upconversion phosphors in light-curable polymers.

Objective: Light-curable polymers are commonly used in restorative surgery, prosthodontics and surgical procedures. Despite the fact of wide application, there are clinical problems due to limitations of blue light penetration: application is restricted to defects exposed to the light source, layered filling of defect is required.

Methods: Combining photo-activation and up conversion allows efficient polymer hardening by deep penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light.

Light-curable polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite glue for bone defect treatment.

Light-curable, methacrylate-based resins are clinically used for complex defect repair in dentistry (Heliobond). The present study investigates how such easy-to-apply polymers may be used on a much broader range of applications, particularly for gluing wet bone. We investigate the significantly improved adhesion of the polymer to wet bone surfaces in a close to in vivo setup using freshly cut cow hip bone as a model.