Publications by authors named "Andrea E Hafeman"

Hemophilia B management has improved considerably since the introduction of high-purity plasma-derived factor IX (pdFIX) products in the early 1990s. Recombinant FIX (rFIX) was introduced more recently and has potential safety advantages over the older blood-based products. Until recently, only one such product, nonacog alfa (BeneFIX(®), Pfizer, Inc.

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Individuals with hemophilia B experience frequent and spontaneous bleeding episodes into joints and muscles that can lead to severe arthropathy, chronic pain, disability, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Prophylaxis with factor nine (FIX) concentrates may reduce the frequency of bleeding events and improve QoL. Recombinant FIX (rFIX) concentrates are a potentially safer treatment option than plasma-derived FIX products with respect to pathogen transmission risk, but until recently, only one licensed rFIX product was available.

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Statins, a class of naturally-occurring compounds that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, are known to increase endogenous bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression. Local administration of statins has been shown to stimulate fracture repair in in vivo animal experiments. However, the ability of statins to heal more challenging critical-sized defects at the mid-diaphyseal region in long bones has not been investigated.

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Injectable scaffolds present compelling opportunities for wound repair and regeneration because of their ability to fill irregularly shaped defects and deliver biologics such as growth factors. In this study, we investigated the properties of injectable polyurethane (PUR) biocomposite scaffolds and their application in cutaneous wound repair using a rat excisional model. The scaffolds have a minimal reaction exotherm and clinically relevant working and setting times.

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Characterization of the degradation mechanism of polymeric scaffolds and delivery systems for regenerative medicine is essential to assess their clinical applicability. Key performance criteria include induction of a minimal, transient inflammatory response and controlled degradation to soluble non-cytotoxic breakdown products that are cleared from the body by physiological processes. Scaffolds fabricated from biodegradable poly(ester urethane)s (PEURs) undergo controlled degradation to non-cytotoxic breakdown products and support the ingrowth of new tissue in preclinical models of tissue regeneration.

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Scaffolds prepared from biodegradable polyurethanes (PUR) have been investigated as a supportive matrix and delivery system for skin, cardiovascular, and bone tissue engineering. In this study, we combined reactive two-component PUR scaffolds with lovastatin (LV), which has been reported to have a bone anabolic effect especially when delivered locally, for effective bone tissue regeneration. To incorporate LV into PUR scaffolds, LV was combined with the hardener component before scaffold synthesis.

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Infections often compromise the healing of open fractures. While local antibiotic delivery from PMMA beads is an established clinical treatment of infected fractures, surgical removal of the beads is required before implanting a bone graft. A more ideal therapy would comprise a scaffold and antibiotic delivery system administered in one procedure.

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Scaffolds prepared from biodegradable polyurethanes (PUR) have been investigated as a supportive matrix and delivery system for skin, cardiovascular, and bone tissue engineering. While previous studies have suggested that PUR scaffolds are biocompatible and moderately osteoconductive, the effects of encapsulated osteoinductive molecules, such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2), on new bone formation have not been investigated for this class of biomaterials. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different rhBMP-2 release strategies on new bone formation in PUR scaffolds implanted in rat femoral plug defects.

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Purpose: The purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of triisocyanate composition on the biological and mechanical properties of biodegradable, injectable polyurethane scaffolds for bone and soft tissue engineering.

Methods: Scaffolds were synthesized using reactive liquid molding techniques, and were characterized in vivo in a rat subcutaneous model. Porosity, dynamic mechanical properties, degradation rate, and release of growth factors were also measured.

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