Multi-biofunctional properties of three species of cicada wings and biomimetic fabrication of nanopatterned titanium pillars.

Recently, multi-biofunctional properties of cicada wings have drawn keen interest for biomedical device applications due to their superhydrophobic, self-cleaning and bactericidal effects. We present a systematic evaluation of bactericidal and cytocompatible properties of cicada wings. We also present biomimetic nanofabrication of a patterned array of titanium nanopillars using electron beam lithography.

Perceptions of physician assistants regarding direct-to-consumer advertising.

Of 1,254 practicing physician assistants (PAs) who completed a survey, 91% were familiar with direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). When asked about their general perception, 96% of PAs were neutral or unfavorable towards DTCA. PAs felt that DTCA encouraged patients to make atypical medication requests, overlook the PA's medical opinion, and seek other health care providers.

Vascular tissue construction on poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds by dynamic endothelial cell seeding: effect of pore size.

In vitro tissue engineering for fabrication of small diameter vascular grafts probably undergoes a sequence of events similar to the in vivo angiogenesis process. In both cases endothelial cells (ECs) play the crucial role in generating a non-thrombogenic vessel lumen and stabilization of ECs in the lumen of new vessels requires the deposition of collagen IV and elastin. Shear stress is an important in vivo signal for inducing synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, collagen IV and elastin, which form the basement membrane in the case of new blood vessels.