Using a Supramolecular Monomer Formulation Approach to Engineer Modular, Dynamic Microgels, and Composite Macrogels.

Microgels show advantages over bulk hydrogels due to convenient control over microgel size and composition, and the ability to use microgels to modularly construct larger hierarchical scaffold hydrogel materials. Here, supramolecular chemistry is used to formulate supramolecular polymer, dynamic microgels solely held together by non-covalent interactions. Four-fold hydrogen bonding ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) monomers with different functionalities are applied to precisely tune microgel properties in a modular way, via variations in monomer concentration, bifunctional crosslinker ratio, and the incorporation of supramolecular dyes and peptides.

Tailoring of Physical Properties in Macroporous Poly(isocyanopeptide) Cryogels.

Over the years, synthetic hydrogels have proven remarkably useful as cell culture matrixes to elucidate the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on cell behavior. Yet, their lack of interconnected macropores undermines the widespread use of hydrogels in biomedical applications. To overcome this limitation, cryogels, a class of macroporous hydrogels, are rapidly emerging.

A pharmacy-based coaching program to improve adherence to antidepressant treatment among primary care patients.

The effects on adherence and depressive symptoms of a community pharmacy-based coaching program, including a take-home videotape, were evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands. A total of 147 depressed primary care patients who had a new antidepressant prescription were included in the study. Adherence was measured with an electronic pill container and was also derived from pharmacy medication records; the latter method was associated with an overestimation of adherence of only 5 percent.