Articular cartilage regeneration with a microgel as a support biomaterial. A rabbit knee model.

Articular cartilage has limited regenerative capacity, so focal lesions generate mechanical stress in the joint that induces an aggravation of the damage, which ultimately leads to osteoarthritis. We recently suggested the use of microgels at the site of the cartilage defect, as a support material, to generate a biomechanical environment where pluripotent cells differentiate towards the hyaline cartilage phenotype. Here we propose a chondral regeneration strategy based on subchondral bone injury, and filling the defect site with an agglomerate of two types of microspheres, some rigid made of a biodegradable polyester (40 μm mean diameter), and others with a gel consistency made of platelet-rich plasma obtained from circulating blood (70-110 μm diameter).

Cancer Epithelial Cells Participate in the Self-Organization of Lung Tumor Spheroids: A Morphological Approach.

Introduction/aims: The tumor microenvironment is known to play an important role in tumor progression. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this process are still not known in detail and more research is needed on the elements that control tumor progression in lung cancer. In this work, we aimed to investigate the involvement of epithelial and stromal cancer cells in growth, cell migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a 3D in vitro model consisting of cell spheroids cultured in a type I collagen scaffold.

Alginate Improves the Chondrogenic Capacity of 3D PCL Scaffolds In Vitro: A Histological Approach.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds have demonstrated an effectiveness in articular cartilage regeneration due to their biomechanical properties. On the other hand, alginate hydrogels generate a 3D environment with great chondrogenic potential. Our aim is to generate a mixed PCL/alginate scaffold that combines the chondrogenic properties of the two biomaterials.

Morphological Characterization of Human Lung Cancer Organoids Cultured in Type I Collagen Hydrogels: A Histological Approach.

The malignity of lung cancer is conditioned by the tumor microenvironment (TME), in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are relevant. In this work, we generated organoids by combining A549 cells with CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NF) isolated from adenocarcinoma tumors. We optimized the conditions for their manufacture in a short time.

Computational model of articular cartilage regeneration induced by scaffold implantation in vivo.

Computational models allow to explain phenomena that cannot be observed through an animal model, such as the strain and stress states which can highly influence regeneration of the tissue. For this purpose, we have developed a simulation tool to determine the mechanical conditions provided by the polymeric scaffold. The computational model considered the articular cartilage, the subchondral bone, and the scaffold.

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Differentiate into Cementoid-Like-Secreting Cells on Decellularized Teeth Scaffolds.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease that in some cases can cause tooth loss. Cementum is a mineralized tissue that forms part of the insertion periodontium and serves to fix the teeth to the alveolar bone. In addition, it acts as a reservoir of different growth and differentiation factors, which regulate the biology of the teeth.

Complex effects of Mg-biomaterials on the osteoblast cell machinery: A proteomic study.

The cell-biomaterial interface is highly complex; thousands of molecules and many processes participate in its formation. Growing demand for improved biomaterials has highlighted the need to understand the structure and functions of this interface. Proteomic methods offer a viable alternative to the traditional in vitro techniques for analyzing such systems.

In Vitro Effect of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from Lung Cancer.

There is evidence that demonstrates the effect of cannabinoid agonists inhibiting relevant aspects in lung cancer, such as proliferation or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Most of these studies are based on evidence observed in in vitro models developed on cancer cell lines. These studies do not consider the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME).

BMP-2 Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived and Dental Pulp Stem Cells in 2D and 3D Models.

Bone tissue provides support and protection to different organs and tissues. Aging and different diseases can cause a decrease in the rate of bone regeneration or incomplete healing; thus, tissue-engineered substitutes can be an acceptable alternative to traditional therapies. In the present work, we have developed an osteogenic differentiation model based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to first analyse the influence of the culture media and the origin of the cells on the efficiency of this process and secondly to extrapolate it to a 3D environment to evaluate its possible application in bone regeneration therapies.

Influence of the Use of a Collagen Membrane Placed on the Bone Window after Sinus Floor Augmentation-An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

Background: We studied the influence on healing of a resorbable membrane covering the osteotomy site after maxillary sinus grafting, evaluated in different regions of the augmented area.

Methods: Maxillary sinus augmentation was performed in 24 New Zealand rabbits. Osteotomy, 4 × 6 mm, were performed bilaterally.

Chondrogenic Potential of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Cultured as Microtissues.

Several tissue engineering stem cell-based procedures improve hyaline cartilage repair. In this work, the chondrogenic potential of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) organoids or microtissues was studied. After several weeks of culture in proliferation or chondrogenic differentiation media, synthesis of aggrecan and type II and I collagen was immunodetected, and SOX9, ACAN, COL2A1, and COL1A1 gene expression was analysed by real-time RT-PCR.

Alginate-Agarose Hydrogels Improve the In Vitro Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Chondrocytes. A Histological Study.

Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) has shown promising results for cartilage repair, combining cultured chondrocytes and hydrogels, including alginate. The ability of chondrocytes for MACI is limited by different factors including donor site morbidity, dedifferentiation, limited lifespan or poor proliferation in vitro. Mesenchymal stem cells could represent an alternative for cartilage regeneration.

Optimization of a decellularization protocol of porcine tracheas. Long-term effects of cryopreservation. A histological study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to optimize a decellularization protocol in the trachea of (pig) as well as to study the effects of long-term cryopreservation on the extracellular matrix of decellularized tracheas.

Methods: Porcine tracheas were decellularized using Triton X-100, SDC, and SDS alone or in combination. The effect of these detergents on the extracellular matrix characteristics of decellularized porcine tracheas was evaluated at the histological, biomechanical, and biocompatibility level.

IFT46 Expression in the Nasal Mucosa of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Patients: Preliminary Study.

Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is characterised by an imbalance in mucociliary clearance leading to chronic respiratory infections. Cilia length is considered to be a contributing factor in cilia movement. Recently, protein has been related to cilia length.

Design and experimental validation of a magnetic device for stem cell culture.

Cell culture of bone and tendon tissues requires mechanical stimulation of the cells in order to mimic their physiological state. In the present work, a device has been conceived and developed to generate a controlled magnetic field with a homogeneous gradient in the working space. The design requirement was to maximize the magnetic flux gradient, assuring a minimum magnetizing value in a 15 mm × 15 mm working area, which highly increases the normal operating range of this sort of devices.

Prevalence and management of delirium in community dwelling older people with dementia referred to a memory clinic.

Objective: Our aim was to measure the prevalence of delirium, its clinical features, and outcomes in older patients referred to a memory clinic.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 109 older outpatients with delirium referred to a memory clinic with a home care service. Delirium was diagnosed using the confusion assessment method and dementia with the DSM-5 criteria.

The effectiveness of intermediate care including transitional care interventions on function, healthcare utilisation and costs: a scoping review.

Background And Aim: Intermediate care describes services, including transitional care, that support the needs of middle-aged and older adults during care transitions and between different settings. This scoping review aimed to examine the effectiveness of intermediate care including transitional care interventions for middle-aged and older adults on function, healthcare utilisation, and costs.

Design: A scoping review of the literature was conducted including studies published between 2002 and 2019 with a transitional care and/or intermediate care intervention for adults aged ≥ 50.

Long-Term Evaluation of Orthotypical and Heterotypical Bioengineered Human Corneas.

Purpose: Human cornea substitutes generated by tissue engineering currently require limbal stem cells for the generation of orthotypical epithelial cell cultures. We recently reported that bioengineered corneas can be fabricated from a heterotypical source obtained from Wharton's jelly in the human umbilical cord (HWJSC).

Methods: Here, we generated a partial thickness cornea model based on plastic compression nanostructured fibrin-agarose biomaterials with cornea epithelial cells on top, as an orthotypical model (HOC), or with HWJSC, as a heterotypical model (HHC), and determined their potential usefulness by implantation in an animal model.

Histological study of human periodontal tissue following biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT).

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct histological analysis of a human tooth resected with the periodontal insertion apparatus intact following treatment using biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT).

Material And Methods: This descriptive histological dento-periodontal study used an anterior tooth extracted with the surrounding periodontal tissues intact, following prosthetic restoration with BOPT. The sample patient was recruited from among those attending the Department of Dental Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia (Spain).

Sequential healing of the elevated sinus floor with different size of antrostomy: a histomorphometric study in rabbits.

Purpose: To study the influence of the access window dimensions on the healing at the antrostomy and within the augmented maxillary sinus.

Material And Methods: A maxillary sinus augmentation was performed in twenty-four albino New Zealand rabbits. Antrostomies of 3 × 6 mm (small) or 5 × 6 mm (large) in dimensions were randomly prepared in each animal.

Defining the characteristics of intermediate care models including transitional care: an international Delphi study.

Background: Although there is growing utilisation of intermediate care to improve the health and well-being of older adults with complex care needs, there is no international agreement on how it is defined, limiting comparability between studies and reducing the ability to scale effective interventions.

Aim: To identify and define the characteristics of intermediate care models.

Methods: A scoping review, a modified two-round electronic Delphi study involving 27 multi-professional experts from 13 countries, and a virtual consensus meeting were conducted.

Influence of the use of autogenous bone particles to close the access window after maxillary sinus floor augmentation: an experimental study in rabbits.

Aim: To study the influence on the healing of the placement of particulate autogenous bone in the antrostomy and in the subjacent region after maxillary sinus elevation.

Material And Methods: Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were undergone to bilateral maxillary sinus floor augmentation with 4 × 4 mm antrostomy dimension. The sinus mucosa was elevated, and the space obtained was filled with xenograft.

Cannabinoid receptor expression in non-small cell lung cancer. Effectiveness of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol inhibiting cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro.

Background/objective: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop resistance to antitumor agents by mechanisms that involve the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This necessitates the development of new complementary drugs, e.g.

A cell-free approach with a supporting biomaterial in the form of dispersed microspheres induces hyaline cartilage formation in a rabbit knee model.

The objective of this study was to test a regenerative medicine strategy for the regeneration of articular cartilage. This approach combines microfracture of the subchondral bone with the implant at the site of the cartilage defect of a supporting biomaterial in the form of microspheres aimed at creating an adequate biomechanical environment for the differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells that migrate from the bone marrow. The possible inflammatory response to these biomaterials was previously studied by means of the culture of RAW264.

Dentin tubule orientation determines odontoblastic differentiation in vitro: A morphological study.

Odontoblasts are post-mitotic cells responsible for maintenance of the dentin, and are therefore important for dental health. In some cases, irreversible pulpitis leads to necrosis and consequently death of odontoblasts. Regenerative endodontics (RE) uses the concept of tissue engineering to restore the root canals to a healthy state, allowing for continued development of the root and surrounding tissue.