Investigating the Relationship Between the Emulsification Parameters and Physical-Chemical Properties of Poly(D,L-lactic acid) Particles for Dermal Fillers.

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) particles have been applied as dermal fillers for soft-tissue augmentation because they can induce foreign-body reactions, resulting in fibroblast proliferation and collagen formation. Although PLLA and PDLLA fillers are safe and biocompatible, clinical complications such as nodules and granulomas have been reported, possibly due to incomplete reconstitution. PDLLA particles were prepared via emulsification in this study, and three stirring speeds were investigated when adding PDLLA into carboxymethyl cellulose solution.

Effects of integrated care with case management and nutritional counselling for frail older adults with nutritional risk in the primary care setting.

Background: The effects of integrated care with case management and nutritional counselling for frail patients with nutritional risk are unclear.

Objectives: To assess the impact of the integrated care model for frail patients with nutritional risk in the primary care setting.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study.

In vitro studies of factors affecting debridement of dental implants by tricalcium phosphate powder abrasive treatment.

Peri-implantitis is a common complication characterized by inflammation in tissues surrounding dental implants due to plaque accumulation, which can lead to implant failure. While air flow abrasive treatment has been found to be effective for debriding implant surfaces, little is known about the factors that affect its cleaning capacity. This study systematically examined the cleaning capacity of air powder abrasive (APA) treatment with β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder, using various powder jetting strengths and different particle sizes.

Long-term effects of tear film component deposition on the surface and optical properties of two different orthokeratology lenses.

Purpose: To understand the effects of long-term deposition of tear film components on the surface and optical properties of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses, two different lenses, Brighten 22 and Optimum Extra, were tested here.

Methods: Ortho-k lenses were immersed in artificial tears and cleaned with a commercial care solution repeatedly for up to 90 days. Both the daily and accumulated lysozyme deposition amounts using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay were then analyzed.

Production of Modified Autologous Conditioned Serum and Ex Vivo Assessment of Its Healing Potential in Murine Corneal Epithelium.

Human blood-derived topical therapies have been a boon to clinicians in recent decades. Autologous serum (AS) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are enriched in epitheliotropic growth factors that are essential in corneal wound healing. Unlike AS, PRP is based on a differential centrifugation system, yielding more platelet-derived growth factors.

Distinct Expression of Surface and Genetic Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

Background/aim: Surface biomarkers, such as CD44 and CD133, have been demonstrated to be expressed in prostate cancer cells, and our previous study has shown that prostate cancer cell lines could be divided into three groups according to the single and combined expression pattern of CD44 and 133. In order to refine prognostication in prostate cancer cells, we further investigated genetic biomarkers, prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), kallikrein 4 (KLK4), and KLK9 in different prostate cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: CWR22Rv1, PC3, and DU145 cell lines were cultured until 95% confluence.

Investigation and Characterization of Factors Affecting Rheological Properties of Poloxamer-Based Thermo-Sensitive Hydrogel.

Poloxamers are negatively temperature-sensitive hydrogels and their hydrophilic groups interact with water molecules at lower temperatures (liquid phase) while their hydrophobic groups interact more strongly with increases in temperature causing gelation. To investigate the factors affecting the rheological properties of poloxamers, various parameters including different poloxamer P407 concentrations, poloxamers P407/P188 blending ratios and additives were examined. The results presented a clear trend of decreasing gelling temperature/time when P407 was at higher concentrations.

Preparation and Characterization of Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels Derived from Acellular Cartilage Tissue.

Decellularized matrices can effectively reduce severe immune rejection with their cells and eliminated nucleic acid material and provide specific environments for tissue repair or tissue regeneration. In this study, we prepared acellular cartilage matrix (ACM) powder through the decellularization method and developed ACM hydrogels by physical, chemical, and enzymatic digestion methods. The results demonstrated that the small size group of ACM hydrogels exhibited better gel conditions when the concentration of ACM hydrogels was 30 and 20 mg/mL in 1N HCl through parameter adjustment.

The efficacy of vancomycin-loaded biphasic calcium phosphate bone substitute in the promotion of new bone growth and the prevention of postoperative infection.

Due to the increasing need for suitable alternatives to bone grafts, artificial bones made of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) are currently being extensively researched. These porous bone substitutes have also demonstrated considerable incorporation with the host bone, and new bone is able to grow within the porous structure. They therefore offer a potential therapeutic approach for bone defects.

The Effect of Polysaccharides on Preventing Proteins and Cholesterol from Being Adsorbed on the Surface of Orthokeratology Lenses.

The adsorption of tear film compositions such as proteins and lipids on the orthokeratology lenses often lead to infection or corneal damage. In order to investigate whether polysaccharides could prevent tear compositions from being adsorbed on the lens, alginic acid and lambda-carrageenan were added into artificial tear solution. By measuring daily adsorption of cholesterol, lysozyme, and albumin, our results showed that polysaccharides could weakly prevent cholesterol adsorption.

Development of Injectable Calcium Sulfate and Self-Setting Calcium Phosphate Composite Bone Graft Materials for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

The demand of bone grafting is increasing as the population ages worldwide. Although bone graft materials have been extensively developed over the decades, only a few injectable bone grafts are clinically available and none of them can be extruded from 18G needles. To overcome the existing treatment limitations, the aim of this study is to develop ideal injectable implants from biomaterials for minimally invasive surgery.

Evaluating Pull-Out Strength of Barbed Suture In Vitro by Using Porcine Tissue and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

Using barbed thread lifting for facial rejuvenation has become popular these days due to its minimally invasive procedures with reduced complications. However, only limited studies regarding its mechanical properties for face suspension were published. The aim of this study was to evaluate suture-holding ability regarding its facelift property, and different specimens were tested in order to establish an in vitro model.

Investigating Factors Influencing Nurses' Behavioral Intention to Use Mobile Learning: Using a Modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model.

The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test a model for predicting the key factors affecting nurses' behavioral intention to use mobile learning (m-learning). We explored behavioral intention from users' perspectives by applying an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model with the addition of information quality, system quality, technostress, and satisfaction. We conducted a survey of the district and regional hospitals in central Taiwan.

The Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on Protein Deposition and Optical Characteristics of Orthokeratology Lenses.

Orthokeratology lenses are commonly used for myopia control, especially in children. Tear lipids and proteins are immediately adsorbed when the lens is put on the cornea, and protein deposition may cause discomfort or infection. Therefore, we established an in vitro protein deposition analysis by mimicking the current cleaning methods for orthokeratology lens wearers for both short-term and long-term period.

Preparation and Characterization of Moldable Demineralized Bone Matrix/Calcium Sulfate Composite Bone Graft Materials.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is a decalcified allo/xenograft retaining collagen and noncollagenous proteins, which has been extensively used because of its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Calcium sulfate (CaSO, CS) is a synthetic bone substitute used in bone healing with biocompatible, nontoxic, bioabsorbable, osteoconductive, and good mechanical characteristics. This study aims to prepare a DBM/CS composite bone graft material in a moldable putty form without compromising the peculiar properties of DBM and CS.

Effects of ketoanalogues on skeletal muscle mass in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: real-world evidence.

Objective: Ketoanalogue (KA) supplementation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on a restricted protein diet has been shown to maintain their nutritional status in clinical trials. However, a gap existed between the findings of the clinical trials and the real-world practice. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the KA effect on skeletal muscle mass in patients with stage 4-5 CKD.

Albumin Acts as a Lubricant on the Surface of Hydrogel and Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses.

Feeling comfortable is the greatest concern for contact lens wearers, and it has been suggested that in vivo comfort could be corresponded to the in vitro friction coefficient of contact lenses. How tear albumin could affect the friction coefficient of silicone hydrogel and hydrogel contact lenses was analyzed by sliding a lens against a quartz glass in normal and extremely high concentration of albumin solution. Albumin deposition testing and surface roughness analysis were also conducted.

Analyzing the Expression of Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines.

Background/aim: CD44 and CD133 have been implicated as biomarkers of cancer cells and their expression could be analyzed to identify circulating tumor cells. Although CD44 and CD133 have been shown to be expressed in prostate cancer cells, a differential expression pattern has been reported depending on the tumor stage and cell line examined. We further investigated CD44 and CD133 expression in different prostate cancer cell lines to confirm whether their expression is distinguishable among patients with various tumor stages.

Correlation between Tribological Properties and the Quantified Structural Changes of Lysozyme on Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Contact Lens.

The ocular discomfort is the leading cause of contact lens wear discontinuation. Although the tear proteins as a lubricant might improve contact lens adaptation, some in vitro studies suggested that the amount of adsorbed proteins could not simply explain the lubricating performance of adsorbed proteins. The purpose of this study was to quantify the structural changes and corresponding ocular lubricating properties of adsorbed protein on a conventional contact lens material, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA).

Establishment of surface marker expression profiles for colorectal cancer stem cells under different conditions.

Background: Positive expression of CD44 and CD133 and high expression levels of an epithelial cell adhesion molecule are reliable markers for colorectal cancer stem cells in tumors or among circulating tumor cells. However, the heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells makes it very difficult to detect these stem cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of CD44 and CD133 of colorectal cancer stem cells under different treatments in order to understand the expression profile of these markers when cancer cells grow in different conditions.

The Bio-Tribological Effect of Poly-Gamma-Glutamic Acid in the Lysozyme-Ionic Contact Lens System.

Feeling comfortable is an important issue for contact lens wearers as contact lenses are worn for an extensive period of time. It has been shown that the in vitro friction coefficient of contact lenses is correlated to the degree of in vivo comfort, thus many studies focus on establishing friction testing methods for investigating the friction coefficient of contact lenses or contact lens care solution. We have previously demonstrated the lubricating property of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-containing care solution, and it could reduce the high friction coefficient caused by lysozyme.

Development of Kaempferol-Loaded Gelatin Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization in Mice.

Cornea is the transparent layer in front of the eye that does not contain blood vessels. Among eye diseases, corneal neovascularization (NV) is one of the major causes of vision loss, since it can also lead to blindness. An herbal extraction containing flavonoid, kaempferol (KA), with antiangiogenic effect was chosen as a candidate drug for inhibited vessel formation.

Effects of lysosomal deposition on the friction coefficient of hydrogel contact lenses.

When a contact lens is in contact with the eyelid and the cornea, tear proteins start to be accumulated on the lens and may subsequently undergo conformational changes. Protein adsorption or conformational changes on the lens may lead to discomfort, red eye, or even inflammatory reactions. Although measuring the friction coefficient of contact lens has been linked to comfort degree in vivo, there is not much research about the effects of tear protein deposition on the friction coefficient of the contact lens.