Evaluation methods for decellularized tissues: A focus on human amniotic membrane.

Tissue engineering, a multidisciplinary research field aiming to revolutionize regenerative medicine, relies on scaffolds for optimal cell cultures and organ development. Decellularized tissue extracellular matrices (dECM) scaffolds, particularly from human amniotic membrane (hAM), show promise in clinical applications. This review discusses the significance of scaffolds, emphasizing dECM-based hAM scaffolds, delving into ECM complexities, decellularization processes, and evaluation methods.

Changes in the levels of free sialic acid during ex vivo lung perfusion do not correlate with pulmonary function. Experimental model.

Background: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) constitutes a tool with great research potential due to its advantages over in vivo and in vitro models. Despite its important contribution to lung reconditioning, this technique has the disadvantage of incurring high costs and can induce pulmonary endothelial injury through perfusion and ventilation. The pulmonary endothelium is made up of endothelial glycocalyx (EG), a coating of proteoglycans (PG) on the luminal surface.

Biomolecules resveratrol + coenzyme Q10 recover the cell state of human mesenchymal stem cells after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced damage and improve proliferation and neural differentiation.

Neurodegenerative disorders are a critical affection with a high incidence around the world. Currently, there are no effective treatments to solve this problem. However, the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and antioxidants in neurodegenerative diseases has shown to be a promising tool due to their multiple therapeutic effects.

Endothelin-Converting Enzyme 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as Potential Biomarkers during Lung Perfusion with Prolonged Hypothermic Lung-Sparing.

Lung transplantation requires optimization of donor's organ use through ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) to avoid primary graft dysfunction. Biomarkers can aid in organ selection by providing early evidence of suboptimal lungs during EVLP and thus avoid high-risk transplantations. However, predictive biomarkers of pulmonary graft function such as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have not been described under EVLP with standard prolonged hypothermic preservation, which are relevant in situations where lung procurement is difficult or far from the transplantation site.

Loss of Znt8 function in diabetes mellitus: risk or benefit?

The zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) plays an essential role in zinc homeostasis inside pancreatic β cells, its function is related to the stabilization of insulin hexameric form. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have established a positive and negative relationship of ZnT8 variants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), exposing a dual and controversial role. The first hypotheses about its role in T2DM indicated a higher risk of developing T2DM for loss of function; nevertheless, recent GWAS of ZnT8 loss-of-function mutations in humans have shown protection against T2DM.

Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Improves Extracellular Matrix Assembly for Scarring after Tracheal Resection.

Treatment of tracheal stenosis is occasionally performed in combination with wound healing modulators to manipulate new extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and prevent fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (collagen-PVP) decrease fibrosis in experimental tracheal healing. However, they have not been used clinically as their effect on ECM components, which modify tracheal scarring, has not been described.

Effects of Pirfenidone and Collagen-Polyvinylpyrrolidone on Macroscopic and Microscopic Changes, TGF-1 Expression, and Collagen Deposition in an Experimental Model of Tracheal Wound Healing.

Tracheal stenosis (TS) is a fibrosis originated by prolonged inflammation and increased transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-1) expression and collagen deposition (CD) in the tracheal wound. Several wound-healing modulators (WHMs) have been used to modulate the tracheal healing process and prevent TS, but they have failed, justifying the need to evaluate alternative WHM. The pirfenidone (PFD) and collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (Collagen-PVP) decrease inflammation and fibrosis.

Effects of 2-methoxyestradiol on apoptosis and HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in lung cancer cells under normoxia and hypoxia.

Hypoxic tumor cells are known to be more resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation than normoxic cells. However, the effects of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an anti-angiogenic, antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic drug, on hypoxic lung cancer cells are unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of 2-ME on cell growth, apoptosis, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α gene and protein expression in A549 cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.

Respiratory mechanics and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 are affected by gas humidification during mechanical ventilation in dogs.

The use of dry gases during mechanical ventilation has been associated with the risk of serious airway complications. The goal of the present study was to quantify the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and to determine the radiological, hemodynamic, gasometric, and microscopic changes in lung mechanics in dogs subjected to short-term mechanical ventilation with and without humidification of the inhaled gas. The experiment was conducted for 24 hours in 10 dogs divided into two groups: Group I (n = 5), mechanical ventilation with dry oxygen dispensation, and Group II (n = 5), mechanical ventilation with oxygen dispensation using a moisture chamber.

[Effects of propofol pretreatment on endothelin in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury].

Introduction: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pathological condition characterized by injury in the alveolar-capillary membrane that triggers local and systemic inflammation. Endothelin (ET) is a protein that regulates immune response and constricts blood vessels; when it is over-expressed, it may contribute to high blood pressure and lung injury. This work tries to determine if propofol may decrease hemodynamic, gasometric, microscopic, ET-1 plasmatic concentration, and immuno-histochemical alterations in an experimental model of oleic acid-induced acute lung injury.

Effects of middle ear packing with collagen polyvinylpyrrolidone and hyaluronic acid in guinea pigs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate otoscopic and microscopic changes produced on the healthy mucosa of the middle ear (ME) and tympanic membrane (TM) of guinea pigs after packing with a collagen polyvinylpyrrolidone (CPVP) sponge soaked in hyaluronic acid (HA).

Material And Methods: In 24 guinea pigs, myringotomy on the right side was created and the ME was packed as follows: Group I (n = 6): Absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) soaked in saline solution; Group II (n = 6): AGS sponge soaked in HA, Group III (n = 6): CPVP sponge soaked in saline solution, Group IV (n = 6): CPVP sponge soaked in HA. Four weeks after miringotomy, the ME and TM integrity and residual packing material were evaluated otoscopically.

[Glutaraldehyde-preserved and lyophilized bovine pericardium as materials for medialization of the vocal folds in an animal model].

Introduction: Glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium (GBP) and lyophilized GBP (LGBP) have been used successfully in repairing several anatomical defects, but their effectiveness and safety as implants to vocal cords (VC) have not been reported.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of GBP and LGBP as materials for medialization thyroplasty, as well as to assess the endoscopic, macroscopic and microscopic VC changes after medialization in an experimental canine model.

Material And Methods: In 12 healthy mongrel dogs, the right VC were medialized using pericardium and the left with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[Experimental model of canine oleic acid-induced acute lung injury: establishment of a working model].

Introduction: There are several experimental model of acute lung injury induced by oleic acid (OA); however, there are few studies that show how this injury develops.

Objective: This study seeks to detail the x-ray, hemodynamic, gasometrical, gravimetrical, macroscopic and microscopic alterations developed in an experimental model of canine OA-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

Material And Methods: Twelve dogs were divided in 2 study groups: Group I (n=6): Control group without ALI.

Wound healing modulators in a tracheoplasty canine model.

Postsurgical tracheal stenosis results from fibrosis formation due to ischemia. There are healing modulators, hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen polyvinylpyrrolidone (CPVP), which reduce collagen fibers formation. Thus we can hypothesize that the topical application of one of these modulators can diminish postsurgical tracheal scarring and stenosis.