The analysis of different scaffolds and the benefit of fibrin glue for tendon tissue engineering at different culture times.

This study evaluated a tendon substitute model. Tenocytes were isolated from pig Achilles tendon, seeded onto scaffolds (Opocrin 2%, Typeone 3% and Symatese 2%) and studied by histology, immunofluorescence for collagen type 1 and 3 and biochemical analysis to assess cellularity. The permeability of these compounds was evaluated in the presence or absence of fibrin glue.

Comparison between different cell sources and culture strategies for tendon tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an in vitro mechanical stimulation by the use of a bioreactor on an engineered tendon for 7 and 14 days and to analyze the effect of the use of different cell sources: tenocytes, dermal fibroblasts or Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs), isolated from pig tissues. Histology showed a re-organization of the neo-tissue derived from the three cell populations along the direction of the stimulus. At T7, cells morphology was preserved while an increased cellular suffering at T14 was observed for all cell populations.

The effects of dietary verbascoside on blood and liver oxidative stress status induced by a high n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids diet in piglets.

Twenty-four weaned female Hypor piglets (10.9 ± 0.1 kg mean BW) were used to evaluate the antioxidant effect of a natural extract, titrated in verbascoside, on blood and liver oxidative status in relation to a high intake of n-6 PUFA, inducing oxidative stress.

Osteochondral repair by a novel interconnecting collagen-hydroxyapatite substitute: a large-animal study.

A novel three-dimensional bicomponent substitute made of collagen type I and hydroxyapatite was tested for the repair of osteochondral lesions in a swine model. This scaffold was assembled by a newly developed method that guarantees the strict integration between the organic and the inorganic parts, mimicking the biological tissue between the chondral and the osseous phase. Thirty-six osteochondral lesions were created in the trochlea of six pigs; in each pig, two lesions were treated with scaffolds seeded with autologous chondrocytes (cell+group), two lesions were treated with unseeded scaffolds (cell- group), and the two remaining lesions were left untreated (untreated group).

Effect of silver nanocoatings on catheters for haemodialysis in terms of cell viability, proliferation, morphology and antibacterial activity.

The onset of infections associated to bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices represents the major risk of morbidity and mortality among patients. In order to contain the risk of infections in clinical practice, there is a growing interest nowadays in silver-based products due to the strong antimicrobial efficacy of silver against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. In this work, temporary catheters for haemodialysis were coated with silver nano-particles through the in situ photo-reduction of a silver salt in alcoholic solution.

Changes in nitrosative stress biomarkers in swine intestine following dietary intervention with verbascoside.

In farm animals, oxidative stress can be involved in several intestinal pathological disorders, and many antioxidant molecules, especially those of plant origin, can counteract free radicals, thus stabilizing the gut environment and enhancing health. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of verbascoside (VB), a polyphenol plant compound, in pig feeding could modulate oxidative and/or nitrosative stress in the gut. Eighteen male piglets (Dalland) were assigned to two groups, which were fed with either a control diet (CON) or a diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of verbascoside (VB) for 166 days.

Fibrin-based model for cartilage regeneration: tissue maturation from in vitro to in vivo.

One of the crucial points for a successful tissue-engineering approach for cartilage repair is represented by the level of in vitro maturation of the engineered tissue before implantation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the level of in vitro maturation of engineered cartilaginous samples on the tissue quality after in vivo implantation. Samples were obtained from isolated swine articular chondrocytes embedded in fibrin glue.

Current surgical options for articular cartilage repair.

The articular cartilage lesions represent one of the major unsolved problems in the orthopaedic surgery. This is because articular cartilage has a limited capacity of self-repair following trauma. The aim of this study is to review the different surgical options for articular cartilage repair.

The low-affinity receptor for neurotrophins p75NTR plays a key role for satellite cell function in muscle repair acting via RhoA.

Regeneration of muscle fibers, lost during pathological muscle degeneration or after injuries, is mediated by the production of new myofibres. This process, sustained by the resident stem cells of the muscle, the satellite cells, is finely regulated by local cues, in particular by cytokines and growth factors. Evidence in the literature suggests that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in muscle fiber regeneration; however, its role and mechanism of action were unclear.

Necdin mediates skeletal muscle regeneration by promoting myoblast survival and differentiation.

Regeneration of muscle fibers that are lost during pathological muscle degeneration or after injuries is sustained by the production of new myofibers. An important cell type involved in muscle regeneration is the satellite cell. Necdin is a protein expressed in satellite cell-derived myogenic precursors during perinatal growth.