Self-organizing behaviors of cardiovascular cells on synthetic nanofiber scaffolds.

In tissues and organs, the extracellular matrix (ECM) helps maintain inter- and intracellular architectures that sustain the structure-function relationships defining physiological homeostasis. Combining fiber scaffolds and cells to form engineered tissues is a means of replicating these relationships. Engineered tissues' fiber scaffolds are designed to mimic the topology and chemical composition of the ECM network.

Cellulose Nanofiber-Alginate Biotemplated Cobalt Composite Multifunctional Aerogels for Energy Storage Electrodes.

Tunable porous composite materials to control metal and metal oxide functionalization, conductivity, pore structure, electrolyte mass transport, mechanical strength, specific surface area, and magneto-responsiveness are critical for a broad range of energy storage, catalysis, and sensing applications. Biotemplated transition metal composite aerogels present a materials approach to address this need. To demonstrate a solution-based synthesis method to develop cobalt and cobalt oxide aerogels for high surface area multifunctional energy storage electrodes, carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and alginate biopolymers were mixed to form hydrogels to serve as biotemplates for cobalt nanoparticle formation via the chemical reduction of cobalt salt solutions.

Can Flexible Instruments Create Adequate Femoral Tunnel Lengths at 90° of Knee Flexion in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Purpose: This study aims to study femoral tunnel lengths drilled with a flexible reamer and the distance to important lateral structures obtained by flexing the knee at various angles and by drilling the guide pins arthroscopically to resemble clinical practice. The purpose of this cadaveric study was twofold: 1. to determine whether femoral tunnel lengths of greater than 20 mm can be created with a flexible reamer system at 90 ° of knee flexion and 2.

Pharmacological dimerization and activation of the exchange factor eIF2B antagonizes the integrated stress response.

The general translation initiation factor eIF2 is a major translational control point. Multiple signaling pathways in the integrated stress response phosphorylate eIF2 serine-51, inhibiting nucleotide exchange by eIF2B. ISRIB, a potent drug-like small molecule, renders cells insensitive to eIF2α phosphorylation and enhances cognitive function in rodents by blocking long-term depression.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with bulk femoral head allograft for salvage of large defects in the ankle.

Background: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in patients with large segmental bony defects presents a substantial challenge to successful reconstruction. These defects typically occur following failed total ankle replacement, avascular necrosis of the talus, trauma, osteomyelitis, Charcot, or failed reconstructive surgery. This study examined the outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using bulk femoral head allograft to fill this defect.

Variations in the quality of care delivered to patients undergoing total knee replacement at 3 affiliated hospitals.

While excellent clinical results have been seen with total knee replacement (TKR), extensive documentation exists in variations in outcomes due to factors such as hospital and surgeon volume. The hypothesis of this study was that statistically significant variation exists in the processes of care delivered to patients undergoing TKR at 3 affiliated hospitals.Retrospective chart review was used to compare the quality of care delivered to a sample of patients from an academic medical center, public county hospital, and private community hospital.

Predictors of the need for femoral shortening osteotomy during open treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip.

Background: It is well accepted that femoral shortening osteotomy can reduce the risk of complications after open reduction of developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH), especially in older children and "high" dislocations. It remains unclear, however, at what age a child needs a femoral shortening osteotomy and what exactly constitutes a "high" dislocation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate age and femoral displacement as predictors of the need for a femoral shortening osteotomy during the open treatment of DDH.

Linkage analysis of genetic loci for kyphoscoliosis on chromosomes 5p13, 13q13.3, and 13q32.

Kyphoscoliosis, a three-dimensional deformity of spinal growth, is characterized by a curvature in the coronal plane (scoliosis) in conjunction with thoracic kyphosis in excess of the normal range in the sagittal plane. We identified kyphoscoliosis within members of seven families (53 individuals) originally ascertained as part of a large collaborative study of familial idiopathic scoliosis. Model-independent linkage analysis of a genome-wide microsatellite screen identified areas suggestive of linkage on chromosomes 2q22, 5p13, 13q, and 17q11.

Efficacy of continuous epidural analgesia versus single dose caudal analgesia in children after intravesical ureteroneocystostomy.

Purpose: We compared the effects of single dose caudal injection and continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine on postoperative pain intensity and supplemental opioid analgesic requirements in children undergoing intravesical ureteroneocystostomy.

Materials And Methods: Children 6 to 18 years old scheduled for ureteroneocystostomy were recruited for the study. Patients were randomized to group 1--caudal injection of 0.