Synergy between 3D-extruded electroconductive scaffolds and electrical stimulation to improve bone tissue engineering strategies.

In this work, we propose a simple, reliable, and versatile strategy to create 3D electroconductive scaffolds suitable for bone tissue engineering (TE) applications with electrical stimulation (ES). The proposed scaffolds are made of 3D-extruded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), subjected to alkaline treatment, and of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), anchored to PCL with one of two different crosslinkers: (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GOPS) and divinyl sulfone (DVS). Both cross-linkers allowed the formation of a homogenous and continuous coating of PEDOT:PSS to PCL.

Novel Electroactive Mineralized Polyacrylonitrile/PEDOT:PSS Electrospun Nanofibers for Bone Repair Applications.

Bone defect repair remains a critical challenge in current orthopedic clinical practice, as the available therapeutic strategies only offer suboptimal outcomes. Therefore, bone tissue engineering (BTE) approaches, involving the development of biomimetic implantable scaffolds combined with osteoprogenitor cells and native-like physical stimuli, are gaining widespread interest. Electrical stimulation (ES)-based therapies have been found to actively promote bone growth and osteogenesis in both in vivo and in vitro settings.

Hydroxyapatite-filled osteoinductive and piezoelectric nanofibers for bone tissue engineering.

Osteoporotic-related fractures are among the leading causes of chronic disease morbidity in Europe and in the US. While a significant percentage of fractures can be repaired naturally, in delayed-union and non-union fractures surgical intervention is necessary for proper bone regeneration. Given the current lack of optimized clinical techniques to adequately address this issue, bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategies focusing on the development of scaffolds for temporarily replacing damaged bone and supporting its regeneration process have been gaining interest.

Production of Blended Poly(acrylonitrile): Poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) Electrospun Fibers for Neural Applications.

This study describes, for the first time, the successful incorporation of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) fibers. While electroconductive PEDOT:PSS is extremely challenging to electrospun into fibers. Therefore, PAN, a polymer easy to electrospun, was chosen as a carrier due to its biocompatibility and tunable chemical stability when cross-linked, particularly using strong acids.

Electrically Conductive Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Articular cartilage is a highly specialized tissue found in diarthrodial joints, which is crucial for healthy articular motion. Despite its importance, articular cartilage has limited regenerative capacities, and the degeneration of this tissue is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with hundreds of millions of people affected. As current treatment options for cartilage degeneration remain ineffective, tissue engineering has emerged as an exciting approach to create cartilage substitutes.

Piezoelectric Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds for Bone, Articular Cartilage and Osteochondral Tissue Engineering.

Osteochondral tissue (OCT) related diseases, particularly osteoarthritis, number among the most prevalent in the adult population worldwide. However, no satisfactory clinical treatments have been developed to date to resolve this unmet medical issue. Osteochondral tissue engineering (OCTE) strategies involving the fabrication of OCT-mimicking scaffold structures capable of replacing damaged tissue and promoting its regeneration are currently under development.

Non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy for improving erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with several chronic diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED). The association of OSAS and ED is far more common than might be found by chance; the treatment of OSAS with non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy is associated with improvement of respiratory symptoms, and may contribute to the improvement of associated conditions, such as ED.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy for improving erectile dysfunction in OSAS.

Diode Laser Vaporization for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: Outcome After 126 Procedures.

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with a 940-nm diode laser is an option for treating symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Here, we present our experience using this technology. We prospectively evaluated 126 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH who underwent PVP with a 940-nm diode laser from January 2011 to January 2014.

Versatile magnetic carbon nanotubes for sampling and pre concentration of pesticides in environmental water.

This article describes a simple, efficient, and versatile magnetic carbon nanotubes (MCNT) method for sampling and pre-concentration of pesticides in environmental water samples. The multi-walled magnetic carbon nanotubes were obtained by chemical deposition vapor (CVD) process. The MCNTs structures are formed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions that provide great dispersion at any water matrix allowing simultaneously a high efficiency of pesticides sorption.

Reduction in Renal Specimen After Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy: A Histopathologic Analysis.

Abstract Background and Purpose: There is no consensus on the most appropriate way to extract the kidney after laparoscopy. A previous study evaluated the reduction in total kidney volume and incision size (40%) after perfusion with a 5% hypertonic solution in a porcine model. The purpose of the current study was to compare the histopathologic renal tumor diagnosis before and after this perfusion.