Hierarchical assembly of tryptophan zipper peptides into stress-relaxing bioactive hydrogels.

Soft materials in nature are formed through reversible supramolecular assembly of biological polymers into dynamic hierarchical networks. Rational design has led to self-assembling peptides with structural similarities to natural materials. However, recreating the dynamic functional properties inherent to natural systems remains challenging.

Macrophage-Targeting and Complete Lysosomal Degradation of Self-assembled Two-Dimensional Poly(ε-caprolactone) Platelet Particles.

Understanding cellular uptake and particle trafficking within the cells is essential for targeted drug delivery applications. Existing studies reveal that the geometrical aspects of nanocarriers, for example, shape and size, determine their cell uptake and sub-cellular transport pathways. However, considerable efforts have been directed toward understanding the cell uptake mechanism and trafficking of spherical particles.

A Tunable Tumor Microenvironment through Recombinant Bacterial Collagen-Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels.

Laboratory models of the tumor microenvironment require control of mechanical and biochemical properties to ensure accurate mimicry of patient disease. In contrast to pure natural or synthetic materials, hybrid approaches that pair recombinant protein fragments with synthetic scaffolding show many advantages. Here we demonstrate production of a recombinant bacterial collagen-like protein (CLP) for thiol-ene pairing to norbornene functionalized hyaluronic acid (NorHA).

Inhibition of S. aureus Infection of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) by Trehalose- and Glucose-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles.

Microbial adhesion to host cells represents the initial step in the infection process. Several methods have been explored to inhibit microbial adhesion including the use of glycopolymers based on mannose, galactose, sialic acid and glucose. These sugar receptors are, however, abundant in the body, and are not unique to bacteria.

Length vs. stiffness: which plays a dominant role in the cellular uptake of fructose-based rod-like micelles by breast cancer cells in 2D and 3D cell culture models?

Polymeric nanoparticles with long circulation time hold great promise for anti-cancer drug delivery. An enhanced circulation effect of rod-like micelles has been reported, yet efficient intracellular delivery, especially their interactions with cells during endocytosis, still remains inconsistent. Internalization of rod-like nanoparticles is significantly affected by a number of factors including aspect ratio, stiffness and surface chemistry of nanoparticles.

Covalent Tethering of Temperature Responsive pNIPAm onto TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils via Three-Component Passerini Reaction.

A critical challenge in the application of functional cellulose fibrils is to perform efficient surface modification without disrupting the original properties. Three-component Passerini reaction (Passerini 3-CR) is regarded as an effective functionalization approach which can be carried out under mild and fast reaction condition. In this study, we investigated the application of Passerini 3-CR for the synthesis of thermoresponsive cellulose fibrils by covalently tethering poly(-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous condition at ambient temperature.

Clinical procedures and practices used in the perioperative treatment of female genital fistula during a prospective cohort study.

Background: Treatment and care for female genital fistula have become increasingly available over the last decade in countries across Africa and South Asia. Before the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and partners published a global fistula training manual in 2011 there was no internationally recognized, standardized training curriculum, including perioperative care. The community of fistula care practitioners and advocates lacks data about the prevalence of various perioperative clinical procedures and practices and their potential programmatic implications are lacking.

Profiles and experiences of women undergoing genital fistula repair: findings from five countries.

This article presents data from 1354 women from five countries who participated in a prospective cohort study conducted between 2007 and 2010. Women undergoing surgery for fistula repair were interviewed at the time of admission, discharge, and at a 3-month follow-up visit. While women's experiences differed across countries, a similar picture emerges across countries: women married young, most were married at the time of admission, had little education, and for many, the fistula occurred after the first pregnancy.

Determinants of postoperative outcomes of female genital fistula repair surgery.

Objective: To determine predictors of fistula repair outcomes 3 months postsurgery.

Methods: We conducted a multicountry prospective cohort study between 2007 and 2010. Outcomes, measured 3 months postsurgery, included fistula closure and residual incontinence in women with a closed fistula.

Factors influencing choice of surgical route of repair of genitourinary fistula, and the influence of route of repair on surgical outcomes: findings from a prospective cohort study.

Objective: The abdominal route of genitourinary fistula repair may be associated with longer term hospitalisation, hospital-associated infection and increased resource requirements. We examined: (1) the factors influencing the route of repair; (2) the influence of the route of repair on fistula closure 3 months following surgery; and (3) whether the influence of the route of repair on repair outcome varied by whether or not women met the published indications for abdominal repair.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

[Neglected idiopathic congenital clubfoot : surgical treatment before 20 years old. Retrospective study of 40 feet].

From January 2000 to december 2006, 40 club foot have been collected to the service of the frequency of the inveterate equin varus club foot is 0.3%. The average age is 12.

[The treatment of tibia open fractures by Hoffmann external fixation in Niamey. About 50 cases].

Unlabelled: The authors present the results of a retrospective study performed during 12 months; about 50 open fractures of tibia, treated by Hoffmann external fixation entirely or partially. The mean age was 33 years (6 years to 60 years). Forty (80%) patients had sustained the fracture in road traffic.

[Colonic pseudo-obstruction disclosing bladder calculi: report of 2 cases].

The authors report two cases of acute intestinal obstruction caused by bladder calculi and insist on differential clinical diagnosis. Simple X ray and sonography seemed to be sufficient-for diagnosis of this extrinseque colique obstruction and management consisted of removal of the bladder stones The prognosis is excellent.