Development of a Biodegradable PLGA Carrier to Provide Wnt Agonists and Antibiotics to Meet the Requirements for Patients with Bone Infections.

Antibiotic beads can be used to treat surgical infections. In this study, polylactide-polyglycolide (PLGA) was mixed with vancomycin, the osteogenic enhancer lithium chloride (LiCl), and hot compression to form PLGA-vancomycin-LiCl delivery beads to treat bone infection. An elution method was used to characterize in vitro release characteristics of vancomycin and Li over a 42-day period.

Composite bone graft of CaO-MgO-SiO glass-ceramics and CaSO ceramics for boosting bone formation rate.

This study develops a composite bone graft of CaO-MgO-SiO glass-ceramic and CaSO [abbreviated as (CMS)(CS)] the sponge replication technique with weight fractions of = 0, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3. The (CMS)(CS) composite displays a superior degradability and, a suitable compressive strength of ∼3 MPa, and excellent cell proliferation and differentiation.

Delivery and Transcriptome Assessment of an In Vitro Three-Dimensional Proximal Tubule Model Established by Human Kidney 2 Cells in Clinical Gelatin Sponges.

The high prevalence of kidney diseases and the low identification rate of drug nephrotoxicity in preclinical studies reinforce the need for representative yet feasible renal models. Although in vitro cell-based models utilizing renal proximal tubules are widely used for kidney research, many proximal tubule cell (PTC) lines have been indicated to be less sensitive to nephrotoxins, mainly due to altered expression of transporters under a two-dimensional culture (2D) environment. Here, we selected HK-2 cells to establish a simplified three-dimensional (3D) model using gelatin sponges as scaffolds.

Smartphone-assisted fluorescence-based detection of sunrise-type smart amplification process and a 3D-printed ultraviolet light-emitting diode device for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases plays a key role in clinical practice, especially in resource-limited countries. In this study, we integrated sunrise-type smart amplification process (s-SmartAmp), a convenient and sensitive isothermal amplification method for nucleic acid, into a portable 3D-printed device equipped with smartphone-assisted image analysis capabilities to develop a novel fluorescence-based sensing system for the on-site diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). To increase the efficiency of fluorescence (or Förster) resonance energy transfer, two types of sunrise probe systems were compared to detect the IS6110 DNA sequence of TB.

In vivo vascularized scaffold with different shear-exposed models for lymphatic tissue regeneration.

Current clinical treatments on lymphedema provide promising results, but also result in donor site morbidities. The establishment of a microenvironment optimized for lymphangiogenesis can be an alternative way to enhance lymphatic tissue formation. Hemodynamic flow stimuli have been confirmed to have an influential effect on angiogenesis in tissue engineering, but not on lymphatic vessel formation.

Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Intervention on the Degenerated Intervertebral Disc: From Molecular Mechanisms to Animal Models.

MicroRNA (miRNA) 107 expression is downregulated but Wnt3a protein and β-catenin are upregulated in degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD). We investigated mir-107/Wnt3a-β-catenin signaling in vitro and in vivo following hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) intervention. Our results showed 96 miRNAs were upregulated and 66 downregulated in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) following HBO treatment.

Conjugation of bone grafts with NO-delivery dinitrosyl iron complexes promotes synergistic osteogenesis and angiogenesis in rat calvaria bone defects.

Craniofacial/jawbone deformities remain a significant clinical challenge in restoring facial/dental functions and esthetics. Despite the reported therapeutics for clinical bone tissue regeneration, the bioavailability issue of autografts and limited regeneration efficacy of xenografts/synthetic bone substitutes, however, inspire continued efforts towards functional conjugation and improvement of bioactive bone graft materials. Regarding the potential of nitric oxide (NO) in tissue engineering, herein, functional conjugation of NO-delivery dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC) and osteoconductive bone graft materials was performed to optimize the spatiotemporal control over the delivery of NO and to activate synergistic osteogenesis and angiogenesis in rat calvaria bone defects.

Transcription Factor ATF3 Participates in DeltaNp63-Mediated Proliferation of Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial cell (CEC) proliferation in vitro may provide the means to boost CEC production in cell therapy for ocular disorders. The transcription factor ΔNp63 plays a crucial role in the proliferation of CECs, but the underlying mechanisms is yet to be elucidated. TP63 and ΔNp63 are encoded by the gene via alternative promoters.

The Effect of Negative Pressure on Wound Healing and Regeneration in Closed Incisions under High Tension: Evidence from Animal Studies and Clinical Experience.

Closed-incision negative-pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) is known to enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration. The main aim of the present study is to investigate its effectiveness on enhancing wound healing under tension. An animal study was designed using a swine model by removing a skin flap to create a wound that could be closed primarily under tension, and iNPWT was applied.

The Impacts of Lymph on the Adipogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Background: The pathophysiology of adipose proliferation or differentiation in extremity lymphedema has not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the impacts of the lymph harvested from lymphedematous limbs on the adipogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs).

Methods: ASCs were isolated from the adipose tissue of normal extremities and cultured with lymph collected from Cheng lymphedema grade III to IV patients or adipogenic differentiation medium (ADM) and further subjected to differentiation and proliferation assay.

Tracheal reconstruction with pedicled tandem grafts engineered by a radial stretch bioreactor.

The engineering of tracheal substitutes is pivotal in improving tracheal reconstruction. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of biomechanical stimulation on tissue engineering tracheal cartilage by mimicking the trachea motion through a novel radial stretching bioreactor, which enables to dynamically change the diameter of the hollow cylindrical implants. Applying our bioreactor, we demonstrated that chondrocytes seeded on the surface of Poly (ε-caprolactone) scaffold respond to mechanical stimulation by improvement of infiltration into implants and upregulation of cartilage-specific genes.

Tracheal Reconstruction with the Scaffolded Cartilage Sheets in an Orthotopic Animal Model.

Tracheal reconstruction remains challenged in clinical. We aimed to fabricate scaffolded cartilage sheets with rigid and elastic supports for tracheal reconstruction. The chondrocyte cell infiltration activity was examined in poly-caprolactone sheet scaffolds with various thicknesses and pore sizes after seeding cells on the top surface of the sheet scaffolds.

Application of dental stem cells in three-dimensional tissue regeneration.

Dental stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells. Dental pulp stem cells, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament stem cells, stem cells from apical papilla, and dental follicle progenitor cells are five different types of dental stem cells that have been identified during different stages of tooth development. The availability of dental stem cells from discarded or removed teeth makes them promising candidates for tissue engineering.

Calcitriol and enamel matrix derivative differentially regulated cemento-induction and mineralization in human periodontal ligament-derived cells.

Background: Alveolar bone and cementum share many biological and developmental similarities. The mineralizing effect of calcitriol has been previously reported. Yet, its cemento-inductivity has not been confirmed.

Creation of a rat lymphedema model using extensive lymph node dissection and circumferential soft tissue resection: Is this a reliable model?

Introduction: The medical demand for lymphedema treatment is huge since the disease mechanism remains unclear, and management are difficult. Our purpose was to develop a reliable lymphedema model mimicking the clinical scenario and allows a microsurgical approach.

Materials And Methods: Male Lewis rats weighing 400 to 450 g were used to create lymphedema with groin and popliteal lymph node dissection and creation of 5 mm circumferential skin defect (n = 6).

Fate of Fat Grafting In Vivo and In Vitro: Does the Suction-Assisted Lipectomy Device Matter?

Background: Recently, there has been increasing research interest in identifying the effect of liposuction procedures on fat graft survival in order to clarify whether different harvest techniques affect the quality of fat grafts.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 2 liposuction methods on the survival and regeneration potential of grafted fat tissue. The proliferation and differentiation potentials of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) isolated by both methods was also investigated.

The effect of bone inhibitors on periosteum-guided cartilage regeneration.

The regeneration capacity of knee cartilage can be enhanced by applying periosteal grafts, but this effect varies depending on the different sources of the periosteal grafts applied for cartilage formation. Tibia periosteum can be used to enhance cartilage repair. However, long-term analysis has not been conducted.

Fe in biosynthesis, translocation, and signal transduction of NO: toward bioinorganic engineering of dinitrosyl iron complexes into NO-delivery scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Iron, the most abundant transition metal ion in humans, participates in the biosynthesis, translocation, signal transduction, and transformation of nitric oxide through its encapsulation in the form of heme, [Fe-S], and [Fe(NO)2] cofactors within a variety of enzymes and proteins. After the review on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) for the biosynthesis and detection of NO, in this report, we discuss the natural utilization of the [Fe(NO)2] motif for translocation of endogenous NO and the translational development of synthetic dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) for biomedical applications. A mechanistic study of NO-release and NO-transfer reactivity of structure-characterized DNICs promoted the discovery of cell-penetrating and in vivo NO-delivery reactivity for treatment of cancer and wound healing in diabetes.

Critical Ischemia Time, Perfusion, and Drainage Function of Vascularized Lymph Nodes.

Background: Vascularized lymph node transfer is a promising surgical treatment for lymphedema. This study investigated the effect of ischemia on the lymphatic drainage efficiency of vascularized lymph node flaps and the critical ischemia time of lymph nodes.

Methods: Twenty-four lymph nodes containing groin flaps in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats were dissected.

Periosteal Osteogenic Capacity Depends on Tissue Source.

Periosteal osteogenic capacity can be exploited to enhance bone formation in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Despite this importance, there have been no studies examining the composition, structure, and osteogenic capacity of periostea from different bone sources. In this study, structure and osteogenic factor content were compared among periostea from rib, calvarial, femoral, and tibial bones, in which the native bones of these four regions were harvested and subjected to histological analysis.

Functional Interaction between Melatonin Signaling and Noncoding RNAs.

Melatonin was discovered in the pineal gland and first came to be known as a biochemical synchronizer of circadian rhythm. The molecular mechanisms underlying the broad-spectrum actions of melatonin are not restricted to its interaction with proteins but it also has functional effects after influencing RNA species that have no protein-coding potential. In this review we discuss the current understanding of the melatonin-mediated modulation of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) pathways under different physiological and pathological conditions.

Phytochemicals in Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment: An Updated Review.

Skin is the largest human organ, our protection against various environmental assaults and noxious agents. Accumulation of these stress events may lead to the formation of skin cancers, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Although modern targeted therapies have ameliorated the management of cutaneous malignancies, a safer, more affordable, and more effective strategy for chemoprevention and treatment is clearly needed for the improvement of skin cancer care.

Large Animal Models of an In Vivo Bioreactor for Engineering Vascularized Bone.

Reconstruction of large skeletal defects is challenging due to the requirement for large volumes of donor tissue and the often complex surgical procedures. Tissue engineering has the potential to serve as a new source of tissue for bone reconstruction, but current techniques are often limited in regards to the size and complexity of tissue that can be formed. Building tissue using an in vivo bioreactor approach may enable the production of appropriate amounts of specialized tissue, while reducing issues of donor site morbidity and infection.