Extracellular matrix-derived and low-cost proteins to improve polyurethane-based scaffolds for vascular grafts.

Vascular graft surgeries are often conducted in trauma cases, which has increased the demand for scaffolds with good biocompatibility profiles. Biodegradable scaffolds resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood vessels are promising vascular graft materials. In the present study, polyurethane (PU) was blended with ECM proteins collagen and elastin (Col-El) and gelatin (Gel) to produce fibrous scaffolds by using the rotary jet spinning (RJS) technique, and their effects on in vitro properties were evaluated.

A novel technique to produce tubular scaffolds based on collagen and elastin.

Tubular polymer scaffolds based on tissue engineering techniques have been studied as potential alternatives for vascular regeneration implants. The blood vessels of the cardiovascular system are mainly fibrous, composed of collagen (Col) and elastin (El), and its inner layer consists of endothelial cells. In this work, Col and El were combined with polyurethane (PU), a biocompatible synthetic polymer, and rotary jet spinning, a new and highly productive technique, to produce fibrous scaffolds.

Early public research funding response to COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Introduction: This study investigated the role of early public research funding regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Methods: We examined the budget for research projects relating to the number of cases and deaths and the relationship between each federal unit, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and the national GDP per capita.

Results: Using data from the websites of official funding agencies and the Brazilian government, we found that, in the first four months since the first case in Wuhan, China (December 31, 2019), around US$ 38.

Cardiac tissue engineering: current state-of-the-art materials, cells and tissue formation.

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death worldwide. The heart has limited capacity of regeneration, therefore, transplantation is the only solution in some cases despite presenting many disadvantages. Tissue engineering has been considered the ideal strategy for regenerative medicine in cardiology.