Modular Multiwell Viscoelastic Hydrogel Platform for Two- and Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Applications.

Hydrogels have gained significant popularity as model platforms to study reciprocal interactions between cells and their microenvironment. While hydrogel tools to probe many characteristics of the extracellular space have been developed, fabrication approaches remain challenging and time-consuming, limiting multiplexing or widespread adoption. Thus, we have developed a modular fabrication approach to generate distinct hydrogel microenvironments within the same 96-well plate for increased throughput of fabrication as well as integration with existing high-throughput assay technologies.

Modular multiwell viscoelastic hydrogel platform for two- and three-dimensional cell culture applications.

Hydrogels have gained significant popularity as model platforms to study the reciprocal interactions between cells and their microenvironment. While hydrogel tools to probe many characteristics of the extracellular space have been developed, fabrication approaches remain challenging and time-consuming, limiting multiplexing or widespread adoption. Thus, we have developed a modular fabrication approach to generate distinct hydrogel microenvironments within 96-well plates for increased throughput of fabrication as well as integration with existing high-throughput assay technologies.

Supramolecular Fibrous Hydrogel Augmentation of Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) is a common surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). However, the relatively high failure rate of up to 40% underscores a strong clinical need for complementary treatment strategies, such as biomaterial augmentation. Herein, the first hydrogel biomaterial augmentation of USLS in a recently established rat model is described using an injectable fibrous hydrogel composite.

Case series, contemporary review and imaging guided diagnostic and management approach of congenital pericardial defects.

Objective: Congenital pericardial defect (CPD) is a rare entity with an estimated frequency of 0.01%-0.04%.

Characteristics and Outcomes in a Contemporary Group of Patients With Suspected Significant Mitral Stenosis Undergoing Treadmill Stress Echocardiography.

Background: In contemporary patients with suspected significant mitral stenosis (MS) undergoing rest and treadmill stress echocardiography, we assessed characteristics and factors associated with longer-term survival.

Methods: We studied 515 consecutive patients (asymptomatic/atypical symptoms, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 58±2%; 43% male) with suspected at least moderate MS ([1] native mitral valve [MV]: resting mean MV gradient ≥5 mm Hg or area ≤1.5 cm and [2] prosthetic valve: resting mean MV gradient ≥5 mm Hg or effective orifice area ≤2 cm) who underwent rest and treadmill stress echocardiography between 1/2003 and 12/2013.

Pericardial diseases in patients with hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a well-known cause of pericardial effusion (with an incidence of 3%-37%) and can cause cardiac tamponade in severe cases. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the epidemiology of hypothyroid-induced pericardial diseases, the mechanism through which low thyroid hormone levels affect the pericardium, the associated clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests and management options. Hypothyroidism causes pericardial effusion through increased permeability of the epicardial vessels and decreased lymphatic drainage of albumin, resulting in accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space.

Transvenous Extraction of Pacemaker and Defibrillator Leads and the Risk of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to detect and quantify acute increases in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity following transvenous lead extraction (TLE) and to evaluate the associated risk factors.

Background: Although established as a safe and effective method for lead removal, TLE is sometimes complicated by TR.

Methods: In 208 consecutive patients undergoing TLE, acute changes in TR severity were assessed by transesophageal echocardiography.

Iatrogenic Left Circumflex Coronary Artery Fistula after Mitral Valve Replacement.

• LCx injury during MV surgery occurs at a frequency of about 1%. • Injury typically occurs in the proximal vessel near the MV anterolateral commissure. • Echocardiography is important in diagnosing and assessing coronary artery fistulas.

Nanoengineered Ionic-Covalent Entanglement (NICE) Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting.

We introduce an enhanced nanoengineered ionic-covalent entanglement (NICE) bioink for the fabrication of mechanically stiff and elastomeric 3D biostructures. NICE bioink formulations combine nanocomposite and ionic-covalent entanglement (ICE) strengthening mechanisms to print customizable cell-laden constructs for tissue engineering with high structural fidelity and mechanical stiffness. Nanocomposite and ICE strengthening mechanisms complement each other through synergistic interactions, improving mechanical strength, elasticity, toughness, and flow properties beyond the sum of the effects of either reinforcement technique alone.

Ascending Aortic Dimensions in Former National Football League Athletes.

Background: Ascending aortic dimensions are slightly larger in young competitive athletes compared with sedentary controls, but rarely >40 mm. Whether this finding translates to aortic enlargement in older, former athletes is unknown.

Methods And Results: This cross-sectional study involved a sample of 206 former National Football League (NFL) athletes compared with 759 male subjects from the DHS-2 (Dallas Heart Study-2; mean age of 57.

Vacancy-Driven Gelation Using Defect-Rich Nanoassemblies of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Polymeric Binder for Biomedical Applications.

A new approach of vacancy-driven gelation to obtain chemically crosslinked hydrogels from defect-rich 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS ) nanoassemblies and polymeric binder is reported. This approach utilizes the planar and edge atomic defects available on the surface of the 2D MoS nanoassemblies to form mechanically resilient and elastomeric nanocomposite hydrogels. The atomic defects present on the lattice plane of 2D MoS nanoassemblies are due to atomic vacancies and can act as an active center for vacancy-driven gelation with a thiol-activated terminal such as four-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-thiol (PEG-SH) via chemisorption.