Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: case report and review of contemporary literature.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture is a rare condition with a great potential for morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and managed. We present an unusual non-infected sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture in a 47-year-old female. This case report, a likely presentation of a late congenital heart defect, highlights the need for a high index of suspicion in a patient with atypical history of congestive cardiac failure.

Adult cardiac surgery in Trinidad and Tobago during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from a developing country.

Background And Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen the cancellation of elective cardiac surgeries worldwide. Here we report the experience of a cardiac surgery unit in a developing country in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Methods: From 6th April to 12th June 2020, 58 patients underwent urgent or emergency cardiac surgery.

Algorithms for left atrial wall segmentation and thickness - Evaluation on an open-source CT and MRI image database.

Structural changes to the wall of the left atrium are known to occur with conditions that predispose to Atrial fibrillation. Imaging studies have demonstrated that these changes may be detected non-invasively. An important indicator of this structural change is the wall's thickness.

Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite 3D Honeycomb Scaffolds for a Cellular Microenvironment Adapted to Maxillofacial Bone Reconstruction.

The elaboration of biomimetic materials inspired from the specific structure of native bone is one the main goal of tissue engineering approaches. To offer the most appropriate environment for bone reconstruction, we combined electrospinning and electrospraying to elaborate an innovative scaffold composed of alternating layers of polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA). In our approach, the electrospun PCL was shaped into a honeycomb-like structure with an inner diameter of 160 μm, capable of providing bone cells with a 3D environment while ensuring the material biomechanical strength.

Evaluation of Fibrin-Based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks as Potential Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering.

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have gained great attention for a number of biomedical applications due to their improved properties compared to individual components alone. In this study, we investigated the capacity of newly-developed naturally-derived IPNs as potential biomaterials for tissue engineering. These IPNs combine the biologic properties of a fibrous fibrin network polymerized at the nanoscale and the mechanical stability of polyethylene oxide (PEO).

Biocompatibility study of lithium disilicate and zirconium oxide ceramics for esthetic dental abutments.

Purpose: The increasing demand for esthetically pleasing results has contributed to the use of ceramics for dental implant abutments. The aim of this study was to compare the biological response of epithelial tissue cultivated on lithium disilicate (LS) and zirconium oxide (ZrO) ceramics. Understanding the relevant physicochemical and mechanical properties of these ceramics will help identify the optimal material for facilitating gingival wound closure.

In vitro cyto-biocompatibility study of thin-film transistors substrates using an organotypic culture method.

Thin-Film-Transistors Liquid-Crystal Display has become a standard in the field of displays. However, the structure of these devices presents interest not only in that field, but also for biomedical applications. One of the key components, called here TFT substrate, is a glass substrate with a dense and large array of thousands of transparent micro-electrodes that can be considered as a large scale multi-electrode array(s).

Analysis of the biocompatibility of perfluoropolyether dimethacrylate network using an organotypic method.

In this work, we have investigated the potential of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) polymers for use in biomaterial applications, especially in cell culture and tissue engineering. PFPE substrates were synthesized by the photocuring of liquid PFPE urethane dimethacrylate. These surfaces were then modified by ECM protein coatings and microstructuration, to promote cell adhesion and migration.

Organotypic culture to assess cell adhesion, growth and alignment of different organs on silk fibroin.

Glass sheets covered with aligned electrospun silk fibroin (Bombyx mori) were compared to tissue culture-treated Thermanox® coverslips, using an organotypic culture method. Different chick embryo organ behaviours were analysed in terms of circularity, cell growth and cell adhesion after being cultivated in contact with these two materials. The circularity (cell layer shape corresponding to the trend of the biomaterials to induce a specific directionality) depends on the organ used when in contact with silk fibroin.

Cytocompatibility of titanium metal injection molding with various anodic oxidation post-treatments.

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a near net shape manufacturing method that allows for the production of components of small to moderate size and complex shape. MIM is a cost-effective and flexible manufacturing technique that provides a large innovative potential over existing methods for the industry of implantable devices. Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) samples were machined to the same shape as a composite feedstock with titanium and polyoxymethylene, and these metals were injected, debinded and sintered to assess comparative biological properties.

Enhanced cellular adhesion on titanium by silk functionalized with titanium binding and RGD peptides.

Soft tissue adhesion on titanium represents a challenge for implantable materials. In order to improve adhesion at the cell/material interface we used a new approach based on the molecular recognition of titanium by specific peptides. Silk fibroin protein was chemically grafted with titanium binding peptide (TiBP) to increase adsorption of these chimeric proteins to the metal surface.

Effect of a neonatal low-protein diet on the morphology of myotubes in culture and the expression of key proteins that regulate myogenesis in young and adult rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of a neonatal low-protein diet on the morphology of myotubes in culture and the expression of key proteins that regulate myogenesis in young and adult rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 18) were suckled by mothers fed diets containing 17% protein (controls, C) or 8% protein (undernourished, UN). All rats were fed a normal protein diet after weaning.

Heparin coating of poly(ethylene terephthalate) decreases hydrophobicity, monocyte/leukocyte interaction and tissue interaction.

Woven poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is widely used in implantable medical devices. Upon implantation, fibrinogen interacts with the PET and changes conformation, such that the fibrinogen P2 epitope may become exposed. This allows inflammatory cells to interact with the material.

Selective control of liver and kidney cells migration during organotypic cocultures inside fibronectin-coated rectangular silicone microchannels.

In this work, the behaviors of embryonic liver and kidney explants were studied inside rectangular polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels. The organs were cultured under monoculture and coculture conditions on PDMS coated with or without fibronectin. The results demonstrated that the migration of cells from both organs is dependent on culture conditions and thus can be selectively controlled.