Glutathione-depleting polymer delivering chlorin e6 for enhancing photodynamic therapy.

The therapeutic effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is highly dependent on the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the ROS generated by photosensitizers can be consumed by the highly concentrated glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells, severely impairing the therapeutic effect of PDT. Herein, we synthesized a GSH-scavenging copolymer to deliver photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6).

sp. nov., isolated from Baiyang Lake.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, brick red-pigmented bacterium, designated R-22-1 c-1, was isolated from water from Baiyang Lake, Hebei Province, PR China. The strain was able to grow at 20-30 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6-7 (optimum, pH 6) in Reasoner's 2A medium. 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses of R-22-1 c-1 revealed closest relationships to MCC P1 (97.

Ameliorative Effect of Curcumin-Encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid-PLA Nanoparticles on Thioacetamide-Induced Murine Hepatic Fibrosis.

In this study, we developed curcumin-encapsulated hyaluronic acid-polylactide nanoparticles (CEHPNPs) to be used for liver fibrosis amelioration. CD44, the hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor, is upregulated on the surface of cancer cells and on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) rather than normal cells. CEHPNPs could bind to CD44 and be internalized effectively through endocytosis to release curcumin, a poor water-soluble liver protective agent.

Effect of cervus and cucumis peptides on osteoblast activity and fracture healing in osteoporotic bone.

Osteoporosis is associated with delayed and/or reduced fracture healing. As cervus and cucumis are the traditional Chinese treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated the effect of supplementation of these peptides (CCP) on bone fracture healing in ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic rats in vitro and in vivo. CCP enhanced osteoblast proliferation and increased alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix mineralization, and expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), and osteopontin.

[Study on differentiation of rat adipose tissue-derived stromal cells into Schwann-like cells].

Objective: To investigate the phenotypic, molecular and biological characteristics of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) differentiated alonely a Schwann cells (SCs) lineage and to provide a new cells' seed source for nerve tissue engineering or cell therapy.

Methods: Cultured ADSCs were isolated from SD rats and the undifferentiated ADSCs were confirmed by detection of MSC-specific cell-surface markers. The ADSCs were differentiated along a glial cell lineage using an established cocktail of growth factors.

Transcatheter heart valve with variable geometric configuration: in vitro evaluation.

Clinically, the current transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) technology has shown a propensity for paravalvular leakage; studies have correlated this flaw to increased calcification at the implantation site and with nonideal geometry of the stented valve. The present study evaluated the hydrodynamics of different geometric configurations, in particular the intravalvular considerations. Three TAV devices were made to create a representative, size 26 mm TAV.

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into a Schwann-cell phenotype and promote neurite outgrowth in vitro.

Cell-based therapy has achieved promising functional recovery for peripheral nerve repair. Although Schwann cells (SCs) and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are the main cell source for nerve tissue engineering, the clinical application is limited because of donor site morbidity, the invasive procedure, and the decreased number of SCs and BM-MSCs. Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) could be a promising cell source for nerve tissue engineering because they are easily accessible and their use has no ethical issues.

Performance of bioprosthetic valves after glycerol dehydration, ethylene oxide sterilization, and rehydration.

Objective: : Most commercially available bioprosthetic valves are stored in an aldehyde solution. We report a new alternative method: Self-expanding valves composed of dehydrated tissues with a high glycerin:water ratio can be collapsed into specially designed sheaths prior to sterilization for ease of delivery and storage.

Materials And Methods: : Changes in tissue dimension of five samples of bovine pericardium were evaluated from baseline after glycerol treatment, air-drying, ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization, and rehydration with water.

Performance of extracorporeally adjustable ventricular assist device inflow cannula.

Purpose: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed adjustable left ventricular assist device inflow cannula in a short-term calf model.

Description: In this inflow cannula, the angle between the cannula body and the inflow cannula tip can be altered extracorporeally by manipulating 2 externalized cables connected to the cannula. The cannula tip is adjustable in any plane to a maximum of ±15 degrees.

Mitral annular remodeling to treat functional mitral regurgitation: a pilot acute study in a canine model.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the injection of a nonabsorbable substance into the base of the left ventricle (LV) to treat functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: Tyramine-based hyaluronan hydrogel was injected into the base of the LV of the beating heart in a canine model of rapid ventricular pacing-induced functional MR (n = 4). The severity of MR was evaluated by epicardial echocardiography before and after hydrogel injection.

In vivo biocompatibility evaluation of a new resilient, hard-carbon, thin-film coating for ventricular assist devices.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo the biocompatibility of BioMedFlex (BMF), a new resilient, hard-carbon, thin-film coating, as a blood journal bearing material in Cleveland Heart's (Charlotte, NC, USA) continuous-flow right and left ventricular assist devices (RVADs and LVADs). BMF was applied to RVAD rotating assemblies or both rotating and stator assemblies in three chronic bovine studies. In one case, an LVAD with a BMF-coated stator was also implanted.

In vivo evaluation of zirconia ceramic in the DexAide right ventricular assist device journal bearing.

Zirconia is a ceramic with material properties ideal for journal bearing applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of zirconium oxide (zirconia) as a blood journal bearing material in the DexAide right ventricular assist device. Zirconia ceramic was used instead of titanium to manufacture the DexAide stator housing without changing the stator geometry or the remaining pump hardware components.

In vivo acute performance of the Cleveland Clinic self-regulating, continuous-flow total artificial heart.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute in vivo pump performance of a unique valveless, sensorless, pulsatile, continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) that passively self-balances left and right circulations without electronic intervention.

Methods: The CFTAH was implanted in two calves, with pump and hemodynamic data recorded at baseline over the full range of pump operational speeds (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) in 200-rpm increments, with pulsatility variance, and under a series of induced hemodynamic states created by varying circulating blood volume and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance (SVR and PVR).

Results: Sixty of the 63 induced hemodynamic states in Case 1 and 73 of 78 states in Case 2 met our design goal of a balanced flow and maximum atrial pressure difference of 10 mm Hg.

[Molluscicidal activity of methanol extracts of Jatropha curcas leaves against Ampullaria gigas].

Objective: To evaluate the molluscicidal activities of methanol extract of Jatropha curcas leaves against Ampullaria gigas.

Methods: Young snails, adult snails and eggs of Ampullaria gigas were treated with the methanol extract of J. curcas leaves at different doses for different time lengths and the molluscicidal effects of the extract were evaluated.

Human clinical fitting study of the DexAide right ventricular assist device.

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) has been developed as an implantable RVAD. The purpose of this study was to determine the final design and optimal anatomical placement of the DexAide RVAD when implanted simultaneously with either of two commercially available left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients. A mock-up DexAide RVAD was used to assess configuration with each of two types of commercially available LVADs at the time of LVAD implantation in three human clinical cases.

High-sensitivity detection of fruit tree viruses using bacterial magnetic particles.

Prunus necrotic ring spot virus (PNRSV) and grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) were detected by fluoroimmunoassay using bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs), and a double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). For the fluoroimmunoassay, fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled anti-PNRSV antibody or anti-GFLV antibody was conjugated onto BMPs of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1. With this method, a very low minimum antigen concentration (1 x 10(6) dilution of the original sample concentration) could be detected.

Development of DexAide right ventricular assist device: update II.

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) is a magnetically and hydrodynamically levitated implantable centrifugal pump. Recent progress includes 1) redesign of the inflow/outflow conduits, which yielded two successful 3-month experiments, 2) development of alternative journal bearing materials, and 3) completion of an 18-month duration of in vitro endurance testing. Verification testing of the RVAD electronics has been completed, and a prototype biventricular assist device (BVAD) system has been tested.

Development of the DexAide right ventricular assist device inflow cannula.

Cannula design and cannulation site can pose major limitations to chronic pump implantations in animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of various inflow cannula designs for the DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD). The DexAide RVAD was implanted for intended durations of 14, 30, or 90 days in 19 animals (mean 20 +/- 11 days).

Acute in vivo evaluation of an implantable continuous flow biventricular assist system.

An implantable biventricular assist device offers a considerable opportunity to save the lives of patients with combined irreversible right and left ventricular failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and physiologic performance of the combined implantation of the CorAide left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD). Acute hemodynamic responses were evaluated after simulating seven different physiological conditions in two calves.

Innovative, replaceable heart valve: concept, in vitro study, and acute in vivo study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of our innovative, replaceable heart valves that can be easily detached from the sewing ring at the time of repeat replacement. The prototype devices consist of the base magnet ring assembly and the valve magnet ring assembly that utilize magnetic coupling force for the locking mechanism. Magnetic coupling strength was evaluated in vitro.

Hemodynamic and metabolic changes during exercise in calves with total artificial hearts of different sizes yet similar output.

To evaluate the effects of downsizing of the total artificial heart (TAH), we compared the anaerobic threshold (AT) values in calves with two different types of TAH (Cleveland Clinic-Nimbus TAH and the downsized MagScrew TAH). Exercise studies were performed using a treadmill in 12 calves. During the exercise, parameters to obtain the AT were measured.

Cadaver fitting study of the DexAide right ventricular assist device.

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) has been developed to provide an implantable RVAD option to surgeons. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal cannula design and optimal implantation location of the DexAide RVAD in preparation for its clinical use. Separately, a HeartMate XVE left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and CorAide LVAD models were implanted into the preperitoneal and right thoracic space, and the anatomical fit of the DexAide RVAD was evaluated in five preserved human cadavers.

Progress in the development of the DexAide right ventricular assist device.

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) is an implantable centrifugal pump modified from the CorAide left ventricular assist device. As previously published, in vitro performance testing of the DexAide RVAD has met design criteria, and the nominal operating condition of 4 l/min and 20 mm Hg pressure rise was achieved at 2,000 rpm, with a power consumption of 1.9 watts.

Replacement of the left-side valves of an implanted total artificial heart.

The MagScrew total artificial heart (TAH) is under development. Despite its anticipated durability and reliability, the possibility of a bioprosthetic valve malfunction exists. As a result, the potential for valve replacement surgery, instead of device replacement, would be desirable after a TAH implant.

Development of patient-specific three-dimensional pediatric cardiac models.

The availability of algorithms to create three-dimensional (3D) models from medical images has made it possible to render and build patient-specific reconstructions of individual body parts. In the present study, this technology was used to create 3D models of pediatric hearts for use in medical device development. Digital models were created using CT datasets of pediatric hearts and commercially available 3D image processing software.