Impact of preprocedural mesenteric artery stenosis and mesenteric ischemia in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the incidence, etiologies, and consequences of acute mesenteric ischemia as well as the impact of preprocedural subclinical mesenteric artery stenosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Methods: Among prospective follow-up of 269 consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia was confirmed by abdominal computed tomography. Cumulative hazard of 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality according to the absence or presence of mesenteric artery stenosis 70% or greater from preprocedural computed tomography angiography was analyzed.

Biodegradable micelles from a hyaluronan-poly(ε-caprolactone) graft copolymer as nanocarriers for fibroblast growth factor 1.

A novel copolymer (HA-g-PCL) was prepared by grafting hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains onto the backbone of hydrophilic hyaluronic acid (HA) with a grafting ratio of ∼7%. The copolymer formed micelles with a size of ∼60 nm in aqueous solution over a critical concentration of ∼4 μg mL. Each micelle consisted of about four copolymer chains.

Hyaluronic acid-dependent protection against alkali-burned human corneal cells.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high-molecular-weight glycosaminoglycan and extracellular matrix component that promotes cell proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HA on alkali-injured human corneal epithelial cells in vitro, and to elucidate the mechanisms by which HA mediates corneal cell protection. A human corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-2) was treated with sodium hydroxide before incubation with low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA, 127 kDa) or high-molecular-weight HA (HMW-HA, 1525 kDa).

Characterizing poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-chitooligosaccharide-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCP) copolymer micelles for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery: effects of crosslinked of amine groups.

New amine-groups containing tri-block copolymers and micelles that consisting of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-chitooligosaccharide-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-b-COS-b-PEG, PCP), were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for delivering doxorubicin (DOX) with or without crosslinked amine groups by genipin. The characteristics of the PCP copolymers of Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) verify the amine and ester groups of the COS and the PCL of the copolymers, respectively. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra verify the structures of the PCP copolymers consisting two PCL and PEG polymers reacted onto the COS block.

Reinnervation of muscular targets by nerve regeneration through guidance conduits.

We established histopathologic and neurophysiologic approaches to examine whether different designs of polycaprolactone-engineered nerve conduits (hollow vs. laminated) could promote nerve regeneration as autologous grafts after transection of sciatic nerves. The assessments included morphometric analysis at the level of sciatic nerve, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and gastrocnemius muscle, and nerve conduction studies on sciatic nerves.

Reduction in experimental peridural adhesion with the use of a crosslinked hyaluronate/collagen membrane.

The research goals were to fabricate a crosslinked hyaluronate (HA)/collagen membrane and study its efficacy in preventing peridural adhesion. Different weight ratios of HA/collagen membranes crosslinked with carbodiimide were tested for biocompatibility and biodegradability first. Forty-eight adult New Zealand white rabbits underwent an L6 laminectomy.

Fabrication of porous biodegradable polymer scaffolds using a solvent merging/particulate leaching method.

This study developed a solvent merging/particulate leaching method for preparing three-dimensional porous scaffolds. Poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and sodium chloride particles were dry-mixed and cast into a special mold, through which a liquid could pass due to a pressure difference. An organic solvent was then poured into the mold to dissolve and merge the PLGA particles under negative pressure.