Changes in Noradrenergic Synthesis and Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Activity in Response to Oxidative Stress after Iron-induced Brain Injury.

Noradrenaline (NA) levels are altered during the first hours and several days after cortical injury. NA modulates motor functional recovery. The present study investigated whether iron-induced cortical injury modulated noradrenergic synthesis and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in response to oxidative stress in the brain cortex, pons and cerebellum of the rat.

Green Foaming of Biologically Extracted Chitin Hydrogels Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for Scaffolding of Human Osteoblasts.

Chitin is a structural polysaccharide abundant in the biosphere. Chitin possesses a highly ordered crystalline structure that makes its processing a challenge. In this study, chitin hydrogels and methanogels, prepared by dissolution in calcium chloride/methanol, were subjected to supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO) to produce porous materials for use as scaffolds for osteoblasts.

Remaining microtia tissue as a source for 3D bioprinted elastic cartilage tissue constructs, potential use for surgical microtia reconstruction.

The absence of ears in children is a global problem. An implant made of costal cartilage is the standard procedure for ear reconstruction; however, side effects such as pneumothorax, loss of thoracic cage shape, and respiratory complications have been documented. Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows the generation of biocompatible scaffolds that mimic the shape, mechanical strength, and architecture of the native extracellular matrix necessary to promote new elastic cartilage formation.

Evaluation of the Biocompatibility and Osteogenic Properties of Metal Oxide Coatings Applied by Magnetron Sputtering as Potential Biofunctional Surface Modifications for Orthopedic Implants.

Biomaterials with adequate properties to direct a biological response are essential for orthopedic and dental implants. The surface properties are responsible for the biological response; thus, coatings with biologically relevant properties such as osteoinduction are exciting options to tailor the surface of different bulk materials. Metal oxide coatings such as TiO, ZrO, NbO and TaO have been suggested as promising for orthopedic and dental implants.

Degradation Behavior and Mechanical Integrity of a Mg-0.7Zn-0.6Ca (wt.%) Alloy: Effect of Grain Sizes and Crystallographic Texture.

The microstructural characteristics of biodegradable Mg alloys determine their performance and appropriateness for orthopedic fixation applications. In this work, the effect of the annealing treatment of a Mg-0.7Zn-0.

Early Expression of Neuronal Dopaminergic Markers in a Parkinson's Disease Model in Rats Implanted with Enteric Stem Cells (ENSCs).

Background: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the dopaminergic (DAergic) system. Replacement therapy is a promising alternative aimed at reconstructing the cytoarchitecture of affected brain regions in PD. Experimental approaches, such as the replacement of DAergic neurons with cells obtained from the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) has yet to be explored.

Polyelectrolyte complex of Aloe vera, chitosan, and alginate produced fibroblast and lymphocyte viabilities and migration.

Chitosan, sodium alginate and gel of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) were employed for the preparation of polyelectrolyte complexes at pH 4 and 6. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis showed evidence on complexes formation and incorporation of the Aloe vera gel. The ζ potential determination of the polyelectrolyte complexes revealed the presence of surface charges in the range of -20 to -24 mV, which results in stable systems.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of lactic acid-modified chitosan scaffolds for potential treatment of full-thickness burns.

Autologous skin transplantation is today's "gold standard" treatment for full-thickness burns. However, when > 30% of total body surface area is damaged, there is an important shortage of autologous donor sites for skin grafting; then, treatment alternatives become crucial. Such alternatives can be based on polymeric scaffolds capable of functioning as protective covers and cells/factors carriers.

An enteric nervous system progenitor cell implant promotes a behavioral and neurochemical improvement in rats with a 6-OHDA-induced lesion.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) of mammals is derived from neural crest (NC) cells during embryogenesis and at the beginning of postnatal life. However, neural progenitor cells from the ENS (or ENSPC) are also found in the adult intestine and can be used for neuronal regeneration in diseases that lead to a loss of cell population, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), in which there is a decrease of dopaminergic neurons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of ENSPC to restore damaged nervous tissue and to show that they are functional for a behavioral and neurochemical recovery.