Synthesis and use of thermoplastic polymers for tissue engineering purposes.

Thermoplastic polymers provide a versatile platform to mimic various aspects of physiological extracellular matrix properties such as chemical composition, stiffness, and topography for use in cell and tissue engineering applications. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the most promising thermoplastic polymers, and in particular the thermoplastic polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), and polycaprolactone, and the thermoplastic elastomers, such as polyurethanes, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and poly(butyl cyanoacrylate). A particular focus has been made on the synthesis processes, the processability and the biocompatibility.

Preretinal abnormal tissue before and after pars plana vitrectomy in macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a multimodal imaging study.

Purpose: To quantitatively explore preretinal abnormal tissue (PAT) in macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) before and after surgery.

Methods: In this case-series study, PAT was detected by en-face optical coherence tomography images with custom slabs in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy and SF6 for macula-on RRD.Main outcome measures were PAT area at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up, and its relative change.

Development of chitosan/hydrolyzed collagen interaction product-based microparticles for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent a significant global health issue, particularly for vulnerable population, such as children, the elderly, or patients with immunosuppression. In this context, the aim of the present work was the development of Chitosan/Hydrolyzed Collagen-based microparticles (Mps) as a pulmonary drug delivery system (PDDS) for the treatment of RTIs. Mps were produced via spray-drying and composed of chitosan (Cs), one of the most widely used polysaccharides in PDDS, and hydrolyzed collagen (HC), another promising material for the development of PDDS that has not yet been fully explored.

Choroidal and Choriocapillaris OCT-A Analysis in Patients Affected by Active Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To analyze choroidal and choriocapillaris changes in eyes affected by active unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods: A total of 17 eyes suffering from naïve CSC were enrolled. In addition, 17 healthy fellow eyes were analyzed, and 10 eyes were enrolled as controls.

Olive mill wastewater: From by-product to smart antioxidant material.

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is a byproduct of olive oil extraction that represents a critical environmental concern due to its potential adverse effects on ecosystems. Given these premises, spray-dried microparticles were designed and developed using maltodextrins as carriers to encapsulate OMWW bioactive compounds. The microparticles were manufactured using an easily scalable and sustainable spray-drying process.