Biocompatible, porous hydrogels composed of aliphatic polyesters and poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline). Their application as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.

In this study, porous networks were efficiently prepared by crosslinking hydrophilic poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPOx) with dicarboxylic polyesters (HOOC-PLA-COOH or HOOC-PCL-COOH) in the presence of sodium chloride as a water-soluble porogen. Importantly, by using a relatively simple synthetic protocol, the resulting spongy materials were freely formed to the desired size and shape while maintaining stable dimensions. According to the SEM data, the porous 3D structure can be altered by the pore dimensions, which are dependent on the porogen crystal size.

Effect of aluminium oxide nanoparticles on long-acting oleogels laden with Sc-PLA-chitosan nanoparticles for anti-HIV therapy.

The development of a long-acting injectable drug delivery systems (DDS) of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) holds great promise in addressing the challenges of treatment adherence, predominantly in HIV/AIDS. Polymers are inevitable carriers for the preparation of DDS, which are typically composed of polylactide (PLA), carbohydrates such as chitosan or cellulose derivatives. In this study, the tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) laden PLA-stereocomplex-chitosan nanoparticles (Sc-PLA-chitosan NPs) were developed through the spray-dried technique.

Investigation of Levan-Derived Nanoparticles of Dolutegravir: A Promising Approach for the Delivery of Anti-HIV Drug as Milk Admixture.

Nanoparticles composed of Levan and Dolutegravir (DTG) have been successfully synthesized using a spray drying procedure specifically designed for milk/food admixture applications. Levan, obtained from the microorganism Bacillus subtilis, was thoroughly characterized using MALDI-TOF and solid-state NMR technique to confirm its properties. In the present study, this isolated Levan was utilized as a carrier for drug delivery applications.

Compatibilizing of cotton fabric with hydrophobic drug cover layer for anti-inflammatory performance with the implementation of ibuprofen.

This paper presents active analgesic and anti-inflammatory dressings based on cotton woven material with surface functionalization enabling drug implementation. For this purpose, lactide was polymerized on the surface of cotton textiles to achieve better compatibility with hydrophobic drug and polylactide (PLA)-based macromolecules. Subsequently, ibuprofen-loaded PLA and PLA-PEG were implemented through the exhausting method.

Spray-dried pH-sensitive chitosan microparticles loaded with Mycobacterium bovis BCG intended for supporting treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Gram-negative spiral-shaped Helicobacter pylori (Hp) bacteria induce the development of different gastric disorders. The growing resistance of Hp to antibiotics prompts to search for new therapeutic formulations. A promising candidate is Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) with immunomodulatory properties.

3D printing of dolutegravir-loaded polylactide filaments as a long-acting implantable system for HIV treatment.

3D printing was used to prepare implantable systems or tablets loaded with dolutegravir to explore their potential as long-acting implantables (LAIs). Our strategy relies on preparing a polylactide (PLA) filament loaded with the anti-HIV drug. Subsequently, 3D printing was performed under conditions that allowed the PLA to be simultaneously melted and the drug encapsulated within the printed strand.

Development of an anti-infective urinary catheter composed of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/methylcellulose/polyethylene glycol by using a pressure-assisted 3D-printing technique.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a common complication associated with catheterization, leading to urosepsis, bacteriuria, and septicaemia. The present work focuses on 3D printing a urinary catheter with anti-infective properties using various concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, e.g.

Perioperative Fluid Management.

The medical complexity of the geriatric patients has been steadily rising. Still, as outcomes of surgical procedures in the elderly are improving, centers are pushing boundaries. There is also a growing appreciation of the importance of perioperative fluid management on postoperative outcomes, especially in the elderly.

Biofire pneumonia panel in lung donors: faster detection but limited pathogens.

Background: Culture of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens takes time to report. We tested whether a molecular diagnostic test could accelerate donor lung assessment and treatment.

Methods: We compared BioFire Film Array Pneumonia Panel (BFPP) with standard of care (SOC) tests on lung allograft samples at three time points: (1) donor BAL at organ recovery, (2) donor bronchial tissue and airway swab at implantation, and (3) first recipient BAL following lung implantation.

Nanohybrids Composed of Tannic Acid Cross-Linked by Metal Ions Obtained by a Microfluidic Technique.

Naturally occurring compounds, such as tannic acid (TA), are perfect for constructing nanohybrids (NHs) with metal ions due to their anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. To date, the batch methods are the ones in which such NHs were constructed; however, those methods possess many drawbacks, such as low reproducibility or size variations. To overcome this limitation, microfluidic preparation is proposed for NHs construction composed of TA and iron (III).

Burnout in Academic Physicians.

The prevalence of burnout is much higher in physicians than in other occupations. Academic physicians serve important functions, training future physicians and advancing medical research in addition to doing clinical work. However, they are particularly vulnerable to burnout for reasons including low compensation for teaching, pressure to publish despite a lack of time and declining research funds, and a redistribution of clinical workload due to restrictions on trainee work hours.

Burnout in Medicine: Are We Asking the Right Questions?

After reviewing a substantial amount of published data on academic physician burnout, we were left pondering the question, "Are we on the right track with combating burnout?" This point-counterpoint manuscript details two opposing viewpoints: 1) the current approach to fighting burnout is working, and 2) resources should be diverted and focus placed on other areas because current interventions are failing physicians. In addressing these points, we discuss four poignant questions that we discovered researching this multifaceted issue: 1) Why do current burnout interventions have limited effects on prevalence over time? 2) Who benefits from the current health care structure (is burnout a profitable and desirable consequence of our work environment)? 3) What organizational conceptual frameworks are most beneficial to improve burnout? 4) How do we take responsibility and seize the ground for our own well-being? Though these differing viewpoints provoked an engaging and lively conversation among our writing team, we all agree on one point. Burnout is an immense problem that affects physicians, patients, and society; therefore, it demands our attention and resources.

Stereocomplexed microparticles loaded with Salvia cadmica Boiss. extracts for enhancement of immune response towards Helicobacter pylori.

Controlled delivery of therapeutic substance gives numerous advantages (prevents degradation, improves uptake, sustains concentration, lowers side effects). To encapsulate Salvia cadmica extracts (root or aerial part), enriched with polyphenols with immunomodulatory activity, in stereocomplexed microparticles (sc-PLA), for using them to enhance the immune response towards gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Microparticles were made of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA).

Lung preservation: from perfusion to temperature.

Purpose Of Review: This article will review the evidence behind elements of the lung preservation process that have remained relatively stable over the past decade as well as summarize recent developments in ex-vivo lung perfusion and new research challenging the standard temperature for static cold storage.

Recent Findings: Ex-vivo lung perfusion is becoming an increasingly well established means to facilitate greater travel distance and allow for continued reassessment of marginal donor lungs. Preliminary reports of the use of normothermic regional perfusion to allow utilization of lungs after DCD recovery exist, but further research is needed to determine its ability to improve upon the current method of DCD lung recovery.

Polylactide-Based Materials: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications.

Polylactide (PLA) is a biocompatible polyester that can be obtained by polycondensation of lactic acid or the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide [...

Intercostal Nerve Cryoanalgesia Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia in Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: The optimal pain management strategy after lung transplantation is unknown. This study compared analgesic outcomes of intercostal nerve blockade by cryoanalgesia (Cryo) versus thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).

Methods: Seventy-two patients who underwent bilateral lung transplantation via clamshell incision at our center from 2016 to 2018 were managed with TEA (N = 43) or Cryo (N = 29).

Spray-dried tenofovir alafenamide-chitosan nanoparticles loaded oleogels as a long-acting injectable depot system of anti-HIV drug.

The development of suitable drug delivery systems for prolonged action against HIV receives great attention in recent research. Herein, a long-acting injectable (LAI) of Tenofovir alafenamide-chitosan polymeric nanoparticles loaded oleogels developed with sesame oil and ethyl cellulose for prolonged release of the drug is reported for the first time. The research resulted with unique long-acting parenteral formulation for chronic anti-retroviral therapy, based on our experimental in-vitro and ex-vivo studies.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Preoperative Antithrombin Supplementation in Patients at Risk for Antithrombin Deficiency After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Antithrombin (AT) activity is reduced during cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which is associated with adverse outcomes. Preoperative AT supplementation, to achieve >58% and <100% AT activity, may potentially reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality in cardiac operations with CPB. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative treatment with AT supplementation in patients at risk for low AT activity after undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.

Microfluidic preparation of antimicrobial microparticles composed of l-lactide/1,3-dioxolane (co)polymers loaded with quercetin.

The resistance of microorganisms against commonly used antibiotics is becoming an increasingly important problem in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the development of novel bactericidal agents, as well as the design of drug delivery systems based on materials composed of biocompatible and biodegradable building blocks, has attracted increasing attention. To address this challenge, microparticles composed of l-lactide homopolymer and l-lactide/1,3-dioxolane (co)polymers loaded with quercetin (Q) were fabricated by using a microfluidic technique.