Utilization of Bulk RNA Sequencing for the Evaluation of Keratin Nanomaterials as a Coating for Percutaneous Devices.

Despite advances in the design and protocols for maintaining the skin/device interface around percutaneous devices (PDs), no current strategy ensures the permanent attachment of peri-implant epithelial tissue to the device surface. Based on preliminary data, we hypothesized that PDs coated with keratin nanomaterials, resembling the fingernail-nailbed interface, could provide a biochemically mediated surface that enhances epidermal cell adhesion and differentiation. To test this hypothesis, 15 Yucatan miniature pigs were each implanted with six percutaneous titanium devices, comprising three porous and three smooth devices, both with and without keratin coatings (Kerateine [iKNT] and Keratose [gKOS]).

Development of a Static Avascular and Dynamic Vascular Human Skin Equivalent Employing Collagen/Keratin Hydrogels.

One of the primary complications in generating physiologically representative skin tissue is the inability to integrate vasculature into the system, which has been shown to promote the proliferation of basal keratinocytes and consequent keratinocyte differentiation, and is necessary for mimicking representative barrier function in the skin and physiological transport properties. We created a 3D vascularized human skin equivalent (VHSE) with a dermal and epidermal layer, and compared keratinocyte differentiation (immunomarker staining), epidermal thickness (H&E staining), and barrier function (transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and dextran permeability) to a static, organotypic avascular HSE (AHSE). The VHSE had a significantly thicker epidermal layer and increased resistance, both an indication of increased barrier function, compared to the AHSE.

Comparing efficiency of patent production between US institutions using a hybrid NIH-USPTO dataset.

A database that links patents to NIH awards enables evaluation of key milestones along the research translation pathway.

Keratose Hydrogel Drives Differentiation of Cardiac Vascular Smooth Muscle Progenitor Cells: Implications in Ischemic Treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common vascular disorder in the extremity of limbs with limited clinical treatments. Stem cells hold great promise for the treatment of PAD, but their therapeutic efficiency is limited due to multiple factors, such as poor engraftment and non-optimal selection of cell type. To date, stem cells from a variety of tissue sources have been tested, but little information is available regarding vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) for PAD therapy.

Keratin Promotes Differentiation of Keratinocytes Seeded on Collagen/Keratin Hydrogels.

Keratinocytes undergo a complex process of differentiation to form the stratified stratum corneum layer of the skin. In most biomimetic skin models, a 3D hydrogel fabricated out of collagen type I is used to mimic human skin. However, native skin also contains keratin, which makes up 90% of the epidermis and is produced by the keratinocytes present.

Keratin Biomaterials Improve Functional Recovery in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model.

Study Design: Laboratory study using a rat T9 contusion model of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate which method of delivery of soluble keratin biomaterials would best support functional restoration through the macrophage polarization paradigm.

Summary Of Background Data: SCI is a devastating neurologic event with complex pathophysiological mechanisms that currently has no cure.

Keratose hydrogel for tissue regeneration and drug delivery.

Keratin (KRT), a natural fibrous structural protein, can be classified into two categories: "soft" cytosolic KRT that is primarily found in the epithelia tissues (e.g., skin, the inner lining of digestive tract) and "hard" KRT that is mainly found in the protective tissues (e.

Collagen/kerateine multi-protein hydrogels as a thermally stable extracellular matrix for 3D models.

To determine whether the addition of kerateine (reduced keratin) in rat tail collagen type I hydrogels increases thermal stability and changes material properties and supports cell growth for use in cellular hyperthermia studies for tumor treatment. Collagen type I extracted from rat tail tendon was combined with kerateine extracted from human hair fibers. Thermal, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties and cell behavior was assessed and compared to 100% collagen type I hydrogels to demonstrate their utility as a tissue model for 3D testing.

Assessing Longwall Gateroad Ground Response and Support Alternatives.

Ground falls in longwall gateroad entries remain a concern in modern longwall operations. The gateroads are subject to changing horizontal and vertical ground stress induced by longwall extraction. These stress changes can result in failure of the strata around an entry leading to large deformations of the entry roof, floor, and ribs.

Comprehensive characterization of the human pancreatic proteome for bioengineering applications.

Interactions between the pancreatic extracellular matrix (ECM) and islet cells are known to regulate multiple aspects of islet physiology, including survival, proliferation, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Recognizing the essential role of ECM in islet survival and function, various engineering approaches have been developed that aim to utilize ECM-based materials to recreate a native-like microenvironment. However, a major impediment to the success of these approaches has been the lack of a robust and comprehensive characterization of the human pancreatic proteome.

Assessing support alternatives for longwall gateroads subject to changing stress.

Longwall gateroad entries are subject to changing horizontal and vertical stress induced by redistribution of loads around the extracted panel. The stress changes can result in significant deformation of the entries that may include roof sag, rib dilation, and floor heave. Mine operators install different types of supports to control the ground response and maintain safe access and ventilation of the longwall face.

Moderate Cover Bleeder Entry and Standing Support Performance in a Longwall Mine: a Case Study.

Bleeder entries are critically important to longwall mining for the moving of supplies, personnel, and the dilution of mine air contaminants. By design, these entries must stay open for many years for ventilation. Standing supports in moderate cover bleeder entries were observed, numerically modeled, and instrumented by researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Coal mine entry rating system: A case study.

Coal mines are continuously seeking to determine the performance of entries with different ground control products and installation methods. There are many factors that impact how an entry will perform which include but are not limited to geology, overburden, bolting type and pattern, and mine design. At the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), research has been instituted to examine the relationship of the parts of a coal mine entry as a system and not as individual components.

Application of the coal mine floor rating (CMFR) to assess the floor stability in a Central Appalachian Coal Mine.

Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable, but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data. However, applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability. The coal mine floor rating (CMFR) system, developed by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is a rock-mass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.

Detergent-Free Decellularization of the Human Pancreas for Soluble Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Production.

Islet transplantation (ITx) has the potential to become the standard of care in beta cell replacement medicine but its results remain inferior to those obtained with whole pancreas transplantation. The protocols currently used for human islet isolation are under scrutiny because they are based on the enzymatic digestion of the organ, whereby the pancreas is demolished, its connections to the body are lost and islets are irreversibly damaged. Islet damage is characterized by critical factors such as the destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which represents the 3D framework of the islet niche and whose loss is incompatible with islet euphysiology.

Geologic data collection and assessment techniques in coal mining for ground control.

The identification and mitigation of adverse geologic conditions are critical to the safety and productivity of underground coal mining operations. To anticipate and mitigate adverse geologic conditions, a formal method to evaluate geotechnical factors must be established. Each mine is unique and has its own separate approach for defining what an adverse geological condition consists of.

A keratin-based microparticle for cell delivery.

Keratin-based biomaterials represent an attractive opportunity in the fields of wound healing and tissue regeneration, not only for their chemical and physical properties, but also for their ability to act as a delivery system for a variety of payloads. Importantly, keratins are the only natural biomaterial that is not targeted by specific tissue turnover-related enzymes, giving it potential stability advantages and greater control over degradation after implantation. However, in-situ polymerization chemistry in some keratin systems are not compatible with cells, and incorporation within constructs such as hydrogels may lead to hypoxia and cell death.

A comparative study of materials assembled from recombinant K31 and K81 and extracted human hair keratins.

Natural biopolymers have found success in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Their intrinsic biocompatibility and biological activity make them well suited for biomaterials development. Specifically, keratin-based biomaterials have demonstrated utility in regenerative medicine applications including bone regeneration, wound healing, and nerve regeneration.

Success and efficiency of cell seeding in Avian Tendon Xenografts - A promising alternative for tendon and ligament reconstruction.

Decellularized tendon xenografts offer a promising alternative for reconstruction by using ubiquitously available material. This study compares static and centrifugal seeding of avian tendon scaffolds with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Incorporation of viable cells was achievable with both techniques, represented by DNA content.

A porcine xenograft-derived bone scaffold is a biocompatible bone graft substitute: An assessment of cytocompatibility and the alpha-Gal epitope.

Background: Xenografts are an attractive alternative to traditional bone grafts because of the large supply from donors with predictable morphology and biology as well as minimal risk of human disease transmission. Clinical series involving xenograft bone transplantation, most commonly from bovine sources, have reported poor results with frequent graft rejection and failure to integrate with host tissue. Failures have been attributed to residual alpha-Gal epitope in the xenograft which humans produce natural antibody against.

Development and characterization of a biomimetic coating for percutaneous devices.

Percutaneous osseointegrated prosthetics (POP), which consist of a metallic post attached to the bone that extends outward through the skin to connect to an external prosthesis, have become a clinically relevant option to replace the typical socket-residual limb connection. POP devices offer several advantages such as mechanical off-loading of soft tissues, direct force transfer to the musculoskeletal system, greater proprioception, and overall improvement in limb kinesis compared to a socket system. However, POP devices create several challenges including epidermal downgrowth, increased infection risk, and mechanical tearing at the skin-implant interface.

Healing of Chronic Wounds: An Update of Recent Developments and Future Possibilities.

Chronic wounds are the result of disruptions in the body's usual process of healing. They are not only a source of significant pain and discomfort but also, more importantly, an unguarded port of entry for pathogens into the body. While our current understanding of this phenomenon is far from complete, findings in physiological patterns and advancements in wound healing technologies have helped develop wound management and healing solutions to this long-standing medical challenge.

Ground response to high horizontal stresses during longwall retreat and its implications for longwall headgate support.

Roof falls in longwall headgate can occur when weak roof and high horizontal stress are present. To prevent roof falls in the headgate under high horizontal stress, it is important to understand the ground response to high horizontal stress in the longwall headgate and the requirements for supplemental roof support. In this study, a longwall headgate under high horizontal stress was instrumented to monitor stress change in the pillars, deformations in the roof, and load in the cable bolts.

Deep cover bleeder entry performance and support loading: A case study.

Several questions have emerged in relation to deep cover bleeder entry performance and support loading: how well do current modeling procedures calculate the rear abutment extent and loading? Does an improved understanding of the rear abutment extent warrant a change in standing support in bleeder entries? To help answer these questions and to determine the current utilization of standing support in bleeder entries, four bleeder entries at varying distances from the startup room were instrumented, observed, and numerically modeled. This paper details observations made by NIOSH researchers in the bleeder entries of a deep cover longwall panel-specifically data collected from instrumented pumpable cribs, observations of the conditions of the entries, and numerical modeling of the bleeder entries during longwall extraction. The primary focus was on the extent and magnitude of the abutment loading experienced by the standing support.

Evaluation of seismic potential in a longwall mine with massive sandstone roof under deep overburden.

A recent seismic event was recorded by a deep longwall mine in Virginia at 3.7 ML on the local magnitude scale and 3.4 MMS by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 2016.