Glioblastoma Spheroid Invasion through Soft, Brain-Like Matrices Depends on Hyaluronic Acid-CD44 Interactions.

Increased secretion of hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan abundant in the brain extracellular matrix (ECM), correlates with worse clinical outcomes for glioblastoma (GBM) patients. GBM cells aggressively invade the brain parenchyma while encountering spatiotemporal changes in their local ECM, including HA concentration. To investigate how varying HA concentrations affect GBM invasion, patient-derived GBM cells are cultured within a soft, 3D matrix in which HA concentration is precisely varied and cell migration observed.

Hydrogel Arrays Enable Increased Throughput for Screening Effects of Matrix Components and Therapeutics in 3D Tumor Models.

Cell-matrix interactions mediate complex physiological processes through biochemical, mechanical, and geometrical cues, influencing pathological changes and therapeutic responses. Accounting for matrix effects earlier in the drug development pipeline is expected to increase the likelihood of clinical success of novel therapeutics. Biomaterial-based strategies recapitulating specific tissue microenvironments in 3D cell culture exist but integrating these with the 2D culture methods primarily used for drug screening has been challenging.

Adherence to nasal positive airway pressure therapy among school-aged children and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objectives: Although many children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome have complete resolution of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after adenotonsillectomy, some patients have persistent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome requiring positive airway pressure treatment. Little is known about positive airway pressure adherence among school-aged children and adolescents.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records from January 2000 through December 2004 to assess positive airway pressure adherence following a comprehensive patient- and parent-focused positive airway pressure education program for children 7 to 19 years of age with persistent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome subsequent to indicated adenotonsillectomy.