Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized- at both early and late stages- by neurovascular impairment. In AD, dysfunctional cerebral microvasculature is accompanied by an inflammatory response, contributing to Aβ and tau accumulation, brain cell stress and death, impaired clearance of metabolic waste, BBB permeability, and ultimately leading to neuronal demise and cognitive impairment. We previously showed that Aβ peptides induce mitochondrial dysregulation and caspase-mediated apoptosis in brain cells, including endothelial, glial, and smooth muscle cells.

In Vitro Proof of Concept of a First-Generation Growth-Accommodating Heart Valved Conduit for Pediatric Use.

Currently available heart valve prostheses have no growth potential, requiring children with heart valve diseases to endure multiple valve replacement surgeries with compounding risks. This study demonstrates the in vitro proof of concept of a biostable polymeric trileaflet valved conduit designed for surgical implantation and subsequent expansion via transcatheter balloon dilation to accommodate the growth of pediatric patients and delay or avoid repeated open-heart surgeries. The valved conduit is formed via dip molding using a polydimethylsiloxane-based polyurethane, a biocompatible material shown here to be capable of permanent stretching under mechanical loading.

A biomimetic multilayered polymeric material designed for heart valve repair and replacement.

Materials currently used to repair or replace a heart valve are not durable. Their limited durability related to structural degeneration or thrombus formation is attributed to their inadequate mechanical properties and biocompatibility profiles. Our hypothesis is that a biostable material that mimics the structure, mechanical and biological properties of native tissue will improve the durability of these leaflets substitutes and in fine improve the patient outcome.