Scar outcomes in dermatological surgery.

Background/objectives: Significant functional impairment and psychological burden may result from poor scar quality and its impact on patient's quality of life has been well-established. It is important to identify measures to reduce the risk of surgical complications.

Method: 212 patients undergoing dermatological surgery were recruited from March 2011 to February 2014.

High Modulus Biodegradable Polyurethanes for Vascular Stents: Evaluation of Accelerated in vitro Degradation and Cell Viability of Degradation Products.

We have recently reported the mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation behavior of a series of NovoSorb™ biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) prepared by varying the hard segment (HS) weight percentage from 60 to 100. In this study, the in vitro degradation behavior of these PUs with and without extracellular matrix (ECM) coating was investigated under accelerated hydrolytic degradation (phosphate buffer saline; PBS/70°C) conditions. The mass loss at different time intervals and the effect of aqueous degradation products on the viability and growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were examined.

Properties and in vitro evaluation of high modulus biodegradable polyurethanes for applications in cardiovascular stents.

This study examined the suitability of a family of biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) NovoSorb developed for the vascular stent application. These segmented PUs are formulated to be biodegradable using degradable polyester and PU blocks. A series of PUs comprising different hard segment weight percentage ranging from 60 to 100 were investigated.

Collagen type I together with fibronectin provide a better support for endothelialization.

Endothelialization of vascular implants is limited by the inability of cells to retain adhesion when exposed to flow. Extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin and collagen, enhance cell adherence on materials. This study investigated the behaviour of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) on extracellular matrix coated polystyrene.

Polyethyleneterephthalate provides superior retention of endothelial cells during shear stress compared to polytetrafluoroethylene and pericardium.

Background: Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are polymers successfully used as large diameter arterial grafts for peripheral vascular surgery. However, these prosthetic grafts are rarely used for coronary bypass surgery because of their low patency rates. Endothelialisation of the lumenal surface of these materials may improve their patency.