Implementation of a High-Throughput Pilot Screen in Peptide Hydrogel-Based Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures.

Cell-based high-throughput drug screening (HTS) is a common starting point for the drug discovery and development process. Currently, there is a push to combine complex cell culture systems with HTS to provide more clinically applicable results. However, there are mechanistic requirements inherent to HTS as well as material limitations that make this integration challenging.

Beta-hairpin hydrogels as scaffolds for high-throughput drug discovery in three-dimensional cell culture.

Automated cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) is a powerful tool in drug discovery, and it is increasingly being recognized that three-dimensional (3D) models, which more closely mimic in vivo-like conditions, are desirable screening platforms. One limitation hampering the development of 3D HTS is the lack of suitable 3D culture scaffolds that can readily be incorporated into existing HTS infrastructure. We now show that β-hairpin peptide hydrogels can serve as a 3D cell culture platform that is compatible with HTS.

β-hairpin peptide hydrogels for package delivery.

The underlying challenge of drug delivery is the safe, controlled transport of a supply of therapeutic agent to its intended location at its effective dose. New and expanding solutions to payload delivery are being discovered in the field of hydrogels. Hydrogels are highly hydrated polymer networks that vary greatly depending on the underlying molecular structure.

Beta Hairpin Peptide Hydrogels as an Injectable Solid Vehicle for Neurotrophic Growth Factor Delivery.

There is intense interest in developing novel methods for the sustained delivery of low levels of clinical therapeutics. MAX8 is a peptide-based beta-hairpin hydrogel that has unique shear thinning properties that allow for immediate rehealing after the removal of shear forces, making MAX8 an excellent candidate for injectable drug delivery at a localized injury site. The current studies examined the feasibility of using MAX8 as a delivery system for nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two neurotrophic growth factors currently used in experimental treatments of spinal cord injuries.

Peptide Hydrogels - Versatile Matrices for 3D Cell Culture in Cancer Medicine.

Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have contributed tremendously to our understanding of cancer biology but have significant limitations in mimicking in vivo conditions such as the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models represent a more accurate, intermediate platform between simplified 2D culture models and complex and expensive in vivo models. 3D in vitro models can overcome 2D in vitro limitations caused by the oversupply of nutrients, and unphysiological cell-cell and cell-material interactions, and allow for dynamic interactions between cells, stroma, and extracellular matrix.

Why traditional statistical process control charts for attribute data should be viewed alongside an xmr-chart.

The use of statistical process control (SPC) charts in healthcare is increasing. The general advice when plotting SPC charts is to begin by selecting the right chart. This advice, in the case of attribute data, may be limiting our insights into the underlying process and consequently be potentially misleading.

The influence of cricket fast bowlers' front leg technique on peak ground reaction forces.

High ground reaction forces during the front foot contact phase of the bowling action are believed to be a major contributor to the high prevalence of lumbar stress fractures in fast bowlers. This study aimed to investigate the influence of front leg technique on peak ground reaction forces during the delivery stride. Three-dimensional kinematic data and ground reaction forces during the front foot contact phase were captured for 20 elite male fast bowlers.

Relationships between fast bowling technique and ball release speed in cricket.

The aim of this study was to identify the key aspects of technique that characterize the fastest bowlers. Kinematic data were collected for 20 elite male fast bowlers with 11 kinematic parameters calculated, describing elements of fast bowling technique that have previously been linked to ball release speed. Four technique variables were identified as being the best predictors of ball release speed, explaining 74% of the observed variation in ball release speed.

The effect of coaching intervention on elite fast bowling technique over a two year period.

Fast bowling in cricket is an activity that is well recognised as having high injury prevalence and there has been debate regarding the most effective fast bowling technique. The aim of this study was to determine whether two-year coaching interventions conducted in a group of elite young fast bowlers resulted in fast bowling technique alteration. Selected kinematics of the bowling action of 14 elite young fast bowlers were measured using an 18 camera Vicon Motion Analysis system before and after two-year coaching interventions that addressed specific elements of fast bowling technique.