Enhanced liver progenitor cell survival and differentiation in vivo by spheroid implantation in a vascularized tissue engineering chamber.

Liver tissue engineering is hampered by poor implanted cell survival due to inadequate vascularization and cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions. Here, we use liver progenitor cell (LPC) spheroids to enhance cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions, with implantation into an angiogenic in vivo mouse chamber. Spheroids were generated in vitro in methylcellulose medium.

Comparing sterile bag rubbing and paint on technique in skin preparation of the hands.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare two techniques for surgical site skin preparation in hand surgery.

Methods: We compared the standard sponge paint technique versus a plastic bag immersion technique using a 10% povidone-iodine with alcohol solution (Betadine, ORION Laboratories Pty Ltd, Balcatta,WA,Australia) to prepare surgical site skin for hand surgery. This sterile bag rubbing technique involves using a sterile plastic bag filled with 60 mL of Betadine solution to immerse the subjects' hand.