Towards the Development of Artificial Bone Grafts: Combining Synthetic Biomineralisation with 3D Printing.

A synthetic technique inspired by the biomineralisation process in nacre has been previously reported to be effective in replicating the nanostructural elements of nacre in 2D chitosan hydrogel films. Here we evaluate the applicability of this synthetic biomineralisation technique, herein called the McGrath method, in replicating the flat tabular morphology of calcium carbonate and other nanostructural elements obtained when 2D chitosan hydrogel films were used, on a 3D porous chitosan hydrogel-based scaffold, hence developing 3D chitosan-calcium carbonate composites. Nozzle extrusion-based 3D printing technology was used to develop 3D porous scaffolds using chitosan hydrogel as the printing ink in a custom-designed 3D printer.

Case 203: Gorham disease.

A 77-year-old woman presented with pain in the right elbow of several years duration. There was no history of trauma, immunocompromise, or known malignancy. Blood chemistry tests revealed an alkaline phosphatase level of 93 U/L (1.

Relationship of hepatic steatosis to adipose tissue distribution in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Central adiposity, a component of insulin resistance syndrome, is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. To determine whether a similar relationship occurs in children, hepatic fat content and adipose tissue distribution were assessed in obese children at risk for NAFLD.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of obese children undergoing evaluation for NAFLD because of hepatomegaly or elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) without obvious etiology.

Hepatic MRI for fat quantitation: its relationship to fat morphology, diagnosis, and ultrasound.

Purpose: The value of MRI and ultrasound in quantifying hepatic steatosis is assessed and the results compared with those obtained by liver biopsies.

Methods: A total of 38 patients undergoing hepatic biopsy for a variety of liver diseases were recruited for this study. Hepatic fat morphology and severity were assessed visually in each biopsy specimen.

Primary aortoenteric fistula.

We describe a case of primary aortoenteric fistula (PAEF) in a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Primary aortoenteric fistula is a rare but clinically important cause of catastrophic gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of PAEF is difficult and sometimes not made until laparotomy.