Repair of segmental radial defects in dogs using tailor-made titanium mesh cages with plates combined with calcium phosphate granules and basic fibroblast growth factor-binding ion complex gel.

Repair of large segmental defects of long bones are a tremendous challenge that calls for a novel approach to supporting immediate weight bearing and bone regeneration. This study investigated the functional and biological characteristics of a combination of a tailor-made titanium mesh cage with a plate (tTMCP) with tetrapod-shaped alpha tricalcium phosphate granules (TB) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-binding ion complex gel (f-IC gel) to repair 20-mm segmental radial defects in dogs. The defects were created surgically in 18 adult beagle dogs and treated by implantation of tTMCPs with TB with (TB-gel group) or without (TB group) f-IC gel.

Sugar-based crosslinker forms a stable atelocollagen hydrogel that is a favorable microenvironment for 3D cell culture.

We created sugar-based crosslinkers for precise chemical crosslinking of atelocollagen to form a stable hydrogel microenvironment for three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. Crosslinkers were synthesized by partially oxidizing glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, or raffinose with periodate. The partial oxidization of sugar generated multiple aldehydes in the molecule, which acted as multifunctional crosslinkers, allowing atelocollagen to form chemical hydrogels.

Bone regeneration by the combined use of tetrapod-shaped calcium phosphate granules with basic fibroblast growth factor-binding ion complex gel in canine segmental radial defects.

The effect of tetrapod-shaped alpha tricalcium phosphate granules (Tetrabones(®) [TB]) in combination with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-binding ion complex gel (f-IC gel) on bone defect repair was examined. Bilateral segmental defects 20-mm long were created in the radius of 5 dogs, stabilized with a plate and screws and implanted with 1 of the following: TB (TB group), TB and bFGF solution (TB/f group), and TB and f-IC gel (TB/f-IC group). Dogs were euthanized 4 weeks after surgery.

Repair of rabbit segmental femoral defects by using a combination of tetrapod-shaped calcium phosphate granules and basic fibroblast growth factor-binding ion complex gel.

The effect of tetrapod-shaped alpha tricalcium phosphate granules (TB) as a scaffold combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-binding ion complex gel (f-IC gel) on neovascularization and bone regeneration was evaluated in segmental femoral defects of rabbits. The defects were stabilized using a plate with a polypropylene mesh cage (PMC) containing one of the following: PMC alone (PMC group), TB (TB group), TB and bFGF (TB/f group), TB and IC gel (TB/IC group), or TB and f-IC gel (TB/f-IC group). Four rabbits from each group were euthanized at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.

A calcium-cross-linked hydrogel based on alginate-modified atelocollagen functions as a scaffold material.

We have developed a scaffold material consisting of a covalently-bonded structure of alginate and atelocollagen (AtCol). Addition of calcium ions caused the material to form a hydrogel (alginate-modified AtCol gel). The condition of the alginate-modified AtCol gel could be controlled by the feed ratio of alginate and the activating reagent.

The growth of a vascular network inside a collagen-citric acid derivative hydrogel in rats.

Three-dimensional regenerative tissue with a certain bulk cannot survive without sufficient blood perfusion in vivo, so construction of a vascular system in regenerative tissue is a key technology in tissue engineering. In order to construct such a vascular system, we attempted to create a scaffold material that induces neovascular growth from the recipient bed into the material. This material, an ion complex gel matrix (IC gel) consisting of collagen and a citric acid derivative, enabled it to associate with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

Fabrication of nanofibrous inhaler device.

It has been proven that administration by inhalation is one of the alternative and effective approaches to dose biomedicines such as insulin for diabetics. Here, we introduce a new approach to fabricate the inhaler, posing the merits of not using volatile solvent, having selectable size of drug particles, and being simple and low cost compared with conventional devices. Creatine particles were prepared by spray-drying, and simultaneously a nanofiber mat of crosslinked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was used to collect the graduated creatine nanoparticles.