High-precision 3D printing of multi-branch vascular scaffold with plasticized PLCL thermoplastic elastomer.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a transformative technology for tissue engineering, enabling the production of structures that closely emulate the intricate architecture and mechanical properties of native biological tissues. However, the fabrication of complex microstructures with high accuracy using biocompatible, degradable thermoplastic elastomers poses significant technical obstacles. This is primarily due to the inherent soft-matter nature of such materials, which complicates real-time control of micro-squeezing, resulting in low fidelity or even failure.

Computational investigation of a 3D-printed skin substitute with orthotropy in mechanical property.

As a promising treatment for third-degree burns, grafting with bioengineering skin substitutes shows a capability to overcome the deficiency of donor skin. Similar mechanical properties with human skin are required for employed skin substitutes to avoid secondary damage to patients. Given the representativeness of orthotropy in mechanical properties, there is a need for developing orthotropic skin substitutes.

Case Report: Recurrent Placental Abruption During Pregnancy in a Patient With Pseudoexstrophy.

Pseudoexstrophy is a rare variant of the exstrophy-epispadias complex, which comprises musculoskeletal defects associated with bladder exstrophy without any urinary tract defects. However, only a few pregnancy complications have been reported in patients with pseudoexstrophy. This report presents the case of a woman with pseudoexstrophy, who survived recurrent placental abruption during the second trimester of her pregnancy.

Hepatitis B virus infection and decreased risk of stroke: a meta-analysis.

Several studies have reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may decrease the risk of stroke. However, its association is controversial. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of stroke.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Postoperative Fracture Healing Process without Metal Artifact: A Preliminary Report of a Novel Animal Model.

Background. Early radiological diagnosis and continual monitoring are of ultimate importance for timely treatment of delayed union, nonunion, and infection after bone fracture surgery. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could provide superior detailed images compared with X-ray and computed tomography (CT) without ionizing radiation, metal implants used for fracture fixation lead to abundant artifacts on MRI and thus prohibit accurate interpretation.

A Novel Rat Model of Intramedullary Tibia Fracture Fixation Using Polyetheretherketone Threaded Rod.

Background: The rat fracture fixation models have been widely adopted, but current implant designs suffer from operational difficulty, massive soft-tissue dissection, and radiological intervention. The authors developed a new tibia fracture-healing model using minor invasive intramedullary fixations with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) threaded rods, which have excellent x-ray translucency and no magnetic resonance artifact.

Methods: Tibia fractures of 6 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fixed with intramedullary PEEK threaded rods.