A LC-QTOF Method for the Determination of PEGDE Residues in Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most important ingredients in dermal fillers, where it is often cross-linked to gain more favorable rheological properties and to improve the implant duration. Poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) has been recently introduced as a crosslinker because of its very similar chemical reactivity with the most-used crosslinker BDDE, while giving special rheological properties. Monitoring the amount of the crosslinker residues in the final device is always necessary, but in the case of PEGDE, no methods are available in literature. Here, we present an HPLC-QTOF method, validated according to the guidelines of the International Council on Harmonization, which enables the efficient routine examination of the PEGDE content in HA hydrogels

Injectable Hybrid Hydrogels, with Cell-Responsive Degradation, for Tumor Resection

Biocompatible soft materials have recently found applications in interventional endoscopy to facilitate resection of mucosal tumors. When neoplastic lesions are in organs that can be easily damaged by perforation, such as stomach, intestine, and esophagus, the formation of a submucosal fluid cushion (SFC) is needed to lift the tumor from the underlying muscle during the resection of neoplasias. Such procedure is called endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We describe an injectable, biodegradable, hybrid hydrogel able to form a SFC and to facilitate ESD. The hydrogel, based on polyamidoamines, contains breakable silica nanocapsules covalently bound to its network and able to release biomolecules. To promote degradation, the hydrogel is composed of cleavable disulfide moieties that are reduced by the cells through secretion of glutathione. The same stimulus triggers the breaking of the silica nanocapsules; therefore, the entire hybrid material can be completely degraded and its decomposition depends entirely on the presence of cells. Interestingly, the hydrogel precursor solution showed rapid gelation when injected in vivo and afforded a long-lasting high mucosal elevation, keeping the cushion volume constant during the dissection. This novel material can provide a solution to ESD limitations and promote healing of tissues after surgery

Physico-chemical characterization and in vitro biological evaluation of a bionic hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid and l-lysine for medical applications

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an endogenous polysaccharide, whose hydrogels have been used in medical applications for decades. Here, we present a technology platform for stabilizing HA with a biocrosslinker, the amino acid L-Lysine, to manufacture bionic hydrogels for regenerative medicine. We synthetized bionic hydrogels with tailored composition with respect to HA concentration and degree of stabilization depending on the envisaged medical use. The structure of the hydrogels was assessed by microscopy and rheology, and the resorption behavior through enzymatic degradation with hyaluronidase. The biological compatibility was evaluated in vitro with human dermal fibroblast cell lines. HA bionic hydrogels stabilized with lysine show a 3D network structure, with a rheological profile that mimics biological matrixes, as a harmless biodegradable substrate for cell proliferation and regeneration and a promising candidate for wound healing and other medical applications

Comparative physicochemical analysis among 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether cross-linked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers

(1) Background: Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are used in several chirurgical practices and in aesthetic medicine. HA filler stability can be enhanced through different cross-linking technologies; one of the most frequently cross-linker used is 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), also present in the HA-BDDE dermal filler family of the company Matex Lab S.p.A. (Brindisi, Italy). Our overview is focused on their characterization, drawing a correlation between matrix structure, rheological and physicochemical properties related to their cross-linking technologies. (2) Methods: Four different injectable HA hydrogels were characterized through optical microscopic examination and rheological behavior investigation. (3) Results: The cross-linked HA dermal fillers showed a fibrous \u201cspiderweb-like\u201d matrix structure and an elastic and solid-like profile. (4) Conclusions: The comparative analysis represents a preliminary characterization of these injectable medical devices in order to identify their best field of application

Rheological Investigation as Tool to Assess Physicochemical Stability of a Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Cross-Linked with Polyethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether and Containing Calcium Hydroxyapatite, Glycine and L-Proline

(1) Background: Dermal fillers are commonly used in aesthetic practice and their rheological characterization is of much interest today, as well as the stability study of the finished formula against external stimuli of a different nature (biological and physicochemical). Rheological tools have been exploited to characterize the physiochemical behaviour of a hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal filler subjected to different thermal conditions over time. The collected results provide an index of its rheological stability. (2) Methods: After a preliminary Amplitude sweep test, the Frequency sweep test was performed in order to study the stability of a HA dermal filler cross-linked with Polyethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether (PEGDE) and containing Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA), Glycine and L-Proline subjected to different conditions. Also, a shear rate ramp test was performed in order to investigate the filler's flow behavior. (3) Results and Conclusions: G' (elastic modulus), G'' (viscous modulus) and consequentially tan delta (tangent of the phase angle) show a similar trend at different thermal conditions, underlining that the product is not affected by the storage conditions. The viscosity of the dermal filler decreases with an increasing shear rate, so a non-Newtonian shear thinning pseudoplastic behavior was demonstrated in all tested conditions

Efficacy of nilotinib in a young patient with high Sokal risk CML Ph+ in treatment failure after high dose imatinib

This article describes the case of a 44 year old man, at high-risk according to the Sokal Index, after CML Ph+ diagnosis, started imatinib at the standard dose (400 mg/day). Initially he reached optimal response, but at month 12, because of a loss of cytogenetic response, he was documented as a treatment failure. The mutational screening revealed no mutations and the blood level testing (BLT) showed values of ​​lower limits, therefore he increased imatinib to 800 mg/day. This therapeutic choice did not result in the achievement of an optimal response and the imatinib compliance was deteriorated. So, after nearly 12 months of treatment with high dose imatinib, we considered the treatment as a failure, and he switched to nilotinib, at the dose of 800 mg/day. After only 3 months of treatment, he reached complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) and major molecular response (MMolR), which the patient continues to maintain, as documented by the recent evaluation at month 30

Acute Effects of Intravenous Administration of Pamidronate in Patients with Osteoporosis

We investigated acute effects of intermittent large dose bisphophonate therapy in osteoporotic patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with alendronate (100 µM) for 18 hr, in vitro and cytokine expressions were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Pamidronate 30 mg was administered on 26 osteoporotic patients; and acute phase reactants, inflammatory cytokines and bone biomarkers were measured. The in vitro study showed significant increase in mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ. A notable rise in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed over 3 days after pamidronate infusion (P=0.026). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ were also significantly increased (P=0.009, 0.014, 0.035, respectively) and the increase in IL-6 levels were strongly correlated with CRP levels (P=0.04). Serum calcium and c-telopeptide levels rapidly decreased after the treatment (P=0.02, <0.001, respectively). This study showed that mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines at peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) level were observed within 18 hr and marked elevation of inflammatory cytokines and acute phase reactants were demonstrated after pamidronate infusion at the dose for osteoporosis. Our studies confirmed that intermittent large dose aminobisphosphonate causes acute inflammation

Hydrogels injectables pour applications cliniques innovants

This thesis deals with the design of injectable hydrogels that can be used in minimally invasive surgery, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), percutaneous hernia repair or fistulas closure.Polyamidoamines (PAAm) constitute a class of hydrogel of special interest for these purposes. After studying the different factors that affect their properties, we show that it is also possible to obtain PAAM-based microgels for applications in drug delivery or cell encapsulation.It is possible to synthesize redox-responsive nanocomposite degradable PAAm that can be injected into the submucosa of the stomach to facilitate the ESD.We show that hybrid alginate/PAAm hydrogels can be used for the percutaneous treatment of direct inguinal hernia and hydrogel-based creams have been prepared for use in fistulas closure. The last chapter of the thesis is devoted to the development of a new crosslinking strategy for hyaluronic acid in cosmetic surgery.Cette thèse porte sur la conception d'hydrogels injectables pouvant être utilisés en chirurgie mini-invasive, par exemple en dissection endoscopique sous-muqueuse (ESD) ou en réparation de hernie.Les polyamidoamines (PAAm) constituent une classe d'hydrogel intéressante à ces fins. Après avoir étudié les différents facteurs qui affectent leurs propriétés, nous montrons qu'il est également possible d'obtenir des microgels à base de PAAm pour la délivrance de médicaments ou l'encapsulation de cellules. Il est possible de synthétiser des PAAm dégradables qui peuvent être injectés dans la sous-muqueuse de l'estomac pour la ESD.Nous avons montré que les hydrogels hybrides alginate / PAAm peuvent être utilisés pour le traitement percutané de la hernie inguinale directe et des crèmes à base d'hydrogel ont été préparées pour être utilisées pour le colmatage des fistules. Le dernier chapitre de la thèse est consacré à la réticulation de l'acide hyaluronique pour la chirurgie esthétique

Hydrogels injectables pour applications cliniques innovants

Cette thèse porte sur la conception d'hydrogels injectables pouvant être utilisés en chirurgie mini-invasive, par exemple en dissection endoscopique sous-muqueuse (ESD) ou en réparation de hernie.Les polyamidoamines (PAAm) constituent une classe d'hydrogel intéressante à ces fins. Après avoir étudié les différents facteurs qui affectent leurs propriétés, nous montrons qu'il est également possible d'obtenir des microgels à base de PAAm pour la délivrance de médicaments ou l'encapsulation de cellules. Il est possible de synthétiser des PAAm dégradables qui peuvent être injectés dans la sous-muqueuse de l'estomac pour la ESD.Nous avons montré que les hydrogels hybrides alginate / PAAm peuvent être utilisés pour le traitement percutané de la hernie inguinale directe et des crèmes à base d'hydrogel ont été préparées pour être utilisées pour le colmatage des fistules. Le dernier chapitre de la thèse est consacré à la réticulation de l'acide hyaluronique pour la chirurgie esthétique.This thesis deals with the design of injectable hydrogels that can be used in minimally invasive surgery, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), percutaneous hernia repair or fistulas closure.Polyamidoamines (PAAm) constitute a class of hydrogel of special interest for these purposes. After studying the different factors that affect their properties, we show that it is also possible to obtain PAAM-based microgels for applications in drug delivery or cell encapsulation.It is possible to synthesize redox-responsive nanocomposite degradable PAAm that can be injected into the submucosa of the stomach to facilitate the ESD.We show that hybrid alginate/PAAm hydrogels can be used for the percutaneous treatment of direct inguinal hernia and hydrogel-based creams have been prepared for use in fistulas closure. The last chapter of the thesis is devoted to the development of a new crosslinking strategy for hyaluronic acid in cosmetic surgery

Nuove sonde bimodali per la microscopia correlativa a eccitazione di due fotoni/elettronica

Scopo della tesi è la sintesi di nuove sonde bimodali a base di un cluster esanucleare di platino per la microscopia correlativa a eccitazione di due fotoni/elettronica