Autologous Lipofilling Improves Clinical Outcome in Patients With Symptomatic Dermal Scars Through Induction of a Pro-Regenerative Immune Response

BACKGROUND: Autologous lipofilling is an emerging procedure to treat and possibly reverse dermal scars and to reduce scar-related pain, but its efficacy and mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that repeated lipografts reverse dermal scars by reinitiation of wound healing. METHODS: In a prospective, non-placebo-controlled clinical study, 27 adult patients with symptomatic scars were given 2 lipofilling treatments at 3-month intervals. As primary outcome, clinical effects were measured with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Scar biopsies were taken before and after treatments to assess scar remodeling at a cellular level. RESULTS: Twenty patients completed the study. Patients’ scars improved after lipofilling. The total POSAS scores (combined patient and observer scores) decreased from 73.2  [14.7] points (mean [standard deviation]) pretreatment to 46.1 [14.0] and 32.3 [13.2] points after the first and second lipofilling treatment, respectively. Patient POSAS scores decreased from 37.3 [8.8] points to 27.2 [11.3] and 21.1 [11.4] points, whereas observer POSAS scores decreased from 35.9 [9.5] points to 18.9 [6.0] and 11.3 [4.5] points after the first and second treatment, respectively. After each lipofilling treatment, T lymphocytes, mast cells, and M2 macrophages had invaded scar tissue and were associated with increased vascularization. In addition, the scar-associated epidermis showed an increase in epidermal cell proliferation to levels similar to that normal in skin. Moreover, lipofilling treatment caused normalization of the extracellular matrix organization towards that of normal skin. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous lipofilling improves the clinical outcome of dermal scars through the induction of a pro-regenerative immune response, increased vascularization, and epidermal proliferation and remodeling of scar tissue extracellular matrix. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4: [Image: see text

Carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophiles

Carboxylic ester hydrolyzing enzymes constitute a large group of enzymes that are able to catalyze the hydrolysis, synthesis or transesterification of an ester bond. They can be found in all three domains of life, including the group of hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea. Esterases from the latter group often exhibit a high intrinsic stability, which makes them of interest them for various biotechnological applications. In this review, we aim to give an overview of all characterized carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophilic microorganisms and provide details on their substrate specificity, kinetics, optimal catalytic conditions, and stability. Approaches for the discovery of new carboxylic ester hydrolases are described. Special attention is given to the currently characterized hyperthermophilic enzymes with respect to their biochemical properties, 3D structure, and classification

PFS photonic crystals for optical and electrochemical glucose sensing

We propose the construction of a biosensor based on photonic crystals of polyferrocenylsilane (PFS). The redox-activity of PFS, combined with the color of the photonic crystal, will allow for both optical and electrochemical readout. The photonic crystal will be directly written into a layer of polymer using twophoton lithography. We show that we are able to build structures of PFS using two-photon lithography and can perform electrochemical sensing using PFS. These are two important steps towards PFS photonic crystals for optical and electrochemical glucose sensing

Comparison of three types of redox active polymer for two photon stereolithography

Three-dimensional printing and stereolithography of functional materials for nanofabrication have recently generated a big amount of interest, as have responsive materials. We have investigated the applicability of the redox-responsive polymer poly(ferrocenylsilane) (PFS) for stereolithography purposes. Three types of PFS were synthesized, each functionalized with specific properties to make them interesting for use in nanofabrication. These properties include various stiffness, crosslink densities and hydrophobicities. One of the three PFSs is polycationic, therefore resulting in a hydrogel structure. We show structures fabricated from these materials. Common challenges in using new materials such as these for two-photon stereolithography are discusse

Effects of climate change on the river Meuse: Hydraulic 2D modeling from Amspin to Maaseik (and beyond)

AMIC

Synchrotron SAXS and Impedance Spectroscopy Unveil Nanostructure Variations in Redox-Responsive Porous Membranes from Poly(ferrocenylsilane) Poly(ionic liquid)s

Nanostructured cellular polymeric materials with controlled cell sizes, dispersity, architectures, and functional groups provide opportunities in separation technology, smart catalysts, and controlled drug delivery and release. This paper discusses porous membranes formed in a simple electrostatic complexation process using a NH₃ base treatment from redox responsive poly­(ferrocenysilane) (PFS)-based poly­(ionic liquid)­s and poly­(acrylic acid) (PAA). These porous membranes exhibit reversible switching between more open and more closed structures upon oxidation and reduction. The porous structure and redox behavior that originate from the PFS matrix are investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using synchrotron radiation combined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In order to gain more insight into structure variations during electrochemical treatment, the scattering signal of the porous membrane is detected directly from the films at the electrode surface in situ, using a custom-built SAXS electrochemical cell. All experiments confirm the morphology changing between more “open” and more “closed” cells with approximately 30% variation in the value of the equivalent radius (or correlation length), depending on the redox state of ferrocene in the polymer main chain. This property may be exploited in applications such as reference-electrode-free impedance sensing, redox-controlled gating, or molecular separations