Silk fibroin microparticles as carriers for delivery of human recombinant BMPs: physical characterization and drug release

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are cytokines with strong ability to promote new bone formation. Herein, we report the use of silk fibroin microparticles as carriers for the delivery of BMP-2, BMP-9 or BMP-14. BMP-containing fibroin microparticles were prepared by a mild methodology using dropwise addition of ethanol, exhibiting mean diameters of 2.7 ± 0.3 μm. Encapsulation efficiencies varied between 67.9 ± 6.1 % and 97.7 ± 2.0 % depending on the type and the amount of BMP loaded. Release kinetics showed that BMP-2, BMP-9 and BMP-14 were released in two phases profile, with a burst release in the first two days followed by a slower release, for a period of 14 days. The release data were best explained by Korsmeyer’s model and the Fickian model of drug diffusion. Silk fibroin microparticles can offer a promising approach for the sustained delivery of different BMPs in tissue engineering applications.The authors wish to acknowledge. Susana Moreira, Elsa Ribeiro and Katharina Schobitz for critical input. This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (PhD grant SFRH/BD/17049/2004), project ElastM POCI/CTM/57177/2004 funded by FEDER and the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia; Marie Curie Alea Jacta EST short-term grant (MEST-CT-2004-8104) and European STREP Project HIPPOCRATES (NMP3-CT-2003-505758). This work was carried out under the scope of the European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283)

Nonmicrosurgical reconstruction of the auricle after traumatic amputation due to human bite

BACKGROUND: Traumatic auricular amputation due to human bite is not a common event. Nonetheless, it constitutes a difficult challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Microsurgery can be performed in some cases, but most microsurgical techniques are complex and their use can only be advocated in specialized centers. Replantation of a severed ear without microsurgery can be a safe alternative as long as a proper technique is selected. METHODS: We present two cases, one of a partial and one of a total traumatic auricular amputation, both caused by human bites, that were successfully managed in our Department. The technique of ear reattachment as a composite graft, with partial burial of the amputated part in the retroauricular region, as first described by Baudet, was followed in both cases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prementioned technique is described in detail, along with the postoperative management and outcome of the patients. In addition, a brief review of the international literature regarding ear replantation is performed. CONCLUSION: The Baudet technique has been used successfully in two cases of traumatic ear amputation due to human bites. It is a simple technique, without the need for microsurgery, and produces excellent aesthetic results, while preserving all neighboring tissues in case of failure with subsequent need for another operation

Fostering regional development in eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, through road transport projects

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the extent to which the road transport projects implemented within the Greek National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007–2013 contributed to the economic development of eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. These projects were included in the respective regional operational programs co-financed by the European Union (EU) and national funds. The paper discusses the EU’s regional and cohesion policy which aims at reducing regional inequalities and ensuring social, economic and territorial cohesion. In Greece, cohesion policy implementation for the 2007–2013 period was achieved through the NSRF, 2007–2013, whose training philosophy and the priorities that it set are the focus of the present study. The research area concerns the region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace and, more specifically, the 21 municipalities that it consists of. One of the main conclusions of the study is that public expenditure on the projects is directly associated with the area covered by the municipalities, as well as with the length of the road network improved. However, no correlation with the population of municipalities or the gross domestic product (GDP) of each regional unit has been observed. Our findings suggest that decisions for efficient allocation of infrastructure resources in a region by policy makers should not be based on single characteristics such as regional population density, but rather on more complex considerations, such as existing natural resources, geomorphological characteristics and location

Titrimetric determination of thiourea and silver with a picrate ion selective electrode

A method has been developed for the semiautomatic potentiometric titration of thiourea with silver nitrate and of silver with thiourea, in the presence of picrate ions, using a picrate ion selective electrode. Thiourea in the range 15-1500 μg and silver in the range 200-1800 μg were determined with relative errors and relative standard deviation of about 1%. © 1977 Springer-Verlag

Edta Titrations With Automatic Derivative Spectrophotometric End-Point Termination

132 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1960.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Catalytic microdetermination of chromium(VI)

An automatic spectrophotometric kinetic method for the microdetermination of chromium(VI) is described, based on catalysis of the hydrogen peroxide-iodide reaction. The time required for the reaction to produce a small fixed amount of tri-iodide is measured automatically, and is proportional to the chromium(VI) concentration. Maximum tolerable amounts of various interfering ions were investigated. From 0.6 to 3.0 μg of chromium(VI) can be determined with relative errors of 1-2%, with measuring times of 10-50 sec. © 1968

Ultramicrodetermination of manganese by an automatic reaction-rate method

An automatic spectrophotometric reaction-rate method is described for the ultramicrodetermination of manganese(II). The method is based on the potassium periodate-diethylaniline reaction which is catalyzed by manganese. The time required for the reaction to produce a small fixed amount of colored product is measured automatically and related directly to the manganese concentration. Maximum tolerable amounts of interfering ions were determined. Ultramicro amounts of manganese in the range 3-30 ng were determined with relative errors of about 2% and measurement times of 15-150 seconds. The coefficient of variation was 1.0%. The method was applied for the determination of manganese in natural waters. © 1969 Springer-Verlag

Kinetic micro-determination of manganese in natural waters and of iridium, nitrilotriacetic acid and 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-NNN′N′-tetraacetic acid

An automatic kinetic spectrophotometric method is described for the ultramicro determination of manganese and iridium, based on their catalytic effect on the periodate - phosphinate reaction. The method is also used for the determination of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and 1,2-diaminocyclohexane- NNN′N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA), on the basis of their activating and inhibiting effect, respectively, on the manganese-catalysed periodate - phosphinate reaction. The time required for the reaction to consume a fixed amount of periodate is measured automatically and related directly to the concentration of catalyst, activator or inhibitor. Manganese and iridium at the 10-8-10-7 M level and NTA and DCTA at the 10-6 M level were determined with average errors of about 2%. The method has been applied to the determination of manganese in natural waters