In vitro evaluation of poly (L-lactide-co-glycolide) membrane

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the properties of a new membrane dedicated for the treatment of bone defects in periodontology according to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique. The first part of this study was to prepare the membrane from resorbable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and verify its microstructure. Biological evaluation was lead using the cells interesting from the point of view of GTR, e.g. human fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). It was found that the obtained membrane has asymmetric microstructure and defined pore size. Cell culture experiments show that the membrane is biocompatible with fibroblasts and hMSC. Both types of cell proliferated well on the membrane. HMSC cultured on the membrane exhibited better osteogenic differentiation and higher mineralization as compared to control tissue culture polystyrene

Emergence of Carbapenem resistant Gram negative and vancomycin resistant Gram positive organisms in bacteremic isolates of febrile neutropenic patients: A descriptive study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was conducted to evaluate drug resistance amongst bacteremic isolates of febrile neutropenic patients with particular emphasis on emergence of carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria and vancomycin resistant <it>Enterococcus </it>species.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive study was performed by reviewing the blood culture reports from febrile neutropenic patients during the two study periods i.e., 1999–00 and 2001–06. Blood cultures were performed using BACTEC 9240 automated system. Isolates were identified and antibiotic sensitivities were done using standard microbiological procedures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven twenty six febrile neutropenic patients were admitted during the study period. A total of 5840 blood cultures were received, off these 1048 (18%) were culture positive. Amongst these, 557 (53%) grew Gram positive bacteria, 442 (42%) grew Gram negative bacteria, 43 (4%) fungi and 6 (1%) anaerobes. Sixty (5.7%) out of 1048 positive blood cultures were polymicrobial. In the Gram negative bacteria, <it>Enterobacteriaceae </it>was the predominant group; <it>E. coli </it>was the most frequently isolated organism in both study periods. Amongst non- Enterobacteriaceae group, <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>was the commonest organism isolated during first study period followed by <it>Acinetobacter </it>spp. However, during the second period <it>Acinetobacter </it>species was the most frequent pathogen.</p> <p><it>Enterobacteriaceae </it>group showed higher statistically significant resistance in the second study period against ceftriaxone, quinolone and piperacillin/tazobactam, whilst no resistance observed against imipenem/meropenem. The susceptibility pattern of <it>Acinetobacter </it>species shifted from sensitive to highly resistant one with significant p values against ceftriaxone, quinolone, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem/meropenem. Amongst Gram positive bacteria, MRSA isolation rate remained static, vancomycin resistant <it>Enterococcus </it>species emerged in second study period while no <it>Staphylococcus </it>species resistant to vancomycin was noted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This rising trend of highly resistant organisms stresses the increasing importance of continuous surveillance system and stewardship of antibiotics as strategies in the overall management of patients with febrile neutropenia.</p

Resorbable scaffolds modified with collagen type I or hydroxyapatite : in vitro studies on human mesenchymal stem cells

Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds of pore size within the range of 250–320 μm were produced by solvent casting/ porogen leaching method. Afterwards, they were modified through adsorption of collagen type I and incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF) to allow deposition of hydroxyapatite (HAp). The wettability of the scaffolds was measured by sessile drop test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were also performed. SEM evaluation and EDX analysis depicted the presence of HAp deposits and a collagen layer on the pore walls on the surface and in the bulk of the scaffolds. Wettability and water droplets penetration time within the scaffolds decreased considerably after applying modifications. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) were cultured on the scaffolds for 28 days and cell morphology, proliferation and differentiation as well as calcium deposition were evaluated. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity results revealed that cells cultured on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) exhibited high proliferation capacity. Cell growth on the scaffolds was slower in comparison to TCPS and did not depend on modification applied. On the other hand, osteogenic differentiation of hMSC as confirmed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization results was enhanced on the scaffolds modified with hydroxyapatite and collagen

Coating of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds with collagen/glycosaminoglycan matrices and their effects on osteoblast behaviour

Collagen type I and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were immobilized on the surfaces of two types of porous biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds with pore size in the range of 250-320 &micro;m and 400-600 &micro;m. Two methods of coating were evaluated differing in the way of how the fibrillogenesis solution was introduced into the pores. The distribution of the immunostained collagen in the volume of the scaffolds was analysed with a laser confocal microscope (LSM). The total amount of collagen and GAGs was measured by Sirius Red and Toluidine Blue assays, respectively. The potential of the scaffolds for cell colonization and differentiation was tested in a dynamic cell culture system using human osteosarcoma cells (SAOS-2). The proliferation of SAOS-2 cells was measured by determining the DNA content on days 2 and 7, while differentiation was analyzed by Calcium- and Phosphate-Assays on days 7 and 14. Differentiation of cells was improved by increasing the pore diameter of the scaffolds, and artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) coatings had an additional positive effect for the scaffolds of both pore sizes