Applications and Emerging Trends of Hyaluronic Acid in Tissue Engineering, as a Dermal Filler, and in Osteoarthritis Treatment

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring biodegradable polymer with a variety of applications in medicine including scaffolding for tissue engineering, dermatological fillers, and viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis treatment. HA is available in most connective tissues in body fluids such as synovial fluid and the vitreous humor of the eye. HA is responsible for several structural properties of tissues as a component of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is involved in cellular signaling. Degradation of HA is a step-wise process that can occur via enzymatic or non-enzymatic reactions. A reduction in HA mass or molecular weight via degradation or slowing of synthesis affects physical and chemical properties such as tissue volume, viscosity, and elasticity. This review addresses the distribution, turnover, and tissue-specific properties of HA. This information is used as context for considering recent products and strategies for modifying the viscoelastic properties of HA in tissue engineering, as a dermal filler, and in osteoarthritis treatment

Delayed granulomatous reaction to hyaluronic acid gel injection

Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives are the most used resorbable dermal fillers used for soft tissue augmentation. While their use is considered safe, there have been reports of cutaneous granulomatous reactions.We describe the clinical, radiological, and cytological findings in a patient who presented a full year after cosmetic treatment with HA injections and discuss the various treatment options. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study

Designing and Building a Ski Binding Tester

The goal of this Major Qualifying Project (MQP) was to design and build a ski binding tester that could be built at other locations. The tester was designed to meet the standards described in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F504 document. Furthermore, the project aimed to add additional measurements for ski binding performance by analyzing the relationship between linear boot displacement in a ski binding and the moment about the z-axis described in ASTM F504. The conclusion drawn from this project was that this ski binding tester, with a few modifications, could be built to produce repeatable test results

Remarketing Rauscher Farm to the Community of Clinton, MA

In a compact town like Clinton, MA, every effort should be made to preserve land for environmental conservation. This is what the town achieved when purchasing Rauscher Farm in 2008. A group of residents in town had led the campaign to preserve the last remaining large open space within the community. Over a decade later we devoted our efforts in this project to examine all aspects of the relationship between Rauscher Farm and the people of Clinton. We have provided a set of recommended action items that the Rauscher Farm Management Subcommittee can pursue. We hope that our comprehensive investigation, analysis, and recommendations may all help to serve the best interest of the Rauscher Farm Management Subcommittee, the people of Clinton, and Rauscher Farm itself