Comparison of Morphology and Cytotoxicity of Cellulose Composites with Nano- and Microhydroxyapatite for Bone Tissue Engineering

Scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration must be precisely designed as they support cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation and blood vessel in-growth. Moreover, the materials which are implanted in human body must be non-cytotoxic, absolutely harmless. In this work cellulose scaffolds with nanohydroxyapatite and microhydroxyapatite were prepared. The results obtained in this work revealed that the morphology of the scaffolds depended on the size of hydroxyapatite particles. The porosity of the scaffolds varied from 66 to 72%. The pores were interconnected with the average diameter 0.49 and 0.54 mm for scaffolds with nano- and microhydroxyapatite, respectively. Biocompatibility and potential toxicity of the experimental cellulose/hydroxyapatite scaffolds were tested. It was determined that the scaffolds containing nanohydroxyapatite particles showed slight cytotoxic effect

Comparison of Morphology and Cytotoxicity of Cellulose Composites with Nano- and Microhydroxyapatite for Bone Tissue Engineering

Scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration must be precisely designed as they support cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation and blood vessel in-growth. Moreover, the materials which are implanted in human body must be non-cytotoxic, absolutely harmless. In this work cellulose scaffolds with nanohydroxyapatite and microhydroxyapatite were prepared. The results obtained in this work revealed that the morphology of the scaffolds depended on the size of hydroxyapatite particles. The porosity of the scaffolds varied from 66 to 72%. The pores were interconnected with the average diameter 0.49 and 0.54 mm for scaffolds with nano- and microhydroxyapatite, respectively. Biocompatibility and potential toxicity of the experimental cellulose/hydroxyapatite scaffolds were tested. It was determined that the scaffolds containing nanohydroxyapatite particles showed slight cytotoxic effect

Characterization of cellulose based sponges for wound dressings

Cellulose based sponges were developed by freeze-drying of regenerated cellulose gels and characterizedas a potential wound dressing. Morphological characteristics were analyzed by means of micro-computedtomography. The results showed that the porosity of the sponges reached 75%, the pores were inter-connected and their size ranged from 10 to 1200 m with a mean pore diameter of 750 m. Due tohydrophilicity of cellulose and high specific surface area (14.5 mm2/mm3) the sponges possess highsorption of simulated wound fluids (approx. 210%) and high water vapour transmission ability. Dif-ferent active compounds, such as polyphenols from Calendula officinalis or Chamomilla recutita extracts(1 day diffusion experiment), silver nanoparticles (1, 2 and 4 days diffusion experiments) were immo-bilized into the sponges in order to improve wound dressing performance. Release kinetics of silvernanoparticles and polyphenols from the sponges were investigated. The sponges incorporated with sil-ver, showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Thus, these cellulose based spongesare promising wound dressing materials for fester and infected wounds

EFNS guidelines on management of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder in sleep

In 2003, the EFNS Task Force was set up for putting forth guidelines for the management of the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and the Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). After determining the objectives for management and the search strategy for primary and secondary RLS and for PLMD, a review of the scientific literature up to 2004 was performed for the drug classes and interventions employed in treatment (drugs acting on the adrenoreceptor, antiepileptic drugs, benzodiazepines/hypnotics, dopaminergic agents, opioids, other treatments). Previous guidelines were consulted. All trials were analysed according to class of evidence, and recommendations formed according to the 2004 EFNS criteria for rating. Dopaminergic agents came out as having the best evidence for efficacy in primary RLS. Reported adverse events were usually mild and reversible; augmentation was a feature with dopaminergic agents. No controlled trials were available for RLS in children and for RLS during pregnancy. The following level A recommendations can be offered: for primary RLS, cabergoline, gabapentin, pergolide, ropinirole, levodopa and rotigotine by transdermal delivery (the latter two for short-term use) are effective in relieving the symptoms. Transdermal oestradiol is ineffective for PLMD