Gender differences in aortic valve replacement: is surgical aortic valve replacement riskier and transcatheter aortic valve replacement safer in women than in men?

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a progressive and degenerative disease that necessitates valve replacement through either surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Various studies have shown that, unlike for TAVR, SAVR is associated with an elevated risk for women as compared to men. The aim of this review is to better understand the risks and their possible causes, associated with the use of both TAVR and SAVR in female patients. Our systematic review included studies published between 2012 and 2020, identified through specific searches of PubMed. Compatibility of publications, determined by the use of pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulted in 15 articles being used in our review. Overall, more men than women undergo SAVR, but our findings confirmed that SAVR is associated with worse outcomes in women in the short-term. Reasons for a higher 30-day mortality post-SAVR in women include an increased age, higher in-hospital mortality and, possibly baseline comorbidities and anatomical differences. There was no difference observed in 30-day mortality between men and women undergoing TAVR. Female patients appear to have a better longer-term survival post-TAVR than their male counterparts. Understanding the reasons why women have worse outcomes post-SAVR is essential for ensuring appropriate treatment selection for patients with AS, as well as for achieving the best possible long-term and safety outcomes for these patients

Spatioselective Modification of Bicompartmental Polymer Particles and Fibers via Huisgen 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Precise nano- and microscale control of the architecture of biodegradable biomaterials is desirable for several biotechnological applications such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and medical imaging. Herein, we combine electrohydrodynamic co-jetting and highly specific surface modification (via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition) to prepare particles and fibers with spatioselective surface modification. We first prepared biphasic particles and fibers from commercial poly(lactide- co -glycolide) copolymers via electrohydrodynamic co-jetting of two organic solutions loaded with fluorescent macromolecules and acetylene-modified PLGA derivatives. (i) Spatially controlled reaction of poly[lactide- co -(propargyl glycolide)] with O -(2-aminoethyl)- O ′-(2-azidoethyl)heptaethylene glycol and (ii) subsequent conversion of the newly introduced amino groups with fluorescence probes resulted in particles and fibers with surface modification of one hemisphere only.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61239/1/1655_ftp.pd

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Lipid nanocarriers loaded with natural compounds: Potential new therapies for age related neurodegenerative diseases?

Article in pressAge related neurodegenerative disorders (ARND) are presented as the most debilitating and challenging diseases associated with the central nervous system. Despite the advent of active molecules with a positive role on neurodegenerative mechanisms, many of the current therapeutic strategies remain ineffective in treating or preventing ARND. Lipid nanocarriers have emerged as efficient delivery systems with the capability to cross biological barriers, especially the blood brain barrier (BBB). Also, when associated to natural compounds, lipid nanocarriers have demonstrated to be an interesting alternative to ARND therapies with multiple beneficial effects. This comprehensive review focus on state-of-the-art lipid based nanocarriers for the delivery of natural compounds targeting neurodegeneration. A critical analysis of published reports will be also provided giving indications to researchers about the most promising ARND nanotherapy strategies.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013. Marlene Lúcio acknowledges the exploratory project funded by FCT with the reference IF/00498/2012. Telma Soares acknowledges COMPETE 2020 “Programa Operacional Competitividade e internacionalização”info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

On-chip alginate microencapsulation of functional cells

We report the use of a PTFE-based microfluidic device for the encapsulation of living, therapeutically-active cells within monodisperse alginate microspheres. We present a novel microfluidic platform and a flexible experimental method for the production of alginate microspheres. Cell lines HEK293, U-2 OS and PC12 were separately encapsulated using this method, with minimal loss of cell viability. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

Evaluation of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel in breast cancer

Introduction: Paclitaxel (PTX) is a cornerstone in the treatment of breast cancer, the most common type of cancer in women. However, this drug has serious limitations, including lack of tissue-specificity, poor water solubility, and the development of drug resistance. The transport of PTX in a polymeric nanoformulation could overcome these limitations.Methods: In this study, PLGA-PTX nanoparticles (NPs) were assayed in breast cancer cell lines, breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) and multicellular tumor spheroids (MTSs) analyzing cell cycle, cell uptake (Nile Red-NR-) and alpha-tubulin expression. In addition, PLGA-PTX NPs were tested in vivo using C57BL/6 mice, including a biodistribution assay.Results: PTX-PLGA NPs induced a significant decrease in the PTX IC50 of cancer cell lines (1.31 and 3.03-fold reduction in MDA-MB-231 and E0771 cells, respectively) and CSCs. In addition, MISs treated with PTX-PLGA exhibited a more disorganized surface and significantly higher cell death rates compared to free PTX (27.9% and 16.3% less in MRCSs from MCF-7 and E0771, respectively). PTX-PLGA nanoformulation preserved PTX's mechanism of action and increased its cell internalization. Interestingly, PTX-PLG A NI's not only reduced the tumor volume of treated mice hut also increased the antineoplastic drug accumulation in their lungs, liver, and spleen. In addition, mice treated with PTX-loaded NPs showed blood parameters similar to the control mice, in contrast with free PTX.Conclusion: These results suggest that our PTX-PLGA NPs could be a suitable strategy for breast cancer therapy, improving antitumor drug efficiency and reducing systemic toxicity without altering its mechanism of action