Towards the design of 3D multiscale instructive tissue engineering constructs: Current approaches and trends

The design of 3D constructs with adequate properties to instruct and guide cells both in vitro and in vivo is one of the major focuses of tissue engineering. Successful tissue regeneration depends on the favorable crosstalk between the supporting structure, the cells and the host tissue so that a balanced matrix production and degradation is achieved. Herein, the major occurring events and players in normal and regenerative tissue are overviewed. These have been inspiring the selection or synthesis of instructive cues to include into the 3D constructs. We further highlight the importance of a multiscale perception of the range of features that can be included on the biomimetic structures. Lastly, we focus on the current and developing tissue-engineering approaches for the preparation of such 3D constructs: top-down, bottom-up and integrative. Bottom-up and integrative approaches present a higher potential for the design of tissue engineering devices with multiscale features and higher biochemichal control than top-down strategies, and are the main focus of this review.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council grant agreement ERC-2012-ADG-20120216-321266 for the project ComplexiTE. Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology is gratefully acknowledged for the fellowship of Sara M. Oliveira (SFRH/BD/70107/2010)

A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services

Titanium oxide modeling and design for innovative biomedical surfaces: a concise review

The natural oxide layer on implantable alloys insulates the reactive underlying metal from the physiological environment, preventing substrate corrosion and device failure. This type of oxide film has had a major role in the minimization of functional failure and toxic response after implantation in the first generation biomaterials. Recent advances in theoretical, computational, and experimental surface engineering tools provide the foundation for the design of novel devices with improved performances in this regard based on conventional implantable metal alloys. An increasing number of technologies provide the possibility of tailoring chemico-physical and morphological parameters of the surface oxide layers. For some applications, such as dental implants, surface modifications result in substantial innovation and economic success. However, the selection of novel surfaces is in general based on experimental studies and has a limited theoretical and computational foundation. In this review, we offer a perspective analysis of the correlation between theoretical studies and chemical surface modification technologies, with a special emphasis on titanium oxide on Ti alloys. Theoretical approaches for the surface behavior at an atomistic level of description are presented, together with some adsorption studies on a rutile surface. The role of chemical and electrochemical surface modification technologies in modifying the TiO2 structure, morphology, and chemistry to tailor in vivo biological response is then briefly reviewed. Finally, we discuss the role of surface modeling as a powerful design tool for a new generation of implantable devices in which metal oxide surface can be tuned to yield specific biological response

Secondary reconstruction, after maxillectomy, using an osteocutaneous flap from the fibula. Report of a case | [Il lembo rivascolarizzato osteocutaneo di fibula nella ricostruzione secondaria dopo maxillectomia. Caso clinico.]

Surgical functional reconstruction after partial maxillectomy with fibula free flap. A bilateral upper alveolar bone, gingival and palatal defect after tumor resection, has various problems originating from reconstruction with prosthesis or temporalis muscle flap. We report a secondary reconstructive procedure using the fibula osteocutaneous free flap. The combined bone segments created the upper alveolar arch, and the skin paddle closed the palatal defect. This procedure restored the patient to masticatory function of the upper jaw, intelligible speech and natural facial appearance. As a result quality of life of patient was extremely improve

Adsorption on the TiO2 polymorphs: a molecular modeling study of topology effects on a photocatalytic "Minisci reaction"

Photocatalysis in organic synthesis concerns the use of light to induce chemical reactions onto organic substrates that are transparent in the wavelength range employed. The TiO2 photocatalysis may offer an alternative to thermal free-radical functionalization of heteroaromatic bases in the presence of classic metal-peroxide systems. Here we report a modeling study with Molecular Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics methods of the nanostructure effect of the TiO2 polymorphs on the adsorption of a heteroaromatic base (quinoline) and on the product of photocatalysis. The modeling studies can characterize the quinoline film formation on the TiO2 polymorphs surfaces on terms of the surface coverage, the interaction geometry at the interface and the interaction strength. These results show that MD methods yield useful information about the different film adsorption on the specific surfaces and on the substrate geomtery in the photocatalytic process

“Surgery First” vs “Traditional Sequence” Surgery: A Qualitative Study of Health Experiences in 46 Bimaxillary Orthognathic Patients

Introduction: Orthognathic patients are advocating an active role in selecting their appropriate ortho-surgical treatment, between the surgery first (SF) and the traditional sequence (TS) approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through qualitative analysis, the subjective perceptions of the outcomes of each protocol. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 46 (10 male and 36 female) orthognathic patients (23 SF and 23 TS) treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery by the same surgeon, between 2013 and 2015. Average treatment duration was 6.5 months for SF and 12 months for TS. Inclusion criteria were: the presence of Class III or Class II asymmetries and open bite. Patients were excluded if they refused interviews or stopped attending post-treatment follow-up. Investigated health experiences included overall satisfaction with appearance, self-confidence after surgery, perceived treatment time, functional recovery, and diet restrictions. Results: All SF and TS patients showed overall satisfaction with their appearance (though TS showed more enthusiastic tones) and approved their degree of functional recovery after surgery. Class III SF patients had earlier improvements in self-confidence after surgery. Orthodontics was considered enduring by both SF and TS patients. Conclusions: SF patients expressed a higher degree of satisfaction with the reduction in overall treatment time and with the early psychological benefit deriving therefrom. Both SF and TS patients completely approved of the aesthetic outcomes and the functional recovery from which they benefitted due to the entire procedure